IPSWICH Town - the surprise guys of last season's Premiership - are in danger of becoming victims of their own incredible success.

Sam Allardyce believes George Burley's men have lost their way because their resources have been stretched by European commitments.

While victories over Torpedo Moscow and Helsingborg have taken the Tractor Boys to the third round of the UEFA Cup, they currently lie third bottom of the table with just one win in 12 Premiership games. And the Reebok boss has no doubt where the fault lies.

"Ipswich surprised themselves last season as we have surprised ourselves this season," Allardyce acknowledged, "but I think they are suffering the backlash of their success.

"The UEFA Cup has affected their Premiership performances."

Burley and his players, who have lined themselves up for an exciting duel with Italian giants Inter Milan, have repeatedly rubbished suggestions that their European adventures have been a distraction. But, after finishing fifth in their first season back in the Premiership, they cannot argue that they have so far failed to live up to expectations.

Allardyce, whose happy Wanderers resume their Premiership campaign at Portman Road on Sunday, maintains: "The UEFA Cup has played a big part.

"It's difficult to cope on two fronts when you have such a small squad. That's why they are having a difficult time.

"Look at Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United - they have a European side and a Premiership side. Ipswich don't have that and I think it stretches them having to play Thursday in the UEFA Cup and at weekends in the Premiership.

"Yet Ipswich's priority is to stay in the Premiership. Nobody would have worried if they had got knocked out (of the UEFA Cup) in the first round if they ended up being as successful as they were last season in the league."

The arrival of winger Ulrich Le Pen from French club L'Orient is expected to hasten Jamie Clapham's departure from Ipswich. The wing-back was being tipped to join West Ham today in a £1.5 million deal.