Daily WHUFC News - 18th May 2012

Big Sam on: Blackpool
WHUFC.com
Sam Allardyce faced the media ahead of West Ham United's big date at Wembley
17.05.2012


Sam Allardyce says everything is going well as West Ham United prepare for
the conclusion of their season in Saturday's big Play-Off date with
Blackpool at Wembley. There was good news on the injury front as Jack
Collison returned to training on Thursday and his chances of making the
final are looking good. Training has also been hugely positive this week,
with the squad making use of the Boleyn Ground pitch for the final two
training sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Sam, can you give us any team news please?

SA: I think everyone who has been playing recently is fit and available. The
squad is quite strong and we just have a final couple of days to select the
side and I'll let the lads know the team on Friday and the subs on Saturday
morning.
We'll train at Upton Park on Thursday and Friday as it's a better venue for
the build-up and then I think the lads will look forward to the game and I
don't think it can come quick enough. It's been a long wait since Cardiff
and they are eager now to get going and they will hopefully give the best
performance of the season.

Do you two previous results against Blackpool count for anything?

SA: It should give us a bit of confidence as we've managed to beat them
twice both here and at Bloomfield Road. They'd only lost three at home all
season and one of our best performances was the 4-1 win there. The Play-Off
final will be different and it is a one-off game and it will be a great game
to be involved in, especially for the players. It won't be easy so we must
treat them with the upmost respect and try to expose their weaknesses as
early as we can.

Are you comfortable with pressure?

SA: I think we all know how big the game is as the pressure builds-up day by
day. We're low key in our training and nobody wants to get any injuries. It
should bring the best out of us and not have one of those where we freeze on
the big stage.

Have you planned for next season yet?

SA: I haven't given it that much thought as we've planned for next
pre-season as that's all we can do as basically it stays the same whatever
division we're in. We don't know what the outcome of Saturday will be and we
hope we can overcome Blackpool but that will be a tricky task based on the
fact that they've recently won there 3-2 against Cardiff, so they've got a
lot of players that have experienced the victory that they gained on that
day. I would have thought that in Ian's terms that would give his players a
bit of and edge. We'll have to wait and see.
Right now my focus on the team and get the best out of them in the most
important game since Alan took them up through the Play-Offs. It's important
for the status of everyone in the club who require Premier League status.
From a revenue point of view it brings a great amount of revenue to the club
and it brings us worldwide branding.

Will the players be nervous?

SA: They won't be as nervous as me but I think the players are the lucky
ones as they will be nervous before the game but once they cross the white
line and have the pleasure of playing in one of the world's greatest arenas.
They're the lucky ones as they don't feel the nerves and get on with the
game. It's everyone else like the coaching team and the supporters who get
the nerves from then on in.
I think there will be a certain amount of anxiety but in a game like this
you need to control their emotions and give the best performance they can
give. From my point of view I need to control my emotions to make the best
decisions in the game. That's my job and if that needs to be done then I
need to get that decisions right.

How important will the crowd's backing be?

SA: There'll be more than 35,000 West Ham fans there I can tell you that!
It'll be more like 45,000. Everyone has been ringing me for tickets so if
anyone is listening to this then don't ring me as there aren't any left! If
I catch players getting people tickets now I'll give them a good dressing
down as tickets for friends and family is a massive distraction for this.
The lads have put that to bed on Tuesday so hopefully we can just continue
to focus on the game.

Is the big money available in the Premier League an added pressure?

SA: It's one that everyone strives to achieve now. Blackpool have tasted
life in the PL recently and want to get there again and we want to get back
there in the first time of asking and knowing what that extra finance will
bring. But really it's about our own pride and status and not about the
money. It's about coaching and managing in the best league in the world. If
we can get there then that brings the best funding to earn more than you
would do normally. It's not money that's the motivation; it's the winning of
a football match.

Are you pleased to have players with a lot of experience?

SA: I think those players with the experience need to be the mentors for the
other lads who haven't been there and once they see the other lads
performing to the best it drags them along and then the team can give a
great performance. You must first start the game well and get that first
pass right and get that first tackle and header right. That sets us up to
let us know how we're going to play on the day. That will be critical to us
trying to win on the day.

How big is this game?

SA: It'll a super atmosphere and it's a fabulous stadium to go and compete
in. Hopefully we will be victors but I know a man down the road called Ian
who will be looking to win just as much as me! I've got every respect for
them and what they're trying to do. We will have to be at our very best to
overcome them.

Have you been surprised at the size of the club?

SA: That swell of support will be great to hear and they will cheer our lads
on. That's what we do it for. It's a big stage and let's hope they deliver.
I'd like to squash a rumour I've heard today that we've had Premier League
shirts made up. We haven't. Some media site has said we've had them printed
but we haven't. We've had 'Play-Off finals' printed and nothing else.

_______________________________________________________________
Happy birthday Gary!
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil is eager to complete a memorable few months by making his
Wembley debut
18.05.2012

Six months ago, Gary O'Neil was still unsure whether he would ever kick a
football again. A serious ankle injury suffered in a Premier League fixture
with Aston Villa in April 2011 left the midfielder with his career in the
balance at the age of 27.
Just over a year after that fateful day O'Neil, who celebrates his 29th
birthday today, is preparing to celebrate a successful comeback by making
his first appearance at Wembley when West Ham United take on Blackpool in
the npower Championship final.
"I'm looking forward to Saturday," the No32 told West Ham TV. "The most
important thing is that if we win we go into the Premier League - the fact
that it is at Wembley is a nice touch, but we're going there to win.
"It's been a good few months. Obviously I've played a lot more than I
expected to this season. The injury went a lot better than we expected,
which was real help and I'm pleased we have hit a decent run of form.
"I think the only danger is that it has been quite a long time since we last
played so we need to make sure we hit the ground running and get off to a
good start as we have done recently."
A modest character, O'Neil played down his own contribution to West Ham's
recent run of one defeat in 20 league matches - a run that included O'Neil's
first Hammers goal in a 4-1 win at Blackpool in February.
"The guys have done great all season. I don't think me coming back has made
any difference to the performances of the team. We've played quite well
recently, but we've had other periods this season when the lads have played
well.
"I'm just pleased that I can play and if I'm selected I'll do as well as I
can and if that helps the team, then great."
O'Neil has started ten of West Ham's last eleven league matches, including
both legs of the Play-Off semi-final victory over Cardiff City. While most
people would tip his name to be on the teamsheet at Wembley, the former
England Under-21 captain is not counting his chickens before they are
hatched.
Likewise, the midfielder has warned Blackpool that the Hammers will
certainly not take them lightly at the Home of Football.
"I think it will be different for everyone. There will be people in the
dressing room who are regulars and expecting to play because they have
played most of the games, and there will be others who have played some and
are wondering and others who will be expecting not to play.
"Everyone is in the same boat but it doesn't really matter who plays on
Saturday. If the gaffer said I'd be in the stands but we'll win 3-0 and go
up, I'd say 'Yeah, fine'. It's not about who is playing or individuals -
it's about getting the job done and going up."
O'Neil has the experience of more than 350 career matches to draw upon at
Wembley, including a memorable night at Bloomfield Road earlier this season.
There, not only did O'Neil score, but West Ham beat Blackpool 4-1 despite
losing Robert Green to a red card with 35 minutes to go and Henri Lansbury
going in goal.
"We're confident because we've been on a decent run of form and we've got
good players and are a decent side, but we're also aware of the fact we need
to be ready and we need to be at it because it is one game and there are no
second chances.
"I'm sure Blackpool will be confident. I'm sure they have studied the games
where we've beaten them and feel it is their turn to get the rub of the
green. Both teams will fancy their chances going into it, so it'll be a
nervy affair."
O'Neil will be forced to delay his birthday celebrations as the squad are
shut away on Friday night ahead of the big game, but the midfielder is
hoping to be able to let his freshly-cut hair down on Saturday night
following a Wembley victory.
"I've not really thought about my birthday to be honest! I'm sure the wife
will get me some gear to wear on the golf course over the summer - nothing
exciting really because I'm 29 and I'm getting old fast!"

