Harry: Get Berbatov out

Pompey boss' advice for his Spurs counterpart

By Phil Jackson   Last updated: 25th October 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Harry: Get Berbatov out

Berbatov: Criticised

I have always believed that when you lose a player's support you get him out as quickly as possible. No matter how good, you're better off without him.

Harry Redknapp
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Under-fire Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol would be "better off without" Dimitar Berbatov, according to Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp.

The Bulgarian striker made a big impact in his debut season at White Hart Lane last season, scoring 23 goals.

But Spurs' poor start to the new campaign has left Jol on the brink of unemployment and, Redknapp says, brought out the worst in Berbatov.

The former Bayer Leverkusen striker appeared reluctant to come on as a substitute in the Londoners' 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United on Monday, and Redknapp is clear in his stance.

Advice

"The very last thing Martin Jol needs right now is Dimitar Berbatov spitting his dummy out because he's not in Tottenham's starting team every week," Redknapp said in his column in the Sun.

"You only find out the true character of your players when the chips are down and the pressure is on.

"And we all saw what Berbatov is made of when he was sat sulking on the bench at Newcastle the other night with a face like a big baby.

"Everyone knows what a terrific player the Bulgarian can be. But he's not the striker he was a year ago and, from what I've seen, he looks to be disinterested and playing for himself rather than his team.

"His attitude is terrible and his behaviour at St James' Park sent out all the wrong signals."

Future

The 26-year-old front man had been linked with a move to Old Trafford over the summer, but Redknapp believes Berbatov has blown any chance of a transfer to the champions now.

"Maybe he's sulking because he didn't get a move to Manchester United in the summer," Redknapp added.

"But he's done himself absolutely no favours on that account because I know for a fact Alex Ferguson would never stand for any player who behaves the way Berbatov has done this week.

"When your team is in trouble you need the big characters to stand up.

"That's just what Robbie Keane has done for Spurs and Berbatov should show the same attitude. I have always believed that when you lose a player's support you get him out as quickly as possible.

"No matter how good, you're better off without him."

Spurs play Getafe in the Uefa Cup on Thursday evening and it will be interesting to see if Jol heeds Redknapp's words.

Comments (18)

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Jermaine Tucker (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

It is very unfortunate that Martin Jol has resigned as Spurs manager. The past two seasons under Jol, Spurs have done wonders. This season has been very disappointing as Spurs has lacked strong leadership on the field. Spurs have allowed soft goals as a result of terrible mistakes (the manager cannot be blamed for players mistakes on the field). I believe that they spent too much money on Darren Bent. There are a number players playing for themselves and not the team. As a team, Spurs are weak on set plays, the defense and midfield are not playing good at all. As a Spurs supporter, I just hope the team does not get relegated !!!

Posted 23:02 25th October 2007

Tyron Whiteland (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I am firm believer that if what happened during Newcastle's game between Berba and Jol is true, Berbatov must go!, I am an avid spurs fan who agrees that Berba is a fantastic player but if his attitude is demeaning to Jol and the rest of the team the board must sell him. A rotten apple usually spoils the rest of the bunch! Come on you Spurs, lets show Getafe what footie is all about !! Berba sort your act out and show the fans players and Jol some respect, get on with it and do your thing.

Posted 18:09 25th October 2007

James Tee (Portsmouth fan) says...

I think Harry's being very clever. Berbatov for Pompey in the winter transfer window

Posted 16:38 25th October 2007

Tristan Manasell (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Start of the season everyone said we'd be the team to break the top 4, but if you look at out 1st team a Uefa cup spot was way more realistic. Let's look at the team: a calamity keeper, no defence without our beloved Ledley, no guts in centre midfield. Every team knows what Lennon is gonna do, only Bale on the left and 3 top strikers (and donkey Bent) with 2 being frustrated every week! How can this make us a top 4 team? We're still miles away from the top 4 and it seems most the other clubs like Man City, Newcastle and Everton have overtaken us. Jol has done a fantastic job over the last 2 seasons but I think he's taken us as far as he can. Klinsmann?

Posted 15:19 25th October 2007

Olu Awolesi says...

( Olu - Arsenal Fan )Berbatov is a great player, Martin Jol is a superb coach. All Spurs need is patience,.. let the football on the field be your talk. When a team comes out and shouts that they expect a top 4 finish, it leave very little room for error. Jermaine Defoe must play behind Berbatov and Keane. Darren Bent is unfairly being maligned for his mega- signing,.. but remember he didnt sign himself. He will come good. They should use him in the Cup games to give him confidence in front of goal. We need to nurture the few good English players we have in the premiership. i personally would love JD at the gooners - he is a fox in the box and would suit arsenal's movement and style of play. Goodluck Spurs tonight - the more english clubs in europe, the better!

Posted 14:50 25th October 2007

Steve Cromack says...

Things have to improve quick, i honestly think my beloved Spurs will be relegated if something is not done. Berbatov brilliant player, but maybe not a clubman, more like an individual glory hunter, Martin does have some strange line-ups though. I think the main problem is Houghton, we have a defensive coach from the 80's, we need a new younger defensive coach, stop the goals going in and start winning games Berbatov and Martin will be friends again.

