Harry's Press Conference

[GoldstarYid]

I think basically when Harry starts to manage England and makes gaffs, then comes up with his usual excuses the whole of the country will start to realise what we have been on about, at the moment I just get a funny look when I have my opinion but everyone will realise soon enough. Thing is Harry won't have a game next week to try and put it right, his comments will linger for months until he gets a chance to put it right. I think it really is a shame because he is tarnishing what was a very good achievement with spurs by saying such stupid things and basically lying over and again back tracking on comments such as the Chelsea CL comment, (good PR by someone at spurs there)..

Agree here, will be nice when i can say "told you so" about him. As much as hint at Redknapp not being all that and 'outsiders' look at you like an idiot.

 

[Paolo10]

Lol@The vitriol when HR is bang on, as usual.

Online Lynch-mob.

 

[adiepf]

Lol@The vitriol when HR is bang on, as usual.

Online Lynch-mob.

bang on what? crack?

 

[sigurdl]

He is right that they should not be tired. almost none of the regulars played in the europa league, and we went straight out of hte league cup. Newcastle dont rotate.. The Chelsea squad should be knackered.. It's true that Harry could rotate more, but this season there has been no need.

 

[Paolo10]

Didn't you fuck off after making a load of shit up about Itk or getting sucked in by some Wum source?

Yeah, he's on crack, just like Lukaku signed a precontract.

 

[adiepf]

Didn't you fuck off after making a load of shit up about Itk or getting sucked in by some Wum source?

Yeah, he's on crack, just like Lukaku signed a precontract.

the ITK abuse is soooooooo yesterday, have you anything ralative regards the topic we are actually conversing about here???

nah you havent, whilst we have a thousand & one reasons for wanting him gone your posts are simply fucking awful & about as informative & fact based as a Harry Redknapp press conference right now...

in fact they aint that good...just looking at them your posts are god awful, even H who cant write could do better...after youd washed him down & given him his evening massage for leading this club to erm......absolutely nothing more than a fuckin blind man could with this squad!!

queue more has been ITK abuse!...fuck sake!...ignore button is....oh lovely

 

[StartingPrice]

Shock horror, an out of favour on loan player having a pop at the manager............Who'd have dunk it

Shock horror, manager denies he's been a **** to a player, who'd have dunk it

 

[JJetset]

the martin peters analogy is ridiculous.

Yeah he sounds ancient like A & C .........

 

[SteveH]

Harry has been found out, yet again when comes to managing his teams over a complete season. We know he has problems in the past. We also know he has a problem with technology in his daily life, so I'm not shocked on how this has impacted in his job.

I believe Harry has done a good job at Spurs considering his now obvious shortcomings. If the FA have not been put off by his outdated methods and ideas, he will be thankfully be off.

I think overall he has not done a bad job most likely, in spite of himself. Yes he has failed over the run in yet again, but he has proved me wrong over the past three years or so, and done a much better job than I thought he could do when he was given the job.

Thanks but bye Harry.

PS Time to now get behind the team for the last four games. Put all this 'Harry out' to one side and support.

 

[rich75]

Because the manager and players look totally bereft of ideas and the players look knackered,

Lack of confidence will do that

and there have been accusations from loaned out player (Corluka) ( he left in January, it's now nearly May, what exactly would he know? ) and rumours of approaches made to Levy by senior players.( Rumours, rumours rumours.. )

Redknapp doesn't rotate very much, and he doesn't place much emphasis on core fitness ( and we know this how ? ) - if the players are even remotely tired, it is important to ask why? ( but we don't know that they are, so why are we asking why? ) And if the players are tired to failings in Redknapp's management approach it is important that it be said.

Confidence, that's all it is. Lose confidence in what you're doing in any line of work and all of a sudden it seems like an impossible mountain to climb when previously you war sauntering up it with a pint in one hand. Add to that that the natural human response to failing is to search for an excuse and so perhaps the players are starting to think they're knackered and before you know it you've got a self fulfilled prophecy.

