West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce is delighted to be working with a deeper squad.

With four January loan arrivals in Roger Johnson, Pablo Armero, Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello, Allardyce is pleased to have more options than at any other stage this season.

"It's very important to have a strong squad," he said.

"Having the options to come on, like the two Italians (Nocerino and Borriello) and Pablo Armero, who we haven't seen yet, is brilliant.

"It's difficult for me to change the team because we keep winning, so they have to be more patient. I'm pleased for everybody and the squad of players we have, seeing smiles on their faces instead of the heads between their knees as we saw over Christmas.

"At the moment we're the team in form, picking up points left, right and centre. It's really pleasing because the games are starting to run out now."