Matthew Upson says Sullivan comments are 'irrelevant'
Upson previously played with Sullivan and Gold as owners at Birmingham
West Ham captain Matthew Upson believes David Sullivan's criticism of the team will not affect the players.
In an open letter, the club's co-owner declared anger at Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Wolves, saying: "Nobody should delude themselves that we are a good team."
Upson admitted Sullivan "is entitled to his beliefs" but told BBC Radio 5 live the team would work out problems with coaches and manager Gianfranco Zola.
"We're doing that. Everything else is pretty irrelevant," said the defender.
"If David Sullivan wants to air his views on the club's website or in public then he does so - he's the chairman.
We have a few very talented players in our team, but it is a very unbalanced squad
David Sullivan in letter to fans
"I wouldn't say, from a player's point of view, that it helps.
"But we only concentrate on what we feel is wrong and how the coaches and manager assess the game, what they want us to do.
"And that's what we'll do, because they're in charge of the situation. They're the people we want to listen to."
Zola's West Ham side remain three points clear of the relegation zone following defeat by Wolves, who Sullivan claimed "looked more like Manchester United" against the team he and David Gold have owned since January.
Upson, 30, has plenty of experience playing at teams under Sullivan and Gold, having made 113 appearances for Birmingham City while they were owned by the duo, a spell which included relegation from the Premier League in 2006.
"It's testing times and it tests character, but that's something I think the manager has," said Upson.
"It's a big test for him at the moment but I'm sure we'll come out of it."
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