Alan Pardew wary of 'Big Sam factor' as Crystal Palace host Sunderland
Monday 23 November 2015 08:00, UK
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes Sam Allardyce is one of the strongest managers in the Premier League.
The Eagles host Allardyce's Sunderland at Selhurst Park on Monday but Pardew is not feeling overly confident despite the Black Cats' poor form which sees them sitting 19th in the table with only one win from their 12 matches this season.
"I never fancy my chances against a Sam Allardyce team, he's got a knowledge and a respect from me that I will take into the game," said Pardew.
"I will expect a Sam Allardyce team to turn up and try their best to get a victory."
Allardyce has been in charge of Sunderland since the beginning of October, after previous manager Dick Advocat left the club.
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"It's a good club, it's a big club and Sam understands that," added Pardew.
"He's worked in the north east and he knows that both clubs up there are everything to the fans, so he will be looking to rekindle them and get them up and running.
"He's a great choice because he knows the division and if anyone is going to resurrect their season it will be Big Sam.
"I know every time I come up against a Sam Allardyce team I know they have what they are trying to achieve in place and he has a team that knows how to play Premier League games - he's going to go and try and win the game."
Palace are 10th in the table with 19 points and will be looking to follow up their 2-1 victory at Liverpool before the international break.
Pardew said: "For us we are in good shape. We had a great victory in our last game and one or two players have come back to us this week.
"[Marouane] Chamakh will be involved in the game, Connor Wickham will be involved in the game, we've got the guys who were playing at Liverpool involved in the game. We've got a strong hand."