'We've got to try and win the game'
WHUFC.com
Matt Taylor is targeting victory against Cardiff City on Bank Holiday Monday
05.05.2012
Matt Taylor says West Ham United must go all out to try and win their
second-leg Play-Off semi-final with Cardiff City. The Hammers hold the
advantage after winning 2-0 at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, but the
midfield wideman believes that will count for nothing when the Bluebirds
visit the Boleyn Ground on Monday. "We've got to try and win the game,"
Taylor told West Ham TV. "There is no other way we can look at it. It will
be a difficult game. "They will come with nothing to lose. They're not
expected to come to our place and score three or four goals. We will
approach it professionally."
Although the Hammers were comfortable in their first-leg victory, the Welsh
side showed enough of a threat to make sure Big Sam's side need to be on
their guard in the return leg. "It couldn't have gone much better for us. It
was a very professional performance from us. We weathered the storm. "They
were pushing for the last few minutes but Greeny 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."
Taylor started the game at left back before being pushed further forward
when Players' Player of the Year George McCartney was brought once the
Hammers were two goals to the good. Jack Collison grabbed both goals and
Taylor believes the victory was just rewards for the Wales international's
efforts to get back to full fitness after a knee injury. "For Jack's second
one I just said 'Hit it. Hit it'. He smashed it in the back of the net. It's
great for him and for his confidence. "In terms of my selection, I'll play
where the manager wants to play me."
Carlton Cole was once again outstanding as the spearhead of the Hammers'
attack as he held up the ball and relieved the pressure on his defenders
time after time. Taylor believes that when he is on his game like that,
there is nobody better in the league. "He did exceptionally well. Carlton
was unplayable. Every time the ball went up in the air he contested well,
won it, brought it down and brought other players into the game. "When he's
like that there's no better player, especially in this league."
Monday's game has already sold out and Taylor knows that a scintillating
atmosphere will await the players as they exit the tunnel at 4.25pm. "I came
here to play football and I'm getting the chance to do that. Those night are
what you cherish in football."
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Macca on: Cardiff City
WHUFC.com
Neil McDonald has stressed that West Ham United still have a big job to do
on Monday afternoon
05.05.2012
West Ham United play host to Cardiff City looking to complete the task they
started so impressively on Thursday evening. A 2-0 win in Wales means the
Hammers hold the advantage, but the West Ham United Assistant Manager knows
his side are still a long way from a Wembley final. There was good news on
the injury front with a clean bill of health reported from Thursday's
first-leg victory ,which means McDonald and manager Sam Allardyce have a
some tough selection choices to make. The likes of Nicky Maynard, Julien
Faubert and George McCartney all pushing for starts having been on the bench
at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Can we start with team news?
NM: Everybody is fit and ready and we've had a good preparation. We stayed
over in Cardiff. We went to the hotel to do the warm-down and so the boys
could get a good night's sleep. Then we travelled back on the train on
Friday so the preparations started straight after the game. Everybody is fit
and waiting for the call to play.
How do you approach the game mentally?
NM: Our home form over the last two games has been really good which will
give us confidence. The support we had the other night from the travelling
fans was fantastic and I think that will bounce onto the home game and the
whole place will be trying to take the roof off. 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.
Will you be sitting back?
NM: Certainly not. We'll try to get the third goal. If you get the third
goal, nine times out of time you'd say the game was over. We'll have to play
off the front foot and try to get that third goal and try to kill the game
off as quickly as we can.
What did you make of Jack Collison's performance the other night?
NM: It's amazing that you have lucky grounds and he seems to play well when
he goes back to Wales. To get the two goals rounded off a great individual
performance from him and it's always nice when you score in the country you
play for. He's on a very big high.
Is he over his injury problems now?
NM: No, he has to be managed. He's played a lot of goals so congratulations
to the medical and sports science side who got him through and
congratulations to him as you have to do the hard work to do the rehab on
your injury. He's stuck to the programme and that's what helped him with the
majority of the games.
The defence is coping well too. You're not giving much away?
NM: We've scored 20 goals and only conceded a handful over the last seven
games. We certainly scored eight at home and only conceded one in our last
two. That's good form coming into the games and we've got the two goal lead.
It's looking positive but we've got to be on our guard as Cardiff have got
nothing to lose. They'll be coming to our place where they've already beaten
us so we have to on our guard.
Has Sam spoken about his Play-Off experiences he's had before?
NM: When we were at Bolton, we were getting beaten 2-0 by West Brom and he's
got the nous and experience to change it and we got it back to 2-2. Then we
beat them at Burnden Park and then we've gone on to win the final against
Preston, 3-0. He's got good experience and that will work well for us and
the players so he can pass it on.
Considering how close the club came to automatic, the heads have not dropped
have they?
NM: As I said before we were more disappointed that we didn't beat Bristol
City so we've had a long time to get our head round that we're in the
Play-Offs. We had a couple of days where we felt sorry for ourselves but the
concentration is back and the players want to be promoted. A lot of them
played in the Premier League last year and they want to do it again next
year. I think that has showed throughout this season. Sometimes it doesn't
work, sometimes it does. We're training really well, everyone is fit and
there's good competition for places. We've got a slight advantage at the
moment and we have to increase it as quickly as we can.
Is the first goal vital on Monday?
NM: If you look at it on the negative side, Cardiff have to score two goals
to win. I think two goals away from home is fantastic and our home form puts
us in a good light and a good mood. The support we had in Cardiff will
bounce off onto the home crowd and it will be an intimidating place to come.
Did you watch the other Play-Off semi-final?
NM: Yes we dd. I think it's important you do. It was a very close game again
so it can go either way in Birmingham. We've got to concentrate on ourselves
first and foremost and if we're lucky enough to get through we'll probably
go and watch the game on Wednesday.
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Could the Brighton Factor Work in Our Favour?
By S J Chandos About 9 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
The outstanding Hammers home performance, this season, was undoubtedly the
6-0 demolition of Brighton & Hove Albion. A six goal victory is always a red
letter day for supporters and it was a match when everything came together
for the team. Yes, the team's play was expensive, skillful, hard working and
clinical, but there was also another factor. Brighton came to pass the ball,
attack and win the game. There was no 5 man midfield, negative tactics and
reliance on the counter-attack. Poyet's Brighton came to play their football
and alowed us to do likewise. The game was played in accordance with the
purist principles of the late Ron Greenwood.
The result was that we played them off the Boleyn pitch and won heavily. And
I suspect that there would have been more home results like that if other
Championship teams, most of which do not possess Brighton's passing ability,
had arrived with the same open attitude, intentions and tactics. Supporters
have frequently enphasised West Ham's alleged lack of creativity and width
as the key factors in accounting for our inability to to break teams down.
And there is undoubtedly truth in that proposition, because, regardless of
the negativity of their tactics, we should have had the ability, guile and
finishing power to win at home against the likes of Watford and Palace..But
the Brighton result arguably shows why opposition teams played that way.
After all, 'Turkeys do not vote for Christmas' and most knew that it would
have been suicidal to try to beat us in an open, attacking game. It might
also help explain why Sam Allardyce often set up the way that he did at
home, because he was loath to give the opposition the significant advantge
of the extra man in midfield.
I guess a counter-argument could be that Southampton did not have too much
trouble at St Marys, but I wonder if team's approached games there in quite
the same negative fashion? That's a moot point, which I will not pursue
here.
Anyway, the crux of the matter is that hopefully Cardiff City will come out
'all guns blazing' to try to get a early goal in an effort to pull the
play-off semi-final around. But if they do, that will hopefully give West
Ham the space to help us pass the ball and punish them. I suppose they could
realistically come to Upton Park and play in tight, invite West Ham on to
them and then try to hit us an the counter. They could, but that would
require a lot of nerve and discipline to execute, as they get increasingly
jumpy the further the clock runs down without scoring. Anyway, we shall see,
but lets hope they do go all 'gung ho' and, in doing so, play in to our
hands. We shall see? I am hoping for a relatively stress free match, but I
would not bet on it knowing our beloved West Ham Utd FC! We do have a
distinct tendency to do things the hard way.
We Hammers fans live in hope, if not always in expectation! But, at the end
of the day, we should get the right result and book our spot in the play-off
Final. COY!
SJ. Chandos.
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Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay desperate for early goal to revive play-off
hopes
by Phil Blanche, Wales On Sunday
Wales Online
MALKY MACKAY insists an early Cardiff City goal at Upton Park will change
the whole play-off picture. West Ham were convincing 2-0 winners in the
first leg of the semi-final in Cardiff on Thursday night and are red-hot
favourites to play either Birmingham City or Blackpool in the Championship
play-off final on Saturday week.
But Mackay believes Hammers' confidence - among players, management staff
and supporters - will be rocked if the Bluebirds do score first in East
London tomorrow afternoon. "Two-nil is a dangerous scoreline," declared
Mackay. "The first goal is key and we need to get the first goal. If we do
that things change. "The group are a tight unit - the coaches and the
players - they have been all season to this point. If nothing else, they are
very resilient."
Mackay refused to be downbeat after West Ham's away win, even if most
observers felt Cardiff struggled to lay a glove on Sam Allardyce's side. "At
3-0 you're looking for the Liverpool-AC Milan thing (in the Champions League
final)," he said. "But we had three or four chances which flashed inches
wide and one cleared off the line as well, so another day it might have been
slightly different. "We'll go into it with nothing to lose and we've got 90
minutes to score two goals. "Our away record's been fantastic, as has West
Ham's, and we'll do everything we can over the course of the 90 minutes to
get the two goals back. "If it takes longer than that to get a winner, so be
it."
Hammers fans are hoping for an East End knees-up tomorrow with a sell-out
Upton Park crowd close to 35,000 expected. "I'm sure there'll be a fantastic
atmosphere, I know from my time there as a player they've got a fantastic
set of fans," said Mackay. "It'll be a tough atmosphere but I'll certainly
be trying to give our fans something to cheer. "All my focus is on us trying
to get to the play-off final and that's not done yet. "The scoreline
obviously makes it more difficult at the moment but it's something that's
certainly can be rescued. "We'll be desperately trying to do it for our club
and our fans."
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West Ham hero Jack Collison confident of finishing job against Cardiff City
by Phil Blanche, Wales On Sunday
May 6 2012
WALES star Jack Collison has warned Cardiff City that in-form West Ham are
ready to finish the play-off job at Upton Park. Collison was the first-leg
hero at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday night when, for the first time
in his career, he scored twice in the same match. The 23-year-old midfielder
struck twice before half-time to put the Hammers in the semi-final driving
seat and within touching distance of Wembley. The size of Cardiff's task in
East London is illustrated by the fact that no side has ever recovered from
a 2-0 deficit at home to make the Championship play-off final. And Collison
insists the Hammers are in no mood to let things slip on their own patch
tomorrow. "Cardiff are a good team, they caused us a few problems in the
first game and we won't underestimate them," he said. "We're halfway there
and it's up to us to look after that. "We will go into the match fully
prepared and look to complete the job. "Our target at the start of the
season was to go straight back up. "We weren't quite good enough to get
automatic and, though we can't look too far ahead, half the job is done.
It's ours to lose now and we've got a lot confidence going into the second
leg. "We're at our place and we're really looking forward to the game."
Collison has good reason for optimism after West Ham's strong finish to the
season. Sam Allardyce's side have lost only once in 19 games, a 4-2 home
defeat to eventual champions Reading at the end of March. But the Hammers
failed to nail down a top-two spot after drawing so many games at home in
the second half of the season. Of course, that will be enough to book a
place in the Wembley final on Saturday week after an impressive display in
South Wales where Allardyce's men really bared their teeth. Apart from
Collison's cutting edge, James Tomkins and Winston Reid were formidable at
the back, Mark Noble, Gary O'Neil and Kevin Nolan bossed midfield and
Ricardo Vaz Te fizzed down the flank. And all the time Carlton Cole was
simply too much for Mark Hudson and Ben Turner to handle in unison.
"It was a really good performance throughout, down to teamwork," said
Collison. "We've been superb away from home and knew we had got a 2-0 win
earlier in the season. "That gave us great confidence, we've been on a good
run and knew if we worked hard we would get just reward. "Carlton {Cole} was
magnificent for us up top, I don't think he has played much better all
season, and that set the tone for the whole performance. "I thought he was
unbelievable and really worked his socks off. "Cardiff started very well but
it was great to get an early goal and that settled our nerves. "Thankfully
we went on to get a second, put in a solid away performance and that puts us
in a great position. "Now it's up to us to perform on Monday and make sure
we get to the final. "There will be pressure at Upton Park but that's the
same for every game and we're confident as a team. "We know if we do our job
right we will be very tough to beat."
Given West Ham's firepower in the shape of Cole, Nolan and Vaz Te, Collison
was a somewhat unlikely hero in South Wales. He had found the net only four
times before this season, though one of those had come in his previous
appearance - West Ham's 2-1 win at Leicester. "Obviously it is nice to be
the one scoring the goals," he said. "I was getting in the right positions
earlier in the season but perhaps not finding the net as much as I'd have
liked to. "Thankfully they seem to be flying in at the right time. "The
first one I think I did my hardest to miss it, to be honest! "It was a great
ball from Vaz, he put it on a plate for me. "I've hit the keeper and luckily
it has bounced out for me and I've managed to knock it in. "The second one,
it has bounced out to me and Matty [Taylor] was in my ear telling me to
shoot so I thought 'Why not?' and I caught it quite sweet. "It took a little
deflection but I think it was going in anyway... and they all count."
And Collison hopes his fellow countrymen will not hold his play-off double
against him when he joins up with Chris Coleman's Wales squad at the end of
the month for the New York friendly with Mexico. "It's a great place to play
and Cardiff are a big club with a great fan base, so it was nice to come
here and play in a proper game.
"It's nice to get a bit of stick and it's good fun. I really enjoy playing
there. "It was nice to get the goal so we'll have to see what sort of
reception I get when I'm back in Wales!," Collison added.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Sunday, May 6
Saturday, May 5
Daily WHUFC News - 5th May 2012
Cardiff match SOLD OUT
WHUFC.com
Tickets for Monday's Play-Off semi-final second leg have now sold out
04.05.2012
Tickets for Monday's home leg of the npower Championship Play-Off semi-final
with Cardiff City have now sold out as fans rush to see if West Ham United
can make it to Wembley.
Tickets went on sale to Season Ticket holders and Bondholders immediately
after Saturday's visit of Hull City and there was a rush of fans looking to
secure their seats for the 4.30pm kick-off. Tickets for Season Ticket
holders were priced at just £15 for Adult tickets and £5 for under-16s as
part of the Board's commitment to make football affordable for all.
The remaining tickets went on general sale at 9am on Thursday and the last
few were sold on Friday morning, meaning for the second home match in a row,
West Ham United will be playing in front of a packed house at the Boleyn
Ground.
For those who could not get a ticket in time, West Ham TV will be running
full match commentary of the game.
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Jack Goal-ison
WHUFC.com
Wales international Jack Collison upset his fellow countrymen with two goals
in Thursday's first-leg
04.05.2012
Wales international Jack Collison was all smiles after his two goals in
Cardiff gave West Ham United the perfect start to their npower Championship
Play-Off semi-final with the Bluebirds. The No10 bagged both goals as the
Hammers defeated Cardiff City 2-0 in south Wales on Thursday night, putting
Sam Allardyce's side in the driving seat ahead of Monday's second leg at the
Boleyn Ground. Collison opened the scoring on eight minutes when he headed
in after David Marshall had saved his initial volley, and doubled his
account four minutes before half-time with a rasping shot that flew in via a
slight deflection. "Obviously it is nice to be the one scoring the goals
but, more important than that, it was a massive team performance," he told
West Ham TV. "I think the boys were superb throughout. "I don't think Coley
[Carlton Cole] has played much better than that all season - I thought he
was unbelievable and really worked his socks off."
Collison's goals took his tally to three in two away games following his
thunderbolt at Leicester City ten days previously. In total, four of his
five goals this season have come on the road. "I was getting in the right
positions earlier in the season but perhaps not finding the net as much as
I'd have liked to. Thankfully they seem to be flying in at the right time
and it's a great boost to the team that we managed to score two goals. "The
first one I think I did my hardest to miss it, to be honest! It was a great
ball from Vaz [Ricardo Vaz Te] and he put it on a plate for me. I've hit the
keeper and luckily it has bounced out for me and I've managed to knock it
in.
"The second one, it has bounced out to me and Matty [Taylor] was in my ear
telling me to shoot so I thought 'Why not?' and I caught it quite sweet. It
took a little deflection but I think it was going in anyway! "They all count
and it's great to get the goals, but like I said it was a real team
performance."
Collison was quick to heap praise on his team-mates for their determined,
up-tempo performance that simply did not let Cardiff settle into any sort of
rhythm on their own pitch. Everybody has come into a good form at the moment
and we're on a good run. We've lost one in 19 and I think that is down to
teamwork. "We were superb right throughout from the back to the front and if
we play like that on Monday we're going to be very hard to deal with."
Collison said West Ham would play to win the second leg, rather than seek to
hold onto their two-goal advantage. "I think we'll treat it like any other
game. The manager has come in and said not to get too excited because it's
only half the job done. "If we play like that, work hard and do well as a
team, we'll be hard to beat."
Finally, Collison asked for forgiveness from his fellow Welshman, knowing
that he is sure to be back in Cardiff soon pulling on the red shirt of his
national team rather than the claret and blue of West Ham. "It's a great
place to play and Cardiff are a big club with a great fanbase, so it was
nice to come here and play in a proper game. It's nice to get a bit of stick
and it's good fun. "I really enjoy playing there. Obviously it was nice to
get the goal so we'll see what sort of reception I get when I'm back in
Wales!"
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Vaz is Player of Month
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te has been named Championship Player of the Month for April
04.05.2012
West Ham United striker Ricardo Vaz Te has been named npower Championship
Player of the Month for April. Vaz Te scored six goals in as many games,
including a hat-trick in his side's 6-0 home win against Brighton & Hove
Albion. The treble included a stunning overhead kick that Hammers fans voted
as their Goal of the Season. West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce said:
"I'm delighted for Ricardo. He's had a massive impact since he arrived at
the club and the goals he scored throughout the month of April were key to
us remaining unbeaten. It is a very well deserved award and we hope that he
can now continue his run of form into the Play-Offs."
Sky Sports' Football League expert Peter Beagrie sits on the npower Player
of the Month judging panel. He said: "Ricardo has been an outstanding
success since his transfer from Barnsley in January. He's adjusted to his
new club brilliantly and has proved to be a real threat in the air and on
the ground. He could have a massive impact on The Hammers' promotion
pursuit."
npower Head of Sponsorship Emma Collins said: "Ricardo was in top form
during April, contributing six goals and providing a constant attacking
threat for his team. I'm sure his spectacular bicycle kick at home to
Brighton will live long in the memory of West Ham fans. On behalf of npower,
I'd like to congratulate Ricardo, and wish him the best of luck for next
season."
