David Gold insists West Ham will not sell any players and has backed Avram Grant to lead them to safety.
And West Ham co-owner backs Grant in relegation scrap
David Gold insists West Ham will not sell any players this month and has backed Avram Grant to lead the club to safety.
The Hammers' co-owner was responding to suggestions that Scott Parker and Matthew Upson could be set to leave Upton Park in the January transfer window, with Tottenham and Arsenal respectively reported to be interested.
Gold believes the East London outfit are heading into most important period in their 116-year history and believes that stability is essential as they battle to preserve their Premier League status.
West Ham are currently propping up the Premier League table, a position they have occupied for much of the season, and have 14 games left to clamber out of the bottom three.
Endeavours
Beating the drop is essential for Grant and his side given the club's debts and their plans to move into the Olympic Stadium.
"The next 14 games will be as important a 14 games as there have been in the history of the football club," Gold said.
"Avram's job is to keep West Ham in the Premier League. That is what his whole life and endeavours will be focused on achieving.
"Nobody can leave. You can see our situation. We would fight off any club pursuing our players."
Mischief making
Gold insisted he never considered sacking Grant, whose position as manager has been under intense scrutiny since Christmas, with widespread reports suggesting Martin O'Neill had been lined up as his replacement.
"There are people out there who are mischief making and that is all very sad. I can tell you now that we have a board that is fully behind Avram," Gold said.
"There was all that furore over Avram when we had that board meeting. I can promise you, Avram's name did not even come up in the board room.
"We have a major board meeting every two or three months and Avram's name did not come up in the meeting. I think that speaks volumes. He's our man."
