Safety first for Allardyce

Sam Allardyce has revealed he will only sign a new contract when West Ham have achieved safety in the Premier League.

The east London side host West Brom on Saturday with a six-point cushion over 18th-placed Wigan but have only won twice in nine Premier League games.

The slump has led to speculation over Allardyce’s future, but the 58-year-old insists talks over a new deal will commence once his side’s top-flight status is secure.

“I want us to get safe and then if the contract’s already there and ready to sign, I’ll sign it, move on and get ready for next season,” Allardyce told reporters.

“I’m not so sure we have to wait until we’re mathematically safe. I think if we get to 38 points both parties would say that’s going to be enough this season.

“Hopefully we can get to 38 points as quickly as we can, then we’ll have a few games left it achieve more than 40 points if we can.”

There was good news for West Ham off the field recently, with confirmation they will move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016.

But Allardyce is only concerned with their stuttering form on the ground.

“It’s been a little disappointing recently, not from a contract point of view but from a results point of view,” he said.

“I’m disappointed we haven’t already clinched safety because I think we should have done based on our performances.

“Our lack of concentration and, on some occasions, our lack of goals has made us linger on this subject.

“We all want to get it out of the way, done and dusted and focus on hopefully another season in the Premier League.”