Redknapp expects more twists

[mawspurs]

Source: Sky Sports

Spurs manager expects more upsets in fourth-place battle.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp expects plenty more twists and turns before the end of the season in the race for fourth place in the Premier League.

Despite intense late pressure, Spurs were held to a 0-0 draw with fellow UEFA Champions League chasers Aston Villa at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening.

The stalemate meant that Redknapp's side could not regain the coveted fourth spot they had surrendered earlier in the day after Liverpool's win over Everton.

But the Tottenham manager is confident that there is still a long way to go in the battle to reach the European Cup.

Redknapp said: "Obviously it was a big result for Liverpool. They ground out a result. It's their weekend this week, it will be somebody else's next week, somebody else's the week after.

"Of course it's going to be tight, it's going to go all the way to the wire.

"You didn't see Manchester City getting beat at Hull, not many people would have tipped that one, would they?"

[Michey]

Source: Sky Sports

Spurs manager expects more upsets in fourth-place battle.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp expects plenty more twists and turns before the end of the season in the race for fourth place in the Premier League.

Despite intense late pressure, Spurs were held to a 0-0 draw with fellow UEFA Champions League chasers Aston Villa at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening.

The stalemate meant that Redknapp's side could not regain the coveted fourth spot they had surrendered earlier in the day after Liverpool's win over Everton.

But the Tottenham manager is confident that there is still a long way to go in the battle to reach the European Cup.

Redknapp said: "Obviously it was a big result for Liverpool. They ground out a result. It's their weekend this week, it will be somebody else's next week, somebody else's the week after.

"Of course it's going to be tight, it's going to go all the way to the wire.

"You didn't see Manchester City getting beat at Hull, not many people would have tipped that one, would they?"
and not taking advantage of results like that is what will make us miss out on the fourth spot

[Edgarsglasses]

I said all along that Liverpool will come good and take 4th spot as they are so used to it and know what it takes every year to do it,we have blew so many chances to take that place by the scruff of the neck.Top 6 for us in my view,which is still good considering we were relagation material start of last season.
Just think we playing the long ball way too much for crouch with teams just picking up defoe who's waiting for the predictable flick on,need to mix it up a touch and maybe a change of partner for defoe.

[davidmatzdorf]

With 13 matches left, I'm moving toward the conclusion that which of the six teams in the frame eventually finish third and fourth is going to depend mainly upon which teams get a good run together at the right time - upon form and good fortune with injuries, rather than squad strength, inspirational individual players, managerial tactics or mental strength.

If we make it into the top 4, then it will show that we're a very good team and that we were in a position to capitalise on the rather crowded conditions in the top 8. If we miss out by 2 or 3 points and finish 6th or 7th, I don 't think it will prove a great deal about anything (although that won't prevent the wailing, the rending of clothing, the blaming of individual players and individual results and the fine textual analysis of exactly Where Harry Went Wrong).

There are too many semi-random events over the course of a 38 match football season for gaps of 2 or 3 points to mean very much, with the exception of individual crunch matches right at the end, which depend very much on mental-strength issues.

We are in the group of superior teams, that is clear. There are two of them for every CL place, so someone is going to miss out. If we miss out, what we should do is nothing. Keep the squad, keep the manager, buy and sell a few players exactly as we would if we had finished 3rd (except that a few players might not be interested - nothing new there).

Last time we were close to real success, the hierarchy decided to shake things up to achieve more. The result was relegation form. Perhaps this time they'll consider what breeds sustained success, which is incremental improvement and team-building. Our key players are still improving and we can see younger key players just forcing their way into the first team (Bale being the obvious example). We should just persevere.

The same applies if we do get into the CL. Don't go mad buying a couple of those expensive players who wouldn't join a non-CL club. Just persevere.

[bigspurs]

Last time we were close to real success, the hierarchy decided to shake things up to achieve more. The result was relegation form. Perhaps this time they'll consider what breeds sustained success, which is incremental improvement and team-building. Our key players are still improving and we can see younger key players just forcing their way into the first team (Bale being the obvious example). We should just persevere.

It is the same hierarchy though isn't it. They axed Jol like he was a piece of shit. Then they took out Ramos and his gang like something symbolically reminiscent of The Godfather film. They have shown us what they are capable of. They want success no matter what the cost. I wouldn't be surprised if they replaced Harry at the end of the season!

[boris]

It is the same hierarchy though isn't it. They axed Jol like he was a piece of shit. Then they took out Ramos and his gang like something symbolically reminiscent of The Godfather film. They have shown us what they are capable of. They want success no matter what the cost. I wouldn't be surprised if they replaced Harry at the end of the season!
Well if Levy doesn't learn from his mistakes then he's the one who should be axed.

Agree with DM though.

