Curbishley - We must do better

Hammers boss laments poor home display

By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 8th April 2008

Curbishley Alan West Ham v Tottenham

Curbishley: Hammers woe

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West Ham boss Alan Curbishley failed to hide his disappointment after his side produced an inept display as they went down 1-0 against Portsmouth at Upton Park.

Niko Kranjcar's 61st minute strike lit up a drab affair in East London with the Hammers rarely threatening the Pompey goal in a frustrating night for the home supporters.

Bobby Zamora spurned West Ham's best chance in the 18th minute as Curbishley's men slumped to back-to-back Premier League defeats to reamain in 10th place - five points behind Man City.

"We thought this was winnable tonight but Portsmouth did all the threatening in the second half, said Curbishley.

"We had a great chance in the first half and it would have been vital if we had scored it because I can't remember Greeny making too many saves.

Opportunity

"We want to finish in the top half. We had an opportunity to catch Man City and put some pressure on them.

"We are stuck in 10th but we won't finish there if we don't win any more games.

"There are five games left in which we must do better than tonight."

Curbishley revealed that 12 players were still out of action before the game and had to add midfielder Mark Noble to the list after he was ruled out with a hamstring problem.

To make matters even worse for Curbishley, skipper Lucas Neill twisted an ankle and is struggling for Saturday's trip to Bolton.