Ivanovic - We have to believe

Branislav Ivanovic has urged his Chelsea team-mates to maintain their good form and enjoy the same sort of revival as when Guus Hiddink replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2009.

The Blues have improved their level since Andre Villas-Boaswas sacked earlier this month, with Roberto Di Matteo guiding the club to a famous UEFA Champions League victory on Wednesday night after being named interim manager.

Ivanovic wrote his name into Stamford Bridge folklore with the winning goal against Napoli and he sees parallels between what Di Matteo is starting to achieve and the success that was masterminded by Hiddink three years ago.

Hiddink lost just one match at the helm as Chelsea won the FA Cup and were controversially denied a second successive Champions League final appearance.

Like three years ago, the Blues are in danger of failing to qualify for next season's competition, and Ivanovic said: "When it's something new, you try to do everything, try to change the season.

"The same thing happened when Scolari left the club. We tried to do everything and I think this is quite a similar situation like that one."

Hiddink quickly rebuilt the confidence shattered under Scolari and Di Matteo looks to have done the same since Villas-Boas' exit.

Ivanovic added: "We have to believe. We have to play a lot of games like this at a good level, good intensity, show good football, to deserve some trophies.

"It's going to be difficult. This is only one game and we will try to do everything."

Animal

Di Matteo has also embraced the old guard, who were sidelined at times by Villas-Boas and they responded in midweek, with Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard scoring goals.

"John gave the maximum," Ivanovic said of Terry, who limped off in extra time in what was his second game since his remarkable recovery from knee surgery.

"He was injured and, three weeks ago, he was lost for this game.

"He was great and scored as well and Didier was fantastic, was like an animal on the pitch - Frank as well.

"Everybody was good and that's why it got the result for us."

Reports suggest there will be a mass clear-out of older players this summer but Ivanovic warned: "I cannot agree age makes you 'old' or 'young'. It depends what you give on the pitch.

"I think they are giving at the moment their best on the pitch."

Coyle salutes Spurs' quality

Owen Coyle believes Bolton's FA Cup quarter-final opponents Tottenham are favourites to go all the way and does not consider them to be in a slump.

It has been suggested that the Trotters could not have picked a better time to face Spurs, as they prepare to go head-to-head atWhite Hart Lane on Saturday.

Harry Redknapp's side have suffered three successive defeats in the Premier League, with ongoing speculation linking their manager with the vacant England post said to be offering an unwelcome distraction.

Coyle does not buy into that line of thought, though, and is fully aware of the size of the challenge facing his team in North London this weekend.

He said: "If you analyse the performances, as we do because we are playing against them, you realise that Tottenham have been playing at a very high level.

"People are talking about how Spurs' recent results haven't been great but you have to look further than that. Their performances recently have been of a very high standard but they haven't carried that little bit of luck.

"Tottenham against Manchester United were outstanding and at Goodison on Saturday there were spells when it was like the Alamo when they looking to get the equaliser.

Energetic

"So this is a quality side led by a fantastic manager and we are going to have to be at our best.

"I don't think there is ever a good time to play Tottenham especially away from home, but we will go there and be fresh and energetic and try to get to the semi-finals.

"I think they are the favourites for the FA Cup, this is a club that has carried all before them this year."

It could be suggested that a prolonged run in the cup could prove to be a distraction for Bolton this season, as they battle to beat the drop in the Premier League, but Coyle insists that wins breed confidence, regardless of which competition they come in.

He added: "We are under no illusions - our priority is to remain in the Barclays Premier League. But within that, I also believe that we can continue to progress in the FA Cup.

"We have the toughest draw out of anybody left in the competition because Tottenham Hotspur are favourites.

"But we have an opportunity, like they have, to reach the last four of the best national cup competition in football."

Taylor is focused on football

Paul Taylor is looking to put contract talks to one side and focus on scoring the goals that help Peterborough up the Championship table.

The Posh's nine-goal leading marksman is already under contract until 2013 and is no rush to talk terms.

Darren Ferguson claims the agreeing of a new deal is a top priority for him, but Taylor is looking to make the most of his first season as a Football League player and avoid all possible distractions.

"At the minute I'm not thinking about contracts or anything like that - I just want to concentrate on my football and that is my focus," the 24-year-old told the Peterborough Evening Telegraph.

"My target for this season was to get into double figures for goals and I am only one away from that now, so I'm pretty happy.

"I have been pleased with how the season has gone so far and it would be great to end it by finishing as high as we can in the table."

Competition

Taylor was snapped up by Peterborough last summer following a spell playing in Belgium and he is confident that a budding partnership with fellow frontman Tyrone Barnett will prove prolific for the Posh.

He added: "I believe myself and Tyrone can form a good partnership together.

"He is strong, good in the air and I think we did well together on Saturday (against Blackpool).

"It was enjoyable to play alongside him but there are a lot of really good strikers at the club so the competition is tough."

Schlupp eyes Essien meeting

Leicester teenager Jeffrey Schlupp is hoping to get the opportunity to line up against Ghanaian hero Michael Essien in this weekend's FA Cup tie at Chelsea.

Essien is revered in Ghana and widely recognised as the greatest player to emerge from the African country.

Schlupp, born in Hamburg in Germany to Ghanaian parents, made his debut for the Black Stars in November but has yet to meet his idol.

The 19-year-old Leicester striker will hope that Essien's involvement for the whole 120 minutes inChelsea's UEFA Champions League victory over Napoli on Wednesday night does not mean the 29-year-old midfielder is overlooked by interim Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo on Sunday.

"He is someone I look up to," said Schlupp. "He is a well-respected player, the national captain and an idol in Ghana so I would love to play against him. To play against someone like him would be an achievement.

"I also look forward to playing with him at some point too.

"He is a great player, but there are a lot of great players in the Chelsea team."

Chuffed

Even if Essien does not play for the three-time Premier League winners, Schlupp knows that walking out at Stamford Bridge with a semi-final place at Wembley at stake would represent one of the biggest moments of his fledgling career.

"Chelsea have always been one of the best teams in the country, they have great players. I would be chuffed to be involved in a game like that," said the Leicester academy graduate.

"They are all great players. To be playing against players like that at my age is a great achievement. I am looking forward to it and hopefully I will be involved and we can beat them.

"It will be one of the biggest games I have been involved in if I am selected."