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‘What is the point of changing a winning team?’ – Emmanuel Adebayor urges Harry Redknapp to stick with Tottenham’s best XI
The on-loan Manchester City striker believes consistency is important in selection, while his boss agrees that no game can be taken for granted if Spurs are to maintain title push
11 Jan 2012 14:43:00
By George Ankers
Getty Images
Emmanuel Adebayor has urged Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp to keep faith in fielding his strongest possible XI.
The Spurs boss has relied on a regular group of players, including the on-loan Manchester City striker, throughout most of the season, but injuries are starting to pile up at White Hart Lane.
The likes of William Gallas, Ledley King, Sandro and Scott Parker are all on the treatment table, leading some to suggest that Redknapp may need to give his first team more opportunity to rest.
“I know it's difficult for those who are not playing but if I am a manager and I have a winning team, what is the point of changing it?” Adebayor told the London Evening Standard.
“Everyone has their own opinion but if I'm a manager one day, I won't change a winning team.
“The best teams don't change several players at the end of the season. They buy one or two. You change if someone is injured but there is no point in changing players because you want to make everyone happy.
“In any society, not everyone can be happy, that is for sure. In a football club, some are happy, some are not.
“Those who are playing are happy with the manager and those who are not are unhappy with him. That's how it is.”
The Togolese forward also praised fellow first-team regular, Croatian playmaker Luka Modric, who he feels is among the best footballers with whom he has played.
“He is one of the best. He is very creative, intelligent and has fantastic technique and great dribbling ability,” Adebayor added.
“I'm enjoying playing alongside good players and Luka has a good personality, too, so it's perfect.”
Meanwhile, Redknapp himself implored his side need to stay level-headed as Tottenham look to push on for a Premier League title challenge.
Spurs are set to face table-toppers City on January 22 but must navigate fixtures against Everton on Wednesday and then Wolves before their trip to the Etihad Stadium, and the 64-year-old believes that his side cannot afford to focus too much on any one game.
“Every game is a big game,” he insisted to the club’s official website.
“You can't afford to slip up too often. You have to keep picking up points if you are going to stay up towards the top group.
“We're going great but we've got to continue. At the moment we're in good shape, but there is half a season left with lots of difficult games, tough away games.
“It will be hard but it's a great position to be in. We're all looking forward to the challenge.”
A win against the Toffees in Wednesday’s game in hand would see Spurs move to within three points of Roberto Mancini’s league leaders, and level with second-place Manchester United.
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The Spurs boss has relied on a regular group of players, including the on-loan Manchester City striker, throughout most of the season, but injuries are starting to pile up at White Hart Lane.
The likes of William Gallas, Ledley King, Sandro and Scott Parker are all on the treatment table, leading some to suggest that Redknapp may need to give his first team more opportunity to rest.
“I know it's difficult for those who are not playing but if I am a manager and I have a winning team, what is the point of changing it?” Adebayor told the London Evening Standard.
“Everyone has their own opinion but if I'm a manager one day, I won't change a winning team.
“The best teams don't change several players at the end of the season. They buy one or two. You change if someone is injured but there is no point in changing players because you want to make everyone happy.
“In any society, not everyone can be happy, that is for sure. In a football club, some are happy, some are not.
“Those who are playing are happy with the manager and those who are not are unhappy with him. That's how it is.”
The Togolese forward also praised fellow first-team regular, Croatian playmaker Luka Modric, who he feels is among the best footballers with whom he has played.
“He is one of the best. He is very creative, intelligent and has fantastic technique and great dribbling ability,” Adebayor added.
“I'm enjoying playing alongside good players and Luka has a good personality, too, so it's perfect.”
Meanwhile, Redknapp himself implored his side need to stay level-headed as Tottenham look to push on for a Premier League title challenge.
Spurs are set to face table-toppers City on January 22 but must navigate fixtures against Everton on Wednesday and then Wolves before their trip to the Etihad Stadium, and the 64-year-old believes that his side cannot afford to focus too much on any one game.
“Every game is a big game,” he insisted to the club’s official website.
“You can't afford to slip up too often. You have to keep picking up points if you are going to stay up towards the top group.
“We're going great but we've got to continue. At the moment we're in good shape, but there is half a season left with lots of difficult games, tough away games.
“It will be hard but it's a great position to be in. We're all looking forward to the challenge.”
A win against the Toffees in Wednesday’s game in hand would see Spurs move to within three points of Roberto Mancini’s league leaders, and level with second-place Manchester United.
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