Alan Curbishley knows Everton pose a stern test for the
Hammers today in what is a must-win encounter for his
troops.
"Everton have had their ups and downs; relegation battle followed by Europe followed by a relegation battle," he said. "This year they've shown steadiness. They are a Premiership side and they're not looking back, they're looking to finish in the top six.
"If we get a result today and other results go for us then it's game on again. We have to get a win and we all know that. There is something riding on all our remaining games for both teams, which makes it even more interesting."
Curbs insisted that all his focus in on the four remaining games of this season. "I'm not thinking about the summer, I'm concentrating on what's happening now," he said. "We know the consequences if we don't pick results up. The chairman knew we were in a relegation scrap when he brought me in and I came in with my eyes open.
"The chairman is positive about staying up and he's positive about the future. If the worst comes to the worst we'll rally and give it our best shot. We're all concentrating on trying to get the points now and seeing where it takes us."
In the meantime, Curbs has called for the Hammers to employ less exuberant goal celebrations.
"I have noticed that when we score everyone seems to get involved," he said. "On Wednesday night Chelsea were waiting for us to kick off and get on with it. You're always vulnerable when you've just scored so we need to eradicate it."
"Everton have had their ups and downs; relegation battle followed by Europe followed by a relegation battle," he said. "This year they've shown steadiness. They are a Premiership side and they're not looking back, they're looking to finish in the top six.
"If we get a result today and other results go for us then it's game on again. We have to get a win and we all know that. There is something riding on all our remaining games for both teams, which makes it even more interesting."
Curbs insisted that all his focus in on the four remaining games of this season. "I'm not thinking about the summer, I'm concentrating on what's happening now," he said. "We know the consequences if we don't pick results up. The chairman knew we were in a relegation scrap when he brought me in and I came in with my eyes open.
"The chairman is positive about staying up and he's positive about the future. If the worst comes to the worst we'll rally and give it our best shot. We're all concentrating on trying to get the points now and seeing where it takes us."
In the meantime, Curbs has called for the Hammers to employ less exuberant goal celebrations.
"I have noticed that when we score everyone seems to get involved," he said. "On Wednesday night Chelsea were waiting for us to kick off and get on with it. You're always vulnerable when you've just scored so we need to eradicate it."