Dean Ashton believes West Ham were right to keep Sam Allardyce at Upton Park – but has warned the Irons chief to resolve his problems with Ravel Morrison if he wants to keep his job.

The Hammers boss, whose position at the Boleyn Ground had been under threat, has been given a stay of execution by co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan.

Morrison has spent the tail end of the season on loan at Championship side QPR, after falling out of favour with Allardyce earlier in the campaign.

The former Blackburn man has come under fire numerous times this season from the Upton Park faithful, who have become tired with his negative style of play.

And former striker Ashton claims the 59-year-old must make Morrison his key man next season.

“There have certainly been signs in the way Morrison has played to show he’s a top player,” he told Drivetime. “I can understand why he’s fallen out of favour with the manager.

“Sam wants players to track back and do the defence side of football. Ravel has struggled with that and wasn’t allowed the freedom he needs.

“If the club want a different type of football then he’s exactly the sort of player West Ham need to accommodate.

“He’s the type of player that can produce something out of nothing.”

And Ashton believes the club were right retain Allardyce’s services.

“Sam has had some problems, in terms of injuries, and he hasn’t had all of his best players fit throughout the season,” he added.

“When he has, he’s got results, but not the style of football fans are looking for.

“It’s not easy in the Premier League though and he’s still getting results, he knows how to do that.

“This last decade has been a bit up and down for West Ham. Now they need a bit of stability.

“[It’s the right decision to keep] Sam and give him another year. They need to keep the club stable in the Premier League.”