Although Redknapp thought enough of Defoe's talent to bring him to Portsmouth, then go back to sign him for Spurs two years ago, it did not stop the Tottenham chief questioning his star striker's form over the latter stages of the campaign.

Defoe was substituted in 11 of his club's last 13 matches - and did not play in the other two - prompting Redknapp to grumble: "I wanted more from him than he was giving me."

The 27-year-old stayed quiet but responded yesterday in Port Elizabeth. The goal that kept England in the World Cup.

"I don't think Harry was being fair," said Defoe.

"My performance in the win against Chelsea was probably my best of the season. My movement was good and I felt sharp.

"I injured my hamstring, which set me back a bit. But I got myself fit again and got back in the team."

Defoe is eager to play down any suggestions of a rift with his club boss, who has praised the forward since he has been in South Africa.

The pair have not spoken directly, although Defoe is expecting his phone to ring at some stage.

"I have played with Harry almost all my career and he has always been fantastic with me, phoning me regularly, ever since I was at West Ham," he said.

"I am sure he will be in touch soon."

The conversation may take place before Sunday, when England take on Germany in a mouth-watering last 16 encounter in Bloemfontein.

It is hard to imagine Defoe not keeping his place, even though Emile Heskey was a key figure in that memorable 5-1 win in Munich nine years ago.

And that might force him into one of those dreaded penalty shoot-outs that Germany have proved themselves the masters of down the years.

Fabio Capello is taking no chances, and already has his side practising on a daily basis.

"We aren't doing the walk from halfway but there is still pressure because all the lads are standing there and if you miss you are going to get a little bit of banter," said Defoe. "But most of it is in the mind to be honest.

"Sometimes great players look different to when they play for their club but it's important to be confident.

"When you are scoring goals it seems like the easiest thing in the world. When you aren't it's the hardest thing. You take an extra touch or snatch at chances."

Penalties have always looked easy to Germans. They simply put the ball down, step back, and belt it past the goalkeeper.

It happened at Italia 90 and again six years later at Wembley when England experienced that losing feeling once more in the semi-finals of Euro 96.

Yet Defoe insists there is nothing unique to German DNA that means they score and England don't.

Alan Shearer once said he loved the pressure of penalties because it offered the chance for him to become a hero.

Defoe can see exactly what the former England skipper means.

"It is a nice pressure because if you score you know it means so much to everyone at home and it is helping the team achieve something special," he said.

And remarkably, Defoe has no doubts he would be happy to take one, even though he has missed six of his last 11 for Tottenham, admittedly finding the net in that pivotal encounter with Chelsea in April.

Defoe was picked out for a chat by forwards coach Les Ferdinand. But he claims his confidence remains unaffected anyway.

"Les was great with me and pulled me after training," he said.

"He kept telling me I was hitting the ball cleanly so there was no reason I should miss penalties. I remember him saying 'Trust me you'll score' and I did."

If he wanted any more advice ahead of this weekend, he could always turn to Stuart Pearce, who missed a fateful spot-kick in Turin a decade ago, and ended the night in tears.

"I haven't spoken to him about it - and I don't think I will," grimaced Defoe. "No. Not at all."