Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has stated that his side need to get three points against Stoke on Wednesday to maintain their charge for a top four finish.

The White Hart Lane outfit have lost their last three games against Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton, and had to watch as the Gunners and Chelsea have closed the gap on them.

Redknapp has admitted that the race for third and fourth places is getting tight, and knows the importance of a win against the Potters.

“We have had a run of not good results, but they have not been bad performances,” he said at a press conference, covered by Sky Sports.

“We are not playing badly, but we need it – a result – and want to be in form tomorrow.

“If we don’t win, then things are really getting a bit tight. It has closed up and you have to make sure we try to pick up three points.”

Stoke have a contingency of former Spurs players including Matthew Etherington, Jonathan Woodgate and Wilson Palacios, but Redknapp singled striker Peter Crouch out for particular praise ahead of the game.

“Crouchy has made an impact wherever he has been.

“He did a great job for us here, and also for me when we were at Portsmouth. I was sorry to lose him and it was not a case of wanting to get rid of Peter.

“We were taking Emmanuel Adebayor and I could not keep everybody. Peter moved on, but you would have him any day, he is a top player and a great lad as well,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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