Alan Pardew banking on turkey to lift West Brom as they look to end club-record run without a win

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West Brom players held their Christmas lunch on Thursday with the blessing of manager Alan Pardew but won't be allowed a night out after a club record 17 matches without a win.

Pardew hopes that tucking into the turkey at the Albion training ground will help team spirit ahead of Saturday's six-pointer at fellow strugglers Stoke. But he made it clear that would be the extent of the team's celebrations over the festive period.

'I said to the players when I arrived that I didn't think Christmas parties were appropriate given the position we’re in. The staff haven't had a party and the players haven't had a party,' said Pardew, who is looking for his first win since replacing Tony Pulis almost a month ago.

Alan Pardew's struggling West Brom side enjoyed their pre-Christmas meal on Thursday

Defeat by Manchester United ensured the Baggies have now gone 17 matches without a win

'But we can still have a Christmas lunch and that’s what we’ve done. Sometimes when you’re looking for a team to come out of its shell you can’t have constant pressure.

'It was a nice moment for them to come together and have a meal together. It’s our duty as managers to sometimes relieve that pressure. It’s a side of the game that some players have struggled with.'

Managers are also under greater scrutiny than ever and should Albion win at the weekend, Stoke boss Mark Hughes is tipped to become the seventh casualty in the Premier League so far this season, adding to Paul Clement's sacking at Swansea on Wednesday.

'The league is becoming difficult for any manager. It's a worrying trend. Who is to say Paul wouldn't have come through this spell,' said Pardew.

Pardew's side sit in the relegation zone and are the second-lowest scorers in the division

'But it is also kind of understandable in terms of pressure the chairman and boards are under for change. It is not just the manager, phone-ins and social media build a head of steam, and the turnover of managers might become the norm. I hope it doesn't and I am sure the LMA feel the same.'

West Brom are in the relegation zone and the second-lowest scorers in the division with 13 but Pardew should be boosted by the return of wingers Matt Phillips and Nacer Chadli on Saturday after they returned to training. 

Defender Jonny Evans can continue as skipper despite speculation linking him with a January move. Padrew has praised the Ulsterman's attitude, saying: 'He gets a big tick in my report.'