Two-goal Bobby Zamora may have stolen all the headlines following
Hammers' fantastic play-off semi-final triumph over Ipswich
Town, but Alan Pardew was quick to praise an all round team
effort.
"The players were a credit to West Ham United
tonight," he enthused after his side ploughed the Tractor Boys
into the Portman Road turf, to mirror their New Year's Day
Championship win, with another 2-0 victory.
"They were brilliant. After an initial hairy start we went on
and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and I thought we
were a pleasure to watch.
"We came here with a different tactical set-up tonight and my team applied it to the letter. We tried to play the same way as we did on New Year's Day and that was always going to be very different to the first leg on Saturday. We didn't go bursting out and maybe we caught Ipswich just a little bit unaware.
"At the end of the day, my players have to perform to a certain level and in both games they've played tremendously well.
"Play-offs are tense situations and to be honest, I was really upset following all the Joe Royle business on Saturday because he's a gentleman and a person I respect immensely.
"It was disappointing that he was upset over my actions, because I didn't think that I did anything wrong. Sure, things are perhaps said on the sidelines which you don't mean and after consciously keeping out of his way tonight, I now publicly apologise to him for whatever I may have done.
"But, if you look at the two matches overall, then it would be fair to say that we had the edge and that the best team won.
"Tonight, I'm pleased for all the players and all the staff but we must remember that there's still one game to go."
And the victorious manager also acknowledged the continuing renaissance of Zamora who again came up trumps with that double-barrelled blast.
"Make no mistake, Bobby has had a tough ride this season," continued Pards. "In fact, he's had as much criticism as me and, as a West Ham fan, he's had to take that pressure into every game.
"Each time he comes off the pitch his family and friends are badgering him. Bobby's had to deal with the lot but over the two games he's been a different class.
"I was so pleased for him that he got that special second goal and it also gave us some breathing space towards the end, too.
"I think Teddy Sheringham will be fit in time for Cardiff but I don't think he'll start. Bobby has taken his chance, just like my centre-halves Anton Ferdinand and Elliott Ward.
"And if you say to players that they can come into the team regardless of their age, then you also have to tell them that if they play well they'll stay in the team.
"I'm facing another tricky selection problem with Carl Fletcher, too, because he came in and was brilliant tonight. I left Shaun Newton out for tactical reasons but, again, he's also been brilliant for us lately.
"As I've said, we've still got this one game to go, though, and we go into the final still carrying some hurt from last year."
Zamora, for one, endured the heartbreak of last season's play-off defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.
And Pards is determined not to let lightning strike twice this time around.
"We played so well in the semi-final second leg last year and everyone was jumping up and down after we beat Ipswich at Upton Park," he cautioned. "Remember, though, we then ended up losing the Final so we won't be doing that tonight. Believe me, last year hurt.
"A lot of people said that we didn't turn up in Cardiff and that was harsh because the opposition also had a part in that by not letting us play so well.
"As a team, we now have to make sure that we're not like that again.
"Both Derby and Preston deserve to get there in their own ways, so I'll be watching that result with interest.
"I'm looking forward to the Final.
"It'll be my third one. I've lost the first two so I'm hoping that the third time lucky shout is coming in," he concluded wishfully. "I'll certainly prepare the side properly. It's all about players at this stage and the one thing that I was really pleased with was their professionalism tonight.
"I'm so proud of our performance and if we play with that professionalism in the final, using our heads like we did tonight, then we'll win."