After England snub, Redknapp focus on Bolton clash

02 May 2012 04:16

Harry Redknapp will try to put the disappointment of being overlooked for the post of England manager behind him when his Tottenham Hotspur side resume their challenge for a place in next season's Champions League at Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday.

Redknapp always maintained the speculation linking himself with the England vacancy had played no part in Spurs' alarming dip in form.

But the Football Association's decision to make Roy Hodgson their number one choice for the post means it will not even be a factor as Redknapp's team enter the final three games of the season.

The weekend victory over Blackburn Rovers settled nerves at White Hart Lane after a run that had brought just one win in nine league games.

That win left Tottenham ahead of fourth place Newcastle on goal difference, with Chelsea a further point behind in fifth.

Those two teams will meet at Stamford Bridge at the same time Spurs face Bolton, presenting Redknapp's side with a chance to steal ground on at least one of their rivals.

Victory will also move Tottenham to within two points of third-placed Arsenal and with the fourth place side set to miss out on a Champions League spot if Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in this season's final, a top three spot remains the number one objective.

"It is all to play for, we have got a difficult couple of away games," said Redknapp. "I can't see Chelsea losing many games at the moment either, they are looking really strong whatever team their manager picks.

"They have got Newcastle in the week and that is a big game. Newcastle have got tough fixtures -- they have got to go to Everton on the last game of the season, you wouldn't want that one and they've got Manchester City at home so we have just got to keep going and see what happens, you never know do you?"

Kyle Walker emerged as the unlikely hero of the victory over Blackburn with a stunning free kick to seal the 2-0 victory.

And the right back admitted: "I don't practise free-kicks, but I just felt it was right.

"Rafa (Rafael van der Vaart) placed the ball down and I said 'Can I have it?' and he said 'No chance'. But then he said I could have it and that was that."

Tottenham's defeat of Blackburn boosted Bolton's hopes of survival.

Owen Coyle's side remain in the bottom three on goal difference but this match marks the game in hand they have on their relegation rivals.

And Coyle's squad may be given the further lift of a dressing room visit from Wanderers' Fabrice Muamba who is recovering after suffering a serious cardiac arrest when these two teams met in the FA Cup at White Hart Lane in March.

"When it comes to it we will take a look at it but we will have to decide what is best for everybody," said Coyle.

"The primary concern is what is best for Fabrice because that is all important but it is something we will look at -- if he and his partner decide he is well enough and fit enough."

Coyle added: "My take on it has been if Fabrice is able to come along it would be fantastic, for a number of reasons.

"I think it will give everyone a chance to see how well he has been doing and how far he has come from what happened that night.

"The fact it is also Tottenham who were the opponents will give Fabrice the chance to thank all the fans and players involved.

"I've got to say it's not guaranteed. If he is fit and well to come then it is certainly an opportunity."

Source: AFP