NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 546
Submitted by Norman Giller

Spurs followers of a nervous disposition are advised to give this blog a miss.

It's gallows humour but what a double it would be if Spurs were relegated while winning the Champions League! I was seeking that comedy refuge yesterday as Spurs slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The failure to win a single match this year is becoming a marathon and mournful statistic.

This was just awful to watch, a Tottenham team without purpose, poise or personality. Some of Fulham's slick one-touch passing made me nostalgic for the way the great Spurs' sides used to play.

I am of the vintage where I cannot help but make comparisons with past players. The likes of Burgess, Blanchflower, Mackay, Perryman, King and Mabbutt would have wept to see such an ineffectual performance.

Next, it's Crystal Palace at home on Thursday as subdued Spurs search for their first victory of 2026, before the challenge of the Champions League. As I said last week, this luxury competition has suddenly become a distraction.

The fact that we have been drawn against Atletico Madrid will have those veterans among us dipping into their fondest memories.

Was it really 63 years ago that Danny boy led Tottenham to the first ever British trophy triumph in Europe against Atletico in Rotterdam in 1963? Both Terry Dyson and the One and Only Jimmy Greaves grabbed two goals each in a 5-1 romp. Those were the days, my friends. Those were the days.

The unlikely named Igor Tudor has been brought in to give Spurs an urgent kiss (or kick) of life, but to be honest I have seen no revival signs so far. Spurs are still on life support.

As my Spurs Odyssey team-mate Declan Mulcahy reports HERE, 2-1 flattered Spurs. But it has to be said that Fulham were lucky to have VAR allowing their first goal that would have been turned down by last week's screen officials.

I have always considered a blatant push in the back a foul, but VAR decided this was within the laws of the game ... while last week against Arsenal Spurs had a virtually identical goal ruled out. The inconsistency is infuriating and incomprehensible.

Fulham used to have Cockney comedian Tommy Trinder as their chairman. His catchphrase was, "You lucky people." That's how it was for Fulham, but they carved out at least five more legitimate scoring chances against a Tottenham defence that was being charitable, chaotic even with their marking.

The failure of fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest and West Ham to pick up points gives Spurs hope of avoiding the drop that would be a financial disaster for club owners ENIC. But having to rely on others to play with lead in their boots is hardly the way to approach the relegation scramble.

Spurs play Forest at home on March 22. Tin hats should be worn for this desperate six pointer.

Wake up Spurs or risk sleep walking into the Championship. We need our players to become "Plucky People." Tackle, chase, harass, hassle. torment, tease as if your life depends on it. Otherwise, as Peter Crouch might say, we could be facing a wet Wednesday evening in Stoke next season.

COYS

Here we go with the 27th week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history ...

Which former Spurs club captain started his career with Nottingham Forest, won four England caps and with which club was he relegated and then promoted after leaving Spurs in 2014? Ps Please let me know if you'll be interested in purchasing my 1966 World Cup book at a cut price. Hat-trick hero Sir Goff Hurst provides the introduction. It's a cracker!

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 27. 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 played in the World Cup quarter-finals, won a League championship and Cup Winners' Cup medal with Spurs plus three FA Cup winners' medals, and from which club did he join Tottenham?

Answer: Cliff Jones/Swansea Town

See you back here on Monday.

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