Redknapp spices up derby

18 September 2009 13:15
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Harry Redknapp has spiced things up ahead of Tottenham's derby match with Chelsea by claiming the Blues are a long way off Manchester United.[LNB] Spurs head to Stamford Bridge on Sunday looking to return to winning ways after losing their 100 per cent record following their 3-1 defeat at home to the Red Devils last time out.[LNB]The Spurs boss has risked the wrath of the Chelsea supporters at the weekend by declaring that the Blues are not 'in the same bracket' as the champions.[LNB]Spurs have not managed a win at Stamford Bridge for close to 20 years - a run stretching back some 19 games of which Tottenham have lost 13 and Chelsea players will need little motivation in heaping more misery on their city rivals after Redknapp's comments.[LNB]"I am not being disrespectful to Chelsea but they are a long way from being in the same bracket as Manchester United, because of what United are," he told the London Evening Standard.[LNB]"United have always been a massive football club, they have a fantastic tradition and history, and they get 76,000 people watching them every week.[LNB]"Chelsea might finish above them in the table, but to get the recognition around the world that United have is very difficult.[LNB]"It would help if they could manage to win the Champions League, but you have to remember that United are a special club."[LNB]AmbitiousWith Spurs' plans for a new stadium and a new training facility well under way Redknapp can see no reason why the club cannot challenge for honours in the next few years.[LNB]"I don't see why Spurs can't get back to the very highest level. It is an ambitious club, with a new stadium on the way, so there's no reason why they can't do that," he added.[LNB]"There was a spell during the 1960s when this club had the best team in the country (winning the league and FA Cup double in 1961), so why not again?[LNB]"The club will be moving into a new training ground (which should be ready for 2012), which looks as though it will be something really special, up there with the best in the country.[LNB]"In terms of attracting top players to the club, it's very important to have a good training ground, and it looks as though that will be the case."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports