GEOFF Horsfield never imagined his former Cottagers team-mate Paul Peschisolido would one day take the plunge into management.
But Vale's assistant boss will come face-to-face with Peschisolido when the Canadian's Burton side visit Burslem tonight (7.45pm).
The duo played together in Fulham's forward line between October 1998 and July 2000 as Kevin Keegan's side won promotion to the Championship.
"When I first went to Fulham Paul moaned at the slightest thing, like if the grass wasn't wet or dry enough," joked Horsfield.
"I used to say to him 'you mustn't like football' and he told me he hated training, but loved playing.
"He used to enjoy playing in front of a big crowd and he did well.
"Twelve years ago I couldn't imagine him being a manager, but he's got a good opportunity at Burton."
After taking on his first management role, Peschisolido has guided The Brewers to 12th in League Two ahead of tonight's clash.
Horsfield says he enjoyed playing alongside the "little American" - the sarcastic nickname handed to the patriotic Canadian during his Fulham days.
The duo hit 22 league goals between them in the 1998/99 season to help Fulham lift the League One title.
"Paul had a lot of nous as a player," added Horsfield.
"He wasn't the biggest or strongest player, but he was nippy, had a good football brain and was always a yard ahead of everybody else.
"To go to Burton and do so well in his first season in the Football League is a fantastic achievement.
"I hope that continues, but not tonight."
The rivals meet for the first time in a competitive match after their Boxing Day date fell victim to a frozen pitch.
The recent cold snap means Vale have been left kicking their heels since their 2-1 victory at Grimsby on December 28. Meanwhile, their last home game was the 2-0 defeat of Morecambe on December 5, but the club are confident tonight's clash will go ahead.
Burton played their first match since December 28 on Saturday when they held promotion contenders Shrewsbury to 1-1 home draw.
They will be without suspended centre-half Guy Branston, who was sent off at the weekend.
"It's going to be a hard game because they are a well-organised side, but hopefully we can get at them," said Horsfield.
Peschisolido yesterday signed Jamaican international centre-half O'Neil Thompson on a month's loan from Barnsley as cover for Branston.