Harry Playing it Safe

After watching Sebastien Bassong put in a solid, if match-winning, shift on his debut against Liverpool on Sunday; something struck me. For many years, Daniel Levy has backed his managers with continuous funds, which have frequently been spent on exciting prospects from foreign countries, and sometimes, lesser leagues. However Harry Redknapp’s tenure at the helm of the club promises a change.

I, for one, admit to having been sceptacle about this change, as you won’t see Harry pulling another Luka Modric or Dimitar Berbatov out of the bag. However I am gradually coming round to the realisation that this stable, if unspectacular, avenue in the transfer market, will inevitably bring a more stable football club.

Not only is Redknapp bringin in solely players that have played in English football and had success, he is trying his damnedest to reunite himself with players he has worked with before. Jermain Defoe – signed by Harry three times. Peter Crouch – signed by Harry three times. There have also been talks of him bringing Mrs Redknapp to add another attacking option.

How many more times can Crouch and Defoe be signed by Redknapp?

And then you have the rest of his signings that have proven track records in England;

Carlo Cudicini – played for Chelsea for nine years before coming to White Hart Lane to play understudy to Gomes.

Wilson Palacios – had successful spells playing for both Birmingham and Wigan, gaining himself two years of Premier League experience to mould him into the beast he is today.

Sebastien Bassong – claimed Newcastle’s player of the season award last campaign, attracting interest from Arsenal and Manchester City.

Robbie Keane – had six successful years at White Hart Lane before rejoining the club from Liverpool.

Pascal Chimbonda – the less said about this one the better.

Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker – have both played numerous games for Sheffield United despite their youth.

So these proven Premier League players seem to have added stability and balance to the squad. But I must also mention two players who have fallen by the way side. Giovani Dos Santos and Adel Taarabt. Two overwhelmingly talented prospects who have been seemingly made surplus to requirements by Harry Redknapp. He is unwilling to give unproven players their oppertunity to prove themselves.

Taarabt will play this season out at  QPR

So Harry seems to be making some very safe signings that promise great things. However, I can’t help but believe there will come a time when we will need more than players Redknapp has worked with before. When we will have to take a gamble to try and take the club to the next level.