Harry draws positives

[mawspurs]

Source: Official Site

Harry Redknapp said he couldn't fault the lads after the goalless draw against Villa on Saturday.

We had the better of a tense encounter at the Lane but simply couldn't find a way past the best defence in the Barclays Premier League - Villa have now only conceded 18 goals in 24 matches.

Brad Friedel produced his best saves to deny Ledley King, David Bentley and Tom Huddlestone but the most notable part of Villa's defensive display was the way they threw themselves in the way of shots.

Jermain Defoe was denied a late shout for a penalty when he appeared to be brought down by Stiliyan Petrov. That was with three minutes left and there was still time for Friedel to save from Defoe again and Peter Crouch's backheel attempt to go agonisingly wide.

It wasn't to be, but Harry spoke positively afterwards. "I thought we played well and that's always the main thing for me.

"We created all the chances but just couldn't get the break. I thought we were the better side and I thought the same when we drew at Villa Park.

"They got some great blocks in and their centre-halves kept throwing their bodies in the way. They did that well and they are well-known for doing that. I couldn't fault the way we played.

"It would have been great to get the three points but it wasn't to be. We've still only lost once in the last 12 games and we're on a good run, playing well. We played well at Birmingham last weekend, excellent at Leeds, the squad's looking strong, so we're okay."

As for the penalty claim, Harry said: "I haven't seen a replay. The lads said it was a penalty but I honestly don't know."

The draw left us in fifth place and a point behind Liverpool after the Reds' 1-0 win against Everton in the Merseyside derby. Villa and City, who lost at Hull, are two points behind in sixth and seventh respectively.

"It was a big result for Liverpool, they ground out a result," added Harry. "It's their weekend but it will be someone else's weekend next weekend and someone else's the week after. That's how it goes. It's going to be tight and go to the wire."

Opposition view

Martin O'Neill praised his Villa side's defensive display after they kept us at bay at the Lane.

Villa showed exactly why they have conceded fewest goals in the Barclays Premier League - now 18 in 24 games - with another rock solid display in the goalless draw.

Led by Richard Dunne and James Collins in central defence, Villa found block after block to deflect shots and when we found a way through, Brad Friedel was in fine form to deny Ledley King, Jermain Defoe and David Bentley. Defoe was also denied a decent penalty shout late on.

"It was probably was our best defensive performance of the season, given the opposition," said O'Neill.

"I thought the first half was open but Tottenham are a very fine side and they pegged us back in the second half.

"Peter Crouch is more than a handful, terrific in the air and if we couldn't win the first one we were scrambling around to get the second one and we managed to see it through.

"I've had fine defenders in my time, at Leicester and Celtic, with the same mentality as these guys - willing to throw themselves everywhere."

[StokeSpur]

"We had the better of a tense encounter at the Lane but simply couldn't find a way past the best defence in the Barclays Premier League"

What about the other nil nil's against defenses that are not the best in the league, what about the games we've conceded in the last 10 mins to lose 1 - 0 ... i'm getting pretty fed up of Harry trying to justify his team selection by insisting that Crouch is 'on form' & 'hard to deal with' etc etc when he clearly is not and its clearly not working to our advantage. Its happening too many times for it to be 'unlucky'!

For me, having Crouch in the team makes us one dimensional and not very pleasant on the eye. We hit it long and rely on him to win the header, when he does we need the midfield to support or Defoe to latch on to it, it might come off once or twice a game but more often than not it does not and we give possession straight back.

Teams do their homework on us and they stop us, why cant Harry do the same then use tactics to break them down.
I was pleading for kranjcar to come on yesterday, IMO he is up there with Modric in terms of class and can score goals, something our midfield desperately lacks, he is quick at spotting a chance, he can pass through the eye of a needle, he's a nightmare for defenders and when yr strikers go through dry spells you need your midfield to weigh in with some goals yet he is sat on the bench when its blatantly obvious it needed freshening up.

I love Harry but he frustrates the shit out of me at times, he's done a great job at stabilizing the club but its evident he is very very limited when it comes to tactics.

We are not Pompy Harry!

