Show must go on for Charlton and Fulham

Life after Scott Parker and Louis Saha may not have been the unmitigated disaster for Charlton and Fulham that some predicted.

Both clubs are still on course to finish in their best league positions for decades and qualification for Europe is not out of the question.

But as they prepare to play each other at Loftus Road tomorrow, fans must wonder how much better things could have been if their best players had not been sold in January.

Parker left Charlton for Chelsea in a £ 10million deal, while Fulham sold Saha to Manchester United for £12.8m.

Both clubs were widely credited with having driven hard bargains but managers Alan Curbishley and Chris Coleman did not want to sell and their teams' results since show why.

Despite the fact that Charlton had a readymadereplacement for Parker in Matt Holland, they have lost more than half their games since he left. Draws have also been achieved less often and their record without the England midfielder has been unimpressive.

Fulham without Saha have also suffered a decline, although improvements in their defensive form mean they have drawn more frequently.

They have had to change their formation as a result of the Frenchman's departure and their problem has been scoring goals.

Neither Fulham nor Charlton were one-man teams, but losing key players mid-season has had an impact. Charlton manager Curbishley said: "I don't know where we would have been if we could have kept Scott. Both clubs have kept things going but you never know what might have happened. You cannot legislate for these things - they are a fact of life."

Coleman is similarly philosophical. He said: "If big clubs want your players badly enough then you might have to take it on the chin.

The situation is the same for most clubs outside the top three but Alan has lost some good players in the past and he keeps producing players and good teams."

The only plus side is that Coleman and Curbishley will have money to spend.

Charlton's bargaining power was increased by £250,000 when Norwich were promoted on Wednesday night thanks to a clause in the transfer-of Mathias Svensson to the First Division club. But both managers need good finishes to boost their sales pitches to potential recruits.

Curbishley said: "This is an incredible season.

The title may be over but the fight for European places will go right to the very end."

The Charlton manager hopes to welcome back Radostin Kishishev from a back injury but Mark Fish (shoulder) is still out. Fulham's Carlos Bocanegra should overcome a hamstring injury.