Avram Grant was naturally upbeat on the back of a four-match unbeaten run as he looked ahead to Newcastle United in his pre-match press conference. The manager was asked once more about his squad situation and any possible incomings but stressed that the focus was on keeping the good run going.
Avram on being out of the bottom three...
The feeling is good but we have a long way to go. We did well in the last ten days by collecting points. We are very happy because we felt we needed it and deserved it. If we were in the other situation I would still feel we can do good things here.
The atmosphere and the spirit are good but it was before. Of course, the players are happier because football is a game of results.
Avram on using the run as a springboard for the rest of the season…
I think yes it can be. We will have good days but we will also have not so good days. This is football. Now we are in good momentum and we want to continue this.
Avram on his lucky scarf - worn in the recent three wins...
It started in the game against Manchestter United. It was very cold. So Bob [Oteng] the kitman gave me a scarf. I liked it because it was a scarf of the club and since then I wear it a lot and we are winning. Maybe it is not because we are scoring more goals…I am not superstitious so much but I will not go against it!
Avram on links with Steve Sidwell, Wayne Bridge, Robbie Keane, Michael Owen and others…
We are dealing with the situation. I don't have any news at the moment especially as we have a game coming up and we want to concentrate on that. I don't have anything to say on any deals until they are done.
We know we want the squad to be stronger. We are following the players that could help us but we will not bring 15 or even five.
Avram on interest in David Beckham…
There are many other teams that want him. He is a big player and a big personality. If he wants to come to West Ham, he is welcome. I like him as a player and as a person. He is a local lad, which is a small advantage. We talked about him at the beginning of the season but we try to be realistic about all of these things. We are concentrating on what we have and what we need to do.
Avram on Freddie Sears' impact and using young players...
I am very pleased with any young players that are coming in and doing something. I am happy for him and the team because he is part of the vision of this club - to use the young players but they need to be good and prove themselves. He needs to continue like this.
If he carries on he can play a role for us to the end of the season. We have three under-21s who have been playing in difficult times.
Avram on facing Newcastle United…
It would be great to keep the momentum going and so will they. They won a difficult game away at Wigan and we are doing well. They are a very good team, with a lot of quality. We are concentrating on what we need to do.
They have played well since the beginning of the season. They got some good results against Sunderland and Liverpool. They have been playing together for a long time.
Avram on the emotion for former Hammers manager Alan Pardew on Wednesday…
You need to ask him if it will be an emotional game for him. I like him as a person and I think he is a very good manager.