Daily WHUFC News - 4th May 2012

Big Sam and Vaz nominated
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te and Sam Allardyce are both up for awards for their efforts in
April
03.05.2012

Sam Allardyce and Ricardo Vaz Te have both been nominated for their
achievements in the npower Championship during April. The West Ham United
manager is up for Manager of the Month after overseeing an unbeaten month
for the Hammers that included four wins and two draws. The 4-0 win away win
at Barnsley and the 6-0 home win against Brighton & Hove Albion were
probably the pick of the bunch as Big Sam made sure his team entered the
Play-Offs in form.

Ricardo Vaz Te made quite an impact during April himself, scoring six goals
in as many games to earn himself a place on the three-man shortlist for
Player of the Month. His hat-trick helped the Hammers to the home win
against the Seagulls, while his two goals aided the impressive comeback in
the 3-3 draw with Birmingham City.

The nominations for the npower Championship Manager of the Month Award for
April 2012 are:
Kenny Jackett (Millwall)
Malky Mackay (Cardiff City)
Sam Allardyce (West Ham United)

The nominations for the npower Championship Player of the Month Award for
April 2012 are:
Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
Maik Taylor (Millwall)
Ricardo Vaz Te (West Ham United)

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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
Collison 9′, 41′
FT 90 +6
HT 0-2
3 May 2012
Last updated at 21:41
By Bruce Pope
BBC Sport Wales

Jack Collison scored twice to give West Ham control of their Championship
play-off semi-final after the first leg at Cardiff City. The Welsh
midfielder followed up his own shot to head home after good work from
Ricardo Vaz Te on the left. Collison then heaped further misery on his
countrymen when his shot took a wicked deflection into the Cardiff net.
Kenny Miller missed a series of half-chances for Cardiff, while Ben Turner
had a header cleared off the line. Though Cardiff won 1-0 at Upton Park on
the opening day of the season, Malky Mackay will need to rally his players
to produce a much better performance in the return leg on Monday if the
Bluebirds are to avoid a fourth play-off disappointment in as many seasons.

Steve Claridge BBC Football Analyst : "It's very difficult to make a case
for Cardiff [to turn the tie around] on this evidence. It's not like they've
peppered the goal or had chance after chance. West Ham have been thoroughly
professional."

City lost out to Reading at the semi-final stage last year, were beaten 3-2
by Blackpool in the 2010 final and narrowly missed the play-offs in 2009 on
an inferior goal record. Sam Allardyce's Hammers were expected to claim one
of the automatic promotion places and return to the Premier League at the
first time of asking, only to be pipped by Reading and Southampton. But
United have now taken a huge step towards remedying that disappointment and
are overwhelming favourites to claim a Wembley final date against Blackpool
or Birmingham.

Cardiff nearly drew first blood when Peter Whittingham's shot was deflected
just over the bar, then Miller drew a fine save from Robert Green in the
West Ham goal.
But it was the Hammers who took the lead when Vaz Te broke the offside trap
on the left before pulling the ball back for Collison, who had his initial
effort parried by David Marshall but was able to nod the rebound into the
net. That setback in the ninth minute seemed to rattle the Bluebirds, who
were lucky not to concede a second soon after. First Liam Lawrence dawdled
in the area, allowing Vaz Te to dispossess him but he was unable to get a
shot away, then James Tomkins was allowed a free header at the back post
that went just wide.

Slowly the home side regained their composure and Miller went close again,
bending his shot just the wrong side of Green's left-hand post as the home
side caught West Ham on the break. But the visitors were also showing
themselves adept at turning defence into attack and Turner had to be alert
to deny Carlton Cole after Mark Hudson lost possession in the middle of the
park. From the resulting corner, Vaz Te flicked on at the near post and,
although Turner cleared the initial danger, the ball fell perfectly for
Collison to fire in for West Ham's second, although his shot took a wicked
deflection off Lawrence. The hosts had chances to reduce the deficit early
in the second half, with Miller unable to control Lawrence's raking
crossfield pass when through on Green's goal and Turner seeing his looping
header cleared off the line by Cole.

West Ham were still creating the better opportunities, though, and Kevin
Nolan should have put the tie beyond Cardiff but headed wide from 10 yards
at the near post.
Miller was replaced by Rob Earnshaw, who fired an ambitious volley high and
wide. Another volley, this time from Joe Mason, also skewed wide of goal as
Turner continued to trouble the West Ham defence at set-pieces. But the
Hammers held firm under some intense late pressure and carry a precious
two-goal advantage back to Upton Park for Monday's return.

