Neville Southall believes West Ham United have the perfect management team to lead the club to promotion next season.

The former Wales goalkeeper is a big fan of manager Sam Allardyce, while he played alongside new assistant manager Neil McDonald during a hugely-successful playing career at Everton.

Southall believes the bookmakers have rightly installed the Hammers as favourites to secure a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

"Neil is a very serious fellow," the 52-year-old told West Ham TV. "He's got a deep football knowledge and was a really, really good player in several positions and I think working with a larger-than-life character like Sam Allardyce, he is a good foil for him.

"Sam is a good motivator and is really clever behind the scenes. He's well into sports psychology and will bring in all the technology. I think he'll bring something different and what West Ham have lacked for years, which is steel, with somebody in the middle of midfield who can dig a bit - and that's something they'll need next year.

"It's not going to be easy - it's going to be a cup final every week. It's going to be hard work for them, but I think if Sam can bring in a bit of steel and protection, then I think they'll keep more clean sheets and win more games.

"I think West Ham will go straight back up. I think they've brought in a terrific manager, a really good coach in Neil and I think they've got some tremendous players as well."

Among those players are two of Southall's compatriots - Danny Gabbidon and Jack Collison - both of whom the Llandudno-born stopper believes have an important role to play for club and country in the future.

"Danny and Jack are really good players and you need to keep hold of your best players, if you can. With the crowd and the facilities you've got here, I think you'll go straight back up."

"Danny is a good player and if he can have an injury-free season, that'll be really good for him. He has missed a run of games for a long time. If he can play ten or 15 games on the bounce, then that'll be good for him.

"Jack is a really good player and is still relatively young and will fit into Gary Speed's team very well. I think he'll be successful with Wales as Wales have got a very good young squad at the moment."

Southall believes that West Ham's riches are not just limited to the two Welshmen, however. With a good blend of experience and youth available to Allardyce, he believes the Hammers are in the box seat when it comes to securing the Championship title come May 2012.

"I think West Ham have got a very good young squad at the moment and I think more of the youngsters will get a chance next season. That'll be a boost for the Academy lads, because they'll be looking at the first team and thinking 'I can get in there'.

"All in all, for me you've got one of the best managers in football, a really good coach, some of the best supporters in the land and a great ground, so there's no reason why you shouldn't have success."

*To watch Neville Southall's West Ham TV interview in full and to hear his views on the club's successful Academy and their major rivals for promotion, click the link below.