Daily WHUFC News - 8th May 2012

Big Sam lauds semi-final success
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce was in bouyant mood after guiding West Ham United to Wembley for the Play-Off final
07.05.2012

Sam Allardyce was naturally on top of the world after guiding West Ham United to the npower Championship Play-Off final. Big Sam's Hammers completed a 5-0 semi-final aggregate victory over Cardiff City at the Boleyn Ground courtesy of a dominant 3-0 win. Kevin Nolan set the ball rolling on 14 minutes before Ricardo Vaz Te belted in a second shortly before half-time and substitute Nicky Maynard netted a stunning late third. The manager and his players will now begin preparations for West Ham's first trip to Wembley in 31 years on Saturday 19 May, where they will face either Blackpool or Birmingham City. Big Sam told West Ham TV his players had set aside any disappointment at missing out on automatic promotion to do a thoroughly professional job against Malky Mackay's Bluebirds. "Well of course it could have been a nervy affair for us prior to the game because we had got everything to lose and nothing to gain," said the manager. "We had a 2-0 lead and were wondering what Cardiff were going to do - whether they were going to go gung-ho from the start or play the way they usually play. "We just said we'll play the same system that we've played in the last two home games and put the Cardiff defence under severe pressure as early as we possibly could. The quality of our play showed and it was key to us getting the early goal again. "I think, from there on, it was just a matter of time before we got more and it nearly came really quickly when Gary O'Neil hit the crossbar. Vaz then got his goal and I think that obviously knocked the spirit out of Cardiff. "Then we just waited patiently and the third goal was equally as stunning as Vaz Te's at the end. At the other end, we got a very important clean sheet and we go into the all-important Wembley final both resilient and in an attacking, goal-scoring mood. "That's eight games and we're averaging three-goals-a-game over that period. We've lost one game in 20 and it stands us in good stead for getting on the big stage at Wembley."

While his team are on top form at exactly the right time, Big Sam did suffer the disappointment of seeing the outstanding Jack Collison - whose skill created the corner that led to Nolan's vital opener - go off with a suspected dislocated shoulder. Whether or not the No10 recovers in time for Wembley, the manager is confident his squad is big and experienced enough to complete the job at the Home of Football. "The only disappointing thing to come out of the game was that it looks like Jack Collison has dislocated his shoulder. I know it has gone straight back in so hopefully he'll be OK. Everybody else is fine and we've got a really good few days now to get recovered and start the process of build-up towards the final. "We won't want to get anybody hurt so physical contact in training will be kept to a minimum and everybody just needs to look after themselves now and get themselves right physically and mentally for what will be a big, big challenge at one of the biggest arenas in the world. "Let's hope we can go there and deliver the type of performance we did today."

Big Sam took Bolton Wanderers to the old Wembley for an FA Cup semi-final defeat by Aston Villa in 2000 and is relishing making his managerial debut at the new 90,000 headquarters of English football. "I went to the old Wembley with Bolton for a semi-final and won the Play-Offs at the Millennium Stadium but they were different arenas at the time. "To see the West Ham fans there filling one half of that stadium is going to be pretty special and I hope we can all come out at the end of it with what we all hope for. "We have another obstacle in the way who will be equally determined to go where we want to go in either Blackpool or Birmingham, so it's about us maintaining our form going into this vital final game of the season."

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Play-Off final ticket information
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce ticket details for their big Wembley date on Saturday 19 May
07.05.2012

West Ham United are delighted to announce that the Club will receive an allocation in excess of 35,000 tickets for the npower Championship Play-Off final. The Hammers will take on either Blackpool or Birmingham City at Wembley on Saturday 19 May, with the winners gaining promotion to the Premier League. West Ham will be playing at the new Wembley for the first time and returning to the Home of Football for the first time since the 1981 League Cup final against Liverpool.
The Club's allocation would be broken down into the following price categories:

Category 1 - £100
Category 2 - £78
Category 3 - £66
Category 4 - £54
Category 5 - £38

Supporters should note that tickets will be strictly limited to ONE per Season Ticket holder or Academy/Youth Academy member.
There will be NO COACH TRAVEL to this fixture.

