There are a number of ways to annoy Harry Redknapp - a Panorama investigation or Customs and Excises prosecution usually suffices - but another safe bet is to tell him a Tottenham manager really should be leading his players into the Champions League.Spurs have been in contention for fourth spot all season and that has inevitably reminded people of the last time they were in this position, back in 2006 when they were pipped on the last day, by Arsenal of all people, after illness swept through the squad on the eve of a game with West Ham.
Martin Jol paid for that near miss with his job not long afterwards and his successor Juande Ramos, who had transformed Sevilla into an European force, soon made way for Redknapp when Spurs made their worst ever start to a season, in 2008-09.
And that's why Redknapp bridled yet again at suggestions that he might suffer a similar fate if chairman Daniel Levy is not given the Champions League football he craves.
"No, I think he's disappointed with what I've done," Redknapp replied in full sarcasm mode. "He enjoyed being bottom of the league more, like when I came here and they only had the two points.
"I can only do what I can do. If he's not happy with what I'm doing then unlucky. So what? I can only do my best can't I? I won't lose any sleep over it, that's for sure. I can only do my best - and I've done fantastic!"
How modest. But Harry also has a point. He really has "done fantastic", and in a short space of time too.
Condider this for a moment. Carlo Cudicini in goal, a central defensive pairing of Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King, Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone doing the hard work in the middle while Luka Modric and Aaron Lennon tee up chances for three top-class strikers: does that sound like the basis of a line-up that could compete with the elite? All but the goalkeeper are internationals after all.
Yet they have also all been unavailable to Redknapp for lengthy periods through injuries and only Modric, the Croatia play-maker, is currently available for selection.
"We have done well when you consider we have lost Woodgate and King, who are probably up there with Rio (Ferdinand) and (Nemanja) Vidic and (John) Terry and (Ricardo) Carvalho," Redknapp insisted. "We have lost Aaron Lennon for God knows how long and he was absolutely flying.
"Then we lose Huddlestone and Jenas, and Modric was out for months. Yet we have still managed to maintain the challenge. A lot of people thought we would fall away once we lost those key players but we have kept it going.
"If we make it then it is a bonus for us. At the start of the year whoever thought Liverpool might not be finishing in the top four? It was the same top four every year and then Man City came along with millions and millions.
"Everyone thought that they would be the team to maybe break in. I certainly don't think Aston Villa and Tottenham have any pressure at all on them. I don't think anybody saw us making it this year but we have got a chance."
With City slipping up at Sunderland and Liverpool continuing to under-achieve at home and abroad, that indeed remains the case and also makes Redknapp the most successful English manager at the moment. Manager of the Year anyone?
