Pardew has point to prove

Alan Pardew will be officially unveiled as Charlton boss this afternoon barely a fortnight after being dismissed by West Ham.

The 45-year-old has a point to prove following what some saw as his premature ejection from the Upton Park hotseat.

He can hardly have expected to be given the opportunity so quickly but the Addicks appointed him as their third manager of the season on Christmas Eve.

The former Charlton player replaces Les Reed, who lasted just eight games and 41 days in the job – by far the shortest permanent reign in Premiership history - and has been handed a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The club are currently seven points adrift of safety and Pardew is inheriting a squad predecessor Reed admitted are bereft of confidence and the new man will be hoping for money to spend in the January transfer window.

There are a number of points on offer during the hectic Christmas schedule with the club are also desperate not to miss out on the lucrative new Premiership television deal next season.

First up for Pardew is tomorrow night’s London derby against Fulham at The Valley, when the Charlton board will doubtless hope his impact can be as immediate as that of Alan Curbishley at West Ham.

Former Addicks boss Curbishley saw his Hammers side defeat Manchester United on his debut, before taking a point off Fulham on Saturday.

If Pardew can make a winning start, much of the pessimism surrounding the Premiership‘s second-bottom club will start to dissipate.

He is also sure to be a popular choice among supporters, having spent almost five seasons at The Valley as a player in the early 1990s.

Charlton are convinced he can make a success of his second management job in the Premiership.

In a brief statement, released through Sky Sports News, chairman Richard Murray said: “We are very fortunate a manager of Alan Pardew’s calibre is available and we have moved very, very quickly to secure his services.”

The future of Charlton’s on-field fortunes is now in Pardew’s hands, and the club will be expecting him to steel the under-performing players for a determined battle against the drop.

In Reed, Charlton had a head coach who was well qualified, but in Pardew they have a manager with experience at the highest level.

“Les has Charlton in his blood but this decision is best for Charlton Football Club,” said Murray.

Pardew led the Hammers to last season’s FA Cup final, but recent upheaval at Upton Park appeared to have an unsettling impact on team affairs.

Results this season under Pardew were poor and he was unable to capitalise on the surprise signings of Argentina stars Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez.

Charlton are unlikely to make any such eye-catching purchases during the transfer window, but Pardew may well want to shake up the squad.