Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits he would love to win FA Cup

01 January 2010 14:40
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists the FA Cup is important to him this season but is still preparing to make changes to his starting XI for the clash against Peterborough.[LNB]Spurs start 2010 in fourth place in the Premier League and with their best chance of breaking into the Champions League since 2006, and staying in the hunt for a place in Europe's top competition remains the priority.[LNB]With that in mind, Redknapp looks set to field some of his fringe players against Posh, including the likes of Alan Hutton, Gareth Bale and Giovani dos Santos.[LNB] Up for the cup: Redknapp[LNB]Even Roman Pavlyuchenko has a chance as Jermain Defoe has been carrying a knock to his foot.[LNB]'It's very important, it's a big game and we want to keep winning,' Redknapp said.[LNB]'I'll make a few changes and one or two of the lads that haven't played recently will get a game because they have worked hard.[LNB]'Those that come in will be ready to play, I'm sure. Hopefully we can turn in another terrific performance. We've been in great form.'[LNB]Although they have not won the trophy since 1991, Spurs have pedigree in the FA Cup and Redknapp himself was a winner with Portsmouth two seasons ago.[LNB]Redknapp also enjoyed famous victories over Manchester United in the cup while at Bournemouth, West Ham and Pompey, but there is a different focus this season as Spurs have a real chance of breaking the monopoly at the top of the league.[LNB]'Obviously it's going to be difficult to finish in the top four, I've said that from day one, but that is the ambition,' he said.[LNB] Happy days: Spurs last won the FA Cup under Terry Venables in 1991[LNB]'We have to try and believe we have a chance of doing it. It's not going to be easy, there are top teams up there like Liverpool, Villa and Man City.[LNB]'Arsenal are in great form and Man United and Chelsea are certs to be there. We'll give it our best shot.'[LNB]Redknapp is wary of an upset against Peterborough after his playing career at West Ham.[LNB]'We had some real nightmares at West Ham,' he said. 'I remember going to Hereford and scraping through when they were a non-league team.[LNB]'It was the year they famously beat Newcastle with that Ronnie Radford goal and that win really took the whole country by storm. We ended up winning 3-1 in a replay.[LNB]'We also lost to Mansfield. They were in the old Fourth Division and we went there for a fourth-round tie (in February 1969).[LNB]'We had Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst, Trevor Brooking and Billy Bonds and we got beaten 3-0. It's safe to say it's a competition like no other![LNB]'They are all tough games and Peterborough will be the same. There are no easy games in the FA Cup, that's for sure.'[LNB] Spurs on brink of wrapping up £6.5m swoop for Brazilian midfielder SandroSunderland set to take a chance on £4m Tottenham misfit Alan HuttonTOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC

Source: Daily_Mail