Alan Curbishley accepts being in the media firing line is "part and parcel" of life as a Premier League manager - but has some sympathy with the "pilloring" received by Chelsea boss Avram Grant, reports the Daily Mail.

The post-match press conference with the Israeli coach following the Blues' 1-0 win at Everton on Thursday night lasted just five minutes as Grant was reluctant to give anything in the way of expanded answers.

Curbishley has also been on the end of some less than positive press during what has been a difficult season with West Ham.

"Avram Grant did take a bit of a pilloring this week, because Wigan equalised in the final minute and they were not supposed to, which apparently has not kept the title race alive," said Curbishley, "but we all know there are targets, and then it all moves off to someone else.

"This season, Martin Jol took a bit, then Sam Allardyce, so it all moves along.

"As managers, we all know it is part and parcel.

"However, some of it can get out of hand and becomes a bit personal, perhaps stories are fabricated and printed.

"But you can't keep defending everything you read, and it is unfortunately a part of the game which nobody enjoys.