Harry won't curb players
09 Nov 2007 - 15:15:57
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- Harry won't curb players
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has pledged not to curb the natural instincts of his midfield unit despite suspension fears.
Pompey's midfield trio of Sean Davis, Sulley Muntari and Papa Bouba Diop have picked up 15 cautions and one red card between them already this season.
Davis and Muntari have already been sidelined through suspension, while Diop will miss Sunday's visit of Manchester City after earning his fifth yellow card of the season last week.
However, with Pompey currently riding high in fifth place in the table, Redknapp has no intention of altering the way the trio play.
"They get stuck in there, they work hard and try to dominate the midfield. You've got to have that in there," he told the Portsmouth News.
"You need aggressive people to play like that in midfield away from home. They set the tone for the whole game. Battles are won and lost in the middle of the park and it's important you get the tackles in. You can't shirk it, it's what you need to win top games.
"Of course you don't want to pick up silly bookings, but if you're putting in the tackles, sometimes it can't be helped. I'm not going to stop players doing that.
'Those three lads are all competitive, they're playing their part and it's a team effort. I'm not going to start worrying about picking up bookings. They've just got to keep going as they are."