Harry - Wolves worthy winners

[mawspurs]

Source: Sky Sports

Spurs boss admits side lacked cutting edge in Molineux defeat.

Harry Redknapp had no complaints after Tottenham were beaten by Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday.

Spurs suffered just their second defeat in 13 games but the UEFA Champions League hopefuls will have expected to take maximum points from the Mick McCarthy's strugglers.

Instead, Dave Jones scored a 27th minute winner to boost the Wanderers' survival bid and complete an unlikely double over the North London outfit.

And Redknapp felt his side were not at the races in the Black Country, especially in front of goal, but was quick to praise his opponents' endeavour.

"We didn't' play well tonight," conceded the Spurs boss to the Sky Sports cameras.

"They worked hard, we had loads of the ball but didn't create a lot of chances - it was disappointing."
Toothless attack

Spurs had all the possession in the second half, but not even the introduction of substitute Peter Crouch - who replaced the ineffectual Eidur Gudjohnsen - could get the Londoners back into the game.

And Redknapp admitted the side he put out - which also saw Jermaine Jenas Younes Kaboul, Sebastien Bassong and Niko Kranjcar come into the starting XI - lacked the cutting edge to break down a resolute Wolves defence.

"We lacked someone to open them up with a bit of magic," the former Portsmouth manager added.

"We never produced that tonight - we normally do but we didn't tonight."

"It was more or less the same team that played at Leeds last week and played so well and it was one of those nights - it happens.

"You look at results and it's very hard to predict football.

"The teams are at the bottom and working and are organised and they're scrapping for their lives and they make it difficult and unless you compete, it's really difficult

"They came here tonight and worked their socks off."

[onthetwo]

getting tired of this propaganda....we can all see the problem with these type of games Harry, but YOU are the one we are relying on to solve it. Most worryingly, has the league now been de-emphasised for the Cup?

[super_mabbutt]

Were not good enough for fourth end of!

[the shelf]

"We never produced that tonight - we normally do but we didn't tonight."

Er, no we don't Harry - Wolves twice, Stoke, Hull and Villa at home - all tight games where we needed to produce a bit of magic and it never arrived.

[Deeyal]

Were not good enough for fourth end of!

As much as it pains me to say it, I'm inclined to agree with you. When games are fairly open we seem to be OK, but as soon as teams try to shut us down we appear to lack the ability build up the play patiently and try to make space for ourselves. We get easily frustrated and the passing becomes sloppy.

We also seem to lack the ability to take control in the dying stages

[JuanRebelde]

Redknapp has been found out - he has bought in his cronies (as he has always done) and that was enough to save us from ourselves last season. This season he is now increasingly been shown to be devoid of ideas. My fear is that when does leave, just in what condition will our club be in as his record is not good at all his other clubs. I confess to have never been a fan of his as the media myth of 'Arry is far great than the reality (I do know him personally) and am sadly now seeing my fears beginning to come true. This season will now see us slide away in the league until May. Just ask a Pompey fan and they will tell you.

[YiddArmy]

I've had enough, I'm off football until the World Cup.

[TheDutchMaster]

What makes me laugh is we string a couple of results toghether, give it all the big talk, Harry and players included then pull off performances like this! Its happened before and will happen again! All these comments from Harry just sums us up.. FAKE!

Our lack of goals from midfield is clearly worrying! Hes talking about we needed a bit of magic to open them up. You mean Lennon to beat a man, I cant believe the amount of pressure going to be placed on Lennon when he returns!

Fake team full of bottle jobs and boys!

[ero1x]

HARRY REDKNAPP NEEDS TO BE SACKED RIGHT NOW!! He's clueless, he's destroying our team, no tactics, plays only his favourites, we've lost twice to the mighty Wolves, I'm going to slit my wrists!!!!...... HOLD ON what am I talking about? We're 6th which is where I've always thought we'll finish this season, we've had a few dodgy games like everyone else, we're angry and frustrated about not being in the top 4 rather than shitting bricks about being in the bottom 3 and facing the real threat of relegation (last season Ramos, remember?)... Hmm, actually when I think about it Harry can carry on being as clueless as he likes and play all of his so called favourites all the time for all I care, I'm giving him (and the team) my FULL SUPPORT and will make any (rational) judgements about his management only at the end of this very exciting season as I think that's the least he deserves.

