SAM Allardyce flew in the face of widespread popular opinion when he set out the reasons he believes Wanderers should have no fears about taking on the might of Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The consensus is that the David and Goliath derby is the last fixture they would have chosen to look for a way to get back on track after going off the rails.

There has been no home comfort at the Reebok, where they have lost their last three Premiership games, but the manager sees no cause for his "happy wanderers" to be anything but confident going into Saturday's derby duel.

"We haven't lost a game away from home since Crewe last season," Allardyce pointed out, highlighting Wanderers' enviable record on their travels in recent times.

"Whether it's been in Division One, the Play-offs or in the Premiership, our away form has been excellent - as we showed when we set a new club record last season.

"And, despite having suffered setbacks at the Reebok, we have to draw a lot of confidence from that to take to Old Trafford."

The Wanderers' boss makes no secret of his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson and the heights Manchester United have hit during his 15-year reign.

But, having seen his underdogs follow their Reebok victory over Liverpool by taking unexpected points at Leeds and Arsenal, he was considerably upbeat as he prepared to pit his wits against the seven-times Premiership champions and their illustrious manager.

Wanderers have slipped from top of the table to ninth in the space of a month while, according to Fergie, United are starting to get into their stride.

The prospect is an awesome one as Allardyce acknowledged: "Old Trafford is the hardest place to go to in the Premiership but our away record is something we've got to be doubly determined to protect.

"We know we must be on top of our game - as individuals and as a team - but there's no better place to go and do that than Old Trafford."

Wanderers' away record since April 18: Barnsley (Div 1) won 1-0, Wolves (Div 1) won 2-0, West Brom (P/off semi) drew 2-2, Preston (P/off final) won 3-0, Leicester (P'ship) won 5-0, Leeds (P'ship) drew 0-0, Blackburn (P'ship) drew 1-1, Arsenal (P'ship) drew 1-1.