SAM Allardyce re-emphasised his aims and ambitions today by insisting: "Never mind the sensational start - we are still on a survival mission."

Heads have been turned as Wanderers have established themselves in the top half of the Premiership but the manager's priorities are all about steering clear of the relegation zone.

"Staying away from there is the most important thing for us," he said as he stepped up preparations for tomorrow's trip to Ipswich after a business trip on the Continent.

"We will be looking to get a result against what is currently a bottom three club so it's an opportunity to at least maintain or at best increase the gap between them and ourselves.

"If we manage a draw, the gap will be the same and it will be another game gone. If we can get a win it will be a huge, huge bonus. It would be absolutely fantastic in terms of the distance it would put between us and them."

Tenth in the table with 16 points from 12 games played is a better return than Wanderers ever expected but Allardyce says it is far too soon to be drawing any long-term conclusions.

"There's not much difference between our position now and the positions Manchester City and Bradford City were in at this stage last season," he explained, "and they got relegated.

"While we've had a good start, it's not the be all and end all. It's just created a confidence we hope to take into our coming games."