Sam Allardyce has hit out at those in football with short memories and vowed to ask why if his contract as West Ham manager is not renewed.
The Hammers lost 2-1 to Everton on Saturday in potentially Allardyce's final home match as boss, with his contract to expire imminently and talks with co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan on hold until the end of the season.
Allardyce hopes West Ham can achieve the best points haul in the three seasons since he guided them back to the top flight with victory at his former club Newcastle next Sunday.
"Everybody in the world of football has very short memories," Allardyce said.
"It's only what happened a couple of weeks ago or next week that matters. What happened four months ago is forgotten, whether that's good, bad or indifferent. That's football.
"I want to see it through, yes. That depends on a lot of anomalies in terms of negotiations - not just myself but those involved around me. And of course how we're going to progress in terms of recruitment.
"I've never heard them say I'm not doing a good job. I'll find out next week and then I can ask them why - see if they give me an honest answer.
"We're 11th with 47 points so we've got to try and get that 50-point mark and hope it gets us to 10th.
"Even if it doesn't it's still been an outstanding season and for me an outstanding three years back in the Premier League.
"I've only had to worry about relegation for about six weeks in three seasons."
If West Ham do win at Newcastle, the Magpies could be consigned to the drop, depending on how Hull fare against Manchester United.
"It's been talked about in the dressing room with me, Kevin (Nolan) and Andy (Carroll)," said Allardyce, of two others with Newcastle connections.
"From our point of view it's about being professional, not about what we do because it's Newcastle and we were there.
"It's about trying to win there for the benefit of ourselves and the justification for everybody else in terms of who are fighting that relegation battle. We have to try and do our very best.
"You can't show any sympathy for anybody, because nobody shows any sympathy for you."
Everton manager Roberto Martinez praised the Hammers and Allardyce.
"West Ham have been a joy to watch," Martinez said.
"They play dynamic football, really, really attacking-minded.
"I think the new players they have brought in have brought a lot to the team and into the league.
"And to see them performing straight away, a foreign player coming into this league, is down to the manager.
"What the manager has created is an environment where the team is able to perform from day one so I think West Ham's season has been very, very impressive."
Despite the loss, West Ham's chances of qualifying for the Europa League through the fair play standings improved as Everton were shown four yellow cards to their hosts' one.
The Toffees, who played in this season's Europa League, will continue to target continental competition.
"We don't want to be a team that is just happy to be top 10," Martinez said.
"We want to win titles and we want to be in Europe and that is where we should be through history and pedigree."
Everton play Tottenham in their final game this term, meaning Aaron Lennon's loan spell is over.
Asked whether Lennon will return to Goodison Park, Martinez said: "I think you have to ask that to a crystal ball. Aaron has been phenomenal, a really successful loan period.
"We will see what happens in the future."
Source: PA