Selling information -
Away Match Scheme members
Tickets will be AUTOMATICALLY processed and posted by Thursday 10 May. You do not need to do anything. Please do not call to attempt to secure your ticket or attempt to pick up in person as these will be posted to your given address, with no exceptions.
Bondholders - 9am Tuesday 8 May
Call 0871 222 2700 (calls 10p/min plus network extras) via Option 3
Corporate Seasonal - 9am Tuesday 8 May
Call 0871 221 2700 (calls 10p/min plus network extras)
Season Ticket holders - 9am Wednesday 9 May

The sale of tickets for the Play-Off final will be conducted by SEE Tickets.
The Alpari Stand Ticket Office will accept NO PERSONAL CALLERS.

Supporters can purchase tickets by either of the following options:
Online - www.seetickets.com/westham

Telephone - 0844 995 9664 (calls 10p/min plus network extras)

Academy/Youth Academy members - 9am Saturday 12 May
The sale of tickets for the Play-Off final will be conducted by SEE Tickets.

The Alpari Stand Ticket Office will accept NO PERSONAL CALLERS.
Supporters can purchase tickets by either of the following options:
Online - www.seetickets.com/westham
Telephone - 0844 995 9664 (calls 10p/min plus network extras)

In the unlikely event that any tickets are still remaining, these will go on General Sale - 9am Monday 14 May
The sale of tickets for the Play-Off final will be conducted by SEE Tickets.

The Alpari Stand Ticket Office will accept NO PERSONAL CALLERS.
Supporters can purchase tickets by either of the following options:
Online - www.seetickets.com/westham
Telephone - 0844 995 9664
Disabled/Ambulant supporters
Disabled/Ambulant supporters should call 0845 217 1332 for details of how to purchase their tickets.
Corporate Hospitality

Supporters interested in Corporate Hospitality packages at Wembley should call 0871 221 2700 (calls 10p/min plus network extras) for details, prices and availability.

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Vaz Te wins SBOBET Player Poll
WHUFC.com
Hammers fans have voted Ricardo Vaz Te as their SBOBET Player of the Month for April
07.05.2012

Ricardo Vaz Te has been voted as the winner of April's SBOBET Player of the Month poll on whufc.com. The striker, who signed for the Hammers from Barnsley in January 2012, won his second consecutive Player of the Month award with a 57% share of the vote from fans. Vaz Te had a brilliant April in which he scored six goals including a hat-trick in the 6-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion. The 25-year old Portuguese striker beat James Tomkins into second place (16%) and Carlton Cole (11%). Vaz Te was presented with his award before the Hammers's game with Cardiff City on Bank Holiday Monday.

Vaz Te's award follows previous winners James Tomkins (August), Henri Lansbury (September), Sam Baldock (October), Carlton Cole (November), Dan Potts (December), Mark Noble (January and February) and Vaz Te (March).

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce prepared for favourites tag
BBC.co.uk

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce says his team will have to deal with being favourites to win the play-off final. The Hammers will play for a place in the Premier League at Wembley on 19 May after beating Cardiff 3-0 at Upton Park to complete a 5-0 aggregate victory. "It is big pressure for us," Allardyce said. "Whoever we get, Birmingham or Blackpool, we are probably going to be favourites and have to live with that. "Hopefully we'll look forward to it and give another outstanding performance."

Allardyce was appointed West Ham manager last summer when Avram Grant was sacked following their relegation to the Championship, and they were considered favourites to make an immediate return to the top flight. They were second in early March, only one point behind the leaders, but lost ground after drawing five matches in succession as Reading and Southampton secured the two automatic promotion places. But the Hammers proved too strong for Cardiff over both legs in the play-off and now await the result of Wednesday's second-leg between Birmingham and Blackpool at St Andrew's, with the Tangerines holding a 1-0 advantage from the first game. "The response at Cardiff and this performance were terrific. I'm pleased for everybody concerned with West Ham United," Allardyce said. "We have a huge opportunity to get into the golden league, not for the money from my point of view but because that is where it all happens. "There has been a lot of hard work and it paid off today. The players excited and entertained the crowd. "We've controlled both games and tactically whatever Cardiff threw at us we dealt with. It was about how we broke them down and the attitude and energy of the players. "It's been a long time I've been in the job and dealing with pressure was something I dealt with in the early part by talking to a lot of people. I'm very nervous inside but can control it on the exterior to keep players calm."

