Tony Pulis: 'Sam Allardyce is underrated'

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has said that he is expecting Sam Allardyce to have his Sunderland side firing when the teams meet this weekend.

Allardyce, who was appointed the new boss of the Black Cats on Friday, takes charge for the first time when they travel to the Baggies on Saturday.

Pulis has said that Allardyce deserves credit for the work that he did in his last managerial role at West Ham United.

"I know Sam well," Pulis told the Express & Star. "I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.

"He did a smashing job at West Ham and you know his teams are always well drilled and well organised. People forget that when they got relegated, he got them promoted in the first year and they kicked on from there.

"He laid down the groundwork for the next manager who is reaping the rewards."

Sunderland are 19th in the Premier League table going into the match at The Hawthorns, while West Brom are 17th.