Redknapp scents Europe

(GETTY IMAGES)

Harry Redknapp has called on his Portsmouth players to secure European football – and show he does not belong "in the nuthouse".

Pompey are well placed heading into the final 11 matches of the Premier League campaign, currently lying seventh. But only six points separate Everton in fourth and Manchester City in eighth position.

Tottenham's Carling Cup victory at Wembley to secure European qualification means sides must hope Chelsea and Manchester United – who host Portsmouth in round six – make it to Wembley in the FA Cup to free up another Uefa Cup spot for the Premier League.

Redknapp accepts Everton and Liverpool are probably favourites to scrap it out for the remaining European slots– but believes Pompey, who travel to Goodison Park on Sunday, can give them a run for their money, which would cap a remarkable campaign.

"If I had said we were going to finish fifth in the Premier League a couple of years ago, you would all have thought I would end up in the nuthouse, wouldn't you? But there is a chance," Redknapp said. "It would be great if we can do it, but let's see how we go. At the moment, it looks as though there's only going to be one Uefa Cup spot in the league for the team who finish fifth, so it is going to be very tight.

"You would have to fancy Liverpool or Everton for the Champions League spot. But we have got a chance for the Uefa Cup spot and so have Villa, Blackburn, Man City and West Ham.

"There is a whole group of us in there scrapping – we have all done well and we are all in there in that top group."