Town captain Jim Magilton has accused West Ham boss Alan Pardew of creating "a lot of hot air" ahead of Saturday's top of the table clash at Upton Park.

Many Town fans were less than impressed with comments made by the West Ham boss at the time of last season's play-offs, and Magilton seems similarly irritated by the former Reading manager now: "He is making noises saying that this is his side now, meaning he has no excuses.

"This is the team he built and one he feels can go on and win the Championship.

"We will have to wait and see. I think Alan Pardew makes a lot of noise.

"He felt his side should have gone up last year, but for me Crystal Palace deservedly went up, so a lot of hot air comes out from him.

"Pardew has made a lot of bold predictions and in this game I don't believe you can afford to do that.

"Going into a club like West Ham, with the players he had, he didn't need to make those statements. All he had to do was go and win football matches."

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