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West Ham 3 Cardiff 0
Nolan 15′Vaz Te 40′Maynard 90′
7 May 2012
Last updated at 18:23
BBC.co.uk

West Ham sealed their place in the Championship play-off final by completing an emphatic semi-final victory over Cardiff. The Hammers came into the second leg with a firm grip on the tie courtesy of a 2-0 win in Wales last week. They strengthened this in the 15th minute when captain Kevin Nolan headed in from a Matt Taylor corner. They made sure of the win when Ricardo Vaz Te fired in a superb drive with Nicky Maynard adding a late third. Sam Allardyce's side remain on course to make amends for allowing automatic promotion to slip through their fingers. They are now just one game away from the Premier League, with either Birmingham or Blackpool representing the final hurdle at Wembley on Saturday, 19 May. It will be West Ham's first appearance at the national stadium since the 1981 League Cup final. For much of this season, United occupied a top-two spot and looked likely to earn an instant return to the Premier League, but Reading's late surge and Southampton's greater consistency throughout the campaign consigned the Hammers to an extended route to the top flight. 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. West Ham are on course to add to this record.

While West Ham's away form is the best in the Championship this season - a fact they emphasized at Cardiff City Stadium last Thursday when Jack Collison's goals gave them an impressive first-leg win - their inconsistent home form is arguably the main reason they did not attain automatic elevation. Four defeats and eight draws for the Hammers on their own turf was enough to give Cardiff hope of upsetting the odds by becoming the first team to overturn a two-goal first-leg play-off deficit at this level and thus keep alive dreams of a first top-flight season in 50 years.

However, this depended on them scoring the first goal and their failure to achieve this killed the tie. The Bluebirds had made an encouraging start - and could have had a penalty had referee Mike Dean not been unsighted for a clumsy Winston Reid challenge that felled Kenny Miller in the box - but instead they suffered a terminal blow when Nolan nodded in after Carlton Cole's initial header from Taylor's corner had been blocked. Malky Mackay's side never recovered as the home side capitalised on their position of superiority. Gary O'Neil was close to extending West Ham's lead with a side-foot volley from 12 yards that struck the top of the bar, before Vaz Te did just that with a fiercely-struck shot that flew across City keeper David Marshall and into the far top-corner of the net. The second half was a mere formality as a relaxed West Ham played out a comfortable 45 minutes, which they decorated right at the very end as substitute Maynard found space in the box to smash a shot past Marshall. The Hammers' only concern was an injury to Collison, who was taken to hospital as a precaution for a dislocated soldier.

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Allardyce on... Cardiff City
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 7th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce reflects on a job thoroughly well done - and looks ahead to the play-off Final a week next Sunday. His post-Cardiff press conference exclusively in full..

Sam: You must be delighted with the team's performance over two legs to get to Wembley?

Yeah, it's been two outstanding performances. I think that the platform was set for the players to deliver today. There was a little bit of anxiety because we were in front by two goals and also the big favourites. We were a little bit nervous about how we were going to start, what we're going to do and what Cardiff are going to do.

Obviously they were going to change the tactics a little bit with nothing to lose, just to try and go for it and see if they could get the first goal. But the start again was outstanding - the diamond we played again was terrific - and from thereon it was just a case of the lads keeping control of what they already had. We went on to win the game in fantastic style with a great performance.

The first goal, from the corner was very important - and then [we scored] two scintillating goals from [Ricardo] Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard. Arguably it could have been more but 3-0 at home, 2-0 away and two clean sheets, you can't ask for any more. The players have delivered under enormous pressure because the whole season rides on two games and whether it ends up being a brilliant one or we all end up disappointed.

Now it's down to 90 minutes at Wembley?

Well I hope it's just 90 minutes - and we win it, I don't want to go into extra time! It gives us great confidence to go on the even bigger stage at Wembley and try and give the sort of performance we gave today. Obviously that's what we hope to do. Whoever we play it's going to be very difficult, whether it's Blackpool or Birmingham. We can now look forward to it and make sure that when we get there, we try and deliver what we've all wanted right from day one.

Do you think if you reproduce the way you've played these last two games you'll be very difficult to beat?

