Victory at all costs for Redknapp

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is desperate to beat Birmingham on Sunday so they avoid a return to action next month.

But he admits the game means more to Alex McLeish’s relegation-threatened side.

Spurs are currently top of the Fair Play League, and if Liverpool finish fifth then Redknapp’s men will play their first Europa League game on June 30.

But if Tottenham beat Birmingham and secure fifth spot then their first Europa League clash will be in August, meaning minimal disruption to their pre-season plans.

And although Redknapp believes that is a huge incentive, he admits Birmingham’s need for a victory is far greater with their Premier League future on the line.

“This game is more important for Birmingham than it is for us, to be honest,” Redknapp said.

“It is important for us, but for Birmingham to stay in the Premier League is massive.”

“It s a difficult game as Alex McLeish is a great guy and out of all the teams at the bottom there isn’t one that you look at and say ‘I hope they go down’. They are all top managers and good guys.”

“I wouldn’t want to be celebrating if we score.”

“I think Wolves and Blackburn are probably out of trouble, so I think it is between the three teams on level points and they will all be looking to win.”

“It will be an exciting day if you aren’t involved, but it will be a tense day for those who are as relegation is your worst nightmare.”

But Redknapp has told his squad about the importance of finishing fifth.

“If we don’t win on Sunday we qualify through the Fair Play league as we are top,” he said.

“That means we come back training next week and we play our first game on June 30 and play about 14 games before the season starts. So we have to win on Sunday.”

And Redknapp has told striker Jermain Defoe to stop complaining over his lack of game time and instead focus on improving his form.

The striker threw his Tottenham future into doubt by complaining publically about starting just 15 Premier League games, but Redknapp says scoring four league goals is a poor return.

“Jermain has to let his football do the talking. He is a fantastic player but his form this year is nowhere near what it has been in the past,” Redknapp said.

“When he is at his best, he is a fantastic goalscorer, but he has not played often this year because he has not played well enough.

“He trains well, but apart from at Wolves, where he scored two goals, he’s rarely shown the type of form he is capable of.”