Heat is on Pardew but players are behind him

Alan Pardew may not be sure if he has the full backing of the West Ham board but at least he has the support of his players.

The manager is coming under increasing pressure because of his side's faltering promotion campaign and fans called for him to go during yesterday's 1-0 defeat at Millwall.

It was West Ham's third loss in their last four league games and their grip on a place in the play-off positions is loosening.

Pardew could not say whether the club's directors were still behind him, but Matthew Etherington said the manager should have no fears about the players' support.

The winger said: "I was surprised by the reaction of the fans at the end, but they are entitled to their opinions.

"I think it is a little bit unfair and the dressing room is definitely behind him 100 per cent. We have to go on to the pitch and produce.

"We are creating lots of chances and getting beaten by the odd goal but we can put Millwall behind us and there is still a long way to go. We are still in a relatively good position."

The enforced first-half substitution of new signing Mauricio Taricco with a hamstring problem yesterday did not help matters.

But Pardew is under pressure to achieve promotion this season because it is the last year West Ham will receive a parachute payment from the Premier League. Another year in the Championship next term would be costly for the club, who declared a £33million debt in their last accounts, and is bound to bring a further erosion of the first-team squad's quality.

In that light, West Ham's next three games - against Watford, Sunderland and Leeds - could prove pivotal in how much support Pardew has in the boardroom.

Pardew said: "There isn't much room for sympathy in terms of me as a manager and us as a club." When asked if the board are behind him, he said: "That is a question for them. As far as I'm concerned, I will always do my job to the best of my ability."

With 18 months left on Pardew's contract, and more than half the season to go, things could turn around quickly.

That is certainly the way Millwall are viewing their standing in the Championship. They are two points behind West Ham with two games in hand. And with new signing Scott Dobie, and senior players such as Paul Ifill returning to fitness, they feel they are gaining momentum.

The expectations may be lower at The Den than at Upton Park, but there was no gap between the two sides yesterday.

Pardew's team had long spells of possession without creating too many clear-cut chances while Millwall defended resolutely and produced some good opportunities on the break.

The scrappy game changed when West Ham striker Marlon Harewood was sent off in the 63rd minute. After clashing with Kevin Muscat in the first-half, he got a second yellow card for diving when he appeared to be tripped just outside the Millwall penalty area by Darren Ward.

Dennis Wise had just put on substitutes Ifill and Danny Dichio and they helped make the most of Millwall's numerical advantage.

Dichio headed in powerfully from a deep Muscat cross after 77 minutes to settle the game, but both sides had chances late on.

Pardew was bitter about the Harewood red card and told the referee he got it wrong. However, Ward said: "I got a slight touch on him but I don't think it was a foul. He dived without a doubt and it was a massive decision. Luckily it went our way."

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