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Harry Redknapp pleads poverty, but targets a top-six finish
Ian Winrow24 Jul 2009
Harry Redknapp insists Tottenham will challenge for a top-six finish next season even if he fails to land his top transfer targets.
The Spurs manager has so far struggled to strengthen his squad in the summer and fears being priced out of moves for a number of big-name players including Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Portsmouth's Peter Crouch.
The loss of his three main centre-backs - Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson - for the start of the new campaign is a further blow and has left the club looking for defensive reinforcement in addition to a new striker.
Redknapp will be forced to line up with an experimental central defensive pairing of midfielder Tom Huddlestone and untried French youngster Dorian Dervitte in tonight's Wembley Cup clash with Barcelona.
But despite the setbacks, Redknapp remains confident, saying: "I think we have got a big chance of certainly being a top-six team this year. There is no reason why not. We have got some real quality players here. People like Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon, Wilson Palacios, Jermaine Jenas and Huddlestone.
"Jermain Defoe has looked absolutely fantastic in pre-season. And Benoit Assou-Ekotto is looking a great left-back. So we look in good shape."
Redknapp has seen Manchester City beat him in the race to sign Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz and warned that Spurs will not be able to persuade star players to quit Europe's biggest clubs unless the selling club are willing to help bridge the massive salary gap.
He added: "We pay good money but we don't pay crazy money. So it's hard. I was interested in Gareth Barry, and in Santa Cruz, but we couldn't get anywhere near them.
"If Inter Milan or Real Madrid want to sell one of their big hitters on big wages, they've got to help with the wages otherwise it's impossible to do a deal."
Reader views (16)
hail hail the celts are here what the hell do we care now. for its a grand ol team to play for.
- Theman, glasgow, 27/07/2009 00:59
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Martin Jol was outed by Mr Levy, as Jol and his agent were touting him for the Newcastle job, primarily because he didn't like the Comoli setup at Spurs, it only didn't happen because Jol's demands were never met, however as a side swipe for being so greedy, they informed Mr Levy of Mr Jols interest, hence the Ramos episode, so all you clowns who keep harping on about getting Jol back think again!!
- Paxton, N17, 24/07/2009 18:00
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Kevin - yet another deluded fellow Tottenham fan by any chance? Read my comments very carefully, if you are able to and remember them at the end of the season. I cant understand why you bother to critisize me instead of making a useful comment. Incidentially I am not this 'Rob Gooner' you mention. Any sane Tottenham fan would agree with my comments, as we were knocking on the Champions League door with Martin Jol & now we will have spent millions in an attempt to return to where Jol had already got us, the man responsible for this is the woeful Daniel Levy.
- Rob Hotspurs, South London, 24/07/2009 17:49
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The point that I was making, Steve WHL, was that the use of the expression "years" in the case of Dervitte was inapt as for a long time he's been out with an injury, so he's hardly been tested or had a real chance to rpove himself, one way or the other and as he hasn't played in the senior side, save for one game, watching the side every week doesn't really make your case. That's all I'm saying.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 24/07/2009 17:42
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Ok Lee pick me a centre back who is available and half decent who can come in that is worth a few years at the club, or are you happy for us to have a huge whole in our defence - probably the most important area of our team. I am pointing out the obvious, not moaning and have a right to do so. I have been a season ticket holder for 15 years, and not missed a league game home and away for 2 years straight, so having seen the team at close hand you become ultra critical. Hardly someone who is not behind the club or management and I am glad Harry is in charge, they should have got him before Ramos. The stark reality is that the King issue should have been dealt with and I think sentimentality has to be put aside.
- Steve, WHITE HART LANE, 24/07/2009 16:29
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@Kevin, London re. Rob Hotspurs
Maybe he's a sad sad Spud. He talks enough tripe about Arsenal as well, who knows which side of the fence he actually falls on.
