Spurs Odyssey

NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 484

Submitted by Norman Giller

The blanket of depression that dropped on many Spurs supporters after yesterday's defeat at Newcastle is an ageing process that I do not recommend. I refuse to become contaminated by the poison of pessimism that is contagious, and Dr Giller suggests some positive thinking as a remedy.

There were 25 minutes in the second-half when Tottenham played the Geordies off their St James' Park, and that's the memory I will take from a match that left us as frustrated as pianists trying to play with the lid closed.

Ange Postecoglou must continue with his bold attacking football and not be put off by those who are not necessarily keyboard warriors but definitely worriers. It just needs an improvement in that last third of the field in which so many teams lose their way.

In the two matches at Leicester and Newcastle Spurs have created THIRTY FIVE chances, and if just a couple of them had gone in the on-line and phone-in critics kicking the team would have changed their funereal tune and tone.

Many are tossing in the towel after only three matches. I just hope this morose mood does not spread to the players, who are playing some wonderful front foot football but with finishing that lacks, dare I say, the ruthlessness of a Harry Kane.

But let's remember, we went into the game without injured strikers Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, while the defence missed the majestic presence of Van de Ven. The moaners and groaners did not seem to take that into account with their post-match inquests.

There's the simple task coming up after the international break of playing the Arsenal. Let's get that out of the way before committing hara-kiri.

My Spurs Odyssey team-mate Declan Mulcahy gives the match facts HERE, and his account confirms that it was Tottenham who had the lion's share of the game on a hunting ground that has not been kind to Spurs of late.

The brightest thing to come out of the gloom of Geordieland is that Brennan 'Brengun' Johnson was electrifying when sent on from the bench. He played with a pace and precision that suggests he can develop into a Supersub.

My plea to all pessimists: Heads up. This could be a very special Tottenham team but they need full support, not the wounding arrows being fired from keyboard assassins.

I wonder what we will all be saying after the visit from the Woolwich Nomads?

My column - and positive thoughts - will be back on Monday week. I need that break, too! Trying to stop the team drowning in the waves of pessimism is akin to being a Canute (some others may use a more cutting description).

COYS!

So here we are already in the fourth week of our eleventh season of the Spurs Odyssey Quiz League, and the question is:

Which son of a professional footballer has won 127 caps and from which German team did he join Spurs in 2015?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 4. Deadline: midnight this Friday. I will do my best to respond to all who take part.

The rules are the same as in the previous ten 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 year's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2025, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date. Last week's question: Who won seven England caps, played in the 1986 World Cup finals and from which club did he join Spurs in 1983?

Answer: Gary Stevens, Brighton

See you back here on Monday week after the international break. COYS!

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NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 483

Submitted by Norman Giller

I very rarely reach for this comparison out of respect for a legend of our Beautiful Game ... but Micky Van de Ven's charging, 70-yard run that set up the fourth goal against Everton reminded me of the late, great Duncan Edwards. It was full of power, determination and purpose.

All the old pros I have been privileged to talk to spoke of Duncan in reverential terms. Billy Wright, for instance, called him: "A young God." Bill Nicholson described him as "phenomenal". Sir Bobby Charlton told me, 'He was the one player of whom I was in awe."

The Welsh Wing Wizard Cliffie Jones has often told me: "Duncan was The Master. We played in the same Army regiment, and it was like having two team-mates. He had strength and skill in abundance and could defend or attack with equal power. I don't mind admitting I cried when I heard he was in the Munich air crash. It was the very same week I joined Spurs.'

I don't want to put pressure on young Micky's mantle (a little baseball pun for you there, folks) but I honestly think he can grow into a modern Duncan Edwards. He has a similar muscular physique and seems able to run all day.

Micky and rock head Cristian Romero are developing into one of the great Tottenham partnerships and we can look forward to them earning respect in BOTH penalty areas. They make their powerful presence felt at the heart of the defence and, when necessary, at the fulcrum of the attack.

Let's give credit to the new coaching team of Nick Montgomery and Sergio Raimundo, brought in by Ange Postecoglou following the departure of Chris Davies to his new job as boss at Birmingham City. They are two disciplined characters who are working overtime to get the Tottenham defence cemented at set pieces, and they are giving particular attention to the polishing of the VDV/Romero twin machine.

