NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 540
Submitted by Norman Giller

Embarrassed Spurs face Borussia Dortmund in a Champions League match tomorrow with their manager Thomas Frank on Death Row. Saturday's heart-stopping defeat by West Ham was a door-closing moment for Frank and an excuse for the re-entry of Mauricio Pochettino.

But there's a complication. Poch is currently coaching the United States for their home World Cup challenge this summer, and only when that adventure ends can he realistically return to Tottenham - the club where he once had us daring to believe the glory-glory days might return. Remember that feeling? It now belongs to another lifetime.

The question facing the under-fire Spurs hierarchy is who can occupy the Spurs hot seat while we are waiting for Poch to re-join us after his USA engagement? They have let an obvious seat-warming candidate go in Matt Wells, now flourishing his Spurs-honed skills as a coach with Colorado Rapids in the States.

Frank's only chance of keeping his job is a resounding victory against Borussia tomorrow, followed by victory over Scott Parker's Burnley at Turf Moor at the weekend as the start of an urgent move away from the Premier League relegation zone.

But the way the Tottenham faithful turned on him after Saturday's sickening loss to the Hammers convinced the post-Levy Board that Frank has to go.

The Dane has failed to get either the players or the fans on his side. That is a double whammy that Frank, frankly, is unlikely to overcome. I will be very happy to report that I am wrong.

Those of you paying attention will know that I went on record with the opinion that the Board should have stuck with Greek-Aussie Ange Postecoglou for at least the first few months of the season. He should have been given the chance to prove that winning silverware in Europe - any where - warranted the chance to show it was no fluke.

But the Board, then still with Daniel Levy at the helm, decided to go with Thomas Frank, who had impressed with his consistency at Brentford. Consistency yes, but what major prizes has the Dane won? Answers on a postcard please ...

Our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith gives his eyewitness view of the desperate defeat by the Hammers HERE, and he is as baffled as the rest of us how Spurs have managed to play themselves into the relegation rat race. His match report is so depressing that it should carry a health warning.

On Death Row, hope has a habit of arriving late. Thomas Frank can only, uh, hope.

Beyond The Krays - A Norman Giller crime novel

Here's a news item from left field that will no doubt bore you, but if I don't tell you about it, nobody else will. I am trying to establish myself as a crime novelist, some would say more Tony Christie than Agatha Christie.

I was brought up just around the corner to the notorious Kray Twins in London's East End, and I was once interviewed by them for the job of their PR. Now that would have been a challenge!

They were banged up for 30 years each, and I have now novelised my experiences in the guise of John (JC) Campbell, a former Fleet Street crime reporter turned private eye. Well I thought it was a good idea.

You can see what you think for the little matter of £2.90 for a downloaded version of my book. Just go to https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GG3HRP3V/ref=zg_bsnr_g_3746213031_d_sccl_26/000-0000000-0000000?psc=1 and place your order. It will be a crime if you don't!

Note from Editor: Norman, stick to football and Tottenham Hotspur (Ed: I didn't really write this note)

Here we go with the 21st week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history ...

Which defensive midfielder won 34 England caps, played for Spurs in the No 23 shirt from 2004 to 2006 and from which London club did he sign for Tottenham?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 21. Deadline: midnight this Saturday. I will do my best to respond to all who take part.

The rules are the same as in the previous 11 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 is when I lose what few friends I have.

This season's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2026, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date.

Last week I asked: Who has won 15 caps for his country, wears the No 23 Spurs shirt and against which team did he score his first goal for Tottenham in a 3-3 draw?

Answer: Pedro Porro/Southampton

See you back here on Monday.

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