Source: Daily_Mail
Avram Grant confident of leading West Ham to Premier League survival this season
Avram Grant believes 35 points will not be enough to avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League this season - but remains confident of maintaining West Ham's top-flight status.[LNB]Grant insists he has the backing of the club's owners as he prepares for Saturday's vital London derby against Arsenal and says his team - who remain rock bottom of the table - can stay up.[LNB]Hammers boss Grant, whose team have lost just one of their last seven matches, said: 'I believe very much in this club. But I believe we need to look in the mirror and see what we are now. We were not Barcelona in the last year and the years before.[LNB]'I don't say anything against the people in the past but our target is very clear, not to be relegated.[LNB]'I'm sure there is a very good future here at West Ham if we do the right things.'[LNB]Fighting chance: Avram Grant remains confident West Ham can survive[LNB]Grant, who has been under intense pressure over the past two months, with Martin O'Neill linked with the job at Upton Park, says he retains a strong working relationship with the club's joint owners, David Gold and David Sullivan.[LNB]Nevertheless, failure to take anything out of the next two tough games against the Gunners and Everton could see him jettisoned before the second leg of the League Cup semi-final at Birmingham.[LNB]'We were speaking about the situation and David Gold was very supportive,' stated Grant. 'In the last game David Sullivan and I were speaking about players to make the squad stronger. We are busy about this.'[LNB]Grant believes his team are in the best form of their season, despite having lost 5-0 to Newcastle in their last league encounter.[LNB]Wins against Barnsley in the FA Cup and Birmingham in the first leg of the Carling Cup have boosted confidence and Grant mused: 'We are developing. Three months ago we were playing good football, but football is about results. We are improving also because the spirit is very good, which you saw the other night. I feel every game we can win.'[LNB]The former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager also predicts plenty more twists and turns at the bottom of the Premier League table in the second half of the season as the struggling sides bid to get close to the fabled 40 points and safety.[LNB]'We will have many changes in the table," Grant said. 'Nothing will be decided this month. It is not just football, it's about spirit. There will be seven teams or more [involved in the relegation battle].[LNB]'Last season it was 35 points, this season I don't think 35 will be enough. I don't know how much more but it's very important to be strong against the teams around you.'[LNB]Wayne Bridge is likely to make his debut at left-back against Arsenal after his loan signing from Manchester City.[LNB]And Grant is confident of adding two or three more players to his squad before the January transfer window closes.[LNB] Boleyn bound?: Avram Grant is keen on Tottenham striker Robbie Keane[LNB]He confirmed that one of those targets was Tottenham's Robbie Keane after Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had revealed interest from the Hammers.[LNB]Grant said: 'We have a few targets we want to bring in. It's not a secret that I am friends with Harry and I speak with him every couple of days. He [Keane] is a player we want to bring for sure. We are dealing with this.'[LNB]Grant, meanwhile, poured cold water on reports that Hammers skipper Matthew Upson could be on his way to Arsenal.[LNB]'I'm sure if Arsene Wenger wanted a player from me I would have got a call from him but I didn't receive a call,' Grant said. 'He is our player. He is very committed to the club.'[LNB]Elsewhere, the Irons have received a boost in their bid to move to the Olympic stadium when the biggest West Ham independent supporters group voted 75 per cent in favour of the switch from Upton Park.[LNB] WEST HAM v Arsenal: Victor Obinna suspended for Gunners clashThe Firing Line: Taken for Granted? Hammers boss survives midweek chopWenger demands Arsenal response ahead of derby day showdown at West Ham The Insider: Pienaar snubs Chelsea as West Ham chase Dembele and Blackburn close in on Jones[LNB] Explore more:People: Martin O'Neill, Matthew Upson, Robbie Keane, David Gold, Harry Redknapp, Wayne Bridge, David Sullivan Places: Newcastle, Chelsea, Barcelona, Birmingham, Olympic Stadium
