Grant sets Hammers target

Under-pressure West Ham manager Avram Grant believes his side need nine more points to guarantee Premier League survival.

The struggling Hammers are currently second-bottom of the table with five games remaining after slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Grant remains optimistic the East Londoners can preserve their top-flight status, but has set them a minimum target of 41 points if they want to stay up.

“If last season 35 was enough I don’t think even 38 will be enough this season,” Grant told Sky Sports News.

“We need nine points from the next five games, more or less.

“You should always take a positive side because to give up is the easy way and we never look for the easy way. “
Avram Grant Quotes of the week

Positive

He added: “I still believe and I think in football anything can happen.

“You should always take a positive side because to give up is the easy way and we never look for the easy way.”

Robbie Keane opened up a 1-0 lead in the second minute at Upton Park on Saturday, but it was wasted as the Hammers conceded goals to Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Grant admits the pressure got to his side, adding: “I think it’s like this sometimes when you’re in the place that we are.

“Especially at home, the players want to win and they’re a little bit nervous.”