Gianfranco Zola is relishing the prospect of this afternoon's visit to Fulham in the hope of settling Barclays Premier League survival once and for all.
With the club all but safe - barring a goal difference nightmare - Zola wants the team to go to Craven Cottage and finish the away campaign on a high note. He knows it will be a tough challenge, having been at the west London stadium on Thursday night to see Fulham win through to the UEFA Europa League final.
Nevertheless, Zola said his team have to give it their best to thank the supporters who have been brilliant away from home. "The fans have been very supportive. For the team and the people working here they have been the best thing that has happened this season," the manager said. "The ones who have travelled away deserve all the applause."
After overcoming a tough season which began on a low note with injuries and financial issues affecting the make-up of his squad, he said he was well placed to improve as a young manager in the game. "It has certainly made me stronger. In the future when I have situations like this I will be dealing with them even better.
"My love for the game is massive. That won't change. It's normal that you have good moments and bad moments - it is how you deal with it. It has been tough but it was good because I had good people around me: Kevin Keen, Steve Clarke and Antonio Pintus and all the rest. So every time we had a problem we united as a team. It worked out very well."
He added that the management team went out for dinner after last week's win against Wigan, adding: "for the first time in a long time we were relaxed a little bit". He continued that there was still a job to do. All the coaches were at Upton Park on Tuesday to watch the reserves as well and there is a hope Luis Boa Morte could return today after missing the entire season.
"We have two matches to play and no one is going to be taking it easy. We have six points to play for and we want to get them all. It is great to have Boa back because he is such a positive influence around the dressing room."