Micky and Cristian were outstanding together in Saturday's dismantling of Everton, described HERE in dizzying detail by our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith. Sonny's two goals and the booming strike from Yves Bissouma added to our delight. It was the first of what I am sure will be many goals from the reformed man from Mali, who does not need laughing gas to make us revere his obvious talent.

There was also a promising debut from Wilson Odobert to add to the warm feeling of all-round satisfaction, and the French flier did enough before being substituted by Richarlison to suggest he is destined for great things.

I am down with irritating bronchitis at the moment and accompanied the pulsating Tottenham performance with coughs rather than cheers. But the flowing, front foot football was much more potent than the Paracetamol in helping cure me.

Just think, if the ball had run for Spurs at Leicester, there would now be at least ten goals in the bank!

Of course, the question has to be asked whether Spurs were exceptional or Everton downright appalling. The answer probably lies somewhere between the two, but let's not try to pick any holes in the Spurs exhibition and execution of their at-times scintillating football.

The codeword has to be POSITIVITY as we go into challenging back-to-back fixtures at Newcastle United and then home to Arsenal in a North London Derby that will signpost just what sort of season we are going to have.

With Romero and the new VDV at the heart of the defence - and supporting the attack - anything is possible. Heads up. Let's all spread confidence. Remember, pessimism is contagious. Ange's Angels must be positive. COYS!

So here we are in the third week of our eleventh season of the Spurs Odyssey Quiz League, and the question is:

Who won seven England caps, played in the 1986 World Cup finals and from which club did he join Spurs in 1983? Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 3. Deadline: midnight this Friday. I will do my best to respond to all who take part.

The rules are the same as in the previous ten 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 year's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2025, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date.

Last week's question: Who has won 57 international caps, was a Champions League Cup winner in 2021 and which shirt number did he wear for Spurs against Leicester last night?

Answer: Timo Werner, shirt number 16

See you back here next Monday. COYS!

Follow @spursodyssey

PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 24TH AUGUST, 2024

(3pm)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4(2) EVERTON 0(0)

Scorers:-

Bissouma, 14

Son, 25,77

Romero, 71

Attendance:- 61,357

Referee:- Anthony Taylor

Assistants:- Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn

Fourth official:- Tom Nield

VAR:- Andy Madley

Assistant VAR:- Harry Lennard.

Teams:-

Spurs (4-2-3-1):- 1. Vicario, 17. Romero, 37. Van de Ven, 13. Udogie (sub 24. Spence, 73); 21. Kulusevski (sub 29. Sarr, 67), 8. Bissouma (sub 14. Gray, 72); 22. Johnson, 10. Maddison (sub 15. Bergvall, 79), 28. Odobert (sub 9. Richarlison, 66); 7. Son (Capt.)

Subs not used:- 20. Forster; 6. Dragusin, 33. Davies; 16. Werner

No bookings

Everton (4-5-1):- 1. Pickford; 75. Dixon, 6. Tarkowski (Capt.), 5. Keane, 19. Mykolenko; 7. McNeil, 42. Iroegbunam, 27. Gueye (sub 45. H. Armstrong, 90+1), 16. Doucoure (sub 10. Ndiaye, 57), 11. Harrison (sub 29. Lindstrom, 57); 9. Calvert-Lewin (sub 14. Beto, 72)

Subs not used:- 12. Joao Virginia; 4. Holgate, 15. O'Brien; 44. Metcalfe; 21. Maupay

No bookings

This could be Spurs' easiest game of the season.

Spurs scored four goals, making it 106 in 65 Premier League games against Everton, and their 21st home win in 33 such games. Skipper Heung-min Son scored his 121st and 122nd Premier League goals - his first of the season. One was gifted by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The other was laid on a plate after an excellent lung-bursting end-to-end run by Micky Van de Ven.

Cristian Romero scored from a corner in his 100th club appearance and Yves Bissouma went some way to atoning for his laughing gas sins with an outstanding 14th minute opener. This was a very comfortable win for Spurs against their favourite opposition of the Premier League ever-presents, and it could be their easiest game of the season.

Sean Dyche was apparently down to 14 recognised first-teamers. He had to play a rookie 19-year-old right back Roman Dixon - and perhaps Ange Postecoglou anticipated this, giving Wilson Odobert his Spurs debut on the left wing. While Dixon certainly didn't disgrace himself, Odobert had an excellent game. He excited the crowd with his speedy traditional wing work and made plenty of useful crosses.

