Allardyce says club must shake off their relegation hangover

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has revealed the size of the task that he is facing at the club, and says that there is a huge amount of work to be done between now and the start of the season.

Speaking at his first press conference as manager of the Hammers, Allardyce set out his aims for the season.

“The number one goal for West Ham this season is promotion,” he said.

“Promotion can be achieved and must be achieved as soon as possible. The club will be playing in the Olympic Stadium in a few years’ time and the team must be back in the Premier League for that.”

Allardyce said that achieving promotion from the Championship would not be a simple task.

“It will not be easy,” he said.

“There are a lot of big teams, but our ultimate goal is promotion. We have got 46 very difficult games though between now and the end of the season to make that happen.

“But we have made a great start by signing (Abdoulaye) Faye and (Kevin) Nolan.

“We will definitely give it (promotion) our best shot.”

The 56-year-old also revealed that the club is still reeling from last season’s relegation from the Premier League, and that changes to playing personnel would be inevitable.

“We have got to shake off this relegation hangover that the club is still suffering from after last season,” he said. “We will look at moving some players on who want to play in the Premier League.

“The specualtion is around Green, Parker and Cole, although we have not received any concrete bids for these players as of yet.

“Other than them, there is no rush to sell anyone else. We will try to get as best a squad as we possibly can.”

The Hammers boss, often referred to as a long-ball merchant, was immediately on the defensive, when questioned about his style of play.

“When did West Ham last play the West Ham way?” he said. “It can’t be the West Ham way if we got relegated. The West Ham way is about winning football matches and the enjoyment of winning.

“That is what I do. I win football matches and I entertain the public. This long-ball tag that I have is just a media perception. That is all it is.

“I am here to instil discipline and magic into the side and create a special team spirit and bond between the players and staff.”