Avram Grant was in upbeat mood at a sunny Chadwell Heath on Friday afternoon. The squad departed for the north-west with a full complement of strikers, including Robbie Keane and Frederic Piquionne. PFA Player of the Year nominee Scott Parker was also unsurprisingly part of the discussion at the weekly press conference.
Avram on the players' morale after the Manchester United defeat...
"I think it is not just about the last performance. All our results in the last matches have been good. The performance in the first half last week was good. There is no use in looking to the past and we spoke to the players about that. We have a big game on Saturday and that is what is important.
"It was not difficult to pick ourselves up. We played against a very good team. We were on top of them and winning two-nil but they played well in the second half. We are a team that doesn't want to focus on one game, we analyse all our performances and we have been improving."
Avram on Bolton and having lost the last seven meetings with them...
"There is no easy game for any team between now and the end of the season, especially when you are playing at Bolton. They are very good, especially at home. They are a good team but we have showed that we are difficult to play against. Everyone is fit to play.
"It is a challenge [to end a run of seven defeats against Bolton]. It is a good challenge. The game will start at zero-zero and we will come to the game looking to take the points.
"I don't know if they will be thinking about the [FA Cup] semi-final next week. They are at home and will want to get a good result. Apart from tactics, we are focused on what we need to do, not on the other team. In every game, our first priority is ourselves but we also look at the strengths and weaknesses of the other team."
Avram on points targets and staying up...
"Three months ago everyone thought 36 points [would be enough to survive] but I don't think there is even one manager that thinks that now. Then, we spoke about 38...I think it will be around 40 points not less.
"I see in our players what everyone sees. Our play is much better, we won many games, we took points. In every aspect of the game we have improved. We have scored more goals, we conceding less than before. Our fighting spirit is better and we are playing intelligently. We have seen a lot of positive things. If we continue like we did lately we will be OK."
Avram on the PFA nominating Scott Parker for Player of the Year...
"He is absolutely my choice. There is no doubt after what he has done for this team. If you look at the second half of the season we have played well and if you make a table we would be in the top half. We had difficult days in the first half of the season and he was there for us. He played well and scored goals, he kept us in a position that we could stay in contention."
"Scott Parker is the best. What he has done this season he is better than any other English midfielder."
Avram on warning his players about swearing...
"My players are very nice, sometimes too nice on the pitch. I don't think I need to say anything to them."
Avram on Robbie Keane...
"Robbie has done well for us. He is part of the squad, an important part. As you know the first half of the season we had a lot of injuries, maybe half the squad. Now everybody is fit and we have good competition. I am very happy he is with us."
Avram on Freddie Piquionne...
"Freddie has done well for us and we want to wait to the end of the season to consider his contribution. Until now he has done well. He has played since the beginning of the season and we are happy with him. There are seven games to go and we can see what he will do for the team after that."