Sam Allardyce:'Stoke City game is start of a tough phase'

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce believes that his side are entering a "tough phase" starting with Monday's game against Stoke City.

Allardyce's men host Tony Pulis's side at Upton Park and the Hammers boss reckons it is the beginning of a difficult run of games for his team.

"The tough phase has already begun for us and, after Stoke on Monday we go into a run against the other big boys," said Allardyce.

"We've coped very well so far and I hope we continue to cope on Monday night because that's a big game for us. We want to continue our home form and home results and get a very important three points against a well-experienced and well-organised team with a really good manager."

A win for West Ham tomorrow would take them up to fifth in the Premier League.