West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald is confident the club have shrugged off the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion to Southampton.
Assistant boss says West Ham are in 'really good spirits'
West Ham assistant boss Neil McDonald is confident the club have shrugged off the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion to Southampton last Saturday.
Sam Allardyce's right-hand man also claims the Hammers are not afraid of their favourites tag as they head into their Championship play-offs semi-final first leg against Cardiff on Thursday evening.
The East Londoners won a club-record 13 games on the road this season and on the back of two successive home wins, including a 6-0 thumping of Brighton.
Meanwhile, Malky Mackay's side finished 11 points behind West Ham in the Championship, but McDonald still expects a tough test at the Cardiff City Stadium.
"In our heart of hearts we always knew Southampton would win their last game," he said
"We were more disappointed when we drew at Bristol City before that in a game we needed to win.
Spirits
"But the boys are in really good spirits and we are all ready for the game. There's a great atmosphere and good competition for places.
"We were favourites at the start of the season to go up so it was disappointing we didn't do it automatically. But we'll take the favourite tag if everyone wants to give it to us and we are ready for the two games against Cardiff.
"There's no reason why we shouldn't handle the pressure. There were doubts about our home form but we've put that to bed with our last two games and our away form is fantastic. I don't think we have anything to be afraid of.
"It will be a unique atmosphere but our experienced players will calm everyone down and the ones who haven't done it before should be positive.
"It will be a close game but hopefully we can take advantage of our away form and then bring them back to Upton Park on Monday and show what we did in the last two matches, which is play positive football, create chances and score goals."
