Source: Daily_Mail
Mentor Harry's confidence trick: Redknapp sees Spurs due Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon sparkle
Twelve months ago, Harry Redknapp was basking in post-FA Cup-winning glory atPortsmouth, Jermain Defoe's name was mentioned with reminiscent sighs at White Hart Lane and Aaron Lennon's development had spluttered to a virtual halt.[LNB]Tottenham, meanwhile, were propping up the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]However, when Manchester United arrive in north London at teatime today, they will find a trio working in perfect unison for a club seeking to continue on their perfect merry way.[LNB]If Defoe and Lennon have the freedom to dance through the champions' defence, it is Harry the puppeteer who has tightened and loosened the strings of both players. In full flow, the England pair are an unmissable spectacle to behold. [LNB]Their form and vitality are crucial if Tottenham are to maintain their heady form of August into the autumn and beyond.[LNB] Prize guys: Defoe and boss Redknapp mopped up the August awards but face the toughest test today[LNB]Ask Harry what his secret is and his initial response of 'It's difficult to say', hardly enlightens. He then trots out the usual cliches about it all being about good players, competition for places and creating a good atmosphere within the club. [LNB]Probe deeper into his methods, though, and a few pearls of insight begin to sparkle. Take his transformation of Lennon into an international winger whom the world will fear in South Africa next summer.[LNB]Redknapp said: 'Since I came here, Aaron's always been in the team. I've always encouraged him, always said to the team, ''Give Aaron the ball because he'll cause them all kinds of problems. He'll tear them to pieces if we can get him the ball''. I think that's what people want to hear. When you're a player, it doesn't do you any harm to hear that type of information and he has responded to that. His confidence is sky-high at the moment.'[LNB]The Tottenham boss admits he is chief cheerleader to Defoe, too. The striker, named as the Barclays Premier League player of the month Redknapp, unsurprisingly, is manager of the month for August has struggled just once in his career. [LNB] Pocket dynamo: Defoe is in fine fettle for club and country[LNB]That was in his first spell at White Hart Lane when Redknapp, unlike at West Ham, Portsmouth and again now, was not his manager. [LNB]'It's about confidence with Jermain, as well. He's a boy who needs you to keep encouraging him and telling him how well he's doing. He looks stronger as well this year. Sharper, too. He did lot of work with the fitness people when he got injured last year. He's definitely come back more powerful and that's made him quicker.' [LNB]Redknapp as Mr Motivator is an established image in football. Just like his transfer ducker-and-diver, wheeler-dealer tag, Harry is painted as a man who can gee up his players.[LNB]That image can have its drawbacks, especially when it deflects from the tactical and technical nous which he has passed so successfully on to his Tottenham team that they welcome United as early-season superiors to Sir Alex Ferguson's side.[LNB]Take Lennon, again. He set up England's first two goals against Croatia on Wednesday night, the first by feinting to drop back before sprinting beyond the defensive line in order to pick up the ball and earn the penalty converted by Frank Lampard, the second by using the fear factor he had instilled in the Croatia defenders, who stood off and allowed him to send over a diagonal cross headed home by StevenGerrard.[LNB] On fire: Lennon terrorised Croatia's rearguard[LNB]Now listen to Redknapp, a winger himself with West Ham, and his analysis of the emerging talent on the right of Tottenham's midfield. [LNB]'Aaron's still got a lot to learn. I talk to him about not always having to beat people. If you look to go outside, full backs will be scared of you and drop off. Sometimes you can cross the ball in front of them, then they've got to adjust their position to block that cross, which will maybe make that extra half-yard to go by them. [LNB]'He has to earn the right to get the ball, work hard to get the yard of space he needs, maybe run 15 yards to check and make that yard. He's improving in that area because it's something he didn't do before. [LNB] 'If you got tight to him, you would stop him getting the ball and he could fade out of the game. But he wants to learn and he's willing to make those runs now. [LNB]'He's getting better and if he keeps opening his mind up to what the game is about, improving and working hard on different aspects, he's got a chance to be a top, top player.'[LNB]Freedom of expression within his players transmits itself into an openness within Redknapp about his team's approach to today's game. [LNB]Fear is an emotion that has been banished at the Lane and consigned to an indifferent recent past. [LNB]'If you stand off United and let them play, get into a rhythm, they will murder you. It will be a cup-tie atmosphere and we've got to get after them, compete and close them down; be in their faces all over the park.[LNB]'When we've got the ball, we've got to play. We did that against Liverpool and didn't let them settle.[LNB] I would have signed Kranjcar even if Modric had not got injured, say HarryTOTTENHAM v Manchester United: Redknaps waits on international stars for visit of Sir AlexTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC
