Harry Redknapp rates Heurelho Gomes as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League on current form.
Goalkeeper earns manager's praise
Harry Redknapp rates Heurelho Gomes as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League on current form.
The Brazilian was regularly mocked following a series of gaffes during the early part of his Spurs career.
Having arrived at White Hart Lane with a reputation as one of the finest shot-stoppers in the business, Redknapp was prepared to give Gomes more time to prove himself after being appointed as manager in October 2008.
Redknapp brought in Carlo Cudicini to provide competition and Gomes rose to the challenge to establish himself as No.1
He has been far more reliable during the current campaign and has impressed Redknapp with some eye-catching performances.
"He's certainly been one of the best, he's up there with the best of them at the moment," said Redknapp.
"When I first came here, I did think maybe we needed (another goalkeeper).
World-class
"I bought Carlo in, I thought Carlo was a big influence as well, because suddenly he pushed him for his place, and got in the team as well."
Redknapp added: "He (Gomes) wasn't showing me what everybody had told me about him, the reports were that he was a world-class goalkeeper, from people who I respected.
"And he was just having a bad time, his confidence was shot - but since then he's shown just how good he is, he's been fantastic.
"I think I just kept picking him, that was the key. And then I brought Tony Parks in to work with him which was a big change."
Serious
Redknapp is currently looking forward to Saturday's away clash with Fulham in the FA Cup, a competition he is looking to win.
But while Redknapp and Roy Hodgson have taken the FA Cup seriously this season, the Spurs boss cannot explain why some managers field weakened teams.
"I can't understand why people take it lightly," he said. "I see managers who are mid-table and suddenly they are putting out weakened teams. What for? Surely we can all win the FA Cup.
"Everyone's in there with a chance. We start the season and most clubs think they can win two competitions - the League Cup or the FA Cup. They aren't going to win the championship. So why not have a go?
"If you are bottom of the league and struggling against relegation, I can understand it.
"But when you are mid-table and people put weakened teams out, I don't understand it."
