ALAN Pardew is looking forward to a blood-pumping atmosphere at
Upton Park for the Play-off semi-final first leg against Ipswich
Town.
The Hammers boss admits that Saturday's game will have a
different feel to Ipswich's Play-off visit last season, but is
keen to stress that the role of the Hammers faithful will be just
as important this time around.
"There's a great feeling around the team at the
moment," he explained, "and we're expecting another
brilliant Upton Park atmosphere on Saturday.
"It won't be the same as last season's game because
the circumstances of this match are different.
"It isn't as cutthroat because we know that there is
another leg to come at Portman Road, and you can't expect to
mirror that occasion.
"But the feeling in the Stadium is going to be crucial to the
game and the players are really looking forward to the fantastic
support of our fans on Saturday.
"It makes a huge difference to come out and hear just what it
means to the Club's supporters. They can make the Boleyn Ground
a spine-tingling stadium and that's what we want come 12.15pm
on Saturday.
"Hopefully, the stadium will be louder and more buoyant than
it has been all season. Playing at home first is a different
feeling, but the atmosphere is still going to be vital."
Pards concedes that the tension of the Play-offs are almost
unrivalled in League football. But the Hammers boss believes his
squad are more than capable of handling the Play-off pressure.
"At West Ham United the players are used to playing in intense
situations," he said. "There is huge pressure in the
Play-offs and ultimately three of the four managers are going to
end up disappointed.
"We've taken a lot of criticism this season, and that has
definitely hardened the resolve of our squad. In the past weeks our
supporters have been brilliant. They've backed us all the way
and the players have really responded to that.
"Now we need their backing more than ever, because with
their support we believe that this squad has the ability.
"We've beaten each of the top three teams this season,
which proves this squad knows how to win on the big stage."
Both sets of players on Saturday will have their own painful
memories of last seasons Play-offs, Ipswich from that euphoric
night for the Hammers at Upton Park, and Alan Pardew's men from
the Millennium Stadium Final.
But the Hammers boss insists that won't be a consideration on
Saturday.
"I don't think doubts are really a consideration for
footballers," reflected Pards, "and there certainly
aren't any in our squad going into the Play-offs.
"Football is about setbacks. You can't win everything and
so naturally footballers must deal with the reality of defeat.
"Players have to rebuild themselves quickly and those members
of our squad who were involved last season will have put that Final
defeat out of their minds.
"If anything they'll just be desperate to put things
right, starting with a good performance on Saturday.
"The fans are desperate to be out of this division and we are
determined to do it for them."
Pards Calls For Pumped Up Play-off Atmosphere
13th May 2005