H Leads Congratulations

Harry Redknapp has led the congratulations for Stuart Pearce being named Hammer of the year - and is delighted about Joe Cole being runner-up in the PFA Young Player of the year as well.

Talking of Stuart, who has also received a similar award at Nottingham Forest but was unable to receive the award personally on Thursday at the supporters' club because of illness, he says:

"I think he's been outstanding; he's had a terrific season for us - he's a good professional and is good to have around the place.

"We're looking to keep him next season - I have a lot of time for Stuart Pearce."

He knows good left footers are something of a rarity and that he will have to replace both him and Nigel Winterburn - who also polled a lot of the votes - by the end of next season.

What's more, he is actively looking for a left midfielder and says: 

"Everyone is looking for top class left sided players there's certainly not many around, but we've been looking around to see what we can find."

He has been linked with Lauren Robert at PSG, a left midfielder of undoubted talent but one who has been out of the team a lot after falling out with the coach.

The Paris club are looking to make wholesale changes to their squad with around a dozen players set to depart - and Robert will be one of them.

Says Harry:

"I'm looking at him but it's whether you are going to be able to buy him; top class players cost top class money."

Talking of the left midfield area, Harry has denied recent comments by him about it ,that have been intepreted in the media as indicating Joe Cole might find it hard to find a place in the starting line up, have been correctly assessed.

Clarifying the situation, he says:

"I said a piece about Joe and what a good player he was and everything else, and I was asked about the midfield and how I'd like to play.

"I said I'd like to get a wide left player in; but there's always going to be a place for Joe in your side.

"Suddenly it's being said 'no place for Cole' because I said I need to get a left winger in.

"You need a squad of players and I need a good left sided player so it gives me an option; anyone who'd have seen the article would have seen it was a load of rubbish what was then being written."

Harry was delighted to congratulate Joe on the runners up spot for the PFA award, and adds:

"It's great for Joe, and Michael was also in the six, so to have two kids in there was absolutely brilliant and I'm well pleased for them.

"Next year I'm sure one of them will win it, which would be lovely."

Meanwhile Joe is delighted that Stuart has won the award, and says:

"He fully deserves it because he has had a great campaign; the defence has never been the same back four all season and now we're looking to steady the ship a bit and get more in like him.

"He's a character and you'd much rather have him playing for you than against you.

"It's lucky that he is on my side and it is great news that he is playing on - he is one of the best left backs in the country."