A return to the league is domestic bliss, says Blues boss
HARRY Redknapp has provided an honest reflection on the international break and admits he can’t wait for domestic football to resume.
The Birmingham City manager takes his new-look side to Norwich on Saturday, the first time fans will see a host of new signings.
Having watched England eventually take apart Malta on Friday evening before their comeback win against Slovakia on Monday night, Redknapp has conceded international football can’t hold his attention.
The former Tottenham and West Ham boss, who came close to landing the Three Lions job in 2012, is bored of the vicious circle that seems to offer no significant progress – and he’s already looking forward to the trip to Carrow Road.
“We don’t win anything. We qualify, we beat all these teams, ten out of ten, we get to the tournament – useless,” said Redknapp.
“It happens year after year after year. I’m sitting here and I’m not even watching the game. I’ve got it on and, I’ll be honest, I hear the commentator say ‘we’re playing Malta, this No.18, he works at the check-out counter during the week at the supermarket’.
“I think ‘what am I watching this for?!’ I can’t wait for the league to start again. That fortnight (the international break), for me, is a dead fortnight.”
Redknapp will firmly set his sights on preparing Blues for a return to club action on Saturday.
His side is likely to look a little different to the one that succumbed 2-0 to Reading at St Andrew’s in their last match.
Six players have since that defeat. joined the club
Redknapp raided Brentford in a triple swoop to sign defenders Harlee Dean and Maxime Colin, as well as highly-rated attacking midfielder Jota,
Jeremie Boga made the switch on loan from Chelsea, as did Liam Walsh on loan from Everton. Blues also brought in former Blackburn utility man Jason Lowe on a free transfer.
“We took three lads from Brentford right at the end [of the window],” said Redknapp.
“The centre-half, who is a winner; the boy who plays off the right, Jota, he’s got great ability. He’s a talent, Jota. He’s my type of player. He can do things, beat people, score and make goals. And an outstanding full-back – they are three good players for us.
“Jason Lowe is a proper professional. Captain, England Under-21 international, a really good player, great lad to have at your football club.
“Liam Walsh, he’s a typical lad from the Liverpool area. That kind of character. He’s another real talent. He’s a little tiger. He can play, he digs, he will be scrapping for a place in the team, for sure.” DARIUS Vassell wants cousin Isaac to become a ‘big player’ at Blues – but doesn’t want him ‘banging hat-tricks against Aston Villa’. Birmingham-born Darius came through the ranks at Bodymoor Heath, playing more than 200 games for Villa and scoring 45 goals, and will now watch on as his relative looks to blossom on the other side of the Second City. Isaac joined Blues in August from Luton Town and made a big impression at St Andrew’s before suffering a hamstring injury a g a in s t Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.
“He’s a really good player and I’m looking forward to watching him this season,” he said.
“I haven’t been able to watch him as much as I should have as I’ve been coaching quite a lot (with Wolves).
“This season, with him coming to Blues, it’s a good thing. It’s a good city and people are going to say the connection with Blues and all of that but I’ll support Isaac all day.
“I wish him the best. I was reading an article about Isaac the other day and he mentioned me, which was very nice of him.
“He was saying how he thinks there’s similarities within our game so, the idea of that, is exciting.
“Hopefully he can break through at Birmingham City and be a big player for the club. I don’t want him banging hat-tricks against Villa at all but all the best to him if he does!”