Grant: Hard work still ahead for Hammers

Avram Grant said his West Ham players need to let their feet do the talking in their fight for Premier League survival.

West Ham visit fifth placed Tottenham on Saturday knowing that a win could propel them out of the relegation zone.

But Grant said his side would have to work hard if they wanted to get the rewards.

“We are confident but I think you know there is no deserve in football. Football is a game of points and it is the road to those points that is important,” he said.

“Even when things got difficult we continued to play football our way.”

“We are playing football to my philosophy and the way West Ham have played over the years.”

“We didn’t take points at the beginning of the season even though we were dealing with problems reasonably OK.”

“It is good that we have made up the difference from when we were at the bottom and now we can change things.”

“We are happy with what we have been doing in recent games and we want to continue like that.”

Tottenham have fought their way through to a Champions League quarter final against Spanish giants Real Madrid, but Grant insists that will not provide a distraction from their league form.

Harry Redknapp’s side will be hungry for points as they are currently three points behind fourth place which would guarantee them entry to the Champions League next season.

Grant said: “They have done really well in the Champions League but I don’t think they will be distracted.”

“If this game was in a week when they were playing Real Madrid next Tuesday, that could be a factor but it is not.”

“Tottenham have a big squad with so many good players and I don’t think it has affected them.”

West Ham will be without defender Jack Collison (knee) while midfielder Junior Stanislas (hernia) and forward Demba Ba are doubts.