NORMAN GILLER’S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 390
Submitted by Norman Giller

THE TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR fixture list has suddenly become as reliable and predictable as a hutch of England Test batsmen. Spurs are so far behind with their matches that a log jam is a certainty before this surreal season is much older.

But don't worry, folks, we can always call for postponements if the going gets too tough. Yes, after Arsenal got the Premier League to delay yesterday's North London Derby you can take it that I am being ultra cynical.

For me, the heart and soul has gone out of this season. It is disgraceful the way the supporters have been treated, with matches called off at short notice irrespective of the inconvenience to thousands of fans prepared to travel in these challenging times to see their teams play.

The Premier League should be encouraging clubs to get their games played no matter what, but there is neither the will nor the inclination at those clubs with vested interest in having full-strength teams.

Tottenham's next match as I write is scheduled for Leicester City at the Power Stadium on Wednesday, which was postponed in December. But double check before you travel!

Then, on Sunday, Tottenham face Chelsea in a Premier League match that gives Spurs an instant opportunity to make amends for the humbling exit in the League Cup semi-final. Spurs were so spiritless (spineless even) I could almost hear Antonio Conte saying of his decision to take the manager's job: 'What-a mistake-a to-a-make-a.'

He is now intimating that he did not get promises from Daniel Levy to spend heavily in the January transfer window before agreeing to become the new boss. I find that hard to believe and am hoping it is a cover while negotiations are going on for a couple of major transfer deals.

I had heard Tottenham were favourites to sign Fiorentina's highly rated striker Dusan Vlahovic, but now it seems Arsenal are in the box seat for that deal. Perhaps we could postpone it?

Speaking as somebody recently out of self isolation, please stay safe. There could be a football match along soon.

The 22nd week of season eight of the Spurs Odyssey Quiz League challenge, and the question is:

Which son of a Dutch woman has won 27 international caps, and against which team was he sent off during a 3-0 home win in his first season as a Tottenham player?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 22. 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 seven 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 prizes for the champion: A rare out-of-print book from my now very special Greavsie collection with autographs from the late, great Jimmy Greaves, Dave Mackay and Steve Perryman, and, most important of all, a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2022. Plus a signed copy of My 70 Years of Spurs book AND a special bonus prize, the Eighty At Eighty book that I have written in harness with Sir Geoff Hurst, still the only man to score a World Cup final hat-trick.

Answer to question No 21: Which defender won 50 Scotland caps, appeared in a League Cup final in only his third appearance for Spurs and who was manager when he signed for Tottenham?

Alan Hutton, the Scottish defender signed from Rangers in the 2008 January transfer window when Juande Ramos was in the manager's seat.

See you back here same time, same place next week. COYS!

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