West Ham manager Sam Allardyce offered sympathy for Fulham boss Martin Jol after the Hammers' victory over the Cottagers at Upton Park, expressing solidarity with his under-fire colleague. Despite Jol saying this was a game Fulham had to win for the sake of his job, the Cottagers found themselves on the wrong end of savaging from their fellow Londoners courtesy of a Mohamed Diame effort after half-time and a late six-minute onslaught from Joe Cole and Carlton Cole. Speaking after the match Allardyce expressed sympathy with Jol's managerial frustrations. He said:
"It is a lonely old job when you are trying to find the right solution to poor results." "It's one where people don't really understand what you are going through because they have never experienced it."
The 59-year-old was in a buoyant mood after the Hammer's impressive win, hopeful that his team can defeat Crystal Palace on Tuesday and could record back-to-back victories for the first time since their return to the Premier League in 2012. Allardyce said:
"We got a performance and a result which is what every player wants. "Everyone goes home happy and we feel a bit more relieved."
However the West Ham manager was wary of his side's upcoming challenge against Crystal Palace, and was adamant that his squad would not ease off as they prepare for a trip to Selhurst Park next week. He said:
"We can't rest on our laurels as they say, we've got the big game on Tuesday."
In contrast to Allardyce, Jol cut a downcast figure after the loss and it is easy to see why the the West Ham boss extended his sympathies to his Dutch counterpart the former Ajax and Tottenham manager admitted that the result was disappointing and that Fulham have not been strong enough in recent months. When asked if this was the worst run of his managerial career, the 57-year-old simply admitted: "yes." In Jol's view the Cottagers have not been underperforming for a long time, and undoubtedly, this crushing defeat will see speculation about Jol's job security increase the the Fulham boss admits his fate is now out of his hands, although he won't walk away from the post. Speaking to BBC Sport, he said:
"It is part of my job to deal with pressure. It is not that I am not used to it, but you have to keep your head cool, that is for certain."
This latest defeat means that Fulham remain in the relegation zone in eighteenth position and three points off safety, with West Ham on the other hand climbing to 15th and hoping that this victory can kick-start their so far sputtering season.