ALAN Pardew admitted his Hammers team left Elland Road kicking themselves after a strong performance against Leeds failed to yield any Championship points.
With results going West Ham's way any away points would have
been a bonus, but Shaun Derry's late winner ensured Hammers
travelled back to East London empty handed.
"We were kicking ourselves after the game," admitted
Alan, "because we played well and could have had all three
points, let alone one.
"After we'd equalised it looked like there would only be
one winner and we were really disappointed with the result.
"It was tough for us in the first-half. The conditions were
blustery and they had the elements going in their favour, and there
was a big atmosphere in the stadium, which we had to deal with.
"But for all Leeds' possession we didn't feel like
they were threatening us too much. After the break they got behind
us and scored, but we responded well and played some nice stuff in
the second-half.
"Gavin Williams scored with a great strike to equalise and
after that we had two or three fantastic chances to win it. We had
a couple of efforts that hit the post, and after going so close to
taking the lead it was very disappointing to concede a goal late
on.
"Results went for us at the weekend, so that made the Leeds
result even more disappointing. But it's in the past now, and
we can take confidence from what was another very strong
performance.
"We'll look to pick ourselves up this week and go into the
Preston game positive of putting in another good display."
Pards certainly found it hard to criticise his team's
performance, after the Hammers head weathered a lively Leeds start
to emerge as the stronger force in the second-half.
"I can't moan about any aspect of our performance against
Leeds," he admitted. "It was always going to be a very
tough agenda for us at Elland Road. They came into the game off the
back of a bad result at Wigan and their fans were right behind
them.
"They've got stronger as the season has gone on and in Rob
Hulse and Michael Gray, they have two players who have really added
strength to their squad.
"Our travelling support was terrific yet again. We had two
really tough away games in a week at Gillingham and Leeds, and on
both occasions the support we got from the fans was
first-class.
"We couldn't have asked for more from them and hopefully
we'll reward them back at Upton Park this weekend with another
important three points.
"We need to keep the good momentum over the last few weeks
going. It wasn't a bad performance at Leeds. We didn't get
the result we wanted, but if you keep putting in good performances
then results will follow."
Alan Pardew might have added to the squad by the time Hammers take
on Preston, his need for cover in defence made even more pressing
by the loss of Anton Ferdinand at half-time in the Leeds game with
a hamstring injury.
"Losing Anton is a big blow," admitted Pards, "and
our defence conceded its first goal in three League games at Leeds.
"Anton's absence will leave a gap and we'll hopefully
look at bringing someone in to strengthen the squad this week.