[bigspurs]

I love Harry but he frustrates the shit out of me at times, he's done a great job at stabilizing the club but its evident he is very very limited when it comes to tactics.

:clap::clap::clap:

Careful though StokeSpur, you don't want to enrage the ones who wear glasses of the rose tinted variety! Since when did logic and reality ever influence their opinions ;)

[Ravabelly]

To be fair it was MON praising Crouch here, but point taken. As far as I see it, 6th would be good, 5th would be great and 4th would be awesome. On the flip side, 7th would be average, 8th disappointing and anything below not worth thinking about afte the first 2/3 of the season!

[spurs_viola]

"We had the better of a tense encounter at the Lane but simply couldn't find a way past the best defence in the Barclays Premier League"

What about the other nil nil's against defenses that are not the best in the league, what about the games we've conceded in the last 10 mins to lose 1 - 0 ... i'm getting pretty fed up of Harry trying to justify his team selection by insisting that Crouch is 'on form' & 'hard to deal with' etc etc when he clearly is not and its clearly not working to our advantage. Its happening too many times for it to be 'unlucky'!

For me, having Crouch in the team makes us one dimensional and not very pleasant on the eye. We hit it long and rely on him to win the header, when he does we need the midfield to support or Defoe to latch on to it, it might come off once or twice a game but more often than not it does not and we give possession straight back.

Teams do their homework on us and they stop us, why cant Harry do the same then use tactics to break them down.
I was pleading for kranjcar to come on yesterday, IMO he is up there with Modric in terms of class and can score goals, something our midfield desperately lacks, he is quick at spotting a chance, he can pass through the eye of a needle, he's a nightmare for defenders and when yr strikers go through dry spells you need your midfield to weigh in with some goals yet he is sat on the bench when its blatantly obvious it needed freshening up.

I love Harry but he frustrates the shit out of me at times, he's done a great job at stabilizing the club but its evident he is very very limited when it comes to tactics.

We are not Pompy Harry!

Spot on. Also, while "we've only lost once in the last 12 games" would be very good for a team like Pompey, I think a team with high ambitions should look at it as "we've only won 4 games in the last 12", which included home matches v Wolves and Hull, as well as that game v Everton when they were still missing 6 or 7 of their regular first team players and were not in good form yet.

[JoeT]

You know 'StokeSpur' and 'bigspurs' you both have your own views on the way the team is being coached and how they are playing that tend to be more critical than myself right now...and that's fair enough; this site is partly for all of us Spurs fans to debate differences of opinions.
For what it's worth, I was disappointed with our transfer window activity; I'm not yet convinced of Gudjohnsen's addition and to lose out on a new centre-back signing such as Cahill - and bring in Kaboul - didn't excite me too much, but I'm prepared to wait and see before I criticise Redknapp.
Right now I think the team is playing some good football, but they are not quite putting points on the board. Maybe Crouch IS'NT good enough, (and in a wild moment I would have supported bringing in RVnN.) but I think he deserves the rest of the season to show us whether he is or isn't. Redknapp does - to his credit - seem to be able to improve players...maybe Crouch will too? So, I would seem to fall outside of those who wear "rose tinted glasses"...but I stll support the team.
You guys appear to be trying to use a very wide broom to sweep us fans into two factions...which just isn't there. If life were only so simple........

[deka_spur]

Its interesting how we who chose to support the manager and give him a go without criticising him every chance we may get are wearing 'Rose tinted glasses' - but yet you guys who never seem happy with anything and always have to criticise someone and pull down the team are not wearing 'Rose tinted Glasses' - hypocrites... Now that Keanes gone who are we gonna pick on now? I know you guys would do a much better job than Harry, and even if we had SAF managing our team I am sure he wouldnt stack up either. I really do wonder how you 'glass half empty' people manage to enjoy life.
You know its not even your opinion that annoys me, I disagree with alot of Harry's decisions also, but so what. It doesn't mean I am right and he is wrong. It is your ' I am right, you are all wrong attitude'.
This has been a great season - frustrating at times, but actually breaking into that top 4 is not going to be easy as we have to do it without 'the best' players - and once we do get in then we can get afew of these players that will really improve the team and try to stay there, until then it is an uphill battle, and we are giving it a good shot. I am Loving this season.

