Daily WHUFC News - 7th May 2012

Cardiff City match preview
WHUFC.com
All of the early team news and background info ahead of Monday's game at the
Boleyn Ground
06.05.2012

WEST HAM UNITED v CARDIFF CITY
npower CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY OFF SEMI FINAL SECOND LEG
MONDAY 7 MAY 2012
KICK-OFF: 4:30pm
FULL AUDIO COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV

Introduction
• West Ham United welcome Cardiff City to east London for their Bank Holiday
Monday Play-Off semi-final second leg having secured a 2-0 victory in the
first leg in Cardiff on Thursday evening courtesy of two first-half goals
from Jack Collison.
• The winner of the tie will go on to face either Blackpool or Birmingham in
the final at Wembley on 19 May. Blackpool hold a 1-0 advantage from the
first leg at Bloomfield Road.
• The Hammers have only lost four games at home all season, one of those to
Cardiff on the first day of the season. However, only one of those losses
has been by more than one goal, when Reading won 4-2 at the Boleyn Ground in
March.
• West Ham are looking to bounce straight back to the Premier League and
Cardiff are looking to reach the Premier League for the first time in their
history.
Team News

West Ham
• The Hammers picked up no injuries during Thursday night's game in Cardiff
and manager Sam Allardyce will have a fully-fit squad to choose from.
• The likes of George McCartney, Julien Faubert, Henri Lansbury and Nicky
Maynard will be pushing for a place in first XI after missing out on a
starting berth in Cardiff.

Cardiff City
• Right Back Kevin McNaughton looks set to miss out again having limped off
in the Bluebirds' last game of the season at Crystal Palace. Darcy Blake
could take over at right back.
• Cardiff Manager Malky Mackay has an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose
from for Monday's encounter.

Last Time Out

Thursday 3 May 2012
npower Championship Play Off Semi Final First Leg
Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham United
West Ham United: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 75), Taylor, Collison
(Maynard 86), Nolan, Noble, O'Neil, Vaz Te (McCartney 60), Cole
Subs not used: Henderson, Faye
Goals: Collison (9), (41)

Thursday 3 May 2012
npower Championship Play Off Semi Final First Leg
Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham United
Cardiff City: Marshall, Blake, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Cowie (McPhail 74),
Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Lawrence, Miller (Earnshaw 74), Mason
Subs not used: Kiss, Gerrard, Heaton

Last Six Meetings
(Championship unless stated)
3 May 2012 - Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham United
4 March 2012 - Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham United
7 August 2011 - West Ham United 0-1 Cardiff City
6 February 2005 - West Ham United 1-0 Cardiff City
2 November 2004 - Cardiff City 4-1 West Ham United
28 February 2004 - West Ham United 1-0 Cardiff City
Overall record v Cardiff (all competitions) W 26 D 15 L 9

Ten Year Records
West Ham United
2010/11 Premier League 20th (33 points)
2009/10 Premier League 17th (35 points)
2008/09 Premier League 9th (51 points)
2007/08 Premier League 10th (49 points)
2006/07 Premier League 15th (41 points)
2005/06 Premier League 9th (55 points)
2004/05 Championship 6th (73 points - promoted to Premier League via
play-offs)
2003/04 Championship 4th (74 points)
2002/03 Premier League 18th (42 points - relegated to Championship)
2001/02 Premier League 7th (53 points)

Cardiff
2010/11 Championship 4th (80 points)
2009/10 Championship 4th (76 points)
2008/09 Championship 7th (74 points)
2007/08 Championship 12th (64 points)
2006/07 Championship 13th (64 points)
2005/06 Championship 11th (60 points)
2004/05 Championship 16th (54 points)
2003/04 Championship 13th (65 points)
2002/03 Division Two 6th (81 points - promoted to the Championship via
play-offs)
2001/02 Division Two 4th (83 points)
2000/01 Division Three 2nd (83 points)

Referee
• The referee for Monday afternoon's game will be Mike Dean.
• Dean last took charge of the Hammers back in November 2011 for their trip
to Middlesbrough which the Hammers won 2-0.
• Dean has taken charge of Cardiff once this season in their League Cup Semi
Final First Leg loss to Crystal Palace.
• Dean has taken charge of five npower Championship games this season
issuing 12 yellow cards, no red cards and no penalties.
• Dean began refereeing in 1985, starting out his career in senior football
in the Northern Premier League.
• In 2004, Dean took charge of his first international match, a friendly
between the Netherlands and Republic of Ireland at Amsterdam Arena. That
same year, he took control of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Manchester United.
• In May 2006, he refereed the Championship play-off final between Leeds
United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium. In 2008, he was the
man-in-the-middle for the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City
at Wembley Stadium.
• Dean will be assisted by Gary Beswick and John Flynn and the Fourth
Official will be Michael Oliver.
Us and Them
• Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay played for West Ham in the 2004/05
season. He made 18 appearances and scored two goals. Martyn Margetson the
current West Ham United goalkeeping coach spent five years with the
Bluebirds between 2002 and 2007 making 32 appearances including one against
West Ham in the League Cup.
• Others to have played for both clubs include Craig Bellamy, John Burton,
Clive Charles, William Charlton, James Collins, Danny Gabbidon, Jobi
McAnuff, Keith Robson, Bill Stephens.

