encouragement

Avram Grant revealed words of encouragement from Sir Alex Ferguson assist him remain centered on guiding West Ham to success. The Irons' upturn in fortunes on the pitch was marred by last week's 5-0 defeat at Newcastle, which sent them again to the foot of the Premier League table, albeit now only a point from safety. Grant, appointed in the summertime, continues to search out his personal place making the headlines, with the likes of Sam Allardyce and Martin O'Neill reportedly already lined up because the West Ham board put together to wield the axe. BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE Wed., Jan. 12 Blackpool vs. Liverpool Sat., Jan. 15 Chelsea vs. Blackburn Man vs. Wolves Stoke City vs. Bolton West Brom vs. Blackpool Wigan vs. Fulham West Ham vs. Arsenal Sun., Jan. 16 Birmingham vs. Aston Villa Sunderland vs. Newcastle Liverpool vs. Everton Tottenham vs. Man Utd -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BPL Scores Table Fixtures Nonetheless, the former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager was not letting any off-area controversies concern him ahead of Tuesday night time's Carling Cup semi-last first-leg towards Birmingham at Upton Park. The 55-year-previous Israeli has enough experience to know fortunes in football can change very quickly - a point Ferguson reminded him of, because the Scot recalled the moment which arguably saved his Old Trafford career when a Mark Robins goal beat Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup tie throughout January 1990. "I have spoken to Alex occasionally and he gave me very, superb advice. I'm using it on a regular basis," Grant said. "Alex is nice as a result of he was in the position where he was almost on the best way out and then everybody knows what he did. "You cannot even describe what he has accomplished and the way he has executed it. "I speak with different managers, however personally, I prefer to deal with my problems on the pitch, not off it." Grant has been left somewhat baffled by the continued criticism which comes his approach following three wins from the final six, which noticed them transfer into the fourth round of the FA Cup after victory over Barnsley and leaves the Irons just two points behind 14th-positioned Fulham, albeit having played more games. "We did a great few weeks so it is a unusual scenario, however sometimes we have to take care of issues we don't like," the West Ham supervisor said. "At Chelsea there were rumours from the first minute that I got here in, but I decided then, as I made a decision now, to concentrate on my job as a result of I ask this from the players. "The players also generally pay attention to other issues, however you must pay attention to your job. "Soccer is just not a non-public sport, there are supporters, there are gamers, there may be the board, the managers. "The one thing you are able to do is focus on your job and do your job. You do not have management of the opposite things." Grant added: "I nonetheless assume we can make it. I cannot say there are not any difficulties, but difficulties by no means stopped me doing my job. "I will do it except I think I can not do it and then I will take a decision." West Ham had been the 2006 FA Cup runners-up on the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, dropping on penalties to Liverpool. Nonetheless, the Irons last reached Wembley back in 1981, the place they drew the League Cup closing in opposition to the Reds, but were overwhelmed in a replay at Villa Park. The semi-ultimate draw has extra significance for West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan, who used to personal Birmingham. Grant, nonetheless, maintains the coaching employees and players can use such additional focus as motivation. "In soccer, I've told the gamers many instances, pressure might help you to be higher or make you worse," he said. "Pressure can push you to achieve. When you are in a good group, profitable all the time, you wish to win everything. "When you're in one other crew, you want to win to get well from a foul situation. "There may be at all times an excellent pressure, but you can too deal with the stress and direct it. "I don't want to be in a situation where the pressure controls me."

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