Neil Warnock says keeping Cardiff in Premier League would be his biggest achievement

Neil Warnock says securing Cardiff's survival in the Premier League would rank among his biggest achievements in football.

Cardiff are currently 18th in the Premier League on 31 points, three behind Brighton in 17th, who also have a superior goal difference with three games left to play.

Warnock's side take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon knowing a win could take them temporarily level on points with the Seagulls, who play Newcastle in the evening kick-off.

"The pundits did not give us any hope of staying up and quite rightly so when you look at our different circumstances compared to other clubs. We've never thrown the towel in, even with heavy defeats," Warnock said.

"We appreciate what our fans have been like, they have been with us the whole way and if anything they have got louder and louder.

"They can forgive other things if you are trying hard. We've really put every ounce in. Whatever happens this season it would be one of my biggest achievements.

"I think the players are the same. You can point at our mistakes but all I have asked is they do their best week in, week out."

Saturday's opponents Fulham have already been condemned to relegation down to the Championship despite spending heavily last summer on transfers.

Warnock does not believe signing a large number of players is particularly helpful to mounting a survival campaign.

"I don't think you can say, sometimes when you have money you can't spend it well," he said.

"That does not bother me at all. The biggest disappointment for me was the tragedy with Emiliano. He was the one player I had been looking for to compliment the squad with goals.

"We were never in a situation like Fulham were. Their recruitment is based more on stats.

"The manager that got them promotion was a good manager, I'm not sure he would have wanted to sign that many players. But you would never turn that down."

The former QPR and Sheffield United boss admits he is surprised Cardiff are still alive and fighting at this stage in the season and challenged his players to write their name into history by beating the drop.

He added: "I think you have got to be really (surprised) from the situation we have been in since day one. We knew it was going to be difficult but one-by-one we have overcome all the doom and gloom predictions.

"We've enjoyed it. We've still got our biggest challenge ahead. It's an opportunity for the lads to write their names in history."

Warnock confirmed midfielder Joe Ralls will play no further part this season after tearing his hamstring against Liverpool last weekend

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