MARLON Harewood is unquestionably a player who relishes playing on
the big stages.
And the 25-year-old striker, who set up both goals for Bobby Zamora
in the fantastic 2-0 victory at Portman Road, believes the Play-off
semi-final win proves that Alan Pardew's squad are comfortable
performing in the most tense and dramatic of atmospheres.
That mentality will be crucial as Pards prepares his team for
another Millennium Stadium showdown, and this time Marlon is
determined that the team will show their true colours when it comes
to the big day.
"The Ipswich game was incredible," he beamed. "A lot
of people said we were up against it after the first leg, but
within the squad there was still a lot of confidence and we always
believed that we could do it.
"Ipswich came at us early on, but the team stayed strong we
kept our shape really well and Bobby scored two brilliant goals to
seal the win.
"I think the performance we gave on the night proves that when
it comes to the big games we've got the players to cope.
We've shown this season that on our day we can beat anyone in
the League, and that will be a positive thing for us to take to
Cardiff this time around.
"We've got experience of the Play-off Final from last
season, and the memory of that day will certainly be spurring us on
this time around.
"It's another great chance for us to make the Premiership
and achieve something that all the fans want. This time we're
determined to take it."
Marlon also had nothing but praise for strike partner Bobby Zamora,
who he set up for a magnificent double that secured West Ham
United's place in the Final.
"Bobby took his goals really well," he said,
"especially the second. That was a great strike, but
Bobby's a class player and he knows how to score goals.
"I saw him pull off the defender, so I sent the ball over the
top and I was backing Bobby to put that one away.
"The win at Ipswich will have given all the lads confidence
and hopefully we can take that into the Final."
Marlon Rises To The Occasion
19th May 2005