NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 475
Submitted by Norman Giller

Health warning: If you are of a nervous disposition, you might prefer to skip the following observations...

Huge events are happening in the background as Tottenham lick their wounds after that savage mauling at Newcastle. As I understand it, the Lewis/Levy monopoly via ENIC could be ended by the time next season kicks off with a seismic shift in the ownership of Spurs.

Joe Lewis, of course, had surrendered his personal involvement while fighting his humiliating court case in the United States, with his controlling shares going in trust to his family.

Daniel Levy meantime has been holding talks with prospective partners with the financial muscle to take on Tottenham's bold plans for the future.

The worrying events in the Middle East could, of course, change all plans and it will probably signal a shift to American part-ownership rather than any link-up up with the Arab consortium that owns PSG.

But the Levy-haters should not start celebrating just yet. I am told that Daniel is looking for new financial partners who will allow him to remain in control.

Old Joe is my generation - I hit 84 this week, help - and I know he will be wanting to hang up his ENIC sword. We've both come out of the East End, me with loads of books to show for my time on this mortal coil, Joe with loadsa money!

Changing times, friends... yet the world seems in just as bad a place as when we came into it back in the dark Hitler days.

Sorry to be so depressing but Saturday's demoralising defeat at St James' Park - reported HERE in all its black despair by our guru Paul H. Smith - captures my mood. Happy birthday, Norm.

Nobody has to tell Ange and his players that they were a disgrace to the Lilywhite shirt at Newcastle. The following run-in looks as intimidating as a greased-up Everest ...

Arsenal (h) April 28 2.00
Chelsea (a) May 2, 7.30
Liverpool (a) May 5, 4.30
Burnley (h) May 11 3.00
Man City (h) May 14 8.00
Sheffield Utd (a) May 19 4.00

Yesterday's shock results - with Palace stunning Liverpool and Villa triumphant at the Emirates - guarantees that Spurs will have a vital say in the destiny of the Premier League title while battling Villa for that fourth place.

I shall take a week off to try to gather strength for the final shots of the season, and hopefully Ange will use the free time to find a way of inspiring his players to recover from the Geordie blues.

See you back here on Monday week, in the wake of the North London Derby. Wonder what mood we will all be in?

Ps A brighter note to end on: congratulations to the Tottenham ladies on beating Leicester City yesterday to reach their first women's FA Cup final. They showed the men how to do it. Now for the final at Wembley against Man United on May 12.

COYS!

Week 32 of season nine of the Spurs Odyssey Quiz League challenge, and the question is:

Who was born in Middlesex, raised in Essex, won 53 international caps, and for which club did Arsene Wenger sign him? Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 32. 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 eight 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 tie-breaking poser that is based on opinion rather than fact. That's when I become as popular as Sol Campbell in an Arsenal shirt.

This year's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2024, plus three signed Tottenham-themed books. We have retired the omniscient David Guthrie after his three victories.

Last week's question:

Who has won 10 international caps, has played for Barcelona and what number Tottenham squad shirt does he wear?

Answer: Emerson Royal/12

See you back here ... on Monday week. COYS!

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