mawspurs
06-02-2010, 10:42 AM
Source: Daily Mail
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes the teams chasing a place in the Champions League can also finish in the top three of the Barclays Premier League this season.
Spurs can get within four points of third-placed Arsenal if they defeat Aston Villa tonight at White Hart Lane, while Martin O'Neill's side are only two points behind Redknapp's men.
'It is going to be tight,' Redknapp said.
'If we would have beaten Birmingham last week when leading 1-0, and we should have had the game over, then we are suddenly not so far away from Arsenal.
'Someone could get third spot. Manchester City could. We could. Liverpool could. Anyone is capable with a run. Arsenal are not 100 per cent sure to be there if they get beaten by Chelsea and other teams pick up good results.
'Arsenal are favourites but it is not impossible for anyone to catch them, there could be a five or six-point turnaround. We thought that Chelsea were running away with it, but now look at it. Wide open again.'
Redknapp has plenty of decisions to make about his starting XI. At the back, Ledley King will have a late test on his knee and Younes Kaboul is available following his move from Portsmouth.
In midfield, Luka Modric could return after being rested against Leeds in the FA Cup on Wednesday but David Bentley has played the last three matches and impressed at Elland Road.
Redknapp admits other managers would have given up on David Bentley this season following the winger's troubles on and off the pitch.
Bentley's campaign has included a drink-driving charge, having his attitude in training questioned and failing to get ahead of Aaron Lennon in the Spurs pecking order - but he has taken advantage of injury to his fellow right-winger.
'Other people possibly wouldn't have had the patience that I've shown with David,' Redknapp said.
'If I was really hard on him I would have isolated him but I didn't do that.
'I spoke to him about it and he accepted his attitude wasn't right but he was finding it hard to pull himself out of it at the time because he wasn't playing.
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'I have pulled him up several times and it has not been easy. But I also understand how he must have been feeling. But there was nothing I could do about it because Aaron was playing so well.'
There could be more opportunities for Bentley in the coming weeks as Lennon is not training with the ball yet and is only running in straight lines. However, Redknapp's first-choice winger will not require an operation on his groin.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes the teams chasing a place in the Champions League can also finish in the top three of the Barclays Premier League this season.
Spurs can get within four points of third-placed Arsenal if they defeat Aston Villa tonight at White Hart Lane, while Martin O'Neill's side are only two points behind Redknapp's men.
'It is going to be tight,' Redknapp said.
'If we would have beaten Birmingham last week when leading 1-0, and we should have had the game over, then we are suddenly not so far away from Arsenal.
'Someone could get third spot. Manchester City could. We could. Liverpool could. Anyone is capable with a run. Arsenal are not 100 per cent sure to be there if they get beaten by Chelsea and other teams pick up good results.
'Arsenal are favourites but it is not impossible for anyone to catch them, there could be a five or six-point turnaround. We thought that Chelsea were running away with it, but now look at it. Wide open again.'
Redknapp has plenty of decisions to make about his starting XI. At the back, Ledley King will have a late test on his knee and Younes Kaboul is available following his move from Portsmouth.
In midfield, Luka Modric could return after being rested against Leeds in the FA Cup on Wednesday but David Bentley has played the last three matches and impressed at Elland Road.
Redknapp admits other managers would have given up on David Bentley this season following the winger's troubles on and off the pitch.
Bentley's campaign has included a drink-driving charge, having his attitude in training questioned and failing to get ahead of Aaron Lennon in the Spurs pecking order - but he has taken advantage of injury to his fellow right-winger.
'Other people possibly wouldn't have had the patience that I've shown with David,' Redknapp said.
'If I was really hard on him I would have isolated him but I didn't do that.
'I spoke to him about it and he accepted his attitude wasn't right but he was finding it hard to pull himself out of it at the time because he wasn't playing.
Stats Zone
'I have pulled him up several times and it has not been easy. But I also understand how he must have been feeling. But there was nothing I could do about it because Aaron was playing so well.'
There could be more opportunities for Bentley in the coming weeks as Lennon is not training with the ball yet and is only running in straight lines. However, Redknapp's first-choice winger will not require an operation on his groin.