Bowyer keeps Curbs' reputation intact

Returning to management at a club with expectation levels as high as West Ham's was always going to prove to be a stern test of Alan Curbishley's skills.

But having his struggle against the tide with Charlton rewarded with a place on the short-list for the England job, before being offered the chance of rescuing West Ham from the threat of relegation, Curbishley could be forgiven for becoming increasingly frustrated with having to continually defend his reputation.

Stinging criticism from Paul Konchesky quickly followed his move to Fulham, the defender claiming Curbishley was too "old school" and is disliked by the players. In addition, sections of the Upton Park faithful remain unconvinced by Curbishley thanks in no small part to his reluctance to start with Tevez until the finale of the previous campaign.

His selection policy was the subject of much debate against Wigan on Saturday as West Ham were forced to come from behind courtesy of Lee Bowyer.

The controversial midfielder netted his first goal for the Hammers to cancel out Paul Scharner's spectacular opener. But well before the Austrian's 78th-minute overhead kick, the call from the home fans was for the introduction of Dean Ashton.

The fans are eager for their hero to be handed a starting place, fit again as he is after a season on the sidelines with a serious ankle injury.

Curbishley said: "The longer it went on without us scoring the more the crowd got restless.

"I am easing him in. I think he's worked so hard to get back to full fitness, the big fear wasn't the ankle, the big fear was something else happening. If he starts and gets tired it might cause one or two problems. We know what we are doing."

A fair point, considering it was Curbishley's three substitutes — Ashton, Luis Boa Morte and Bowyer — who combined for the equaliser.

Ashton is likely to get his chance at Bristol Rovers tomorrow night. Wigan having themselves flirted dangerously with relegation last season, anywhere in mid-table will do nicely for newboss Chris Hutchings.

Seven points from four games is an impressive return and Hutchings is justifiably pleased.

He is equally impressed with the start Titus Bramble has made to his career with Wigan.

"I have got great faith in Titus," insisted Hutchings.

"He cost a lot of money as a young man moving up to Newcastle and maybe it was a bit too much too soon. He defended very, very well."

WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 6; Neill 6, Upson 6, Ferdinand 7, McCartney 6; Dyer 6, Mullins 5 (Bowyer 65min, 6), Noble 7, Etherington 5; Bellamy 6 (Boa Morte 75, 6), Zamora 5 (Ashton 61, 7). Booked: Upson. WIGAN (4-4-2): Kirkland 6; Melchiot 7, Granqvist 6, Bramble 8, Kilbane 6; Valencia 6 (Brown 77, 5), Landzaat 5, Scharner 6, Koumas 6; Sibierski 5 (Aghahowa 38, 5), Heskey 6. Booked: Landzaat, Brown.

Man of the match: Titus Bramble.

Referee: Andre Marriner.