Pardew: This is the lowest of the low

Beleaguered West Ham boss Alan Pardew has admitted his side's current plight represents the lowest point of his entire career.

Tuesday's Carling Cup humiliation at the hands of League One side Chesterfield was the Hammers' eighth straight defeat and confirmed their worst run of results for 74 years.

"It's the worst run of my career, in terms of a player and a manager," admitted Pardew. "It's not getting any easier and the only way to turn it around is to come out fighting."

Pardew added: "I intend to do that and I hope the players do too, and not look around and point at somebody else and look for excuses.

"They have to look at their own individual displays against Chesterfield and ask themselves: 'Is that good enough for West Ham in the Premiership?'"

West Ham have scored only once during that losing streak, have also been dumped out of the UEFA Cup and currently languish second from bottom in the Premiership.

The prospect of a takeover continues to loom large over Upton Park and there seems little chance of Pardew being sacked prior to Sunday's home match against Blackburn.

He dismissed the idea that uncertainty surrounding the club's future ownership has granted him a stay of execution.

However, he conceded: "It's not about buying time or being fearful of my job, but every manager has to live and die by results.

"I'm no exception to that and I don't think I'm immune from anything. All I want to do is win games for West Ham - it's as simple as that - and at the moment I'm not doing that."