Source: Daily_Mail
The Firing Line: West Ham boss Avram Grant survives mid-week chop
Not for the first time this season Avram Grant has dodged a bullet and remains in charge at West Ham - for now at least.[LNB]It was thought that failure to beat Birmingham in the first-leg of the Carling Cup semi-final would be the end for the 55-year old, with a board meeting taking place the day after the game surrounding his future.[LNB] Wembley this way, relegation that way: Despite being bottom of the league, Avram Grant's West Ham remain unbeaten in cup competitions[LNB]But the 2-1 victory means despite languishing bottom of the PremierLeague, Grant is still in the hot seat and on the verge of taking theHammers to their first Wembley final for 30 years.[LNB]However if their league form tails off further, Grant may not be around to lead his side out should they get there.[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 Just one defeat from seven games in all competitions, yet Grant's job is far from safe. Has the consolation that Scott Parker has revealed the players are behind him. NON-MOVER[LNB]2Aston Villa - Gerard Houllier It's the month Houllier has to act, up until now he has fallen onthe excuse that the squad is not his. His Villa future could depend onthe success of his January signings. UP TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB]3Chelsea- Carlo AncelottiAs emphatic as the 7-0 win against Ipswich was, Ancelotti is aware that it will all be forgotten in an instant if they fail to beat Blackburn on Saturday. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]4Fulham - Mark Hughes There are goals in the Cottagers after all. It may have only been Peterborough but with six goals they were the second highest scorers in the FA Cup third round. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB]5Wolves- Mick McCarthyWolves are fighting for their lives in the league so won't be happy about being dragged into an FA Cup replay by Doncaster. Manchester City away next. UP ONE[LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]6Wigan- Roberto Martinez In a month where teams strengthen their squads, Martinez's transferreputation lays in tatters with record signing Mauro Boselli set forthe DW Stadium exit already. UP TWO[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB]7ManCity - Roberto Mancini The signing of Edin Dzeko will raise expectations at Eastlands. The league title will be the main focus with a Champions League place the bare minimal. NON-MOVER[LNB]8WestBromwich - Roberto Di Matteo An upset in their defeat to Reading in the FA Cup inflicted thesixth consecutive defeat on the Baggies. A new low point in Di Matteo's West Brom tenure. UP TWO[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]9BirminghamCity - Alex McLeish City remain with a strong chance to reach the Carling Cup final butwill Big Eck be more concerned by the financial troubles surroundingthe club? UP TWO[LNB]10 Blackburn- Steve KeanMany caretakers struggle after taking over but up until now Kean has done at least what has been expected of him. Chelsea away will be his first big test. DOWN ONE[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]11Newcastle - Alan Pardew The 5-0 demolition of West Ham was followed by a disaster performance in the shock 2-1 defeat at League Two Stevenage. Inconsistency sums up Pardew's start at St James' Park. UP ONE[LNB][LNB]12Sunderland- Steve BruceFlying in the league but a disastrous exit at home to Notts Countyin the FA Cup shows the problems Bruce has with his squad's strength indepth. Big derby against Newcastle next. UP FOUR[LNB]13Stoke City - Tony PulisA surprise to see Stoke not break down Cardiff at home and it couldbe a sign that teams are no longer scared to travel to the Britannia.If so, away form has to improve. UP ONE[LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]14Bolton - Owen Coyle With Europe a possibility next season, Coyle will need to prove hismanagerial skills further with some shrewd deals in the market toimprove his side's overall quality. UP ONE[LNB][LNB] [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]15Blackpool - Ian Holloway A top flight double over Liverpool is another new high for Blackpool. Just four wins away from the magic 40 point mark which seemed impossible at the start of the season. DOWN TWO[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]16Everton - David Moyes Set to lose Steven Pienaar and maybe even his captain Phil Neville to Tottenham. Moyes is seeing the house he built start to show cracks. Is it time to move on? UP ONE[LNB]17Liverpool- Kenny DalglishOpened with two defeats in admittedly difficult fixtures but shouldit continue, will King Kenny admit he isn't the man to save Liverpooland move aside? NEW ENTRY[LNB][LNB][LNB]18Tottenham- Harry RedknappThe game against Manchester United at the weekend will be a strong indicator for Tottenham's title hopes. Lose and it will be effectively all over for Harry's men. NON-MOVER[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]19Arsenal- Arsene Wenger It's not been Arsenal's finest week. Beating Championship clubs used to be child's play for Wenger, but Leeds and Ipswich have shown up a complacent side to the Gunners. NON-MOVER[LNB]20Man United - Sir Alex FergusonUnited are a curious side. Still going strong in most competitions but have yet to put in a performance to make the league stand up and take note. Spurs next perhaps? NON-MOVER[LNB] Dalglish vows to stop rot after fragile Liverpool are shocked by BlackpoolWest Ham boss Grant hanging in after leading Hammers to brink of WembleyCoyle waiting to hear if Mexican Vela will wave goodbye to the EmiratesThe Firing Line: Grant's time is up as axe looms over Hodgson and Ancelotti[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Ian Holloway, Steve Bruce, David Moyes, Mark Hughes, Harry Redknapp, Roberto Di Matteo, Mick McCarthy, Kenny Dalglish, Edin Dzeko, Tony Pulis, Phil Neville, Alex McLeish, Roberto Mancini, Owen Coyle, Roberto Martinez Places: Leeds, Liverpool, Ipswich, Newcastle, Cardiff, Birmingham