_______________________________________________________________
'Wembley is a fantastic day out'
WHUFC.com
FA Cup legend Alan Taylor has great memories of playing at Wembley
17.05.2012


More than most, Ex-West Ham United forward Alan Taylor knows how good a day
out at Wembley with West Ham United can be.
Taylor scored both of West Ham's goals in the 1975 FA Cup Final at Wembley
against Fulham after scoring three braces in the competition before the
final itself. The pacey Hammers forward told West Ham TV he remembers that
day very fondly.
"I was only young at the time when I played in that final which reflects a
lot on the players we have here at the moment. We had Trevor Brooking, Billy
Bonds and Frank Lampard mixed in with Billy Jennings and Keith Robson so we
had a good mixture of youth and experience and on the day we had too much
for Fulham. This is similar to what we have now, Kevin Nolan and Robert
Green mixed in with James Tomkins, Henri Lansbury and jack Collison."
"To actually go there after a week of build up and anticipation it is
fantastic. We got taken away to get ready for the big occasion but nowadays
its slightly different. Nevertheless it is still a fantastic experience and
a great day out."
With West Ham United facing Blackpool in the Play-Off Final on Saturday,
Taylor told West Ham TV that Hammers fans can expect a memorable day out.
"To go to the new Wembley would be a new experience for everybody at the
club and I can only say what a great experience being at Wembley is
especially if you come out as winners which I hope we do on Saturday."

_______________________________________________________________
Nolan ready for Wembley
WHUFC.com
Skipper Kevin Nolan is looking forward to leading the team out against
Blackpool
17.05.2012


West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan has spoken of how proud he would be to
lead his team out at Wembley.
The Hammers skipper has been in inspiring form in recent weeks, bagging a
vital goal in the 3-0 npower Championship Play-Off semi-final second leg
victory over Cardiff City.
Nolan reflected on a professional job done against the Bluebirds and looked
ahead to Saturday's big final date with Blackpool at the Home of Football.
"I can't wait to play at Wembley. Hopefully being able to lead the team out
in front of all the Hammers fans and my family too will be very special to
me," he told West Ham TV.
"From the first minute at Cardiff to the last minute at home I thought the
performance from us was absolutely fantastic and I don't even think the
scoreline flattered us at all.
"It will be fantastic if we manage to get promoted. Wembley is an incredible
stadium and to have the opportunity to play there is going to be great. "
Nolan has never played at the national stadium himself, but he did visit
recently to cheer on close friend and former Newcastle United team-mate Andy
Carroll in action for Liverpool in the recent FA Cup final.
"I've never played there myself," he confirmed. "When we came through the
Play-Offs with Bolton in 2001 we won it at Cardiff, which was a fantastic
occasion with an amazing atmosphere.
"I managed to get to the FA Cup final to see my mate Andy Carroll play,
which was fantastic just to see it and then on the Monday when I realised I
was going there, it was just about taking everything in and you could see
what it is all about."
Nolan has enjoyed some massive games in his career, most notably UEFA Cup
ties with Olympique Marseille, Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich,
but Saturday's match will also be among the highlights.
"It is definitely going to be right up there. Playing in Europe with Bolton
was fantastic and we got some great results, so hopefully there will be more
of the same come Saturday.
"I am really looking forward to it. Wembley is a top arena and it is a great
game to be involved in."
Nolan is looking forward to leading his side out but knows they face a tough
task in the final if they are to reach the Premier League. The skipper knows
the Hammers have to perform if they are to beat a Blackpool side who
defeated Birmingham City in the semi-finals.
"We will work our socks off and put in the same performances we have as of
late which should result in West Ham being back in the Premier League. We
are flying high and our confidence is at the top.
"The final is a one-off game and we have to make sure we are on top of ours
to stand the best chance of gaining promotion."

_______________________________________________________________
Blackpool v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
KO 15:00

17 May 2012
Last updated at 17:46 GMT


NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF FINAL
Venue: Wembley Date: Saturday, 19 May Kick-off: 1500 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

