HARRY Redknapp is tipping Cherries ’ management team to silence the critics and insists: “They know what they are doing.”

The legendary boss is adamant Paul Groves and Shaun Brooks can still get Cherries’ campaign back on track – by reaching the play-offs.

Manager Groves has come under fire from sections of the Cherries support this season after presiding over just one win in eight league matches.

Fans reacted angrily after Cherries had slipped six points adrift of the play-off zone following the 4-0 thumping at Swindon last time out.

But Redknapp, currently helping his former club in an advisory capacity at Goldsands Stadium, has called for Groves to be given time.

The man who guided Cherries to promotion to the second tier is confident that patience would be rewarded with a top-six place come the end of April.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Redknapp told the Daily Echo: “I have got great respect for Grovesy, Shaun Brooks and Dennis Rofe.

“Every game I have seen – I didn’t see Swindon – they played so well.

“I went to Yeovil and they were fantastic. I saw MK Dons, Preston and Brentford. They were all games they should have won. They are very, very close.

“They went to Swindon with so many injuries on Saturday that it was silly.

“But people have got to be patient with them because they know what they are doing.

“Paul Groves worked for me at Portsmouth when we won the FA Cup. He knows what he is about – believe you me – and so does Shaun. Just give them time.

“They just need to turn the corner and they need a positive result and, hopefully, they will get that against Walsall. And then they will get up and running.”

Cherries will be aiming to enhance a record of four straight home draws in League One when they host Walsall tomorrow (3pm).

Redknapp added: “I still think they are going to be close. I still see them making the play-offs this season – I really do. I can see that happening.

“The club is in great shape. I went over there on Tuesday and watched the development game in the afternoon for an hour.

“The new training pitch is brilliant, and the offices, the facilities, the boxes, the pitch and the whole stadium.

“The only thing that is missing now is just getting it right on the pitch and I think they are very close to doing that.”