Football
PA Sport 10y

Redknapp defends QPR formation

Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp said a lack of energy, rather than tactical issues, caused their 4-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

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Redknapp saw his players given something of a run around against his former club, especially in the first-half as his back three of Rio Ferdinand, Steve Caulker and Richard Dunne were exposed.

Although he introduced Nedum Onuoha at half-time and reverted to four at the back, the 67-year-old is keen to persevere with his new 3-5-2 system.

"I don't know if that is a problem," he said when asked about his formation. "We played okay last week playing that way, it is about energy really. We were slower on the ball and were off the pace a bit -- in certain areas we weren't sharp enough. We have to work harder both with and without the ball.

"I don't think it is about systems. That system allows me to get two strikers into the team which I was trying to do.

"[Loic] Remy doesn't play up on his own, it is difficult. Charlie Austin doesn't play up on his own. You look to play 4-4-2 and you get slaughtered in midfield. It is not easy."

With Austin ruled out with a hamstring injury, Redknapp played Matt Phillips up with Remy and the Scotland international was guilty of missing the best chance of the game for the visitors with the score at 1-0.

Redknapp was jeered by the travelling QPR contingent in the latter stages for acknowledging Tottenham fans calling for him to wave at them, but he brushed aside those complaints and insisted it made no difference where his side lost.

"It was a disappointing day obviously -- we started poorly and didn't get out of it," he said. "We could've been 1-0 down in 30 seconds. We looked like a team of strangers. We let them play, stood off them and didn't get close to them.

"It is three points, that is all that matters to me -- come here play well and pick up a positive result. Getting beat here is no different to getting beat anywhere else.

"I'm sat there watching the game and there are punters up there singing 'give us a wave.' I don't know what punters they are -- it isn't a big deal."

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