Harry demands league focus
08 Apr 2008 - 08:58:20
Harry Redknapp has banned talk of the FA Cup Final as he bids to secure a top-six finish in the league for Portsmouth this season.
Pompey secured their place in next month's Wembley showpiece with a 1-0 semi-final victory over Championship side West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
But Redknapp has also set his sights on a strong finish to their league campaign before thoughts can turn to Wembley.
The south coast club take on his former side West Ham United at Upton Park on Tuesday in sixth place in the table.
However, they are just one point clear of seventh-placed Aston Villa and Redknapp has called for concentration.
He said: "The final is five weeks to go and we have got a game against West Ham, so it is back to business with the league.
"It is all about the Premier League from now and we will think about the final when it comes around.
"West Ham are a good side and we will need to put in a performance.
"I always enjoy going back there. I have so many memories of the place. I love the club and the fans are fantastic.
"But we do not want to fade away in the league. We want to finish as high as we can and we have had a couple of good wins at West Ham in the last couple of seasons."
In-form Pompey striker Jermain Defoe will miss the clash with his former club after travelling to the Caribbean to attend the funeral of his grandmother.