Soccer/ Charlton v Middlesbrough: When their teams met 11 days ago, Alan Curbishley had a giggle with Steve McClaren about photographs which revealed that the Charlton manager had held talks with the English FA's chief executive Brian Barwick. Mention of the England job is off their agenda at tonight's English FA Cup quarter-final, but for others the topic will continue to loom large.

It is against the backdrop of the search for Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor that the pair begin a period that will define their seasons and influence how they are perceived around the country.

No potential England coach will be selected or rejected on a handful of results, but Curbishley and McClaren acknowledged yesterday that they were entering crucial sequences. Curbishley said this tie and Sunday's league game at home to Newcastle would shape Charlton's campaign, determining their cup fate and whether they can finish in the top 10.

McClaren insisted he was entering "the biggest 10 days" in Middlesbrough's history, with FA and Uefa Cup success up for grabs. And since Eriksson's post-World Cup departure was confirmed, both have been looked at through more critical eyes.

During Saturday's comprehensive defeat at Highbury, Curbishley had his credentials mocked by Arsenal fans, an experience familiar to McClaren and Bolton's Sam Allardyce. "We are definitely being viewed differently now," Curbishley said. "We are easy targets a little bit. It's something that has happened and I have to get on with it.

"People are writing things about me when they don't know me at all. I'm quite amused by some of the things . . . I think that's where we are at the moment."

He pointed out that managing Charlton against Arsenal is totally different to taking charge of the national team, but he realises the current situation is unusual.

"I don't know if you can be judged game by game," he said, "but that seems to be happening at the moment." Hence upcoming matches may go a long way to shifting or confirming perceptions of him and McClaren.

Imagine if Curbishley, derided by some for never having won a trophy and for having had a difficult season, lifted the FA Cup and secured a third top-10 finish. Or equally if McClaren, seen as a failure a few weeks ago when a Middlesbrough supporter threw a season ticket at him during a heavy home defeat by Aston Villa, completed the recent rehabilitation by triumphing at Cardiff and winning the Uefa Cup. Curbishley reflected on the speed with which fortunes turn.

"A year ago Stevie (Bruce) was being touted for this job and that job, including the Newcastle job, and Pards (Alan Pardew) was getting the sack," he said. "It changes round so quickly. That's how it is in football. Perhaps if you go along nice and boring like we do, no one wants to write about you."

Middlesbrough's season has been anything but boring, and cup games against Charlton and Basle provide plenty to look forward to.

"These are exciting times but it could all evaporate over the next 10 days," McClaren said. "We've got to the stage where we've become hard to beat again; we need to do more in the league but we have prioritised the cups because we are not going to win the league or qualify for Europe through the league."

McClaren was upbeat, drawing comparisons with 1999 when he was part of the staff that helped Manchester United win the treble. He will not be upset at earning a replay at home to Charlton.

"I've experienced fixture congestion before in 1999 and it's when you realise the importance of the squad," he said. His has thrived in knockout competitions. "We have players who like the big occasion," he said, "which is why we have done so well in the cups." He hopes Chris Riggott will shake off a calf injury to face Charlton, who are without the cup-tied Marcus Bent.

As England speculation has raged, Curbishley says he has remained focused on his job. He would, though, welcome a swift announcement from the FA, and he expects one. "The fact that some of the people who have been talked to are working is quite difficult, because you have your job to do," he said.

• Guardian Service