With Fulham facing likely elimination from the play-offs a week after Kevin Keegan controversially sacked Ray Wilkins, the former Newcastle boss has appealed to the club's fans to be patient if they fail to overcome Grimsby in the second leg of the Second Division semi-final tomorrow night.
The Cottagers were held 1-1 at home on Saturday but Keegan is determined to make the supporters' hopes come true in the long run. The fans have dreams, said Keegan. It is going to happen here and I am delighted to have been given the responsibility for it. I take it very seriously and there will be more money if we need it.
It should be remembered where Fulham were a few years ago and what nearly happened to the club. Don't forget I have been in this division before I started playing football at this level, and had four years of it (at Scunthorpe United). I like it at this level. The Premiership has all the hype, but this is the real world and I am still enthusiastic about what we are going to do at this club - and about the manager's job if I decide to take it long term.
While it is true that Fulham's existence and that of their ground have regularly been under threat across the last 15 years, on the verge of such a major game it is surprising for Keegan to be using what amounts to defeatist language about the task in hand. As the team have to overcome conceding an away goal and have injury problems, such statements may be realistic, though. Chris Coleman and Peter Beardsley both pulled hamstrings and are ruled out, while Paul Moody is suspended following Saturday's red card. Former Luton striker Tony Thorpe will deputise for Moody, Mark Blake will fill the gap left by Coleman, and Beardsley's likely replacement will be Neil Smith.
Grimsby assistant manager John Cockerill, meanwhile, believes that the Mariners have exceeded all expectations regardless of play-off success against Fulham or not. Cockerill said: It's been an absolutely fantastic season and great for the fans with a trip to Wembley (in the AutoWindscreens Shield, won 2-1 against Bournemouth), especially after the disappointment of relegation last year. And we're still in the fortunate position that the season hasn't finished yet.
Defender Mark Lever is rated doubtful for the game after he was injured in the clash which saw Fulham's Paul Moody dismissed in the first leg. Richard Smith is set to deputise despite having missed all season with an Achilles injury. However, Steve Livingstone is again set to miss out as he is rated doubtful with an ankle problem.