Barnsley v West Ham United Match of the Day Live

Good afternoon, welcome to Oakwell, where today Barnsley take on West

Ham United. The Londoners had spent most of the season looking like

they will bounce straight back up to the Premier League, but in

recent games the bubble looks like it has burst. Are the Hammers about

That is what it means to the We are in a really good position.

Can we hold our nerve and can we Can I ask you a question? What is

The essence of this football club is to go out and win a game of

It is the play-offs which could be this is why. Coming into today's

match with just one win in seven, West Ham are out of the automatic

promotion spot. Look at the Gatt, six points to second place.

Barnsley, nine defeats in 12, they will be looking over their shoulder

at the relegation places, so plenty for both teams to play for.

Alongside me, two men will have watched the season unfold at more

What a touch of class, this Mick McCarthy. What a good match Mick

McCarthy had. At least one of them What a superb goal! Trevor

Yes, very much looking forward to seeing how this match unfolds in

the company of Sir Trevor Brooking and the man they would call Sir

Mick McCarthy appear, such is their love for the man who started his

career and was born in Barnsley. Welcome arm, a typical spring day

here! We have been enjoying beautiful sunshine a week ago, then

six inches of snow, now just freezing cold, normal service!

Welcome home. It is not just a lovely old ground, it is amazing

what you pick up, I have a lovely old programme from 1978 introducing

a 19-year-old Mick McCarthy. You look about 39! I am looking better

now! That is a stick-on moustache, I used to wear it to scare centre-

forwards. For those of the wandering, he says he enjoys Elton

John and Stevie wonder. Is that still the case? I would say it is,

yes, I avoided the punk and the Rat and all that stuff. Trevor, lovely

to have the wit as. 18 of the 24 teams in this division have been in

the Premier League at some time. It is much easier to slip into the

Championship than get back out of it, and recent results for West Ham

have shown that. Yes, from their point of view, their home form has

been the Big Issue, Jake. We have got to say that if they win today,

I think it would be a record, 12 wins, and looking up the run-in,

the way games you would expect them to get results, and the home form,

particularly the Reading game, which was so crucial last week,

just to keep the pressure on the top two. You took both Sunderland

and Wolves out of this division, is there a trick, something you manage

to unlock in your time as manager of the clubs? If there is, I'm not

going to tell everybody! It is a matter of keeping your nerve at

this time of the season. We went 11 games without winning at the end of

the season. I remember losing to Reading and Birmingham, our closest

rivals, and they were hopping and hollering in the tunnel as if they

had won the League. We hunkered down at just knuckled down and got

results towards the end, we had a really good finish and won it. It

is a matter of keeping your nerve. Not giving any secrets away, but

perhaps by watching how Brian McDermott's Reading are playing at

the moment, we can see how success works in this division. They have

won 11 out of the last 13, and today they are still Leeds. You can

say all the action from this match at half-time today. The rest of the

results in the Championship today, a big day up and down the League

The result for Reading East the pressure on Sam Allardyce and the

fans. Reading have won, did you follow the game? Does it make any

difference to your approach today? A few of the guys have got sky on

their phone, we knew it would be difficult when we heard Leeds went

down to 10 men, but it was to be expected. We know we have got to

win to get back to the four-point gaffe. We have got to do the

business tonight. Is it just a question of trying to get six wins?

Will it take that? I think the way Reading are playing at the moment,

probably Southampton, and I know they meet each other very shortly,

but you have got to focus on each game at a time. The most important

game for us, the most important game this season is to play

Barnsley and stay in touch with the automatic promotion push. If we do

not win tonight, it would not all be over, but it would be very

difficult. We have got to try to break the club record and get the

12 away wins. It has been great away from home, very good form, so

I want to see that form tonight, I want to see that performance, and

hopefully I will see three points. Sam Allardyce acknowledging what a

big game this is for West Ham, but not just picking up the results is

important to West Ham fans, it is the way you do it as well. You were

one of the exponents of the beautiful game. Can you understand

the frustration with the way they have played this season? It has

only really cropped up over the last month, to be fair to Sam. Once

you start not getting results... When they were in the top two, they

were happy with the style. They have been at the bottom in the

Premier League. At present, like he said, it is holding your nerve. If

at the end of the season they can reflect on where they are, if they

have got into the top two, great, but Sam is probably saying it in

the dressing room, it comes about confidence if you're going to pass

the ball like everybody wants the old West Ham to do. But as Nick

said, in the Championship, you cannot play that way all the time.

Sometimes you have to grind out results. The waveform has been OK,

the home form is where the frustration has come out. If you're

not getting the performances at home, season-ticket holders get

frustrated. They really got behind the team against Reading, even

though they lost, and that is what they have got to do in the last

handful of games. If they go to the play-offs, let's say, let's reflect

at the end of the season. The play- offs, not something that the fans

want to be put through. The away fans are being very loud at the

moment. One striker up front, they have got five with Premier League

experience of earning a decent amount of money, but they come into

this game with what looks like an All that about the fans, I remember

being with Wolves singing Four Four Two, and we were getting our best

results playing 4-4-3. We were not getting beaten. This is an

attacking line-up. With Nolan, Trevor says he's going to play on

the left, it gives them a licence to get in the box. There has been

nobody better than him to score vital goals in a box. Home and away

fans will enjoy watching Ricardo Vaz Te, not just because of the

haircut, but because he was sold to Barnsley for just �500,000. He has

done the same for West Ham. He has had a couple of muscle injuries,

unfortunately. He has given them the cutting edge. I inky and Taylor

either side, really Nolan will get forward slightly from the left,

with Mark Noble, O'Neill on the right of him. You need to get

midfield players into the box. Sometimes that is what happened,

they have been isolated. Attacking away from home, they have got the

numbers in. Sometimes they are isolated, they have been frustrated.

If one man knows how to control Vaz Te, it will be Keith Hill, the

Barnsley manager, let's see how he Just how big a test is is ahead of

West Ham. It is the biggest test, one of the biggest of the season.

It is a 90 minute game, and we are ready for it. I use safe yet?

definitely not. We are nine points clear, the bottom three teams would

prefer to be in our position, but we have still got points to get on

the board. A season of progress? Progress that most people will not

see. It has been a difficult season, losing games, but it is an interim

season, a progressive season. Hopefully we can get ourselves next

season. Good luck. I'm sure the managers are always going to say

they are not safe until they are mathematically set, but was it a

good move to come here from Rochdale? It is a fire-fighting job

against teams like West Ham with a lot of money. Like all the managers

in every League, some teams have money, and I would imagine West Ham

are lost more money this season and Keith Curle has had to spend. He is

doing a particularly good job, and one win will make them safe.

