Hammers owners have undermined Avram Grant since he arrived.

Dear Sir

It was interesting to hear that a time when the maximum commitment is needed out of the players to keep them in the Premiership, that co-chairman David Sullivan, was once again publicly attacking them.

There is little doubt that the squad has underperformed and should not be stuck deep in the relegation mire. Manager Avram Grant is not to everybody’s taste, making extraordinary selection decisions such as dropping strikers when they have just scored a couple of goals. Some of the style of football is too often long ball for many supporters.

However, if West Ham do go down, at least as much of the blame must reside in the boardroom.

Grant was appointed by the board, after the shameful treatmen of Zola at the end of last season.

Yet from day one, the board seemed determined to undermine the manager.

The most obvious example of this was the ill-fated attempt to bring in Martin O’Neill in January.

The board’s timing was, as ever, exquisite, undermining Grant as his team were about to play in the semi-final of the Carling Cup for the first time in 10 years.

Now, as the clubs Premiership future hangs in the balance, Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady decide en masse, not to come and support the team at Manchester City.

There is then speculation in the media - which must come from somewhere - about the next manager, whilst expecting the present one to keep them in the Premiership.

If West Ham do go down the responsibility certainly lies as much with those in the boardroom as it does the playing staff.

Paul Donovan, Wanstead.

(What do you think? Send your letters to our West Ham correspondent Dave Evans at dave.evans@archant.co.uk)