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It ain't over 'til it's over
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Neil McDonald was delighted with West Ham's performance in the first leg of
the play-off semi final at Cardiff last night - but warned that the job is
far from done.
Assistant manager McDonald, who stood in for Sam Allardyce at the pre-match
press conference was thoroughly satisfied with the 2-0 win that gives West
Ham a massive advantage going into Monday afternoon's second leg at the
Boleyn Ground. However he insisted that all celebrations were on ice until
the job was complete and West Ham's place in the Championship play-off Final
has been sealed. "Everyone knew their job, and everyone did their job
tonight," said McDonald. "It was an all-round team performance that we are
very pleased with. But we have another professional job to do on Monday.
"The performance and the goals against Brighton and Hull have got that
monkey off our backs of too many draws at home. We have scored eight goals
at home in the past two games and we know that the crowd will be right
behind us. "We have got our head around trying to win through to the Final
and we have 90 minutes to do that. But there is still a game to go and we
need to be on our guard to kill the game off. "Two-nil is always a dangerous
lead, but you would prefer to be two-nil in front rather than two-nil
behind."
McDonal also reserved special praise for two-goal hero Jack Collison, whose
brace killed off the challenge of the home side. "Collison took his goals
very well, he is very comfortable on the ball and that's another two on his
tally for the season," he added. "We are starting to see the best of Jack.
"He has played a lot of games this season, even though he is still having to
man-manage his injury, but he is getting through it very well and he is a
vital player for us."
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Vaz dazzles
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Ricardo Vaz Te has been named as the nPower Championship Player of the Month
for April 2012. The 25-year-old Portuguese forward, who signed for West Ham
in January scored six goals in just six appearances for the Hammers
including a hat-trick against Brighton during the month. Sam Allardyce, who
was shortlisted for the Manager of the Month award but lost out to
Millwall's Kenny Jackett, said of his recent signing: "I'm delighted for
Ricardo. "He's had a massive impact since he arrived at the club and the
goals he scored throughout the month of April were key to us remaining
unbeaten. It is a very well deserved award and we hope that he can now
continue his run of form."
Peter Beagrie, one of the memebrs of the adjudicating panel added: ""Ricardo
has been an outstanding success since his transfer from Barnsley in January.
He's adjusted to his new club brilliantly and has proved to be a real threat
in the air and on the ground. "He could have a massive impact on the
Hammers' promotion pursuit."
Vaz Te was one of three players nominated for the award alongside Adam Le
Fondre of Reading and Millwall goalkeeper Maik Taylor. In addition to former
Bradford striker Beagrie, Football League Head of Communications John Nagle,
BBC Sport's Mark Clemmit and npower Head of Sponsorship Emma Collins
comprise the four-strong judging panel.
April, come he will: six in six
6th April: Barnsley 0-4 West Ham Utd (1 goal)
9th April: West Ham Utd 3-3 Birmingham City (2 goals)
14th April: West Ham Utd 6-0 Brighton & HA (3 goals)
17th April: Bristol City 1-1 West Ham Utd
23rd April: Leicester City 1-2 West Ham Utd
28th April: West Ham Utd 2-1 Hull City 1
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Can We Buck the Trend, as Monday's Show Down Beckons?
By S J Chandos About 10 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
Well, what a fanatic win on Thursday evening. The journey down to Cardiff is
always a bit of a tiring trawl. It inevitaly brings back memories of the
three back-to-back trips there between 2004-06, when we experienced the
jubliation of the play off victory in 2005, the dejection of failing to beat
Palace in 2004 and the glorious failure of the penalty shoot out defeat to
Liverpool in 2006. But this result, and performance, was worth every bit of
effort that it took to get down there on a Thursday afternoon/evening.
One is left pondering if only! If only we had been able to reproduce this
type of efficient and masterful performance more frequently at home this
season. As we all know it is our failings at home that have cost us
automatic promotion. Those terribly wasteful draws against the likes of
Doncaster, Boro, Watford and Palace are what ultimately did for us. Indeed,
looking back at our results this season, it is clear that all too often we
secured impressive away results only to fail to press home the advantage in
the following home match. The Brighton and Hull City victories have
hopefully dispelled the insecurity that the team have often shown playing at
home. But there is defnitely I trend there needs to be bucked. We must come
out on Monday and bury Cardiff City's remaining play-off hopes. We must
strive to score the first goal, early, to put the tie beyond doubt and allow
us to relax and play without tension. In short, we must ensure that another
good away display is not followed by a disappointing one at home.
Certainly, West Ham need to be 'shot' if they muck up this one! But Malky
knows all about West Ham's relative under-perfomance at home this season and
the fact that an early Cardiff City goal, on Monday, would raise doubts in
the Hammers players minds and unsettle the crowd. That's what he is hoping
and praying for, hence his paradoxical comment about a 2 goal victory being
'a dangerous result.' In response, we need to go out and crush those last,
lingering hopes straightaway. And I get the distinct feeling that West Ham
will do exactly that on Monday afternoon. Why, because I was impressed by
the mental strength shown on Thursday and the confidence of our play. One
gets the feeling that West Ham are in a positive groove as a team and are
peaking at just he right time for the play-offs. Sam Allardyce stated that
his squad are now the fittest they have been all season and that was amply
demonstrated in the 1st leg of the semi-final, where we not only outplayed
Cardif, but beat them on workrate and effort as well.
Famous last words? Perhaps, but I sincerely hope not. It is just a pity that
we did not get the third goal that our dominance deserved. If only Cole's
excellent header or Nolan's point blank chance had gone in then we would
have all felt that bit more confident. But, lets not be greedy, a two goal
lead going in to a home second leg should be sufficient, as long as we do
the business and buck the aforementioned trend!
Another encouraging thing from our perspective is the way in which Carlton
Cole seems to be hitting good form at this, the climax of the season. His
finishinhg was outstanding against Hull City and he play really well on
Thursday, leading the attack and giving Cardiff City's defence endless
problems. This is the positive Carlton Cole, the centre forward who is very
difficult for opponents to play, as opposed to the frustating and
disappointing Cole, who disappears up blind alleys. Lets pray that we see
more of the former and none of the latter, because at 28 years of age, it
really is time that Carlton Cole finally showed consistency and proved his
ability beyond all doubt. Vaz Te has been a revelation since his arival in
January, he is obviously a player who is certainly starting to realise his
potential. I have no doubt that he is a player that can potentially win
these play-offs for us. I was also encouraged by Matt Taylor's form, his
season was disrupted by injury and suspension, but he is starting to look
back to his best on the left flank. His delivery of the ball in to the
Cardiff City box was fanastic and created scoring opportunities on a number
of occasions. Similarly, Demel is starting to look good at right-back and
the Tomkins-Reid central defensive partnership continues to look very solid.
Finally, what about that lad Collison, he looked liked his old self in
getting forward and scoring those two vital goals. Perhaps some supporters
should show more patience with a talented player, obviously recovering from
serious injury, rather than rushinhg to condemn and prematurely write him
off.
Apparently, Collison also did well in the 1-2 away victory over Leicester
City. Unfortunately, I missed the match as I had to go on a business trip to
Berlin. My German asociates took me for a tour of Berlin, as part of the
social side of the trip, and it included a visit to the Berlin Olympic
Stadum. Anyone who has visited it will know that the Berlin OS is an
imposing, Nazi built, Sand Stone and granite structure, which was the scene
of Jessie Owens' famous 1936 triple gol medal triumph and Herr Hitler's,
equally famous, resulting strop! Hertha Berlin play at the stadium and I got
a chance to view the pitch from the stands. I have no idea about the
comparative dimensions of the Berlin and Stratford OS, but the sight lines
were not too bad, even allowing for an uncovered running track. Of course,
it was worse at the two ends, but not too bad at all at the sides.
My hosts insisted that the atmosphere at Hertha matches was very good and I
can only take their word for that. Although the spectator sight lines did
not seem that bad, it did re-affirm that culturally it is was very different
from the traditional British football experience of spectators being right
on top of the action. Can we adapt to watching our football in the Stratford
OS? Possibly, the decisive factor will be the degree to which the
post-Olympic restructure of the stadium can recreated something of the
football spectator experience of which we are all so familiar.
So, Monday's match awaits! Meanwhile, in the other Semi things are finely
balanced, with Blackpool taking a 1-0 advantage to St Andrews. Personally, I
think that we can beat either team if we play to our full ability, but
therein lies the variable factor in this particular play-off equation. Can
we make our undoubted superiority tell in the final, if we overcome Cardiff
City. One lives in eternal hope!
SJ. Chandos.
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Cardiff City plot remarkable play-off comeback against West Ham
By Terry Phillips
May 5 2012Comments
Wales Online
MALKY Mackay and his Cardiff City players will spend today plotting what
would be a remarkable comeback in their Championship play-off semi-final
against West Ham. The Bluebirds face a two-goal deficit going to Upton Park
on Monday (4.30pm), but there was an air of defiance among players after the
home leg. They spoke of their belief this tie is far from over, while Mackay
summed up that feeling, saying: "We remain focused on the final. "Nobody in
our dressing room has given anything up yet. It will be difficult, but our
situation is certainly far from beyond rescue. "Walking off the pitch there
was the immediate disappointment of defeat in the first leg, but that
changed quickly and everybody is up for the challenge head. "There will be
2,000 City fans at West Ham on Monday and we owe it to every one of them to
give them the sort of performance which allows them to get behind the team.
"The first goal will be crucial. If we score it can change momentum and a
nervousness could kick in, which is what happened to us after West Ham
scored their first goal. "We are 2-0 down with 90 minutes to go. We have
already won at Upton Park this season and have a solid away record. "Every
player, every member of staff is up for the challenge on Monday. "None of us
are under any illusions about the task ahead, but this group of players are
capable of overcoming the hurdle in front of us. "West Ham have a vastly
superior squad in terms of experience, but we have a team who will make sure
they go to West Ham and give everything we've got. "One goal and things
could change. "Everybody will be ready. We are going into a Championship
play-off second-leg game and nobody will need lifting. "It's 2-0 at
half-time and that can be a dangerous score."
City will have to keep things water tight at the back, which means keeping
the powerful and effective Carlton Cole under control, and somehow wrest
control in midfield. Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan were immense at Cardiff City
Stadium and the Hammers were clearly on top in that area. The Bluebirds
kicked away possession far too often in the first leg and for that reason
Mackay will surely turn to Stephen McPhail to help ensure cool heads,
composure and tempo. McPhail can release Peter Whittingham, who was
effectively shackled by West Ham's powerful midfield competitors in the
first leg, to create danger in forward areas. But with Kevin McNaughton
rated doubtful with his hamstring injury plus Rudy Gestede (knee) and Craig
Conway (ankle) ruled out there are few other options for Mackay to tweak his
team. Robert Earnshaw is a possible, but Mackay is likely to stick with
Kenny Miller and Joe Mason in attack. Miller dropped far too deep in the
first leg and their link-up, highly effective at times during the home draw
against Leeds United, could be a key factor if City have any chance of
fighting back. Any sort of recovery is a tough call against a West Ham team
already two goals in front, but the Bluebirds faithful will go to a sold-out
Upton Park hoping their team can cause the biggest semi-final comeback in 25
years of play-off football at Championship level.
Filip Kiss could add bite in midfield, while Mackay may be tempted to opt
for youth and go for Joe Ralls through the middle and speedy winger Kadeem
Harris out wide. But Mackay can't gamble at this stage. He must stick with
the tried and trusted which means McNaughton, if he is fit, for Darcy Blake
and McPhail, possibly for Liam Lawrence, are realistically the only changes
possible at West Ham. If City could score first at Upton Park they would be
back in contention and with that in mind Mackay will stick with experience
and know-how on Bank Holiday Monday. Joe Mason showed the way to goal for
City when he netted during the first leg, but his effort was ruled out by a
linesman. "If Joe was offside it was by a toenail and no more," said Mackay.
Mason has fired 11 goals in his first season and his partnership with Miller
at Upton Park is going to be crucial. "These play-off matches are bigger
than the Carling Cup final," said Mason. "Promotion was our number one
target at the start of this season and we won't give that up without one
heck of a fight."
Cardiff City's squad went through their recovery process with the sports
science department yesterday, light work and an analysis of the first leg.
The players are back at work today at their Vale of Glamorgan Resort
training ground and will have an hour and a half session tomorrow before
making the trip to London for an overnight stay. "We will be as thorough in
our preparation as ever – and we'll give it everything we've got at Upton
Park tomorrow," added Mackay. The match against the Hammers is Cardiff's
57th match of the season – and that's 10 more than the Hammers have played
in their campaign. Sam Allardyce has a big squad with a lot of Premier
Division quality. The task for Cardiff on Monday is huge, it looks at first
glance almost impossible, but the players are ready for the fight of their
lives.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Tickets for Monday's Play-Off semi-final second leg have now sold out
04.05.2012
Tickets for Monday's home leg of the npower Championship Play-Off semi-final
with Cardiff City have now sold out as fans rush to see if West Ham United
can make it to Wembley.
Tickets went on sale to Season Ticket holders and Bondholders immediately
after Saturday's visit of Hull City and there was a rush of fans looking to
secure their seats for the 4.30pm kick-off. Tickets for Season Ticket
holders were priced at just £15 for Adult tickets and £5 for under-16s as
part of the Board's commitment to make football affordable for all.
The remaining tickets went on general sale at 9am on Thursday and the last
few were sold on Friday morning, meaning for the second home match in a row,
West Ham United will be playing in front of a packed house at the Boleyn
Ground.
For those who could not get a ticket in time, West Ham TV will be running
full match commentary of the game.
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Jack Goal-ison
WHUFC.com
Wales international Jack Collison upset his fellow countrymen with two goals
in Thursday's first-leg
04.05.2012
Wales international Jack Collison was all smiles after his two goals in
Cardiff gave West Ham United the perfect start to their npower Championship
Play-Off semi-final with the Bluebirds. The No10 bagged both goals as the
Hammers defeated Cardiff City 2-0 in south Wales on Thursday night, putting
Sam Allardyce's side in the driving seat ahead of Monday's second leg at the
Boleyn Ground. Collison opened the scoring on eight minutes when he headed
in after David Marshall had saved his initial volley, and doubled his
account four minutes before half-time with a rasping shot that flew in via a
slight deflection. "Obviously it is nice to be the one scoring the goals
but, more important than that, it was a massive team performance," he told
West Ham TV. "I think the boys were superb throughout. "I don't think Coley
[Carlton Cole] has played much better than that all season - I thought he
was unbelievable and really worked his socks off."
Collison's goals took his tally to three in two away games following his
thunderbolt at Leicester City ten days previously. In total, four of his
five goals this season have come on the road. "I was getting in the right
positions earlier in the season but perhaps not finding the net as much as
I'd have liked to. Thankfully they seem to be flying in at the right time
and it's a great boost to the team that we managed to score two goals. "The
first one I think I did my hardest to miss it, to be honest! It was a great
ball from Vaz [Ricardo Vaz Te] and he put it on a plate for me. I've hit the
keeper and luckily it has bounced out for me and I've managed to knock it
in.
"The second one, it has bounced out to me and Matty [Taylor] was in my ear
telling me to shoot so I thought 'Why not?' and I caught it quite sweet. It
took a little deflection but I think it was going in anyway! "They all count
and it's great to get the goals, but like I said it was a real team
performance."
Collison was quick to heap praise on his team-mates for their determined,
up-tempo performance that simply did not let Cardiff settle into any sort of
rhythm on their own pitch. Everybody has come into a good form at the moment
and we're on a good run. We've lost one in 19 and I think that is down to
teamwork. "We were superb right throughout from the back to the front and if
we play like that on Monday we're going to be very hard to deal with."
Collison said West Ham would play to win the second leg, rather than seek to
hold onto their two-goal advantage. "I think we'll treat it like any other
game. The manager has come in and said not to get too excited because it's
only half the job done. "If we play like that, work hard and do well as a
team, we'll be hard to beat."
Finally, Collison asked for forgiveness from his fellow Welshman, knowing
that he is sure to be back in Cardiff soon pulling on the red shirt of his
national team rather than the claret and blue of West Ham. "It's a great
place to play and Cardiff are a big club with a great fanbase, so it was
nice to come here and play in a proper game. It's nice to get a bit of stick
and it's good fun. "I really enjoy playing there. Obviously it was nice to
get the goal so we'll see what sort of reception I get when I'm back in
Wales!"
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Vaz is Player of Month
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te has been named Championship Player of the Month for April
04.05.2012
West Ham United striker Ricardo Vaz Te has been named npower Championship
Player of the Month for April. Vaz Te scored six goals in as many games,
including a hat-trick in his side's 6-0 home win against Brighton & Hove
Albion. The treble included a stunning overhead kick that Hammers fans voted
as their Goal of the Season. West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce said:
"I'm delighted for Ricardo. He's had a massive impact since he arrived at
the club and the goals he scored throughout the month of April were key to
us remaining unbeaten. It is a very well deserved award and we hope that he
can now continue his run of form into the Play-Offs."
Sky Sports' Football League expert Peter Beagrie sits on the npower Player
of the Month judging panel. He said: "Ricardo has been an outstanding
success since his transfer from Barnsley in January. He's adjusted to his
new club brilliantly and has proved to be a real threat in the air and on
the ground. He could have a massive impact on The Hammers' promotion
pursuit."
npower Head of Sponsorship Emma Collins said: "Ricardo was in top form
during April, contributing six goals and providing a constant attacking
threat for his team. I'm sure his spectacular bicycle kick at home to
Brighton will live long in the memory of West Ham fans. On behalf of npower,
I'd like to congratulate Ricardo, and wish him the best of luck for next
season."
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It ain't over 'til it's over
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Neil McDonald was delighted with West Ham's performance in the first leg of
the play-off semi final at Cardiff last night - but warned that the job is
far from done.
Assistant manager McDonald, who stood in for Sam Allardyce at the pre-match
press conference was thoroughly satisfied with the 2-0 win that gives West
Ham a massive advantage going into Monday afternoon's second leg at the
Boleyn Ground. However he insisted that all celebrations were on ice until
the job was complete and West Ham's place in the Championship play-off Final
has been sealed. "Everyone knew their job, and everyone did their job
tonight," said McDonald. "It was an all-round team performance that we are
very pleased with. But we have another professional job to do on Monday.