I think so. We've got to handle the occasion and the opposition and hopefully that will produce the best performance from the players. They've certainly managed to do it under the extreme pressure we've worked under in the play-offs [so far]. There's been no nerves from the players, there's been no anxiety and there's been very few mistakes made.

There's been a lot of quality about our football and there's been a lot of desire and determination to make sure that we get where we wanted to go. Under those extreme circumstances we've delivered two outstanding performances and hopefully that will remain in the players' minds as a positive mental attitude going into the Wembley Final on 19th May.

Who would you prefer to play?

I don't really know. I'm going to watch Birmingham and Blackpool on Wednesday and I'll watch the game on TV at home. Blackpool, based on how they played that day [in the first leg] were very good but unfortunately failed to make the most of the chances they created and only got the one goal. But second leg? Birmingham have lost only one game at home all season.

So it's going to be a case of who can keep their nerve the best, I think, on Wednesday night. I'm just glad we're through and they've still got to play, so I can relax a little bit and let those two managers go through the pressures that the play-offs bring. I'll wait and see and who wins and we'll plan accordingly.

Any news on Jack Collison?

It looks like a dislocated shoulder unfortunately. We wouldn't rule him out straight away until we know the extent of the dislocation which will be done via MRI scan as quickly as possible.

Do you think there's too long a gap between now and the Final?

No I don't think so. For the players who have worked extremely hard over a 48-game season, the mini-break they can have between now and the start of our build-up preparations will be vital for them to gain the strength needed to go into such a big game. Hopefully that will give them the opportunity to deliver their capabilities as footballers because they'll have had enough time to fully recover, physically and mentally, for such a big match. So I'm glad there is that extra few days.

How does this campaign compare with all the others you've gone through considering the level of expectation?

Well only losing one in twenty now and scoring as many goals as we've scored in the last eight games - I think we've averaged three goals a game - has been a terrific period for us and a terrific season really. The disappointing thing was that had we been a little luckier and a little bit more careful with some of the home results - draws happening rather than wins - we'd have got automatic promotion, or when in the past 86 points would have been enough.

So I think it's been a fantastic season by everybody who works at West Ham United and I think that, considering where we came from at the start, it's outstanding. As it is for Blackpool and as it is for Birmingham.

We've found for the first time that the three teams who were relegated are three of the four teams in the play-offs. The turnaround that you have to do is something that needs to be handled and managed as quickly as possible and then you deliver - and we've all delivered. Whether we can deliver the final one now is the big ask. We live under that pressure and try and deliver.

Is that showing the gap is growing between the Premier League and the Championship?

No, it's getting narrower, isn't it. Look at Norwich and Swansea - and QPR if they stay up. There's three of them staying up, so I think it's not too big if you get the right group of players, the right investment and you buy wisely. If you do that then you'll have a chance; it depends how, when and what you do as a manager when you get there.

Given the expectation is this one game the most intense pressure you've been under to get a result in your career?

There was probably more pressure in year two at Bolton when we had to beat Middlesbrough at home [to stay up]. I shouldn't mention this, because West Ham went down! But we had to beat Middlesbrough at home, that was more pressure than a Wembley Final and more pressure than this because we were chasing the millions, as always. We were chasing Premier League status and having one game to do it in.

West Ham were playing Birmingham and Bolton were playing Middlesbrough at home. The good thing was we knew if we won, we stayed up and we didn't have to rely on anybody else - and we did. We went on to become a fantastic unit from thereon, the difference between the history of Bolton Wanderers and what it might have been was massive because they're still in the Premier League 11 years on. Had I not done it then, that's what - nine years x £30, £40, £50 million? A pretty big bank roll, isn't it? So there was a bit of pressure there.

So we'll handle this pressure. The thing is, it's a better stage to go on and deliver, isn't it? Wembley, rather than playing at home on your last game of the season with everybody crapping themselves in case you don't do it, you know. So we managed it then and we'll hopefully manage it now and try and get the players to deliver. I just want the players to play like they played either at Cardiff or how they played here today. Hopefully that will be enough. If they play like that we'll have a great chance of getting there.

If you get them there could you stay up with this squad of players?

I always think that any group of players that get a club promoted need to be strengthened. You've got about 26 players leaving here and 19 players coming in in one season. That's the size of the job, it's a massive turnaround. But the squad would always need to be strengthened in terms of its quality to go into the Premier League, I think.

