Jamie McDonald/Getty ImagesSam Allardyce, left, has West Ham playing with pride and purpose

In many ways, the solitary point garnered in a rather dull and uninspiring game at the Hawthorns on Sunday tends to sum up the last year at Upton Park under the stewardship of Sam Allardyce. And that is meant as a good thing.

For decades, West Ham supporters have travelled in hope rather than expectation and it's a case that - barring a few promotion seasons - it's pretty rare for the Hammers to come away from the campaign with more than a handful of points gained away.

Under Allardyce, the team is so well-drilled and organised that even when things get tough - as they are with the number of injuries the Hammers are struggling with currently - the club seems able to grit its collective teeth and come up with something nonetheless.

Sadly, a lengthy injury list is something that has plagued West Ham United F.C. for many years and, while we used to blame poor facilities, second-class coaching and a manky and aging training ground, it seems to be the case that it's just the usual run of bad luck that most fans take as a given.

Periodically, someone on the fan sites - I've even been responsible myself on occasion - seeks to blame a Gypsy curse for the wretched luck that seems to strip us of key players every season. Older fans even tell that the there is some truth in the rumour going back to the 1920s but, despite extensive research, I've never been able to reveal anything tangible.

I note however, that no one seems to have told Mr. Allardyce about West Ham's long, but unadvertised, sponsorship with the local hospital with Sam bemoaning the situation as if it is something unusual. On the terraces and in the stands though, the fans just shrug and smile ruefully. We don't like to tell him - if he hangs around long enough, Sam will learn for himself.

There is a tale that one of the builders who worked on the West Stand and Hotel was a Millwall supporter who buried a blue scarf and a stuffed lion in a trench under the player's tunnel, but as the injury blight plagued the Hammers since our Granddads were small boys, I think we can discount that.

Still, there does seem to be some truth in the rumour that the sadly-missed Jack Collison is almost ready for a return to first-team action. Considering there were terrace stories that he may never play again doing the rounds some months back, this is very welcoming news. Collison is one of those players who seems to make the side tick and, whenever he is fit and playing well, then the side seems to do likewise.

Of less certainty are the reports that Mo Diame's injury isn't as bad as first feared and it's hopeful he may return in weeks rather than months. Twitter stories are notoriously untrustworthy but I know a man who knows a man who spoke to Diame and that's what I heard. It was also said Diame is keen to stay at West Ham but during the transfer silly season who is to say what might be true or conjecture.

What is certain is that the London Tube strike planned for Boxing Day has caused the postponement of the Hammers game at the Emirates. As I've already indicated that the east London side travel with more expectation these days, I shouldn't really welcome the delay - particularly as Christmas and New Year games often throw up unexpected results. However, the matches come thick and fast at that period and an enforced break may well do the players a spot of good, particularly as they are likely to be coming up against some more-tired sides.

It's also true a run of defeats in the festive period can sometimes act as a catalyst going into the New Year, in much the same way as a series of wins tend to galvanise a side and, while I'm confident the Hammers are a more solid mental outfit under Sam, it won't surely be a bad thing to delay a match they are probably not expected to get much from.

Up Saturday is a home game against high-flying Everton and, sadly, the Goodison Road club are a side the Hammers have a poor record against. However West Ham aren't a side who give much away at home and the news that the Toffees key man, Marouane Fellani, is banned must give Allardyce and his men some confidence.

If Santa can leave a few BUPA memberships out when he calls, an away fixture at Reading and a home game against Norwich on New Year's Day could see West Ham in a comfortable position before the FA Cup gets under way on January 6. It is though, a notoriously tricky period and - curse or not - the Hammers will be hoping for some generosity this festive period.

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