Redknapp struggling to keep everyone content
TOTTENHAM vs PAOK SALONIKA
TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has confessed he is struggling to find a solution to keeping the fringe members of his squad content.
The likes of Vedran Corluka, Heurelho Gomes, Sebastien Bassong and Roman Pavlyuchenko, who are in contention to start against PAOK Salonika tonight, have all recently voiced their discontent at being limited to Europa League action. The scramble for first team places is only likely to intensify once long-term injury victims Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson return to action in January, but Redknapp insists maintaining a large squad is the only way he will be able to mount a challenge both at home and in Europe.
“It’s difficult because the players want to play. You won’t keep them happy [if they’re not]. You just hope you can convince them [to stay],” said Redknapp, whose side slipped to third in Group A following defeat against Rubin Kazan earlier this month .
“We need them. We’re going to need a big squad and unless you can get a replacement, you can’t afford to let people go. We need that strength in depth, especially if we stay in the Europa League.”