Westermann calls for Hamburg to unite

Heiko Westermann has issued a rallying cry after Hamburg fans reportedly clashed with players following their latest defeat.

Supporters were said to have turned their anger on players in the car park at the Imtech Arena following a 3-0 home defeat to Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

Hamburg are second-bottom of the table after a dismal run of six consecutive Bundesliga defeats, which has seen them fail to score in their last three games.

The pressure on coach Bert van Marwijk intensified when highly-rated Colombia striker Adrian Ramos scored a first-half double after Sami Allagui had put Hertha in front.

Ramos also had a penalty saved by Rene Adler before Allagui’s opener on another miserable day for Hamburg.

Not since November 24 have Van Marwijk’s side secured victory in the German top flight and, although Westermann can understand fans’ frustration, the defender stressed that the beleagured club must be united.

He said: “We got off the hook with the penalty and then conceded the opener straight afterwards.

“It’s quite natural for our fans to be unhappy but we’ve got another game coming up on Wednesday (against Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal) and we have to focus on that.”

Goalkeeper Adler, making his first appearance since early December after recovering from an ankle injury, echoed Westermann’s sentiments.

“We’ve plenty of time yet to get ourselves out of trouble,” he said.

“We didn’t play well in the first half, but kept things tight enough to avoid conceding any more goals after the break.

“It’s vital that everyone sticks together now and does his bit for the team, otherwise things are going to be very difficult between now and the end of the season.”