Alan Curbishley is the bookies' favourite for the sack and knows the critics are out to get him before a ball has even been kicked this season.

He has been in charge at West Ham for 18 months and after just saving them relegation in his first term, steered them to 10th place last time.

Curbishley said: "I used to sit around at Charlton and observe the vultures hovering above a manager from afar.

"They don't go away until the right results come along.

"I look at the first eight games because by the time you've got through those you can see where you are.

"If you've had a poor start you're playing catch-up but if it's gone well you can afford a couple of bad results and still stay where you are.

"The first eight games set the tone. I'd like to think we'll do better than last year. We'll be looking at Europe."

Defender Anton Ferdinand, who is likely to miss tomorrow's game with Wigan due to a hamstring injury, has rejected a new deal.

Curbishley said: "He's entitled to do that. He has two years left on his current contract."