Redknapps right, 30 odd games is fuck all. Yes the games faster, but then the diet i better, the pitches are better, the medical after care is better everything is a fuck sight better than 30 odd years ago... so he has a point, if a player back then could do it whilst playing in a bog with no discernible health care and popping down the pub after training most days then our lot should be able to as well.

I was listing to some shite on 5live last night when they mentioned the Arsenal side that went unbeaten a few years back. They played something like 22 players all season that year and players likes Pires and Henry etc played nearly every game they were fit for. Difference was that they kept winning.

 

[rich75]

Flawed arguement. Other top teams playing a similar amount of games to Spurs actually rotate their players and can sub them off when they are having a bad game/look tired. We don't and can't.

If Walnutt was having a poor game on would come Oxlade-Chamberlain. If Bale has a bad game then hes having a bad game for 90 minutes. Same for Lennon, Rafa, Modric, Adebayor(untill Saha come but hes not very good back up so doesn't help).

Just simply looking at it like "Right Wallnut played 30 games and so did Bale, hes doing alright so why isn't Bale" is just wrong.

And yet if you visit an Arsenal forum or listen to commentary on the radio you'd come to the conclusion that in fact Wenger doesn't do this anywhere near as often as you're making out.

 

[theShiznit]

missed this nugget from the Independent...

No players have ever come to me and said: 'Gaffer I feel tired'," he said. "If they said that then I would have left them out. Some of their stats have gone down but that's because they have not wanted to run about enough, it's not because they are particularly knackered

so basically admitting that they don't want to play for him/us, but there's nothing H can do about it...

 

[StartingPrice]

Confidence, that's all it is. Lose confidence in what you're doing in any line of work and all of a sudden it seems like an impossible mountain to climb when previously you war sauntering up it with a pint in one hand. Add to that that the natural human response to failing is to search for an excuse and so perhaps the players are starting to think they're knackered and before you know it you've got a self fulfilled prophecy.

Redknapps right, 30 odd games is fuck all. Yes the games faster, but then the diet i better, the pitches are better, the medical after care is better everything is a fuck sight better than 30 odd years ago... so he has a point, if a player back then could do it whilst playing in a bog with no discernible health care and popping down the pub after training most days then our lot should be able to as well.

I was listing to some shite on 5live last night when they mentioned the Arsenal side that went unbeaten a few years back. They played something like 22 players all season that year and players likes Pires and Henry etc played nearly every game they were fit for. Difference was that they kept winning.

Oaky, let's go with this (and thanks for the instructional about the effects loss of confidence can have I didn't know that). The reason we have won one game in nine, that is relegation form, and went from 10 points clear in 3rd and two goals up at the Emirates, is because we have lost our confidence? What happen...it fell out of someone's back pocket? How? How did we lose confidence? Explain it? If you mention even losing one game, then I want you to explain how games are being lost in order to take confidence away to this extent? And what is the manager doing about it? Isn't it the manager's job to manage? If the team lose confidence, shouldn't he find a solution? And how quickly? We have ONE WIN IN NINE!!!!!!!!

The interesting thing is you mention the Goons. Listen to their British players talking about how things were when Wenger arrived at their shitty club, and what impact his methods had on them, how he paid attention to food etc,. Then it is no surprise that they were able to stay fit through so many games.

Yes, very clever, Corluka left in January and it is now nearly May, what would he know? How about, he is Modric's best friend adn has acted as his mouthpiece previously (honestly, how did you get past the age of 9 and a hlaf being this niave?).

The approach to Levy made by senior players is a rumour, as you helpfully point out - one that was broken in a media outlet reputed to have good links to the club...and one essentially substantiated by JJ, one of the most respected ITKs on this site, as experience has shown he knows so much of what is going on behind the scenes long before it comes into the public domain. Now, none of that may make this cast iron...but it is certainly enough for me to form an opinion as to its verity strong enough to withstand your half-arsed attempt to rubbish it (did it never occur to you that some of us are sophisticated enough to ask ourselves these questions before forming an opinion and disscussing it?).

