Redknapp: Wide men need to deliver for Crouch
Pompey's class of 2008 have already taken top prize in the FA Cup. But there's still plenty to learn now school has started again.
And first lesson is double Peter Crouch.
The Blues boss will be getting out his blackboard and chalk this pre-season as he bids to re-educate his students.
Top of the syllabus is the topic of Pompey's new record signing and how to utilise his talents to the maximum.
Crouch bagged two goals and made another in his first Blues start against Bournemouth on Monday night.
It marked an instant return in the much-anticipated striking partnership with fellow England international Jermain Defoe.
But while those two hit it off, Redknapp is looking for more of the same from the rest of the team.
And he believes the time has come to start teaching others how to cope with Peter Crouch as a team-mate.
He said: 'You can see this early that Jermain and Crouchie are going to be a good partnership.
'It's just sorting out the other nine and making them learn how to play with him.
'You have to learn how to play with Crouchie. He's different and I think you need players to realise that.
'You need a lot of work on the training ground to get it. You have to get into players' heads how to play with him.
'When you get into good areas you've got to deliver the ball – the ball's got to come in.
'It's no good getting in good areas, ignoring him and instead going square and backwards.
'When you get wide and into good positions you've got to put that ball into Crouchie. If you can do that and get people running off him you'll get results.
'We need to drop balls in, otherwise the centre-half will be delighted.
'The last thing a defender wants is the ball dropping to Crouchie in the box when he can hit you.
'Our players have got to learn their first look should be "can I drop a diagonal ball into Crouchie when I get out wide?".
'Glen Johnson out on the right can drop it into Crouchie, he can lay it off or hold it on his chest. There are people running off him, and it's shots at goal time.
'It's quite simple, really. If you don't do that with him, if you want to just keep passing to his feet and running round, then you may as well get anybody to play up front.
'He's 6ft 7in. You've got to put the ball in the right place, you have to hit the box, and our players need to learn that.'
At least Defoe appears to have clicked with his new partner in crime following their first Pompey outing at Bournemouth.
It was no coincidence his first goal from open play this pre-season was laid on to him by Crouch in a classy move between the pair.
And boss Redknapp has high hopes for the pairing.
He added: 'It's good to see them playing together. I'm sure they'll be okay, they'll do well together.
'They started to play together in the second half against Bournemouth and they should be exciting.
'You could see the signs, it looks good.
'They are two top-quality strikers who play for England so I am very confident they can strike up a very good partnership.'
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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