Source: Team_Talk
Redknapp calls for Astroturf ban
Harry Redknapp has called for Astroturf to be banned from the Champions League after his Tottenham side just avoided humiliation at Young Boys.[LNB] Spurs suffered a nightmare start in what was their first European Cup-tie for almost half a century, their unfancied Swiss opponents tearing their hapless defence to shreds in the opening half-hour in Bern.[LNB]But goals from Sebastien Bassong and Roman Pavyluchenko ensured Redknapp's men would take a 3-2 defeat back to London and retain their favourites' tag ahead of next Wednesday's return leg at White Hart Lane.[LNB]Redknapp had refused to criticise the Stade de Suisse's plastic pitch in the build-up to tonight's game but let rip after the match, revealing the four changes he had made were all due to fears it would cause some of his players serious injury.[LNB]Although insisting it was a better surface than earlier Astroturf pitches, Redknapp said: "It's not an excuse but I played on Astroturf myself and hated every minute of it.[LNB]"We've had it at QPR; we don't have it anymore in England.[LNB]"I don't agree with Astroturf and I don't think Astroturf should be used in a competition like this."[LNB]Redknapp, who left captain Ledley King at home due to the pitch, revealed he had held a meeting with his unhappy squad about it last night.[LNB]He added: "I left four players out because they weren't comfortable on the pitch in training yesterday.[LNB]"Aaron Lennon wasn't comfortable, Robbie (Keane) had a problem with his knee. Tom Huddlestone, last time he played on Astroturf, he was out for six weeks - his knee blew up like a balloon.[LNB]"So I didn't really want to risk Tom tonight. It was a case that we were pretty desperate and I threw him on."[LNB]Redknapp admitted his side got out of jail this evening, saying: "It was a great defeat - if there's such a thing as a great defeat.[LNB]"At 3-0 down, we were staring down the barrel, weren't we, really?[LNB]"We were in desperate trouble."[LNB]Spurs defended appallingly in the opening 28 minutes, conceding perfectly preventable goals to Senad Lulic, Henri Bienvenu and Xavier Hochstrasser.[LNB]"We were all over the show," Redknapp said.[LNB]"From the first minute, we started sloppily, they hit the post and it went on.[LNB]"Just shows you that there are no easy games. We watched them Saturday and they were poor, but what happens in big games?[LNB]"I have been there myself a million times. I have lower-division teams that have played Man United or whoever, people work, press and close and play with that enthusiasm - it levels the teams.[LNB]"They did that tonight. Didn't give us time to settle on the ball.[LNB]"They ran all over us in the first half hour."[LNB]Spurs' woes deepened when they lost both Jermain Defoe and Luka Modric to injuries which Redknapp confirmed made them doubtful for Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Stoke.[LNB]On tonight's evidence, he will need both fit for next week's return clash with Young Boys.[LNB]"Our plan is to get after them at White Hart Lane," he said.[LNB]"It'll be a fantastic crowd, great atmosphere, we're at home.[LNB]"We have to win the game. If we win the game, we have a great chance to go through, obviously, with the two away goals."[LNB]Young Boys boss Vladimir Petkovic was delighted with the result, revealing he would have gladly taken it before kick-off.[LNB]"I'm very happy, very satisfied," he said.[LNB]"If, before the match, somebody had told me this would be the case, I would have been very happy.[LNB]"I'm very proud of the team, of the team spirit, of their interpretation of football and the team were very mentally strong."[LNB]He added: "The first 30-35 minutes, we were very good - perfect.[LNB]"We played tactically very well and we had some very dangerous movements.[LNB]"It was difficult to keep the rhythm for the 90 minutes.[LNB]"Their second goal shouldn't have been made but I'm still very proud of the team."
