Ahead of today's Premiership clash against Manchester
City, Assistant Manager Peter Grant looks forward to a busy Easter
weekend…
"We've got to get re-focused after the disappointment of last week. I don't think it was the result that hurt so much - more the manner of our performance. The players know that they can play much better and it hurt them that they didn't make the most of the good start against Chelsea.
"In football, though, you get an opportunity to bounce back straight away and, to be fair, the players have done that on numerous occasions this season. I think we can count on one hand the number of real poor performances we have put in, and we've got a chance to get back to the standards that we have shown all year.
"We've got two games in quick succession this weekend and we are looking forward to both of them. First up is Manchester City and we know that we'll have to play well to beat them. Stuart Pearce has criticised his players recently for dropping below the high standards that he sets, and they will be determined to come here and put on a big performance.
"The two games in two days will be another big test of our resources and we hope to come through it without any injuries, but it's a period we can approach with confidence and excitement. As a player, this is the kind of situation you want to be facing and the boys all know that, if they want to be in the team for the semi-final next week, then they have to perform to a high level this weekend.
"It's fantastic for the Club and for the supporters that we still have so much to play for at this stage of the season. We are challenging for a European place via our league position and also hoping for success in the FA Cup. That means the players are still focused and they know that there is an opportunity in front of them that they have to take."
"We've got to get re-focused after the disappointment of last week. I don't think it was the result that hurt so much - more the manner of our performance. The players know that they can play much better and it hurt them that they didn't make the most of the good start against Chelsea.
"In football, though, you get an opportunity to bounce back straight away and, to be fair, the players have done that on numerous occasions this season. I think we can count on one hand the number of real poor performances we have put in, and we've got a chance to get back to the standards that we have shown all year.
"We've got two games in quick succession this weekend and we are looking forward to both of them. First up is Manchester City and we know that we'll have to play well to beat them. Stuart Pearce has criticised his players recently for dropping below the high standards that he sets, and they will be determined to come here and put on a big performance.
"The two games in two days will be another big test of our resources and we hope to come through it without any injuries, but it's a period we can approach with confidence and excitement. As a player, this is the kind of situation you want to be facing and the boys all know that, if they want to be in the team for the semi-final next week, then they have to perform to a high level this weekend.
"It's fantastic for the Club and for the supporters that we still have so much to play for at this stage of the season. We are challenging for a European place via our league position and also hoping for success in the FA Cup. That means the players are still focused and they know that there is an opportunity in front of them that they have to take."