Pardew backed by his players

West Ham's jubilant players today backed their manager Alan Pardew following their play-off semi-final victory over Ipswich.

There was speculation that Pardew's future would have been on the line had West Ham lost at Portman Road but those doubts vanished following the 2-0 victory which puts them in the final for the second successive year.

Pardew, it is believed, would still have had significant support from the West Ham board even if they had gone out last night but his future is even more secure now after Bobby Zamora's goals ensured a 4-2 aggregate win. Pardew left out Shaun Newton and instead played Welsh international Carl Fletcher in midfield with Marlon Harewood switching to the right.

The move worked a treat with Harewood laying on both goals for Zamora.

Winger Matthew Etherington said: "Full credit to the manager because he decided on the tactics and they were spot-on."

"Last year, straight after the defeat, the manager said to us: 'Remember this feeling, remember this taste'. "It certainly was the worst feeling any of us have encountered in football and we'll do anything this time not to repeat it. I think we'll do it this time."

Zamora added: "We were all gutted last year but we have the experience of dealing with that."

Pardew said: "We came here with a different tactical plan and the players applied that to the letter."