Strachan link as Pardew feels heat
Alan Pardew knows that the calls for his head will be even louder tonight should his stuttering West Ham team fail to beat Leicester at Upton Park.
According to reports this morning Gordon Strachan has been offered Pardew's job following an Upton Park board meeting yesterday. It is the latest round of speculation to destabilise his future at the club.
It has been the same for much of this troubled season but a depressing run of four matches without a win has inevitably meant the pressure on him is increasing match by match.
But the former Reading manager remains confident that West Ham can beat Leicester and go on to secure a valuable play-off place for the second successive season.
The portents are, however, not encouraging. West Ham have dropped out of the top six and go into thematch with two young and inexperienced players at the heart of their defence. Anton Ferdinand and Elliott Ward played together regularly at reserve team level but forming an effective partnership in front of a disgruntled crowd is a big challenge for them.
"I thought Elliott was very composed against Crewe," Pardew said. "He's had a lot of setbacks with injuries but we've been very patient with him."
Ferdinand was expected to pass a fitness test tonight despite a hamstring problem, and Pardew said: "He's been impressive and done enough to lay a serious claim to one of the central defensive spots, whoever is available. "He and Elliott are confident with each other and have a good bond."
Pardew wasn't happy with the negative reception Hayden Mullins received when he came on as a secondhalf substitute for Teddy Sheringham against Crewe on Tuesday night.
"That wasn't fair," said the manager. "I understand the fans have been frustrated but I was disappointed with the crowds reaction." Pardew knows there will be more of the same should West Ham lose but said: "That's often been the case this season but victory tonight would put us right back in the box seat for the play-offs."
He has no intention of resigning and said: "I have two years left of my contract and I intend to serve that term."
Tomas Repka is suspended, Malky Mackay and Matthew Etherington are injured and Steve Lomas is a doubt.
