Source: PA
Rallying call from Grant
West Ham manager Avram Grant has told everybody connected with the club to forget what might happen and instead focus on securing Barclays Premier League survival.
The Hammers head into the vital clash with fellow strugglers Blackburn languishing rock bottom and on the back of a terrible run of form, which has seen them fail to win in any competition for more than two months. The east London side have three matches left to stave off relegation to the npower Championship and lie three points off safety.
Despite the need to focus on football, the past few weeks have been peppered with stories relating to what could happen if the Hammers get relegated. Last week Grant had to brush off comments from co-owner David Sullivan after he questioned the players' commitment and survival hopes.
The former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager headed into this week's press conference on the back of fellow owner David Gold's comments that their England internationals would have to part from the club if they are relegated.
"Why do I need to answer that question? If, if, if, if," he said when asked about the situation regarding the likes of Matthew Upson, Robert Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker. We want to stay in the league, we believe we can stay in the league and we believe we deserve to stay in the league.
"We are playing football that deserves to stay in the league. Unfortunately, we are on our last players but we think we can go to be out of this. And we will do everything to do this because it is not easy but still possible. I don't want to think negatively."
