Upbeat Redknapp sounds cautious note

Harry Redknapp
12 April 2012

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was left to reflect on a good week after his side remained ahead in the race for fourth place with a 2-0 win over bottom club Portsmouth at White Hart Lane - but he warned there will no easy ride into the Champions League.

Spurs recovered after a slow start to take the lead when former Pompey striker Peter Crouch nodded in a deep cross from Gareth Bale before Nico Kranjcar, another Fratton Park old boy, netted from close range five minutes before the break.

"It has been a good week," said Redknapp. "We are on a terrific run, that is five league wins on the spin now, which has kept us right in the race for fourth spot and we are in good form.

"Villa now have it all do after their result at Chelsea (a 7-1 loss), which is a massive setback, but Liverpool have got a fantastic run-in and you cannot see them dropping many points.

"But you never know. There are no easy games this time of season and everyone is scrapping for points for all sorts of reasons."

Pompey boss Avram Grant was left to reflect on another afternoon of misfortune in what has been a season to forget - but hailed the spirit of his players ahead of the FA Cup semi final against Spurs in a fortnight's time.

"It looks like we have a problem for the semi-final, because at the moment we only have 10 fit players, but we need to wait and see," said the Israeli, who lost Hermann Hreidarsson to suspected snapped Achilles, while Danny Webber and England keeper David James suffered respective knee and calf problems

"But we are not going to give up and will continue to keep fighting despite everything. We are trying to be professional and keep the spirit of the game, to play with pride for the supporters.

"I am very, very proud of the boys. We came here short of players, with guys out of position, and played well.

"Here, Tottenham played for something, we just played for the spirit of football - but at Wembley, everyone will be playing to get into the final."

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