We're behind Sam Allardyce all the way, insist West Ham chiefs

 
West Ham United co-owners David Sullivan, right, and David Gold as they pose for photographers at Upton Park stadium, London. The deal to award London's Olympic Stadium to West Ham football club after the 2012 Games has collapsed due to mounting concerns about legal challenges over the bidding process, the British government said Tuesday. FILE - This is a Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010 file photo of the
Andy Hodgson7 January 2014

Sam Allardyce was today backed by West Ham co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold following the club’s embarrassing 5-0 FA Cup exit at Nottingham Forest.

In an open letter to fans on the club’s website, Sullivan and Gold said a host of injuries had left Allardyce with “an impossible task” and vowed to back him in this month’s transfer window.

The West Ham manager fielded a side full of reserves and youth-team players yesterday as he wanted to protect his senior men for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final against Manchester City and Saturday’s League clash at fellow strugglers Cardiff.

The decision to play a shadow-strength side angered the 3,000 West Ham fans at the third-round tie with some calling for him to be sacked but Sullivan and Gold insisted today they were fully behind their man.

“We know Sam has not lost his ambition or desire and is committed to making West Ham United a great Premier League club,” the open letter read.

“Sam has been handed a near impossible task of coming through three crucial games in the space of six days with a squad of only 14 fit and available senior players.

“We have experienced difficult times before and we know what will get us results — hard work, determination and perseverance. To that end, we are all working round the clock to do everything in our powers to help arrest our slump in form.”

West Ham are 19th in the table and their last League victory came against Fulham on November 30.

Andy Carroll has yet to play this season due to a foot problem and injuries are also sidelining fellow striker Ricardo Vaz Te, midfielder Mark Noble and centre-halves James Tomkins, Winston Reid and James Collins. To add to the club’s problems, captain Kevin Nolan is only one-match into a four-game ban.

“Our first priority is to get our key players fit,” said Sullivan and Gold in the letter. “Our record signing Andy Carroll continues to make good progress following his return to first-team training and he should be back on the pitch very soon. Trust us, Andy Carroll is desperate to play and is ready to do his bit for the team and we are confident that the return of all of our injured players will lead to an upturn in our fortunes.

“Our second priority is to bring in the new talent needed to bolster our squad in the most needed areas.

“January is not an easy time to do business but we are pleased to confirm we are close to securing one of our key striking targets. A defender is high on the list of priorities as well and progress is being made on that front.”

It was being reported today that the Hammers have signed Wolves centre-back Roger Johnson on loan for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old was transfer listed following his club’s relegation to League One in the summer and he has spent much of the season on loan at Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.

West Ham are also pursuing their interest in 6ft 8ins tall Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore. The 23-year-old only completed a £6million move to Monaco from Anzhi Makhachkala on Saturday but the Hammers are hopeful of signing Traore on loan from the French club for the rest of the season providing work permit and visa issues are resolved.

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION today turned down Southampton’s request to investigate the conduct of referee Mark Clattenburg during their 2-1 defeat at Everton on December 29.

Southampton accused Clattenburg of using “insulting” language towards England international Adam Lallana.

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