Source: Daily_Mail
Avram Grant demands West Ham play it cool if they score at Birmingham
Avram Grant has warned West Ham to keep their heads if they score in the Carling Cup semi-final decider at Birmingham. [LNB]The Hammers lead 2-1 from the first leg but will be without Frederic Piquionne after the striker was sent off for celebrating his late goal against Everton with supporters. [LNB]Grant disagrees with the rule - Piquionne received a second yellow card for jumping into the crowd - and he believes players should actually be encouraged to share the moment with the fans. [LNB] Costly: Piquionne (centre) realises he will be sent off after celebrating his goal[LNB]But Grant knows that rules are rules and he has addressed his players and demanded they keep any goal celebrations in check. [LNB]'I spoke with them about this. There was a saying that sometimes you need to be clever, not just right,' Grant said. [LNB]'I respect the rules and I want my players to respect the rules but they are not computers and this is not a normal business. Sometimes it will happen. [LNB]'It is the rule but I don't know the logic behind the rule. The most happy moment is when you score a goal and it is even more important when you score a few minutes before the end, and you go to celebrate with the supporters. [LNB]'The supporters are the team. If you ask me, I would encourage players to celebrate first with the supporters and then everybody else. I think you need to respect any rules but you need to be a bit logical.'[LNB] [LNB]Warning: Hammers manager Grant[LNB]Grant believes West Ham deserve to land a first Wembley appearance since the 1981 League Cup final, having knocked out Sunderland and Stoke and thumped Manchester United 4-0. [LNB]But Grant knows that past achievements will count for nothing at St Andrew's. [LNB]'To be at Wembley after such a long time would be very good and, if I may say it, we deserve it,' Grant said. [LNB]'Our route to this game has been very good. We won the first game (against Oxford) in the last minute. [LNB]'We played very well to beat Sunderland away, we showed a lot of character against Stoke and we were brilliant against Manchester United. [LNB]'That is the only game they have lost all season. But we know that no-one will give us any presents. It will mean a lot also to Birmingham - but for us it is very important. [LNB]'We have a good record in the cups this season and it has also been good football. We have scored a lot of goals and we want to continue like that.'[LNB] West Ham are also without striker Victor Obinna, who was sent off in the first leg for kicking Sebastian Larsson. [LNB]Carlton Cole is set to start up front and loan signing Wayne Bridge is free to play because he is not cup-tied. [LNB]Neither is new recruit Gary O'Neil, who goes straight into the squad after completing his move from Middlesbrough.[LNB] Sullivan and Gold to stay away from St Andrew's for fear of jinxing West HamUnited, Liverpool, Arsenal, and West Ham and eyeing Dulwich starletsClub-by-club guide to every Premier League transfer deal during JanuaryWatch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video playerAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Carlton Cole, Gary O'Neil, Wayne Bridge, Sebastian Larsson Places: Birmingham, Oxford
