West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has urged the footballing authorities to get tough on 'supporters' who spout vitriolic abuse at managers.Curbishley believes criticism of Premier League bosses has gone too far, with Thursday's plea following the anti-Semitic death threats sent to Chelsea's Avram Grant last week.

Israeli Grant has also come under fire from his club's own supporters for his Carling Cup final tactics, while Curbishley suffered similar abuse from some Hammers fans during last weekend's 1-0 win at Fulham.

With West Ham due to meet Chelsea on Saturday, Curbishley said: "Letters are one thing - that's the world we live in - but some of the abuse from fans these days is poor.

"The League Managers' Association have been looking at it and considering ways of trying to stop it. It has become more prevalent and it seems like people can say what they like to managers.

"I've been in management for 17 years now and that experience has helped. You take it on the chin but sometimes you do need a crash helmet to be able to handle that side of it.

"If we win, we are heroes; if we lose, we are castigated. It's not nice."

The death threats sent to Grant at Chelsea's Cobham training ground last Tuesday contained a white powder and police are still investigating the matter.

Chelsea lost Sunday's Carling Cup final at Wembley, sparking speculation about Grant's future, but Curbishley insists his side will not be taking pity on Chelsea this weekend.

He said: "I don't feel any sympathy, because I'm sure Avram knows that some criticism goes with the territory when you're managing one of the top-four clubs.

"I remember Bobby Robson saying to me once, when I was at Charlton, 'Your expectation level is to make sure you stay in the Premier League. At Newcastle, I have to get into the Champions League - anything else is a disaster'.

"When you are in the top four you have to contest the Premier League, the two cups and have a real go at winning the Champions League.

"That's why, a couple of years ago, Alex Ferguson really went for the League Cup. He knew Manchester United had to win something.

"Chelsea may not have succeeded last Sunday but they're still fighting on three fronts and I know they will be determined to bounce back against us this weekend.

"If you are one of those top four, you have to keep picking up silverware and that's the way they are geared up these days.

"Spurs have damaged that record a bit after Sunday but that apart, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have been winning everything else."

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