Source: Daily_Mail
Jamie Redknapp: Dad told me Tottenham would go for it
Going for goldI sat with Dad before the game and I thought he might play Wilson Palacios, or maybe five in midfield to give Tottenham some protection at the back. [LNB]You can't allow yourself to be overrun in midfield in these games and that idea can sometimes inspire negative tactics. [LNB]I should know him better. [LNB] Going for gold: Harry Redknapp was not prepared to sit back and defend at Eastlands. He was ready to attack[LNB]'No Jamie, not today. This is about going for it. This is our chance. We are coming here to win. I don't want to lose this moment.' [LNB]So it was 4-4-2, two creative players in midfield, big responsibility for Tom Huddlestone and pace wide. [LNB]They went for it and they got it! [LNB]It was an anxious time, sitting there and watching the game. I did wonder if Spurs would fall at the final hurdle, but I'm proud of him. I know what he has gone through to get to this moment.[LNB]Only as good as your players When Dad took over at Tottenham, they were bottom. They still had good players but there was a confidence crisis. He has thrived at a big club, loving the pressure and enjoying the opportunity. [LNB]I've worked in some good teams with bad managers and they have fallen short. You need a man at the top who will transmit the vision of the club and my dad has been the right man at the right time. [LNB] Training day: Harry Redknapp loves working with the big players like he did with Paolo Di Canio and Paul Merson[LNB]The bottom line is he loves working with good players, always has. [LNB]Whether it was Paolo Di Canio at West Ham or Paul Merson at Portsmouth - or now players like Luka Modric, it is what gets him out of bed and on to the training pitch in the morning. [LNB]He's the King Two kings: Dawson and King have been immense for Spurs[LNB]The patriot in me wants Ledley King to be selected for England, even though his knee would probably benefit from a rest. [LNB]He is like a magnet for the ball, a thoroughbred of a defender, the best centre-half in the country. [LNB]What amazes me is that he doesn't train, but then plays as if it is so easy - and in this unforgiving league when you are up against players like Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor. [LNB]All I will say is that it is going to be hard to pick both Rio Ferdinand, the England captain, and Ledley King in the squad. If one - or both of them - either breaks down or can't play back-to-back matches, it will leave the centre of defence exposed. [LNB]No more soft centre When I was at Liverpool, if we could pick a home game against anyone it would have been Tottenham. They had lovely players, but score first and they collapsed like a deck of cards. [LNB]There was always that soft centre, partly because while they had brilliant individuals like David Ginola - and Glenn Hoddle before that - they were not a team. [LNB]Even when I played for Spurs later in my career, I could sense there was something missing; they had the support base and a big-club feel, but it was easy to fall short. [LNB] Forward planning: Luka Modric put in a fine performance to typify Tottenham's attacking approach at City[LNB]Now they have a team - powerful athletes, warrior defenders, pacy, skilful little ones and players like Luka Modric. [LNB]The result was not only about the stars, it was also about the supporting cast. Younes Kaboul, for instance, was magnificent.[LNB] Stepping up: Younes Kaboul was outstanding at right-back[LNB] [LNB]There was a moment towards the end of the game when a long ball came towards the Spurs penalty area and he jumped like a giant and sent a thundering header back into Manchester City's half. It also sent back a message: You can't go past me. It is a confidence thing with him, but he can be a top player. [LNB]Like Ledley and Michael Dawson, too. [LNB]Daniel Levy, the chairman, also deserves praise. He has invested in a team; picked the right manager and now the club has a chance to advance. The foundations are in place. [LNB]Beware the KO I'm not being a party pooper here, but the Champions League knockout stages are fraught with danger. [LNB]Some dangerous teams will be lurking in the draw next season. [LNB]When Everton broke into the top four, they lost in qualifying to Villarreal, then lost in a UEFA Cup qualifier to Dinamo Bucharest and finished 11th in the Barclays Premier League that season. [LNB]But let's not dwell on that ... [LNB]Class act, Khaldoon I was in the boardroom after the game, when the City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak came over and said: 'Pass on my congratulations to your dad. He throughly deserves it.' [LNB] Class act: Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak wasted no time in offering Harry Redknapp his congratulations[LNB]I thought that was a touch of class, because so many people find it hard to lose gracefully. He seems a good guy, ambitious and determined. [LNB]You just know these people aren't about finishing second. They are going to be on the world stage very soon. [LNB]Who needs a keeper? We have come to expect brilliant reflex saves from Heurelho Gomes. It was not always like that. [LNB]When Dad came to Spurs, one of the first jobs he expected to take on was replacing the goalkeeper, whose confidence was shot to pieces. [LNB]A combination of the hard work of goalkeeping coach Tony Parks, who knows what it is like to win a big match for Spurs, and the natural ability of Gomes has resulted in Tottenham discovering a world-class goalkeeper... in their own squad. [LNB] We've done it, pal: Redknapp and Spurs assistant Joe Jordan celebrate the club's landmark win[LNB]It's good to be English Roy Hodgson at Fulham, Steve McClaren at FC Twente and now Harry Redknapp. You see, English managers can be successful. [LNB] We are too obsessed in this country with foreign coaches. Maybe now, chairmen will see that there is plenty of quality at home too. [LNB]We can all see what the foreign managers have brought to our country, but let us applaud and embrace the quality of English coaches too. [LNB] Redknapp to auction soaked Spurs suit after Champions League splashLevy claims Champions League cash is giant boost to new stadium plansRedknapp: My big gamble paid off - Spurs boss rewarded with mega winFive Spurs stars who have prospered under Redknapp - and five he should buy to take the Champions League by stormFive Spurs stars who have prospered under Redknapp - and five he should buy to take the Champions League by stormTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC
