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Sam Allardyce has branded under-pressure Tottenham counterpart Andre Villas-Boas “immature.”

West Ham boss Allardyce reckons Villas-Boas scored a major own goal in launching a public blast at his critics, including former Spurs chairman Sir Alan Sugar.

Allardyce told talkSPORT: “You have to use the criticism as a motivational drive to show these people that they are wrong. You’ve got to take it on the chin.

“You, and your players, have got to do your talking on the field. I think he’s just showed a little bit of immaturity.

“It can get under your skin, but you’ve can’t let that happen because you’re not going to win.”

Villas-Boas could not hide his anger as the pressure mounts on his reign as Spurs boss following their poor run of form.

The Portuguese schemer accused critics of showing him a lack of “respect” and claimed Sugar had sold out as a fan by selling his stake in the club.

Sugar had clearly irked Villas-Boas after blasting his tactics, methods and team selection.

But Big Sam clearly feels that AVB should have kept his counsel and not gone public on his anger.