'I'm going to be honest with you...' - Pundit 'Wowed' by behind-scenes West Ham man

Frank McAvennie has hailed the impact of Stuart Pearce and credited the West Ham coach for the club's recent upturn in form.

The former Hammers striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, claimed that the 58-year-old has "done wonders" with West Ham's defence this season despite conceding three goals against Spurs at the weekend.

Pearce was appointed the club's first team coach in August having previously managed Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and England Under-21s.

David Moyes's side boast the third best defensive record in the Premier League this season with only Aston Villa and Arsenal conceding less goals.

McAvennie is adamant that the Hammers' improved defensive record is a result of Pearce's coaching.

"I am going to be honest with you, Stuart Pearce has come in and done wonders with the defence," he told Football Insider.

"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."

In other West Ham news, David Moyes has been told to axe 24-year-old and replace him with signing.