Simon Davies insists the arrival of new boss Roy Hodgson has lifted confidence as Fulham continue their fight against relegation.

Neighbours Chelsea inflicted a losing start to Hodgson's reign with a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage on New Year's Day, keeping Fulham mired in the bottom three.

But an encouraging display has increased hope the club can survive in the Barclays Premier League - especially with Hodgson ready to dp into his extensive contacts book to strengthen the squad.

Davies has revealed the players are impressed by Hodgson's credentials, accumulated during his 31 years as a coach, and is convinced he will lead Fulham to safety.

"It's been a difficult time for the manager to come in, but we've got the second half of the season to look forward to," he said.

"We feel we've got enough quality in the squad if we get it right on the pitch to emerge from the situation we're in now.

"It's easy saying it but everyone seems to have faith in the new manager and it's obvious he knows what he's talking about.

"A team will give an extra 10% for the first few games under a new manager, but with his CV comes a lot of experience.

"He has an excellent record and we can learn a lot from him. I'm really excited about working with him."

The defeat by Chelsea highlighted yet again Fulham's inability to protect a lead.

They have now dropped 22 points from winning positions with 30 of the 37 goals they have conceded coming in the second half.

Hodgson is unable to explain the frailty so early in his tenure but denies fitness is an issue and admits his side's lack of size caused problems at set pieces.

Midfielder Davies, who has been one of the few players to shine in a Fulham shirt this season, blames a loss of focus for surrendering so regularly after the interval.

"We've got to be stronger for longer. We have got into so many good positions this season only to let them slip away," he said.

"We've got to work on it but it's just our concentration. We get ahead of ourselves and let it slip away and that's what happened against Chelsea.

"In the first half we scored a goal to go ahead and didn't look in any trouble.

"We kept a good shape - that's what the manager wants from us - but then we had a lapse in concentration.

"They hurt us at the set piece and then scored a penalty through Michael Ballack. It's at set plays that our lapses in concentration are costing us.

"The manager knows that and it's what he keeps telling us. Hopefully we can work on it when we return to training tomorrow."

As many as seven teams are embroiled in this season's relegation battle and Davies knows a couple of Fulham wins would alter the landscape significantly.

"It's like a mini league down there and if you can put a run together, like Portsmouth or West Ham did last season, the confidence comes," he said.

"Once that happens everything becomes a little bit easier, but the hardest part is getting the first few wins on the board."