Ricardo Vaz Te is interesting, I saw him score the fastest goal of

the season here, but he will be targeted. When he turned up with

that haircut, he will be targeted even more! He will be a marked man

today. We have already discussed your dislike of Twitter, shock and

cuts and that is, but for each season, Barnsley would start each

year saying, survival is what we need to achieve. The Heath they

went through a sticky patch earlier in the year. They have struggled to

score goals. That is part of the resources that you have in this

league, the goalscorers, like Ricardo Vaz Te, signed at the end

of January. There was not enough time to bring somebody else in, and

that will be the challenge until the end of the season, can they get

goalscorers? That has been Barnsley's problem. What can we

expect from Barnsley today? To be honest, to watch them every week?

No, I don't, and it is interesting talking about the shape of systems.

People are saying to me, they cannot play that way, so it will be

interesting. Interesting how they deal with West Ham. They are going

to have to get into their faces, because West Ham have got better

players on the pitch, and if they are allowed to play, I think they

will win. One of my mates has been shouting 4-1, I think he meant for

Barnsley. It is not the first time they had a big game against West

Ham. Way back in 1997 it was a big day for Barnsley and a big day for

a certain Frank Lampard. It is a lovely atmosphere on a special day

which offers a blend of mystery, of of the first goal for Barnsley in

the Premiership. West Ham are looking to be the party-poopers.

That equaliser has been on the start with a defeat. I wonder

whatever happened to that young midfielder! Apparently Trevor makes

a great cup of tea, so we are going to enjoy the first half. The

commentators are in position, Mark Bright and Guy Mowbray. Give us a

wave! The commentators are in position, the players are in the

tunnel, live on BBC One and BBC One HD, live football on BBC One,

weekend has got off to a good start. Time to watch two sides whose

seasons need to finish well. Reading's 2-0 win over Leeds this

afternoon has put seven points between them and West Ham. They are

six behind Southampton and they really must win this if they are

going to even keep thinking about a top two finish and automatic

promotion. For Barnsley, a few weeks ago they were as close to a

play-off place as they were to the bottom three, but one win in their

last nine games has seen them sink. Although nine points breathing

space sounds comfortable, they might need more points on the board

from six really difficult games to come off to ensure they stay in the

Championship. The eagle eyes of Dickie Bird will be tracking

exactly what happens at Oakwell the first half of the season and he

is still Barnsley's top scorer with 12 goals. He has added another four

sides met at Upton Park in December. A goal from Papa Bouba Diop. Sam

Allardyce was sent to the stands for kicking out at some bottles and

a cat ran onto the pitch! Let's hope for the same level of

entertainment today. This is the Buckley's side -- Barnsley side.

One change from last week. Matty Done pulled a hamstring at Portman

Road so in comes Kallum Higginbotham for his first start

and home debut. David Cotterill scored his only Premier League goal

for Wigan against West Ham five years ago and he has only scored

Barnsley's only goal in the last six games. West Ham have made three

changes. Her Faubert and Faye have made way for Demel and Winston Reid.

It is only Demel's third game of an injury wracked first season at the

club. Reid has been out since the end of February. Carlton Cole makes

way for Nicky Maynard. Craig Davies has got six games without a goal,

but since Ricardo Vaz Te departed, he is now Barnsley's top scorer

with 11 goals for the season. He banged them in for Chesterfield in

the last campaign. Various Ricardo Vaz Te, three goals in his last

four games. -- there is. 14 starts for Barnsley in the first half of

the season, he scored 12 goals. Sam Allardyce did not hesitate when the

chance going to sign him, the man he brought to English football from

the captains. Next to me, on the end of the commentary position,

Mark bright. Good afternoon. I saw West Ham against Reading. 422, an

incredible game. -- 4-2. West Ham dominated for 40 minutes and

readings called two quick goals before half-time and the whole

thing changed. Very surprised to see no allow there today. He left

the pitch with what we were told was up thigh strain. -- surprise to

see Mark Noble. Sam said after the game in the press conference, they

would need to win every game until the end of the season to have any

chance of automatic promotion. did. I heard West Ham ledge and

Tony Cottee saying he looked at the Reading and Southampton games and

he thought maybe one draw and the rest wins we do it. But Reading

winning this afternoon cranks up the pressure. We heard Keith Hill

say Barnsley are not safe yet. Nine points sounds a lot, but the gap

between themselves and the bottom three over the last few weeks has

got narrower. Kevin Nolan, 10 goals this season, six of those away from

home. That is where West Ham have been picking up most of their

points recently. Barnsley hoping to get one more win to make sure they

stay in the Championship next season. West Ham looking to win the

think we all know that West Ham's home form has been the undoing.

They have drawn six of the last 10. Away from home they have been

superb and fans often look to why that is. Sometimes they play with

more freedom and also there's less and it is a Barnsley throw-in.

Nicky Maynard has already scored a winning goal here this season, for

Bristol City at the end of October. A good record against Barnsley,

five times he's played them, five impeded, but the referee Tony Bates,

who is the most experienced referee on the Football League list, begged

stress how magnificent fans have been in the last few home games.

There have been claims from the club of misleading reports saying

the manager had accused the fans of talking absolute tosh. He feels

some of the criticism is unfair and Tottenham, his fourth Barnsley

appearance. Regular No. 1 Luke Steele is out injured and regular

No. 2 David Preece is also out Winston Reid. Amazing. Amazing. You

saw Reid turn away, accepting he had made a foul. The most

experienced referee on the Football League did not feel the same way.

He is a referee who likes to lead the games go. He has not issued a

single red card all season. George McCartney moving freely again. He

had a bruised foot from last weekend, the game against Reading.

Immediately after the game Sam Allardyce thought he had broken his

metatarsal. Before Wayne Rooney did it a few years ago, we haven't

heard of that bone. Wasn't Beckham the first one? Might well have been.

It was just called a broken foot in the old days. West can get a throw-

McCartney has been on loan from Sunderland all season. His second

already been at Leyton Orient and Doncaster. This is his 11th spell

away from Spurs as a borrowed could hear the reaction of the home

fans who don't think there's anything different from the Winston

Reid challenge a few minutes ago. Craig Davies did ever so well, he

Barnsley. They have strong a few passes together. They have pushed

West Ham back a bit. They won their last home game begins Peterborough

a fortnight ago. They have lost all of their last seven away. Almost

Good play from Nolan. No question Button made the right decision to

come out. He slightly overran it. A good defensive challenge from

Stephen Foster. Nolan! West Ham much the first time West Ham have

threatened. The first shot at goal. The one thing you want to do as the

home team is to have the first shot, the first corner. A little smile on

the face of Sam. They didn't deal with it. They didn't do with the

first one at the near post. Nolan on the goal line by the goalkeeper.

Inevitably the ball fell to him. He is now their leading goalscorer

with 11 goals. Poor defensive clearance. You have to attack the

first ball at the near post. came off an unsuspecting Craig

Davies. 11 goals for the season for the West Ham captain. The last time

he spent a full season at this level with Newcastle a couple of

years ago, he scored 17 times, including goals home and away

against Barnsley. Any midfield player who get into double figures

is worth his weight in gold. They need to help out the strikers. West

Ham do have seven or eight strikers on the books and Carlton Cole is

their leading goalscorer with 10. He changes them around a lot, Sam.

