FA CUP QUARTER FINAL PREVIEW
Lee Clark reckons the sight of Chris Coleman in the dug-out at Old Trafford tomorrow would give Fulham the boost they need to pull off an FA Cup shock. Mind you, the way United have been defending of late, would it be that much of a surprise if Fulham did win?
Coleman hopes to leave hospital in time for the visit to Manchester after recovering well from an infection in the leg he had seriously injured in the car crash which ended his career in 2001. His return would certainly be a welcome one for the Fulham players.
Midfielder Lee Clark said "There's a chance he'll be there on Saturday. It would be a huge boost for us, the lads respect him a lot and we'd like him around.
"But let's put this into perspective. The car crash which he survived could have taken his life. He ended up trying to come back from that and nearly did that in football terms. He has still made a fantastic recovery and he's so far proved to be a very good manager.
"But he's still been talking with his assistants and dictating what we're doing, who plays and what tactics we use. The only difference is that he hasn't been motivating the lads from the dug-out. That's been a miss as he's been important for us, but we've still got a fantastic, motivated dressing-room."
Coleman's assistant Steve Kean confirmed: "Chris is getting stronger. I spoke to him before the training session yesterday and again afterwards and he sounded better. We're quite hopeful that he's got a good chance of travelling up to Old Trafford.
"It would take a lot to keep him away. He's itching to get back but he's also sensible enough to make sure he doesn't have to go back to hospital for weeks and weeks. We'll take our lead from the specialists and not push him too far but, at this stage, I think he's got a good chance of being there."
Fulham certainly have no cause to fear a quarter final visit to Old Trafford where they triumphed 3-1 earlier in the season. They were also more than a match for their rivals last week, although Steed Malbranque has warned of a United backlash after recent disappointments, and criticism.
He said: "I'm looking forward to it very much. Everybody will be trying their best up there but we go into it knowing it will be a very difficult game.
"That was a great day when we beat them up there in October. But this is a different game now and if anything that result will make them more motivated - that's why it will be very difficult for us. It will be a good game I think but very hard."
Sir Alex Ferguson's defensive problems could be helped by the return of Mikael Silvestre, who says: "I should be fit for Porto, maybe even before. It's not the best situation. We're losing games and we think the defence is not dealing well with crosses.
"There are some adjustments that we have to make, but I'm confident we can do that in the remaining games this season," added the Frenchman who insists that the United players still haven't ruled out the possibility of winning the Premiership title.
"We're going to fight until the end, even if we are nine points behind," he said. "Arsenal are not going to drop points as easily. We still have to go to Highbury - and if we win there and they lose another game it makes it an interesting finish."
With so much still to play for, at home and abroad, Sir Alex has turned to his old pal Walter Smith for some extra guidance on the run-in. It's a welcome return to the game for the former Everton boss who is more surprised than anyone by Fergie's offer.
"Imagine the situation. You are sitting at home, going to a few games as a spectator and getting a little bit frustrated when suddenly the best manager in the country with the biggest club in the country comes and asks whether you will give them a hand for ten weeks," reflects Smith.
"You don't tend to think about things like that happening. I had a few opportunities to get back into the game but I didn't want to go back in unless it was something I really want to do. This is something I couldn't possibly turn down."
