Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has admitted that his side have not put in a "full 90 minute performance" this season and claimed that the squad know exactly what Jesse Marsch is asking of them.
After stunning Liverpool at Anfield with a 2-1 win, Leeds followed that performance up with victory over Bournemouth at Elland Road back in November. Since that result, Marsch's side are yet to win a competitive match.
A 93rd minute Sonny Perkins equaliser spared the top-flight side's blushes as they earnt a chance of redemption in the form a replay on January 18. Supporters are desperate for their side to put together a run of games and move further away from the relegation zone where they sit just two points clear of Everton in 18th place.
ALSO READ: Leeds United fates of Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta intertwined in critical three weeks
Cooper has now admitted that it is a lack of consistency that has seen his side suffer some disappointing results this campaign.
Speaking to BBC West Yorkshire Sport Daily, he said: "For me, I think we're starting games very well. We've scored the first goal a lot in games. And then I don't know, whether it's a bit of nervousness creeping in because we've been in the situation before and then we've conceded quite quickly after.
"Our sole focus has been on carrying on, being aggressive and trying to get a performance for 90 minutes, which I don't think we've really had this season. And that's where the inconsistency comes in, we're not getting a full 90 minutes or even a 70 minute performance.
"It's like chalk and cheese at the moment, and we're building towards that, we're working towards that and that we've had those conversations and in the offices and individually. That's where we want to be and we've got to work to get to them and we will do. I'm confident we will do that."
Cooper revealed that Marsch has talked about his side being braver, as the 31-year-old conceded that Leeds need to be more aggressive when defending against their opposition.
"I think when when he [Marsch] mentions bravery, it means putting the opponent on the back-foot, playing in the other teams half," Cooper added. "Sometimes you might have to go a bit direct and get on second balls and be brave that way. Instead of losing the ball while we're building up, we might have to go play in their end and then we can counter and counter-press and press teams in their own half."
The centre-back also admitted that the squad know exactly what is being asked of them by their American coach and that he is confident they can turn their poor form around.
"We know what we need to do to be a good team. We need to be on the front-foot. Everybody needs to be high energy and intense. And in our team when people aren't or there's two or three not doing that, that's when it becomes difficult and that's when we can get found out.
"So we need to keep being aggressive, keep playing on the front foot and pressing high and keep putting teams under pressure and forcing them into mistakes, suffocate them into mistakes and and I think that the times in the season when we've been our best we've done this to the opponent.
"We want to be consistent with it as well and and that's where we're just not quite there at the moment. We need to work and keep working, but we've definitely had those conversations and it's certainly something we need to improve."
READ NEXT:
Illan Meslier's Leeds United replacements talked up after big goalkeeper change at Elland Road
Leeds United's bravery demand laid bare after mentality challenge issued
Wilfried Gnonto's Leeds United progress detailed as Jesse Marsch discusses potential and competition
Leeds United will look to Camavinga, Dembele and Raphinha template in Georginio Rutter pursuit
The four Leeds United players walking a disciplinary tightrope this month
