Blackburn Rovers 1 West Ham United 1: Grant planning to see Hammers emulate West Brom's escape act

Saturday's 1-1 draw with Blackburn at Ewood Park ensured the Hammers will have the unwanted distinction of propping up the table next Saturday, two points behind Wolves and three points adrift of safety.

Bryan Robson's Baggies achieved the feat in the 2004-05 season despite only having 10 points at Christmas, three fewer than West Ham, but in the 17 other years of the Premier League, there has been no way back.

Grant, though, believes his team's position is in no way irretrievable, and said: "We don't want to leave this team alone. It's time there will be one more team.

"If it was two months to the end of the season with this difference of points, nobody would think we cannot do it. We can do it. As long as we show this spirit, I'm sure we can stay in the league."

The Hammers are yet to win away this season but they were entitled to feel a touch unfortunate at Blackburn. A scrappy opener from Ryan Nelsen gave Rovers the lead but the visitors responded well and probably deserved more than Junior Stanislas's well-taken leveller.

In the opposing dug-out to the Israeli was Steve Kean, taking charge of his first game as caretaker manager of Blackburn following the shock sacking of Sam Allardyce.

The decision by new owners Venky's has drawn condemnation from across the football community, and Kean, who has already expressed an interest in taking the role permanently, admitted he has no idea how long he will be in the job.

"I've had a little bit of contact with the owners," he said. "Hopefully we can open up the dialogue over the next few days and get an idea of how we're going to take the club forward."