Craig Bellamy has jumped to the defence of West Ham United fans after criticism from new manager Manuel Pellegrini.
West Ham appointed the Chilean to lead them into a new era.
Pellegrini was backed with an unprecedented £100 million spend in the summer, bringing in nine players for the first team.
Things have not got off to the best of starts, though.
Back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and at home to Bournemouth have dampened pre-season enthusiasm.
Particularly the 2-1 defeat last time out to the Cherries, a game Hammers fans expected to win.
Bellamy jumps to defence of West Ham fans
Pellegrini has criticised some supporters for leaving that game early (BBC Sport).
And while he may have a point, that is as much to do with the time it takes to get away from the stadium after the game as it was the team’s performance.
But former Hammers striker Craig Bellamy has leapt to the defence of the club’s fans when the matter was raised on Sky Sports’ The Debate.
“Look they’re realistic as well, they’re not over the top with what they demand,” Bellamy said on The Debate.
“Even spending a lot of money this season they weren’t sat there saying ‘Oh we’re aiming for the Champions League’ or even top six.
‘What they don’t accept is players hiding, then they will get on your back’
“They just want to see their team be on the front foot, be able to play, be able to have a good go and show maximum effort.
“And they’re really quite content with that. They like to see players with flair course they do, but what they won’t accept is players hiding, players not taking responsibility.
“They won’t accept that, then they will get on your back, and I believe there’s just a culture at the club over the last couple of years where it’s sort of been ok for someone else to do it.”
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