Leicester City's difficult start to the League One season worsened with a 3-1 home defeat to Peterborough United. The loss at the King Power Stadium leaves the Foxes 17th in the table with just nine points from eight games.
Owura Edwards opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute, and Harry Leonard doubled the advantage before half-time. Leicester's misery was compounded when Warren O'Hora turned the ball into his own net just before the interval, sending Peterborough in with a 3-0 lead. Emil Riis Jakobsen pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 68th minute, but it was a mere consolation as many supporters had already left the stadium.
Sporting director's backing
In the build-up to the match, sporting director James McCarron gave his first major interview since taking the role over seven months ago. He used the platform to reaffirm his support for under-pressure head coach Russell Martin. "I am totally convinced that Martin is the right manager," McCarron said. He explained that the central reason for appointing Martin was to implement a style based on controlling the ball and dominating territory with courage and intensity. McCarron acknowledged the integration of 30 summer signings takes time but stated he felt the team "should really start to take off."
Post-match criticism
The performance drew sharp criticism, with former Leicester winger and BBC Radio Leicester pundit Matt Piper questioning the clarity of Martin's instructions. "He is saying 'turn the game ugly for 10 minutes' and they have clearly not got that message on the training ground," Piper said. Martin accepted the personal criticism that followed the final whistle. "The chants are what they are. It is what it is and we have to keep our head down and work really hard," the manager stated. He argued that changing managers is not a quick fix for the club's problems.
Ownership speculation addressed
Chief football officer Jon Rudkin also spoke publicly just over an hour before kick-off, in an interview lasting less than ten minutes. He addressed criticism directed at himself and the club's owners, the Srivaddhanaprabha family. Rudkin declined to comment on specific speculation regarding a potential sale of the club, despite reports of a brochure valuing Leicester City at over £200 million being circulated. The defeat came against a Peterborough side managed by former Leicester captain Robbie Savage, who had been winless in their previous six league games.
The result is Leicester's second consecutive league defeat, following a 2-1 loss at Stevenage, and extends a concerning run of form. The immediate focus turns to halting this slide in their next match, a home fixture against 16th-placed Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, 17 October.
More detail at BBC Sport Football
Russell Martin must address Leicester's defensive issues, the club's website stated. The 40-year-old manager should focus on keeping clean sheets and settle on a consistent back four, with the site suggesting Christian McFarlane, Harry Souttar, Ilari Kangasniemi and Woyo Coulibaly as the strongest unit. Leicester, 17th in League One, have conceded 14 goals this season. The site also noted the team has missed 13 big chances, but argued the return of Conor Chaplin from injury could improve their finishing. They next play Doncaster on 17 October.
Leicester City are increasingly likely to sack manager Russell Martin, the club confirmed. The club stated the 40-year-old's position is under review after a run of two consecutive league defeats. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told reporters he expects the change. "I can't believe Russell Martin is still in the job," Brown said. The Foxes, 17th in League One with nine points, next play Doncaster on 17 October.
Peterborough manager Robbie Savage said his side's 3-1 win at Leicester City set a new benchmark. "I didn’t want Saturday to end, I wanted it to last forever because of the way the lads played," Savage told reporters. The result lifted Peterborough out of the bottom four. Leicester, who have lost their last two league games, are 17th in League One with nine points.
