There was an air of predictability about West Ham United's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday but despite the result being anticipated, dismay at the performance was rife once again.

When writing about West Ham in recent months I have found myself becoming an increasingly gloomy football supporter.

Fans of other clubs, I would suspect look, at Hammers supporters and think we have ideas above our station and the club is positioned exactly where they should be in the Premier League.

The problem for me has never solely been our league position.

Unless you are in the bracket of top five clubs in the country, league position shouldn't outweigh the enjoyment you have watching your team through the season.

It could be that I am just getting older and the youthful excitement has worn off but supporting West Ham means a lot more than a league position, which is why I find debates about Sam Allardyce and what he has done at the club over the last few years frustrating.

People have often said to me it doesn't matter what Allardyce does because he will never been fully accepted.

Whilst this is an over simplification there is a slight truth to that school of thought but I've never been fully able to work out the specific reason.

At a guess I would say it has been his attitude towards West Ham supporters since his arrival and perceived arrogance which prevents him from ever being likeable.

The defeat at Villa Park saw the horrible stat of three wins in 19 Premier League games move into focus once more.

This means for half a season West Ham have claimed just three victories. No matter which side of the Allardyce fence you sit on it is a statistic which is impossible to ignore and I am tired of being told I should be grateful simply because West Ham will be playing top flight football next season.

If the sum of West Ham's ambition is to just stay in the division I truly despair. In the late 1990s and early 2000s we went into every season knowing winning the league or even finishing in the top three was completely out of reach but I don't recall going into the season with people say that they just want to survive.

The stakes are higher because of money, I fully accept that, but for me as a supporter, is the stake higher? Do I see any of this money?

Wanting the club to base all aspirations on just surviving is dull and whilst some may say it is a reality of modern day football I will stick by my theory that entertaining football does not automatically equate to struggles.

This week I have been asked a number of times who there is to replace Allardyce.

Many of those asking the question will relate this to managers on the bookmakers’ list they have heard of.

A similar number will also dismiss managers without Premier League experience, but I would point to the examples set by Swansea City and Southampton by way of a reply.

Would any West Ham fan have taken Ronald Koeman last summer? I suspect only with the benefit of hindsight anyone would actually answer yes.

I maintain Allardyce is not the only man who can have a positive effect on West Ham and concern he will depart comes from the crippling pessimism of the club’s own supporters.

With two games to go until the season’s end I am very much looking forward to the completion of the season. I believe change is coming and whilst change is always daunting, I remain positive and refuse to fear the future.