Now, how do we know that he doesn't place much emphasis to core training - that's a good question, actually, adn one I can;t easily answer. What I can say is that there have been lengthy discussions on fitness training on this forum, and folk who know more than me on the subject, have stated categorically that Redknapp doesn't employ a core fitness coach at all. And some of the players (VDV for instance) have basially alluded to this in interview. But you are right, maybe someone could direct you to the releevant threads...maybe someone could open this up and show just what we know about core fitness at the club and whether it is sufficient or nto, or even present. What I can tell you is that this is not the first time that this team, under Harry Redknapp, has imploded at this time of year - exactly the time of year when core fitness training wuld be aiding the overall conditioning of a team - leading me to conclude that a claim that we don;t have a core fitness trainer would be more likely to be substantiated than not.

We don't know that they are? So, pray, do tell - why do you think William Gallas said publicly that the players at WHL can be tired after the season is over? What was the purpose of that if they are all full of beans and raring to go? Why is it constantly reported in the media that Modric is knackered (see above, Corluka Modric's best buddy, also)? Why did Redknapp rest Parker against Wolves 'becuase he needs a rest'? And, finally, you can believe what you want ('tis a free World and I won;t losing any sleep over what credulities you believe), but when I watch a team that looks tired and bereft of ideas as it stumbles to another defeat, which adds top a run of one win in nine games, I don't mess my pants in a desperate attempt to prove that the plkayers contrary to all the evidence are not tired, I accept what my eyes are telling me and ask why they are tired?

So, tell us, why have we had this miserable run of games?

 

[rich75]

Oaky, let's go with this (and thanks for the instructional about the effects loss of confidence can have I didn't know that). The reason we have won one game in nine, that is relegation form, and went from 10 points clear in 3rd and two goals up at the Emirates, is because we have lost our confidence? What happen...it fell out of someone's back pocket? How? How did we lose confidence? Explain it? If you mention even losing one game, then I want you to explain how games are being lost in order to take confidence away to this extent? And what is the manager doing about it? Isn't it the manager's job to manage? If the team lose confidence, shouldn't he find a solution? And how quickly? We have ONE WIN IN NINE!!!!!!!!

You're right, it's the one area where I'd say Redknapp can legitimately be questioned. He has a reputation as a great man manager, inspirational manager etc.. well, if the players aren't tired , as I don't believe they should be, and they haven't all suddenly become shit overnight then it's up to him to motivate them when confidence is lacking.

That game at Arsenal will have done them a mischief in terms of confidence but we weren't in great form prior to that. Personally I'd say we were coasting a little due to being so far clear in 3rd and then we got stuffed at Arsenal which knocked them all over the place. The game where we end downhill from is actually the City game and again you can see why that might have taken the wind out of their sails as well. But yes, I'd agree, it's Redknapp's job to get them up and going which it would seem he hasn't been able to do.

The interesting thing is you mention the Goons. Listen to their British players talking about how things were when Wenger arrived at their shitty club, and what impact his methods had on them, how he paid attention to food etc,. Then it is no surprise that they were able to stay fit through so many games.

Do you think our practices are any different? For all this "Redknapps old school" bollocks, we still have a staff stuffed full of sports scientist, nutritionists etc etc .. I'd be shocked if we didn't anyway.


Yes, very clever, Corluka left in January and it is now nearly May, what would he know? How about, he is Modric's best friend adn has acted as his mouthpiece previously (honestly, how did you get past the age of 9 and a hlaf being this niave?).

And how about he's a bit disaffected at being sent out on loan and is offering an opinion with a hint of grudge behind it ? Or is that naive to think as well?

The approach to Levy made by senior players is a rumour, as you helpfully point out - one that was broken in a media outlet reputed to have good links to the club...and one essentially substantiated by JJ, one of the most respected ITKs on this site, as experience has shown he knows so much of what is going on behind the scenes long before it comes into the public domain. Now, none of that may make this cast iron...but it is certainly enough for me to form an opinion as to its verity strong enough to withstand your half-arsed attempt to rubbish it (did it never occur to you that some of us are sophisticated enough to ask ourselves these questions before forming an opinion and disscussing it?).

It's a rumour for fucks sake, there are countless rumours every month and with all due respect to the ITKs, they're more often not borne out by any result. You can take what you want from it but if you want to have a discussion about facts then rumours really aren't going to help no matter who's backed them up on here.

