Former West Ham United fullback Nigel Winterburn says manager David Moyes will know he's under pressure.

Despite a big spending summer, West Ham currently sit in the wrong half of the table and doubts have been raised about Moyes' position.

For Winterburn, West Ham's struggles before the World Cup recess have come as a surprise and he believes the future of Moyes could come down to a test of nerve from the club's owners.

Speaking to Tribalfootball.com on behalf of FreeSuperTips, Winterburn declared: "I think a couple of players have come out in support over the past week.

"I'm surprised that they've really struggled so far, David Moyes has done a terrific job since he came back and they're just in a really difficult stage at the moment.

"They've spent quite a bit of money in the transfer window that's just gone as well.

"I think the supporters will always be key in whether a manager keeps his job or not because when you get a run of results where you aren't performing then the atmosphere changes in the stadium.

"It really applies pressure on the owners and it's whether the owners feel they can ride it out or whether they need to make a change."

Winterburn, who spent three years at the old Upton Park, says the opening weeks of the second-half of the season will be crucial for Moyes - and the Scot will know it.

He added: "They're going to need to pick up their form when we're back from the World Cup considerably.

"I don't like talking about managers getting the sack, but if you were to ask David Moyes then he would say he's under pressure because the results aren't what we expect them to be if you look at West Ham over the past couple of seasons."