Grant aims to improve Chelsea's style

LONDON, Sep 26 (Reuters) New Chelsea manager Avram Grant believes he can improve the style of the team's football after taking over from Jose Mourinho last week.

The Israeli, who was promoted from director of football to first-team coach after Mourinho's shock exit, told a news conference yesterday he was undaunted by the challenge.

''I know it's not an ideal time to take the team, there's no time for preparations or to put my style on the team, especially after the (previous) three games when we didn't win,'' Grant said.

''But I believe in this team and the club and the players.

''I don't know how long I've got but I will try to do my job. We need to improve the style of the team and believe we can with this group of players.

Grant's reign began with a 2-0 defeat at champions Manchester United on Sunday and his mis-firing side are sixth in the table after three wins, two draws and two defeats.

As for the quality of the football recently on display from the 2005 and 2006 Premier League champions, Grant said: ''This season we didn't play very well apart from against Birmingham, when we were fantastic, and 20 minutes against Reading.

''We didn't score enough goals so we need many things to improve in a short time because every few days we have a game.

''It's a process and it won't come in one day. I will try to take the best from all the players. Even in a short time I think you will see Chelsea better than at the beginning of the year.'' Though British newspapers have reported that several players are unhappy with events at Stamford Bridge, Grant said he had no problems with the dressing room atmosphere.

''It's better than I thought,'' he said.

''When you have 25 players in the squad, one or two might not be happy, but I haven't seen that. I'm a very positive person but I know that it can't be 100 percent happiness.

''There is nobody, including me, that is happy about the situation.

''But it has happened, it's football and it's not the first time it's happened in football. We need to adapt very quickly and look forward to improving the quality of the football.'' Asked about the sceptical media reaction to his appointment, Grant said he had been prepared for it.

''I was here 10 or 11 years ago when Arsene Wenger came to Arsenal so it doesn't surprise me...It's part of the tradition in England to a new coach,'' he said.

Grant said he hoped to have injured trio Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho and Frank Lampard back within two weeks.

REUTERS BJR BD1050