Football Focus

[Emerson Crane]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

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> Fortuitous win for West Ham last night, but the

> 5-0 loss aside the team seems to have found some

> momentum, spirit and perhaps most importantly,

> luck

>

> Would now be a bad time to sack Grant?

Yes I think so, the team have, as you say, starting to put a run together. Who else could go and in and do a job? I wouldn't wish Allardyce on a 7 a side kids team.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I understand why West Ham fans haven?t been won over by him, but he has a decent record at Chelsea and Portsmouth and I think he can do a job given more time

I never like to see West Ham go down anyway but there are more than 3 teams I?d rather see take their place this year

[legalbeagle]

How much time though? And fluke, or the culmination of hard work? It's a tricky one.

['bout now]

I would rather West Ham were relegated than see a bloke like Allardyce in charge and I don't think I'm alone.

However, I'm not sure that Grant is the right man for the job either, yet again we concede from a corner, how many times do you have to take a leak before you work out you need to lift the lid on the bog? We're not progressing, we have injuries, sure but there seems to be no cohesion or plan, or more importantly, passion.

I do feel for Grant however, he's been walking a very long plank and someone within the club is enjoying watching him suffer, that is not the way at Upton Park.

Arsenal Saturday, Gawd help us.

[brum]

Ferguson took a few seasons at ManU to find the winning formula. I don't suggest that Grant is in the same league as Fergie, but give him more than a few months. From what I saw of his team last night, in particular the first half, he has some decent players to play with. Not literally, of course.

[legalbeagle]

Pretty hard for a team to keep up the passion if the best the fans can say about a manager is "well he probably isn't the right man but who else is there". Passion, attitude, is a top down thing. You've sensed that Grant isn't inspiring real belief. You won't be the only one.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I thought in the first half last night there was plenty of passion from West Ham - more than I saw from Arsenal last Saturday for sure

I think belief has been missing at Upton Park but it seems to be coming back...

[legalbeagle]

I agree, it was there, but it wasn't consistent. And if that's only because of a lack of self belief, it would be s shame - though not the first time it's happened to a team by a long shot. Time will tell. In the end, as long as you keep winning, most people won't mind that it ain't pretty to watch.

['bout now]

I think we saw what the effect a passionate manager can have on a side last night, look at Birmingham, transformed.

[legalbeagle]

Yep! Hope that being knocked out of the League Cup won't be the final nail in Grant's coffin....

KRO!

[brum]

KRO indeed, LB!

[Emerson Crane]

Grant is a dignified man who came within a couple of points of winning the Prem and a kick away from winning Champs League. I feel for him. Far better manager than the likes of Megson, Allardyce, Brown et al.

[legalbeagle]

All true, but he didn't actually win though. And in the end, it's never about "I nearly did it".

[Emerson Crane]

legalbeagle Wrote:

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> All true, but he didn't actually win though. And

> in the end, it's never about "I nearly did it".

The same can be said of 95% of managers currently employed, but its how they go about their business, which sets Grant apart from the likes of the previously mentioned managers.

[legalbeagle]

Again true. I'm not hoping he's sacked - I just wonder if he will be. The next few weeks will be important for him.

[Keef]

Emerson Crane Wrote:

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> Grant is a dignified man who came within a couple

> of points of winning the Prem and a kick away from

> winning Champs League. I feel for him. Far better

> manager than the likes of Megson, Allardyce, Brown

> et al.

Spot on. I like Grant.

[legalbeagle]

So what's going on with him then? Why the sense that the club aren't keen? IS it because it's all about the winning in the end? Or because with dignity comes a bit too much reserve? Because however much he's liked (and I've nothing against him, I'm just asking the question) you have to agree it doesn't look like a happy club right now.

[Emerson Crane]

legalbeagle Wrote:

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> So what's going on with him then? Why the sense

> that the club aren't keen? IS it because it's all

> about the winning in the end? Or because with

> dignity comes a bit too much reserve? Because

> however much he's liked (and I've nothing against

> him, I'm just asking the question) you have to

> agree it doesn't look like a happy club right now.

He definitely has the air of dead man walking about him, and I hate to see that in any line of work. I'm sure he'll survive if he's pushed, but the game will be the poorer for it. He's one of very few gents left in the game, sorry, make that business.

[legalbeagle]

"He's one of very few gents left in the game, sorry, make that business."

And I think that's the point isn't it. Like I said, in the end, it's about the winning. Business is business. Move on.

Still want to beat him in the second leg tho!

[Emerson Crane]

And as a Brum supporter, so you should.

[legalbeagle]

Ahem.

S'cuse me?

[Emerson Crane]

Still want to beat him in the second leg? Brum as in Birmingham, your posts suggest you are a Birmingham supporter, or have I got that utterly wrong?

[legalbeagle]

No not at all. I understand.

As you were.

[SeanMacGabhann]

I think Grant has always carried himself well. I've never really bought into the Stevie G thing but what little time I had for him vanished when he pushed Grant out of the way during the Liverpool Chelsea game

yes he needed the ball asap but no way can you imagine him pushing any other manager like that

[Keef]

Hand on my heart I don't remember that, but if that is what happened, then yeah, definitely not on.