Fulham manager Chris Coleman realises victory over Leicester on Saturday would nudge Micky Adams' men closer to relegation - but still has no sympathy for the Barclaycard Premiership strugglers.
Coleman was given five games to steer Fulham to safety last season following the exit of Jean Tigana and the rookie boss succeeded with something to spare as the Cottagers landed 10 points from a possible 15.
And even though the emotions which surround a Premiership survival bid are still be fresh in his memory, Coleman refuses to empathise with Adams, a former Cottagers boss.
"I've got no sympathy for Leicester's position. We'll be looking to go up there and turn them over, just like like any other team," he said.
"My main concern is Fulham and we have to concentrate on finishing as high up the table as possible this season.
"If that means beating Leicester then so be it. My problem is not Leicester, it's Fulham."
The Cottagers follow their appointment at the Walkers Stadium with a home clash against Blackburn - and Coleman wants maximum points to keep his side in the hunt for a UEFA Cup spot.
"This is a big weekend for us - if we can get two good results against Leicester and Blackburn then it will put us back in the middle of that little chasing pack," he said.
"If we don't we're on the slide which at this stage of the season we don't want to be.
"Leicester are in a desperate situation which will become even worse if we do beat them, so it's a big weekend for them as well.
"All games in the Premiership are hard but at this stage of the season it becomes even more difficult as you face teams who are trying to avoid relegation or are looking for European football. That adds an edge."
Defender Alain Goma believes the Easter period will go a long to way to determining whether Fulham can record their highest finish in the Premiership.
One win in eight league games has seen the Cottagers slip to 10th in the table, although European qualification is still possible.
Following Saturday's clash with Leicester Fulham have an Easter Monday showing with free-falling Blackburn at Loftus Road, and Goma said: "They are winnable games. They are both going to be playing for their lives so they are going to be very tough.
"We let two points go against Birmingham so we will be determined to make up for that against Leicester and Blackburn. I think we are still on course for a very good finish - if we can keep this same spirit then that will be possible."
Fulham will hope for a repeat of when these two sides met back in October. Luis Boa Morte stepped up his flying start to the season with both goals as the Cottagers powered to a 2-0 triumph against Leicester at Loftus Road.
Leicester welcome Fulham to the Walkers Stadium this weekend and the Midlands club will be absolutely desperate for three points.
Micky Adams will be in a determined mood after a disappointing trip to Elland Road this week. He believes Leicester's 3-2 Barclaycard Premiership defeat at Leeds on Monday night was "self-inflicted" but insists his side can still survive.
For former Leeds player Adams, it was an odd night as his side first seemed set for defeat, then threatened a glorious comeback before succumbing to a late goal by Alan Smith.
The win for Leeds keeps it tight at the bottom as the Whites now join Leicester on 28 points, albeit with a vastly inferior goal difference, with 17th-placed Portsmouth just two points further ahead.
"I think that was the A-Z of emotions," Adams said after Monday night's five-goal thriller. "The first half wasn't good enough, Leeds wanted it more than us and certainly they came out with more steel and determination.
"Both keepers played well and at 2-2 I thought we were going to win it, but they've scored from our corner. Smith and [Mark] Viduka played well all night but I think the defeat was self-inflicted."
Adams refuses to countenance relegation as a foregone conclusion, and he knows three points on Saturday will give the Foxes a real chance of getting out the danger zone.
"Are we down? No. Credit to Leeds, that win has put them back in the frame but we are not talking about being relegated," he said.
Meanwhile Leicester are sweating over the fitness of key duo Les Ferdinand and Paul Dickov. The strike pair both sustained knee injuries during Monday's defeat to fellow strugglers Leeds. Dickov has the best chance of recovering in time to face Fulham, but Foxes boss Adams is keen to have the duo available as they look to climb to safety at the wrong end of the table.
"Les and Paul are both struggling but I'm just hoping that by the weekend one of them will be fit enough to face Fulham," said Adams. "I would say that Dickov has the best chance out of the two of making it although it is a bit too early to judge things."
Adams still believes there is a lot to be decided in the relegation battle despite only seven games being left in the season: "I think there are a few more twists and turns to come yet. More than the bottom four clubs could yet be involved in the fight to stay up," added the Leicester chief.
"The good thing is that at least we are still in there battling and with a chance. Two years ago we were as good as relegated by this stage of the season."
source: 4thegame/sporting life
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