WHUFC.com
An upbeat Avram Grant said the squad were fired up for Tuesday's
mouth-watering Carling Cup tie
10.01.2011
Avram Grant was savouring the prospect of the club's semi-final date with
Birmingham City at his pre-match press conference on Monday. The manager
revealed the club were closing on some transfer targets and that the players
were all fired up for the chance to get to Wembley.
Avram on focusing only on the Carling Cup challenge...
"We are here because of the semi-final. It has been 30 years since West Ham
were at Wembley [for the 1981 League Cup final] and this is a big game for
us. That is what is important for me now. We have some problems with injured
players, so we will know later on the squad. "Tomorrow is a big game and we
have had some good results in the last six matches, so we want to continue
with this and succeed in the first leg, although nothing will be decided
tomorrow. I am dealing with the problems on the pitch, and we have done that
well. We still have some, so I am trying to deal only with this. "The
results in the last few weeks show we are doing well, they can always be
better, but we have been doing well.
Avram on transfer targets...
"I don't want to speak about players who are not here. We are close, but
cannot tell you at the moment because anything can happen in the
negotiations. We want to close the deal first. "We are trying to do it as
soon as possible, because we have many games in January. On the field it is
very encouraging. If we can make the squad a bit stronger, that will be
good. A few of the players are coming back from injury, so that will also be
helpful for us.
Avram on what a final would mean...
"Getting to Wembley would be very important for the club. I have been there
twice in the past couple of years and enjoyed it very much. "We have done
well in the Carling Cup until now, the win over Manchester United was the
only game they have lost this season and it was great for us. We want to be
at Wembley, but it will be difficult. "When you have a short squad it is a
lot of pressure on a small group of players, both physically and mentally.
There are many games in a short time, but we will deal with them. When you
come to a semi-final there is no priority, we want to get to Wembley."We
want to do well in the league and to succeed. We have come to a good
position now in the league and so we can do it. A few of the players had to
play in the FA Cup tie, and the Academy lads did well. We want to continue
with this. The squad are all excited. I don't know any footballer who would
not want to be in a semi-final.
Avram on Birmingham and whether the tie will have extra significance...
"It is very important to them. When you leave a club, you have some
emotions, but you want a good result against them. It is important for
everybody here. It is also important for Birmingham, it is a big, big tie.
"We are not one of the top teams, so for us and Birmingham it is a big game.
From the motivation point, it is easier - when you know if you win, you are
at Wembley, you do not have to say anything to the players. You need to get
a good result at home to finish away. We will try to score and go with an
advantage for the second game."
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10.01.2011
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Embattled West Ham boss Avram Grant keeps Cup focus
BBC.co.uk
Carling Cup semi-final, first leg
Venue: Upton Park Date: Tuesday, 11 January Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two, BBC HD and the BBC Sport website, with
highlights on The League Cup Show on Wednesday; listen on BBC Radio 5 live
and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website and mobiles
West Ham manager Avram Grant has ignored further speculation over his future
to concentrate on his side's Carling Cup semi-final with Birmingham.
The Hammers, who host the Blues in Tuesday's first leg at 1945 GMT live on
BBC Two, have been linked with a move for ex-Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce.
Grant said: "I have answered about this a thousand times. We are here
because of a semi-final, a big game. "My position is clear. I am the manager
and will do my best for the club."
Monday's Sun newspaper claims that West Ham have lost faith in Grant and
that the Premier League's bottom club are set to hand a six-month contract
to Allardyce, who was sacked as Blackburn manager in December. The Hammers
have also been mentioned as a possible destination for former Aston Villa
manager Martin O'Neill, with the club reportedly due to have a board meeting
on Wednesday to discuss Grant's future. But with West Ham on the brink of a
first Wembley final since 1981, Grant - who also hit out at director Karren
Brady for discussing Steve Sidwell's aborted move to Upton Park in her
newspaper column - says Tuesday's first leg against Birmingham is the only
matter occupying his thoughts. "I am dealing with the problems on the pitch,
and we have done that well. We still have some, so I am trying to deal only
with this," the Israeli added. "The results in the last few weeks show we
are doing well. They can always be better, but we have been doing well and
that is what we are concerned about. "I have nothing to say about [the board
meeting] because nobody has said anything to me about it. I don't need to
answer about things which are in the paper. "We have a game on Tuesday and
that is what is important to me. If there is any personal issue, I speak to
the person. I don't have to deal with it in the media. I have not done it
before and don't need to do it now."
