Filed under: Newcastle, Tottenham, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: ST JAMES' PARK, SATURDAY JANUARY 22, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 GMTTottenham manager Harry Redknapp can be excused for wondering what might have been as he arrives on Tyneside at the head of a team chasing trophies on three fronts.
It was in January 2008 that Redknapp rejected the chance to take over at Newcastle United, a decision that now looks to have been a particularly wise one.
Instead, Redknapp eventually left Portsmouth to become the manager at White Hart Lane, where he inherited a struggling, but talented squad and has been given millions of pounds to strengthen it even further.
Life at Newcastle would have been very different as their current manager Alan Pardew is discovering.
While Redknapp was swooping for Everton's Steven Pienaar in midweek, Pardew was arranging another meeting with chairman Mike Ashley in an attempt to persuade him to release money to strengthen the United squad.
All the evidence Pardew needed to back up his case came when these two teams met less than a month ago at White Hart Lane.
With a drab game limping towards a goalless draw, Redknapp could choose his substitutes from players such as Peter Crouch, Jermaine Jenas, Robbie Keane and Niko Kranjcar.
Pardew did not possess such depth in strength and his resources have been stretched even further since then by injuries to Andy Carroll, , Steven Taylor and Alan Smith, while Cheik Tiote is suspended.
"That was the difference between us and Tottenham last time," said Pardew. "Harry Redknapp can turn round to his bench and see internationals, while this week I might have a young player who has never been involved in the first team."
Nevertheless, Newcastle have cemented a place in the top half of the table and will provide a substantial obstacle to Tottenham's attempt to strengthen their position near the top.
Key Match-up: Danny Simpson v Gareth Bale: Tottenham may not get much joy down the right wing, where Aaron Lennon will have to find a way past one of the quickest left backs in the Premier League in Jose Enrique. It means the main threat is likely to come down the left through Bale's pace, but Simpson has settled in well at right back since returning from an injury lay-of and is also quick. It will be an intriguing tussle.
Form Guide: Newcastle remain as unpredictable as ever, with their FA Cup defeat followed by an excellent performance at Sunderland. They are looking more settled at St James' Park in recent weeks and have won three of their last four home games. But Tottenham have lost only once in 13 games and enjoy playing against United, who have lost their last four meetings.
Odds: Newcastle 5/2, Tottenham 4/1, Draw 9/2.
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