Five straight defeats, seven-and-a-half hours without a
goal and 16th spot in the Premiership would leave many managers in
utter despair but there is no way that Alan Pardew will be pushing
the panic button just yet.
"We'll probably play a lot worse than that and still win
this season," insisted the Hammers' boss after seeing his
former club, Reading, batten down the hatches at a rain-lashed
Upton Park to claim all three points.
"The guys in the dressing room are just so disappointed and
if there were any question marks about our spirit before today,
then we've certainly answered them.
"I couldn't fault our endeavour and application today and
this was a good performance, albeit a bad result.
"Reading are an organised team with good players in good areas
and the record of their back four speaks for itself. They defended
well when we put them under pressure and they were disciplined,
steady and calm. You'd be foolish to bet against them staying
up.
"Right now, I feel for my team because looking back on my
managerial career, I can't ever remember seeing so many chances
going astray in so many matches.
"Experience tells me that will all change, though,"
continued Pards. "Certainly, Carlos Tevez worked hard and we
saw his quality today and, if just one of the chances that he
created had gone in, then that would have brought us alive. I was
pleased with Carlos and Carlton Cole because they caused problems
without getting the breaks.
"And I also thought that Teddy Sheringham and Bobby Zamora
gave us a boost when they came on because we suddenly had two fresh
strikers up against four tired defenders.
"The performance of Hayden Mullins was a big bonus for us,
too. Javier Mascherano had two tough games at Manchester City and
Palermo, and we're still trying to adjust his game a little bit
to suit the way that we play.
"He's been terrific around us, though, and he took my decision to only make him substitute really well," revealed Pards, who was also full of praise for the loyal Upton Park crowd.
"After seeing our results against Aston Villa, Palermo and
Newcastle United, you could expect the West Ham supporters to give
us a really hard time but they were brilliant throughout the whole
game today.
"Our fans can see that we're all really trying to get the
result that will get ourselves going. And although it has not been
realised since Tevez and Mascherano arrived, I think the fans can
see the potential that's here at this football club.
"I've had good experience of pressure at West Ham United
and this can be a lonely, horrible job at times but the fans'
support for me today was great and they've certainly given me a
lift.
"Sure, this result has put us in a bad position in the
Premiership and left us fighting and you don't want to find
yourself doing that at the start of the season," acknowledged
Pards after seeing Reading - by manager Steve Coppell's own
admission - play with a 'just hold on mentality' following
Ki-Hyeon Seol's match-winning, second-minute strike.
"Right now, we must try and get a settled back four and
some rhythm into our passing, while we also need something to go in
for us, too. Our first three shots all hit their goalkeeper,
whereas Reading's first effort just flew in.
"We've got an international break now, but when we come
back, we've got to come out fighting and make sure that we can
claw ourselves back up the Premiership.
"John Pantsil, Anton Ferdinand, James Collins and Tyrone Mears
could all come back in time for the game at Portsmouth, while
George McCartney will soon be able to give me an option as well.
Although it looks like Lee Bowyer needs a small groin operation,
Dean Ashton will be back around Christmas time, too.
"I'm convinced that we're only going to get stronger
and, although it's not being reflected in our current results,
we've still got all the makings of a very good team
here."