Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli insists close friend David Platt can still be a big success as manager of Nottingham Forest - but the Italian is determined to ensure his woes away from the City Ground continue in tonight's FA Cup clash. Vialli and Platt will not allow their friendship - one of the closest in football - to cloud their pursuit of a tie against either Arsenal or Leicester when they lock horns for the first time as managers in the delayed fourth-round match at Stamford Bridge.
As managerial newcomers their fortunes have differed. While Vialli has had his share of problems this season with Chelsea, they are nothing compared to Platt's headaches at Forest.
The Division One club have lost 11 times away from home in the league this season - more than any other Nationwide or Premiership team - and are close to the relegation zone.
"Things are not going particularly well now for David with the team," Vialli said, "but the first season after relegation is always difficult, and given time to do his job, sooner or later the team will get promoted."
Platt said he was really looking forward to the match and had spoken to Vialli about it over the last few days. "I even rang him today and tried to do a deal whereby he told me his team in exchange for mine," he joked.
Chelsea will be without ineligible duo George Weah and Emerson Thome as well as Celestine Babayaro, who is on African Nations' Cup duty, and Roberto Di Matteo, who has a broken arm. Platt has no fresh injury worries.
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