Reid targets Hammers glory

West Ham's Winston Reid says missing out on automatic promotion has only served to redouble their efforts to succeed.

New Zealand international praises his defensive partner Tomkins

West Ham defender Winston Reid says missing out on automatic promotion has only served to redouble their efforts to succeed. The 23-year-old was part of the Hammers side that finished two points behind second-placed Southampton, which meant they dropped into the play-offs. Under the stewardship of Sam Allardyce, the East London club have made their way into the play-off finals where they will face Blackpool on May 19th. And with the defensive platform Reid and fellow stopper James Tomkins are providing, he is confident their more attacking players can fire them to glory.

Focused

"We have a good partnership I think, as does the whole back four. James and I do well because we understand each other and it's important we have a solid defensive line," Reid told whufc.com. "It is important that the back four have a good understanding as it allows the attacking players to concentrate fully on scoring goals that will win us matches. "Obviously after missing out, we are disappointed and had to pick ourselves up but I think it just made us more determined to get there. "We are still fully focused on achieving our promotion goal and getting into the Premier League so let's win the final."