Alan Pardew does not think he will be sacked if West Ham fail to beat Leicester City in Sky Sports' live Friday night fixture.
The Hammers boss is under pressure after a 1-1 draw with struggling Crewe Alexandra that leaves the East Londoners in seventh place, level on points with Sheffield United.
There have been some sounds of discontent from the Upton Park faithful but Pardew is adamant he can still obtain promotion via the play-offs.
"It's not for me to say [if he will be fired if West Ham lose on Friday]," Pardew told Sky Sports News. "I don't think I will.
"I have got a contract for another two years.
"I believe in my ability, I didn't take this team down. I inherited a team that had immense problems and those facts are only really known to me, the chairman and the chief executive.
"We've had a lot of problems here as most of the clubs that come down do. There's a lot of managers come and gone since I've been at this club, but I've brought a lot of young players here and some of their inexperiences have cost us this year.
"Some have been terrific. They don't all work out for you but, ultimately, we've got a good club here.
"The problem we have at the moment is the trust between the fans, myself and the team, and the only way you can rebuild that trust is with results and we need to improve them.
"I haven't asked for assurances. I've got two years after this year. We still have a chance of getting promoted and my focus is firmly on that; to get us in the play-offs first because we're far from that, and then to win it."
Pardew also responded to criticism from ex-Hammer Julian Dicks who described the current side as a poor team.
"From the levels Julian Dicks played in, he can take a look at us and say it's fair criticism," added Pardew. "But we've been relegated and it wasn't me who got us relegated.
"I have taken over and feel this club needs to be built from the bottom upwards and it doesn't happen quickly.
"Some of the players I think have done terrific. Remember the sort of fees we're paying, the same fees as other Championship clubs - there's no Fredi Kanoutes or Paolo Di Canios. We're not in that ball park.
"Until we get back in The Premiership, those great players Dicks talks about won't be here."
;-) :mrgreen:
