The players arrive at Cobham this morning for their penultimate training session before facing West Ham on Saturday, and John Mikel Obi is determined to use that game as an opportunity to return to winning ways.The Nigerian played the full 120 minutes against Tottenham in Sunday's Carling Cup Final defeat, and, having had a day off on Monday to recover, has found the squad spirited as preparations begin for the weekend.
'It has been good, we just have to put what has happened behind us and make sure we move forward and everything from here goes well,' said the 20-year-old.
He believes the disappointment felt from Sunday can be used as a channel for success in the remaining three competitions.
'Yes, I think that's what we're doing, we had a talk among ourselves as players, and we know we could have done better in the Cup Final,' he said. 'It was obviously disappointing, so we have to make sure we come back victorious.'
Our visit to Upton Park in two days represents the first opportunity to register a win, and is a welcome return to league action after a run of three successive cup games.
With almost a full complement of players available, Mikel, who has so far made 29 appearances this season, appreciates the problems in team selection faced by Avram Grant and his coaching staff.
'There is a lot of competition in the team now, and you have to know you can't play every game. There are a lot of big players, good players. Everyone in the team is a good player, and you can't keep them out for a long time,' he explained.
As for West Ham, Mikel remembers December's clash, in which we ran out 1-0 winners, and hopes that we can perform with as much authority as we did that day.
'I think the game at Stamford Bridge was a good one, and we played very well,' he recalled. 'We have to go to Upton Park and make sure we play well and take the three points.'
0 comments:
Post a Comment