Steve Clarke has been impressed with the positive reaction from the West Ham United players in training this week ahead of Sunday's match with Fulham.
After being urged by their manager to get ready for a 'cup final' on Sunday following Monday night's defeat at Manchester City, first-team coach Clarke is confident the players will give the right response against Roy Hodgson's side.
"It's not just what I've seen this week, it's what I've seen since we've had this group together at the beginning of the season," Clarke said. "We have a lot of good players and we have a good unit. We work well together.
"Monday was a disappointment and we have to put that behind us. We've had other games where we've played really well and we have to make sure on Sunday we play really well and win the game."
That task should be made easier by more positive news from the treatment room as Matthew Upson and Valon Behrami have returned to full training. Upson looks set to return to the starting XI, while it remains to be seen whether Behrami will start after just two league appearances so far this campaign.
"We're hopeful that Matthew Upson will be ready to play. Valon Behrami has also trained well this week, whether he'll start the game I'm not sure. It's possible he might make the bench.
"We're starting to get one or two back which is good news and hopefully when we get the other side of the international break we'll have a full squad available."
After the City setback, Clarke believed the squad had benefited from time to reflect on the chance to look at what did not go their way.
"I think on Monday night we were all a little bit frustrated. It was a game where we didn't play as well as we have in previous games this season but it was also a game where crucial decisions went against us in crucial times. All those little things add up to make your frustration.
"We've had a good week since then, we've worked hard and the players are focused on the game on Sunday."
Furthermore, Clarke was happy to report that the spirit at Chadwell Heath remains high.
"I don't think the morale has gone down the way people think it has. The morale is good and the spirit in the camp is very good. We look forward to Sunday's game and we'll try to win the game."
Zola had demanded a reaction from his players, demonstrating a steely side that not everyone gets to see. For Clarke, though, this kind of passion was nothing out of the ordinary.
"He's the same as he always is. He's a very positive person and he tries to transmit that to the group and I think he does that very well. I think he won't change his way as he is what he is and he works as he works.
"Toughness is a mental thing and we all have to pull together, we all have to work hard. He's worked well this week as he's worked hard every week he's been here so things haven't changed very much. We lost the game on Monday night but it's not a disaster."
After a couple of momentary lapses allowed Monday's hosts to score three, Clarke explains those minor should have been ironed out on the training pitch this week.
"If you lose experienced players it is always going to have a detrimental effect. The biggest thing for me is that we've defended set-plays not as well as we have done previously.
"We've worked on that in training and hopefully you'll see the results at the weekend."
Although both of Sunday's teams finished in the top half of the Premier League table last term, they have found the start of this season slightly more difficult. The home side site 18th, two points and a place behind Sunday's opponents.
"Well that's where we are just now so we have to try and rectify that just now. It's not about where you are in the league, that's your position, that's where you are and we have to try and move up.
"Hopefully we can prove we're in a false position but we have to prove we're in a false position. Really you have to look at the next game as we have to win the next game. The position we are in will all take care of itself after the next game."
Just to confirm his focus, Clarke had a simple answer when asked about whether he might have one eye on the Sunday's meeting of Chelsea and Liverpool as well. For him, though, there is only one 'big game' taking place in the capital that day.
"No I won't have any eyes on the Chelsea game. I'm just looking forward to our game.
"To be honest I think we have a bigger game on Sunday. For us it's a bigger game. West Ham against Fulham - that's the biggest game on Sunday."