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 3 - 22 of 62

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  1. Weakest team possible.??, that should mean any 11 on­ the books then, they are all weak

    From harry, on Thu 22 Jan 1:02PM

  2. nice to see gary glitter on here..........but this is a­ football site, not one for you peados!!

    From Wayne, on Thu 22 Jan 12:46PM

  3. Usual story with Harry, get the excuses in early, try­ to avoid any responsibility for the team's­ performance. Not good leadership.

    From viki_tothova, on Thu 22 Jan 12:43PM

  4. Rednapp has got money to spend,he has­ already.........but the problem is long term here.We­ have bought too many fancy dans who are all about the­ money and not the prestige playing here. we need some­ more jamie o'hara's and quickley.

    From Wayne, on Thu 22 Jan 12:42PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Post 21

    Jealous of what the bottom club in the­ Premiership who just managed to stay in the "Pub­ Cup" Yeah Right!!! Get a life!

    From moondog100, on Thu 22 Jan 12:40PM

  6. This does not sound like the tripe Harry pushed when he­ arrived. He was so anxious to leave Pompey who were a­ side on the way down. One thinks he should have­ discussed the budget issues at Spurs before booking a­ ticket to London. These fine players on fine form­ suddenly are not fit for the Premier League. What­ happened to them Harry?

    From Richard K, on Thu 22 Jan 12:16PM

  7. "Spurs are on their way to Woolworths, Harry looks­ for bargains again..."

    From ian_smith31, on Thu 22 Jan 11:36AM

  8. "this is a hard job here,belive me"
    You­ ,harry rednapp ,like all the others involved in top­ flight football, are over paid,under worked ,pampered­ cry babys.
    Get in the real world mate..go and work on­ site for 5 days a week.
    Like all of them your an excuse­ making,spoilt GIMP.

    From wakey wakey, on Thu 22 Jan 11:30AM

  9. Spuds have got no chance of winning this final!
    and­ even less chance of staying in the premiership this­ year!!!
    FIZZY POP FIZZY POP FIZZZZZZZZZZZY­ POP!!!!
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH­ AHAH

    From Michael S, on Thu 22 Jan 11:29AM

  10. all this @#$% about an easy final for manure, look at­ chavski last season at wembley.Yes they are favourites­ by a long shot but how many finals hav manure lost??­ you'll find quite afew even though they were the­ better side..............COYS.

    From Wayne, on Thu 22 Jan 11:15AM

  11. Spurs are struggling in 4 competitions, that is too­ much for a team received nearly dead after Ramos­ departure, but they are good players at end and will­ come back stronger ; need some of what we call­ "FOOTBALL LUCK", which is part of football­ games in general through history, you can well see­ bigger teams fail at crucial occasions like spurs are­ facing, ALL WE NEED NOW IS A SINGLE WIN IN PREMIER­ LEAGUE and all will see the differcne, I advise coach­ to allow Adel Tarrabat, Husam Ghali, Campbel, be in­ starting squad against RED DEVILS, whom are really like­ deviles in stealing the wins at last minutes, moreover,­ he must think seriuosly for a top end defender.

    From Youri A, on Thu 22 Jan 11:05AM

  12. blaa blaa blaa....

    From robchrist82, on Thu 22 Jan 10:41AM

  13. to all pompey fans welcome to our site yet again,is­ life that sad that you have to be on here every day­ crying about flash harry, never wanted to play for you­ anyway Jermaine. and anything else that makes you­ jealous of our fine club??
    Mind you you are having a­ great season too, 3 points off the bottom and still­ dining out in KFC about beating Manure........blah blah­ blah.By the way was'nt our manager yours then??­ COYS

    From Wayne, on Thu 22 Jan 10:40AM

  14. hard luck Burnley you did your league proud
    SPURS TO­ GO DOWN

    From mark c, on Thu 22 Jan 10:39AM

  15. Kirsten Dunce.

    From nick, on Thu 22 Jan 10:32AM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA
    UHHHHHHHH­ OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
    Going Down Spuds!!

    From Michael S, on Thu 22 Jan 10:31AM

  17. All 4 goals that Burnley scored were from Defensive­ mistakes. They had one other mentionable opportunity­ over the two legs, although Spurs didnt exactly take­ them apart in either of the games as the 4-1 lead was­ very flattering. Hopefully FA and UEFA cup exits are on­ the cards so that we can concentrate on winning­ premiership status next season, as I have to admit,­ after yesterdays performance, I am worried now!

    From andrewjonharrison, on Thu 22 Jan 10:27AM

  18. All 4 goals that Burnley scored were from Defensive­ mistakes. They had one other mentionable opportunity­ over the two legs, although Spurs didnt exactly take­ them apart in either of the games as the 4-1 lead was­ very flattering. Hopefully FA and UEFA cup exits are on­ the cards so that we can concentrate on winning­ premiership status next season, as I have to admit,­ after yesterdays performance, I am worried now!

    From andrewjonharrison, on Thu 22 Jan 10:27AM

  19. It does'nt matter if tottenham field a strong or a­ weak team if they play as they did last night without­ pride and dont honour the shirt they will lose. both­ teams are injury ravaged so just quit bleating and get­ up there and do what the fans pay you to do.

    From harleighcarpentry, on Thu 22 Jan 10:26AM

  20. An embassasment to the Premier league., lucky you wont­ be in it next season, think harry is wishing he had­ stayed where he was, spuds are useless, get ready fizzy­ pop league. Good luck against Man U.....6-0, 7-0,­ should be a laugh, you tell em Harry, "they are­ rubbish", and thats your manager...lmao

    From kirsten, on Thu 22 Jan 10:23AM
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