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Sam Allardyce stays calm on West Ham's play-off chances
BBC.co.uk

Sam Allardyce remained cautious despite seeing his West Ham team take a 2-0
advantage in their play-off semi-final first-leg with Cardiff. Two
first-half goals from Jack Collison secured a victory for the Hammers, with
the return leg at Upton Park on Monday. West Ham have been held to eight
draws at Upton Park this season, but have only suffered four defeats. "We're
not going to get carried away. It was a terrific result but there's a long
way to go," Allardyce said. "We need to be as professional on Monday as we
were in Cardiff and that should be enough to take us through." He added:
"Two goals is a margin that's difficult for them but they'll be thinking
about getting the first goal and whether we'll be nervous and edgy and
trying to protect what we've got."

Allardyce has experienced a similar advantage in the past, having guided his
Blackpool team to a 2-0 win in a play-off semi-final first leg at Bradford
in 1996, only to suffer a 3-0 home defeat and lose his job. Seeking an
immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation last
season, the Hammers were overwhelming favourites for automatic promotion.
Allardyce feels that his players are now playing with a new sense of
freedom, after spending recent weeks attempting to catch Reading and
Southampton, who finished in the top two. But he thinks it will be vital to
attack Malky Mackay's side on Monday, rather than sitting on the two-goal
cushion. Allardyce added: "The last three games we were relying on other
people even if we won and it's in our hands again now. "Whoever wins, takes
the trophy and it's not about us playing catch-up on anyone, we're just
trying to deliver a performance and we've got to make sure we finish it off.
"In the back of the minds there might be a slight hesitancy to try to
protect what we've got but that would be dangerous and we've got to have a
positive attitude and try to score the first goal. "It's my job to start
mentally preparing them for the fact that they've got to approach the game
as a 0-0 and they've to try to win it."

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Allardyce on... Cardiff City
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd May 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce admitted that he was absolutely delighted with West Ham's
performance at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight - whilst reminding his team
that the job is still only half done. A Jack Collison brace put United in
total control of the play-off semi final in Wales tonight with the two teams
set to meet again for the second leg at the Boleyn Ground in three days'
time. But despite West Ham going into the game as overwhelming favourites to
proceed to the Final at Wembley in a fortnight's time having secured a 2-0
win away from home - United's 14TH away win of the season - Allardyce warned
his team not to get complacent. "It's been a great night for us but it's
only 90 minutes of a two-legged affair so anything could still happen,"
Allardyce told SkySports. "The onus is on us to see it through and there's
no pressure on Cardiff. "Mentally we've got to be right for that and make
sure that we try and go out and win the next game. But it's a fantastic
night for us and one where the players have handled the pressure extremely
well, performed very well indeed and given us a great platform for the next
leg."

Key to West Ham's success, according to Allardyce, was the right mental
attitude and a determination not to become involved in any unnecessary
incidents. And despite West Ham having four players booked on the night -
albeit somewhat controversially in at least three cases - the manager felt
that his players stuck to the task. "On a big night like this, we asked the
lads to control their emotions and not to do anything untoward that might
cause a problem for ourselves," he confirmed. "I thought they handled the
pressure very well and played very well indeed. "I thought tactically we
did everything right in terms of nullifying Cardiff and allowing them
minimal chances on goal on their own ground. Our quality on the break and
getting forward was outstanding - as were the chances were created. "At 2-0
down Cardiff were going to put us under some pressure. We soaked that up
pretty well and then broke out and created a few more chances that we may
have converted. But it was a good performance from everybody, we're really
pleased but not getting too carried away. "On the basis of how well we've
been playing I would have been disappointed had we not played like we did
tonight, if we hadn't have carried on such great away performances and
results. The clean sheet and the two goals were everything we were looking
for and that's a fantastic 90 minutes for us."

Looking ahead to the second leg, Allardyce insisted that his team would be
going for the win despite a draw - and even, dare we say it, a repeat of the
scoreline on the opening day of the season - being enough to see the Hammers
through to Wembley. "We've only lost four at home all season; we're in a
position now where if we don't lose we go through," he added. "But we want
to win if we can and we want to continue to play like we did against
Brighton and Hull City. "If we can get that level of performance again then
we'll try and go and win that game, if we possibly can. But we must make
sure that at the end of 90 minutes we're through to the Final."

