SAM Allardyce admitted today that he stuck his neck out when he took Wanderers on their warm-weather break in Dubai.

Eyebrows were raised when it was confirmed that Big Sam and his players were taking a six expensive days R and R in the Gulf state.

The manager knew he would have to face the music if the plan backfired and the prospect of playing Manchester United in the first game back only added to the pressure.

But, much to his relief, he was vindicated - not only by the result but the performance which clearly showed Wanderers were better prepared than the Manchester Reds.

"When you lay your neck on the line as a manager and you spend all that money, the last thing you want is to come back and your team not perform," Allardyce pointed out.

"Straight away the fingers are pointed and the questions asked, like 'What have they been doing?' and all that useless rubbish.

"But everybody saw that one of the reasons for that performance was the break we had in Dubai. That and the few days' building up to the game made a massive difference.

"The weather was so poor and if we hadn't had the Reebok Stadium with its undersoil heating, we wouldn't have had the right area to prepare for Manchester United. That was crucial after the Dubai break - the two things hand in hand were perfect."

Although deeply in debt and envious of many of their wealthy Premiership rivals, Allardyce's bosses have repeatedly backed his efforts to offer his players the best of facilities.

Less privileged West Brom boss Gary Megson drew comparisons with the financial situation at The Hawthorns. Having planned a break at Spain's La Manga sporting complex, the Baggies' boss was told to switch to a less expensive resort.

But funds did not stretch to Wanderers returning to Dubai during their latest two-week lay-off. Instead Allardyce gave his players a few days' off before stepping up his preparations for the Liverpool game. Now he is calling for a repeat of the effort Wanderers put in against United.

"It will be great if the preparation goes as well next week but I'm experienced enough to know not to take anything for granted.

"What I will demand at Liverpool is the same focus and at least the same workrate. We'll have to take that into the Liverpool game and hopefully, as a team and as individuals, they can play well collectively and from a skill point of view."