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LENNIE LAWRENCE will send a "don't bottle it" message to his Cardiff City players before this evening's televised showdown with Division One glamour team West Ham at Ninian Park.
Lawrence wants his Bluebirds to follow up last week's win at Coventry with another three points against the star-studded Londoners.
The Hammers are hot favourites to bounce straight back into the Premiership and arrive in the Welsh capital with the likes of Jermain Defoe, David James and Michael Carrick in their ranks.
And Bluebirds boss Lawrence said, "There's one thing a Cardiff player can't do these days and that's to bottle it in a big game or get fazed by the big occasion.
"Cardiff City is big-time again and the best players rise to the occasion. To be fair to the players, they have done that most of the time.
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Earnie out to shoot down James gang
ROBERT EARNSHAW has done something Turkey's much-vaunted attackers failed to do in that recent and decisive Euro 2004 qualifier against England in Istanbul - beat goalkeeper David James.
And the Cardiff City striker got the better of the giant James not once but twice.
The occasion was last month's Carling Cup second round tie at Ninian Park.
Earnie netted a brace to give the Bluebirds a 2-0 lead at half time.
But it was the 6ft 5in James who had the last laugh as West Ham returned to east London with a 3-2 win and a place in the third round.
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Pardew calls on Hammers for boost
ALAN PARDEW has called on West Ham to return to winning ways - starting against the Bluebirds at Ninian Park today.
Pardew's first match as Hammers boss - on Wednesday, against Nottingham Forest at Upton Park - ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw.
That meant the east London club, who have failed to take the First Division by storm as expected, have dropped 10 points in eight home matches.
In a bid to reverse fortunes, former Reading manager Pardew - who took over the reins from Trevor Brooking - has wasted no time in drafting in new blood.
He signed centre-back Hayden Mullins from Crystal Palace and right-back Robbie Stockdale from Middlesbrough in as many days.
"The bottom line is I've got to get this team back to winning ways," said Pardew, after hearing the West Ham public vent their anger after the Forest match.
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Alexander happy to bide his time with Rab
YOU could be forgiven for thinking Neil Alexander is waiting for Rab Douglas to drop a clanger while wearing Scotland's colours.
Cardiff City's Edinburgh-born goalkeeper broke into Berti Vogts' squad 17 months ago - but is still waiting for that elusive first senior cap.
The man in his way is Celtic shot-stopper Douglas, who is Vogts' No 1 choice between the sticks.
Alexander, however, happens to be good friends with the man from Parkhead and does not wish any misfortune on the Bhoys goalkeeper.
"It is hard travelling here, there and everywhere with Scotland and then, when the game comes along, I'm either watching it from the bench or from the stand," said Alexander.
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