West Ham United chief Karren Brady has defended co-owner David Sullivan's scathing open letter to fans after their defeat to Wolves last week.

Sullivan's attack on the players drew major criticism, including from manager Gianfranco Zola and skipper Matthew Upson.

But in her diary for The Sun, Karren insisted: "Inevitably, lots of speculation about Zola's job and what David Sullivan's open letter after the humbling by Wolves really meant.

"I'll tell you: It meant he couldn't contain his frustration and anger. Neither more nor less.

"He's an open book on his emotions. And why should he be silent? He and David Gold have just gambled £50million on a life's dream so they have earned the right to say what they think.

"Football has more than its share of mealy-mouthed bores, silky-tongued frauds and fat-bottomed do-nothings to need some plain speaking."