Pardew: Hammers have more to lose in playoff

ALAN PARDEW believes there is more at stake for his West Ham side than for Crystal Palace in today's First Division play-off final.

The Hammers are deep in debt with a huge wage bill and desperately need the estimated £25million promotion to the top flight brings.

Relegation from the Premiership last summer forced the club to sell off most of its stars; failure to bounce straight back in Cardiff could mean the likes of Michael Carrick going the same way.