English Premiership
Redknapp blasts Mancini
2012-01-20 15:25
London -Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has criticised Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini for waving imaginary red cards on the touchline in a bid to get opposition players sent off.
Mancini has come in for heavy criticism in recent weeks after waving an imaginary card when Liverpool's Martin Skrtel conceded a penalty against his side and then appearing to suggest Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa should be sent off for a deliberate handball during City's 1-0 win on Monday.
The Italian's controversial antics had already brought an angry response from Wayne Rooney, who accused Mancini of hypocrisy after the City boss blasted the Manchester United star for waving an imaginary card before City's Vincent Kompany was sent off during an FA Cup third round tie.
Wolverhampton Wanderers coach Mick McCarthy has also criticised Mancini and now Redknapp has done the same, in the process lighting the fuse ahead of his side's potentially explosive trip to face City at Eastlands.
"I don't like it. I wouldn't do it. I don't like to see it," Redknapp said on Friday. "I don't think there is any need for it. He has done a great job there and when I have met him, I have found him a really good guy.
"We all do things we shouldn't do at different times. We get caught up in the game but it's not something I like to see."
Redknapp's third-placed side head to City five points adrift of the leaders after failing to claim a share of top spot last weekend by drawing 1-1 with Wolves.
Tottenham were beaten 5-1 at home by City in their second game of the season but have only lost once in their following 19 matches and Redknapp believes his side are capable of getting back in the title race with a win on Sunday.
"They are not invincible," Redknapp said. "I think we can win. We will go there as a positive team. I wouldn't want to go there and sit back. We have people who can hurt them.
"We have good players here and they will be looking forward to it. I don't think about losing. I think about going there on Sunday and trying to win."
Meanwhile, Redknapp revealed there is a slender chance that captain Ledley King could feature for the first time since December 22 following a hamstring problem.
"The last time I saw him on the training pitch was four weeks ago, but it's not impossible (that he could play)," Redknapp said.