West Ham Premier League preview

“If we can get on top of teams, especially at Upton Park, then with the pace we’ve got in the squad we’ll unlock the doors. I want to have that facility.

“You’ve got to have pace in the side and that’s what I’ve tried to bring in. Players who can play in tight areas, have got explosive pace and can make a difference when it comes to finishing.�

Curbishley goes into his second full season in charge with the weight of expectation heavier than at any time during his 20-month reign. He’s second favourite with the bookies to get the sack but the 50-year-old is sanguine about his future.

He said: “I’ve spent all my career being 40-1 and it won’t make any difference to me.

“You win a couple and things change, then you lose a couple. We know that. I don’t go on the websites and listen to the local radio phone-ins, like most managers don’t, but I know what’s going on out there and it’s made me even more determined to be successful.�

Last season was marked by fans’ impatience with what they were seeing on the pitch, culminating in the side being booed after a narrow win over relegated Derby in April.

Curbishley admits he’s not immune to what’s being said, but feels there was a lack of understanding of the problems caused by the club’s injury crisis.

“I hear it,� he said. “I’m surrounded by it and I’ve been a bit disappointed.

“A couple of times last year there was no realism in what was happening and what our problems were. Being a West Ham fan I understand what the responsibilities are and I don’t have a problem with that.�

And he admits the fans do affect how his side perform.

He said: “If I can say anything it’s get behind them because the West Ham fans don’t realise what a difference it makes. We pride ourselves on the atmosphere and the way we support our club.

“When we come out for the handshakes and Bubbles is sung, they don’t realise what it does to the opposition as well. What we’ve been saying to the players is let’s get this thing going.�

Whether that means a European spot this year is another matter, but Curbishley insisted he had the backing of the board, and he’s determined to push the Irons towards the Champions League. But he wants to do it the sensible way.

He said: “You need to get there gradually, because trying to do it quickly, like Leeds, you may end up in bother. You need to do it gradually, like Everton.

“But you still need one of those top four to fall out of it. That’s the big thing.�

And a clean bill of health for his players will also be crucial. Craig Bellamy and Kieron Dyer are already out for the start of the season, despite a major overhaul of the club’s medical facilities.

“It was very frustrating last year,� said Curbishley. “I think our ratio was one fitness specialist to nine or 10 players. We’ve greatly reduced that so there shouldn’t be a situation where any of them are hanging around waiting for treatment.

“The players are high maintenance. They demand people around them so they have everything there to improve as a player and stay fit, so we have gone along with that.�

And Curbishley insists he is still enjoying the job – most of the time.

He said: “I am. On a Saturday, when you walk into the ground and it’s game on, loads of things go into it. At the end of the day, driving home, you get the enjoyment from having seen people perform – like seeing [James] Tomkins come through.

“The enjoyment is still there, but some of the pressures around it take it away. The need to be successful is always going to be there.

“I’ve got two years left on my contract and I’m quite happy. I just want to have a fair crack at it. If I can then I’m sure the team can do better.�

Curbishley has not ruled out strengthening his squad before the transfer window closes.

It’s been a quiet close-season at Upton Park, with more players leaving than coming in, and Curbishley knows his squad is still weak in certain areas.

He said: “We’re looking to try to add. I need to. At the back, I need to strengthen it because we’ve got one or two niggles.

“We’ve got James Collins in full training. He’s probably three to four weeks away, but George [McCartney] is struggling.�

Jon Spector is also injured but whether that means triallist Ben Thatcher gets a contract remained to be seen as The Wharf went to press, although the former Charlton full-back did himself no favours with a poor performance against Villareal.

The Irons’ 10th place finish last year was creditable given their injury problems but Curbishley is keen to do better this term.

“I wouldn’t be happy with 10th,� he said. “I want to be chasing a European spot. That’s the natural progression with the squad we’ve got and the players available to us. We’re well capable of attacking that as Portsmouth did last year, and Everton and Blackburn have done in the last couple of years.�

The fixture computer has been kind to West Ham with none of the big four looming during the opening weeks. But Curbishley is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “It’s always important to get off to a good start. No matter what the fixtures give you, it’s a vital time. When I talk about starts I tend to talk about eight games. It then settles down.

“If you’ve not had a good start you need to pick up. You’re always chasing it if it goes on to the next eight games.�

And West Ham’s ninth and tenth fixtures? Arsenal at home and Manchester United away – both defeats last season. That good start might be more essential than Curbishley would like to admit.