Curbishley will bring out the best in me, insists new Hammer Parker

Curbishley was critical of Parker when he opted to join Chelsea in a £10million deal after spending seven successful years with him at Charlton.

But Parker still jumped at the chance to team up with Curbishley again and has signed a five-year deal with the Hammers.

Parker, who joined Newcastle in a £6.5m deal in 2005 after first-team opportunities were limited at Stamford Bridge, said: "I think, when I look back, that it (Curbishley's criticism) showed what the manager thought of me.

"There is no doubting that under Curbs it was the best football that I have played in my career."

Now Parker is hopeful that he can revive his fortunes at Upton Park with Curbishley undergoing a summer rebuilding job backed by chairman Eggert Magnusson's millions.

"I think there is a foundation at the club. We are heading the right way and hopefully we can really push on now," he added.

Curbishley admitted Parker could be a potential captain for West Ham, although he reported no update on the future of current skipper Nigel Reo-Coker, who has been the subject of a £7million bid from Aston Villa.

"He could be in the make-up, no disrespect to Nigel," said the Hammers boss. "We will cross that bridge when we come to it."

On Reo-Coker, he added: "He is away with the (England) under-21s at the moment with two of our other boys.

"I have heard nothing in respect of any activity. There are lots of rumours about our club at the moment. We can't go around answering it all. It has been indicated but, as of now, he is still a West Ham player."

Parker was captain at Newcastle, and Curbishley said: "Scott brings so many qualities one of them and one of them is leadership, he was captain at Newcastle. He played for me at Charlton as a young boy.

"He has lots of qualities, including his energy and enthusiasm which are going to endear him to West Ham fans. He can score goals, he can make goals, he sees the pass. When we had the chance to sign Scott, we went for it. We are pleased it went through and we got our man.

"It's been a bit busy. The transfer window is open so there's an opportunity for people to do business. We are trying to bring players in. We've got one today and hopefully we have got one coming back (Dean Ashton)."

Parker left Charlton under a cloud following his £10million move to Chelsea, and Curbishley admitted: "I was a little bit disappointed - we were fourth in the league and it was the best team Charlton had had.

"I sent Scott a letter straight after expressing how much I appreciated what he had done for the club. At the time I was speaking for everyone on behalf of Charlton, saying it was something we didn't want to happen and something we didn't need to happen."

Meanwhile Magnusson remains hopeful Carlos Tevez will stay at the club next season and beyond.

Despite the Hammers being fined £5.5million for the illegal registration of Tevez and his fellow Argentinian international Javier Mascherano, the striker's scintillating form helped the east London club survive relegation and ensured his popularity with the fans.

Some of Europe's leading clubs are reported to be interested in signing Tevez, but Magnusson said: "It's very simple. Carlos Tevez has a contract at this club for the next three years.

"He is a great player, a great lad. Everybody loves him around the club."