Kevin Nolan got a dozen in the Premier League last season. He

averages better than one in six at worst possible start as far as they

are concerned? Reid stayed in front Maynard. A good run from Maynard,

just pulling off the shoulder. Diving in behind, Golbourne.

most difficult thing for Barnsley in recent weeks has been scoring a

goal. They only have one in the last six matches, two weeks ago,

David Cotterill against Peterborough. Andy Gray has gone

nine games since he last scored. points away from the bottom three,

is there a danger you can sink into that sort of mentality? Always.

Players at this stage start looking at results. People around them and

they start looking at the fixtures. You have to just take care of

yourself. There's no better game for them today. They are live on

the television, one of the top teams in the division, it usually

lift the atmosphere, the players should perform. Not the best

clearance from Rob Green. Davies had a go! Queen macro got across,

I'm not sure it was on target. -- Davies. Poor clearance from Rob

Green. Now a free-kick for West Ham. Tony Bates is going to have a word

as well. I think it was McNulty. It will be a booking. He was pulling

Maynard back. A great strike. I don't think and Rob Green could

take any chances. He had to push it away. A little sniff of what he is

capable of doing. When you haven't scored a goal for a while, you prop

-- probably hesitate to shoot from that distance. But it shows he has

confidence. Was that the booking? season. Hit game for Nolan. A gold

number-one priority on set-pieces to mark. They drop a little bit

early for Mayo. It comes of the defender's head. Almost a gift,

isn't it? Got one and nearly double Tomkins, didn't he? We saw Tony

Bates a fortnight ago, the referee for the Johnstone's Paint final.

did not notice them that day. one. That is OK, though. He

snatched, that is all. The opportunity was there, deflected.

He just pulls at the shot a little bit. He mentioned the word

confidence in relation to Craig Davies, six games without a goal.

He has had goals in bursts, twice he has gone eight games without a

goal. That is a long time, but as long as you get them at the end of

the season. It is nice if you can space them out, or if they come in

But what they do not have, Barnsley, his players running in behind,

trying to stretch West Ham at the back. Everything is in front, and

they can say that they were just nipped in front and make it

difficult. They need to stretch and West Ham, that switch was on, good

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O'Neill was waiting, and he should have done better. No question, he

started off the move as well. O'Neill started the move, good

overlapping play, a bit of a decoy, good ball from Vaz Te, and it does

A golden opportunity. Take a part in his early career, Barnsley, he

scored his opening goal for them. He played his first league game

against them for Portsmouth as a career at all after he injured his

ankle against Aston Villa. It was fifty-fifty whether he would play

again. He is now, four games in man who scored a lot of goals for

Barnsley in the first half of the season. You do not understand the

football fan, Guy! I do, I do, I not get the throw-in. West Ham's

midfield players are working really hard out of possession, just

covering in front of them, more injury which forced him off at

As soon as he plays at all to anybody, it starts to move forward,

prey, stout defending by Winston Reid. It is the first chance we

have seen, Higginbotham running with the ball. He does ever so well,

holding on the edge of the box. Andy Gray was a little deeper, Reid

does well to get in front of him. referee, well, he agrees with you

that it was a foul, but which other parts does he agree with? If it

looked like a two-footed challenge. Tomkins jumped over the challenge,

he was not happy. The referee giving himself a little time to

think there. There is going to be a card of some description. You said

that he had not issued a red all season. I think it is going to be

yellow, by the body language. He has got a smile on his face. If he

sees it as a two-footed challenge, it is a red. The yellow is out. Two

in the boot for Barnsley, Stephen Dalton joins the name of Jimmy

McNulty. -- Stephen Dawson. shape of a hand, the apology. I do

not think it was for the second one, I think it was for this one here.

No question about it! The referee did not see it as clearly as we did.

He was close to the action. He is saying he won the ball. He is

outlawed, they are trying to get rid of it from the game, and I do

not understand why players challenge like that. You normally

slide with one leg and sweep with the other. To me, you do that if

you are frightened to get hurt, you're kind of protecting yourself.

That is a red card for me. A lot of them are still saying, I won the

ball. It does not matter, it is when he touched him from barely one

yard out. Barnsley have at two players caution since then. Vaz Te

going for the spectacular! Not quite a proper connection. No, but

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forward and when a corner for West Ham. Good play. Good play in the

midfield, Cotterill giving away the ball unnecessarily. Look how West

Ham are pressing all over the pitch, that is the left-back there, having

a shot. I saw him score his goal last year, McCartney. A East caught

at Cardiff at the start of last point out to us before the match

that won more away win would be a club record, 12 away wins in a

in the Championship. It is just at home where they have struggled to

get points in recent weeks. What a good shot that was! West Ham double

their lead, and Nicky Maynard continues his run our scoring with

a 100% record against Barnsley, six in six. Barnsley 0, West Ham 2.

said before, they had had a good his sequence of passing, a combined

really well with Nolan, O'Neill and Noble, and there has not been

enough pressure on the ball from Barnsley. It is too comfortable,

and it all culminates with a beautiful finish. So accurate with

a shot, it is not the power, it is Nicky Maynard has double figures,

his 10th goal of the season, only his second for West Ham. He joined

them from Bristol City at the end of January, eight goals for winning

a kits not dissimilar to Barnes's Lee at the start of the season. --

Barnsley's at the start of the season. It is a good goal for him,

and he has struggled for goal since he moved to West Ham, in and out of

the team, San changes it around. You would like to play all the time,

you get a rhythm going as a striker. last England cap, last of seven,

Yes before -- yes, I said before, not enough pressure, far too much

praise for Noble to push it around with O'Neill, as I said. -- far too

early, using his arms on the Ford's back. We need a bit of a response

here from Barnsley. They do not want to go into those last five

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games on a good hiding, it will not pass it between themselves.

Tompkins went along, but that is not what West Ham fans like to see.

I'm not sure if that was the diagonal he was going for.

everything is going against them. The biggest difference between the

teams is when they are out of possession, West Ham, they chase

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and harry. I don't think Barnsley uncomfortably. He said before the

match, we are not safe yet, we don't think we are. This is the

worry, people are saying one more win will do it for Barnsley. Five

games left after this, they have Blackpool away, Cardiff or home,

Hull away, Brighton to finish. Bristol City away is the only one

against teams around them. Where is that win going to come from?

are not wrong! But there are always some funny results at the end of

the season. We have seen that Leeds 2-0. Burnley beat Birmingham

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has hardly been in the game. I do not remember him at Arsenal. Yes,

in 2000/2001, but did not make an McCartney and it means a Barnsley

corner. Cotterill putting the cart me under pressure. He left him for

pace. Cotterill on the right hand side and Higginbotham on the other

side have shown that if they get the service, they can put West Ham

for it. He felt he was being impeded. Another corner. I think

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Nobody with him. Maynard getting say at half-time that you have to

get tight. You have got to put on pressure across the middle. Look

how many passes they have had here, West Ham, and Barnsley no windier.

much respect. In the end, they didn't win the ball, West Ham gave

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George McCartney, he didn't look up. A bit of an argument going on now.

