Carlton Cole
Cole faces potential internal action.

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole has lashed out at the club's decision to post a video of the Hammers' 9-0 thrashing with Gillingham in a behind closed doors friendly.

Cole and fellow-striker partner Modibo Maiga both scored to give manager Sam Allardyce a boost after starting the last five Premier League games, during which West Ham have scored four times, without a recognised forward.

Ex-Gills winger Matt Jarvis also netted twice in a friendly which saw George McCartney, Alou Diarra and Adrian all feature in a strong West Ham team.

As is the case with the majority of reserve team friendlies, West Ham have uploaded a highlights video of the game for supporters to watch during the international break, and subsequently promoted the video through their official twitter page.

Cole though has reacted angrily to the video being posted online, and sent a Tweet replying to the official account slamming the post and claiming the highlights "humiliate" a young Gillingham outfit. "Why oh why would you want to humiliate them poor young boys like that?" wrote Cole via his Twitter account. "It was a poor game behind closed doors." The Tweet has since been deleted. The 30 year old, who was released by the club in the summer, has re-joined on a three-month deal to offset West Ham's crisis in attack, with Andy Carroll having not played since signing permanently from Liverpool. The England international has made four appearances during his short loan spell at Upton Park, failing to score and has been subject to criticism from supporters on social media since his return. Despite deleting the original message, Cole could face internal action from West Ham after seemingly criticising the club. The former Chelsea striker was fined £20,000 in April 2011 for after being charged with improper conduct after posting a message on Twitter and was warned over his future behaviour.

Fans responded to Cole's criticism

West Ham are yet to make a decision over Cole's immediate future at the club, with his current deal expiring in the New Year, but with Carroll having suffered another setback in his recovery, Allardyce's hand may be forced.

Carroll is understood to have lost over a stone in weight after picking up a virus while working with Belgian specialist Niek van Dijk as he seeks to return after aggravating a foot problem picked up on the final day win over Reading last season.

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