I had to be strong through torrents of abuse - Pardew
West Ham manager Alan Pardew admits his family suffered ‘torrents of abuse’ when fans turned on him before their Premiership success.
Pardew was criticised by supporters as they struggled to get into the top flight but their success this season in the Barclays Premiership has silenced the doubters.
Pardew has led the club to an FA Cup final against Liverpool and European football next season to silence the boo-boys who previously called for his head.
But Pardew admitted: “I’ve always just thought about my own ability and that I was good enough to compete at the highest level.
“I have stayed with that faith even though there were some down times for my family in particular who had to suffer some torrents of abuse.
“You just have to be strong and your family has to be strong and everybody grows with you.
“It wasn’t the first time in my career and it won’t be the last. Everybody in the game has to suffer those low points to enjoy the good and to be stronger and more resilient.
“I don’t want to go down the self-pity route because we are in such a good place at the moment. My family are a great bunch and a great unit and they never responded to any of it. But some of it was ridiculous and unfair, and you just have to accept it and move on.
“In general the fans at West Ham have been absolutely brilliant to us and we will never forget it. We should just all move on,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live‘s Sportsweek programme.
Pardew claims his players believe they can go to Cardiff and beat Liverpool - especially with thousands of their vocal fans cheering them on.
“The players are bringing to the training ground a fizz and a buzz I’ve not seen for a while and that’s great to see.
“They are really up for it and feel they can win it. There will be two of the most vocal sets of fans in the country and they will be a real showcase for fans if nothing else.
“But hopefully the game will match the fans and if it does then we will be in for a very special day.”