Nolan is giving him a bit back! Nolan has only just stopped giving

him words of wisdom. You are 2-0 up Matthew Taylor hasn't. There is an

overload on this side and that is where the space is. Nicky Maynard

think so. Vaz Te wants to score himself. Finally he went for the

there was an opportunity when he went past the first offender to get

an early shot away. Button lost it! It is a wonderful goal from Mark

Noble! Nightmare moment for the on- loan Barnsley goalkeeper. That is a

great finish from Mark Noble. His last nine goals have been penalties.

Easy from 12 yards, not so easy from an angle like this, but he

made it look easy. You look at West Ham and all they have done in the

first half his work so hard when they haven't had the ball. It is

only because of Nicky Maynard's pressure that David Button makes a

poor decision. He tried to tap it around Nicky Maynard and made a

mistake. But it is an excellent chip from Mark Noble, you have to

be so precise. He might as well just come towards the ball and put

his arms up. A great finish. I know Dickie Bird is hit today, but it

will end up a cricket score if they are not careful. Well done! Thank

you, I'm here all day. We still from Taylor, a teasing ball. They

have got two or three people going in. It was just a little strong.

They have got a great away record and if Sam wanted a reaction after

that 4-2 defeat at home, obviously that hurt, and he has got more from

his players today. A big job at half-time for Keith Hill. He must

just want them to get out there and compete, start challenging, stay

with your runners and just start showing West Town less respect. --

right. Scoring goals from 30 yards is not really his strength. He is

apologising, they are free up and playing well. -- 3-0 up. Getting on

for 200 games for Sunderland, never really got it. It was only McNulty

that stopped him. An excellent example from a forward who gave the

ball away, he wasn't happy just to watch what happened, he chased

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a good game of football and don't mind what the result is would want

a Barnsley goal before the break otherwise it would seem to be over.

end! They certainly are. Barnsley could do with getting a goal to get

10 years in Germany or told. -- Guy Demel. He plays at international

level for Ivory Coast. This is only his third game, he Azad or all

problems with injury all season pit our space a few times for

Barnsley. -- a bit of space. I can only reiterate what I have said,

the midfield, Noble, Nolan, O'Neill, working really hard. Taylor, Vaz Te,

chasing and harrying, making it easier for the defence. They have

never really penetrated the West and -- West Ham defence. That is

why Barnsley have not been mistakes for the third goal? He had

an opportunity to deal with it, lash it down the field, but he

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pressure on Rob Green, but he was realised that he was not going to

get there. A good run, the space minutes to go that they had a

complete collapse last week. It does not look like that is on the

cards today, the defence looked a lot better. It was about this time

in the game, wasn't it? He is, and under any threat whatsoever. --

they do not look. It was a relaxed conversation there that we saw with

this is Cotterill. Green had to come a long way for it, and that

his wife. Excellent. When they finally get around the back of West

Ham, could pull back, Reid at the near post. That is the most

dangerous Barnsley have looked in his first half. It was a nice

thought, it kind of order on the offside. When he got to the byline,

he should have sat it up to the far right place for West Ham. If good

positional sense, he read the cat back. -- cut back. An excellent

turn, this one. Reid knows exactly what he is trying to do. He

anticipates it so well. It is his first game back since the end of

February. He has been out with a head injury then a heel problem. He

had a concussion after going away to play for New Zealand. He was

born mayor, grew up in Denmark. -- undone, he is usually giving begun

a good workout at this stage as well. I think West Ham feel I have

had a bit of an unfavourable press, 24 games they were in the automatic

promotion places, and then they just slipped out. I think it is the

pressure, the wage bill as well, the expectation of going up,

because they have been there for so at Oakwell, and that will do nicely

as far as West Ham United and Sam Allardyce are concerned, 1-0 up

thanks to Kevin Nolan very early in the police, it became two when

Nicky Maynard scored at Oakwell for the furls successive game here, and

Mark Noble rounded it off in the 35th minute. West Ham needs to win

is to keep up with Reading and Southampton in the chase to finish

in the top two, and it would be a miracle if they do not win it now.

I am sure the two men alongside me will agree that stranger things

have happened than West Ham throwing away the lead, but that

was a great first half for your team Trama, and we said that the

home fans had been moaning about the way they have been playing, we

have not seen one long ball. comes from confidence, the passing,

and you are probably saying, do not give them anything for the first 10

or 15 minutes, let's put them and the pressure, because their

confidence can be fragile. But it did not happen, they did not

pressure them, they gave them space, and the goal was a soft goal.

Throughout the half, West Ham grew in confidence and kept possession

because they never got the pressure. They actually pressurise did

themselves and won the ball back quickly. You had to get your noses

in front. There is no fire and there. The game started OK, there

was nothing, West Ham are desperate to win this game and get back in

the promotion hunt, Barnsley for different reasons. There was

nothing in the game, I didn't think, but whatever Keith Hill has done, I

am absolutely certain he will have said to Mark Nolan from corner

kicks. From then on, there is no fire. West Ham are playing 4-3-3 or

42, Craig Davies cannot really drop in, and they are getting played

around. The second goal comes from that. I do not know how many passes

they had before it. I have been in positions like that, you cannot get

close to them because they are keeping the ball, sucking you in

and playing around. Is it a case of making changes, or is it too late?

A difficult job for the home manager. We will have a go at them

now, push Jo midfield players up, let Nolan stay in behind, have a

right go at it. You could get done five or six by doing that, leaving

also wide open. But he might get one back early on, and then you

might get something. I don't think they will, to be honest. Let's have

a look back at a first half that has put a big smile on your face,

a corner in the first place. have got to go with Kevin Nolan, it

comes off his foot. Does it come off Nolan? Even then, slowed down,

you can just about see it, but the referee has not gone that too well

at his disposal. It is a tough decision. You got away with that,

and then you have got to mark. two not know if it is Craig Davies

who tries to step up. -- I do not know. But he is on his own. You

have got to be marking him. The manager put all his tactics

together, but it is a great delivery. I think it goes through

the defender's legs here. Oh, dear! Not a nice moment. When he tucks it

in, you think Nolan is offside, but when the cross comes in, he is not.

That is why he is not marked at the time, but it was a double soft goal,

to have given the corner away, to allow Nolan into the penalty area.

The game was nothing. He delivers a great set-piece, Matty Taylor.

