Cup victory perfect tonic for Redknapp
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Harry Redknapp would love to take Portsmouth back to Cardiff and lead his side out in the League Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.
Tuesday night's 2-0 victory over the Championship side at Ninian Park was just the tonic his injury-ravaged squad needed following the defeat to Aston Villa in the Premiership at the weekend.
Redknapp, though, knows better than to take anything for granted just yet. "We have had a good start, we are sitting 10th in the league, which is great for us, and we would love to go all the way in this competition, but who knows?" said the Portsmouth manager.
"You see that advert on the television where they are all buying their suits, then they get drawn against Arsenal and are told to put them all back!
"I think it is important for clubs like Portsmouth. We are not going to win the League, but we are going to have a go at the cups."
Since beating Manchester United in the Premiership at the end of last month, Redknapp has seen his quad depleted by injuries to record signing Diomansy Kamara, captain Nigel Quashie and defender Linvoy Primus.
However, with the likes of Matthew Taylor and Aliou Cissé coming into the starting XI on Tuesday, which also included 23-year-old goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown and youngsters Anthony Pulis and Lewis Buxton on the bench, Pompey eventually reached the quarter-finals comfortably with a second-half double from Aiyegbeni Yakubu.
"We came here and gave Cardiff all the respect they deserve. It was always going to be difficult," said Redknapp. "You have only got to look at Southampton's result at Watford to see that these are difficult games.
"We made a lot of changes, not because I wanted to, but I put out what I felt was my strongest side with what I've got left at the moment. It was still a strong enough team, I felt, to get a result. We needed a goal and once we went in front, I thought we looked OK."
Redknapp added: "They had one or two chances, from set plays and corners. I thought they looked dangerous, but that my goalkeeper did well - he was excellent at what he had to do. He came and took every cross and looked very confident."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments