Michael Dawson urges "fresh start"

Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson has urged his teammates to look forward and move on from the sacking of Harry Redknapp.

The 65-year-old was unexpectedly dismissed last month and has since been replaced by former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas.

Dawson believes that Redknapp did a commendable job at White Hart Lane during his four-year reign and has left the club well positioned to make further progress under Villas-Boas.

"[Harry] did a great job but there are always changes in players and managers," Dawson told the Daily Mail. "In football there are always things happening. "He left a great squad but we've got a new manager and we've got to look forward and be positive. We've now got to take the next step and that's our aim.

"When you first meet a person, people have reputations but from my point of view the first time I met the new manager he was great and it's a fresh start for him and every single player."

Dawson, 28, featured in just seven Premier League matches last season because of a succession of injuries.