In defence of Redknapp.

22 September 2010

In defence of Redknapp


From the sounds of things, you'd have thought we'd just been relegated. The anger emanating across the Tottenham community last night and spilling over into this morning was palpable. A 4-1 defeat to our bitterest rivals, a generally limp display and a White Hart Lane crowd forced into an early exit. The old ground will have hosted happier occasions than the one last night, that's for sure.

A lot of things didn't go to plan: Arsenal put out a much stronger team than we, or even they, expected, our band of fringe players and first-timers had a mixed bag and we displayed that time-old Tottenham tradition of defensive implosion. Yet, for ninety minutes, we were actually still in the game. And, although it hurts to lose in such a manner, what we mustn't forget is that this was the Carling Cup – a tournament that we've admittedly excelled in lately but one that shouldn't be too high on our list of priorities for this campaign. For the first time in eons, the argument could be plausibly made that it was more important for Arsenal than it was for us, an argument that is reflected in their team selection. And fair play to them, they deserved their win and their away support gamely joined in the minute's applause before the game for Spurs legend Bobby Smith, who passed away recently.

This blog unfortunately wasn't able to be at White Hart Lane in person, or indeed in blog form – work commitments saw to that. And so it's understandable that the fans who paid good money to support their side would have expected a performance, and a team sheet, that reflected their investment in both the club and the derby itself.

The general consensus is that Harry got it wrong last night but on closer inspection that might not be the watertight theory many are claiming it to be. Fatigue has started to rear its ugly head and we're only into September. We've a schedule like few too many before this season – the Champions League brings with it extra games and extra commitments. And even if we're to depart at the group stages, there's still the possibility of Europa League qualification and another stack of energy-sapping fixtures. Throw into the mix the FA Cup, a competition everyone treats with at least some semblance of seriousness, and our efforts to hang around near the top of the Premier League and we're left with a lot of matches to play over the course of the season. If players are getting tired, and getting injured, as regularly as they are now then squad rotation will be an incomprehensively vital part of any success we have designs on this season.

North London derbies are important, of course. They're the basic fabric of the intense rivalry we share with our neighbours and provide an opportunity for the fans to throw their weight behind their team in the most vociferous fashion possible. But the Carling Cup 3rd round pales in comparison to a league meeting or a cup semi final. It's not even in the same fraction. Redknapp, ever the thinker, saw an opportunity to rest his key players, players who had been showing signs of tiredness and injury, and he took it. The side he fielded wasn't a reserve side, nor was a composition of youth players. It was a seasoned team, with experience (Palacios, Bentley), fringe players (dos Santos, Naughton) and debutants (Caulker, Sandro) - players that deserved an opportunity to impress or needed match time to re-establish their credentials. It was a team Redknapp believed could win the game. And, lest we forget, we were a post's width away from doing just that.

Harry may have failed to recognise the perceived importance of the occasion. But the only crime committed last night was the lapse of defensive concentration that allowed Arsenal not only to force the door ajar but to burst through it. Players might have been playing in slighty alien positions and the formation may not have been the one to achieve success on this occasion. But if the long term gains of his decisions benefit the club in the shape of, say, Champions League progression or another top four spot, then the pain felt in the immediate aftermath of the defeat will be wiped away forever and last night's game will be consigned to nothingness. Let Arsenal have their moment in the North London sun – if they choose to gloat with an early season League Cup win over a weakened Spurs side then that's entirely their decision.

Bottom line: Harry knows what he's doing. This is the man who not only rescued us from relegation but who propelled us to our highest Premier League finish last season. He has a bigger plan and, though he'll be disappointed by the manner of defeat, he'll learn from it and move on. It would be best if we, as fans, did the same.
Written byMarkat8:20 AM




19comments:


Anonymoussaid...Sorry, that's quite a load of tosh. Harry's a decent manager of a good XI of players but what we witnessed last night was Wenger's clear supremacy in terms of the manager of a football club. Still, it's not really Harry's fault; it's just that he's not as good or has as good a management team as AW.September 22, 2010
Anonymoussaid...Here Here. Come on boys, we've still got the league encounters to wipe that spunk infested smile off their gooner mounts. Let's get behind the team, & the manager !! COYS.September 22, 2010
Anonymoussaid...RE: Anonymous

Sorry, again, but why on earth have you posted that comment? This blog has nothing to do with who's a superior manager. Wenger is the better of the two, yes - the last ten or so years have proved that - but last night was not proof of this?! Last night was a contest between one team who desperately need a trophy to retain their reputation and one who just didn't turn up. You've read far too much into it.September 22, 2010
Ants1973said...In response to Anonymous, what absolute rubbish. Cornelius has been at the Death Star for 14 years now whilst our 'Arry has been at our place for less than two.
I cannot believe 'Arry is copping flak today. Ok, we eventually got thumped but the team last night had never played together so what did you expect. Put another way, if our first XI went out last night leading to Bale, Modric and VDV all getting injured, you would have said why didnt he play the kids.
We have to look at the bigger picture because just for once we're in it. We have a massive game on Saturday followed by another Champions League game on Wednesday.
Some people have very short memories. It was only 9 years ago I froze my nuts off at Portman Road watching us lose 3-0 To Ipswich with Gary Doherty up front. Get real peopleSeptember 22, 2010
Anonymoussaid...Funny how different Tottenham view this defeat as opposed the 5-1 win a few years ago. I'm not an Arsenal fan but gotta hand it to them. Despite everyone saying it was a stronger line up, both the average age of the team and the transfer fee's paid less then the Tottenham team.September 22, 2010
Ronyidsaid...Well said Mark or should that be written, spot on in every way.September 22, 2010
shearsysaid...What concerned me about last night watching from Cornwall on television I admit, is the total lack of the ability to pass to each other for most of the last 45 minutes of the match. We just gave them the ball and ran after them, no wonder our players cramped up. I am very sad we got urned over by these smug gits, but I look forward to both teams at full strength playing, perhaps then we will see how far behind we are. maybe not as far as they think.September 22, 2010
Anonymoussaid...didnt harry say that he wud rather win a trophy even tho it be carling cup... so since when did it go down to the last in ur list of priorities... arsene always said that this was the last in his priorities cause he meant it but now when harry loses out than he uses the same excuse as wenger lol... sore tosser.. and bassong did clip nasri if u see the replays and also robbie keanes goal was an offside and gibbs was onside...

funny how fast things change...September 22, 2010
Nicholsons Auntsaid...I think last night proved that Spurs dont have the depth of squad everyone thought they had, and that Arsenals policy of blooding youngsters is paying off.
The Spurs team were on average older than Arsenal, but less experienced, and less used to the first team system of play.
Those fans who were crowing about 'this is our year' should note that there is still a good way to go.September 22, 2010
Anonymoussaid...Good article. There are far too many 'knee jerk' reactions to individual matches and players' performances.You can only judge success over an extended period and Harry passes the test with flying colours over the last 2 years. As for this season,we have qualified for the CL group stages, got a very good away point in Bremen and have managed to keep up with the leading pack in the PL. The squad is strong compared to most and it would be ridiculous not to use it with what is ahead.

We will right this CC wrong Baz .....And when we do, hopefuly both teams will have been at full strength....