Redknapp aims to bounce back against Blackburn

Last updated : 23 November 2008 By Gareth Davies
This afternoon's match against Blackburn represents perhaps the stiffest test of the sense of belief Harry Redknapp has managed to instil within his new squad. The reverse at Fulham was bound to happen sooner or later, the big test is how the players respond to this setback.

For starters, they'll have to do it without Luka Modric, who has been a growing influence since Redknapp's arrival. The diminutive play-maker picked up a groin injury that will keep him sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. Whether this will precipitate a change in formation, however, is less clear.

Yesterday Redknapp urged David Bentley to "step up a gear" to compensate for the loss of Modric. The former Portsmouth boss sees the England winger as having the same ability to thread passes and test the opposition keeper from long range, and believes it is time he started to justify his big transfer fee - starting against his old club.

Redknapp said: "He can deliver a great ball and we have to get him on the ball as much as possible because we've lost Modric."

He added: "David Bentley will be even more important now. He can open the door by hitting the pass or doing something special.

"Hopefully he will do the business here. You saw the goal at Arsenal, it was special."

Bentley lost his place in the England team during our dismal start to the season but Redknapp's appointment has seen him played back in his right-wing position and back in the frame for Fabio Capello.

"It's up to him, he has to work hard and get in the squad," Redknapp said.

"I'm sure we're going to qualify for the World Cup and they all want to go. It's an opportunity to give it a real go."

Bentley has been accused of being a difficult character to work with, but Redknapp said: "I think Capello would pick anyone if they were good enough.

"You don't have to like players to pick them. Some lads you wouldn't want to spend time with but you pick them every week. Other lads you love them but they don't get in the team."

This would suggest that Bentley will be deployed behind a lone striker - most likely Darren Bent - in a 4-5-1 formation. However, playing at home to Blackburn, a team that has struggled for form this season, most fans would prefer to see Redknapp play with two upfront, thus giving Roman Pavyluchenko a chance to work on his partnership with Bent.

It is a combination that Ramos lazily decided could not work, which is nonsensical given that they were hardly given a chance to work at it in competitive games. With Roman's physical presence and work rate creating spaces for Bent to exploit, there seems no logical reason - save the language barrier - why the pair cannot form a successful partnership.

What is still clear is that Bent cannot be relied upon to regularly perform when left up front on his own. The former Charlton striker is best when making darting runs and capitalising on rebounds, and lacks the touch and passing ability to lead the line on his own.

That job is more suited to Roque Santa Cruz, Blackburn's main goal threat. The Paraguayan has been linked with a move to Manchester City recently and its not hard to see why. His strength and aerial prowess are formidable and there certainly wouldn't have been many complaints had he made the move to White Hart Lane in the summer.

The match itself gives a chance for both sides to drag themselves out of the bottom three. It is indicative of the hole Redknapp found the club in when he arrived that despite an excellent start at the club, we are still in a seriously precarious position. To combat this we must make White Hart Lane the fortress it was in 2005-06, starting this afternoon.