You try and do that with whatever budget is given, but at this moment in time we're not there. We're far from being there - well, 90 minutes away from being there - and we've got to focus on that and hopefully, if we can deliver, then we can worry about what the Premier League brings.

Thank you.

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West Ham Utd 3 Cardiff City 0 (West Ham win 5-0 on aggregate)
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 7th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

West Ham are on their way to Wembley after depatching Cardiff City with consummate ease. Malky Mackay's side, who finished the league campaign three places and some 11 points behind West Ham were simply no match for a rampart United side in front of a capacity crowd at the Boleyn Ground this afternoon.

First half strikes from Kevin Nolan and Ricardo Vaz Te and a last minute effort from substitute Nicky Maynard sent the Hammers through to the play-off Final - West Ham's first appearance at Wembley since 1981.

All the talk before the game had been of West Ham protecting their two-goal advantage, secured in the first leg at the Cardiff City Stadium last Thursday night.

But in the end those concerns were proved to be unwarranted as Sam Allardyce's side swept aside the challenge of Cardiff who, for the second successive game, were simply not at the races.

Such was West Ham's dominance that Rob Green made his first save of the game in the final minute of normal time. At the opposite end United racked up a string of chances and could quite easily have won by an even greater margin.

As it was they had to settle for just the three goals - although the visitors might complain that they were unlucky to be denied a penalty shout when Winston Reid appeared to trip Kenny Miller on the edge of the box with just ten minutes played.

Five minutes later and it was pretty much game over for Cardiff when Kevin Nolan pounced from virtually underneath the crossbar to give West Ham the lead from a Matt Taylor corner.

And any remaining doubts were firmly dispelled five minutes ahead of the interval when Ricardo Vaz Te scored an absolute belter that threatened to tear the net when he blasted home West Ham's second from some 15 yards or so.

Such was the Irons' dominance in that opening period that the lead could have been even more comprehensive - and would have been had City 'keeper David Marshall not managed to tip Gary O'Neil's 35th minute effort - a shot eerily reminiscent of Vaz Te's goal to come - around the post.

However there was little Marshall could so when O'Neil - who had looked like missing out on the play-offs altogether after sustaining an injury during the 2-1 over Hull City - found the crossbar with a clever volley from a Collison cross just after Nolan had given the home side the lead.

With the game in the bag and a place at Wembley assured the second half was a strange one with West Ham content to move the ball around the park without ever really threatening the Cardiff goal, much to the delight of the ebullient home crowd who at one stage cheered every pass.

Following a string of substitutions, including that of captain Nolan who left the field to a standing ovation - perhaps the first sign that he has finally been accepted by the Boleyn crowd - West Ham finally sealed the win in the last minute when substitute Nicky Maynard grabbed a third goal.

The former Bristol City striker combined beautifully with fellow sub Henri Lansbury before firing home beyond Marshall into the top far corner to put the icing n the cake on a wonderful day for West Ham.

The only black mark was a nasty injury to Jack Collison, who may now miss the Wembley showpiece after dislocating a shoulder. Sam Allardyce revealed after the game that although Collison's arm had just "popped back in" to place, he is now a serious doubt for the Final on May 19th.

Who West Ham will face a fortnight from now will be determined on Wednesday evening when Blackpool travel to Birmingham for the second leg of their semi-final with a 1-0 lead from the first leg at Bloomfield Road.

West Ham Utd 3 Cardiff City 0: match facts

West Ham Utd: Green, Demel, Taylor, Reid, Tomkins, Noble, O'Neil, Nolan (McCartney 69), Vaz Te, Collison (Lansbury 48), Cole (Maynard 86).
Subs not used: Henderson, Faubert.
Goals: Nolan (15), Vaz Te (40), Maynard (90).
Booked: Reid (68).
Shots on/off target: 6/4 (10).

Cardiff City: Marshall, McNaughton (Blake 81), Taylor, Hudson, Turner, Lawrence, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, McPhail (Cowie 76), Mason, Miller (Kiss 76).
Subs not used : Heaton, Earnshaw.
Booked: Miller (28), Hudson (50), Whittingham (80).
Shots on/off target: 2/3 (5).

Possession: West Ham Utd 54%; Cardiff City 46%.
Referee: Mike Dean (7).
Attendance: 34,682.

