Why Captain Grumpy is determined to kick the Blues and restore some pride

It is the mental scars that torment the 26-year-old. No longer leading the dominant team in England hurts.

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Failure to land two of the biggest prizes within reach of the club's expensively assembled side has made him miserable.

And the only consolation he takes is that he's glad he is miserable — because it would not be right if he was not.

But Terry aims to put his discontent to good effect by leading his team to victory over Manchester United in Saturday's FA Cup final and sending them into the summer break in a mood of optimism to sweep all before them next season.

"It's not just the need to win things that matters," said the Chelsea and England captain. "It's the need to win.

"I haven't been too happy recently and that's the same with all the lads. The last thing I would want to see was us knocked out of the Champions League and lose the championship and everyone be happy. It's been nice to see everyone moping about the place a bit."

Ask him to select the worst moment between being dumped out of the Champions League by Liverpool, conceding the Premiership title after two successful years or forming a guard of honour for champions-elect Manchester United at Stamford Bridge and Terry has to think hard.

"For me it has to be the Premiership," he said. "I have loved lifting that trophy and on Sunday it's not going to be right. Something's going to be missing."

But the Champions League penalty-shoot out defeat at Anfield had a devastating impact, too. "For two days afterwards I didn't want to come out of the house. We could have gone to that next level. To see Liverpool do it is upsetting, very upsetting.

"Where we are at the minute, with the players we have, everyone expects more than just the Premiership every year. Will I watch the Champions League Final? I don't know what I'm going to do."

Today, against Everton, Chelsea can begin the healing process by equalling Liverpool's league record of 63 successive home matches unbeaten. And Terry added: "The way we're feeling people can say it's a disappointing season for Chelsea, but if we can manage to win the FA Cup we can turn it all around. It's not a question of putting one over United, it's all about winning the trophy.

"But it's vital we reassert ourselves in the last game of the season. We can go off on our holidays having won the FA Cup and enjoy them. It will be great for us if we can do that."

Terry anticipates a summer of activity behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge. He plans a meeting with Mourinho to be assured that the manager is staying and will hold an inquest with his team-mates to analyse crucial errors which have cost them this season.

"We're a tight-knit family and we want to keep it that way," he said. "We have to make sure that not only on the pitch but off the pitch, too, we are together."

But first there's an FA Cup Final to be won. A joyous weekend will be guaranteed if the Chelsea captain follows the first birthday of his twin son and daughter with victory at Wembley Yet unlike Dennis Wise, who famously carried his young son around the Millennium Stadium following the 2002 final, Terry has no plans for similar family involvement.

"I wouldn't have an arm left to lift the trophy," he said, laughing loudly. Just the thought was enough to cheer him up.