General Information
Tickets for Monday afternoon's game have completely sold out. The forecast
for Monday is for a light rain with a maximum temperature of 14C.

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West Ham v Cardiff
KO 16:30
6 May 2012
BBC.co.uk
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: Upton Park Date: Monday 7 May Kick-off: 1630 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio
5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website


TEAM NEWS

West Ham have a two-goal advantage going into this second leg, and have no
fresh injury concerns. Wales international Jack Collison, who struck twice
in the Hammers' 2-0 win in Cardiff, should keep his place.

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay will assess the fitness of Don Cowie and
Kevin McNaughton before naming his Upton Park team. McNaughton missed the
first leg with a calf strain while Cowie picked up a slight knock on
Thursday. "Don [Cowie] took a little knock the other night, but he should be
fine," Mackay told his club's official website. "We're also hoping to have
Kevin [McNaughton] in the squad. He did well with the physios on Saturday.
"He will travel with us and was desperate to be involved on Thursday, though
we knew it could have really hampered him longer-term if he'd have gone out
there to have a go."

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce sought to play down supporters' expectations
ahead of the fixture. "Thursday was an outstanding performance," he told the
Hammers' website. "But it's far from over. Nerves and tension will play a
part in the home game. "We have to start focusing on doing the job on
Monday. We are going to win the game and not sit back and protect our lead."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
• This is their 51st meeting spanning 92 years. West Ham have won 26
of the last 50, and Cardiff nine.
• This tie is West Ham's first meeting with Cardiff in the play-offs.
• Cardiff kicked off the season with a 1-0 win over West Ham at Upton
Park, courtesy of a 91st minute winner from Kenny Miller.

West Ham United
• The Hammers, looking for an immediate return to the Premier League,
have won their last three, and are unbeaten in seven (W5, D2).
• Their home form has proved their undoing this season, being held to
eight draws in the 23 games. But they ended the regulation season at Upton
Park with one draw and two wins at Upton Park, scoring 11 goals in the
process.
• This is only West Ham's third crack at the play-offs, and the first
time in which they have a lead going into the second leg of the semi-final.
• The club finishing immediately outside the top two has been the most
successful in the play-offs in the last 20 years, gaining promotion seven
times. The most recent being Swansea last season.
• Only one of three previous play-off experiences as a manager
produced promotion for Allardyce. He took Bolton up to the Premier League in
2001, but was also in charge of Blackpool in the third-tier play-offs in May
1996. They won the away leg 1-0 but lost the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

Cardiff City
• Cardiff must become the first club to overturn a two-goal first-leg
deficit in the semi-finals at this level, if they are to avoid Championship
play-off heartbreak for the third season running.
• On the two previous occasions they reached the play-off final, they
won both semi-final opening legs 1-0.
• The Bluebirds, who finished the regular season three places and 11
points below West Ham, suffered their first defeat in 11 games with
Thursday's first leg reverse.
• Manager Malky Mackay, who was promoted to the Premier League as a
player through this route with Watford in 2006, dreams of guiding Cardiff
back to the top-flight for the first time in 50 years.
• The draw specialists of the Championship (18 of 46), they opened the
scoring in an unrivalled 30 games.
• As a result, they had few opportunities to salvage anything from
matches in which they were in arrears, although two of their 19 wins came
from losing positions.

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West Ham United v Cardiff City: play-off semi final second leg
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 6th May 2012
By: Preview Percy

When we went round to pick up Preview Percy's latest ramblings we found him
fast forwarding and rewinding footage of Liverpool picking up their FA Cup
losers' medals and laughing uncontrollably. When he showed us Gerrard's face
we had to admit it was quite funny. Eventually we managed to interrupt his
giggling to grab a copy of his latest set of musings. John Northcutt, as
ever, pops in with the history...

And so to England v Wales part 2. It being a bank holiday in these parts
kick-off is at 4pm. It being a bank holiday in these parts there are
engineering works on the tube with no Hammersmith & City line service
between Barking and King's Cross. This will be an inconvenience for anyone
arriving from Paddington, though the last time I looked there were still
restrictions on some tickets which would involve visiting supporters
travelling via some of the lesser-known moons of Saturn or something. It's
probably a bank holiday there too.

We go into this one in good shape after a thoroughly professional first leg
performance the other night. There were a number of outstanding displays
throughout the team, including a splendid runout rom Carlton Cole. Although
he was not to be found on the score sheet in Wales, he continued where he
had left off against Hull and completely bossed the Cardiff defence.

Prior to the first leg you couldn't turn your hearing aid on without coming
across some statement or another from somebody of a Welsh persuasion
commenting on all our failings and how much the pressure was on us. For our
part we remained pretty quiet on the matter and, it's an old cliché I know
but, we effectively let our football do the talking.

