Grant rejects Parker criticism

(GSM) – West Ham United manager Avram Grant has rejected Scott Parker’s criticism of the team’s defending, insisting that the team defended well against West Bromwich Albion.

The England midfielder has labeled the defending of the West Ham team as ‘not acceptable’, but Grant insists that the goals conceded were not from open play.

But Grant said: “Of course, we need to defend better, but I don’t think we didn’t defend well [against West Bromwich Albion]. It was from two corners. One came from a penalty that wasn’t a penalty, in my opinion and the other came from a great cross that we didn’t defend well.”

But the former Portsmouth boss is happy with his players, especially Parker, because they ‘show what they want’.

“I like the players here,” he added. “They know how to take responsibility and they show what they want. We want to win tomorrow, we wanted to win the last game and we will do everything to win tomorrow. That is what matters.

“I agree [with Scott Parker] that we cannot afford to concede two goals again, especially when we are playing so good. We scored two goals and almost scored more because we created one or two big chances to win.”