Now, how do we know that he doesn't place much emphasis to core training - that's a good question, actually, adn one I can;t easily answer. What I can say is that there have been lengthy discussions on fitness training on this forum, and folk who know more than me on the subject, have stated categorically that Redknapp doesn't employ a core fitness coach at all. And some of the players (VDV for instance) have basially alluded to this in interview. But you are right, maybe someone could direct you to the releevant threads...maybe someone could open this up and show just what we know about core fitness at the club and whether it is sufficient or nto, or even present. What I can tell you is that this is not the first time that this team, under Harry Redknapp, has imploded at this time of year - exactly the time of year when core fitness training wuld be aiding the overall conditioning of a team - leading me to conclude that a claim that we don;t have a core fitness trainer would be more likely to be substantiated than not.

Fine, find the thread/evidence etc etc and then you have a point.

We don't know that they are? So, pray, do tell - why do you think William Gallas said publicly that the players at WHL can be tired after the season is over? What was the purpose of that if they are all full of beans and raring to go? Why is it constantly reported in the media that Modric is knackered (see above, Corluka Modric's best buddy, also)? Why did Redknapp rest Parker against Wolves 'becuase he needs a rest'? And, finally, you can believe what you want ('tis a free World and I won;t losing any sleep over what credulities you believe), but when I watch a team that looks tired and bereft of ideas as it stumbles to another defeat, which adds top a run of one win in nine games, I don't mess my pants in a desperate attempt to prove that the plkayers contrary to all the evidence are not tired, I accept what my eyes are telling me and ask why they are tired?

Modric constantly being reported tired? I haven't seen it but sure, if it's been reported then maybe there's a kernel of truth in it. Parker being rested for one game, well, fine. That doesn't mean he's knackered to the point of exhaustion, in fact it would seem to be an example of Redknapp doing what it's claimed he never does, i.e. rotate. As I said in the previous post lack of confidence will have an effect. The Chelsea semi final, the first half we were hugely unlucky to go in 1 down. We came out in the 2nd half and conceded the goal that never should have been and near enough went straight up the other end scored. When they got the third we were fucked, all confidence evaporated and we looked shattered. I don't believe they're tired.

So, tell us, why have we had this miserable run of games?

As I said two games did for us, the City one and the Arsenal one. It's confidence and Redknapp for whatever reason doesn't seem to be able to sort it out at the moment. It's not because they're tired.

 

[Kingellesar]

Anyone fancy joining Pep on his sabbatical for a season? We could convince him to rent us all a huge mansion.

Fuck if he doesn't take us, could he at least take Redknapp? Cos the way things are going, England are not going to take him from us.

 

[Beni]

Shock horror, manager denies he's been a **** to a player, who'd have dunk it

Yeah, because not playing someone because of injury, lack of form or generally in black and white, someone else is better than them, is automatically presumed that the managers treating him like a ****

 

[StartingPrice]

1) You're right, it's the one area where I'd say Redknapp can legitimately be questioned. 2) Do you think our practices are any different?

3) And how about he's a bit disaffected at being sent out on loan and is offering an opinion with a hint of grudge behind it ? Or is that naive to think as well?

4) It's a rumour for fucks sake, .

5) Fine, find the thread/evidence etc etc and then you have a point.

6) Modric constantly being reported tired? I haven't seen it but sure, if it's been reported then maybe there's a kernel of truth in it. Parker being rested for one game, well, fine. That doesn't mean he's knackered to the point of exhaustion, in fact it would seem to be an example of Redknapp doing what it's claimed he never does, i.e. rotate. As I said in the previous post lack of confidence will have an effect.
7) As I said two games did for us, the City one and the Arsenal one. It's confidence and Redknapp for whatever reason doesn't seem to be able to sort it out at the moment. It's not because they're tired.

