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Sullivan fears West Ham 'Armageddon'

David Sullivan is concerned by the West Ham wage bill © Getty Images

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David Sullivan has warned West Ham will face "Armageddon" if they are relegated this season and has prepared all present at Upton Park for substantial pay cuts in the summer.

Sullivan, in conjunction with former Birmingham ally David Gold, took on debts in excess of £100 million when purchasing West Ham last month and has been keen to express his unhappiness at the way the club has been run in recent years.

With financial pressures impacting on the team, West Ham are currently in 18th place in the Premier League and Sullivan is fearful of what relegation would do to a club that has a substantial wage bill. Whether they avoid the drop or not, that is something Sullivan will urgently address.

"It'll be Armageddon if we go down. It'll be worse than what's gone on at Newcastle," Sullivan said in the Sun. "I can't believe the contracts I've inherited. Every position is overpaid, whether in administration or on the playing side.

"Everyone at the club will be asked to take a salary cut in the summer. The club is in a mess and we all have to pull together. If we go down I can't even consider the situation."

West Ham face Sullivan and Gold's former club Birmingham at Upton Park on Wednesday night and the latter is relishing the chance to tackle a club that he helped take into the top flight last season.

"I was at Birmingham City for years but I really want to give them a good whacking," Gold said. "After 17 years at Birmingham, I think we know how to run a football club, I am certainly a lot wiser than when I first started. All I need now is for the team to start winning. Wednesday night will do for starters."

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