"The performance and the goals against Brighton and Hull have got that
monkey off our backs of too many draws at home. We have scored eight goals
at home in the past two games and we know that the crowd will be right
behind us. "We have got our head around trying to win through to the Final
and we have 90 minutes to do that. But there is still a game to go and we
need to be on our guard to kill the game off. "Two-nil is always a dangerous
lead, but you would prefer to be two-nil in front rather than two-nil
behind."
McDonal also reserved special praise for two-goal hero Jack Collison, whose
brace killed off the challenge of the home side. "Collison took his goals
very well, he is very comfortable on the ball and that's another two on his
tally for the season," he added. "We are starting to see the best of Jack.
"He has played a lot of games this season, even though he is still having to
man-manage his injury, but he is getting through it very well and he is a
vital player for us."
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Vaz dazzles
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 4th May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Ricardo Vaz Te has been named as the nPower Championship Player of the Month
for April 2012. The 25-year-old Portuguese forward, who signed for West Ham
in January scored six goals in just six appearances for the Hammers
including a hat-trick against Brighton during the month. Sam Allardyce, who
was shortlisted for the Manager of the Month award but lost out to
Millwall's Kenny Jackett, said of his recent signing: "I'm delighted for
Ricardo. "He's had a massive impact since he arrived at the club and the
goals he scored throughout the month of April were key to us remaining
unbeaten. It is a very well deserved award and we hope that he can now
continue his run of form."
Peter Beagrie, one of the memebrs of the adjudicating panel added: ""Ricardo
has been an outstanding success since his transfer from Barnsley in January.
He's adjusted to his new club brilliantly and has proved to be a real threat
in the air and on the ground. "He could have a massive impact on the
Hammers' promotion pursuit."
Vaz Te was one of three players nominated for the award alongside Adam Le
Fondre of Reading and Millwall goalkeeper Maik Taylor. In addition to former
Bradford striker Beagrie, Football League Head of Communications John Nagle,
BBC Sport's Mark Clemmit and npower Head of Sponsorship Emma Collins
comprise the four-strong judging panel.
April, come he will: six in six
6th April: Barnsley 0-4 West Ham Utd (1 goal)
9th April: West Ham Utd 3-3 Birmingham City (2 goals)
14th April: West Ham Utd 6-0 Brighton & HA (3 goals)
17th April: Bristol City 1-1 West Ham Utd
23rd April: Leicester City 1-2 West Ham Utd
28th April: West Ham Utd 2-1 Hull City 1
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Can We Buck the Trend, as Monday's Show Down Beckons?
By S J Chandos About 10 hours ago
West Ham Till I Die
Well, what a fanatic win on Thursday evening. The journey down to Cardiff is
always a bit of a tiring trawl. It inevitaly brings back memories of the
three back-to-back trips there between 2004-06, when we experienced the
jubliation of the play off victory in 2005, the dejection of failing to beat
Palace in 2004 and the glorious failure of the penalty shoot out defeat to
Liverpool in 2006. But this result, and performance, was worth every bit of
effort that it took to get down there on a Thursday afternoon/evening.
One is left pondering if only! If only we had been able to reproduce this
type of efficient and masterful performance more frequently at home this
season. As we all know it is our failings at home that have cost us
automatic promotion. Those terribly wasteful draws against the likes of
Doncaster, Boro, Watford and Palace are what ultimately did for us. Indeed,
looking back at our results this season, it is clear that all too often we
secured impressive away results only to fail to press home the advantage in
the following home match. The Brighton and Hull City victories have
hopefully dispelled the insecurity that the team have often shown playing at
home. But there is defnitely I trend there needs to be bucked. We must come
out on Monday and bury Cardiff City's remaining play-off hopes. We must
strive to score the first goal, early, to put the tie beyond doubt and allow
us to relax and play without tension. In short, we must ensure that another
good away display is not followed by a disappointing one at home.
Certainly, West Ham need to be 'shot' if they muck up this one! But Malky
knows all about West Ham's relative under-perfomance at home this season and
the fact that an early Cardiff City goal, on Monday, would raise doubts in
the Hammers players minds and unsettle the crowd. That's what he is hoping
and praying for, hence his paradoxical comment about a 2 goal victory being
'a dangerous result.' In response, we need to go out and crush those last,
lingering hopes straightaway. And I get the distinct feeling that West Ham
will do exactly that on Monday afternoon. Why, because I was impressed by
the mental strength shown on Thursday and the confidence of our play. One
gets the feeling that West Ham are in a positive groove as a team and are
peaking at just he right time for the play-offs. Sam Allardyce stated that
his squad are now the fittest they have been all season and that was amply
demonstrated in the 1st leg of the semi-final, where we not only outplayed
Cardif, but beat them on workrate and effort as well.
Famous last words? Perhaps, but I sincerely hope not. It is just a pity that
we did not get the third goal that our dominance deserved. If only Cole's
excellent header or Nolan's point blank chance had gone in then we would
have all felt that bit more confident. But, lets not be greedy, a two goal
lead going in to a home second leg should be sufficient, as long as we do
the business and buck the aforementioned trend!
Another encouraging thing from our perspective is the way in which Carlton
Cole seems to be hitting good form at this, the climax of the season. His
finishinhg was outstanding against Hull City and he play really well on
Thursday, leading the attack and giving Cardiff City's defence endless
problems. This is the positive Carlton Cole, the centre forward who is very
difficult for opponents to play, as opposed to the frustating and
disappointing Cole, who disappears up blind alleys. Lets pray that we see
more of the former and none of the latter, because at 28 years of age, it
really is time that Carlton Cole finally showed consistency and proved his
ability beyond all doubt. Vaz Te has been a revelation since his arival in
January, he is obviously a player who is certainly starting to realise his
potential. I have no doubt that he is a player that can potentially win
these play-offs for us. I was also encouraged by Matt Taylor's form, his
season was disrupted by injury and suspension, but he is starting to look
back to his best on the left flank. His delivery of the ball in to the
Cardiff City box was fanastic and created scoring opportunities on a number
of occasions. Similarly, Demel is starting to look good at right-back and
the Tomkins-Reid central defensive partnership continues to look very solid.
Finally, what about that lad Collison, he looked liked his old self in
getting forward and scoring those two vital goals. Perhaps some supporters
should show more patience with a talented player, obviously recovering from
serious injury, rather than rushinhg to condemn and prematurely write him
off.
Apparently, Collison also did well in the 1-2 away victory over Leicester
City. Unfortunately, I missed the match as I had to go on a business trip to
Berlin. My German asociates took me for a tour of Berlin, as part of the
social side of the trip, and it included a visit to the Berlin Olympic
Stadum. Anyone who has visited it will know that the Berlin OS is an
imposing, Nazi built, Sand Stone and granite structure, which was the scene
of Jessie Owens' famous 1936 triple gol medal triumph and Herr Hitler's,
equally famous, resulting strop! Hertha Berlin play at the stadium and I got
a chance to view the pitch from the stands. I have no idea about the
comparative dimensions of the Berlin and Stratford OS, but the sight lines
were not too bad, even allowing for an uncovered running track. Of course,
it was worse at the two ends, but not too bad at all at the sides.
My hosts insisted that the atmosphere at Hertha matches was very good and I
can only take their word for that. Although the spectator sight lines did
not seem that bad, it did re-affirm that culturally it is was very different
from the traditional British football experience of spectators being right
on top of the action. Can we adapt to watching our football in the Stratford
OS? Possibly, the decisive factor will be the degree to which the
post-Olympic restructure of the stadium can recreated something of the
football spectator experience of which we are all so familiar.
So, Monday's match awaits! Meanwhile, in the other Semi things are finely
balanced, with Blackpool taking a 1-0 advantage to St Andrews. Personally, I
think that we can beat either team if we play to our full ability, but
therein lies the variable factor in this particular play-off equation. Can
we make our undoubted superiority tell in the final, if we overcome Cardiff
City. One lives in eternal hope!
SJ. Chandos.
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Cardiff City plot remarkable play-off comeback against West Ham
By Terry Phillips
May 5 2012Comments
Wales Online
MALKY Mackay and his Cardiff City players will spend today plotting what
would be a remarkable comeback in their Championship play-off semi-final
against West Ham. The Bluebirds face a two-goal deficit going to Upton Park
on Monday (4.30pm), but there was an air of defiance among players after the
home leg. They spoke of their belief this tie is far from over, while Mackay
summed up that feeling, saying: "We remain focused on the final. "Nobody in
our dressing room has given anything up yet. It will be difficult, but our
situation is certainly far from beyond rescue. "Walking off the pitch there
was the immediate disappointment of defeat in the first leg, but that
changed quickly and everybody is up for the challenge head. "There will be
2,000 City fans at West Ham on Monday and we owe it to every one of them to
give them the sort of performance which allows them to get behind the team.
"The first goal will be crucial. If we score it can change momentum and a
nervousness could kick in, which is what happened to us after West Ham
scored their first goal. "We are 2-0 down with 90 minutes to go. We have
already won at Upton Park this season and have a solid away record. "Every
player, every member of staff is up for the challenge on Monday. "None of us
are under any illusions about the task ahead, but this group of players are
capable of overcoming the hurdle in front of us. "West Ham have a vastly
superior squad in terms of experience, but we have a team who will make sure
they go to West Ham and give everything we've got. "One goal and things
could change. "Everybody will be ready. We are going into a Championship
play-off second-leg game and nobody will need lifting. "It's 2-0 at
half-time and that can be a dangerous score."
City will have to keep things water tight at the back, which means keeping
the powerful and effective Carlton Cole under control, and somehow wrest
control in midfield. Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan were immense at Cardiff City
Stadium and the Hammers were clearly on top in that area. The Bluebirds
kicked away possession far too often in the first leg and for that reason
Mackay will surely turn to Stephen McPhail to help ensure cool heads,
composure and tempo. McPhail can release Peter Whittingham, who was
effectively shackled by West Ham's powerful midfield competitors in the
first leg, to create danger in forward areas. But with Kevin McNaughton
rated doubtful with his hamstring injury plus Rudy Gestede (knee) and Craig
Conway (ankle) ruled out there are few other options for Mackay to tweak his
team. Robert Earnshaw is a possible, but Mackay is likely to stick with
Kenny Miller and Joe Mason in attack. Miller dropped far too deep in the
first leg and their link-up, highly effective at times during the home draw
against Leeds United, could be a key factor if City have any chance of
fighting back. Any sort of recovery is a tough call against a West Ham team
already two goals in front, but the Bluebirds faithful will go to a sold-out
Upton Park hoping their team can cause the biggest semi-final comeback in 25
years of play-off football at Championship level.
Filip Kiss could add bite in midfield, while Mackay may be tempted to opt
for youth and go for Joe Ralls through the middle and speedy winger Kadeem
Harris out wide. But Mackay can't gamble at this stage. He must stick with
the tried and trusted which means McNaughton, if he is fit, for Darcy Blake
and McPhail, possibly for Liam Lawrence, are realistically the only changes
possible at West Ham. If City could score first at Upton Park they would be
back in contention and with that in mind Mackay will stick with experience
and know-how on Bank Holiday Monday. Joe Mason showed the way to goal for
City when he netted during the first leg, but his effort was ruled out by a
linesman. "If Joe was offside it was by a toenail and no more," said Mackay.
Mason has fired 11 goals in his first season and his partnership with Miller
at Upton Park is going to be crucial. "These play-off matches are bigger
than the Carling Cup final," said Mason. "Promotion was our number one
target at the start of this season and we won't give that up without one
heck of a fight."
Cardiff City's squad went through their recovery process with the sports
science department yesterday, light work and an analysis of the first leg.
The players are back at work today at their Vale of Glamorgan Resort
training ground and will have an hour and a half session tomorrow before
making the trip to London for an overnight stay. "We will be as thorough in
our preparation as ever – and we'll give it everything we've got at Upton
Park tomorrow," added Mackay. The match against the Hammers is Cardiff's
57th match of the season – and that's 10 more than the Hammers have played
in their campaign. Sam Allardyce has a big squad with a lot of Premier
Division quality. The task for Cardiff on Monday is huge, it looks at first
glance almost impossible, but the players are ready for the fight of their
lives.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Friday, May 4
Daily WHUFC News - 4th May 2012
Big Sam and Vaz nominated
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te and Sam Allardyce are both up for awards for their efforts in
April
03.05.2012
Sam Allardyce and Ricardo Vaz Te have both been nominated for their
achievements in the npower Championship during April. The West Ham United
manager is up for Manager of the Month after overseeing an unbeaten month
for the Hammers that included four wins and two draws. The 4-0 win away win
at Barnsley and the 6-0 home win against Brighton & Hove Albion were
probably the pick of the bunch as Big Sam made sure his team entered the
Play-Offs in form.
Ricardo Vaz Te made quite an impact during April himself, scoring six goals
in as many games to earn himself a place on the three-man shortlist for
Player of the Month. His hat-trick helped the Hammers to the home win
against the Seagulls, while his two goals aided the impressive comeback in
the 3-3 draw with Birmingham City.
The nominations for the npower Championship Manager of the Month Award for
April 2012 are:
Kenny Jackett (Millwall)
Malky Mackay (Cardiff City)
Sam Allardyce (West Ham United)
The nominations for the npower Championship Player of the Month Award for
April 2012 are:
Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
Maik Taylor (Millwall)
Ricardo Vaz Te (West Ham United)
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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
Collison 9′, 41′
FT 90 +6
HT 0-2
3 May 2012
Last updated at 21:41
By Bruce Pope
BBC Sport Wales
Jack Collison scored twice to give West Ham control of their Championship
play-off semi-final after the first leg at Cardiff City. The Welsh
midfielder followed up his own shot to head home after good work from
Ricardo Vaz Te on the left. Collison then heaped further misery on his
countrymen when his shot took a wicked deflection into the Cardiff net.
Kenny Miller missed a series of half-chances for Cardiff, while Ben Turner
had a header cleared off the line. Though Cardiff won 1-0 at Upton Park on
the opening day of the season, Malky Mackay will need to rally his players
to produce a much better performance in the return leg on Monday if the
Bluebirds are to avoid a fourth play-off disappointment in as many seasons.
Steve Claridge BBC Football Analyst : "It's very difficult to make a case
for Cardiff [to turn the tie around] on this evidence. It's not like they've
peppered the goal or had chance after chance. West Ham have been thoroughly
professional."
City lost out to Reading at the semi-final stage last year, were beaten 3-2
by Blackpool in the 2010 final and narrowly missed the play-offs in 2009 on
an inferior goal record. Sam Allardyce's Hammers were expected to claim one
of the automatic promotion places and return to the Premier League at the
first time of asking, only to be pipped by Reading and Southampton. But
United have now taken a huge step towards remedying that disappointment and
are overwhelming favourites to claim a Wembley final date against Blackpool
or Birmingham.
Cardiff nearly drew first blood when Peter Whittingham's shot was deflected
just over the bar, then Miller drew a fine save from Robert Green in the
West Ham goal.
But it was the Hammers who took the lead when Vaz Te broke the offside trap
on the left before pulling the ball back for Collison, who had his initial
effort parried by David Marshall but was able to nod the rebound into the
net. That setback in the ninth minute seemed to rattle the Bluebirds, who
were lucky not to concede a second soon after. First Liam Lawrence dawdled
in the area, allowing Vaz Te to dispossess him but he was unable to get a
shot away, then James Tomkins was allowed a free header at the back post
that went just wide.
Slowly the home side regained their composure and Miller went close again,
bending his shot just the wrong side of Green's left-hand post as the home
side caught West Ham on the break. But the visitors were also showing
themselves adept at turning defence into attack and Turner had to be alert
to deny Carlton Cole after Mark Hudson lost possession in the middle of the
park. From the resulting corner, Vaz Te flicked on at the near post and,
although Turner cleared the initial danger, the ball fell perfectly for
Collison to fire in for West Ham's second, although his shot took a wicked
deflection off Lawrence. The hosts had chances to reduce the deficit early
in the second half, with Miller unable to control Lawrence's raking
crossfield pass when through on Green's goal and Turner seeing his looping
header cleared off the line by Cole.
West Ham were still creating the better opportunities, though, and Kevin
Nolan should have put the tie beyond Cardiff but headed wide from 10 yards
at the near post.
Miller was replaced by Rob Earnshaw, who fired an ambitious volley high and
wide. Another volley, this time from Joe Mason, also skewed wide of goal as
Turner continued to trouble the West Ham defence at set-pieces. But the
Hammers held firm under some intense late pressure and carry a precious
two-goal advantage back to Upton Park for Monday's return.
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Sam Allardyce stays calm on West Ham's play-off chances
BBC.co.uk
Sam Allardyce remained cautious despite seeing his West Ham team take a 2-0
advantage in their play-off semi-final first-leg with Cardiff. Two
first-half goals from Jack Collison secured a victory for the Hammers, with
the return leg at Upton Park on Monday. West Ham have been held to eight
draws at Upton Park this season, but have only suffered four defeats. "We're
not going to get carried away. It was a terrific result but there's a long
way to go," Allardyce said. "We need to be as professional on Monday as we
were in Cardiff and that should be enough to take us through." He added:
"Two goals is a margin that's difficult for them but they'll be thinking
about getting the first goal and whether we'll be nervous and edgy and
trying to protect what we've got."
Allardyce has experienced a similar advantage in the past, having guided his
Blackpool team to a 2-0 win in a play-off semi-final first leg at Bradford
in 1996, only to suffer a 3-0 home defeat and lose his job. Seeking an
immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation last
season, the Hammers were overwhelming favourites for automatic promotion.
Allardyce feels that his players are now playing with a new sense of
freedom, after spending recent weeks attempting to catch Reading and
Southampton, who finished in the top two. But he thinks it will be vital to
attack Malky Mackay's side on Monday, rather than sitting on the two-goal
cushion. Allardyce added: "The last three games we were relying on other
people even if we won and it's in our hands again now. "Whoever wins, takes
the trophy and it's not about us playing catch-up on anyone, we're just
trying to deliver a performance and we've got to make sure we finish it off.
"In the back of the minds there might be a slight hesitancy to try to
protect what we've got but that would be dangerous and we've got to have a
positive attitude and try to score the first goal. "It's my job to start
mentally preparing them for the fact that they've got to approach the game
as a 0-0 and they've to try to win it."
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Allardyce on... Cardiff City
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce admitted that he was absolutely delighted with West Ham's
performance at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight - whilst reminding his team
that the job is still only half done. A Jack Collison brace put United in
total control of the play-off semi final in Wales tonight with the two teams
set to meet again for the second leg at the Boleyn Ground in three days'
time. But despite West Ham going into the game as overwhelming favourites to
proceed to the Final at Wembley in a fortnight's time having secured a 2-0
win away from home - United's 14TH away win of the season - Allardyce warned
his team not to get complacent. "It's been a great night for us but it's
only 90 minutes of a two-legged affair so anything could still happen,"
Allardyce told SkySports. "The onus is on us to see it through and there's
no pressure on Cardiff. "Mentally we've got to be right for that and make
sure that we try and go out and win the next game. But it's a fantastic
night for us and one where the players have handled the pressure extremely
well, performed very well indeed and given us a great platform for the next
leg."
