Grant unfazed by sack talk

Avram Grant has denied rumours that he has three games to save his job as manager of rock-bottom West Ham, but admitted he treats every game as if it is his last.

Stories surfaced this week that the club’s owners have told Grant he needs to win one of the next three games, starting at Blackburn on Saturday, or face the fate suffered by Sam Allardyce, who was sacked as manager of Rovers this week.

“The owners have not spoken to me about this. We speak a lot but not specifically about this,” Grant said.

But he admitted that stress gets to every manager and he is not taking anything for granted.

“I treat every game like my last game,” he explained. “In football you never know what is round the corner and every manager feels the pressure.”

Grant’s side head to Ewood Park with only two wins in the league so far, both at home. But he has faith that his team can end this hoodoo against a Rovers side in some disarray after Allardyce’s dismissal, with Steev Kean as caretaker manager.

“We focus on our own business and not other club’s problems. Blackburn have a very good record at home,” he said.

“Last we were playing Manchester City who are a much better side than us, but I saw positives and our spirit was very good. That is what I need to focus on.”

“The squad is good enough,” he added. “I believe in my players and I am positive we will get out of this situation because we do not deserve to be here.”

Midfielders Mark Noble and Valon Behrami are still injured, but Kieron Dyer could be back to start after returning as a substitute in West Ham’s 3-1 defeat by City last week.