Filed under: Arsenal, Birmingham, Everton, West Ham, Wolverhampton, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: GOODISON PARK, SATURDAY JANUARY 22, 2011. KICK OFF: 1500 GMTSo Avram Grant remains in the West Ham hot-seat - for now anyway.
With the Hammers' ill-fated pursuit of Martin O'Neill at an end, Grant will begin his task of lifting West Ham to safety here.
But rock-bottom West Ham are in a mess on and off the pitch ahead of their trip to Goodison Park.
They issued a statement that said the club was "committed to retaining" Grant, yet chief executive Karren Brady has already twice passed up the opportunity to offer personal support to him.
Brady did insist, though, that the recent speculation over the manager's position has only served to strengthen the club's attempts to escape relegation. - a bizarre and puzzling claim.
When Grant threw his scarf into the crowd after the defeat at Arsenal last time out, it looked like a goodbye, yet he's still here. Some would say his dignity isn't.
West Ham could learn a lot from the way Everton treat their manager. David Moyes has suffered some setbacks, particularly eary this season, but the Goodison club have always taken the long-term view and kept faith with one of the country's best managers.
Form Guide: Everton have lost just once in their last seven games, including an impressive win over Tottenham and a Merseyside derby draw. West Ham have suffered two heavy league defeats that have been sandwiched between cup wins.
Key Match-Up: Seamus Coleman v Wayne Bridge: Coleman has come on leaps and bounds following his breakthrough season. Just rewarded with a new contract, he will be looking to pile on the woe for Bridge. The Hammers' loanee had a nightmare debut against Arsenal last time out and looked rusty after his exile at Eastlands. He will have benefited from a game under his belt, but expect him to be tested by Coleman here.
Odds: Everton 1/2, West Ham 6/1, Draw 3/1
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