West Ham News
Day defends Hammers boss
WEST Ham boss Alan Curbishley kept a distinctly low profile following his side's defeat at Manchester United, instead sending out his number two Mervyn Day to face the music in the after-match press conference.
The decision behind his absence could have been down to his team's disappointing performance.
More likely, it was due to the criticism he received in the press in the run-up to the game.
The 50-year-old had said in his weekly newspaper column that he would raise a glass' if United retained their Premier League title and that it would be an injustice' if they did not.
Misinterpreted they may have been, but it was the timing of the comments, in the build up to a potential title-decider, that seemed ill-timed.
However, Day (pictured) did his best to play down the comments.
He said: "If I can paraphrase him he felt that Man U felt that they would have been unlucky if they didn't win the league, given the fact they have been so far in front and so dominant at a certain period in time.
"I didn't think he actually said or was quoted as saying he wanted them to win.
"I think it's not raising a glass to United. I think the whole essence of that piece was about Alex Ferguson and what a good and competent job he's done over a long, long period of time.
"If I'm going to interpret it, which is my interpretation and not Alan's, then that's how I'd interpret it.
"He thinks an awful lot of Sir Alex but we're all professional and that goes out the window as soon as you cross the white line."
As for making an appearance in Curbishley's place, Day was only too happy to oblige.
"Alan asked me to do it for him and I'm quite happy to do that," said Day.
"You'd have to ask him that as and when you see him. I can't comment on that. That's basically for you to interpret who you want.
"He's asked me to come and do the press conference for him, which I have done for him in the past, and that's as far as I know."
4:04pm Sunday 4th May 2008
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