Source: Daily_Mail
Spurs on top of their game but Harry isn't getting carried away
Harry Redknapp raised an eyebrow and sighed when asked if Tottenham could win the Barclays Premier League this season. [LNB]'It's difficult,' was the eventual reply, issued with a knowing smile in a tone that suggested the reporter in question really should know better. [LNB] Hat-trick hero: Jermain Defoe (right) celebrates with Robbie Keane and Aaron Lennon after his stunning treble at Hull on Wednesday night[LNB]We are still in August after all. Six points out of six and seven league goals may be an ideal start but the Spurs boss is too experienced to get carried away just yet. [LNB]Yet Tottenham, after a fine opening win against Liverpool and a demolition of Hull City, certainly look a different animal this season. [LNB]A sleeker, stronger beast; a side blessed with a flurry of attacking options, pace and power; quite unlike the team who failed to win any of their first eight league matches last time around. [LNB]But Redknapp, 62, reckons very little has changed. 'Our form from the day I came in was top five, top six all season,' he said. 'I think it has been a gradual process. We were playing like this last year, I felt.' [LNB]The progressive development at Spurs since Redknapp's arrival last October is something of which other clubs might want to take note. It is also the antithesis of what Redknapp was expected to do when he left Portsmouth for his supposed last hurrah at a 'big' club. [LNB]Pointing the way: Despite his team's five-star performance at Hull, Harry Redknapp isn't getting carried away[LNB]The Tottenham manager has spent an estimated £72million but, bar an £11m swoop for Sheffield United's Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton, he has bought only proven Premier League players. Competition for places is at a premium with £9m signing Peter Crouch and Russia forward Roman Pavlyuchenko yet to make the starting XI. [LNB]Redknapp has not introduced a 'booze ban', but does expect his athletes to be 'super fit' and will not tolerate players being photographed outside nightclubs in the small hours. [LNB]The fitness and conditioning coach, Sam Erith, is the same man who worked under Juande Ramos and his predecessor, Martin Jol, and the preseason programme did not have a dramatic overhaul. [LNB]The players still assemble at the club's training ground in Chigwell, Essex, at the same times they did under the past four managers.[LNB] Redknapp is simply not one for technical innovation, preferring to rely on his interpersonal skills and experience rather than a Phil Brown-esque earpiece. [LNB]Defender Ledley King, for instance, barely trains and rests his troublesome knee between games. 'He's everything he shouldn't be,' said Redknapp. 'He doesn't kick a ball all week. It makes you wonder. You have to eat the right foods, do this, do that, but he doesn't do anything.' [LNB] On a run: Spurs players are enjoying life under Redknapp[LNB]With no major international tournament to pre-occupy them during theclose season, Tottenham's players are reaping the rewards of theirsummer break. [LNB]Jermain Defoe, 26, has spent extra time inthe gym, working on his upper-body strength to allow him to holdplayers off and developing his explosive power and pace. [LNB]Hesaid: 'To be honest last year when I got injured (in January) I feltmaybe it was a blessing in disguise. I was out for 12 weeks and justfelt that I wanted to come back a lot stronger than I was before. [LNB]'I do a lot of work with Les Ferdinand in training and I speak to Wrighty (former Arsenal striker Ian Wright) a lot on the phone. I spoke to him the other day and he said, "You're playing in a good team, you know you are going to get chances. Just hit the target''.' [LNB]Redknapp described Defoe as 'almost unplayable' after his hat-trick at Hull on Wednesday, but his improvement is not just physical. [LNB]He is playing like a striker flushed with the success of scoring two goals in an England shirt against Holland nine days ago. [LNB]Defoe will be only too aware of the importance of impressing his international boss, Fabio Capello, in a World Cup year and his very English club manager undoubtedly will be willing to help him. [LNB]Redknapp might be wary of raising expectations after two games, but there is no denying the optimism around White Hart Lane. [LNB]Few would bet against Spurs improving on last year's eighth-place finish, even if talk of the Premier League title is still very much tongue-in-cheek.[LNB] Redknapp to the rescue! Harry set to offer David James escape to SpursDefoe is in the form of his life but Tottenham star fears getting droppedHull City 1 Tottenham 5: Deadly Defoe hits treble top to leave Harry droolingHarry's game: Redknapp will test Celtic's resolve to hang on to Scott BrownTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC
