Behrami calls for stability

Behrami: Wants assurances

Valon Behrami believes West Ham's players need to be given assurances that there will not be a mass clear-out.

Speculation has suggested that a number of the club's stars could be moved on in the January transfer window due to the financial situation at Upton Park.

England internationals Matthew Upson, Robert Green, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole have all been tipped to embark on fresh challenges elsewhere.

Behrami admits the uncertainty is hard to handle and he has called on the Hammers hierarchy to come clean about any plans for a January fire sale.

"I have spoken a number of times with the people above us to make the situation clear and what is the real situation?" said the Switzerland international.

"Right now I am told to believe what the media are saying but it is clear that we need to know our future.

"I am looking for someone in January to help us and (tell us) that we don't have to sell players.

"I am hoping the new year will be better for everyone at West Ham and we can have some positive things because right now there is a lot of negativity.

"Off the pitch there has to be stability because when you have problems like this it can affect you on the pitch and maybe the reason why things are going like this for us."

Springboard

West Ham take on Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday and Behrami feels a victory could be just the springboard needed at such a difficult time.

"The FA Cup has arrived for us at a moment when we are struggling in the Premier League and we have a lot of players who are injured so this is not a good moment for us," he said.

"We know the competition can give us great emotions because it was very nice to play in the FA Cup last year and it is a different atmosphere.

"We need to be more lucky in 2010 because we have too many injuries and we need to forget about the situation in the Premier League.

"When you are going down the only thing you can do is move upwards. I think this is a very difficult moment for us.

"The draw was not very kind to us but we are at home and if we play like a team, we can have a good result. A good cup run could help us in the league.

"Mentally this can give us a boost."