[joe_bazza]

HARRY REDKNAPP NEEDS TO BE SACKED RIGHT NOW!! He's clueless, he's destroying our team, no tactics, plays only his favourites, we've lost twice to the mighty Wolves, I'm going to slit my wrists!!!!...... HOLD ON what am I talking about? We're 6th which is where I've always thought we'll finish this season, we've had a few dodgy games like everyone else, we're angry and frustrated about not being in the top 4 rather than shitting bricks about being in the bottom 3 and facing the real threat of relegation (last season Ramos, remember?)... Hmm, actually when I think about it Harry can carry on being as clueless as he likes and play all of his so called favourites all the time for all I care, I'm giving him (and the team) my FULL SUPPORT and will make any (rational) judgements about his management only at the end of this very exciting season as I think that's the least he deserves.

Finally some sense. There is little denying that Harry lacks the tactical creativity of some managers and some of his transfer dealings have been a little suspect BUT we are 6th, we're getting a new stadium, we've cut a load off the wage bill (Keane and Hutton would've been on 90k a week combined) and due to the quiet january we'll have a healthy transfer kitty for the summer. People need to be grateful for how far we've come recenly and recognise the potential. We're still in the FA cup too.

[Boony]

Were not good enough for fourth end of!

We never have been. The difference between any of the top 4 teams and the rest is a lot bigger than we think. Lets not forget the extra games these teams play in the CL, against better opposition. If we finally did get the CL spot, honestly, would we be able to compete in it, alongside a decent run in the league the next year ? Would we fuck.

I'll be happy with the Europa next year, as I think thats where we are at the moment. We have a very very good squad, but we dont have many players who make a massive difference in a game, a player who is a lot better than the rest.

We need a Fabregas, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney.

Rather than buy a lot of 7-10 mil players, surely we can find out own, injury free, consistent, goalscoring, tackling, playmaking captin who runs the show on his own.. we have cash.. spent £20 on a beauty, then we can start talking CL

[Top_Boy]

My only surprise is that Harry didn't disguise this awful defeat with a claim like "we've only lost twice in the last 14 games and we're on a good run, we're playing well."

[ricardo_archibald]

I agree that it was one of worst games of recent times, but I wish some people would calm down a little, losing to Wolves is depressing enough without hearing people scapegoat players and wanting the manager to be sacked.

Knee-jerk reactions are not gonna solve the teams problems right now, we have Lennon coming back apparently in a week and hopefully he can give us that spark we're missing.

Admittedly we're having problems with certain teams and the style they play and we're clearly not scoring many goals, but please some of you pipe down !

[DefoeFan]

I'm going to be generous and say it was disgraceful.. We are 6th on false pretence, Once Villa and Birmingham catch up with there games in hand we'll be sitting 6th but With Birmiigham and everton just 2-3 points behind us.

And then what !..

[Freddiehotspur]

JoeBazza, I agree that we shouldn't be doom-mongers. However, when we lose such games we shouldn't all take a bird's view on what's happened since 2 points in 8 games. We should still look at what we have close at hand, and that is the final game's result. The truth is that it's not good enough. And if this trend continues for a few more games, we'll be where Sunderland is right now.

Truth is, we don't play with pace anymore, we don't have movement off the ball, our midfield was completely overrun by Wolves, a bunch whose price tag combined is lower than most of our midfield. Players who can't stop talking about 4th place don't show up at the must-win games. The only ones who do are the ones who have been left on the bench for almost the whole season(Bale and Bentley). There ain't no bouncebackability, scruffing of necks or boots up the proverbial arse.

So why, from a pshychological point of view, do we doze off when we absolutely NEED to win? We were doing fine until their goal. Why don't they realize the importance, but rather let themselves and us fans down time after time? They don't have the character to be anything else, that's why. They can't handle it. They've never been in that position before, they don't know how to react. Man U will react collectively, the pressure will be on and you know they will get their goal. We had a couple of players who tried(Bale and Bentley, Palacios when he came on), the rest succumbed to their predestined mediocrity.

