Source: PA
Grant to focus on critical period
Avram Grant's future at West Ham may continue to be the subject of intense speculation, but the Israeli remains fully focused on dragging his side off the bottom of the Barclays Premier League.
Grant, appointed during the summer following Gianfranco Zola's departure, may for the time being continue to have the backing of the Upton Park board, but there is no doubt the Irons are set for what could be a make-or-break period.
That run starts on Saturday at Blackburn, a club which have just sacked manager Sam Allardyce - now suddenly linked with the Hammers job should Grant get the axe.
The Hammers, though, are all united in their desire to eradicate the four-point gap between themselves and safety as soon as possible - with matches against Fulham, Everton, Wolves and Newcastle all coming up over the hectic Christmas and New Year period.
"We want to take points from every game, but of course its more reachable, more possible, against teams that are around us than against teams higher in the league," Grant said.
"I know we are bottom and personally I am not happy with that, I don't like it - but I cannot come in and say to the players 'look we have been playing terrible football in the last three months'."
