Alan Pardew has insisted that he "does not want sympathy" following a tricky week for West Bromwich Albion both on and off the field.
The build-up to the Baggies' FA Cup fifth-round tie against Southampton last weekend was dominated by the news of four senior players being questioned by police during a trip to Barcelona.
Jonny Evans, Jake Livermore, Boaz Myhill and Gareth Barry apologised for taking a taxi without consent, leading to a fine of two weeks' wages and the threat of further legal action.
West Brom went on to lose 2-1 against the Saints to end their cup campaign for another season, but this weekend attention turns back to Premier League matters.
With just one win in 13 top-flight matches since taking charge at the end of November, and his side now seven points from safety, Pardew concedes that time is fast running out to turn things around.
"I don't want sympathy from anybody," he told reporters ahead of Saturday's home match against Huddersfield Town. "This is a difficult scenario in terms of the run this club was on before I arrived. And it hasn't improved much since I've been here.
"That's been the one failing at my door and I want to put that right. And I can only put that right now with 11 games to go. That's my challenge individually. As a team and collectively these players have acted impeccably for me.
"This one crazy incident – I won't let it take away from the professionalism and the determination we've shown to try and correct the results. Going forward we're going to have live and die by the margins and hopefully they go our way."
Following this weekend's meeting with Huddersfield, West Brom take on Watford, Leicester City, Bournemouth and Burnley before the end of March.
Daniel Lewis
