Earlier this season West Ham fans were filling out the passport renewal forms ahead of some potential European trips next season. But, after a run of one win in 12 Premier League matches, some late summer sun in the Mediterranean appears to be their best bet of a continental jaunt now.

"We can't feel sorry for ourselves as every team has injuries at some time in the season and it's about overcoming that," says Allardyce, whose side have dropped to 10th.

"We've had a challenging run of fixtures and we should have taken more points that we did, which would have put us in a fantastic position.

"The bottom line is playing fantastic is great, but not winning is critical."

Here's the news all you fantasy football managers out there want to know - the West Ham team news for the visit of Sunderland.

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Spanish goalkeeper Adrian and ex-England striker Carlton Cole are fit, but Ecuador striker Enner Valencia and Kiwi centre-back Winston Reid look set to miss out.

On-loan full-back Carl Jenkinson also returns after being ineligible to face parent club Arsenal last week.

"It's good to have a couple of players back in Carlton and Carl, because with our small squad that's very important," says Big Sam. "We will wait until Saturday morning to see what the situation with Winston is."

Of course, Sunderland have already appointed Dutch coach Dick Advocaat until the end of the season as they aim to avoid Premier League relegation.

The Black Cats sacked Gus Poyet this week after the 4-0 home defeat by Aston Villa left them one point above the bottom three with nine matches left.

"They've moved swiftly to make a change and give themselves the best possible chance of getting the points they need," says Allardyce.

"The players at Sunderland will be hurt that they've let the fans down with a 4-0 defeat last week and I think we'll have a very tough game on Saturday."

We make it less than five minutes. That's the time it takes for Sam Allardyce to be asked about the chances of him swapping West Ham for Sunderland in the summer.

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And his response is emphatic. "Pure speculation," snorts the Hammers boss, who played for the Mackems in the early 1980s.

Sam Allardyce, chomping on chewing gum as usual, wanders into the media room at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground.

He is about to speak to the assembled press pack ahead of his team's home match against Sunderland, who - ironically - he has been linked with taking charge of in the summer.

Let's see what Big Sam has to say then...

Finally a bit about Sunday's game, with Ramsey asked whether it's an advantage for Rangers that Everton have a Europa League date in Ukraine tonight (v Dynamo Kiev, 18:00 GMT).

Ramsey, though, is having none of it. "It doesn't help us, it doesn't give us an advantage because they have a big squad and a quality manager," he says.

"I don't think about the opposition or what problems they might have (referring to Everton's league form). We are just going to prepare the best we can for the game."

Fair enough. And with that, off he goes.

Interesting response from Ramsey when he is asked if QPR striker Charlie Austin should be in Roy Hodgson's England squad (announced today at 12:30 GMT).

"He has been fantastic this season ... I think he has done more than (Tottenham's) Harry Kane because he is in a team which is struggling," says Ramsey.

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"Charlie's work rate is unbelievable and he has the uncoachable thing, which is scoring goals.

"I'm sure he will be in the reckoning for the squad. We haven't heard anything yet but we hope he will be involved. He's the kind of quality player who will shine wherever he plays."

Austin ahead of Kane? Discuss.

"I don't like using the word unlucky," says Ramsey - and at this point we all know what's coming next - "but we have been unlucky in some of the gems we've played. We've performed very well against teams like Arsenal and Tottenham."

Asked what it will take to stay up, the QPR boss replied: "I'm afraid it's that old cliche, we need to take each game as it comes.

"You can't think three or four matches ahead. We need to prepare for each game, make sure we don't give away silly goals as we have been doing, and stay together."

If ever a manger needed a few good result it is QPR boss Ramsey.

His side are second bottom of the Premier League, four points from safety, and were spanked 3-1 at Crystal Palace last time.

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"There were a few things we didn't stick to against Palace, but we're still in it and we believe we can get out of it," says the Rangers boss.

"The players have got to pick themselves up. We've re-grouped and we have to go again to get where we need to get to.

"Apart from the Crystal Palace game, the performances have been good regardless of whoever we have put in the team."

Unpredictable and nothing special - but with the ability to beat anybody. That's BBC Sport commentator Iain Robertson's verdict on the France side which travel to England on Saturday for the Six Nations climax.

"France are gloriously unpredictable," he tells BBC Radio 5 live. "They can play badly and be bitterly disappointed, like they have in this Six Nations, then produce one great game at the end.

"England have to be careful but there's nothing special in the France team."

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Geoff Parling's return to the England XV, with Nick Easter on the bench, brings vital experience for the Six Nations decider against France, says BBC rugby union commentator Ian Robertson.

"Geoff Parling has been injured, he came back, proved his fitness and goes back in to the team alongside Courtney Lawes. It is a much stronger second row with more experience," Robertson tells BBC Radio 5 live.

"The shock is bringing back Nick Easter but when you think about it, it is a brilliant stroke by Stuart Lancaster. He is a real impact player to come on when England might be chasing another 10 points near the end. Because the title will almost certainly go down to points difference."

Keep those heroic sporting displays coming.

Michael Gannon: Packie Bonner, Euro 88 Stuttgart, Ireland 1 England 0 will never forget that day.

Dan D'Cunha: Derrick Redmond finishing his 400m semi in 1992 with a torn hamstring and his dad by his side.

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Heart Of The Holte: Nigel Spink for Aston Villa V Bayern Munich, 1982, European Cup Final.

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Here's the 15 men named by England head coach Stuart Lancaster, who makes just one change from the win over Scotland, to face France.

Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Nick Easter, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Billy Twelvetrees.

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Lions lock Geoff Parling is recalled by England for Saturday's title-defining match against France at Twickenham.

Parling steps up from the replacement bench to replace Dave Attwood who - in a slightly unexpected move - is dropped from the squad.

Veteran Harlequins forward Nick Easter returns to cover lock as well as the back row.

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More Joe Hart heroics in The Sun, plus the latest from the world of cricket, including some tasty quotes from Alistair Cook and Kevin Pietersen.

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The countdown to a humdinger of a Six Nations finale is on. Four teams. One title. But who will be lifting the Championship this weekend?

France, who travel to England on Saturday, have an outside chance and they make two enforced changes through injury from their side which beat Italy 29-0 in Rome.

Jules Plisson comes in for Camille Lopez at fly-half, while Vincent Debaty starts at prop instead of Eddy Ben Arous.

The England team will be announced in less than 10 minutes....

Wenger is talking about suffering from fatigue now, after a gruelling week involving the trip to Monaco and a win over West Ham.

"West Ham was a very physical game and we paid for it in the second half of the Monaco game. It's a concern," says Wenger.

Asked about Newcastle, the gaffer adds: "We have good memories at Newcastle but they're always very tight and difficult games. The crowd is always motivated."

And that's it, Wenger strides out of the room and off to the training ground.

Arsenal boss Wenger is asked about the chances of the Gunners winning the Premier League title this season.

They are seven points behind Chelsea, though Jose Mourinho's men have played a game more.

"At the moment we are too far away from Chelsea but we have an opportunity every week to get closer," says the boss.

"We have to continue to improve. We are a better team today than four months ago. We've won 13 of our last 15 games."

Arsenal crashed out of the Champions League at Monaco, albeit despite a great second-leg display display.

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Wenger says: "We have to move on. We know why we went out - it's down to a dreadful defensive performance in the first leg.

"Maybe away goals should count after extra-time. The rule was created in the 1960s and the weight of the away goal is too great today."

Mr Wenger has arrived and first up is a spot of team news.

Good news on Tomas Rosicky - he could be fit to face Newcastle.

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Not so good news, however, about Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy - the pair of them will be out for "at least"