Faes: Confidence Coming Back

- Leicester City face Fulham in the Premier League
- It’s a 3pm kick-off at Craven Cottage on Monday
- Wout Faes previewed the encounter with LCFC TV
- The centre-back knows the game’s importance

The fight for Premier League survival continues at Fulham on Bank Holiday Monday, with the trip to Craven Cottage, a 3pm kick-off, coming off the back of a run of three games without defeat for the Foxes.

Although disappointed not to take three points from the encounters with Leeds United or Everton, collecting five points from a possible nine at this stage of the campaign may prove crucial in aiding Leicester’s quest to remain a top-flight side next season.

Faes, speaking to LCFC TV this week, offered his assessment of the current situation: “Obviously, with the unbeaten run we are on, I think that’s something that he (Dean Smith) really hammers home because there was some disappointment after the Everton game that we didn’t get the win.

“But he said straight away that it’s three games now that we’re unbeaten, three out of four - that’s very good. But it’s very important to get the confidence back and I think you see game after game it’s getting a little better and that’s something we need.

“The confidence is everything. I think players play better when they have confidence. The togetherness obviously is something very important, which the coach really brings into the group.”

City were, at times, indebted to goalkeeper Daniel Iversen - recently nominated for the Castrol Save of the Month award - who kept Leicester on level terms during a frantic encounter with the Toffees at King Power Stadium. The centre-back acknowledged his importance to the team.

“Dan's made some incredible saves, especially on Monday,” the Belgium international continued. “He really kept us in the game. But as a player you always want to win, and you felt that belief that we could get the win. That’s why we were disappointed.

“I think it’s a good thing that we were disappointed, but we have to continue in this way. We’ve protected him quite well before but on Monday he was quite exposed at moments. He really stood up to it and faced the shots. That, for us, is very important.”

Upcoming opponents Fulham have enjoyed a productive first season back in the Premier League, currently sitting in the top half of the table. But targeting points from the fixture is Leicester’s only focus, to ensure the Club are assured of a place in the Premier League for next season.

“Next Monday is a really important one,” the 25-year-old commented. “It’s a massive game but we have to look game by game and Monday afternoon can be a very good opportunity for us to get some points.

“If we’re confident, play our game and we go 100 per cent, there’s certainly ways to get a result at Fulham, who are a good team. But I think we can compete with them and that’s what we’re going to do.

“They are still a good team. They have proven this year that they are a good team with a good manager. It’s a difficult ground to go to I think, but we’re preparing for this game very well and we will be ready for it.

“Everyone is very aware of the situation that we’re in and is doing everything we can to help the team, help the Club get out of this as soon as possible. But it only happens with working hard, staying together and after all that I think it’ll come.”