WEST HAM will be without their manager for this weekend's trip to Stoke City.

Avram Grant has been given the day off to observe the Jewish holy day, Yomm Kippur, or Day of Atonement, in which he will partake in 25 hours of fasting and intensive prayer.

Presumably, most of those prayers will be directed at his team, who are desperately in need of a result to kick-start their season.

Perhaps they will be better off without him, as some of Grant's selections and tactics have left a lot to be desired in recent weeks.

Last week's inexplicable omission of Kieron Dyer from the starting XI against Chelsea beggared belief, leaving a depressing lack of pace and width on the field.

Pablo Barrera was also left on the bench after his heavy schedule with Mexico. But even if the winger was operating on 60% he would have contributed more to proceedings than wantaway midfielder Valon Behrami, who is still here only because Roma could not, or would not, stump up the cash for him during the summer transfer window.

If Grant leaves instructions for Julien Faubert to be deployed on the right of midfield, or Behrami to be included in the line-up, one would hope assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic will have the sense to give the pair a little kick in the warm-up.

West Ham have a strong, attacking team if the right players are picked. However, too often that has not been the case this season.

A midfield boasting the combative presence of Scott Parker and an improving Mark Noble, as well as pace, guile and creativity on the wings in the form of Dyer and Barrera will pose problems for most Premier League defences, not least when Carlton Cole, finding his feet again, and livewire Victor Obinna are in attendance, too.

Grant must have a good, hard look at his squad and realise that too many of them are simply not up to it.

Luis Boa Morte actually did well against Chelsea, but, at 32, his days are numbered; Radoslav Kovac ranks as one of the worst footballers I have seen to dis-grace the Premier League. Ironically, it was Stoke – the Hammers' opponents this week – that were willing to buy him for £1.5m this summer, until new signing Thomas Hitzlsperger got injured. I'd have sent him packing even if the entire midfield had been crocked.

Then there is Behrami, who has already admitted he is disappointed not to have secured his move to Roma. His commitment cannot be questioned, even after such revelations, but he is nothing more than a tireless workhorse, much less a thoroughbred stallion; Mark Noble is another who has failed to live up to expectations for too long, although his recent form suggests there is a case for sticking with him; James Tomkins looks a shadow of the player that emerged as a bright possible England prospect two years ago.

Indeed, it is in defence where West Ham's real problems lie. Matthew Upson is a cheap John Terry imitation, and there is hardly a buffet of partners for him to choose from. Ben Haim looked solid enough against the Blues last week, while Danny Gabbidon looked a little less convincing. There is certainly a case for Manuel Da Costa to be given a chance, given the team has shipped three goals in every league match so far this term. The Portuguese looked an exciting prospect, if a little raw, when given the chance last season.

Despite his monotonous proclamations that there is something 'positive' to take from every thumping defeat, Grant must surely know that there are many wrongs that need to be righted. By dropping Boa Morte and Behrami for Barrera and Dyer, and shaking up the defence with Da Costa coming in for Ben Haim, West Ham may ruffle a few feathers in Stoke, and they may even come away with that maiden victory they so crave, and desperately need.