[Boony]

I forgot to mention WHY THE FUCK did Harry play and an unfit, French league playing, player we have on loan for 6 months, rather than a Premiership player who scored in his last game, who we are looking to hit form to a) sell or b) fight his way into the first team. Then put 3 metre Peter on ?

Also... a centre back, right back after loaning out two right backs .. ????

I am a massive Harry fan but WTF ??? this result has fcking ruined me... the fcking season and all my ambition... take a fcking look a this site sometime bagpuss... and see what fans really think... you've made some silly decisions this year.. Jenas mainly

[Freddiehotspur]

I agree Ricardo_Archibald, but ventilation of anger is a funny thing, and in any case i guess you would agree it's better to make use of it on the www than on the missus. :grin:

[vuzp]

HARRY REDKNAPP NEEDS TO BE SACKED RIGHT NOW!! He's clueless, he's destroying our team, no tactics, plays only his favourites, we've lost twice to the mighty Wolves, I'm going to slit my wrists!!!!...... HOLD ON what am I talking about? We're 6th which is where I've always thought we'll finish this season, we've had a few dodgy games like everyone else, we're angry and frustrated about not being in the top 4 rather than shitting bricks about being in the bottom 3 and facing the real threat of relegation (last season Ramos, remember?)... Hmm, actually when I think about it Harry can carry on being as clueless as he likes and play all of his so called favourites all the time for all I care, I'm giving him (and the team) my FULL SUPPORT and will make any (rational) judgements about his management only at the end of this very exciting season as I think that's the least he deserves.

i understand what you are saying but the thing is getting beating by
wolves twice, stoke at home, drawing with Villla a good team fair enought
but to lose to the others is just not right, once or twice a season things can happen a off day but to do all the hard work like beating City and
Fulham for me much harder teams it is just so eeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr

[14/04/91]

[quote=ricardo_archibald;1717432] we have Lennon coming back apparently in a week and hopefully he can give us that spark we're missing.
quote]

I'd rather we weren't overly reliant on one player.
The missing 'spark' was one of many problems last night. A poor mental attitude and lack of desire concerned me more. Wolves' determination gave them the upper hand; if we'd matched their will to win maybe our football would've shone through.

[Etrilad]

Does hauling Jenas off at half time mean the penny has finally dropped for Harry? He has no bottle, can't tackle and doesn't create. He used to score once in a while but doeasn't do that anymore either. Ultimately Harry is to blame for picking him along with his decision to play Kaboul at right back (!?) and play Gudjohnsen ahead of Pav (!?) People point to the fact that Harry's improved us and 'we were fighting relegation last year, but, we shouldn't have been! Our squad was much better than our position and arguably the only advantage Harry had over Ramos was he spoke English. He maybe a good coach but when it comes to team selection and tactics he's been found wanting time and again. Fact is he's as green as getting into the top 4 as our players are and that is not a good combination as this season is proving. In a season where we had an excellent chance of CL football I doubt we'll finish above 6th and that is a MASSIVE shame to say the least. Get your cheque book out Levy as Mourinho will be available at the end of the season :hump:

[Declan]

These things happen in football!! take it on the chin! yes it's disappointing, i expected 6 point from wolves this season (as well as hull, stoke, etc) but look at all the big teams in the premiership this yr and everybodys dropping points to lower teams. i bet if you went on a Man City forum after the Hull match 80% of the fans would be calling for Mancini's head, same for a Chelski site after last night, same as when Burnley beat Utd! What a game it would be if everybodys team won every game as the fans expect...

[YiddArmy]

I read this this morning

"We've dropped six points against Wolves, which looks like being very costly, but what can you do?"

I'm not an expert, but how about win them instead Harry?

:shrug:

[tomo]

pathetic performance but predictable, we've been looking lethargic for weeks. Was anyone actually really surprised about this result, it was typical Tottenham.

No idea why Palacios was on the bench, asking for trouble. Left to Jenas and Huddlestone to mince around in the middle - and they bottled it - same old story.

