SAM Allardyce is ready for a shake-up as he tries desperately to keep Wanderers away from the Premiership drop zone.

The Reebok boss has taken pride in seeing his team exceed all expectations, defying their doubters and critics with a flying start and some impressive results.

But he admitted today: "Maybe it's time for a change."

Allardyce admits the pressure is on for Wanderers to achieve a positive result in Saturday's home game against Charlton and is considering all options as he looks for a first home victory since the shock 2-1 triumph over current leaders Liverpool on August 27.

"We've only scored two in five games at home and both of those came in the same game against Everton," he lamented. "We know we have a problem there but we'll keep working at it.

"We'll probably look at two defeats on the trot and wonder whether it's time to start changing the team around. We've been relatively very comfortable with the 11 that's played on a regular basis because up to now we've picked more or less the same 11 for every game. But we've lost two and now it's time for me to say to the rest 'Now here's your chance' and see if we can turn this round."

Jermaine Johnson and Colin Hendry could be the possiblebeneficiaries of a shake-up. The young Jamaican international has made three starts since joining Wanderers from Tivoli Gardens in September but could be offered a run in the side if the manager is looking for more penetration from midfield while the veteran Scot, restricted to just three Worthington Cup appearances since playing a major role in last season's promotion success, could be given a chance to lend his experience to a defence that has managed just one clean sheet in the last 12 Premiership games.

Whoever he turns to, Allardyce has reached the point where he feels he needs to do something to check the slide.

Twice in six days last week he saw his side beaten by the odd goal and, although generally pleased by the overall performances at Spurs and Derby, the gap between Wanderers and the clubs in the relegation zone is shrinking fast.

"We've suffered two defeats on the trot and we don't want that to escalate," he cautioned after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Derby. "We'll let the lads mull over this one but we're not a kick in the backside away from getting things going in our favour. If we can go to Derby and play as well as we did up to the last third shows how far we have come but the bottom line is that we're not scoring goals or creating opportunities."

The manager could use tomorrow's Worthington Cup Quarter-final at Spurs to run the rule over potential graduates to his Premiership Xl. In each of the previous three rounds he has taken the opportunity to rest his regulars and field strong second string sides. Asked if he would go down the same route as Wanderers make a second trip to White Hart Lane in nine days, he said he listed a number of factors he needs to consider.

"It depends what the injuries are like, the fatigue factor ... " he began before his sense of frustration got the better of him. "I don't know what else I have to think about. You almost get to the point where you're having to go to the toilet and wipe their backsides.

"But we'll go down and have a nice evening at Tottenham in the Worthington Cup, which is less pressure than the Premiership."