Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has hailed Sam Allardyce's work at West Ham United.

Shearer wrote in The Sun: "A look at the Premier League table going into this weekend's fixtures saw them in sixth place, ahead of Arsenal and Tottenham.

"Victory tonight against Stoke would come on the back of a creditable draw against champions Manchester City and an impressive win away to Newcastle last time out.

"I was at that match and was hugely impressed with the way West Ham played.

"What Sam has always done with his teams is organise them well from front to back and get the very best out of what he has got.

"Against Newcastle last week he played Andy Carroll (on loan) with Kevin Nolan (£3million) just behind him and Mohamed Diame (free) with Mark Noble in the centre of midfield.

"It was vastly effective and led to a well-deserved win.

"I know Carroll is yet to score but he does a great job up front for the Hammers.

"Nolan was an inspired signing and is the team's real leader.

"Diame is a great capture for nothing from Wigan while Noble has come on in leaps and bounds under Allardyce."