Source: Daily_Mail
THE FIRING LINE: West Ham boss Avram Grant running out of games
One game down two to go, Avram Grant was told he must win one of the games against Blackburn, Fulham and Everton to save his job - but it seems he has a cunning plan to get those three points.[LNB]After the stalemate at Blackburn, drawing all three games may be the easier option for Grant, who has been under pressure for most of the season.[LNB]But will this be good enough for the co-owners who have so far done anything they can to avoid sacking their first managerial appointment at West Ham?[LNB] Just two left: Grant counts the amount of games he has to avoid the axe[LNB]Elsewhere a few managers breathed sighs of relief after last weekend's called-off games. Noticeably Carlo Ancelotti, who probably did not need much convincing that his off-form Chelsea side could not play Manchester United because of the snow.[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 Grant A draw at Ewood Park is normally a good result but Grant's tenure has got to the point where only wins will do. His fate could be sealed if he fails to win either of his next two matches. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]2Liverpool- Roy Hodgson Already planning a clear out in the January transfer window, Hodgson has not won over the supporters at Anfield and knows the owners are far from impressed too. UP ONE[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]3ManCity - Roberto Mancini Managed to help convince Carlos Tevez to stay but in typical City fashion followed it up with a home defeat to Everton. Title hopes are fading but City still sit in a Champions League place. UP ONE[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB]4Chelsea- Carlo AncelottiLike a school kid who had failed to do their homework, Ancelottiwould have been delighted his big test against Manchester United wascalled off . But another one waits at Arsenal next. DOWN TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB]5Wolves- Mick McCarthyDespite still being awful away, Wolves have had a mini-revival oflate and McCarthy will be one of the managers most disappointed withlast weekend's postponements. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB]6Wigan- Roberto Martinez One win in five is not the run of form Martinez would want ahead of the clash with Wolves. Defeat could see his side go bottom but with the Latics in 18th not even a draw would be worthy. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB]7Aston Villa - Gerard Houllier They may only be four points away from the bottom three in 15th but Villa are the last of eight teams separated by two points. Houllier will be aiming for the top 10 at home to Tottenham. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]8Fulham - Mark Hughes Trusted enough to be given a transfer kitty of £10million in the January sales, Hughes' poor start can be put down to the absences of Bobby Zamora and Moussa Dembele. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]9BirminghamCity - Alex McLeish Big weekend for Birmingham who could find themselves in the relegation zone if they don't win at Everton. Trouble is they have not won away all season. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]10WestBromwich - Roberto Di Matteo With the halfway point of the season approaching, the Baggies are well on course to hit the fabled 40 points mark for safety at the end of the campaign. Bolton away next. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]11Newcastle - Alan Pardew Will have to wait over two weeks to try and build on his winningstart against Liverpool, Pardew will already have one eye on Januaryreinforcements. Manchester City at home next. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] 12Sunderland- Steve BruceThe Black Cats are one of two unbeaten sides at home in the Premier League and are sitting level on points with Spurs in fifth. Bruce will be eyeing a serious challenge for Europe. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB]13Bolton - Owen Coyle Will be ruing the missed opportunity to climb into fifth after hisside's defeat at Sunderland. To the Trotters credit they usually bounceback well after a defeat. UP ONE[LNB][LNB]14Stoke City - Tony Pulis The Potters have had a curious season. Defeats come in blocks of threes and fours with unbeaten runs in fours and fives. The loss against Blackpool suggests a long Christmas for Stoke fans. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]15Blackpool - Ian Holloway If the cold snap continues, Blackpool are set for another home game postponed on Boxing Day against Liverpool. Holloway will be concerned with possible fixture congestion. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]16Everton - David Moyes When the chips are down Moyes delivers. Along with incredible drawsagainst Manchester United and Chelsea, Manchester City become thelatest big club to feel the Everton wrath. DOWN THREE[LNB][LNB][LNB]17Tottenham- Harry RedknappSpurs' title credentials will be put to the test at Villa. Failure to win at a struggling side will likely see them fall out the title race and harm their chances of a Champions League place too. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]18Arsenal- Arsene Wenger If Wenger blamed the pitch at Manchester United he can have no excuses at home to Chelsea. Arsenal have to start winning against the top clubs to become serious title contenders. NON-MOVER[LNB]19Man United - Sir Alex FergusonUnbeaten and top at Christmas will delight Fergie. He must be dreaming of eclipsing Liverpool's 18 titles and Arsenal's 'invincibles' by topping the table undefeated come May. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB]XBlackburn- *vacant*It could have been worse for Steve Kean's first match as caretaker. There were promising signs in the 1-1 draw with West Ham but as much as he wants the job will the board give him it?[LNB] Moyes calls for consistency after Everton dump Man City at EastlandsYou'll have £5m transfer kitty, Blackburn owners tell caretaker bossSportsmail celebrates longest-serving United boss Fergie through the yearsTHE FIRING LINE: Final nail to be hammered? Grant tops for chop again[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Ian Holloway, Steve Bruce, David Moyes, Mark Hughes, Harry Redknapp, Roberto Di Matteo, Mick McCarthy, Arsene Wenger, Tony Pulis, Alex McLeish, Carlos Tevez, Roy Hodgson, Bobby Zamora, Roberto Mancini, Owen Coyle, Roberto Martinez Places: Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Europe
