West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce is confident their gamble in signing Manchester United midfielder Ravel Morrison will come off.

Big Sam wrote in the London Evening Standard: "The big thing, as Sir Alex Ferguson has highlighted, is that Ravel is out of Manchester. We need to look at that situation and be mindful that his background could attract a certain type of 'friend' down here. They may naturally try to seek him out so we have to try to protect him from that.

"He has a long-standing girlfriend, which is a good thing because he is not going to be lonely.

"We need to find him the right area in which to live and put him in a position where he clearly understands what he needs to do to develop his career.

"All in all it's a complete life package and one which, we hope, will help him flourish as a player.

"People will say that signing him is a gamble and to a certain extent it is because, if Ravel or any player doesn't want to succeed, then it doesn't matter how good a manager you are, it's not going to happen at the level which suits his ability.

"Let's be honest, we wouldn't have been able to sign the perfect footballer with a perfect background from Manchester United. Under no circumstances would Sir Alex have let a player go with such talent, had he not had some problems.

"One of the biggest things for Ravel would be for him to break into our first team. Then his whole life becomes closer to what he wants it to be.

"First things first, though. We have to find out about his talent, we have to settle him into his home environment, his lifestyle and build him a programme for the time spent away from the pitch. Ravel only turned 19 yesterday, so he will need guidance."