Curbishley faces baptism of fire
Friday, December 15, 2006
Article summary
New West Ham United FC manager Alan Curbishley could not have asked for a tougher start than Sunday's visit of the Premiership leaders Manchester United FC.
Article body
Party poopers
Curbishley's first match in charge of the club where he began his playing career in the 1970s comes against English Premiership leaders Manchester United FC at Upton Park on Sunday. Ironically, it was against United that Curbishley lost 4-0 in his last game at the helm of former side Charlton Athletic FC and just as they spoiled his farewell party, so Sir Alex Ferguson's men will be looking to dampen the mood in east London.
Curbishley seeks response
After an impressive first season back in the Premiership in 2005/06, West Ham have failed to match those performances this term and find themselves 18th in the table. Curbishley is hopeful he can engineer an upturn in their fortunes and said: "There's been a bit of criticism about the players because of what they did last year and everybody is hoping we respond now." Arresting the slide will not be easy, though: the Hammers have lost 13 of their last 16 games, have scored just ten league goals in 17 matches and have kept fewer clean sheets than any other top-flight team.
'Harder for United'
Visitors United, on the other hand, are in fine form and have won nine of their last ten league outings. The Premiership's leading scorers, they have the best away record in the division with seven victories from eight yet Sir Alex acknowledged that continuing the run would not be easy against a West Ham side aiming to perform for their new manager. "There is no doubt Sunday will be a harder game for us now," he said. "The West Ham players will have increased energy and desire because they will want to convince and impress their new manager."
Statistics
That said, Curbishley failed to get the better of United in 14 meetings as Charlton boss and West Ham have never beaten the Old Trafford club at home since the Premiership's inception in 1992. With second-placed Chelsea FC visiting Everton FC on the same afternoon, United will hope those two statistics still stand at the end of the weekend as they strive to maintain – or even extend – their five-point lead over the champions.
