If Fulham are to avoid relegation from the Premier League they will need to win both mental and physical battles between now and the end of the season.

Defeats like Saturday’s 5-0 drubbing at Manchester City can knock a team’s confidence, with Whites boss Felix Magath admitting the belief sapped from his players at the Etihad.

Football is as much about getting in the right state of mind as producing fireworks on the field and how Fulham respond from setbacks like the heavy defeat in Manchester will determine whether they can beat the drop.

Skipper Brede Hangeland knows better than most the importance of belief when staring down the barrel of relegation, having only been at the Cottage a matter of months when the Whites pulled off their last great escape.

A dramatic 3-2 win over City in late April 2008 was vital to that escape and while Hangeland’s side couldn’t replicate that result at the weekend, the Whites captain says it was an impossible task to overcome the Sky Blues.

“I think away to Man City, you're not expected to get anything,” he said. “But you know on your day you can so it's still a very big disappointment, especially to lose like that. When you concede two penalties and there's a sending off, then in reality the game is over.

“We had our backs against the wall so it wasn't a nice day at the office and you can't do much about that. I don't mind playing against anyone but it's not easy when you find yourself 2-0 down against a side near the top of the league.

“We tried to work as hard as we could but it was an impossible task to come back into the game.”

England manager Roy Hodgson, previously in charge at the Cottage, has recruited the services of Dr Steve Peters to assist in his preparations for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Mind games: Ex-Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has recruited a psychiatrist to help England this summer

Sports psychologists can help keep the dressing room focused on the challenge ahead and lift the gloom, which can often set in at clubs fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.

Hangeland confirmed Fulham do offer their players access to mind coaches, much like Dr Peters, but says a player of his experience has his own methods for dealing with the pressures of a basement battle.

“I think you need to do that [clear your head] as soon as possible,” Hangeland added. “For me personally, that's not a problem. When the game's over you can't do much about it so you've got to look forward to next week.

“There is someone [a sports psychologist] if you need that after the games but I’ve been in the game so long that whether we win, lose or draw I manage to forget it quite quickly and prepare for the next game.”