Wednesday was a very good day for Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp after his side won 3-1 at Leeds in their FA Cup fourth round replay to earn a trip to Bolton in the next round.
And, just a few hours before that victory at Elland Road, Redknapp’s race horse – the aptly named ‘Arry’s Orse’ was in the winners’ enclosure at Lingfield. A
Now Harry is turning his attention to a crucial Premier League clash with Aston Villa this weekend – a game that could have a major bearing on the two side’s top four credentials this season.
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Redknapp press conference post Leeds clash >
Q: Not a bad day for you all round on Wednesday?
A: Yes, the most important thing was the team winning but the horse won in the afternoon at Lingfield, so it was all good.
Q: How did you get round to naming the horse 'Arry's Orse?
A: The trainer Brian Smart asked me to name it and my dad, who’s not with us now, always used to say, ‘right or wrong’ so we were going to call it that.
But Brian told me his kids keep coming up to him and saying ‘can we go to the stables and see Arry’s Orse’ - so can we call him that? I said I don’t care what you call it really as long as it can run fast.
Q: It seemed like a great atmosphere in Leeds in midweek?
A: It was a proper cup tie and they (Leeds) had a real go.
Going to Elland Road, the snow was coming down and the place was absolutely jumping – it had the feel of a real cup tie. Before the game I heard one of the TV people saying these ‘southern softies won’t fancy it here’ and I knew my boys had to do the business – and I was pleased how they went about it.
Q: There seems to be much more resilience about Spurs now?
A: Yes, we’ve got some good competitors. I left Palacios out, I gave him and rest and he’s a great competitor and Modric is another good player I was able to rest for the weekend.
Players like Dawson, Bassong or King, whoever I play at the back, they give everything and we look a decent team. I think we’ll be bang up there in the running for the top four, whether we can quite make it this year I’m not sure, but we’ll give it a good go.
Q: You must be pleased with the recent form of David Bentley?
A: He’s done ever so well. He’s always had the talent from his early days at Arsenal and when I used to watch him on-loan at Norwich and obviously after that at Blackburn.
But he lost his way a bit and his head went down, he probably felt a bit sorry for himself when he wasn’t playing because he felt he should have been playing. But he’s come back and played the last few games, he’s worked hard and has great ability.
When he plays like that he’s a really good player for us. And on top of that I think he’s a bit misunderstood – he’s a nice lad.
Q: What are your thoughts ahead of the Villa game?
A: It’s a big one. I think they are going to be right there at the end of the season – they’re a team in form as well.
They’ve got good players, good attacking options. Martin made some good signings in the summer with Richard Dunne and Danny Collins at the back, as well as Stephen Warnock. But if we can win on Saturday it pushes us a few points clear of them.
