Football: Uefa Cup first round: Redknapp keeps faith with attacking policy
WEST HAM UNITED
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Your support makes all the difference.HARRY REDKNAPP, West Ham's manager, will not change his side's tactics as he embarks on his first major European campaign as manager The Hammers face Osijek in the first round, first leg of the Uefa Cup at Upton Park tonight.
West Ham, who qualified for the Uefa Cup via the Intertoto Cup, have started the new term well with strikers Paolo Di Canio and Paulo Wanchope in form. Redknapp said: "It's important we play the right way. We went to Metz in the Intertoto and had a go at the game. Di Canio and Wanchope have been in form. Wanchope is such a handful. They used to frighten me when we played against them. I dreaded them getting the ball."
Redknapp expects Osijek to be difficult. Redknapp said: "They've got one or two very good young players. I expect they will sit behind the ball and try to hit us on the counter-attack."
Igor Stimac, West Ham's Croatia defender, has given his new team-mates inside knowledge of their opponents, but is confident West Ham can win over two legs. Stimac said: "Osijek are one of the best sides in Croatia, but I'm confident West Ham have more quality."
Stimac is likely to line up alongside Steve Potts and Javier Margas in West Ham's back line in the absence of the injured Rio Ferdinand, Neil Ruddock, Scott Minto, Ian Pearce and Stuart Pearce.
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