WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley has admitted to having sleepless nights following his side's recent slump.

The Irons boss has endured a tough nine days after consecutive 4-0 defeats against Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs.

Although he received the board's full backing on Monday, the 50-year-old (pictured) conceded that he is beginning to feel the strain.

He told the Daily Express: "It has been a horrible week for me, the players and the fans, but there has been no board meeting about it, no players' meeting either.

"For me, it's the sleepless nights again - the knot of anxiety in the stomach. But it goes with the job. I have to stay strong."

Curbishley said that he "understands" that expectations at the club have been lifted, but insisted the levels imposed on his side this season are unrealistic.

The Hammers only escaped relegation on the last day of last season.

And, despite spending big on the summer, he insists that a horrendous run of long-term injuries to key players has made his job more difficult.

"During the close season we spent £7 million on players, not forgetting what we laid out during the window trying to stay up, which made a total of £25million. Most of it we made back in sales," he said.

"Other clubs spent just as heavily. We spent because we were in a desperate position but no sooner had we survived than I read that last summer people were expecting us to reach a European place.

"But from the day we started pre-season training we have lost nearly all of those we brought in through injury.

"I still have not been able to field my strongest side."

He added: "What has happened in the last couple of weeks does leave me bitterly disappointed, so can we get some facts straight.

"Over the last 20 years, although a lot of time has been spent in the top division, West Ham have had an average league position of 13th."

Curbishley concluded that the players - with the exception of the last seven days - have coped well during tough times this season to keep the club in the top half of the table.

And he pointed to the fact that the team has amassed 61 points from the 38 games prior to the last three outings.

"I know season do not run like this, but it shouldn't go unnoticed what we have achieved," he said.

"I am not looking for excuses but I do think the criticism and speculation is out of hand.

"Anyone who is realistic will be looking at West Ham in tenth position in the league and know it's not all gloom and doom."