Premier League: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes current side is best yet
Thursday 23 October 2014 13:08, UK
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce believes his current side is the best he has had in his three years at Upton Park.
West Ham entertain champions Manchester City this weekend - and Allardyce says they have a real chance of upsetting the odds.
Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have both been in fine form - the former scoring six goals in seven appearances - as West Ham sit in fourth place after eight games.
Allardyce said: "We've scored 15 goals in our first eight games and our total last year was 40. It shows what goalscorers can do.
"It looks like being the best side since I've been here and the big bonus is the new players hitting the ground running. The rest of the team has been lifted by that increase in quality and energy and we've got over some injury problems too.
"We've got a different team to when we played Man City last season. They're a fabulous side but if we're going to challenge them at any time this season this might be it, coming off a Champions League game.
"If we can keep their superb attacking force quiet we'll then have to see if we can exploit any weaknesses."
There was a further boost for Allardyce when Andy Carroll returned to full training on Thursday for the first time since suffering an ankle ligament injury on the pre-season tour to New Zealand.
The City match will be too soon for him as he some weeks short of full fitness, but there was other positive news for Allardyce, who said: "We've got James Tomkins and Cheik Kouyate back into the squad, so we'll look forward to having them back."
Meanwhile, Allardyce insists he is not worried about being offered a new contract despite his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
Allardyce, who signed a two-year extension to his contract in May 2013, said: "At my age it doesn't particularly worry me a great deal. Contracts are made and broken in the entire football industry - it doesn't mean anything like it used to because a long or short contract doesn't protect you.
"It's a winning culture you need - if you continue to win, you improve the club."
