Defensive frailties main problem for Hammers boss to address (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

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WEST HAM BLOG: Grant must get selection right to get out of trouble

11:00am Friday 22nd October 2010

WEST HAM head into Saturday's match with Newcastle on a four-game unbeaten run. But they still sit bottom of the Premier League table with five points. Go figure.

After such a run one would expect the Hammers to be sitting somewhere in mid-table, but three of those four games have ended in draws, two of which will be considered two points dropped rather than one point gained.

While the victory over Tottenham and the draw at Stoke suggested Avram Grant's men were heading in the right direction after a disastrous start, the subsequent home deadlock against Fulham and the weekend's point at Wolves were less encouraging.

For this run to be considered something of a turning of the tide for the Irons, victory at home to an out-of-sorts Newcastle side is imperative.

Grant continues to harp on about his team being a work in progress, but sooner or later results need to materialise.

Recent signs suggest he is slowly finding his favoured formula, although it is plain to see that it is not quite up to scratch.

Robert Green remains a slight concern between the posts, although he has put in several better performances of late, his error for Wolves' goal on Saturday accepted.

But it is the defence that will be of greatest concern to Grant. While the early-season haemorrhaging appears to have been stemmed in recent weeks, there is still some doubt as to what the best centre-back pairing is.

Manuel Da Costa's arrival in the middle has coincided with sturdier defensive performances, and he should be partnered with Matthew Upson, when the skipper returns from injury, which should be Saturday.

Danny Gabbidon has impressed in a makeshift left-back role, despite the return to fitness of Herita Ilunga, while Lars Jacobsen seems a reliable, if unspectacular, presence on the right.

Grant also seems to be settling on his midfield four, with Mark Noble having stood out alongside Scott Parker in the centre. Kieron Dyer is stringing together a run of games on the right, although Luis Boa Morte is the weak link on the left.

Pablo Barrera appears to have been inexplicably ignored by Grant since arriving in the summer. While the Mexican has hardly set the world alight when he has been afford the odd opportunity, it is worth noting that he will take time to adapt to the pace and power of the English game and deserves a chance to express himself.

Carlton Cole, unfortunately, has not been able to replicate the sort of from he displayed in the first half of last season since his knee injury, and has been demoted to the bench recently to accommodate the blossoming partnership between Freddie Piquionne and Victor Obinna.

Valon Behrami says he is ready to return to action this weekend after a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury, but Grant would be best-served to leave the industrious, yet often ineffectual, Swiss midfielder on the bench and sticking with Noble.