Harry Redknapp is dealing with the fallout among his Tottenham players from their Champions League thrashing by Real Madrid.
The Spurs manager responded after Aaron Lennon insisted he would not be made a scapegoat for the 4-0 hiding in the Bernabeu.
Lennon used Twitter to defend hiswithdrawal from the side, made just minutes before kick-off because ofillness, which meant Tottenham had to reorganise their plans with theinclusion of Jermaine Jenas.
Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes also accused striker Peter Crouch, sent off in the 15th minute, of 'tackling like a novice'.
But Redknapp moved to stop anyarguments and is anxious to refocus his team on Saturday's home clashwith Stoke, which is vital to Spurs' hopes of finishing in the top fourand securing Champions League entry for next season.
'No-one's made him a scapegoat,'Redknapp said of Lennon. 'No one is blaming Aaron for not playing. Itwasn't Aaron's fault. He didn't bottle anything. The kid wasn't well.He's been fantastic for us. I've got no problems with the kidwhatsoever. He's normally chirpy in the dressing room before he goesout and I looked and he didn't look well. What am I supposed to do,send him out to play?'
That came after Lennon had defended himself, tweeting: 'Saying i fell ill be4 the game is bull**** i fell ill on sunday morning where the med team put me on antibotics, but only got worse b4 tues,' and, 'Believe me this is 1 game i did no wnt to miss and still devo (devastated) now!!!! But will not be made a scapegoat saying they only knew jus b4 K O.'
Redknapp, appearing on talkSPORT, added: 'Aaron hadn't been feeling well during the day. The doctor came to me and said, "Look, he is on antibiotics, I think he will be OK".
Early bath: Crouch was sent off for two bookable offences inside the first 15 minutes
'We were sitting almost waiting to goout and I looked at him and he was sitting there looking like deathwarmed up. 'I said to him, "Are you OK?" He said, "I've got no strengthand no energy but I'll give it a go". I had to make a decision. He waskey to everything we wanted to do, him and Gareth Bale were reallywhere we were looking to cause problems to Real Madrid.'He's been fantastic for me since I've been at the club and I was desperate for him to play but do I take the chance of sending the kid out when he doesn't feel he's got any strength or energy?'
Redknapp also defended Crouch, claiming: 'Real Madrid made sure they got him sent off. They were all after the referee, and over-acting and the player was rolling around. But he made a mistake. No one could feel more sorry than Crouchy does.'
?Sportsmail understands Tottenham are unlikely to face a UEFA charge after former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor spoke about Spurs fans singing potentially racist songs during Tuesday's match. Adebayor, who scored twice, said: 'We have done everything we can showing racism the red card. But people are still into it, that's part of life.'
?Don't make me a scapegoat! Lennon blasts back at doubters over late withdrawal from Spurs' Madrid miseryJenas blasts 'rash and inexperienced' ref Brych after Crouch's Bernabeu dismissalBale refuses to throw in towel despite Champions League mauling in MadridTottenham Hotspur FC news, features and opinion
?Explore more:People: Emmanuel Adebayor, Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Peter Crouch, Jermaine Jenas, Harry Redknapp Places: Spain
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail