WHUFC.com
The club can confirm that Avram Grant is no longer the manager of West Ham
United
15.05.2011
The club can confirm that Avram Grant is no longer the manager of West Ham
United. First-team coach Kevin Keen will take charge of the team for the
final home match of the season against Sunderland on Sunday 22 May.
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West Ham part company with Avram Grant
BBC.co.uk
Page last updated at 18:19 GMT, Sunday, 15 May 2011 19:19 UK
West Ham have parted company with manager Avram Grant after a 3-2 defeat at
fellow strugglers Wigan sealed their relegation from the Premier League. The
club confirmed the Israeli was leaving the club just over an hour after
their 18th league defeat of a dismal campaign. "Avram Grant is no longer the
manager of West Ham United," a statement said. First-team coach Kevin Keen
will take charge for the final game of the season at home to Sunderland next
Sunday. Former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss Grant took over from Gianfranco
Zola in June 2010 on a four-year contract. But after beginning the season
with four straight defeats, the east Londoners were never out of trouble,
despite the efforts of captain Scott Parker, who was named Football Writers'
Player of the Year. Needing a win at Wigan on Sunday to stand any chance of
staying up, the Hammers went 2-0 ahead before collapsing in the second half
and eventually losing to a Charles N'Zogbia winner four minutes into
stoppage time.
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty was at the DW Stadium for the
match. He said: "Rumours started to gather pace that Avram Grant had been
sacked even before he attended his post-match press conference. He was asked
whether he had already lost his job and said 'I am not going to talk about
myself'. "Grant then disappeared and around 20 minutes later a West Ham
spokesman returned to the press room to tell the waiting media that Avram
Grant was no longer West Ham's manager and that Kevin Keen would take charge
of their final game. "Grant looked close to tears throughout his final media
briefing as West Ham manager and it now appears he knew his fate was sealed
even before he spoke about the result that had condemned West Ham to
relegation."
In his interview for BBC's Match of the Day 2, Grant described the
relegation with West Ham the "most sad day" of his career in football. "I'm
also sorry for the supporters, the people in the club and the players," he
said. "Maybe this game was the story of our season. It's a tough day." Asked
about his future, Grant added: "My future is not important now. All I care
about is the commitment to the team and the fans. "It's a big club and I'm
sure they will back to the Premier League."
Grant succeeded Jose Mourinho as Chelsea boss in September 2007, only to be
sacked after leading them to the Champions League final, where they lost on
penalties to Manchester United. He took over at Pompey in November 2009 and
defied the club's financial meltdown to steer them to the FA Cup final but
could not prevent their relegation to the Championship. West Ham owners
David Gold and David Sullivan appointed Grant in the hope he could establish
West Ham as a Premier League force. They bankrolled the signings of players
including Germany captain Thomas Hitzlsperger, Frederic Piquionne and Pablo
Barrera. A disappointing first half of the season prompted reports that
Grant would be replaced by Martin O'Neill but Grant clung to his job and was
allowed to bring in Demba Ba, Robbie Keane, Wayne Bridge and Victor Obinna.
The club's fortunes appeared to be turning when they won three of five
league games in February and March, including a 3-1 victory over Liverpool.
But defeat to Wigan was their sixth in seven league matches, leaving them
six points adrift at the bottom, and the club's hierarchy felt that it was
time for a change.
Later on Sunday Gold tweeted that he wished he had "done things
differently". "I honestly believed with the players we brought in in January
and the imminent return of Hitzlsperger, we had done enough to pull clear of
danger. "I know that Scotty Parker shared that belief with me and we both
had confidence that we would retain our Premiership status."
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Wigan 3 - 2 West Ham
BBC.co.uk
By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer, at the DW Stadium
West Ham United were relegated to the Championship as Wigan Athletic staged
a dramatic recovery from two goals down to keep their hopes of Premier
League survival alive with victory at the DW Stadium. Avram Grant's
strugglers knew only three points would give them any hope of avoiding the
drop after a six-year stay in the top flight - and even then they were
relying on Fulham beating Birmingham City. Fulham fulfilled their part of
the bargain and West Ham looked on course to take the fight into the last
day of the season when two headed goals from Demba Ba put them in total
command at the interval. Wigan, who were at one time rooted to the foot of
the table by results around them on an afternoon of drama and tension, then
embarked on a stunning comeback that overturned West Ham's advantage and
left boss Roberto Martinez harbouring hopes of an escape when they travel to
Stoke City next Sunday.
Charles N'Zogbia launched the recovery with a free-kick just before the hour
and substitute Conor Sammon put Wigan level, and left West Ham staring at
the drop, with an equaliser 11 minutes later. And in a frantic finale that
saw both sides trade blows in an attempt to score the goal that could shape
their future, Ben Watson hit the post for Wigan before West Ham keeper
Robert Green let N'Zogbia's tame shot slip through his grasp for the winner
seconds before the end of four minutes of stoppage time. It was the moment
that sealed West Ham's fate - and that of manager Grant, as the club
confirmed they had parted company with the Israeli shortly after the final
whistle. That sad end was the final act following a match which saw a first
half of optimism and hope for the Hammers transformed into a second period
of abject misery.
West Ham's fans aimed a tirade of abuse in Grant's direction as he stood
alone on the touchline as their Premier League life drained away, making
their feelings abundantly clear about his performance this season. And West
Ham's East End rivals did not miss the target either as, just as Sammon
levelled for Wigan, a light aircraft circled the DW Stadium several times
trailing the banner: "Avram Grant: Millwall Legend."
West Ham's co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, in attendance, now face
the prospect of losing top players like Footballer of the Year Scott Parker
and England keeper Green as they attempt to regain Premier League status
before they make their move from Upton Park into the Olympic Stadium. Parker
could only make the bench as he continued his recovery from an Achilles
tendon problem - but his influence was barely missed in the opening stages
as West Ham took a grip on this vital game.
Wigan actually made the more positive start but the passing approach
preached by Martinez was undermined by shambolic defending that was fully
exploited by a grateful West Ham. West Ham struck the vital first blow after
12 minutes when Thomas Hitzlsperger's angled cross was met by Ba's glancing
header that left Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi with no chance for the
striker's sixth goal since his arrival from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. And
he was on target again as Wigan were once more found wanting in the aerial
exchanges as Ba touched home James Tomkins' header from almost on the
goalline after the defender rose to meet Hitzlsperger's free-kick. West
Ham's fans had opened the game with gallows humour, taunting their Wigan
counterparts with "You're going down with the West Ham" and "Whatever will
be will be - we're going to Coventry."
Suddenly they were dreaming of an unlikely survival and almost extended
their lead just after the half-hour when Watson scrambled back just in time
to clear Frederic Piquionne's shot off the line. Wigan needed to mount a
swift response and West Ham were indebted to goalkeeper Green for ensuring
they reached the interval with their two-goal advantage intact. He showed
sharp reactions to save Hugo Rodallega's overhead kick and then blocked
Mohamed Diame's shot. He was fortunate in the closing moments of the half,
saving more by accident than design as Rodellega stooped to send in a header
from only six yards out. Martinez made a double change at half-time, sending
on Sammon and Victor Moses for Tom Cleverley and James McCarthy - but it was
the inspirational figure of the gifted N'Zogbia who handed them a lifeline
after 57 minutes. He was fouled by Tomkins but recovered to send a stunning
free-kick high past Green into the top corner to give Wigan hope that they
might yet salvage something from the wreckage of the first half.
Grant was in deep discussion with coach Wally Downes about his next move,
but the decision was eventually enforced as Jonathan Spector limped off and
was replaced by Parker, who was given a standing ovation from West Ham's
supporters. As the game opened up Ba was presented with the chance to make
it a treble but his finish was tame as he raced clear and Al Habsi collected
comfortably. It was to prove an expensive miss as Wigan drew level after 68
minutes to complete their recovery and leave West Ham on the brink of
relegation, Sammon controlling coolly in the area before sliding a low
finish away from Green. West Ham were now in dire straits and Grant reacted
by sending on Carlton Cole for Piquionne in an attempt to rescue the
situation with the goal they required. He was soon joined by Robbie Keane as
West Ham gambled all their cards on survival.
And it took a scrambled clearance on the line from Wigan captain Gary
Caldwell to keep out Zavon Hines' shot as the action swung dramatically from
end to end in spectacular fashion. West Ham were leaving spaces everywhere
as they threw caution to the wind and Watson almost snatched the winner only
to see his low shot hit the inside of the post and bounce back into the
grateful arms of Green. Green then plunged bravely at Sammon's feet - but he
was guilty of another of the errors that scar his game as Wigan confirmed
West Ham's drop back into the Championship with virtually the final kick of
the game. N'Zogbia cut in from the right, and even though his shot lacked
power Green allowed it to squirm underneath his body amid scenes of near
hysteria inside the DW Stadium. There was nothing but despair among West
Ham's followers behind Green's goal - and seconds later referee Mike Dean
blew the final whistle to spark vastly contrasting emotions.
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Grant gone
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 15th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant has been relieved of his position as West Ham manager. A brief
statement posted immediately after West Ham's 3-2 defeat at Wigan on the
club's website this afternoon read: "The club can confirm that Avram Grant
is no longer the manager of West Ham United. "First-team coach Kevin Keen
will take charge of the team for the final home match of the season against
Sunderland on Sunday 22 May." The news was also confirmed by co-chairman
David Gold via Twitter. "The board have made the decision to part company
with Avram Grant", he wrote. "Kevin Keen will be in charge of team affairs
for last game of the season." It is understood that Grant received his
marching orders as the players made their way back to the changing rooms
following today's dismal defeat.
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Relegated
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 15th May 2011
By: Staff Writer
West Ham have finally been relegated to the Championship - just six years
after returning to the top flight. A disastrous second half performance -
once again - the Wigan this afternoon saw Avram Grant's side turn a 2-0 lead
into a 3-2 defeat - a result that finally sends the Hammers down. Despite
the support of 4,500 travelling Hammers the team were simply not good enough
- as has been the case all season.
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A real downer
Charlie says Grant got it right - then it went horribly wrong
Last Updated: May 15, 2011 7:26pm
SSN
Wigan 3-2 West Ham
Soccer Saturday analysis
Charlie Nicholas says West Ham have been made to pay for their failure to
close out matches. The Hammers were relegated to the Championship on Sunday
afternoon after a 3-2 defeat at Wigan; a game they led 2-0 at half-time
following two goals from Demba Ba. But they collapsed after the break,
eventually succumbing to an injury-time Charles N'Zogbia winner that
confirmed the end of their top-flight status. Nicholas said manager Avram
Grant initially got his tactics right, but that the team's failure to
control the game - an issue that has blighted them all season - came back to
haunt them. He told Soccer Saturday: "It could have been won. They were 2-0
up and he's got everything right, hasn't he? "Ba had a couple of goals, they
were playing well enough and they could have scored another couple into the
bargain. "Robert Green had a great day until his luck ran out with the last
kick of the ball. He had a lot of saves, a bit of luck and things like that,
but for 45 minutes West Ham had done everything right. "The team was
correct, the balance was good, they made opportunities... so why can't they
shut up shop? Well, they should be able to, but they've proved all season
they can't."
Nicholas felt things went wrong for West Ham decided to replace Jonathan
Spector with the Football Writers' Player of the Year, Scott Parker. The
England international has been suffering with an Achilles injury in recent
weeks and Nicholas reckons he simply wasn't fit when he came on for the
final 30 minutes.
He said: "For 55 to 60 minutes the team was right and it worked, but then
Spector came off and he put Parker on. Now Parker wasn't the right one. "I
know that sounds strange to say about Scott Parker, but if he's not fit and
you need to get a little bit of composure, what's wrong with bringing on
somebody else to sit in that position and take the sting out of the game?
Tough task
Wigan will now be on a high when they travel to the Britannia Stadium on the
final day of the season to play against a Stoke team coming to terms with
losing the FA Cup Final. A win would not necessarily guarantee survival for
Roberto Martinez's side and Nicholas feels it will still be tough to get
anything from the fixture. He said: "It's alright saying maybe Stoke will
down tools because they've been in a cup final and have a disappointment to
get over this week. "But that support that Stoke have is worth a great deal.
The way the manager [Tony Pulis] is, they'll expect to go out on a bit of
glory in their last home game. "It's been a big season for them, another
successful season for them and I think that home support demands whoever is
playing for Stoke to turn up and have a go. "Because of that, it makes it
ever so difficult for Wigan. Yes, Charles N'Zogbia can make things happen
and they can hurt Stoke, but I can imagine them being under pressure and
under real scrutiny."
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Gold admits Hammers failings
Co-owner distraught following relegation to the Championship
Last Updated: May 15, 2011 11:13pm
SSN
David Gold has admitted he wishes he had done things differently after West
Ham were relegated and manager Avram Grant was sacked on a dark day for the
club.
The Hammers went down after squandering a 2-0 lead at fellow strugglers
Wigan on Sunday to lose 3-2. Just over an hour after the final whistle at
the DW Stadium, a statement from the club confirmed Grant's time in charge
of the east London outfit had come to an end. The decision was made before
the team departed for their journey home to the capital, with the owners
deciding Grant, who was appointed on a four-year contract last summer, was
no longer the right man to lead the club forward.
Co-owner Grant had stuck by Grant earlier in the season, when the outlook
appeared brighter following a busy winter in the transfer window. Gold wrote
on Twitter: "I honestly believed with the players we brought in in January,
plus the imminent return of [Thomas] Hitzlsperger, we had done enough to
pull clear of danger. "I know that Scotty Parker shared that belief with me
and we both had confidence that we would retain our Premiership status.
"This is undoubtedly the worst moment in all the years I've been supporting
West Ham and of course I wish I'd done things differently."
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Hammers sack Grant
Sullivan and Gold pull the trigger on manager following relegation
Last Updated: May 15, 2011 9:32pm
SSN
West Ham United have sacked Avram Grant in the immediate aftermath of their
relegation to the Championship following defeat at Wigan. The Hammers looked
to have earned a stay of execution when they went two goals up at the DW
Stadium, only for Wigan to score three second-half goals to condemn the East
End outfit to the drop. It is understand West Ham owners David Sullivan and
David Gold asked Wigan counterpart Dave Whelan to borrow a room at the DW
Stadium in order to inform Grant of their decision. Grant spoke to the press
after the game before learning of his fate just minutes after fulfilling his
media commitments. "The club can confirm that Avram Grant is no longer the
manager of West Ham United," the London side said in a brief statement on
their official website. "First-team coach Kevin Keen will take charge of the
team for the final home match of the season against Sunderland on Sunday 22
May."
Grant also suffered relegation last season when he was in charge of
Portsmouth. Having resigned at Pompey, he took over at Upton Park last
summer, signing a four-year deal, but lasted less than 12 months. "At 2-2 we
had big chances to score and maybe this is the story of our season," the
Israeli, speaking before his sacking, told Sky Sports. "The fans were great.
I feel so sorry we couldn't do the job we wanted to." Wigan could yet avoid
the drop if they get a draw or better against Stoke and other results go
their way.
Stadium move
West Ham are due to move to the Olympic Stadium once it is revamped as a
combined football and athletics venue after the 2012 London Games. The
club's owners, Gold and Sullivan, appointed former Chelsea manager Grant in
the hope he could establish West Ham as a Premier League force. Players
including Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger, Frederic Piquionne and
Demba Ba were acquired, while the club backed Grant in the loan market by
allowing him to bring in Robbie Keane, Wayne Bridge and Victor Obinna.
However the season began poorly and results have continued to be mostly
dismal, despite fresh arrivals. There was a short-lived revival when West
Ham won three of five Premier League games from 2nd February to 5th March,
including a memorable 3-1 home victory over Liverpool.
However, Sunday's defeat was a sixth in seven league matches for the London
side, with relegation persuading the owners the time is right for a change
as the Championship beckons.
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Wigan win relegates Hammers
Latics boost survival hopes with incredible turnaround
Last updated: 15th May 2011
SSN
Man of the match: Charles N'Zogbia. The mercurial Frenchman hauled his side
back into the game with a brilliant set piece before earning a huge three
points with almost the last kick of the game.
Goal of the match: N'Zogbia's curling free kick into the top corner was a
beauty.
Save of the match: Rob Green produced some outstanding saves - notably by
denting Diame from point blank range in the first half.
Talking point: Can the Hammers bounce back to the Premier League at the
first attempt?
West Ham have tumbled out of the Premier League after relegation rivals
Wigan snatched an incredible 3-2 win. The Hammers raced into a 2-0 first
half lead at the DW Stadium as Demba Ba's double looked set to provide a
huge boost to their slim survival hopes. But the home side rallied after the
break with Charles N'Zogbia's brace, either side of Conor Sammon's first
goal for the club, completing a dramatic turnaround. The game swung from end
to end with both sides needing victory in their quest to avoid playing
Championship football next season. Sammon's equaliser would have condemned
West Ham anyway, but N'Zogbia's injury time proved vital in Wigan's own bid
to avoid the drop. The goal hauled the 19th placed Latics level with
Blackpool and Birmingham on 39 points heading into an exciting final day of
the season.
Scramble
Wigan broke forward early on and after receiving Mohamed Diame's pass, Tom
Cleverley fired a deflected shot towards goal which Robert Green pushed
behind.
Diame then turned in the box and blasted an effort over the bar before Hugo
Rodallega swivelled on the edge of the area and brought another save out of
Green.
West Ham had shown little going forward, but a minute later they took the
lead after the Latics failed to deal with a corner. In the ensuing scramble,
Jack Collison's shot was blocked and the ball came out to Thomas
Hitzlsperger, who crossed for Ba to head past Ali Al Habsi. The hosts tried
to respond immediately, with N'Zogbia producing a strike that Green gathered
comfortably. A cross from Emmerson Boyce and free-kick from Ben Watson
threatened the Hammers box, but James Tomkins and Danny Gabbidon got
important headers in to avert the danger, while Diame saw an attempt from
distance caught by Green.
Momentum
Wigan seemed to have regained the momentum - yet within moments, they were
2-0 down. Hitzlsperger was the creator once more, the German's delivery
headed back across goal by Tomkins for Ba to nod in his second. The home
side almost fell even further behind just after the half-hour mark when
Frederic Piquionne guided the ball beyond Al Habsi, only for Watson to clear
off the line. Wigan managed to compose themselves and went back on the
attack, but they could not find a way past Green, who parried an overhead
kick from Rodallega. He then denied Diame after the midfielder squeezed
through, before blocking a point-blank header from Rodallega. Cleverley
nearly latched on to a high ball over the top in first-half stoppage time
but was beaten by the bounce. Martinez made two substitutions at the
interval, bringing on Victor Moses and Sammon for James McCarthy and
Cleverley. Six minutes after the restart, Watson curled an effort narrowly
wide. Ba then drove one across goal at the other end before Wigan pulled
themselves back into the game. Having been fouled by Tomkins, N'Zogbia
stepped up to take the resulting free-kick himself and lashed it into the
corner of the net, his fourth goal in five games. West Ham boss Avram Grant
reacted by introducing the inspirational figure of Scott Parker from the
bench in place of Jonathan Spector.
Frantic
Soon after Ba was through one-on-one against Al Habsi, but could only shoot
into the Oman stopper's arms. That proved costly for the Hammers as Sammon
then ran on to Watson's pass, turned inside Gabbidon and slotted home his
first Wigan goal to level the scores. The equaliser set up a frantic finale,
with both sides desperately seeking a winning goal. Moses fired into the
side-netting after being teed up by Sammon before Zavon Hines had two shots
blocked in the area, first by Maynor Figueroa and then Gary Caldwell.
Gabbidon prevented Sammon from going clean through with a challenge that
Latics fans felt was a foul, but referee Mike Dean waved play on.
Hitzlsperger sent a free-kick wide and N'Zogbia overhit a through-ball that
could have released Sammon. When Watson saw his low shot came back off the
post and then Green smother at his feet moments later, it seemed Wigan's
chance for a precious victory was gone. But N'Zogbia had the final say in
the 94th minute, cutting into the box and slipping a shot under Green to
keep Wigan in the fight for survival.
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Vinny's Wigan Report
Vinny - Sun May 15 2011
West Ham Online
Wigan Athletic 3 West Ham United 2
West Ham have been relegated to the second tier of English Football
following a heartbreaking and dramatic defeat at Wigan which ends the
Hammers stay in the Premiership. Manager Avram Grant has been removed from
his position and West Ham now begin a massive rebuilding process in what
begins a very important time in the history of the football club. The
afternoon served up an array of emotions as we took a two goal lead into
half time looking as though we were sure to win the game. With Birmingham
losing at home to Fulham this gave us a great chance to actually to stay up
going into the game next weekend against Sunderland but three second half
goals for Wigan, with the winner coming in the 93rd minute ended any hope of
surviving.
It is difficult to know how to feel at this moment in time. I'm not angry as
I feel I have confronted my anger about the situation over the last couple
of months. I'm more numb with the whole thing especially the way it happened
because up until Wigan equalised I had begun to really believe. What
happened is what has happened far too often this season and that is that we
lose concentration and are far too easy to score again. We deserved to lose
because even though we were leading it was Wigan doing all the attacking and
how they didn't score in the first half is beyond me as they had a number of
wonderful chances which they failed to take. The blame can be distributed
around from the players, to the manager and of course owners. For me, we had
the players to stay in the division and for whatever reason we just haven't
been good enough to stay up.
Many will blame Avram Grant and I cannot really argue with that. He has made
many tactical mistakes and his team selections have generally appeared quite
random.
I thought I'd be more angry. I'm trying to be. I think I may have accepted
relegation after the Aston Villa game but that is not to say this does not
hurt. This is West Ham, this is my club and to see us be relegated at any
point is a horrible thing to experience. But this is relegation and not the
end of the football club. I see too many comments from fans almost putting
them in the same bracket. We have been relegated before and I'm sure we
will be relegated again at some point in the future but as long as the fans
remain and we keep our history alive then we will be back.
If we were going to be relegated this was the cruellest way of doing it from
a fan point of view. To know that Birmingham were losing which meant it gave
us a chance it was horrible to watch the team fall apart and concede three
goals. And that is it really - horrible. Everything West Ham is horrible at
the moment and the whole club needs a revamp. Relegation is never a good
thing but when we did go down last time we did come back stronger than ever
with passivity running through club.
Wigan wanted this game more and if they do stay up it really will be a
remarkable achievement for a club so small, on such a low budget to still be
able to compete in the Premiership. They wanted this game more than us and
they were unlucky to be two goals down after 25 minutes. Like most of the
team in and around the relegation zone they all have a desire and team
unity. We haven't had this all season and this was evident way back before
Christmas that something wasn't quite right about the squad and they way the
players were applying themselves. It was much the same as it was last season
and from that very first game away at Aston Villa something didn't seem
right.
After the poor result at home to Blackburn last weekend, Avram Grant made a
number of changes to the starting line up. In defence, Lars Jacobsen was
dropped and replacing him at right back was Jordan Spence who was making his
full debut for the club after being recalled recently from a loan spell at
Championship side Bristol City. It was a surprise to see Grant make such a
bold decision in a game of this magnitude. At centre half, Manuel Da Costa
was dropped to the bench with James Tomkins coming into the side. The
midfield three saw Jack Collison make his first start of the season
replacing Luis Boa Morte who did not make the eighteen man squad and like
Jacobsen was omitted completely. In the forward positions of this annoyingly
ineffective 4-3-3, Zavon Hines made a surprise start on the right hand side
with Freddie Sears dropping to the bench and Frederique Piquionne also made
a start (his first since Bolton away) with Carlton Cole making way. The
substitutes bench saw a few surprised with both Scott Parker and Matthew
Upson named. Not making the squad for a second game running was Victor
Obinna who has surely played his last game for the club.
As the rain came pouring down at Wigan the 4,500 travelling West Ham
supporters made all the noise as Robert Green led the team out for what
would be an epic encounter. It was the home side who started the better as
they looked to take the game to us. We looked at sixes and sevens as they
came forward with pace and they nearly took the lead when a shot from
Cleverley deflected off Spence and goal wards only for Robert Green to push
away for a corner. Diame had a half chance a couple of minutes later as he
came down the left hand side and cut inside but his shot was way off target
when he should have done better given the time and room he was afforded.
News that Fulham were leading at Birmingham came at this point but this
meant nothing if we didn't win so this was really a thought in the back of
mind at this point. I had gone into this game with no confidence that we
would avoid relegation given the improbability of the two things we needed
(Fulham to win and us to win) actually happening. The game was very open
(and would stay like this) and both teams were finding a lot of space.
Piquionne moved into this space on the left and forced a corner kick with 12
minutes on the clock. The corner was put into the area by Thomas
Hitzlsperger as Tomkins went up to head the ball. Wigan tried to clear their
lines but it only went as far as Jack Collison who hit a thunderous drive at
goal but this was blocked and Wigan cleared. This particular clearance only
went as far as Hitzlsperger who put in a delightful left foot cross which
found the head of Demba Ba who made no mistake from a few yards out burying
his header past with Wigan keeper Al Habsi to make it 1-0.
It was a positive reaction from Wigan to the goal as the burst forward in
numbers and really pegged us back. The impressive N'Zogbia had a chance when
he burst into the area but his effort was easily saved by Green. We were
struggling to keep hold of the ball and when we won possession we would
usually give it away with the next pass forward. This was inviting Wigan on
to us and only served to give them confidence. But just as Wigan were
beginning to look a real threat we only went and scored a second goal.
With 25 minutes gone, a free kick was won on the left hand side by Jonathan
Spector and taken by Thomas Hitzlsperger. The cross was whipped in with his
left foot and James Tomkins rose at the back post to head across goal and it
was Demba Ba who was there again to meet it firmly with his head just a yard
or two out. It was pandemonium in the West Ham end as it seemed we were
really rising to the challenge and seemed as though this was a task we may
be able to fulfil. And we nearly had a third just minutes later when a ball
through saw Piquionne not make the best connection with the ball as the
keeper came out but it was so close to finding Ba who would have surely
scored his third but Ben Watson was back to cover and hack away. But Wigan
came back strong and I find it difficult to believe that they did not score
a goal before half time given the clear cut chances they created.
With around five minutes of the half remaining, Diame burst into the area
only to see his right foot effort kept out by Green. It too casual a finish
from Diame who should have scored. Hugo Rodallega should have scored from a
corner as Spence lost his man and the Wigan striker fluffed his header from
inside the six yard box, hitting it straight at Robert Green. Diame again
burst forward and cut inside but his shot was yet again wayward when he
should have been doing better. Wigan were creating the openings but not
doing enough to take them. We were living dangerously.
So at half time we are leading 2-0. Fulham are beating Birmingham 1-0. This
as they stood were looking quite good. But 45 minutes is a long time in
football and if we did not know this we certainly would come the end of the
game. Wigan generally picked up from where they left off in the first half.
They made changes at half time with both Victor Moses and unknown Striker
(well unknown to me) Conor Sammon coming on. We did have a half chance early
on as Spector was played through and the American burst into the area only
for Caldwell to make a superb challenge despite the theatrics of Spector's
dive. Now there was more news from St Andrews as amazingly Fulham had taken
a two goal lead. Could we really be getting this lucky? Could fortune really
be smiling on us and not hiding after all.
No. No it couldn't.
A pass inside to N'Zogbia saw James Tomkins bundle him over. It looked a
little harsh as both players had hold of each other but either way referee
Mike Dean awarded the free kick which was just outside the area in a very
central position. Stepping up to take the free kick was the man who had won
it, Charles N'Zogbia. He thumped the ball with this left foot into the top
corner, past the despairing Robert Green to give Wigan a way back into the
game with a large chunk of the half still to play. 1-2 was a difficult score
line for us to deal with and it was quite clear that our players did not
know how to proceed with the game. This may sound odd but I do believe they
genuinely were unsure whether to keep playing as we were playing, or put
more emphasis in attack or shut up shop. It was a tentative next few
minutes.
With an hour on the clock, Jonathan Spector went down with injury and was
replaced by Scott Parker who received a rousing reception from the West Ham
fans. We were really struggling to do anything with the ball. Even when we
were awarded free kicks we were beginning to be very wasteful with
Hitzlsperger hitting a tame cross into the area which was easily cleared.
But we had the chance to make it 3-1 and kill the game and failed to take
it. It is a chance I will probably think about for most of the week and say
those words 'what if?'.
Hitzlsperger played a great pass through to Demba Ba who only had the keeper
to beat, but his first touch didn't allow him to get it out of his feet
quick enough and his shot was tame. He should have scored and you would have
banked on him doing so. Wigan reacted to this scare in the best way
possible. They equalised.
It was Hines who held on to the ball for far too long and was dispossessed.
Wigan broke forward, the ball was played through to Sammon who cut inside
with ease and stroked his shot past Robert Green to send the Wigan fans mad
as he made it 2-2. No matter what was going on at Birmingham we had to win
this game. No other result would suffice and we needed to up our game
dramatically. Carlton Cole came on for Piquionne with fifteen minutes
remaining. Things were starting to look pretty bad as we would be relegated
if we did not manage to find another goal. We looked no nearer to scoring
than Wigan and the game was incredibly stretched. It was awful viewing and
my stomach was tied in knots as I winced, swore and prayed.
Those last ten minutes saw us have the ball in space and with players
bursting forward. But every final ball we made was the wrong choice as our
players seemed to just panic as we got near the goal. Robbie Keane was
introduced in place of Jack Collison and I was hoping that he could make
amends for that dreadful miss last weekend against Blackburn. A deep cross
to the back post saw Zavon Hines meet it on the on the volley but this side
foot effort was straight at Al Habsi.
A ball through to Sammon saw Danny Gabbidon side and foul the Wigan striker
who just had the keeper to beat but Mike Dean waved away the appeals for a
foul. This was the wrong decision as replays show it should have been given
as a free kick and they the automatic red card. Even I thought on first
watch it was a foul. Ba had a couple of efforts as he cut inside and hit
shots but they were tame and never troubling the keeper.
Four minutes of injury time were awarded with both teams desperate for the
three points. Ben Watson hit a shot at goal which lacked power but beat
Robert Green and hit the inside of the post with Green grabbing the ball
before it could be knocked in. We would have that final great chance to win
the game Hines was found by Hitzlsperger and Hines cross for Cole to surely
score but it just seemed to bounce off him when any other striker would have
scored the f*cking goal. Not Carlton Cole though.
We had gone over the four minutes of injury time and we all knew the whistle
was about to be blown and relegation confirmed. To rub salt into the wounds,
or add insult to injury or whatever way you want to put it - Wigan scored a
dramatic late winner as Charles N'Zogbia cut inside and hit a shot which
Green might have saved on another day to send to DW Stadium into a
hysterical state. I've never been shot. But if I ever am my thoughts will
not be 'oh I've been shot, I might die'. No no, my thought will be 'How does
this compare to that Wigan goal in the 95 minute'. We kicked off. The final
whistle was blown and the Wigan fans took to the pitch in celebration
despite relegation still looking likely for them. They have given themselves
a chance though and they taunted us with the stewards and police creating a
cordon to stop us from getting to them (of course).
A dark dark day in the history of West Ham United.
Player Reviews
Robert Green
Made save after save and kept us in the game when Wigan should have punished
us. For me he was our man of the match despite the third goal being one I
would have expected him to save.
Jordan Spence
Struggled for the majority of the game and the pace of the game seemed to
cause him problems. In the first half Wigan focussed much of their attack
down his side and the ease in which the opposition players were able to cut
inside was simply poor defending. A strange game to put him into and I do
not understand the reason for his inclusion. Has experience in the
Championship and I would expect him to go on to play regularly next season.
Danny Gabbidon
Not quick enough to deal with the pace of the Wigan forwards. At times his
decision making was very good and that of an experienced centre half. But
Gabbidon like most of our defenders never look settled, always look shaky
and are too easy to score against.
James Tomkins
A player who I believe has a lot of ability. Had a decent game but lack of
concentrated ruined what was a decent display.
Wayne Bridge
A good performance from Bridge. Dealt with the attacking players down his
side in a way you would want your defenders to do. Good anticipation, got
forward well and his passing was good.
Jonathan Spector
He worked hard to cover the ground but there was too much of it. Our players
were too far away from each other and the strikers and midfield seemed as
though they were on different planets. Spector offered as much as he could
and has always done so when playing for the club. Struggled to get to grips
with the speed in which Wigan were operating in. Came off injured after an
hour.
Thomas Hitzlsperger
Not in the game enough and I say this knowing full well that he made the two
goals. He just didn't get on the ball enough to make more of an impact. He
didn't put in one significant tackle all day long and our midfield were
simply not in the game.
Jack Collison
Looked confident on the ball as he eased his way back into first team
football. I sincerely hope he stays at the club following relegation. A
positive thinking player who looks to move the ball forward when he is in
possession.
Zavon Hines
Looked a bit out of his depth at times. Got a little better in the second
half when he added a bit of aggression to his game but his final ball was
poor and his passing was not good enough.
Frederique Piquionne
Awful in the first half. Not much better in the second half. A frustrating
player to watch but he gave the ball away too much, slowed the pace down and
was generally not good enough.
Demba Ba
Ba is a goal scorer and he scores goals. He continues to display this and
has done as much as he could have done since coming into the club. But even
though this may be true, his miss in the second half will haunt me.
Subs Used
Scott Parker (on for Spector 60 mins)
Not fit enough to have taken any part in this game. This was not the Scott
Parker I have been watching this season.
Carlton Cole (on for Piquionne 74 mins)
Dreadful. F*cking dreadful.
Robbie Keane (on for Collison 83 mins)
A complete waste of space.
Subs Not Used: Boffin, Sears, Da Costa, Upson
Bookings: Parker
Man Of The Match: Robert Green
Wigan Athletic: Al Habsi, Boyce, Alcaraz, G.Caldwell, Figueroa, Diame,
McCarthy, Cleverley, Watson, N'Zogbia, Rodallega
Subs: Kirkland, Gohouri, Gomez, McArthur, Moses, Di Santo, Sammon
Attendance: 22,043
Overall
It has been painful writing this. I do not think this has all sunk in just
yet and the coming days will be difficult especially when every c*nt will be
reminding me. Avram Grant has now been removed from his job as the owners
swiftly dismissed the man who has taken us to the Championship. There will
be much speculation to who is going to take over and I am sure this will be
discussed to death over the coming weeks. I do not believe we deserved to
beat Wigan, and they effort they displayed is something we can only dream
about. West Ham deserve to be relegated because we have just not been good
enough.
Next Game - Sunderland (h)
This is going to be a very hard game to find any sort of enjoyment from.
There will be many fans who will not want to attend despite having tickets -
I urge you to turn up, enjoy your day, support your club because we can sack
the manager, we can sell the players, we can get relegated - but as long as
our fans stick with the club and back it like we always have we will survive
and continue to be proud of supporting West Ham United. Like all our dreams
- they have only gone on to fade and die but do not forget that we all
follow the West Ham - over land and sea. It's time to re-build and the
owners now have to sort this football club out.
Season 2010/11 Scorers and Bookings
Scorers
Carlton Cole 11 (6 Cup 5 League)
Frederique Piquionne 9 (6 League, 3 Cup)
Victor Obinna 8 (5 Cup 3 League)
Demba Ba 7 (7 League)
Scott Parker 7 (5 League, 2 Cup)
Mark Noble 5 (4 league 1 Cup)
Jonathan Spector 4 (1 League, 3 Cup)
Thomas Hitzlsperger 3 (1 Cup, 2 League)
Robbie Keane 2 (2 League)
Freddie Sears 2 (1 League, 1 Cup)
Valon Behrami 2 (2 League)
Manuel Da Costa 2 (1 Cup, 1 League)
Own Goal 2 (2 League)
James Tomkins 1 (1 League)
Junior Stanislas 1 (1 League)
Winston Reid 1 (1 Cup)
Bookings
Parker - 8
Noble - 7
Boa Morte - 7
Cole - 5
Ben Haim - 4
Kovac - 4
Upson - 4
Obinna - 4
Da Costa - 4
Tomkins - 3
Gabbidon - 3
Hitzlesperger - 2
Spector - 2
Piquionne - 2
Faubert - 2
Behrami - 1
Ilunga - 1
Reid - 1
Hines - 1
Green - 1
Dyer - 1
Ba - 1
Gabbidon - 1
Red Cards
Obinna 1
Piquionne - 1
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant is Finally Sacked – Four Months Too Late
May 15th, 2011 - 7:55 pm by Iain Dale
West Ham Till I Die
About half an hour ago I decided I couldn't face reading any more comments,
so I switched off my laptop and fell asleep while watching a recording of
this morning's Andrew Marr programme. So what di I discover when I wake up?
The dark days are over. Grant is gone. But it's been done in a typically
graceless manner. This is what the statement on the club website says… The
club can confirm that Avram Grant is no longer the manager of West Ham
United. First-team coach Kevin Keen will take charge of the team for the
final home match of the season against Sunderland on Sunday 22 May.
And that's it.
Well, maybe we should just be grateful it has finally happened. What a pity
it didn't happen at the beginning of January. Does anyone seriously think
any other manager woud have got the club relegated with the players Grant
had at his disposal? Of course you can't exclude the players from blame too.
But we all know what a motivational manager can do with average players. OK,
we had too many average players but should a team with Green, Parker, Upson,
Cole, Tomkins, Noble, Bridge, Keane and Ba really have gone down? I don't
think so. OK, Grant's gone. About time. Let's spend the rest of the day
concentrating on that. Tomorrow is the start of West Ham's future. And we
all want to be part of it.
COYI!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan 3 West Ham 2
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: 15 May 2011
CHARLES N'ZOGBIA kept Wigan's dream of survival alive and put West Ham to
sleep. The French winger was dubbed 'Insomnia' by his former boss Joe
Kinnear at Newcastle because he gives the opposition sleepless nights. And
he struck with just 10 seconds of injury time to go at the DW Stadium.
Suddenly the Latics had woken up to seal the win that sets up a frantic
final day of the season next Sunday. Five teams will now slug it out for the
remaining two relegation slots after slumbering West Ham were packed off to
the Championship. Wigan head to Stoke still second from bottom in the table.
But if they muster anything like this sort of spirit they are far from
finished. N'Zogbia's late goal made West Ham look right Charlies as they
surrendered a two-goal lead and their Premier League place in typical lame
fashion under boss Avram Grant. The Hammers looked well in command at
half-time before Wigan steadily regained control and eventually got the win
they deserved. 'Zogbia started the fightback with a superb free-kick and he
finished it off in the fourth minute of stoppage time to spark delirious
scenes. Connor Sammon, a knockdown £600,000 signing from Kilmarnock, came on
and banged in his first goal for the club in between N'Zogbia's strikes.
West Ham were condemned as football's laughing stock as a joke of a season
came to a pathetic end - and with it the reign of the disastrous Grant. A
farewell flypast organised by Millwall fans summed up his awful year in the
job, which came to an end when he was sacked last night. 'Avram Grant -
Millwall Legend' read the 20ft-high letters on a banner trailing behind a
light aircraft which flew right over the DW Stadium. It could not have been
better timed as it came into view just as Sammon stuck the ball past Robert
Green to equalise as the Hammers' lead melted away. By the end the 4,500
travelling fans were more or less in agreement with their hated Lions rivals
- yet they used more industrial language.
Demba Ba gave West Ham a surprise lead on 12 minutes, meeting a cross from
Thomas Hitzlsperger with a well-directed header. It was a similar movement
for the second, this time from the German's free-kick. The game turned on
its head after the break though, as N'Zogbia thrashed a free-kick into the
top corner. Sammon levelled when he turned Danny Gabbidon in the box and
curled a shot past Green. The draw was no good to West Ham but a point was
enough to keep Wigan in the pot. But then the brilliant N'Zogbia ran Wayne
Bridge ragged down the right flank, cut inside and rolled a shot past Green
to seal the win. Wigan's agony goes on while West Ham and the hapless Grant
have been put out of their misery.
