Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was scathing in his criticism of his squad at yesterday's AGM. Redknapp, addressing 200 supporters at White Hart Lane, piled the pressure on chairman Daniel Levy to match his ambition by turning Tottenham into a top four team.
He said: "I can't tell lies. We are getting the best out of the squad we have. We need proper players and a proper team who can take us to where we want to go. If we are talking about finishing fifth the squad are well short of that. They're not as good as Aston Villa's or the top teams up there.
"You are never too good to go down, but we want to build a team that everyone can be proud of. We have a group of players who are honest, but there is no magic formula.
"We try to get people playing in their right positions. It is amazing how many managers don't actually do that. If people don't perform I tell them.
"There are 13 teams stuck in a relegation battle. All the clubs with 23 points or less are in it. Anyone can have a bad run and slip into it. Everybody is scrapping for their lives and looking over their shoulders.
"I can't stand here and honestly say we are looking to get into Europe. When I came here it was clear that staying up was our main objective. We have enough to get out of it, but we have to keep looking over our shoulder until we are well clear.
"We want to build a team that everyone is proud of. Then I can bow out in a few years' time and leave you all with a team in the top four."