Sam Allardyce has admitted that West Ham United are facing a "critical period" in their season.

The Hammers manager has been under pressure in recent weeks, with the club falling to 19th in the Premier League table.

On Tuesday, West Ham's co-owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, released a statement saying that they support Allardyce.

Speaking before Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City, Allardyce confessed that he needs to get results quickly, or face the consequences.

"We are in a critical period playing in this cup game where we want to try and go out and give a great account of ourselves, to try and give the fans and ourselves a great day out at Wembley," he is quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"Success isn't built overnight. Success has to be built over a sustained period of time. But I'm realistic to know I have to get results, particularly quickly from my point of view, as a manager."

West Ham have won only three league games this season.