Paul Merson believes West Ham could well be sucked into the bottom three if performances don’t improve quickly. The Hammers are currently just one point off the relegation zone heading into this evening’s fixture against Leicester.

The TV pundit believes it is now a four-team battle with Norwich, Aston Villa and Watford for the drop, and he is expecting Nigel Pearson to guide the Hornets out of danger, leaving the Irons in trouble:

“The relegation battle is becoming a four-horse race between West Ham, Watford, Aston Villa and Norwich. I can see Watford getting out of it now. Nigel Pearson has really got them running, working and fighting. That’s given them a chance. But I worry for West Ham. Something has to change for them, and fast.”

A change in manager could well arrest West Ham’s slide, but it is believed that Manuel Pellegrini will be given the next two games to save his job. Both are home games with Bournemouth on New Year’s Day following today’s match versus the Foxes.

As Merson points out, though, things aren’t likely to change for the better. If there is no sudden upturn in form under the Chilean, the Hammers board will have to wield the axe.