Allardyce braced for tough fixtures

01 November 2012 12:17

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is preparing for a difficult run of Barclays Premier League fixtures, starting with Manchester City on Saturday.

The Hammers have lost three league games since being promoted last season and sit ninth in the table. But Allardyce could be glad of the 14 points already accrued as his side face the champions at the weekend before taking on Newcastle, Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in the coming weeks.

"We knew (about the fixtures) at the start of the season and that is why we were looking to get the points on the board that we did and like I say, nine games have passed by and we have had two disappointing results, both away (from home)," he said.

Allardyce admits he is not expecting to pick up a high number of points during a difficult run but still feels other sides will be envious of West Ham's current situation.

"Certainly Southampton and Reading will be looking at us and be a little jealous but there is this group of fixtures and it will be very difficult indeed," he said.

"We accept that we probably won't get as many points as we have collected in the first part of the season but we have got to try and get as many points as we possibly can and then move on to late December and January."

Source: PA