Pardew trusts hungry Hammers
Alan Pardew is convinced West Ham’s never-say-die spirit can lead the Hammers to glory in the FA Cup final – and this time he will make sure to collect the right medal.
Pardew found himself with the referee’s gong after losing the 1990 cup final replay as a player with Crystal Palace and he had to hunt down Allan Gunn in the officials’ changing room to do a swap.
But Pardew now has a winner’s medal in his sights and the Hammers boss believes his side have all the credentials required to overturn the odds and beat Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium.
“I think we can beat them because we have that hunger and belief that this could be our time,” said Pardew.
“I don’t think there is any other manager who has played in every round of the FA Cup, from the first qualifying round to the final.
“I have had to fight for my football career and as a manager I want to bring that in. I like to think my team won’t roll over.
“The thing which stands out like a beacon for us this season is that we have had nine comebacks to get 18 points. No other team has got anywhere near that.
“That part of our psychology has been really strong. Perhaps in the cup final we will need it one more time.
“We have scouted players for that resolve. The thing that attracted me to Nigel Reo-Coker was that in a struggling MK Dons team he would never stop driving, trying to get something out of the game.
“We have that spirit not to give in, to keep on the front foot and if we go a goal behind it will not affect us. Hopefully that will stand us in good stead in the cup final.”
Pardew will not only have to draw on his own cup final experiences to inspire his players – West Ham have been through enough lows of their own in recent times.
The Hammers were relegated from the Premiership in 2003 and lost the 2004 play-off final to Crystal Palace before triumphing at the Millennium Stadium last year.
“These players have experienced both emotions recently and that does put fire in your belly,” said Pardew.
“It was only two years ago we were on the pitch at the Millennium feeling the biggest disappointment you can imagine.
“The players can draw on their own strengths this year, from the times we have gone behind and come back to win, from the play-off final.”
West Ham could never have expected to be in this position after winning promotion back to the Barclays Premiership last season.
The Hammers face Tottenham tomorrow for the chance to finish eighth in the league and are already in next year’s UEFA Cup.
But for all the success West Ham have had this season and the plaudits he has received, Pardew will not be satisfied to end up with another FA Cup final loser’s medal.
“I will not enjoy the game unless we win and I want my players to feel that too,” said Pardew.
“Gaining plaudits for the way we perform will mean nothing to me if we don’t win.”
Pardew managed to keep his first choice starting XI intact for most of the season, only to be struck down by injuries in the home straight.
Dean Ashton will spend most of the week receiving treatment on a damaged hamstring in an oxygen tent while Matthew Etherington is a major doubt after injuring his ankle in training. Hayden Mullins is also out through suspension.
Pardew will have to make changes for the final and he has challenged the likes of academy winger Kyle Reid and Welsh international midfielder Carl Fletcher to press their claims against Spurs tomorrow.
“I need to see a good performance, I have no doubt I will get one. At the moment we are struggling with two key players and there is an opportunity for the squad to make a mark,” said Pardew.
“There is a realistic chance for someone to come in late that might not have occurred originally.”
