FINDING the balance between "the highs and the lows" could be the secret to being a top flight football manager.

Or at least, that's the personal tactic employed by Alan Curbishley.

The Hammers boss turned 50 today and celebrated the milestone by revealing his method to dealing with the madness that comes with being a Premiership manager.

"When I first started out I told myself the highs won't be too high and the lows won't be too low," he said. "It is important to try and have it even because it affects everybody around you - and I think I have got the balance over the years."

The merry-go-round of Premiership managers has hit unprecedented heights in recent years. Already this season there has been three managerial casualties - in Sammy Lee, Martin Jol and this week Chris Hutchings - while a host of others seem to be constantly threatened with the sack.

With the exception of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, no manager has been in charge of a club while in the Premiership for longer than four years.

"Everyone has got their own way of managing but the bottom line is about getting results," Curbishley said. "The Premier League is all about being there and doing everything you can to be there. It's why every game is so critical.

"Alex and Arsene have managed to be so successful through their careers and have kept it going at massive clubs."

Seventeen years - 15 of which was spent in a highly productive period in charge of London rivals Charlton - has seen Curbishley amass over 750 games as a manager. But, while his enthusiasm for the game continues to burn bright, he admits knowing how to react on the touchline still remains a bit of a mystery.

He said. "At some stages last year I was accused of not being passionate enough. I throw a water bottle away because we've been done in the 94th minute (against Bolton) and I've lost it. I don't know where I go from there."

Curbishley added that he could understand the comment made by former Wales international Dean Saunders this week - that the problem with being a manager is that the 'despair of defeat is greater than the joy of winning'.

"Surely it should be the other way around but I can understand it," Curbishley said. "A lot of times you win a game but come out thinking only about the next one and don't enjoy that result.

"When you get beat or it hasn't gone so well so well though, it's probably the thing that is most on your mind."

On reaching his half century, Curbishley added: "I'm pleased to reach 50 as a manager because I could only imagine it when I started out. I'll just push on now and see how far I can get."