Midfielder Jack Collison has handed West Ham a major fitness boost ahead of
the Championship play-off final with Blackpool on Saturday.
The 23-year-old has recovered from the dislocated shoulder he suffered in
the semi-final secong leg against Cardiff.
Collison has been a key figure for the Hammers and scored both their goals
in the first leg of the semi in Wales.
Continue reading the main story
"
It's a two-horse race. It's not a long race now, just a sprint and we're
going to try and dip towards the line
"
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway
Both West Ham and Blackpool are aiming for an instant return to the top
flight after being relegated in 2011.
The London side go into the game as favourites, having narrowly missed out
on automatic promotion on the final day, finishing two points behind
second-placed Southampton.
In the regular season, Sam Allardyce's side put eight goals past Blackpool
in their two fixtures, beating them 4-0 at Upton Park in October and then
4-1 at Bloomfield Road in February.
Collison's return to fitness means Allardyce has a near full-strength side
for the game at Wembley.
"Everyone who has been playing recently is fit, the squad is strong and we
just have one final day to select the side," said manager Sam Allardyce.
"It's been a bit of a long wait since we played Cardiff but we are rested,
eager and hopefully we can give our best performance of the season.
"We are the favourites with all the pressure on us, so we have to handle
that as we have done all season. Hopefully we can deliver and beat Blackpool
for third time this season.
"But it won't be easy, we will treat them with the utmost respect and make
sure we try to expose the weaknesses they have in their side if we can and
as early as we can.
"We've got to live with the pressure to spur us on to give us our best
performance. The pressure should bring the best out of us and not be one of
those games where we actually freeze on the big stage."
West Ham have been criticised at times this season - most notably by their
own supporters - for a perceived lack of attacking verve to their play,
while Blackpool have won a host of admirers for their swashbuckling style.
West Ham & Blackpool in the Championship play-off final
2004: West Ham lose out as Neil Shipperley's goal takes Crystal Palace up to
the Premier League.
2005: A year later, West Ham make amends as Bobby Zamora's goal gives them a
1-0 win over Preston.
2010: Brett Ormerod's goal proves decisive as Blackpool beat Cardiff 3-2 at
Wembley.
However, Seasiders boss Ian Holloway feels such talk of a contrast in style
between the side's is unfair on Allardyce's side.
"I think it's unfair on Sam," said Holloway. "I think he's a fantastic
manager. Basically, he's brilliant at the important things in the game.
"Sam can play any way, he can play any style. He's just very, very gifted at
what he does. He knows what wins."
Blackpool are chasing a second Championship play-off triumph in three
seasons after beating Cardiff 3-2 at Wembley two years ago. They reached
this year's final courtesy of a narrow two-legged win over Birmingham.
"I really cherish this achievement," said Holloway. "In the league we drew
with Birmingham and we lost down there and in the play-off games we beat
them here and drew down there. We did it in such a pressure situation as
well. I couldn't be prouder."
Blackpool head into the final off the back of nine games without defeat and
Holloway has been working on ways to prevent a repeat of his side's league
encounters with West Ham this season.
"I've been staring at West Ham, how they beat us twice, come up with one or
two things and hopefully we've worked on them," added Holloway.
"It's all down to Saturday, it's all down to the lads, it's all down to the
will and sometimes the will is more important than the skill.
"It's a two-horse race. It's not a long race now, just a sprint and we're
going to try and dip towards the line."
MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
. This is the 54th competitive meeting in 105 years. West Ham have won 23 of
the previous 53, and Blackpool 17.
. The Hammers are seeking a fourth consecutive triumph over Blackpool,
having scored a total of 11 goals in winning the last three.
. Sam Allardyce's side did the league double over the Seasiders this term
with comprehensive victories; 4-0 at Upton Park in October, and 4-1 at
Bloomfield Road in February. Seven different players scored those eight
goals, and the London club had goalkeeper Rob Green sent off after 53
minutes in the second game, when the Hammers were 2-1 up.
. It's 41 years since Blackpool last beat West Ham; 4-0 at home in January
1971, in the third round of the FA Cup.
. They have never met in the play-offs.
West Ham United
. The 5-0 aggregate victory over Cardiff in the play-off semi-finals took
West Ham's winning sequence to four and unbeaten run to eight (W6, D2). They
have lost only one of their last 20, since the start of February.
. They closed the regular season in third place, two points off an automatic
promotion spot and suffered the fewest defeats in the division (eight).
. 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.
. West Ham are hoping to become the 16th club to make an immediate return to
the Premier League.
. The Upton Park club are paying their first visit to the new Wembley, and
their 10th in total to the hallowed turf. They were last there to pick up
League Cup runners-up medals in April 1981, and were last winners there in
1980, when Trevor Brooking's headed goal was sufficient to beat Arsenal 1-0
to win the FA Cup.
. This is only West Ham's third crack at the play-offs. The most recent
resulted in promotion to the Premier League, following a 1-0 win over
Preston in the final in May 2005 at the Millennium Stadium, through Bobby
Zamora's winner.
. Only one of three previous play-off experiences as a manager produced
promotion for Sam Allardyce. He took Bolton up to the Premier League in
2001.
Blackpool
. Blackpool's 3-2 aggregate win over Birmingham in the play-off semi-finals
took their unbeaten sequence to nine games (W5, D4), a sequence started on
31 March.
. The 2-2 draw at St Andrew's on 9 May was the first time in 11 play-off
matches that they had failed to win.
. The only club in play-off history to rise from the fourth to the top tier
entirely through this route (between 2001 and 2010), they have not been
beaten in these end-of-season mini-tournaments, since the second leg of the
Division Two semi-final (third tier), home to Bradford, in May 1996.
. Blackpool ended the regular season two places and 11 points inferior to
West Ham. They won four fewer games (20 to 24), lost three more (11 to
eight) and scored 79 goals to West Ham's 81.
. The club finishing fifth in the second tier after 46 regular fixtures has
gone on to gain promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs six
times in the last 20 years.
. This is Blackpool's third visit to the new Wembley, and their eighth
overall to Wembley.
. Ian Holloway is fighting his fourth play-off campaign as a manager, and is
hoping to win promotion for the second time, after guiding Blackpool to a
3-2 triumph over Cardiff in the Wembley final in May 2010, when Charlie
Adam, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Brett Ormerod were their scorers.
. Blackpool could become only the second club to make an immediate return to
the Premier League through the play-offs. Leicester were the first to do so
in 1996.

