WITH second-placed Wigan now 11 points clear of West Ham, manager Alan Pardew admits his team's hopes of automatic promotion are all but over following Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Wolves.

Hammers now lie outside the play-off positions in seventh place and it looks like another trip to Cardiff is the only way they can clinch a return to the top flight.

Ipswich and Wigan continue to lead the way in the Championship, while theIrons' inconsistency is pushing them towards the also-rans.

"It would be unprofessional not to attack the leaders and have a go," said Pardew.

"They have a healthy lead, they are showing good form and you have to say it's unlikely we will catch them -- but we'll keep trying.

"Every game for West Ham is critical -- we want to progress and get promotion."