Brady used her Sun column on Saturday to explain why West Ham had pulled out
of a move for Sidwell, who moved from Aston Villa to Fulham instead.
"With 13 midfielders and most of the injured players about to return, we
couldn't promise him regular first-team football and he'd hardly be in a
better position than at Villa Park," said Brady. The public nature of the
statement angered Grant, who followed up by saying he was more interested in
his dealings with the club's co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan, who
used to own Birmingham. "I didn't read the column so I don't know what she
said. Maybe I will have a column in a newspaper and say what I think," said
Grant. "All the things I have to say to the people at the club I say to them
directly. We [Grant and Brady] don't have a problem but I speak with the
owners. I'm dealing with the owners and that is the most important thing."
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish says his focus is trying to put a smile on the
faces of their supporters as they aim to reach a first cup final since 2001,
with the Blues also struggling in the Premier League. "It is a big challenge
for us," said the Scot. "The fans are craving a bit of success at this club
and we will do our very best to put a smile on their faces. "We will be
facing our former owners and football throws up these quirky challenges. We
will hopefully put one over on our old bosses. "For me it would be nice to
be the manager of a club in a major English final. I've had a lot of success
in Scotland in cup finals, both as a player and as a manager [at Aberdeen
and Rangers], and it would be nice to get to an English cup final." "We have
the capability to win at West Ham, but we will try and be tactically right
for the game and, if that means we come back with a draw or a narrow win,
then so be it. "But we certainly won't be parking the bus in front of our
goal."
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Upson puts future on hold
Defender likely to wait until the end of the season to hold talks
Last updated: 11th January 2011
SSN
Matthew Upson is happy to put his long-term future at West Ham United on
hold as the club battle to stay in the Premier League. The England
defender's contract expires at the end of the season and no agreement has
been reached regarding an extension at Upton Park. The 31-year-old has made
over 130 appearances for the Hammers since joining from Birmingham City four
years ago and has been linked with a move to rival clubs. However, Upson is
in no rush to resolve the situation and believes West Ham's position at the
end of the campaign will likely dictate his future.
Difficult position
"Nothing has been done and we will just see how it plays out this season,"
said Upson. "The club are in quite a difficult position in terms of
assessing where to head in the summer. "Obviously a lot depends on their
Premier League status and other issues. You can't possibly say what will
happen. "We spoke but it is in a position that is on hold and we will see
how it plays out." Meanwhile, Upson wants West Ham to replicate the
performance from the 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the previous
round when the club take on former club Birmingham in the Carling Cup
semi-finals on Tuesday night.
Relief
He added: "Not only was it a great result, but it gave a boost to the whole
club in every department. "With the way that things are right now, it would
be a welcome relief to achieve something in the cup and making the final
would be a top achievement. "We need to look back at that Manchester United
game. Our attitude was right, we did not let them settle and it is important
especially at home that we set off with an aggressive attitude. "If we do
that we can upset people and get on top and a result."
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Grant quiet over future
Hammers boss focused on Carling Cup clash
Last updated: 10th January 2011
SSN
West Ham manager Avram Grant has dodged questions over his future ahead of
the club's Carling Cup semi-final with Birmingham. Grant has been under
pressure all season despite only being appointed in the summer with constant
speculation he will be axed following a below-par campaign. The Hammers
progressed in the FA Cup at the weekend, but they suffered a heavy 5-0
defeat to Newcastle in their last league outing. The Israeli tactician was
again asked about his future ahead of the first leg of their Blues clash,
something he found particularly annoying. "I think I've answered this a
thousand times, we are here because of the semi-final," he said on Sky
Sports News. "It's been 30 years since West Ham have been at Wembley. It's a
big game for us. That's most important for me now."
Board meeting
The club's board are set to convene later this week and Grant has no reason
to believe his position will be discussed. "I have nothing to say about
this. No one's said anything about this to me," he continued. "I don't need
to answer about things in the paper. I say again there's a game tomorrow and
that's what's important to me."
It has been suggested that internal sources have been undermining Grant's
side's stability, and he is happy dealing with things away from the public
eye.
"If there was any personnel issue I'll speak with the person myself. I don't
have any intention to do this in the media," he added. "I've not done it
before and I don't need to do it now. Especially as we have a game tomorrow,
it's a big game. "Over the last six games we've had good results, except the
one result. We want to continue with this."
