Football FanCast columnist Mark Bryans wonders if West Ham fans are losing patience with Alan Curbishley.

We may be on the verge of a rare phenomenon in football. After installing West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley as the favourite to be the first to receive the chop, the bookmakers may have predicted something correctly. The conga line that bounced along the steps in the visitors section at Eastlands yesterday masked a deep deflation amongst West Ham fans wondering what awaits them this season.

When analysing the situation at Upton Park it is seemingly impossible to have the majority of Hammers fans support the views. That maybe because I don't have a clue what I'm rambling about or (hopefully) more likely is the fact that West Ham supporters are so split on their opinions as to the team and their manager. Some were happy to see Curbishley turn relegation candidates into a mid-table team, some were unhappy that they sacrificed ‘good' football for such a reward.

West Ham fans at least seem to realise that they can't have their cake and eat it. They know their side won't be challenging the Champions League spots and another 10^th place finish may be a good achievement. Is it the fault of underperforming stars, or should the blame be laid square at the door of the gaffer Curbishley?

First and foremost I, like many others, rate Curbishley as a manager. He achieved wonders with Charlton Athletic as he turned the small side into an established Premier League outfit. When he took over the reins at Upton Park the club were on the verge of crisis, but he kept them up and that takes great managerial qualities. The biggest question mark hanging over Curbishley is his ability to spend well in the transfer market.

He never really got what you would deem an open chequebook during his tenure at The Valley, and since he has been able to splash quite a bit of cash he has been very hit and miss - but far too regularly the latter. Signing players such as Craig Bellamy and Kieran Dyer for a combined total of around £13.5million shows the ambition is there, but that is a lot of money for players with such dyer - pardon the pun - injury histories. Low and behold since both have joined West Ham they have been plagued by long term injuries.

Other signings such as Nigel Quashie and Luis Boa Morte were frowned upon as soon as the contracts had been inked and both - especially Quashie - have been found wanting of the quality to take the club to the next level. Many believed Curbishley had pulled off a coo when he signed Freddie Ljungberg from Arsenal. But the Swede's performances and general fitness had raised questions before the signing and his subsequent release this summer suggests those questions were never sufficiently answered.

One thing that is pleasing to see is the chances given to the youngsters at the club. The likes of Fred Sears, Jack Collison and James Tomkins have featured in recent times and the string of impressive young talent continues to flow from the Upton Park production line, Curbishley to his credit has taken no time in throwing them into the team.

But whether the youngsters are playing or not we are, as the experts say, in a results business. Admittedly due to Sunday chores and ‘my sport-on-TV' time being taken up by the snore-fest of the European Grand Prix I only saw the last hour of West Ham's 3-0 defeat yesterday, but in that hour they looked average at best. I know they only had ten men but they just didn't look like they could create anything. Dean Ashton ran and ran and chased every lost cause, but hardly had a sniff.

West Ham's support tried to dance off their problems but they were there for all to see. Curbishley's side defeated Wigan at home on the opening weekend of the season, but that would have been - with all due respect to the Latics - an expected victory. In games against better footballing sides the Hammers will struggle and if it happens in the forthcoming weeks Curbishley may be out of a job, and the bookies would have been spot on.

If you have strong opinions on West Ham and Alan Curbishley reign then why not have your say on the West Ham Football FanCast. We are looking for Hammers fans to take part in weekly interviews and discussions with our show host Carl Mcqueen. if you are interested in joining the show please email info@footballfancast.com to find out more.