Source: Daily_Mail
David Nugent back to haunt Harry Redknapp as Tottenham Hotspur take on Burnley
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has urged David Nugent to concentrate on his football following the striker's loan move to Burnley from Portsmouth.
Redknapp brought Nugent to Fratton Park two years ago but the once-capped England international struggled on the south coast and has moved to Turf Moor for six months with the view to a permanent transfer.
The 24-year-old, who netted twice last week on the Burnley debut, only scored six goals for Pompey, with Redknapp suggesting he struggled to focus on his game. Nugent has a chance to haunt his former boss as Burnley visit White Hart Lane tomorrow.
'I can see why (Portsmouth manager) Paul Hart loaned him out,' Redknapp said. 'Maybe he'll get a new lease of life, get himself going again and dedicate himself to playing football.
'If he does that he can score goals. He's proved that before. Now he has an opportunity to just get on with his football and show people what he can do. That's what it's about.
'He's had one terrific game, a good start for him. He's a decent lad and I wish him well. Just get on with your football and let that do the talking. That's the key.'
Redknapp is bracing himself for a stern test after Burnley went close to knocking Spurs out of the Carling Cup last season, a match the 62-year-old Spurs boss rates as one of the darkest days in his year at the club.
'Owen's done a great job there, they are a good footballing team and nine points from tough opposition at home is a great start,' Redknapp said.
'They will do well. We saw that last season from them in the semi-final. But we are an improved team as well. So there's every chance for us.'
Redknapp has problems in defence as Ledley King is out with a hamstring problem and Jonathan Woodgate still has a groin complaint.
Luckily for Redknapp, Michael Dawson is back from his Achilles injury while Sebastien Bassong will require a late test on head and knee knocks.
Of his strikers, Peter Crouch scored a hat-trick against Preston in midweek, while Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe also scored at Deepdale.
'We have great options in attack,' Redknapp said. 'All three scored against Preston and it's a nice problem, and it's better to have that problem than no strikers. I could play all three again.
'Crouchy would be disappointed to miss out, but so would Robbie or Jermain if I left them out. Crouchy is an outstanding player and so are the other two. (Roman) Pavlyuchenko is injured at the moment.
'The players have given me an awful lot to think about, the two 'keepers are in terrific form, the forwards are doing well and in midfield, Jermaine Jenas, Tom Huddlestone and the others are terrific. As long as I pick the right team it's okay.'
Considering his defensive problems, Sol Campbell would be a perfect squad player - but after leaving Spurs for Arsenal the former England centre-back cannot return to White Hart Lane.
Redknapp admits Campbell cannot even train at Spurs to keep fit after leaving Notts County.
'I couldn't bring Sol to Tottenham, its impossible,' he said. 'All I ever said when he went to Notts County was that he was good enough for the Premier League. It would be more problems than it's worth to bring him here.
'But if a Premier League manager rang me I would recommend he signs him. He's been used to playing with world-class players and no disrespect to those Notts County lads but it's a different world.
'He's walked away from a big contract, so it's about pride not money.
'When January comes around I would recommend him to anybody. That's also the opinion of Arsene Wenger, who knows what he is talking about.'
Spurs are looking to bounce back from defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea - but Redknapp was at least encouraged by the performances against the title-chasers.
'I wasn't disappointed at all with the way we played against Man United and Chelsea,' he said. 'There could have been a penalty and sending-off, that was a key decision against Chelsea, and it would have been a different game. You are talking about two of the best teams in the world, not just in this country.'
