NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 503
Submitted by Norman Giller
The vultures are circling as Ange Postecoglou becomes a dead man walking following yesterday's nightmare defeat by Leicester. I have been one of Ange's consistent supporters, but even this bloody-minded, obstinate, opinionated (I'll let you choose) observer has to accept he has run out of road.
It was hard to find anybody among my contacts at the club who would give the Greek-Aussie a vote of confidence. 'We are waiting for Daniel Levy to sign the death warrant,' I was told by a senior member of the backroom staff who has always backed Ange.
Australia Day went down like a lead balloon for the man from Melbourne via Athens. Waltzing Matilda would have been played at funereal pace for the manager/coach visibly aging before our eyes.
The fans could not decide who they hated most. Right through and following the miserable match they shared their contempt between Postecoglou and Levy. Ange out, Levy out, ENIC out, everybody out.
I have been following the fortunes of Tottenham Hotspur for 75+ years and have rarely known such a toxic atmosphere among the fan base. Saddest thing about this depressing defeat by Leicester is how many Spurs fans - Spurs fans - were wishing it so they could say "told you so."
My argument for ENIC remaining in power has always been 'better the devil you know', but the longer they go without a sniff of silverware is reason for them to sell up and get out. The optimists among us - some would say blind optimists - point to three cups that are still within shooting distance.
Bringing in a new manager at this stage would be one hell of a gamble. I am in a melting minority that would stick with Ange, in the hope he can pull off a triumph in one of the cup competitions and stop the slide towards the relegation rat race.
Let's be honest, few managers have had his terrible luck with injuries. It is weeks since he has been able to field anything like the team he would want, but few of his growing army of critics will accept this as an excuse for Tottenham picking up just five points from their last 11 League matches. Hard as I try, there is no way even I can sugarcoat those statistics.
Our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith has joined the majority who want Postecoglou replaced and gives his eyewitness view of the latest calamity HERE.
I will continue to give my support to Ange. But I could be a lone voice in the cemetery.
COYS!
Week 23 of our eleventh season of the Spurs Odyssey Quiz League, and the question is:
Who has won 57 international caps, played for another London club before joining Spurs and which number Tottenham shirt does he wear?
Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 23. 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 Spurs player is the son of a former international, occupies the same position and with which club did he start his senior professional career in 2020?
Answer: Antonio Kinsky Dukla Prague.
See you back here on Monday. COYS!