CURBISHLEY DEFIANT DESPITE FANS' FURY

Curbishley - jeered by fans.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insists he has the backing of his board and will not allow jeers from his own fans to drive him away from Upton Park.

Home supporters jeered Curbishley during the 4-1 Carling Cup win over Macclesfield when they were taken to extra-time by a team without a point in League Two this season.

"What can I do about it apart from win games and keep going?" said Curbishley. "I've had this now for a little while, I'll get on with it, I'm a big boy as I've said before.

"The disappointing thing is the players are the ones that have to go out and perform.

"The fans are brilliant when they are behind us and they have to realise the effect it has when they are not behind us. It can all change at the weekend.

"Football is a bit like this, you go through periods like this. It has happened to other managers and happened a bit last year."

Hammers fans have been upset with Curbishley for what they deem unattractive football, despite being on the brink of relegation two seasons ago.

"The only thing that is unfair is that we stayed up and finished 10th with all sorts of problems," Curbishley added. "That's the only thing I can comment on."

To win them over, Curbishley admits he has to "win some games and play better football".

He added: "I understand the responsibility of being West Ham manager, I've watched games at Upton Park and other managers here have had similar criticism.

"You have to get on with it, it's part and parcel that fans let you know when they are not happy. It's part and parcel of being part of this club, I'm not going to duck away from it."

Despite conflicting sounds from Curbishley during the sale of Anton Ferdinand - he insisted the defender was part of his plans before being sold to Sunderland - the Hammers boss believes he has the backing of the board.

"I'm in no doubt about that since I've been here," he said.

Macclesfield, who only collapsed when Izak Reid was sent off, had been leading through Gareth Evans five minutes into the second-round tie and the boos for Curbishley had started long before Lee Bowyer headed an equaliser to force extra-time.

Carlton Cole also scored with his head and Zavon Hines then Kyel Reid netted to complete the win.

"The young lads pulled us out of it, they came on with fresh legs and fresh minds and I was pleased with them getting their goals," Curbishley said.

Macclesfield boss Keith Alexander was furious with the sending off.

"It was a scandalous, ridiculous decision," he said. "It cost us the game.

"Our performance did not deserve the referee spoiling the game for us but you don't get those kind of decisions at places like this."