Alan Curbishley is looking forward to a "massive week" for West Ham United starting with the trip to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.
With Carling Cup and league contests against Everton to come at home on Wednesday and Saturday respectively, Curbishley said he was only interested in the task at hand. "This is a really big week and as far as I am concerned, nothing is going to get in the way of that," he said. "We could find ourselves at the end of it in the top half of the league and in a semi-final."
In stressing that he was focusing first and foremost on Blackburn, Curbishley admitted he was hoping for a similar result to the confidence boost gained with last March's trip to Ewood Park - a key turning point in ensuring top-flight survival. The Hammers came away with a 2-1 victory, having seemed down and out after 4-0 and 4-3 defeats by Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur in the previous two games.
"I think two things happened when we went to Blackburn last year," the manager said. "We managed to keep the same side from the Spurs game and we got a bit of luck." In recalling Bobby Zamora's winning goal, which hit Carlos Tevez but was adjudged to have crossed the line, he added it "gave us a lift at the right time".
That was the first of seven wins in nine games, and Curbishley recalled: "We got the result up at Blackburn and it spun it around for us - it give us a chance. We took full advantage of it. We played well against Spurs but we needed three points desperately. Only wins would do. Whatever situation we found ourselves in we knew we had to go for three points. Obviously this weekend is a little bit different. There is a lot to play for."
Despite the significant competition for places in Curbishley's squad, last season's hero Zamora will again be absent as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Although he has not featured since 28 August, there is the prospect of seeing him back in action sooner rather than later,. "It is only now that he's working and it is not swelling up. We are hopeful that he gets through the next week or so and then he may be back in full training."
The manager added that Lee Bowyer was "touch and go" for the weekend after his hernia operation but could return for midweek. With regard to Mark Noble, another to have missed out last weekend, Curbishley was pleased he was ready and willing to fight for his place. "I said to him the competition is there now. Scott Parker is back, Hayden Mullins is playing well and that is part and parcel of being at a Premier League club. He has accepted that and got on with it."
Curbishley reiterated his delight at the strength in his squad, especially as three games in six days is likely to mean rotation. While he is now reaping the benefits of the experienced international-class players like Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson and Scott Parker acquired for last season's run-in, he paid tribute to those already at the club who have taken their chance - not least Carlton Cole and Mullins. "Players have grabbed the opportunity. It is amazing what confidence can do."