It's not redundant. Pulling down the notification window is an unneccessary action if there was a counter. You could see...without taking any action, that a message exists. The less key clicks or drags or drops ord double clicks the better!!
One of a few? I agree withe the original writer...showing how many missed messages seems like a basic need. If there a none....I dont have to make even one more click to know that! Bring on the counter!