Rafael Van der Vaart spent so much time confined to the Real Madrid bench, that its probably no surprise that he almost had to be dragged kicking and screaming to take his seat in the dug-out at White Hart Lane. Still though, for a player of his experience, he should have demonstrated more tact than to petulantly storm down the tunnel during a home clash with West Ham in March 2011. Its not as if Harry Redknapp wasnt warned of the Dutch playmakers temper, however, having displayed similar fury at having been subbed for Holland a week before his debut for the White Hart Lane outfit.
''Ill speak to Rafa about it. I dont like to see that. He is part of the team and should stay and watch. You make substitutions and you have to decide who to take off. Rafa did nothing wrong, but I thought I would get some fresh legs on. You do things to try and change the way the game is going. - Harry Redknapp, March 2011.
The Dutchman had been hauled off for former Hammer Jermain Defoe, and had not reacted in the best manner, but considering how he never repeated the offence, whatever Redknapp said to him obviously did the trick.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
