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'Arry's Only Got ...PMA

 

There are so many Harry Redknapp PMA headlines that could be written, so it is a testament to the new boss' impact that he has had plenty written already. Seven points from three games reveals the impression he has made, although the fact that we are still bottom means survival at the end of the season would earn Harry a fully deserved ‘Houdini' moniker.

The preservation of our Premier League status would also vindicate the timing of Daniel Levy's managerial change. With Juande Ramos in charge we might be nine points adrift after 11 games, a terminal situation to be in, and as much as we tell ourselves that a sequence of wins sends you flying up the table, a team in such dire straits is unlikely to construct such a run.

It is now realistic to look beyond survival. With so many of the bottom six wining at the weekend, the mid and lower table is bunched: Everton were on the verge of crisis but are now seventh; Sunderland looked in good order but are one point above the relegation zone; and West Ham are in freefall but are still 11th.

There is nothing wrong with aiming for a top seven finish. Spurs are capable of that, even with an imbalanced squad and our handicapped start. Harry will have to work his customary magic in the January transfer window, but his recruitment skills are one of the main reasons Levy went for him

I previously wrote how it was down to the players to lift themselves. Do the basics, play as a team, keep going in adversity. They are now doing these things but were incapable of doing so under Ramos.

We were as poor in the first half against Liverpool as we had been at any point during the first eight games. Nervous defensively, bereft of attacking ideas and lacking conviction, we were frankly a class below Liverpool for an hour or so.

However, a lucky equaliser - how easy it is to say that Jamie Carragher would have cleared the ball if Ramos was in charge - energised the players. That is the difference between then and now; not a change in luck (well, yes, but not the main factor) but a change in belief.

The players are saying much the same now as they were before Redknapp arrived, citing the squad's quality and a determination to put things right, but they are now equipped to be good to their word. They believed they could score the winner against the Reds and it showed.

Redknapp and his positive mental attitude is right: confidence is catching. Little actions like including the non-matchday squad in celebrations and speaking to players one-on-one have revitalised the club and the fans. Onwards and upwards.

Written by Philip Oliver, a professional sports writer who blogs about football betting.

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