Post match Bluebirds boss Malky McKay put a brave face on things. The basic
gist of what he had to say was that if only they'd taken all their chances
they'd have scored more and would have won and that he was jolly sure that
they could go to London and get a result. I guess when you're a manager
being interviewed after a damaging defeat you have to put some sort of spin
on things. After all "they bossed the game and we have a mountain to climb
in the second leg" is not exactly going to act as much of a confidence
booster to your players is it. However, whilst I don't blame McKay for
trying do the best for his team there is one thing from his after match
comments with which I'd take issue. His description of Collison's second
goal as a "random fluke" or words to that effect was a bit disingenuous.
Lawrence's interjection changed only the part of the net to which the
'keeper would have to visit to retrieve the ball.

They're continuing to put brave faces on things and McKay was recently heard
calling for the "spirit of Istanbul" to inspire his players, in reference to
Liverpool's So-Called Champions League win after being 3-0 down a few years
back. It's to be hoped that they don't take that call literally given that
Liverpool's "win" came courtesy of a number of outrageously blatant dives
and cheating in the penalty shoot out (as with our Cup Final Reina seemed to
be allowed carte blanche to save penalties from the edge of the 6 yard box).


They've also pointed out that our 2-0 lead is a "dangerous" score. Well it's
worked on me. I can't think what must have been going through our minds when
taking a 2-0 lead back to the Boleyn and, if you asked me now whether I'd
rather be 2-0 up than 2-0 down after the first leg I'd probably have to
phone a friend to find out the answer. Not.

Team news is that we have a full set from which to choose whilst the
visitors have doubts over defender Kevin McNaughton, who missed the first
leg, and midfielder Don Cowie, who picked up an injury in the first leg.

All the talk before the first leg was of pressure and how, psychologically,
we'd be at a disadvantage having missed out on automatic promotion. In the
event, there were psychological effects at work but these seemed to be all
in the minds of our opponents. I mentioned recently that in the previous two
league matches it must have crossed their minds that, despite the opening
day defeat, over the two spells of 90 minutes we had been the better side.
If the previous two matches weren't on their mind, the nature of the victory
on Thursday night will certainly give them something to think about. McKay's
spin notwithstanding, even our friends at "Wales Online" (still makes me
laugh that one) used the word "outclassed" in their headline.

Of course, this is West Ham we are talking about and we do have this unique
way of being able to mess things up in novel and unusual ways that no other
club seems to possess. So any optimistic thoughts are accompanied by
lashings of crossing of fingers and the touching of wood.

However, as with my prediction for the first leg I still think we'll qualify
for Wembley and I'll go for a momentum and put the Avram Grant Rest Home For
The Bewildered Diamond Jubilee Celebration Fund (£2.50) on a morale boosting
2-0 win. Sorry if that's too optimistic..

Enjoy the game!

When Last We Met:Weren't you paying attention?

Danger Man (1): Referee Mike Dean. Capable of changing any game he likes on
a whim. Seems to believe we're all here to watch him referee. Although he
does need watching this should preferably be undertaken by an assessor with
the guts to stand up to the PGMO and give him the low marks his performances
actually deserve.

Danger Man (2): Peter Whittingham. I'll stick with Whittingham although I
have a slight worry that Kenny Miller's one goal in 22 match run is just the
sort of sequence that we have a habit of busting.

Daft Fact of the Week: Cardiff has only been the capital of Wales since 1955
when it won a competition with the town of Caernarfon. Cardiff won the vote
amongst Welsh local authorities keen to preserve the illusion that it's a
proper country and, as a result, got the M4. Caernarfon, on the other hand,
got left alone to remain a pleasant seaside town on the Menai Strait with a
nice castle and unencumbered by having to put up with districts called
"Splott".

Stat man John: Northcutt's corner

Head to Head
Pld 49; West Ham Utd 25, Cardiff 9, Draws 15.

Biggest Win
24th March 1928: Cardiff City 1-5 West Ham Utd (Ninian Park, Division One)

Heaviest Defeat
12th March 1949: Cardiff City 4-0 West Ham Utd (Ninian Park, Division Two)

First Meeting
25th September 1920: Cardiff City 0-0 West Ham Utd (Ninian Park, Division
Two)

Last Five Meetings
4th March 2012: Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham Utd (CC Stadium, Championship)
7th August 2011: West Ham Utd 0-1 Cardiff City (Boleyn Ground, Championship)
6th February 2005: West Ham Utd 1-0 Cardiff City (Boleyn Ground,
Championship)
2nd November 2004: Cardiff City 1-4 West Ham Utd (Ninian Park, Championship)
28th February 2004: West Ham Utd 1-0 Cardiff City (Boleyn Ground, Football
League Division One)

Memorable Match
23rd September 2003: Cardiff City 2-3 West Ham Utd (Ninian Park, Carling
Cup)

A tale of two strikers - Robert Earnshaw vs Jermain Defoe. The Welsh
international gave the home side the perfect start in this 2003/04 season
Carling Cup encounter by scoring twice within the opening half-hour. However
Defoe - who had been heavily criticised in the lead-up to this game for a
perceived lack of commitment (four months before he was sold to Tottenham)
sent West Ham, under the watchful eye of temporary manager Trevor Brooking
through to the third round round with a hat-trick. Having reduced the
deficit to one on the stroke of half time from the penalty spot (a bad
decision by referee Andy D'Urso as David Connolly had simply slipped) Defoe
levelled the scored on 64 minutes before pouncing in the 89th minute to win
the game for the visitors. Brooking responded by telling the press "that's
probably as satisfying as it gets as a caretaker manager".

