Harry sees red after trial by Tanner
This was one of them. As if going down to a damaging defeat late on to a relegation rival was not enough to raise a scowl, Redknapp also took issue with the performance of referee Steve Tanner.
Redknapp is likely to be asked to explain himself by the Football Association after launching a furious tirade against the official, who sent off Spurs defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto and decided not to penalise West Brom’s Roman Bednar for a push on Michael Dawson in the build-up to Albion’s opening goal. Bednar duly headed past Heurelho Gomes in the 83rd minute to swing the game in Albion’s favour.
Spurs were still steaming when substitute Craig Beattie added a second in injury time, the Scot stabbing home from close range.
“I couldn’t even put into words what I thought of his performance,” Redknapp said. “When I walked into the referees’ room before the game and saw who was reffing the game I knew what was coming. I expected that and it didn’t surprise me at all. I’ve had him many times before and I know what he is like — he really isn’t good enough.
“He is just a poor referee unfortunately, and I’ve seen him make a mess of so many games before.
“I saw him when I was in the Championship and I thought to myself then ‘Where has he come from?’.
“I never walk in after a game and complain about a referee but this guy today is scary. What can you do? Someone thinks he is good enough but he is definitely not.”
Perversely, Redknapp thought the referee was right to send off Assou-Ekotto for an over-the-top tackle on Gianni Zuiverloon, although television replays suggested the tackle was not as dangerous as it first appeared.
“I thought it was a sending-off,” Redknapp added. “I thought he turned his back, he put his foot in and I could see why he sent him off.”
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray preferred to focus on a crucial victory for his struggling side rather than add to Tanner’s critics.
“I have no comment on the referee,” he said. “Some games as a coach you sit there and have thoughts but I’ve not been as brave as Harry and said anything,” he said.
“I think we all abide by the officials. We agree with some decisions, we don’t agree with others.
“Some of them are crucial decisions and some are niggly little fouls.
“The bottom line is you hope to get the big ones right. I was very surprised when a red card was given but the referee saw it was and you have to live with that.
“If I thought there was a push [on Dawson] I would be sitting here saying I thought we got away with it but I didn’t see any pushes.”
Carson 7, Zuiverloon 7 (Hoefkens 72, 5), Olsson 6, Barnett 6, Cech 6, Morrison 7, Greening 6, Brunt 6 (Dorrans 65, 5), Valero 5 (Beattie 80, 6), Bednar 7, Moore 6.
Kiely, Kim, MacDonald, Donk.
Gomes 5, Corluka 5, Dawson 6, Woodgate 7, Assou-Ekotto 4, Lennon 5, Zokora 5 (Campbell 86, 5), Jenas 6, Bentley 5 (O'Hara 69, 5), Modric 6 (Bale 75, 5), Bent 6.
Cesar, Gunter, Taarabt, Obika.
Steve Tanner (Somerset) 3: Inconsistent and the sending-off was harsh.
Dramatic denouement saved it from obscurity.
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