Key to West Ham's success, according to Allardyce, was the right mental
attitude and a determination not to become involved in any unnecessary
incidents. And despite West Ham having four players booked on the night -
albeit somewhat controversially in at least three cases - the manager felt
that his players stuck to the task. "On a big night like this, we asked the
lads to control their emotions and not to do anything untoward that might
cause a problem for ourselves," he confirmed. "I thought they handled the
pressure very well and played very well indeed. "I thought tactically we
did everything right in terms of nullifying Cardiff and allowing them
minimal chances on goal on their own ground. Our quality on the break and
getting forward was outstanding - as were the chances were created. "At 2-0
down Cardiff were going to put us under some pressure. We soaked that up
pretty well and then broke out and created a few more chances that we may
have converted. But it was a good performance from everybody, we're really
pleased but not getting too carried away. "On the basis of how well we've
been playing I would have been disappointed had we not played like we did
tonight, if we hadn't have carried on such great away performances and
results. The clean sheet and the two goals were everything we were looking
for and that's a fantastic 90 minutes for us."
Looking ahead to the second leg, Allardyce insisted that his team would be
going for the win despite a draw - and even, dare we say it, a repeat of the
scoreline on the opening day of the season - being enough to see the Hammers
through to Wembley. "We've only lost four at home all season; we're in a
position now where if we don't lose we go through," he added. "But we want
to win if we can and we want to continue to play like we did against
Brighton and Hull City. "If we can get that level of performance again then
we'll try and go and win that game, if we possibly can. But we must make
sure that at the end of 90 minutes we're through to the Final."
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Cardiff City 0 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are 90 minutes away from Wembley after producing a thoroughly
professional performance in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi
final in Wales tonight.
Two first half goals from Welsh international Jack Collison were enough to
give Sam Allardyce's side a commanding lead to take into the second leg at
the Boleyn Ground next Monday afternoon.
And should the Hammers avoid defeat they will book a first visit to Wembley
since 1981 when John Lyall's underdogs held European Champions Liverpool to
a 1-1 draw under the now defunct Twin towers.
Watford-born Collison, who qualifies for the Welsh international team
through his grandfather struck in the 8th and 41st minutes of the opening
period to send West Ham into the second leg with a huge advantage.
The first of his two goals came slightly against the run of play as Cardiff,
looking to capitalise on their home advantage had started the game the
stronger. Kenny Miller's 3rd minute effort was inches away from dipping
underneath Rob Green's crossbar.
But the home crowd were silenced just five minutes later when Collison
showed enough determination to get on the end of Ricardo Vaz Te's cross at
the second attempt having seen Marshall avert his initial effort.
From there on the Hammers took full control of the first half with Cardiff
failing to find their rhythm; Carlton Cole being particularly instrumental
as the lynchpin of the attack despite receiving some rough treatment from
the City defence.
Therefore it was no surprise when West Ham finally doubled their advantage
four minutes ahead of the break when the 23-year-old midfielder scored a
goal almost identical to that which proved to be the winner at Leicester
recently.
Picking up a half-clearance some 30 yards from goal, the midfielder chested
the ball down before firing a volley at goal that took a wicked deflection
off former Portsmouth player Liam Lawrence, leaving 'keeper Marshall
stranded.
Cardiff may feel slightly hard done by, but TV replays suggested the
Collison's shot was goal bound anyway - albeit in the opposite side of David
Marshall's goal.
Carlton Cole, outstanding throughout almost put the game beyond the home
side in the final minute of the first half but a wonderful save from
Marshall maintained a glimmer of hope for the Bluebirds.
Rejuvenated by the half time break, City gave their all in an attempt to
claw their way back into the game but bar a good chance for the fairly
anonymous Peter Whittingham - the home side's danger man - seconds after the
restart, West Ham survived that all-important opening 15 minute period with
consummate ease.
Thereafter both sides created several chances to add further goals; for
Cardiff, Miller, Hudson and Mason missed from close range when they really
should have tested Rob Green at the very least, whilst Nolan and Cole were
both inches away from making the win an ever more comprehensive one for the
visitors.
As it stands, the two sides pick up again next Monday afternoon with West
Ham now overwhelming favourites to complete the job in hand.
Sam Allardyce, who once again got his tactics absolutely spot on will no
doubt be hoping for more of the same in the second leg in front of a full
house at the Boleyn Ground.
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Collison at the double
West Ham claim big first leg lead in South Wales
Last updated: 3rd May 2012
SSN
West Ham United have one foot in the Championship play-off final after
claiming a 2-0 win at Cardiff City in the first-leg of their semi-final. And
the hero for The Hammers was ironically a Welshman, as Jack Collison scored
both goals. He opened the scoring just eight-minutes in when he followed up
his own shot, which was well saved by David Marshall, to head home. The lead
was doubled five-minutes before the break when Collison's volley took a
wicked deflection off Liam Lawrence.
The Hammers are now firm favourites to book a place at Wembley ahead of the
second leg at Upton Park on Monday.
Struggle
The hosts struggled for any kind of rhythm for much of the match and West
Ham could have taken an even more comfortable lead back to Upton Park, but
for Marshall's superb save from Carlton Cole's header. The Hammers may still
have two more games to negotiate before they can celebrate a return to the
top flight but, on this showing, the class and determination is there to
achieve exactly that. Cardiff almost went ahead after two minutes, Peter
Whittingham's deflected effort dipping narrowly over the crossbar. Moments
later, Robert Green had to be alert to beat away Kenny Miller's volley as
the Bluebirds started at a furious pace. But with their first attempt at
goal, the Hammers gained the upper hand. Ricardo Vaz Tecrossed from the left
and, although Collison's first attempt was brilliantly stopped by Marshall,
the Welshman was on hand to nod in the rebound. Quickly, West Ham got a
stranglehold on the game. Gary O'Neil tested Marshall from range and James
Tomkins headed Matt Taylor's fizzing cross wide. Cardiff, in part, were the
architects of their own struggles, frequently gifting possession to their
guests.
Rally
The Welsh side tried to rally, with Miller firing wide, but Collison soon
stunted their comeback with his second. Taylor's corner was half-cleared to
the midfielder, who controlled the ball on his chest, pulled the trigger and
saw a wicked deflection off the head of Liam Lawrence wrongfoot Marshall.
Cole must have thought he had put the tie out of sight before half-time, but
Marshall pulled off a sensational low save from the striker's header.
Cardiff showed intent to get back into the game after the interval, with
Whittingham volleying wide and Ben Turner seeing his header cleared off the
line by Cole, before Miller fired horribly off-target.
With space tighter in the Cardiff half, West Ham created far fewer chances -
the best of the lot being Kevin Nolan's point-blank header which failed to
test Marshall - and the visitors had to withstand a spell of concerted
pressure from their hosts in the final quarter. Mark Hudson nodded Aron
Gunnarsson's cross wide from 10 yards, substitute Robert Earnshaw missed the
target with a wild volley and Gunnarsson squandered a decent chance from the
edge of the area. For all their late huff and puff, however, the Bluebirds
could not fashion a goal, leaving themselves with a lot to do in London in
four days' time.
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Big Sam hails Hammers
West Ham boss delighted with win in South Wales
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: May
3, 2012 10:57pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hailed his side's performance after they
claimed a 2-0 win over Cardiff City in their Championship play-off
semi-final first leg.
The Hammers travelled to South Wales and came away with a huge victory
courtesy of two first-half strikes from Jack Collison. And Allardyce was
full of plaudits for his men after their performance against Cardiff. "We
were excellent, we asked the lads to control their emotions on a big night
like this, not to cause a problem for ourselves and I thought they handled
the pressure excellently and played very well indeed," he told Sky Sports.
"Tactically we did everything right and nullified Cardiff to minimal chances
on their own ground and getting forward was outstanding and chances were
created, scored and a lot missed. "It has been a great night for us and it
is only 90 minutes of a two-legged affair and anything could still happen,
the onus is on us to see it through and there is no pressure on Cardiff and
mentally we have to be right for it."
Allardyce felt his players stood up to their task mentally as well as
physically, adding: "It is a fantastic night and one where the players have
handled the pressure extremely well and performed very well."
Confidence
The Hammers boss insists that he came into the game full of confidence and
expecting a win. "On the basis of how well we have been playing I would have
been disappointed if we had not played like we did tonight and carried on as
we have been playing away from home," he said, "The clean sheet and two
goals is everything we have been looking for and it is a great contribution
from all the players. "We knew two-nil down they would put us under some
pressure, but we are really pleased and not getting too carried away."
Allardyce insists that West Ham's indifferent home form is not an issue,
saying: "Only in terms of draws, we have only lost four and are now in a
position if we don't lose we go through but we want to win and get that
level of performance again and try and win the game. "But the bottom line is
to make sure we are through into the final after 90 minutes."
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Cole - I'm glad I stayed
West Ham striker looking forward to play-off campaign
Last Updated: May 3, 2012 9:36am
SSN
Carlton Cole has insisted he has no regrets about staying at West Ham as he
looks to fire the club through the play-offs and back to the Premier League.
A number of West Ham's leading players were expected to leave Upton Park
following their relegation last summer and Cole came close to joining Stoke.
However, he eventually decided not to go anywhere and has relished the
challenge of trying to get the Hammers back into the top flight at the first
attempt. Sam Allardyce's men missed out on automatic promotion after
finishing third in the Championship and begin their play-off campaign with a
semi-final first leg at Cardiff on Thursday night. "It would mean the world
to me to take West Ham back to the Premier League,"Cole said in The Sun.
"That is the task I had at the start of the season. I could have left but
there was no point because I'm so happy. I wanted to make an impact and help
the team get to where we belong. "It would mean a lot to reach Wembley. They
say that the best way to go up is to win the play-off final. Hopefully we'll
do that."
O'Neill hope
Midfielder Gary O'Neil is also determined to help West Ham clinch an
immediate return to the Premier League, but is still disappointed about
missing out on a place in the top two and wary of the threat Cardiff will
present. "We were only one win away from going up and you can count those
five games here on the trot where we should have won," said O'Neil. "We were
up against Middlesbrough at home with a few minutes to go and against
Doncaster and only drew with Watford. They have probably cost us a promotion
place. It was the home draws that cost us, really. "Cardiff have got in the
play-offs the other way, by scraping in with a win on Saturday, so they'll
be buzzing that they've made it. "We've come the other way, from second into
third. It'll be a tough tie."
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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Last Updated: 04th May 2012
JACK COLLISON put the boot into Cardiff in the Land of his Grandfather. WEST
HAM'S Welsh ace sunk Cardiff in first leg but then warned against
complacency
The Wales midfielder smacked two crackers to leave West Ham firmly in
control of their play-off destiny as they bid to return to the Premier
League at the first attempt. Collison, 23, was born way down south in
Watford but chose to play for Wales instead of England as his grandad was
born in Monmouthshire. His first-half double in the Welsh capital rocked
Cardiff, who are trying to get into the top flight for a third successive
season via the play-offs. The Bluebirds lost to Blackpool in the Wembley
final in 2010 and were knocked out at this stage by Reading last year. Malky
Mackay's lads are now on the brink of yet more play-off heartache. Cardiff
roared out of the blocks, putting the Hammers under the cosh but just could
not turn their bright, energetic attacks into goals. Peter Whittingham
slammed in a fierce third-minute shot that looked a goal until a wicked
deflection turned the chance out for a corner. And the Bluebirds were denied
again just seconds later when Robert Green made a sensational flying save to
push Kenny Miller's drive past the post. But despite Cardiff's aggressive
opening onslaught, West Ham slowly took control in midfield through Kevin
Nolan and Mark Noble. No matter how hard Cardiff fought for the ball, they
let themselves down by giving away possession too easily - and the visitors
had a field day. Bluebirds boss Mackay - a former Hammer the last time West
Ham went up through the play-offs in 2005 - was stunned that his defence
could be so dozy when Collison struck in the ninth minute. Ricardo Vaz Te
launched a looping cross into the box with little or no attempt made to
clear the ball. Collison's first volley was brilliantly palmed away by
David Marshall but the West Ham midfielder followed up to head home.
Mackay demanded an immediate response and got it with Miller exposing West
Ham's defensive uncertainty with direct runs. The striker was unlucky when
a last-ditch tackle from James Tomkins nicked the ball away as he prepared
to shoot. And just as Cardiff were getting a hard-gained foothold in this
semi-final first-leg clash, Collison struck again in the 41st minute.
Noble's corner was flicked on by Vaz Te at the near post and partially
cleared by centre-back Ben Turner. Collison, who was given all the time in
the world, chested the ball down and volleyed home with a deflection off
Liam Lawrence. Cardiff are pinning their hopes on West Ham's dodgy home
record after they dropped 28 points at Upton Park. But the Hammers have yet
to blow a two-goal lead in their own backyard this season.
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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2: Big Sam on track after magic Jack's first-half double
By NEIL MOXLEY
Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 21:39, 3 May 2012 | UPDATED: 01:14, 4 May 2012
Jack Collison was once welcomed in Wales. That invitation may be less warm
in future as his first-half double earned a two-goal advantage for the
Championship away-day specialists. The West Ham midfielder turned his back
on England, the country of his birth, to pledge his allegiance to the
principality. In the past, he has run his heart out for the cause. on
Thursday night, his twin strikes stabbed Cardiff straight through their
heart. Collison's goals have provided the Hammers with the platform to
reach Wembley in what was another classic display of how to win on your
travels.
MATCH FACTS
Cardiff: Marshall, Blake, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Cowie (McPhail 74),
Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Lawrence, Miller (Earnshaw 74), Mason.
Subs not used: Heaton, Kiss, Gerrard.
West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 75), Taylor, Collison
(Maynard 86), Nolan, Noble, O'Neil, Vaz Te (McCartney 60), Cole.
Subs not used: Henderson,Faye.
Booked: Tomkins, Noble, Nolan, Faubert.
Goals: Collison 9, 41.
Attendance: 23,029
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).
This was the 14th time this season that Sam Allardyce has tasted success
away from Upton Park and, barring a monumental collapse in the second leg on
Monday, the team that finished in third place should be contesting the
play-off final. 'I thought we handled the pressure very well,' said the
Hammers boss (below). 'Tactically, we did everything right. We nullified
Cardiff and restricted them to minimal chances. 'We were quality on the
break and going forward in general we were outstanding. It's been a good
night for us. We have given ourselves a great platform. '
Collison has suffered his own share of problems through injury. But his
influence in front of goal proved crucial in the Welsh capital. His opener
came out of the blue and rocked Cardiff, who had seen one deflected Peter
Whittingham shot fly narrowly over and Robert Green make a smart save to
deny Kenny Miller in the first few minutes.
It was Ricardo Vaz Te's pace, allied to Collison's anticipation, that was a
major factor in the opener. Vaz Te's first-time cross was met at the far
post with a firm side-foot from Collison. David Marshall did well to keep
out the first effort, but the midfielder's momentum continued and he headed
the rebound into the net. That clearly upset the hosts.
They had been knocked out of their stride and failed to regather their
momentum for the remainder of the half. The visitors' James Tomkins headed
on to the roof of the net from Matt Taylor's cross and Allardyce was furious
that Vaz Te was not awarded a penalty after going down when his shirt was
tugged. They had to wait until late in the first half to grab their second
and although it carried a dollop of good fortune, it was difficult to argue
that it wasn't deserved. Mark Noble's left-wing corner was headed clear by
centre-half Ben Turner. Collison stood on his own on the edge of the box. By
the time those in blue realised the danger, the midfielder had chested down
the ball and rifled a shot into the net, with a huge deflection off Liam
Lawrence helping his cause.
The 2,000 travelling supporters from east London celebrated as you might
expect. In truth, they were only denied a third thanks to Marshall's second
magnificent stop of the evening, clawing out Carlton Cole's header on the
stroke of half-time.
Cardiff couldn't play as badly in the second half, and within seconds of the
restart, Peter Whittingham fired wide. It was to prove the story of their
next 45 minutes.
Miller blazed wide when he should have forced Green into a save, and
Turner's header was cleared off the goal-line by Cole. Joe Mason saw a goal
ruled out for offside, Cardiff manager Malky Mackay ruefully suggesting it
was the striker's big toe that had caused the infringement. Turner then rose
above the visitors' defence only to plant a header wide from six yards.
Kevin Nolan saw another opportunity to finish off the tie go begging.
Cardiff certainly had enough of the second half to suggest that the return
leg will not be a foregone conclusion.
'The scoreline is disappointing,' said Mackay. 'Our defending for the first
goal should have been better. Three players could have done something about
it. The second one was luck. Nothing else but that. In the second half we
were much more on the front foot. We created a lot. 'But they have a squad
that carries 35 professionals. They have played ten games fewer and their
experience told. 'Having said that, 2-0 is a dangerous score. If we can go
there and get that first goal it will make a big difference to us.'
Those final comments might have been mind games, but Allardyce is wise
enough to know that the correct approach from his team will still be
required. Cardiff have already won at Upton Park this season and carried
enough of a goal threat to suggest they are not out of it. 'The onus is on
us,' added Allardyce. 'There is no pressure on Cardiff. Mentally, we have to
be right. But we have only lost four at home all season and if we aren't
beaten, we will go through. But make no mistake, we want to win.'
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Clinical Collison puts West Ham in complete control
Cardiff City 0 West Ham United 2
PHIL CADDEN CARDIFF CITY STADIUM FRIDAY 04 MAY 2012
Independent.co.uk
Jack Collison added to his comeback season in style to put West Ham on the
verge of the Championship play-off final with a comfortable semi-final first
leg victory over Cardiff City.
The Wales midfielder, out for 14 months with a career-threatening knee
injury, struck twice in the opening 45 minutes to highlight the gulf in
quality between the two sides.
Collison netted his first goal as early as the ninth minute, heading home at
the second attempt after Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall saved his initial
effort when he seized on Ricardo Vaz Te's left-wing cross ahead of the
napping Andrew Taylor.
Then the 23-year-old rubbed salt into the wounds of the hosts by firing home
a right-footed shot from the edge of the box that took a wicked deflection
via the head of Liam Lawrence.
Collison said: "We are in a great position, but we're only halfway there. It
was nice to get both goals, but it was a real team performance. We all dug
in and I thought Coley [Carlton Cole] worked his socks off up front. We all
want to be at Wembley in a couple of weeks' time."