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Avram: Fergie is my knight nurse
The Sun
By PAT SHEEHAN
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT has been boosted by Alex Ferguson as he fights to save his job.
The West Ham boss is the bookies' favourite to be the next Premier League
manager sacked. The prospect is more than likely if his side comes a cropper
against Birmingham in their Carling Cup semi-final at Upton Park tonight.
Yet the Israeli revealed how messages from Manchester United chief Fergie
have helped ease the enormous strain he is working under. Grant said: "I've
spoken to Alex many times and he's given me some very good advice, which I'm
using all the time. "Alex is great because he was in a position where he was
almost on the way out at United and then everyone knows what he did after
that. "When you take a job as a manager in football, you don't think
everything will be good. "You know there are good days and bad days and you
need to deal with this. "Here at West Ham it's a bit strange but I wanted
this challenge."
Grant feels his position has been undermined since he was refused final
permission to sign Steve Sidwell, even though contracts and personal terms
were agreed with the Aston Villa midfielder, who eventually joined Fulham.
Grant said: "I discuss who I want with the owners and also we think about
the financial situation. "I understand their problems and they understand
mine. "I cannot say there are no difficulties - but difficulties never
stopped me doing my job. I'll do it unless I think I cannot do it and then I
will take a decision. "Let me tell you that I have never left a club in the
middle of the season. In two years I will be 40 years in football and I have
never left early. "You always have your personal issues and I understand.
But the team and club is more important than me. I can only deal with what I
can control."
Grant's future is expected to be discussed at tomorrow's board meeting at
which owners David Sullivan and David Gold will be present. But Grant is
adamant his only thoughts are building a big lead over Brum to take into the
semi-final second leg at St Andrew's in a fortnight. As the Hammers chase
their first Wembley final since 1981, Grant said: "The owners are doing
everything they think will help the team succeed. "Coming into a semi-final,
they are as excited as anyone, maybe more so. "Pressure can push you to
achieve. I don't want to be in a situation where the pressure controls me."
Meanwhile, skipper Matthew Upson admits his Hammers future is still up in
the air. The England international defender is out of contract in the summer
and knows there is a chance the owners could try to sell him this month.
Upson, 31, said: "Nothing has been done on the contract and we will just
have to see how it plays out this season. "The club are in a difficult
position in terms of assessing where to head because a lot depends on our
league status. "With the way things are, making the Carling Cup final would
be a top achievement."
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Grant blasts sack reports
The Sun
Published: 10 Jan 2011
DEFIANT West Ham manager Avram Grant has brushed aside reports that the axe
is set to fall on him at a board meeting later this week. Under-fire Grant
said ahead of tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final with Birmingham: "Nobody has
said anything to me about this. I don't need to answer about things in the
paper. "We have a game tomorrow and that is what is important to me. If
there is any personal issue, I speak to the person. I don't have to deal
with it in the media. I have not done it before and don't need to do it
now."
A recent upturn in results was marred by last week's 5-0 defeat at
Newcastle, while Grant continues to find his own position making the
headlines. And while he was unimpressed that director Karren Brady revealed
in her newspaper column why the club had pulled the plug on signing Steve
Sidwell, the Israeli is not about to be distracted by reports of off-field
issues at Upton Park. He said: "I have answered this a thousand times. "We
are here because of the semi-final, it has been 30 years since West Ham were
at Wembley, and this is a big game for us. That is what is important for me
now. "I am dealing with the problems on the pitch, and we have done that
well. We still have some, so I am trying to deal only with this. "The
results in the last few weeks show we are doing well, they can always be
better, but we have been doing well. That is what we are concerned about.
"My position is very clear. I am the manager and need to do the best for the
club."
However, Grant is well aware the two-legged semi-final has extra
significance for West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan, who used to
own Birmingham. He said: "It is very important to them. When you leave a
club, you have some emotions, but you want a good result against them. "It
is important for everybody here, and also for Birmingham. It is a big, big
tie. "I have been to Wembley twice in the past couple of years and enjoyed
it very much. We have done well in the Carling Cup until now, the win over
Manchester United was the only game they have lost this season and it was
great for us. "We want to be at Wembley, but it will be difficult. The squad
are all excited. I don't know any footballer who would not want to be in a
semi-final. "From the motivation point, it is easier. When you know if you
win, you are at Wembley, you do not have to say anything to the players."
