"Bolton are a real force at their place in particular," he told the City website. "They are like ourselves a bit at the moment in that they have had a difficult run.
"There will be two teams out there desperate to win, and all I want from my players is a better team effort and a bit more cleverness.
"We have to improve in the final third but that is place where football is toughest and why it is such a fascinating game.
"I don't question the effort of my players from the last two games, but the thought process and maybe how we assessed certain situations left a lot to be desired. That has to improve at Bolton."