[StokeSpur]

Its interesting how we who chose to support the manager and give him a go without criticising him every chance we may get are wearing 'Rose tinted glasses' - but yet you guys who never seem happy with anything and always have to criticise someone and pull down the team are not wearing 'Rose tinted Glasses' - hypocrites... Now that Keanes gone who are we gonna pick on now? I know you guys would do a much better job than Harry, and even if we had SAF managing our team I am sure he wouldnt stack up either. I really do wonder how you 'glass half empty' people manage to enjoy life.
You know its not even your opinion that annoys me, I disagree with alot of Harry's decisions also, but so what. It doesn't mean I am right and he is wrong. It is your ' I am right, you are all wrong attitude'.
This has been a great season - frustrating at times, but actually breaking into that top 4 is not going to be easy as we have to do it without 'the best' players - and once we do get in then we can get afew of these players that will really improve the team and try to stay there, until then it is an uphill battle, and we are giving it a good shot. I am Loving this season.

Dont get me wrong, there are plenty of positives too but i was only picking up on what Harry had said in the interview, had he said Bale has been awesome in the last month i would have agreed and put a lot of it down to Harry and his man management, which is second to none btw, Had he said the club has come a long way since his arrival i would have agreed with his comments entirely.
I was simply saying that he defends his selection of certain players when its clear to see that its not working and we could do better.

I think letting keane go and getting EG in could be a great move as i saw keane's body language and gestures towards other players as a bit insulting and tiresome but EG will bring a lot of respect to the dressing room and on the pitch.

There are many things right about the club but the little niggly things that are standing out he is just too stubborn to change, he bought Crouch, he has bigged him up, he will play him.

Whats the point of having all that class we have in the center if it keeps going over their heads?

As you bring him up, Do you think SAF would persist with something that is not working? would he have used subs on saturday?

Anyway i'm sure you love everything Harry does and good luck with that, this is a forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion, thats half the fun with football, the discussions, the debates.

[jolsnogross]

Careful though StokeSpur, you don't want to enrage the ones who wear glasses of the rose tinted variety! Since when did logic and reality ever influence their opinions

This type of comment is a clear 'tell' that the commenter has little to add to the debate and no persuasive argument to put forward. When I compare Harry's comments to yours, Stokespur's and Spurs Viola's, it's clear to me whose are grounded in logic and the reality of the game I just watched. Hint: it isn't you.

We were completely dominant yesterday for the 2nd half, much like we were at Villa Park in one of our best away performances of the season. Crouch was a pivotal part of that dominance. The game I watched wassn't full of us lumping the ball in his general direction, but a good mix of passing centrally, working it wide, and yes, direct balls to see if Crouch and Defoe could get a shot on goal. One of the failures I saw was not crossing effectively from wide positions and dead-balls. But there wasn't one player I'd pick out as weak from yesterday's performance.

There was an interesting debate on the match-thread about substitutions or the lack thereof. As I watched the 2nd half, I couldn't think of an obvious player swap that would have increased our likelihood of scoring while not compromising our chances of keeping Villa out. Subbing Crouch or Defoe for anyone would have been madness - the Villa defence had their hands full with them. For a while, I thought Niko or Eidur for Palacios might make a difference, but that difference might have been a sucker punch by Villa. We nearly got robbed anyway at the end but for King's last-ditch lunge, but that was likely to happen at least once given our territorial and possessional dominance. And our all-out search for a goal.

We don't have a Rooney or Drogba, so sometimes we don't turn our dominance into points. Harry isn't always blameless, but he did nothing wrong yesterday. We were completely on top but couldn't convert one of our half chances.

We are not Pompey. But we were way worse than Pompey before Harry arrived - a hopeless mish-mash and all of the other home-truths he spelled out. I don't think anyone considers Harry to be a new Bill Nick, but those who persistently describe him as some sort of lower league cockney half-wit are divorced from reality. That's not rose-tinted rage. It's fact.

