Harry Redknapp has argued that if QPR had signed Tottenham defender Michael Dawson in the summer transfer window then they would not battling against relegation.

Andre Villas-Boas had agreed a £9 million deal for Dawson to head to QPR after taking over from Redknapp, but Rangers were unable to come to a personal agreement with the star in time for deadline day, and subsequently the agreement fell apart.

Dawson's possible move away from Tottenham came as somewhat of a shock to Spurs fans, with the 29 year old named skipper of the club at the time. He has since worked his way into the fray under Villas-Boas and has once again become an important member of the squad as they push for a top four finish and Europa League glory.

Michael Dawson
Things would be different if Michael Dawson was at QPR, Harry Redknapp says.

QPR, meanwhile, eventually sacked then-manager Mark Hughes and brought in an out-of-work Redknapp in the hope of saving them from relegation. The west London club were in a dire position when he took over, having not won a single league game and sitting bottom of the table.

Despite making some big money signings in January, the former Portsmouth man has been unable to push the side out of the relegation zone, but Redknapp believes QPR would have a very different story to tell right now if Dawson had moved to the club.

"Before I came, no one saw QPR with four points from 13 games," he told the Fulham Chronicle.

"If they had got Michael Dawson when they were trying to get him - they wouldn't be in this situation, and I wouldn't be here now."

Since Redknapp took over the job at QPR on November 24th, the side have won just five matches. Tottenham, meanwhile, are in a very similar position to when he was in charge of the north London club this time last year, facing a tight fight with Arsenal and Chelsea for a Champions League position.

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