Grant hails Algarve getaway

12 March 2011 13:30
Avram Grant is hoping West Ham's recent training camp in Portugal will have given his squad the boost they need to maintain their Barclays Premier League status and clinch the club`s first Wembley appearance in 30 years. Their reward for last week's 3-0 thrashing of Stoke was a four-day trip to the Vale do Lobo in the Algarve, where they worked on their fitness ahead of Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against the Potters. Grant has placed a lot of emphasis on team-bonding in recent weeks, saying: "The players were very happy to be together, for the training and for everything else. The most important thing was that they were there as a team in Portugal. "The atmosphere is better now. The training was a lot of happiness. Also we know there are some tough games to come but we are on our way." Carlton Cole has been key to the club's recent renaissance, scoring five goals in his last six games. And Grant believes Cole will be key to his side's chances in both league and cup, saying: "Competition makes you stronger. He has scored a lot of goals in the last month which is very good so it will do good for us and the other players and I believe in this."

Source: PA