adminLeicester City finally returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, but Russell Martin’s post-match comments have sparked another wave of debate among supporters after his side nearly threw away a three-goal advantage against Stockport County.
The Foxes appeared to be cruising at Edgeley Park after building a commanding 4-1 lead shortly after half-time.
Liam Cullen opened the scoring in the 11th minute before Jack Diamond restored parity for Stockport.
Leicester responded through Emil Riis, who scored either side of half-time, before debutant John Lundstram headed home to put Martin’s side firmly in control.
At 4-1, the visitors looked destined for a comfortable afternoon and appeared to have done enough to secure a much-needed victory.
But what followed quickly changed the mood.
Ollie Norwood pulled one back for Stockport in the 57th minute with a cleverly taken free-kick before Kyle Wootton reduced the deficit to just one goal moments later with a tap-in on his 200th appearance for the club.
Suddenly, Leicester’s seemingly comfortable three-goal advantage had become a one-goal lead, leaving Martin’s side desperately trying to protect all three points.
Leicester eventually held on for the 4-3 victory, securing only their second League One win of the season.
However, rather than simply celebrating the result, some supporters were left questioning how a team that had been three goals ahead could allow the game to become so uncomfortable.
Martin was asked about his team’s performance after the final whistle, and his response has only added fuel to the debate.
The Leicester manager said: “We looked a real threat and I am happy about that. We have to be flexible and adaptable and having some men and experience on the pitch. They really helped the young guys on the pitch, we have some brilliant footballers and they need some help.
“Today will have been so good for them. We will learn a lot, we have to be better but we played some really good football.”
While Martin highlighted the positives and praised the young players in his squad, his comments have left some Leicester supporters questioning whether the manager is fully addressing the defensive problems that have continued to trouble the team.
The Foxes have now conceded seven goals across their last two league matches, having also conceded four against Oxford United.
That has made the dramatic ending against Stockport even more concerning for supporters who believe Leicester should have been able to see out a three-goal advantage against a team they were expected to beat.
The victory will certainly ease some of the immediate pressure on Martin, but it has not completely removed the doubts surrounding his position.
Instead, his post-match comments and Leicester’s defensive struggles have once again sparked a huge debate among supporters over whether the manager is the right man to lead the club forward.
But after nearly allowing a 4-1 lead to disappear, the pressure surrounding the Leicester boss may be far from over.
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