Fabulous. We will talk later about how you are enjoying the gardening

at the moment, but it was not long ago that he was standing out there

yourself moaning about referees. If you were the West Ham manager,

would you have had a moan about the fact that this Zheng man is still

on the pitch? Talking about two- footed tackles, but looks like

Stephen Dawson is lucky to be there. At the time, I... For on that angle,

it does not look so bad. He jumped in. I do not think he put the

player at risk. He booked him for it. He jumped in with two feet.

Well, I have seen them both. card? I don't think so, I do not

think he was anywhere near the player. If he had made any contact,

I think he was getting the red card. It is so silly for a player now,

make, because you are left in the hands of what the official decides

on the day. You do not do anything like that, because he could not

quibble if he got a red card. He was low down by the time he got to

the ball, but you cannot take two ft off the ground. Would he have

gone off in the Premier League? Could well have done. It depends

whom he is tackling! Have we mentioned at the start at one of

the issues is that Barnsley in the middle, they cannot close their

opponents down, because they have not got the men to do it, and it is

indicative of their next goal. can hear Mark Bright saying that

they need to get close, but they can't get close. Maynard and Nolan

have great interplay, but the second centre-half ought to be

nailing them. Is not going to run past them. There was no contact at

all. They just sat in him. Nolan and Maynard have changed places. He

comes in on his favoured foot as well. Sending him on the inside,

you know he will shoot. That was a mistake, but it was a great finish.

For that, it is a great finish. You could blame Barnsley, but what

about the football that West Ham have played, a fabulous finish,

great goal. We have talked about a goal related to a refereeing

decision, a two-footed tackle, and we are undecided whether it was a

red card... 3-0! You can discuss this one. Should the referee have

given a free kick? If he has apologised for the foul, and sorry,

it is a free kick, do not book me! The Barnsley should have dealt with

that better. They are bad mistakes, decisions, the referee has the

first one, an awful decision not to give a free-kick. They have got

away with it, this is a bad decision. The goalkeeper makes a

bad decision. If you cannot market, side-foot it out. I think, if he

did, Maynard would be in trouble. But what a finish, Noble. Trevor?

He catches... He has put his hand up, sorry, do not book the. But

play goes on. Mark Noble has done really well, he is right in the

corner. A lot of teams would have got back. He puts him under

pressure and made the opening for himself. Really good, he keeps a

clear had, Sam will be delighted. They have worked and pressed really

well. The dilemma is, when you play in the hole and you get these days,

they find it difficult at home to get in those little holes, because

sides sit back at Upton Park, and that is where they have struggled.

On the counter attack, they have played it perfect. They can press

on Barnsley because Craig Davies is quick, trying to drop into the hole,

Peter Number Ten, but Andy Gray is playing on his own up front. He is

not going to run away, and West Ham can play our on top of him, and it

has suited West Ham, they have been able to press with comfort.

Fantastic first half for West Ham, the home fans and spend most of the

time taking photographs of you through the window. Time to show

you how their rivals for automatic promotion, second-placed Reading,

got on against Leeds. Dan O'Hagan for Thompson. Red card! Because of

this. Studs up, both feet off the deck. His manager is absolutely

livid with him. Reading have taken an amazing 34 from the last 39

points on offer. Ian Harte's cross against the post! It almost became

a lot more for Reading and Ian Federici. A rare chance for Leeds.

league goals inside the last 10 minutes of matches this season. --

it's -- their last 16 League goals. Adam Le Fondre! It is a massive

goal. Colossal for Reading. The man side to fill the shoes of Shane

Long has maybe scored a goal to propel his team closer to the

going top. No question now. A goal West Ham will curse and Southampton

will rue. Two goals in six minutes from super sub Adam Le Fondre.

Promotion looms large for Reading. Many games have been won in the

last 10 minutes. We have faith in the players, they have faith in

themselves and they know what is themselves and they know what is

required. We have done it and it is a great win. A great win indeed and

fantastic momentum at the moment mean they would be three points

Whoever ends up going up, they will be looking to make an impact on the

Premier League might Swansea have. They have been in action against

They have been in action against Newcastle this afternoon. It is

currently two-0 Newcastle. This is at the Liberty Stadium. Papiss

Cisse has both goals. You can see that game and 70s -- Saturday's

seven other matches on Match of the seven other matches on Match of the

Day. There was a time when you were taking control of the West Ham team.

How impressed have you been with the job Alan Pardew has done this

season? It wasn't expected after all of last year's turmoil. It was

a difficult time, taking over after Chris Hughton. He was a surprise

appointment. I have got a lot of time for Alan Pardew. We approached

Reading and took him from there. He did really, really well. He got us

up second time around in the play- offs. We had a great first season

where they got to the cup final and I'm sure any West Ham will tell you

about Steven Gerrard's last-minute equaliser. It just went wrong for a

variety of reasons and he left. As a coach, man-manager, he is very,

very good. It hasn't surprised me. Demba Ba was always going to be a

snip for whoever picked him up. Cisse was one and their scouting

system has to be really good because they have brought in some

very, very good players. At the moment, they are in the competition

for the top four. When you on a role like that, you just feel you

can beat anyone. Brendan Rodgers in the dug-out today. How impressed

have you been with him? He is in the short list for manager of the

year. Paul Lambert as well. So he should be, and Steve Kean as well.

Brendan Rodgers has done a fabulous job. The way they've played. I

think they have had 70% of possession again. Party has done a

remarkable job. They have had a wonderful season. Always keeps

surprising. There's a packed weekend of sport ahead on the BBC

with something for everyone, starting tomorrow lunchtime.

Every chance I get to play, I try to impress and that is all I can do.

I was more pleased with the Arsenal performance because that is what it

was, it was a top-class Premier League performance. What a goal!

get the technique right, you have a good chance of scoring. I practise

Imagine you're in the Barnsley dressing room, reliving memories,

what would you be saying? There's only one thing you can say. The

fans have turned up to watch and you have to give them something to

shout about. If they get a goal, they will be behind them and we

will get a great atmosphere. They got spanked and the first half.

were not impressed with Vaz Te's haircut, but we have been impressed

with the team. Rob Green will hope to have a quiet half. This could be

a big day for West Ham. All they a big day for West Ham. All they

have to do is get the results, starting today. Southampton and

Reading have to play each other. Southampton are at home to

Portsmouth tomorrow. Anything can happen. They have to pick up the

points and see what happens. Time for the second half with West Ham

second half started. Work to do to reduce the deficit if they can, and

restore a bit of self Yorkshire pride. Absolutely out played

throughout the first 45 minutes. Except a bright spell in the first

five. West Ham United are just 45 minutes away from a new club record

12 away League win since -- wins in a season. Quite an appropriate

place for that record to be set today. Their first ever away league

game was on this ground, Division Two in 1919. Barnsley won 7-0!

Contrary to belief of some, Dickie has been enough for promotion. They

are still on target to get that. Reading and Southampton will have

to slip up somewhere. Trevor just fed, a South cast -- South Coast

derby tomorrow. You're hoping more than anything for the teams around

you to make mistakes. Southampton go to Crystal Palace next week.

They will get a draw! Reading are at Brighton. A couple of injuries

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backwards from the throw-in, all during the half-time break. Whether

they have any effect, we will see. Can you see West Ham going for more

or will they he's off a little bit and make sure they don't get hit?

don't think you can change now. Some will have said, excellent

first half, can't ask for more, clean sheet, three goals. I expect

a response from them at the start of the second half. Expect a little

flurry for 10 to 15 minutes. Just sit a little bit and leave Nikkei

Maynard up front with Vaz Te and then we can start to ease away in a

game full Park -- Nicky Maynard. I would expect them to be under

pressure at the start of this half. Barnsley need to work harder.

Pressing and closing. You don't have to be talented to do that.

just saw David Cattrall -- Cotterill, is their best bet from

the flanks? I think so. In a race he has the better of McCartney. But

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-- O'Neil swung it in. As soon as the ball gets wide, he is off.

Taylor was behind Nolan. If he had left that... It is difficult to

score from that kind of distance. Tomkins put his arms around Andy

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new contract, his deal runs out in the summer. West Ham had been

linked with Kilmarnock's canny bell. They want Rob Green to stick around

if he possibly can. Going up might be a major factor in that. He has

got himself back into the England set-up, he should beat in the party

to go to the east of Europe in the end Barnsley in the opening seven

and a half minutes? I just wondered whether Higginbotham was trying to

make three up front, but he did not, he dropped back into his left side

position. Still playing 4-4-2, and you have to apply pressure and go

together, the midfield have to work together. They are outnumbering

West Ham in midfield, but they very nearly kept it in. That was

close. A mistake by Button, he did not take any chances. If they can

get this guy into the game a little bit more, as we have said, with the

way that West Ham were so well, under pressure he has to give it

back for turnaround and goes flat. exchange. Button palms it away, but

Vaz Te is in to tap home against his home club. 4-0, West Ham, it

really is all over now, and Ricardo back, and you have got to say, look

at the Spacey Has down the right hand side. Where is Wiseman? This

looks like it is going in, but the reaction of Vaz Te, just a little

bit quicker. He has so much space, selling us of far too early, Cottle.

You need your defenders to help you out. An easy tap-in. No celebration

against his old club. The player who scored a dozen goals for

Barnsley in the first half of this season has now scored a 4th West

Ham goal against them on this very Good Friday if you are a hammer.

Barnsley 0, West Ham United 4, and West Ham will stay in pursuit of

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can hear all around Oakwell now. The substitutes are getting

on the ball than anybody else. positional sense, keeps it going,

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Maynard, and he nearly foundered, brilliant! Button was beaten, and

second of the game, the ease with which she comes off the defenders,

are allowed to turn, no pressure, sweet strike, excellent strike. He

was very unlucky. Here is the substitution. Why a strike that was

from Nicky Maynard. He has scored the last four times that he has

played here. For Bristol City and now for West Ham, and that would

have been the pick of the bunch. The change sees the Mall replaced

early. Danny Collins is on. George McCartney is going to switch across

and play at right-back. He does not look too happy about it, George

McCartney. We have seen that he has got a sweet right-foot! Yes, he can

show you what is happening in the away end at Oakwell. The West Ham

fans are doing the conga. Think back to one week ago, the mood as

Reading won 4-2 at Upton Park. Many of that lot would have been there.

I have seen a lot of West Ham this season, and this is the best I have

seen them play. Not to be outdone, has put it wide. I am not sure he

expected it to come to him. It looks like it comes off the heel.

Once again, good play, a great delivery. He just tries to cushion

it into the back of the net. Look at that behind David Button, the

Barnsley fans are having their own little Congo. -- conga. A Barnsley

substitution, Lee Collins is on. He is taking the place of Scott

Golbourne. He is on loan from Port Vale, and a permanent move will

next season to come pretty quickly now. He has got to make sure our

safety this season first. It has been difficult for him, trying to

cut the wage bill. Still try to compete and get promotion. There

are some big spenders in this Well, he has only just come onto

the pitch. It is just a basic slip, he was under a little bit of

right foot. The corner has been of play. -- lips that one. Backing

up, backing up, and in the end he changes his mind. You get caught in

between. As you say, when you are 4-0 up, that is OK. Four goals in

aren't you, in the run-in? Two last couple of games. Ricardo Vaz

Te, I have got to say, Barnsley's drop in form has coincided with his

departure. Jacob Butterfield injured as well, he is the captain,

making a move to the Premier League but out for the rest of the season

substitution. David Perkins is going to come on, Jimmy O'Brien is

going to come on as well, both making their way back from injury.

Smith is one of the numbers up. And Gray Davies is coming off as well.

Perkins is back from a knee injury, he has been out since mid-February.

Jimmy O'Brien came back last weekend from a groin problem. Craig

Davies is off. I'm sure I was calling him Craig David, he did

something else on a Friday if I improvement from recent weeks.

Just give the fans something to cheer about. They have not put West

better of it. Maynard was closer last time when he hit the bar.

excellent pass from Kevin Nolan, quick glance over the shoulder,

that is an excellent pass, he teases the goalkeeper. He does not

free kick, it is Kevin Nolan, and I think he is going to get a caution.

There is no doubt about it, it is a booking, isn't it? He will first

explain to Noble and then Kevin Nolan will take his fracas. Giving

potential chance for a break. They won the ball. He fell over in to

him! He got there as quick as he They have got Jimmy O'Brien to

Always a difficult one, heading towards your own goal, you know you

have to head it up in the air and annoying. You can't put West Ham

under pressure and then you get an opportunity to keep them under

pressure from a set-piece and you put the ball out of play. It was

not even close! It is too much for some Barnsley fans to take. There

were some real moans and groans. Henri Lansbury. A good opportunity

for him to play. 4-0 up away from home. By all accounts, he scored a

cracker in a development squad game on Tuesday. The reserves. Against

QPR. I watched the next generation! when their left-back is flagged

offside! -- West Ham know they are Gary O'Neil will go off. He has put

in a good shift. No complaints, worked really hard. On comes Henri

QPR on Tuesday night. They won 2-1 and Lansbury scored from 30 yards.

He is the player West Ham fans wanted to see come on against

Reading last Saturday. Sam Allardyce put Danny Collins on

instead. I think they will be happy with how he has managed the team

until the end of the season, I'm sure. That is what fans want, a

little bit of hope. The stats say fifty-fifty possession, but the

attempt on goal spare -- tell the against any top eight side. They

haven't kept a clean sheet against any top half team this season, and

so it goes on. Just to reiterate, four of their last five games will

be against top half teams. They will have to buck that trend.

Winston Reid has barely put a foot wrong. He has been impressive. As

at full stretch. Once again, Perkins was just shouting. What is

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going on down the right hand side? taken it over the touchline. --

Foster thought the West Ham Manor. All of the games are coming quickly.

