Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham boss Avram Grant offers thanks for compassion shown over Yom Kippur
Avram Grant has thanked West Ham management, players and fans for their understanding after he missed the 1-1 draw at Stoke to observe Yom Kippur. [LNB]With the Hammers struggling at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League the Israeli sought a solution which would allow him to be present at the game and respect the Jewish holy day. [LNB]But no compromise could be found and Grant stayed away from the Britannia Stadium in order to fast in private and he has expressed his gratitude for the compassion shown to him by those close to the club.[LNB] Backing: Grant has been touched by the level of support he has received [LNB]He said: 'I have been very touched by the support I received this weekend in observing Yom Kippur. The backing from the owners, the positive messages from the fans and the commitment and effort of my staff and players was truly special. I am humbled by this response. [LNB]'While I would like to have been there at the Britannia Stadium and will be glad to be back in the dugout this week, I am pleased that my coaching staff - Zeljko Petrovic, Paul Groves and Kevin Keen - got the attention they deserve.[LNB]'We are as much a team as the players out there on the pitch. It was very difficult not to be at the game. No one wanted to be there more than me.'[LNB] Progress: Grant believes the club are starting to show signs of improvement[LNB]The east London club earned their first point of the year againstTony Pulis' side and Grant took time to praise his team's efforts andbelieves they are starting to turn the corner after the worst start inthe club's history. [LNB]'We have our first point of the season atStoke on Saturday and I am sure it will be the first of many,' said theHammers boss. 'Like last week, the performance was good but this timewe got a draw.[LNB]'We continue to progress and I am delighted aboutthis. This was the first week that we have had all our players togetherexcept the injured ones. We are seeing the team improve defensively andoffensively.[LNB]'Our target is to continue progressing. A few of the players were making only their first or second appearances of the season.[LNB]'ValonBehrami was one of them and that was the only disappointment as hepicked up an injury, which we will have to assess this week.[LNB]'Inevery game, we will get stronger and I fully expected to see thereaction we got at Stoke, especially after a very strong week oftraining at Chadwell Heath where everyone was desperate to play. [LNB]'Wewere tough, determined and we never gave up. We could even have earnedmore than a 1-1 draw and, if we had, no one could have argued. [LNB]'Theplayers could easily have dropped their heads when Stoke equalisedafter half-time but they kept on going and had the chances to get thatfirst win. That is so encouraging and I maintain that we have seenpositive things in every single match this season since the opening day.[LNB]Tuesdaynight's Carling Cup clash away at Sunderland will come as a welcomebreak to league duties ahead of the derby clash with Tottenham at theweekend. [LNB] Net result: Parker hands West ham the lead at Stoke[LNB]West Ham's recent record against Spurs is poor but the club would receive a huge boost were they to take anything from their north London rivals. [LNB]Grant said: 'This is a very big week with Sunderland in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night and then Tottenham Hotspur at home on Saturday.[LNB]'There were big numbers of fans there at Stoke again and two away games in four days does ask a lot of people during a difficult financial climate. I cannot thank each and every one of those who travel enough.[LNB]'I am also grateful to those who have bought a ticket for Tottenham. We will need every single supporter in our corner as it will be a difficult derby, but it is a match we can win. I have seen the belief in the squad and they will give their all to earn our first three points. [LNB]'I know this game matters more to you than any other. We will be up for the fight and ready to face the challenge.'[LNB] Parker salutes stay-away West Ham boss Grant after draw at StokePay the price! West Ham told to cough up £12.5m for Lorient striker Gameiro Great Scott: Are West Ham just a one-man team with Parker?WEST HAM UNITED FC
