Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp fears a long Champions League run will wreck their Premier League campaign.
Redknapp's side face a tough trip to Werder Bremen on Tuesday in their group opener.
He said: "It's so difficult to maintain it on two fronts, it's a difficult juggling act.
"When you are not in the Champions League or UEFA Cup, you want teams to stay in because you know they are going to get knocked about. I used to love that.
"I always looked at the fixtures and saw Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal and thought: 'That's handy, we play them between Champions League games.'
"They mess around with their teams, they rest players. I have got out of trouble before because an opposing manager has rested six or seven of his best players. We have a good squad but, like with Ledley King, it's going to be difficult. He is either going to play in the league or the Champions League."