_______________________________________________________________
Allardyce on... the play-off Final (part one)
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 17th May 2012
By: Staff Writer

KUMB joined Sam Allardyce at his pre-match press call to look ahead to this
weekend's play-off Final against Blackpool - as his side prepares to do
battle for the chance to return to the Premier League...

Sam: Have you got any team news for us?

I think everybody who has been playing recently is fit and available. The
squad is quite strong in terms of strength and depth and we just have the
final day tomorrow to select the side. I'll let the lads who are starting in
the team know tomorrow and select the subs on Saturday morning.

We've trained here [at the Boleyn Ground] for the last couple of days, which
we feel is a better venue for the build-up to the game. The lads are looking
forward to the game and I don't think it can come quick enough. it's beena
bit of a long wait since we played Cardiff and they're eager now, rested and
recovered physically and mentally to hopefully give their best performance
of the season.

You had two great results against Blackpool in the League this season; will
that count for much on the day?

Well it should give us a bit of confidence because we have managed to beat
them twice, both here and at Bloomfield [Road]. I was looking today, they
only lost three at home all season and we had one of our best performances
of the season - no doubt about that - with the 4-1 win there. But being a
Wembley play-off Final I can't see it meaning much, to be perfectly honest
with you.

A one-off game, a fabulous game to be involved in - particularly for the
players. We're the favourites with all the pressure on us so we have to
handle that, as we've done for most of the season and deliver. Hopefully we
can deliver and beat Blackpool for third time this season. But it won't be
easy, we'll treat them with the utmost respect and try and expose any
weaknesses they have in their side if we possibly can and as early as we
possibly can.

Are you comfortable with that pressure? Because you are the overwhelming
favourites as you said. This club hasn't had a day out like this for quite
some time.

We all realise how big the game is and we all realise the presuure is
building day by day as it builds up. We're pretty low-key in our training
because we want to try and deliver on the day and nobody wants to get any
injuries at this stage. We've just got to live with the pressure to
hopefully spur us on to give our best performance, I think that's what
pressure should do for us on Saturday. It should bring the best out of us
hopefully and not have one of those where we freeze on the big stage.

If you do get over the line on Saturday how far do you think you can take
this team next season in the Premier League?

I really haven't given that much thought because we've planned for next
season first and foremost and that's all we can do, because we don't know
what division we're going to be in. Basically the pre-season stays the same
whatever. So we've managed to plan for that but we can plan for nothing else
other than that because we don't know what the outcome of Saturday is going
to be.

Obviously we hope that we can overcome Blackpool but that will be a
difficult task based on the fact that it was only a couple of seasons ago
they won there 3-2 against Cardiff. They've got a lot of players who've
experienced Wembley, who've experienced the victory that they gained on that
day and I would have thought that would give Ian [Holloway]'s players a bit
of an edge. We'll have to wait and see.

I know it was a while ago now but is there any part of you that still feels
sore over the way you left Blackpool?

No, not really. It's long gone, it was many years ago, lots of water under
the bridge. At the time it was devastating because I felt I might have been
lost to football, I might not have come back into the game. Luckily that
wasn't the case but the experience I gained managing in the league for the
first time as a manager stood me in good stead to go on and do better
things. So I've no axe to grind with Blackpool and what happened there.

