It would be easy to make a case supporting Pablo Zabaleta as the Hammer of the Year.

OK, it’s hardly been a vintage season but nobody can fault the effort, determination and desire of the veteran right back.

One thing is for certain however, his Hammers of the year are the supporters who have suffered miseries and agonies over a far too long period of time.

And speaking to the official website he made his feelings very clear about the fans who too often have taken a bashing at multiple levels from the media in particular.

Zaba declared: “I’ve been saying for a few months since being at this club, I’ve seen the fans be incredible. Even away from home, I’ve seen the fans travelling everywhere, giving great support to the team.

“At home, at London Stadium, in front of 60,000 people, it’s incredible. It shows the potential of the Club in terms of how many fans West Ham have got.

“Us as players, and personally from my point of view, I feel proud to play with our fans. Sometimes that passion is what we really need to know, the players, to give them something back by winning games.

“It’s been a difficult season in terms of injuries and many things that sometimes have affected the team. To the fans all we can say is thanks for the great support they show week in and week out because they are amazing.”

He added: “Hopefully we can perform well enough to keep West Ham in the Premier League. We will try. We know we have to do better than we have done in the last three games.

“I do really understand sometimes the frustration of the fans when things don’t go like everyone expects, but I think those tough periods, we all need to be together. It’s the only reason to go forward, to be united. Us as players, we know we have to do better on the field