Sam Allardyce's functional outfit were the favourites to make an instant
return to the top flight, but the third-placed Hammers, surprisingly, failed
to win automatic promotion. Yet despite the Cardiff manager, Malky Mackay,
claiming all the pressure was on the visitors, considering his ex-club's
expectations, rich financial strength and playing squad, West Ham responded
with an emphatic display in the Welsh capital.
Allardyce said: "We played very well, we got it right tactically. We created
chances, scored a couple and could have had more. But we're only 90 minutes
into a two-legged affair and anything could still happen. The onus is on us
to see it through. There is no pressure on Cardiff.
"They can come and chase what they can. Mentally, we have to be right for
that. On the basis of how we have been playing recently, I would have been
disappointed if we hadn't played like that.
"It's draws that have cost us," Allardyce added, "but we have only lost four
matches at home. And we're in a position now where if we don't lose we're
through. We want to win if we can and we want to continue to play like we
did."
At the start, Cardiff flew out of the traps with a double raid on the West
Ham goal. Peter Whittingham saw a 25-yard piledriver deflected over Rob
Green's crossbar before the goalkeeper palmed Kenny Miller's long-range
volley around his post. But the efforts from the home side only amounted to
small jabs to Allardyce's defence compared to his heavyweight strikeforce,
with victory sealed by Collison's two goals.
Mackay said: "We are disappointed with our defending for the first goal.
Three of our players could have changed the situation. The second goal is
nothing other than luck.
"But 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline for West Ham. We have to make sure we go
there and give a good account of ourselves."
Cardiff City (4-4-1-1): Marshall; Blake, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Lawrence,
Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Cowie (McPhail, 74); Miller (Earnshaw, 74), Mason.
Substitutes not used Heaton (gk), Kiss, Gerrard.
West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Demel (Faubert, 75), Reid, Tomkins, Taylor;
Collison (Maynard, 86), Nolan, Noble, O'Neil; Vaz Te (McCartney, 61), Cole.
Substitutes not used Henderson (gk), Faye.
Referee N Swarbrick (Lancashire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McDonald: West Ham still have work to do
London 24
Nathaniel John
Thursday, May 3, 2012
10:41 PM
West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald insists that the Hammers still have
plenty of work to do despite their 2-0 play-off semi-final first-leg win in
Cardiff tonight.
The east Londoners put one foot firmly in the play-off final thanks to a
Jack Collison brace, and McDonald was pleased with the professionalism of
West Ham's performance - something that the Hammers must keep if they are
to book a place at Wembley. "Everyone knew their job, and everyone did
their job tonight," said McDonald. "It is an all-round team performance
that we are very pleased with. "It was a professional job tonight, and we
have a professional job to do on Monday."
Cardiff started the game the stronger side, but West Ham managed to stay
firm, before Collison headed the visitors in front against the run of play.
The Wales international then doubled his tally with a deflected volley
before half time, and McDonald was impressed with the midfielder's
contribution. "Collison took his goals very well, he is very comfortable on
the ball and that's another two on his tally for the season," said
McDonald. "We are starting to see the best of Collison. He has played a lot
of games this season, even though he is still having to man-manage his
injury, but he is getting through it very well and he is a vital player for
us."
The Hammers now turn their attention to Monday's second leg at Upton Park,
and the east Londoners' assistant boss admits that his team's 2-0 lead is
a dangerous one. "Two-nil is always a dangerous lead, but you would prefer
to be two-nil in front, rather than two-nil behind," he said. "We could
have done better, we could have scored another couple of goals, but let's
not be greedy, we've come out with a gameplan not to concede and we've
scored a couple of goals so we are happy, but there is still a long way to
go."
West Ham had suffered with a bad run of form at the Boleyn Ground not too
long ago, drawing too many games which saw them miss out on automatic
promotion.
However, McDonald is confident that the team have put that firmly in their
past and are back to winning ways. "We are very confident ahead of
Monday," he said.
"The performance and the goals against Brighton and Hull have got that
monkey off our backs of too many draws at home. "We have scored eight goals
at home in the past two games and we know that the crowd will be right
behind us. "We have got our head around trying to win through to the final
and we have 90 minutes to do that. "There is still a game to go and we need
to be on our guard to kill the game off."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Ricardo Vaz Te and Sam Allardyce are both up for awards for their efforts in
April
03.05.2012
Sam Allardyce and Ricardo Vaz Te have both been nominated for their
achievements in the npower Championship during April. The West Ham United
manager is up for Manager of the Month after overseeing an unbeaten month
for the Hammers that included four wins and two draws. The 4-0 win away win
at Barnsley and the 6-0 home win against Brighton & Hove Albion were
probably the pick of the bunch as Big Sam made sure his team entered the
Play-Offs in form.
Ricardo Vaz Te made quite an impact during April himself, scoring six goals
in as many games to earn himself a place on the three-man shortlist for
Player of the Month. His hat-trick helped the Hammers to the home win
against the Seagulls, while his two goals aided the impressive comeback in
the 3-3 draw with Birmingham City.
The nominations for the npower Championship Manager of the Month Award for
April 2012 are:
Kenny Jackett (Millwall)
Malky Mackay (Cardiff City)
Sam Allardyce (West Ham United)
The nominations for the npower Championship Player of the Month Award for
April 2012 are:
Adam Le Fondre (Reading)
Maik Taylor (Millwall)
Ricardo Vaz Te (West Ham United)
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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
Collison 9′, 41′
FT 90 +6
HT 0-2
3 May 2012
Last updated at 21:41
By Bruce Pope
BBC Sport Wales
Jack Collison scored twice to give West Ham control of their Championship
play-off semi-final after the first leg at Cardiff City. The Welsh
midfielder followed up his own shot to head home after good work from
Ricardo Vaz Te on the left. Collison then heaped further misery on his
countrymen when his shot took a wicked deflection into the Cardiff net.
Kenny Miller missed a series of half-chances for Cardiff, while Ben Turner
had a header cleared off the line. Though Cardiff won 1-0 at Upton Park on
the opening day of the season, Malky Mackay will need to rally his players
to produce a much better performance in the return leg on Monday if the
Bluebirds are to avoid a fourth play-off disappointment in as many seasons.
Steve Claridge BBC Football Analyst : "It's very difficult to make a case
for Cardiff [to turn the tie around] on this evidence. It's not like they've
peppered the goal or had chance after chance. West Ham have been thoroughly
professional."
City lost out to Reading at the semi-final stage last year, were beaten 3-2
by Blackpool in the 2010 final and narrowly missed the play-offs in 2009 on
an inferior goal record. Sam Allardyce's Hammers were expected to claim one
of the automatic promotion places and return to the Premier League at the
first time of asking, only to be pipped by Reading and Southampton. But
United have now taken a huge step towards remedying that disappointment and
are overwhelming favourites to claim a Wembley final date against Blackpool
or Birmingham.
Cardiff nearly drew first blood when Peter Whittingham's shot was deflected
just over the bar, then Miller drew a fine save from Robert Green in the
West Ham goal.
But it was the Hammers who took the lead when Vaz Te broke the offside trap
on the left before pulling the ball back for Collison, who had his initial
effort parried by David Marshall but was able to nod the rebound into the
net. That setback in the ninth minute seemed to rattle the Bluebirds, who
were lucky not to concede a second soon after. First Liam Lawrence dawdled
in the area, allowing Vaz Te to dispossess him but he was unable to get a
shot away, then James Tomkins was allowed a free header at the back post
that went just wide.
Slowly the home side regained their composure and Miller went close again,
bending his shot just the wrong side of Green's left-hand post as the home
side caught West Ham on the break. But the visitors were also showing
themselves adept at turning defence into attack and Turner had to be alert
to deny Carlton Cole after Mark Hudson lost possession in the middle of the
park. From the resulting corner, Vaz Te flicked on at the near post and,
although Turner cleared the initial danger, the ball fell perfectly for
Collison to fire in for West Ham's second, although his shot took a wicked
deflection off Lawrence. The hosts had chances to reduce the deficit early
in the second half, with Miller unable to control Lawrence's raking
crossfield pass when through on Green's goal and Turner seeing his looping
header cleared off the line by Cole.
West Ham were still creating the better opportunities, though, and Kevin
Nolan should have put the tie beyond Cardiff but headed wide from 10 yards
at the near post.
Miller was replaced by Rob Earnshaw, who fired an ambitious volley high and
wide. Another volley, this time from Joe Mason, also skewed wide of goal as
Turner continued to trouble the West Ham defence at set-pieces. But the
Hammers held firm under some intense late pressure and carry a precious
two-goal advantage back to Upton Park for Monday's return.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam Allardyce stays calm on West Ham's play-off chances
BBC.co.uk
Sam Allardyce remained cautious despite seeing his West Ham team take a 2-0
advantage in their play-off semi-final first-leg with Cardiff. Two
first-half goals from Jack Collison secured a victory for the Hammers, with
the return leg at Upton Park on Monday. West Ham have been held to eight
draws at Upton Park this season, but have only suffered four defeats. "We're
not going to get carried away. It was a terrific result but there's a long
way to go," Allardyce said. "We need to be as professional on Monday as we
were in Cardiff and that should be enough to take us through." He added:
"Two goals is a margin that's difficult for them but they'll be thinking
about getting the first goal and whether we'll be nervous and edgy and
trying to protect what we've got."
Allardyce has experienced a similar advantage in the past, having guided his
Blackpool team to a 2-0 win in a play-off semi-final first leg at Bradford
in 1996, only to suffer a 3-0 home defeat and lose his job. Seeking an
immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation last
season, the Hammers were overwhelming favourites for automatic promotion.
Allardyce feels that his players are now playing with a new sense of
freedom, after spending recent weeks attempting to catch Reading and
Southampton, who finished in the top two. But he thinks it will be vital to
attack Malky Mackay's side on Monday, rather than sitting on the two-goal
cushion. Allardyce added: "The last three games we were relying on other
people even if we won and it's in our hands again now. "Whoever wins, takes
the trophy and it's not about us playing catch-up on anyone, we're just
trying to deliver a performance and we've got to make sure we finish it off.
"In the back of the minds there might be a slight hesitancy to try to
protect what we've got but that would be dangerous and we've got to have a
positive attitude and try to score the first goal. "It's my job to start
mentally preparing them for the fact that they've got to approach the game
as a 0-0 and they've to try to win it."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Allardyce on... Cardiff City
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Sam Allardyce admitted that he was absolutely delighted with West Ham's
performance at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight - whilst reminding his team
that the job is still only half done. A Jack Collison brace put United in
total control of the play-off semi final in Wales tonight with the two teams
set to meet again for the second leg at the Boleyn Ground in three days'
time. But despite West Ham going into the game as overwhelming favourites to
proceed to the Final at Wembley in a fortnight's time having secured a 2-0
win away from home - United's 14TH away win of the season - Allardyce warned
his team not to get complacent. "It's been a great night for us but it's
only 90 minutes of a two-legged affair so anything could still happen,"
Allardyce told SkySports. "The onus is on us to see it through and there's
no pressure on Cardiff. "Mentally we've got to be right for that and make
sure that we try and go out and win the next game. But it's a fantastic
night for us and one where the players have handled the pressure extremely
well, performed very well indeed and given us a great platform for the next
leg."
Key to West Ham's success, according to Allardyce, was the right mental
attitude and a determination not to become involved in any unnecessary
incidents. And despite West Ham having four players booked on the night -
albeit somewhat controversially in at least three cases - the manager felt
that his players stuck to the task. "On a big night like this, we asked the
lads to control their emotions and not to do anything untoward that might
cause a problem for ourselves," he confirmed. "I thought they handled the
pressure very well and played very well indeed. "I thought tactically we
did everything right in terms of nullifying Cardiff and allowing them
minimal chances on goal on their own ground. Our quality on the break and
getting forward was outstanding - as were the chances were created. "At 2-0
down Cardiff were going to put us under some pressure. We soaked that up
pretty well and then broke out and created a few more chances that we may
have converted. But it was a good performance from everybody, we're really
pleased but not getting too carried away. "On the basis of how well we've
been playing I would have been disappointed had we not played like we did
tonight, if we hadn't have carried on such great away performances and
results. The clean sheet and the two goals were everything we were looking
for and that's a fantastic 90 minutes for us."
Looking ahead to the second leg, Allardyce insisted that his team would be
going for the win despite a draw - and even, dare we say it, a repeat of the
scoreline on the opening day of the season - being enough to see the Hammers
through to Wembley. "We've only lost four at home all season; we're in a
position now where if we don't lose we go through," he added. "But we want
to win if we can and we want to continue to play like we did against
Brighton and Hull City. "If we can get that level of performance again then
we'll try and go and win that game, if we possibly can. But we must make
sure that at the end of 90 minutes we're through to the Final."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff City 0 West Ham Utd 2
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 3rd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham are 90 minutes away from Wembley after producing a thoroughly
professional performance in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi
final in Wales tonight.
Two first half goals from Welsh international Jack Collison were enough to
give Sam Allardyce's side a commanding lead to take into the second leg at
the Boleyn Ground next Monday afternoon.
And should the Hammers avoid defeat they will book a first visit to Wembley
since 1981 when John Lyall's underdogs held European Champions Liverpool to
a 1-1 draw under the now defunct Twin towers.
Watford-born Collison, who qualifies for the Welsh international team
through his grandfather struck in the 8th and 41st minutes of the opening
period to send West Ham into the second leg with a huge advantage.
The first of his two goals came slightly against the run of play as Cardiff,
looking to capitalise on their home advantage had started the game the
stronger. Kenny Miller's 3rd minute effort was inches away from dipping
underneath Rob Green's crossbar.
But the home crowd were silenced just five minutes later when Collison
showed enough determination to get on the end of Ricardo Vaz Te's cross at
the second attempt having seen Marshall avert his initial effort.
From there on the Hammers took full control of the first half with Cardiff
failing to find their rhythm; Carlton Cole being particularly instrumental
as the lynchpin of the attack despite receiving some rough treatment from
the City defence.
Therefore it was no surprise when West Ham finally doubled their advantage
four minutes ahead of the break when the 23-year-old midfielder scored a
goal almost identical to that which proved to be the winner at Leicester
recently.
Picking up a half-clearance some 30 yards from goal, the midfielder chested
the ball down before firing a volley at goal that took a wicked deflection
off former Portsmouth player Liam Lawrence, leaving 'keeper Marshall
stranded.
Cardiff may feel slightly hard done by, but TV replays suggested the
Collison's shot was goal bound anyway - albeit in the opposite side of David
Marshall's goal.
Carlton Cole, outstanding throughout almost put the game beyond the home
side in the final minute of the first half but a wonderful save from
Marshall maintained a glimmer of hope for the Bluebirds.
Rejuvenated by the half time break, City gave their all in an attempt to
claw their way back into the game but bar a good chance for the fairly
anonymous Peter Whittingham - the home side's danger man - seconds after the
restart, West Ham survived that all-important opening 15 minute period with
consummate ease.
Thereafter both sides created several chances to add further goals; for
Cardiff, Miller, Hudson and Mason missed from close range when they really
should have tested Rob Green at the very least, whilst Nolan and Cole were
both inches away from making the win an ever more comprehensive one for the
visitors.
As it stands, the two sides pick up again next Monday afternoon with West
Ham now overwhelming favourites to complete the job in hand.
Sam Allardyce, who once again got his tactics absolutely spot on will no
doubt be hoping for more of the same in the second leg in front of a full
house at the Boleyn Ground.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Collison at the double
West Ham claim big first leg lead in South Wales
Last updated: 3rd May 2012
SSN
West Ham United have one foot in the Championship play-off final after
claiming a 2-0 win at Cardiff City in the first-leg of their semi-final. And
the hero for The Hammers was ironically a Welshman, as Jack Collison scored
both goals. He opened the scoring just eight-minutes in when he followed up
his own shot, which was well saved by David Marshall, to head home. The lead
was doubled five-minutes before the break when Collison's volley took a
wicked deflection off Liam Lawrence.
The Hammers are now firm favourites to book a place at Wembley ahead of the
second leg at Upton Park on Monday.
Struggle
The hosts struggled for any kind of rhythm for much of the match and West
Ham could have taken an even more comfortable lead back to Upton Park, but
for Marshall's superb save from Carlton Cole's header. The Hammers may still
have two more games to negotiate before they can celebrate a return to the
top flight but, on this showing, the class and determination is there to
achieve exactly that. Cardiff almost went ahead after two minutes, Peter
Whittingham's deflected effort dipping narrowly over the crossbar. Moments
later, Robert Green had to be alert to beat away Kenny Miller's volley as
the Bluebirds started at a furious pace. But with their first attempt at
goal, the Hammers gained the upper hand. Ricardo Vaz Tecrossed from the left
and, although Collison's first attempt was brilliantly stopped by Marshall,
the Welshman was on hand to nod in the rebound. Quickly, West Ham got a
stranglehold on the game. Gary O'Neil tested Marshall from range and James
Tomkins headed Matt Taylor's fizzing cross wide. Cardiff, in part, were the
architects of their own struggles, frequently gifting possession to their
guests.
Rally
The Welsh side tried to rally, with Miller firing wide, but Collison soon
stunted their comeback with his second. Taylor's corner was half-cleared to
the midfielder, who controlled the ball on his chest, pulled the trigger and
saw a wicked deflection off the head of Liam Lawrence wrongfoot Marshall.
Cole must have thought he had put the tie out of sight before half-time, but
Marshall pulled off a sensational low save from the striker's header.
Cardiff showed intent to get back into the game after the interval, with
Whittingham volleying wide and Ben Turner seeing his header cleared off the
line by Cole, before Miller fired horribly off-target.
With space tighter in the Cardiff half, West Ham created far fewer chances -
the best of the lot being Kevin Nolan's point-blank header which failed to
test Marshall - and the visitors had to withstand a spell of concerted
pressure from their hosts in the final quarter. Mark Hudson nodded Aron
Gunnarsson's cross wide from 10 yards, substitute Robert Earnshaw missed the
target with a wild volley and Gunnarsson squandered a decent chance from the
edge of the area. For all their late huff and puff, however, the Bluebirds
could not fashion a goal, leaving themselves with a lot to do in London in
four days' time.
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Big Sam hails Hammers
West Ham boss delighted with win in South Wales
By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: @skygraemebailey. Last Updated: May
3, 2012 10:57pm
SSN
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hailed his side's performance after they
claimed a 2-0 win over Cardiff City in their Championship play-off
semi-final first leg.
The Hammers travelled to South Wales and came away with a huge victory
courtesy of two first-half strikes from Jack Collison. And Allardyce was
full of plaudits for his men after their performance against Cardiff. "We
were excellent, we asked the lads to control their emotions on a big night
like this, not to cause a problem for ourselves and I thought they handled
the pressure excellently and played very well indeed," he told Sky Sports.
