ALAN Pardew believes the form of defensive duo Anton Ferdinand and
Elliott Ward is the main reason that West Ham United are in the
Play-off Final, and the Hammers boss is backing the 20-year-old
centre-backs to have a big game at the Millennium Stadium.
Ferdinand and Ward, both graduates of the Hammers Academy, were
first paired together for the 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexander at
Upton Park and the young stars have not looked back since helping
West Ham United register a record of just one defeat in 12 on their
way to Cardiff.
"They have proved their quality at the very highest level in
this division," said Pards, "and I have every confidence
that they will do it again in the Final.
"The pairing of Anton and Elliott in many ways saved our
season. We had been hit with injuries at centre-half, especially to
Christian Dailly and when I was looking at the run of games we had
towards the end of the season I thought it was going to be tough.
"But along came Elliott Ward on his white horse and along with
Anton their consistency over the last 12 games has been
unbelievable.
"Christian Dailly was back and ready to go against Ipswich,
and that was a tough call for me. But their performance in the
semi-final was outstanding.
"Of course, there have been other factors over the past few
months, with Matty Etherington coming back to his best and the form
of Teddy Sheringham and now Bobby Zamora coming to the fore.
"But Anton and Elliott have been key to us reaching the
Final."
Pards believes the two centre-backs will again have a vital role to
play in Cardiff against a Preston strike-force that has proven
goalscoring ability. But the Hammers boss has faith in
a partnership, which is founded in a long-term friendship
stretching back to the youth-team.
"Our two young centre-halves against Preston's strikers,
David Nugent and Richard Cresswell, will be a key battle of the
Final," he said.
"But they have the ability and confidence to stand up to the
challenge. Their partnership is based on a strong friendship off
the field, while on it they have good pace and excellent ability on
the ball.
"When you look at most Championship sides their weakest area
is centre-defence, but we have sold that with the emergence of two
promising young players who have come in and done very well.
"Anton is the more natural leader, but Elliott brings a calm
assurance to the defence and they compliment each other very
well."
Ward's emergence, after unspectacular loan spells at
Peterbrough United and Bristol Rovers, is made even more incredible
by the fact that the big defender came very close to being told his
career was over last season after a serious back injury.
"Elliott has not played a lot of football at all," he
added. "He was injured for the whole of last season and when
Peter Grant came here he thought Elliott was the video analysis
guy, because that's what he did to stay involved with the
squad.
"But he's taken to football at this level as though
he's playing it his whole career.
"Anton has played a bit more, but he's come a long way as
well. He made some mistakes when he first came into the side, but
he showed great diligence and enthusiasm to learn which is now
paying off.
"He was in my office most weeks talking through his
performances. Now he's starting to emerge from a big shadow in
terms of his brother and he's becoming a fine player in his own
right.
"They have both done fantastic this season and I believe they
have what it takes to handle the day in Cardiff."
Defensive Promise
27th May 2005