Roger and out? Allardyce's new signing Johnson has been relegated three times in

a row



If the vote of confidence from West Ham’s owners was not bad enough for manager Sam Allardyce, he has also acquired a player who has been relegated in each of his last three seasons.

Co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold released an open letter in which they acknowledged the manager had to field a young and inexperienced team in a 5-0 FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest.

They also vowed to sign players in January and started with Roger Johnson, who has been relegated in each of his last three seasons and has moved to Upton Park from Wolverhampton Wanderers until the end of the season.

Incoming: Central defender Roger Johnson (right) has been signed as West Ham battle relegation

Allardyce, never the most popular manager at Upton Park, is under intense scrutiny. Two wins in 13 games culminated in the humiliation at Forest on Sunday, yet his side are in a Capital One Cup semi-final, with important players nearing fitness and the promise of more signings to follow Johnson.

Giant Ivorian striker Lacina Traore is supposed to be on his way if a work permit can be secured next week. Traore has a deal to join Monaco from Anzhi Makhachkala in the summer and permission from the French club to spend the next six months at West Ham.

The Hammers also enquired on Monday about Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey and could snatch him from the clutches of Crystal Palace, who have yet to agree a fee for him.

Sullivan and Gold, in an open letter to supporters on Monday, said Allardyce had only 14 fit senior players for three games, starting at Forest, and accepted his reasons for selecting a young side.

Under pressure: But Sam Allardyce (right) has been given the vote of confidence by West Ham Time ticking? David Gold (left) and David Sullivan released an open letter in which they promised signings

Roger Johnson's unwanted treble

2010-11: Birmingham are relegated after finishing 18th in the Premier League, with 39 points from 38 games. 2011-12: Wolves are relegated after finishing 20th in the Premier League, with 25 points from 38 games. 2012-13: Wolves are relegated after finishing 23rd in the Championship, with 51 points from 46 games.

‘Like all West Ham supporters we feel frustrated and hurt by our recent results,’ said the letter. ‘We understand how you feel and we, the Board, feel the same.’

They thanked fans for their loyal support, no doubt aware of their growing discontent, but stopped short of offering to compensate the 3,000 who travelled to the City Ground — apart from one young boy caught sobbing on camera, who has been invited to watch a game from the Upton Park directors’ box.

Instead, they said: ‘Many key players are out injured and 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 know Sam has not lost his ambition or desire and is committed to making West Ham United a great Premier League club.’

Jumping for glory: But Roger Johnson (top left) has been relegated for the last three seasons Sinking feeling: Roger Johnson has been relegated in the last three seasons, including twice with Wolves Incoming? West Ham are to rival Crystal Palace for the signing of Wolves' Wayne Hennessey

Johnson, 30, has spent the last three months on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, who wanted to extend the deal before West Ham stepped in after they failed to lure John Heitinga from Everton or Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott. He is expected to join the squad for the semi-final first leg at City on Wednesday.

Johnson won the trophy with Birmingham in 2011 but has not played in the top flight for 18 months. It is not a signing to assuage concerns of fans, and former West Ham striker Tony Cottee said he feared the worst.

‘The alarm bells were ringing before the Forest game and they’re ringing even louder now,’ he said. ‘A lot of things went on against Forest that I wasn’t happy with. The 3,000 who went weren’t happy.

Elusive: Johnny Heitinga (left) and Joleon Lescott (right) both escaped West Ham's clutches

‘There will be 6,000 at City demanding the team put in a performance. It’s not always about the result. It’s about 100 per cent effort and giving something back to fans.’

Between the semi-final legs, West Ham travel to Cardiff for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first game as a Barclays Premier League manager and face Newcastle at home.

But the board have earmarked the home games against Norwich, Southampton and Hull in February as key to the season and promised a ‘much-improved squad’ by then.

Embarrassing: Nottingham Forest knocked West Ham out of the FA Cup with Sunday's 5-0 victory

Peace offering: This young West Ham fan has been invited to watch a game in the club's directors' box

Andy Carroll, Mark Noble, Winston Reid, James Collins and James Tomkins are expected to be back from injury and Kevin Nolan should be available after his ban.

Gold and Sullivan said in their open letter: ‘We have experienced difficult times before and we know what will get results — hard work, determination and perseverance. We are working round the clock to do everything in our powers to help arrest our slump in form.