Redknapp dismisses concerns over spending

Harry Redknapp says QPR’s January signings do not represent a financial risk to the relegation-threatened side.

Under chairman Tony Fernandes the Rs have spent heavily in each of the past four transfer windows yet still find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, six points from safety, prompting concerns over the club’s financial health in the event of demotion.

Redknapp, however, insisted that QPR’s position has improved since he was appointed as manager in November with the club unbeaten since New Year, recording goalless draws against Tottenham and Manchester City and an away win at Chelsea.

“You look at the games we have had since the turn of the year and you’d take the points that we’ve got. We gave everything. I can’t get any more out of the players,” he said.

“The club has invested but they’ll get their money back. I haven’t brought players in here that we can’t give away.”

The deadline-day arrival of Anzhi Makhachkala centre-back Chris Samba for 12.5 million pounds raised eyebrows due to a lack of match fitness and a reported 100,000 pounds-a-week salary.

But Redknapp dismissed these concerns, as well as similar fears over seven million pounds striker Loic Remy who missed Saturday’s draw against Norwich with a groin injury.

“If things don’t go well and they want to get 12m pounds for Samba then they will do – not a danger,” he said.

“Samba should be playing for a top-four team. I was trying to sign him for all the years that I was at Tottenham. He is quick as lightning, strong in the air and he can play.

“When I was at Tottenham we put a ball behind Samba (then at Blackburn), and Gareth Bale ran on to it. Samba matched him stride for stride and then pinched the ball off him.

“He’s lightning quick. He is a monster of a player, the full ticket.

“Remy, for seven million pounds, I don’t think he’s a problem either. If he scores a couple of goals, then he’s 12m pounds. Tottenham tried to buy him for 18m pounds last year.”

QPR have scored just 18 goals this season – the fewest in the Premier League – and Adel Taarabt’s missed penalty on Saturday saw the club settle for a point home to Norwich in the west London side’s third goalless draw in five matches.

Redknapp insists, however, he had not wished to retain striker Djibril Cisse, who joined Qatari club Al-Gharafa on loan during January.

“I would have let him go earlier. I had to wait for the window to open,” he said.