[deka_spur]

Dont get me wrong, there are plenty of positives too but i was only picking up on what Harry had said in the interview, had he said Bale has been awesome in the last month i would have agreed and put a lot of it down to Harry and his man management, which is second to none btw, Had he said the club has come a long way since his arrival i would have agreed with his comments entirely.
I was simply saying that he defends his selection of certain players when its clear to see that its not working and we could do better.

I think letting keane go and getting EG in could be a great move as i saw keane's body language and gestures towards other players as a bit insulting and tiresome but EG will bring a lot of respect to the dressing room and on the pitch.

There are many things right about the club but the little niggly things that are standing out he is just too stubborn to change, he bought Crouch, he has bigged him up, he will play him.

Whats the point of having all that class we have in the center if it keeps going over their heads?

As you bring him up, Do you think SAF would persist with something that is not working? would he have used subs on saturday?

Anyway i'm sure you love everything Harry does and good luck with that, this is a forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion, thats half the fun with football, the discussions, the debates.

As i said, it isn't the difference of opion that annoys me - I actually agree with alot you have to say - it was the 'rose tinted glasses' comment that got me annoyed, as i believe everybody is wearing them, including you. And to make that comment shows a real - ' I am right, and the rest have no idea attitude'. Regarding Keane, (and I am pro keane, and believe we will miss him), but if he not performing at his best or is being disruptive then I agree to not play him or move him on - so long as it is based on football reasons and not on personal bias (or tinted glasses) which alot of people tended to do.

[beuller]

I guenuinely couldn't believe how negative Villa were on Saturday. I thought it was slightly pathetic to be honest.

[pistolP]

"We had the better of a tense encounter at the Lane but simply couldn't find a way past the best defence in the Barclays Premier League"

What about the other nil nil's against defenses that are not the best in the league, what about the games we've conceded in the last 10 mins to lose 1 - 0 ... i'm getting pretty fed up of Harry trying to justify his team selection by insisting that Crouch is 'on form' & 'hard to deal with' etc etc when he clearly is not and its clearly not working to our advantage. Its happening too many times for it to be 'unlucky'!

For me, having Crouch in the team makes us one dimensional and not very pleasant on the eye. We hit it long and rely on him to win the header, when he does we need the midfield to support or Defoe to latch on to it, it might come off once or twice a game but more often than not it does not and we give possession straight back.

Teams do their homework on us and they stop us, why cant Harry do the same then use tactics to break them down.
I was pleading for kranjcar to come on yesterday, IMO he is up there with Modric in terms of class and can score goals, something our midfield desperately lacks, he is quick at spotting a chance, he can pass through the eye of a needle, he's a nightmare for defenders and when yr strikers go through dry spells you need your midfield to weigh in with some goals yet he is sat on the bench when its blatantly obvious it needed freshening up.

I love Harry but he frustrates the shit out of me at times, he's done a great job at stabilizing the club but its evident he is very very limited when it comes to tactics.

We are not Pompy Harry!

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: Agree, and if you permit me to add that i think we are becoming a long ball team, if we are not already one.

[pistolP]

Spot on. Also, while "we've only lost once in the last 12 games" would be very good for a team like Pompey, I think a team with high ambitions should look at it as "we've only won 4 games in the last 12", which included home matches v Wolves and Hull, as well as that game v Everton when they were still missing 6 or 7 of their regular first team players and were not in good form yet.

Since the 9-1 thrashing of Wigan something seem to have gone wrong. We have not won many, have drawn alot of matches and the goals are not going in as before Wigan.

[JuanRebelde]

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap: Agree, and if you permit me to add that i think we are becoming a long ball team, if we are not already one.

We are certainly becoming predictable with Crouch in the side as he is becoming the first option especially from the back. That in itself might not be a bad thing except Crouch is generally mediocre at bringing in other players with his head. As such we tend to give the ball straightback although I wouldn't criticise him for effort atleast even though he is in my opinion no more than an average premier league player..

My real criticism is that we have no plan B. When teams sit back and then press us from their penalty area outwards we are still incapable of playing through them. We go backwards and sideways and then usually Defoe or lately Bentley will shoot when nothing else is on. The ball ends in the crowd and the cycle repeats.

