KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 16th January 2011
By: East Stand Martin
It's hard to conceive a more preposterous cock-up than what has been going
on of late. But let's face the facts: it's no great surprise given the way
Sullivan and Gold have managed our club since the took over.
Their handling of the managers of our team has been a calamity and a
national joke.
First of all, it's Zola whose face doesn't fit. Apparently, the conclusion
is that he doesn't have 'what it takes' to run a Premier League club. This
man, a gentleman who tried to get the team playing the right way was treated
with contempt. He deserved a lot better and behaved with utter dignity in
the face of outrageous provocation.
Sullivan and Gold always seem to need to have someone to blame other than
themselves. Singling out Zola for all our troubles in the way they did was
completely beyond the pale.
They got what they wanted and the Italian left. Now they could make their
choice of manager rather than accepting someone from the ancient regime.
Avram Grant got the nod, and for a while it looked like Sullivan and Gold
were at last keeping their mouths shut in the media. Not for long, and this
time the campaign was far more insidious; not the rent-a-gobsh*te quotes,
but the whispering campaign behind the scenes. No doubt this was motivated
by the small problem of explaning out in the open that they may have made a
total cock-up of the managerial appointment.
Then came the toe-curlingly embarassing 'Save our Season' game against
Wigan.....in November. Then the points-setting targets. This had all the
signs of setting up Grant to fail, putting a narrow focus on every game
without looking at the big picture.
Call me old fashioned, but our club has a tradition of behaving with some
modicum of ethics. Instead we see our club MD trotting out tittle tattle in
the gutter press. This is not some perverse episode of The Apprentice, this
is West Ham United Football Club.
The whole approach is small minded and we are running around like headless
chickens on a match by match basis. It's like watching a bizarre game of
'Deal or No Deal'. Sullivan and Gold always seeming to want to open that
next box when they should be sticking with what they've got.
Today's Sunday Times was revealing - it appears that there is a clause in
Grant's contract whereby we can get rid at a lower level of compensation if
we are in the bottom three in January. Despite a good run over Xmas and New
Year (apart from the Newcastle game when we looked utterly spent), it feels
like the decision to sack was made regardless. In fact you wonder whether
Sullivan and Gold wanted to see us stay down in that bottom three to save on
the payoff.
And then the biggest joke of all. Saturday 15th January, 2011. The whole
world has been told that Grant is a dead man walking. Lawro shakes that 70s'
pornstar haircut in disbelief on Footbal Focus at the antics. O'Neill seems
to be a shoe in. Great preparation for a London derby. We jump in our cars
after the match waiting for what we think is an inevitable
announcement...but none comes. Not on sunday either.
O'Neill seems to be stalling. What? After briefing the press, the deal is
not done? Is it f***ing possible that O'Neill has atually seen sense and
thought about what a toxic embrace with Sullivan and Gold could mean? Up
until then, Martin I was beginning to think that you were not as sensible as
I thought.
Meanwhile yet another gentleman is left stewing in his juices, undermined
beyond retrieval in the same way as Zola. Two gents treated the same way,
scapegoated for problems not of their making and at a point when they could
both probably take the team forward.
If it wasn't so damaging it would be pathetic.
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Grant conclusion this week
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 16th January 2011
By: Staff Writer
Avram Grant IS still set to leave West Ham, say latest reports. Grant - who
remains manager of the club tonight despite a weekend of wild speculation
regarding his immediate future - will leave United within the next few days,
but not until a severance package has been collectively approved by the
board.
It has been suggested that despite a deal between the club and Grant having
been thrashed out last week the board were not unified in their decision to
part with the Israeli, whose results briefly inproved over the Christmas
period - and in the two cup competitions - before a brace of heavy Premier
League defeats followed (Newcastle and Arsenal).
With many - both inside and outside the club - now of the opinion that
Grant's position is untenable, it is thought that the board finally reached
an agreement to part company with him at the weekend. Should the 55-year-old
leave the club this week, his reign as manager will only eclipse Lou
Macari's record shortest stay by a matter of days. As of today, Grant has
been in place for 228 days - exactly the same length of time Macari was
employed by the club before resigning following a betting scandal in
February 1990.
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Allardyce coy, O'Neill annoyed
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 16th January 2011
By: Staff Writer
Former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has refused to comment on speculation
linking him with Avram Grant's job.
Despite Grant stating on Saturday night that it was 'business as usual' as
far as he was concerned - and with his employers preferring not to comment
on the constant speculation regarding his future, rumours remain rife that
Grant is set to be fired imminently - although that has been the case for
the last 48 hours, at least, with the likes of Sky and the BBC guilty of
jumping the gun this weekend.
