Friday 28 November 2014 16:10, UK
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says he thinks Newcastle are the toughest team to face in the Premier League at the moment other than leaders Chelsea.
Newcastle visit Upton Park on Saturday and are looking for a seventh league win in a row, having risen to fifth in the table after a shaky start which had fans calling for the sacking of manager Alan Pardew.
"Alan has got better results than we have had recently and he has turned the corner,” said Allardyce.
Apart from Chelsea, we have the most difficult game to play on Saturday because it's six wins on a trot they (Newcastle) have gained.
"He has fitted in a lot of new players. They have gelled together and they have massive confidence back, which is always lacking in a team when they don't get results.
"Apart from Chelsea, we have the most difficult game to play on Saturday because it's six wins on a trot they have gained.
"We will have to play like we know we can, like we did (in home wins) against Manchester City and Liverpool, and hopefully that will be enough to cause them problems.
"Our cutting edge in the last two games has gone missing and that is one of the reasons we have stopped winning. We have to find that again."
West Ham went through a difficult period last season and Allardyce reflected on the fact he and Pardew had cause to be grateful for working with patient owners.
"It has been pretty good across the board this season in the Premier League,” said Allardyce. “I don't think any manager has lost their job yet.
“Under the circumstances, we, as managers, all look at November as 'Black November'. That is normally when it starts. One (sacking) can escalate into two or three.
If it is your fault, then that is fine. If it is not, then you have to hope the results turn sooner because you can't last forever without results.
"Particularly myself and Alan have had a little bit of patience from the owners. They have understood the position.
"From my point of view, I communicate with owners on a regular basis and debate how the situation is, and ask them to understand what it is.
"If it is your fault, then that is fine. If it is not, then you have to hope the results turn sooner because you can't last forever without results, no matter how patient the owners are.”
West Ham forward Diafra Sakho is doubtful because of a back problem, so Andy Carroll could be set to face his former club.
The club record signing has just returned to match fitness after ankle surgery and Allardyce said: “He is in the process of completing the pre-season and is evolving his game at the top level, and that will hopefully allow him the time to catch up on his match fitness.
"The longer he stays fit, the more matches he gets, the sharper he gets. The sharper he gets, the better player he becomes."