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Big Eck tells West Ham boss: Control your woman!
Published 23:00 10/01/11 By James Nursey
The Mirror
Alex McLeish has told Avram Grant he had no problem with Karren Brady – once
he got her to stop publicly discussing his team. Brum boss McLeish knows
West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold and vice-chairman Brady well
from their stint St Andrews. Grant has just clashed with Brady over her
public claims she put a block on signing Steve Sidwell. McLeish complained
Brady's remarks were undermining Brum's promotion push in 2008-2009. But the
Ex-Scotland boss said yesterday: "She made an apology and that was great.
She agreed not to write or say any more when I asked her not to. "You need
communication – we worked well together." McLeish insisted his side will not
be negative tonight. He said: "I am not going to go to park the bus. You
hope you can put West Ham out of sight in the first game but I suspect
that's easier said than done."
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Grant calls for Carling Cup magic - but may still disappear from Hammers
Published 23:00 10/01/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
Avram Grant will attempt to conjure another bit of cup magic tonight -
before discovering if he will be made to disappear. The West Ham manager
goes into the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final with Birmingham with
the club's board still split over his future. The Hammers are bottom of the
Premier League after picking up only 20 points in their first 22 games. And
Grant has criticised vice-chairman Karren Brady for publicly undermining him
before his position is discussed at a board meeting tomorrow. But the former
Chelsea and Portsmouth manager has never lost a semi-final in English
football as he seeks to send West Ham back to Wembley for the first time in
30 years. And yesterday he launched a defiant defence of his record - and
compared his situation with Sir Alex Ferguson before he saved his job at
Manchester United in 1990. "My position is very clear - I am the manager and
need to do the best for the club," he said. "The only thing you can do is
focus on your job and do your job. You don't have control of the other
things. "There is a big, big challenge at this club. I did not take over
Barcelona."
Ferguson was famously close to the sack before Mark Robins, now the Barnsley
boss who lost at Upton Park on Saturday, scored a winner in the FA Cup third
round. Manchester United went on to win the competition - and the rest is
history. "I've spoken to Alex from time to time and he gave me very, very
good advice," Grant continued. "I'm using it all the time. Alex is great
because he was in the position where he was almost on the way out and then
everyone knows what he did. You cannot even describe what he's done and the
way he's done it."
Grant led Chelsea to the finals of the Carling Cup and Champions League in
2008 and then Portsmouth to the FA Cup final in 2009 - and lost all three.
Pompey beat Birmingham, the club formerly owned by Davids Gold and Sullivan,
in the quarter-finals. But at Stamford Bridge, Grant's position was also
under constant scrutiny after succeeding Jose Mourinho. "The only thing that
is the same is that I concentrated on my job there and here," he insisted.
"Because also at Chelsea there were rumours from the first minute that I
came in but I decided then, as I decided now, to concentrate on my job
because I ask this from the players. And I think the result in Chelsea was
not so bad because of this."
The 5-0 defeat at Newcastle is West Ham's only defeat in their last six but
West Ham have still sounded out Sam Allardyce and Martin O'Neill about
taking Grant's job. Speaking about the uncertainty over his future, the
Israeli said: "You have to deal with this all my life so this part of
things. At here at West Ham in these days it is a little bit strange because
we are in a good two or three weeks. This is the best period of the team.
"And I have never left a club in the middle of the year. Two years I will be
40 years in football and I have never left early."
West Ham, who played three finals at Cardiff, last played at Wembley at the
1981 League Cup final against Liverpool. "I think to win for West Ham will
be a big big success," he said.
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West Ham must tame the "beast" Zigic - says Tomkins
Published 23:00 10/01/11 By Neil McLeman
The Mirror
James Tomkins has claimed West Ham must tame "beast" Nikola Zigic to take a
first-leg lead in the Carling Cup semi-final. The Blues fought back from 2-0
down to force a draw in the Premier League clash between the clubs in
November. And defender Tomkins said 6 ft 8 in Serbian striker Zigic offers a
massive threat. "They have pace and ability," he said. "They are technically
good players. It is important to take what we did well in that game. We went
2-0 up and it was two points dropped. We have to take the positives out of
it. "They went very direct. Zigic is a beast. Sometimes the second ball is
important. If he wins the ball, he wins the ball. Then it is all about the
second ball." And the England U21 centre-back insisted the players were
unaffected by the continuing uncertainty around the future of Avram Grant.