Also Karl Henry of Wolves looks like a decent player, could be a good signing, cause if Palacios is rested or injured we look seriously toothless. Jenas as defensive mid - what a joke.

Redknapps needs to reignite the fire in the belly of the team cause at the moment we are looking mid table.

Forget about 4th, its all about the FA Cup now

[Supersi32]

I'm going to be generous and say it was disgraceful.. We are 6th on false pretence, Once Villa and Birmingham catch up with there games in hand we'll be sitting 6th but With Birmiigham and everton just 2-3 points behind us.

And then what !..

And then we`ll still be sixth, with Brum & Everton behind us....

[pistolP]

I'm going to be generous and say it was disgraceful.. We are 6th on false pretence, Once Villa and Birmingham catch up with there games in hand we'll be sitting 6th but With Birmiigham and everton just 2-3 points behind us.

And then what !..

Agree, when these teams catch up and overtake us, some of us will start saying that atleast we are 8th,9th 0r 10th in the league. That we should look back to where we were this time last year, yea, yea, Ramos this, Ramos that.

[ricardo_archibald]

[quote=ricardo_archibald;1717432] we have Lennon coming back apparently in a week and hopefully he can give us that spark we're missing.
quote]

I'd rather we weren't overly reliant on one player.
The missing 'spark' was one of many problems last night. A poor mental attitude and lack of desire concerned me more. Wolves' determination gave them the upper hand; if we'd matched their will to win maybe our football would've shone through.

I agree, we shouldn't be reliant on just one player, but we also can't deny he makes a difference. The mental aspect is one of the most important issues, which I also agree with and have said that before.

Anyone got Paul Mckenna or Derren Brown's number, maybe they can add some mental belief and strength..... or perhaps convince our weakest players they are good ?!?

[mawspurs]

The commentators on radio London hit on it last night. We do not have enough leaders on the park (they identified Dawson as the only one) and we do not have enough mental strength to reach 4th spot and stay there till seasons end.

[Shirtfront]

Harry's performance in recent weeks has been poor and he should stop shrugging his shoulders about it.

We have consistently lacked imagination/variation since Lennon has been out, with Harry failing to make changes that could have been decisive (eg against Villa last week).

Then we reach an absolute must win match (given the points dropped against Villa) and he starts making wholesale changes, putting out a side that bears no resemblance to our best first XI.

Kaboul, a centre back who has just signed for us at right back?

Gudjohnssen - not match fit; barely been here five minutes; struggle at Monaco. Starts? Why not have a look at him last week against Villa, when their (massive) defence clearly had Crouchie's number at the end? Why suddenly start him now?

Huddlestone/Jenas - a lightweight partnership, away from home midweek up North in the cold against a side scrapping for survival? Did he watch them against Leeds? Sure, we won, but they were a shambles. Only Leeds lack of quality with the ball failed to expose their poor positioning, lack of understanding and general lack of steel.

No, it makes no sense. In a match crying out for changes he makes none. In a match crying out for strength and consistency, he makes a bunch.

All credit to 'arry for the Season so far, but in recent weeks when it has been there for the taking, he has bottled it in classic Spurs fashion.

[OrangeTHFC]

Harry's performance in recent weeks has been poor and he should stop shrugging his shoulders about it.

We have consistently lacked imagination/variation since Lennon has been out, with Harry failing to make changes that could have been decisive (eg against Villa last week).

Then we reach an absolute must win match (given the points dropped against Villa) and he starts making wholesale changes, putting out a side that bears no resemblance to our best first XI.

Kaboul, a centre back who has just signed for us at right back?

Gudjohnssen - not match fit; barely been here five minutes; struggle at Monaco. Starts? Why not have a look at him last week against Villa, when their (massive) defence clearly had Crouchie's number at the end? Why suddenly start him now?
The rhytms and automatisms have been disturbed heavily as well as confidence, also caused by major injuries. And it takes a hell of a job to restore it at the trainingground. It's just going back to basics again but that's easier said than done.

[rooster1]

Harry's performance in recent weeks has been poor and he should stop shrugging his shoulders about it.

We have consistently lacked imagination/variation since Lennon has been out, with Harry failing to make changes that could have been decisive (eg against Villa last week).

