Sam Allardyce pleased at end to distractions ahead of play-off final

 
18 May 2012

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce had to tell his players to ignore any more ticket requests for tomorrow's trip to Wembley.

The Hammers quickly shifted their 35,000 allocation for the npower Championship play-off final against Blackpool as they attempt to secure promotion back to the top flight.

And as the Seasiders have tickets to spare, many thousands more Hammers fans are expected to make the trip for West Ham's first visit to the national stadium since 1981.

And Allardyce admitted he and his players have been inundated with requests for the hottest ticket in town.

"There will be more than 35,000 there, more like 45,000, knowing our fans," admitted Allardyce.

"Everybody has rung me for tickets. Fortunately the deadline has passed so if anyone is hearing this, I won't get you one anymore.

"And if I catch players getting people tickets as well I will give a good dressing down because we have to focus on the job now.

"Tickets for family and friends is a massive distraction in a game like this.

"The lads put that to bed now - I don't think there are too many more tickets to be had - and we focus on the game now."

Striker Carlton Cole, who will lead the line for the Hammers at Wembley, admitted it has been hard to please everybody.

"I know too many people, everyone has been asking me for tickets," he said.

"But I just put on my Blackberry Messenger status that there are none left so don't ask - and if you do ask you're getting deleted. That is what I've put out there.

"After Tuesday the manager said if anyone asks for tickets just tell them to 'eff off' as we have other things to worry about. It's a massive distraction.

"I've done all mine already - and it's well into double figures."

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