Avram Grant remains focussed on West Ham

Avram Grant feels he owes it to the West Ham squad to carry on doing his job and focus on football matters until someone tells him otherwise.

The Irons boss yesterday woke to more reports he was set to lose his job whatever the result against Barclays Premier League title chasers Arsenal 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 yesterday - intends to keep himself focused on issues with his control.

"I had two choices, and chose to focus on the football," Grant told BBC Sport.

"Of course rumours on the day of a game do not help, it does not matter where they came from.

"I still want to focus on the thing I can control, and this is the team.

"I prefer to talk about football rather than answer questions about other things around, especially when I am not the man you need to be asking."

Grant added: "Other teams there is a lot of quiet around them, so that has helped, but I think we have dealt with it all very well.

"If we do the right thing, there will be a bright future here, and not just in the cup."