Sam Allardyce believes that West Ham United's current poor form in the Premier League is down to them playing with fear.
The Hammers have won just two games during the campaign and were comfortably beaten 3-0 at Upton Park on Saturday evening by Chelsea.
West Ham were booed by their own fans during the game, which Allardyce insists is understandable.
"If they don't see the sort of determination and passion and desire they think they should get to show their disapproval," Allardyce told reporters. "I thought the players tried as hard as they can, but they're playing with a bit of fear at the minute. And that makes them look like they're not playing with the passion that is normally seen."
"When people say there's a pressure game at the top - Manchester United versus Arsenal or Chelsea versus Manchester United or Manchester City - it's not as big a pressure as when you're in the bottom three or four. It's much greater pressure because it's all about 'relegation this', 'relegation threatened that', all the money you lose.
"That becomes a constant flee in the players' ear. They've got to dismiss all that, keep a clear mind, keep a clear head and focus on playing how they know they can play. It's my job to pick the players up and remind them about previous performances we've had home and away this year, make sure we get to that level and stop those fears creeping in."
The Hammers return to Premier League action next Saturday when they host fellow strugglers Fulham.
Matt Cotton
