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Alan Pardew backs West Ham for Europa League success
Alan Pardew believes West Ham have a chance of a ‘special’ season by winning the Europa League and finishing in the top four of the Premier League.
David Moyes’ side are currently waiting to find out their opponent in the last 16 of the Europa League, while they occupy fifth place in the Premier League just two points behind Manchester United.
Pardew, who was manager when West Ham were promoted in 2005 and reached the FA Cup final in 2006, told The West Ham Way believes the Hammers have a real fighting chance of being successful this season.
“He had built a really good side and with some of the teams around them perhaps not as strong as they should be – Manchester United and Spurs in particular – it gives West Ham a real fighting chance of what David did at Everton and that is get them into that Champions League spot,” said Pardew.
“To win the Europa League would be a real feather in West Ham and David’s cap – and they have a chance. It will be hard because the club I’m working with at the moment, CSKA Sofia, know the strength of that competition.
“It’s always very hard to get past some of these teams over two legs but it could be one of those special seasons for West Ham and I hope it will be.”
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Every chance
The Irons have been at their absolute peak over the last 18 months under Moyes and deserve all the praise they’re getting right now.
While they’ve not done anything of significance yet in terms of trophies or league finishes, their performance level has been extremely high and been maintained well over the course of this season and last.
As they look to push ahead in Europe for a first major trophy since winning the Intertoto Cup in 1999, Moyes knows there is a perfect foundation to build on there.
Pardew wasn’t able to do that when his team reached the cup final, so he knows better than most how important it will be for Moyes to keep his squad together going forward.
If he can do that, and mix in either a top four finish or a Europa League win, or both, then there is no reason why they can’t build on this season and continue to improve in the future.
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