Alan Pardew managing Newcastle United in January 2013.placeholder image
Alan Pardew managing Newcastle United in January 2013. | Getty Images
The former West Ham and Newcastle United manager believes that West Ham can survive the drop this season.
Former West Ham and Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew believes that the London outfit can avoid the drop this season, despite a dismal start to the campaign, but must use the January transfer window wisely.
The Hammers sit 19th in the table after nine fixtures with just four points on the board. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side face Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester United in their next four league matches.
The former Nottingham Forest boss has replaced Graham Potter but not managed to turn the tide. The manager appears frustrated with the squad at his disposal, chopping and changing his starting XI, fielding players in unnatural positions.
Alan Pardew urges West Ham to take January action
The January transfer window is a notoriously tricky time to get deals done with clubs able to drive hard bargains, but Pardew believes that West Ham can spend wisely. Speaking on talkSPORT, the 64-year-old remembered the January transfer window of 2013.
The Magpies brought in Yoan Gouffran, Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Massadio Haidara and Moussa Sissoko and spent just £17 million to do so. The new arrivals helped turn around form and pick up back-to-back victories by the start of February.
When asked about whether West Ham should sell midfielder Lucas Paqueta amid reports that he wants to leave the club. Pardew said: “When I see him play, he’s obviously a gifted individual and can create something out of nothing but is there enough in him to dig me out of the relegation zone? Is there enough belief that he will fight tooth and nail to keep West Ham in the division. The type of player he is, I wonder about that.
“I think that’s probably the kind of educated move to get a big fee for him off a big club and utilise that money to get a stronger team. Use that money to strengthen two or three positions.
Hammers can take inspiration from past Newcastle United window
“The business hasn’t been great. The window is going to be so important. I remember at Newcastle United we got in difficulty, went big in the January window and it got us out of a big hole. We ended up with a great team and it was a great window. It is possible that West Ham can do that.”
Pardew went on to say that West Ham would need ‘eight or nine points’ by Boxing Day to be in with a fair short of survival. The former Premier League manager did also add his backing to Nuno.
He said: “I am concerned. I don’t think they will. I like the manager, I think he’s an experienced manager and have always liked him. They’ve got to get a number of new recruits in January. If they go with that team that they have at the moment, I’ll be very surprised if they survive.”
In other news, West Ham legend slams Nuno for treatment of player who rated 2/10 v Leeds United.
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