Such is life as a manager in the Barclays Premier League.

Curbishley has navigated West Ham through some of the choppiest waters in the club's long history over the last 18 months.

After that dramatic relegation escape and the disruption of the Carlos Tevez affair, Curbishley delivered a solid mid-table finish last season. So solid, in fact, that West Ham occupied 10th place for 19 consecutive weeks and would not be budged.

Curbishley managed to keep an even keel despite being heavily weighed down by an unprecedented list of injuries.

Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer and Julien Faubert - over £20million worth of new signings - were sidelined for most of the season and Curbishley never managed to field his first-choice team.

Nevertheless expectations at Upton Park, in the boardroom and in the stands, demand more.

West Ham were an ugly team to watch for much of last season. With the creative talents all sidelined, the Hammers resorted to playing a direct brand of football with five in midfield and a target man.

The Hammers supporters will not stomach that for very long. Curbishley knows that too. He is one.

And so as West Ham enter year three of their five-year plan to become regular contenders for European football, the pressure is on Curbishley.

Peruvian midfielder Nolberto Solano, released by West Ham in the summer, believes Curbishley will lose his job unless there is a marked improvement on last season.

Curbishley himself is confident that, having survived with a patched-up team last year, a full-strength squad will be good enough to fire the Hammers into Europe.

Dean Ashton has signed a new five-year contract and Curbishley is excited by the England striker linking up with the likes of Bellamy, Dyer, Faubert and Valon Behrami, a £5million summer signing from Lazio.

"Since the new group took over West Ham we have tried to push forward and I don't see selling players as a way of pushing forward," said Curbishley.

"I want to see certain combinations of players that I haven't had a chance to see. I want to play Craig Bellamy with Dean Ashton.

"I know when I do get them all in an XI that we are a quick offensive side and if we get everyone fit we are in a position to push on. We have a squad that is strong enough to challenge for the top six."

With a wealth of striking options, Curbishley sold fans' favourite Bobby Zamora to Fulham and used those funds to strengthen the right-hand side with Behrami moving from Serie A having played for Switzerland at Euro 2008.

But club chief executive Scott Duxbury assuaged fans' fears that Zamora's exit would prompt a summer clear-out, with reports that Curbishley has been ordered to reduce the wage bill and squad numbers.

"Valon will be a valuable addition as we aim for a successful season ahead. We beat off a lot of competition from other clubs to sign him and it indicates the club's positive ambitions.

"Contrary to some reports we are fully committed to strengthening the playing staff. There will not be a mass exodus and fans can be assured we are working as hard as always to ensure high-calibre competition in all areas of the team."

The club's owners are still looking at relocating the club to a new 60,000-seat stadium but top of Curbishley's priorities is a new training ground and improved medical facilities.

Compared to many of the leading Premier League clubs, West Ham's collection of temporary, portable cabins at their traditional home is outdated.

A move away from Chadwell Heath is imminent and, to ensure there is no repeat of last season's recurring injury nightmare, West Ham have invested heavily in their sports medicine facilities.

The club commissioned Roehampton University to undertake an independent study of last year's injury crisis and, as a result of the conclusions, Curbishley has bolstered his medical team substantially.

Understandably, Curbishley considers the return of players like Bellamy, Dyer and Faubert - who started just 15 games between them last season - as new signings.

In his eyes the future at Upton Park is promising.

The only problem is that clubs like Aston Villa, Manchester City, Tottenham, Everton and Portsmouth - all of whom are also chasing a top-six finish - all feel the same.

Such is life as a manager in the Barclays Premier League.