Defensive backbone pleases Allardyce

Sam Allardyce has claimed he can build a ‘successful team’ around West Ham’s defence after their third clean sheet in four games.

Allardyce’s side picked up their seventh point of the campaign in a lacklustre 0-0 draw against Norwich on Saturday.

While the West Ham manager was not happy with his team’s performance in front of goal, the fact his side have kept the opposition scoreless on three occasions since rejoining the Premier League has the 57-year-old manager in a positive mood.

“In the end it (the result) could have been anyone’s the way it went,” Allardyce said after the match.

“There were chances created by both sides and none taken, but in the end we got a clean sheet and a valuable point.

“We’re satisfied with that because our finishing was not as good as it should have been and our final ball too.

“Three clean sheets in four games is a great base to build a successful team on.”

Allardyce brought new signings Modibo Maiga, Matthew Jarvis and Yossi Benayoun off the bench against Norwich, which he believes is a great example of West Ham’s impressive squad this season.

“The first time we had the squad together was on Friday and looking at them I think we have some quality talent and strength-in-depth,” Allardyce said.

“That will stand us in good stead and the start we’ve had takes the pressure off.”

Norwich manager Chris Hughton was frustrated to see his team fail to collect three points despite another positive performance.

Hughton’s side had drawn their previous two matches against QPR and Tottenham despite arguably being the better team in both games but Hughton insists results will come for his side if they continue to perform at the same level.

“There’s a bit of frustration because on the back of three games I can’t fault the performances or the chances we’re getting,” Hughton said.

“Up against a strong, powerful West Ham team you have to cope with the way that they play and the problems they give you and I felt we coped very well.

“When we’ve got opportunities we need to show a little more quality and guile and maybe get some more fortune in the final third.

“I would be sitting here more concerned if we weren’t creating chances.”