Curbs hails starlet Sears

West Ham boss delighted with debutant's winner

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 15th March 2008

Curbishley Alan West Ham v Blackburn

Curbishley: Sears salute

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West Ham manager Alan Curbishley praised the impact of debutant Freddie Sears in the 2-1 win over Blackburn at Upton Park in the Premier League on Saturday.

Roque Santa Cruz had given Rovers the lead in the 19th minute, but West Ham striker Dean Ashton levelled things shortly before the break.

Then nine minutes before the final whistle, Sears struck - shortly after coming off the bench - to secure the three points.

And Curbishley admits he has high hopes for Sears and has revealed the England Under 19 international was due to start against Rovers before Bobby Zamora made a late recovery form injury.

Response

"He (Sears) has burst on the scene in the last three months," Curbishley told Sky Sports News.

"He has been playing in the reserves regularly and scoring and training with the first-team and doing well.

"In all fairness he was actually in the first-team yesterday when we trained. He was playing with Dean Ashton because Bobby Zamora has been suffering.

"I called him in just before we had a team meeting to tell him he wasn't and I didn't really get any response.

Criticism

"Perhaps he might have been disappointed he wasn't starting but he didn't show too much.

"But I had no hesitation in putting him on and once the game opened up it suited him."

The victory against Rovers also brings to an end West Ham's run of three consecutive 4-0 thrashings following recent defeats to Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham and Curbishley confesses his side's spirits had been flagging.

"We all needed a lift," added Curbishley. "It is not nice what has happened to us. We have taken a lot of criticism.

"I listen to the criticism and I take it all on the chin. I'm not one of those people who just bats it off. I accepted what was going on and that is the only way I will deal with things."