Andre Villas-Boas is hoping the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League will offer relief to Chelsea in their quest to take something from the season.
Blues boss looking for much-needed boost in knockout competition
Andre Villas-Boas is hoping the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League will offer welcome relief to Chelsea in their quest to take something from the season.
The Blues' title dream died some time ago, with inconsistency having prevented them from staking a serious claim to English football's top prize.
They now face a battle to secure a top-four finish, with a 2-0 reversal at Everton on Saturday seeing them slip to fifth.
The campaign is by no means a write-off, though, with the Blues readying themselves for an FA Cup fifth round clash with Birmingham next weekend and a last-16 showdown with Napoli in the Champions League.
Success in either of those competitions would see Chelsea salvage something from the season, and Villas-Boas is looking to knock-out football to offer his side a much-needed confidence boost.
Spirit
He said: "There are two different competitions now ahead of us and two competitions where we want to show a different quality.
"We have one week to prepare for Birmingham and then Napoli.
"They are two competitions where we are in a very good position and we have to rebuild confidence.
"We are in the last 16 of the FA Cup and we hope to continue to progress. That shows the spirit and resilience in a different competition."
Defeat at Goodison Park led some members of the travelling support to air their displeasure towards the away dugout, particularly when Michael Essien was replaced in the second half.
Villas-Boas accepts that criticism comes with the job, but he also believes that it is impossible to keep everybody happy all of the time.
Expectations
He said: "If there are people entitled to say that, it is the fans. Their expectations and demands are the most respected ones, they are the essence of the football club.
"It doesn't mean their opinion is the one we have to share - we thought about it on the bench and we thought it [substitution] was the solution.
"I think the disappointment they have is exactly the same we have, massive disappointment and the sadness they feel is one we feel.
"We have been very competent away from home normally, but this wasn't the case and we were not up to our level.
"Hopefully we can repay them with a good FA Cup win and progression in the Champions League."
