Post by Macmoish on Nov 23, 2010 7:22:20 GMT
Telegraph/Jeremy Wilson
West Ham take drastic action as they label home game with Wigan the 'save our season' match
West Ham United have piled the pressure on their manager, Avram Grant, by labelling Saturday’s home game against Wigan as the “save our season” match.
In an attempt to ensure that Upton Park is full, the club have also reduced prices for 5,000 adult tickets to just £20.
The idea is to galvanise the supporters and create an intimidating atmosphere, but there is clearly also a risk that such focus on one match will have an adverse impact on players who have already appeared affected by the tension around Upton Park.
With nearly two thirds of the season remaining, an unusual statement was posted on the club website on Monday which described Saturday’s visit of Wigan as a “must win” game.
“The board has designated this match the ‘save our season game’,” said the statement. “Last season, the Hammers returned from a disappointing day at Liverpool to claim a memorable three points at home to Wigan.
"A capacity crowd roaring the team on to victory just three days before the huge Carling Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on Tuesday week could kick-start the season.”
While clearly a risky and controversial statement, the view of the West Ham board is that it is simply an expression of reality.
West Ham are bottom of the Premier League after winning just one of their 14 matches. They are five points adrift of Wigan, who are third from bottom.
After draws against West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool, there is a feeling that West Ham cannot afford not to win another home game against a team who may well also be involved in a season-long relegation battle.
With a home match against Manchester United in the Carling Cup to follow Saturday’s game against Wigan, the next eight days are likely to prove pivotal for Grant’s future.
While West Ham have consistently stressed that Grant’s position is safe in the immediate future, significant changes to his backroom coaching staff are also being seriously considered.
The position of assistant Zeljko Petrovic is in the most imminent danger, with West Ham considering a structure similar to that of Tottenham, where Harry Redknapp has been successfully supported by a large group of coaches and players with past associations to the club.
It is for this reason that former West Ham striker Paolo di Canio has been regularly mentioned as a possible attacking coach.
Petrovic was appointed by Grant two weeks before the start of the season, despite Paul Groves and Kevin Keen having guided West Ham through an unbeaten pre-season schedule.
At the time, Grant said that he had the backroom team he wanted. “I am happy that we now have the staff set-up that I presented to the owners when I came,” he said.
There is, however, a sense that both Grant and the players would benefit from new personalities on the training ground who can lift morale.
With the team trailing 3-0 against Liverpool on Saturday, some West Ham supporters began chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning” at Grant.
West Ham’s co-owners, David Gold and David Sullivan, however, are acutely aware that their own reputations will be damaged if they sack Grant so soon after awarding him a four-year contract as the replacement for Gianfranco Zola.
The fact that Grant’s deal is worth £1.3 million a year and does not expire until 2014 is also certain to concentrate minds.
Vice-chairman Karren Brady said last week that Grant would “definitely” still be manager come Christmas.
Brady also said that funds would be made available to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-ham/8152678/West-Ham-take-drastic-action-as-they-label-home-game-with-Wigan-the-save-our-season-match.html
West Ham take drastic action as they label home game with Wigan the 'save our season' match
West Ham United have piled the pressure on their manager, Avram Grant, by labelling Saturday’s home game against Wigan as the “save our season” match.
In an attempt to ensure that Upton Park is full, the club have also reduced prices for 5,000 adult tickets to just £20.
The idea is to galvanise the supporters and create an intimidating atmosphere, but there is clearly also a risk that such focus on one match will have an adverse impact on players who have already appeared affected by the tension around Upton Park.
With nearly two thirds of the season remaining, an unusual statement was posted on the club website on Monday which described Saturday’s visit of Wigan as a “must win” game.
“The board has designated this match the ‘save our season game’,” said the statement. “Last season, the Hammers returned from a disappointing day at Liverpool to claim a memorable three points at home to Wigan.
"A capacity crowd roaring the team on to victory just three days before the huge Carling Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on Tuesday week could kick-start the season.”
While clearly a risky and controversial statement, the view of the West Ham board is that it is simply an expression of reality.
West Ham are bottom of the Premier League after winning just one of their 14 matches. They are five points adrift of Wigan, who are third from bottom.
After draws against West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool, there is a feeling that West Ham cannot afford not to win another home game against a team who may well also be involved in a season-long relegation battle.
With a home match against Manchester United in the Carling Cup to follow Saturday’s game against Wigan, the next eight days are likely to prove pivotal for Grant’s future.
While West Ham have consistently stressed that Grant’s position is safe in the immediate future, significant changes to his backroom coaching staff are also being seriously considered.
The position of assistant Zeljko Petrovic is in the most imminent danger, with West Ham considering a structure similar to that of Tottenham, where Harry Redknapp has been successfully supported by a large group of coaches and players with past associations to the club.
It is for this reason that former West Ham striker Paolo di Canio has been regularly mentioned as a possible attacking coach.
Petrovic was appointed by Grant two weeks before the start of the season, despite Paul Groves and Kevin Keen having guided West Ham through an unbeaten pre-season schedule.
At the time, Grant said that he had the backroom team he wanted. “I am happy that we now have the staff set-up that I presented to the owners when I came,” he said.
There is, however, a sense that both Grant and the players would benefit from new personalities on the training ground who can lift morale.
With the team trailing 3-0 against Liverpool on Saturday, some West Ham supporters began chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning” at Grant.
West Ham’s co-owners, David Gold and David Sullivan, however, are acutely aware that their own reputations will be damaged if they sack Grant so soon after awarding him a four-year contract as the replacement for Gianfranco Zola.
The fact that Grant’s deal is worth £1.3 million a year and does not expire until 2014 is also certain to concentrate minds.
Vice-chairman Karren Brady said last week that Grant would “definitely” still be manager come Christmas.
Brady also said that funds would be made available to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-ham/8152678/West-Ham-take-drastic-action-as-they-label-home-game-with-Wigan-the-save-our-season-match.html