Friendlies
Just the one: 17th August 1988. West Ham won 4-3 at Ninian Park through
goals from Kelly (2), Slater and Keen.

They Played For Both
Clive Charles; Craig Bellamy; James Collins; John Burton; William Charlton;
Ian Feuer; Danny Gabbidon; Jobi McAnuff; Keith Robson; Bill Stephens.

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Brooking: revenge not a motive
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 6th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

Trevor Brooking has denied suggestions that his friendship with fellow
former West Ham manager Billy Bonds was a contributory factor in the
decision to rule out Harry Redknapp as a potential England manager. Some
sections of the media went into meltdown following the appointment of Roy
Hodgson as the new England boss instead of rent-a-quote Redknapp, since when
a whispering campaign has begun suggesting that the Tottenham manager's
fall-out with former friend Bonds was core to the decision.

As a result, Brooking has been forced to defend his corner - and last night
he told the Daily Mail that the rumours were without foundation, whilst
referring to them as "outrageous". "I've heard the whispers and I've seen
one or two things which have been written," he said. "It's just outrageous.
That business has got to be, what, nearly 20 years ago, hasn't it? "Sure, I
wasn't happy at the time, but I made my points then. To suggest I could be
so petty is just absurd. I've met Harry many times since then and it doesn't
even cross my mind. I never give it a thought. "If you can bear a grudge
for nearly 20 years, then it's time to take a look at yourself. There were a
number of candidates discussed and I had no problems with any of them. It
wasn't an issue."

Bonds, who has never gone on record to reveal the real reasons for his
dispute with Redknapp has not spoken with his former team mate since 1994,
when Bonds was effectively replaced as West Ham boss by Redknapp. Bonds
walked out on a club with whom he had been employed since 1967 after he was
told that the board wanted to replace him with Redknapp, who the former West
Ham captain has brought in from Bournemouth as a coach in 1992.

Speaking to KUMB in a 2010 interview, Academy Director Tony Carr - who was a
close friend to both Bonds and Redknapp - revealed that Harry had told the
club prior to his appointment that he had been offered a return to former
club Bournemouth. "When it all happened we were pre-season training in
Epping Forest, and I was with H," Carr revealed. "He said to me, "I've had a
fantastic offer from Bournemouth. They want me to come back and be a
Director of Football, to almost run the club. I'm really tempted and I don't
know what to do."

"Then we went on pre-season to Scotland and it all blew up. I still don't
know [what happened] to this day - Billy's never let on, Harry's always said
it was out of his hands and I believe him, I really do believe him. "But
Bill's never said a word. The only thing I do know is that he's not spoken
to Harry since."

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West Ham v Cardiff preview
Last updated: 6th May 2012
SSN

Team news ahead of Monday's Championship play-off semi-final second leg
between West Ham and Cardiff at Upton Park (kick-off 4.30pm). West Ham once
again have a fully-fit squad. The Hammers picked up no new injuries when
they ran out 2-0 winners in the first leg on Thursday. Two-goal hero Jack
Collison is set to keep his place despite still recovering from cartilage
problems which mean the Wales midfielder sometimes sits out training.
Striker Carlton Cole, who has also struggled with a knee problem at times
this season, should continue up front alongside Ricardo Vaz Te. George
McCartney has come on as a substitute in the last two games after recovering
from concussion and is pushing to reclaim his spot at left-back, which would
allow Matt Taylor to move to his preferred midfield position.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay will assess the fitness of Don Cowie and Kevin
McNaughton. Midfielder Cowie picked up a slight knock during Thursday
night's 2-0 defeat to the Hammers at the Cardiff City Stadium, while
full-back McNaughton missed out due to a calf strain sustained in the 2-1
final-day win at Crystal Palace.
"Don took a little knock the other night, but he should be fine," Mackay
told his club's official website. "We're also hoping to have Kevin in the
squad. He did well with the physios on Saturday. "He will travel with us and
was desperate to be involved on Thursday, though we knew it could have
really hampered him longer term if he'd have gone out there to have a go."

The Bluebirds are battling to avoid a third consecutive play-off
disappointment having lost the 2010 final to Blackpool before departing at
this stage against Reading last term.