A few in the crowd (me included) might remember "The Great Wilson," who was a boys' comic hero in "The Wizard" and subsequently "The Hornet." There are a couple of potential nicknames there!

Ange was able to play his first choice defence, but with Bentancur forced to miss this game, he chose to play Kulusevski next to Bissouma, although the Spurs midfield was very fluid and effective against Everton's desperate five-man midfield. Whilst that midfield committed plenty of fouls, none were bad enough to attract a yellow card from experienced referee Anthony Taylor.

Ben Davies was presented pre-match with a gift commemorating his 10 years with Spurs. Ben has made 225 Premier League appearances, but he was not used today.

Everton turned us round and we kicked off playing towards the massive South Stand. A Maddison corner was intercepted, and we won a corner in the first minute. After the corner, Son crossed to Romero, whose shot was saved by Everton's player of the year Pickford. A cross by Pedro Porro from Maddison's pass went through the danger zone.

It was non-stop attack by Spurs with Maddison and Odobert winning another corner. Pickford saved a deflected shot by Son to his right. The England keeper gets plenty of practice in this team!

Everton finally managed an attack down the left with Mykolenko feeding midfielder Tim Iroegbunam (signed from Villa this summer), but Vicario blocked his shot. Pickford blocked a shot by Maddison and soon after Maddison crossed from the left, but Johnson headed a great chance wide.

The first goal was not long coming and followed good play on the right with Bissouma latching on to Kulusevski's cross, hitting a dipping but powerful shot into the net off the underside of the crossbar from 20 yards. It was a great moment for "Biss."

Everton now had occasional attacks on the counter and Doucoure hit the side netting with a shot from the right. Odobert was seeing a lot of the ball and demonstrating wing wizardry.

Our second goal was a gift and Pickford had to hold his hands up in apology and shame as Son was presented with the ball and did not turn down the offering.

Spurs really should have extended their lead, but to some extent they took their foot off the pedal in the first half. Calvert-Lewin met a cross from McNeil, but the ever-reliable Van de Ven blocked that with his own header. After an over-hit corner Maddison fed Pedro Porro and Odobert headed over from his cross.

Van de Ven needed treatment in midfield, and it seemed a long 30 seconds before he was allowed back into the playing area. Romero conceded a cheap corner after which McNeil won a second corner with a blocked shot. Everton had three corners in this period and a goalmouth scramble during which Maddison cleared a Doucoure effort off the line. Spurs responded with two corners in added time. After one of these Pedro Porro hit a left-footed shot just over the bar.

Everton kicked off the second half playing away from their fans, who had little to cheer and left in droves well before the end of the game. It takes a lot of gumption to be an Everton fan these days.

Spurs had an early free kick near half-way. Following this long kick Maddison had a right-footed shot saved by Pickford, who had been taunted constantly by the home fans after that error.

Spurs began to let the visitors have too much time on the ball and some desperate defending was required after a mis-placed Odobert cross-field pass. Vicario saved from Lindstrom, who is a loan-signing from Napoli.

Son was fouled just outside the Everton box, at which point Ange made his first substitutions with Richarlison replacing Odobert and Sarr replacing Kulusevski. Maddison put the free kick just wide of Pickford's left post.

Son moved to the left now and won a corner on that side. Maddison took the kick, floated it into the 6-yard zone and Romero rose to head home with ease to make it 3-0.

Udogie subsequently needed some treatment, and he was replaced by Djed Spence who filled in well at left back.

Spurs scored a great fourth goal when Van de Ven picked up the ball in his own area and made a bee-line sprint to the other end. Micky had a chance to shoot but teed up his captain nicely. "Sonny" scored beneath Pickford. That was game over and I understand that Paddy Power are already paying out on bets for Everton to be relegated. That might have been a spoof post on "X."

Last year Everton lost their first three games and failed to score. So far, they've lost two, failed to score and have a -7 goal difference!

Spurs face a more testing trip to Newcastle next Sunday, by which time we will know more about our Europa League programme to come.

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FRIENDLY FIXTURE

VISIT MALTA CUP

SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST, 2024

(5.30pm at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(1) BAYERN MUNICH 3(3)

Spurs scorer:-

Kulusevski, 1, 61

Bayern scorers:-

Upamecano, 16

Gnabry, 31

Muller, 44

Attendance:- 61,084

Referee:- Chris Kavanagh

Assistants:- Lee Betts, Richard West

Fourth official:- Josh Smith

Teams:-

Spurs (4-2-1-3):- 1. Vicario; 23. Pedro Porro (sub 14. Gray, 46), 6. Dragusin (sub 17. Romero, 46), 33. Davies (sub 37. Van de Ven, 46), 24. Spence (sub 13. Udogie, 46); 29. Sarr (sub 4. Skipp, 46), 8. Bissouma (sub 30. Bentancur, 46); 10. Maddison (sub 15. Bergvall, 46); 22. Johnson (sub 16. Werner, 46), 21. Kulusevski (sub 59. Moore, 66), 7. Son (Capt.) (sub 62. Lankshear, 80)

Armband to Romero Subs not used:- 40. Austin, 46. Gunter (GKs); 45. Devine, 27. Solomon

Booked:- Dragusin (foul on Tel), Lankshear (foul)

Bayern (4-2-3-1):- 1. Neuer (Capt.) (sub 26. Ulreich, 46); 44. Stanisic , 2. Upamecano (sub 15. Dier, 46), 3. Kim Min-Jae (sub 47. Aseko, 79), 22. Guerreiro (sub 32, Licina, 46); 6. Kimmich (sub 9. Kane, 80), 45. Pavlovic (sub 16. Palhinha, 62); 42. Musiala (sub 27. Laimer, 46); 7. Gnabry (sub 11. Coman, 62), 25. Muller (sub 46. Vidovic, 46) , 39. Tel (sub 48. Aznou, 46)

Armband to Kimmich, then to Kane

Subs not used:- 50. Klanac(GK); 4. De Ligt, 40. Mazraoui; 8. Goretzka; 31. Irankunda, 33. Fernandez

Booked:- Dier (unsporting conduct), Coman (unsporting conduct)

Spurs end pre-season campaign with second defeat to Bayern

Thanks to Cassim Patel for this picture

Spurs ended their six-game pre-season programme at home in front of a 61,000 crowd with a second defeat in 8 days to Bayern Munich. Again, defeat was by one goal. The two matches took place 5,500 miles apart with both teams having travelled from Seoul in the last week.

Most of the fans probably came to see Spurs legend Harry Kane playing for the opposition. England captain Kane only returned to training this week and his fans had to wait until 10 minutes from the end to see him play. Harry did manage two shots on goal in his brief time on the pitch, both of which flew a little too high over Vicario's goal.

Kane and Eric Dier (who also wears number 15 for Bayern) were presented with mementoes before the game by Ledley King, to great applause.

Spurs had announced the £65 million signing of Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke earlier in the day, and he was formally presented to the crowd before kick-off along with Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Solanke will have to wait for Leicester a week on Monday for game time, but both Gray and Bergvall impressed in their second-half appearances. Solanke watched the game beside his new competitor Richarlison.

Emerson Royal was not present and is said to be signing for Milan today (Sunday). Fraser Forster (still nursing and injured foot) and Giovani Lo Celso (looking for a club?) were also not involved. Spurs welcomed back their remaining international stars this week and in the second half we had something resembling our first choice defence for the first time in this friendly campaign.

Friendlies are not about results of course, but about gaining fitness and sharpness on the playing field. They are also about learning, but Spurs still have not learnt how to play out from the back and for the second week in succession they gifted Bayern Munich one of their goals. This habit must be eradicated next week!

On the plus side, apart from the continuing development of exciting youngsters, including Mikey Moore (who is 17 today and said to be getting a nice new contract), we have seen Dejan Kulusevski emerge in style as a very effective "false nine". "Deki" scored both our goals today. The second was real quality, served up in similar style by Bergvall.

The Bayern side was similar to that which started last week but included ace defender Upamecano and Euros star Musiala. De Ligt and Mazraoui were on the bench but are said to be signing for Manchester United this week. Summer signing Michael Olise has been starring in The Olympic Games for France.