Then we reach an absolute must win match (given the points dropped against Villa) and he starts making wholesale changes, putting out a side that bears no resemblance to our best first XI.

Kaboul, a centre back who has just signed for us at right back?

Gudjohnssen - not match fit; barely been here five minutes; struggle at Monaco. Starts? Why not have a look at him last week against Villa, when their (massive) defence clearly had Crouchie's number at the end? Why suddenly start him now?

Huddlestone/Jenas - a lightweight partnership, away from home midweek up North in the cold against a side scrapping for survival? Did he watch them against Leeds? Sure, we won, but they were a shambles. Only Leeds lack of quality with the ball failed to expose their poor positioning, lack of understanding and general lack of steel.

No, it makes no sense. In a match crying out for changes he makes none. In a match crying out for strength and consistency, he makes a bunch.

All credit to 'arry for the Season so far, but in recent weeks when it has been there for the taking, he has bottled it in classic Spurs fashion.
Very good points here. I only caught the second half abysmal display.
The pitch didn't look like a passing teams dream. Playing neat stuff was always going to be problematic. That said, tactically Harry got it wrong again big time. Why not play a 4-5-1 system away from home. I know we have 4 strikers, but that doesn't mean we have to have 2 upfront all the
time. The league position going into the match was that they needed 3 pts more then we did. So why not let them come on and counter. We play better when there's space to play into, It's as simple as that.

I think Harry has been either over confident or hasn't been concentrating
on the job, maybe both. Away from home no matter who we play we should always try to not concede , get a 1 point and anything more Is a bonus. Better than nothing.

[doom]

some of you need to seriously get a grip!!

We are going through some very bad results but until yesterday our play this season had been far far superior to any previous season in the last 2 decades. Saying the manager is clueless after a few bad results and one bad performance doesn't make sense. Perhaps Harry's been effected by his tax fraud court case but don't give up on him yet. We don't know the real reasons for his selections last night but I could bet you that he rested players due to fatigue, knocks or players seemingly not up to it. We could lose all our next matches or we could win them all and that is why we love the game so much!

[jonnyrotten]

[quote=ricardo_archibald;1717432]I agree that it was one of worst games of recent times
quote]

Can you define recent? I doubt it even is in the top 50 worst games of the past decade. You are talking about knee jerk reactions and giving one yourself.. good skill that. Away games under Graham anyone?

[StuckinPoland]

I'm going to be generous and say it was disgraceful.. We are 6th on false pretence, Once Villa and Birmingham catch up with there games in hand we'll be sitting 6th but With Birmiigham and everton just 2-3 points behind us.

And then what !..

4 weeks ago, I had a bet with a friend of mine that THFC would finish 8th. Quite rightly, he pointed out that to finish 8th, Tottenham would have to be caught by someone who currently isn't considered a possibility for 4th place.

Right now, I can see the top 7 being Man U, Arse**l, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Aston Villa and Everton (not necessarily that order).

The reason for this? One Henry James "Harry" Redknapp.

Those 7 teams listed above all have a much better manager than we do.

I don't want THFC to finish 8th. I want us to finish as high as possible. But, with HR in charge, I fear that 8th IS as high as we can possibly finish. The only reason we are anywhere near 4th is because Lennon's played so well. I wonder what our record has been this season with him out of the team.

I have no idea who we'd replace him with. But heck, wtf does he do anyway? I only ever see Kevin Bond and/or Joe Jordan doing anything during the games. Harry just sits on his arse with his legs crossed.

Harry is everyone's mate and no-one's friend. I can't wait for him to go. Anyone who has Paul Kemsley vouching for them should be nowhere near my beloved Tottenham.

Aside of Jenas and Crouch, we have a bloody good squad (including those loaned out) and I remain convinced that anyone with a modicum of tactical awareness could take this lot to a regular European berth via the league. As it is, we're looking at a season where our best player is most likely off to the World Cup where, if he performs anything like he has this season, will NOT be a Tottenham player by the time 2010/2011 starts. I'm still grateful that Russia and Croatia didn't make it or we could be losing those players too (though I still expect both Modric and Pavlyuchenko to be leaving North London for foreign leagues this summer).

