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New Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has taken a swipe at 'deluded' West Ham fans, following criticisms during his tenure in the Upton Park dugout.

Allardyce has bemoaned the Hammers' faithful's desire for their team to play the 'West Ham way', a phrase Big Sam describes as 'a millstone around the club's neck'.

The former Bolton boss blames Graeme Souness for his reputation as a 'long-ball' manager, following victories over the Scot's Blackburn and Newcastle teams.

Allardyce wrote in his column in The Sun: "I felt the West Ham way ought to be about wearing your heart on your sleeve, showing passion for the club and winning.

"But the fans were being brainwashed into thinking that, historically, the club had a particular style of play akin to Barcelona, which was potty.

(Image: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC)

"I once called the supporters deluded and I stand by that. I don’t know who invented the ‘West Ham way’ phrase, but it’s a millstone around the club’s neck."

Big Sam revealed he had a bet with the West Ham press officer that his style of play would be mentioned within the first minute of his first briefing. The first question was timed at 32 seconds.

He also writes the players at Upton Park would moan at half-time that the fans were 'never f****** happy'.

(Image: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC)

Allardyce has replaced Dick Advocaat as manager of Sunderland, after the Dutchman resigned following their poor start to the season.

The Black Cats sit alongside Wear-Tyne rivals Newcastle at the bottom of the Premier League, with each outfit amassing only three points from their opening eight fixtures.

Sunderland and Newcastle will play each other at the Stadium of Light a week on Sunday.