West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley admits he wants a "nice, solid" season after the rollercoaster ride of last term.

Following victory over Middlesbrough, Curbishley said: "I've got £20million worth of players out in Parker, Faubert and Dyer, and now it looks like we've lost another one, so I'm pleased to have got some points on the board," said the Hammers manager.

"Before the game I was thinking that if we win, it becomes a good start, and if we lose, we're in the bottom five or six.

"All I've said since we've been back is that I want a solid season.

"In the last four seasons West Ham have lost a play-off final, won a play-off final, lost an FA Cup final and won a relegation battle.

"So I said to Eggert in the summer that we want a nice, solid season, and he said 'Yeah, Europe!' But we want to put some foundations in to start building the club."