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

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