Alan Curbishley Game Quotations

The situation we find ourselves in, this is a game we can't get beat in and have to win, and if we can do that, then it will give everybody a lift.

There is a long way to go but the players are confident and are passing the ball around and that was a big game for us today.

If you look at the amount of games we have drawn then it's about average, but they've just all come at the same time. The clean sheets have helped us back on track. Now that we've tightened up I want us to get back to being more fruitful in front of goal and start scoring some more.

There was a chance of a real upset today and other teams have done it to us before. But we were determined and finished the game off.

He is a local ref and perhaps it is something we have to look at. He is not far from us and perhaps when they come into games refereeing their local teams, it is a bit difficult for them.

As far as I'm concerned Darren has just got to keep in Eriksson's face. I don't mean by scoring every week or getting to 20 goals, he just has to perform well and try to improve his game. There are going to be games when he isn't going to score so he has to contribute more in other ways. If he can do that it is only going to enhance his position.

Last year when he came to us, he wanted someone who would believe in him and give him a run in the side. When you play for the top clubs if you have a couple of bad games you are in danger for your place.

Darren made one and scored one but it is a learning curve. He has got to think about how to get into games when things are not going so well.

Once again we ended up chasing the game - but their first goal infuriated me. Their second goal was a great run and finish - but from our point of view, you can't let players go past four defenders like that. The two goals we conceded were avoidable.

(Chelsea) is powerful, disciplined, well-organized and they have got so many match-winners. If you don't make a mistake like we did for the first goal, they have so much quality that can change a game on its head which is difficult for everybody else.

If we get a result on Saturday and pick something up from our game in hand against Newcastle, it can still change our season.

Now we have the cup game ahead to look forward to and keep our season going.