Fulham have allowed themselves to be sucked into a relegation dogfight because it has taken them too long to realise the danger signs, according to Felix Magath.

The Whites' boss has also effectively accused his players of complacency because of a relatively easy run-in and says they may be paying the price for such a cosy outlook.

“In the last days or weeks they tell me they have 12 games left, or they have an easy schedule, that the games are not so difficult, so we are able to manage this,” said the German. “But I think that was tempting fate by being too secure.

“You think everybody knows the situation – that we are on the bottom of the table.

“I hope they are waking up now to this. The whole season they haven’t realised that they are on the bottom of the table.

“It works step by step and nobody at the beginning of the season thought about it. The team was not built for a fight against relegation.

“Sometimes you are sure that you make the right decisions and only have bad luck or injury problems. You don’t realise that the situation is serious. It takes a long time.”

Magath has not yet seen his team win after three games in charge and is desperate for victory against Newcastle United at Craven Cottage this weekend.

“The next game is always the most important game and we have to win,” Magath said.

“We only have nine games and it’s better to win tomorrow than to lose. You can not promise the win. We have to try and I’m sure we’ll get a chance to win tomorrow.”