- Michael, London, 24/07/2009 16:18
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steve, absolute rubbish. Like the man before said dervite had a long term injury and has given something for redknapp to look at. As for bassong, im sure he was part of one of the worst defenses in the prem last season?! And if you are saying stop pursuing pointless targets like crouch and huntelaar why would we go for heinze? The guy has played for man utd and madrid and would have no interest in coming to us. Why dont you stop moaning and start backing harry.
- Lee Trowbridge, bracknell,berkshire, 24/07/2009 15:32
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Our left has been deserted for some years. Any sense in sending Taarabt on loan BEFORE season starts, rather than let him play in friendlies. Harry has lost the plot with youngsters. Is he hoping Ohara to wiz past defenders on the left?. Agree with Steve, King and Woodgate injury prone, and we should have signed centrebacks by now. Woodgate/Dawson are suspect in terms of pace. Harry first team will be a win 1 0 team.
- Mukesh, Johannesburg, South Africa, 24/07/2009 15:12
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Redknapp is full of it,Get him out and Jol back in.
- Bungle, Penge, 24/07/2009 15:02
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Sorry Mr Mysteron but you must be slightly blinkered if you believe Dervitte is good enough to lead the back line. The premier league is unforgiving and unless any club has a settled back 4 then trouble looms. I am the most positive spurs supporter around but realistic enough to know after all last seasons surprises we need so get our act together else another stuttering start is in the offing. Redknapp admitting he now needs a central defender after 3 injuries says it all if we are not in a position to wait for them to recover.
- Steve, WHITE HART LANE, 24/07/2009 14:13
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Typical Harry, typical Spurs. Get your excuses in early. Another season of mediocrity I'm afraid...
- Flyer, London, 24/07/2009 14:08
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I see Mr Jeckyl & Hyed is pontificating again. Why is he on this thread. He needn't try to pretend he is not 'Rob Gooner' as his diction on both threads is identical.
He's a sad sad Gooner.
- Kevin, London, 24/07/2009 13:40
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Steve, one short point. Dervitte was badly injured a couple of seasons back but is now showing signs of coming through the ranks. He may not be the finished article but currently he doesn't desrve your comment. Otherwise, Woodgate hasn't been injured for legthy periods, as many tend to assert he has.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 24/07/2009 13:25
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Will it be a new record if Harry mentions the phrase 'bare bones' before Spurs have even played a single Premiership game?
- Ian, Cambridge, 24/07/2009 12:36
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I am sorry but how naïve to think that Ledley King who cannot train properly and Woodgate (a treatment tables best friend) every few months can be perceived as our main centre backs to take us through a grueling premier league season. We need at least 4 top quality centre backs who are fit and healthy and really Dawson is the only one when fit. Dervitte has been at the club for a fair number of seasons now and has never shown enough promise to break into the team so suddenly he is our only option at the club. Instead of tracking pointless targets in Huntelaar + Crouch because we don’t have the cash, why are we not looking at using that money better to strengthen at the back. Without Akotto at left back we have nobody but Bale who is a Jonah and that’s it. Please go after Heinze and someone like Bassong as a long term replacement for King who clearly is never going to get over his troubles. As much as anybody I would love him to be at the club but it is a losing battle to try and play him. You cannot have a captain who cannot play or train regularly and inspire the team, give it to Keane and let’s move on.
- Steve, WHITE HART LANE, 24/07/2009 11:30
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Sounds like Harry psycholgically preparing us fans for a finish outside the top four. I wouldnt read too much into the injury nonsense. When kick-off comes Ledley will be playing, together with Corluka, until Woodgate & Dawson return shortly after. In reality our squad is capable, in comparison to the other premiership clubs, of finishing in 6th place, despite a challenge from Aston Villa & Everton, in addition to the usual top four & now Man City. As we are not in Europe this season our advantage will be playing less midweek games than most of our competitors for a top 6 finish. Makes you think though, we have lost 2 seasons of potential progress so far through Daniel Levy's negligent handling of the playing side since Martin Jol's departure, following two consecutive 5th place finishes.
- Rob Hotspurs, South London, 24/07/2009 10:42
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