Grant woke up on Saturday to more reports he was set to lose his job whatever the result against the Premier League title chasers at Upton Park, with Martin O'Neill ready to step in. However, no official statement was made on Grant's position following the 3-0 defeat by the Gunners, who cruised to victory after a brace from Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott's close-range strike. The Israeli may have guided the Irons into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, where they beat Birmingham last Tuesday night to move within 90 minutes of Wembley, but nevertheless Grant appears to be on borrowed time. Owners David Gold and David Sullivan only appointed the former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss during the summer, but relations would seem to have become strained as the club struggles at the foot of the table. Last week Grant was embroiled in a public spat with vice-chairman Karren Brady over the collapse of Steve Sidwell's proposed transfer. Wherever the origin of the continued speculation, Grant - who threw his scarf into the stands at the final whistle on Saturday - intends to keep himself focused on issues with his control. Downes, who joined the club at the end of November, feels all the added rumours make a tough situation even more testing. "It is hard enough to be playing against [Cesc] Fabregas, [Samir] Nasri and people like that, to also worry about what is in the papers and the rumours. It can take away from it if you let it," he said. "But they are professional footballers and if you were to worry about the outside influences you would drive yourself nuts." Downes continued: "I don't think anything has changed all week. "The rumours that are going around are in the media - on the television and in the press. We are not getting any answers. "It is the same question getting batted around all the time. "The owners haven't made a statement because as far as I am concerned the position has not changed. If and when they want to make a decision they will make a statement. "Avram is doing a very difficult job to the best of his abilities. "We are supporting him as staff and whoever was in this position would find it very difficult." Hammers defender Jonathan Spector feels the players have to try to retain focus on delivering results, no matter what may be happening behind the scenes. The United States international said: "We have to concentrate on our football and whatever the owners decide, we have to accept the decision because we are not in control of that. "In any job, your boss can change at any time and you just have to adapt and get used to it. What else can you do? "It's like I said - business as usual. "As far as we know, nothing has changed and whether it is going to is speculation in the media." Spector feels the Irons have what it takes to get themselves out of trouble. "We are not far away at all," he said. "A couple of good results here and there will propel ourselves off the bottom and into mid-table. "We are going into the next few games, hoping for results."
