Source: Telegraph
Spurs' Harry Redknapp backs Portsmouth to bounce back after relegation
The Tottenham Hotspur manager faces his former club twice in 16 days, starting on Saturday when a home victory could leave his former club one game from relegation.[LNB]And on April 11 the teams meet again at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final.[LNB] Related ArticlesCrouch will put Portsmouth behind himRedknapp praised for FA Cup gambleSpurs equipped for dual effort, says GudjohnsenTottenham Hotspur 3 Fulham 1Redknapp relishing Cup reunion with PortsmouthTottenham Hotspur v Portsmouth: match previewHaving gone into administration, Portsmouth had nine points deducted and there are questions about their future status.[LNB]But Redknapp, who won the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008, claimed that they had been in similar situations and had bounced back before.[LNB]'They've been in that position so many times,' said Redknapp. 'They've been in the bottom division and come back. When Milan Mandaric came in as the new owner the doors were locked for business.[LNB]'When I was there they had no training facilities and I had great players like Teddy Sheringham and Paul Merson training on pitches where Sunday teams had played.[LNB]'Hopefully they'll find a new owner who cares and get them back up again.'[LNB]Redknapp, though, has warned against complacency tomorrow, adding: 'I see everybody as dangerous opponents and it's a tough game, and if you underestimate anybody you're in trouble. They've a few injuries like us. I'm sure a few will recover for the semi-final.[LNB]'They'll have a real go and give it everything but we've playing well at home and away.'[LNB]Redknapp's plans have been further disrupted through injuries and he added: 'We've picked up plenty of injuries so we won't be able to do too much in training. [LNB]'Vedran Corluka had a scan, and is struggling and won't be available. Young Kyle Walker was going to come in at right back picked up ankle injury in training but Hopefully he can be fit.[LNB]'Sebastien Bassong also has an ankle injury, and we'll give him until tomorrow. Roman Pavlyuchenko's hamstring is tight and he probably doesn't feel ready to start.[LNB]'And Wilson Palacios's abductor is tender, he played with a tear, and again we're going to wait till tomorrow.[LNB]'The injury list is bad but we've kept winning and played great. We were a bit lucky the other night against Fulham, when Tom Huddlestone was available and David Bentley did the same and both did a fantastic job for us when they came on.[LNB]'Whoever plays it's a good opportunity, they're all taking their chances.'[LNB]
