Harry's forward thinking... (Ten astute moves by Harry Redknapp)

[rebrab]

I just wanted to take a break from the stresses of top four chat, and just compliment Harry on his forward-thinking. I'm not going to keep this thread too long, but thought that I should throw in a compliment and say that - even if we don't get fourth or the FA Cup - he has done a great job. These are some good examples of the players he has signed and how useful they have been!

1) Seb Bassong. Where would we be without him now? People (including myself) wondered when we bought him - how will he get gametime? 8 Million is too much for a sub and so on. But without him, we would have had one CB for the majority of the season.
2) Faith in Gomes. So many wanted him gone - now he is the goalkeeper with the second best defensive record in the league, and he has been fantastic.
3) Huddlestone. People were saying all summer that we should sell him - rumours were amok. However, we kept him and he has developed and helped us in our race for fourth
4) Niko Krancjar. Now, people will say that he was an obviously good signing from the start, but I remember some people claiming him to be a show pony. Again, questions were asked as to how often he would play - due to a lot of injuries, he has had PLENTY of gametime.
5) Pavlyuchenko. Why weren't we playing him before, people ask. And this is to some extent correct - but we refused to sell him despite offers, and waited until his head was right to unleash him.
6) Gareth Bale. Along with Huddlestone, this is the player I wanted us to keep that we did (I'm ashamed to say that I wanted Pav out, along with Bentley). Tremendous form, showing us that ability now. Again, people question why we weren't playing him before, as I did at the time. But Bale himself has admitted that he has improved tremendously over the course of the season due to extra work from the coaching staff. Good job I say!
7) Peter Crouch. Some people didn't want him (i know that, equally, some did - including myself) - the expression I believe that was being thrown about was "lanky streak of piss"? We wouldn't be fourth now without him. Period.
8) Buying Palacios. No more needs to be said.
9) Jermain Defoe. Top scorer. Again, I think most wanted him back - but regardless a great signing!
10) Robbie Keane. Despite a lot of criticism now and when we bought him, he was instrumental to our good form at the back end of last season. Who knows if we would have got relegated without him? (I know some people won't like this point, but I thought it was one I should make nevertheless)

Well done Harry, job well done.

Now get us fourth!

 

[AngerManagement]

All very good points, especially the Pav one.

Had Pav been thrown in at a time where his head was out the club and he was not in the right frame of mind he may well have come in and failed to make an impact leaving him out in the cold and probably moved on in Jan.

Harry making him prove his form in training and then rewarding his efforts with first team football is great management I think, it has worked wonders for Pav and no doubt shows the whole squad that if you put the work in and prove yourself you will get your opportunity to play and do well.

No doubt similar notions could be mentioned regarding Bentley and Bale also.

Your other points also go to show the importance of having a large and quality rich squad, the likes of Villa simply drool over our options from the bent and ability to cover injuries with yet more talent. This is the reason that while they have been disciplined and workman like all year (without too many dips in form) we find ourselves with a bit of a gap above them heading into the home straight.

 

[sonicdreams]

I guess point 2 has more to do with Harry bringing in Tony Parks as goalkeeping coach

 

[Raxscallion]

Agree with much of that.

The statement I never understand though is when people say they 'want' a certain player to be sold.

Take JJ fr'instance. I'm not his greatest fan (although neither am I his greatest detractor), but I'd never say I actively wanted him out. If a player's not playing well, they'll get dropped. If they're prepared to stay and work, try and earn their spot back, I can't see any problem with that. Quite a few of our current first team players have struggled in the past - but they've stayed, worked, improved, and are now hopefully bringing glory back to the Lane. Where would we be now if we'd shipped them out in a fit of pique?

The only exception to this is when their presence is screwing up the team dynamic. That was the case with sulkatov for example, and for different reasons Keane too (IMO etc).

 

[walworthyid]

I think Bentley deserves a mention. He wasn't great yesterday, but he has contributed over the last few months and Harry has to take some credit for the way he has handled him.

 

[rebrab]

Agree with much of that.

The statement I never understand though is when people say they 'want' a certain player to be sold.

Take JJ fr'instance. I'm not his greatest fan (although neither am I his greatest detractor), but I'd never say I actively wanted him out. If a player's not playing well, they'll get dropped. If they're prepared to stay and work, try and earn their spot back, I can't see any problem with that. Quite a few of our current first team players have struggled in the past - but they've stayed, worked, improved, and are now hopefully bringing glory back to the Lane. Where would we be now if we'd shipped them out in a fit of pique?