One of the bookies favourites for Grant's job is Allardyce, who made his
name as a coach at Bolton before being fired by both Newcastle and
Blackburn.
But when questioned by Sky earlier this evening he claimed that he had
received no contact from West Ham, adding: "Avram has not been released from
his position so it is not for me to speculate on that."
The main favourite - for a position that, quite ludicrously, isn't even
available at this moment in time - is of course Martin O'Neill, who is
rumoured to have got cold feet this weekend after being 'furious' at the
manner in which his link to the (non-vacant) post was leaked.
But tomorrow's Telegraph insists that O'Neill will still accept a deal that
will bring him to Upton Park for the rest of the season with view to a
longer term deal, should he manage to keep West Ham in the Premier League.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Grant future to be decided
West Ham to decide whether boss stays or goes this coming week
Last updated: 16th January 2011
SSN
Sky Sports News understands that the future of under-pressure West Ham
manager Avram Grant will be decided this week. It was widely expected that
Grant would be dismissed following their 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal on
Saturday night with Martin O'Neillin line to take up the reins. However,
Grant remained tight-lipped on his position after the full-time whistle and
West Ham refused to clarify his position, despite reportedly making a
decision at last week's board meeting.
A senior source at the club has now told Sky Sports News that Grant's
position will be decided this week. Grant replaced Gianfranco Zola over the
summer, but the club remain at the wrong end of the table. Their heavy
defeat to title-chasing Arsenal on Saturday evening means the club are two
points adrift of safety 23 games into the Premier League campaign. O'Neill,
formerly of Aston Villa, is reportedly waiting in the wings to try and save
the East Londoners from the drop should Grant be axed just six months into
his West Ham tenure.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sam - No Hammers contact
Allardyce refuses to confirm interest in job with Grant still at helm
Last updated: 16th January 2011
SSN
Sam Allardyce has insisted that he has not been approached by West Ham about
the possibility of becoming their new manager. Sky Sports News understands
that the future of under-pressure Hammers boss Avram Grantwill be decided
this week. Reports had suggested he would be sacked after Saturday's 3-0
defeat to Arsenal, with Martin O'Neill coming in to fill the role. Allardyce
has also been mentioned as a possible replacement as he looks to get back
into management after being sacked by Blackburn before Christmas. However,
the former Bolton and Newcastlechief maintains that it would be wrong to
discuss his interest in the Upton Park post whilst Grant remains in the
hot-seat.
Evaluate
Allardyce did confirm to Sky Sports News that he had not been contacted by
the club, saying: "No word from West Ham." Pressed on whether he would be
interested, he added: "I am not prepared to answer that question. "Avram has
not been released from his position so it is not for me to speculate on
that."
Allardyce also reiterated that he would be open to the idea of embarking on
a new challenge, whether it be in the Premier League or overseas. "I will
evaluate each and every offer as it comes and then meet whoever wants to
take up my employment and take it from there," he explained.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downes blasts rumours
Hammers coach hits out at managerial speculation
Last updated: 16th January 2011
SSN
West Ham defensive coach Wally Downes insists the ongoing rumours
surrounding Avram Grant's future have done little to help. Speculation was
rife this week that Grantwould lose his job following their clash with
Arsenal on Saturday regardless of the result. Ex-Aston Villa boss Martin
O'Neill was said to be lined up as his successor, but 24 hours after the
clash the club's position remains unchanged. Downes believes it was
difficult for the club worrying about Arsenal's star players without the
talk that the manager could be axed.
Hard enough
"It is hard enough to be playing against [Cesc] Fabregas, [Samir] Nasri and
people like that, to also worry about what is in the papers and the rumours.
It can take away from it if you let it," explained Downes. "But they are
professional footballers and if you were to worry about the outside
influences you would drive yourself nuts." Downes continued: "I don't think
anything has changed all week. "The rumours that are going around are in the
media - on the television and in the press. We are not getting any answers.
