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Harry Redknapp defends decision to field weakened Tottenham side in Europa League defeat by PAOK
A 2-1 loss to the Greek side on Wednesday night leaves Spurs' chances of qualification hanging by a thread, but their manager is happy to focus efforts on the Premier League
Dec 1, 2011 7:24:00 AM
By George Ankers
Harry Redknapp has defended his decision to field a weakened Tottenham side in the Europa League after a 2-1 defeat by PAOK left their chances of reaching the last 32 severely weakened.
Scott Parker, Emmanuel Adebayor and Gareth Bale were among the absentees on Wednesday night, though Bale did later make a substitute appearance, as the Spurs manager made nine changes with one eye on keeping players fresh for the Premier League, although Luka Modric did start.
“It was a different team and it is hard when you make a lot of changes,” Redknapp told reporters.
“Look at what happened to Manchester United [who lost to Crystal Palace in the League Cup on Wednesday with a weakened side]. They lost. It happens all the time."
“We have been lucky so far and the important thing is that we have the players fresh for the Premier League at the weekend.
Redknapp has been clear throughout the competition that the Europa League is his second priority behind domestic affairs, with young Spurs stars including the likes of Harry Kane and Danny Rose being given opportunities to shine in continental matches.
The squad rotation policy has paid dividends in the Premier League, with Tottenham currently in third place, two points behind Manchester United with a game in hand.
“We have changed the team in this competition and that is why we have done so well in the league, where we have won nine and drawn one in our last 10 game," he said.
“If we had Roman Pavlyuchenko and Giovani Dos Santos fit, we would not have played Luka Modric, Jermain Defoe or Aaron Lennon.”
However, if they are now to qualify for the next stage of the Europa League, the north London side will need to defeat Shamrock Rovers by five goals in their final group game and hope that PAOK spring another surprise by upending Rubin Kazan.
Scott Parker, Emmanuel Adebayor and Gareth Bale were among the absentees on Wednesday night, though Bale did later make a substitute appearance, as the Spurs manager made nine changes with one eye on keeping players fresh for the Premier League, although Luka Modric did start.
“It was a different team and it is hard when you make a lot of changes,” Redknapp told reporters.
“Look at what happened to Manchester United [who lost to Crystal Palace in the League Cup on Wednesday with a weakened side]. They lost. It happens all the time."
“We have been lucky so far and the important thing is that we have the players fresh for the Premier League at the weekend.
Redknapp has been clear throughout the competition that the Europa League is his second priority behind domestic affairs, with young Spurs stars including the likes of Harry Kane and Danny Rose being given opportunities to shine in continental matches.
The squad rotation policy has paid dividends in the Premier League, with Tottenham currently in third place, two points behind Manchester United with a game in hand.
“We have changed the team in this competition and that is why we have done so well in the league, where we have won nine and drawn one in our last 10 game," he said.
“If we had Roman Pavlyuchenko and Giovani Dos Santos fit, we would not have played Luka Modric, Jermain Defoe or Aaron Lennon.”
However, if they are now to qualify for the next stage of the Europa League, the north London side will need to defeat Shamrock Rovers by five goals in their final group game and hope that PAOK spring another surprise by upending Rubin Kazan.
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