After conceding 12 goals in the last three games, West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley admits it's been a "horrible week".

In his column for the Daily Express, Curbishley said: "It is time for those who are always ready to point the finger to step back and take a cold hard look at things, just as I have to do when evaluating what went wrong.

"It has been a horrible week for me, the players and the fans - but there has been no board meeting about it, no players' meeting either.

"There is only one thing to do now and that is regroup, get our heads down and work towards our next game.

"For me it's the sleepless nights again, the knot of anxiety in my stomach, but it goes with the job. I have to stay strong.

"Even throughout our bad run of last year there was never a day when I didn't think our fortunes would change. Right now it's the same and I'm looking for that to happen against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday."

Curbishley - himself a former apprentice at Upton Park - firmly believes there are plenty of reasons to stay positive under his leadership.

"West Ham have had an average league position of 13th. This year expectation levels have been lifted and I understand that. All we have been guilty of is standing still," he said.

"We spent because we were in a desperate position, but no sooner had we survived, then I read that last summer people we were expecting us to reach the European place.

"Despite losing our last three games, we have netted 61 points in total from our last 38 matches overall.

"I know seasons do not run like this, but it shouldn't go unnoticed what we have achieved.

"I am not looking for excuses, but I do think the criticism and speculation is out of hand.

"Anyone who is realistic will be looking at West Ham in 10th position in the Premier League and know it is not all doom and gloom."