Envious Pardew tips West Ham for Euro spot

  • by Staff Writer
  • Thursday, 15th October 2015

Former West Ham boss Alan Pardew believes West Ham are contenders for a top six spot this season - along with his current club, Crystal Palace.

Pardew, speaking ahead of this weekend's London derby at Selhurst Park admitted that he had been impressed by the work done by Slaven Bilic since arriving in east London during the summer.

And he admitted the Eagles would have to be very wary of West Ham's pace and power on Saturday afternoon, particularly when counter-attacking.

"I think he [Bilic] knows the culture of the club and he's started very well," Pardew said whilst addressing the media in his pre-match press conference this afternoon. "Their results against the best teams have been very strong and he's got a very good squad of players.

"With them going to the Olympic Stadium at the end of the season, they needed to be strong - and they are. I think they've got a fantastic chance of securing a European place.

"They're very good on the counter so we need to protect ourselves when we [attack]. I expect us to get a grasp of the game like we did against West Brom and dictate proceedings.

"But knowing that isn't going to stop West Ham from winning the game. We need to be very organised in our attacks and possession, otherwise they'll counter us really quickly and we'll find ourselves behind in the game."

Pardew also admitted that he was "envious" of West Ham's forthcoming move to Stratford - but delighted for the club's supporters, with whom he enjoyed a largely positive relationship during his time at the Boleyn Ground.

"We're envious, I guess - we would love a stadium of that magnitude," he admitted. "We're going to have to work towards it in a different way. I'm very pleased for the West Ham fans, it's a massive bonus for them and the Board has done particularly well to secure it."

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