‘A nightmare’ – Redknapp names surprise key player for Tottenham clash v West Ham
By Danny Wright
Jamie Redknapp surprisingly believes that West Ham forward Andy Carroll will be the “key player” when Tottenham travel to the London Stadium on Saturday.
Carroll, 28, is yet to score a goal this season after returning from a serious groin injury, but that hasn’t stopped former Spurs midfielder Redknapp, 44, from pinpointing him as the main man for this weekend’s fixture over the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and the Hammers’ own Javier Hernandez.
Spurs will look to be getting themselves back to winning ways in the Premier League against their London rivals on Saturday after last week’s disappointing goalless draw with Swansea at Wembley.
A struggled 1-0 win over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup in midweek has raised further questions about the club’s form at home, but a trip to the London Stadium this weekend to take on Slaven Bilic’s men could open up an opportunity to get things back on track.
Now, Sky Sports pundit Redknapp thinks that Spurs will have to nullify any threat that Carroll may pose on Saturday in order to get any sort of result.
“Spurs are also going to have to find a way of coping with a fit-again Andy Carroll. I think he’s the key player in this game – and he could be a nightmare for the Tottenham centre-backs,” he said on the Sky Sports website.
“Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen won’t be relishing the task of marking him on Saturday. As a defender, you’d much rather play against Javier Hernandez because you know what he is going to do. Hernandez will be sharp in the box and you have to be alive to any chances he might get. But you’ll be smashed by Carroll.”
He added: “When Carroll is fit, you’ve got to enjoy him, you’ve got to use him. He gives West Ham a real focal point, someone you can get the ball up to, who can hold it up – and who can cause the opposition problems.
“West Ham are a different team when he’s fit and firing.”
Carroll spent most of last season on the sideline with a variety of different injury problems but since returning he has been started in the centre-forward role, ahead of £16million summer signing Hernandez who has been forced to play out on the wing.
In other Tottenham news, Eric Dier has given a brutally honest verdict on Spurs achievements.
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