Fulham Manager Chris Coleman believes his side must tighten up at the back if they are to end their wretched away form.
The Cottagers have still not won on the road this season but have gone close on several occasions only to be let down by defensive errors.
Fratton Park could provide the setting for that barren spell to end with Portsmouth next up on Saturday, but Coleman has warned his defenders they must keep their concentration if they are to triumph.
“I have been disappointed on our travels, not so much on our performance but in the results,” he said.
“We have been leading four times when we have been playing better than the opposition but given it up. That is something we have talked about and we need to address.”
Fulham have endured a mixed Christmas schedule so far, following up a gritty display against champions Chelsea with a frustrating 3-3 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
They are missing midfield enforcer Papa Bouba Diop – who is out with an ankle injury – as the towering Senegal international adds steel and defensive cohesion to the side.
Steed Malbranque, Claus Jensen and Moritz Volz are also in the treatment room, leaving Fulham short on numbers, and Coleman admits the current workload puts a massive strain on his squad.
“Christmas is a great time festively and playing games in front of packed houses in the holiday spirit is a great occasion but it’s not without difficulties,” he said.
“There are a lot of fixtures in quick succession which takes its toll on the players and sometimes you can see a dip in the quality because of that.
“It’s not because they are not fit – our players are fitter than they have ever been – but the games come thick and fast over this period and it’s difficult for clubs like us with smaller squads, the players quite simply get fatigued.”
