NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 547
Submitted by Norman Giller

So at least and at last, my friends, we now know exactly where we stand ... or rather, how Spurs can fall into the relative oblivion of the Championship (no matter how they dress it up, that is still the old Second Division).

There are exactly nine games standing between Spurs and travel next season to football outposts like Stoke City, Bristol City and the resumption of the much missed London derby with Charlton Athletic.

To avoid that fixture jungle, Spurs desperately need to collect points from the following games: Liverpool (a), Nottingham Forest (h), Sunderland (a), Brighton (h), Wolves (a), Aston Villa (a), Leeds United (h), Chelsea (a), Everton (h).

That's nine games, or as some pessimists would put it "more like 999!" Yes, we could need the `Old Bill' to get us out of this mess.

Oh, and there's the minor distraction of the Champions League campaign, continued tomorrow at Atletico Madrid. It's a two-leg assignment that we should all be enjoying, but instead having to accept it as a nuisance when Spurs are fighting for their Premier League lives.

Hands up who thinks our appropriately named Croatian manager Igor Tudor will survive a defeat in Spain tomorrow. Mmmmm, I can't see one hand raised in support, but several of the two-fingered variety. It's crossed fingers that we really need.

Let me make positive sounds. I think Wolves and Burnley are nailed on for relegation, then I believe they will be joined by Forest, IF Spurs can beat them in the six pointer showdown at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on March 22. Yes, tin hats will be worn.

Liverpool next Sunday? Correct me if I'm wrong but have we won only once at fortress Anfield since the Titanic lost its argument with an iceberg? (Ed: 5 times in all competitions, including the famous 1995 FA Cup quarter-final)

So it will all be on that Forest match. I wonder who will be in charge of Spurs by then?

As I write, Tottenham have gone 11 matches without a sniff of a victory and we have yet to celebrate a Premier League victory this year. Our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith watched the decline against Palace, and you can catch up with his derisive thoughts HERE.

Incidentally, I learn that ENIC have prepared themselves for lean times. Daniel Levy - remember him? - made all new players sign a contract that will reduce their wages by 50% if the club is relegated. The poor chaps will have to manage on an average £30,000 a week. Can you hear my cynicism?

Anyway, all we've got to do is beat Forest and I am confident we will be continuing the North London Derby next season.

Now, excuse me, while my nurse gives me my tablets.

COYS

COYS

Here we go with the 28th week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history ...

Who was born in the same Yorkshire town as Bill Nicholson, famously scored two goals against Atletico Madrid in Rotterdam and which club did he join when leaving Tottenham Hotspur after more than 200 first-team appearances? 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 Geoff Hurst provides the introduction. It's all over now!

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 28. 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 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?

Answer: Michael Dawson/Hull City

See you back here on Monday.

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