NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 516
Submitted by Norman Giller

Shell-shocked Spurs are staggering towards the Europa Cup final in Bilbao like a drunk who has had his pockets picked and his shoelaces tied together. Their surrender to Crystal Palace yesterday was embarrassing in the extreme.

Now they have to somehow drag themselves through Friday's rearranged visit to Aston Villa before the showdown in Spain with a Manchester United side that is also in crisis mode.

Their record 20th Premier League defeat of the season was almost inevitable against a flying Palace team that is going to an FA Cup final date with destiny in confident and buoyant mood. On this form they will definitely give Manchester City a run for their money at Wembley.

Tottenham's supporters were in party mood following the confident elimination of Bodo/Glimt but the decision by Ange Postecoglou to play a virtual 'B' side pulled the plug on any celebrations.

The 2-0 scoreline was flattering to Spurs, as our guru Paul H. Smith reports HERE. The patchwork Tottenham defence managed to make two-goal Eberechi Eze look, uh, Harry Kane class as Palace completed a humiliating Premier League double over Tottenham.

He was given the freedom of the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and should have had a hat-trick to show for his enterprise.

There was just one good piece of news after the Tottenham drubbing. Dejan Kulusevski - one of only three survivors from Thursday's triumph - limped off in the 19th minute. Postecoglou reported that he should be fit for the battle in Bilbao.

We will definitely need him and Sonny at full throttle against Manchester United, who have been nearly as paralysed as Spurs in the Premier League this season. The Lynch Mob chasing Ange have rarely made allowances for all the injuries Spurs have suffered, but even I have to admit that 20 League defeats are hard to stomach.

I have taken unmerciful stick from Spurs 'supporters' for arguing in favour of Ange, yet I know there is no way Daniel Levy will accept that dismal League record regardless of whether Tottenham win silverware in Spain. And would you back against it becoming 21 losses at Villa Park on Friday?

My only wish is that my critics - most hiding behind the armoury of anonymity - would not treat me as an enemy. All I want is what is right for Tottenham Hotspur. It's called 'supporting' a team, So many out there seem to delight in ripping into the club instead of getting behind Ange and his players.

If it's getting through my thick skin, goodness know what it's doing to Ange.

My sympathy is with the Spurs and United fans who will be fleeced for the honour of watching their struggling sides fight for supremacy in Bilbao on Wednesday week.

Hotels and airlines are pushing prices up to their maximum to cash in on the desire of supporters of both sides to say 'I was there.'

I just hope it proves worth it for those Tottenham fans digging into their pockets.

For Ange, the trip to Spain is likely to be a golden handshake adios. If Spurs win they automatically qualify for next season's Champions League. I know I am in a very small minority who would make out an argument for a victorious Ange to stay in his job until Christmas and then take the temperature.

If Spurs lose to United, Ange will become a walking dead man.

COYS!

My apologies, but I again make no excuses for repeating my personal plea for you to support my latest publishing venture, 'Life Begins At 90'. It is a joint effort by my 'child bride' Joyce and I that tells the story of our nine decades on this mortal coil, starting out 500 yards apart in London's East End before Hitler unleashed his bombers and The Blitz. It is a 21st Century love story, mixed and shaken with stories of my sports reporting life.

Our journey reached a pinnacle this year with my 90-year-old wife being awarded an MBE and me writing my 122nd book. Most important of all, £5 from every book sold will will go to the Music Man Project, which supports and encourages people with learning disabilties to grow and have a full life through music.

I hope you can put money where your hearts are. Please contact me at normangiller@gmail.com and I will give you full details of how you can get your name in the unique book. Thank you. So far just three of you have been in touch. I know we can expect better support from my Spurs Odyssey friends.

COYS!

Week 36 of our eleventh season of the Spurs Odyssey Quiz League, and the question is:

Who won 34 caps for the Republic of Ireland, was signed by David Pleat from Luton and which club did he join from Spurs in 2004?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 36. Deadline: midnight this Friday. I will do my best to respond to all who take part. There are around 60 out there within shooting distance of the SOQL title. You will soon hate me. What fun!

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 player turned down a contract with PSG, later joined Spurs from Turf Moor and what Tottenham squad number does he wear?

Answer: Wilson Odobert/28

See you back here on Monday. COYS!

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