'Not the case' - Bade Aluko has his say on Leicester City's 'soft' weakness

Bade Aluko has warned Leicester City they must start matches better after Saturday's 2-1 League One defeat to Burton Albion. The Foxes were 2-0 down and down to 10 men inside the opening half-hour against the Brewers.

Matthew Dennis' fifth-minute goal put the visitors ahead before Kags Chauke doubled their lead soon after. Oliver Skipp was then shown a straight red card, forcing Leicester to play over an hour with one less player.

Wes Burns pulled a goal back before half-time and City looked dangerous in the second-half, but they were unable to find an equaliser. The defeat leaves Russell Martin's men 18th in the League One table on one point.

Aluko, who made his first start of the season at right-back in place of the injured Jayden Joseph, pointed towards City's slow start being a contributing factor in the outcome of the game. "I just felt like the first 20 minutes wasn't us," he said.

Get the best Leicester City news, analysis and more straight to your Inbox!

To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! All the latest Leicester City news on LeicestershireLive’s Leicester City Facebook page!

"We weren't able to showcase what we've got, our ability and our unity in the first 20 minutes. I felt after that and the red card, we showed what we were about, but obviously it was already too late."

Both Notts County and Burton have tested Leicester physically in the opening two games of the season, with their aggressive starts contributing to mistakes from Martin's side. But Aluko insists Leicester cannot allow opponents to believe they are "soft".

"The first 15 minutes are probably the key times for us because I feel like when it comes to the game of football, we're better than a lot of teams, but I think they are looking to try and get into us," he added.

"Some teams think we're soft, but that's not the case. So it's just about making sure the first 10 minutes are solidified and make sure nothing happens."

Aluko also revealed that City boss Martin was "honest" with the players at full-time on Saturday. "He was just telling us, obviously, we've just got to do better," the right-back continued.

"He had to be honest with us because obviously, we're men, but he was telling us that now the game's done, we have to get on to Tuesday because Ipswich away is going to be a big game and we've got MK Dons away, so the games are coming thick and fast.

"We've just got to stay ready and disciplined."