Source: Team_Talk
Spurs must bounce back - Bassong
Sebastien Bassong has called on his Tottenham team-mates to put Tuesday night's Carling Cup defeat to arch rivals Arsenal out of their minds.[LNB] Both managers made several changes for the third-round clash at White Hart Lane, with only full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto remaining from the Spurs XI which had beaten Wolves last weekend.[LNB]While it was a chance for the likes of goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, young defender Steven Caulker and summer recruit Sandro to make debuts, with Jake Livermore recording his first start and Kyle Naughton only his second, the final result was disappointing after the home side had fought their way back into the tie with an equaliser from Robbie Keane at the start of the second half.[LNB]Bassong claimed Samir Nasri "went down too easily" for the first of two quickfire penalties in the first period of extra time for the Gunners, with substitute Andrey Arshavin adding a fourth to rub salt into the wounds.[LNB]However, Cameroon international Bassong, who was captain, insisted the team must now fully focus on getting a positive result form what is set to be another testing encounter just a few miles across in east London at Upton Park.[LNB]"We are professionals, so we need to focus on the game at West Ham," he said.[LNB]"I don't think it will affect us as we have a strong squad, and we will be all right."[LNB]Bassong added: "The main thing for us is the league, and as professionals we want to do well in every competition.[LNB]"It is still a bad thing to be out already, so early, but I think we need to bounce back.[LNB]"The fans are right to be a bit disappointed, we were at home and it was a derby - but the next home game is the Champions League (against FC Twente) and it is a bigger game."[LNB]Harry Redknapp admitted he was now facing even more of a juggling act with demands on his squad stretched by Tottenham's first Champions League campaign.[LNB]However, the Spurs manager believes despite the disappointing final outcome, it was a worthwhile experience to see some of his fringe men, like former Gunner David Bentley, get a taste of first-team action.[LNB]"I wanted to rest a lot of the payers who have played a lot of games," Redknapp said.[LNB]"Sandro got around the pitch. I like him. I think he will be good player. I learned that Sandro can play in this country, for sure.[LNB]"It was Bentley's first game, and he needs his match fitness. I am sure he was very tired at the end of extra time."[LNB]Redknapp added: "I cannot keep playing the same guys in every game - Sir Alex Ferguson made 10 changes for a Champions League game.[LNB]"We had eight international players out there at the start, and five of them played at the World Cup, so with a couple of kids, it was a nice mixture.[LNB]"We have got West Ham on Saturday, then a Champions League game here, before Aston Villa on Saturday - it is non-stop."
