TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp is delighted with his attacking options after Jermain Defoe's second-half strike secured a 1-0 win over West Ham and a place in the final of the Barclays Asia Trophy.
Spurs are in the middle of a hectic pre-season schedule having played Barcelona and Celtic at the Wembley Cup recently before arriving in China earlier this week.
Despite their gruelling summer, Tottenham looked the better side against London rivals West Ham today and perhaps should have won by an even greater margin but for a number of missed chances.
Redknapp gave run-outs to Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane up front, and was delighted with what he saw at Beijing's Workers Stadium.
"It was a terrific workout," said Redknapp, who this week added England striker Peter Crouch to his squad.
"We passed the ball great and had lots of chances.
"When you have so many chances, if you nick one it might win a game for you, and overall we kept the ball great and pleased with the way we played.
"Defoe looked so sharp, it was only a matter of time before he took his chance, and he had a few other opportunities that he made for himself with tricky pace and movement. I was very pleased with him.
"We have good options and now we have Crouch. We are looking stronger and we need to push on and if I can improve the squad further before the start of the season then I will."
Particularly impressive was Kyle Naughton, who joined last week from Sheffield United.
Though normally a right-back, the 20-year-old was deployed on the right of midfield and caused problems for the West Ham defence.
"He did very well," added Redknapp. "He is a fantastic player and has great attitude. Hopefully he will be a Tottenham player for many years to come.
"The midfield was excellent today, we controlled play in the middle and that was important."
Midfielder Jamie O'Hara was also pleased with the workout, as the England Under-21 international looks to secure his place in Redknapp's plans for the coming season.
"I thought we played fantastic tonight," said the 22-year-old. "We were playing West Ham so it is not really a friendly game.
"I take every season as it comes. I am still young and I will just try to impress the manager as much as I can."
Despite their gruelling summer, Tottenham looked the better side against London rivals West Ham today and perhaps should have won by an even greater margin but for a number of missed chances.
Redknapp gave run-outs to Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane up front, and was delighted with what he saw at Beijing's Workers Stadium.
"It was a terrific workout," said Redknapp, who this week added England striker Peter Crouch to his squad.
"We passed the ball great and had lots of chances.
"When you have so many chances, if you nick one it might win a game for you, and overall we kept the ball great and pleased with the way we played.
"Defoe looked so sharp, it was only a matter of time before he took his chance, and he had a few other opportunities that he made for himself with tricky pace and movement. I was very pleased with him.
"We have good options and now we have Crouch. We are looking stronger and we need to push on and if I can improve the squad further before the start of the season then I will."
Particularly impressive was Kyle Naughton, who joined last week from Sheffield United.
Though normally a right-back, the 20-year-old was deployed on the right of midfield and caused problems for the West Ham defence.
"He did very well," added Redknapp. "He is a fantastic player and has great attitude. Hopefully he will be a Tottenham player for many years to come.
"The midfield was excellent today, we controlled play in the middle and that was important."
Midfielder Jamie O'Hara was also pleased with the workout, as the England Under-21 international looks to secure his place in Redknapp's plans for the coming season.
"I thought we played fantastic tonight," said the 22-year-old. "We were playing West Ham so it is not really a friendly game.
"I take every season as it comes. I am still young and I will just try to impress the manager as much as I can."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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