Martin Keown has criticised West Ham fans for the atmosphere they are creating in the London Stadium and condemned their treatment of captain Mark Noble during the recent defeat to Liverpool.
The Hammers are currently on the search for a new manager after the dismissal of Slaven Bilic and David Moyes is reportedly likely to be the successor.
The London club are currently in the relegation zone during the international break and Bilic has paid the price for their poor start in the Premier League.
West Ham suffered a crushing 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool during his last game in charge on Saturday as their shaky defence was once again torn apart.
BBC pundit Keown has explained that the club’s own supporters were booing midfielder Noble every time he passed the ball backwards and says it is no surprise the team are struggling right now given the reaction of fans.
“What is it with West Ham fans? I didn’t enjoy playing at the old ground and they liked letting me know. But I wouldn’t want to play for them now,” Keown wrote in the Daily Mail.
“That crowd is like the 12th man… for the opposition. No wonder the players have no confidence.
“When I was listening to the radio commentary of their game with Liverpool at the London Stadium on Saturday all I could hear was the home fans booing every time Mark Noble got on the ball and passed it backwards to keep possession.
“If West Ham fans want their club to stay in the Premier League, they have to get behind the team.”
OPINION
Noble has been a scapegoat at times for West Ham this season, when in truth a number of their players have been well below their usual standards. The 30-year-old has at least shown some fighting spirit unlike some of his team-mates and does set the example. He may be slightly on the decline in terms of levels of performance, but is still a key part of the Hammers side both on and off the pitch. Noble has the tireless engine room in the centre of the park and should not be jeered by his own fans for playing safe with possession against a very strong Liverpool team.