Allardyce wary of Stoke

Published on 19/11/2012 01:13

West Ham manager Sam 
Allardyce believes Stoke will feel they have under-achieved in the Premier League this season.

Allardyce welcomes Tony Pulis’ side to Upton Park tonight with the Potters 14th in the table having collected only two wins.

The Hammers have six more points than the visitors and, although Allardyce knows his side face a challenge, he reckons Pulis will feel Stoke should be further up the table.

Allardyce said. “I think that they get the defensive side of it right, as I try to do as well. The improvement in the quality of their players has made them an established Premier League side.

“I think Tony probably thinks they are under-achieving a bit at the minute with the team he has built over the last few years. He had a more difficult start to the season in terms of fixtures than we did, so I’m sure they’ll get back to winning ways, but I hope it’s not on Monday.”

Stoke striker Michael Owen is struggling for fitness ahead of the game, while West Ham’s former Hibernian forward Ricardo Vaz Te remains on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.