Van der Vaart angry at Redknapp for right wing role

Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart admits he was disappointed that Harry Redknapp decided to play him out of position on the right wing during his club's 2-1 victory over Arsenal.

Van der Vaart has usually been deployed in central positions, either behind a lone striker or as part of a two-man midfield, and the Holland international believes those are the roles that allow him to display his skills.

However, Redknapp opted to switch him to the wider areas at White Hart Lane on Sunday and, although he scored Tottenham's opening goal, Van der Vaart has risked Redknapp's wrath by revealing he was frustrated to have to do so much defensive work.

"I have definitely had a series of irritations. You want to play in the position where you do best," he told The Sun.

"But if I have to chase after an attacking full-back every time, I can't play my own game to my best ability.

"Sunday was not the first time I have played out wide and I was given the freedom to move infield. But you could see from the goal I scored that my strength lies in the centre of midfield.

"It proves that I am more dangerous when I am close to the goal than when I play out on the wing. I do what the manager asks me to but I hope this won't be a regular occurrence."

Van der Vaart was also unhappy that Redknapp decided to substitute him in the 63rd minute and bring on Sandro to reinforce the midfield.

Redknapp regularly takes Van der Vaart off because there is a weakness in the player's hamstrings, a remark the 28-year-old wishes the manager had kept to himself.

"In my opinion he made a mistake in making his comments about my most recent injury," Van der Vaart said.

"He took me off because he did not want to take any risks with me. I can understand that but I am convinced I could have played for 90 minutes.

"I was amazed to be taken off. I felt I'd played a great game. I scored and also three times put team-mates in one-on-ones with Arsenal's keeper.

Van der Vaart has also criticised Arsenal for taking their defeat badly, following suggestions that his goal should not have stood and that he should have received a second yellow card for celebrating with the crowd.

"They are bad losers. No, it was not handball - I took the ball on my chest," he said.

"And have you seen how close the crowd is to our pitch? Where else should I run?

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he should just get on with it, apart from hes goal he was the worst player on the pitch

A set of silly comments that you would not expect an intelligent and experienced pro like RdV to make - his agent whispering in his ear perhaps ?

Take that with a pinch of salt.

Proof that vdv has written in to his contract that he must be first choice when fit as the rumors go , hence the sarky comments when left out of the Europa match ,either that or its a misrepresentation of an interview he did in dutch that has been lost in translation ..

that isexactly what it was lobs. i heard a dutch reporter on hawksbe and jacobs show on talksport today at work and he said it is complete nonsence. he spoke to vdv on tues after the match and vdv was telling him how happy he was at spurs and how in 3 derbys v a*se he has scored 4 times so why wouldnt he be happy, hes no prob with harry at all just a bit suprised he was on the right but unhappy ? no way he is enjoying every min at spurs. slow news day so some hack has twisted a dutch interview to make it into a story it isnt.happy player news is not good for our tabloids im afraid.

Right wing, left back. Centre forward, centre half. Play for the badge . . . .

Following the comments of Rafael van der Vaart this week, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has told the Dutchman to concentrate on his football.

Van der Vaart had been frustrated at being played on the right-hand-side of midfield against Arsenal, rather than in a more central role, and reiterated his disappointment at being substituted early again.

But Redknapp, talking in The Sun, admits there is an issue with playing the former Real Madrid man on the right: "Rafa can't run back and chase the full-back. Against the better teams it is a problem. Rafa's best position is in the middle, playing just behind the front man. The only problem is that Jermain Defoe plays there too and Jermain is playing very, very well at the moment.

"So, I guess I have got a decision to make, haven't I? I suppose it's now between Rafa and Jermain over who plays in the team. Rafa is a terrific footballer. He has great skill. But if you're in the team and asked to do a job, really, you should just do it."

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theres no problem just play 442. drop vdv or tell him to stay up front