Alan Curbishley is facing a battle to stay in charge at West Ham United.

The Sun says Curbishley has five games to keep his job. The writing is on the wall for Curbishley and questions will be asked as soon as the first bad result comes.

Mercifully, West Ham have a relatively comfortable programme until mid-October so Curbs might be able to buy some time.

It is of course a double-edged sword. If they fail to collect enough points against Wigan, West Brom, Fulham, Bolton and Hull they will be in dire straits.

That is the harsh reality facing West Ham.