Pardew: "Cardiff are Top-10 Material"
Alan Pardew
By Chris O'Brien
October 27 2003
West Ham United boss Alan Pardew believes the Bluebirds can finish in the Top-10 of the First Division this season. The praise came after Pardew watched his side battle out a goalless draw at Ninian Park on Saturday, a result the former Reading manager was pleased with.
| Pardew: "Cardiff are Top-10 Material" |
| West Ham United boss Alan Pardew
believes the Bluebirds can finish in the top 10 of the First Division this
season, after watching his side battle to a 0-0 draw at Ninian Park on
Saturday. "You look at the Cardiff squad and they've got quite a lot of good quality players there." said Pardew "I think they are probably going to be a top-10 side. If they can put a good run together then they might finish higher than that. "There is a chance the last play-off place will be extended from sixth to eighth and I imagine that will be Cardiff's aim." He added, "This is a tight league and it will be difficult to get out of it. I don't think there's going to be much in it. "I don't think anyone is going to run away with promotion this season." Pardew has now been in charge of the Irons for two matches, both of which have finished honours even, and the former Reading manager was happy with the point from the clash against Cardiff. "Cardiff is a tough place to come and get a win. "We kept Earnshaw quiet. Defensively we were sound. We had a few scary moments, but we had England's No 1 in goal and he didn't look like he was going to get beaten. "He looked solid and I've got to be honest, he was 'on it' against Cardiff. He has been very focused all season for West Ham." added Pardew. The Hammers have drawn their last four games, and Pardew will be desperate to win his first game in charge of the East-London outfit when his side face arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, in Wednesday's League Cup tie at White Hart Lane. |