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Collison facing Final fitness fight
KUMB.com
Filed: Monday, 7th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

Jack Collison is a major doubt for Sunday week's play-off Final after dislocating a shoulder against Cardiff City at the Boleyn Ground this afternoon. The Welsh international, who scored both goals in the semi final first leg at the Cardiff City Stadium last Thursday went down heavily in the opening minute of the second half and was immediately replaced. The 23-year-old was rushed straight to hospital , - but not until his dislocated shoulder was reset- where he underwent an MRI scan on the injury. And Sam Allardyce confessed after the game that the midfielder was now a major doubt for the forthcoming Wembley final. "It looks like a dislocated shoulder, unfortunately," confirmed Allardyce. "Not knowing the extend of it yet we wouldn't rule him out straight away. "Hopefully we'll know the extent of the dislocation - which will be done via MRI scan as quickly as possible - soon." Collison has made 35 appearances for West Ham so far this season, having fought back from a career-threatening injury. Of his six goals during the current campaign, half of them have come in his last three games (one against Leicester and two at Cardiff).

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Hammers cruise into Wembley final
Last updated: 7th May 2012
SSN

West Ham cruised into the Championship play-off final 5-0 on aggregate after beating Cardiff 3-0 in the semi-final second leg on Monday. The Hammers quickly shrugged off the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion as goals from Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard booked them a trip to Wembley for the first time in 31 years. One year on from relegation, they will now face either Blackpool or Birmingham on May 19 for a shot at returning to the top flight and the estimated £90million reward promotion brings. As for Cardiff, they began the season with victory at Upton Park but ended it suffering play-off heartache for the third successive year. Malky Mackay's side arrived in east London as huge underdogs, trailing 2-0 from the first leg in Wales last week. Both teams knew the importance of an early goal, Cardiff to haul themselves back into the tie and West Ham to kill it off. And the visitors did pose a brief threat, having a half-hearted penalty appeal turned down when Kenny Miller tumbled under Winston Reid's challenge. But it was West Ham who struck the crucial first blow from Matt Taylor's 15th-minute corner. Carlton Cole's close-range header was blocked by Cardiff skipper Mark Hudson but Nolan was on hand to nod the rebound over the line for his 13th goal of the season. It was one-way traffic from then on with a disappointing Cardiff side already resigned to their fate.

West Ham were inches from going two up when Jack Collison, the two-goal hero from the first leg, crossed to Gary O'Neil, whose first-time volley came back off the bar. O'Neil then forced a fine diving save from David Marshall with a swerving effort from outside the area. And five minutes before the interval the hosts did double their lead in style. Cardiff defender Stephen McPhail missed Guy Demel's pass but Vaz Te did not, taking the ball in his stride before blasting an unstoppable angled drive past Marshall and into the net. After the break Taylor and Reid had shots blocked while a rare Cardiff foray forward saw Liam Lawrence drive wide. But it was Hammers substitute Maynard who had the final say with a superb finish from Henri Lansbury's through-ball a minute from time. The jubilant home fans burst into a rendition of 'we're going to Wembley' - and they actually meant it for the first time since Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds and Co lost the League Cup final to Liverpool way back in 1981.

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Allardyce hails Hammers
There is pressure to perform, admits West Ham boss
Last Updated: May 7, 2012 7:30pm
SSN

Sam Allardyce believes West Ham have a "massive opportunity" to reach the "golden league" after play-off semi-final success against Cardiff. The West Ham manager saw his team thump Cardiff 3-0 at Upton Park on Monday to seal a 5-0 aggregate win and set up a Wembley showdown with Birmingham or Blackpool on May 19. And Allardyce is delighted with the way his team has responded to the pressure they are under as favourites to reach the Premier League. "It's great," he told Sky Sports. "It's not what we ultimately wanted but now we've gone to the play-offs and we've produced two outstanding performances now under the sort of pressure we've been under all season, (albeit) different pressure in the play-offs. "But the response of the players, particularly at Cardiff to give us the platform and here to top it was terrific as far as I'm concerned. "We've got a massive opportunity now over 90 minutes to try and get into the golden league. "Not for the money from my point of view but where it all happens. "Hopefully we can hold it together and give a performance like we did today when we get to Wembley on the 19th.