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McDonald still wary
Hammers assistant relishing play-off campaign
Last Updated: May 6, 2012 10:56pm
SSN

Neil McDonald has insisted that he loves the excitement of the play-offs,
but hopes West Ham avoid an unhappy ending after finishing third in the
Championship.
The Hammers missed out on automatic promotion to Southamptonon the final day
of the season but have responded superbly, winning the first leg of their
semi-final 2-0 at Cardiff on Thursday. West Ham welcome the Welsh outfit to
Upton Park on Monday as they bid to secure a place at the Wembley finale at
the expense of a side that finished 13 points behind them in the standings.
"I think the play-offs have been one of the best things that has been
introduced to football along with three points," assistant manager McDonald
said. "It gives everybody a chance, it keeps the whole season going and,
yes, it is slightly disappointing to finish third and so many points above
fourth, [fifth and sixth] but we knew what was happening. "We knew what the
situation was and we've tried to put that to the back of our mind now.
"Everybody is equal, the whole four teams in the play-offs are in good form
and the Blackpool v Birmingham game is on a knife-edge. "I suppose so is
ours but we have a good advantage going into the second leg 2-0 up and we
have to try and take advantage of that. "I think it has been an impressive
season even though we have not got automatic promotion. "I suppose the fans
are looking more so to the Wembley final but we're so concentrated on the
one game on Monday against Cardiff. "If we can get through that then we can
start planning to try and enjoy the experience at Wembley."

Live on Sky Sports
Live Football League
Championship Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg
May 7, 2012 4:00pm

Good mood

Jack Collison's brace in the first leg makes West Ham strong favourites to
make the final against Blackpool or Birmingham. McDonald, though, insists
the Hammers are not taking Monday's fixture lightly and believes the home
support will spur them forward. "I think two goals away from home is
fantastic and our home form over the last two games puts us in a good mood,"
he said. "I think the support we had the other night from the travelling
fans was absolutely fantastic. "I think that will bounce onto the home game
and the whole place will be trying to take the roof off the stadium. "It
will make it an intimidating place to come to, that's for sure. "There will
be a fantastic atmosphere but it still won't be an easy game to get through.
"Planning and preparation is the key and we've done it in one game and
hopefully we can do it in the second."

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Match Preview: West Ham Utd FC vs Cardiff City - Championship Play-Off, 2nd
Leg
By S J Chandos About 6 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die

So, D-day has arrived. We should be able to get through to the Final with
our 2 goal lead from the 1st Leg in Cardiff. But no one should take anything
for granted. West Ham need to go out there and put the tie beyond Cardiff
City's reach. We need to earn that Final place all over again and be suitaby
clincal in finising them off. And if they play with the same skill,
application and commitment, we should do it. As discussed previously, it
will be interesting to see how Cardiff set up and approach the match. Will
they go for all-out attack, to try to turn the tie around, or will they sit
back patiently, invite us forward and rely on catching us out on the
counter-attack? What wil definitely do not need is to conceed an early goal,
that would encouage the oppositon and really put the pressure on our
players.

The midfield battle will be key. In the first leg we dominated midfield and
dictated play for the vast majority of the game. Noble, O'Neill, Collison,
etc, will need to replicate that dominance and keep Whittingham and co
quiet. I am assuming that we will start with the same back four, with Taylor
starting in the left-back slot and McCartney on the bench. We need to keep
our fingers crossed that Carlton Cole is fit to start, as he is in ery good
form and could be a match winner. Another potential match winner is Vaz Te,
who has not scored in the last couple of matches, but hopefully will weight
in with a vital goal or two in this match.

The Hammers starting line up is likely to be: Green, Demel, Taylor, Nolan,
Tomkins, Reid, Noble, O'Neil, Collison, Cole, Vaz Te

Lets hope that the Hammers players exercise self-control and do not put in
erratic challenges or allow themselves to be provoked. We certainly do not
need a 10 man scenerio and we must ensure,if at all possible, that everyone
is available for the Final, should we get there. COYI!

SJ. Chandos.

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Analysis: Stephen McPhail could prove the difference as Cardiff City target
play-off comeback
by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo
May 7 2012

STEPHEN McPhail could be a key figure for Cardiff City in today's
Championship semi-final clash at Upton Park. 'Macca' was among the
substitutes for the home leg, but I can't see how Malky Mackay can do
anything but start him in the second leg at West Ham. They will need
patience, which McPhail can certainly help with, and City need impetus.
Those first-time passes McPhail is able to deliver with such accuracy on a
regular basis can give City that edge and have the potency to unsettle the
Hammers. When he gets the ball with his back to the opposition midfield,
McPhail is able to play quick passes around the corner. The difference that
can make is that Andrew Taylor has a real chance to do something. Without
McPhail in the first leg Taylor was receiving the ball from goalkeeper David
Marshall and had to turn and face West Ham players before trying to get
forward When Marshall releases the ball to McPhail he is able to pass
quickly when West Ham midfielders move in and that means Taylor receives the
ball in open play and able to get forward 10 or 20 yards before being
challenged. Those little factors can make a difference and McPhail can help
so much in that way. He can give City more forward momentum because he has
the natural ability to play the ball quickly and accurately. A fully fit and
well McPhail would have a difference for Cardiff this season. As it is, he
has still made a big contribution to the team effort. I would have played
McPhail in the first leg because he gives Peter Whittingham the freedom to
roam forward and create knowing his back is covered. Aron Gunnarsson or Liam
Lawrence have both done well for City and I take nothing away from them, but
if I had to pick a starting line-up for City it would include McPhail.

