WHUFC.com
Joint-chairman David Sullivan has spoken about an eventful week that saw the
club back on form
12.02.2010
I'd like to explain a few things to supporters.
We go into the weekend off on a high with the first team back to winning
ways and everyone looking forward to the visit of Hull City on Saturday
week. If we could play the game now we would, but I have no doubt when it
comes around we'll be up for it.
There has been a lot written about my comments this week but I knew that
whatever happened against Birmingham City on Wednesday, the players would be
fired up and behind the manager. That was the least Gianfranco Zola deserved
for all his hard work.
Although not popular with many, my words were the last resort. It was
necessary to do whatever we could to give us that something extra that we
didn't have against Burnley, Blackburn or Portsmouth in the previous
matches.
Don't get me wrong, the team and manager deserve plenty of credit for what
they produced on Wednesday but as they acknowledged afterwards that is what
they are there to do. Our aim has to be to win matches and make sure you see
100 per cent commitment out there on the pitch.
Although I have taken stick for it and that isn't pleasant - by attacking
the team you get them angry and they bond with the manager against the
board/me - it is clear now that everyone is together and well aware of what
we face ahead.
Let's be straight. This club must remain in the Premier League. We have kept
the squad together and brought in new players as we promised but we cannot
rest easy and think that is it, job done. We all - and I include you the
fans in this - have to do everything we can to ensure we stay up.
I've galvanised a team with similar tactics three or four times in the last
17 years. The managers always hate it - and I understand that - but it has
never failed to work. All that said, I won't be doing it again for a while
as it is something you can only do every now and then.
I used it before when Birmingham played Reading knowing they had to win to
gain promotion and everyone had been down after a defeat in the previous
match. My manager then Alex McLeish reacted in the way I knew he would but
after we had won the game and promotion was secured, he acknowledged why I
had said what I did.
Alex understood what was going on this week - hence his attempt to deflect
our remarks as a positive for his side. In reality, he and Birmingham knew
they were going to face a West Ham side that would not roll over. It had
worked on Birmingham before and they were well aware our players would be up
for it from the kick-off.
As our transfer activity showed, we have supported Gianfranco in the right
way. He is a good man and manager and we have backed his faith in his squad
and his ideas.
As loyal fans of this club, David Gold and I plus each and everyone of you
out there who follow us every week, have the right to expect a West Ham team
that fully lives up to its name. United.
David Sullivan
Joint-Chairman
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