Sam Allardyce has claimed that his West Ham United side need to make a strong start to the Premier League campaign after gaining promotion at the first attempt last season.
The Hammers lost their opening four matches of the season a year ago and never recovered as they suffered relegation to the Championship.
Allardyce is hoping to avoid a similar start and is targeting three points at home to Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season. The former Blackburn manager wants a strong run before a tough Christmas fixture list, starting with Manchester City at the end of October.
"The first nine games up to Manchester City are ones we must try to achieve as many points as we can. It will be hugely difficult but not as difficult as what follows," Allardyce told the club's official website.
"We get through October and then November and December are the toughest months of the season, not only because of the fixtures but the number of games we have to play.
"We've got to get off to get off to a flying start and achieve as many points as we can in the first nine or 10 games. The fixtures are difficult though; nothing is going to be easy at all."
Allardyce took over at West Ham in 2011.
Sam Hughes
