Pray it again, Pards

ALAN PARDEW will live to fight another day at rock-bottom West Brom.

The 56-year-old (above) was expected to be axed after failing to turn things around at the relegationthreatened club.

The 1-0 loss at Watford on Saturday was their sixth successive defeat and leaves the Baggies eight points adrift of safety at the bottom.

West Brom’s Chinese owners are in no doubt that they are now in crisis mode but haven’t identified any suitable candidates to take over.

That, along with a more encouraging display against Watford, has thrown Pardew a lifeline.

The former Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss

Report: see pullout has had a tough time since taking over three months ago at The Hawthorns.

Pardew had to endure taunts of, “You’re getting sacked in the morning” at Vicarage Road and he may well be as surprised as anyone that he’s still hanging on in there.

But it seems only a turnaround and escape of Houdini proportions would be enough to give him a chance of remaining in charge next season.

West Brom have won only one of Pardew’s 17 games.

Owner Guochuan Lai is already believed to be trying to establish a short list of managers.

Top of that list could be a ‘dream team’ of former players Michael Appleton and ex-Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare.

Graham Potter, who has impressed at Ostersunds in Sweden, is also in the frame.