The big question, of course, is do Cardiff have a chance at Upton Park. The
answer is a simply yes. Flipping heck, it's only 2-0. Even if it was 4-0
City would have to believe. One goal and they are back in it. That's what it
all boils down to. City have to score first. That will make West Ham
nervous. If the first goal goes against Cardiff it's all over. That would be
mission impossible. But as it stands anything could happen. City go in with
no pressure. West Ham are expected to win and home fans want them to put on
a show. It's all to play for from City's viewpoint, no pressure and 2,000
away fans cheering them on. As a player I would have relished this sort of
situation and I am certain Cardiff's squad have that mindset. Everybody
would prefer to be 2-0 ahead, of course, but City have to deal with the
situation they are in and go for glory.

West Ham deserved to win the first leg. They had far more possession than
City and came out on top. Jack Collison scored a couple of decent goals,
while, for me, Carlton Cole was outstanding. He really is a class act and
gave City's central defensive pairing of Mark Hudson and Ben Turner big
problems. That hasn't happened too often this season. West Ham have quality
and knowhow in all areas of their team and they start hot favourites to go
through and play Birmingham City or Blackpool in the final. The task for
City is to upset the odds and they are capable of doing that. Today I want
to see Joe Mason and Kenny Miller playing a lot closer together and linking
up. I could see why Miller was asked to drop deep because when he did have a
run and a shot there were real signs of danger. He went close a couple of
times. But City didn't have enough possession for that to work properly and
West Ham exerted enough pressure on the home team to stop them creating too
much through midfield. We all know it's a long shot for City to beat West
Ham and make the final. But that chance is there and I'll be at Upton Park
today hoping to see the Bluebirds turn on a performance to remember.

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce should know play-off victory is far from secured
by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo
May 7 2012

HIS side may be comfortably in the ascendancy, but nevertheless Sam
Allardyce will surely have a nagging fear deep down that West Ham will blow
their promotion chance at Upton Park today. That's because the
battle-hardened Hammers manager knows from personal experience how dangerous
a 2-0 lead can be. His Bolton Wanderers team showed in 2001 what can be
achieved when they stormed back from two goals down against West Brom over
two legs and went on to clinch promotion in the final at the Millennium
Stadium. Gary Megson was the Baggies boss on the receiving end, while
Allardyce was the one eventually cracking open the champagne, so he of all
people knows what is possible. However you care to dress it up, all the
pressure today will be on the home side by virtue of the strength of their
line-up and the gulf in class that was apparent last Thursday at Cardiff
City Stadium. Allardyce must guard against complacency in the West Ham
ranks, knowing if they concede the first goal it will open the door for
Cardiff to barge through. Bolton were 2-0 down against West Brom with 10
minutes left in their semi-final first leg tie at the Hawthorns in 2001
before battling back with two late goals to make it 2-2. Allardyce and his
Bolton team then completed the job by winning 3-0 at home in the return and
defeated Preston North End 3-0 in Cardiff. "Sam had the nous and experience
to change things during that first leg against West Brom and we got it back
to 2-2," said Neil McDonald, the assistant manager at West Ham, who also
worked alongside Allardyce at Bolton. "We beat Albion at the Reebok Stadium
and went on to win the final against Preston 3-0. Sam got good experience
and that will work well for us."

Yet that Bolton comeback just over a decade ago may just play on the mind of
Allardyce at kick-off time this afternoon. While Allardyce and his team will
work in the home dressing room to dampen down tension, Mackay and the City
players know little is expected of them outside of the Bluebirds faithful.
They will try to use that low-key feeling to their advantage. Mackay said:
"We will look at our tactics and we must be aware of the scoreline, but we
certainly won't go gung-ho. "The key factor is that we have to score first
and then see what can be achieved."

Mackay has no interest in stats which say no Championship team has recovered
to win on aggregate after losing a semi-final first leg by two goals. "Stats
are there to be broken and the first time it happens that's the end of it,"
he barked. "Liverpool were 3-0 down in the Champions League final and won.
Nobody would have predicted that."

One journalist asked if City will take succour from West Ham's poor home
record. Mackay retorted: "They have won 2-1 and 6-0 in their last two home
games. That argument is blown out of the water by those scores. "We will be
focused on what we have to do and that is make sure we ease our way into the
game and nick that first goal. It doesn't have to be early as long as we
score first. "Most people don't expect anything. Most will feel West Ham are
through to the final. My players, my staff and I don't go along with that.
We are going to West Ham with one intention and that is to win. "We have 90
minutes to score two goals and, beyond that, come out on top on aggregate.
"We will give it everything we have. An awful lot of City fans will be at
Upton Park and every bit of energy and effort will be used to try and give
them plenty to cheer."

