Bernd Leno believes we have the required quality in the squad to close the gap to the teams above us, but says the team is currently lacking in intensity, after our 3-0 defeat to champions Manchester City.
City sealed the win with three well-taken goals in the first -half, and with no midweek game before our next outing at Everton next weekend, Leno says there is plenty to focus the minds on the training pitches over the coming days.
“At the moment we have to say there is as gap between these teams,” the keeper said at full-time. “I think we have the quality but when you see the games, we miss the intensity. We are not fresh in our mind and quality is one thing and I also think mentality is one thing. Working hard is the only way to come out from this.
“It’s good that we have one week to work on it, to speak a little bit about the situation because we have to change something in our minds.
We have managed just one win from our past 12 matches, but Leno refused to blame the current managerial uncertainty for the poor run of form.
“Everybody can work with him so I think the manager is not the problem,” he said. “If it’s Freddie or another one, I think everybody has to look at themselves, be honest with themselves. If everybody was giving everything today, I think the mentality is the main thing and we need to change this.”
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