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Harry Redknapp has admitted he is struggling to gain enthusiasm for a possible FA Cup semi-final against his former club Portsmouth.
Since Redknapp left Portsmouth in October 2008 to take over at White Hart Lane, the Fratton Park club have been on a downward spiral, and with a nine-point penalty for entering administration soon to be imposed, relegation to the Championship is a virtual certainty.
Redknapp led Portsmouth to FA Cup glory in 2008, and if Spurs overcome Fulham in their quarter-final replay next Wednesday, the two clubs will meet at Wembley in the semi-final next month.
Even though victory over Fulham would leave Redknapp on the brink of a second FA Cup Final in three years, he said: “It's difficult to look forward to it. You can't, really.
“It doesn't seem long ago that we were going to meetings when [former owner] Alexandre Gaydamak was there looking at the new stadium. It was going to be along the lines of the one in Munich.
“There was meeting after meeting to discuss the new training ground, which was going to be one of the best in Europe.
“People were asking our opinions on how big the dressing room should be, and where the swimming pool should be, and it was all pie in the sky, really. When you look at it now, it's just incredible.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Tom Huddlestone could be back in action by early next week after being given the all-clear to resume training.
Huddlestone, who this week signed a new contract to keep him at Spurs until 2015, damaged ankle ligaments in the 2-1 win over Everton on 28 February, but a second scan yesterday showed the 23-year-old was recovering well.
Redknapp is desperate for Huddlestone to return quickly, as Jermaine Jenas is still recovering from a hernia operation, while Wilson Palacios is just one booking away from a two-match suspension.
Reader views (12)
I really can't understand how harry can be blamed for any clubs financial problems!!! it is his job to ask the board to buy certain players and their job to know whether or not they can afford the transfer fee and wages,
if he left spurs and we were in the same mess as portsmouth i would lay the blame firmly with daniel levy and the board!!! to be fair i cant see that happening because he is not spending no more than ramos jol hoddle ect...ect... also from what ive seen harrys signings at pompey mostly made good profits!!!
- Yid01, london, 17/03/2010 21:16
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Stu, yeah to be fair it might not be the Icelanders fault but the only reason Arry quit your club is cause you tried to sale Lampard or agreed to price with Spurs without asking Arry, he will take us to the Champs league Zola will take you to the Championship!!!
- Kev, London, 17/03/2010 19:29
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Kev, if you seriously think West Ham's financial problems started with the Icelanders, you really don't know much at all. Arry (and Terry Brown, let's be fair) left us in a horrific state.
As for "sour grapes", dream on. I wouldn't have Arry back for all the brown envelopes in Ryman's.
- Stu, Homeless., 17/03/2010 14:47
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Harry brought success to Pompey because of his great ability to attract top players to the south coast and as he is so fond of telling anyone who will listen; transforming a rubbish team. It was in no way thanks to the bumper, windfall, tax-free image rights, contracts and perks that were thrown around like confetti. When he was being paid millions along with his players did he never consider he was spending the money that could have been used on a new training ground? Or did he up sticks, taking players and staff off to pastures new leaving Pompey saddled with debt? He, with hindsight, presents Pompey's ambitions as 'pie in the sky'. He might like to consider an alternative history. Perhaps he bought success, bankrolled in suspicious circumstances, and used Pompey as a springboard for his career. But he is never responsible for anything but good news - the bad stuff? well that's someone else's lookout.
- Bart, London UK, 17/03/2010 12:16
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All West Ham fans and Portsmouth fans have short memories
if it was not for Arry you would not even be in the Premership just carry on being deluded and how do those sour grapes taste???
- Kev, London, 17/03/2010 12:06
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I think Portsmouth fans must live on the same dellusioned planet as their board. Redknapp was not at fault for any of the clubs he has been at, did he some how have a credit card to go out and spend himself on any player he wanted?! No the board controls what is spent and thats final. West Ham's failings were due to a dodgy board with a bald headed non entity, Southampton, again a dodgy board with Rupert Lowe making a mess of things and oh surprise surprise Portsmouth making a pigs ear of things with how many sheikhs and a russian! Fact that he managed to turn millions into profit for these clubs with player sales is obvioulsy lost on everyone so it is easy to take a cheap shot at him. Yes in his early days he had the tag of a dodgy wheeler dealer and that will always stick. Name one English manager that has been succesful in recent years.
- Sd, WICKFORD, 17/03/2010 11:55
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Difficult to look forward to what? There is just a comment from Harry - no direct question about a potential game v Pompey. Harry has already stated the Fulham game is going to be a tough one so it looks to me like artistic reporting again to contrive a headline.
As for Spurs finances Harry is allowed to put names forward for transfers and then its up to the Chairman to do the deal, who is very clever at what he does, so you cant compare us to the other 3 clubs. I also thought West Hams financial issues came when the Icelandic fella came in, dont think Harry was there then was he?
- Paul, Enfield, 17/03/2010 11:36
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More self-serving fantasy from the Master of Illusion. 'arry-boy ( this time next year I'LL be a millionaire[but my club will go bust])will drive Spurs into the ground. He might oversee the occassional cup run but the man has NEVER achieved consistant success. And wherever he goes, a fortune is squandered and the baliffs are called. No income tax, no VAT.........
- Gaz, n7, 17/03/2010 11:16
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Well done Harry. Atleast he doesn't hide from saying this kind of thing. Who doesn't feel sorry for Pompey now? Stu and Robbie - remember Portsmouth made profit on virtually every player Harry brought in and led them to the greatest achievements. Suggest Pompey fans look to their board for an adequate explantion as to how they got into this mess.
COYS
- Coys Switz, switzerland, 17/03/2010 11:15
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How unbelievably arrogant of Baggy Chops to assume the tie with Fulham is a foregone conclusion.
I would never, never ever cheer on another team out of principle. But nothing would give me greater satisfaction this season (certainly nothing West Ham could still do, aside maybe from turning Two Man Team and their blue neighbours over) than a resounding away win for Fulham against Big Club tm.
- Stu, Homeless., 17/03/2010 10:15
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Usual fake Harry... He cant ignore all responsibility for leaving us in the financial mess we are in. Just ask fans of Southampton, West Ham & Bournemouth, all have had severe financial problems & one common denominator! I cant wait to see Tottenham's financial figures over the next 2 or 3 seasons, when the true cost of Harry's influence comes home to roost. We all know their last figures were massaged, as they admitted that the income from transfer dealngs were included, but not all of the expenditure & additional wages!
- Robbie Portsmouth, Portsmouth, 17/03/2010 10:03
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Arry, stop dwelling on the past, field your best team and put others to the sword, no matter if there was/is a history there. You are a Spurs man now! COYS!
- Engnor, Oslo, Norway., 17/03/2010 10:01
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