Positive Guy

Guy Demel is determined to finish his first season at West Ham United on a high by winning promotion via the Play-Offs.

The right-back is also eager to make up for the error that saw the Hammers concede a goal in Saturday's 2-1 npower Championship victory over Hull City.

West Ham's win at the Boleyn Ground saw them finish the season on a six-match unbeaten run and third in the table - just two points behind second-place Southampton and three adrift of champions Reading.

Having lost just once in their previous 18 league matches, the Ivorian believes West Ham can bounce back immediately from the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion by going up at Wembley on 19 May.

"I think the team did well against Hull. We played a good game and won the game but the fact that Southampton won means we are going to the Play-Offs," the right-back told West Ham TV. "I think we are going with a victory to the Play-Offs and that was the most important thing.

"For me, I made a mistake that led to their goal which I'm not really happy about now, but I am happy with the fact that I played 90 minutes. It was really important for me and really important for the Play-Offs. I hope I will get to my best form quickly and this was the next step."

Aside from his wayward header that led to Corry Evans' 81st-minute consolation goal, Demel looked solid and strong, defending well and getting forward down the right wing with encouraging regularity.

"My form is coming and my fitness is coming," said the former Hamburger SV man. "That is why I'm really upset because if I had played the ball better their goal would not have happened, but that happens sometimes in football.

"We work hard all the week so it was nice to be on the field with the players. It's important that we keep winning and we're going to the Play-Offs with a good feeling."

An experienced international, Demel believes West Ham go into Thursday's semi-final first leg at Cardiff City with every chance of recording a second victory of the season in the Welsh capital.

"There is a good mentality in the dressing room. We tried our best on Saturday and did our job, so that wasn't too disappointing. We can get promoted by the Play-Offs so now we just have to give our best in the first two games, starting with the game on Thursday."

*Tickets for both legs of the Play-Off semi-final are on sale now. For full details of prices, allocations and application and selling dates, click here.