Source: Team_Talk
Harry ready to throw in new faces
Harry Redknapp is ready to hand William Gallas and Rafael van der Vaart their Tottenham debuts at West Brom as he seeks to use his full squad.[LNB] Redknapp knows he must rotate his squad for their maiden Champions League campaign.[LNB]Spurs boss Redknapp admits he may have blundered in not making changes for the shock 1-0 Premier League home defeat to Wigan last time out following the club's historic European victory over Young Boys.[LNB]And with their hectic schedule set to continue between now and at least December, Redknapp is ready to make full use of his squad, starting at The Hawthorns on Saturday.[LNB]He said: "Obviously, we play Saturday; then we play Champions League Tuesday; then in the league on Saturday; then we play Arsenal in the Carling Cup; then the league and another Champions League. We've got a busy schedule.[LNB]"The one thing I did learn - a lesson - last week was maybe I should've changed the team that played against Wigan.[LNB]"We went to Stoke and had a great result on the Saturday, came back, won the Champions League qualifier with Young Boys.[LNB]"And then I really went with the same team, more or less, on the Saturday against Wigan.[LNB]"Maybe I should've rested one or two and changed a few around, and it might have worked better for us.[LNB]"It's easy, in hindsight, to look back on those things."[LNB]Redknapp has selection dilemmas all over the field this weekend, starting in goal.[LNB]With Heurelho Gomes likely to miss out again with a groin injury, Redknapp must decide whether to hand a reprieve to Carlo Cudicini following the latter's costly error against Wigan or give a debut to Stipe Pletikosa.[LNB]Gallas appears certain to start at the heart of defence following Michael Dawson's injury playing for England.[LNB]And Redknapp has no qualms about throwing the former Arsenal captain in at the deep end.[LNB]He said: "You don't play in teams that win championships, like he did at Chelsea, you don't play for your country as many times as he has - been there and done it all - unless you're a top player.[LNB]"He's got a bit of pace, he's a great defender, and he'll be a big asset. I think he'll be a great signing for us."[LNB]Redknapp may not risk skipper Ledley King's notoriously-fragile knees ahead of Tuesday's Champions League Group A opener at Werder Bremen, which would mean a recall for Sebastien Bassong.[LNB]Midfield and attack pose the most interesting conundrum for the Spurs boss.[LNB]With Luka Modric now fit, Redknapp could choose between the Croatian and Van der Vaart.[LNB]Or he might field both and play a lone striker, especially as his forward options have been depleted by the loss of Jermain Defoe for around three months.[LNB]Sandro may also be handed his debut at some stage, with Redknapp having left the Brazilian out of his Champions League squad in order to get him up to speed in the Premier League.[LNB]Whatever he decides, the Spurs boss is confident the squad he has is capable of competing on multiple fronts.[LNB]"Competition in every position is what you what, and we've got that at the moment," he said.[LNB]"We've just lost two key players but, otherwise, we're still very strong, got a good squad."[LNB]The game could see Holland midfielder Van der Vaart come face to face with referee Howard Webb for the first time since the World Cup final.[LNB]But it seems it is Redknapp, rather than Van der Vaart, who is not looking forward to the reunion.[LNB]The Spurs boss said: "Howard Webb's a top referee. I just don't ever seem to have any luck with him.[LNB]"He's had a great career and was a credit in the World Cup.[LNB]"But some referees never seem to work out right."
