Football
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Alan Pardew says he 'owes' West Brom for role he's played in club's downfall

West Brom boss Alan Pardew admits it will be difficult to avoid Premier League relegation this season and says he owes the club for his part in their downfall.

The Baggies are bottom of the Premier League and 10 points adrift of safety with seven matches remaining ahead of Saturday's home game against Burnley.

Pardew, who replaced Tony Pulis in November, seems resigned to the drop but would like the opportunity to try to bring West Brom back up next season with his own squad of players.

It is widely thought the 56-year-old -- who has won only one Premier League match since taking charge -- will lose his job at the end of the campaign.

"Our results so far suggest it will be difficult, if not impossible,'' Pardew told a news conference.

"Since I've come here I feel a bit like I owe this football club. We should have had better results and there are games we should have squeezed victories out of.

"Without putting too much blame at my own door, I certainly feel I'd like to come back next year and repay the club with a team that has a bit more attacking prowess.

"If you put [Nacer] Chadli and [James] Morrison in this group, it's a different team. They're two big creative forces we've not had all season.

"A club of this size was understrength to cover them if they were missing, and that's been a problem.

"Whatever happens this summer, if I'm the manager or not, we've got to look at the offensive side of this team and strengthen it.''

West Brom have lost their last seven league games and the writing appears to be on the wall.

However, Pardew added: "I've made it pretty clear to the boys and everybody here I'm fighting for this club because I believe this is a good club.

"It is one game at a time and that's as simplistic as I'm keeping it with the group.''

The Baggies will be without Sam Field (calf) and Gareth Barry (knee) against Burnley, while fellow midfielder Chadli (thigh) and on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) are still not ready to return.

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