The response by David Gold and David Sullivan was as predictable as it could be. What else were they going to say in the circumstances? They clearly have no intention of calling time on what increasingly appears to be a lame-duck tenure, probably mindful of the huge pay-out that would be required given Sam Allardyce’s incredible salary that they were responsible for negotiating. It is in essence a masked vote of confidence in their man.

The board really appear to be ignorant of the fact that a huge swathe of the fan base are truly sick and tired of appalling, negative performances, a lack of alternative playing styles once the route one method was well and truly scuppered by Andy Carroll’s lengthy absence, and a non-stop list of excuses whereby it appears to be everyones’ fault except the man who is in sole charge, who has bought the players he wanted to fit his rather Neanderthal style, and who most worryingly appears to have been unable to use any clearly defined tactical nous when combatting more adventurous and attack minded management teams. The lack of a counteracting strategy during matches has been clearly evident leading many to question Allardyce’s ability to effectively coach and set up teams in play.

It is also widely felt amongst the fans that the youngsters were in effect hung out to dry against a decent Nottingham Forest side, and that a couple more old heads could have been utilised to assist the youngsters in what was always going to be a difficult fixture. Again the board have sanctioned his team selection, but surely they couldn’t have expected such a demoralising and frankly embarrassing display against the Championship outfit.

The letter commences “We know Sam has not lost his ambition or desire and is committed to making West Ham United a great Premier League club.” As with players, a huge basic salary can often dilute the urgency and passion needed at this level, and one wonders whether the current boss has become a little too cosy and well re-numerated to really feel the pain that Hammers fans are feeling at this time, and have been feeling for the past few months as they have watched the side sleepwalk into the relegation zone, despite mutterings from the managers office that all is well, and that things will improve when big Andy returns.

Looking at Sam Allardyce from my seat close to the dugout on home match days, it has become clear to me that the passion and pride no longer seem present. The previously animated and belligerent managerial style has given way to a more morose, and almost resigned manner, mostly spent slumped in the pitch side chair, frozen to the spot as things unravel around him.

All does not appear to be well.

As the letter continues, “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,” Just who is going to sign and play second fiddle to a soon to return (?) Andy Carroll is anyone’s guess, but its unlikely to be a name that will strike fear ion the hearts of opposition defences.

The regularly linked Southampton star Rickie Lambert will want to showcase his talents for the upcoming World Cup so it would be a major surprise if he were to show up at E13 anytime soon. They continue: “A defender is high on the list of priorities as well and progress is being made on that front.” The signing of Roger Johnson from League One side Wolves hardly is wholly underwhelming, and hardly compares with the much lauded potential signing of Dutch international Johnny Heitinga, but beggars can’t be choosers as the saying goes!

As the letter concludes:

“We are under no illusions as to the seriousness of our current predicament in the Premier League,” added the letter.

“But on the board we have a combined talent of running football clubs and we will draw on all of our nous to get West Ham United out of this situation.

“We are all working round the clock to do everything in our powers to help arrest our slump in form.”

I can tell the board without compunction that the blindingly loyal support that follow West Ham will read the bland pronouncements, just like they digest the weekly apologies and excuses trotted out by the manager in his online report and to a man will ask why the predicament wasn’t identified earlier, how will they manage to escape from the current mess without throwing good money at the problem, money we understand they simply do not have, and do they realise that this “slump in form” has been going on since the second week of the season ?

This letter may help the two Davids feel they have helped shore up a critically damaged regime, but it is likely to provoke nothing more than disdain at best and outrage at worst from the long suffering supporters who witnessed one of the all time West Ham United lows on Sunday last.