West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has backed Marko Arnautovic after the striker was jeered by fans.
Arnautovic has not scored a league goal since January, when he was reportedly pushing for a move.
Supporters have made their unhappiness towards him clear in recent weeks and there remains doubt over the player’s long-term future.
But, speaking at a press conference on Friday, Pellegrini came out in support of the Austria international.
“It (bad form) happens to players that at moments of a season that a player isn’t in his best moment, and they need our support,” Pellegrini said.
“I’ve spoken to Marko and he wants to do better. Marko absolutely has the right mentality, and with support he will return to what he demonstrated some months ago.”
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West Ham have been hampered by injury problems but Pellegrini is hoping that Felipe Anderson will be back for Monday night’s London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “We have the continuing injuries for [Andy] Carroll, [Carlos] Sanchez, [Andriy] Yarmolenko, [Jack] Wilshere and [Winston] Reid.
“Those five players are not available. Felipe Anderson couldn’t play in the last game, and [Samir] Nasri too, but they have worked with the squad.”