"Tactically we did everything right and nullified Cardiff to minimal chances
on their own ground and getting forward was outstanding and chances were
created, scored and a lot missed. "It has been a great night for us and it
is only 90 minutes of a two-legged affair and anything could still happen,
the onus is on us to see it through and there is no pressure on Cardiff and
mentally we have to be right for it."
Allardyce felt his players stood up to their task mentally as well as
physically, adding: "It is a fantastic night and one where the players have
handled the pressure extremely well and performed very well."
Confidence
The Hammers boss insists that he came into the game full of confidence and
expecting a win. "On the basis of how well we have been playing I would have
been disappointed if we had not played like we did tonight and carried on as
we have been playing away from home," he said, "The clean sheet and two
goals is everything we have been looking for and it is a great contribution
from all the players. "We knew two-nil down they would put us under some
pressure, but we are really pleased and not getting too carried away."
Allardyce insists that West Ham's indifferent home form is not an issue,
saying: "Only in terms of draws, we have only lost four and are now in a
position if we don't lose we go through but we want to win and get that
level of performance again and try and win the game. "But the bottom line is
to make sure we are through into the final after 90 minutes."
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Cole - I'm glad I stayed
West Ham striker looking forward to play-off campaign
Last Updated: May 3, 2012 9:36am
SSN
Carlton Cole has insisted he has no regrets about staying at West Ham as he
looks to fire the club through the play-offs and back to the Premier League.
A number of West Ham's leading players were expected to leave Upton Park
following their relegation last summer and Cole came close to joining Stoke.
However, he eventually decided not to go anywhere and has relished the
challenge of trying to get the Hammers back into the top flight at the first
attempt. Sam Allardyce's men missed out on automatic promotion after
finishing third in the Championship and begin their play-off campaign with a
semi-final first leg at Cardiff on Thursday night. "It would mean the world
to me to take West Ham back to the Premier League,"Cole said in The Sun.
"That is the task I had at the start of the season. I could have left but
there was no point because I'm so happy. I wanted to make an impact and help
the team get to where we belong. "It would mean a lot to reach Wembley. They
say that the best way to go up is to win the play-off final. Hopefully we'll
do that."
O'Neill hope
Midfielder Gary O'Neil is also determined to help West Ham clinch an
immediate return to the Premier League, but is still disappointed about
missing out on a place in the top two and wary of the threat Cardiff will
present. "We were only one win away from going up and you can count those
five games here on the trot where we should have won," said O'Neil. "We were
up against Middlesbrough at home with a few minutes to go and against
Doncaster and only drew with Watford. They have probably cost us a promotion
place. It was the home draws that cost us, really. "Cardiff have got in the
play-offs the other way, by scraping in with a win on Saturday, so they'll
be buzzing that they've made it. "We've come the other way, from second into
third. It'll be a tough tie."
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Cardiff 0 West Ham 2
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Last Updated: 04th May 2012
JACK COLLISON put the boot into Cardiff in the Land of his Grandfather. WEST
HAM'S Welsh ace sunk Cardiff in first leg but then warned against
complacency
The Wales midfielder smacked two crackers to leave West Ham firmly in
control of their play-off destiny as they bid to return to the Premier
League at the first attempt. Collison, 23, was born way down south in
Watford but chose to play for Wales instead of England as his grandad was
born in Monmouthshire. His first-half double in the Welsh capital rocked
Cardiff, who are trying to get into the top flight for a third successive
season via the play-offs. The Bluebirds lost to Blackpool in the Wembley
final in 2010 and were knocked out at this stage by Reading last year. Malky
Mackay's lads are now on the brink of yet more play-off heartache. Cardiff
roared out of the blocks, putting the Hammers under the cosh but just could
not turn their bright, energetic attacks into goals. Peter Whittingham
slammed in a fierce third-minute shot that looked a goal until a wicked
deflection turned the chance out for a corner. And the Bluebirds were denied
again just seconds later when Robert Green made a sensational flying save to
push Kenny Miller's drive past the post. But despite Cardiff's aggressive
opening onslaught, West Ham slowly took control in midfield through Kevin
Nolan and Mark Noble. No matter how hard Cardiff fought for the ball, they
let themselves down by giving away possession too easily - and the visitors
had a field day. Bluebirds boss Mackay - a former Hammer the last time West
Ham went up through the play-offs in 2005 - was stunned that his defence
could be so dozy when Collison struck in the ninth minute. Ricardo Vaz Te
launched a looping cross into the box with little or no attempt made to
clear the ball. Collison's first volley was brilliantly palmed away by
David Marshall but the West Ham midfielder followed up to head home.
Mackay demanded an immediate response and got it with Miller exposing West
Ham's defensive uncertainty with direct runs. The striker was unlucky when
a last-ditch tackle from James Tomkins nicked the ball away as he prepared
to shoot. And just as Cardiff were getting a hard-gained foothold in this
semi-final first-leg clash, Collison struck again in the 41st minute.
Noble's corner was flicked on by Vaz Te at the near post and partially
cleared by centre-back Ben Turner. Collison, who was given all the time in
the world, chested the ball down and volleyed home with a deflection off
Liam Lawrence. Cardiff are pinning their hopes on West Ham's dodgy home
record after they dropped 28 points at Upton Park. But the Hammers have yet
to blow a two-goal lead in their own backyard this season.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff 0 West Ham 2: Big Sam on track after magic Jack's first-half double
By NEIL MOXLEY
Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 21:39, 3 May 2012 | UPDATED: 01:14, 4 May 2012
Jack Collison was once welcomed in Wales. That invitation may be less warm
in future as his first-half double earned a two-goal advantage for the
Championship away-day specialists. The West Ham midfielder turned his back
on England, the country of his birth, to pledge his allegiance to the
principality. In the past, he has run his heart out for the cause. on
Thursday night, his twin strikes stabbed Cardiff straight through their
heart. Collison's goals have provided the Hammers with the platform to
reach Wembley in what was another classic display of how to win on your
travels.
MATCH FACTS
Cardiff: Marshall, Blake, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Cowie (McPhail 74),
Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Lawrence, Miller (Earnshaw 74), Mason.
Subs not used: Heaton, Kiss, Gerrard.
West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Faubert 75), Taylor, Collison
(Maynard 86), Nolan, Noble, O'Neil, Vaz Te (McCartney 60), Cole.
Subs not used: Henderson,Faye.
Booked: Tomkins, Noble, Nolan, Faubert.
Goals: Collison 9, 41.
Attendance: 23,029
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).
This was the 14th time this season that Sam Allardyce has tasted success
away from Upton Park and, barring a monumental collapse in the second leg on
Monday, the team that finished in third place should be contesting the
play-off final. 'I thought we handled the pressure very well,' said the
Hammers boss (below). 'Tactically, we did everything right. We nullified
Cardiff and restricted them to minimal chances. 'We were quality on the
break and going forward in general we were outstanding. It's been a good
night for us. We have given ourselves a great platform. '
Collison has suffered his own share of problems through injury. But his
influence in front of goal proved crucial in the Welsh capital. His opener
came out of the blue and rocked Cardiff, who had seen one deflected Peter
Whittingham shot fly narrowly over and Robert Green make a smart save to
deny Kenny Miller in the first few minutes.
It was Ricardo Vaz Te's pace, allied to Collison's anticipation, that was a
major factor in the opener. Vaz Te's first-time cross was met at the far
post with a firm side-foot from Collison. David Marshall did well to keep
out the first effort, but the midfielder's momentum continued and he headed
the rebound into the net. That clearly upset the hosts.
They had been knocked out of their stride and failed to regather their
momentum for the remainder of the half. The visitors' James Tomkins headed
on to the roof of the net from Matt Taylor's cross and Allardyce was furious
that Vaz Te was not awarded a penalty after going down when his shirt was
tugged. They had to wait until late in the first half to grab their second
and although it carried a dollop of good fortune, it was difficult to argue
that it wasn't deserved. Mark Noble's left-wing corner was headed clear by
centre-half Ben Turner. Collison stood on his own on the edge of the box. By
the time those in blue realised the danger, the midfielder had chested down
the ball and rifled a shot into the net, with a huge deflection off Liam
Lawrence helping his cause.
The 2,000 travelling supporters from east London celebrated as you might
expect. In truth, they were only denied a third thanks to Marshall's second
magnificent stop of the evening, clawing out Carlton Cole's header on the
stroke of half-time.
Cardiff couldn't play as badly in the second half, and within seconds of the
restart, Peter Whittingham fired wide. It was to prove the story of their
next 45 minutes.
Miller blazed wide when he should have forced Green into a save, and
Turner's header was cleared off the goal-line by Cole. Joe Mason saw a goal
ruled out for offside, Cardiff manager Malky Mackay ruefully suggesting it
was the striker's big toe that had caused the infringement. Turner then rose
above the visitors' defence only to plant a header wide from six yards.
Kevin Nolan saw another opportunity to finish off the tie go begging.
Cardiff certainly had enough of the second half to suggest that the return
leg will not be a foregone conclusion.
'The scoreline is disappointing,' said Mackay. 'Our defending for the first
goal should have been better. Three players could have done something about
it. The second one was luck. Nothing else but that. In the second half we
were much more on the front foot. We created a lot. 'But they have a squad
that carries 35 professionals. They have played ten games fewer and their
experience told. 'Having said that, 2-0 is a dangerous score. If we can go
there and get that first goal it will make a big difference to us.'
Those final comments might have been mind games, but Allardyce is wise
enough to know that the correct approach from his team will still be
required. Cardiff have already won at Upton Park this season and carried
enough of a goal threat to suggest they are not out of it. 'The onus is on
us,' added Allardyce. 'There is no pressure on Cardiff. Mentally, we have to
be right. But we have only lost four at home all season and if we aren't
beaten, we will go through. But make no mistake, we want to win.'
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Clinical Collison puts West Ham in complete control
Cardiff City 0 West Ham United 2
PHIL CADDEN CARDIFF CITY STADIUM FRIDAY 04 MAY 2012
Independent.co.uk
Jack Collison added to his comeback season in style to put West Ham on the
verge of the Championship play-off final with a comfortable semi-final first
leg victory over Cardiff City.
The Wales midfielder, out for 14 months with a career-threatening knee
injury, struck twice in the opening 45 minutes to highlight the gulf in
quality between the two sides.
Collison netted his first goal as early as the ninth minute, heading home at
the second attempt after Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall saved his initial
effort when he seized on Ricardo Vaz Te's left-wing cross ahead of the
napping Andrew Taylor.
Then the 23-year-old rubbed salt into the wounds of the hosts by firing home
a right-footed shot from the edge of the box that took a wicked deflection
via the head of Liam Lawrence.
Collison said: "We are in a great position, but we're only halfway there. It
was nice to get both goals, but it was a real team performance. We all dug
in and I thought Coley [Carlton Cole] worked his socks off up front. We all
want to be at Wembley in a couple of weeks' time."
Sam Allardyce's functional outfit were the favourites to make an instant
return to the top flight, but the third-placed Hammers, surprisingly, failed
to win automatic promotion. Yet despite the Cardiff manager, Malky Mackay,
claiming all the pressure was on the visitors, considering his ex-club's
expectations, rich financial strength and playing squad, West Ham responded
with an emphatic display in the Welsh capital.
Allardyce said: "We played very well, we got it right tactically. We created
chances, scored a couple and could have had more. But we're only 90 minutes
into a two-legged affair and anything could still happen. The onus is on us
to see it through. There is no pressure on Cardiff.
"They can come and chase what they can. Mentally, we have to be right for
that. On the basis of how we have been playing recently, I would have been
disappointed if we hadn't played like that.
"It's draws that have cost us," Allardyce added, "but we have only lost four
matches at home. And we're in a position now where if we don't lose we're
through. We want to win if we can and we want to continue to play like we
did."
At the start, Cardiff flew out of the traps with a double raid on the West
Ham goal. Peter Whittingham saw a 25-yard piledriver deflected over Rob
Green's crossbar before the goalkeeper palmed Kenny Miller's long-range
volley around his post. But the efforts from the home side only amounted to
small jabs to Allardyce's defence compared to his heavyweight strikeforce,
with victory sealed by Collison's two goals.
Mackay said: "We are disappointed with our defending for the first goal.
Three of our players could have changed the situation. The second goal is
nothing other than luck.
"But 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline for West Ham. We have to make sure we go
there and give a good account of ourselves."
Cardiff City (4-4-1-1): Marshall; Blake, Hudson, Turner, Taylor; Lawrence,
Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Cowie (McPhail, 74); Miller (Earnshaw, 74), Mason.
Substitutes not used Heaton (gk), Kiss, Gerrard.
West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Demel (Faubert, 75), Reid, Tomkins, Taylor;
Collison (Maynard, 86), Nolan, Noble, O'Neil; Vaz Te (McCartney, 61), Cole.
Substitutes not used Henderson (gk), Faye.
Referee N Swarbrick (Lancashire).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McDonald: West Ham still have work to do
London 24
Nathaniel John
Thursday, May 3, 2012
10:41 PM
West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald insists that the Hammers still have
plenty of work to do despite their 2-0 play-off semi-final first-leg win in
Cardiff tonight.
The east Londoners put one foot firmly in the play-off final thanks to a
Jack Collison brace, and McDonald was pleased with the professionalism of
West Ham's performance - something that the Hammers must keep if they are
to book a place at Wembley. "Everyone knew their job, and everyone did
their job tonight," said McDonald. "It is an all-round team performance
that we are very pleased with. "It was a professional job tonight, and we
have a professional job to do on Monday."
Cardiff started the game the stronger side, but West Ham managed to stay
firm, before Collison headed the visitors in front against the run of play.
The Wales international then doubled his tally with a deflected volley
before half time, and McDonald was impressed with the midfielder's
contribution. "Collison took his goals very well, he is very comfortable on
the ball and that's another two on his tally for the season," said
McDonald. "We are starting to see the best of Collison. He has played a lot
of games this season, even though he is still having to man-manage his
injury, but he is getting through it very well and he is a vital player for
us."
The Hammers now turn their attention to Monday's second leg at Upton Park,
and the east Londoners' assistant boss admits that his team's 2-0 lead is
a dangerous one. "Two-nil is always a dangerous lead, but you would prefer
to be two-nil in front, rather than two-nil behind," he said. "We could
have done better, we could have scored another couple of goals, but let's
not be greedy, we've come out with a gameplan not to concede and we've
scored a couple of goals so we are happy, but there is still a long way to
go."
West Ham had suffered with a bad run of form at the Boleyn Ground not too
long ago, drawing too many games which saw them miss out on automatic
promotion.
However, McDonald is confident that the team have put that firmly in their
past and are back to winning ways. "We are very confident ahead of
Monday," he said.
"The performance and the goals against Brighton and Hull have got that
monkey off our backs of too many draws at home. "We have scored eight goals
at home in the past two games and we know that the crowd will be right
behind us. "We have got our head around trying to win through to the final
and we have 90 minutes to do that. "There is still a game to go and we need
to be on our guard to kill the game off."
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 3
Daily WHUFC News - 3rd May 2012
Green saves the best
WHUFC.com
Robert Green is hoping to end another fine season with a win at Wembley
02.05.2012
Of the ten trophies presented at the 2011/12 Awards Dinner, the Save of the
Season produced the most predictable winner. As the only contender, Robert
Green was always destined to collect the prize, but it was just a question
of which of his five best stops would be picked by West Ham United
supporters. As it happened, the No1 and the fans had a different view over
which was the most impressive - while they chose the last-gasp save to deny
Cardiff City's Kenny Miller, Green himself was happier with the acrobatics
he produced to keep out a header from Barnsley defender Rob Edwards in
December. "The winning save against Cardiff was one that I'm definitely
proud and happy with," said the 32-year-old. "It didn't affect the outcome
of the match but it's important for me to keep my focus and do my job from
minute one to minute 95. "It was not literally the most vital save but every
save that maintains a clean sheet is a good one. "My own Save of the Season
would have been the one against Barnsley, largely for the importance of it
because we were 1-0 up but under the cosh. It changed the course of the
game, so I'd have chosen that one."
Green joked that he was happy to have beaten off the challenge of Arsenal
loanee Manuel Almunia, who appeared four times last autumn, and stand-in
Henri Lansbury to win the award. Lansbury famously pulled on the gloves when
Green was sent-off at Blackpool in February, keeping a clean sheet for 35
minutes as the Hammers triumphed 4-1. "It was slightly debateable whether I
would win over Henri and Manuel, who did well when he came on loan.
Seriously, though, it is always good to get awards because it shows you are
doing your job. "Hopefully I will be making more saves and we'll go up in
the Play-Offs. "Henri is lively and is always hanging around the
goalkeepers. We get a bit of stick, us goalkeepers, but everybody wants to
be one really!"
For Green, being part of a winning team has been a new experience after two
busy seasons spent trying to keep West Ham in matches. He said both are
skills that goalkeepers have to master if they are going to be successful.
"It's been different this season because we've been dominating games and
I've had to keep my focus as opposed to being kept busy and having to keep
them out throughout the game. "It's been a good season for us."
Green is now looking to climax another consistent season by appearing at
Wembley in the npower Championship Play-Off final. Having played at the Home
of Football for England and knowing the value of the 19 May showcase, the
stopper is desperate to help the Hammers sign-off 2011/12 on a high. "To
play at Wembley in front of a full-house of 90,000 people in one of the
biggest one-off games in the world would be nice. "If that's not enough of a
carrot dangled in front of us, I don't know what it. "We can't look past the
semi-finals though because it will be tough. We've definitely got the
motivation there to do the job in hand, though."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Big Interview - Gary O'Neil
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil believes West Ham United can keep their fine run of form going
in the Play-Offs
02.05.2012
Gary O'Neil believes West Ham United have the 'quality and experience'
required to negotiate the npower Championship Play-Offs. The Hammers face
six-placed Cardiff City after finishing third in the table behind
Southampton following Saturday's 2-1 win over Hull City. West Ham have
already scored a win at the Cardiff City Stadium this season and the No32
insists lightning can strike twice this coming Thursday evening. O'Neil, who
has returned from a long-term ankle injury to make an important contribution
to the club's promotion challenge, spoke at length about the season gone by,
his recovery from injury and the Play-Offs.
How did you assess the way Saturday panned out, with us winning but
Southampton pipping us by beating Coventry City 4-0?
GON - We had to start well, which we did and we got ahead. Obviously when we
found out at half-time that Southampton were so far clear [2-0 up], we took
our foot off the pedal a little bit. If we needed to go on from two goals I
think we had it in us. Southampton were comfortably clear, so we made a few
substitutions and rested a few bodies for the big game on Thursday.
