Roy Hodgson To Be Harry Redknapp's Hero?
Following a weekend of unexpected results in the Premier League, the man that crushed Harry Redknapp’s England dream could grant him salvation.
Following a weekend of unexpected results in the English Premier League, the man that crushed Harry Redknapps England dream could grant him salvation. In February life was rosy for Redknapp. He was cleared of tax evasion charges; he was being talked up as the future England boss; and his Tottenham side were third in the league 10 points clear of arch rivals Arsenal. What a difference a few months make. Today the former Portsmouth Manager looks a haunted man. His England dreams were crushed, and the tables have turned with Tottenham trailing Arsenal by one point in fourth. Getting Spurs into the Champions League, by usurping Arsenal, and tilting the balance of power in North London are all thats left for Redknapp. But ironically his last shot at redemption lies in the hands of Roy Hodgson...the man that killed his England dream by being selected as the new national team coach. With the possibility of Chelsea winning the Champions League; and thus snatching qualification for next seasons competition from whoever finishes fourth; it means Spurs must finish third to guarantee their spot and vindicate their leader. With Arsenal slipping to a draw against Norwich on Saturday, Tottenham could have leapfrogged them into third by beating Aston Villa yesterday. Sadly for Harry they could only muster a 1-1 draw. Also Newcastle, who sat level on points with Spurs at the start of the day, were beaten 2-0 by league leaders Manchester City. As it stands with one game to go, Arsenal are third with 67 points, Spurs are fourth with 66, and Newcastle stay fifth with 65. Ironically this means Hodgson could go from zero to hero in Redknapps eyes with West Brom, who Hodgson still manages, hosting Arsenal on the final day. Even if Tottenham beat Fulham, Redknapp still needs Hodgsons men to avoid defeat against Arsenal to finish third. In doing so, Hodgson will essentially save Redknapps season, guarantee him Champions League qualification, and write his name into Spurs folk law for trumping Arsenal. Redknapp, in an interview after the Villa game, said that he wont be ringing Roy. But if the things go his way, its likely that a bottle champagne will be heading to the West Midlands. In the end, fourth might be enough to ensure passage to Champions League if Bayern Munich beat Chelsea in the final. But the wily Redknapp wont want to sweat it out till then.