It is the same question getting batted around all the time. "The owners
haven't made a statement because as far as I am concerned the position has
not changed. If and when they want to make a decision they will make a
statement. "Avram is doing a very difficult job to the best of his
abilities. We are supporting him as staff and whoever was in this position
would find it very difficult."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
You'll Av to sack me
The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
AVRAM GRANT last night told pals he will never quit as West Ham boss. At the
same time, the Hammers were dithering over replacing the Israeli with Martin
O'Neill. Grant was expecting the chop in the wake of Saturday's dismal 3-0
home thumping by Arsenal, with O'Neill waiting in the wings to take over. He
even appeared to say his goodbyes to the Upton Park faithful by flinging his
'lucky' Hammers scarf into the crowd. But Grant spent last night at a posh
gala dinner and is enjoying a day off today, still in his job as the
Londoners' desperate battle against relegation stutters along.
O'Neill is the top target for the Upton Park board. But the Ulsterman will
not even discuss the position while a fellow manager is still employed. West
Ham are keen to get a successor firmly in place to step in and launch a
last-ditch rescue mission, with the team rock-bottom of the Premier League
after yet another woeful performance. The result, though, is stalemate.
Grant is clinging on in limbo, going about his duties as normal and
stubbornly refusing to resign. An insider said: "It's a weird situation.
"It's almost as if the Arsenal result has done Grant a favour. By losing so
heavily the squad looks a beaten bunch. "And being manager doesn't look such
an attractive proposition. West Ham have to come up with certain assurances
about things before anything can really move on this."
No meetings are planned with joint-owners David Gold and David Sullivan or
with vice-chairman Karren Brady other than routine discussions. The Hammers
squad have their first full rest day in almost a month today, with no
midweek Carling Cup matches. Grant is optimistic he will be back at work
tomorrow, even though his future remains the subject of fierce speculation.
Ex-Blackburn chief Sam Allardyce has also been linked with taking over.
Senior Hammers figures, though, have hinted that if O'Neill doesn't come in
then the club will stick with Grant. Grant, who could make a quick return
to football as director of football at Chelsea if he is sacked, is still
actively pursuing transfer targets. He is keen on bringing in £7million
Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba in time for West Ham's trip to Everton this
Saturday. Yet there must be a big question-mark over the deal, as the player
has already seen a switch to Stoke collapse because of a failed medical. The
Midlands outfit may try to bring in Ba on loan until the end of the season
with the promise of making it permanent if he can prove his fitness. Boss
Tony Pulis said: "I am desperately disappointed. The deal we agreed was a
great one for the club. It was within our budget, which was important.
"There was no problem with the negotiations and the kid wanted to come to
Stoke which was brilliant. "Could it be resurrected? It might be. You don't
know."
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has a fighting chance of being fit for the
trip to Everton after missing the Arsenal defeat with an ankle injury.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fuming Hammers players demand answers over Grant fiasco
Published 22:30 16/01/11 By John Cross
The Mirror
Angry West Ham players have been left in the dark over the managerial
madness at Upton Park. Avram Grant has effectively been made caretaker boss
as he has already agreed a pay-off from his £5m contract and has privately
accepted his reign is over. West Ham are still waiting on Martin O'Neill who
got cold feet on Saturday after becoming "embarrassed" that his name was put
in the frame - before Grant had been sacked. That has left West Ham in utter
shambles and the players are furious that they are do not know what is going
on and were given no explanation before or after their thumping home defeat
to Arsenal on Saturday.
West Ham's players were told to take yesterday and today as days off while
owners David Gold and David Sullivan try to resolve the mess at Upton Park.
One source close to the dressing room said: "Nothing was said before or
after the game about what was happening. Now everyone is waiting by their
phones to see what happens next. "The owners didn't talk to them about what
was going on and the manager didn't talk about it when he spoke to the
players before the game. It was difficult for everyone to focus and
nothing's really changed since."
O'Neill is their first choice but he has told friends that he has serious
misgivings after the way the fiasco has panned out and he may also only want
a short-term six-month contract while West Ham would ideally want a long
term successor. Former Aston Villa boss O'Neill appeared to be on the brink
of accepting the job on Saturday until stories began leaking out about the
timetable of events at Upton Park with Grant set to be removed after the
game.
O'Neill became acutely aware that it would make him look bad if he was
having negotiations behind a current manager's back. That prompted
negotiations to stall and has opened the door for other names on West Ham's
shortlist even if O'Neill remains their top priority. But West Ham now fear
O'Neill will take a lot of winning round.
Former Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce, ex-Spurs chief Martin Jol, Chris
Hughton and Norwich manager Paul Lambert are now being talked about.
West Ham vice-chairwoman Karren Brady stayed in the directors' box long
after the crowds had left on Saturday night, furiously texting on her phone
as they battle to bring in a new boss. But in the meantime it leaves Grant
and his backroom staff - including Wally Downes and Paul Groves - high and
dry and wondering about their futures.
