Conor Chaplin insists Leicester City showed positive signs in their 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Ipswich Town. The summer signing made his debut against his former club at Portman Road, where the Foxes dominated possession but exited the competition.
What did Conor Chaplin say about the performance?
Conor Chaplin acknowledged the disappointment of losing but highlighted the team's control of the game. The midfielder, who joined from Ipswich in the recent transfer window, pointed to the performance as a foundation for improvement.
"We definitely don't want to be a football club, a team or a group of staff that is happy with any defeat but I think we can really be proud and take huge, huge steps from the way we played," Chaplin said, as reported by the BBC. He added, "We've come to a Premier League side with amazing players, and controlled a lot of the game." Leicester had 57% of the ball and registered 22 shots, statistics that support his assessment of their dominance.
Where does Leicester City stand in League One?
The cup exit follows a difficult start to the League One campaign under new manager Russell Martin. After relegation last season, the Foxes have taken just two points from their opening three matches. Their current league standing is 21st, with a record of zero wins, two draws, and one loss. They have scored only two goals while conceding three, leaving them with a minus-one goal difference and already five points behind early leaders Blackpool. You can track their progress on our standings page.
This slow start has increased the importance of securing a first victory. The next opportunity comes quickly, with a home match against Oxford United scheduled for Saturday, September 5th. Oxford currently sit 8th in the table, presenting another tough challenge for Martin's side. Fans can view the full schedule on our fixtures list.
How does the squad look under Russell Martin?
Russell Martin is tasked with rebuilding a squad that suffered the shock of relegation. The signing of Conor Chaplin is a key part of that process, adding creativity to the midfield. The team's underlying numbers, like the 22 shots generated at Portman Road, suggest the tactical ideas are beginning to take hold, even if results have not yet followed.
The focus now shifts entirely to league action. With the Carabao Cup run over, the fixture list provides a clear run of League One games to climb the table. The squad will need to convert their possession and chances into points, starting with the visit of Oxford United this weekend. For detailed player information, visit our squad page.
Leicester City host Oxford United at home on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
