Md's New Year Message

GOING into 2005 West Ham United remain well placed to make a serious promotion challenge on the pitch, while off it the Club has secured its immediate financial future.

However, with the January transfer window almost open, speculation is again rife linking Hammers top players with moves away from Upton Park.

Manager Alan Pardew has already warned Premiership clubs with an eye on players such as Matty Etherington, Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood they are not for sale.

Now, Managing Director Paul Aldridge insists that the Club is under no pressure to sell its star players, and are looking forward to making a strong promotion push under manager Alan Pardew.

"There has been speculation recently that some of our players will be the subject of bids from other clubs in January," said Paul. "However, as Alan Pardew explained only recently, we are determined to keep our best players in order to make a strong challenge for promotion over the second half of the season.
 
"We are not under any financial pressure to sell players during the January transfer window, nor indeed for the rest of this season.

"Those players that have been the subject of speculation remain integral parts of Alan Pardew's team and we are certainly not looking to sell any players that are important to the manager's plans.

"We have received and turned down a couple of recent offers for our players and hopefully that will put an end to the speculation.

"All of the players concerned have spoken publicly of their support for Alan Pardew and their desire to stay at West Ham United and help the Club win promotion back to the Premiership."

As well as the persistent rumours concerning players there has also been speculation recently concerning manager Alan Pardew.

"The speculation surrounding Alan Pardew's future is not helpful at all," continued Paul. "Everyone at the Club is fully supportive of Alan and the job he is doing, and we are confident that he has the qualities to return West Ham United to the Premiership.

"When he arrived here last October, Alan knew the pressure of managing a Club with the history and tradition of West Ham United would be enormous. He fully accepts that supporters will become frustrated when results and performances do not match our high expectations.

"Having said that I'm surprised that despite losing just once in our last six matches and twice in our last 23 home games the media has started to sharpen its knives so quickly."

Alan Pardew assumed control of the Hammers under very difficult circumstances last season, and Paul firmly acknowledges the job he has done in helping to steer West Ham United clear of the perils associated with relegation.

"Having worked with Alan Pardew for over a year now I'm confident that he will remain resolute and not be distracted from the job of returning the Club back to the Premiership," said Paul.

"Since arriving last year Alan has coped remarkably well with the financial reality of managing a relegated club. He has also worked tirelessly with myself in ensuring that West Ham United does not follow the path of so many other teams that have lost their Premiership status, of going into administration or perhaps even worse.

"Despite those pressures, Alan has managed to build a squad that came so close to returning West Ham to the Premiership last season.

"Again this season, we are well positioned amongst the teams chasing promotion and are hoping to mount a strong challenge in the months ahead.

"Finally, as we look forward to 2005 I would like to wish all our supporters a very happy and healthy New Year and take this opportunity to thank them for their continued support."