Pards looking forward to replay clash

Alan Pardew simply cannot wait for our FA Cup fifth round replay against Bolton Wanderers early next month following our goalless draw at the Reebok Stadium.

But it was a very different story on the other side of the dug-out, where Bolton boss Sam Allardyce was left bemoaning the fact that his side 'hadn't done the business' against the resilient Hammers.

For if the Trotters gallop past Marseille in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night, they then face the possible prospect of playing four matches - including two against West Ham United - inside the space of eight hectic days.

"The replay might be a problem for Bolton but, as far as I'm concerned, we want some more games," insisted Pards after seeing his side extend their unbeaten run to an enviable eight matches. "We've got everybody fit and that must now suit us a bit more than them.

"It was a fantastic performance by us today and to have got a draw here is a great result. We set our stall out to make sure that we were strong and my players did that part of the job for me.

"Offensively, we would have preferred to have played better and, at times, some of our play was a bit cheap, which was unusual for us.

"Remember, though, Bolton don't make things easy here at the Reebok - they've only let in five Premiership goals here all season - and they've got the most under-estimated back four here in the league.

"No matter what people say about them, they've got some quality players. The pitch was really awkward, too, and I had to ask the referee to let the game flow a bit more.

"We didn't carve out too many chances but both Marlon Harewood and Dean Ashton did well for me and then I had the luxury of being able to put on two fresh strikers in Bobby Zamora and Teddy Sheringham, who almost nicked something for us late on.

"We didn't play at our maximum but the most important things for us was to keep our name in the hat for the sixth round draw and our momentum going," he conceded after seeing his side end their sensational seven-match winning streak.

"To be honest, the prospect of making it a record eight successive victories was always secondary to not getting beaten here today," concluded Pards, clearly looking forward to pitting his wits against Allardyce for the fourth of Hammers five scheduled encounters with Wanderers this season.

"I don't think that we are now favourites for the replay, though, because it's always tight between us. We've got two different styles, but the pitch at Upton Park will be better for us and, hopefully, we'll get the chance to get the ball down and play a bit."