Hammers skipper Kevin Nolan is not worried by the lack of goals while top striker Andy Carroll remains sidelined with a foot injury.
West Ham have failed to score in their last three Premier League games and questions are being asked about their credibility in attack without record-signing Carroll, particularly after Allardyce failed to sign any of his transfer targets as back-up during the summer transfer window.
But Nolan insists it is only a matter of time before the likes of Modibo Maiga and new-boy Mladen Petric get themselves on the scoresheet.
He told Sky Sports: “None of us have criticised Maiga, that’s the main thing.
“I don’t think anyone has really criticised him, I think it’s just the fact when you miss someone like Andy, you’re going to talk about Andy, instead of the centre-forward who’s actually playing.
“He he doesn’t come in and score goals then it’s all ‘he’s no Andy Carroll’. Maiga’s got other strengths, he’s very good in the air for such a short lad. He’s good on the floor. Very technically gifted, when he’s in front of goal he’s very calm.
“We’ve just got to start getting him those opportunities, he’s been working so hard I’m delighted with him. I think he’s fantastic for us. He’s been thrown in the deep end.”
And Nolan also had good words to say about Croatian international Petric, who signed on a free-transfer last week after being released by Fulham at the end of last season.
“Petric has been training with us but obviously he is a bit behind because he hasn’t had a full pre-season,” Nolan said.
“He’s in great shape coming back, don’t get me wrong, but it’s football fitness. He has got to be used to that and hopefully we will have him there or thereabouts for Everton, maybe to come off the bench.
“He’s a great acquisition for us. We are very pleased we have got him. He brings a lot of quality and something different. He is another one that we have got to get used to.”
