WILD WEST

Pardew warns Baggies stars: We’re desperate but must keep our heads

ALAN PARDEW admits his under-pressure West Brom players risk losing their heads today as they are so “desperate”.

The Baggies prop up the Premier League after six successive losses in all competitions and are eight points adrift of safety ahead of Leicester’s visit.

Pardew has remained in charge after an improved display at Watford, where they only lost 1-0 to a late goal.

He has refused to give up hope and is now trying to rally his squad with three of their next four games at home.

Pardew said: “At the moment, with the results we are getting, we are not getting the best out of any of our players.

“We are trying to improve that and, hopefully, get that right this weekend.

“I can’t ask my players to fight and scrap and dig themselves out of holes, if I am not going to do the same.

“So, that is what I will continue to do until I am asked not to.

“We have to have the character and resolve to put things right and win us a game.

“But there is a thin line between being desperate for a victory and doing the right things at the right times. “So, we have to get that

balance right, and make sure our desperation doesn’t make us charge around without the intelligence to win a game of football.”

Leicester famously beat the drop in 2015 with a Great Escape, before going on to win the title the next season.

Nigel Pearson’s Foxes were bottom but stayed up with seven wins from their last nine games – including 3-2 at Albion that April with a last-gasp Jamie Vardy winner.

Pardew added: “Leicester were in the same position and had one point less. So it is not impossible for us.

“I like to think that can help us because that inner resolve to prove people wrong is a great driver.

“It drives me, if it doesn’t drive the players they shouldn’t be sports people. But, looking at them, we want to prove people wrong.

“A victory can change the dynamic of a team very quickly.

“You only have to see Swansea’s recovery where a win comes at the right time and you can push on. Let’s get a win and see where we are Sunday night.”

Pardew is still without Gareth Barry, Daniel Sturridge, Nacer Chadli and James Morrison, and skipper Jonny Evans is a doubt.

Striker Sturridge, on loan from Liverpool since January, has only played 78 minutes for the Baggies so far.