Sam Allardyce predicts "long haul" to safety

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has predicted that it will be a "long haul" for his side to climb up the Premier League table during the remainder of the season.

The Hammers are just one point above the drop zone after Saturday's 3-1 defeat at champions Manchester United.

"It's a difficult test for us now and it's going to be a long haul in terms of digging ourselves out of this position," Allardyce told the club's official website.

"We just have to make sure that we don't make the types of error that we made in the first half on Saturday.

"We have to be more consistent in our performances and certainly we've got to find more goals."

West Ham continue their fight against relegation on Boxing Day when they welcome Arsenal to Upton Park.