Curbishley lays down the gauntlet to Tevez
Curbishley gave Tevez a dressing down following his performance in the Hammers’ 3-0 defeat at relegation rivals Sheffield United.
The result was a bitter blow and leaves West Ham clinging to their Premiership status with just five games of the season remaining.
But the fact West Ham are in touch at all is largely down to Tevez, whose form over the last month breathed new life into their survival bid. And with title-chasing Chelsea rolling in to Upton Park tonight, Curbishley needs his Argentina international back to his deadly best.
“I spoke to Carlos. I was disappointed with his performance on Saturday, I must admit,” said Curbishley.
“The way he has been performing and the way he has attacked recently, certainly at Upton Park, has galvanised everybody.
“The effort he has been putting in means I have had to substitute him near the end of games. We did not get that at Sheffield and I need that tomorrow night.
“I like to think there is a bit of a stage tomorrow night for some of them – he has to be one of them – and how will they respond to it? Whatever happened results-wise tomorrow, the performance has to change from Sheffield.”
The Upton Park derby promises to have a huge bearing on events at both ends of the table and, if anything is certain, it is that a draw would suit neither side.
Curbishley maintains a positive outlook and has drilled into his players the relegation battle is not yet over.
“Sheffield United celebrated that win as if it’s enough for them – it’s not. They will need more points,” he said.
“We’re still looking at it thinking that we have to win three games to give ourselves a chance. It is not over.”
Curbishley was full of praise for Jose Mourinho and the way he has inspired Chelsea to mount a concerted challenge for silverware on four fronts.
But he would delight in blowing a huge hole in Chelsea’s bid for a hat-trick of Premiership titles.
“It’s a tremendous fight they have put up for some months now. Chelsea have ground results out and are not going to let the title go easily.”
“Chelsea are in the same position as us tomorrow. They have to win and we have to win. We will have the atmosphere behind us tomorrow and we have got to respond to it. We have done that in the bigger games and we need to do it again tomorrow.”
West Ham have an odd record this season, having beaten Arsenal twice and Manchester United but lost to fellow strugglers Charlton, Watford and Sheffield United while sharing the points with Fulham.
Despite all the reported ructions behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge, Curbishley expects Mourinho to still be the Chelsea manager next season.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he is there at the start of next season,” he said."
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