NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 497
Submitted by Norman Giller

I am not going to be the one who dances on the grave of ex-Saints boss Russell Martin, who was sacked by Southampton last night within 90 minutes of the savage 5-0 thrashing by the Jekyll and Hyde team that is Tottenham.

With my bias clearly showing, I am much happier to skip in delight with a Spurs side that on its day is arguably the best in the land. Sadly, these days have been few and far between and we (including manager Ange Postecoglou) have no idea which Tottenham team is going to turn up.

Two-goal man of the match James Maddison summed it up when he said: 'It was a great night for us - an important night. There are so many big teams throughout the league struggling to get results and are on a tough patch. We were on one tonight. It was important to get that win. That was a big night for us. We can blow away any team in this league, and not just Southampton. We did the same at Manchester City. But we need to do it on a regular basis. We showed grit and determination, especially after a rapid turnaround after Glasgow. I am so proud of the boys.'

Our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith gives his account of the first-half carnage against the Saints HERE, and like the rest of us is wondering why Tottenham cannot play like this consistently.

One answer, of course, has to be that it is not every week they will meet a defence as charitable as Southampton were in that first 45 minutes. Some of Tottenham's football was simply magnificent, but we have to view it in the context that it was produced against arguably the loosest defence in the Premier League and beyond.

Sorry, Mr Martin, but judged on that performance - along with only one win in 16 League matches - you simply had to go.

At least the Tottenham victory gives Ange some breathing space. Can we all please back off him now and let him manage without continually calling for his head.

He has his hands full dealing with multiple injury problems, with Destiny Udogie the latest on the treatment table.

There are all sorts of rumours and whispers of behind the scene rows and disagreements at Tottenham following some appalling performances mixed in with stunning football, such as produced against Man City at the Etihad and at St Mary's last night.

I have news for you, these sort of bust-ups happen at all clubs at all times. The problem is with stirrers who want to put a cruel twist on every incident in the hope of causing chaos at Tottenham, where owners ENIC in general and chairman Daniel Levy in particular are continually under fire from a small section of cheesed-off supporters.

They will become vocal again if Spurs do not dismiss revived Man United in the quarter-final of the League Cup on Thursday, followed by a challenging visit from League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. It's never ever easy.

COYS!

Heads up: Just time to catch the Christmas post deadline. Get your order in NOW for a signed copy of our 'Sir Bill' Nicholson biography direct from my writing partner Steve Perryman at https://steveperryman.com/product/sir-bill-the-book/.

If you can bear to hear me talking about the book with Steve, please tap into his immensely popular podcast at www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP44UZwbDv8.

Week 17 of our eleventh season of the Spurs Odyssey Quiz League, and the question is:

Who won 51 England caps, had two spells with Tottenham, played for Man United and with which London club did he start this League career?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 17. 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 ten 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 year's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2025, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date.

Last week's question: Which defender has won 127 international caps, scored eight Premier League goals for Spurs and from which club did he join Tottenham in 2015?

Answer: Toby Alderweireld/Atletico Madrid (He was on loan at Southampton)

See you back here on Monday. COYS!

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