Carrick still a fan of 'Judas Harry'

14 April 2012

History may judge him alongside Sol Campbell and Luis Figo as one of football's great traitors, but Harry Redknapp can do no wrong in the eyes of Michael Carrick.

The Tottenham midfielder was a trainee at West Ham when Redknapp spotted his emerging talent and handed him a Premiership debut at 17. Six years, two England caps and a £3million transfer later, Carrick is still grateful to his former mentor and is happy to defend him as the critics let fly.

Redknapp's switch from Portsmouth to Southampton sparked outrage at Pompey with one director accusing him of "betrayal" and fans deriding their fallen idol as "Judas Scummer".

But Carrick, 23, believes the move was purely professional and he also dismisses talk of a vendetta against Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, with whom Redknapp had fallen out.

Carrick said: "You cannot blame Harry for what he has done. It was a good opportunity once he'd left Portsmouth. It's not every day you get the chance to manage a Premiership club. He would not have been thinking about the chairman of Portsmouth.

"I can imagine what the fans are feeling, but these things happen in football. I am sure they will find someone else who can do a good job at Portsmouth and they'll eventually forget about it."

Like Redknapp, Carrick has also spurned Pompey this year, pulling out of a proposed £2.5m move to Fratton Park last summer when he heard of interest from Arsenal and Spurs. When Arsene Wenger's offer failed to materialise, he opted for White Hart Lane and, after overcoming injury problems, he has established himself as the fulcrum of Spurs' midfield.

Tomorrow he will take on Southampton and is sure to find time to catch up with their new manager after the game.

Carrick said: "I have a lot to thank him for. He put me in the team at 17 and gave me the opportunity to play in the big league. If it was not for him, I don't know where I would be today. With so much pressure, it is hard for managers to play young players in the Premiership. But he showed a lot of faith in me and gave me my big chance. He will probably turn things around at Southampton, but hopefully not starting tomorrow. He motivates the players and the fans and, on a tight budget, nearly always gets results.

"Look at the players he has taken a chance with and turned into stars. John Hartson and Fredi Kanoute stand out at West Ham. At Portsmouth, he did really well with Yakubu and Amdy Faye.

"Southampton are not a bad side and I don't think they will get relegated. Things have not gone too well for them, but the manager coming in is sure to give them a lift."

Regardless of the Redknapp effect, Spurs will start as hot favourites tomorrow. Three successive league wins have lifted spirits and helped to erase memories of their autumn slump.

The Christmas fixture list promises more cheer for head coach Martin Jol with relegation candidates Norwich and Crystal Palace following on from the struggling Saints.

CARRICK added: "We have done well in the last few games. I think we are in a better frame of mind than we were three weeks ago. We are defending well, keeping clean sheets and the atmosphere in the group is really positive.

"Everyone is expecting us to beat Southampton, Palace and Norwich, but although we are confident, we know it is not going to be easy."

Pedro Mendes is likely to be available despite going off at half-time during last week's 1-0 win at Manchester City with a knee problem. Fellow midfielder Reto Ziegler (hamstring) faces a fitness test, but Jermain Defoe is available after suspension and defender Erik Edman (ankle) is also fit.

For Southampton, James Beattie is back following a calf injury although he is expected to start on the bench with Peter Crouch partnering Kevin Phillips in attack.

Rory Delap is suspended with David Prutton his likely replacement.

Tottenham v Southampton, White Hart Lane, tomorrow, 3pm

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Carrick still a fan of 'Judas Harry'

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