When Alan Curbishley arrived at Upton Park three weeks ago, it was
blithely assumed that his expertise would enable West Ham to avoid
relegation with ease. When he won his first game, against
Manchester United, it was apparently a done deal. Not any more.
Curbishley has presided over three consecutive defeats that have
left his side deep in the mire, and while excuses could be made for
the first two this one was as bad as it gets.
Reading were excellent, ending a six-match run without a win, but
if they stay in the Premiership for the next century they will
never have as easy a game as this. West Ham were pathetic, four
goals down by half-time and lucky not to take an even bigger
pasting.
Curbishley's excellence at Charlton means he has limited experience
of relegation battles, but he will get a crash course now. This
West Ham side has three main problems: a jittery defence, a
non-existent midfield and a miserable excuse for an attack. As soon
as they went a goal down they played like a side who knew they had
lost. While that was hardly an unwarranted conclusion - they have
not scored away in the Premiership since August - the defeatist
body language, unremitting infighting and brattish dissent were
appalling. Curbishley may not be the messiah, but he has inherited
some very naughty boys.
West Ham have been on the road to nowhere. The only thing they
showed yesterday was the white flag, from the moment Reading took
the lead in the 12th minute.
West Ham could not shake their left knee and they were three down
after half an hour, Curbishley settled for damage limitation by
bringing on Jonathan Spector for Marlon Harewood at half-time ("Our
aim was to stop it being eight," he explained later). But the goals
continued to flow.
"You just enjoy the moment," said Coppell, "and accept the fact
that it won't continue next week." If only Curbishley could be so
sure.
Reading boss Steve
Coppell:
"I knew it was a real test physically and that's why the
performance was surprising as it has been so demanding for us
recently. "I didn't think the players would go to the well again or
have the legs for it.
"But once we scored the first goal it was our best spell of
football since I've been here. They were creative and wanted to be
on the front foot."
West Ham manager Alan
Curbishley:
"This hasn't just happened and the players have to realise a couple
of things very quickly. "They have not scored a lot of goals and it
is a confidence thing. But how do you get it back? By winning
games.
"We couldn't live with Reading but we have to rally around now and
get three-pointers. We need to pick up points to give ourselves a
chance."
