Trumpet-playing Nolberto Solano sounded a cautionary blast last night for Alan Curbishley, the West Ham United manager, and Robert Green, the goalkeeper. The midfield player, released by the club this summer, said that West Ham will need to hit a better note to keep the vocal support from fans and the owners, after finishing tenth last term.

Being installed as the bookmakers’ favourite to be the first manager to be sacked will not be music to the ears of Curbishley, who many feel orchestrated a decent job amid a host of injuries. This summer the manager has hardly spent a brass farthing as the club seek to reduce spending on wages. “He will get another season, but if they don’t do well there could be a problem as there is pressure on him to finish in the top eight,” Solano said before he played with his 12-piece Salsa band, Geordie Latinos, to celebrate Peru Independence Day in London yesterday.

Some of the club’s harmony was disrupted this summer when Green, the goalkeeper, said that he was unhappy at earning £28,000 a week, while some teammates earn nearly three times as much. “The figures may be speculation, but it not bad for a goalkeeper,” Solano said. “He had a chance to get more last year [when he signed a new deal] and if a player continues to do well, a big team will come in for him.”

Solano has a meeting today about his future. Southampton and Norwich City are interested, but Solano would prefer to join the Los Angeles Galaxy.