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Cometh the hour cometh Milan for Harry
Sunday Mirror, May 11, 2008 by PETER WHITE
HARRY REDKNAPP is ready to turn to Milan Baros to make it Czech Mate to Portsmouth in Saturday's FA Cup Final against Cardiff.
Pompey boss Redknapp has strongly hinted he will revert to his less-favoured 4-4-2 formation for the Wembley showdown.
And that will almost certainly mean a place in the starting lineup for Baros, even though he has gone 14 games without a goal since moving on loan from Lyon in January.
The ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa striker is hoping to make the switch from his French club to Fratton Park permanent at the end of the campaign, and a goal, or even more, in the final would certainly help his cause. He has never been a prolific scorer in the English game, but has rattled in 29 goals in 50 outings for the Czech Republic.
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Redknapp is ready to unleash Baros because Kanu is unable to provide sufficient fire power as a lone front man.
The only other alternative is David Nugent, but he has struggled as badly as Baros since his pounds 6million move from Preston last summer, and is still looking for his first League goal.
Redknapp recalled: "We played 4-4-2 in the semis against West Brom at Wembley and we'll play it against Fulham in our last League game.
"Our away form has been fantastic where we have played 4-5-1, and scored goals. We beat Newcastle and Villa away and it suited us. But at Wembley I'll be tempted with 4-4-2."
That leaves Redknapp with the dilemma of who to axe from his midfield engine room. Flying winger John Utaka is fit, and should get the nod after his width down the right was sorely missed in the semi-final.
Niko Kranjcar provides the foil down the left, and Redknapp is a huge admirer of midfield anchor man Lassana Diarra. That leaves Papa Bouba Diop and Sulley Muntari vying for the final berth, although Redknapp has hinted Sean Davis or Pedro Mendes could yet figure.
If Redknapp is looking for goals from midfield Muntari could be the man. Although he has scored a modest five in 31 appearances, he stands up well against rivals Diop (none in 33), Davis (none in 24) and Mendes (none in 22).
Redknapp's only other concern is whether keeper David James (calf) will be fit enough to play, so deputy Jamie Ashdown remains on stand-by.
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