Redknapp excited by derby duel

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is expecting a fiercely contested north London derby when his side face Arsenal on Sunday.

Redknapp has predicted a fiery encounter at the Emirates and says that the rivalry is up there with the other great derby games in England.

“Well it’s fierce that’s for sure, it’s one of the big derbies,” Redknapp said. “The Manchester derby and obviously the Liverpool-Everton derby, and this is right up there I think with those games.”

“We have had the upper hand in the last couple of years for sure, but as I say they are a good side and are dangerous opposition.”

“We’ll get the buzz a bit today, but I don’t even know, with the foreign lads whether they understand quite as much, the way we do as we have all been brought up with it, just what these games mean.”

“But they will find out on Sunday when they get on the pitch that’s for sure.”

With a difficult run of games coming up, Redknapp has called on his side to attack an out-of-form Arsenal team and try to get three points from the game.

“We have got a tough run of games coming up now – Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton away, Chelsea, a real difficult period,” the English manager said.

“So we need to go there on Sunday and get something from this games that’s for sure.”

“I think it is important we start well, you go into a game like that where they (Arsenal) have not been in such good form in the last couple of weeks, it is important you get off to a good start.”

Redknapp also backed Emmanuel Adebayor to keep his composure in the face of likely abuse from fans of his old club.

“I am sure he will enjoy going back there and playing,” Redknapp said of Adebayor.

“He played well against them at home this year, so I don’t think it will be a problem. I suppose he will get some stick, that goes with the territory now when you go back to your old club in lots of cases.”

“I am sure he can handle it, he will keep his cool hopefully and just get on with the game and that’s what he needs to do.”