Teddy Is Tony's Top Hammer

FORMER Hammers star Tony Gale insists Teddy Sheringham would receive his vote for Hammer of the Year, after the former England striker's star performances for West Ham this season.

But Tony warns that, with a Play-off place still very much in the balance, it will take a huge team effort for the Hammers to secure a spot in the top six.

"Teddy Sheringham would be my choice as Hammer of the Year," revealed Galey. "He's had another fantastic year and proves week in, week out what a class player he is.

"Like every player, I'm sure he's looking forward to the visit of his old club Millwall to Upton Park on Saturday. It's a massive game, not just because it's traditionally one of the most keenly contested London derbies, but also because of what Hammers have to play for.

"Every game from now until the end of the season is vital, and with three straight wins it looks as though the lads are rising to the challenge.

"But it's far from over. It proves just how competitive the League is when three straight wins still leaves Hammers outside the Play-off places. There is lots of hard work still to be done and no one will know that more than Alan Pardew."

Tony admits that Millwall will be determined to put a halt to West Ham's promotion charge on Saturday, and after the Lions have got the upper-hand in recent clashes between the two sides, he knows that there will be a huge atmosphere inside Upton Park.

"Millwall's chances of promotion look all but finished," he confessed, "but make no mistake they'll be really up for it on Saturday.

"Both sets of fans will be relishing the game, and after coming out on the wrong end of results in recent games, the Hammers faithful will be hoping to get one over on their old rivals.

"The atmosphere should be cracking, and the intensity of the game should suit West Ham. They're playing with plenty of confidence at the moment and if they can reproduce that form against Millwall there's no reason why they can't extend their winning run to four games.

"It would be the first time this season that we've won four on the spin. We've shown good form before and not carried it on. There's no better time than now to show that we've got the quality to not only make the Play-offs, but go back to the Premiership this season."

Galey's prediction is for Hammers to make the Play-offs along side Ipswich, Preston and Derby - with Sunderland and Wigan promoted automatically. And if the Hammers do make the top six, the former Fulham, West Ham and Blackburn defender insists the other teams will have plenty to consider.

"No team will relish a trip to Upton Park in the Play-offs," explained Tony. "Ipswich can vouch for how tough it is. For me, there is no more glorious way to get promoted than through a Play-off Final.

"Of course, it can be tough if you are on the receiving end, but the pain of that memory from last season will add so much incentive to Alan Pardew and his players.

"Right now though it's all about making those Play-offs and we've just got to go for it and give everything in these last five games."

HAMMER OF THE YEAR

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