West Ham skipper Lucas Neil has appealed for boss Alan Curbishley to be given the time to turn around the first team at Upton Park. Neill believes he will do a great job for the club when everyone is fit.
He told Setanta "I think he's been a victim of a board that's come in, given him a lot of money and wanted success immediately.
"He spent the money and unfortunately what he spent it on didn't bear fruit. That's not his fault: it was just bad luck with injuries. I think he's got to be judged on what happens from now.
"Somebody's got to be the favourite to get the sack first and unfortunately it's him because of the demand at West Ham for success, but the odds on him going will soon change if we stick two or three quick wins together.
"It's a slow process and you've got to build a foundation. Matthew Upson summed it up the other day: you can't just buy success in one season - it takes time.
"Time stood still for us for a year because everyone we tried to bring in, in terms of knowledge and experience, was injured."
