Big Sam on Sky Blues clash

West Ham United's promotion challenge has stalled slightly over the festive period and manager Sam Allardyce is looking for a response as the Hammers return to Upton Park for Monday's clash with a Coventry City side buoyed by successive victories between Christmas and the new year.

2012 will begin for the Sky Blues with the toughest of tests against the Championship favourites, in front of a sell-out crowd and with Allardyce having a number of players back from injury and suspension.

Kevin Nolan and Jack Collison are among those returning and the Irons boss told the official West Ham United website: 'We need to get back to winning ways against Coventry and try and get as many points out of the next five or six games as we possibly can.'

'mismatch'

This game however suddenly looks less of a mismatch than it did a week ago with the optimism generated by the win over Bristol City clear for all to see as the Sky Blues defeated Brighton on Saturday.

'Upton Park is a lovely place to play football and the last two results have given us a lot of confidence,' Andy Thorn told the Coventry Telegraph.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.