International Break Welcome

Alan Pardew has welcomed the international break believing it might help West Ham turn around their fortunes. The Hammers have lost their last five games, have not kept a clean sheet this season and have gone 488 minutes since scoring. Although West Ham will lose some of the squad to international duty the break gives some of the injured players time to recover,

"After the international break Anton Ferdinand will be back, I think Tyrone Mears will be back, possibly John Pantsil and George McCartney will give us an option. The squad will look a lot healthier and our defence will strengthen over the next two weeks, which is what we need.

We have the makings of a very good team here but at the moment the results are not reflecting that. I can't fault their endeavour and application but I look at the team and the rhythm of our passing and until we get a settled back four I don't think we will be at full speed." "