Source: Daily_Mail
The Firing Line: Scott Parker is West Ham's Mr Motivator
Not for the first time this season, Avram Grant has somehow avoided defeat in a 'save our season' game.[LNB]A loss at West Brom would have left West Ham four points adrift of safety having played an extra game than all their rivals. But after an inspired Scott Parker half-time team talk, the Hammers somehow hit three second half goals without reply to steal a point.[LNB] The job's yours: Avram Grant thanks Parker at the end of the West Brom game[LNB]Maybe the Hammers board are missing a trick in not making Parker player-manager, if he has that kind of impact on 45 minutes of football what can he do for the remainder of the season?[LNB]The Firing Line would also like to take this opportunity to welcome back Roy Hodgson, who has been trusted with the task of keeping West Brom in the top flight.[LNB]As ever, the fixture list produces a belter with Hodgson's first game being the Black Country derby against relegation rivals Wolves - straight in to the deep end it is then.[LNB]Each week we bring you our latest chart of the managers under pressure, and those on Easy Street. [LNB]Here's Sportsmail's sack-race rankings - otherwise known as the Firing Line.[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]1West Ham - Avram Grant Credit where it is due, not many teams leave West Brom with a positive result after being 3-0 down at half-time. But a draw is still not good enough and the Hammers remain in deep trouble. NON-MOVER[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]2BirminghamCity - Alex McLeish Home form has taken a nose dive in recent weeks and the Blues will have to improve that to avoid getting sucked back in to what is already a very tight relegation battle. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]3Wigan- Roberto Martinez Dumped out the FA Cup by Bolton but judging by his squad selection for that game will not lose any sleep over it. Premier League survival is all that matters with Wigan in the bottom three. UP TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB]4Wolves- Mick McCarthyNobody expected Wolves to take even a point at Arsenal but as the saying goes 'beggars can't be choosers' and three points off safety at the bottom, McCarthy's side are playing catch up. UP TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB]5Aston Villa - Gerard Houllier At arm's length of the relegation zone but Villa are a different team now Darren Bent is in the side and over the coming weeks are likely to start edging towards the safety of mid-table. DOWN TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB]6Chelsea- Carlo AncelottiTwelve games ago Chelsea were top of the table, 12 games left and they look out of the title race. Roman Abramovich would have expected more than a battle for a Champions League spot. UP TWO[LNB]7 Blackburn- Steve KeanJury remains out on whether Kean is the man for the job but he has kept control of the wheel reasonably well so far, with Blackburn sitting safe in mid-table. DOWN THREE[LNB]8Sunderland- Steve BruceThree straight defeats have seen Sunderland concede plenty of ground to Liverpool in the race for Europe. A weekend off could do the world of good for Bruce's demoralised side. UP TWO[LNB]9ManCity - Roberto Mancini Will now be getting fed up of not beating Manchester United, but Mancini has no time to dwell with Spurs and Chelsea hot on their heels and cup fixtures coming up from all angles. NON-MOVER[LNB]10Fulham- Mark Hughes Watched his side give a textbook lesson in how to defend against Chelsea and was desperately unlucky to not grab all three points. Fulham are starting to click under Hughes. DOWN TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]11Everton- David Moyes To say the defeat at Bolton was the worst he had seen his side play is a bold statement from a man who has been in charge nine years. Never has Moyes look so disheartened at Everton. UP ONE[LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]12Newcastle - Alan Pardew Newcastle are not missing Carroll at all and if seventh in the league opens up in to a Europa League place then the Toon Army have an eye on securing European football next term. DOWN ONE[LNB][LNB]13Stoke City - Tony PulisWhether it's home form keeping them out of trouble or away form preventing them contesting a place in Europe is up for debate. It all points towards mid-table come May though. UP ONE[LNB]14Bolton- Owen Coyle Fulham away in the FA Cup next for Bolton, but having lost their last six games away the omens do not look good, the same applies to their chances of European football next season. DOWN ONE[LNB]15WestBromwich Albion - Vacant With his reputation in English football going from dizzy highs to rock bottom lows in just six months, Hodgson has a chance to end his personal season on a high by keeping the Baggies up. NEW ENTRY[LNB][LNB][LNB]16Tottenham- Harry RedknappOn the pitch things could not be going better but off it Redknapp is facing a trial for tax evasion, Spurs may have to think about covering their bases should they lose their star manager. NON-MOVER[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]17Blackpool - Ian Holloway Stopped the rot with a draw against Villa following five consecutive defeats. But for the first time this season Blackpool do not look confident and they are slipping fast down the table. DOWN TWO[LNB][LNB]18Liverpool- Kenny DalglishSolid if not spectacular start as manager of Liverpool in Europe. Looking good for another attempt next season, but will still have one eye on a Champions League spot. DOWN ONE [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]19Arsenal- Arsene Wenger Outplayed Barcelona on their way to a famous victory and not many teams in the world have had the joy of saying that in the last few years. That quadruple bid still looks healthy. NON-MOVER[LNB]20Man United - Sir Alex FergusonProbably still purring from that Wayne Rooney goal which could prove of massive importance come the end of the season if United win a record 19th top flight title. But for now Crawley await...NON-MOVER[LNB] Leo's London: Dropping the Drog could come back to bite AncelottiThe Firing Line: Can the Hammers afford to take gamble with Grant?THE FIRING LINE: Do they Av enough to survive down at West Ham?THE FIRING LINE: Feeling Blue - Avram Grant left with little prospects after semi-final defeat[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Ian Holloway, Steve Bruce, David Moyes, Mark Hughes, Harry Redknapp, Mick McCarthy, Kenny Dalglish, Tony Pulis, Darren Bent, Alex McLeish, Wayne Rooney, Roy Hodgson, Roman Abramovich, Roberto Mancini, Owen Coyle, Roberto Martinez Places: Barcelona, Liverpool, Newcastle, Birmingham, Europe