Mackay will ponder whether to start with Stephen McPhail in midfield and, if
he does, who should be left out. Don Cowie, who is fit after taking a minor
knock during the first leg, and Peter Whittingham are crucial to the team
effort and must start, which would mean either Liam Lawrence or Aron
Gunnarsson stepping down.
Kevin McNaughton is hopeful of starting and his attacking bursts from
full-back will give West Ham something to think about, while Joe Mason and
Kenny Miller will surely push on and try to spark off each other in attack.
Miller was too deep at times against West Ham at Cardiff City Stadium and
has to give Mason more support.
The key area, though, will be in midfield where Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan
took a grip in the first leg. That left Gunnarsson and Whittingham sitting
too deep and City will have to work at pushing forward. Mackay and his team
have to find the right balance between defence and attack if they are to
spring a shock at Upton Park.

The Hammers kept Whittingham quiet through their midfield dominance, having
let the playmaker know exactly what to expect with Noble's crunching tackle
near halfway during the opening five minutes in the first leg. The key today
is keeping possession when possible, getting Whittingham on the ball as much
as possible, and looking to create and maintain a high tempo. To achieve
those factors McPhail must start. He can take the ball directly from
goalkeeper David Marshall and any of the back four to set an attack going.
Too often during the first game long, high balls were pumped aimlessly
downfield for Mason to chase in vain. If they are to have a chance, City
will have to stay patient, keep calm and pass the ball with authority. It
will still be a tall order, but the Hammers have already blown automatic
promotion. Who's to say Cardiff City can't upset them again this afternoon?

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Carlton Cole will be gunning for Bluebirds
by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo
May 7 2012

WEST Ham United players see striker Carlton Cole as the man who will kill
off Cardiff City hopes in today's play-off semi-final second leg. Former
England international Cole was outstanding during West Ham's 2-0 win at
Cardiff City Stadium and team-mate Matty Taylor says: "There is no better
forward in Championship football." The 6ft 3ins Cole is likely to be joined
in attack by Ricardo Vaz Te today, having played more of a lone role in the
first leg. Portuguese player Vaz Te is likely to press forward and link up
with Cole in attack. "Carlton was virtually unplayable at Cardiff," says
Taylor. "Every time the ball went up in the air he contested well, won it,
brought it down and brought other player s into the game. "When he's like
that there's no better player, especially in this league." Midfield player
Taylor says West Ham's 2-0 lead counts for nothing when today's clash at
Upton Park kicks off, saying: "Our job is to go out and win today. "We
cannot look back and think about our lead overall. "Cardiff come with
nothing to lose. They're not expected to score three or four goals. "It
couldn't have gone much better for us over the first leg. It was a very
professional performance from us. We weathered the storm. "They were pushing
for the last few minutes, but Greeny (goalkeeper Rob Green) didn't have too
many saves to make other than in the first half. We could have scored more
goals but we're pleased with the clean sheet." West Ham assistant manager
Neil McDonald has confirmed they have no injury worries from the first leg,
saying: "Everybody is fit and ready."

The Hammers squad stayed in Cardiff after the game last Thursday and
travelled back to London by train the next morning. "Our home form over the
last two games has been really good which will give us confidence," said
McDonald, reflecting on West Ham's 6-0 (v Brighton) and 2-1 (v Hull) wins in
their last two home matches.
"The support we had at Cardiff from travelling fans was fantastic and that
will bounce onto the home game today. "There will be a fantastic atmosphere,
but it still won't be an easy game to get through. "Preparation and planning
is the key. We've done it for one game – hopefully we can do it for the
second. "Our aim is to score a third goal in the tie. "We'll have to play
off the front foot and kill the game off as quickly as we can."

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Malky Mackay has warning for Bluebirds
by Steve Tucker, Western Mail
May 7 2012

CARDIFF CITY boss Malky Mackay has warned his side not to adopt a "gung-ho"
approach as they attempt to mount what would be an extraordinary play-off
semi-final comeback at West Ham today. The Bluebirds find themselves with a
mountain to climb in east London if they are to keep their Premier League
dreams intact this season. The Hammers have a 2-0 lead from Thursday's first
leg in the Welsh capital thanks to two goals from Wales international Jack
Collison. Mackay admits if Cardiff are to make the play-off final at Wembley
they must score first at Upton Park, but he maintains there is no rush in
the 4.30pm kick-off. "We need to score, not necessarily early on, but we
need to score first," said Mackay. "If we do that then we get a toehold back
into the game again. We need to make sure that we are disciplined going into
the game. We can't have a tendency to go gung-ho from the first minute.
"People might want us to go for it from the off, but we need to make sure
that we're in the game. "We know it's going to be a stiff test, we
understand that. But it's still only half-time. "We've got to go there and
ease our way into the game, looking to nick the first goal, which could
prove important. It'll once again be down to who adapts best to the game and
who takes their chances. On Thursday they did and we didn't."

