West Ham are psychologically troubled, says Avram Grant
West Ham left it late to see off League Two outfit Oxford United
West Ham manager Avram Grant feels his side lack belief after seeing them scrape past Oxford in the Carling Cup.
Scott Parker scored the only goal in injury time to finally break the League Two side's resistance and give the Hammers their first win of the season.
"Mentally it is not just because it is the first win but that we did it in the last moment," said Grant. "This team carried a lot of psychology problems.
"When everything goes well we are OK, when it does not we are a bit nervous."
Grant, though, is hopeful that the victory will help his side turn a corner.
"Tonight [Tuesday] they saw that if you don't give up and keep trying to do the right things you can score in the last moment," he added.
"When you play against a team not from our league they will always defend. I liked that the players continued to pass the ball and were not crazy to score.
"We are in the next round and that is the most important thing."
Oxford manager Chris Wilder was disappointed at the manner of defeat but proud of his players for their heroics.
"I'm delighted for the football club," he said. "We've been off the radar for a long time and now we are back on it with games like tonight with 4,000 supporters on a Tuesday night in east London.
"The players grew into the game and enjoyed the experience and when you see the reaction of their goalkeeper at the end when he slid 40 yards on his knees in front of their supporters that says it all.
"We had nothing to lose. I've played teams from lower leagues before and every misplaced pass gets a little boo and a groan. Sometimes you tighten up and do not play free-flowing football. That's why it was important to keep it tight early on.
"But right at the end to see the ball in the back of the net was heartbreaking for everybody."
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