• Premier League

Fulham need a miracle to beat drop, says Heitinga

John Heitinga believes Fulham can still beat the drop but is wary of time running out © PA Photos

Enlarge

John Heitinga believes Fulham need a miracle to escape relegation from the Premier League but insists survival from the drop would be "like winning the Champions League."

Fulham currently sit three points adrift at the foot of the table, five points from safety and are still looking for their first win under new manager Felix Magath.

Magath arrived confident of leading Fulham to survival and adding their name to his list of famous 'Houdini' acts, but Heitinga - who moved to Craven Cottage from Everton in January - is wary that time is running out.

Team of the Weekend

Phil Jones is back with a bang © Getty Images

• After each round of Premier League fixtures, ESPN FC brings you its Team of the Weekend. Selected by our panel of experts, 11 of Saturday's star performers, along with a manager, are carefully chosen. Do you agree or disagree?
• Find out our Team of the Weekend here

"You have to believe we can still do it. I still believe in the miracle," Heitinga told the Fulham Chronicle. "There are still 27 points to fight for, and we play some of the teams around us, but to stay in the Premier League now would be like winning the Champions League for us.

"Survival for us is the trophy. It's the same now as winning a cup or a title. The only thing that matters at the moment is Fulham. It does not matter how we survive, we have to find a way.

"The manager afterwards said to us that Fulham is a club full of history and we have to try everything to keep it in the league. But it needs to be quick, because it is already five minutes past midnight now.

"It's not difficult to see what the problem is - we concede too many goals. This is a team at the moment that plays without confidence and concedes goals too easily.

"It was not good enough. We have to take a look in the mirror now because there are only nine games left. We need to stick together as a team, we need to have a little bit of luck. We have got the quality in the squad, but we need to show it on the pitch."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd