NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 524
Submitted by Norman Giller
Who'd believe that I would be writing my first post-Daniel Levy blog with Spurs sitting within shooting distance of the top of the table and the Yellow Submarine waiting to be sunk?
Nobody saw the Levy exit coming, and despite all he achieved in building a club for the 21st century it seemed a breath of fresh air blew through N17 when news broke of his shock removal from a position of power.
I was happy to lead the applause for his services in turning Tottenham Hotspur into a footballing financial powerhouse, but the majority were clapping that the Joe Lewis offspring (majority shareholders) had forced him to give up his stranglehold on the club.
There were wild celebrations at West Ham on Saturday, and not only because of the dismantling of a shockingly inferior Hammers side. Many of the fans who had been on Levy's back were shouting with joy that their Nemesis had been shunted sideways.
I am reminded of that ages-old saying: careful what you wish for. The oil-rich Arabs are gathering in the background for a takeover. Then what are the committed 'Yid Army' fans going to chant?
Our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith gives his account of the walloping of West Ham HERE, and quite rightly spotlights the man-of-the-match brilliance of Lucas Bergvall. This blonde teenager is certain to develop into a club legend. He has skill, energy, enthusiasm and an in-born instinct of how to be in the right place at the right time.
On top of Bergvall's inspired performance there was much to admire in the Spurs debut of Xavi Simons. He looks tailor-made for that Lilywhite shirt. But we need to see him in action against stronger opposition than West Ham mustered, even before they were reduced to ten men following a reckless tackle that could have broken Joao Palhinha's leg.
If I live to be 100 (not long to go, folks!) I will never understand how Cuti Romero's headed goal was ruled out, but Spurs did not let it interrupt their domination of the match, and their 3-0 victory flattered flattened West Ham.
The Yellow Submarine? That's been the proud nickname of Villareal since back in the 1960s when The Beatles - with Ringo Starr on vocals - had a hit with a song that perfectly suited the Spanish team with their canary-yellow shirts. Let's hope they are torpedoed tomorrow when Thomas Frank's Tottenham have their first taste of Champions' League football.
Victory would be a fitting farewell to Daniel Levy, who is moving out of the boardroom spotlight but retaining nearly a third of the club shares. He revolutionised N17 with his vision and drive, but could not win the popularity of the fans because of his apparent coldness and miserly approach to transfers.
His name will always figure large in Tottenham history, and I for one salute his service and, yes, his stubbornness. He did not roll over for anybody. Thank you, Danny Boy.
COYS.
Spurs select - A Tottenham team to play for my life
Introducing Spurs Select - The Ultimate Fan's Choice! Every Spurs fan has their dream XI. Now it's time to decide, once and for all.
Who makes YOUR Spurs Select team?
Pick your best ever XI (any formation you like). Two golden rules: You must have seen the players in action, and they must be born in Britain or Northern Ireland.
Send your line-up and a maximum 50 words to me at normangiller@gmail.com. Your choice could be featured in my upcoming book 'Spurs Select'! Oh, and tell me when you first saw Tottenham play.
This is a book written with the fans, for the fans. Have your say and help shape Spurs history.
Ends commercial.
COYS.
Here we go with the fifth week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history...
Who has won 12 caps for his country, played v. England at Wembley in 2023 and against which club did he score his first Premier League goal for Tottenham in a 4-1 victory?
Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 5. 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 11 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 2026, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date.
Last week I asked: Who played 51 times for England, started his career with Millwall and from which club did he join Spurs for the first time in 1992
Answer: Teddy Sheringham/Nottingham Forest
See you back here on Monday..
COYS!
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