Reading 6 - 0 West Ham
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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." -
what a surprise score line
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Reading's players was much much hungrier than West Ham's players. The defending was really awful.
Curbishey must hv been wanting to change the whole squad after the game. hhaha. Gd thing the transfer window jus opened... they shld be dipping into some new players and keep the relegation battle strong. -
dunno wad happen to the hammers since they beat manu
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cow pay cow bull dun watch then got so many goals.....
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What if at the end of the season... Charlton stay up and West Ham go down?
It would probably be the biggest joke of the season i guess, on the WH new boss.
Pardew must be laughing all the way to the bank after getting $3.5m compensation for leaving the Hammers and a new job with 3 and a half yrs contract...
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curbishley still have pardew's mess to clean up
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What happen? i guess the new manager feeling is gone, now back to their old ways...Originally posted by used:dunno wad happen to the hammers since they beat manu 
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Reading are a class act. No doubt about it.
Sheff Utd are almost there too, if their upset against Arsenal is accounted for. -
reading have been putting decent performances lately. but no one saw this coming
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Reading is one of the team to watch!
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anyone bought AOS?
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very rarely ppl buy aos even if its chelsea against charltonOriginally posted by ^tamago^:anyone bought AOS? -
TRANSFER CONCERN FOR CURBISHLEY
West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley has warned the club's current position could make it more difficult to attract new signings to Upton Park during the January transfer window.
The Hammers collapsed in spectacular fashion against Reading on New YearÂ’s Day to leave them still in the bottom three and four points adrift of a position of safety.
Dean Ashton was attracted to Upton Park in the January transfer window last year but Curbishley believes he could struggle to persuade players to sign this time around.
“The problem is, people keep saying bring people in but the last three results might have shot that to pieces,” said Curbishley after the 6-0 humiliation at the Madejski Stadium.
“When you’re in the bottom three and you’re trying to attract players, it’s very difficult. But that’s what we’ve got to try to do and hopefully during this month, if we pick up a result against Fulham it may make it a bit easier. Players look at where you are in the league.
“Harry Redknapp couldn’t attract players at Southampton because they were in the bottom three, at Portsmouth he managed it and turned it around.
“We’ll have to see if we can get the players in we’ve been attempting to get in.”