West Ham boss Allardyce thrilled with squad’s strength

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has hailed his side's strength in depth after they defeated Cardiff City 2-0 on the opening day of the season.

The Irons saw off the Premier League new boys and such was the wealth of quality on offer they were able to bring on the likes of newest arrival Stewart Downing with 20 minutes to goal while Jack Collision and Matt Taylor did not make the bench.

And a pleased Allardyce said: "This squad is getting stronger. They (the squad) have to try harder and make sure they compete and try get back in the team. If they give up they will never get back in so my message is don't give up. Keep trying and you will get in, that's what competition is all about."

He said: "Joe should have a hat-trick in the first half. He just told me that. The first goal was a very good one but I thought the second one was even better."

The former Bolton Wanderers boss reserved praise for goalscorers Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan and said Downing proved in his cameo he is a 'top Premier League player'.

He added: "Joe should have had a hat-trick in the first half. He just told me that. The first goal was a very good one but I thought the second one (Nolan's strike) was even better."