They play Birmingham on Monday. it up by Lansbury. It is whether

you have enough players to change the team, especially with the

strikers. One player I have been impressed with his James Tompkins

at centre back. Composed, good with the ball at centre-back. He has

dominated air really today. -- area midfield. West Ham fans have not

been happy about that. Yes, as a holding midfield player, but it

O'Brien will want to do better with this than with his last effort.

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it. Lovely strike. Not easy to do. The ball comes across your body. He

was easy enough for Rob Green once the field, West Ham have reasserted

their dominance. He plays further forward than Mark Noble. He likes

to play off the front. Kevin Nolan Mark Noble. The ease with which he

got that far, virtually from the one coming from West Ham. Tomkins

had a go at! I was giving him a glowing report about his composure

in possession and his awareness. Exam looking nice and comfortable.

David Sullivan and David Gold absolutely delighted that they made

the trip up the M1. Or maybe they took this -- took to the skies.

is very good on Twitter, David Gold. what they want. Pass the ball

around, keep it. Yes. Get a clean sheet and go home with the points

and get ready for Birmingham on Bank Holiday Monday. Get ready for

the run-in. Birmingham, Brighton, former player to come back and

score. What has been your favourite goal? Are you thinking? Ironed tea

in you up to tell us about something you did on this ground

ones. I did score the best goal of my career on this ground. I was

reminded by one of the directors. It was a screamer, honestly. I will

tell you about it afterwards. have talked about it before! I can

available. Rapper Dudar -- Papa Bouba Diop will come on imminently.

One of the press guys said they had Portsmouth in the past. Just a big

converged around Higginbotham. shirts. A good example today from

West Ham, working hard. A long trip up on Good Friday. Well worth it.

There will be plenty that live locally, they have fans all over

the country. Hammer's? Yes, quite a of West Ham fans as well. Main

Ida's offside. It won't count. -- Maynard. I thought Lansbury was

going to strike it when he got to the edge of the box. Maynard goes

quite gone the distance. We didn't think he would play at all, he went

off at half-time last week, but he has lasted 80 and making his first

appearance since January, Papa Bouba Diop. A Yes, when I saw Mark

Noble was in the starting line-up, I was staggered. He had a thigh

strain, I was told. I thought he would be out for four or five weeks.

There's a difference if you have a tightening of the muscle. We are

told he had a groin injury. to some kind of consolation.

Higginbotham! Nobody could get a decisive touch. Well, excellent

delivery. A lovely touch as well at the near post. I thought he was

offside at first, but no. The shape of the ball coming into the goal

helps it into the back of the net. He is really unlucky. It is one of

very few opportunities Barnsley have created in the second half.

Higginbotham is at Barnsley because he found opportunities limited at

Huddersfield, having only just joined them from Falkirk at the end

of January. Simon Grayson joint and decided Higginbotham would not be

used by him in the near future and sent him off straight away. Keith

Hill was happy to have a player he knew well from Rochdale. He has

done as much as he can today. I thought he started the game

brightly. Just playing off the take the throw-in. He has done ever

so well, the games I have seen him playing for West Ham. He played

very well when they lost 4-2 last to do it. The only thing that

Perkins was going to do was head kept it away from Higginbotham.

Barnsley corner. West Ham had six a good covering from right-back by

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Scott Wiseman. Excellent on that this do to Barnsley, their 6th

defeat in seven games? They have lost eight of 10 now. Though

statistics speak for themselves, but the man of the defeat, too.

was too easy, just too easy today. I know they are playing one of the

top teams in the division, but they did not compete in the first 45.

They allowed West Ham far too much space. It strains confidence on the

run-in, when they need another few points. Like many people, they go

to Blackpool on Bank Holiday Monday. On the basis of what we have seen

today and the fact that Blackpool won at Watford this afternoon, I do

not think they will have a pleasant day out. Needs must, Blackpool

charging into the play-off division. Crystal Palace. Did he tell anyone

anything useful? He is a good coach, actually, one of the old Crazy Gang,

the original. Story to tell, I am sure. Not are there! -- not on

Barnsley will not want to see any time added on, and West Ham will be

happy if the board is blank as well. Above Bouba Diop has given it away.

almost as if they had scored a goal. said that Stephen Foster was man of

the match. Barnsley's man of the match. The centre-back getting

suggest to me that somebody is not has given up watching. I don't want

to tell them what happened at Headingley earlier, Kent got more

than 500 against Yorkshire. He has on the run-in, it tease them up

nicely for Birmingham on Monday. I said before, you want a positive

reaction from the team. In many ways, the fans will be saying this

is the performance they needed record against Vale as a manager,

of what happens next season if West Ham do not go up. The board have

stated that Sam Allardyce will definitely be in charge next season,

or whatever. I think that was David Gold, wasn't it, on Twitter? West

Ham have come close to getting a Dominant. They scored an early goal.

Good travelling fans today. board has gone up, at least three

more minutes for Barnsley to endure. That was a shot, believe it or not!

performance than what I saw against Reading. I know they are promotion

contenders, as opposed to a team trying to get away from the

relegation area, but it is about how you play, and their football

has been better, their passing, their movement, their defending.

fantastic support from West Ham today, travelling up to watch, an

historic moment, 12 away wins in the league. A new club record.

got seven more points than they have at home this season. Too many

draws. They have to do it on home turf on Monday when Birmingham City

go to East London. It should be a big game for the people in charge.

club's point of view, would you worry for Barnsley now, or is it

just one more win? A couple of draws, that is what you might say.

But listen, the teams around you, if they get a result, all of a

sudden panic sets in. Keith Hill was a guest on a late kick-off

programming Yorkshire and Lincolnshire a few weeks ago, and

that at point they were poised to since. Coventry have found some

form as well, haven't they? Millwall are hovering. Nottingham

Forest have come up with a couple of big results as well. As you know,

in football, you cannot rely on control right from the start up the

match, and they have won comfortably. Your thoughts quickly.

A big reaction from the 4-2 defeat against Reading, they knew that

Reading and won today, they knew what they had to do, and that is

all they could do. A clean sheet, 12 away wins, a good day for West

Ham. Listen, there might be a few twists and turns in the tail yet.

Problems for Barnsley, but for West Ham, Sam Allardyce said they will

have to win all six now, and that is the right way to start going

about that task. Easy for them So a decent awayday for those away

fans, one win down, five to go for Sam Allardyce, and you can see the

celebrations in the away end, but for the home side it was a team

that know they are pretty much safe from relegation. I think they are,

the others have got to win four to get above them. They have not 18,

Keith Hill has got a team that he has got from lower leagues, that I

would not swap one of the West Ham players for the Barnsley players.

