Pardew slams Cup fixture pile-up

Pardew played in an FA Cup quarter-final for Crystal Palace

West Ham manager Alan Pardew is furious at the fixture congestion facing his side as a result of their 2-1 FA Cup fifth round replay win over Bolton.

His side take on Portsmouth in the Premiership on Saturday before going to Manchester City to play in Monday night's Cup quarter-final.

"Having to play this replay, a league game and a sixth round tie in five days is, I feel, too demanding," he said.

"We have a massive turnaround for Saturday's game let alone Monday."

City beat Aston Villa in their fifth round replay on Tuesday and Pardew added: "We have one day to prepare and it is very difficult to get the message through to the players.

"Both sides will have no preparation, both sides will be on automatic and both Stuart Pearce and I will be standing on the sidelines hoping it goes for us.

Report: West Ham 2-1 Bolton

"This game went to extra-time. Four players suffered from cramp and I have got some guys struggling in the changing room."

In a statement, the FA defended the scheduling, saying that they had come up with the fixture list after consulting with the clubs.

Their statement read: "The decision to play the FA Cup quarter-finals in midweek was taken in March 2005 and the Premiership clubs were fully consulted on the matter.

"Every effort was made to find the best solution for everyone"

Meanwhile, the FA will write to the Hammers after a flare was thrown on to the pitch during the tie against Bolton.

The flare, which came from a section of the home support, landed near Marlon Harewood after the striker scored the extra-time winner.

Referee Rob Styles included the incident in his match report and the FA will contact West Ham for their observations.

With West Ham now safe in the Premiership, Pardew could now field a weakened side against Portsmouth.

"I want to do what's right for West Ham and I've got some hard thinking to do," he added.

"I didn't have the most illustrious of careers as a player but I did get to an FA Cup final.

"I remember the build-up to quarter-final was such an exciting time and that has been robbed from the players."

But Birmingham chairman David Gold said he would have no complaints if West Ham were to field a weakened side against their relegation rivals.

"If Alan Pardew decides to field a weakened side against Portsmouth, it is Birmingham who could suffer and Portsmouth who would benefit.

"But I am being realistic. If the boot was on the other foot and we were mid-table with an important cup game coming up, we would possibly play a weakened side against Tottenham on Saturday.

"We just have got to get on with things. Alan Pardew cares about West Ham and cares about doing the best for his club and you can't blame him for that."