Premier League - Redknapp slams gutless Spurs

Eurosport - Thu, 22 Jan 19:15:00 2009

Harry Redknapp launched a stinging on his Tottenham squad after they narrowly avoided Carling Cup humiliation at Burnley.

2008-2009 Tottenham Hotspur Harry Redknapp - 0

Tottenham reached the final against Manchester United with two goals late in extra time, but frittered away a commanding aggregate lead as they lost 3-0 to the Championship side in 90 minutes at Turf Moor.

Redknapp said he needed to continue buying after splashing nearly £30 million this month on Jermain Defoe and Wilson Palacios.

"This is a hard job on here, believe me. We need to bring in some stronger players into this club," said Redknapp. "We're not physically or mentally strong enough."

Redknapp criticised the previous regime of coach Juande Ramos and sporting director Damien Comolli, who claimed just two points from eight league games at the beginning of the season.

"This is a football club that has been put together by I don't know who and I don't know how.

"It's a mish-mash of players with people playing where they want to play. It's scary.

After a strong start under the former Portsmouth boss, a run of six Premier League games without a win means Spurs are one of five clubs level on points at the bottom of the table.

They face Stoke on Tuesday, and Redknapp said that fixture would take precedence over Saturday's FA Cup fourth round match against Manchester United.

"We're in a relegation battle and I can't risk (Jamie) O'Hara, (Jonathan) Woodgate and (Michael) Dawson at Old Trafford in the Cup.

"I'll go to play United with the weakest team I can possibly find. That's how it's going to be I'm afraid."

Spurs were destined for humiliation against Burnley until Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe struck in the 118th and 120th minutes to scrape a 6-4 aggregate victory.

Redknapp admitted he had given up hope of coming back as time ticked down, saying: "I thought we were dead and buried.

"I was stood here thinking it could be the most embarrassing night of my football life. There's a big sense of relief."

Burnley boss Owen Coyle expressed his pride after his team came within three minutes of reaching Wembley.

"A lot of the time in these types of games against higher-placed teams you don't beat them at their own game in terms of football - but we did that," said Coyle.

"We stood toe to toe with Tottenham over the two games so they've got to believe in what they're capable of doing.

"I asked them to have no regrets and I thought they were outstanding individually and collectively."

Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 23 - 42 of 62

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. If the rules were different and away goals did count after 90 mins, the whole game would of been completly different as both teams and managers would of had a completly different approach to the game. So to say the rules should be changed in hindsight, is just ifs and buts

    From gecko_twister, on Thu 22 Jan 4:57PM

  2. Blimey m.fowler771 ......... you're first Red that I've come across that seems to like Berbatov?? i live and work with many Reds, and they all reckon the jury is still very much out. He's a lazy Bulgarian 'B' and personally I was glad that Spurs got rid - well certainly for £32m! I think he will turn out to be a liability to ManU, and they will learn very soon that Tevez is the much better option.

    From alanfield, on Thu 22 Jan 4:43PM

  3. Harry Berry Redknapp, stop talking @#$% and get to work!

    From Richie, on Thu 22 Jan 4:19PM

  4. can,t wait to see berbatov unleashed against spurs in the final....oh i forgot carrick as well.......up the reds

    From m.fowler771, on Thu 22 Jan 3:34PM

  5. it is time the FA changed the rules of the game because burnley were the better team over two 90 minute games and burnley actually won over the two games on goal difference. so burnley should have gone to the final and not spurs, with abit of luck burnley will meet spurs in the premiship next season. and they can put on a football match worthy of the traditions of both clubs,so come on spurs fans do the right thing and admit you do not deserve to be in the final. And on a positive note for spurs fans you have one of the top managers in the country and give him chance he will turn your club round.

    From alison b, on Thu 22 Jan 3:34PM

  6. I understand where he is coming from re: FA Cup.v.League - but surely he should not be coming out with statements like that...'weakest side..'.

