Grant hails under-fire Hodgson

Published Nov. 20, 2010 12:08 p.m. ET

foxsports

West Ham manager Avram Grant has offered his backing to Liverpool counterpart Roy Hodgson ahead of Saturday evening's Anfield encounter.

Hodgson was named manager of the year last season after taking Fulham to the Europa League final, but his unconvincing start to life on Merseyside has led to criticism from sections of the Anfield crowd.

But Grant said: "If you look at the career of Roy Hodgson he has had an amazing career. He did well at Fulham and he's a very good manager.

"I don't pick the manager for Liverpool but he can do a good job. Last year he was the best manager ever. It can't be that after a few months he's not so good.

"You have to give a manager time to put his ideas in the team and I'm sure Liverpool will be better. I hope it's after Saturday."

The Hammers have won just once this season and are without a league victory on the road since the beginning of last season.

Their record at Anfield is even more depressing. They have not left with three points since goals from Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst secured a 2-1 win in September 1963.

But Grant refuses to be sidetracked by speculation his job is under threat less than six months after he was appointed.

"I'm not thinking about myself, never. When I have a team I give everything to the team," he added.

"I came here to do a project for four years to put West Ham in a position which they deserve.

"It's not coming in one day. We thought we would have more points and we deserve more points but I'm sticking to my way."

Liverpool have been irritated by the loss of Steven Gerrard to injury, but Grant looks set to be without his own midfield talisman in Scott Parker, who is suffering with a chest infection.

"He has a good old-fashioned English attitude that he always wants to play, but I'm not sure he will be available," Grant said.