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Cardiff City 0 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd May 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are 90 minutes away from Wembley after producing a thoroughly
professional performance in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi
final in Wales tonight.

Two first half goals from Welsh international Jack Collison were enough to
give Sam Allardyce's side a commanding lead to take into the second leg at
the Boleyn Ground next Monday afternoon.

And should the Hammers avoid defeat they will book a first visit to Wembley
since 1981 when John Lyall's underdogs held European Champions Liverpool to
a 1-1 draw under the now defunct Twin towers.

Watford-born Collison, who qualifies for the Welsh international team
through his grandfather struck in the 8th and 41st minutes of the opening
period to send West Ham into the second leg with a huge advantage.

The first of his two goals came slightly against the run of play as Cardiff,
looking to capitalise on their home advantage had started the game the
stronger. Kenny Miller's 3rd minute effort was inches away from dipping
underneath Rob Green's crossbar.

But the home crowd were silenced just five minutes later when Collison
showed enough determination to get on the end of Ricardo Vaz Te's cross at
the second attempt having seen Marshall avert his initial effort.

From there on the Hammers took full control of the first half with Cardiff
failing to find their rhythm; Carlton Cole being particularly instrumental
as the lynchpin of the attack despite receiving some rough treatment from
the City defence.

Therefore it was no surprise when West Ham finally doubled their advantage
four minutes ahead of the break when the 23-year-old midfielder scored a
goal almost identical to that which proved to be the winner at Leicester
recently.

Picking up a half-clearance some 30 yards from goal, the midfielder chested
the ball down before firing a volley at goal that took a wicked deflection
off former Portsmouth player Liam Lawrence, leaving 'keeper Marshall
stranded.

Cardiff may feel slightly hard done by, but TV replays suggested the
Collison's shot was goal bound anyway - albeit in the opposite side of David
Marshall's goal.

Carlton Cole, outstanding throughout almost put the game beyond the home
side in the final minute of the first half but a wonderful save from
Marshall maintained a glimmer of hope for the Bluebirds.

Rejuvenated by the half time break, City gave their all in an attempt to
claw their way back into the game but bar a good chance for the fairly
anonymous Peter Whittingham - the home side's danger man - seconds after the
restart, West Ham survived that all-important opening 15 minute period with
consummate ease.

Thereafter both sides created several chances to add further goals; for
Cardiff, Miller, Hudson and Mason missed from close range when they really
should have tested Rob Green at the very least, whilst Nolan and Cole were
both inches away from making the win an ever more comprehensive one for the
visitors.

As it stands, the two sides pick up again next Monday afternoon with West
Ham now overwhelming favourites to complete the job in hand.

Sam Allardyce, who once again got his tactics absolutely spot on will no
doubt be hoping for more of the same in the second leg in front of a full
house at the Boleyn Ground.

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Collison at the double
West Ham claim big first leg lead in South Wales
Last updated: 3rd May 2012
SSN

West Ham United have one foot in the Championship play-off final after
claiming a 2-0 win at Cardiff City in the first-leg of their semi-final. And
the hero for The Hammers was ironically a Welshman, as Jack Collison scored
both goals. He opened the scoring just eight-minutes in when he followed up
his own shot, which was well saved by David Marshall, to head home. The lead
was doubled five-minutes before the break when Collison's volley took a
wicked deflection off Liam Lawrence.
The Hammers are now firm favourites to book a place at Wembley ahead of the
second leg at Upton Park on Monday.

Struggle

The hosts struggled for any kind of rhythm for much of the match and West
Ham could have taken an even more comfortable lead back to Upton Park, but
for Marshall's superb save from Carlton Cole's header. The Hammers may still
have two more games to negotiate before they can celebrate a return to the
top flight but, on this showing, the class and determination is there to
achieve exactly that. Cardiff almost went ahead after two minutes, Peter
Whittingham's deflected effort dipping narrowly over the crossbar. Moments
later, Robert Green had to be alert to beat away Kenny Miller's volley as
the Bluebirds started at a furious pace. But with their first attempt at
goal, the Hammers gained the upper hand. Ricardo Vaz Tecrossed from the left
and, although Collison's first attempt was brilliantly stopped by Marshall,
the Welshman was on hand to nod in the rebound. Quickly, West Ham got a
stranglehold on the game. Gary O'Neil tested Marshall from range and James
Tomkins headed Matt Taylor's fizzing cross wide. Cardiff, in part, were the
architects of their own struggles, frequently gifting possession to their
guests.

