Martin Jol wants Fulham to head into their remaining games with a different mentality after a fourth successive defeat, 4-2 against Reading, meant survival is not yet assured.
Talk just a few weeks ago revolved around a top-10 finish, but a poor run of form looks to have put paid to that. Jol has been frustrated by his side's recent displays and wants them to play with more passion in their remaining games against Liverpool and Swansea.
"That is disappointing," the Dutchman said. "We had 40 points at a very early stage, so that was remarkable."
He added: "After that the pressure was a bit off us and now you see all these teams like Aston Villa and, before Monday, Sunderland with Paolo Di Canio picking up points.
"They got spirit from that and that is what we need as well, because I feel you need to take things into your hands and you need another three points.
"The first half I was disappointed, but the second half we never gave up and were in it until it went 4-2. But it wasn't the best performance, of course. People were shouting to get Bryan Ruiz off and then he scored two goals after that.
"I was really happy because he is a good player, but it was not the best performance - not as a team, not as an individual."
While Fulham peer nervously over the shoulder, the fate of opponents Reading was already sealed heading into the game. The Royals and QPR were both relegated after a drab 0-0 draw last weekend, but Nigel Adkins' men responded well by the Thames.
Hal Robson-Kanu's brace was complemented by goals from Adam Le Fondre and Jem Karacan, meaning Ruiz's double was only a consolation.
"We know where we are in the division," Adkins said. "The attitude and application from the players since I joined the club has been first class. We saw another steady progression in what we've wanted to do over a short space of time. It is evolving well, which I think is important. To score four goals away from home in the Barclays Premier League is no mean feat."
Source: PA
