David Moyes is hoping Sunderland can match Sir Alex Ferguson's sense of timing and make a late surge to preserve their Premier League status.
The Black Cats are rooted to the foot of the table with 11 games remaining and face yet another scramble for safety, something they have safely negotiated in each of the last four seasons.
Moyes is entering new territory as he prepares for the scrap, but he is keeping his fingers crossed that his players can emulate Ferguson's Manchester United side who had a knack of pulling off last-gasp heroics.
The Sunderland boss succeeded Ferguson at United in 2013 and found him a tough act to follow, lasting less than a season at Old Trafford.