Is it true they never gave you a reason as to why you were sacked?

Not really, no. But like I said, it's so long ago now it is water under the
bridge.

What do you think of the England squad?

I dunno, I haven't looked at it. I'm far too busy concentrating on what I've
got to do without looking at what Roy's squad is! Let me get Saturday out of
the way and then hopefully I can relax, enjoy the summer a little bit and
look forward to the Euro championships. But I'm totally focussed on this
game and nothing else is distracting me.

One of your colleagues obviously lost his job yesterday. Sympathy for him
now he's gone?

I've sympathy for any manager who loses him job in the first full year of
his reign. Again, it's a sign of the unstable times as a football manager
that we have to cope with. Both Alex [McLeish] and Kenny [Dalglish], only a
full season in charge of two football clubs that want to get back to where
they've got to get back to. It takes a manager more than one season to do
that, you've got to give everybody a little bit more time but unfortunately
neither of those have been given the time that I think they should have been
to deliver what's expected.

How disappointed were you with the Steve Kean revelations this week?

It's disappointing, but in the hands of my lawyers and they're taking the
action that's appropriate under the law of the land.

You've got a two-year project; do you feel a certain amount of pressure on
your own job? Football is so fickle.

Well I would have thought that come Saturday we won't be talking about my
job apart from expanding the club back into the Premier League. But if
that's not the case for whatever reason, somebody somewhere will say "will
your job be safe?" When that comes around, I can answer that but up until
then, my job is to focus on the team and try to get the best of of it and
try and win the most important game this club has played for God knows how
many years, since the last time Alan [Pardew] took them up via the
play-offs.

That's how important it is. It's important for the status of everybody at
the club - particular myself, my staff and the players - that we acquire
Premier League status again. It gives us all a greater standing in the game
and of course, from a financial point of view, it brings a huge amount of
revenue into this football club and it gives it worldwide branding. So we
all know how important it is from both the football and financial side.

_______________________________________________________________
Kean comments disappoint Sam
Hammers boss prefers to focus on Wembley date
Last Updated: May 17, 2012 10:01pm
SSN

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was 'disappointed' to learn of comments made
by Steve Kean, but is looking to leave the matter in the hands of his
lawyers. Footage of Blackburn boss Kean emerged this week in which the Scot
appears to make disparaging comments about his Ewood Park predecessor.
Allardyce has confirmed that he will be taking legal action against his
former assistant, but is reluctant to discuss the incident at any length.He
said: "It's disappointing but it's in the hands of my lawyers and they are
taking the action that is appropriate under the law of the land."

Of greater concern to Allardyce at present is West Ham's Championship
play-off final date with Blackpool on Saturday.

Strong

The Hammers are looking to bounce back into the Premier League at the first
time of asking and have been boosted by the news that their semi-final hero
Jack Collison will be fit for the trip to Wembley."Everyone who has been
playing recently is fit, the squad is strong and we just have one final day
to select the side," said Allardyce."It's been a bit of a long wait since we
played Cardiff but we are rested, eager and hopefully we can give our best
performance of the season."

West Ham go into the clash as short-priced favourites having thumped eight
goals past Blackpool in their two league meetings this term.Allardyce's men
have been accused of overconfidence ahead of the game, but he is backing his
troops to handle the pressure that has been placed on their shoulders.

Fabulous

"We are the favourites with all the pressure on us, so we have to handle
that as we have done all season. Hopefully we can deliver and beat Blackpool
for third time this season." "It's a one-off game," he said."It's a fabulous
game to be involved in, particularly for the players."We are the favourites
with all the pressure on us, so we have to handle that as we have done all
season. Hopefully we can deliver and beat Blackpool for third time this
season."But it won't be easy, we will treat them with the utmost respect and
make sure we try to expose the weaknesses they have in their side if we can
and as early as we can."We've got to live with the pressure to spur us on to
give us our best performance. The pressure should bring the best out of us
and not be one of those games where we actually freeze on the big stage."