    If he is going to have that attitude he may well as just stay at home and save the Tottenham supporters the trouble of travelling..

    From BillB, on Thu 22 Jan 3:25PM

  7. Time to offload the duds Harry! Bring in some more of your own.

    From crispyduck, on Thu 22 Jan 2:55PM

  8. people pay good money to watch spurs play,we all feel the same as rednapp about some players performances of late. Maybe he should off kept it in house,but the truth is we are struggling.Relegation is nearer then saftey for us. Anyone no where we'll get the 4/5 wins to make sure we're safe.

    From Wayne, on Thu 22 Jan 2:41PM

  9. Both Burnley and Spurs have to be given more respect, Burnley have beaten Fulham Chelsea Arsenal and really Spurs on their cup run that is not a fluke nor are the goals they scored all were well worked against premier opposition, Spurs have beaten Newcastle and Liverpool on their way and had a lucky escape at Burnley who I believe were looking good to go on and win the final.

    Spurs V Man U will be a good final spurs have the talent they just need to find that passion Burnley had to stand a chance.

    From Shaun, on Thu 22 Jan 2:39PM

  10. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP, CARLING CUP, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - UEFA CUP AND MUCH MORE

    ALL THE HIGH-LIGHTS OF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES

    From , on Thu 22 Jan 2:28PM

  11. same question again
    What do Redknapp expect from a team like Spurs? Does he expect Spurs play like Man u?
    Wake up!!!

    From Sam, on Thu 22 Jan 2:22PM

  12. Harry is killing players confidence by continually rapping them like this.....

    yeah Bent missed a open gola but to keep going on about it after the match and saying his missus could of scored it, helps no one!!!

    also saying he is going to field a miss match of a team this weekend against Man utd is @#$%!!! Glad I booked flights and paid £40 for a ticket to watch that!!

    From Big G, on Thu 22 Jan 2:07PM

  13. I'm sorry but Harry is absolutely correct. This team has flattered to deceive for 3 years now - first with Santini, the Jol and subsequently Ramos - between those managers and Comoli they have purchased some really average players - Jenas, Bent, Zakora, Bale to name but 4. Berbatov's heart was never at Spurs, and Robbie Keane was just a wasteful headless chicken rather like Lennon - oh and they sell the best striker we had, and then had to pay over the odds to get him back! At least Haryy has now realised this, and will hopefully either instill some gumption into the players that he thinks are worth keeping, and bring in some decent replacements. It will take some time, but this year will be a hard and tight struggle.

    From alanfield, on Thu 22 Jan 2:06PM

  14. spurs were lucky in last nights game and burnley should of won it as they played brillant football

    From Paul T, on Thu 22 Jan 2:05PM

  15. well said peri totally agree with you about Harry no need for most of his comments

    From Big G, on Thu 22 Jan 2:01PM

  16. Love him or hate him, i agree with Rednapp we have bought far too many fancy dan players.......only Woodgate,Dawson,o'hara and pavluchenko stood firm last nite.

    From Wayne, on Thu 22 Jan 1:58PM

  17. Harry is killing players confidence by continually rapping them like this, and he wonders why the English FA never considered him for the national team.

    From peri, on Thu 22 Jan 1:55PM

  18. Harry Redknapp just keeps going further and further down in my estimation...what a spineless moaning old git

    From Dominic, on Thu 22 Jan 1:45PM

  19. typical Harry, things start going wrong and he blames everyone, questions the players commitment, criticises the previous regime and generally brings negativity to the club " i've got a hard job here, beleive you me ".... he did that at saints ( who were relegated ) it makes you ask the question... if he didnt want to leave pompey, why did he... Oh yes.. the money !! simple fact is, Harry is just a greedy man, who will not take responsibility and does not care about the clubs he manages, just his own image and his salary !

    From matthibberd7, on Thu 22 Jan 1:28PM

  20. It must be hard to find out what redknapps weakest team is, they are all poor.

    From KarlB, on Thu 22 Jan 1:13PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account