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| Allardyce believes he has inherited a healthy enough set-up |
IT'S the season ticket that should come with a government health warning.
Watching Sunderland at the Stadium of Light can be seriously damaging with fans having seen their side win just 15 league games at home in the last four seasons.
Sam Allardyce can recall during his early days at Bolton when a trip to Wearside represented one of the toughest days on the football calendar. Not any more.
In recent years, it's become the nearest thing to an away-day banker for opposition managers, players and visiting fans.
Now the Sunderland manager wants to re-establish the ground's long-lost reputation as a fortress - beginning against Southampton.
"There's a fear factor," said Allardyce.
"I don't want to get myself in trouble here but some of the players can feel slightly intimidated by the size of the crowd and how it reacts sometimes.
"You've got to overcome that by being psychologically brave enough to accept it."
Sothampton boss Ronald Koeman has challenged Dusan Tadic to prove he is now better equipped to cope with the Premier League's unforgiving schedule
The Serbia winger's formed tailed off last season as he struggled to cope with the relentless winter programme.
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| Koeman has been quizzed over his squad's depth as winter approaches |
"At this time last year Tadic was fantastic and he was starting with physical problems in December, January," said Koeman.
"Wait until January and ask me again."
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