7) I am going to take the unusual step of answering 7 first - because I actually not only agree, but have made the same points, myself, at the time. Bale, in particular, looked cooked after the Citeh game in the same way that he did at the end of the second AC Milan game. Aside from the hammering of a Newcastle side that wsa missing Cabaye/Tiote (their central defence, in other words) we have never looked the same since - and that was a game with a most particular atmosphere. And, yeah, we went from nearly being 3 nil up at the Scumerates to losing 5 - 2, so that must have dented the players confidence. And I, myself, made the point that the Goons goals were mostly the result of individual errors. The first one, the one that allowed them to get back into the game, was a header by midget Sagna, Bale was marking him, Bale waved his leg at it when it was there for him to attack with his head. After it, Sagna ran up to everyone of the Goons players waving his fist in their faces and dricing them on. But I'll tell you what, that goal was from a corner - a set-piece, adding credence to the claim that we don't practice set-pieces. And, as manager, Redknapp should have inculcated to every player what they shuoldn't even need to learn, as we all did when we were kids - you attack the ball when it comes into the area, you don't limply wave your leg at it. And he should have torn Bale a new one - did he? And where was our player firing the team up - they all looked already beat when they conceded that goal, while still being 2 - 1 up, and having chances to make it 3 - 0, all of a sudden they had a fragility that the Goons exploited - are you arguing that that was because they lost the game 5 - 2, that's time travel, or was it because they lost the Citeh game, when the whole World and it's dog knew thet should have got something out of it, and Balotelli and Lescott should have been sent off. But if that is all it takes to remove their confidence, precious little lambs, heaven help us - and, anyway, we had had a couple of good results since then.

Like I said, I have argued most of the same things as you have. I don't believe I am noted for being a knee-jerk poster, I am not noted for being a doom-mongering negativist, and I have always stiuck for Redknapp (I am not one of the serial haters). But the fact is, when all said and done, at the end of the day, in the final analysis - this is a results business and we have won 1 game in nine. This is a crisis. And the margins at this level are tiny. If Redknapp has found his level, and cannot take us any further, we should be able to discuss it. If his methods that have taken us so far (and for which most of us are grateful) aggregate towards making us fall just below those fine margins rather than just above them, then, ultimately, like it or not, he is accountable. He gets paid a lot of money to do this job - the buck stops with him. And the fact (FACT) is that under Redknapp, this fantastic group of players we have, who were comfortably 3rd with a 10 point gap, and 2 nil up at the Emirates, is now 3 points behind in 5th and have left us hoping for favours from other clubs in order to qualify for the CL, our avowed goal at the start of the season (and thereforea FAILURE). The fact is, in anyone's book, that is an implosion. The fact is that this is not the first time we have imploded in the final 3rd of the season. Last season, I personally made the excuse that it was because we had CL football for the first time - we don;t have that excuse now (see, I actually agree, the players shouldn't be tired - sorry if I confused into simply believing I was saying they were tired). If we implode in the final 3rd of the season as a result of an aggregate of minor foibles and failings in Rednapp's management style, and it means we are falling below the finer margins, then we are perfectly entitled to question those methods. And the sad reflection many are making, now, is that is the case, that maybe Redknapp isn't quite in the top rank of managers, and maybe a slightly better manager may have been able to have achieved a little more with this fantastic groupd of players. It is a results business and we are displaying relegation form, pretty much as Ramos did when he was sacked and Redknapp employed - wake up and smell the coffee.

From my perspective, I think Redknapp getting the England job, hopefully having got us CL football again, is the ideal scenario. Because I am genuinely worried that this imploding in the final third of the season, is part of 'Arry's MO, and not running out of steam after the effort of dragging us up the table (1st season), due to first CL experience (3rd experience), and due to string of unforeseen circumstancesthis season. Would you really want to go through all of the stress, this Summer, holding on to our best players, and hopefully adding to them, watching us getting into a fantastic position (last season and this) and then imploding in the final third of the season? No!. Nah, me neither. I have said all of this elsewhere, if we had an absolutely lousy start this season, finished like a house on fire, and ended in the same finishing position and with the same number of points as we will in any case, I would be much less perturbed - it is the fact that we have clearly imploded AGAIN for whatever reason then I wouldn't be anywhere near as perturbed or concerned at the idea of Mr Redknapp being in charge next season. But we have, and I am.

