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Redknapp: Beat drop, then party

Harry Redknapp has promised his players they can party as much as they like - but only if they keep QPR in the Premier League.

Last Updated: 07/12/12 at 14:55 Post Comment   

Harry Redknapp: No reason to party at Loftus Road

Harry Redknapp: No reason to party at Loftus Road

Redknapp banned Christmas parties at Tottenham after a raucous and unauthorised trip to Dublin three years ago was proceeded by a home defeat to Wolves.

His successor Andre Villas-Boas said this week that he is happy for his squad to have "two or three" festive get-togethers, but QPR's current plight means Redknapp has no plans to do the same at his new club.

With Rangers seven points from safety after a winless run of 15 matches, the 65-year-old thinks his players do not deserve a party.

Indeed the only celebrating that QPR will undertake this year is if they manage to avoid a potentially crippling relegation to the Championship.

"I'm not mad about footballers having Christmas parties," said Redknapp.

"I have been doing this job an awful long time and I find it's nothing but aggravation. Almost every club has had aggro' at some time.

"The lads go out, photographers are waiting to take pictures of them late at night and you don't need it really.

"With the position we're in we have nothing to celebrate. We need to concentrate on getting results and if we get out of trouble we will have a big party at the end of the year.

"They had the whole summer off to have all the parties they wanted and get two and a half months of holidays - they can go anywhere and do what they want. This is the busiest time of the year."

Redknapp warned there would be no quick fix to QPR's problems when he was appointed two weeks ago and that much has been clear from his first two games in charge.

Rangers struggled to a draw in Redknapp's opener at Sunderland and the Londoners came from behind to take a point against Aston Villa at home last weekend.

Should they fail to beat fellow strugglers Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday, QPR will become the only club in Premier League history not to win any of their first 16 matches.

Redknapp has been pleased with the efforts of his players, but he admits QPR's current predicament troubles him 24/7.

"My only concern and focus is trying to get some results at QPR," Redknapp said.

"That's where my mind is all day every day and all night.

"I've been focusing on trying to get us ready to get a win tomorrow.

"If we do that then our season could take off."

Redknapp's chances of success will depend, to a certain extent, on the club's activity in the transfer market.

The former Spurs boss will next week meet with QPR chairman Tony Fernandes for the first time since he replaced Mark Hughes.

Having ploughed so much money in to the club since he bought it, Redknapp acknowledges Fernandes may be loathe to fund a lavish spending spree, and he may instead look to the loan market for solutions to his problems.

"We will sit down and the owners will have a look at the situation," Redknapp said.

"Maybe we won't have to spend any money. Maybe we can pick up a couple of loans. It's a case of knowing who is around, knowing who is available and who can do a job for you."

Redknapp was coy on being linked with Shanghai Shenhua striker Nicolas Anelka.

"I don't know what the situation is with him. If he is available he is a player who I think would be of interest to people," he said.

But he was more forthcoming on Tal Ben Haim, who Redknapp confirmed is on trial at the west London club following his release from Portsmouth.

"I am having a look at him," Redknapp added.

"He's a good defender who has a great attitude. We will just see where we go in the next couple of weeks."

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