Important

Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard both scored with fantastic strikes for the Hammers but it was Kevin Nolan's opener that Allardyce identified as the key goal.
"The first goal was always going to be important," he added. "We went out and played with the diamond (formation) again and tried to get the first goal as quick as we could and it paid off brilliantly for us. "We've controlled both games and been dominant in both games. Tactically whatever Cardiff had to throw us we've dealt with today. "It's about how we broke them down with the attitude of our players and the energy of the players and ultimately the quality shone through." Although West Ham remain on track for promotion, it has not been a comfortable season for the club with Allardyce questioned after the club failed to secure a top-two finish.

Nervous

And while the 57-year-old admits he is nervous, he is determined to not allow that to transmit to his players. He said: "Dealing with the pressure is something I learnt in the early part by talking to a lot of people about it. "Externally you've got to give out the right messages to the players but believe me I'm very nervous on the inside but can control it to try and help the players be calm and cool and make the right decisions for them. "Today I didn't have to make any decisions for them - they made all the right decisions themselves I'm glad to say." Asked if the pressure to get promoted remains as strong as ever, Allardyce added: "Definitely. It's a big pressure for us. Whoever we get we're probably going to be the favourites again and we've got to deal with that. "Hopefully the players can soak up the atmosphere (at Wembley) and give us another fantastic performance to get us where we want to go."

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Match Report: West Ham Utd FC 3 - Cardiff City 0 (5-0 on aggregate)
By S J Chandos West Ham Till I Die

Well, that was a superb performance. And I actually got my desired, relatively stress free match!!!

It was, indeed, a great all round display and every player stepped up to the plate and delivered the goods. Winston Reid deservedly got man of the match. He was magnficent at the back, dealing with numerous high balls in to the box. He and Tomkins are a good partnership and hopefully Reid will now start getting more credit for his contribution. Demel had his best game in a West Ham shirt, as he finally starts to shake off the 'ring rust.' Taylor also played very well and Green did everything that was asked of him, even commanding his area and taking the high balls.

Noble pulled the strings, O'Neill worked like a Trojan and Collison look very good again, before he picked up his untimely shoulder injury. I sincerely hope that he is ok for the Final. Jack derves to be at Wembley, after all he has been through over the last years or so. While Nolan popped up with the crucial, early goal to ease all our nerves. Cole also had another good game, leading the line, and Vaz Te scored one of the goals of the season. Vaz Te definitely has great potential, we need to see just how good he can be and the only way to test that is by playing in the PL.

Once Nolan scored, that was game over. They then had to come out and attack and I knew we would punish them further. But West Ham still had to do it and they set about the task with relish. All in all, part one of the mission accomplished, with flying colours! We need to enjoy the victory for a couple of days and then refocus on the Final. We have nothing to fear from Blackpool or Brum. But we have to set about the test in a ruthless way and finish the job. In short, there is no room for complacency or slip ups at Wembley.

We Hammers suffer a lot of disappointment and heart ache, but today was one of those days that reminds you why we follow this very special club. But now we must finish the job, Wembley is no place for losers and we need to make sure that we emerge as the winners come the 19 May 2012!

SJ. Chandos.

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Injury agony for West Ham's Collison as play-off hero dislocates shoulder
By SAM CUNNINGHAM
PUBLISHED: 21:41, 7 May 2012 | UPDATED: 21:41, 7 May 2012
Daily Mail

Play-off goal hero Jack Collison was in hospital on Monday night after suffering a dislocated shoulder. The West Ham and Wales midfielder, whose two goals in the first leg at Cardiff set up Monday's semi-final win, fell heavily after being tackled by defender Ben Turner a minute after half-time. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said: 'Jack doesn't look good. His shoulder popped out, but the good thing is that it went straight back in again. With 11 days to go until the final, I would not rule him out until we know the extent of the dislocation.' After missing out on automatic promotion, the Hammers have hit form and Allardyce said: 'It gives us great confidence to go on the even bigger stage of Wembley and give the sort of performance we did today. Whoever we play it's going to be very difficult. 'We'll be difficult to beat. It's going to be who can keep their nerve. I'm just glad we're through while Birmingham and Blackpool still have to play. I can relax a bit while those two managers go through it.'

