Redknapp ready to recruit
QPR boss Harry Redknapp is still looking to add players to his squad in a bid to secure Barclays Premier League survival.
Redknapp saw his side seal an unexpected 0-0 draw at home to former club Tottenham with a show of grit and determination keeping Spurs at bay.
Despite now taking four points from their last two league games, following the 1-0 win over west London rivals Chelsea, Redknapp is aware that he needs to improve his squad as they look to retain their top-flight status.
When asked if current form could mean he does not spend in the January transfer window, Redknapp said: “I think if you think that is going to happen we would have a rude awakening at the end of the year.
“We need to strengthen the squad, we are short in certain areas. When there are games you have to open up and try and win we have to try and improve for sure.”
Reports surfaced earlier in the week that Rangers had had a bid for West Brom forward Peter Odemwingie rejected but, although Redknapp admitted he was interested in the Nigerian, he was unsure on the progress on any negotiations.
“We made an enquiry for Odemwingie,” he said.
“I don’t know whether (chief executive) Phillip Beard has put an offer in but he was a player we spoke about and he was a player I was interested in.
“There is every chance we have made an offer but I haven’t spoken to him (Beard) today but there is every chance an offer could have gone in.”
The 65-year-old Redknapp is rumoured to be flying to France to watch Rennes’ Ligue 1 clash with Bordeaux, with midfielder Yann M’Vila expected to be the focus of his attention, even though Redknapp was giving nothing away.
“I’m going to watch a game in Rennes, there will be a lot of good players on show,” he said.
“I’m going to watch a game tomorrow and just looking at players really to see if there is anything out there to improve us.”
“He (M’Vila) is an interesting player, I tried to sign him when I was at Tottenham and is someone I have watched five or six times in the last year – it is difficult because when you’re at the bottom it is harder to attract people to the club.”
One player who Redknapp did confirm he was looking into signing was Spurs midfielder Jake Livermore.
The 23-year-old England international has struggled to break into the Tottenham side on a regular basis and his former boss wants to take him to Loftus Road.
“Livermore, yes. We are doing a deal to take Jake on loan,” he said.
“I like Jake, I’m a big fan of Jake’s. He is a good young player and it will be a good experience for him.”
However, Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas had a different take on the potential deal for Livermore.
“There is nothing confirmed yet,” he said.
“I think when we announce it it will have to be official form all three parties.”
Villas-Boas said his side had been targeting the three points before kick-off but knew grabbing a goal against a strong defensive line-up would be difficult.
“Obviously we wanted to win to make sure we profit fully from the weekend’s games,” he said.
“Our away form has been excellent and we wanted to come here and win and we feel very comfortable away from home – after their win against Chelsea it was important to try and get the first goal and unlock them in some way.
“It is difficult to break them down and only if you score is it possible to find more spaces.”
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