"What happens there (about the manager) is nothing to do with us," he said.
"We have to deal with what we can on the field and whatever happens outside
that happens."
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Upson won't sign new deal at Hammers
Published 23:00 10/01/11 By Football Spy
The Mirror
Matthew Upson has admitted he will not sign a new deal at West Ham. The
defender is out of contract and available on a free transfer this summer.
"Nothing has been done and we will just see how it plays out this season,"
he said. "Obviously a lot depends on the club's Premier League status. "You
can't possibly say what will happen. "We spoke, but it is a position that is
on hold and we will see how it plays out."
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Cole set for West Ham return against Birmingham
Published 15:53 10/01/11 By MirrorFootball
The Mirror
Carlton Cole looks set to return to the West Ham team for tomorrow's Carling
Cup semi-final, first leg against Birmingham. The England striker was one of
several first-team players rested for the FA Cup win over Barnsley, so Scott
Parker, centre-back Matthew Upson and forward Freddie Sears should also
return. Thomas Hitzlsperger has returned to training after a long-term thigh
problem and he could be back in action by mid-February, but Kieron Dyer
(thigh) remains out.
Provisional squad: Green, Faubert, Upson, Tomkins, Gabbidon, Sears, Parker,
Noble, Boa-Morte, Cole, Piquionne, Obinna, Hines, Edgar, Nouble, Behrami,
Spence, Reid, Boffin.
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Is Wheater Worth a Gamble?
West Ham Till I Die
There were reports yesterday that the £2m move of David Wheater to Bolton
has broken down. Boro are looking to cash in on Wheater, who is out of
contract in the summer. A £2.5-3m bid could probably clinch a deal.
Wheater is a young centre half that had an emerging reputation two or three
years ago, even breaking in to Fabio Capello's England squad. He
subsequently showed admirable loyalty in sticking with his home town club
when they were relegated from the PL. However, his game has clearly
suffered, as Boro have struggled to mount a credible promotion challenge in
the Championship.
He is still only 23 and could be secured for a very reasonable fee and wages
package. Would it be worth a gamble to provide us with extra strength in
depth in central defence? Especially in view of Da Costa's long term injury
absence, Tal Ben Haim's apparent return to Pompey and, in the longer term,
Upson's impending exit on a Bosman this summer. That is providing that the
player can be persuaded: (a) to move south and (b) that, if he joined West
Ham's cause, he would not end up back in the Championship next season. Or
should we show faith in our own centre-half prospects like Spence and Fry
coming through?
Elsewhere, there are reports that West Ham are one of three clubs
(Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers being the others) competing for the
signature of Argentinian rising star, Pablo Mouche. The 23 year old Boca
Juniors striker is apparently a friend of ex-Hammer Carlito Tevez. And has
allegedly set his sights on a move to the PL. If this is true, then the
attractions of old London town should shade it over Brum and Blackburn. Who
knows, perhaps Tevez will put in a good word on our behalf? After all,
being introduced to English football via Upton Park did not exactly do his
PL career any harm, did it?
Another deal that the club are being linked with is a bid for Odense
striker, Peter Utaka; while the rumours concerning deals for Demba Ba and
Robbie Keane still persist. Of the three above deals, Keane is obviously
the tried and tested PL option. The other two represent an element of risk
that they will quickly take to the PL and make a positive impact in the
impending, end of season, relegation battle.
Apparently, the ball is completely in Wayne Bridge's court as to whether he
joins us or Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season. Again, the
London factor should help sway the player? Lets hope so, and then lets buy
Luke Young, as well, and that's our full-back issues resolved. I like
Jacobsen at right-back, but can we rely on his fitness in the second half of
the season?
There is also the question of who, if anyone, leaves in the transfer window?
As I have said previously, the West Ham board may have to bite the bullet
and retain some players on a non-playing basis, to accommodate new arrivals
in the 25 man squad. Then the big 'sort out' can happen in the summer,
after we have hopefully achieved PL survival . It is not good economics to
do it that way, but needs must !