DREAM TEAM
STAR MAN - Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan)
WIGAN: Al Habsi 7, Boyce 6, G Caldwell 7, Alcaraz 7, Figueroa 7, Diame 9,
McCarthy 5 (Moses 7), Watson 7, N'Zogbia 10, Rodallega 6 (McArthur 5),
Cleverley 6 (Sammon 8). Subs not used: Kirkland, Gohouri, Di Santo, Gomez.
Booked: N'Zogbia.
WEST HAM: Green 6, Spence 7, Gabbidon 6, Tomkins 7, Bridge 5, Spector 6
(Parker 6), Hitzlsperger 6, Collison 7 (Keane 5), Piquionne 7 (Cole 5), Ba
8, Hines 6. Subs not used: Boffin, Upson, Sears, Da Costa. Booked: Parker.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I Av to take the blame for relegation
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun
AVRAM GRANT was fired minutes after West Ham's miserable season ended in
relegation as he admitted: "It was all my fault." Grant was axed after the
Hammers blew a two-goal lead and crashed to a 3-2 defeat at Wigan that sent
them down. Travelling fans turned on the former Chelsea chief as the Upton
Park outfit slipped towards the drop. For some time he has known he was on
his way. And with his fate sealed, he accepted that liability for the end of
the East Enders' six-season stint in the top flight fell at his feet. He
said: "Yes, I take responsibility. It is my responsibility to pick the team
and the tactics so it's my responsibility about the results."
The Israeli will get a pay-off of around £1million, less than a year's
money. He had three years and two months remaining on a four-year deal but a
clause in his contract stated he would not have it paid up in full if they
were relegated. Grant's shocking run in the Upton Park hot-seat garnered
just seven wins in 37 Premier League matches. However, they appeared to have
given themselves a big chance of beating the drop as Demba Ba's double put
them 2-0 ahead at half-time. But Charles N'Zogbia and Conor Sammon levelled
before N'Zogbia smashed in an injury-time winner to throw relegation-haunted
Latics a lifeline. Grant added: "It's the most sad day since I started
football almost 40 years ago. "I cannot say it in words, I am very, very
sad, especially for the supporters and the people in the club. I came with a
lot of desire but I knew the financial problem."
Grant defended how his side played to the last. He said: "The quality of the
football we play was good, about this I can argue with everybody. "But the
result was not good, about this I cannot argue with anybody. "Whatever
people will want to say, it's OK, I don't have a problem with what they say.
"Football is a game of results. My job was to keep the team in the league -
and I failed. "We faced unbelievable problems. We lead 2-0, not for the
first time, it's a psychology problem."
And while owners David Sullivan and David Gold were quick to act as
relegation was confirmed, Grant's exit cast questions over their judgment,
having appointed him in a shower of praise last summer. At the time Sullivan
said: "I am delighted to welcome Avram and am confident he will prove a
success. We have taken our time over this appointment and are certain we
have got the right man." Gold said: "We have got our man. He's a perfect
fit. His reputation speaks for itself."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Av axed one hour after dreaded drop
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
The Sun
AVRAM GRANT took West Ham down last night and was told: You're Fired! The
hopeless Hammers boss was summoned into an office after a 3-2 defeat at
Wigan and sacked Apprentice-style to bring an end to his 11 months in
charge. Joint-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold plus vice-chair Karren
Brady, who stars in TV show The Apprentice, axed Grant, who was given the
option to travel home alone by car and even said his goodbyes to his
coaching staff. But players, led by midfielder Scott Parker, persuaded him
to board the team bus to travel to the airport. First-team coach Kevin Keen
will take charge for Sunday's home match against Sunderland.
QPR boss Neil Warnock is the early favourite to succeed Grant even though he
has just won promotion. Former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton, a former
Hammers defender, has also been linked with the club along with Hull chief
Nigel Pearson. Grant, also relegated with Portsmouth last season, said: "It
is a very sad day for me, I think the most sad day since I started in
football almost 40 years ago. "I tried my very best but the results just did
not go well. I feel so sorry for the fans - I wanted to do much better for
all of them."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wigan 3-2 West Ham: Daily Mirror match report
Published 22:33 15/05/11 By David Anderson
The Mirror
The pilot of the light aircraft towing a banner with the words 'Avram Grant
– Millwall legend' picked the perfect moment to begin his flypast. A minute
earlier Conor Sammon had equalised for Wigan to send West Ham down and end
Grant's flight of fancy. The pilot was on his way back to base, mission
accomplished, when Charles N'Zogbia scored a dramatic winner in the final 10
seconds of this pulsating clash to set the seal on his miserable West Ham
reign. And miserable it truly has been as Grant has managed to do what many
people thought impossible and take down a side packed full of big-name
internationals, earning £60million in wages a year between them. When Grant
managed Chelsea and Portsmouth it was hard to judge him because the former
were so good and the latter so bad. There is no dispute now after the
spectacular way he crashed and burned and this humiliation rivals Defoe,
James, Di Canio and Co going down with the Hammers in 2003. Grant's side
threw away a two-goal lead before succumbing to a revitalised Wigan side,
who have given themselves a chance of achieving their own mission impossible
and staying up on the final day.
The Israeli couldn't complain when co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold
axed him after the final whistle and if they had been so decisive back in
December, they might have stayed up. The only people associated with West
Ham to emerge from this debacle with any credit are the fans and they sang
"Que sera, que sera, whatever will be, will be, we're going to Bermondsey,
que sera" in anticipation of next season's derbies with Millwall. It had all
looked so different as West Ham led 2-0, albeit against the run of play,
thanks to a couple of headers from Demba Ba. Thomas Hitzlsperger was the
creator of both, sending over a cross from the left for the first on 12
minutes for Ba to head from from six yards out. And in the 26th minute he
curled over a free-kick from the left for James Tomkins to head the ball
back across goal for the Senegalese striker to head home underneath the bar.
It could have been three and Ben Watson cleared Frederic Piquionne's shot
off the line.
Back came Wigan, only to find Rob Green in resolute mood and the England
goalkeeper saved well from Mohamed Diame before making a fantastic reflex
stop to keep out a point-blank header from Hugo Rodallega. Roberto Martinez
went for broke at half-time, throwing on Sammon and Victor Moses, and his
win-or-bust move was rewarded on 57 minutes as Wigan won a controversial
free-kick for Tomkins' shoulder charge on N'Zogbia and the Frenchman fired
home the 20-yard free-kick into the top left corner.
