Allardyce in buoyant mood

Sam Allardyce is in a buoyant mood ahead of West Ham's Boxing Day clash with Premier League leaders Chelsea.

The Hammers have climbed to fourth spot in the league after going undefeated in December, winning three of their last four games.

And Allardyce, who masterminded a crucial 0-0 draw away to Chelsea in their last meeting nearly a year ago, believes West Ham are a better side this season and underlined the importance of winning points against Jose Mourinhos side.

This one is totally different, he said. We are fourth in the league this time weve got better players. Weve got younger players and hopefully we will come and give a good account of ourselves and a good account of ourselves is a result not a good performance and a loss.

After the 0-0 at Stamford Bridge last season, the Chelsea manager was quick to vent his anger over West Ham playing football from the 19th century", but Allardyce believes Mourinho's frustration proves the Hammers are a good side.

He said: I think that its a compliment that a frustrated manager vents his frustration over the fact that he cant break the team hes playing against down and I think that frustration spilled over into his press conference.

He felt he should have beaten us [in their last meeting] obviously because of the position we were in at the time and the position they were in.

So its always a compliment for me when a manager has a little pop at you about the way you played or what tactics you might have used because it means tactically you have been very good.

Youve done your job well, made sure the opposition have found it very difficult to break you down and not beaten you when everyone expected us to lose and we didnt it.

After surviving relegation by only seven points last season, Allardyce singled out the draw against Chelsea last year as a pivotal point in their season and wants a repeat performance.

The clash which will be shown live on Sports 1 HD from 12:30pm on Friday could prove vital in the race to secure a spot amongst Europes elite for West Ham.