West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has praised the influence that Abdoulaye Faye has had on the club's defence this season.

The Hammers have kept four clean sheets this season and Allardyce believes that 33-year-old Faye should take the credit.

"The improvements in the defence are down to Abdoulaye Faye," the boss told reporters after his side's 1-0 victory over Peterborough United yesterday.

"He is a man mountain and the coolest dude you will ever see in your life.

"He always gets to the ball first."

Faye joined West Ham on a free transfer during the summer after being released by Stoke City.