Source: PA
Redknapp's tactical headache
Harry Redknapp admits Rafael van der Vaart is giving him a tactical headache as the Tottenham boss tries to work out how best to accommodate his new talisman.
Van der Vaart cemented his status as the latest darling of White Hart Lane on Saturday by rescuing Spurs from defeat against Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League.
The Holland midfielder's goals in the 2-1 win were his third and fourth in his three home appearances for his new club, all of them proving crucial to the Tottenham cause.
Manager Redknapp has been delighted with the 27-year-old's impact since his dramatic £8million transfer-deadline-day move from Real Madrid, which is looking more of a bargain by the minute and, all three of Van der Vaart's home games have seen him start on the right wing with a licence to roam.
But with Redknapp also fielding two strikers, as well as allowing Luka Modric and Gareth Bale to push forward from midfield and his full-backs to bomb on, it has left Spurs all too exposed to the counter-attack.
"Difficult one to find the right balance," said Redknapp, whose side's victory took them up to fifth in the table. "It's not easy; to play with two strikers is almost impossible. Because Rafa doesn't play wide right. He floats around, really, and comes off the line and plays where he wants - almost. And then you're very open."
