NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 531
Submitted by Norman Giller
Richarlison should celebrate goals Greavsie style
Richarlison de Andrade - to give him his full name - should study videos of England's greatest-ever marksman, Jimmy Greaves, to discover how best to celebrate a goal without wearing himself out. Those of us of a certain age will recall how Jimmy would waltz through a defence, pass the ball into the net, and then trundle back to the centre-circle as if on a walk in the park.
As we saw against Manchester United on Saturday, Richarlison marks a goal with a Brazilian carnival-style display of delight, ripping off his shirt and exhausting himself both physically and emotionally.
The result? He collects a booking for overdoing the partying and is in no shape to help out the defence when United force an equaliser moments later, deep into injury time - leaving the Brazilian a heaving heap of despair, flat out on the ground. From heaven to hell in two crazy minutes.
I know and understand that this is all part of Richarlison's hot-blooded Latin make-up and temperament, but it would make him a better team player if he could control his celebrations. But I guess that - as the old song goes - is like asking the sun to leave the sky, or a baby not to cry. It's impossible (Perry Como 1970, for those who recall the singing barber who had a laid-back style similar to Jimmy's way of playing).
Spurs supporters of my vintage will tell you that Greavsie let his goals do the talking - and what an orator he was! Poetry in motion. If only that calm efficiency could be bottled and sprinkled on the current squad, who continue to put us through emotional gymnastics worthy of Cirque du Soleil.
The 2-2 draw with Manchester United was a prime example: moments of magic followed by lapses of lunacy. Once again we found ourselves applauding the spirit and scratching our heads at the same time. Thomas Frank's men gave us a rousing comeback, only to let it slip away in the dying seconds - the sort of ending that makes you want to hug the team and throttle them all in the same diverse gesture.
Our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith gives his eye witness account HERE of a rather ordinary match that had an extraordinary climax.
There were plenty of positives: the second-half resilience, the togetherness in the fight back, the sense that this Tottenham team refuses to lie down after the surrender against Chelsea. But the defensive wobble in stoppage time reminded us that the mountain to the summit of consistency is still a steep climb.
And talking of mountains, two Everest-high peaks now loom large after the international break - Arsenal at the Emirates and PSG in Paris. The North London derby needs no hype, particularly with the Gooners striding clear at the top of the table. Then, scarcely time to catch breath, a trip to the Parc des Princes to take on the European kings - football's equivalent of facing a firing squad armed with silk gloves. Wonder if those Louvre burglars are around to lend us a hand?
If Spurs can show the same heart they displayed against United, but add a lot more discipline - perhaps with Richarlison saving his samba steps for the dressing room - they might just turn those tests into triumphs. Frank will need every ounce of Danish cool and tactical cunning to guide his troops through this double challenge (Doing things the Danish way is in the 'in' thing, just ask our Government!).
So here we are again, perched on that familiar Tottenham tightrope, hearts in mouths and dreams in overdrive. We never do anything the easy way, and wouldn't it be dull if we did! Spurs remain the most entertaining riddle in football - capable of poetry and pratfalls within the same paragraph.
If Thomas Frank can channel the passion without losing the plot, and if Richarlison can find his inner Greaves - a smile, a shrug, a simple jog back to halfway - who knows what heights this team might reach? But they are desperate for a Harry Kane-style striker in the transfer window. Which team isn't?!
Wilson Odobert showed with his pace and imagination as a substitute that he deserves a place in the starting line-up, and Micky van de Ven revealed he is a born leader after being one of those clumsily responsible for United taking their early lead. One of his tackles in the late stages was of the awe-inspiring quality, when he exhibited the combination of his lightning speed and shuddering power in the tackle. Micky's mantle.
Now, let yet another international break give our heroes (and flu-hit me) time to breathe - and perhaps for Richarlison to practise a nice calm handshake. Impossible?
See you Monday week after the NLD. Wonder what sort of mood we'll be in.
COYS!
Spurs select - A book to read and play
Spurs select - A book to read and play
Just 45 days to Christmas and a reminder that my 122nd book has gone off to the Printer: Spurs Select, in which you are challenged to pick a Tottenham Team to Play for Your Life. A donation for every book sold will be made to the Tottenham Tribute Trust, who help our old heroes that missed the gravy train.
Spurs Odyssey readers can save a fiver by ordering the book NOW. If you are interested please contact me at normangiller@gmail.com and if you want more encouragement have a peep at www.normangiller.co.uk.
If you prefer, you can mention you'd like purchasing details when entering the Spurs Odyssey Quiz below. It's a book that you play as well as read and is guaranteed to revive memories of your most memorable matches. Please join me in playing the Selecting Game.
Spurs Odyssey Quiz League 2025-26
Here we go with the 12th week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history ...
Who has won 16 caps for his country, wears the No 37 Spurs shirt and against which team did he score his first goal in Europe for Tottenham?
Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 12. Deadline: midnight this Saturday. 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 has won 46 caps for his country, came to London from Ajax and against which club did he score his first goal for Spurs after signing from West Ham?
Answer: Mohammed Kudus/Leeds United
See you back here on Monday week.
COYS
Top of page | Spurs Odyssey Home Page