Source: SKY_Sports
Redknapp happy to be back
Harry Redknapp is relishing returning to Fratton Park on Saturday for the first time since joining Tottenham 12 months ago.
The Spurs boss has refused any special security on his return, despite being blamed in part by some for the financial problems at the South-Coast club.
But Redknapp says the Pompey fans he meets every day bear no grudges towards him and his record at the club - where he won the FA Cup - speaks for itself.
He said: "I see Portsmouth supporters every day at the petrol station driving down from where I live. I have people painting my house at the moment who are Pompey-mad. They're as good as gold.
"They're not lunatics. They're not a bunch of nutters. They are all being labelled as a bunch of maniacs. They're not. They are good people.
Big mouths
"You'll always have some big mouths there but it shows you what a good job I must have done that they are so upset that I left.
"Normally they are pleased to get rid of you when you leave. I went there when they were bottom of the league with the worst team we have seen in the Premier League. Whoever assembled that lot God only knows!"
He added: "The opportunity came to manage a great club. I left them with a great team of players, players worth absolute fortunes that they sold for fantastic money.
"I loved my time at Portsmouth and I love it here. I speak to Avram Grant all the time. I took Paul Hart there to do the academy. I've got loads of mates there.
"I'm looking forward to seeing them. I'm not going to worry about the odd few idiots who want to shout. It won't affect me one iota.
"The only thing I'll lose sleep over is if we get beat. I'm not bothered if people are so stupid they want to shout abuse."
Palacios struggling
But Spurs will start without midfield star Wilson Palacios, who was ordered by Honduras president Roberto Micheletti to attend the celebration reception after helping his country reach the World Cup finals with a 1-0 win over El Salvador in midweek.
Palacios will arrive back early on Saturday morning and go straight to the team hotel but Redknapp said: "It is disappointing, but there is nothing we could do about it. He's struggling for tomorrow.
"I've been trying to get hold of him but he's been travelling. He's a big loss to us. I can't start him in a game when he's travelled. He played Thursday morning our time."
