The pressure is on West Ham

Last updated : 04 March 2012 By Michael Morris

westhamWest Ham Utd are expected to go on and win promotion back to the Premier League. In that way the pressure is on West Ham to win every match.

“There is always a certain pressure on West Ham," said Malky Mackay. "I was there during a season when we went up and it can have an impact.

“There is an expectation and pressure for them to be playing Premier League football.

“Sam Allardyce and his players certainly won’t take that for granted, but they have a big squad, a strong team and a wage bill which means they are expected to go back up to the top flight this season.”

But we musn't forget cardiff City have ambitions. A win over West Ham today would keep Cardiff in touching distance of an automatic promotion place and right in the mix for a play off place.

Defeat today would see automatic promotion options slipping away and leave City playing catch up to the play off places.

Eight games this month start crucially with West Ham at home and Brighton away. Two games Cardiff really can't afford to lose.