Tevez and Mascherano have struggled so far for West Ham

The Argentine duo were brought to the club by Kia Joorabchian, who had also been interested in buying the club.

"They are two kids and it's unfortunate that this process has started in this way," he said.

"We've put in a lot of work to ease the settling-in process and hopefully we'll get time to see it through."

News conference: West Ham manager Alan Pardew

We've always been very supportive and tried to make them feel comfortable Nigel Reo-Coker

The Argentine World Cup stars, who are both 22, arrived in a blaze of publicity at the end of August but have so far failed to live up to their billing.

It was widely thought that the end of Joorabchian's interest in the club would herald their departure, but Pardew said that they had been given an unduly hard time and he hoped they would have a chance to shine at Upton Park.

"Some of the criticism our guys have had in their settling-in period has been unfair," he said.

"They've gone through huge changes and still haven't got a grasp of English yet. But they're working on it and their work in training has been excellent."

Club captain Nigel Reo-Coker agreed with his manager that the players had been working hard.

"They apply themselves really well, and work hard in training," he said.

"They are trying to adapt but people don't realise how big a change it is for them to come from South America to Europe at only 22.

"It's a big culture shock, so it's been very hard for them. But we've always been very supportive and tried to make them feel comfortable."