Around three months ago, in press conferences, I was asked about my future because things were not going so well.

A few weeks later, when things had improved, the question was when would I sign my new contract.

In yesterday’s press conference, we were back on the original subject. The answers I had were very similar to those I have always given.

I don’t blame journalists for asking the questions about my future but what more can I say?

Even last season, after things had gone so well, I was consistent. My focus as manager of West Ham United has always been — and always will be — on the team and the challenge ahead. Everything else will take its course.

If I allow criticism, speculation or anything else to divert my attention from striving to help this team improve, then I am not doing my job.

I am not on social media, so I don’t see it. I am aware, though, of some of the speculation regarding my position at the club but I have to keep a clear head for the job.

However, I am human. Anyone who tells you criticism doesn’t affect them is not telling the truth but does it affect my energy or my concentration? No.

I am a proud person who just wants to make a success of managing this great club. My relationship with David Sullivan, David Gold [the co-owners] and [vice chairman] Karren Brady is as it has always been since I came here. I talk regularly and openly to them and have spoken to David Sullivan since the Leicester game [on March 18].

It has been a long break since that 3-2 defeat, perhaps too long because the disappointment has not gone. On the other hand, it has given us the chance to analyse what we have done well and not so well.

After we finished third in the 1998 World Cup, the Croatia coach Miroslav Blazevic said he would like the next game to be in two years, so he could really savour the experience.

To be honest, there was much about which to be positive during that Leicester game but I am the first to say you can’t go 2-0 down after seven minutes and expect to win.

The problem is defensive, we are scoring enough without converting half the chances we are creating.

In Pictures | West Ham vs Leicester City | 18/03/17 18 show all In Pictures | West Ham vs Leicester City | 18/03/17 1/18 West Ham United via Getty Images 2/18 Getty Images 3/18 AFP/Getty Images 4/18 Getty Images 5/18 Getty Images 6/18 Getty Images 7/18 Getty Images 8/18 AFP/Getty Images 9/18 Getty Images 10/18 Getty Images 11/18 Getty Images 12/18 Getty Images 13/18 Getty Images 14/18 Getty Images 15/18 Getty Images 16/18 Getty Images 17/18 Getty Images 18/18 Getty Images 1/18 West Ham United via Getty Images 2/18 Getty Images 3/18 AFP/Getty Images 4/18 Getty Images 5/18 Getty Images 6/18 Getty Images 7/18 Getty Images 8/18 AFP/Getty Images 9/18 Getty Images 10/18 Getty Images 11/18 Getty Images 12/18 Getty Images 13/18 Getty Images 14/18 Getty Images 15/18 Getty Images 16/18 Getty Images 17/18 Getty Images 18/18 Getty Images

Okay, we have lost the past three games and are conceding too many goals but we haven’t dropped too far in the Premier League table. We have worked hard on certain aspects over the past two weeks, especially on concentration, and, hopefully, we will see a change at Hull tomorrow. Results are everything. Nothing can boost your confidence like three points — but the reverse applies also.

In December we beat Burnley and then tomorrow’s opponents Hull. Neither match was pretty and we have played way better since — but six points and a few places up the table and we are ‘out of trouble’ and everyone is that bit taller.

Against Leicester, you can say we were unlucky and Kasper Schmeichel was the man of the match but we lost — and everything is negative.

The bottom line is the result. The way you achieve things is important — for the fans, for the media, for everyone — but most important is the result.

Tomorrow, we are missing three players from the team’s spine in Michail Antonio, Pedro Obiang and Winston Reid. That is not good for us but Michail is progressing well and there is even a chance he could be on the bench for tomorrow’s game but, if not, definitely for Arsenal on Wednesday. We have been okay for injuries in the past couple of months but then — wham! We lose three in one match.

More good news is that Diafra Sakho is very close to a return. He is back training and it is only the length and nature of his [back] injury which makes us cautious. He wants to play now — against Hull — but we have to be careful with him.

Overall and despite the injuries to players, I am approaching these next few games — against Hull, Arsenal, Swansea and Sunderland — with a great deal of optimism.

You know that, in the Premier League, all your opponents are good and have the capability of hurting you but you must be ready to resist that.

I am not underestimating the opposition but I am approaching every one of them with the intention of winning because you have to believe in yourself and your team.

I am sure, if we can cut out these individual mistakes which are hurting us badly, we have a really good chance in all of them.

We are a fit team. We are ending every game strongly. Against Watford, Chelsea, West Brom and Leicester, we were the ones who were pushing.

Finally, I have been asked if I had the opportunity for what is called ‘downtime’ over the last couple of weeks.

The answer is, not really. The break comes at the end of the season but I do enjoy my private life with the family. Most of them are here, only my eldest daughter, Alani, is not with us and she will come for the Easter holidays.

Apart from that, though, I still enjoy my work and I look forward to tomorrow against Hull — and beyond.

