'A challenge to relish' is how Alan Pardew
describes the clash against Arsenal on Sunday, and he insists that
Hammers will approach the game in the same positive manner that led
to them taking four points off the Gunners last season.
With a spring in the step following the 2-1 win over Blackburn
Rovers on Sunday, the Hammers boss is looking for his players to
build on that success and prove themselves once again against
Arsene Wenger's team in this weekend's London derby.
Pards says: "The mood has still been good around the training
ground in recent weeks, but yes, there have been more smiles this
week as you would expect after our win over Blackburn. Certainly a
lot more buoyancy has returned, but that's what a win can do.
"You could say there has been two or three factors for us to
work from this week. As well as the victory, there has been knowing
who the opposition is coming up and relishing the challenge ahead
of us rather than fearing it."
That challenge was certainly passed with flying colours last
season, as the newly-promoted Hammers secured a creditable 0-0 draw
against Arsenal at home, then followed that with an unforgettable
3-2 away victory in February - in the last ever match between the
two sides at Highbury.
"In the two games last season, we competed very well with
them," says Pards. "The home game was very tight, and I
recall that Thierry Henry wasn't playing that day. In the away
match he was playing, but we had the win and a great night.
"Knowing Arsenal, that will fuel them to get a better
response, but the most important thing for us is remembering how we
approached those two games and go about doing that again.
"You have to go for the no-fear option, it's about getting
a result against them and we will go about the game in the same
positive manner, especially being at home."
Pards said he has a great regard for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and
the way his team play, but all that is important for him is making
sure that the Hammers' style of play is the winner.
He said: "Arsenal are very easy on the eye with the way they
play, they have some beautiful players and have quality individuals
in their team that can at times pull a rabbit out of a hat and
that's what you have to suppress when playing them.
"I have seen them play quite a bit and studied them closely
over the last four or five years. I admire what Arsene has done and
have a good relationship with him. I have met up with him a few
times, even when I was at Reading.
"While I am a big fan of how they play - as are most managers
- I don't think we could ever play in their style. I believe we
are a little bit more direct and dynamic at times in the way we
approach the game, but certainly there are points in their play
that I'm sure everyone can take from - two of them would be
their patience and incisiveness with their passing."
With the exception of long-term absentee Dean Ashton, Pards has
virtually a fully-fit squad to pick from tomorrow, and says that
every player is not only wanting to be in that starting 11, but
also excited at the prospect once again of pitching themselves
against last season's Champions League finalists.
"I think this is pretty close to the full compliment we have
had all season, with the exception of Deano of course," he
says. "For me that is a reflection that the guys are putting
themselves up for the fight.
"There is no player that doesn't want to be picked, they
all want to play in what is a blue riband game. Teddy did a great
job for us last week, for example, and will be looking for a
similar impact against Arsenal.
"Since we have been in the Premiership, we have responded well
to playing against teams like Arsenal. Perhaps that's the youth
in our side - they are coming up against a side like this and want
to stretch themselves. I tell them that the challenge is always
more rewarding when it is a difficult task.
"The message I have given to my players this week is 'how
are we going to hurt Arsenal?' We have worked on things Arsenal
do in particular during training this week and all of my players
are simply looking forward to the challenge. I have been looking at
the game with my staff to try and find the right tactical formation
to win the match, because that's all that matters to me.
"Even on the run we have had recently, I don't think there
has been one match where my team didn't try and take the game
to the opposition in an offensive manner. That is the positive
approach I like to take and that's what we will do come
Sunday."
by Laura Burkin