Gallas: 'Magic' Redknapp the reason for our success

Rdknapp is overseeing a fine season so far (AP )

The Tottenham defender William Gallas has described Harry Redknapp's effect on his career as "magical" after five days in which the former Arsenal man has captained Spurs to victory at the Emirates and also at home to Werder Bremen to seal qualification for the Champions League knockout stages.

Redknapp has picked out Gallas, 33, as crucial to Spurs' performances and the former France international, who has been reluctant to speak publicly since his move from Arsenal, returned the compliment. "Maybe he has something magic, you know?" said Gallas about Redknapp. "It's very important for the team when you don't concede a goal. It means everybody works hard."

Spurs striker Peter Crouch said that his current team are better than the Liverpool side he was part of that reached the 2007 Champions League final and lost to Milan. Crouch said: "We had some great individuals when I was at Liverpool, and we reached the Champions League final but as a group of players I don't think I've played with better. We've got so many international players waiting to get a game.

"Right from the start when I came to this club, I was looking round the dressing room thinking, 'How have we not achieved anything?' I think it's only a matter of time. Last season, obviously finishing fourth was a great achievement but I think we can go one better and try to win something this year."

Tottenham's proposal to build a new £450m, 56,000-capacity stadium next to their existing White Hart Lane ground moved a step closer yesterday when their plans were approved by the mayor of London, Boris Johnson. After approval from Haringey council that was the next major obstacle.

However, the club will continue to keep alive their option to move into the Olympic stadium in Stratford as the chairman, Daniel Levy, is concerned that they could be subject to punitive infrastructure costs imposed by local government if they continue with the White Hart Lane redevelopment.