Tottenham fans 'love' Roman Pavlyuchenko, says Harry
Redknapp
Tottenham assistant manager Kevin Bond admits
Roman Pavlyuchenko has given Harry Redknapp a selection headache following
his double strike at Wigan.
Back in favour: Roman Pavlyuchenko in the
goals against Wigan Photo: GETTY
IMAGES
The Russian stepped off the bench at the DW Stadium yesterday
and scored his first league goals of the season in a 3-0 victory.
With Jermain Defoe also on target against the club he scored five against
in a 9-1 win in November, Tottenham Hotspur moved up to fourth place in
the table.
Pavlyuchenko was introduced for Defoe in the second half and opened his
account in the 85th minute after substitute Luka Modric, who had earlier
hit the post, supplied the opening.
Pavlyuchenko then completed the job in stoppage time when he found a way
past goalkeeper Chris Kirkland at the second attempt. He could now have
a big role to play in the run-in after looking likely to join Lokomotiv
Moscow.
Bond said: "Roman has trained really well all week and the manager
had it in the back of his mind to introduce him at some stage.
"He has made a real impact and given the manager plenty to think
about now."
Manager Redknapp added: "They (the fans) love him. He has got ability
and when he wants to play and wants to work he's great."
Defoe had made the breakthrough in the 27th minute with his 22nd goal
of the season but looked to be in an offside position at the back post
when Gareth Bale played the ball across.
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez was furious that the England striker's
effort was allowed to stand and felt his side did not get the rub of the
green from referee Alan Wiley.
He said: "We knew the first goal was going to be paramount today.
It should have been disallowed.
"It is hard to explain. He is one-and-a-half yards offside and the
linesman has no-one in his vision. It changes the game."
Redknapp said: "I won't sleep tonight. It doesn't bother me at all.
Sometimes you get them sometimes you don't."
Martinez believed Defoe should have been red-carded for a challenge on
Gary Caldwell, and he also felt that Tom Huddlestone should have been
dismissed.
He said: "Defoe and Huddlestone did enough to be sent off. The challenges
are very straightforward. Defoe has both feet off the ground and it is
clearly a red card."
Huddlestone had earlier been booked for tugging at Charles N'Zogbia before
tussling with James McCarthy.
Martinez added: "Huddlestone has already been booked for one challenge
and the next one is also worthy of another yellow.
"I do not like to be critical of the referee but it is hard to explain
his performance today."
