SAM Allardyce has hailed his players' powers of concentration which are keeping Wanderers' heads above relegation water.

Allardyce is unhappy at the lengthy spells between games which he believes are adding extra pressure to their relegation fight.

He says his players have coped admirably so far, with two wins and two draws in the last five games.

But with one or two free weeks still to come it remains a problem.

Getting a result in Monday's Premiership visit of Spurs could be made all the more difficult as it comes after their relegation rivals have all played their weekend games, argues Allardyce.

With a good recent run under their belts Wanderers are itching to play. But they will have had to wait nine days to build on their Sunderland victory by the time they run out to face Spurs at the Reebok.

Then there is another free weekend before they face Manchester City at home the following Saturday followed by another free weekend if Chelsea win their FA Cup replay against Arsenal in the meantime.

"We wish this game against Spurs could have been played on the Saturday because other teams playing on Saturday adds an extra pressure on us.

"We have been waiting too long for our games to come along.

"After this game we have another clear weekend and if Chelsea beat Arsenal we will have yet another blank weekend. It is a ludicrous situation.

"It is a long time to keep your players focused from one game to another but we have managed to cope with it very well so far."

Wanderers' improved form has lifted optimism that they can pull away from danger but any sign of complacency will be snapped upon by the manager.

"We have put together a decent run but it would be very foolish if anybody switched off.

"There is no easing up, no thinking that we are there.

"It only needs West Ham to beat Sunderland today and we will go into Monday's night's game in the bottom three."

THE WEEKEND'S CRUCIAL GAMES

SATURDAY

Birmingham v West Brom

West Ham v Sunderland

MONDAY

Wanderers v Spurs