Alan Curbishley is excited about the prospect of taking on Manchester United on Saturday and believes the Boleyn Ground is set for another memorable occasion.
The manager was keen to lift spirits, especially as although there was frustration at failing to make a man advantage count against Reading in the 1-1 draw on Boxing Day, the club have moved up to tenth. Pointing to recent strong form, Curbishley said there was plenty to be positive about.
"People need to remember we have won four, drawn four and lost two of our last ten games and the two we have lost to are Chelsea and Everton," he said. "Chelsea had their full team out with no problems and Everton were having a fantastic run."
That said, Curbishley accepts that more could be done at the Boleyn Ground to replicate the outstanding away form that has heralded five wins from nine fixtures. He added: "I can't get away from the fact that we haven't done enough at home. Perhaps going into Saturday's game where expectation levels are not the same and the pressure is on Man United like it always is, it could be in our favour."
The ever-improving injury situation is also brightening the mood - especially looking to Manchester City in the FA Cup on 5 January and Fulham in the league seven days later. "We have got [Julien] Faubert, [Calum] Davenport, [Lee] Bowyer and [Matthew] Etherington really running and joining in but they need a bit more. We have got some others like [Danny] Gabbidon and [James] Collins who are in light training."
For now, it is the 16 that will figure against the champions that most occupies Curbishley's thoughts and he has no doubts they will be up for the challenge. "The one thing I will stress to my players is let's enjoy it. The criticism we received [after Reading] you would have thought we were second from bottom.
"I know that it is disappointing that we have not done as well as we want to do at Upton Park - the fans are frustrated, and we are - but you can't hide from the fact they have done as well as they can and picked up some great points." Adding that the United fixture "is the game everybody wants to see", Curbishley reiterated that "it is a tough game but I think we have earned the right to go and enjoy it".