Source: Daily_Mail
THE FIRING LINE: Avram Grant once again tops our list for the chop
Shock sackings are all the rage in the Premier League right now with Sam Allardyce the second surprise dismissal in a week.[LNB]If Chris Hughton's sacking had football fans scratching their heads, then Blackburn's decision to send Allardyce packing will have had the same effect.[LNB]Rovers are sitting comfortable outside the bottom three but the new owners want more.[LNB] I'll think of something: Time is running out for Avram Grant (left)[LNB]Given their stingy transfer budget it is going to be far from easy and off-putting for anyone interested in the vacancy.[LNB]Hughton and Allardyce may soon be joined on the managerial merry-go-round by West Ham's Avram Grant who has three games to save his job. [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 They say things come in threes and although that's the amount of games Grant has to save his job, will the board see the signs and react if West Ham lose away to managerless Blackburn? UP ONE[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB]2Chelsea- Carlo AncelottiCould find themselves at least six points behind Manchester United if the Red Devils win their game in hand. Ancelotti's domestic season rides on the visit of the league leaders next. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]3Liverpool- Roy Hodgson That away form continues to desert his Liverpool side and the fans remain largely unconvinced in his brief tenure. As do the board who even went as far as branding it unacceptable. UP THREE[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]4ManCity - Roberto Mancini Has somehow alienated every striker at the club but City are still lying in Champions League place. You won't find this in your 'Managing a football team for dummies' book. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB]5Wigan- Roberto Martinez Well earned point at Everton will have done his team the world of good. Very rare that Wigan produce back-to-back performances though so expect defeat at home to Villa next. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB]6Wolves- Mick McCarthyWolves are now within touching distance of safety after two consecutive home wins. With their survival on the line, the derby away to West Brom next is of huge importance. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB]7Aston Villa - Gerard Houllier Not a popular chap around Villa Park. Secured a much needed win over local rivals West Brom but supporters won't forget that Anfield remark too easily. Wigan away next. UP THREE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]8Fulham - Mark Hughes That's 10 draws for the season now but coupled with just two wins put Fulham on the brink of the drop zone. They may not lose often, but draws alone will not keep them out of trouble. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]9BirminghamCity - Alex McLeish Seems to be one step forward and two steps back for City, who just can't get a decent run of results going. Perilously close to the drop with unknown quantity in Pardew's Newcastle next. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]10WestBromwich - Roberto Di Matteo Big week for the Baggies boss. After losing to Villa last time out he has yet another Midlands clash this weekend with rivals Wolves in the Black Country derby. Lose that at your peril, Roberto. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] 11Sunderland- Steve BruceThings are on the up for Bruce, after a well fought draw at Fulham, his side sit just three points off Europe. Great first half of the season he will look to build on. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]12Newcastle - Alan Pardew Fine start in the win over Liverpool but knows full well he has a long way to go to win over the fans and the players who are still gutted about losing Chris Hughton. Away to Birmingham next. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]13Everton - David Moyes Slow starts are common at Everton but coming up to the halfway point of the season, they are still just two points away from the bottom three. Manchester City away next. UP THREE[LNB][LNB]14Bolton - Owen Coyle Still an outside shot for a Champions League place after showing great character to win late on against Blackburn. Coyle's Trotters are made of firm stuff. UP ONE[LNB][LNB]15Stoke City - Tony Pulis No win in three now and will be disappointed he could not count on his home form to beat Blackpool. Still the Potters are sitting comfortable mid-table but a tough trip to Arsenal next. UP TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]16Blackpool - Ian Holloway The Blackpool band-wagon rolls on. Many teams struggle to win at the Britannia but Holloway again pulls the rabbit out the hat with his gung-ho tactics. Well on course to reach 40 points. DOWN TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB]17Tottenham- Harry RedknappMixed feelings after throwing away two points against Chelsea but will be grateful it wasn't all three. Claims Spurs are title challengers but one clean sheet all season suggests otherwise. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]18Arsenal- Arsene Wenger Big chance gone after a tepid performance at Old Trafford saw them concede top spot and the initiative in the title race to Manchester United. Will look to bounce back at home to Stoke next. UP ONE[LNB]19Man United - Sir Alex FergusonUnbeaten record still intact, top spot in the table and game in hand to boot. Not all is well though, Wayne Rooney who previously could not score outfield now cannot score from 12 yards. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB]XBlackburn- *vacant*Another unexpected Premier League dismissal but who wants to take charge of a club where the Indian versions of Mike Ashley seem to be calling the shots. Alan Shearer maybe?[LNB] Ancelotti insists he is staying until 2012 despite fears over his futureNow Houllier can take us into top six! Villa chief Krulak in remarkable U-turnFergie saved from the axe 20 years ago? It's a myth, insists CharltonUnder-fire Grant wants to link up with Pompey hero O'Hara at West Ham [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Mike Ashley, Chris Hughton, Ian Holloway, Steve Bruce, David Moyes, Mark Hughes, Harry Redknapp, Mick McCarthy, Sam Allardyce, Tony Pulis, Alex McLeish, Wayne Rooney, Roy Hodgson, Roberto Mancini, Alan Shearer, Owen Coyle, Roberto Martinez Places: Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Europe
