Allardyce relaxed on new contract

Allardyce led the Hammers to promotion from the Championship two years ago and the team have enjoyed an excellent start to their third campaign in the top flight, sitting fourth in the Barclays Premier League table.

West Ham's form will be particularly satisfying for Allardyce, who was criticised by Hammers fans last season and appeared to have been ordered to impose a more attractive style of play by the club's co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan in a statement from the pair earlier this year.

Allardyce signed a two-year extension to his contract in May 2013 but the former Bolton boss is happy to wait before committing his future again.

"The conversations are the same as they were in the first year in the Premier League - we'll see how the season progresses and when the time is right," Allardyce said

"If it has progressed to a certain level that they want to offer me a new contract, that's fine.

"At my age it doesn't particularly worry me a great deal

Contracts are made and broken in the entire football industry - i t 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."

West Ham's strong start owes much to the form of their summer signings who have adjusted quickly to the pace of the English top flight

Diafra Sakho has scored five goals in as many games but the likes of Enner Valencia, Mauro Zarate, Alex Song and Aaron Cresswell have all made valuable contributions

"Is this the best team I've had here? It looks like it," Allardyce said

"It's been a big bonus with the new players hitting the ground running, producing quality form straight away

"Every new signing has made a really good contribution - it's lifted the rest of the team, increased the quality and energy."

Allardyce continued: "We have a good environment

My early days with Bolton taught me not to just think about the player - think about the family and how you integrate them into the culture

"It's hard to do, particularly if they don't speak English well

T hat's been one help we've had - the environment here is a happy one and one where everyone is accepted."

The Hammers are aiming for their fourth win in five games on Saturday but face a tough test at home to reigning champions Manchester City

City thrashed Tottenham 4-1 last weekend and if the Hammers are to avoid a similar fate they will need to stop Sergio Aguero, who hit four against Spurs and another in the Champions League on Tuesday

"He has been plagued with a few injures in the World Cup and in the early season for Man City but you saw a fully fit Aguero last week," Allardyce said

"Not only did he score four but he missed a penalty so he could have had five

Sometimes you have to say he's just unstoppable

"We've got to try to focus on limiting service to him - the lads in front of the defence can make life difficult

"That's the key element to keeping him quiet because he can receive the ball even when he's marked and wriggle free

He's a fantastic finisher."

Source : PA

Source: PA