Former Leicester City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic has voiced strong support for manager Russell Martin, who is under intense pressure after a dismal start to the League One season. Begovic believes the squad will adapt to Martin's methods and compete for promotion by the campaign's end, as reported by The League Paper this week.
Leicester's current situation is stark. They sit 18th in the table with just five points from their opening five matches, a record of one win, two draws, and two losses. Their recent form reads LWDLD, and they have scored only four goals while conceding seven, leaving them with a -3 goal difference. This leaves them a significant seven points adrift of early leaders Sheffield Wednesday.
Why is Russell Martin under such scrutiny?
Martin's position became precarious after a humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Oxford United last Saturday. Sections of the King Power Stadium crowd called for his dismissal following the final whistle. The loss highlighted the scale of the challenge facing a club that has suffered back-to-back relegations and now finds itself in the third tier. The pressure is immense, with many questioning the manager's credentials and calling for a change.
What does Asmir Begovic say about the situation?
Begovic, who played for the Foxes, acknowledges the club's unusual position but urges patience. "Leicester is a fantastic football club, and of course, it’s a club that shouldn’t be in League One; I think we’re all aware of that," he said. He pointed to the scale of upheaval over the summer as a primary reason for the slow start. "There’s been so much change this summer, so many players leaving, new arrivals, a new manager, and a new way of playing." The squad has been under construction throughout the window, with further signings arriving on Deadline Day.
Begovic is confident the players will grow into Martin's system. You can view the squad list composition on our squad page.
What is the immediate challenge for Leicester City?
The next test is a difficult away trip to face Stockport County on September 12th. Stockport are currently third in League One, having collected nine points from their first five games. This fixture represents another tough examination for Martin's side as they look to halt their slide and build momentum. Fans can track the team's progress in the standings and see the full schedule on our fixtures page.
The club's immediate focus is squarely on halting the negative momentum and finding a result at Edgeley Park. The match against high-flying Stockport offers a chance to start turning Begovic's prediction into reality.
