NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 541
Submitted by Norman Giller

I am trying hard not to look at Tottenham's upcoming fixture list - I almost typed mountain climb - as I reflect on that blood-sucking 2-2 draw at Burnley. There's the little matter of a Champions League engagement against Eintracht in Frankfurt on Wednesday and then a February that is one long obstacle course.

Let's swallow the hard facts: Spurs are now only eight points off the relegation battle and face a savage run of games against Man City, Man United, Newcastle United, a galvanised Fulham, and - pass the Asprin, Mavis - Arsenal.

I am trying to fight off the poison of pessimism as I point out that by the time March comes roaring in Spurs could be up to their ears in a relegation wrestling match. Just saying.

Meantime, haunted Thomas Frank takes his taunted team to Frankfurt for what has become the pressure-release of European Champions League competition, when Jekyll and Hyde Spurs have performed to their potential and managed to make an impressive impact.

Why oh why haven't they been able to show their European form in the League and domestic cups? Answers on a post card please ...

I am from the old-school generation that recall when Burnley/Spurs matches were footballing classics. Not any longer, Our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith describes the scramble for a face-saving (and in Frank's case job-holding) point at Turf Moor that had nerves jangling and knees knocking.

Ah, how the memory longed for the friendly rivalry of Blanchflower and McIlroy and the finishing finesse of Pointer and Greaves. Remember? Those were the days, my friends.

I must be careful. I am meandering like Trump, the Emperor who has no clothes on. (Ed note: how many times do I have to warn you, Norman, stop with the politics).

I wonder what sort of mood we will all be in at the end of February? And will Thomas Frank still be our manager? And will Donald Trump have scored another own goal?

Watch this space.

COYS!

Here we go with the 22nd week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history ...

Who joined Spurs from Brighton, wore the No 38 Tottenham shirt on his debut and against which country was he recently sent off in the quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations? (and if you don't have to Google that you are paying more attention than me!)

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 22. 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: Which defensive midfielder won 34 England caps, played for Spurs in the No 23 shirt from 2004 to 2006 and from which London club did he sign for Tottenham?

Answer: Michael Carrick/West Ham United

See you back here on Monday.

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