Avram Grant apologises to West Ham fans as Hammers chiefs consider his future

By MATT LAWLESS FOR MAILONLINE
Updated: 10:27 EDT, 6 January 2011

Avram Grant has apologised to West Ham fans following the humiliating 5-0 defeat at Newcastle as the relegation-threatened club consider his position as manager.

Sportsmail understands Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are close to pulling the trigger after the result ended a recent mini-revival of four-games unbeaten in the league.

With West Ham rock-bottom in the table, Upton Park chiefs Sullivan and Gold will now debate whether it's time to axe the man they handed a four-year contract to only last summer.

Running out of time: Avram Grant is under increasing pressure as co-owner David Gold (L) considers the manager's future

One of Grant's final acts could well have been his upbeat statement of apology to supporters, insisting he can steer his side to safety in their battle to stay in the top flight - if he stays in charge.

'I make no excuses everything went wrong last night but we must remember the form shown in four previous matches unbeaten,' he told supporters via an email message.

'It is difficult to explain what happened. It was a bad day at the office. Of course, we are disappointed to be back at the bottom but all that matters is where we will be at the end of the season. Our points situation has improved with the teams around us.

'It is really frustrating because we had a good Christmas and New Year period but this is football. Everything we did went wrong and everything they did came off.

'I am sorry for those of you who came a long way [to Newcastle]. I am disappointed for you to see that performance after what we had given you in the previous two games.

'I am certain we will see a positive reaction from the team and we have an FA Cup third-round tie and then a huge Carling Cup semi-final first leg with Birmingham City to prepare for now and most importantly the game against Arsenal a week on Saturday.'

Sinking feeling: West Ham hit rock-bottom in the table after being thumped by Newcastle

Captain Matthew Upson, who has been linked with a move away from the club, also said sorry to the supporters, admitting the players were 'disappointed' by manner of their St James' Park capitulation.

'I can only apologise for the display,' he told the club's official website.

'Again, it was a fantastic effort from the supporters who came to watch and we didn't do them justice and that's a shame. 

'It's very difficult to sum it up after such a heavy defeat. We're obviously very disappointed and need to re-group and get ourselves together after a good run. '

Next up for West Ham is an FA Cup tie at home to Barnsley on Saturday but Sullivan and Gold could dump under-pressure Grant before then.