Redknapp playing it safe - 7M sport

Redknapp playing it safe



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Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by PA

Harry Redknapp fears Tottenham will suffer the kind of mauling England endured at the hands of Germany if he goes gung-ho in his side's Champions League Group A opener at Werder Bremen on Tuesday night.

Spurs boss Redknapp is ready to play it safe away from home during what is his side's debut season in the competition by fielding a lone striker and a five-man midfield at the Weserstadion.

Redknapp got his fingers burnt using 4-4-2 in the play-off first leg at Young Boys last month, with the Swiss side racing to a 3-0 lead inside 28 minutes.

And he believes the visitors could be in for the kind of beating England took by Germany at the World Cup if he does not bolster his midfield on Tuesday.

"At times, especially in Europe, it's difficult to go away from home and play 4-4-2," he said.

"We did it last year in the Premier League. We went to Man City late in the season when we needed that vital result to get where we are today.

"But I think it is more difficult the way they (Bremen) play. If they overload midfield, you'll get outnumbered.

"If you play 4-4-2, you've got a problem in the middle of the park.

"It'll be very difficult; you'll get overrun, a little bit like England did against Germany."

Redknapp experimented with a five-man midfield in Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at West Brom, using Luka Modric and new signing Rafael van der Vaart in behind Roman Pavyluchenko.

But he will almost certainly have to break up that partnership on Tuesday, with Modric likely to be ruled out with a leg injury.

Captain Ledley King returns after being rested for Saturday's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at West Brom.

Tuesday could see William Gallas, who made the controversial decision to cross the north London divide last month, face his former Arsenal team-mate Mikael Silvestre.

Silvestre left the Emirates when his contract expired during the summer amid reports his frustration at a lack of game time had boiled over.

The 33-year-old sidestepped questions about whether there was any lingering resentment over his departure.

"There must be a reason why Sol Campbell, William Gallas and myself all left the club," he said.

"But it's not the place to discuss that.

"I'm just happy for Arsenal to continue the way they do.

"I still watch their results and some highlights because I care about my (former) team-mates and the staff.

"I had a good time over there, so I'm not going to complain.

"Now I'm focusing on Werder 100%."



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