PARDEW SET TO PACK HIS BAGS AFTER YET ANOTHER DISASTER
THE space left in Alan Pardew’s suitcases may need filling after a disastrous defeat at home to Huddersfield plunged West Brom closer to relegation.
Pardew admitted he had one-and-a-half bags packed ahead of this contest and the result, coupled with a desperately poor performance, will only intensity the scrutiny on his position.
Towards the end those home fans left at the Hawthorns told Pardew he would be sacked in the morning and it remains to be seen how owner Guochuan Lai responds, having already enacted a brutal boardroom cull.
Pardew has now won only one of 14 Premier League matches in charge and the deeper concern is that there were scant signs that a revival is possible.
Add in the embarrassing taxi episode and the meter is running on Pardew’s tenure after just three months. Asked if he hoped to see the job through, Pardew said: ‘Well, I hope so but obviously that decision is not with me.
‘This team has won three games in 37 games, which says everything. My job is to try and get ourselves up for next week.
‘We’ve got to stand up. I’m going to stand up and manage the team and they’ve got to stand up and give us performances.’
David Wagner’s side moved to the 30 mark thanks to goals from Rajiv van la Parra and Steve Mounie and know three more wins should seal safety.
Craig Dawson pulled one back with a header from a corner but no avail for West Brom.
Wagner said: ‘We have shown everything you have to in these games; commitment, fighting spirit, togetherness.’