Harry Redknapp Relegation at South
Tipster
Harry Redknapp: An Exclusive Interview
Monday May 09 2005
By
The Saints boss talks us through Sunday's vital Premiership fixtures
but tells us he has a 'gut feeling' that they will survive. He also
p***es himself laughing at the idea that all this might be fun...
How do you rate Southampton's chances of beating the drop?
"While we're in a position to retain our place in the Premier League I
won't stop believing we can stay up until the very last kick of the
match on Sunday. If I was to be honest, I think we have done incredibly
well to go into the last match with a fighting chance of survival.
"A few weeks ago I thought we were dead and buried. Following the 4-1
defeat at Portsmouth I felt it would be incredibly difficult to lift
the spirit of the players going into the must-win game against Norwich.
But somehow the players managed to surpise me.
"I couldn't afford to be negative after the match at Portsmouth because
if I was down about it, who was going to lift the players? But we went
into training the following week and by the time the game came around
against Norwich I was convinced we would survive another week. That
said it was extremely close. A draw or defeat would have left us in a
perilous position but we won and lived to fight another day."
The players have certainly shown plenty of character over the last two
games...
"Well they had to. A defeat in either of the games against Norwich or
Palace and that would have been the end of it. I said before the match
at Selhurst Park that a draw would do neither side a favour and I still
believe the result hasn't helped either of us...But I'll take the
lifeline that 90th-minute goal has given us at Palace, for sure.
"In an ideal world I didn't want to be going into the match against
Manchester United having to rely on other results to keep us up. As it
is we have to make sure we win and hope Norwich, Palace and West Brom
don't."
You said all along it was three from four teams...
"To be honest I couldn't see any of the other teams outside of those
four being drawn into it. There were times when it looked like someone
might be dragged into the relegation battle but let's be honest, it's
been about these four clubs for a considerable amount of time."
Are you enjoying youself at the moment?
"Are you having a laugh or something? You talk to David Moyes about
enjoying being in a relegation battle and ask him how he feels after
this season when Everton have just qualified of the Champions League.
David wil tell you he was going home after another defeat on a Saturday
last season feeling as miserable as hell.
"I'm no different - there's no fun being involved in a relegation
battle, it does your head in. It's difficult to sleep without worrying
about things and all manner of things are knocking around in your mind.
No, you get far more satisfaction from winning and I would far rather
be talking and Southampton being safe than talking about what might and
might not happen on Sunday."
While you have home advantage, you look to have the more difficult
game?
"Well people will go on about what Manchester United side turn up
because they have the FA Cup final the following week. But let me tell
you, whatever Manchester United side turn up it's going to be a
difficult match for us. I just hope the fans, who have been terrfic,
really get behind us.
"It's not going to be an easy game and it's been made harder by the
fact that we have lost Peter Crouch after he got sent off at Palace -
that is a big blow. All I do know is I have total faith in the team
that goes out there. They know what's at stake and if they can't get
motivated for that what can they get motivated for?
"It comes down to 90 minutes of football to determine whether we are
playing in the Premier League or are relegated. There is a lot at
stake."
How do you see the other games going?
"All of them are hard to call. I don't believe you can go into the game
expecting favours from someone else. Norwich know if they win at Fulham
it's all over for all of us and they are in the driving seat. That
said, Fulham are playing extremely well at the moment so it won't be
easy for them. Palace are playing Charlton and that could go either
way. It's a London derby but Charlton wil be favourites with home
advantage. As for West Brom, well they will fancy turning over
Portsmouth, but it won't be easy for them. All sorts of factors come
into play in the final game and with so much at stake it's easy to
effect the nerves."
What is the underlying problem for all four teams and why they find
themselves where they are?
"It's simple really. All four teams are capable of scoring goals but
they concede far too many and that has been the fundemental problem all
season. All four teams seem incapable of keeping a clean sheet. I feel
like we have to score three or four goals to have a chance of wining
matches and that says everything about us."
If you were a betting man would you put your money on Southampton
surviving?
"Call it fate or whatever but I have this feeling that we will survive.
Believe me, I have to think like that, but I have a gut feeling that
come Sunday we will still be in the Premier League."
If you do go down, will you leave?
"I have said on numerous occasions in the past that I have an 18-month
contract and I intend to see it out. If we stay up, there is work to be
done and if we go down we have to take stock of the situation and
bounce back immediately."