Football
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Pardew: West Ham will struggle to break Premier League's 'glass ceiling'

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will struggle to break through the "glass ceiling" into the Premier League top four, according to Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew.

Pardew, who managed West Ham between 2003 and 2006, will return to his former club on Saturday when Palace visit Upton Park.

The Hammers have been challenging for the league's European spots this season but a dip in form has seen them drop to eighth in the table and crash out of the FA Cup with a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of West Brom.

The downturn in form has prompted renewed speculation around the future of Allardyce, whose contract expires in the summer, but Pardew insists the West Ham boss has had a "great season."

"Contracts are always a two-way street -- it is not just what the club want to offer Sam, it is what options Sam has too," Pardew said.

"Sam has got himself in a great position -- he has had a great season."

Pardew continued: "Sometimes it's difficult, when you've got a glass ceiling above you, to try to break through to that top four or five clubs.

"That period underneath becomes a bit frustrating for fans, particularly if you're out of the cups.

"Fans want to win something as well and I think this is probably an important game for West Ham to try to stay with that little pack.

"They've had a great season but that [pressure] is part and parcel of the Premier League.

"Sam knows as well I did at Newcastle that pressure comes when you lose games."

West Ham sat in the Champions League places in December but the team have struggled in recent weeks and are now eight points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.

Palace, meanwhile, are currently 13th in the table and looking to extend a five-point gap above the relegation places.

"West Ham were in there, right in amongst it a few weeks ago and have just fallen behind," Pardew said.

"That's not to say they can't get there still, that's what you have to try achieve when you're that sort of club.

"One year we were in the Champions League positions with about three games to go at Newcastle and couldn't quite make it, we nearly did but it's very difficult.

"Southampton find themselves there and then the expectation the year after becomes even greater."

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