Redknapp slams long ball label

Spurs boss happy with Crouch option

By James Riach   Last updated: 9th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Redknapp slams long ball label

Redknapp: Slams critics

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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has hit out at claims that his side are a 'long ball' team.

With tall striker Peter Crouch now a regular starter in the Spurs team, certain critics have accused the North Londoners of adopting a route-one style.

Stoke players commented on their opponents going long after their victory at White Hart Lane earlier in the season and Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel brought the subject back to attention following the 0-0 draw between the two teams at the weekend.

However, Redknapp is angry at these suggestions and described the claims as 'absolute nonsense'.

He said: "That's rubbish. Absolute nonsense. We pass the ball to death and hit Crouchy in the right areas.

"They (Villa) got labelled a long-ball team by Arsenal, maybe a couple of their players wanted to pass the buck to us but I wouldn't know what a long-ball team was.

"If you can hit a 50-yard pass, it's better than a 10-yard pass or a backwards one. It's about creating strikes on goals, if it's 50 yards then it's a great ball. It's about quality."

"Every time we hit Crouchy against Villa he knocked the ball down and we had chances to score.

"If you are going to have Peter Crouch in your team you have to use him, you can't expect him to run up channels or to come short. That's not his game.

"He is an option when teams fill up the midfield and you can't pass through them. We have that great option to miss out the midfield, hit him and pick things up around the box."

Option

Spurs currently occupy fifth place in the Premier League and take on Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday.

Redknapp will be hoping his side can continue their push for a UEFA Champions League place and insists having Crouch is an option that makes them a better team.

"That is what makes us a much better team - we have options and don't have to keep passing," he added.

"You can pass all day. We've seen that recently from teams. People say they are playing fantastic football but they are not winning games.

"We are playing fantastic football but also have an option with Crouchy as well, which is good."

Comments (2)

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Stuart Saving (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

This comment was made by a villa player! i found that quite funny to hear such a comment when they have the like of heskey , carew and gabby all players that are suited to the long ball game. when spurs played villa home and away this year villa couldnt get out of their box and were constantly playing the long ball as that is thier game.

Posted 10:07 10th February 2010

Chris Lake (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Yes we are a long ball team and we have been for a while this season when Crouch plays.Before Luka got injured we played with Keane and Defoe up front, it was no Arsenal but the football was good to watch great passing but then it changed when Modric went and Keane got dropped and its been like that evey since.Has Harry seen the way Dawson plays when Crouch is on, 40 yrd passes everytime.

Posted 18:31 9th February 2010
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