• Former Hammers manager still uncertain of future at Goodison • Allardyce was unpopular with fans during his spell in east London

These are difficult times for Sam Allardyce, who is not only aware of the speculation that suggests he may be preparing an Everton side for the last time but readying his tough exterior for the possibility that he might be jeered by both sets of supporters at the London Stadium on Sunday, writes Paul Wilson.

The former West Ham manager has waited in vain for public backing from Everton’s owner that he will be allowed to see out the second year of his contract, with the result that while other managers are looking forward to a break he is waiting to discover whether he gets the thumbs up or thumbs down from Farhad Moshiri.

Sam Allardyce expects to discover his Everton future next week Read more

“No date has been set for a meeting yet but there will have to be one,” Allardyce said. “I’m looking forward to it because there is a lot to be discussed this summer. No disrespect to what the squad has done this season but if we want to finish higher up the table we need to go to the market.

“You can’t magic something overnight when you walk into a struggling club, you can’t wave a magic wand and say we’re going to play like Manchester City.

“I am being criticised for the style of football but there’s nothing wrong with our style of play because it suits the players. If people want better results and more attractive football then we are going to have to get better players.

“I think we are improving, there were games in my early days here when we sometimes only had one shot on target at home, but when you come into a club you have to work with the players that are available. We are better now than we were in January, and that is because we went out and bought a couple of players to help us score more goals.”