- Alan Pardew believes West Ham United’s relegation bid is far from over
- The Hammers lost 3-1 to Newcastle United on Sunday
- West Ham remain in the relegation zone
Despite their crushing defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday, former West Ham United manager Alan Pardew believes the Hammers still have a chance to avoid relegation.
With just one game left, the Hammers’ prospects of surviving the Premier League drop are in serious jeopardy after they lost 3-1 at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle took control with two early goals in the opening half, adding a third in the second, before Valentín Castellanos scored a late consolation, but the defeat means Nuno Espírito Santo’s side must rely on other results to maintain their top-flight position.
If 17th-place Tottenham Hotspur beat Chelsea on Tuesday, they will relegate West Ham. A draw would all but solidify the Hammers’ fate, but a loss would take it to the final day, with just two points separating the two London clubs.
Alan Pardew believes relegation could go to the final day despite Newcastle defeat
Pardew, who memorably took West Ham back to the Premier League in 2005, understands what it’s like to be under pressure at the club. While survival appears doubtful, he feels the unpredictable nature of football means the Hammers should not give up hope just yet.
Speaking on radio show TalkSPORT, the 64-year-old says that West Ham’s response to their slow start in Tyneside on Sunday should offer belief ahead of the final-day fixture with Leeds United.
“As well as they’ve been performing, I thought it was a stretch for them to win there or get something, and they haven’t. They gifted goals away, by the way.
“I thought they gave a really decent account of themselves after they went to a 4-4-2. I think that might be the team that plays against Leeds.
“He has to leave Castellanos on the pitch, and they have to give Leeds a good go.”
Despite the dire scenario, Pardew says there is one crucial element that gives the east London team optimism heading into the last week of the season.
The former Hammers manager referred to the present pressure on Spurs, who still need results of their own to mathematically ensure safety. Pardew feels that tension might still work in West Ham’s benefit if the north London club struggles to finish the job.
“[Spurs] have got to go to Chelsea; I don’t think [they’re] going to win there,” Pardew said. “Then it’s going to come down to the last game of the season. I don’t think it’s done for West Ham quite yet.
“Can you imagine the nerves for both clubs? If you have to get a draw [rather than] a win, there’s a different psychology to that.
“That might favour West Ham in that they have to win. They have to really put out. Whereas, if you’re Spurs, you’re like, ‘A draw will do us.’ It’s not over.”
