Originally Posted by
EalingGreen
Although I've always been a fan of Robbie's and have always stuck up for him in the past, I would be hugely surprised if he ever played for Spurs again, and if so, would say he has no-one only himself to blame.
For as it was, he was always "batting on a sticky wicket" under Redknapp, since Crouch (signed 3 times by Harry) and Defoe (managed with 3 clubs by Harry) were always going to be the manager's first choice strike duo. Moreover, when RK came back from Anfield, it was in the context that the manager was desperate for players, and the Chairman was, as always, happy to make a tidy "turn" from Liverpool.
Which is not to say that RK would never have played under Harry, one of whose strengths is not to be too dogmatic when it comes to selection, personalities, formations and form. (Somebody said earlier that Harry had "frozen out" the likes of Bale, Bentley and Pavylichenko from the team earlier in the season; not so, in fact it was quite the opposite - although he wasn't picking them, it was only because he had better laternatives at the time, which the players accepted. Therefore when he recalled them, they weren't resentful, but gave it their best shot).
No, what did for RK was defying Harry's express instruction that there would be no Xmas Players Party, by covertly organising one in Dublin under the guise of a "Golfing Trip". Faced with potential rebellion in the ranks, Harry could have lashed out at all of them. Instead, he was cuter than that, by going for the chief mutineer. I distinctly remember when Harry first heard of it, he really gave RK what for and I said to myself, "That's the end of Robbie".
However, a couple of days later, Harry was much more conciliatory. Most people took that as a sign Harry was backing off, but I had little doubt that he went to his Chairman, demanding that RK be sold in the January window, only to be told that the club wanted back most/all of the fee they paid Liverpool. As it happens, there were no takers, so Harry was clever enough to offload him (and his wages) to Celtic, to buy himself time.
And in that period, he signed Eidur Gudjonnson on loan (v.similar type player to Robbie), and reinvigorated Pav, who would have been sold had there been a big enough offer.
Thereafter, having asserted his authority and restored the morale in his squad, Harry managed to get Spurs into the Champions League, which means that the Chairman will now loosen the purse strings to allow Harry to sign another couple of strikers and take the first half-decent offer for RK.
Of course, it is just possible that no such offer will come in for RK. In which case, he will have to come back to Spurs. But if he does so, it will be strictly on Harry's terms and quite honestly, the trust having been broken between them, I doubt whether it can ever be regained.
Sad, but as a Spurs fan, I believe no player is ever bigger than the club, therefore so be it.
P.S. For all those posters slagging off Jermain Defoe as being overrated etc, you are, of course, entitled to your opinion. I personally don't share it, but that's neither here nor there, since Harry clearly rates him and it's his opinion which counts - something Robbie Keane should have heeded...
P.P.S. Fabio Capello also seems happy enough to have JD in his squad (if not First XI), which must count for something.
