West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has pleaded with his players to remain well-behaved between now and the end of the season, as they bid to qualify for next year’s Europa League, the Sun reports.
READ MORE:
West Ham Transfer Rumours
QPR keen to appoint West Ham’s Sam Allardyce as new manager next season
Liverpool set to make offer for on loan West Ham midfielder Alex Song
The Premier League could receive another place in the competition for the next campaign, after the English top-flight, as well as the League of Ireland and the Eredivisie occupied the top three places in UEFA’s January fair-play table.
And with the Hammers leading the way in this country for their good discipline, the Boleyn Ground could host European football in its final season before the club move to the Olympic Stadium.
West Ham haven’t been involved in continental football since 2006, when they were rewarded for their agonising FA Cup Final defeat to Liverpool the previous season. And Allardyce has suggested that a return to the competition after nine-year absence will help the side move forward.
“It is progression for me if you have got your players into European football.
“With the new stadium just around the corner, playing in Europe would help with our financial growth,” he explained.
The 60-year-old, who took Bolton into the Europa League ten years ago, said that the fact they were in contention for the spot was a nod to the positive football that has been on show at Upton Park this season.
“To be where we are at this stage of the season in terms of fair play shows we have played the game in the right way and in the right manner,” he added.