Guy Demel is staying positive despite West Ham United's late defeat at Everton on Saturday.
On loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku struck with just nine minutes to play to end the Hammers' five-game unbeaten run.
But the No20 felt his side could have come away with a point after once again defending solidly, and his eyes remain on the top half of the Barclays Premier League table.
He explained: "Of course there is still work to be done, it's the Premier League so every game is going to be tough. Even top teams are losing points, that's why everyone wants to play in this league, and we have to fight in every game.
"We're still looking up rather than down, we're positive. We knew that when we were down, we could get ourselves out of the situation - we did that and now we have to make sure we stay away from there.
"It's been good to have a settled back line, and we've been lucky in the last few games that everyone is fit. It's easier when you play every week with the same defence, but we have a great squad.
"We have people like Winston Reid, who is a great defender. Joey O'Brien too, but this season we haven't had a settled defence until recently, with so many injuries."
For Demel, Saturday's game was a tough one given that he only returned to training the day before the match following a bout of tonsilitis.
He continued: "I had a fever. On Monday the doc came because I had a high temperature and my glands were swollen. I stayed at home for a couple of days, came back on Thursday and joined in on Friday.
"It's not easy when you're taking antibiotics, but no excuses, I tried my best on the pitch. I was kind of disappointed because I had to leave my teammates on the pitch."
Behind the Ivorian and his defensive colleagues, Adrian has only conceded two goals in six games, and Demel believes he is being pushed on by Jussi Jaaskelainen behind him.
He added: "Adrian is a very good goalkeeper, but I don't want people to forget that Jussi was outstanding last year. If Adrian plays well, people should know it's because he has Jussi in the back, who helped him to integrate.
"But yes, he's a good goalkeeper, we're happy for him and I'm sure that the West Ham fans will see a lot more from him. We're kind of lucky because we have two great goalkeepers."