January window round-up

With the January transfer window drawing to its conclusion yesterday afternoon, Manager Harry Redknapp offers his thoughts on our transfer business conducted over the course of last month.

A total of five players joined the Club- Jermain Defoe, Carlo Cudicini, Wilson Palacios, Pascal Chimbonda and Robbie Keane. Hossam Ghaly, Cesar Sanchez, Paul Stalteri, Charlie Daniels and Andy Barcham all moved on and we wish them well at their new clubs.

"I am pleased with the work we have done this month," considered Harry.

"I would have preferred January to have been a quiet month for us but we were not in a position to do so when you consider our current position in the league. It was obvious that the squad needed strengthening because the results over the past 12 months have shown that to be the case.

"We had to do something and I am delighted with the players we have brought in. They are good players and the Chairman has done a fantastic job in securing them. I am sure they will make us stronger.

"Three players have returned to the Club. They were always good players in my opinion and it was circumstances that resulted in their exits. I am sure the Club did not want to lose any of them in the first place. But they are all back here now and for me they are terrific players.

"Jermain was the first one in and he started ever so well but unfortunately has since picked up a bad injury. He is a goalscorer, he has always scored goals. He has proved that already since his return with three goals in five games.

"Carlo was a great free transfer. In the past he was considered probably as good a goalkeeper as there was in the Premier League and I have been well pleased with him since he has been here. He has been cool, calm and done a good job for us. Everybody should have two or three top goalkeepers at this level. He will work hard to get into the team and it will be good competition in that position.

"Wilson is a terrific midfielder. He is a strong player with a great future. He will come in here and get after it and play aggressively. He is an all-round modern midfielder- he's box-to-box. It was difficult on Saturday in his first game but I felt the longer the game went on, the better he got and I think he will be a big player for us.

"Pascal was here before and can play in several positions- right-back, left-back and as a central defender- and that will be important to us because we need someone like that in our squad. He came off the bench on Saturday and had a hand in both our goals to get us back into the game and will prove to be a good player for us.

"Robbie will be a big, big player for us and I am confident he will be able to forge strong partnerships with all the other strikers we have here. He is such a terrific character and I am glad to have him here because he will be important to us both on and off the field. He is just the type of player we need here and gives his all everytime he plays. He is a leader with great presence in the dressing room and I am sure his enthusiasm will rub off on others. Ledley is our Club captain but because of his injury he accepts he can't be involved every week, so Robbie will be my team captain."