Published: 1 December, 2011
by DAN CARRIER

Harry Redknapp last night (Wednesday) admitted his side have a mountain to climb if they are to progress to the next phase of the Europa Cup.

But the Spurs boss will know that the club’s failure to get out of the qualifying stage may help secure a place at the Champions League table next season.

Redknapp saw his charges lose 2-1 in the penultimate Europa Cup group game against Greek side PAOK.

They now need a win away at Shamrock Rovers and have to better Russian club Rubin’s score at PAOK in two weeks’ time to go forward.

Speaking after the game, Redknapp said: “There is a very slim chance we will qualify but it doesn’t look that way.

So far in this competition we have done well, we have changed the team round as the most important thing is to keep the players fit for Saturday in the Premier League.

“We don’t ever want to get beat but we have to change the side and it was just not to be.”

The reverse at White Hart Lane was Tottenham’s first defeat at home since August.

Redknapp, who chose to give first-teamers Luka Modric, Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe a runout, was not too disappointed with the manner of the defeat.

He added: “The back four had not played together before and we started sloppily.

“We did not defend well and when you are two goals down it is very hard.  But we came back well and at half-time I thought we would win it – but it was not to be.”

Spurs were two down after just 10 minutes.

A Modric penalty narrowed the deficit on the stroke of half-time but for all of Tottenham’s second half possession they found a packed defence hard to get past.

To have a Europa adventure in the spring, Spurs need a miracle, said Redknapp.

And with the league a priority, he will not be too disappointed if it doesn’t happen.