Redknapp out to win UEFA Cup

Portsmouth's English manager Harry Redknapp instructs his team during their Premier League football match against Stoke at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, on October 5, 2008. AFP PHOTO / Glyn Kirk Mobile and website use of domestic English football pictures are subject to obtaining a Photographic End User Licence from Football DataCo Ltd Tel : +44 (0) 207 864 9121 or e-mail accreditations@football-dataco.com - applies to Premier and Football League matches (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

Portsmouth manager, Harry Redknapp, has declared his respect for the quality of the UEFA Cup tournament ahead of his side’s Group E encounter against FC Braga tonight.

While the UEFA Cup has numerous detractors in European football, Redknapp believes it is one of the toughest tournaments in the game, and has declared his ambition to put the UEFA Cup alongside the FA Cup in the Portsmouth trophy cabinet.

“It’s becoming a grueling competition, with a lot of games to cram in, and a tough one to win,” Redknapp told the Times. “You only have to look at the other sides in it. But we’re in it to win it, we don’t want to lose any games.”

True to his word, Redknapp has named his strongest possible team for tonight’s clash against Braga at the Estadio AXA. The Portsmouth boss explained that naming a full strength mid-week squad was a logical consequence of performing well in the Premier League.

“We’ve had a great start in the league and, sure, if we were sitting on two points, you might have to rethink. It’s a question of balancing your priorities, but if you’re going well in the league, it’s not a problem.”