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Fulham manager
Chris Coleman |
Fulham manager Chris Coleman angrily defended his side's approach to their game against Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium.
On a day when goals rained elsewhere, Fulham seemed content to sit back and rely on goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar to secure them a point.
Saints boss Gordon Strachan accused the Cottagers of being negative, saying: "It's very hard to score against defensively-minded people."
But his opposite number refused to accept that analysis of the game.
Fulham boss Coleman has carved out a reputation as a promising coach with a calm temperament.
But in response to one question, he snapped: "What are you saying? Are you saying I sent my players out telling them not to shoot?
"I didn't tell them to go out and defend for 90 minutes. And it's not negative tactics when you've got 35 points and are seventh in the league."
He added: "We knew it would be hard here and didn't get a kick of the ball in the first half.
"We were tired from the Everton FA Cup game on Wednesday and I'd have taken a point before the game."
Gordon Strachan insists Southampton should have had a penalty against Fulham and was not enamoured with the visitors' tactics.
In a lifeless 0-0 stalemate at St Mary's, Saints were the only side to show any inclination towards attacking.
But the hosts could not find a way past the imposing barrier of Fulham goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar in their pursuit of a winning goal.
A glimmer of a quality chance was closed off when Ian Pearce's handball from Graeme Le Saux's cut back was deemed accidental and not a penalty, a decision which displeased Strachan.
"I think it was one," said Strachan. "Everyone was screaming for it and that ball-to-hand rule is a cop-out."
Strachan also reacted in barbed fashion to suggestions his team lacked a killer instinct in front of goal, making a veiled dig at Fulham's gameplan.
"Well, we had far more killer instinct than the other team," he added.
"It's very hard to score against defensively-minded people.
"But we warmed to win it and dominat