Rally

The Welsh side tried to rally, with Miller firing wide, but Collison soon
stunted their comeback with his second. Taylor's corner was half-cleared to
the midfielder, who controlled the ball on his chest, pulled the trigger and
saw a wicked deflection off the head of Liam Lawrence wrongfoot Marshall.
Cole must have thought he had put the tie out of sight before half-time, but
Marshall pulled off a sensational low save from the striker's header.
Cardiff showed intent to get back into the game after the interval, with
Whittingham volleying wide and Ben Turner seeing his header cleared off the
line by Cole, before Miller fired horribly off-target.

With space tighter in the Cardiff half, West Ham created far fewer chances -
the best of the lot being Kevin Nolan's point-blank header which failed to
test Marshall - and the visitors had to withstand a spell of concerted
pressure from their hosts in the final quarter. Mark Hudson nodded Aron
Gunnarsson's cross wide from 10 yards, substitute Robert Earnshaw missed the
target with a wild volley and Gunnarsson squandered a decent chance from the
edge of the area. For all their late huff and puff, however, the Bluebirds
could not fashion a goal, leaving themselves with a lot to do in London in
four days' time.

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Big Sam hails Hammers
West Ham boss delighted with win in South Wales
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: May
3, 2012 10:57pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hailed his side's performance after they
claimed a 2-0 win over Cardiff City in their Championship play-off
semi-final first leg.
The Hammers travelled to South Wales and came away with a huge victory
courtesy of two first-half strikes from Jack Collison. And Allardyce was
full of plaudits for his men after their performance against Cardiff. "We
were excellent, we asked the lads to control their emotions on a big night
like this, not to cause a problem for ourselves and I thought they handled
the pressure excellently and played very well indeed," he told Sky Sports.
"Tactically we did everything right and nullified Cardiff to minimal chances
on their own ground and getting forward was outstanding and chances were
created, scored and a lot missed. "It has been a great night for us and it
is only 90 minutes of a two-legged affair and anything could still happen,
the onus is on us to see it through and there is no pressure on Cardiff and
mentally we have to be right for it."

Allardyce felt his players stood up to their task mentally as well as
physically, adding: "It is a fantastic night and one where the players have
handled the pressure extremely well and performed very well."

Confidence

The Hammers boss insists that he came into the game full of confidence and
expecting a win. "On the basis of how well we have been playing I would have
been disappointed if we had not played like we did tonight and carried on as
we have been playing away from home," he said, "The clean sheet and two
goals is everything we have been looking for and it is a great contribution
from all the players. "We knew two-nil down they would put us under some
pressure, but we are really pleased and not getting too carried away."

Allardyce insists that West Ham's indifferent home form is not an issue,
saying: "Only in terms of draws, we have only lost four and are now in a
position if we don't lose we go through but we want to win and get that
level of performance again and try and win the game. "But the bottom line is
to make sure we are through into the final after 90 minutes."

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Cole - I'm glad I stayed
West Ham striker looking forward to play-off campaign
Last Updated: May 3, 2012 9:36am
SSN

Carlton Cole has insisted he has no regrets about staying at West Ham as he
looks to fire the club through the play-offs and back to the Premier League.
A number of West Ham's leading players were expected to leave Upton Park
following their relegation last summer and Cole came close to joining Stoke.
However, he eventually decided not to go anywhere and has relished the
challenge of trying to get the Hammers back into the top flight at the first
attempt. Sam Allardyce's men missed out on automatic promotion after
finishing third in the Championship and begin their play-off campaign with a
semi-final first leg at Cardiff on Thursday night. "It would mean the world
to me to take West Ham back to the Premier League,"Cole said in The Sun.
"That is the task I had at the start of the season. I could have left but
there was no point because I'm so happy. I wanted to make an impact and help
the team get to where we belong. "It would mean a lot to reach Wembley. They
say that the best way to go up is to win the play-off final. Hopefully we'll
do that."

