West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan insists they won't push the panic button on manager Avram Grant.

Sullivan confessed he is happy to virtually write off another THREE league games before he considers the season to have truly begun.

By then it will be October and the Hammers could have played a month and a half of the league.

But Sullivan told the News of the World: "You can't judge a team after three games. It's very premature. When you're building something it takes time and there have been changes at all levels.

"The next three games are very, very tough. Chelsea at home, Stoke who are particularly good on their own ground and Tottenham at home.

"Three tough games and then the season really starts with the Fulham game on October 2. But I hope to surprise a few people against Chelsea, Stoke or Tottenham.

"The Bolton game was a major disappointment but it's early days.

"There was a stage last season where we lost six games in a row, these things happen. I haven't relayed any messages to Avram at all, I just expect a gradual improvement in form. It's not all doom and gloom.

"He inherited a very imbalanced squad. Over the next year he'll turn things round. Results will gradually come. Avram is very, very confident about the future.

"He'd love to have £30m-£40m to spend but what manager wouldn't?

"I've got every confidence in the manager and every confidence in the team."