Posted 13:31 25th October 2007

Joe Walsh (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Right, Harry Redknapp has no right to be saying anything about Berbatov at all, and when i first started reading it i thought oh, another manager trying to have a pop at Jol. But then he goes on to say get rid of him like Alex Ferguson would, but Berbatov is only going to go if he himself puts in a tranfer request and we all know that Jol aint gona say right Dimitar pack your bags becuase that would be silly. Like the Arsenal fan said dont not play him, play him as much as we can and get the most out of him hes not going to miss an open goal on purpose now is he..and if u look at united an arsenal when united lost rudd van nistory they went on to win the league..an look at arsenal lost henry an there top of the league an just won 7-0 in champs league..so mayb we should just play berbatov as much as poss an then if he personally puts in a tranfer request then so be it.

Posted 13:23 25th October 2007

Sean Templeton (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I fully agree that Berb is a cry baby at the moment, but what you have to remember is that last season, him and Keano were excellent together and Lennon provided some excellent balls into them, thats all we are missing Lennon and now he is back we will find our form soon, also, Keep Martin Jol, the man is the best thing thats ever happened to Spurs in the 20 Years, lose him and lose me as a fan!

Posted 13:22 25th October 2007

Justin Hazell (West Ham United fan) says...

Berbatov is obviously a good player ,however any great player needs to a positive attitude even when their team is down on luck. Sure he may want to move and that his down to him however he shouldn't let it affect his game. Just take Carlos Tevez for example last season, it was clear that he was too good to be a hammer in the team we had last year but he stuck to his guns and got us out of relegation pretty much single handly.This then earnt him his move to Old Trafford. If berbatov wants to do the same then he will have to pull his socks up and give Martin Jol and the rest of his team his maxium effort, however much I dislike Spurs!!!!!!

Posted 13:22 25th October 2007

Garry Yeoman (Middlesbrough fan) says...

Personally I think Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe are better, but I agree with Redknapp, once a player turns like that, they should be out straight away. While writing about their strikers, I must comment saying that Darren Bent was a waste of money and Dimitar was just a one season wonder, just like James Beattie was.

Posted 13:11 25th October 2007

Josh Wheeler (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Harry has got it absolutely spot on, we all know Berbatov hasn't been playing with his heart this season, we all know that Berbatov is going at the end of the season and we all know that he's not playing for the team. This is a bad rut Tottenham are in at the moment, but we need to stick with one team for a least 3 or 4 games. I say bring back Defoe for second halves with bent and Keane upfront, i love berbatov but if he's not going to play for the club then he shouldn't play at all, he's no good to us if he's putting 60% effort into a game. As for Martin Jol, we all love him as a coach, but what he needs to do is restore our faith by getting his head down and rallying the players into fighting for every minute of every game, because at this rate, we will be in a dog fight for relegation very soon, its only 10 games in but we need a quick change around. Jol will do it. Just get rid of the bad apples from our Tottenham basket.

Posted 12:55 25th October 2007

Phil D (Leeds United fan) says...

They have far too many strikers, of course a player of his undoubted class and guile is going to be frustrated at sitting on the bench. At leat some sort of reaction was evoked, I would be more worried if he sat there motionless you know what I mean?

Posted 12:52 25th October 2007

Lewis Taylor (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Absolutley love Berbatov , think he is the best spurs player in years , however agree with most people comments he thinks hes too big for the club and needs to go , Jol To Stay !

Posted 11:45 25th October 2007

Craig Cunningham (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

We can not get rid off this already White Hart Lane legend! hes a fan favourite, young and still has alot to learn! I thank martin for what he has done for the club! but i belive his time maybe up! berbs has gotta stay!!!

Posted 11:23 25th October 2007

Michael Dutton (Manchester United fan) says...

I think Tottenham would be better off without Berbatov. When Ruud Van Nistelrooy left Old Trafford everybody thought United would go down hill but instead the team got together and won the league, getting a player like that out of your club will improve dressing room morale and hopefully pull the team together.

Posted 11:18 25th October 2007

Richard Anderson (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I think Harry Redknapp is right, I thought Berbs was pathetic at Newcastle on Monday and if we can double or treble our money on him then lets do so, Berbs is a great player and must be worth 30 mil if we paid 16.5 for a waste of space called Bent. Sell them both and get some players that want to play for us and not just money grabbers.

Posted 10:24 25th October 2007

Anthony Harvey (Liverpool fan) says...

I agree with Harry Rednapp. If i were Martin Jol I would not pick Berbatov again. If I had a similar attitude at work, I would be getting used to the dole queue by now. But then again i'm not on £50,000+ a week like this spoilt brat. So come on Berbatov stop sulking and back your boss, he needs everybods support now.

Posted 10:16 25th October 2007

Ronnie Ziwa (Arsenal fan) says...

I think Martin has lost control of his players and its clear from Monday night that they dont respect him either. The likes of Sir Alex wouldn't stand for that kind of behaviour from any player. He needs to put his foot down and show them who is boss but it looks like its too late now and he is doing it the wrong way. The way he has treated Jermaine Defoe recently hasn't won him many favours among the spurs fans. If the player wants to go I say let him go, but thats no reason not to play him especially if he can individually win games for the club. Look at how Wenger dealt with Ashley Cole (wanted out) and Robert Pires (didn't like the 1 year contract), he still played them and never left them on feed away in the reserves. There is a lot more going on behind the closed doors at spurs, they can't seem to run the club properly.

Posted 09:57 25th October 2007
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