Grant is still highly regarded at Chelsea and would be welcomed back at
Stamford Bridge while Ipswich boss Paul Jewell may also be interested in
Downes.
Israeli Grant was given a four year contract last summer and the pay-off
value was £5m and while it is understood the figure is likely to be less he
will still get a golden handshake. Grant still has the sympathy of his
players even if results prove that he has been unable to get the best out of
them this season.
The players did not want Grant to face the media after the Arsenal defeat
and urged him to refuse so the owners would have to face difficult
questions.
But Grant, who threw his scarf into the crowd after the final whistle
against Arsenal and got a good reception, insisted he was determined to
carry on and do his usual post-match press conference. His behaviour
throughout the fiasco has gained him compliments while board members have
turned themselves into a laughing stock and they must still resolve the
mess.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slip of the tongue from Hammers No.2 lets the cat out of the bag
Published 23:00 16/01/11 By John Cross
The Mirror
It was a little slip of the tongue which finally made a mockery of the
embarrassing facade at Upton Park. West Ham coach Wally Downes was wheeled
out to spare Avram Grant questions about his future. "Whoever gets it (the
job)," said Downes before quickly correcting himself. "Whoever was in this
position would have found it very difficult."
It was the first time that West Ham were caught out in their ridiculous
claim that it was business as usual. Everyone from the tea ladies to the
coaching staff were expected to put up an act while poor Grant was left
hanging. Grant was in charge despite every TV and radio station reporting
that he was to be sacked after the game and replaced by Martin O'Neill. It
was a similar story for Martin Jol and Mark Hughes when they lost their jobs
at Tottenham and Manchester City. As the day wore on and West Ham's
appalling handling of the situation left red faces around the boardroom,
O'Neill got cold feet and poor Grant was waiting to be put out of his
misery.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stick to the knitting
KUMB.com
Filed: Sunday, 16th January 2011
By: Brian Evans
Karren Brady is clearly a successful and competent business executive. As
Chief Executive of Birmingham City she oversaw an intitial investment by
shareholders of £700k mature into a £72m dividend in the space of 17 years.
No mean feat in the football industry where, as the old gag goes, when asked
how do you make a small fortune in football the answer is 'start with a
large one'.
For that, Karren should be commended, as her job was, as CEO, to enhance
shareholder value and there is no question she delivered on that score.
Upon their acquisition of West Ham United, spookily also from a bankrupt
bank - Straumur, as was Birmingham (BCCI) - David Gold and David Sullivan,
in recognition of their protege's success in her previous role, promoted her
to the position of Vice Chair.
A subtley different role to that of CEO, a task she continues to perfrom but
as a Vice Chair. In effect she has the same duties as before but with
slightly more authority - and as authority increases so does responsibility.
As Vice Chair her responsibilities have broadened from just enhancing
shareholder value to encompassing other stakeholders - and crucially, her
comments carry more weight. This is the arena in which she is currently
struggling.
Her promotion has granted her freedom to undertake other activities away
from West Ham United such as appearing on the BBC TV soap, the Apprentice,
where she gets to rub shoulders with highly-successful businessman Lord Alan
Sugar.
Or, as I prefer to think of him, the bloke I used to stand in the reception
of Rumblows head office with whilst he was waiting to see the buyer of car
aerials whilst I was waiting to see his colleague who bought other products
(safe to say Sugar did better than I did, but that's life). Good for Karren,
she brings something to the show, but thats what it is, a show .
One of her other activities is her much publicised and read column in the
Sun newspaper - 'The First Lady Of Football'. It's meant to be a weekly
diary, a Bridget Jones kind of style: irreverant tittle tattle, gossip and
innuendo - nothing too serious , but on occasion something that drifts into
being a vehicle which is used to comment on rival clubs or our own.
It is here that Brady is making a grave error. By not appreciating her
broader responsibilities she is failing to appreciate that any comment
relating to West Ham United could be perceived as a veiled attack on the
team manager or a player and that by doing so, she is by putting it into a
public arena , inviting a response.
This is what has happened with her and Avram Grant in the last week. Her
comments regarding Steve Sidwell may have been an attempt to demonstrate she
was in control of the situation and the player had not turned us down but by
extending her comments to the number of midfielders we had, was an implied
criticism of the manager's judgment.
It was a careless remark in the extreme, and undermined a manager who is
under enormous pressure to deliver results. Other members of staff would
read the column, interpret them as such and the Manager loses the key battle
with the millionaires who wear the shirt.
