Alan Curbishley has admitted the 'vultures are circling' around him for the first time in his managerial career but insists he is not fazed going into the first game of the new season.

The Hammers boss has been installed as the bookies' favourite to win this year's managerial sack race after receiving criticism from some quarters last season, while various sections of the Upton Park crowd grew frustrated with the team's performances.

Curbishley admits he has taken some of that criticism on board but insists he will not allow it all to overwhelm him, despite coming under fire for the first time in his managerial career.

"I guess you could say I've had an easy road until now," he said. "The vultures have never circled over me before but I'll deal with it.

"I understand the criticism, I don't close my eyes to it, but I don't have to accept all of it as well. Some of it is true and I take that on board and I try to change.

"(Being favourite to be sacked first) is not something I'm going to worry about, I've got plenty of other far more important things on my plate to worry about. But it's part and parcel of being a manager. Everyone understands the pressure that comes with the job.

"I've been out at about 40-1 before, as has Martin Jol I'm sure and look what happened there. I'm sure I'm doing the other 19 managers a favour!"

Curbishley's managerial portfolio is an impressive one, having established Charlton Athletic as a Premier League club after two promotions during his 15-year spell. So, having to deal with growing pressure from fans and media alike is something he has rarely had to contend with.

There has been increasing clamour for Curbishley to deliver the kind of attacking football the supporters yearn for, but as he is quick to point out, the spate of injuries the club have encountered has somewhat inhibited that ambition.

"I accept that I have a responsibility. I know that there are certain traditions at West Ham and I've been brought up on that," he added.

"People have to understand that we were patched up a lot of times last season and quite often the team picked itself, given the injuries we had.

"But I accept the criticism. We didn't shut ourselves off to that and we're trying to do better. We want to win games and we want to play better."

With that mindset firmly in place, Curbishley hopes the team can silence the doubters and do all the talking on the pitch.

"I always seem to be defending myself and the team. This season I don't want to be doing any of that.

"We'll attack the positions above us in the league this year. If we do better than we did last season then I'll be happy."

[Guardian-Series]

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