100% effort and we can beat Liverpool

A HUGELY disappointing, lethargic start to our game against Fulham on bank holiday Monday – no tempo whatsoever in this crucial game.

It would be easy to blame City’s back four for conceding five goals but a team must defend from the front and we certainly didn’t do that. Our front players completely failed to press, allowing the Fulham defenders far too much time on the ball, inviting them to play accurate passes and set up attack after attack.

Our midfield, with only Boubakary Soumare a recognised ballwinner (where were Papy Mendy and Wilfred Ndidi?) was helpless to halt the forward surges.

Fulham totally dominated possession, constantly streaming forward and we failed to soak up and cope with the pressure and the result was decided by half-time.

Later in the day at high-flying Brighton, struggling rivals Everton showed the way to succeed, with every player giving 100 per cent, denying their opponents time and space and always ready to hit on the break in numbers when the opportunity came.

Their reward – a deserved 5-1 victory.

City’s performance in the second half at Fulham was better following our three substitutions.

Patson Daka showed that he has the attitude and pace to defend from the front and his pace and determination set up our third goal for Harvey Barnes.

The latter’s second half performance showed that he has the skill and pace to be a match-winner when he is at his best. Now is the time for him to show it.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall showed that he had the skill and stamina and should start against Liverpool next Monday evening.

Luke Thomas also has both pace and stamina and will always give 100 per cent.

These are the young players who can upset mighty Liverpool, who have won their last six games.

Let us see a ferocious tempo right from the very start, with every player giving 100 per cent and the Leicester crowd roaring them on.

A win will put us right back in the fight for Premier League survival.

Peter Aspinall,