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Monday, 12th May 2008

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Harry: Defeat won't ruin Cup dream



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Harry Redknapp has insisted Fulham will not make or break Pompey's FA Cup aspirations.
Out-of-sorts Blues head into Sunday's Premier League finale on the back of three successive defeats.

The clash with the strugglers marks a timely opportunity for a return to form ahead of the FA Cup final.

With sixth spot also a possibility, it's a match Redknapp is desperate to win.

But the Pompey boss doesn't believe defeat will prove to be the disaster many people are tipping.

And he's convinced a potential fourth loss in a row would not affect their Wembley performance against Cardiff.

He said: 'It's going to be tight and we want to win, make no mistake about that.

'But it's not crucial we get a victory.

'There's nothing in the rulebook that says if you lose the game before a Cup final you cannot win the Cup.

'Everything doesn't hinge on this game, it's not going to affect anything really. You can't get carried away by it all.

'I want to beat Fulham, I want to win every single game we play.

'But there's nothing to say if we get beaten then we are going to play badly against Cardiff.

'The final's going to be a different game, on a different pitch, involving different players in different circumstances.

'You can't read into anything from what happens against Fulham.

'I've not actually been that disappointed in our form.

'We were beaten at Manchester City but circumstances were against us.

'Two of the goals were an absolute fluke and then we had a man sent off. You can write that one off.

'Blackburn was a tight game and not many teams beat them. That was a tough match.

'Then there was Middlesbrough, they are not exactly a bunch of mugs.

'They were unfortunate not to beat Manchester United the other week.

'We've lost three in a row – that has not happened for two years. It used to be that way every month six or seven years ago.

'Hopefully we can get a result against Fulham but it won't affect Wembley.'

Meanwhile, Redknapp has reiterated his promise to field a strong side against Roy Hodgson's team.

News that will no doubt be greeted well by Birmingham and Reading followers.

He added: 'I owe it to other clubs to put out a good team.

'I might well have rested a few players, but I'm not going to.

'Maybe most people will do that, perhaps I could look after myself and make 11 changes, that's been proven over the years with other managers.

'But I feel a bit of a duty to have a go.'


The full article contains 447 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 09 May 2008 9:40 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Portsmouth
 
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1

spyglass,

cheltenham 09/05/2008 08:20:58
harry's usual lament about losing the last 3 games! we lost because we were poor. we lost because the team did not play as a team. we lost because harry is still clinging to the idea that once he has made up his mind about any player he is not going to change his mind.

in the theatre there is a saying 'bad dress rehearsal, goo opening night'. unfortunately for harry football is not the theatre. if we should lose to fulham, making 4 games on the trot, i believe that the malaise which set in after the semi-final will be irreversible.

instead of making excuses before the game he should be kicking some players in the proverbial and also thinking, for him, and dropping under performing players. harry's ego should not stop us writing ourselves into the history books.
2

PompeyinH.K,

09/05/2008 09:39:38
I dont care if we lose against Fulham that doesnt matter its the Cup that matters. I ppl slating Harry.
3

PompeyinH.K,

09/05/2008 09:40:10
Should say i hate ppl slating Harry
4

Phil Mcrutch,

09/05/2008 10:18:17
Why not slate Harry we all have to go to work and give 100% every day so why should the players take it easy like they have been its unacceptable
5

Royal Blue,

Reading 09/05/2008 10:39:31
It seems to me that a win this weekend is essential. Harry knows that it's in the players' interests that they give the fans a boost so that we go to the final at Wembley in good mood and brim full of confidence. [If Baros can find the net against Fulham this would be most welcome]. We don't want to sit nervously silent in the opening exchanges save only to groan at every perceived lack of confidence, application or every minor error. For the players to expect us to play our part at Wembley from the first whistle they must play against Fulham with the confidence we have come to expect this season. Foe a start, avoid giving away unnecessary free-kicks within Bullard shooting-range of goal. We fans seem hell-bent on developing an unnecessary defeatist attitude which seems rooted in the failures of the past. The players want the glory. They must earn it so we can bask in its reflection. It's now up to them.
6

McFlug,

09/05/2008 11:37:30
These are exactly the comments that make some people dislike Harry.
Of course we need to win. We need to play well. We need to score some goals. We need the players to show they want it, not only for themselves but for all the supporters and to show Cardiff they can expect a good hiding in the Cup Final.
Come on Harry, show some passion and desire which your players have not shown the supporters for several weeks. Maybe now we can see why the players are so lethargic!
7

Diamond Dazza,

Fareham 09/05/2008 12:24:34
I hate people slating Harry too.

Yeah, we all have to go to work... but we all have good days at work and bad days at work! And so do the players.

How anybody can slate Harry's desire after dragging us from the foot of the first division up to the heady heights we are at now is beyond me.

I think people's comments in the context of the season we've had are out of perspective personally.
8

Southstand68,

Portsmouth 09/05/2008 12:52:49
We do not need to win on Sunday although it would be a nice way to end the season at home. Portsmouth are guaranteed their best ever position in the Premiere league and are in the cup final, what more do fans want? Lay off Harry (A Pompey legend) and the team, we are one win away from european qualification and we have the best squad ever with more to come in the close season. Play up Pompey
9

Theo from Tesco Town,

09/05/2008 13:04:40
Well done on Harry picking a strong side. It's respectful to the league so i hope that is mentioned on sky etc what a good manager Pompey have! Blue Army!
10

Wrinkley,

Portsmouth 09/05/2008 14:46:59
I take the opposite view to Spyglass of Cheltenham.
We are in the top half of the Premier League, and in the final of the FA Cup because Harry Redknapp has made up his mind about players!
So we have lost a few games on the bounce!
During the season, we have won more than we have lost, and I'll settle for that!
Spyglass compares football with the theatre!
I think there is no comparison!
With theatre it is the same words and actions each night, and only the audience changes.
With football, the 'cast' may be the same, but at each performance there is a different 'script'!
Like the majority of Pompey fans, I'm backing Harry!
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