Avram Grant revealed words of encouragement from Sir Alex Ferguson help him remain focused on guiding West Ham to success.
The Irons' upturn in fortunes on the pitch was marred by last week's 5-0 defeat at Newcastle, which sent them back to the foot of the Premier League table, albeit now just a point from safety.
Grant, appointed in the summer, continues to find his own position making the headlines, with the likes of Sam Allardyce and Martin O'Neill reportedly already lined up as the West Ham board prepare to wield the axe.
However, the former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager was not letting any off-field controversies concern him ahead of Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final first-leg against Birmingham at Upton Park.
The 55-year-old Israeli has enough experience to know fortunes in football can change very quickly - a point Ferguson reminded him of, as the Scot recalled the moment which arguably saved his Old Trafford career when a Mark Robins goal beat Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup tie during January 1990.
"I have spoken to Alex from time to time and he gave me very, very good advice. I am using it all the time," Grant said.
"Alex is great because he was in the position where he was almost on the way out and then everyone knows what he did.
"You cannot even describe what he has done and the way he has done it.
"I speak with other managers, but personally, I like to deal with my problems on the pitch, not off it."
Grant has been left somewhat baffled by the continued criticism which comes his way following three wins from the last six, which saw them move into the fourth round of the FA Cup after victory over Barnsley and leaves the Irons just two points behind 14th-placed Fulham, albeit having played more games.
"We did a good few weeks so this is a strange situation, but sometimes we need to deal with things we don't like," the West Ham manager said.
"At Chelsea there were rumours from the first minute that I came in, but I decided then, as I decided now, to concentrate on my job because I ask this from the players.
"The players also sometimes pay attention to other things, but you have to pay attention to your job.
"Football is not a private game, there are supporters, there are players, there is the board, the managers.
"The only thing you can do is focus on your job and do your job. You don't have control of the other things."
Grant added: "I still think we can make it. I cannot say there are no difficulties, but difficulties never stopped me doing my job.
"I will do it unless I think I cannot do it and then I will take a decision."
West Ham were the 2006 FA Cup runners-up at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, losing on penalties to Liverpool.
However, the Irons last reached Wembley back in 1981, where they drew the League Cup final against the Reds, but were beaten in a replay at Villa Park.
The semi-final draw has extra significance for West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan, who used to own Birmingham.
Grant, however, maintains the coaching staff and players can use such additional focus as motivation.
"In football, I've told the players many times, pressure can help you to be better or make you worse," he said.
"Pressure can push you to achieve. When you are in a good team, winning all the time, you want to win everything.
"When you are in another team, you want to win to recover from a bad situation.
"There is always a good pressure, but you can also deal with the pressure and direct it.
"I don't want to be in a situation where the pressure controls me."
