LUCAS Neill has urged the boo-boys to lay off under-fire West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley – for the time being, at least.

A transfer policy that has seen the Irons sign a host of injury-plagued players – including Kieron Dyer, Craig Bellamy and the now-departed Freddie Ljungberg – and a perceived inability to instil an exciting brand of football have led to criticism by some supporters.

Curbishley has also been installed as 8/1 second favourite – behind Manchester City's Mark Hughes – to be the first Premier League manager to leave his post this season.

But Neill, who was appointed captain by Curbishley a year ago, believes his boss should not be judged until he has a fully-fit – or at least nearly fully-fit – squad to choose from.

"I think he's been a victim of a board that's come in, given him a lot of money and wanted success immediately," said the Australia international.

"He spent the money and unfortunately what he spent it on didn't bear fruit.

“That's not his fault. It was just bad luck with injuries. I think he's got to be judged on what happens from now."

And, following Saturday's opening day win over Wigan Athletic at Upton Park, Neill believes the bookmakers' attentions will focus elsewhere if the Irons can continue their winning start to the new Premier League season.

“Somebody's got to be the favourite to get the sack first and unfortunately it's him because of the demand at West Ham success,” he added.

“But the odds on him going will soon change if we stick two or three quick wins together.”

The defender also asked the club's supporters to show patience while the club's returning players and new signing Valon Behrami bed-in.

“It's a slow process and you've got to build a foundation,” said the 30-year-old.

“Matthew Upson summed it up the other day – you can't just build success in one season, it takes time.

“Time stood still for us for a year because everyone we tried to bring in, in terms of knowledge and experience, was injured.”

And Neill concedes that the Irons' board may have been reluctant to spend big this close-season until they have seen a return from last summer's £20million outlay on Craig Bellamy, Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer.

“I think there's been less activity in the market this summer because we're yet to see our transfers from last year play their part,” he added.

However, the skipper admitted to being none the wiser over the reasons why Ljungberg was released from his £80,000-a-week contract earlier this month – two years before it was due to expire.

“It's something he agreed with West Ham. He's a great player but obviously something wasn't right,” added Neill.

“Nobody knows what happened.

“Nobody has seen Freddie. Nobody is talking about the Freddie situation. We don't even know what the real situation is.”