Imagine if you will, if David Gold gave an interview and said something
along the lines of 'oh, that's Karren just being Karren, she should stick to
the knitting, I mean her own area of responsibility'.
Now the phrase stick to the knitting, frequently used in business circles
has a different connotation if used when speaking about a female colleague
and were Gold ever to utter it, it would undermine Brady completely. That's
why Gold is measured in his use of words. He understands the power an
ill-judged phrase can have.
Grant, because his boss chose to go public with her comments, did likewise
and uttered he would have his say in the papers or programme (did nobody
else notice how short his matchday notes were yesterday? Editor with a
felt-tip-pen job?).
So we now have a full blown public spat being conducted through the media.
Not the club's offical media channels, of which there are several (the
website, TV, programme and e-mail) or even independent channels such as
KUMB.com or OLAS, but the national press which brings the club into
disrepute. Not a clever thing to do if you are Vice Chair. Gerald Ratner was
once a highly successful business executive too.
Grant then escalated the argument by referring to him talking with the
owners, effectively omitting her, saying the Vice Chair was of no relevance.
Possibly a sexist stance, probably more a recognition that at Chelsea Bruce
Buck had rather less influence than Roman Abramovich.
Brady, clearly stung by his remarks pens another piece in yesterday's Sun
column stating she doesn't interfere in football matters but is entitled to
an opinion, determined to have the last word.
And this is the bit she doen't get.
People in her position cannot utter their opinion without it being seen as
official club policy. The personal opinion of Karren Brady cannot be
seperated from her role as Vice Chair; all the more so when speaking about
football matters, and in particular those relating to West Ham United .
We now have a situation where many fans, the other stakeholders I referred
to, believe her to be the source of the leak concerning Avram Grant.
Possibly in an attempt to oust a manager she dislikes (and one who dislikes
her), but one who currently enjoys enough boardroom support for her not to
be able to oust legitimately.
It creates a poisonous atmosphere, one which Gold and Sullivan have done
well to stay out of. Many intepreted their remarks of 'no comment' following
last weeks board meeting as a signal that Avram was toast. Perhaps.
Maybe though it was a signal to their protege that sometimes silence is
golden and 'no comment' was demonstrating both leadership and an instruction
at the same time. It would appear Brady hasn't taken the hint given
yesterday's Sun column, so maybe David Gold needs to take the gloves off and
spell the message out more clearly.
Perhaps he needs to say it: stick to the knitting.
Karren Brady may well be entitled to an opinion but has, as Vice Chair, a
responsibility not to share it. Certainly not via the Sun newspaper.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham finally set to sack Avram Grant this week but Martin O'Neill yet to
agree terms to take over
By Jason Burt 6:00AM GMT 17 Jan 2011
Jason's Twitter
Telegraph.co.uk
Avram Grant is finally expected to be sacked as manager of West Ham United
this week with the beleaguered club realising it cannot let the uncertainty
over his future drag on for much longer. The delay in removing Grant has
been caused by two factors: the failure to agree terms with his replacement,
with Martin O'Neill remaining the number one choice, and also a genuine
reluctance to sack the 55-year-old Israeli who is regarded by the club's
hierarchy as a decent man working under difficult circumstances. However,
the build-up to Saturday's match against Arsenal — which ended in an
emphatic 3-0 defeat that left West Ham at the bottom of the table — was
dominated by Grant's future with some reports claiming he would be sacked
after the game. It is understood that was always unlikely to be the case
although it is now only a matter of time before he is dismissed, unless the
club fail to land a new manager.
As well as O'Neill, West Ham have discussed the possibility of employing Sam
Allardyce, although there is a nervousness over his personal demands, the
number of staff he would like to bring with him and also the style of
football he might use even though he is understood to be keen on the post.
West Ham have also considered Cardiff City's Dave Jones — who was on a list
of potential targets last summer — and even Birmingham City manager Alex
McLeish, who is under pressure. The availability of former Tottenham Hotspur
manager Martin Jol has also led to his name being linked with the job along
with Chris Hughton.
