Sam Allardyce, the West Ham United manager, has suggested his side are victims of over-achieving last season as he seeks a reason for why he was booed by the team's fans during Wednesday's game with Hull City, despite the fact they won 2-1.
Ahead of Monday's trip to relegation-threatened Sunderland, he said: "I thought we over-achieved last year, finishing 10th. No doubt about that. We had a fantastic season. Over-achievement always brings a greater expectation. That's why we have suffered at times this season, particularly at home."
Frustration from fans at West Ham’s style of play was rejected by Allardyce, who added: “This is a winning game and winning industry. Life depends on winning effectively. Sometimes (supporters) don’t realise the effect they have on the players. We do need them to lift the players.”
West Ham are 11th in the table, on 34 points from 31 matches.
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