O'Neill hope

Midfielder Gary O'Neil is also determined to help West Ham clinch an
immediate return to the Premier League, but is still disappointed about
missing out on a place in the top two and wary of the threat Cardiff will
present. "We were only one win away from going up and you can count those
five games here on the trot where we should have won," said O'Neil. "We were
up against Middlesbrough at home with a few minutes to go and against
Doncaster and only drew with Watford. They have probably cost us a promotion
place. It was the home draws that cost us, really. "Cardiff have got in the
play-offs the other way, by scraping in with a win on Saturday, so they'll
be buzzing that they've made it. "We've come the other way, from second into
third. It'll be a tough tie."

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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Last Updated: 04th May 2012

JACK COLLISON put the boot into Cardiff in the Land of his Grandfather. WEST
HAM'S Welsh ace sunk Cardiff in first leg but then warned against
complacency
The Wales midfielder smacked two crackers to leave West Ham firmly in
control of their play-off destiny as they bid to return to the Premier
League at the first attempt. Collison, 23, was born way down south in
Watford but chose to play for Wales instead of England as his grandad was
born in Monmouthshire. His first-half double in the Welsh capital rocked
Cardiff, who are trying to get into the top flight for a third successive
season via the play-offs. The Bluebirds lost to Blackpool in the Wembley
final in 2010 and were knocked out at this stage by Reading last year. Malky
Mackay's lads are now on the brink of yet more play-off heartache. Cardiff
roared out of the blocks, putting the Hammers under the cosh but just could
not turn their bright, energetic attacks into goals. Peter Whittingham
slammed in a fierce third-minute shot that looked a goal until a wicked
deflection turned the chance out for a corner. And the Bluebirds were denied
again just seconds later when Robert Green made a sensational flying save to
push Kenny Miller's drive past the post. But despite Cardiff's aggressive
opening onslaught, West Ham slowly took control in midfield through Kevin
Nolan and Mark Noble. No matter how hard Cardiff fought for the ball, they
let themselves down by giving away possession too easily - and the visitors
had a field day. Bluebirds boss Mackay - a former Hammer the last time West
Ham went up through the play-offs in 2005 - was stunned that his defence
could be so dozy when Collison struck in the ninth minute. Ricardo Vaz Te
launched a looping cross into the box with little or no attempt made to
clear the ball. Collison's first volley was brilliantly palmed away by
David Marshall but the West Ham midfielder followed up to head home.

Mackay demanded an immediate response and got it with Miller exposing West
Ham's defensive uncertainty with direct runs. The striker was unlucky when
a last-ditch tackle from James Tomkins nicked the ball away as he prepared
to shoot. And just as Cardiff were getting a hard-gained foothold in this
semi-final first-leg clash, Collison struck again in the 41st minute.
Noble's corner was flicked on by Vaz Te at the near post and partially
cleared by centre-back Ben Turner. Collison, who was given all the time in
the world, chested the ball down and volleyed home with a deflection off
Liam Lawrence. Cardiff are pinning their hopes on West Ham's dodgy home
record after they dropped 28 points at Upton Park. But the Hammers have yet
to blow a two-goal lead in their own backyard this season.

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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2: Big Sam on track after magic Jack's first-half double
By NEIL MOXLEY
Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 21:39, 3 May 2012 | UPDATED: 01:14, 4 May 2012

Jack Collison was once welcomed in Wales. That invitation may be less warm
in future as his first-half double earned a two-goal advantage for the
Championship away-day specialists. The West Ham midfielder turned his back
on England, the country of his birth, to pledge his allegiance to the
principality. In the past, he has run his heart out for the cause. on
Thursday night, his twin strikes stabbed Cardiff straight through their
heart. Collison's goals have provided the Hammers with the platform to
reach Wembley in what was another classic display of how to win on your
travels.

MATCH FACTS
Cardiff: Marshall, Blake, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Cowie (McPhail 74),
Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Lawrence, Miller (Earnshaw 74), Mason.
Subs not used: Heaton, Kiss, Gerrard.

West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 75), Taylor, Collison
(Maynard 86), Nolan, Noble, O'Neil, Vaz Te (McCartney 60), Cole.
Subs not used: Henderson,Faye.
Booked: Tomkins, Noble, Nolan, Faubert.
Goals: Collison 9, 41.

