Avram on Friday

The manager was in upbeat mood at his Friday press briefing, with the midweek cup success returning the club to the form of the previous month. While his skipper may be absent on Saturday at Arsenal, there is a chance for one or two others to perhaps force their way into the starting lineup at the Emirates.

Avram on team news…

"For the moment I don't think he [Matthew Upson] will play. The medical department is checking him now but I don't think he will play.

"Some of the players are tired of course after 120 minutes [against Stoke City on Wednesday], but this is the reason why we have scored so we can't complain. This situation would be better if we had one more day to recover, but the players that are playing tomorrow will be fit.

Avram on the possibility of fringe players forcing their way into the team…

"Yes, that happened against Sunderland then we did well in a few matches after, including winning against Tottenham and can happen now. The Carling Cup for us is important and also we can see other players and they can play tomorrow.

Avram on the confidence gained from Wednesday's Carling Cup victory…

"It is not a secret that we are trying to implement a winning mentality. A winning mentality means that you need to have the desire to win every game and we were certainly very delighted for what happened on Wednesday because against Newcastle we continued the second half against Wolves that was very good, but on Wednesday we continued the second-half against Newcastle which was not so good. However, the reaction of the players was very good.

"I think we didn't start the season very well but after 31 August, when we knew the team and [despite] having some injuries, we did well. Our mentality is better. Of course we are not 100 per cent yet, but you cannot change that in one day. But the mentality is good, the football is good and from the last seven games we won three and we drew three. The draws were more close to winning and also affected by the decision of the referees against us, so we just lost one game."

Victor Obinna

Avram on Valon Behrami's suggestion that some of the players are 'scared' on the pitch…

"First, it is good that he was very honest and maybe some people were scared. When I was in top teams I saw some were scared of losing the Champions League or the semi-finals. I don't think that's negative, but I don't think that needs to affect on the pitch. When you go to the pitch you are trying to do your job and this is what is important.

"I don't think that any team in the bottom or on the top goes on to the pitch thinking 100 per cent that they are going to win without any fear. I don't think is negative, it might be negative if affects on the pitch. We were with zero points after four games, so we had many reasons to have in a fear, but after that from seven matches we just lost one game."

Avram on his respect for Arsenal's style of play…

"I always support good football, and they are playing very good football, now they are in a good shape and they are playing wonderful. But we are in the football business and it is important to remember that in football everything can happen.

"I think if we don't think like this we are sportspeople. You always have to be positive and you need to believe that you can do things that seem to be impossible. Of course I have all the respect for them, but we going to do our best.

"I think football players have to speak on the pitch as we saw on Wednesday and I think you saw after we had zero points in four games. I think the respond and the mentality was very good on Wednesday.

Avram on his approach to facing Arsenal…

"It is always hard to play Arsenal, especially at the Emirates and when they are in a good shape. I saw the match with Chelsea and they have dominated 90 per cent of the game and against Manchester City they played very good. They are one of the best teams in Europe when they are in a good shape.

Manuel da Costa

Avram on West Ham's position in the table…

"I am in football for so long, so I know that I have to be focused on my job and even now in this position we are doing the right things. I think we have been just unlucky and we could have more points. At the end of the day, it is not a good situation and we don't like it but we are only after nine games. So if you want to judge players or the team we need to wait.

Avram on the support of the owners…

"They know that we are facing difficulties, but they believe in this vision and I believe in this vision. I believe there is no other way for West Ham to do good things. If you look on Wednesday, more than 50 per cent of the team was under 24-years-old. So we are doing the right things and I know that is not easy to say that, but I want to say now.