The only exception to this is when their presence is screwing up the team dynamic. That was the case with sulkatov for example, and for different reasons Keane too (IMO etc).

I would agree with that, the only thing I would add is that sometimes people want a player to leave so that other players can get more game time and flourish - for example, (despite being a long time supporter of him) I want Jenas to leave this Summer... as much for him as for us truth be told. I will support him whilst he is at the club, and never boo him if he returns, but at the moment I feel he won't get the game time (hence potentially damaging the team dynamic), and will only hinder Huddlestone and Sandro's progress.

However, I would gladly be proved wrong! And I can't believe I've turned this into a JJ discussion, but it's the best example I can use... :lol:

 

[mattwilson]

7) Peter Crouch. Some people didn't want him (i know that, equally, some did - including myself) - the expression I believe that was being thrown about was "lanky streak of piss"? We wouldn't be fourth now without him. Period.

I'm guessing this is just because having him around as a surplus forward is motivating the other strikers like Defoe + Pav to smash in the goals?

I'd put Bentley in there infront of Crouch ;(

Maybe I'm just biased because I think he's useless unless we play a horrific long ball tactic

 

[rebrab]

I think Bentley deserves a mention. He wasn't great yesterday, but he has contributed over the last few months and Harry has to take some credit for the way he has handled him.

I was going to mention him, but delayed based on the fact that I don't think he will play once Lennon is fit so I didn't include him! At the very keast his transfer fee will have been boosted though :razz:

 

[danielneeds]

I think Kevin Bond, Joe Jordan, Sir Les, and Sherwood should get some credit too. Particularly Bond who took a hell of a lot of stick on here when Harry appointed him, perhaps because people were so fond of Gus. As Gareth Bale said he was doing 1-on-1 coaching work with Bond on defending after training, we should give the guy a pat on the back for helping develop our player of the 2nd half of the season.

 

[Tottenham_OZpur]

in regard to no5, Pavs head wouldn't have deteriorated and wouldn't have needed to be put right had he got games earlier in the season, so I don't think you can call that astute and credit Harry for that, astute to turn down the offers maybe, but not overrall :wink:

agree with most of the rest though

 

[cabinfever]

11) Kabul.

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

Some good points there, though I respectfully disagree on Crouch and maybe we could have broken the deadlock in a few dull games (you know which) had we introduced Bale's pace on the left a bit earlier. He hasn't necessarily been better because he didn't play, so while Redknapp deserves praise he didn't get a chance before BAE got injured.

For me, Redknapp's main asset is his flexibility. Bringing Keane back, then letting him go. Bringing in Pav, Bentley, Bale despite not being his favs (I presume), going from a quite passive attitude to subs to changing the team completely when needed. I would also say his signings have been triffic.

 

[rez9000]

11) Kabul.

Harry's bought the capital of Afghanistan???? mg:

:wink:

 

[RobinLeonard]

Harry's bought the capital of Afghanistan???? mg:

:wink:

Excellent cover if London picks up a groin injury.

 

[rez9000]

Excellent cover if London picks up a groin injury.

:grin:

 

[VegasII]

Seeing as we're a London club it's quite likely...Danielle Lloyd's probably shagged most of it so that could be another reason.

Double groin strain looks likely. Kabul on a free & fashionistas into a fear filled frenzy.

 

[cabinfever]

11) Kaboul


(hopes no one noticed earlier error)

 

[rez9000]

11) Kaboul


(hopes no one noticed earlier error)

What error? :razz: :up:

 

[DC_Boy]

I'm a big fan of Harry - but no way did he show faith in Gomes - he was trying to get him out of the first team a lot of the time

the credit for Gomes goes 80% to the big man himself for his great talent which Harry had a blind spot to, and his refusal to buckle under the blows he took, then 20% to others -

 

[tony_parkes]

I'm a big fan of Harry - but no way did he show faith in Gomes - he was trying to get him out of the first team a lot of the time

the credit for Gomes goes 80% to the big man himself for his great talent which Harry had a blind spot to, and his refusal to buckle under the blows he took, then 20% to others -

I also like Harry a lot, I'd agree with the above on Gomes and also say he has been fortunate with the improved form of Bale and Pav.

For me HR has been excellent in the transfer market, Kranky, Bassong, Palacios, Defoe have been excellent. Eidur is looking like a shrewd bit of business too.