Pards: We're Back On Track

Alan Pardew is hoping that our FA Cup third round victory over Norwich City can be the launchpad to bigger and better things during the second half of the campaign.

"Before the game I told the guys that this tie determines what could turn a very good season into a great season," revealed the Hammers boss following the 2-1 win at Carrow Road. "I felt that if we could get a win here today, then it would still be a realistic target for us to get ourselves back up the Premiership table, stay in the top ten and also have a good cup run.

"We needed a victory, we upped the ante and our work rate was tremendous today. Our concentration has cost us in recent weeks but there was better focus out there from the younger players.

"We got an early goal which settled us but after that good start it got a bit scrappier in the run-up to half-time.

"After the break, though, we looked stronger and eventually got the second goal that could, perhaps, have come earlier," continued Pards after seeing goals by Hayden Mullins and Bobby Zamora set West Ham on the way to the fourth round before Paul McVeigh's spot-kick gave the Canaries a late glimmer of hope.

"It should have been comfortable after we went two goals in front, but we never do things comfortably at West Ham and we gifted them that penalty.

"Norwich were short of bodies today but we still had to do a job. Bobby Zamora and Marlon Harewood again showed that they can be a handful at any time while all three substitutes contributed when they came on, too.

"I didn't start Yaniv Katan because I felt that the furore of this tie might prove to be a bit of a shock to him, but he showed some good flashes of his ability during his 10-minute run-out.

"I haven't got him down to play a big role this season, but you never know. To be honest, I just want him to settle in for now."

And having landed the Israeli attacker, Pards made no secret of the fact that he hopes to add other pieces to his jigsaw during the course of the next few days.

"Like any other team in the Premiership we're in the market for players and we want to improve," he declared. "Things need to be sorted early on in the transfer window so that other teams can react in time to find their own replacements for players that are prepared to let go. I'm hoping to make my moves this week."