Fulham Manager Chris Coleman believes his side must tighten up at the back if they are to end their wretched away form.

The Cottagers have still not won on the road this season but have gone close on several occasions only to be let down by defensive errors.

Fratton Park could provide the setting for that barren spell to end with Portsmouth next up on Saturday, but Coleman has warned his defenders they must keep their concentration if they are to triumph.

"I have been disappointed on our travels, not so much on our performance but in the results," he said.

"We have been leading four times when we have been playing better than the opposition but given it up. That is something we have talked about and we need to address."

Fulham have endured a mixed Christmas schedule so far, following up a gritty display against champions Chelsea with a frustrating 3-3 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

They are missing midfield enforcer Papa Bouba Diop - who is out with an ankle injury - as the towering Senegal international adds steel and defensive cohesion to the side.

Steed Malbranque, Claus Jensen and Moritz Volz are also in the treatment room, leaving Fulham short on numbers, and Coleman admits the current workload puts a massive strain on his squad.

"Christmas is a great time festively and playing games in front of packed houses in the holiday spirit is a great occasion but it's not without difficulties," he said.

"There are a lot of fixtures in quick succession which takes its toll on the players and sometimes you can see a dip in the quality because of that.

"It's not because they are not fit - our players are fitter than they have ever been - but the games come thick and fast over this period and it's difficult for clubs like us with smaller squads, the players quite simply get fatigued."
(from the sportinglife)

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp goes into the last clash of 2005 knowing that a win against Fulham is a must. The London side have edged their way clear of immediate relegation danger recently but a winless Christmas and away record this season has left them still very much on the fringes of the battle.

Redknapp hopes to have Dejan Stefanovic and Gary O'Neil back in contention after both players missed the drubbing at Highbury with injuries the manager was keen not to exacerbate ahead of the home clash with Fulham.

Laurent Robert also returns after a one match suspension for his sending off against West Ham so there is definitely going to be changes as Pompey play their third game in six games during a heavy Christmas schedule.

"I hope to have a few players back who were missing against Arsenal because of course it was a blow to be without Gary O'Neil and Dejan Stefanovic the other night" said Redknapp looking ahead to the clash.

"Everyone knows the importance of our home matches and this is a vital one because a win would bring us closer to them and a few other teams.

"I would have loved to have got something from Highbury the other night but it was a game we were always going to be up against it and where you just wanted to salvage what you can, especially given who we had missing.

"But we really have to be in the driving seat for this game and if we can re-create some of the football we played against West Ham in the first half on Boxing Day then we have a decent chance.

"Once again we need to work hard all over the pitch and the crowd can really make one heck of a difference too.

"Alan Pardew picked up on the importance of our home crowd the other day and it should not be taken lightly when that comes from the opposing camp. "There was a hell of an atmosphere and it does affect the opposition.

"We have to be wary because Fulham have scored a few goals lately but have let some in as well. As ever we are going to have to work hard for anything we get but we have proved in our last two home games that we can do that and the crowd here respect that and respond to it.

"It was a seven goal thriller last time Fulham came here in my time but I would settle for a solid win. That said nothing is easy in this league and we have to earn it." (from the pompeyfc)