McDonald guarding against unhappy ending

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald loves the play-offs but hopes the system does not punish his side after what he feels has been an "impressive" season.

The Hammers missed out on automatic promotion to Southampton on the final day of the season but have responded superbly, winning the first leg of their semi-final 2-0 at Cardiff on Thursday. West Ham welcome the Welsh outfit to Upton Park on Monday as they bid to secure a place at the Wembley finale at the expense of a side that finished 13 points behind them. "I think the play-offs have been one of the best things that has been introduced to football along with three points," assistant manager McDonald said. "It gives everybody a chance, it keeps the whole season going and, yes, it is slightly disappointing to finish third and so many points above fourth, [fifth and sixth] but we knew what was happening. "We knew what the situation was and we've tried to put that to the back of our mind now."