adminLeicester City fans have erupted in anger and frustration after the Foxes suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion at the King Power Stadium.
The result means Leicester remain without a win after their opening two League One matches, piling further pressure on Russell Martin after a disappointing start to the campaign.
Leicester’s afternoon got off to a disastrous start as Burton raced into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes through Matthew Dennis and Kgaogelo Chauke.
The situation became even worse when Oliver Skipp was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Curtis Tilt, leaving Leicester with 10 men for more than an hour.
Wes Burns pulled one back shortly before half-time, while Harry Howell and Tommy Watson went close to finding an equaliser after the break. Despite a much-improved second-half display, Leicester could not rescue a point.
Speaking after the defeat, Martin admitted his side had simply not shown enough hunger during the opening stages.
“The first 25 minutes,” Martin said when asked where it went wrong. “You can’t give teams a head start, and we did, we gave them two and had a man sent off. We can’t afford to do that against any opponent, anywhere we go.
“I said to the players, the level of humility, running, courage and fight we showed in the second half with 10-men, we have to be there all the time, otherwise you get hurt, which we did today.
“I’m really disappointed at the goals we conceded because they’re really poor from our perspective. One team, as basic as it sounds, really wanted it in the first 25 minutes and were hungry to fight and we weren’t, definitely not hungry enough.
“Then after that, we were, but when we’re down to 10-men, there’s nothing to lose in mentality.”
Martin also accepted responsibility for the team’s lack of preparation and admitted there would need to be an honest assessment of what went wrong.
“We have to have a really honest conversation about that. I have to take responsibility for it as a manager, if I haven’t prepared the team psychologically well enough, we have to look at why.
“The fundamentals of the game always have to be the fundamentals, regardless of style of play and we can’t play in the way we want to without them. And they just weren’t there in the first 25 minutes.
“We’ve already watched the goal back as a group and there are some bits that are not going to be us moving forward, so we have to make sure that’s the worst 25 minutes we’ll experience this season.”
The manager praised his players for their response after going down to 10 men, but acknowledged how difficult the situation had become.
“I think the players did great to be so dominant with 10-men because that’s not easy, but it’s so hard for us at that point. More aggression, more running, more fight in the first 25 minutes and you set yourself up for a good performance.
“Without that, whatever you do is going to be tough.”
However, Martin’s assessment has done little to calm the anger among sections of the Leicester fanbase.
One supporter reacted: “UTTERLY EMBARRASSING 郎
“He is an awful manager. Leicester could not have got it more wrong for their situation.”
Another fan wrote: “Fans are losing Patience Turn on the manager after Failing To Win Single Game For The Foxes – Reasons Will Shock you.”
Others claimed they had already seen similar problems during Martin’s previous managerial spells.
“We warned the Leicester fans this is the start of the psychological pish talk he comes away with. The guy was an absolute shite football player and shite manager. Get rid of the charlatan before its too late.”
One supporter highlighted what they believe is a recurring problem in Martin’s teams.
“Going well at Leicester then? Fact Swansea,Saints and Rangers fans all on here saying the same things says it all. Ironic all his teams have the same issues and anxiety. Maybe he should have a look at himself.”
There were also suggestions that Martin’s position could become increasingly difficult if Leicester fail to turn their form around.
“I see a sacking on the cards if this happens he will no longer be trusted by any big clubs again it.”
Another fan brutally criticised the decision to appoint Martin, writing: “Never a football manager 藍 guy is an absolute fraud. Who interviewed him and went yeah hes the guy to take us forward hahahahahaha ”
Some supporters also turned their anger towards the club’s hierarchy.
“Clown lead on by a board of frauds! You don’t lose to burton Albion until the supporters go toxic on rudkin this doesn’t change toxic is the way this has to go to king power and Rudkin! You don’t lose to burton the manager well is the next idiot stitched up”
Martin’s possession-based philosophy also came under scrutiny, with one fan arguing that Leicester need to adapt their approach to the demands of League One.
“Starting with possession football not being workable for this team and certainly not this league. Play to the strengths of the team, like they did 10 years ago.”
Another supporter questioned Martin’s overall impact throughout his managerial career.
“russel martins a fraud and shouldnt anywere near a football club managing or coaching as all he does is regress the teams he is at look at each of his former clubs fan bases and they will tell you”
Abdulhafiz Teslim
admin
