John Pantsil doesn't like away games because he has too much time to think about the upcoming match.

It might not be the only reason why Fulham have lucked out on all four away games this campaign - but the Whites right-back admits coach journeys on motorways and meandering around a hotel on a Friday night equals more time to fret.

Fulham lost 1-0 away for the third time in a row at West Brom on Saturday, with the Ghanaian defender revealing that even a humble 100 miles to Birmingham is a 100 miles too many.

He said: "It's not easy when you travel long distances - like London to Birmingham. There's a lot more to think about - Will we get the points? Will I make the fans happy? Will I play well?

"And the fans don't come in numbers so you miss the home support, which is so important to us. But we must change this."

Pantsil is one of three players in the highly competitive right-back position - with £2million Fredrik Stoor and Chris Baird waiting in the wings.

But the man signed in July from West Ham in a £6m deal with Bobby Zamora, believes he is worthy of his place and feels no pressure - despite having full Swedish and Northern Irish internationals snapping at his heels.

"I'm not worried because I can play in any position and I'll continue to do my job - that is all that matters," he said.

"It shows we have a strong squad and these players inspire me to play my best."

Despite the White's recent plummet down the Premiership - Pantsil rejects the notion of a crisis in confidence affecting the squad.

He said: "We can turn this around. The belief is strong in the dressing room - we work so hard every day and maybe we just need time, because we are a new team - but we are learning more and more about each other and we will come back."

And Pantsil admits that Fulham must use the International break to root out the problems before they get sucked into the battle they spent so much of last season fighting.

He said: "At the moment something is missing. We play good football but this is not enough - we need goals. We're not scoring early goals and then we are putting pressure on ourselves."

On the encounter with Roy Keane's Sunderland next week he added: "They are a tough team but we must look to this as a must win game. If we don't then you never know what could happen."