Burnley (1) Tottenham (4):HARRY REDKNAPP has told David Bentley he expects the midfielder to apply himself more rigorously, as the Tottenham Hotspur manager expressed frustration at having to tread carefully around players' egos and sensitivities.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Portsmouth at White Hart Lane, Redknapp castigated Darren Bent for missing an opportunity that might have brought victory, saying even his wife could have scored the close-range header. The comment did not go down well with the striker, but Redknapp is unapologetic.
“You keep pussy-footing about with people,” said Redknapp, “but what am I supposed to say? ‘It was a really good try, he was really unlucky, he’s done his best with that one?’ He might have been upset at what I said but I honestly wasn’t trying to knock Darren Bent; if it had been Jermain Defoe I’d have said the same thing. I don’t regret saying it. Don’t be so precious, d’you know what I mean?”
Redknapp will start with Bentley tonight at Burnley in the English League Cup semi-final second leg for the first time since the 24-year-old was substituted at half-time in the first meeting two weeks ago, with Spurs a goal down.
A second-half recovery brought a 4-1 win and Redknapp later said that Bentley “didn’t feel well, apparently”.
The midfielder was praised, however, for a cameo appearance as a substitute against Portsmouth – it was from his inviting cross that Bent somehow headed wide.
“David wasn’t working as hard as he has done in the past,” said Redknapp. “I told him straight, I told him what I thought of him and his performances. He took it well. I could see with my own eyes that he wasn’t doing what he was at (his former club) Blackburn. But now I think he’ll get back to that. I think you’ll see a different boy. If we can get him going we can have a terrific player again.”
Roman Pavlyuchenko is fit, despite being carried off on Sunday with an ankle injury, and the manager will pitch the 22-year-old goalkeeper Ben Alnwick into the fray for his Tottenham debut. Heurelho Gomes has a thigh injury.
Redknapp has grave reservations about the strength of his squad. He wants to add cover at right-back, as he would like to send the 19-year-old Chris Gunter out on loan to gain first-team experience, and also in attack, having shown an interest in Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones, Internazionale’s Adriano and Craig Bellamy, who has joined Manchester City from West Ham United.
Redknapp dropped his interest in Bellamy when it became clear that City were in the market, on the proviso that City did likewise in their pursuit of Wilson Palacios. The Honduran international spent yesterday in London applying the finishing touches to his move.
“We need to improve the squad and that’s why I wanted Palacios,” said Redknapp, “because I think he will come in here and get after it.
“That is why I wanted to bring in Bellamy, because of what he could give us in the dressingroom and on the pitch for those that are not doing it. I’ve spoken to people who have played against Palacios, like Frank Lampard, and no one has had an easy game against him. He’s after you all the time.”
With his squad still being shaped, Redknapp will send out his strongest side possible against Burnley.
Gomes (thigh), Ledley King (hamstring), Vedran Corluka (thigh), Aaron Lennon (groin) and Jermaine Jenas (calf) are on the sidelines with Alan Hutton (foot).
Only Jonathan Woodgate and Didier Zokora remain from the starting XI that faced Chelsea in the final last season.
Burnley manager Owen Coyle has urged his players to enjoy the match, and is confident they can win the match, even if the tie appears beyond them.
“I want the players to enjoy themselves and give the fans a victory for the terrific support they’ve given us this season.
“We have raised the bar for everybody in terms of expectation and we know we have the ingredients to make this club talked about.
“Let’s go out and enjoy it – the game is live to the nation – so let’s show what we can do.”
He is without skipper Steven Caldwell (suspended) and striker Steve Thompson (cup-tied).
-Guardian Service
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (probable, 4-5-1) Alnwick; Gunter, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto; Bentley, Zokora, Huddlestone, O’Hara, Bale; Pavlyuchenko.
BURNLEY (probable, 4-3-3) Jensen; Alexander, Duff, Carlisle, Jordan; Elliott, McCann, Gudjonsson; Eagles, Blake, Paterson.
