Harry tries to fit his jewel into a diamond

HARRY REDKNAPP has always liked to play down the role of the manager, frequently insisting that it is the quality of the players, not tactics or formations, that holds the key to success.

In Rafael van der Vaart, Redknapp has undoubtedly unearthed a quality player and at a price that prompts a double take given the hyper-inflation that dominates some sectors of the transfer market. At £8 million (€9.1m) from Real Madrid, the Dutchman always looked cheap and following his start at White Hart Lane, it now looks to be a steal.

Now, though, the manager concedes it will be up to himself to fashion a side that makes the most of van der Vaart’s attributes.