SAM Allardyce believes the next two home games could sort the men out from the boys.

The Reebok boss knows tonight's clash with Everton and Saturday's game at home to Birmingham represent a huge challenge to his players' character.

He has urged them to repeat the kind of inspiring performance they produced in the second half at Newcastle United last Wednesday when they dominated the best home team in the Premiership.

But he is aware that the need for victory in the next two matches could add a burden of expectation some players may find difficult to handle.

"Draws are not really sufficient any more," he said.

"We have to win games and we have to try to win two successive games for only the second time this season.

"The games against Everton and Birmingham are going to test our bottle. The players have to keep their nerve and play as well as they did in the second half at Newcastle.

"If they do we will exert a lot of pressure on the opposition and in turn that will create chances to score.

"Two wins are far more important than bringing a player in because in the end we might not get anybody in.

"In any case the players we already have here are only a hair's breadth away from being very comfortable in the Premiership.

"The performances have shown that, our only problem has been scoring goals."

Defender Simon Charlton echoed the need for back to back victories followed by the same against relegation rivals West Brom away.

"The next three games are so important and we need a minimum of six points from nine to give ourselves a fighting chance.

"We are playing reasonably well, we just need a goal. But we survived last year and these players can do the same this year."