Redknapp lifts Tottenham from relegation mire

The managerial change at White Hart Lane paid rich dividends as former Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp steered the boat to safe waters by keeping Tottenham in the Premier League.

West Brom had an intelligent coach in Tony Mowbray, who has now joined Celtic, but his hands were tied as he didn't have the funds to strengthen his squad. In addition to their financial problems, it was not easy for a club like West Brom (and other relegation strugglers) to attract top players.

Tottenham started the season under Juande Ramos. The Spanish manager had led the Londoners to League Cup honours but, in the bread-and-butter that is the Premier League, his team stuttered and made an awful start to the season.

Ramos was given a free hand in the transfer market but he also had to part with key players. In their opening eight Premier League games last season, Tottenham failed to claim a single win under Ramos, their worst start to a season in the club's history.

Redknapp became the Londoners' fifth manager since 2004, taking over from Ramos on October 25. He succeeded in bringing back striker Robbie Keane after the latter's disappointing spell at Liverpool, and also persuaded Portsmouth, his former club, to transfer Jermain Defoe back to Tottenham for £15m.

Redknapp showed his worth immediately as Tottenham won on his debut, defeating Bolton 2-0 at White Hart Lane. Spurs did not lose once in their first four matches under Redknapp, including a 4-4 draw at Arsenal and a 2-1 home win over Liverpool.

Tottenham finished eighth. They were pipped by Fulham for a place in Europe (two points behind). Striker Darren Bent was Tottenham's top scorer last season and Jonathan Woodgate was voted player of the season.

Despite their precarious position in the standings, West Brom persisted with their adventurous style which won them a lot of neutral fans.

Yet, their approach at times upset the home fans who felt that West Brom's efforts to play positive, entertaining football did little to help their chances of avoiding relegation. The Albion were relegated on the penultimate day of the season after a home defeat to Liverpool.

Chris Brunt was West Brom's leading striker and Jonas Olsson landed the club's player of the year award. Mowbray showed a lot of confidence in striker Luke Moore but the former Aston Villa player failed to impress.

West Brom had the worst away record in the Premier League as they gained only one win on their travels.

European burden

After the dust settled on last season's league campaign, some Tottenham fans were glad that their team had failed to qualify for a European competition. Their participation in the UEFA Cup last season was widely seen as a hindrance to Tottenham's bid to improve their position in the Premier League.

After going through the group phase of the UEFA Cup, Tottenham began to get the hiccups in the knock-out stage. With Redknapp opting to field depleted teams, Tottenham bowed out in the third round of the tournament, losing to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Tottenham reached the final of the League Cup but lost to Manchester United on penalties. In the FA Cup, Tottenham were also knocked out by Man. United after a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane.

For their part, West Brom were humbled by lowly Hartlepool, losing 3-1 in round two of the League Cup at Victoria Park.

In the FA Cup, Burnley, who will be playing in the Premier League next season, beat West Bromwich 3-1 at the Hawthorns in a fourth round replay.