Hammers pledge £15m war chest

But the Hammers' run of just one defeat in the last ten matches, including the 2-1 win over Watford to ensure their place in the play-offs, should see them go into Saturday's first leg at Upton Park full of confidence.

"I don't care about the criticism we've had this season," said Pardew. "There are a lot of clubs who would like to be where we are, clubs like Wolves, Sheffield United, Reading and Leeds. We're in there on an even keel with three other teams and my experience of the play-offs is that they are difficult to read, they can be decided by an injury or a suspension.

"I've had the disappointment of finishing third and Ipswich will have this week to pick themselves up again. They've got a great management team there and great players but it's going to be tight with two big clubs going at it hammer and tongs.

"We played each other at this stage last season and the two teams are pretty similar this time around.

"The difference this time is that we play the first leg at home next Saturday. I know we'll have a positive stadium for that one and our fans can help swing it for us.

"My players can be proud of themselves though. We've had a barrage of criticism this season, some of it from within, but they have stayed mentally strong.

"I do feel for Reading and Steve Coppell. I texted him on the morning of the match yesterday and said 'There are no losers today.'

"People think that I would be happy that they're out but it was a very tough call and I thought there was even half a chance we could have both qualified."

What could have been a neurotic 90 minutes for West Ham turned into a comfortable afternoon when the news filtered through from Wigan that their main play-off rivals Reading were losing.

The 5,000 West Ham fans in Watford's biggest league gate of the season cheered to a man and West Ham responded by taking the lead three minutes before half-time. The goal arrived via an unlikely source, central defender Anton Ferdinand who had an excellent all-round match.

It was all over bar the shouting when Marlon Harewood converted a 68th minute penalty after James Chambers was adjudged to have handled in the box although Heidar Helguson pulled one back from the penalty spot late in the game after he had been fouled by Tomas Repka.

"It was a great moment to score my first goal," said Ferdinand today. "Elliott Ward put over a great cross and I just had to make sure I made contact with my weaker foot."

Ferdinand, younger brother of England and Manchester United star Rio, added: "My brother hasn't scored this season so I might suggest a competition. I reckon I could hang onto a 1-0 lead with a couple of games left.

"Ipswich might start as favourites but we have belief in ourselves and there is a real unity among the players at the moment.

"I can't want to get stuck into the two games. I was on the bench for the first leg at Portman Road last season but wasn't involved in the second leg or the final, which is always frustrating."