WEST HAM boss Alan Curbishley will be hoping counterpart Paul Ince can take some of the heat off him when Blackburn visit Upton Park today.

Former Irons midfielder Ince has never been forgiven by the club's fans for posing in a Manchester United jersey prior to his move to Old Trafford in 1989.

He can be certain of a red-hot reception once again on his first return to the Boleyn Ground as a manager.

It may just divert the attention away from Curbishley, who himself has come under fire from sections of the home support for what they perceive as a lacklustre start to the season.

And the Irons chief has called on the fans to get behind his players and help inspire the team to victory.

"When we're doing ok and the fans are behind us, they're brilliant. And they've got to realise the effect it has when they're not behind us," said Curbishley.

"I've had this now for a little while and I just get on with it.

"The disappointing thing is that the players are the ones who have to go out and perform."

While veteran Curbishley has been a manager for almost two decades, Ince is in his debut season in the Premier League after spells at lower league sides Macclesfield and MK Dons.

And Curbishley reckons the self-styled 'Guvnor' is a fine example of how young English managers can climb through the football pyramid.

"What impressed people was where he started. It was at Macclesfield and he went full in," said Curbishley.

"Some other top players perhaps wouldn't have gone there, they might have waited for something else. But he got in there straight away and I'm sure he's learnt a lot.

"Paul has had a decent start and I am pleased that someone has been promoted from the lower leagues to the Premier League.

"That was the normal route - finishing as a player and going into the lower leagues to cut your teeth. Then get moved up.

"Unfortunately the only way that happens now for a young manager is to take his own team up and stay there.

"Hopefully that is a positive move and we'll get some more young English managers coming through."

Curbishley added: "I know he'll be learning every day because you don't stop learning.

"I've been working 20 years and every day is different and you have to cope with all sorts of problems.

"His time is totally consumed now by being a Premier League manager. That is what he is going to find, it's a massive call on you but we all love it.

"You find managers leaving who want to come back for more."