In short, Harry out !

[JoeT]

Ditto 'doom'. Hang in there everyone.....the season's about boil down to the next few games I feel....Are we all up for it?
"Harry out!"....'Poland', do you really mean that?

[guate]

Both Chelsea and Man Untd seem to have an inner strength that no matter who the opposition are (away or at home) they will win and most of the time they're right.
Aston Villa and Everton play with passion, in your face type, and they'll fight right to the very last moment.
Spurs on the other hand generally play attractive football with lots of possesion but unless the other team allows us to play our slick passing game we end up losing because of being clueless about how to break the opposition down.
With the amount of money invested in our players it really is frustrating to see how gutless we are when faced with an organised defense as in the case of Wolves, Stoke, Hull etc.
We know that we have many good players and one or two great ones, so why is it we lose to teams that, on paper at least, appear to have less talented players than our side?
For me the answer is PASSION, the desire to win at all costs, good old fashioned get in there type gumption, which coupled with the 25 years of tactical knowledge from our manager and his assistants who ought to be picking the best team for each specific occasion. Sadly, of late, it seems that we have badly been let down by both groups, management and players.
This season is still not over and although I'm a happier Spurs fan than I was a year ago I'm still so frustrated by the fact that we rarely play with real gut busting passion as the other teams I mentioned above always seem to do.

QUE VIVA LOS SPURS

[StuckinPoland]

Ditto 'doom'. Hang in there everyone.....the season's about boil down to the next few games I feel....Are we all up for it?
"Harry out!"....'Poland', do you really mean that?

Yes. I mean it. I never wanted him here and, though I admittedly am very grateful for what he did last season, i believe he's reached his potential already.

I will also be forever grateful for Palacios. And most likely Kranjcar too. I also think that Naughton and Walker will turn out to be shrewd buys.

But I make no apologies. I still think that Harry leaving would be a good thing for us.

[bspurs]

Yes. I mean it. I never wanted him here and, though I admittedly am very grateful for what he did last season, i believe he's reached his potential already.

I will also be forever grateful for Palacios. And most likely Kranjcar too. I also think that Naughton and Walker will turn out to be shrewd buys.

But I make no apologies. I still think that Harry leaving would be a good thing for us.

You are not alone. I was trying not to say that "H...y out !"
I can't stand a manager who play Jenas and Crouch.

[JimmyG2]

All managers have their quirks, blind spots, personal preferences for back room staff and players.
We have made some progress this year and there still a third of the season to go. That could work against us I know.
Do we really want to throw away most of what we have gained and take a punt on another manager and all that it implies?
Harry got it wrong on Wednesday for whatever reason and has his limitations as does everybody.
I an not a great Harry fan but applaud what he has done and want him to be given the chance to build on what he has achieved,for the sake of the club.
I think that this would be preferable to chucking the whole lot in the melting pot again which sacking a manager invariably does.
Succesful managers like Ferguson, Moyes, Wenger, O'Neill,aand Benitez have longevity in post in common. The others have unlimited funds at least initially as at Chelsea and possibly Man.City and in the future Birmingham to a lesser extent,
We don't have unlimited funds so lets give ourselves at least half a chance and keep with Harry.

[ricardo_archibald]

[quote=ricardo_archibald;1717432]I agree that it was one of worst games of recent times
quote]

Can you define recent? I doubt it even is in the top 50 worst games of the past decade. You are talking about knee jerk reactions and giving one yourself.. good skill that. Away games under Graham anyone?

Erm...Perhaps I should change it to 'It was one of the least inspiring games of recent times'...hardly knee jerk, knee jerk is more to do with talk of sackings after a bad game, NOT a general opinion about the game.

There are plenty of other people on here with much stronger reactions than me, so go and criticize someone who perhaps deserves it, cheers.

[Riandor]

Teams have figured us out and we are too inexperienced as yet to switch to "just win at all costs mode". That will come.

When teams do try and out-attack us, we rip them to shreds.

Still some learning to be done and I think we'll be top 6 only this year, but stronger for next year... of course it is still very tight and we could get back up there.