LUIS Boa Morte has hit out at West Ham owner David Sullivan, claiming the chairman should not 'hammer' the players in the press.

The Hammers' midfielder, whose contract expires this summer, insisted he spoke for the rest of the squad when he voiced his anger at Sullivan's critical comments of the management and playing staff.

The co-chairman recently stated every player in the squad could be sold in the summer, except midfield general Scott Parker. In yesterday's programme notes ahead of the Manchester City game, Sullivan said: “The current management and team know that what they have delivered was below the expectations at the start of the season and we simply have to do better next season.”

The comments prompted Boa Morte – who scored in the 1-1 draw with City after a season on the sidelines through injury – to call for the owners to change their approach.

“Mr Sullivan should have a bit more composure when he talks to the press to hammer the players, it's not helping anyone,” he told the BBC. “The fact you have money doesn't mean you can say and do whatever you want.

“Everyone feels the same. Some people will take this kind of situation, some people like it, some people don't.

“Some people listen and don't even care about it, but people like myself, I've been playing football for 15 years and I've never had a board behind me like that.

“That's why I'm not pleased with them and hopefully next season they will change to help the club move forward.”