One story that also persists, is that QPR are looking to take Benni McCarthy
on loan to help them win promotion. Well, they are probably the one club in
the Championship with the financial means to pay his wages (or at least a
large proportion of them). It questionable whether the player would be
willing and motivated to join QPR's promotion push, but it has got to be
better than kicking his heels in the Hammers reserves! While, West Ham have
allgedly rejected a £3m bid from Florentina for Valon Behrami. This is the
latest of a number of unsatisfactory Serie A bids for the former Lazio wing
back/midfielder. Personally, I would prefer to see Behrami stay and make a
contribution to our survival bid and then see what bids come in the summer.
The alternative view is that the player is unsettled and it is best to
sanction a reasonable deal. We shall see?
Would two incoming striker deals see an exit for Carlton Cole? Possibly,
but any outgoing deal is likely to wait until the summer. I suppose it all
depends on the club's confidence in its new acquisitions (if they happen?)
and any offers that are received for Cole in January?
There was an interesting report in The Sunday People that there is allegedly
a clause in Grant's contract that the compensation payable, if dismissed by
the club, reduces dramatically if we are in the bottom three by 1 January
2011. It would be curious if the manager agreed to the insertion of such a
clause in to his contract in the summer, but who knows? Similarly
surprisingly, some Sunday papers reported that Chelski might re-engage
Avram Grant, as their Director of Football, if dismissed by West Ham.
Finally, it was enlightening to see Karen Brady's comments in her Sun column
about the reasons for the collapse of the Sidwell deal. It was equally
interesting to read Grant's reported comments about newspaper columns and
insiders! Is the writing finally on the wall for Mr Grant? I suppose much
depends on whether the board can land a viable alternative candidate either
on a permanent or, incentivised, shot-term deal?
Enjoy the 1st Leg Carling Cup Semi-Final against Birmingham City. We would
ideally like a solid 2-0 or 3-0 result to take to St Andrews in a fortnight.
We are more than capable of doing a job on Brum, but it all depends which
West Ham turns up, the team that so impressively disposed of Sunderland,
Stoke City and Man Utd, in earlier rounds, or the absolute shambles that we
saw at St James Park?
Lets hope that it is the former over the latter! That will set up an
interesting cup final against the gooners, who are likely to soundly beat
Ipswich Town, in the other semi-final, in the absence of a massive upset.
From West Ham's perspective, can we overcome our historical hoodoo in the
former League Cup competition? Who can forget the debacles against Luton
Town and Oldham in previous eras? Or is it our time to lay all those bad
memories to rest and finally win the highly elusive trophy?
SJ. Chandos.
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West Ham set to seal loan deal for Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 1:56 AM on 11th January 2011
Daily Mail
Wayne Bridge is set to join West Ham on loan after they agreed to pay his
£90,000 a week Manchester City wages in full for the rest of the season.
The former Chelsea and England left back, 30, is expected to have a medical
at Upton Park today after turning down a similar offer from Aston Villa
because he wanted to return to London.
Meanwhile, the Hammers have turned down Fiorentina's initial £3m bid for
Valon Behrami. The Switzerland midfielder, 25, who made his return from a
hip injury in the 5-0 thrashing at Newcastle, is understood to have held
talks with the Italian club last week.
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West Ham v Birmingham City: Avram Grant faces up to possibility of Carling
Cup semi-final swansong
By Jason Burt 11:00PM GMT 10 Jan 2011
Avram Grant's future as manager of West Ham United will be resolved before
the home game against Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday. It means
Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Upton Park against
Birmingham City may well be Grant's last game in charge. Indeed, it appears
Grant's best chance of holding on to his job is if the club fail to attract
one of the two managers it is understood have been identified as possible
replacements. Grant did not help his cause by publicly criticising West Ham
vice-chairman Karren Brady for comments she made in her newspaper column
last Saturday over the collapse of Steve Sidwell's transfer from Aston
Villa. Grant went on to accuse sources from within the club of creating
instability, which has caused some surprise at West Ham considering the
backing he has received throughout this season, amid calls for him to go,
and the opportunity he was given after he quit Portsmouth. The 5-0 defeat
away to Newcastle United, however, does appear to have drained support for
Grant after an encouraging run over Christmas.
It is understood he has little more than a "20 per cent" chance of keeping
his job, according to club sources. If West Ham cannot find a replacement,
they may have to stick with the 55-year-old Israeli, which might be
unsatisfactory for club and manager. For Grant it means he goes into Tuesday
night's game knowing he may not be around for the second leg in two weeks'
time and on Monday he drew a parallel between the "strange days" at West Ham
and his brief stint in charge of Chelsea. "There were rumours from the first
minute that I came in [at Chelsea] but I decided then, as I decided now, to
concentrate on my job because I ask this from the players," he said. Given
the bizarre circumstances under which he was employed as Jose Mourinho's
successor and the questionable record he has achieved since then — at
Chelsea, Portsmouth and now West Ham — it could be argued that Grant is
fortunate to be a Premier League manager. However he claimed on Monday that
he had received support from his peers, including Manchester United manager
Sir Alex Ferguson.
"I've spoken to Alex from time to time and he gave me very, very good
advice," he said. "I'm using it all the time. Alex is great because he was
in the position where he was almost on the way out and then everyone knows
what he did. You cannot even describe what he's done and the way he's done
it."
While questioning whether Grant should continue, West Ham are, at the same
time, attempting to bolster their squad and may hear on Tuesday whether
Wayne Bridge has agreed to join them ahead of Aston Villa on loan. There is
still hope a deal can be agreed to acquire Tottenham's Robbie Keane and
another striker. "There is a big, big challenge at this club. I did not
receive Barcelona," Grant said. "You know the situation in the last year
here. We need to deal with this. We had more problems during this season.
But the challenge is still the same. "I cannot say there are no
difficulties. But difficulties never stopped me doing my job. I will do it
unless I think I cannot do it and then I will take a decision. But even with
this, I will tell it to the people who need to know."
West Ham will welcome all the directors and executives from Birmingham who
want to attend the game and there will be no retribution for the ban imposed
on David Gold earlier this season. The West Ham co-chairman — and former
co-owner of Birmingham — was prevented from attending the league game at St
Andrew's because of remarks he made about the new regime. "We will be facing
our former owners and football throws up these quirky challenges," said
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish. "We will hopefully put one over on our old
bosses."
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Deserted Grant still game for a laugh ahead of West Ham's semi-final date
with Birmingham
By MATT BARLOW Last updated at 7:39 AM on 11th January 2011
Daily Mail
Avram Grant appears to be losing friends fast at West Ham but his arid sense
of humour has yet to desert him. As the Hammers manager prepared for
Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Birmingham, amid rumours
that the club's owners had lost faith in him, he was asked if he had
received a message from the boardroom. 'Lose by as many as you can,' he
said. Then his shoulders shook and he started to laugh. 'No, no,' the
Israeli added. 'The owners are doing everything they think will help the
team succeed. Coming into a semi-final, they are excited like everybody
else, maybe more.' Grant's record in semi-finals in England is played
three, won three - although his sides have gone on to lose the finals - and
perhaps West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold are waiting to see if
he can make it four out of four before wielding the axe. 'Sometimes a
semi-final is more exciting than the final,' said Grant. 'For West Ham to be
in the final, their first at Wembley in 30 years, I would be very happy. I
think everybody around would be.'
Despite this, the owners appear to be running short of patience and have
already started the search for a replacement, with Martin O'Neill and Sam
Allardyce high on the wish list. Grant knows he can do little but plough on
and consider the advice of Sir Alex Ferguson, who, 20 years ago this month,
was seemingly on his way out as Manchester United manager after three years
without a trophy. Legend has it Mark Robins scored the goal which saved
Fergie, against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. United went on to win the
trophy and have not stopped winning since. Grant said: 'I've spoken to Alex
from time to time and he gave me good advice. I'm using it all the time.
'Alex is great because he was in the position where he was almost on the way
out and then everyone knows what he did after that.'
Taking West Ham to their first Wembley final since 1981 might not save
Grant's job in the long term, but it would be sweet for him. Beating
Birmingham, the club sold by Sullivan and Gold before they bought the
Hammers, would boost his boardroom standing, too. 'I can only deal with
things I can control,' said Grant. 'In two years I will be 40 years in
football and I have never left a club in the middle of the year.' Grant
wants an advantage from tonight's game at Upton Park to take into the second
leg at St Andrew's and Alex McLeish expects a spirited display from the
Hammers. 'We hope we can put West Ham out of sight in the first game but I
suspect that will be easier said than done,' said the Birmingham manager.
'We have a strategy to take a favourable result back. We have to believe we
can win both legs. 'This is a fresh challenge for the players and another
test of their mental toughness. Winning games like this shows you have it in
you to be a big-occasion player.' Or a big-occasion manager.
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