Redknapp cool on cup run
02 Jan 2009 - 07:47:15
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted he has little appetite for defending the trophy he won last year ahead of Friday's FA Cup third round meeting with Wigan Athletic.
Redknapp led former club Portsmouth to glory at Wembley last May, but with Spurs battling against relegation from the Premier League while still being involved in the Carling and UEFA Cups, the experienced manager fears his players already have enough on their plates.
Speaking ahead of the visit of the Latics, he said: "We're at home and have to try to win it - the last thing anyone wants is a replay.
"We've got so many games coming up that I don't know where we'd fit a replay in. It's the one thing I don't want, so we've got to go all out to win it if we can.
"I hate to say that we could do without it because I've always put my best teams out and had a go.
"I'd rather have a run in this than the UEFA Cup - there are so many games left in that.
"For me the Carling Cup is very important but the most important thing is the league."
Skipper Ledley King will be rested while midfielder Jermaine Jenas is a major doubt with a calf knock.
Elsewhere, left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto is suspended following his red card in last weekend's defeat at West Bromwich Albion.