Ba should have halted Wigan's revival, but Ali Al Habsi easily saved his
weak shot and two minutes later on 68 minutes it was 2-2. Watson played a
diagonal through ball to Sammon on the left and the Irish striker, signed
for £600,000 from Kilmarnock in January, cut inside Jordan Spence and scored
past Green. Then after Caldwell blocked a Zavon Hines shot on the line,
Watson shot against the inside of the post before N'Zogbia's final act.
Wayne Bridge let him cut inside from the right on to his favoured left foot
and he fired home to spark pandemonium at the DW. With that goal Wigan's
Great Escape is on and they go into the final Sunday locked in a survival
fight with Blackpool, Birmingham, Wolves and Blackburn. The Latics' joy was
marked by a brainless pitch invasion from their fans at the final whistle
and Scott Parker had to be dragged away by a couple of West Ham coaches
after squaring up to a Latics fan. If only West Ham had shown such fighting
spirit earlier.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant sacked as manager as hapless West Ham go down
Chris Hughton and Neil Warnock in frame to take over after Wigan overcome
Hammers 3-2
By Jack Pitt-Brooke
Monday, 16 May 2011
The Independent
Avram Grant was sacked as West Ham manager last night, less than an hour
after leading his team to relegation from the Premier League. West Ham lost
3-2 at Wigan Athletic yesterday afternoon, having been 2-0 up at half time.
After the match Grant saw club co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, and
then went to say goodbye to his back-room staff. He said nothing about his
future when questioned in the post-game press conference. A club official
statement an hour after the final whistle confirmed that Grant was "no
longer the manager of West Ham United", and that first-team coach, Kevin
Keen, would be in charge for the final match of the season, at home against
Sunderland on Sunday. Chris Hughton and Neil Warnock are among the likely
candidates to lead West Ham in the Championship next season. Last night Gold
said: 'This is undoubtedly the worst moment in all the years I've ben
supporting West Ham and of course I wish I'd done things differently."
West Ham had barely been out of the relegation zone all season, and have
been bottom more often than not. Grant was appointed by Sullivan and Gold
last summer, after the dismissal of Gianfranco Zola, and there had been
speculation that he was to be replaced by Martin O'Neill in January,
although he stayed in the job until yesterday evening. It is the second
consecutive season of relegation for Grant, after he took Portsmouth down
last year.
Victory was essential yesterday at the DW Stadium for West Ham to stay
alive, and even then they needed Fulham to win at Birmingham City. The match
started well enough, as West Ham went 2-0 up in the first half. Demba Ba
scored after 12 and 26 minutes, a lead that lasted to half-time. After the
break, though, West Ham surrendered their lead, as they have done so many
times this season. Charles N'Zogbia scored Wigan's first, before Conor
Sammon equalised. West Ham wereset to be relegated at 2-2, but N'Zogbia won
Wigan another crucial two points with a stoppage time winner. Aside from the
football concerns, West Ham face a financial crisis after relegation. The
club are already heavily in debt and will need investment from co-owners
David Gold and David Sullivan this summer just to keep the club functioning.
They expect to lose most of their better players, including Scott Parker,
who was on the bench yesterday.
Relegation from the Premier League necessarily brings financial difficulties
but West Ham are in a worse position than most to handle them. Sullivan
recently described the club as "in a worse financial position than any other
in the country".
The club's football and bank debts, secured against their stadium and
training ground, are estimated at £80m, at least the value of the club. Next
season they will be denied the higher television revenue and gate receipts
that come with Premier League football.
The Premier League has lucrative television deals for broadcasts in the UK
and abroad. These are worth roughly £45m each year to clubs like West Ham –
money which makes up roughly 60 per cent of the club's revenue, which they
will have to do without next season. Similarly, match day revenue will drop
with West Ham deprived of games against Manchester United, Arsenal and so
forth. They will receive parachute payments totalling £48m over four years –
payments of £16m over each of the next two seasons and then £8m over the
following two – but these will not make up the shortfall.
As well as the decrease in revenue, West Ham have forecast more future
spending. There are loan repayments due as well as some of the compensation
owed to Sheffield United. Most pressing, and most worrying should they still
be a Championship club, is their move to the Olympic stadium in Stratford.
They will have to invest at least £95m in Stratford, which includes their
taking a £40m loan from Newham council, adding half as much again to their
current debt.
The financial situation will demand cuts to the players' budget. Kieron Dyer
and Matthew Upson's contracts both expire this summer and so should leave on
free transfers. The club's more marketable players will be sold.
The best price should come in for Footballer of the Year Scott Parker, who
was the subject of a £7m bid from Tottenham Hotspur last summer. Robert
Green should also command a useful price. Recent imports Demba Ba and Thomas
Hitzlsperger signed three-year deals this season but neither are likely to
be satisfied playing in the Championship. Loan signings Robbie Keane and
Wayne Bridge will return to Tottenham and Manchester City respectively. Any
new manager would then have to build a new squad.
Gold and Sullivan had said that relegation would require them to inject
loans of between £20m and £40m just to keep West Ham functioning. Sullivan
said last week: "I don't believe the supporters realise the potential real
cost to us."
Grant at West Ham
Avram Grant's West Ham record since becoming West Ham manager on a four-year
contract last June.
P: 47, W: 15, D: 12, L: 20, Win per cent: 32
Final day
Blackburn If Blackburn lose to Wolves and two out of Birmingham, Blackpool
or Wigan win, Rovers will be relegated.
Wolves If Wolves lose by two or more, a draw from any of the three teams
below could be enough to send them down. Like Blackburn, a win is enough.
Birmingham A win at Tottenham guarantees their survival but anything less
leaves them vulnerable to teams below.
Blackpool A win at Old Trafford should be enough but still depends on
results elsewhere. They could leapfrog Birmingham with a draw if Wigan fail
to win below them and one of Wolves or Birmingham lose above them.
Wigan If Wigan win at Stoke and two of the other four teams above them can't
match their result, they survive. A draw is enough if Blackpool and
Birmingham lose.
Lowdown: how last Hammers team to drop, in 2003, fared
By Michael Butler
David James: Former England international, now playing for Bristol City.
Glen Johnson: The now-Liverpool player is England's first choice right-back.
Tomas Repka: Previous Czech Republic international, now captain of Sparta
Prague.
Cristian Dailly: Former Scotland captain, he now plays in League One for
Charlton.
Rufus Brevett: Now retired – he now owns his own tanning salon in Egham,
Surrey.
Trevor Sinclair: Capped 12 times by England, he is now retired and lives in
Dubai.
Steve Lomas: Retired but re-joined West Ham as reserve team manager this
season.
Joe Cole: As with Glenn Johnson, the England player is now at Liverpool via
Chelsea.
Jermain Defoe: England international, currently playing for Tottenham
Hotspur.
Frederic Kanoute: Former Mali international, now playing for Sevilla in
Spain.
Paolo Di: Canio Now retired, he has a lounge named after him at Upton Park.
Has recently been linked with Swindon Town's managerial post.
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