Rafa looks ahead

Rafa Benitez spoke to radio journalists as part of the build-up to this afternoon's Barclays Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. Here's what the boss had to say.

Journalist: Could you give us the injury news first Rafa?
 
We have some problems. Gerrard still has some problems with his groin so we have to be careful. Johnson has a small tear in his calf so he will not be available. Torres hopefully will be okay. Aquilani has a virus - not swine flu just a virus, and we will see how he is. We are also without Riera, El Zhar and Kelly.
 
Journalist: After such a great result against Manchester United how frustrating is it you will be without these key players at Fulham?
 
We know it is a difficult time but we had some problems before. It's a question of time so hopefully the other players that come in will help us keep the momentum and the good mentality we have at this moment.
 
Journalist: It is about momentum and that performance last Sunday cannot be a one off can it?
 
We know that it is important to keep winning games, especially when we want to be top of the table. We have to keep winning and we will see if we can play well.
 
Journalist: After the United game Javier Mascherano said this is a fresh start now. Is that what you have been saying to your players?
 
I didn't need to say too much because they were so happy and I knew it was a key game for us. I'm really pleased also to read this from Mascherano because he is very positive and coming back to his level. I'm really pleased for the team because we need every player and Mascherano is right because it was a very good game and a boost for everyone.
 
Journalist: Is it a good thing that you are out of the Carling Cup and can now focus on the Premier League and other competitions?
 
We are disappointed because we want to win trophies and we want to do well. We played away from home against a good team at a good stadium. Arsenal have some quality but I thought it was a good game and we did well. The young players showed quality and character and it was positive in terms of the performance, but we were disappointed in terms of the result. The only positive thing you can find now is that we will have less games, and maybe if we have problems like we have at the moment with injuries then we can manage better.
 
Journalist: The supporters are realistic as well and you haven't got a squad as strong as the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have you?
 
We have a better team and a better squad than people think. Maybe the squad is not as big as the others in terms of senior players with experience, so it could be easier for us now to focus on the other competitions. But we are disappointed because we wanted to be in the quarter-final.
 
Journalist: It was such a good performance against United and you had a high intensity from start to finish. Is that the benchmark what you need to do every game?
 
Yes because we know if you want to beat teams like United you have to do well. You cannot start slowly and you need a high tempo because they have some quality and if you don't it can be very difficult. We know this is the way we need to play against United and it's the same against other teams. But can you keep up this high tempo and this intensity for two or three months? It's not easy but we will try to do it against Fulham.
 
Journalist: You were boosted against United by the return of Fernando Torres and he didn't disappoint did he?
 
I said after the game Fernando was only around 80 per cent fit. He did well and was a key player for us. He will be a key player for the rest of the season because he can score goals and make a difference to the team. It's important to keep him fit and it is important for the rest of the players because when he is on the pitch they have more confidence too.
 
Journalist: Yossi Benayoun scored a last minute winner at Fulham last season. How influential a player is he for you, especially without your injured captain?
 
Yossi is a key player for us. Before, people had some doubts about him but we knew he has quality. He has game intelligence and he can change a game for us. When we don't have Gerrard on the pitch at the moment, Yossi can be a key player. Hopefully he will be an important player for us again in this game.
 
Journalist: Are you surprised how well he fits into any position you play him in?
 
Not really because I knew him when he was in Spain at Racing Santander. We knew about his mentality and game intelligence so when we signed him we were bringing a player into a top side. Because we have some good players, sometimes he has to be on the bench but when he is playing he shows the quality he has.
 
Journalist: When you go into any game without your top players it's always going to be difficult so how much do you miss Gerrard and Torres when they are not available?
 
Always we talk about Gerrard and Torres because they are key players for us but I think we now seeing the best of Mascherano. You could see from the players who played against Arsenal that we have some quality. To have players like Gerrard and Torres on the pitch, who can change a game, always makes it easier for a manager, but the other players have shown quality and hopefully they will do the same against Fulham.
 
Journalist: You won a dramatic game at Fulham last season with the last minute goal so what do you make of the job Roy Hodgson has done at Craven Cottage?
 
He is doing a very good job. I know we had to wait until the last minute for the win last season but we did hit the post four times in the first half. They are a good team who are well organised. Roy has experience, he is a good manager and a nice man. You can always talk to him about football and it is always a pleasure to see him.
 
Journalist: Is Steven Gerrard's injury a worry for you?
 
I think he is improving but we have to see next week. He is working with the physios and he is progressing but slowly. We will see in the next week and then we have to decide what to do if he is not progressing as quickly as we think.
 
Journalist: Your supporters were impressed with Alberto Aquilani when he came on against Arsenal. He is another player who looks like he can make a difference to the team isn't he?
 
We were talking before about his qualities and he is a player who can pass the ball. He is really good in the final third of the field. Physically he will need time.
 
Journalist: How long will it be before he can start a game for you?
 
He wants to play. We were talking about his match fitness and he was pushing us saying he wants to play. He has a really good mentality and he wants to impress. We have to decide and be careful with him. If he is okay then maybe in one or two weeks he can start.