PARDS’ GOAL TO RELIEVE PRESSURE

WEST BROM have gone a club record 18 league games without a win and manager Alan Pardew will step up attempts to recruit a striker when the transfer window opens tomorrow.

But his immediate concern for the rock-bottom Baggies is a fixture list which sees them play 48 hours later against relegation rivals West Ham, who have had a week off. Pardew said: “That really is tough, whichever way you look at that. A two-day turnaround for a Premier League game is just not fair. I find that very difficult to accept, for the protection of the group and players and where we are.

“I just don’t understand it but their response has been ‘London, train drivers, transport issues’.”

Whatever happens, Pardew is looking forward to shaking hands with Arsene Wenger and congratulating him on surpassing Alex Ferguson’s record of 810 Premier League matches.

The pair had a famous bust-up when Pardew was in charge of West Ham but there was no sign of illfeeling as the Baggies boss paid tribute to a manager always prepared to take a gamble.

Pardew said: “I will say, ‘Well done’ to him before the game and hopefully at the end say, ‘Unlucky’. I don’t think there are any words to do justice to what he’s achieved.

“The thing he’s brought to the Premier League is a positivity that his team will gain the upper hand or attempt to take the upper hand. I admire that.

“He’s tried to take the initiative against every opposition, even against Barcelona.”