Be the 12th man

You can be West Ham United's 12th man.

When the Hammers last gained automatic promotion to the Premier League in 1992/93, they won 16 - 69 per cent - of their 23 home matches.

Since that memorable campaign, West Ham have won just 45 per cent of their home league matches - 160 victories in 356 attempts.

If Sam Allardyce's players are to improve their win percentage this season and emulate the outstanding achievements of 1992/93, they are going to need your help.

Club psychologist Lee Richardson - a former professional player and manager himself - outlines just how each and every one of you can play an influential role in West Ham's push for promotion.

Image removed.

Why is turning the Boleyn Ground into a noisy and intimidating fortress so important?

If we are going to achieve the percentage of home wins we are going to need this season to be promoted - 69 per cent - then the players are going to need your help.

Home support is crucial in helping the players by boosting their energy levels and internal psychological state.

When you are vociferous in your support, it affects our players positively and the away players and supporters negatively.

There are events in every game, both positive and negative, that initiate a reaction from the crowd and that reaction is passed on to the players straight away.

Therefore, as many positive reactions as possible to these events are the ideal situation.

Image removed.

How can the home fans achieve this at the Boleyn Ground?

West Ham United wants to be as good a club as it can be and to maximise its potential. The aim this season has to be promotion back to the Premier League.

You can aid this by being as loud and supportive as possible, singing as many songs as possible and forgiving any genuine mistakes that are made.

You have a massive role to play and we can prevail in the end if you play an active part. If the players are to achieve their task - promotion - then your support is really vital.

The fans can make the task easier.

We are all in this together.

We all want the same thing.