Monday 5 December 2016 17:22, UK
West Ham are standing by their manager Slaven Bilic with co-chairman David Sullivan calling for unity to turn things around.
Bilic admitted he was "under pressure" after his team lost 5-1 at home to Arsenal on Saturday with some reports suggesting he was set for crisis talks with the club's owners.
The east London side have lost three of their past five games and dropped to 17th in the Premier League table - one point above the relegation places.
However, on Monday afternoon after Sky Sports News HQ reported that Bilic would be given time to reverse the club's fortunes, Sullivan released a statement outlining the club's immediate priorities.
"We are refusing to make excuses and the players will know that the performance was not good enough and we need to show a lot more if we are to get back on the winning trail," Sullivan said.
"I saw Slaven's comments after the game and as always he was completely honest with his assessment. Slaven cares passionately about the club and this defeat will be hurting him as much as anyone.
"I have no doubts that he is doing everything he can to address the situation and everyone is working together to ensure we turn our season around.
"His passion, commitment and outstanding track record at the highest level were among the many reasons we appointed Slaven in the summer of 2015. Despite what some people have said, there is still a great spirit among the players and everyone is working towards the same objective.
"We all need to stick together and get behind the team. We are all part of the West Ham United family and in hard times families pull together."
Bilic, appointed in the summer of 2015, also said he was "humiliated" by Saturday's performance against the Gunners.
The Hammers have had four managers since David Sullivan and David Gold bought the club in 2010 - Gianfranco Zola, Avram Grant, Sam Allardyce and Bilic.
Sullivan added: "I and my family feel the same frustration and disappointment as you when we lose, and the same joy and elation when we win. It is the same for my fellow Board members. West Ham is in our blood, just as it is in yours.
"We all want the same for our fantastic club, and together we are stronger. Only by remaining united can we turn things around. We have shown this season that the players have the quality to compete against the big teams and we need to show the same mentality when we travel to play Liverpool on Sunday [live on Sky Sports 1].
"I am sure the players will not need any reminding about our famous 3-0 win at Anfield last season which was our first [away] victory [against Liverpool] since 1963, and it was a memorable day for everyone at the Club.
"We would now love to see a repeat performance and repay the fans for the magnificent support they show towards the team."
