By Mandeep Sanghera

Bilic says Pardew led the Hammers to a great campaign last season

West Ham's former club record signing and Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has thrown his support behind under-pressure boss Alan Pardew.

Pardew is struggling to bed Argentine duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano into a struggling Hammers side.

Bilic told BBC Sport: "Alan has done his job so well for the last couple of years, and to change after four or five bad results is not a good idea.

"I think the manager should have a little bit more time."

Bilic became a cult figure on the terraces at Upton Park after being signed by the club's former manager Harry Redknapp for �1.65m in February 1996.

I know that Mascherano and Tevez are special players but they haven't clicked immediately Slaven Bilic

He helped save the Hammers from Premiership relegation before moving to Everton for �4.5m the following summer.

Bilic will be trying to manage Croatia to a victory over England in a Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday but says he still keeps a keen look out for both West Ham and Everton.

He was impressed by West Ham's exploits in their first season back in the Premiership last season and believes Tevez and Mascherano will eventually come good.

"When the club bought Mascherano and Tevez I really thought they were going to challenge for a place in the Champions League this season but they have hardly won a game.

"I know that Mascherano and Tevez are special players, but they haven't clicked immediately.

"But they will sooner or later and should be a force in the Premiership."