Source: Daily_Mail
The Firing Line: Are the bubbles set to burst early for West Ham boss Avram Grant?
He has only just arrived at West Ham but already Avram Grant is starting to feel the pressure as his side sit bottom of the table after a miserable start to the season.[LNB]Old habits die hard for Grant, who occupied the same spot with Portsmouth for much of last season and he tops our Firing Line.[LNB]But with contract negotiations, takeover talk and managers equally struggling for results, will he still be first to go? [LNB] Theater of nightmares: Avram Grant saw his Hammers side slump to a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford[LNB]Each week we bring you our latest chart of the managers underpressure, and those on Easy Street. Here's Sportsmail's sack-racerankings - otherwise known as the Firing Line...[LNB]1West Ham - Avram GrantWhether he has been unlucky with injuries to key players or his teamare not playing up to scratch, West Ham remain pointless after threegames, and it's champions Chelsea up next. UP ONE[LNB]2BirminghamCity - Alex McLeishAfter a faux pas from the board regarding the Scot's new deal, the two parties seemed to have patched things up on a personal level, but professionally McLeish is still yet to sign a new deal. DOWN ONE[LNB]3Blackburn- Sam AllardyceNegative reports regarding finances have circled the Indian businessman who is set to buy the club. Can he be trusted and will Allardyce hang around long enough to find out? NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB]4Wigan- Roberto MartinezFull backing of the board and a season now under way following progress in the Carling Cup and a vital win at Spurs, Martinez's side looks to have settled. Sunderland next. NON-MOVER[LNB]5Stoke City - Tony PulisHas faith all-round from players, board and fans but the losing streak will have to end soon if that is to remain. Signings look good on paper and Aston Villa will provide an ideal test. NON-MOVER[LNB] 6Sunderland- Steve BruceWith star striker Darren Bent now among the England goals, Bruce can expect his top scorer to continue his fine Premier League form and start a partnership with Asamoah Gyan NON-MOVER[LNB]7WestBromwich - Roberto Di MatteoOne win so far is a steady start at best, but defeats at Chelsea and Liverpool are no disgrace. Points at The Hawthorns will be key to survival as the Baggies host Spurs next. NON-MOVER[LNB]8ManCity - Roberto ManciniWith many of his English players buzzing off the back of international duty, defeat at Sunderland should be forgotten. But Mancini will start to feel pressure if they fail to beat Blackburn. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]9Blackpool - Ian HollowayMost of Blackpool's players will have enjoyed a rest during the international fixtures, but that is about as easy as it will get with an away trip to St James' Park to face in-form Newcastle next. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB]10Liverpool- Roy HodgsonA laboured win over West Brom show much work still needs to be done by Roy Hodgson. Fernando Torres hitting form again will be a welcome boost with a trip to Birmingham on Sunday. NON-MOVER[LNB] [LNB][LNB]11Wolves- Mick McCarthySolid start to the season from Wolves who have rode their luck at times but crucially have not let teams come away with victories against them. Will winless Fulham be as guilty? NON-MOVER[LNB]12Fulham - Mark HughesThe fight back against Manchester United shows the team are playing for their new manager but failure to beat Blackpool showed weakness, steady if not spectacular so far from Hughes. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB]13Newcastle - Chris HughtonWill be hoping the international break has not disrupted the momentum of his team who were starting to play good football. Good start can be made great with win over Blackpool. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB]14Bolton - Owen CoyleAn England international now in the ranks shows the big improvements Coyle has made to the club. Nobody is expecting miracles from the Scot this week with a visit to Arsenal next up. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB]15Everton - David MoyesA big weekend for the club sees the return of Wayne Rooney but more crucially a chance to get a positive result. Moyes' side are unlucky to only have a point and are due some fortune. NON-MOVER[LNB]16Aston Villa - Gerard HoullierHow much has he learned or forgotten in six years? Kevin MacDonaldgot the team off to a good start leaving Houllier in a sink or swimsituation. Visit to Stoke will be a tough start. NEW ENTRY[LNB][LNB]17Tottenham- Harry RedknappLost out this week with injuries to Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson. Defeat against Wigan was a shock and it's West Brom away next where Spurs do not boast a great recent record. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB]18Chelsea- Carlo AncelottiLooked forward to the international matches least due to his side's electric form. West Ham are a wounded animal but will the break have caused Chelsea to take their eye off the ball? DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]19Arsenal- Arsene WengerInjuries to Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott are big losses to Wenger, but the Gunners have a superb home record and should still be able to negotiate Bolton comfortably. DOWN ONE[LNB]20Man United - Sir Alex FergusonWill have been delighted to see Rooney respond positively on the pitch following recent scandals, but another failure to secure a win at Everton could hand Chelsea the initiative in title race. DOWN ONE[LNB] Firing Line: Breakdown between board and boss leaves McLeish on edgeThe Firing Line: Under pressure Martinez remains top for the chopThe Firing Line: Robert Martinez tops the charts after Wigan woe[LNB]
