Harry Redknapp: Europa League can ruin Tottenham's Premier title bid

Posted Thursday, August 04, 2011 by The Sun

HARRY REDKNAPP has labelled Tottenham's Europa League campaign 'a killer' ahead of tomorrow's play-off draw.

Spurs would have to come through SEVENTEEN games to win the trophy and boss Redknapp believes those extra matches could severely hit chances of a title push.

Redknapp plans to rest senior players during the Euro campaign and give young hopefuls a chance to prove they can make the grade.

He said: "The young lads will get plenty of games in the Europa League because otherwise I think it's a killer, to be frank.

"Thursday and Sunday every week... a nightmare. You've got no chance in the Premier League with that, it kills you off.

"We will give those boys like Jake Livermore and Andros Townsend experience and see how we go.

"We've loaned a few young players out but we are going to keep a few behind and give them the chance to play in the European competition."

Spurs were the shock team of last season's Champions League before losing 5-0 on aggregate to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

Redknapp believes the extra day to recover from Champions League football makes a huge difference to Premier League preparations.

He added: "It's different in the Champions League when you play Tuesday or Wednesday, it's just got a different feel to it.

"You have to go to crazy places in this Europa League, all over the place - but we'll give it our best shot whatever we do."

The play-off is the final qualifying round for the Europa League with the winners going in to 12 groups of four, who play each other home and away.

Tottenham must name their 25-strong Europa League squad by midnight on August 9 while the Premier League 25 must be lodged on September 2.

Redknapp is demanding his team hit the ground running when they kick off the season at home to Everton on August 13 if they are to mount a serious title challenge.

Spurs play four of the title contenders in the opening six weeks and Redknapp has only boosted his squad with the arrival on a free of goalkeeper Brad Friedel, although a bid has been lodged for Blackburn centre-half Chris Samba.

The Spurs boss added: "We have an unbelievable start. Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal plus Liverpool in the first six weeks.

"It will be interesting. We'll soon find out how good we are.

"As for signing players, I don't want to leave it late like last season when we signed Rafa van der Vaart on the last day of the transfer window.

"But it's not easy to find players who are better than the ones you've got. If we don't get anybody we'll just get on with what we've got and give it our best shot. It's all we can do."