Avram Grant is focusing fully on the Carling Cup third-round tie with Sunderland on Tuesday night after the positives of the point and performance at Stoke City. Speaking at Chadwell Heath on Monday morning, he touched on the spirit in the squad, the work of his coaches and the importance of the cup competitions.
Avram on being pleased to be off the mark after a point at Stoke...
"It's a relief and I think we deserved it. We played very good against Chelsea. I think if you saw the Chelsea game, they created less chances than they did in any game - they created one chance and they scored from this chance.
"We just wanted to continue our progress after we also played very well against Bolton, but still had zero points. At the end of the day, you need points and we took our first point. We could have taken three, because I think we played very well and reacted well after their goal, so there are many positives we can take to the next games."
Avram on his coaching staff working well in his absence...
"It was great, but we have a way of how we coach, how we come to the game and how we prepare for the game, so we followed that way. Of course, for me it was very difficult and also very strange, but the staff and the players did a good job and that's what is important. The most important thing is that the team continues focusing and takes more points.
"We want to win any game - friendly games, league games and also in the Carling Cup - so we will go to this game and we want to win and we want to be in the next round."
Avram on fringe players being given a chance at Sunderland...
"Valon Behrami got injured on Saturday - we hope it's not so bad, but it's not so easy - and also Thomas Hitzlsperger is injured. So we won't have players resting as they'll play tomorrow.
"This is an opportunity to see the other players. We have good players in the squad and they will play tomorrow."
Avram on the importance of the Carling Cup...
"The most important thing is the league and building something for the future. I think the Carling Cup is like a bonus.We like this bonus of winning, so we want to win and we will do everything to be in the next round."