Grant expects Hammers classic

Albion coach Peter Grant is expecting a Hawthorns classic when two of England's traditional entertainers go head to head.

The former West Ham assistant boss, who is now first team coach at the Hawthorns, reckons both clubs' commitment to attacking football should make for an entertaining encounter.

The Baggies first-team coach spent three seasons at Upton Park as assistant manager to Alan Pardew.

He helped the Hammers reach the 2006 FA Cup final and finish ninth in their first season back in the Premier League.

Grant said: "We know their principles and the way they play won't change, no matter who is in charge. We have to prepare the way we have. Results-wise we would have liked more wins and we deserve that.

"Our performances haven't been too bad. The fact we're creating chances bodes well for us. We need to start putting those chances away. West Ham is a difficult fixture for us and we will be ready for it."

"West Ham take pride in the way they play. The fans can accept you lose if you play well. If you play exciting, attacking football then the fans will applaud you whatever the result, even though they want to win.

"If you don't win, then you better play well. It's a fantastic club. I had good times there and bad times.

"We got to the play-offs and lost, when we made bad decisions as coaching staff regarding the substitutions.

"Then we got promoted the following year and we finished ninth - yet had we not got to the FA Cup final I'm sure we would have finished fifth or sixth."

Grant has played down the presence of new Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola, insisting his appointment will have no impact on Albion's preparations.

He said: "We focus on what we're doing. That's what we've done from day one. We'll prepare for West Ham in the same way we prepared for Hartlepool or Everton.

"Nothing changes for us and with West Ham not much will change in terms of their players. We know who their players are and they may go with the same team as last time."