West Ham United defender James Collins confirmed via his Instagram account on Wednesday that the club – presumably on the advice of new manager Manuel Pellegrini – weren't going to be giving him a new contract, and Irons fans were quick to react.

The 34-year-old's deal with the east London outfit is due to expire next month, and they had the chance to choose whether to extend it or not following another injury-hit campaign in which he made 13 Premier League appearances.

However, it seems that the Hammers board and boss have decided to take a new direction and release the 6ft 2in tall player who turns 35 in August and had been with them for 11 seasons across two different spells, despite the fact that he was a huge favourite among the London Stadium faithful and a big personality in the dressing room.

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West Ham supporters, who have rejoiced on Twitter about Pellegrini's plan for one of Collins' former teammates, took to social media to give their thoughts on the situation, and while one labelled it as the "first mistake of Pellegrini's reign", another said "I love Collins but I think it's the correct decision".

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…