SAM Allardyce paid tribute to rival boss Glenn Roeder today for riding the early-season rapids to steer West Ham to a top 10 Premiership finish.

The Wanderers' boss sprang to Roeder's defence when he was tipped for the chop as the Hammers struggled in the first handful of games at a time when a collection of managers were losing their jobs in a nationwide sacking frenzy.

"Glenn was coming under pressure even before a ball had been kicked with people questioning his credibility to be in that position," Allardyce recalled.

"When they got off to a bad start it meant the criticism got more ferocious as the games went on. But he overcame it, let the criticism go over his head because, when all was said and done, the early season form was a result of having a lot of crucial players injured.

"They stuck at it and did well with their home form plus a few good away results - winning at Old Trafford, for instance.

"I'm sure he learned an awful lot this year about life in the Premiership, just like myself."