West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has warned his side's supporters that this weekend's clash against Sunderland will be all the more difficult now the Black Cats have appointed Dick Advocaat.
Sunderland sacked Gus Poyet yesterday following the side's 4-0 drubbing at home against Aston Villa at the weekend, a result which has left the Black Cats just one point above the drop zone.
They acted quickly after sacking Poyet and today drafted in experienced Dutch manager Advocaat, whose first task will be to take his new side to Upton Park at the weekend to face Allardyce's West Ham.
And Allardyce has waved away any suggestions that the Hammers could repeat Aston Villa's 4-0 success.
He told the BBC: "[The effect of] today's appointment and the result will make life very difficult on us on Saturday. It's one where we're just as desperate for a win as they are.
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"It will be a tough game, I'm sure of that.
"I hope the West Ham supporters don't expect us to breeze past them 4-0 like Aston Villa did last week."
The earlier match between the two sides this season ended 1-1 at the Stadium of Light.
West Ham go into the game without a win in their last eight games, while Sunderland have not tasted success in their last seven encounters.
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