As Redknapp often pointed out, Spurs had two points from eight Barclays Premier League games last term before Ramos was sacked and chairman Daniel Levy went to Portsmouth to recruit the man to lead them away from the mire.

Redknapp did not just get them out of trouble but to the brink of Europa League qualification and to Wembley, where they lost on penalties to Manchester United in the Carling Cup final.

"We just don't want to be in that position again next year," he said. "Nobody saw it coming at Tottenham last year.

"Tottenham beat Roma 5-0 in pre-season and people were saying 'my God, you want to see Tottenham. They look fantastic'. Then the season starts and - crash. We don't want to end up with that again this year."

The signs are promising after Spurs' encouraging finish to last season. Their run led Joe Lewis - the man behind ENIC, who control the club - to make a rare appearance at White Hart Lane when Manchester City were defeated.

"I met him after the game, the first time I've met him," Redknapp said.

"He enjoyed it, it was his first visit - he said he has a 100% record here! The first time I've been we've won.

"He was switched on and knew everything that was going on at Tottenham, he watches all the games at home. He knew all about every player and doesn't miss a game on the TV. He felt we did very well from when I came and he was delighted."

The plan is to build on the good work Redknapp did last season.

Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes ended the campaign in good form but there are worries about the defenders in front of him.

Ledley King does not train regularly and cannot play matches in quick succession, while Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate may miss the start of the season through injury.

There is better news in midfield and attack, with Redknapp shaping a squad built around the creative force of Croatia playmaker Luka Modric, who starts on the left flank before drifting inside.

"He has been great there, he comes in off the left and finds space," Redknapp said.

"It seems to have suited him and he's slotted into that position fantastically so I don't see why he can't play there. He can play anywhere really, he's that good.

"When you're playing with smaller players you are looking to pass and play your way in and Luka pops up in that inside position which is a problem for full-backs.

"He has even played centrally and he was great. He's such a good player, he could play almost anywhere. He's a fantastic talent."

Redknapp will also be keeping an eye on his players' conduct away from the pitch, with some Spurs players attracting headlines for the wrong reasons last season. The Spurs boss does not want his players drinking excessively.

He said: "I've no problem with people having an occasional drink but if you can't have a drink and behave yourself... if you have to get drunk, you shouldn't be drinking.

"I don't want players going out to nightclubs, getting drunk and misbehaving.

"If you look at the problems they nearly all come when people get drunk. I don't understand it; they're so well paid, so well looked after. We've got fitness coaches, we've got sport scientists. I think these players are role models, they've got kids looking up to them."