Agreed. Enjoyed the honesty, it's not often managers speak openly about other teams/fixtures even though we all know they are thinking about it.
TEAM NEWS Queens Park Rangers will assess Esteban Granero, who was forced off last weekend because of a tight hamstring. Junior Hoilett is nursing a similar problem, but new signing Tal Ben Haim may make his league debut for the club. Tottenham have Emmanuel Adebayor available for the last time before the Togo striker departs for the Africa Cup of Nations. Spurs have no fresh fitness concerns, but William Gallas remains sidelined by a calf complaint. MATCH PREVIEW As much attention will probably be paid to the two managers on Saturday as the players. Although Harry Redknapp has been unable to say much about his departure from Tottenham, I think it still rankles with him. He would surely get particular satisfaction out of seeing his QPR team getting a result against his former employers, now led by Andre Villas-Boas. This really is a clash between two very different personalities. Villas-Boas is famed for his meticulous scouting and preparation but is still desperate to prove himself after a chastening experience at Chelsea. Conversely, Redknapp has taken charge of over 1,200 games, and is very much from the old school of management - he believes modern coaches risk "baffling" players with hefty pre-match dossiers. Villas-Boas is gradually winning over the Spurs fans but it will still be fascinating to see what kind of reception his predecessor gets from the visiting supporters at Loftus Road. This will be Emmanuel Adebayor's last match before he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations, but I would be surprised if Spurs bring in more reinforcements before the transfer window shuts. Deals for Zeki Fryers and Lewis Holtby have already been agreed, and with players like Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Scott Parker back to fitness, the Tottenham squad is looking very strong. In fact, right now Spurs probably have as good a substitutes' bench as any Premier League side. Queens Park Rangers have already picked up free agent Tal Ben Haim but more defensive cover is needed, especially with Ryan Nelsen set to leave the club to coach MLS side Toronto. Centre-back has been a bit of a problem area for Rangers, which explains why the club are interested in signing West Brom stalwart Jonas Olsson. From now on, QPR must treat every game like a cup final. Despite their surprise win at Stamford Bridge they are still five points from safety. They kept only their third Premier League clean sheet against Chelsea, and free-scoring Spurs will be a real threat - they are the only top-flight side to have scored in every away game this season. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Tottenham have only won one of their five previous Premier League games away at Queens Park Rangers (D1, L3). Spurs' last victory at Loftus Road was a 3-2 win on 25 September 1995, when Teddy Sheringham scored twice for the visitors. Rangers were relegated at the end of that season. Queens Park Rangers Victory would give Rangers back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since December 1995, when they beat Bolton and then Aston Villa. Shaun Wright-Phillips' goal against Chelsea was his first in the league since 9 May 2010. Prior to scoring he had attempted 42 shots at goal in 2012, more than any other Premier League player. Rangers have kept three clean sheets in 21 league games this season, two of which came against Chelsea. They have failed to record a shut-out in nine league games at Loftus Road since their 0-0 draw with Chelsea on 15 September. Harry Redknapp won 49% of his league games in charge of Tottenham (P144, W71, D37, L36). Andre Villas-Boas (57%) is the only Spurs boss with a better Premier League record. Rangers have scored 35% of their league goals from shots outside the penalty area this season, more than any other top-flight side. Defeat would be QPR's 100th loss in the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur Spurs have won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions (W9, D1, L1). They are the only Premier League team to score in every away game this season. Tottenham have scored 12 league and cup goals in four games since Christmas, conceding only twice. Gylfi Sigurdsson could make his 100th league appearance in English football.
You have just come off the back of an away win at Stamford Bridge though mate, you guys will be buzzing and no doubt Harry will really want to win this one but we've been in great form and naturally I'm always looking for a Spurs win, though I'll take a draw. Should be a good game.
I think it's a game where we could very easily slip-up. On paper, we shouldn't have too much trouble against QPR - It's a shame that game will be played on grass though!
A young arry getting a grilling from a "knowledgeable" west ham fan [video=youtube;ctWS52IA_JY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctWS52IA_JY&feature=player_embedded#at=129[/video]
Heres another, good banter from Arry about a couple of transfers [video=youtube;xDEWsaSlC58]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDEWsaSlC58&feature=player_embedded#![/video]
Yes. But I think not worrying is bad luck. Along with being superstitious. Really, the chances of the underdog getting a result in any PL game are pretty damn decent. Our record of one win, one draw and three losses away to you is a good example.
I'm not surprised you said that. Harry's not a real tactician. What older British Manager is though? (Other than Fergie of course but he's just on a different level) Their strengths lie in motivation and getting the players into a mindset so that they're happy to "just go out and play". These continental coaches are all about tactics. AVB's man management seemed suspect at Chelsea so hopefully he's improved that side of his game. Looking forward to it tomorrow lads!
You're coming off a big win, we're on a good run. Great manager vs. manager subplot. Harry really has to want this one, AVB just got manager of the month and can't want to lose to Redknapp. Should be exciting (though I'd like a nice, dull, win...)
Another London derby and posters think that they can predict a score,I know that I can't because these matches throw up a lot of surprises. They went ahead at WHL and we came to win a very nervy match very closely. Both teams' form has moved on since then so if we score first I'll go for a narrow Spurs win but I wish I could post that with more confidence. I'm looking forward to this delicious match and I'm also looking forward now to every match we play. Thank you AVB,you've given me and I think all of us quite a lot of hope.
Its good to hear you talk like that. Early on in the season it looked a bit shaky for him.I'd love for us to be talking like that about our team again. But the very nature of the game means for one team to succeed another must fail. I think this could be a decent game tomorrow. Oh and AVB said the game at LR was the beginning of the end for him at Chelsea so no doubt he'll want to exorcise those demons.
We're not Spuds, we're Spurs. Harry's analysis of Frank is superb by the way. I hope Daws and Dempsey play today.
