Softly, softly approach for Grant
09/05/2008 3:53 PM
in Chelsea history.
Lampard's bravery in taking the extra-time spot-kick that put Chelsea 2-1 ahead on the night was the reward for Grant's own belief in a man who had spent the last week grieving and who only decided to play on the morning of the game.
Many observers still fail to see just what the Israeli has introduced into Chelsea's game to make them so different to the Mourinho era. There is no doubt they have a more attacking edge but Grant explains he had to carefully win the players over to a new way of thinking.
"I showed patience with the players," he said.
"I said I would not form an opinion of them in only one month. I wanted to check them for a long time, to see their behaviour."
"I believe that you need quality but you need more than quality - you need to be a positive person."
"You check the players and they want to see what you can bring. It is normal, but I say it again, out on the pitch they have always given me everything."
"To create history in this club in the first year as a manager, with all the difficulties we have had this year, means a lot to me."
"We stayed together and did things the way I like to do things, in a positive way. This is a time to say that everybody in the club has done good work."
"Since day one there have been so many microscopes on me that I have become shorter!"
"I understand in the beginning the criticism but I needed to prove more than others that my team knows how to play football and handle the difficult days - and we have created history."
"It is strange to have two English teams in Moscow but it will be a good final. We have been playing better in the important games."