the current bun
Big Sam goes for it
The Hammers hold a 2-0 lead against Cardiff in their play-off semi-final.
And Big Sam wants his lads to go for the jugular and make sure the Bluebirds do not find a way back in today’s second leg.
The Boleyn boss said: “We’re only halfway there. We have got to be focused on job, try to win and not sit back and protect the lead.
“We have to go out and deliver a performance like we did against Brighton and Hull at home — if we do we can deliver another win.”
Allardyce’s side secured their win in Wales thanks to a Jack Collison double.
Collison said: “Everyone is in good form. We have lost once in 19 games and that is down to teamwork.
“We were superb in the first leg and if play like that like again we will be hard to beat.”
the mail
Hammer time: West Ham head into their second leg with Cardiff with a two-goal advantage
On the up: Jack Collison scored twice in the first leg to give West Ham hope of reaching the play-off final at Wembley
We deserve to go up! Hammers No 2 eyes Wembley ahead of crunch Cardiff return
West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald loves the play-offs but hopes the system does not punish his side after what he feels has been an 'impressive' season.
The Hammers missed out on automatic promotion to Southampton on the final day of the season but have responded superbly, winning the first leg of their semi-final 2-0 at Cardiff on Thursday.
West Ham welcome the Welsh outfit to Upton Park on Monday as they bid to secure a place at the Wembley finale at the expense of a side that finished 13 points behind them in the standings.
Hammer time: West Ham head into their second leg with Cardiff with a two-goal advantage
Hammer time: West Ham head into their second leg with Cardiff with a two-goal advantage
'I think the play-offs have been one of the best things that has been introduced to football along with three points,' assistant manager McDonald said.
'It gives everybody a chance, it keeps the whole season going and, yes, it is slightly disappointing to finish third and so many points above fourth, [fifth and sixth] but we knew what was happening.
'We knew what the situation was and we've tried to put that to the back of our mind now.
'Everybody is equal, the whole four teams in the play-offs are in good form and the Blackpool v Birmingham game is on a knife edge.
'I suppose so is ours but we have a good advantage going into the second leg 2-0 up and we have to try and take advantage of that.
'I think it has been an impressive season even though we have not got automatic promotion.
'I suppose the fans are looking more so to the Wembley final but we're so concentrated on the one game on Monday against Cardiff.
On the up: Jack Collison scored twice in the first leg to give West Ham hope of reaching the play-off final at Wembley
On the up: Jack Collison scored twice in the first leg to give West Ham hope of reaching the play-off final at Wembley
'If we can get through that then we can start planning to try and enjoy the experience at Wembley.'
Jack Collison's brace in the first leg makes West Ham strong favourites to make the final against Blackpool or Birmingham.
McDonald, though, insists the Hammers are not taking Monday's fixture lightly and believes the home support will spur them forward.
'I think two goals away from home is fantastic and our home form over the last two goals puts us in a good mood,' he said.
'I think the support we had the other night from the travelling fans was absolutely fantastic.
'I that will bounce onto the home game and the whole place will be trying to take the roof off the stadium.
'It will make it an intimidating place to come to, that's for sure.
'There will be a fantastic atmosphere but it still won't be an easy game to get through.
'Planning and preparation is the key and we've done it in one game and hopefully we can do it in the second.'
the star
MALKY MACKAY’S GOT HIS UPTON SPARK
CARDIFF boss Malky Mackay insists his squad have got the self-belief to overcome a 2-0 deficit at West Ham today.
The Hammers are odds-on favourites to book their place in the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley on May 19.
But Mackay – a play-off winner as a player with West Ham and Watford – claims his side can pull off a shock.
“Most people may now expect West Ham to make it through to the final – that could be a natural reaction I suppose,” he said.
“But myself and the team don’t subscribe to that. We go into Monday afternoon trying to win the game.
“We have 90 minutes to score twice and, beyond that, to win the game. Right now we have a fighter’s chance.”
Mackay added: “We need to score, not necessarily early on, but we need to score first.
“If we do that then we get a toe-hold back in the game again.
“We need to make sure we are disciplined going into the game. We can’t have a tendency to go gung-ho from the first minute.
“People might think that and want to go for it from the off, but we need to make sure that we’re in the game.
“We know it’s a stiff test, we understand that, but it’s still only half-time.
“We’ve got to go there and ease our way into the game, looking to nick the first goal, which could prove important.
“It’ll once again be down to who adapts best to the game and who takes their chances. On Thursday they did and we didn’t.”
Mackay knows all about the Upton Park atmosphere from his time there as a player and West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald thinks that will play a big part.
Jack Collison’s first-leg brace looks to have booked a showdown with Blackpool or Birmingham.
And McDonald said: “I think two goals away from home is fantastic and our home form over the last two games puts us in a good mood.
“I think the support we had the other night from the travelling fans was absolutely fantastic.
“I think that will bounce onto the home game and the whole place will be trying to take the roof off the stadium.
“It will make it an intimidating place to come to, that’s for sure.”
vital west ham
New Keeper?
If the word on the street is right, West Ham United could be saying goodbye to Robert Green.
The goalkeeper, who is out of contract shortly and who hasn`t put pen to paper on a new deal, is being linked with a move to White Hart Lane.
Reacting to that possible defection of Green, the word on the street goes on to infer that Big Sam will be looking to bring a former charge of his, Jussi Jaaskelainen to Upton Park
The Finnish keeper has recently lost his first team spot to Adam Bogdan and could, quite possibly, be lured to the East End by the prospect of first team football.
west ham till i die
Match Preview: West Ham Utd FC vs Cardiff City - Championship Play-Off, 2nd Leg
So, D-day has arrived. We should be able to get through to the Final with our 2 goal lead from the 1st Leg in Cardiff. But no one should take anything for granted. West Ham need to go out there and put the tie beyond Cardiff City's reach. We need to earn that Final place all over again and be suitaby clincal in finising them off. And if they play with the same skill, application and commitment, we should do it. As discussed previously, it will be interesting to see how Cardiff set up and approach the match. Will they go for all-out attack, to try to turn the tie around, or will they sit back patiently, invite us forward and rely on catching us out on the counter-attack? What wil definitely do not need is to conceed an early goal, that would encouage the oppositon and really put the pressure on our players.
The midfield battle will be key. In the first leg we dominated midfield and dictated play for the vast majority of the game. Noble, O'Neill, Collison, etc, will need to replicate that dominance and keep Whittingham and co quiet. I am assuming that we will start with the same back four, with Taylor starting in the left-back slot and McCartney on the bench. We need to keep our fingers crossed that Carlton Cole is fit to start, as he is in ery good form and could be a match winner. Another potential match winner is Vaz Te, who has not scored in the last couple of matches, but hopefully will weight in with a vital goal or two in this match.
The Hammers starting line up is likely to be: Green, Demel, Taylor, Nolan, Tomkins, Reid, Noble, O'Neil, Collison, Cole, Vaz Te
Lets hope that the Hammers players exercise self-control and do not put in erratic challenges or allow themselves to be provoked. We certainly do not need a 10 man scenerio and we must ensure,if at all possible, that everyone is available for the Final, should we get there. COYI!
SJ. Chandos.
Manchester City are offering Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, 28, a £250,000-a-week deal to lead their attack.
Metro
Everton are monitoring West Brom's soon-to-be out-of-contract defender Jonas Olsson. The 29-year-old is stalling on a new deal at the Midlands club.
Daily Mirror
Arsenal will make the first move in the race for Fulham striker Clint Dempsey, whose contract expires next summer.
the Sun
Liverpool are lining up a bid for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent, 28, who is nearing a return to fitness.
Darren Bent
Bent underwent surgery on ruptured ankle ligaments
Caught Offside
Defender Carlos Cuellar, 30, looks to be on his way out of Aston Villa after bidding farewell to fans on Twitter, with his four-year contract expiring at the end of the season and no offer of a new deal.
Birmingham Mail
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to battle with Tottenham for Crewe's 18-year-old midfielder Nick Powell.
Daily Mirror
Reports in France are indicating that Paris St Germain are determined to beat Chelsea to Napoli's Argentinian hitman Ezequiel Lavezzi, 27.
FootyLatest
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini finally admits his side are in pole position to win the Premier League after their 2-0 triumph at Newcastle.
talkSPORT
Sir Alex Ferguson believes the "unethical" manner of Mark Hughes' sacking by Manchester City could help United in the title race - with City due to play QPR next weekend.
Manchester Evening News
Manchester United winger Ashley Young welcomes the appointment of Roy Hodgson as England manager after speaking to his international team-mates about him.
talkSPORT
Ashley Young
Young scored in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Swansea
Frank Lampard has told Chelsea that Didier Drogba is irreplaceable and has urged the club to agree terms with the striker over a new contract.
Full story: Independent
Aston Villa fans failed to get their protests against manager Alex McLeish off the ground.
Full story: Birmingham Mail
The Football Association will back calls for technology after another Wembley showpiece was overshadowed by a goal-line row. Liverpool striker Andy Carroll had his effort ruled out against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Chelsea defender John Terry says owner Roman Abramovich will have to hand the manager's job to Roberto di Matteo full time if he guides them to victory in the Champions League final.
Daily Star
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish says he will discuss his Anfield future with the club's owners at the end of the season.
Daily Mail
New Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski was forced to conduct his farewell lap for Cologne with a riot police escort as his final game for the club was overshadowed by ugly scenes.
