Avram granted a stay of execution

AVRAM GRANT last night looked to have been given a stay of execution as West Ham manager after a board meeting at Upton Park ended with him still in place.

Speculation has been rife that Grant is on the brink of the sack but he appears to have bought himself time to convince his employers he is the man to keep the club in the Barclays Premier League.

The future looked bleak for the former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss following last week’s 5-0 thrashing at Newcastle — which left the Hammers rooted to the foot of the table — but an FA Cup win over Barnsley and Tuesday night’s spirited Carling Cup victory over Birmingham earned him what looks to be a reprieve.