YOSSI Benayoun has assured himself a hostile reception when West Ham visit the Reebok in the Carling Cup in 18 days time.

The Hammers midfielder has launched a bitter attack against Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce, who wanted to sign the Israeli in the summer.

Benayoun says he was all set to join Wanderers and blames Allardyce for the deal falling through.

The issue evidently still rankles with the 25-year-old and he has allowed his frustration to spill out in a hostile attack on Big Sam in the Israeli media.

He said: "I'll tell you what the difference is between West Ham and Bolton.

"When West Ham thought I was signing for Bolton, Alan Pardew called me and said 'I wish you all the best at Bolton. If we can still change something, we are always good on our offer and we will welcome you".

"I told him I hadn't signed for Bolton, and when I told Allardyce I was going to sign for West Ham, he said, You are joining the number one contenders for relegation. West Ham will not play real football and you won't get any playing minutes. You will not advance. They will get relegated".

"That was the main reason for my decision."

Benayoun has made a big impact at Upton Park since his £2.5 million transfer from Racing Santander.

He has played in all seven Premiership matches, scoring twice and quickly establishing himself as a fans' favourite.

But his outspoken criticism of a man who is revered in Bolton is not likely to endear him to the Wanderers fans when West Ham visit for their Carling Cup third round clash on October 26.

There is a recent history of rivalry between the two clubs which was sparked when the final relegation place was to be decided between Wanderers and the Hammers in the 2002/2003 season.

West Ham have a longstanding reputation for being the darlings of the dominant London media, and the bias came out in heaps before the final day of that season when the national media turned on Wanderers by suggesting it would be better for English football if West Ham stayed up and Wanderers went down.

Wanderers upset them by beating Middlesbrough to sentence the Hammers to relegation, since when Wanderers have gone from strength to strength.