Fear factor worries Pardew

Fear factor worries Pardew

West Ham boss Alan Pardew is wary of optimism from the takeover of the club eventually sparking fear among his players.

Pardew experienced similar raised expectations while reserve-team coach at Reading in 1998, when they moved to the Madejski Stadium.

"I remember a fear when I was reserve manager at Reading. There was a fear when we built a new stadium - we got relegated," said Pardew. "I could see the effect it had on the players. I don’t want that to happen here, with a new owner and a new bright future and everybody getting nervous about it. We have to be strong and stabilise us quickly in the Premiership. Now is the time."

New Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson has spoken of his ambition to improve the club but their first task is to get out of the bottom three of the Barclays Premiership.

The Hammers lost to Wigan on Wednesday and are looking to bounce back when they face Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday evening.

Pardew believes his team are in the ’tunnel’ part of the season, where the end of the campaign seems far away but the points are just as crucial.

He added: "Our season is mapped out for us now, we are in a battle to not get relegated. It’s as simple as that and we can’t hide from that.

"It’s very much ’roll up your sleeves and get on with the fight’.

"Perhaps the realisation needs to drop in for everybody.....continued below

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Pardew will be without Anton Ferdinand for the clash against Bolton after the centre-back suffered an ankle injury, while Javier Mascherano has been ruled out after picking up a knock in training.

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