One way or another, it was always going to be a busy summer for Harry Redknapp. On the 8th of February 2012, following Fabio Capellos controversial England resignation, Redknapp, relieved after being found not guilty in a recent court case for tax evasion, was media and fans favourite. Meanwhile his Tottenham team were playing the best football in the league according to Alex Ferguson, their quick andenergeticstyle of play had established them as challengers for the title,albeitoutsiders in the all-Manchester race. Those members of the media and fans alike speculated that Harrys summer would be spent in one of two ways; either leading out the Three Lions into the European Championships or leading the Lilywhites into the Champions League at the expense of Chelsea and Liverpool, but perhaps most importantly of all, ahead of their North London rivals Arsenal.How wrong we all were. We should have known, Spurs never seem to make easy for themselves. Last Saturdays final was thrilling enough without the added subplot that accomapnied Chelseas victory; Drogbas winning penalty took the Holy Grail of European football, Champions League qualification, away from Tottenhams grasp. To Mark Letestu Jersey their fans it will feel like relegation, and the potential exodus of players mirrors thescenariofor most clubs who actually find themselves dropping divisionsSome may speculate, however, that the heartbreak for Harry Redknapp came a few weeks earlier, when David Bernstien shocked the media by giving West Bromich Albion manager Roy Hodgson the England job. Certainly the media circus around the future England manager was surmised to be the cause of the wheels falling off Tottenhams season, it disallusioned players, fans and Redknapp.As a matter of fact, the crucial moment in the North Londonrivalrycame two weeks after Capellos resignation; when Arsenal turned around a two goal deficit to nudge a door that seemed closed slightly ajar, and causing Tottenham tocrumble.Of the remaining twelve games in the league, Spurs won just four games, losing four along the way too. Even when Arsenal faltered on the penultimate weekend of the season, the Lilywhites could not capitilise. Ultimately, Tottenham simply did not have the mental strength. Yes, they were in a difficult circumstance, with an uncertain future and rivals desperate to rub their noses in it. But good clubs win in difficult conditions. Just look at Arsenal, who managed to grind out late wins against Newcastle and Liverpool. If it hadnt of been for those extra four points, the Gunners would have finished in 5th spot. They had the mental resolve, Tottenham didnt, and awkward questions have to asked of the players bearing in mind how close they were to glory.Similarly, questions have to be asked of Harry Redknapp. There is no denying that the work he has done for Tottenham during his four year tenure has been sensational, from a club bottom of the league with two point from eight games to one di sapointed by a 4th place finish in the League. However, often his tactics put Tottenham isjeopardy. One of the trademarks of Harry Redknapp is to field a similar team throughout the course of the season. The likes of Walker, Bale, A sou-Ekotto and Modric all played over 40 games throughout the coarse of their club season, with added international challenges in between breaks. Friedal, Adebayor and Parker each player over 35 games this season too. Although such a system gives his players confidence and allows for trust between himself and his playingpersonnel, there is always the risk of end of season burnout, whereby players simply run out of energy and ideas. Certainly towards the end of the season Spurs play, lightening quick at the start of the season, slowed down considerably, and players like Modric, Van der Vaart and even the awe inspiring Gareth Bale seemed out of ideas. It also creates a bad atmosphere amognst the dre sing room, with the likes of Pavlychenko, Corluka, Kranjcar and Sandro, all important players last season, failing to gain any chances to immerse themselves back into the side.One decision I will never understand is why Harry Redknapp seemingly refused to play Jermain Defoe from the start towards the end of the season. There is no doubting that the signing of Adebayor and Saha were both superb, but Defoes goals to minutes total eclipsed both of theirs, averaging a goal every 133 minutes that he played in all competitions, despite having to grab goals from the bench on most occa sions. Following that Arsenal defeat Adebayor seemed to be lacking in confidence and the energy that he had earlier on in the season, and Saha, although a superb player when injury free, struggles with this aspect of his game and at his age will no longer be capable of completing 90 minutes regularly. Defoe was often energetic, pacey and more than capable of snapping up a good opportunity in the penalty area. It seemed a no brainer, but Harry stuck with what he had and it cost Spurs.Equally questionable was his use of Gareth Bale in a central role. For much of the 2010/2011 season, when Bale claimed the PFA Player of the Year, his game was all about sticking to the touchline, taking on and beating the fall back in order to either drill it acro s goal or get to the bi-line. His hattrick against Inter Milan was a case study in this style of play. However, this season Bale was much more willing to come into the middle of the park, most profitably at Carrow Road in January when he bagged two goals. But this is not Bales natural position, and Spurs