It was sewn-up when we didn't win at Bristol City [on 17 April] - not that
it was the one that really cost us because it was the home draws that cost
us, really. When we drew at Bristol we knew it would be an uphill task with
Southampton having already-relegated Coventry at home on the final day. It
was always going to be a tough one for Coventry to get something out of. We
did our job and finished with two wins. At Leicester we went 1-0 down and
came back and won and showed good resilience. We won on Saturday and were
comfortable so we're in a good bit of form going into the Play-Offs.
Were the five successive home draws in February and March what cost you
automatic promotion?
GON - I think so. We finished two points and a few goals short after
Southampton won by so many on Saturday. We were only one win away from going
up and you can count those five games here on the trot where we should have
won. We were up against Middlesbrough with a few minutes to go and against
Doncaster and only drew with Watford. They have probably cost us a promotion
place.
How do you prepare for the Play-Offs?
GON - We just start again really now. It doesn't matter where we finished.
League positions don't matter. There are four of us in the semi-final and we
go to Cardiff on Thursday and we'll try to get a win. We're in decent form -
we've only lost one game in 18 and that was at home to Reading - so we're
looking forward to it.
Are you comfortable with the tag of favourites for the Play-Offs?
GON - It's a tag that doesn't really mean anything. We deal with everything
that we deal with in the dressing room. We've got a tight unit in there and
we can't let outside influences affect us. You can guarantee that we'll be
giving it all we can and hopefully it'll be good enough.
Who do you see as the biggest threat in the Play-Offs?
GON - I don't see one as a bigger threat than the others. They have all had
decent seasons to get where they are. Birmingham have been on a good run
since they got knocked out of Europe and probably have the strongest squad,
having been relegated from the Premier League last season. They still have a
few of those players. I think the Play-Offs are like that - in the final you
only have 90 minutes to prove you are the team who should be in the Premier
League, whereas over the course of the season you have 46 games to prove you
are the better team. That's why they are a bit of a lottery. Hopefully the
quality and experience we have should get us through.
Will our outstanding away form hold us in good stead, considering two of the
possible three games will be away from the Boleyn Ground?
GON - I'm not sure. Going away to Cardiff first could be an advantage if we
treat is as a one-off game and try to win that game. Coming back here, we'd
be confident. It's an old cliche but we need to take it one game at a time.
We need to try to be solid and keep a clean sheet, score a few goals and see
how we get on. Then we can come back here and finish the job off. They have
got in the Play-Offs the other way by scraping in with a win on Saturday so
they'll be buzzing that they've made it, whereas we've come the other way
from second into third. It'll be a tough tie.
You must be amazed with how many games you have played - and started - this
season after your ankle injury?
GON - Yes, I am amazed. One, I didn't think I'd play so many games and two,
I didn't think I'd be selected for as many as I have been. I'm really
pleased on a personal level that I've made ten starts this season. That's
probably about nine more than I expected, so that's a real positive on a
personal note. If we can get to the Premier League then we'll have less
games and that'll be good for my ankle!
You got a kick on it from Corry Evans near the end of Saturday's game. Any
fears you had hurt it again?
GON - I knew it wasn't serious. I wasn't too pleased with the tackle in the
last minute of the last game of the season. I thought it was a little bit
unnecessary. It was the same ankle and it's a little bit sore, so I'll try
to get it ready for Thursday. It's not a worry for me in tackles or
anything. It's more the constant grind of playing that takes its toll on it.
It lets me know if I've done too much, but I've been playing
Saturday/Tuesday most of the time so I'm really pleased.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
KO 19:45
2 May 2012
Last updated at 19:00
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Thursday, 3 May Kick-off: 1945 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
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay will select his starting line-up for the first leg
of their play-off semi-final against West Ham from a full-strength squad.
Four unspecified players sustained knocks in the win at Crystal Palace, but
are all expected to be back.
West Ham also have a fully fit squad available with midfielder Gary O'Neil
(ankle) passed fit. Kevin Nolan is also fine despite suffering a dead leg
and James Tomkins has shaken off a knock to the head.
Mackay is determined that his team will not be unnerved by recent
disappointment in the play-offs. The Bluebirds lost out to Blackpool in a
thrilling Wembley final two seasons ago, before being beaten by Reading at
the last-four stage last term. "That's in the past, you have to take the
individual games on their own merit," the Bluebirds boss said. "Each of us
have been better away from home so it will be interesting. But it's a
180-minute game of football. Nothing will be decided until 6.15pm on Monday.
"When you get to this stage it is about who is the calmest on the day, who
gets that bit of luck, but also who tactically gets it right over the 180
minutes."
Meanwhile, West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald insisted the Hammers would
not be affected by their favourites tag. The Londoners finished 11 points
ahead of sixth-placed Cardiff and have won a club-record 13 matches away
from home this term. "There's no reason why we shouldn't handle the
pressure," McDonald said. "There were doubts about our home form but we've
put that to bed with our last two games and our away form is fantastic. I
don't think we have anything to be afraid of. "It will be a unique
atmosphere but our experienced players will calm everyone down and the ones
who haven't done it before should be positive. It will be a close game but
hopefully we can take advantage of our away form and then bring them back to
Upton Park on Monday and show what we did in the last two matches, which is
play positive football, create chances and score goals."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
. This is their 50th meeting, spanning 92 years. West Ham have won 25
of the last 49, and Cardiff nine.
. The Championship clashes this season were both away wins; 1-0 for
Cardiff at Upton Park in August, and 2-0 for the Hammers at the Cardiff City
Stadium in March.
. This is their first meeting in the play-offs.
Cardiff City
. The Bluebirds ended the season on a 10-match undefeated sequence
(W4, D6), with the four wins in their last six, to end the campaign in sixth
spot, five points ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.
. The club finishing sixth in this division has won promotion through
the play-offs five times in 20 years.
. Cardiff are participating in their sixth play-off campaign, and
third in successive seasons. They gained promotion to the second tier
through them in 2003, lost to Blackpool in the Wembley final in 2010, and
were knocked out at this stage by Reading last year.
. The Welsh club have spent the last nine seasons in the second tier,
and last played top-flight football in 1962.
. Manager Malky Mackay was part of the Watford team that beat Leeds
3-0 in the 2006 Championship play-off final, at the Millennium Stadium.
West Ham United
. The Hammers missed out on automatic promotion by two points, but
also ended the regular season with four wins in six games. They lost one of
the last 18 to wind up third.
. The club finishing third has been the most successful in the
play-offs over the last 20 years, gaining promotion seven times - the most
recent being Swansea last season.
. West Ham are aiming to make an immediate return to the Premier
League. They qualified for the final in both previous experiences of the
play-offs, and were successful in 2005, beating Preston in the final at the
Millennium Stadium, when Malky Mackay was at the club, but did not play.
. These will be the fourth play-offs in which Sam Allardyce has
managed a club. He took Bolton up to the Premier League via this route in
2001.
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Green aiming for Wembley farewell?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's number one Rob Green says he is looking forward to ending the
season - and possibly his career in east London - at Wembley.
Despite a lucrative contract being on the table for some considerable time,
the former Norwich stopper has refused to extend the five-year deal he
signed in the summer of 2007 and he appears destined to leave Upton Park at
the end of the season.
But the prospect of making a potential farewell in the play-off Final -
which would also be the club's first appearance at the new stadium and their
first at Wembley since 1981 when they drew with Liverpool in the League Cup
Final - is an irresistable prospect for Green.
"To play at Wembley in front of a full-house of 90,000 people in one of the
biggest one-off games in the world would be nice," the England 'keeper told
whufc.com. "If that's not enough of a carrot dangled in front of us, I don't
know what is.
"We can't look past the semi-final [against Cardiff] though because it will
be tough. We've definitely got the motivation there to do the job in hand,
though."
Green, who was signed by Alan Pardew in the summer of 2006 as replacement
for Shaka Hislop has been a virtual ever-present for West Ham since and has
made 238 first team appearances in total.
Now 32, the Chertsey-born Woking supporter has played for just two clubs
throughout his entire career - the first ten years of which were spent at
Norwich, for whom he made 240 starts and one substitute appearance.
He has also been capped 11 times for England having made his debut against
Columbia in May 2005. His most recent appearance at international level came
in the ill-fated 1-1 draw with the USA in the 2010 World Cup Finals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Getting twitchy, Malky?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has banned his players from using social networks
until after the play-off semi finals. The Cardiff boss, who was in the West
Ham squad the last time United were promoted from the Championship back in
2005 has banned his players from using Facebook and Twitter until the result
of the two-legged play-off semi final is known. "I want the players focused
on their game, their training and the two matches coming up," said the
40-year-old Scot. "All focus is on that and nothing else other than just
living the best they can for the next seven days, because there will be so
many rewards for that."
Mackay - who lost his place in Alan Pardew's side to rookie Elliott Ward and
subsequently missed out on the opportunity of playing at the Millennium
Stadium against Preston - also tried to rack up the pressure on his former
club by claiming that his current club were the underdogs going into the
tie. "I think there's an expectation level on West Ham so automatically with
that we would be underdogs in that game," he summised. "You're talking
about a team that for a vast part of the season were in second place - they
might have been in first place at some points. "So no matter what, there is
that disappointment that they never got promoted automatically."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Confidence is key
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Neil McDonald is expecting a tight game when West Ham meet Cardiff in the
first leg of the play-off semi final tomorrow night - but says United go
into the game full of confidence.
Sam Allardyce's right-hand man fielded the questions from the press this
afternoon in the wake of the manager's pre-planned absence at today's
pre-match press conference and was quick to highlight the potential danger
of the opposition, who finished the Championship season in sixth place some
11 points behind the Hammers.
However McDonald insisted that the players go into the game on a high
following their excellent form in recent matches - especially away from home
- and are fully confident of gaining a positive result in South Wales
tomorrow night.
"Both teams are in really good form and it's certainly going to be a tight
affair," he told reporters. "But our away form is good, we're scoring goals
and keeping clean sheets.
"You can intimidate teams sometimes and hopefully our away form might
intimidate Cardiff. The momentum's there, we're unbeaten in six games, we've
scored lots of goals and we've created lots of chances.
"It's about getting the right blend and making sure everybody copes with the
information that's given to them. We see no reason why they shouldn't
because they've done fantastically well this season. We know what we have to
do and we're full of confidence, that's for sure."
With the return leg to follow at the Boleyn on Monday afternoon, it will be
imperative to follow what will hopefully be a positive result at the Cardiff
City Stadium with an equally good performance at home.
And looking ahead to that game, McDonald highlighted West Ham's
much-improved home form which has seen United take maximum points from their
last two games at the Boleyn Ground courtesy of the 6-0 win against Brighton
and 2-1 defeat of Hull.
"To win the last two games by scoring eight goals is a fantastic boost for
everybody," he added. "I'm sure that if we get a good result away to Cardiff
the whole place will lift, because the supporters have been fantastic for
the last two home games.
"We're geared up for it and we're very, very confident."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McDonald confident in Hammers
Assistant boss says West Ham are in 'really good spirits'
Last Updated: May 2, 2012 9:05pm
SSN
West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald is confident the club have shrugged
off the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion to Southampton
last Saturday. Sam Allardyce's right-hand man also claims the Hammers are
not afraid of their favourites tag as they head into their Championship
play-offs semi-final first leg against Cardiff on Thursday evening. The East
Londoners won a club-record 13 games on the road this season and on the back
of two successive home wins, including a 6-0 thumping of Brighton.
Meanwhile, Malky Mackay's side finished 11 points behind West Ham in the
Championship, but McDonald still expects a tough test at the Cardiff City
Stadium.
Sky Bet Odds
Championship Promotion 2011/12 - West Ham 7/4, Birmingham 12/5, Blackpool
3/1, Cardiff 7/2. Bet Now
"In our heart of hearts we always knew Southampton would win their last
game," he said "We were more disappointed when we drew at Bristol City
before that in a game we needed to win.
Spirits
"But the boys are in really good spirits and we are all ready for the game.
There's a great atmosphere and good competition for places. "We were
favourites at the start of the season to go up so it was disappointing we
didn't do it automatically. But we'll take the favourite tag if everyone
wants to give it to us and we are ready for the two games against Cardiff.
"There's no reason why we shouldn't handle the pressure. There were doubts
about our home form but we've put that to bed with our last two games and
our away form is fantastic. I don't think we have anything to be afraid of.
"It will be a unique atmosphere but our experienced players will calm
everyone down and the ones who haven't done it before should be positive.
"It will be a close game but hopefully we can take advantage of our away
form and then bring them back to Upton Park on Monday and show what we did
in the last two matches, which is play positive football, create chances and
score goals."
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Cardiff v West Ham preview
Last updated: 2nd May 2012
SSN
Team news for Thursday night's play-off semi-final first-leg clash between
Cardiff and West Ham at the Cardiff City Stadium. Cardiff manager Malky
Mackay will select his starting line-up for the first leg clash from
virtually a full-strength squad. Four unspecified players all sustained
various knocks in the last-day win at Crystal Palacethat secured the
Bluebirds' top-six finish, but are all expected to be back in contention for
the visit of West Ham. Striker Rudy Gestede shook off a hip injury to step
off the bench in last weekend's 2-1 win and, together with fellow
substitutes Robert Earnshaw and defender Darcy Blake, is pushing for a
recall. Mackay, able to choose from a settled squad in recent weeks, is
expected to opt for Don Cowie in midfield ahead of Stephen McPhail. Cardiff,
beaten only once in their last 13 matches, are bidding to reach Wembley for
a second time this season, having lost on penalties to Liverpool in the
Carling Cup final. The Welsh side are also hoping to end their play-off
hoodoo after losing in last season's semi-finals to Reading and in the final
to Blackpool the previous year, while they were also losing FA Cup finalists
to Portsmouth at Wembley in 2008.
West Ham have a fully-fit squad available. Midfielder Gary O'Neil was a
doubt after taking a whack on the ankle towards the end of Saturday's 2-1
win over Hull but he has been passed fit. Skipper Kevin Nolan is also fine
despite suffering a dead leg at the weekend and defender James Tomkins has
shaken off a knock to the head.
Manager Sam Allardyce was able to take off two-goal Carlton Cole and strike
partner Ricardo Vaz Te early in the second half against Hull as the news
Southampton were winning made the result academic, so they are expected to
start up front. Fit-again George McCartney (concussion), a substitute on
Saturday, should reclaim his left-back spot.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vaz Te eyes play-off glory
Former Bolton man enjoying the best form of his career
By Soriebah Kajue. Last Updated: May 2, 2012 3:39pm
SSN
Ricardo Vaz Te insists West Ham can find the tonic for missing out on
automatic promotion by succeeding in the play-offs. Vaz Te, 25, joined the
Hammers in January from Barnsley and has plundered 10 goals in 15
appearances this term. Sam Allardyce's team will face Cardiff in the first
leg of their play-off tie on Thursday and the former Portugal Under-23
attacker wants them to make up for finishing third in the Championship. "We
felt like we deserved to be promoted but nevertheless we are still in it and
can't feel sorry for ourselves," he told Sky Sports News. "We've got
ourselves in this position so we just have to look forward to the games now
and try and come out on top."
Movement
Brighton felt the full brunt of Vaz Te's attacking prowess last month when
he plundered a hat-trick against them in a 6-0 win. And when asked what his
favourite goal of the season is too date, he recalls one his strikes against
the Seagulls. "I think it would have to be against Brighton - the first
one," he added. "I remember cutting in from left to right and I managed to
hit it in the right place and got the movement on the ball. As soon as I hit
it, I felt it was going in."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Play off referee appointments
By Michael Morris
Updated Thursday, 3rd May 2012
Cardiff City RSS Feed
Neil Swarbrick and Mike Dean are the referees allocated to the Cardiff/West
Ham play off matches.
NEIL SWARBRICK will take charge of the first leg at Cardiff City Stadium
tonight. He will be assisted by Ron Ganfield and Simon Long. The Fourth
Official is Anthony Taylor Mr Swarbrick sent off two West Ham players when
they lost 3 - 0 at Reading in December. He has officiated three Cardiff gams
in the past with City winning all three. The last one was Craig Bellamy's
debut in 2010 when City beat Doncaster 4 - 0. This season he has issued 103
yellow and 7 red cards in 29 games.
MIKE DEAN is the referee at Upton Park next Monday. He will be assisted by
Gary Beswick and John Flynn. The Fourth Official is Michael Oliver. Mr Dean
was the man who took charge of City's 2008 FA Cup final against Portsmouth.
He was in charge of City's Carling Cup semi final defeat at Selhurst Park
against Crystal Palace this season and last night was the referee at The
Reebok for Bolton's home defeat against Spurs. You have to go back to April
1999 to find his first game in charge of Cardiff City. A 0-0 draw at
Cambridge. This season he has issued 139 yellow and 4 red cards in 41 games.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
WHUFC.com
Robert Green is hoping to end another fine season with a win at Wembley
02.05.2012
Of the ten trophies presented at the 2011/12 Awards Dinner, the Save of the
Season produced the most predictable winner. As the only contender, Robert
Green was always destined to collect the prize, but it was just a question
of which of his five best stops would be picked by West Ham United
supporters. As it happened, the No1 and the fans had a different view over
which was the most impressive - while they chose the last-gasp save to deny
Cardiff City's Kenny Miller, Green himself was happier with the acrobatics
he produced to keep out a header from Barnsley defender Rob Edwards in
December. "The winning save against Cardiff was one that I'm definitely
proud and happy with," said the 32-year-old. "It didn't affect the outcome
of the match but it's important for me to keep my focus and do my job from
minute one to minute 95. "It was not literally the most vital save but every
save that maintains a clean sheet is a good one. "My own Save of the Season
would have been the one against Barnsley, largely for the importance of it
because we were 1-0 up but under the cosh. It changed the course of the
game, so I'd have chosen that one."
Green joked that he was happy to have beaten off the challenge of Arsenal
loanee Manuel Almunia, who appeared four times last autumn, and stand-in
Henri Lansbury to win the award. Lansbury famously pulled on the gloves when
Green was sent-off at Blackpool in February, keeping a clean sheet for 35
minutes as the Hammers triumphed 4-1. "It was slightly debateable whether I
would win over Henri and Manuel, who did well when he came on loan.
Seriously, though, it is always good to get awards because it shows you are
doing your job. "Hopefully I will be making more saves and we'll go up in
the Play-Offs. "Henri is lively and is always hanging around the
goalkeepers. We get a bit of stick, us goalkeepers, but everybody wants to
be one really!"
For Green, being part of a winning team has been a new experience after two
busy seasons spent trying to keep West Ham in matches. He said both are
skills that goalkeepers have to master if they are going to be successful.
"It's been different this season because we've been dominating games and
I've had to keep my focus as opposed to being kept busy and having to keep
them out throughout the game. "It's been a good season for us."
Green is now looking to climax another consistent season by appearing at
Wembley in the npower Championship Play-Off final. Having played at the Home
of Football for England and knowing the value of the 19 May showcase, the
stopper is desperate to help the Hammers sign-off 2011/12 on a high. "To
play at Wembley in front of a full-house of 90,000 people in one of the
biggest one-off games in the world would be nice. "If that's not enough of a
carrot dangled in front of us, I don't know what it. "We can't look past the
semi-finals though because it will be tough. We've definitely got the
motivation there to do the job in hand, though."
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The Big Interview - Gary O'Neil
WHUFC.com
Gary O'Neil believes West Ham United can keep their fine run of form going
in the Play-Offs
02.05.2012
Gary O'Neil believes West Ham United have the 'quality and experience'
required to negotiate the npower Championship Play-Offs. The Hammers face
six-placed Cardiff City after finishing third in the table behind
Southampton following Saturday's 2-1 win over Hull City. West Ham have
already scored a win at the Cardiff City Stadium this season and the No32
insists lightning can strike twice this coming Thursday evening. O'Neil, who
has returned from a long-term ankle injury to make an important contribution
to the club's promotion challenge, spoke at length about the season gone by,
his recovery from injury and the Play-Offs.
How did you assess the way Saturday panned out, with us winning but
Southampton pipping us by beating Coventry City 4-0?
GON - We had to start well, which we did and we got ahead. Obviously when we
found out at half-time that Southampton were so far clear [2-0 up], we took
our foot off the pedal a little bit. If we needed to go on from two goals I
think we had it in us. Southampton were comfortably clear, so we made a few
substitutions and rested a few bodies for the big game on Thursday.
It was sewn-up when we didn't win at Bristol City [on 17 April] - not that
it was the one that really cost us because it was the home draws that cost
us, really. When we drew at Bristol we knew it would be an uphill task with
Southampton having already-relegated Coventry at home on the final day. It
was always going to be a tough one for Coventry to get something out of. We
did our job and finished with two wins. At Leicester we went 1-0 down and
came back and won and showed good resilience. We won on Saturday and were
comfortable so we're in a good bit of form going into the Play-Offs.
Were the five successive home draws in February and March what cost you
automatic promotion?
GON - I think so. We finished two points and a few goals short after
Southampton won by so many on Saturday. We were only one win away from going
up and you can count those five games here on the trot where we should have
won. We were up against Middlesbrough with a few minutes to go and against
Doncaster and only drew with Watford. They have probably cost us a promotion
place.
How do you prepare for the Play-Offs?
GON - We just start again really now. It doesn't matter where we finished.
League positions don't matter. There are four of us in the semi-final and we
go to Cardiff on Thursday and we'll try to get a win. We're in decent form -
we've only lost one game in 18 and that was at home to Reading - so we're
looking forward to it.
Are you comfortable with the tag of favourites for the Play-Offs?
GON - It's a tag that doesn't really mean anything. We deal with everything
that we deal with in the dressing room. We've got a tight unit in there and
we can't let outside influences affect us. You can guarantee that we'll be
giving it all we can and hopefully it'll be good enough.
Who do you see as the biggest threat in the Play-Offs?
GON - I don't see one as a bigger threat than the others. They have all had
decent seasons to get where they are. Birmingham have been on a good run
since they got knocked out of Europe and probably have the strongest squad,
having been relegated from the Premier League last season. They still have a
few of those players. I think the Play-Offs are like that - in the final you
only have 90 minutes to prove you are the team who should be in the Premier
League, whereas over the course of the season you have 46 games to prove you
are the better team. That's why they are a bit of a lottery. Hopefully the
quality and experience we have should get us through.
Will our outstanding away form hold us in good stead, considering two of the
possible three games will be away from the Boleyn Ground?
GON - I'm not sure. Going away to Cardiff first could be an advantage if we
treat is as a one-off game and try to win that game. Coming back here, we'd
be confident. It's an old cliche but we need to take it one game at a time.
We need to try to be solid and keep a clean sheet, score a few goals and see
how we get on. Then we can come back here and finish the job off. They have
got in the Play-Offs the other way by scraping in with a win on Saturday so
they'll be buzzing that they've made it, whereas we've come the other way
from second into third. It'll be a tough tie.
You must be amazed with how many games you have played - and started - this
season after your ankle injury?
GON - Yes, I am amazed. One, I didn't think I'd play so many games and two,
I didn't think I'd be selected for as many as I have been. I'm really
pleased on a personal level that I've made ten starts this season. That's
probably about nine more than I expected, so that's a real positive on a
personal note. If we can get to the Premier League then we'll have less
games and that'll be good for my ankle!
You got a kick on it from Corry Evans near the end of Saturday's game. Any
fears you had hurt it again?
GON - I knew it wasn't serious. I wasn't too pleased with the tackle in the
last minute of the last game of the season. I thought it was a little bit
unnecessary. It was the same ankle and it's a little bit sore, so I'll try
to get it ready for Thursday. It's not a worry for me in tackles or
anything. It's more the constant grind of playing that takes its toll on it.
It lets me know if I've done too much, but I've been playing
Saturday/Tuesday most of the time so I'm really pleased.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff v West Ham
BBC.co.uk
KO 19:45
2 May 2012
Last updated at 19:00
NPOWER CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Thursday, 3 May Kick-off: 1945 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
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay will select his starting line-up for the first leg
of their play-off semi-final against West Ham from a full-strength squad.
Four unspecified players sustained knocks in the win at Crystal Palace, but
are all expected to be back.
West Ham also have a fully fit squad available with midfielder Gary O'Neil
(ankle) passed fit. Kevin Nolan is also fine despite suffering a dead leg
and James Tomkins has shaken off a knock to the head.
Mackay is determined that his team will not be unnerved by recent
disappointment in the play-offs. The Bluebirds lost out to Blackpool in a
thrilling Wembley final two seasons ago, before being beaten by Reading at
the last-four stage last term. "That's in the past, you have to take the
individual games on their own merit," the Bluebirds boss said. "Each of us
have been better away from home so it will be interesting. But it's a
180-minute game of football. Nothing will be decided until 6.15pm on Monday.
"When you get to this stage it is about who is the calmest on the day, who
gets that bit of luck, but also who tactically gets it right over the 180
minutes."
Meanwhile, West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald insisted the Hammers would
not be affected by their favourites tag. The Londoners finished 11 points
ahead of sixth-placed Cardiff and have won a club-record 13 matches away
from home this term. "There's no reason why we shouldn't handle the
pressure," McDonald said. "There were doubts about our home form but we've
put that to bed with our last two games and our away form is fantastic. I
don't think we have anything to be afraid of. "It will be a unique
atmosphere but our experienced players will calm everyone down and the ones
who haven't done it before should be positive. It will be a close game but
hopefully we can take advantage of our away form and then bring them back to
Upton Park on Monday and show what we did in the last two matches, which is
play positive football, create chances and score goals."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
. This is their 50th meeting, spanning 92 years. West Ham have won 25
of the last 49, and Cardiff nine.
. The Championship clashes this season were both away wins; 1-0 for
Cardiff at Upton Park in August, and 2-0 for the Hammers at the Cardiff City
Stadium in March.
. This is their first meeting in the play-offs.
Cardiff City
. The Bluebirds ended the season on a 10-match undefeated sequence
(W4, D6), with the four wins in their last six, to end the campaign in sixth
spot, five points ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.
. The club finishing sixth in this division has won promotion through
the play-offs five times in 20 years.
. Cardiff are participating in their sixth play-off campaign, and
third in successive seasons. They gained promotion to the second tier
through them in 2003, lost to Blackpool in the Wembley final in 2010, and
were knocked out at this stage by Reading last year.
. The Welsh club have spent the last nine seasons in the second tier,
and last played top-flight football in 1962.
. Manager Malky Mackay was part of the Watford team that beat Leeds
3-0 in the 2006 Championship play-off final, at the Millennium Stadium.
West Ham United
. The Hammers missed out on automatic promotion by two points, but
also ended the regular season with four wins in six games. They lost one of
the last 18 to wind up third.
. The club finishing third has been the most successful in the
play-offs over the last 20 years, gaining promotion seven times - the most
recent being Swansea last season.
. West Ham are aiming to make an immediate return to the Premier
League. They qualified for the final in both previous experiences of the
play-offs, and were successful in 2005, beating Preston in the final at the
Millennium Stadium, when Malky Mackay was at the club, but did not play.
. These will be the fourth play-offs in which Sam Allardyce has
managed a club. He took Bolton up to the Premier League via this route in
2001.
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Green aiming for Wembley farewell?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
West Ham's number one Rob Green says he is looking forward to ending the
season - and possibly his career in east London - at Wembley.
Despite a lucrative contract being on the table for some considerable time,
the former Norwich stopper has refused to extend the five-year deal he
signed in the summer of 2007 and he appears destined to leave Upton Park at
the end of the season.
But the prospect of making a potential farewell in the play-off Final -
which would also be the club's first appearance at the new stadium and their
first at Wembley since 1981 when they drew with Liverpool in the League Cup
Final - is an irresistable prospect for Green.
"To play at Wembley in front of a full-house of 90,000 people in one of the
biggest one-off games in the world would be nice," the England 'keeper told
whufc.com. "If that's not enough of a carrot dangled in front of us, I don't
know what is.
"We can't look past the semi-final [against Cardiff] though because it will
be tough. We've definitely got the motivation there to do the job in hand,
though."
Green, who was signed by Alan Pardew in the summer of 2006 as replacement
for Shaka Hislop has been a virtual ever-present for West Ham since and has
made 238 first team appearances in total.
Now 32, the Chertsey-born Woking supporter has played for just two clubs
throughout his entire career - the first ten years of which were spent at
Norwich, for whom he made 240 starts and one substitute appearance.
He has also been capped 11 times for England having made his debut against
Columbia in May 2005. His most recent appearance at international level came
in the ill-fated 1-1 draw with the USA in the 2010 World Cup Finals.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Getting twitchy, Malky?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has banned his players from using social networks
until after the play-off semi finals. The Cardiff boss, who was in the West
Ham squad the last time United were promoted from the Championship back in
2005 has banned his players from using Facebook and Twitter until the result
of the two-legged play-off semi final is known. "I want the players focused
on their game, their training and the two matches coming up," said the
40-year-old Scot. "All focus is on that and nothing else other than just
living the best they can for the next seven days, because there will be so
many rewards for that."
Mackay - who lost his place in Alan Pardew's side to rookie Elliott Ward and
subsequently missed out on the opportunity of playing at the Millennium
Stadium against Preston - also tried to rack up the pressure on his former
club by claiming that his current club were the underdogs going into the
tie. "I think there's an expectation level on West Ham so automatically with
that we would be underdogs in that game," he summised. "You're talking
about a team that for a vast part of the season were in second place - they
might have been in first place at some points. "So no matter what, there is
that disappointment that they never got promoted automatically."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Confidence is key
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 2nd May 2012
By: Staff Writer
Neil McDonald is expecting a tight game when West Ham meet Cardiff in the
first leg of the play-off semi final tomorrow night - but says United go
into the game full of confidence.
Sam Allardyce's right-hand man fielded the questions from the press this
afternoon in the wake of the manager's pre-planned absence at today's
pre-match press conference and was quick to highlight the potential danger
of the opposition, who finished the Championship season in sixth place some
11 points behind the Hammers.
However McDonald insisted that the players go into the game on a high
following their excellent form in recent matches - especially away from home
- and are fully confident of gaining a positive result in South Wales
tomorrow night.
"Both teams are in really good form and it's certainly going to be a tight
affair," he told reporters. "But our away form is good, we're scoring goals
and keeping clean sheets.
"You can intimidate teams sometimes and hopefully our away form might
intimidate Cardiff. The momentum's there, we're unbeaten in six games, we've
scored lots of goals and we've created lots of chances.
"It's about getting the right blend and making sure everybody copes with the
information that's given to them. We see no reason why they shouldn't
because they've done fantastically well this season. We know what we have to
do and we're full of confidence, that's for sure."
With the return leg to follow at the Boleyn on Monday afternoon, it will be
imperative to follow what will hopefully be a positive result at the Cardiff
City Stadium with an equally good performance at home.
And looking ahead to that game, McDonald highlighted West Ham's
much-improved home form which has seen United take maximum points from their
last two games at the Boleyn Ground courtesy of the 6-0 win against Brighton
and 2-1 defeat of Hull.
"To win the last two games by scoring eight goals is a fantastic boost for
everybody," he added. "I'm sure that if we get a good result away to Cardiff
the whole place will lift, because the supporters have been fantastic for
the last two home games.
"We're geared up for it and we're very, very confident."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
McDonald confident in Hammers
Assistant boss says West Ham are in 'really good spirits'
Last Updated: May 2, 2012 9:05pm
SSN
West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald is confident the club have shrugged
off the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion to Southampton
last Saturday. Sam Allardyce's right-hand man also claims the Hammers are
not afraid of their favourites tag as they head into their Championship
play-offs semi-final first leg against Cardiff on Thursday evening. The East
Londoners won a club-record 13 games on the road this season and on the back
of two successive home wins, including a 6-0 thumping of Brighton.
Meanwhile, Malky Mackay's side finished 11 points behind West Ham in the
Championship, but McDonald still expects a tough test at the Cardiff City
Stadium.
Sky Bet Odds
Championship Promotion 2011/12 - West Ham 7/4, Birmingham 12/5, Blackpool
3/1, Cardiff 7/2. Bet Now
"In our heart of hearts we always knew Southampton would win their last
game," he said "We were more disappointed when we drew at Bristol City
before that in a game we needed to win.
Spirits
"But the boys are in really good spirits and we are all ready for the game.
There's a great atmosphere and good competition for places. "We were
favourites at the start of the season to go up so it was disappointing we
didn't do it automatically. But we'll take the favourite tag if everyone
wants to give it to us and we are ready for the two games against Cardiff.
"There's no reason why we shouldn't handle the pressure. There were doubts
about our home form but we've put that to bed with our last two games and
our away form is fantastic. I don't think we have anything to be afraid of.
"It will be a unique atmosphere but our experienced players will calm
everyone down and the ones who haven't done it before should be positive.
"It will be a close game but hopefully we can take advantage of our away
form and then bring them back to Upton Park on Monday and show what we did
in the last two matches, which is play positive football, create chances and
score goals."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff v West Ham preview
Last updated: 2nd May 2012
SSN
Team news for Thursday night's play-off semi-final first-leg clash between
Cardiff and West Ham at the Cardiff City Stadium. Cardiff manager Malky
Mackay will select his starting line-up for the first leg clash from
virtually a full-strength squad. Four unspecified players all sustained
various knocks in the last-day win at Crystal Palacethat secured the
Bluebirds' top-six finish, but are all expected to be back in contention for
the visit of West Ham. Striker Rudy Gestede shook off a hip injury to step
off the bench in last weekend's 2-1 win and, together with fellow
substitutes Robert Earnshaw and defender Darcy Blake, is pushing for a
recall. Mackay, able to choose from a settled squad in recent weeks, is
expected to opt for Don Cowie in midfield ahead of Stephen McPhail. Cardiff,
beaten only once in their last 13 matches, are bidding to reach Wembley for
a second time this season, having lost on penalties to Liverpool in the
Carling Cup final. The Welsh side are also hoping to end their play-off
hoodoo after losing in last season's semi-finals to Reading and in the final
to Blackpool the previous year, while they were also losing FA Cup finalists
to Portsmouth at Wembley in 2008.
West Ham have a fully-fit squad available. Midfielder Gary O'Neil was a
doubt after taking a whack on the ankle towards the end of Saturday's 2-1
win over Hull but he has been passed fit. Skipper Kevin Nolan is also fine
despite suffering a dead leg at the weekend and defender James Tomkins has
shaken off a knock to the head.
Manager Sam Allardyce was able to take off two-goal Carlton Cole and strike
partner Ricardo Vaz Te early in the second half against Hull as the news
Southampton were winning made the result academic, so they are expected to
start up front. Fit-again George McCartney (concussion), a substitute on
Saturday, should reclaim his left-back spot.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Vaz Te eyes play-off glory
Former Bolton man enjoying the best form of his career
By Soriebah Kajue. Last Updated: May 2, 2012 3:39pm
SSN
Ricardo Vaz Te insists West Ham can find the tonic for missing out on
automatic promotion by succeeding in the play-offs. Vaz Te, 25, joined the
Hammers in January from Barnsley and has plundered 10 goals in 15
appearances this term. Sam Allardyce's team will face Cardiff in the first
leg of their play-off tie on Thursday and the former Portugal Under-23
attacker wants them to make up for finishing third in the Championship. "We
felt like we deserved to be promoted but nevertheless we are still in it and
can't feel sorry for ourselves," he told Sky Sports News. "We've got
ourselves in this position so we just have to look forward to the games now
and try and come out on top."
Movement
Brighton felt the full brunt of Vaz Te's attacking prowess last month when
he plundered a hat-trick against them in a 6-0 win. And when asked what his
favourite goal of the season is too date, he recalls one his strikes against
the Seagulls. "I think it would have to be against Brighton - the first
one," he added. "I remember cutting in from left to right and I managed to
hit it in the right place and got the movement on the ball. As soon as I hit
it, I felt it was going in."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Play off referee appointments
By Michael Morris
Updated Thursday, 3rd May 2012
Cardiff City RSS Feed
Neil Swarbrick and Mike Dean are the referees allocated to the Cardiff/West
Ham play off matches.
NEIL SWARBRICK will take charge of the first leg at Cardiff City Stadium
tonight. He will be assisted by Ron Ganfield and Simon Long. The Fourth
Official is Anthony Taylor Mr Swarbrick sent off two West Ham players when
they lost 3 - 0 at Reading in December. He has officiated three Cardiff gams
in the past with City winning all three. The last one was Craig Bellamy's
debut in 2010 when City beat Doncaster 4 - 0. This season he has issued 103
yellow and 7 red cards in 29 games.
MIKE DEAN is the referee at Upton Park next Monday. He will be assisted by
Gary Beswick and John Flynn. The Fourth Official is Michael Oliver. Mr Dean
was the man who took charge of City's 2008 FA Cup final against Portsmouth.
He was in charge of City's Carling Cup semi final defeat at Selhurst Park
against Crystal Palace this season and last night was the referee at The
Reebok for Bolton's home defeat against Spurs. You have to go back to April
1999 to find his first game in charge of Cardiff City. A 0-0 draw at
Cambridge. This season he has issued 139 yellow and 4 red cards in 41 games.
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http://vyperz.blogspot.com
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