Source: Daily_Mail
Back Avram Grant now? He should have been axed as West Ham boss in November...
West Ham should have sacked Avram Grant in November. November 20 to be precise. [LNB]The Hammers had been well and truly humbled - humiliated even - at Anfield by a Liverpool side struggling under then-boss Roy Hodgson.[LNB]Grant stood on the touchline, wearing what has become an all-too-familiar grave expression, lost for answers as his team sunk without a trace. He suffered a torrent of abuse from the away supporters - most of whom who left at half-time, disillusioned with what was truly a woeful performance.[LNB] Time goes by: Avram Grant appeared to be a lost cause for the Hammers back in November when his side slumped to defeat at Anfield[LNB]Their fury was not fuelled by a lack of three points. After all, most of them, if any, had not been treated to a victory over the Reds on Merseyside in 47 years. Instead, it was the dishevelled display they witnessed, one far from the traditions of the club they follow. [LNB]No fight, no spirit, no hope. 'That's why we're going down,' they chanted as Victor Obinna blazed their best - and only - chance of the game high and wide over the bar.[LNB]The result left West Ham bottom of the table, a position they have cemented for most of the campaign - just one win from a possible 13 games at that stage. Unacceptable, on the back of three draws, all of which against sides they should have soundly beaten.[LNB]It began at the beginning of the month against Birmingham at St Andrew's. After losing in the dying moments of their previous game against Arsenal, some would say undeservedly, the Hammers produced a stunning (yes, in the context of their season) 60 minutes of football to take a 2-0 lead. [LNB] Sinking feeling: West Ham squandered a two-goal lead against Birmingham earlier this season and had to settle for a draw[LNB]Here comes the turnaround: the first of nine points targeted by the club's owners to steer the club up the table and away from danger. But, no - it wasn't to be. A two-goal lead dramatically squandered and only a point gained.[LNB]Lacklustre home draws against newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool would follow at Upton Park before Grant was subjected to the first of many 'You're getting sacked in the morning' cries at Anfield.[LNB] Sacked in the morning? Sacked in an hour? How wrong the fans were once more as they repeated the protests last weekend against Arsenal before most walked out early. Again.[LNB]To be fair, even Grant appeared to accept his much-maligned fate, flinging his so-called 'lucky' scarf into the crowd after yet another abject performance in the 3-0 defeat to the Gunners. [LNB] Shining light: Influential midfielder Scott Parker has been a beacon of hope for West Ham on the field[LNB]Most deemed it as a parting gesture after hearing rumours of Martin O'Neill, Martin Jol and Sam Allardyce all supposedly waiting outside the gates of the Boleyn before kick-off, and later intensifying after the final whistle.[LNB]But O'Neill said no, Allardyce wasn't keen and Jol was nowhere to be seen, leaving the Hammers board to break a four-day silence and finally back the beleaguered Israeli as the man to lead their fight for survival.[LNB]A 'laughing stock' was the description club legend Julian Dicks offered on Monday. He's not wrong either. The East End club have become the Barclays Premier League's whipping boys both on and off the field and deservedly so.[LNB]A brief spell over Christmas and a fineCarling Cup run (that puts them on the brink of their first Wembley cupfinal in 30 years) aside, West Ham have simply been awful.[LNB]With the exception of Scott Parker, Mark Noble and Robert Green, the players have cowered behind their under-fire manager in a succession of shocking performances.[LNB] Hiding behind the manager: West Ham's struggling stars have been ordered to pull behind Grant but it could be too late[LNB]Carlton Cole bore testament to that, in fact. On November 20. He publicly questioned Grant's tactics and admitted how poorly they had played.[LNB]It was on that day that Grant should have gone. A clear signal that the dressing room was lost on him as was the 5-0 defeat at Newcastle and Saturday's comprehensive loss to Arsenal.[LNB]The club's owners David Gold and David Sullivan dithered on the issue and have subsequently been tarnished by their failed pursuit of O'Neill. Indeed, a pursuit that was in the best interests of the club. Three months ago.[LNB]Sullivan has called for the club to be united and get behind Grant. That is, I fear, too little, too late as they tumble towards the abyss.[LNB] Hammers confirm Grant stays and promise new arrivals in fight for survivalSo Grant stays at West Ham... but can the wounds really be healed?PSG forward Luyindula hints he would be interested in West Ham moveAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Robert Green, David Gold, Carlton Cole, Sam Allardyce, Martin Jol, Roy Hodgson, David Sullivan Places: Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool
