Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham star Tal Ben Haim backs Hammers at Stoke... but he will be absent for Yom Kippur
Case for the defence: Tal Ben Haim [LNB]Tal Ben Haim expects his West Ham team-mates to stop the rot at Stoke this weekend - but he won't be there to help them due to the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.[LNB]Manager Avram Grant will also miss the match to observe Yom Kippur - or the Day of Atonement.[LNB]The Hammers have lost all four Premier League matches so far this term, and Ben Haim said: 'In the Premier League it is very important that you score first, because when you score first you have a big chance to win the game.[LNB]'Of course we should be optimistic. I'm sure that if we get one or two good results we can move forward.'[LNB]Grant could choose between Winston Reid and James Tomkins - who both impressed for the reserves on Tuesday - as well as Danny Gabbidon and Manuel da Costa to line up alongside Matthew Upson in defence on Saturday.[LNB]West Ham lost 3-1 against leaders Chelsea last weekend, with Ben Haim making his first Premier League appearance.[LNB]He said: 'I think we played well and created chances but we suddenly found ourselves 2-0 down and Chelsea didn't get in many good situations or create much. That is football - we need to look forward and take the points in the next game.[LNB]'I think it will take time, but in football we need to take the points very quick. We hope that we can do it.'[LNB] Respect Grant's absense for Yom Kippur, West Ham fans are toldJuventus set to make move for West Ham's Behrami after poor start WEST HAM FC
