ALAN Pardew was delighted with the way his team lifted the
atmosphere inside Upton Park, as a storming second-half performance
secured a 3-0 win over Coventry and made it three consecutive wins
for the Hammers.
After a first-half display that lacked punch, West Ham raised the
stakes in the second-half and got their reward with an own goal
from Richard Shaw added to by Teddy Sheringham's penalty and a
Bobby Zamora header.
"We passed the ball well in the first-half without really
hurting Coventry," admitted Pards. "The news that Reading
had won at Sunderland made it a funny atmosphere before the game,
and we knew at half-time that we had to lift Upton Park and really
get the crowd going.
"I thought we did that in the second-half. We raised the
tempo, got at them quicker and created enough chances to deserve
the 3-0 win.
"A lot of the chances seem to fall on Marlon Harewood's
head, and maybe a bit of heading practice will be in order next
week. But it was a strong second-half performance and a good three
points."
The introduction of winger Matty Etherington at half-time swung the
match in West Ham's favour. The 24-year-old reminded fans why
they voted him Hammer of the Year last season, giving a blistering
display, which included a hand in all three goals.
"Matty did terrific and he changed the game for us in the
second-half," enthused Pards. "Matty will be the first to
admit that he hasn't hit the heights of last season.
"He's a big player in this division to leave on the subs
bench. But he came on and showed what he can do. Now he's
knocking on my door for a regular place in the team, as a player of
his ability should be.
"I brought Hayden Mullins off because I thought Mark Noble
could offer us a bit more of an attacking option in
centre-midfield. Mark is a real talent, but he hasn't really
developed physically yet and it's not easy for him to play in
the centre.
"But it's his best position and we took a gamble on him
because we knew he'd give us a more offensive look.
"To be fair to Hayden, I thought he did okay against Coventry
and he was terrific for us in the two away games. But Matty
injected some creativity into the team, and I think that's what
we needed."
Despite nine points out of three games, Hammers are yet to break
back into the Play-off places owing to some good form from Preston,
Reading and Derby. But Pards insisted it is the points total
that matters right now, which his team will be looking to bolster
further at home to Millwall on Saturday.
"The League sorts itself out," he said. "We just
need to concentrate on our own points total and making sure that we
get as many points wrapped up as possible.
"At the moment, it looks like being four teams from six that
will make the Play-offs. Ipswich or Wigan will take third place,
but the other three places are there to be had and that fourth spot
remains our target.
"The teams around us are in good form at the moment, but they
can't all win every week and we've got to make sure we are
there to capitalise on any mistakes."
After the Coventry match, Pards bumped into the game's opening
scorer, Richard Shaw, an old team-mate of his from Crystal Palace.
No doubt the Hammers boss was grateful for the helping head of the
Sky Blues defender?
"I thanked him for the goal afterwards," joked Alan.
"Obviously he wasn't too pleased, and I feel for him
because he's an old colleague of mine and we shared some great
times at Palace.
"I'm just glad he's still got that spider on his hair,
because it slid off the old barnet and gave the goalkeeper no
chance!"
Pards Lifts The Tempo
10th April 2005