McBride: We back Coleman

Brian McBride today insisted that the Fulham players are united in support of beleaguered manager Chris Coleman.

The striker said: "I don't even understand [speculation about his future], he is a very good manager. He works very well with assistant Steve Kean and everybody is up for playing for him."

McBride's second-half equaliser could not prevent Coleman's team from falling to a fourth successive defeat, though the American took heart from Fulham's vastly improved performance.

He added: "It was a great effort by the team. Our energy was good, the talk was better and the movement off the ball was really good. If we missed a tackle, there was someone there that was getting a tackle in, and the composure on the ball was a lot better, so those are things that are positive for the weekend."

Fulham face Norwich on Saturday, and Coleman might well be tempted to keep faith with the 4-4-2 formation that allowed McBride to partner Andy Cole in attack.

Coleman said: "I'm proud of the guys but Saturday's game is a monster one for us. We have got to go to Norwich and show the same enthusiasm and commitment."