There was a trumpet-led rendition of "Oh when the Spurs" before the visitors kicked off and played towards the South Stand. Spurs immediately broke out of their own half. Son led us out; Johnson crossed from the right and whilst Kulusevski's first touch was off target, the ball rebounded to him off Kimmich and "Deki" accepted the second chance! The goal was timed at just 23 seconds.

Spurs' bright start continued with a high press. Pedro Porro fed Son, who was blocked before he could shoot or return a cross.

Bayern were soon threatening, and Ben Davies got the chance to prevent Gnabry from scoring. The one-time Arsenal man took too long over his attempt on goal. The German side was soon getting into its stride, albeit being somewhat profligate. Musial found Tel on the left, but his shot passed wide of the far post.

Kulusevski did well, latching onto Maddison's sharp ball down the left channel but his attempt to further the move was cut out. Tel crossed for Gnabry, but he fired over the target.

A powerful run out of his half by Bissouma was brought to an end roughly by Guerreiro and referee Chris Kavanagh "had words". Gnabry failed again beyond the back post when Tel crossed from the left. Bayern took the lead when Kimmich took a free kick from the left. This was headed down by Tel, parried by Vicario, but finished off at close range by Upamecano.

Vicario was soon under pressure again and had to punch Stanisic's cross clear. Spurs had a couple of corners with no return. A better chance came following an impressive advance by Djed Spence through the middle. He passed to Son on the left, but Maddison could not quite reach his cross.

Spence was not so good at the other end with a dodgy play-out move, but Gnabry didn't make the most of his opportunity. After a Spurs counter-attack, Son's low cross passed just in front of the far post. Son even tried to catch out Neuer with a 40 yard shot, but the keeper recovered and caught the ball.

Maddison recovered after a clash of heads at a Bayern corner, but Gnabry did take advantage of Vicario's gift in the 31st minute. Musiala shot wide after Pedro Porro over-committed and Bayern advanced down his wing. Vicario made a great save from Musiala after he received from Tel. Upamecano thwarted Kulusevski after another Maddison pass.

Stanisic intercepted when Pedro Porro aimed a cross at Son. Maddison's corner was held. Dragusin was booked when he brought down Tel just outside the box on the left. Guerreiro took this kick and Thomas Muller (35 in September) dived to head home.

In added time James Maddison hit a left footed shot from 25 yards just outside the post. James was one of a raft of half-time substitutions and will be hoping to be picked against his old team a week on Monday.

Thanks to Stuart Gibson for this picture

Archie Gray took over at right back. We have seen him at centre-back and in midfield already. He showed plenty of skill and good footwork in tight situations up and down the wing. Similarly, Bergvall is a ball-winner and a skilful passer.

Werner took over on the left, with Son in the middle. Timo got into the box after only a minute, but his shot was easy for second half keeper Ulreich. The Bayern defence was scrambling after a quick free kick by Bergvall gave Udogie a chance to advance into the area. At the back Micky van de Ven intercepted Laimer's attempt.

Gnabry and Kimmich were among the Bayern players staying in the second half and after a one-two exchange Gnabry hit the side netting. Eric Dier looped a near post effort over after a corner on the right, in front of a strong contingent of visiting fans.

Spurs reduced the deficit with an excellent 61st minute goal. Between them, Bergvall and Son put pressure on and won the ball with Bergvall making the clever pass with the outside of his foot to Kulusevski who wrong-footed Ulreich and scored with his right foot just inside the goalie's left post.

More substitutions followed, either side of which Bergvall had to leave the field to change a boot and also had a worrying moment when he seemed to be choking. Thankfully, he recovered and was able to continue.

Aznou had a shot go well over following a Bayern free kick. At the other end, following a corner. Van de Ven's shot from distance was well over.

Kimmich played 80 minutes and one of his last contributions was to hit a free kick just outside the post. He was replaced by Kane, who was given a great reception. Kane took the armband, and the two captains embraced before Son went off and was replaced by Lankshear.

Mikey Moore had earlier replaced Kulusevski and after receiving from Bentancur Mikey hit a right-footed shot which was a comfortable hold for the keeper.

Had Spurs managed an equaliser we would have had a penalty shoot-out, but the visitors were presented with The Visit Malta Trophy. I understand that Harry Kane refused the opportunity to hold the trophy aloft. Harry did take the opportunity to walk all the way around the stadium to say his formal farewell to his adoring fans.

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