Source: Daily_Mail
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp vows to learn from Young Boys debacle
Harry Redknapp is ready to adopt a safety-first approach to his and Tottenham's maiden Champions League campaign following their qualifying scare against Young Boys. [LNB]Spurs suffered a humiliating half hour in the first leg of last month's play-off tie in Bern after Redknapp gambled on an attacking formation. [LNB] Hrash lesson: Tottenham Manager Harry Redknapp[LNB]But the 63-year-old, who is managing in the competition for the first time, has vowed not to make the same mistake twice when they travel to Werder Bremen next week for their Group A opener. [LNB] "I am not going to go away from home and play 4-4-2 as you will get opened up," said Redknapp, who watched his side fall 3-0 behind to Young Boys at the Stade de Suisse before fighting back to win the tie 6-3. [LNB] "We go to Germany and they play with a diamond, and so they will have four players in the middle of the park. [LNB] "We have two in there and will run around chasing shadows as they pop it around. So we will have to look at that." [LNB] He added: "At home, I am 90% certain I will play with two strikers. But away from home, it will be different." [LNB] The signing of Rafael van der Vaart gives Redknapp licence to experiment with playing one up front, with the Holland midfielder preferring to play in the hole. [LNB]"He can play in behind one striker, two strikers, if you want to play that way, or if you want to play a diamond," said Redknapp. [LNB] Wise head: Peter Crouch scores in the victory over Young Boys at White Hart Lane[LNB]A five-man midfield could see Van der Vaart paired with Luka Modric, something the Dutchman believes will work well. [LNB]"He is a great player," Van der Vaart said. [LNB] "I always like to play with good footballers. He plays a little bit the Dutch way, good technique, he is fast and I think it is going to fit well." [LNB]It is no accident that all of Redknapp's summer signings have either played in the Champions League or - in Sandro's case - its' South American equivalent. [LNB]And despite having only just joined Spurs, Van der Vaart is ready to assume a leadership role in Europe. [LNB] He said: "I have a lot of experience in the Champions League. [LNB] "I have played with Ajax in the Champions League, Hamburg and Madrid. [LNB]"I hope that I can help the team and I'm sure I can." [LNB]With Jermain Defoe out injured for around three months, Redknapp must decide which of Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane and Roman Pavyluchenko will spearhead his side's European assault. [LNB]Crouch would appear the natural choice but the Spurs boss insists Keane and Pavyluchenko are also up to the job. [LNB] Indeed Redknapp is ready to rotate, citing the injuries sustained by Defoe and Michael Dawson as evidence of the importance of having strength in depth. [LNB]"We need a squad this year," he said. [LNB] "It is amazing how quickly you can pick up injuries. We lost two players this week. [LNB]"I have been in this situation before. At Portsmouth, we had four centre-backs and, within 10 days, lost all four for a month. It can happen." [LNB]Bremen appear to be proving Redknapp's point, with the German side suffering injuries to first-choice defenders Per Mertesacker and Naldo. [LNB]That will boost Spurs' hopes of making a flying start to Group A but Redknapp is taking nothing for granted ahead of Tuesday night's game. [LNB]He said: "I will take four points from the opening two games now, without doubt. [LNB]"The German side will be tough. They are a good team." [LNB] [LNB]