West Ham should come here and win, and they have done a professional

job, a good performance, and they have took Barnsley apart. With the

players they have One Show, they should do. Keith Hill will stay up

with his team, without a doubt. haves against the have-nots in this

division. To a certain extent. It was a game that I expected West Ham

to win. What they have got to do now is try to take it, two home

games, Birmingham on Monday, Brighton the following Saturday,

and they are not won at home since the beginning of February.

Psychologically, they have got to keep the pressure and transferred

the good away form into winning at Upton Park. That is their big

challenge. Sam has said they need to win every remaining game, is

that a bit of bluster and the psychological tactics. They are

only three points away from automatic promotion. It is sewing

de-seed in the players' heads, why not settle targets high? If you say

anything different, what response will he get? You have got to set

out with that intention. Southampton and Reading are winning,

I know they have got to play each other, but you have to set off with

that intention. We can hear from the manager of West Ham United, Sam

Allardyce. Imaginations, a terrific win, the reaction you were looking

for after Reading last week. -- can write relations. He has, we broke a

club record today, which I am really pleased about for the

players and the fans who have supported us. We gave them

something to cheer about all the way through, and we have been that

good at all season away from home. It is just a shame that we cannot

transmit that into our away form, our home form, sorry, and results.

It is a terrific result, well deserved, played ever so well, and

obviously pleased for the fans because the goals went in at their

end. It is a long journey for them today, and we gave great

Four very different goals. With the pick of them have been from Mark

Noble? You have to credit the rest of the team on how well they have

closed down Barnsley. The quality of the finish was outstanding. But

I thought the first goal from Nicky Maynard was excellent. Vaz Te...

All of the goals were good today and it was a great performance and

an important clean sheet for top we've got everything right today.

On we go to the next game. Does a result like that and a performance

like that give you confidence that automatic promotion this Delyn

site? It is still inside. We have extra pressure today because we

knew Reading had won. I wondered if it would affect the lads and it

affected them in the right way. They gave a performance with a lot

of quality. I'm really pleased we got the wind and broke the club's

away record for wins in one season. A well done. Thank you. We were

thinking for a minute the record was the most numbers of tattoos and

dodgy haircuts for Barnsley! 12 away wins in one year. They have

had some criticism from their home supporters, but they've come here

and got a result and performance. The goal from Vaz Te sums up the

The goal from Vaz Te sums up the day for the visiting team.

wonder if they can get a reaction at the start of the second half.

Once you get the fourth goal... He knocks it well ahead of him and

shapes to cross. Could he have pushed it wider, Vicky Barr? Vaz Te

reacts and once you get the fourth, that is going in. It was this gay -

- same scoreline that Reading had him last month. It get them back

into frame on the goal-difference side. More than anything, the away

form has been outstanding and in the Premier League, away from home,

they were so fragile. They always conceded three if they scored two.

Sam has sorted out the defensive side. At home it's a different

mindset. Tim's turn up and they sit back and West Ham are expected to

attack. It is a different mindset, a different way of approaching the

game. The other teams sit back and catch West Ham on the break. I

think they have just played exceptionally well today. It suits

them, playing away. Why that is I don't know because West Ham can be

an intimidating place when they are playing well and winning. It is a

brilliant ground. The atmosphere is fantastic. But if they are not

playing well and not winning, it can be a horrible atmosphere.

expect and sea level... -- expectancy level. The tension comes

and you can sense it as a player. and you can sense it as a player.

That is when you need a couple of characters to get hold of the game.

Perhaps West Ham enjoyed not being Perhaps West Ham enjoyed not being

at Upton Park today. I'm not sure the Barnsley fans enjoyed being at

Oakwell. A catalogue of -- a catalogue of defensive errors.

thought Vaz Te would attack that really well. Somebody would have

been designated to Mark Nolan. If anybody does it any better... This

is great football. Talk about whacking the ball! They have been

terrific. That finished his outstanding. He kept his head well,

Mark Noble. They passed the ball well. Nicky Maynard dropped back

into the hole. Mick was talking about central defenders pushing in

and they were not doing that. At home, there is not that space

because they sit as a four and the midfield four and there's no space

for a striker or the midfield to get it and that is when they start

trying to knock the ball longer. Didn't they let them off the hook?

They let them off the hook with the first sign. We never saw if there

were any signs of nerves from West Ham. They gave them a goal from a

Ham. They gave them a goal from a corner. Well done to West Ham. A

bad day for the home side. Some other big games in the race for the

other big games in the race for the automatic promotion places in the

Championship this afternoon. Leeds frustrated Reading for much of

their game following the early sending-off of Thompson. Until six

minutes from time when substitute Adam Le Fondre bundled home. He

made sure of the points in stoppage time. 12 wins in 14 games for Brian

Would you fancy West Ham in the play-offs? They've got the fight.

They've got the experienced players as well. But Blackpool and

Birmingham have had great seasons. The play-offs are fabulous for fans

and people not involved, but as managers and players they are a

nightmare. Trevor started shaking his head. The problem is, if you

look at their history, the side that finishes third, they never go

up. Somebody comes in late. Start shipping goals and go down to

fourth or 5th! Birmingham are for fat the moment. West Ham have two

big home games coming up. How much would West Ham love to have the

would West Ham love to have the kind of impact in the Premier

League that Swansea have had? They took on Newcastle today and this is

how it finished. Cisse got both of the goals. This is how it leaves

That will change tomorrow when Plenty of Premier League action

this weekend and you saw a lot of it as a manager this season. I'm

not sure what Wolves were planning for when they got rid of the man

who delivered their best finish in the last 30 years, but it wasn't

one point from the last six games. How has it been watching them?

still very much involved emotionally because Terry, is a

great friend of mine, a great coach. It has been tough for him. I think

we would have stayed up with me in charge. Would I say anything

different? We did have a bad run, I didn't want that. But you have to

take it on the chin. It is one of the things about modern football

now. You can't sack a player but managers get given no time. It has

been difficult this season, some strange decisions in every league.

It just seems to be, can you hold your nerve? Supporters get more

vocal and you have the social networks where they have a debate.

The owners then look at the social networks and they get affected.

was the first time we dropped into the bottom three, on goal

difference, all season. I can understand it because it was West

Brom that we lost heavily to. It was a horrible, horrible day, but

it was the first time we had been in there and we got out during the

last game of the season last year. We were scrapping away but I still

thought we would have done it. But it was not to be and good luck to

them. There's another vacancy you might apply for. We still don't

have an England manager. You're on the panel! Of the team going to be

badly prepared with no manager in place before Euro 2012? I don't

think so. Whoever gets the role, naturally, they can't get anyone

together until the first warm-up game on May the 26. Yes, they would

want to be looking at the opposition and doing the analysis.

Everything is in place. But you could not get the group together.

There are sensitivities so we always said we would leave it until

the latter part of the season. You have little flurries of speculation.

But nothing will happen until the latter part... You don't want to

reveal anything right now on the BBC? No, no! Mick McCarthy is with

the BBC for the European championships and it will be a good