The Irons take one of the fellow pre-season favourites Ipswich at Upton Park tomorrow night, having fared somewhat better than Paul Jewell's men so far.

Saturday's narrow win over Peterborough took their unbeaten run to seven games - they sit fourth - while Ipswich are in the bottom half of the table some seven points behind.

And ahead of their clash, Allardyce believes his side are starting to click after a slightly underwhelming start to the season.

"Results breed confidence, such as going away to Doncaster and drawing with Leeds and then beating Watford and Forest by four goals," he told www.whufc.com.

"The players have built a very a good dressing room very quickly, down to firstly the captain (Kevin Nolan) and then the rest of the players joining in and building a good unity between them.

"I think that's what we're building and that's helped us get good results on the field."

Brighton manager Gus Poyet has been reflecting on his experience of north London derbies ahead of his side's clash with Crystal Palace.

There has never been any love lost between the two thanks to rivalry dating back to the 1970s - a feeling the Uruguayan coach is all too aware of following his time with Tottenham.

"I've played in a few derby games and the north London derby was special," he told www.seagulls.co.uk.

"You can feel it in the atmosphere and my first one was when Sol Campbell came back to White Hart Lane for the first time and it added a bit of extra spice.

"I've also had the chance to play in a game between ex-Brighton and ex-Palace players and it showed that there is something special in there. I like that."

Third-placed Derby host Barnsley, with manager Nigel Clough assuring goalkeeper Frank Fielding he will be starting the game.

The England squad member sat out the win over Millwall on Saturday through suspension, but will return to face Keith Hill's men.

"Frank is back and he will start," Clough said.

"Adam Legzdins did well on Saturday and proved that we have two very good goalkeepers at this club."

Elsewhere, Doncaster will look to celebrate ending their 19-match winless run against Crystal Palace with a positive result against Hull, while lowly Bristol City host Reading.

Joining Doncaster and Bristol City in the relegation zone are Coventry, who play Blackpool.

Nottingham Forest head to Burnley, Watford face Millwall and Peterborough are at Portsmouth.