This week could have been seen as a frustrating one for Nolberto Solano. Having missed a couple of chances to put West Ham United ahead against Portsmouth last Saturday, he then had to sit out the midweek trip to the Ricoh Arena as he was cup-tied for the Carling Cup match against Coventry City.
But Solano is unfazed and in cheerful mood ahead of today's Barclays Premier League visit of Bolton Wanderers.
"It was quite disappointing to miss those chances, especially the first one," he said of the 0-0 draw at Fratton Park. "But the week before against Sunderland I shot against the post and it rebounded off the keeper to go in. I'm just happy to be there to take the chances. Heading isn't my best strength. Next time hopefully it will be different, but I'm glad to be there getting the chances."
Seeing his team-mates battle their way through to the cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Coventry was a rewarding experience for Solano and he is keen to play his part in bringing silverware to the Boleyn Ground.
"I want to win everything," the 32-year-old said, having missed out on trophies at Newcastle United, the club he left in the summer. "It's disappointing that I can't play in the Carling Cup because I've already played in it for Newcastle. I'm really hungry to try to win something for this club. The FA Cup awaits and that will be fantastic."
The experienced Peruvian international, who has already settled with his wife and two children in London and describes it as a "fantastic city", is pleased to be involved in pushing the club toward a place in the top half of the Premier League table, which a win over today's opponents would secure with one more game before the international break.
"I love to play and it's a big squad, which I'm really happy to be in," Solano said. "I'll play right-back or right-midfield - whatever the manager decides - as long as I'm involved. I want to push the team to finish well. There are a lot of young players in this team and we have to be mentally strong. We have to try and take all the points we can and we need to keep improving.
"When I came in I had to go to Peru and it meant I missed the Reading match. I was just waiting for my chance but it's always more important how the team is doing. I'm happy to try and push the team to finish well and we have the squad to finish in the top eight."
To see Nolberto Solano speaking before the visit of Bolton Wanderers, click here