Spurs Build Up

[Mostar]

Stopping Modric is vital but VDV won't need much stopping because he's been muck lately and is generally overrated in the extreme.

Sure he hasn't been firing at all cylinders lately but he has ability to decide and influence the game outcome with one shot/move/free kick etc.

Don't underestimate his skills.

He's a very good player.

[redwill]

Love the way Harry blames his scouts. Didn't he not think to check the lad out for himself




Harry Redknapp has revealed that he considered signing Luis Suárez in January but opted against making a bid after being told by scouts that the Uruguayan was not up to the grade.
Redknapp's tantalising disclosure will set Tottenham Hotspur supporters wondering what might have been, as Suárez went on to sign for Liverpool and become a major factor in that club's reinvigoration, while Spurs' attempt to qualify for the Champions League fizzled out largely because of their inability to turn possession into goals.
Suárez will be seeking to show Spurs what they missed on Sunday, as Liverpool meet Redknapp's team at Anfield in a match that could determine which of the sides finishes fifth. Redknapp said he dispatched numerous scouts to watch Suárez at Ajax before Liverpool paid £22.8m for him but was informed that the player was not adept at leading the line and was too similar to Rafael van der Vaart, for whom Spurs were seeking a partner rather than a replacement. Ultimately Spurs made failed offers for others strikers, including Fernando Llorente and Villarreal's Giuseppe Rossi. "We kept looking at [Suárez] but people thought he couldn't play up as a striker," said Redknapp.
"They said he's like Rafa [van der Vaart] and you can't have him and Rafa or you'd have two players who want to drop deep, so that was the problem. We were looking for someone to play up front with Rafa. People said he couldn't do that, he drifts and comes deep. But he played up front on his own the other night [against Fulham on Monday] and he was fantastic."
Not only has Suárez created many chances for team-mates since his arrival at Anfield, but in his 11 league appearances he has also scored four goals – the same as Spurs' Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe have each managed in the league all season.
Those players' failure to find the net regularly, and the inconsistency of Spurs' other striker, Roman Pavlyuchenko, is the chief reason that Spurs have won only one of their last 13 matches. Redknapp has made it clear he intends to be busy in the transfer market this summer and on Saturday he flies to France to run the rule over one potential target.
"If we want to get in the top four next year, we'll have to push on," stated Redknapp, who says rival managers have told him they are going to spend heavily in the summer. "They're all going to have a go next year, make no mistake. I talk to all the managers: Manchester United are going to have a go again, Chelsea will have a go again, Manchester City are going to have a massive go, Liverpool are going to make a big push. I haven't spoken to Arsène Wenger but I imagine Arsenal will have a go as well this year, so it's going to be even tougher to get into that top four next season."
Spurs' failure to make the top four this season has led to criticism from some of the club's fans, but Redknapp insists the club have enjoyed a "fantastic" season – citing the victories over the Milan clubs in the Champions League as highlights – and said Spurs would have made the top four again if not for the back injury that afflicted Gareth Bale in January and caused him to miss four matches.
"When Gareth got injured that was a massive setback for us - we would have had an extra four or five points and we'd have got there." He dismissed as cranks the fans who blame Redknapp for the disappointing results in the last two months. "They don't have any brains, do they? Who rings up radio stations? Idiots. When I start worrying about what they think I'll be in trouble. 99.9% of people who go to Tottenham have loved everything they've seen."

http://m.guardian.co.uk/ms/p/gnm/op/sHUrLbeY07wzrs3DWvGDm6g/view.m?id=15&gid=football/2011/may/13/harry-redknapp-tottenham-luis-suarez&cat=football

[Mr Darko]

What Harry fails to take into consideration is whether Suarez thought Spurs was a good enough club for him to join. Harry seems to believe Spurs could of had him if they wanted him.

He also doesn't explain why Bale hasn't got any goals or assists since he's been back (about 500 minutes of football).

[Mostar]

Harry sounds more and more like Hodge, which is a good thing for us

[Mostar]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/kd-on-carroll-spurs-and-spearo

KD on Carroll, Spurs and Spearo

Andy Carroll is poised for a return to action after Kenny Dalglish revealed he has resumed training ahead of Sunday's crucial clash with Tottenham.

