"Jermain wants to get better and he will get better - and we want him to do that with this club; I expect him to stay and I expect 25 or 30 goals from him in the first division next season," he says.
"I have got nothing but praise for him - he has played every game this season and his attitude has been excellent.
"There's no way anyone's leaving on the cheap - the fact is we are not under pressure to sell and we are not in a position where everyone has to abandon ship because a lot of players are at the end of their contracts anyway.
"But I just feel sorry that Jermain has been badly advised - he is only 20, and you're looking for somebody to look after the interests of the individual.
"Anyone, though, could have predicted the reaction to handing in a transfer request less than 24 hours after relegation, not to mention the story that came out on the day of our final match about him going to Manchester United.
"It is scandalous, really, and I am angry about it, but I want fans to remember what Jermain himself has done for us this season, and how hard he has worked."
With Joe Cole, Steven Bywater, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe all being selected for the friendly with Serbia & Montenegro at Hull City's new Kingston Communications Stadium on 2nd June, and David James and Trevor Sinclair being picked for the latest full England squad, Trevor says:
"It is a reward for them and a reflection of the run we have had; Trevor has got his form back, and I am sure Joe, who is in the U21s, was in contention for the full squad as well.
"It is good and I am sure if they get the opportunity they won't let anyone down and David now has the opportunity of making that number one position his."
As for the notion that you cannot play in the first division and for England he adds:
"I don't see why not, that is nonsense; naturally it depends on the form and us being in a challenging position so we look as if we can bounce straight back - but you can still get recognition in division one.
"I had three years playing in the equivalent of the first division, the second division as it was, and Ron Greenwood knew if my club form was fine it could transmit itself to international level.
"I think the opportunity could be there to try and get us off to the start we all hope for.
"When I went down with West Ham I had an allegiance with the club, as I hope these players do, and we wanted to bounce back."
"I am sure he would have some input; obviously David James and Trevor Sinclair are at the more latter part of the England spell, with the younger lads having a bright future as well."
Trevor talked to the players at Chadwell Heath on Tuesday, and he confirms:
"I have had a meeting with the players to thank them for their efforts this season and we will be speaking to individuals throughout the summer.
"Everyone is very positive and we don't intend to lie down in division one; we want to bounce straight back up.
"There is no danger of us going into administration, as has been claimed; we have eight or nine players whose contracts are up and that will reduce the wage bill considerably.
"That is not to say there is not a likelihood one or two players will leave.
"Paolo's gone back to Italy; he feels he wants to play top flight football in Serie A or in the Premiership; we're not in a position to pay him what he'll get somewhere else.
"He has been a terrific player for the club and we wish him well for the future."
As for any transfer speculation, MD Paul Aldridge dismisses it and says:
"No one else has asked for a move and we have had no approaches from clubs for any of our players."
"I have had a long chat with Jermain and I feel sorry for the hard time he has been given."
Adds Trevor:
"I believe Jermain will consistently score 20 or more goals a season in the Premiership, which puts him in the same bracket as Van Nistelrooy, Henry, and Beattie - so suggestions we'd have to get rid of him for £5m are utter nonsense.
"If anyone thinks the club is going to let a gem of a striker go for next to nothing they are not in the real world and the fact is we don't want to let him go at all.
"We will need Jermain to score 25 or 30 goals next season to get us promoted straight back to the Premiership, and if he achieves that at the age of 21, I do not see how that will hinder his development.
"He has been really shocked by the reaction to this transfer request; the natural reaction to what happened is that he is looking to do a 'runner' - but let's give him a chance.
"I want to get the message across to the supporters that whatever has happened this week, he doesn't deserve that reaction to his request, and, more than anything, I want to protect Jermain because he is a great lad who has been terrific for this club.
"Right now, I want him to go away with England U21s, enjoy his game and do himself justice - and if he comes across any West Ham fans along the way, I hope they will support and encourage him."
"He didn't realise the implications of what he was doing and he didn't want to provoke this kind of response, but we have to make sure we don't ask Jermain to stay then find at the start of the season everyone else has gone - we're not going to ask him to do the impossible while he's struggling in a thin squad."
* West Ham are favourites to get promoted next season at 5-1.