West Ham striker Carlton Cole admits it's been a tough road back to form this season.

"They (the fans) have been on my back," the striker said. "I got booed a lot. It hurts. It's in my hands to try to get them on my side. I know when I get on I try my utmost. In the past, I've never been match fit and I'm trying to do something special. And if it didn't work out I got stick. But I'm trying to establish myself as a proper player."

He also told The Times: "I've had people around me off the pitch. I train well.

"I have got a sports psychologist. He is with me every day. He talks to me; he does a lot - mental things you don't think about as a footballer. Some people have it naturally, some don't."