Pardew on Irons survival fight

Published Nov. 23, 2010 7:18 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Hammers are rooted to the foot of the table after just one win and nine points from their first 14 Premier League games. Current boss Avram Grant is under increasing pressure following Saturday's dismal 3-0 defeat at Liverpool, with fans calling for former favourite Paolo di Canio to be brought in. They now face home games against Wigan and Manchester City and trips to Sunderland and Blackburn before Christmas and Pardew, who managed the club for three years, says the coming weeks are crucial to their survival. "It's going to be very, very difficult," he told Sky Sports News. "They've got a lot of catching up to do and one thing that it is very difficult to do in the Premier League is catch up. "I went to Charlton and halfway through the season we only had 10 points; we had a brilliant second half of the season but it still wasn't enough. "You need to get yourself in position before halfway so you're in touching distance of the other teams." Pardew though says the Hammers have what it takes to haul themselves back up the table. He believes the way the Premier League has gone this season means all is not lost and a decent run of results will do the trick and pull them clear of the relegation zone. "Stoke have proved with three quick wins they've gone right up into the top 10," he said. "That's what you've got to focus on, try and get a positive feeling within the group that you're going to escape."