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Holloway backing Big Sam
Blackpool boss believes West Ham rival deserves more respect
Last Updated: May 17, 2012 4:28pm
SSN

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway believes West Ham counterpart Sam Allardyce
deserves more respect for his scientific approach to the game. Automatic
promotion evaded West Ham on the final day of the regular season as they
finished two points shy of Southampton in second.The Hammers scored 81 times
on their way to 86 points - 12 more goals than champions Reading - but the
perception remains of Allardyce sending out functional, direct sides focused
on achieving set-piece domination.Blackpool have won a host of admirers with
a swashbuckling style that has brought them, like their opponents, to within
one game of an instant return to the Premier League.

Remote Record
And Holloway believes there has been a blunt simplification of Allardyce's
methods."I think it's unfair on Sam," he said. "I think he's a fantastic
manager. Basically, he's brilliant at the important things in the game.

Science

"Sam can play any way, he can play any style. He's just very, very gifted at
what he does. He knows what wins."You've only got to look at his record. I
guarantee you Blackburn wouldn't have gone down if they hadn't got rid of
him, no way."Sam knows it's a science and he does it as a science. And he
can play any way you like. He could play more football than anybody if he
wanted because he's that good."

Blackpool are chasing a second Championship play-off triumph in three
seasons after overcoming Cardiff 3-2 on a sweltering Wembley afternoon two
years ago.Holloway admits he was caught up in the whirlwind of emotions
associated with the end-of-season tournament in 2010, but, despite a tense
finale to their 3-2 aggregate win over Birmingham in the semi-final last
week, he has made a point of savouring every moment this time around."I've
had time to reflect this time. It's been absolutely marvellous," he said.

Fantastic

"The minute we did it (at Birmingham), we knew what days to train, what days
to give them rest, what days to have all the press and the suits and all of
that, so it's been fantastic."I really cherish this achievement. In the
league we drew with Birmingham and we lost down their and in the play-off
games we beat them here and drew down there. We did it in such a pressure
situation as well. I couldn't be prouder."

The Seasiders' record against West Ham this term leaves much to be desired
as Allardyce's men triumphed 4-0 and 4-1 in the league, although the last of
those games came in February and Blackpool head into the weekend decider on
a nine-match unbeaten run."I've been staring at West Ham, how they beat us
twice, come up with one or two things and hopefully we've worked on them,"
said Holloway, who believes his players' collective desire could be decisive
at the national stadium.
"It's all down to Saturday, it's all down to the lads, it's all down to the
will and sometimes the will is more important than the skill."We've
certainly got plenty of that so let's see what we can do. It's a two-horse
race. It's not a long race now, just a sprint and we're going to try and dip
towards the line."

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Warnock favours the Hammers
Whites boss predicting close encounter at Wembley
By James Pearson - Follow me: @SkySportsJamesP. Last Updated: May 17,
2012 10:01pm
SSN

Neil Warnock believes West Ham will be the team to beat in Saturday's
mouth-watering Championship play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley.A
place in England's top-flight is at stake, along with an estimated
£90million windfall, as Sam Allardyce's Hammers tackle Ian Holloway's
Seasiders at the home of English football.West Ham got the better of
Blackpool in their Championship meetings having followed up their 4-0 win at
home by securing a 4-1 success at Bloomfield Road in February.

However, Warnock, who has won promotion via the play-offs on four occasions
with three different teams, is not writing off Blackpool in a one-off clash
in one of the most pressurised environments.The showpiece event is often a
contest to remember following last year's thrilling 4-2 win for Swansea over
Reading and more fireworks are sure to be on offer this time around.
Blackpool were unlucky to be relegated from the Premier League in the
2010/11 season and the Leeds United tactician believes the Seasiders could
pull off an upset.

Money

"I think if you were to put money on you'd put it on West Ham," he told Sky
Sports. "They've beaten Blackpool twice and scored four goals on both
occasions"I think physically they are stronger and well organised, but you
wouldn't write Blackpool off on a one-off. I think on a big pitch anything
can happen, they are a dangerous opponent.You've got to fancy West Ham
because they've been good away from home."

"Every time we've won it I've felt we were the better team. The key is to go
in and do what you've been good at. You've got to fancy West Ham because
they've been good away from home."Our preparations were good and we turned
up on the day. One or two people said the younger lads might freeze, but the
younger lads thrived on it and enjoyed it."

If Warnock had any advice for the players who will be taking to the pitch on
Saturday it would be try and treat the game like a normal outing."Just be as
normal as you can. You don't try and make it anything special," he
continued. "You just try and make it another match. That's how both managers
will be doing it this weekend, I think."

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