Palacio
04-02-2007, 03:01 AM
Alan Curbishley believes Carlos Tevez can go one better than Paolo di Canio by becoming the West Ham hero who saves the club from relegation.
Di Canio is an Upton Park legend despite failing to save the Hammers in 2003, while Tevez's goals and graft have at least given them a chance of survival this season after looking certainties for the drop a month ago.
Boss Curbishley has seen the same defiance in both players, although di Canio's came after he left West Ham and joined Charlton.
While at The Valley under Curbishley, di Canio was driven by the target of Charlton's highest Premiership finish before returning to Italy.
With West Ham five points from safety with seven games to play, Tevez's future at Upton Park beyond this season is uncertain but the Argentina forward has taken up the challenge of keeping the club in the top flight.
"When di Canio was with me at Charlton and he found out that the top seven was the highest position the club has ever been, he was determined in how he was going to leave Charlton," said Curbishley.
"If Carlos is determined that he's going to leave us in the Premiership then it'll be great."
Tevez made Bobby Zamora's opener against Middlesbrough and scored the other in the most straightforward win of West Ham's eventful season.
In the mould of di Canio, Tevez has become the entertainer of Upton Park, although his workrate has also endeared him to the fans.
"He decided five or six weeks ago that this is the way forward and the others have followed," said the Hammers boss.
Curbishley has encouraged Tevez to be more direct following a six-month goal drought after signing from Corinthians earlier in the season.
"When I first came here he was on the bench and the crowd were singing for him. It put a bit of pressure on," said Curbishley.
"Every time he gets it now it's further up the field and he's caused problems."
Should Tevez keep West Ham in the Premiership, he could also have the chance of staying at Upton Park, with Curbishley adding: "Di Canio did it over a period of time and everyone took him on board. We'll have to see how long Carlos is here for.
"For us to even think about anything (like keeping him), I think we'd have to be a Premiership club."
With Sheffield United and Wigan losing, West Ham's back-to-back victories offers hope of survival.
Di Canio is an Upton Park legend despite failing to save the Hammers in 2003, while Tevez's goals and graft have at least given them a chance of survival this season after looking certainties for the drop a month ago.
Boss Curbishley has seen the same defiance in both players, although di Canio's came after he left West Ham and joined Charlton.
While at The Valley under Curbishley, di Canio was driven by the target of Charlton's highest Premiership finish before returning to Italy.
With West Ham five points from safety with seven games to play, Tevez's future at Upton Park beyond this season is uncertain but the Argentina forward has taken up the challenge of keeping the club in the top flight.
"When di Canio was with me at Charlton and he found out that the top seven was the highest position the club has ever been, he was determined in how he was going to leave Charlton," said Curbishley.
"If Carlos is determined that he's going to leave us in the Premiership then it'll be great."
Tevez made Bobby Zamora's opener against Middlesbrough and scored the other in the most straightforward win of West Ham's eventful season.
In the mould of di Canio, Tevez has become the entertainer of Upton Park, although his workrate has also endeared him to the fans.
"He decided five or six weeks ago that this is the way forward and the others have followed," said the Hammers boss.
Curbishley has encouraged Tevez to be more direct following a six-month goal drought after signing from Corinthians earlier in the season.
"When I first came here he was on the bench and the crowd were singing for him. It put a bit of pressure on," said Curbishley.
"Every time he gets it now it's further up the field and he's caused problems."
Should Tevez keep West Ham in the Premiership, he could also have the chance of staying at Upton Park, with Curbishley adding: "Di Canio did it over a period of time and everyone took him on board. We'll have to see how long Carlos is here for.
"For us to even think about anything (like keeping him), I think we'd have to be a Premiership club."
With Sheffield United and Wigan losing, West Ham's back-to-back victories offers hope of survival.