Fulham Coach Claudio Ranieri was left frustrated and disappointed following another defeat on the road as Fulham went down 2-0 at Southampton on Wednesday night.
The Whites switched formation to play a diamond in midfield but they were unable to prevent Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse from giving the Saints a first-half lead they could hang on to.
Ranieri said: “The disappointment is very high because every time the opponent shoots at goal, they score a goal, it’s unbelievable.
“This season it’s happened many times, and also tonight the first two shots on goal, they scored and I think when this happens the confidence goes down.
“We tried to do our best but that’s it, that’s the maximum my players can do.
“Always in my career I am used to working hard.
I know it’s very difficult but until it’s mathematically impossible we continue to fight, and also after, we have to go out onto the pitch always with our heads held high.
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The Italian explained to the media his tactical shift, which saw a recall for Kevin McDonald and Tom Cairney reinstated in a more central attacking midfield role, in a bid to try and catch the hosts out by leaving three attackers high up the pitch.
“Today I played a diamond because they are used to playing in the middle and after if they don’t find a solution then go on the flank and then make a cross.
“And I wanted this because I thought if I play the wingers, their wingers who are more powerful than my wingers, and then we go always behind.
“If I play with the diamond I have two strikers and Tom Cairney forward to try and do something forward,” he said.
Despite Fulham now ten points from safety, Ranieri refused to disregard his sense of belief and encouragement for the squad.
“I’m used to believing, something could happen, if you don’t believe it’s done, you have to believe, you have to fight, if you don’t fight it’s already lost,” said Ranieri.