David Sullivan: I know how West Ham fans feel but we must all stick together

 
Ken Dyer1 April 2014

David Sullivan's 21 years in football have taught him to look carefully at the big picture. Not for him, nor West Ham co-owner David Gold, the mid-season panic and desperation which tempts so many Premier League club owners to change their managers.

In January, for example, the clamour for Sam Allardyce’s head was deafening, following miserable cup defeats by Nottingham Forest and Manchester City plus a perilous position in the bottom three of the Premier League.

Neither man is given to populist, knee-jerk reactions, though, and their manager survived.

Clubs around West Ham at the bottom made changes and are still fighting for their Premier League lives. Allardyce’s team, should they win at Sunderland tonight, will be all but safe for another season.

Last Wednesday’s home win against Hull should have been celebrated by the fans but instead a section rounded on Allardyce, booing him at half-time and full-time after a poor display from the team.

Sullivan said: “Everyone should have been happy after that match because the three points were so vital but it was a strange game, some bizarre goals and then the booing at the end.

“We all know the team can play a lot better than they did on that night and everyone was frustrated, the team, the supporters and myself. I know exactly how the fans felt but it is so important they get behind the players.

“There is a perception out there that we are so good under lights but the reality is that, before the win over Hull, our only other floodlit League victory since we took over the club four years ago was Norwich in February.”

There has been speculation that Allardyce’s position is at risk and a change could be made this summer but Sullivan and Gold look unlikely to change their manager if West Ham retain their Premier League status.

“We always have a post-season review,” said Sullivan. “We look at the season in detail and make a decision about what players we need.

“We can’t make definite plans until we are mathematically safe but I would say to the supporters that we intend to make at least three signings this summer, up to a maximum of five.”

If the Hammers do stay up, Allardyce will have done everything so far asked of him — return to the top flight at the first attempt and then stay there.

Allardyce is thankful for the continued support he receives from his chairmen and vice-chairman, Karren Brady.

“You always appreciate any backing you get,” said Allardyce. “We’ve all had a difficult season but we want to get better once we’ve secured our place in the Premier League.

“In many peoples’ eyes I will never be the flavour of the month but it’s very nice when you get support because it allows you to get on with your job and not be distracted. The chairman normally tells me if any agent or press have rung him about someone who would like my job, so I have never had any fears that way. The owners have always backed me ever since I’ve been here and I do appreciate that.”

The reaction from the fans to the win against Hull was almost unprecedented but Stewart Downing says results are more important than performances at this stage of the season.

“It was a strange atmosphere but the bigger picture was that it was a massive win for us,” added the West Ham winger. “We know we can play better but we’ve played well at times and lost. At this time of the season, it’s all about results.

“I’ve heard worse reactions from supporters. There have been England games when 90,000 people have been booing. I would say to the fans, though, ‘stick with us because you can affect the players’.”

He added: “It’s no good playing nice football and being relegated. I did that at Middlesbrough and we were down by March.”

For tonight’s game, West Ham will be without James Collins, who has a calf strain, but Winston Reid and Matt Jarvis return to the squad.

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