If reports are to be believed, this could be the start of the most pivotal three game period of Avram Grant’s short tenure, and of West Ham’s five and a half year stay in the Premier League. It is understood that Grant will need to secure at least one win in the next three games to save his job, although with an ever increasing gap developing between the Carling Cup semi-finalists and the rest, it may not be too far fetched to suggest that the next two weeks resemble the Hammers’ last chance to save their Premiership existence.
Considering the strength of Blackburn’s home record over the last two years, the chances of West Ham springing a surprise win would normally be negligible, however after the extraordinary goings on at Ewood Park this week, who knows the frame of mind with which Rovers will approach this fixture.
Of all the unwarranted and strange sackings this year, Sam Allardyce’s departure from Blackburn most go down as the most unbelievable. With no funds and in one of the most competitive leagues in the world, Allardyce has made Blackburn incredibly tough to beat- without a huge amount more money than they have appeared willing to spend, the new Indian owners can surely only see a downturn in their club’s fortunes in dispensing with the services of such an experienced hand.
West Ham may have come to town at the right time.
Prediction: 1-2
[poll ]
West Ham are 12/1 to win 2-1