Attendance: 23,029
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

This was the 14th time this season that Sam Allardyce has tasted success
away from Upton Park and, barring a monumental collapse in the second leg on
Monday, the team that finished in third place should be contesting the
play-off final. 'I thought we handled the pressure very well,' said the
Hammers boss (below). 'Tactically, we did everything right. We nullified
Cardiff and restricted them to minimal chances. 'We were quality on the
break and going forward in general we were outstanding. It's been a good
night for us. We have given ourselves a great platform. '

Collison has suffered his own share of problems through injury. But his
influence in front of goal proved crucial in the Welsh capital. His opener
came out of the blue and rocked Cardiff, who had seen one deflected Peter
Whittingham shot fly narrowly over and Robert Green make a smart save to
deny Kenny Miller in the first few minutes.

It was Ricardo Vaz Te's pace, allied to Collison's anticipation, that was a
major factor in the opener. Vaz Te's first-time cross was met at the far
post with a firm side-foot from Collison. David Marshall did well to keep
out the first effort, but the midfielder's momentum continued and he headed
the rebound into the net. That clearly upset the hosts.

They had been knocked out of their stride and failed to regather their
momentum for the remainder of the half. The visitors' James Tomkins headed
on to the roof of the net from Matt Taylor's cross and Allardyce was furious
that Vaz Te was not awarded a penalty after going down when his shirt was
tugged. They had to wait until late in the first half to grab their second
and although it carried a dollop of good fortune, it was difficult to argue
that it wasn't deserved. Mark Noble's left-wing corner was headed clear by
centre-half Ben Turner. Collison stood on his own on the edge of the box. By
the time those in blue realised the danger, the midfielder had chested down
the ball and rifled a shot into the net, with a huge deflection off Liam
Lawrence helping his cause.

The 2,000 travelling supporters from east London celebrated as you might
expect. In truth, they were only denied a third thanks to Marshall's second
magnificent stop of the evening, clawing out Carlton Cole's header on the
stroke of half-time.

Cardiff couldn't play as badly in the second half, and within seconds of the
restart, Peter Whittingham fired wide. It was to prove the story of their
next 45 minutes.
Miller blazed wide when he should have forced Green into a save, and
Turner's header was cleared off the goal-line by Cole. Joe Mason saw a goal
ruled out for offside, Cardiff manager Malky Mackay ruefully suggesting it
was the striker's big toe that had caused the infringement. Turner then rose
above the visitors' defence only to plant a header wide from six yards.
Kevin Nolan saw another opportunity to finish off the tie go begging.
Cardiff certainly had enough of the second half to suggest that the return
leg will not be a foregone conclusion.

'The scoreline is disappointing,' said Mackay. 'Our defending for the first
goal should have been better. Three players could have done something about
it. The second one was luck. Nothing else but that. In the second half we
were much more on the front foot. We created a lot. 'But they have a squad
that carries 35 professionals. They have played ten games fewer and their
experience told. 'Having said that, 2-0 is a dangerous score. If we can go
there and get that first goal it will make a big difference to us.'

Those final comments might have been mind games, but Allardyce is wise
enough to know that the correct approach from his team will still be
required. Cardiff have already won at Upton Park this season and carried
enough of a goal threat to suggest they are not out of it. 'The onus is on
us,' added Allardyce. 'There is no pressure on Cardiff. Mentally, we have to
be right. But we have only lost four at home all season and if we aren't
beaten, we will go through. But make no mistake, we want to win.'

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Clinical Collison puts West Ham in complete control
Cardiff City 0 West Ham United 2
PHIL CADDEN CARDIFF CITY STADIUM FRIDAY 04 MAY 2012
Independent.co.uk

Jack Collison added to his comeback season in style to put West Ham on the
verge of the Championship play-off final with a comfortable semi-final first
leg victory over Cardiff City.

The Wales midfielder, out for 14 months with a career-threatening knee
injury, struck twice in the opening 45 minutes to highlight the gulf in
quality between the two sides.

Collison netted his first goal as early as the ninth minute, heading home at
the second attempt after Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall saved his initial
effort when he seized on Ricardo Vaz Te's left-wing cross ahead of the
napping Andrew Taylor.

Then the 23-year-old rubbed salt into the wounds of the hosts by firing home
a right-footed shot from the edge of the box that took a wicked deflection
via the head of Liam Lawrence.

Collison said: "We are in a great position, but we're only halfway there. It
was nice to get both goals, but it was a real team performance. We all dug
in and I thought Coley [Carlton Cole] worked his socks off up front. We all
want to be at Wembley in a couple of weeks' time."

