West Ham fans stage protest

Glenn Roeder wants to win the fans over

Click here to have your say on West Ham's new manager.

West Ham supporters have organised a demonstration at the club's Upton Park ground following the appointment of Glenn Roeder as boss.

The disgruntled fans are unhappy with Roeder as the choice to replace Harry Redknapp.

But supporter Colin Scriven told BBC Sport Online their concerns run deeper.

"I have received countless numbers of e-mails from supporters," he said.

"We are demonstrating purely out of frustration with the board and expect to have a much more organised demo in the coming weeks."

Roeder has promised to win over the disillusioned fans after being handed the managerial reins.

We arrogantly assumed that Curbishley would join us at the drop of a hat and he chose Charlton

  West Ham fan David Williams

He was the surprise choice after the Hammers failed to land chief targets Steve McClaren and Alan Curbishley.

His appointment sparked anger among West Ham fans, who flooded BBC Sport Online with e-mails hitting out at the club's board of directors.

As one fan put it, supporters have been totally underwhelmed by the decision.

"I was looking forward to the appointment of someone who could take the club a step further," said Jason Becker.

He added: "I am horrified that the club think Glenn Roeder has the credentials to do this. I was happy to see Redknapp go - now I want him back."

Mark C of Horsham sarcastically quipped: "As a lifelong Hammer, I'll support whatever decisions the club makes, no matter how short-sighted, unambitious, half-baked and ill-conceived they are.

I have got to prove as quickly as I can I am the man for the job

  Glenn Roeder

"West Ham have obviously been able to attract the level of talent that matches the infrastructure and ambition within the club. Lord help us all."

The board came in for widespread criticism from a number of fans, including David Williams who said: "This is a totally underwhelming appointment. "We arrogantly assumed that Curbishley would join us at the drop of a hat and he chose Charlton. The Board had better be prepared for the ramifications. The fans' patience will last all of three games."

But Roeder, who was sacked from both of his previous managerial posts at Gillingham and Watford, was quick to hit back.

"I understand the fans and I accept what they are saying.

"I have got to prove as quickly as I can I am the man for the job, and I'm sure I can change their minds and do that, particularly with good backroom staff behind me."

Appeal for patience

Roeder is expected to have £15m to spend on new players after the £11m sale of Frank Lampard goes through.

That will also enable him to buy some time with the fans, though Roeder again pleaded for patience.

"Unfortunately, other clubs I will be trying to buy from now have an idea of what I have to spend," he said.

The new Hammers boss added: "It makes it very important for me to invest the money wisely and improve the team.

"Hopefully we will have two or three players in by the start of the season."