Redknapp: City loss won´t affect title hopes

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp does not believe losing to Manchester City on Sunday would signal an end to the Londoners’ title challenge.

Spurs sit third on the Premier League table with 46 points – two points behind second-placed Manchester United and five points behind leaders City.

Losing this weekend at the Etihad Stadium would open up an eight-point gap to Roberto Mancini’s men, but Redknapp does not believe the match is pivotal for his side’s success.

“Could losing at Man City end our title challenge? Not really. I’ve said many times that six-point, seven-point or eight-point leads can evaporate very quickly. We’ve seen it so many times over the years,” Redknapp said.

“It’s all to play for – and I keep saying that the top four is really where we want to be. We want to get Champions League football, and anything above that is a bonus.”

“I’ll have one eye on Arsenal’s game (against Man United) after ours has finished. We want to keep pushing on and make sure we get into that Champions League place, that’s the key.”

Mancini’s side are yet to drop a point at home in the league, but Redknapp insists Spurs will not make defending their priority.

“We’ll go there with a positive team,” he said. “I’ve just been sitting in there with the staff, talking about the team, and I wouldn’t want to go there and sit back.”

“I think we’ve got people who can hurt them. I’m looking to go and take the game to them if we can.”

“They’re a good team, let’s not kid ourselves. They’ve got outstanding forward players and they’re a good team – but so are we.”

“The players are confident; we’ve got good players here. They’ll be looking forward to it.”

“It’s a great time of the season for us to be involved where we are. Sitting two points behind Manchester United and 10 points in front of Arsenal at this stage of the season is not something that normally happens.”

Spurs will definitely be without first-choice forward Emmanuel Adebayor, who is on loan from the league-leaders, and Jermain Defoe is the favourite to start up front in the Togolese striker’s absence.

“I’ve got Jermain, he’s been bursting for a chance to get back in and play so he’s got the opportunity to play,” he said.