Dom Jefferies says belief remains high in the City dressing room as the Imps look to use the international break to build on the positives from the opening period of the season.
The midfielder scored a superb goal at MATRADE Loftus Road on Saturday, latching onto Freddie Draper’s perfectly weighted pass before lifting the ball over the goalkeeper, but was left frustrated as City suffered a 2-1 defeat.
He said: “I thought we really got into the game after a tough start. We had a great spell, created some good chances and took one of them.
“We’ve got the next two weeks to work on the things we need to improve. We have to be tough with each other, demand high standards and prepare for the next fixture so we can go right after it.
“It’s not through a lack of effort. The lads give 100% every week, as you can see. It’s about tightening up on a few things, making sure we get them right and going again.”
Jefferies was pleased to get on the scoresheet with one of the best goals of his career, although admitted the moment would have meant more had City taken something from the game.
He said: “I think it’s one of the best I’ve scored. I don’t get many, but it’s something I’m trying to work on. I’ve set myself targets for this season and want to add more goals to my game.
“Freddie Draper’s been excellent. That’s what he’s really good at. He held the ball up really well and the weight of his pass was perfect into my stride.
“I saw the goalkeeper go down and just lifted it over him. It was obviously a good moment for me, but it would have felt a lot better if we’d got something out of the game.”
Despite recent results, Jefferies says there is no shortage of confidence within the squad and believes City have already demonstrated their ability to compete with established Championship opposition.
He continued: “The belief is there 100%. You see the quality every day on the training ground.
“To come to a place like this, against a good side with great players, and feel disappointed that we haven’t got something out of the game tells you a lot.
“We knew what we were coming into this season. Every fixture is tough and every team has quality players.
“We’re still in games and we’re still creating chances and there are positives to take. On another day, that game could have finished 1-1, 2-1 to us or 2-2. There are positives to take.”
City return to action against Wrexham following the international break, and the Welsh midfielder is looking forward to the challenge.
He addedd: “It’ll be a good game against top opposition with some quality players.
“We’ll work on what we need to and prepare for Wrexham because we want to win the game. We’re not going into any game thinking we’ll settle for a draw. We’re excited, we’re confident in ourselves and the belief among all the lads is high.”
