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West Bromwich Albion head coach Tony Pulis knows what to expect from Sunderland now his old friend and foe Sam Allardyce is at the helm.

Two of the most experienced managers in the Premier League lock horns at the Hawthorns on Saturday in Big Sam's first game in charge.

Allardyce was appointed Dick Advocaat's successor late last week after the Dutchman walked out following the 2-2 draw with West Ham United.

He started the job on Monday and will only have a few days to work with his new charges before the trip to West Brom.

But Pulis still expects the former West Ham boss to have an immediate impact on the Premier League's leakiest defence.

"I know Sam well," said Pulis.

"He did a smashing job at West Ham and you know his teams are always well drilled and well organised."

Allardyce guided West Ham out of the Championship and re-established the London club as a Premier League outfit.

His four-year tenure has largely been viewed as a success outside Upton Park.

But his face never seemed to fit inside the Boleyn Ground where fans had called for his departure long before the club declined to renew his contract his May.

And Pulis believes the former Blackburn and Bolton boss was harshly treated.

The Welshman said: "I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.

"People forget that when they got relegated - he got them promoted in the first year and they kicked on from there.

"He laid down the groundwork for the next manager who is reaping the rewards."

Allardyce gave his first press conference as Black Cats boss yesterday and instantly set about lifting his team for the trip to West Brom.

"The season is underway, you've not got a lot of time to waste because every game comes around very quickly," he said.

"We've got to try and prepare for the first game which is West Brom.

"We have to try and install a little bit more confidence in the team and hopefully they can go one better than they did against West Ham.

"Looking back at results from when Sunderland have played at West Brom, it's easy to see it's going to be difficult."

Pulis will be as desperate as Allardyce to pick up three points on Saturday.

Back-to-back league defeats have left Albion hovering dangerously above the relegation zone.

West Brom are also the division's joint lowest-scorers with six goals, fewer than Sunderland, and are yet to record a home league win this season.