Sam Allardyce's functional outfit were the favourites to make an instant
return to the top flight, but the third-placed Hammers, surprisingly, failed
to win automatic promotion. Yet despite the Cardiff manager, Malky Mackay,
claiming all the pressure was on the visitors, considering his ex-club's
expectations, rich financial strength and playing squad, West Ham responded
with an emphatic display in the Welsh capital.

Allardyce said: "We played very well, we got it right tactically. We created
chances, scored a couple and could have had more. But we're only 90 minutes
into a two-legged affair and anything could still happen. The onus is on us
to see it through. There is no pressure on Cardiff.

"They can come and chase what they can. Mentally, we have to be right for
that. On the basis of how we have been playing recently, I would have been
disappointed if we hadn't played like that.

"It's draws that have cost us," Allardyce added, "but we have only lost four
matches at home. And we're in a position now where if we don't lose we're
through. We want to win if we can and we want to continue to play like we
did."

At the start, Cardiff flew out of the traps with a double raid on the West
Ham goal. Peter Whittingham saw a 25-yard piledriver deflected over Rob
Green's crossbar before the goalkeeper palmed Kenny Miller's long-range
volley around his post. But the efforts from the home side only amounted to
small jabs to Allardyce's defence compared to his heavyweight strikeforce,
with victory sealed by Collison's two goals.

Mackay said: "We are disappointed with our defending for the first goal.
Three of our players could have changed the situation. The second goal is
nothing other than luck.

"But 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline for West Ham. We have to make sure we go
there and give a good account of ourselves."

Cardiff City (4-4-1-1): Marshall; Blake, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Lawrence,
Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Cowie (McPhail, 74); Miller (Earnshaw, 74), Mason.
Substitutes not used Heaton (gk), Kiss, Gerrard.

West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Demel (Faubert, 75), Reid, Tomkins, Taylor;
Collison (Maynard, 86), Nolan, Noble, O'Neil; Vaz Te (McCartney, 61), Cole.
Substitutes not used Henderson (gk), Faye.

Referee N Swarbrick (Lancashire).

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McDonald: West Ham still have work to do
London 24
Nathaniel John
Thursday, May 3, 2012
10:41 PM

West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald insists that the Hammers still have
plenty of work to do despite their 2-0 play-off semi-final first-leg win in
Cardiff tonight.
The east Londoners put one foot firmly in the play-off final thanks to a
Jack Collison brace, and McDonald was pleased with the professionalism of
West Ham's performance - something that the Hammers must keep if they are
to book a place at Wembley. "Everyone knew their job, and everyone did
their job tonight," said McDonald. "It is an all-round team performance
that we are very pleased with. "It was a professional job tonight, and we
have a professional job to do on Monday."
Cardiff started the game the stronger side, but West Ham managed to stay
firm, before Collison headed the visitors in front against the run of play.
The Wales international then doubled his tally with a deflected volley
before half time, and McDonald was impressed with the midfielder's
contribution. "Collison took his goals very well, he is very comfortable on
the ball and that's another two on his tally for the season," said
McDonald. "We are starting to see the best of Collison. He has played a lot
of games this season, even though he is still having to man-manage his
injury, but he is getting through it very well and he is a vital player for
us."
The Hammers now turn their attention to Monday's second leg at Upton Park,
and the east Londoners' assistant boss admits that his team's 2-0 lead is
a dangerous one. "Two-nil is always a dangerous lead, but you would prefer
to be two-nil in front, rather than two-nil behind," he said. "We could
have done better, we could have scored another couple of goals, but let's
not be greedy, we've come out with a gameplan not to concede and we've
scored a couple of goals so we are happy, but there is still a long way to
go."

West Ham had suffered with a bad run of form at the Boleyn Ground not too
long ago, drawing too many games which saw them miss out on automatic
promotion.
However, McDonald is confident that the team have put that firmly in their
past and are back to winning ways. "We are very confident ahead of
Monday," he said.
"The performance and the goals against Brighton and Hull have got that
monkey off our backs of too many draws at home. "We have scored eight goals
at home in the past two games and we know that the crowd will be right
behind us. "We have got our head around trying to win through to the final
and we have 90 minutes to do that. "There is still a game to go and we need
to be on our guard to kill the game off."

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