West Ham United vs Queens Park Rangers preview - Big Sam: Old boys will be fired up

Posted Saturday, October 04, 2014 by PA

Sam Allardyce has urged the West Ham faithful to give QPR's former Hammers a warm reception when the two sides meet in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

Rob Green, Rio Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora have collectively made more than 500 appearances for the Hammers while Harry Redknapp was West Ham manager for six seasons from 1994.

The quartet are all plying their trade on the other side of the capital these days but Allardyce insists their time in East London should not be forgotten when they return to Upton Park this weekend.

"I think they should get a warm reception as all three of them were here for a considerable amount of time - they weren't short-term stays," Allardyce said.

"We would like them to be very miserable at the end of the game though.

"The year I had Robert (Green) when he helped us get back in to the Premier League, he was a great professional, and we all know about Rio.

"Harry has been managing longer than me - one of the few left who has.

"I think they will all come back with an extra determination to return to their old club and show everyone what they can still do."

Despite making some high-profile signings in the summer, QPR have struggled so far this season and find themselves sitting 18th in the table.

Ferdinand and Steven Caulker were two big names to arrive at Loftus Road but the team have conceded 13 goals in six games - the most in the division - and questions have been asked about the pair's performances.

"It's a team game, I don't think you can point out those two individuals," Allardyce said.

"They have had a transition because they've changed the way they have played - they thought that the back three would work and now they've moved to a back four.

"They will be talking about how much protection they are getting - or not getting - from the midfield players to stop those goals going in."

Allardyce has responded to the demands of the West Ham chairmen for a more attacking style of football this season with the Hammers scoring 10 goals in their opening six matches.

At the heart of the more expansive approach has been the resurgence of Stewart Downing, who has flourished in a more central role behind the strikers.

"His experience means he's made that transition to his new role very quickly," Allardyce said.

"A player of his ability gets more possession on the inside than he does on the outside and that's why he's more impressive."

The Hammers boss continued: "He's not past his best by any stretch of the imagination.

"You only get past your best when your legs can't carry you where you want to go and Stewart is one of our fittest players.

"There's one angle for Stewart that he should score more goals for the chances he creates and that he gets but hopefully he'll get that more this year playing in a different position."

West Ham entered the weekend lying 13th in the table but only three points above QPR and the bottom three.

Allardyce says it is never too early for supporters to grow frustrated and believes it is vitally important to maintain a gap above the relegation spots.

"The pressure affects us all if you're in and around the bottom even at this stage of the season," he said.

"There's no give or take whether it's the start, middle or end of the season so you have to avoid ever being there if you can.

"The only way of doing that is to make sure you win and if you don't win make sure you draw - if we had drawn rather than lost some of our games we'd be two or three points better than we are now.

"That kind of gap can be important to take the pressure off so it's almost a six-pointer on Sunday."

Guy Demel is the only fresh injury concern for Allardyce.

Demel pulled out of training with a knock on Wednesday and may not recover in time while Cheikhou Kouyate (groin), Joey O'Brien (knee), Mark Noble (calf) and Andy Carroll (ankle) are all still out.

James Tomkins was found guilty on Monday of assaulting a police officer in December but the defender is included in the squad and Matt Jarvis is close to returning from a thigh problem sustained in pre-season.

Ferdinand has suffered unfair abuse over his QPR performances due to his celebrity status, according to Redknapp.

The Rangers boss believes summer recruit Ferdinand has been singled out for undeserved criticism as the Loftus Road club fight for a Premier League foothold.

Ferdinand became embroiled in a war of words with the chairman of anti-racism group Kick It Out Herman Ouseley this week after the publication of his latest autobiography, '#2sides'.

The former Manchester United defender has clashed with Kick It Out over John Terry's trial for alleged racist abuse against Anton Ferdinand.

Chelsea captain Terry was cleared in court in July 2012, but issues around the case resurfaced with Ferdinand's new book.

Redknapp defended his centre-back, claiming the 35-year-old's off-field interests do not hurt his top-flight prowess, ahead of his 500th Premier League appearance this weekend.

"You'll always pick on the big players," said Redknapp.

"I didn't see him make too many mistakes last week. He clipped a ball that got turned over and they ended up scoring a world class goal.

"It's probably because he's high-profile. That's the biggest problem.

"Joey's on Twitter and Rio wrote a book. It happens all of the time. Lots of footballers do it, like Wayne Rooney. What can you do? They are high profile now. It's part of the game.

"I don't think it's fair. We've been a bit open and we need to tighten up. I've got no problems with Rio."

Joey Barton and Jordon Mutch will face late fitness tests in a bid to return after hamstring injuries.

Brazilian midfielder Sandro has been cleared to return after suffering a heavy blow to the head in last weekend's 2-1 league defeat at Southampton.

Redknapp is expected to continue with a flat back four after starting the season favouring 3-5-2, which could leave loan recruit wing back Mauricio Isla again unlikely to start.