Alan Pardew has tipped West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic has the player who can make a real difference for the club this season.
He believes that the Hammers need players who can win them games “out of nothing” – and has identified the first team ace as the one who can provide that for them.
Pardew – who was formerly manager of West Ham, along with the likes of Newcastle and Crystal Palace – also reckons that he cannot see the Irons having any problems pulling away from the Premier League bottom three.
“I thought they started very poorly (this season). They looked awful to be honest, but then slowly they’re starting to produce and look like a team,” he told Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday [21/10].
“They’ve certainly got the individuals to stay in the Premier League. No matter how good you are as a team, you need individuals who are going to win games for you out of nothing. Arnautovic, of course, is the main player at West Ham who can do that.
“So I have no issues with West Ham being involved in a relegation scrap. They’re going to be fine. It’s just going to be how good they gel to climb up the league.”
OPINION
West Ham fans will no doubt be rather pleased that Pardew has made this prediction on his former club. After two successive defeats, the Hammers sit in 15th place on seven points, so it is a rather worrying time for the supporters – but it would not be surprising if they shared the same confidence as their former boss. Pardew is spot on though – Arnautovic is the sort of player who can produce wins out of nothing, and he will be absolutely vital to their success this season. Without him, West Ham lack any sort of presence up front – so they must do their best to bring the best out of him. Before the turn of the year, Manuel Pellegrini’s men only face three of the top ten – so there is no better opportunity for them to gain some momentum and create space between them and the bottom teams.