Source: Daily_Mail
Harry Redknapp reckons Tottenham can leapfrog their arch rivals Arsenal
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp heaped more pressure on north London rivals Arsenal by saying that his team can finish third in the Premier League - and that they should be in front of Arsene Wenger's team by now. [LNB]While Wenger was trying to defend himself from Michael Ballack's barbs after the Chelsea defeat, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard claimed his outfit can take third if they turn over the Gunners on Wednesday night. [LNB]But don't leave Spurs out of the equation. Redknapp said: 'Of course Liverpool can finish third - but if they beat Arsenal and we win at Wolves, then WE can go on and finish third.[LNB] Top-four battle: Spurs and Villa are both hoping to finish in the Champions League qualifying spots [LNB] 'Arsenal are suddenly right back in the pack. 'And in all honestywe've thrown a lot of good leads away and we really should be aboveArsenal now. ''If Arsenal get beaten, then it opens it up if we win, or Manchester City and Aston Villa win. Then all of a sudden you arelooking at the top two, who have gone, and we're fighting for twopositions between five teams.' [LNB]Not that Redknapp reckons it will be easy for his men at relegationthreatened Wolves tonight, after their shock 1-0 win at White HartLane. [LNB]Reddknapp concedes: 'Wolves did a good job on us - credit to MickMcCarthy and his team. But we're still right in there and we've been ingreat form.' [LNB]Redknapp, who rests Ledley King at Molineux, does have a problemthough he won't admit to it - the poor scoring record of striker PeterCrouch. [LNB] Bad run: Crouch has scored just two goals in his last nine appearances [LNB][LNB]Though Crouch had to wait his turn at the start of the season whenRobbie Keane - now at Celtic - was partnering Jermaine Defoe, he hasmade a front line position his own. Yet has scored only two goals inhis last nine games and hasn't disturbed the inside of the net for 12out of his last 15 games. [LNB]It suggests that teams have worked out how to play him. But Redknappprefers to dwell on Crouch's strengths - the way he holds the ball up,how he is always a get out to find with a long ball from the back, andhow he complements Defoe. [LNB]In the mix: New loan-signing Eidur Gudjohnsen[LNB][LNB]Yet pile up the dropped points, against the likes of Stoke, Hull,Wolves, Everton and Birmingham, and there has been a problem in frontof goal.[LNB]'We've thrown points away,' says the Spurs boss.[LNB] It may mean Eidur Gudjohnsen soon getting his chance though Redknapp would only confirm he is in the squad tonight.[LNB] Redknapp laughed off latest claims from a bunch of Villa fans atWhite Hart Lane that his team are long ball merchants, saying: 'I don'tknow what a long ball team is. [LNB]'We pass the ball more than most but we can also hit a 40 yard ballif needed to mix it up, especially when Crouchy plays. If you have himin your team, you have to use him - no point him running up channelsbecause that's not his game.' [LNB]Now the big man has to get the goal touch back to his game, startingat Molineux tonight where victory is essential for Spurs to cementtheir top four - or top three - claims. [LNB] Crouch long-ball tactics nothing but a tall story, blasts Spurs boss RedknappPICTURED: Spurs keeper Carlo Cudicini walks unaided after his horror motorbike smashTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC
