The Cottagers are currently 19th in the Barclays Premier League and six points adrift of safety. And next the Londoners travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday looking to record their first league away win in 30 matches.

It is a run which Hodgson is determined to change and he has urged his players to stand up and be counted.

"Managers are always looking for players in their squads to have broad enough shoulders to put the overcoat on and take the responsibility," said Hodgson.

"I have no need to be critical of my team in that way, but what we really need to break that circle is a result.

"We are a quiet team to some extent. We do not have very obvious leaders who scream and shout their way through the games, but there are a lot of good players.

"I fully believe in the hard work they are putting in and the desire to stay in the league by playing properly will work. We will also need a bit of luck.

"Our away form has been bad and I would like to think that in every training session we have been trying to improve the mentality of the players."