Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri has urged his team to be more clinical in front of goal after their 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham United on Saturday.

The Cottagers remain rock bottom of the Premier League table after their third defeat in four matches under Ranieri. He won his first game back on November 24 against Southampton but Fulham have struggled to get the job done since then.

Fulham remain the only team in England without a clean sheet this season after more poor defending handed first-half goals to Robert Snodgrass and Michail Antonio.

Although their defensive frailties were exposed, Ranieri was more frustrated by his team’s lack of quality in front of goal.

His team are now firmly in a relegation battle and the Italian has demanded more ahead of their trip to Newcastle United on Saturday. “We shot at goal 16 times – we have to be more and more effective,” the former Leicester City coach said.

“They create two counter-attacks and they scored two goals. It’s unbelievable. “I can say nothing today. They tried their best. When you play a team with experience and quality you try to do your best and we tried.

My players were fighting to the end. They scored very easily, twice. “Now I have to continue with these people and give them all my confidence and continue to work hard in training.”

Newcastle remain 2.00 favourites for the meeting next week, with the draw 3.60, while Fulham are 3.75 to secure all three points.