Pardew's priority is three new faces

West Ham 1 Norwich 1

Alan Pardew is expected to sign three new players in his first few weeks as West Ham manager.

Adding to the squad he inherits on Saturday evening has been a priority for Pardew during the last month he has spent on gardening leave.

Pardew has been restricted from taking up his post before because of an agreement with former club Reading. West Ham's patchy performance last night made it clear improvements are needed.

West Ham caretaker manager Trevor Brooking said: "I am sure Alan is going to bring in two or three players and his gardening leave has given him the chance to think about where they are needed.

"We are in touching distance of the top but Alan will know we have to move up a notch to get an automatic promotion place.

"The period in the run-up to Christmas is a big spell for us and we will need to be better to stay near where we are in the table."

Brooking, who reverts to being a club director after Saturday's home game against Burnley, indicated Pardew will need to strengthen the midfield.

Michael Carrick returned last night but is not fully fit, Steve Lomas is injured and Niclas Alexandersson returns to Everton this weekend after his loan.

West Ham failed to dominate the midfield against Norwich and suspended strikers Jermain Defoe and David Connolly were sorely missed - but they could still have won the game.

Brooking's team took a sixthminute lead when Marc Edworthy diverted a Neil Mellor cross into his own net.

Peter Crouch headed in the equaliser from Kevin Harper's cross in the 63rd-minute, while a Damien Francis shot hit the post two minutes later.

Mellor then missed a great chance to give West Ham the lead when he headed Etherington's cross wide.

Brooking said: "We've got to make the most of our home games. If we want to bounce straight back up, we will have to do better.

"It's three wins and three draws at home and I don't believe we've played consistently well in any of them. It's frustrating because our fans deserve to see a 90-minute performance.

"There are areas where we give the ball away too much and we have got away with it a few times this season. We cannot afford to have those spells when we are sloppy."

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