Pardew plays it safe

  • by Matthew O'Greel
  • Wednesday, 18th May 2005

Alan Pardew looks set to make tactical changes to his side ahead of tonight's second leg play-off semi-final tie at Portman Road.

The Hammers boss is set to revert to the formation which secured a 2-0 win at Ipswich on News Years Day - and that could well mean a drop to the bench for Bobby Zamora, who was substituted on Saturday after suffering calf problems.

On that day - which was also Ipswich's first home defeat of the season - Pardew strung five across his midfield leaving Bobby Zamora as a lone striker, whilst Marlon Harewood played on the right. However Harewood is set to replace Zamora in the striker's role tonight, with 18-year-old Mark Noble likely to come into the centre of midfield.

Despite bing fit for the last fortnight Christian Dailly will again start on the bench; Pardew sticking with his young centre-back pairing of Anton Ferdinand and Elliott Ward, who have played a major part in West Ham's run of just one defeat in eleven games.

* Looking for lucky omens? Well, West Ham have lost just once in their last 14 visits to Portman Road. Oh, and the two winners of the League One play-off semi-finals both played AWAY from home in the second leg!

Plus older fans will remember when the two sides met in the 1975 FA Cup semi-final; the first match ended in a draw, whilst West Ham ran out 2-1 winners in the replay ...

Pre-match bravado

Mark Noble - West Ham: "We gave a convincing performance at Ipswich earlier in the season and the same again would do nicely. We're a strong squad and I don't think losing the lead in the first leg will affect us negatively.

"It might have felt like a defeat after the game, but we drew and we're still very much in the tie going into a game we firmly believe that we can win.

"If we don't the season is over, simply as that. That's all the motivation we need."

Elliott Ward - West Ham: "Ipswich are favourites and that suits us fine. We've upset the odds on more than one occasion this season and there's no reason why we can't do it again.

"We've proved this season that we can respond to the big occasions. We've gone to some tough places, when people haven't expected us to win, and we've come out on top.

"The game is going to be tough and tense, but it's in those kind of environments when we've really produced our best this season. We've got to do it - and we know that nothing less than a win will do."

Jimmy Walker - West Ham: "We've got to make sure we keep our concentration and focus - we've got the ability to win, but it'll be all about which team handles the occasion better on the night.

"We've got to make sure that team is us."

Jim Magilton (Ipswich): "I am sure if you ask the West Ham lads, they will be disappointed. Maybe we have the ascendancy now but I know it's going to be a passionate night.

"There's a fantastic prize at the end and there are two great footballing sides. They are going to come and play the way the always do.

"It's going to be a night of ups and downs, and not for the faint-hearted."


David Sheepshanks - Ipswich Chairman: "We're taking nothing for granted. West Ham beat us in the play-offs last season and we face a titanic clash to get to the final."

Kevin Horlock (Ipswich): "Rumour has it that Mr Pardew was pleased to have got us in the play-offs as he feels his team can go through.

"We will have to ram this down his throat."

Fabian Wilnis (Ipswich): "I have played against Matthew Etherington a number of times and know he doesn't like playing against me.

"Things went much better for us after his influence went from the game on Saturday and this is how I intend it to be tonight. He is a good player but I am confident I can handle him."

Joe Royle (Ipswich): "This tie is finely balanced. We need a better start, but it certainly is not going to be an easy game.

"When you are playing in the semi-final of any competition with so much at stake, they never are."

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