When the final whistle went at the DW Stadium there was only one man who the players made a beeline for and there was plenty of high five and hugs dished out. Roman Pavlyuchenko deserved all the plaudits that he has got and the reaction perhaps symbolised the sympathy the players have got for the Russian striker.

I know Pavlyuchenko splits the WHL faithful with some agreeing that Redknapp is right to question the player’s appetite, while others felt he has been poorly treated and not been given the opportunities that he deserves. Harry in his post match interview once again said that when his head is right and he is focused he is a decent player; I just wonder if Redknapp is doing enough to get the player motivated and if he is actually failing him in many ways.

Harry Redknapp is renowned as an excellent man-manager; however I just question whether that is simply with players that he likes. I thought he treated Bale extremely poorly during last season in particular, missing great opportunities to get that losing hoodoo off his back and just talked down about his abilities as a defender, which in my view is widely exaggerated. Bentley is another player who has faced the public wrap from Harry about his focus and commitment and why I know Bentley does rub some supporters up the wrong way, it has to be said that after finally been given a run in the side in his favoured right wing position he has started to turn in the type of performance that made us splash out all the money in the first place. I personally think Bentley and most certainly Bale have been our best performers in the past month or so, and it just goes to show what a little bit of faith and a run in the side can do. I’m sure had Ekotto and Lennon not got injured that either, if not both, would have been sold in January. They have seized the opportunity and have more than answered the questions laid down by Harry and hopefully Pavlyuchenko can now do the same until the end of the season.

I don’t want to criticise Harry too much as he has worked wonders at the football club, but I feel he has treated certain players poorly during his time. Surely a good man-manager will realise that certain players need a rocket up them; some need an arm around the shoulder, while others want some belief given to them. It is about what is the best way to get a performance from a player and I feel that Harry has failed a few of them and not given them the support they deserve. Every player is different and the skill of the manager is to find that common ground with all of them in order to get the maximum from them. Redknapp may feel that Pavlyuchenko hasn’t done enough and his attitude has warranted being left out of the side and squad in the past few months, but I have to question what Harry has actually done in an attempt to bring out the best in him. Redknapp may feel he has, but I personally beg to differ and I feel that Pavlyuchenko has deserved better from his manager.

Written By Roy James