NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 562
Submitted by Norman Giller

Spluttering Spurs go into the ridiculously long international break like a groggy boxer saved by the bell. Their high-cost, astronomically paid, pampered players now go off to represent their countries, while manager Roberto De Zerbi sits anxiously waiting to get them all back and hopefully hitting the winning trail at Old Trafford on far-off Saturday October 10. Don't hold your breath.

According to the mood on social media, many angry, impatient fans think De Zerbi should no longer be in charge when his players return. But swapping - sacking - managers Daniel Levy style is not the answer. Spurs must hold their nerve and, as they used to advise when I first entered a war-torn world, KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. Tin hats and gas masks will be provided.

As our guru Paul H. Smith reports here, lively Spurs coulda, shoulda been three or four goals clear before Villa took the lead as the half-time interval approached. (Ed:- I'd say one or two) Just think of the different mood we'd been in.

There is never a dull day at Tottenham Hotspur, although Saturday's variety of excitement was about as welcome as a wasp in your half-time pint.

Let me remind you like a nagging toothache that Spurs have now taken just two points from five matches - the club's worst start to a Premier League campaign. (Ed:- In 2008-09, we had a better goal difference after 5 games. The record was the same in terms of results).

Those are damning figures, and nobody should attempt to disguise them. Yet already the firing squad is assembling, with many so-called supporters demanding that De Zerbi be shown the door.

Five league games. That is all. Keep calm.

If that is considered sufficient time in which to judge a new manager, working with a substantially altered, albeit expensive squad and trying to impose a demanding style of football, we might as well install a revolving door in the manager's office.

That does not mean De Zerbi should escape criticism. Far from it. He looked as angry and bewildered as the supporters after watching his team turn a promising beginning into another self-inflicted defeat. Grown men were close to tears as the third Villa goal went in, and thousands outside the ground were angrily on the way home when Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Heck gave the scoreline a touch of reality.

For those who accuse me of too often toeing the club line, let me admit the Spurs fans are entitled to be angry. They pay princely sums and have endured enough false dawns to illuminate the whole of North London. But demanding the manager's execution after just five league matches is football lunacy.

De Zerbi must accept responsibility for his team selection, substitutions and tactical decisions. The players must accept responsibility for switching off, making basic errors and allowing anxiety to overwhelm them. This is a collective failure, not a one-man crime.

Now comes that insanely long international break, before being reunited (ha ha) with Michael Carrick, who spent two seasons patrolling Tottenham's midfield before moving north and collecting a cupboard full of medals.

Perhaps the break has come at the right moment. De Zerbi needs time on the training ground, although international calls will scatter much of his squad around the globe. More importantly, he must restore belief to players who clearly have lost confidence and self belief.

Perhaps the arrival of long-time target Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest in the January transfer window will placate critics?

Put away the axes, extinguish the torches, get rid of the rope and allow the manager to manage. We will know soon enough whether Roberto De Zerbi is the right man for what Gerry Francis once called, "The Impossible Job." There are plenty of ex-Tottenham managers who would agree with that description.

For the moment, changing the man in charge yet again would be madness.

Keep calm.

I was astonished recently to find a group of 20-something Spurs fans who had never heard of mighty Bobby Smith. He was the striker who cracked in 208 goals for Tottenham, a club record until overtaken by Jimmy Greaves and then Harry Kane.

It has moved me to give away a digitised version of my Bobby Smith, Forgotten Hero book. It is an unbelievable story that you couldn't make up. We can't have him being lost to the modern generation who seem to think football started with the Premier League.

So watch your email boxes as I spread the word. And if you or a friend has memories of the historic Double season of 1960-61 please share them with me by sending an email to normangiller@gmail.com.

Let's do it at the Double. /p>

Here we go with the sixth week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club' history ...

Which former Spurs captain arrived at White Hart Lane from Craven Cottage and against which team did he lead Tottenham to a UEFA Cup final victory?

Email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 6. Deadline: midnight this Saturday. I will do my best to respond to all who take part. Answer in the next Blog here at Spurs Odyssey.

The rules are the same as in the previous 12 seasons. I ask a two-pronged question with three points at stake - two for identifying the player and one for the supplementary question. In the closing weeks of the competition I break the logjam of all-knowing Spurs-history experts with a real stinker of a tie-breaking poser that is based on opinion rather than fact. This is when I lose what few friends I have.

This season's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2027, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date.

Last week: Who won five caps for England, collected an FA Cup winners' medal with Spurs as a sub and which Tottenham manager signed him from Liverpool?

Answer: Paul Walsh/Terry Venables

See you back here on Monday October 12.

COYS!