[DC_Boy]

I don't think getting rid of jol or ramos was a mstake

perhaps the manner of dismissal wasn't perfect, but both needed to go

if harry has us in the sort of position jol and ramos did at the times of their departure his place is under threat for sure - if harry keeps up the type of ppg he's managed so far then his place is safe for a while I think

tho we will need a trophy sooner rather than later if we keep missing out on 4th as i expect us too

a couple of more seasons of 5th-7th and no silverware then the place gets edgy - board, fans - probably even harry himself, especially as we lose star players - which is fairly inevitable without Cl or trophies

[guate]

I think that D.L. has learnt by his mistakes and realized that the key word, once again, is consistency. If we finish 4th or win a cup then we'll all be happy campers, however even if we finish 5th and don't win a cup then it's still a very positive step in the right direction regarding 'Arry's first full season.
I don't see D.L. wanting to make management changes once again, especially if we're to go ahead with the stadium project, as it would certainly set us back x amount of years and should we manage to reach 4th, 5th or even 6th this season I see 'Arry's job safe for another 12 months unless we start ofF next season as we did under Ramos, 2 points after 8 games and with 'Arry that's just not going to happen.
I suspect that Levy see's the completion of the new stadium project as his way of leaving his name/administration/tenure as a very progressive one in the club's history but to achieve that he's also learnt that a combination of 'Arry and consistent top 6 placings over the next 2-3 years are what's needed to make it happen.

QUE VIVA LOS SPURS

[philbanger]

Come Wednesday we could well be back in 4th Spot. Liverpool travel to Arsenal and they will not want to loose a 3rd leage game in 2 weeks and I for one hope they get a result. We travel to Wolves who despite the result at the Lane we are more than capable of beating. Meanwhile Villa take on United and even though I expect City to win tomorrow, we can still overtake them with a draw.

It wasn't our day on Saturday but if Wednesday is we have the advantage again.

[tomo]

the problem with not getting into 4th this season (if we don't manage it) is that Liverpool have genuinely been poor and beatable. They have been there for the taking this season but due to the fat spanish waiters backs to the wall tactics have hung on in there and are looking confident again. The fact we went up to Anfield and rolled over against that shite was the most dissapointing thing. Liverpool will come back stonger next season and we may have missed our chance.

[davidmatzdorf]

We won't have "missed our chance" provided we keep the squad together, because there is still plenty of improvement in front of most of our key players, both individually and in terms of working as a team. We're in the position where we can improve our squad greatly by doing nothing. The same is not true of any of the other top 8 clubs except Arsenal.

[theoldguy]

We are definitely in the mix and imo only Chelsea on a good day are playing as entertaining soccer. We have the quality of players and if Lennon quickly returns to full fitness then everyone else look out. I am pleased with the way Bentley has performed. However I believe Lennon's ball control coupled with that incisive speed set him apart. We have been superior in so many matches without being able to score the decisive goal. The chances have been there and with only a shade of luck we'd be a bunch of points further up. I see our guys "clicking" soon with a run of victories to follow.

[JuanRebelde]

I don't agree with Redknapp on this one and history seems to contradict him as well. As I recall the sky four seem far more capable of putting a run together in the second half of the season that the rest. This is why they are the sky four.

Also, I don't think Redknapp will be gone for a good while yet and neither do I think that Levy would consider sacking him come the summer as some have suggested. However, having read all the comments above the question for me is would I have replaced Jol with Redknapp (given the short reign of Ramos it was effectively what we have done) and the answer is no. Secondly would Jol have achieved more than I believe Redknapp will, if, like Redknapp he had had control of transfers? I believe he would but we will never know.

Redknapp deserves praise for getting an imbalanced yet decent squad playing again but I have never seen anything in him that says he'll get us CL football. I obviously hope I am wrong though.

[JimmyG2]

Stability, building and improving the team, those were the watchwords last year promoted particularly by Davidmatzdorf.
And it has certainly paid off and will again. More than that we have assembled a team that plays entertaining football, and is capable of further improvement.
The actual final places are a lottery even in the top four. A poor decision here, individual errors up front and in defence.
We are doing it the right way apart from a tendency to overdo the long ball to Crouch which bypasses our skilled midfield.
But the team play much more as a team and have the spirit, behind the scenes and on the pitch to bring players like Bale, Gomes and Bentley back from the dead.
I'm loving it.
We could finish anywhere from 4th to 8th. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

[DC_Boy]

we have improved the team/squad for sure

trouble is you improve it to a 5th place finish and that's all well and good - do it even two years on the trot - but improving it to 4th seems to be glass ceiling time

[2bearis2do]

With 13 matches left, I'm moving toward the conclusion that which of the six teams in the frame eventually finish third and fourth is going to depend mainly upon which teams get a good run together at the right time - upon form and good fortune with injuries, rather than squad strength, inspirational individual players, managerial tactics or mental strength.

I disagree, I think it will come down to who plays who in the run in from now on in. We've still got to play all the big guns, three games in a row. Our run in isn't great considering our record against them.

39 points to get: (minus 9!)

Therein, I very much doubt we'll finish 4th and do believe we missed a great opportunity to do so. but the past is the past. Harry made his decisions and we didn't capitalise when we should have.
I'll enjoy the ride without expectation, the expectation was killing me and I've a feeling we've already shot our load, so to speak.
Though I do agree, change very little if we want to compete again next year. Sorry, did I say change very little?!?!!?

- Sell Jenas.
- Get better replacement in.
- Get better strike partner in for Defoe than Crouch or play Pav!

There you go, that really is changing very little. I think we're in good shape, but have missed an incredible opportunity to capitalise on the failings of both Liverpool and Man City this season. I don't expect either of them to under-achieve next year.

As my good mate told me; 'you're Spurs, it's the hope that kills you'.

[DC_Boy]

well city twisted the knife in us a little deeper tonight