The depth of Fulham's crisis will be further highlighted this week when Felix Magath steps up the club's bid for survival by teaching his senior players how to defend.
For a team that boast 20 full internationals - seven of those players are defenders - the manager's plans are a shameful reflection of Fulham's plight.
Three goals conceded on Saturday, at the Cardiff City Stadium, makes it seven in three matches since Magath took over from Rene Meulensteen, 42 in league and cup games away from Craven Cottage this season and 65 in 29 Premier League games since the opening day of the current campaign.
Little wonder that Magath was wholly dissatisfied by the manner in which Cardiff City had been gifted only a second league win in their last 13 outings. Two goals from Steven Caulker and a Sascha Riether own goal were the difference between two sides who remain locked in the bottom three.
For the time being, however, Magath will forget his team's perilous position and concentrate on the basics that have clearly been forgotten in their recent run of seven defeats in their last nine Premier League games.
"I am shocked that we concede goals from corners. That's the easiest situation. You have time to stand and organise, so I don't know why it is," Magath said.
"Over the next week, we will have to hold training sessions on defending, especially on corner kicks."
A damning indictment but a fair assessment of a shallow performance that was littered with errors and devoid of confidence. Quite how Fulham can escape their current predicament requires no little imagination. Defensive sessions or not, the Cottagers appeared destined for the drop.
Still, for the crestfallen Magath, all is not lost. "If we do win our home matches, I think that could be enough," he said.
At present, Fulham look more likely to win the lottery than priceless Premier League points.
Central defender Brede Hangeland, whose personal contribution to this game mirrored the malaise running through Craven Cottage, said: "We have to try and pick ourselves up as soon as possible. We are under a lot of pressure. Everyone can read the league table. The only thing that will pull us out is hard work and belief that we can do it."
It will take more than that, for both of these troubled teams to lift themselves clear.