Sullivan: I don't care if players hate me - my pay cut threat inspired win!

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan believes his outburst acted as the catalyst for the relegation threatened club's 2-0 win over Birmingham on Wednesday night.Manager Gianfranco Zola voiced his annoyance at the timing of a recent interview with Sullivan, when the new Upton Park joint chairmen revealed plans to slash every contract in the Hammers squad and management team by a staggering 25 per cent in a cost-cutting exercise to reduce the £110million debt gripping the east London club.For you, boss: Zola is mobbed by Diamanti after the Italian's scorching opener against BirminghamZola's team responded perfectly with a win propelling them to 14th in the table, with Alessandro Diamanti leading a team salute to the manager with his sensational first in a spirited sign of contempt towards the new owners.But Sullivan insists he doesn't care if the players don't like him - as long as they win.There's still a lot of hard work to do but I'm really pleased with the way the team has responded,' Sullivan told The Sun.'It was the last resort. I had to say something to galvanise people intoaction because our results and displays just hadn't been good enough.'If it was so the players could stick two fingers up at me on behalf ofthe manager then great. At least it means we'll keep winning.'It's dangerous but then the situation at West Ham is dangerous too.'I've been accused of bad timing but I believe it was the best possible timing because look at the response it got. West Ham hero Diamanti says crucial win was for under-fire boss ZolaWest Ham youngster Sears joins Coventry on loan for rest of the seasonTHE FIRING LINE: Brucey bonus for Gianfranco Zola as Sunderland boss Steve denies West Ham man top spot in our list of those set for the sackWEST HAM UNITE FC

Source: Daily_Mail