Spurs feeling Euro stress, admits Redknapp

LONDON - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admitted his players are currently feeling the pressure far more than Champions League rivals Newcastle United.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

LONDON - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admitted his players are currently feeling the pressure far more than Champions League rivals Newcastle United.A 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, after Newcastle had beaten Stoke 3-0 earlier in the day, means Alan Pardew’s Magpies are now three points ahead in fourth spot in the Premier League with four games remaining.Tottenham held a 10-point lead over Arsenal, the club now in third, a few weeks ago but just one win in their last nine league games has seen them falter at the most crucial point of the campaign.Newcastle, in contrast, had not been expected by many to be challenging for the Europa League at the start of the season let alone the Champions League."I wouldn’t think there is any pressure on them,” Redknapp admitted. "They have achieved a miracle. What Alan has done there has been fantastic to get them in the position they are in. It has been a great achievement so they can relax and play."You have to give them credit for what they have done. And they do look good at the moment. They have some fantastic forwards.”Chelsea, a point behind Tottenham in sixth place, are also in the equation and Redknapp knew at least one of his rivals would drop points in the run in."I am very confident,” he said. "Although we might have to win all four. I can’t see Chelsea losing many, they look very strong, and Newcastle are going great. But Chelsea have got to play Newcastle."Then Newcastle have got to play Manchester City so it is all to play for. We are still a point ahead of Chelsea. If we win all our games it doesn’t matter what they do.”