West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has suggested that the expectations surrounding Newcastle United are too high.
The Magpies are currently 11th in the Premier League table, and Allardyce believes that calls for European football do not "fit" with the club's current status.
The Hammers, who are seven points above Newcastle in the standings, will take on Crystal Palace, who are now led by former Magpies boss Alan Pardew, at the weekend.
"Newcastle are a team that fit in around mid-table in the Premier League," the Daily Star quotes Allardyce as saying.
"There is a greater expectation at that club that it's not enough or good enough, but realistically, where they lie financially and where they're budgets lie - that's about where they should be."
Allardyce managed Newcastle for one year back in 2007.