[StokeSpur]

As i said, it isn't the difference of opion that annoys me - I actually agree with alot you have to say - it was the 'rose tinted glasses' comment that got me annoyed, as i believe everybody is wearing them, including you. And to make that comment shows a real - ' I am right, and the rest have no idea attitude'. Regarding Keane, (and I am pro keane, and believe we will miss him), but if he not performing at his best or is being disruptive then I agree to not play him or move him on - so long as it is based on football reasons and not on personal bias (or tinted glasses) which alot of people tended to do.

i never mentioned 'rose tinted glasses' and my post is not one forcing itself on people, it is me putting forward my thoughts, wether you like them or not they are mine and i can say them.

You say you are pro Keane. if i said to you that i was anti Keane you would put up an argument as to why i shouldnt be would t you?, thats how it works isnt it?

[StokeSpur]

This type of comment is a clear 'tell' that the commenter has little to add to the debate and no persuasive argument to put forward. When I compare Harry's comments to yours, Stokespur's and Spurs Viola's, it's clear to me whose are grounded in logic and the reality of the game I just watched. Hint: it isn't you.

We were completely dominant yesterday for the 2nd half, much like we were at Villa Park in one of our best away performances of the season. Crouch was a pivotal part of that dominance. The game I watched wassn't full of us lumping the ball in his general direction, but a good mix of passing centrally, working it wide, and yes, direct balls to see if Crouch and Defoe could get a shot on goal. One of the failures I saw was not crossing effectively from wide positions and dead-balls. But there wasn't one player I'd pick out as weak from yesterday's performance.

There was an interesting debate on the match-thread about substitutions or the lack thereof. As I watched the 2nd half, I couldn't think of an obvious player swap that would have increased our likelihood of scoring while not compromising our chances of keeping Villa out. Subbing Crouch or Defoe for anyone would have been madness - the Villa defence had their hands full with them. For a while, I thought Niko or Eidur for Palacios might make a difference, but that difference might have been a sucker punch by Villa. We nearly got robbed anyway at the end but for King's last-ditch lunge, but that was likely to happen at least once given our territorial and possessional dominance. And our all-out search for a goal.

We don't have a Rooney or Drogba, so sometimes we don't turn our dominance into points. Harry isn't always blameless, but he did nothing wrong yesterday. We were completely on top but couldn't convert one of our half chances.

We are not Pompey. But we were way worse than Pompey before Harry arrived - a hopeless mish-mash and all of the other home-truths he spelled out. I don't think anyone considers Harry to be a new Bill Nick, but those who persistently describe him as some sort of lower league cockney half-wit are divorced from reality. That's not rose-tinted rage. It's fact.

so you wouldnt have used any subs either then yesterday to go try and win it?

Its this type of negativity that drives me potty.

[jolsnogross]

so you wouldnt have used any subs either then yesterday to go try and win it?

Its this type of negativity that drives me potty.

The idea that substitutions always improve our chances of winning is childish, as is the idea that not making one means we're settling for a draw. Did you read that paragraph from my post above the line you highlighted?

[Etrilad]

Modders didn't have the best of games on Sat and I was expecting to see Niko replace him at some point. While i'm on the subject, Modric really needs to practice his shooting. For a player with his ability his shooting is awful and (rasping drive apart) more often than not so is big Tom's. I really hope the coaches are working on this as we don't score enough goals from midfield and it would make a hell of a difference when it comes to turning these draws into wins.

[JimmyG2]

I am not a big fan of Crouch, I think he is limited technically both in the air and on the ground. But I thought he played well against Villa and directed his headers better and brought other players in.
I think we overplay the long ball which cuts out our midfielders who might be able to open up defences especiallynow that we have Bale and Bentley providing width.
I think we miss Ekotto's willingness to pick the ball up short and play the ball through the midfield. Dawson does it but then almost always tries the long ball to Crouch.
On Saturday I thought we mixed it up a little more and while we were creating chances I thought that Harry was right to leave it as it was. And Harry is another one who I don't always agree with.
I am the proud owner of a pair of 'rose tinted' specs . We are challenging for fourth, have a good team playing entertaining football. Results have been frustrating but really what's not to like?
Actually I'm lovin it.