lacked width. Take the match against QPR as an example. Tottenham desperately needed a win with their seasonunravelingin frontof their eyes. With ten minutes to go they were a goal down against a 10 man QPR side who at this stage in the season were unlikely to remain in the division. Despite the chants from Tottenham fans of He plays on the left! Redknapp continued to deploy Bale in the middle, which caused overcongestion and a severe lack of width, costing three points which could have pushed them above Arsenal overall.What happens from here on in is key. Redknapp is a master of pursuation, and a wheeler dealer in the transfer market. His acquisitions as Tottenham manager have frequently been worthy of Alex Ferguson in the transfer windows, and he has managed to a sociate his club with a higher caliber of player. Jan Vertonghen, the Ajax defender, looks to be a good acquisition, his form for the Dutch club this term has been admirable and he is the type of solid center back that Spurs have not had since the days that Ledly King could keep himself fit for a season.Meanwhile, the links to long standing target Loic Remy willexcitethe Tottenham faithful. He is another powerful player, of the same variety of Emmanuel Adebayor, but also flexible in terms Andrew Ference Jersey of position with a large potential. Remy would add an extradimensionto the Spurs side. A very worthwile piece of buisine s has been the quick movement in addre sing the future of Emmanuel Adebayor, who now seems willing to stay for the long term.This summer seems to be focused on outgoings, and the ability of Redknapp and Daniel Levy to keep key players at the Lane will be tested to the limit, as will the players loyalty. During last years transfer saga Spurs clung onto Luka Modric by the skin on their teeth in the wake of interest from Chelsea. If the Champions of Europe were to come knocking again, Levy and Redknapp would have to yield, in what is proving to be a saga mirroring that of Dimitar Berbatov. At the moment almost every club in England is looking for a creative player like Modric, and the Croation has the ability to be a priced a set for either of the Manchester teams or Chelsea.Tottenham may well have to let go of Gareth Bale in the summer, with brilliant Barcelona favourites to grab his signature. It goes without saying that, despite falling short in La Liga, Catalonia is the place to be this season, Tito Valinovas Barca has both the funds and reputation toattractBale, who may prove perfect in the left back role left vacant by Eric Abidals tragic retirement. The Welshman could play a similar role to Daniel Alves on the other side of the pitch, bombing forward down the line to provide some width and pace to the team. At the moment it seems only a miracle would stop Spurs from surrendering their two prized a sets should the money makers come calling this summer.Other, minority, players may well also be questioning their place in the Tottenham hierachy. Jermain Defoe has every right to be furious at the lack of opportunities in the first team, and despite being a long standing player for the Whites, should look to over clubs in order to start matches and prolong his England career. Niko Krancjar who almost moved in the January transfer window and Vedran Corluka has voiced his concerns and seems likely to remain at Bayern Leverkusen, where he spent half of the season on loan.The future of everpresent Benoit A sou-Ekotto is also in doubt, which would be a mi s bearing in mind the appearances he has made this season and some of the pre s citing him as the left back of the season, despite Leighton Baines superb form. The left back is in the unusual position of having little loyalty to the club who pay his wages, and even to the game of football itself. He has even admitted that he is not particularly fond of the game, and only plays for money. Obviously there is nothing wrong with seeking money in a career,we all do it, but the lack of pa sion and commitment to his owrk would have us all fired from our jobs, or kicked out of school/college etc. A sou-Ekotto has voiced the opinion that the Champions League is the be all and end all for him, and if he does not get it he will have to look elsewhere. A question for Spurs fans; despite his ability, is this the sort of player you want at your club?How Redknapp deals with these i sues will prove crucial in judging his time at Spurs, which may prove to be the last job in a long managerial career. If Harry wanted to go out and seek replacement to those outgoing he would have the funds to buy them but also the club reputation to attract most players, even if they do not have the attraction of Champions League football. On the other hand, there are young players coming through to encourage Harry that this is not the end of the line as far as the Spurs project goes. Sandro is the midfield is young and very capable of breaking up the play, whilst Jake Livermores experience this season could prove to be invaluable whilst Danny Rose seems the most likely man to replace A sou-Ekotto.Mi sing out on the Champions League will be gut renching for all Spurs fans, especially the manner in which they threw it away, even though their place was denied by factors outside of their control. It goes without saying that players will now be looking around at options in the wake of thechoirthat is the Europa League, but even if Harry Redknapps season can be questioned, there are few better than him in the transfer market.
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