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 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.Manager Avram Grant will also miss the match to observe Yom Kippur - or the Day of Atonement.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.'Of course we should be optimistic. I'm sure that if we get one or two good results we can move forward.'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.West Ham lost 3-1 against leaders Chelsea last weekend, with Ben Haim making his first Premier League appearance.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.'I think it will take time, but in football we need to take the points very quick. We hope that we can do it.' 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

Source: Daily_Mail