DAILY MAIL
Roberto Mancini finally conceded the title is within touching distance for Manchester City on Sunday but vowed to guard against complacency sabotaging their greatest achievement in 44 years.
Also: By the time Sir Alex Ferguson delivered his traditional end-of-season address from the centre circle, there were empty red seats everywhere.
THE SUN
Yaya Toure hit a double for title-chasing Manchester City, then roared: We've got one hand on the trophy.
Also: Alex Ferguson has called on Mark Hughes to kill off Manchester City's title bid - and avenge his 'unethical' sacking.
DAILY MIRROR
Sir Alex Ferguson said only a Devon Loch-style collapse can stop Manchester City from claiming their first Premier League title on Sunday. Kenny Dalglish has revealed he will sit down at the end of the season with Liverpool's owners to thrash out his future.
DAILY STAR
Two-goal Yaya Toure last night claimed Manchester City have one hand on the Premier League trophy.
Also: Sir Alex Ferguson is banking on a miracle from his old mate Mark Hughes to save Manchester United's title bid.
DAILY EXPRESS
Yaya Toure believes Manchester City have one hand on the Premier League trophy after he scored two superb goals to defeat Newcastle yesterday.
Also: Frank Lampard is pleading with Chelsea to change their minds and hand Didier Drogba a new deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
THE TIMES
Sir Alex Ferguson attempted one last throw of the dice in the Barclays Premier League title race last night by declaring that Mark Hughes will be out for revenge against Manchester City over his 'very unethical' sacking as the club's manager.
THE GUARDIAN
Roberto Mancini was not willing to accept Manchester City now have one hand on the Premier League trophy - but Sir Alex Ferguson was.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
If 44 years of hurt finally end for Manchester City this week, then the history books should triumphantly record that it was Roberto Mancini's canny repositioning of Yaya Toure at critical second-half moments that reacquainted the club with the English title after so long.
Also: Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Manchester United must rely on a Devon Loch-style collapse by Manchester City and a revenge mission by Mark Hughes to prevent Roberto Mancini's team winning the Premier League title.
THE INDEPENDENT
Sir Alex Ferguson has made a last-ditch attempt at the sort of mind games he has become famed for in an attempt to stop Manchester City securing the Premier League title next weekend.
Also: At the end of the game, even Roberto Mancini could not stop himself walking on to the pitch and hugging some of the players for whom he represents, for most of the time, a rather distant and unyielding authority figure.
THE SUN:
Bacary Sagna has blasted Norwich's Bradley Johnson over the tackle that broke his leg in Saturday's 3-3 draw.
David Beckham fluffed his big Olympic audition for Stuart Pearce with another poor show for LA Galaxy.
Arsenal will make the first move in the race for Fulham's Clint Dempsey.
Premier League-bound Southampton will make a £3million bid for Birmingham defender Curtis Davies, if they fail to win promotion.
DAILY MAIL:
Roberto Mancini yesterday finally conceded the title is within touching distance for Manchester City.
Steve Kean's decision to call a summit meeting with his senior players may have come too late.
Sir Bobby Robson's statue at Newcastle was revealed yesterday at the Gallowgate End before their game with Man City.
DAILY MIRROR:
Kenny Dalglish has revealed he will sit down at the end of the season with Liverpool's owners to thrash out his future.
Sir Alex Ferguson said only a Devon-Loch style collapse can stop Manchester City from claiming their first Premier League title.
Manchester United are ready to battle with Tottenham for Crewe whizz-kid Nick Powell.
Newcastle will listen to offers for striker Leon Best and full-back Danny Simpson during the summer.
Everton are to monitor West Brom's unsettled defender Jonas Olsson.
Crystal Palace are ready to raid Motherwell for speedy winger Jamie Murphy.
DAILY STAR:
Two-goal Yaya Toure last night claimed Manchester City have one hand on the Premier League trophy.
John Terry says Chelsea can make Roman Abramovich's next big decision an easy one by winning the Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson is banking on a miracle from his old mate Mark Hughes to save Manchester United's title bid.
DAILY EXPRESS:
Frank Lampard is pleading with Chelsea to change their minds and hand Didier Drogba a new deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
David Moyes has refused to get excited over the prospect of Everton finishing above Liverpool.
Alex McLeish wants the chance to win over critical fans who are still demanding he should be sacked.
Clint Dempsey kept Fulham on course for what Martin Jol believes will be the club's best league campaign.
DAILY RECORD:
Scottish football is at war going into today's crucial SPL meeting at Hampden.
Charlie Mulgrew and James Forrest last night celebrated awards at the Cheque Centre PFA Scotland awards in Glasgow.
Rangers star Dorin Goian insists he's going nowhere this summer.
babe of the day
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good luck tonight irons
just thought I'd share
