The Hammers suffered a comprehensive 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, however more worrying lost winger Stewart Downing and defender James Tomkins to injury and Kevin Nolan to suspension after he saw red for a poor challenge on Jordan Henderson. With Andy Carroll, Ricardo Vaz Te, Winston Reid and Mladen Petric already unavailable, Allardyce feels the number of absentees is becoming a major issue for him ahead of the weekend's relegation six-pointer against bottom placed Sunderland. "We're in a difficult position, one because of the league position and one because of the number of players we've got available," he told the club's official website. "So to have two more unavailable is a big problem for me. "I think Kevin's red card was borne out of frustration. He's experienced enough and it's unlike him to do that type of thing. "Obviously he did and he got himself a red." The match against the Black Cats could impact Allardyce's future with games against Manchester United and leaders Arsenal set to follow in the Premier League.
All these injuries are all well and good, but WHO is the referee, that will decide where the points go in this one. Are there any Prem refs from Sunderland by any chance ?.