The Bluebirds know they must go to Upton Park today and win there for only
the third time in the club's history if they are to have any hope of keeping
their season alive. Despite Kenny Miller scoring a late winner there on the
opening day of the season, many have already written off the Bluebirds'
chances on the evidence of a one-sided first leg. Mackay acknowledged his
side are very much the underdogs, but insisted the Bluebirds are still in
with a "fighter's chance" of progressing to the final to face either
Blackpool or Birmingham. And he believes the 2-0 lead the Hammers hold could
still prove a dangerous one for Sam Allardyce's side. "Most people may now
expect West Ham to make it through to the final, that's the natural reaction
I suppose," added Mackay. "But myself and my team don't subscribe to that,
we go into this trying to win the game. We have 90 minutes to score twice
and beyond that to win the game. Right now we have a fighter's chance.
"Tactically we have to be aware of the result so far, but also looking at
the fact that we need to score. "I think if we do, then that can change the
atmosphere and the mood of the game. And, as I said, straight after the last
game, 2-0 can be a dangerous score if put under pressure."

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Patchy home form is the Hammers' main worry
JACK PITT-BROOKE MONDAY 07 MAY 2012
Independent.co.uk

West Ham United should confirm their passage to the Championship play-off
final this afternoon, when they host Cardiff City in their semi-final second
leg, having won 2-0 in Wales last week.

If there is one reason for Hammers fans to worry it is the poverty of their
team's home record in the Championship this season: Sam Allardyce's side
have won just 11 of their 23 home league games, as many as Derby County and
Ipswich Town. West Ham have already lost at home to Cardiff once this
season, albeit by one goal, a margin which would send them through today.

The club's assistant manager, Neil McDonald, sounded confident that the
atmosphere would be positive at the Boleyn Ground today, however. "I think
two goals away from home is fantastic and our [recent] home form puts us in
a good mood," McDonald said yesterday, referring to West Ham finishing the
season with home wins over Brighton and Hull.

"I think the support we had the other night from the travelling fans was
absolutely fantastic," McDonald continued. "I hope that will bounce on to
the home game and the whole place will be trying to take the roof off the
stadium. It will make it an intimidating place to come to, that's for sure.

"There will be a fantastic atmosphere but it still won't be an easy game to
get through. Planning and preparation is the key – we've done it in one game
[the first leg] and, hopefully, we can do it in the second."

While the Cardiff manager, Malky Mackay, knows that City are not favourites
to play at Wembley for a second time this season, after their Carling Cup
final defeat by Liverpool, he has not given up hope.

"Most people may now expect West Ham to make it through to the final, that
could be a natural reaction, I suppose," Mackay said. "But myself and the
team don't subscribe to that. We go into Monday afternoon trying to win the
game. We have 90 minutes to score twice and, beyond that, to win the game.
Right now we have a fighter's chance.

"We need to score, not necessarily early on, but we need to score first. If
we do that then we get a toehold back in the game again. We know it's a
stiff test, we understand that. But it's still only half-time. We've got to
go there and ease our way into the game, looking to nick the first goal,
which could prove important."

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We deserve to go up! Hammers No 2 eyes Wembley ahead of crunch Cardiff
return
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 14:38, 6 May 2012 | UPDATED: 14:40, 6 May 2012
Daily Mail

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald loves the play-offs but hopes the
system does not punish his side after what he feels has been an 'impressive'
season.
The Hammers missed out on automatic promotion to Southampton on the final
day of the season but have responded superbly, winning the first leg of
their semi-final 2-0 at Cardiff on Thursday. West Ham welcome the Welsh
outfit to Upton Park on Monday as they bid to secure a place at the Wembley
finale at the expense of a side that finished 13 points behind them in the
standings. 'I think the play-offs have been one of the best things that has
been introduced to football along with three points,' assistant manager
McDonald said. 'It gives everybody a chance, it keeps the whole season going
and, yes, it is slightly disappointing to finish third and so many points
above fourth, [fifth and sixth] but we knew what was happening. 'We knew
what the situation was and we've tried to put that to the back of our mind
now. 'Everybody is equal, the whole four teams in the play-offs are in good
form and the Blackpool v Birmingham game is on a knife edge. 'I suppose so
is ours but we have a good advantage going into the second leg 2-0 up and we
have to try and take advantage of that. 'I think it has been an impressive
season even though we have not got automatic promotion. 'I suppose the fans
are looking more so to the Wembley final but we're so concentrated on the
one game on Monday against Cardiff. 'If we can get through that then we can
start planning to try and enjoy the experience at Wembley.'

Jack Collison's brace in the first leg makes West Ham strong favourites to
make the final against Blackpool or Birmingham. McDonald, though, insists
the Hammers are not taking Monday's fixture lightly and believes the home
support will spur them forward. 'I think two goals away from home is
fantastic and our home form over the last two goals puts us in a good mood,'
he said. 'I think the support we had the other night from the travelling
fans was absolutely fantastic. 'I that will bounce onto the home game and
the whole place will be trying to take the roof off the stadium. 'It will
make it an intimidating place to come to, that's for sure. 'There will be a
fantastic atmosphere but it still won't be an easy game to get through.
'Planning and preparation is the key and we've done it in one game and
hopefully we can do it in the second.'

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