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Allardyce hails 'terrific season' after Hammers book final ticket
West Ham United 3 Cardiff City 0
JACK PITT-BROOKE UPTON PARK TUESDAY 08 MAY 2012
Independent.co.uk

The only regret is that they did not play like this sooner. West Ham United delivered arguably their best home performance of the season yesterday, beating Cardiff City 3-0 and securing their place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley – with the £90m riches on offer for promotion to the Premier League.

Even the aggregate scoreline of 5-0 does not fully convey West Ham's dominance. They were exceptional here, attacking with a confidence and fluidity far removed from much on show at the Boleyn Ground this season. At no point yesterday could any West Ham fan have been making alternative plans for 19 May, such was their comfort.

The shame, from West Ham's perspective, is that this was only their 12th home league win from twice as many attempts. Had they played like this at home all year they would be on the beach now, with, presumably, Southampton still playing for promotion.

"It has been a terrific season," Sam Allardyce said afterwards. "The disappointment is that, had we been a little luckier and a little bit more careful with some of the home results, we'd have got the automatic [promotion]."

But that is in the past and the West Ham manager was understandably thrilled. "The start was outstanding," he said. "The first goal was very important, and from there on it was a case of the lads keeping control of what they already had. We won the game in fantastic style with a great, great performance, and two scintillating goals from Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard."

This performance, combined with the 2-0 win in Cardiff last week, formed a perfect demonstration of how play-offs should be approached: with assurance, discipline and timing. "You can't ask for any more than what the players have delivered under enormous pressure," Allardyce said. "There's been no nerves from the players, there's been no anxiety. There's been very few mistakes made, and there's been a lot of quality about our football, and a lot of desire and determination to make sure we get where we want to go."

Cardiff City will not be going to Wembley, but in truth they never looked as if they would be. At no point did they appear likely to score the two goals they needed at kick-off, never mind the three, four, or the five-goal margin they lost by. Their manager, Malky Mackay, said afterwards that he "knew it was going to be tough". Had Cardiff scored first it might have been a different afternoon, but they never had the chance.

From the outset West Ham's superiority was obvious. When, in the third minute, Carlton Cole shrugged off Ben Turner to reach Jack Collison's pass, it set the tone. West Ham were stronger, brisker and more assertive throughout.

Collison started at the top of Allardyce's diamond, linking their robust midfield of Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Gary O'Neil with the forwards Cole and Vaz Te. It worked perfectly; with West Ham attacking with numbers and purpose. The worry for West Ham will be that Collison was forced off early in the second half with a dislocated shoulder. He will have an MRI scan in the hope of making the final.

Set pieces remain the great strength of this well-drilled, well-built side, and this was how they went ahead. Taylor whipped in a corner, Cole headed it at the near post, and Nolan finalised proceedings from one yard out.

The roar was as loud as the Boleyn Ground has been this year. Even with 75 minutes left the tie felt over.

West Ham proceeded with the licence of a team who felt this too: the influential Collison clipped a pass through to O'Neil, who hooked a volley over David Marshall and on to the bar. There was more confidence in that one move than there has been in many West Ham home performances this season.

The superiority was enough to induce cheering of every pass, even after just 38 minutes. But it was not hubristic, as West Ham passed their way to a second goal and a certain ticket.

A long string of passes climaxed with O'Neil finding Demel, who played the ball through to Vaz Te. Stephen McPhail charged out but misjudged his tackle, Vaz Te had the time to whip the ball into the far top corner.

Only in the final 10 minutes did West Ham choose to increase the pace again, because they could. Cole shuffled past two tackles and played in Taylor, whose chip did not quite rise over Marshall.

But West Ham did find that third goal they wanted, two minutes from the end. Lansbury, increasingly influential in midfield, slid a perfect pass between Andrew Taylor and Turner, on to which Nicky Maynard ran, and fired in.

West Ham United (4-1-2-1-2): Green; Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Taylor; Noble; O'Neil, Nolan (McCartney, 68); Collison (Lansbury, 49); Cole (Maynard, 86), Vaz Te. Substitutes not used Henderson, Faubert.

Cardiff City (4-4-2): Marshall; McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Lawrence, Gunnarsson, McPhail (Cowie, 76), Whittingham; Miller (Kiss, 76), Mason. Substitutes not used Heaton, Earnshaw, Blake.

Referee M Dean (Wirral).

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