After narrowly avoiding relegation in the previous campaign most supporters would be delighted if their club finished in the top half of the Barclays Premier League the following season.

Yet West Ham's Alan Curbishley finds himself under fire after a season spent trying to cope with horrendous injuries.

West Ham are currently 10th in the top flight but Curbishley's side were booed off the pitch at the end of a 2-1 victory over already relegated Derby on Saturday.

Curbishley went into the game with 14 first-team players on the sick list and yet, even when he chose to substitute youngster Freddie Sears with Carlton Cole, the predictable chants of 'You don't know what you're doing' rang out from the discontented choir at the Boleyn Ground.

Although not as smug as to boast about it afterwards, Curbishley had the last laugh when Cole scored the winner two minutes after his introduction.

He could have been justifiably excused for doing so though. Sears undoubtedly has a bright future at West Ham but he looked like a boy in a man's world against County and Curbishley knew more beef was required if they were to get anything out of the game.

The West Ham chief feels he has every right to be exasperated by the lack of appreciation for his team's efforts, especially when he spells out just what they have been through.

"Our injury situation falls into three categories," Curbishley said.

"We have got five or six permanent injuries which are long-term and impact injuries. These are broken legs, ruptured Achilles and cruciate ligaments.

"We have got four players who have had stomach injuries for most of the season. These have been Lee Bowyer, Matthew Etherington, Craig Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon, and we have not got to grips with them.

"Then you add the three or four wear-and-tear injuries, a hamstring or calf that every club gets, and it takes you up to 14.

"It's been a tough and frustrating season for the players on that casualty list. We are doing everything we can to try and get it right."

Curbishley continued: "Week-in, week-out, we cannot keep a settled side. People talk to me about last year and the run-in. Well the last nine games I think we used 13 players - it was the first time I could play the same team every week.

"I have never been in that position this year let alone been able to pick from a fully fit squad.

"We have got a big squad and thankfully that has held us in good stead. I know I have got a big squad and if everybody was fit I would have a few problems - but they are not.

"When I get everybody fit I think I will have a decent squad and I am hoping that is going to come to fruition after the summer.

"This group of players have stood up most weeks to be counted when we have unbelievable problems. So, I think we should have more appreciation."

West Ham took the lead through Bobby Zamora in the 20th minute when he headed home a free-kick from George McCartney.

But battling Derby showed they could be a force in the Coca-Cola Championship under Paul Jewell by battling back with an equaliser through Tyrone Mears in the 64th minute.

The game was heading for a draw until Curbishley made the unpopular yet decisive decision to swap Sears for Cole.

Two minutes later Cole scored from close range after a fine run and cross from Freddie Ljungberg, one of three players returning from injury.

Jewell has already written this season off and although he does not want the stigma of being the team relegated with the least points in Premier League history, he is already working on next season.

Nevertheless, he still feels the pain of Derby's plight after season which has seen them claim just one victory.

"I might have a smile on my face but I am hurting inside," Jewell said.

"You don't want to be the worst team in history to go down, but next season is the one that counts now.

"Derby came up via the play-offs and former manager Billy Davies said it was possibly two years too early. Maybe it is.

"You have got to take the opportunity though. We have not been good enough and I include myself in that as I've been here 20 games.

"But it would be good for football if the teams that come up can stay up. I did it at Wigan and Bradford so it can be done, but it is very difficult."

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