Hammers had it easier than Saints - Sam

Sam Allardyce admits West Ham face Southampton in good heart after an easier start to their Premier League fixtures than the Saints.

The Hammers' loss to Arsenal earlier this month was their first league defeat at Upton Park this season, but despite that, Allardyce believes there's a good feeling in the rooms. "We've coped with the Barclays Premier League very well over the start of our season, also I think we had a group of fixtures that were less challenging than Southampton's," he said. "We were disappointed by Arsenal, but our confidence, particularly here at home is very very high and I hope we can see the same level of performance that I've seen, particularly against Sunderland, Fulham, and Aston Villa at the start of the season. "If we can hit that level of form, I think we'll get opportunities to win the game."