Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham boss Avram Grant fires warning to relegation rivals over debutant striker Demba Ba
Avram Grant has warned West Ham's rivals that the best is yet to come from in-form striker Demba Ba.[LNB]Ba completed his move to Upton Park from Hoffenheim last month after walking out on the German side, with whom he enjoyed two-and-a-half prolific seasons.[LNB]Grant was reluctant to throw the 25-year-old straight into action as he had not played since December 18, but a calf injury to Robbie Keane meant he was handed his first start against West Brom last week.[LNB] Hammer time: Ba celebrates after scoring the equaliser for West Ham during their 3-3 draw at Albion[LNB]The 6ft 2in striker did not disappoint, scoring twice to help the Hammers rescue a vital point in a six-goal thriller against their relegation rivals.[LNB]He also impressed during a brief substitute appearance against Birmingham the previous week and is likely to start alongside Carlton Cole in West Ham's FA Cup fifth-round clash against Burnley tomorrow night.[LNB]The Hammers have scored just 30 times in 27 matches this season but Grant thinks that Ba has the right attributes to make a big impact on the club's attempt to move out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.[LNB]'He is a very good player. I followed him for a long time in the German league,' Grant said.[LNB] Something to smile about: Grant will be hoping Ba can bring him some joy and fire the Hammers out of the relegation zone[LNB]'He always scored, he is always moving. It is very difficult to mark him and he hits the target. That is what you want from a striker.[LNB]'Those are the most important things for a striker - movement and being able to hit the target - and that is what he did against West Brom.[LNB]'I think they cleared off the line from him twice last week.[LNB]'He can play anywhere - right, left, behind. He is good and he is not in the best shape yet because he had a break from December 21 and we are building him slowly, slowly.'[LNB] How about that: Grant set to cross paths with Burnley boss Eddie Howe[LNB]Grant will be hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the third time as a manager tomorrow when the Hammers take on Eddie Howe's npower Championship side.[LNB]The Israeli made the last eight with Chelsea in 2008 and reached the final last season with Portsmouth before losing 1-0 to the Blues.[LNB]On both occasions his squad included a number of foreign footballers, and he insists that they understand the history and traditions associated with the competition as much as the home-grown players who grew up watching the competition in Britain.[LNB]'Demba is aware of the importance of the FA Cup, he knows about it.' [LNB]'Don't think only people in England know about the FA Cup.[LNB]'After we got to the semi-final last year I got calls from everyone in the world - everybody follows the FA Cup, more than any cup in the world.[LNB]'In other countries, cup competitions are not so important but here it is connected to tradition and everybody wants to be at Wembley.[LNB]'When I was at Portsmouth last year the players who came from other countries were even more excited just to be in the semi-final.[LNB]'They were so excited to go to Wembley. Wembley is the temple of football,' added the Irons boss.[LNB] Ruled out: McCarthy was set for a run-out but now misses out [LNB]Grant is expected to field a strong side for tomorrow's match but admits a group of fringe players will get a chance to impress, mainly from the bench.[LNB]Benni McCarthy, who has been battling weight problems during a torrid 18-month spell at the club, had been tipped to start but he suffered a dead leg in a reserve match against Chelsea in midweek and could miss out.[LNB]Pacy 17-year-old striker Paul McCallum signed for West Ham from non-league Dulwich Hamlet on deadline day and has been tipped for greatness by Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan, who said his capture 'could be the signing of the (transfer) window.'[LNB]Grant admitted one 'very young' player could feature tomorrow.[LNB]When asked if he was thinking of playing McCallum, the 56-year-old replied: 'Maybe.'[LNB] Grant hopes bonding session will glue West Ham together in relegation fightGrant: There's no doubting Thomas will be a big Hit at West Ham!The Firing Line: Stand aside Avram! Parker is West Ham's real Mr Motivator Explore more:People: Benni McCarthy, Robbie Keane, Carlton Cole, David Sullivan Places: Birmingham, United Kingdom