However, it is believed that O'Neill has always been West Ham's preferred
choice should they part company with Grant, although they have been unsure
as to whether the 58 year-old, who walked out on Aston Villa just before the
start of the season, would want to join them. O'Neill has coveted the
Liverpool job but the appointment of Kenny Dalglish, at least until the end
of the season, has reduced his chances of being employed at Anfield, while
he also wants assurances over transfer budgets, backroom staff and his
length of contract if he is to join West Ham. The club's owners would prefer
to offer a deal to manager which has a lower base salary but with a big
bonus to be paid if relegation is avoided. There are also serious
reservations over the strength of the squad and with less than two weeks
until the transfer window closes there is an understanding that players need
to be recruited quickly, especially as West Ham are suffering from a severe
injury crisis. "It will all be resolved, it can't go on," said one senior
club source yesterday. "In saying that, we know that whoever the manager was
with the team we had out on Saturday, we would have lost. We are dealing
with an enormous number of injuries."
This, along with an improvement in results over Christmas, has helped keep
Grant in his job until now. With the decision over who will be the preferred
bidder to occupy the Olympic Stadium imminent, West Ham also know that their
choice of manager is vital. Vice-chairman Karren Brady is believed to be
particularly concerned that Grant is not the right man to lead the club and
while co-chairman David Gold is less certain that a change is needed, it is
understood that David Sullivan is deeply worried about the club's
predicament.
The manager also had a very public spat with Brady over the collapse of
Steve Sidwell's proposed transfer from Aston Villa, while it is believed
that Robbie Keane, who is one of West Ham's prime targets, is delaying a
decision on his future as he prepares to leave Tottenham until he knows who
will be in charge at Upton Park. Birmingham had an offer accepted last week,
while O'Neill had wanted to sign Keane for Villa last summer. Grant, who
joined from Portsmouth, is, according to sources close to him, expecting to
be sacked ahead of Saturday's game away to Everton and certainly appeared to
be saying his farewells at Upton Park on Saturday. Despite agreeing a
four-year deal it is also believed that he will not be due substantial
compensation. Grant is also understood to believe that O'Neill has been
lined up as his replacement and told friends as such at the end of last
week. At the same time, and perhaps crucially, O'Neill is likely to be
uncomfortable about the way in which he has so publicly been linked with the
job.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Downes: Rumours hurt Hammers
Sunday 16th January 2011 19:11
TalkSport
West Ham coach Wally Downes believes it was unfair for the newspapers to
speculate on Avram Grant's future on the day they took on Arsenal. The Irons
manager woke up on Saturday to more reports he was set to lose his job
whatever the result against the Premier League title chasers at Upton Park,
with Martin O'Neill ready to step in. However, no official statement was
made on Grant's position following the 3-0 defeat by the Gunners, who
cruised to victory after a brace from Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott's
close-range strike. The Israeli may have guided the Irons into the
semi-finals of the Carling Cup, where they beat Birmingham last Tuesday
night to move within 90 minutes of Wembley, but nevertheless Grant appears
to be on borrowed time.
Owners David Gold and David Sullivan only appointed the former Chelsea and
Portsmouth boss during the summer, but relations would seem to have become
strained as the club struggles at the foot of the table. Last week Grant was
embroiled in a public spat with vice-chairman Karren Brady over the collapse
of Steve Sidwell's proposed transfer. Wherever the origin of the continued
speculation, Grant - who threw his scarf into the stands at the final
whistle on Saturday - intends to keep himself focused on issues with his
control. Downes, who joined the club at the end of November, feels all the
added rumours make a tough situation even more testing. "It is hard enough
to be playing against [Cesc] Fabregas, [Samir] Nasri and people like that,
to also worry about what is in the papers and the rumours. It can take away
from it if you let it," he said. "But they are professional footballers and
if you were to worry about the outside influences you would drive yourself
nuts."
Downes continued: "I don't think anything has changed all week. "The rumours
that are going around are in the media - on the television and in the press.
We are not getting any answers. "It is the same question getting batted
around all the time. "The owners haven't made a statement because as far as
I am concerned the position has not changed. If and when they want to make a
decision they will make a statement. "Avram is doing a very difficult job to
the best of his abilities. "We are supporting him as staff and whoever was
in this position would find it very difficult."
Hammers defender Jonathan Spector feels the players have to try to retain
focus on delivering results, no matter what may be happening behind the
scenes. The United States international said: "We have to concentrate on our
football and whatever the owners decide, we have to accept the decision
because we are not in control of that. "In any job, your boss can change at
any time and you just have to adapt and get used to it. What else can you
do? "It's like I said - business as usual. "As far as we know, nothing has
changed and whether it is going to is speculation in the media."
Spector feels the Irons have what it takes to get themselves out of trouble.
"We are not far away at all," he said. "A couple of good results here and
there will propel ourselves off the bottom and into mid-table. "We are going
into the next few games, hoping for results."
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