---
title: "West Ham United: Frank McAvennie praises Irons coach Stuart Pearce"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/frank-mcavennie-praise-stuart-pearce/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2020-10-22T12:40:58Z"
modified: "2020-10-22T12:40:58Z"
---

# West Ham United: Frank McAvennie praises Irons coach Stuart Pearce

**[West Ham](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/) have had a promising start to the campaign as they have [seven points](https://www.sofascore.com/tournament/football/england/premier-league/17) from their first five games. Despite [losing](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) to Newcastle in their opening game, they have since managed to [beat](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) Wolves and Leicester City.**

The Irons scored [seven in those two games and conceded none](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results), before they picked up a historic [3-3](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) draw against London rivals Tottenham. David Moyes’ side were [3-0](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results) down in the 81st minute but managed to rescue a point in the dying moments of the game thanks to a Manuel Lanzini screamer.

Amid their recent good form, former Hammers striker Frank McAvennie has lauded Irons first team coach Stuart Pearce for his impact at the club.

### What McAvennie said about West Ham coach Stuart Pearce

Speaking to [Football Insider,](https://www.footballinsider247.com/im-going-to-be-honest-with-you-pundit-wowed-by-behind-scenes-west-ham-man/) McAvennie said: “I am going to be honest with you, Stuart Pearce has come in and done wonders with the defence.

“It is a different defence now, even though they let in three goals at the weekend. You can see they are all working together now and I am assuming that is Stuart Pearce working on them.

“You have got to say, what a comeback. I hold my hands up because I was one of the ones that couldn’t see where the points were going to come from when they got beat by Newcastle. They have kicked on since then.

“I mean, wow – three goals in eight minutes. You have got to give credit to their fightback. The performances of late are taking the pressure off the owners.”

### West Ham’s uplift in performances since Pearce’s arrival

Former England under-21 manager Pearce [returned to West Ham as a first team coach](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53814549) in August. Last season, the Irons had the [fifth](https://www.sofascore.com/tournament/football/england/premier-league/17) worst defensive record in the Premier League as they conceded [62](https://www.sofascore.com/tournament/football/england/premier-league/17) goals.

However, this campaign tells a very different story so far as they currently have the joint third best defensive record in the division, per [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/tournament/football/england/premier-league/17). Only Aston Villa and Arsenal have conceded fewer.

Part of this has been due to a [change in formation](https://m.football-lineups.com/team/West-Ham-United/) which sees five defenders and three centre-backs – an alteration which was implemented after Pearce’s return to the club earlier this year.

Pearce looks like a shrewd addition to the coaching squad and hopefully the defensive improvements will again be on show when they host Manchester City on Saturday, with the visitors [scoring four or more on all five of their previous visits](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manchester-city/bilanzdetail/verein/281/plus/0?gegner_id=379&saison_id=&wettbewerb_id=&day=&heim_gast=gast&punkte=&datum_von=-&datum_bis=-) to London Stadium.

***West Ham fans, have a read of how fans have reacted to Aaron Cresswell’s recent performances [here!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/irons-fans-praise-aaron-cresswell-form-revival-assists/) Is Stuart Pearce making all the difference? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!***