Pardew promises not to shut up shop
West Ham manager Alan Pardew has promised fans he will not abandon his attacking philosophy when Arsenal go to Upton Park.
The Hammers, who were promoted to the Barclays Premiership through the play-offs last season, have been the outstanding success story of the season so far by picking up far more points than many had expected through a brand of entertaining football.
Three successive victories have been racked up with Aston Villa and Fulham defeated in the Premiership and Sheffield Wednesday disposed of in midweek in the Carling Cup.
The arrival of Arsene Wenger’s superstars represents by far their sternest challenge yet but the former Reading boss was adamant he had no intention of adopting spoiling tactics.
He said: “This is a step up in class and until now we have looked more than capable, and we are not the type of team to shut up shop and hope we are going to get something.
“My teams have never played like that. The way I like to play is with pace and attitude to win the game.
"There are obviously different ways to win games but the way the team is set up at the moment and the way we are playing I would do it a disservice if I tried to change it. So let’s see how we get on.”
Pardew has an Arsenal player in the ranks in the shape of striker Jeremie Aliadiere but the on-loan Frenchman will not play against his employers.
The 22-year-old is being troubled by a groin problem which may require an operation. Pardew said: “He has had the problem for the last couple of weeks and it has not got any better so we have sent him to the surgeon.
“We think an operation might be needed to tie that up so I don’t think we will be seeing him until after the international break now.”
Teddy Sheringham returns to the starting line-up after being rested against Fulham and the Owls, which will see Bobby Zamora dropping down to the bench despite scoring two goals at Hillsborough.
Another on-loan Frenchman, Manchester United’s David Bellion, scored in that 4-2 win but might not even make the bench on Saturday.
Pardew said: “To have suffered a broken leg and come back and get a goal was a real bonus for him. He got us out of trouble on the night.
“I’m really pleased for him and he has started well. It is important to have him because we would have been a little bit short up front without him now.”
| Related Stories: |
|
