WEST HAM boss Avram Grant has urged his players to take their chances as the fight to remain in the Premier League enters its final phase.

The Hammers are propping up the rest of the division and stand four points from safety, following their draw at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and Wolves' victory over West Brom on Sunday.

Maximum points from their final two games against Wigan and Sunderland will be imperative if they are to stand any chance of retaining their top league status.

However, a number of spurned opportunities in front of goal have cost the team dear, with Robbie Keane emerging as the main culprit after glaring misses against Chelsea, Manchester City and Blackburn.

Grant has called on the team to improve in the final straight, although he dismissed the notion that the squad had become resigned to their fate.

“I don't think (the players look resigned). (Against Blackburn) we created chances even at the end of the first half. We had a free-kick with 60 minutes and others,” he said. “I think you need to compare the situation. They were less nervous than I thought.

“But football is a game of chances. And then it's a game of using chances. All the season we are not using even 20 per cent of chances. And this is maybe the story of our year.

“I say to the players, even today after the game, the effort was good and they created the chances. But at the end of the day what counted? It's getting the ball in the net.”