The No.9 missed the 5-2 destruction of Fulham with a knee injury but could feature in the showdown for fifth place after making a rapid recovery.

The Reds head into the encounter two points ahead of Harry Redknapp's side and know that a victory would seal a place in the Europa League next season.

However, Dalglish has warned against any complacency when they face a team that have already proved their quality throughout a campaign that was capped by an eye-catching run in the Champions League.

Dalglish told his pre-match press conference: "Andy is back training. Raul (Meireles) isn't too bad either and Fabio (Aurelio) is back training too.

"We know it's a huge test against Spurs. They have been punished for their success this year. They've had too many games and have been competing in too many competitions. That's unfortunate for them but it's a measure of their success that they've gone that close. So it's going to be a tough game.

"It would have been a difficult game anyway, irrespective of whether it was the second to last game of the season or the second game of the season.

"Our boys won't be judged by what happens on Sunday though. They should be judged by what has happened since January. They've been an absolute credit to the football club since then."

On Wednesday afternoon Liverpoolfc.tv broke the news that Jay Spearing's impressive form at the heart of the Liverpool midfield has resulted in a call-up to England's 40-man U21 squad for this summer's European Championships.

Dalglish believes it is a fitting reward for the 22-year-old's role in recent weeks and has commended the youngster for the way he has reacted to his selection.

He said: "It's a great reward for Jay. He's on a good run at the moment. Obviously his performances have been fantastic. He's signed an extended contract and he's got a call-up to the England squad which is fantastic for him.

"It hasn't made any difference to him though. He was there in training, working the same as he had before. That's important, that when people get success they are able to handle it.

"He's certainly been able to do that, so we are delighted he has got his reward."

The boss was also asked about his aims over the next three years as he bids to help restore Liverpool to former glories.

He added: "Our next game is the most important one. That (philosophy) has put me in good stead throughout my playing career and my managerial career. You're not going to change me and I'm not going to change my beliefs.

"I don't think they've done me too badly in the past so I'm not going to change now.

"We all want exactly the same thing and that is more important than sitting here and shouting our mouths off about what we are aiming for.

"We are aiming for three points on Sunday and then we will take it from there."

[Daffy Duck]

Are we ever going to play on a Saturday again?? Fuuuck I thought this was today

[Rudo]

Harry:

"The reaction doesn't hurt me. The reason I don't listen to phone-ins is because you're talking about idiots," he said.

"Who rings up a radio station? My dad lived for football, went every Saturday, but he wouldn't pick up the phone to a radio station. It's absolute nonsense.

"They're idiots who don't even watch football. They say, 'We were rubbish today'.

"The guys on the radio ask them if they were at the game, and they say, 'No, I heard it on the radio'.

"When I start worrying about what they think, I'll be in trouble.

"99.9 per cent of people who go to Tottenham have loved everything they've seen. That's all that matters."

[red g]

As I observed at the start of the season he is a bit like Robinho - all the talent in the world, it is the mentality required to be a consistently top quality performer that is in question. He's never seemed to settle and excel anywhere over the long run. That said when he is on form he is pretty exceptional.

i wouldnt write him off yet, takes some players a while to settle.....He started off on fire, think the pace of rpemiership has got to him recently but expect with a full pre-season he will be a star performer for them next year, specially if they get a decent goalscorer in

[Craig_H]

If i was a tabloid reporter, i'd have my headline there:

"Harry: People who dont go to the games arent proper fans"

[BrooklynRed]

Highlight of the above Kenny article:

Carroll, Meireles and Aurelio all ready for action against Spurs.

[Rudo]

Would love to see Lucas get on the scoresheet tomorrow.

He deserves one in front of the Kop

[Mostar]

Would love to see Lucas get on the scoresheet tomorrow.

He deserves one in front of the Kop

Him and Spearing would be well deserved

[Leyton388]

Harry Redknapp = Bent corrupt dickhead

[Buzzo]

Would love to see Lucas get on the scoresheet tomorrow.

He deserves one in front of the Kop

Deserves his name sung from the kop tomorrow.

[The Birdman]

Redknapp is ****ing deluded, Spurs are too good for the Europa League? Scouts fault that he didn't sign Suarez?? Fans that phone in are idiots etc.....

Anyone else except him and the press would be piling in to him absolutely giving him pelters