1) I think I have already answered this, in 7, above. I have been one of the few on this MB to oint to the Citeh game as draining our players physically and mentally - and under such cruel (including two unpunished, in game time, assaults on our players). And, no, they really shouldn't be tired - but the buck has to stop with Redknapp and the end result is 1 win from 9, etc.

2) I would expect it to, but I would also expect minor variations. The issue is, just as English clubs were behind in so many ways when Whinger arrived, and then had to catch up, if, under 'Arry's regime, we are omitting newer techniques (such as the alleged neglect of core fitness training). I cannot say. I can only say that there are frequent reports of player tiredness, and the evidence of my own eyes is the players look knackered.

3) Yes, of course he is...but I had accounted for that, and consider that it doesn't invalidate his claim - you didn;t seem to consider that his best friend is still at the club and so, probably, in regular contact (and he ash acted as a mouthpiece for Modric in the past).

4) Er okay. I gave you my reasoning. Major article, confirmed by well respected ITK with excellent track-record, borne out by evidence on pitch of frequently conceding sof goals from set-pieces and barely ever producing anything ourselves from set-pieces. If you choose to label that as a rumour you are more than entitled to your opinion, but I must say, it smacks a little of burying your head in the sand, to be honest.

5) As I said, I'd rather someone else did Ask BC or Sloth, they are usually all over this type of sheeeeee-ite. Like I said, I don't know this, but it has been argued credibly - and it does seem to be borne out by the fact that it is a methodolgy that should show results in the final third of the season, other teams do do it, we seem knackered, we have a tendency to implode in the final third of seasons and we have imploded in the final third of this season. Ignore the possibility if you want.

6) I provided you with substantiating evidence, you ignored it, you draw on the Chelsea game, I never mentioned it - irrelevant answer.
Why do you thing Gallas said what he did?
Why do you believe Modric's best friend, and frequent mouthpiece, is talking about tiredness in the team?
Why do you think virtually every media article I read comments on how tired Modric looks?

 

[StartingPrice]

Yeah, because not playing someone because of injury, lack of form or generally in black and white, someone else is better than them, is automatically presumed that the managers treating him like a ****

<SIGHS> It was a flippant answer to a decidedly flippant post - hence the winking emoticon.

I have an opinion. That opinion is that Walker should have been eased into the first team, and, particularly, in the second half of the season, has been playing through the pain barrier. He was injured. His lack of form - can that be attributed to hardly being given a chance on return from injury? I agree, Walker will be a better player than Corluka...but that doesn't alter the fact that Corluka is a solid pro who has served us well and we could do with right now, and, seemingly, (perhaps because of management style) Redknapp didn't do enough to convince him to stay with his parent club at leat until the Summer.

<SIGHS>

 

[Bill_Oddie]

I think the players are tired.

Tired though because the way Harry got us playing earlier in the season we were killing, killing teams with our pace. I can't remember a quicker side in my lifetime. They must have worked so hard that when we had a bit of a knock to the confidence (three bloody hard games in a row - Arse, Utd, Everton), the motivation to keep going at 100mph wasn't there. That's kind of understandable.

However:

a) It was avoidable if the side had been rotated more
b) It could have been arrested with a better man manager
c) Harry has never pointed this out, so obviously isn't aware of it/bothered by it

For those three reasons, Harry's not right for us at the moment. Has to go. Still, I'm grateful he helped produce the football we saw earlier this season. Always will be.

 

[Beni]

<SIGHS> It was a flippant answer to a decidedly flippant post - hence the winking emoticon.

I have an opinion. That opinion is that Walker should have been eased into the first team, and, particularly, in the second half of the season, has been playing through the pain barrier. He was injured. His lack of form - can that be attributed to hardly being given a chance on return from injury? I agree, Walker will be a better player than Corluka...but that doesn't alter the fact that Corluka is a solid pro who has served us well and we could do with right now, and, seemingly, (perhaps because of management style) Redknapp didn't do enough to convince him to stay with his parent club at leat until the Summer.

<SIGHS>

Eased in, great, but he couldn't be eased in, Corluka was injured for ages

<SIGHS>