Pards In Perspective

ALAN Pardew is keen to keep West Ham United's superb start to the season in perspective, but admits his team are in a 'great position' after rising to fourth in the Premiership with the 0-0 draw against Arsenal.

"It has been a terrific start," said Pards, who has seen his team take 11 points from their opening six games in the Premier League.

"I could not fault the players' attitude on Saturday and the focus from our defenders was brilliant.

"The defending on show from both teams was outstanding and if anyone was going to score they would have needed to conjure something pretty special.

"I was perhaps a bit disappointed after the game that we didn't come away with  more, because we did have a few good chances. But it was a strong performance against a very good side and a point was a positive result for us.

"This is a great position for us to be in. The start to a season is crucial in terms of confidence and we've gained a lot of belief from the way we've been playing."

However, the Hammers boss knows that there will be tests ahead this season which will put the character of his West Ham United squad under examination.

"The test for us will come when we get beaten," he admitted. "We responded really well to the set-back of losing to Bolton and that's the kind of reaction we'll need again.

"It will be especially tough if we get beaten by a side that we aren't expected to lose to.

"There are certainly going to be a few more hurdles to overcome this season, but right now things are going okay and we're enjoying ourselves.

"There's a great feeling around the Club at the moment and it's rubbing off on everyone. The support we have been receiving, home and away, has been absolutely magnificent and that's played a really important role in the start we have made.

"The fans have responded brilliantly to being back in the Premier League and to have them right behind the team is fantastic for the players and staff.

"Now we just have to focus on each game as it comes and make sure we put in everything we've got to get a result. There will be tough games, but the way we rise to the challenge is going to be important."

Despite the great start to the season made by his team, Pards remains circumspect about what Hammers can achieve.

"It's been a great start and we want to build on that," he said. "Survival is still our target for this season, because we want to take the Club forward and to do that staying up in your first season back in the Premier League is vital.

"But we want to finish as high as we can and we're going to be working towards that. We'll just have to wait and see what we can achieve, but things are going fine at the moment and hopefully that continues at Sunderland on Saturday."