Russell Martin's tactical switch to a three-man defence has sparked a Leicester City revival, with consecutive victories lifting the side to 10th in the League One standings. The manager's move to a 3-4-2-1 formation has clearly been the main catalyst for an upturn in form after a third home defeat left the club just a point above the bottom four.

Leicester have won two games in a row for the first time this season, beating Doncaster Rovers 2-1 and then thrashing Bromley 4-0 in the FA Cup. Those results have pushed the Foxes up to 15 points from 10 games, seven points behind leaders Stockport County. Martin explained his side are now playing with more aggression and are no longer being bullied in individual duels, while also executing the basics of the game much better.

Back-to-back victories fuel confidence

The 4-0 win at Bromley on October 20th showed the new system's effectiveness. Will Alves, a winger by trade, was deployed as a right wing-back and used his pace to get in behind the opposition repeatedly. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, whose distribution had previously been a concern, grew in confidence during the game and began pinging accurate 30-yard diagonal passes with his weaker left foot. The three centre-backs, including Caleb Okoli who looked comfortable in possession, won nearly every aerial duel and had more time to pick their passes.

John Lundstram, who scored in both recent wins, was a key figure with seven defensive contributions against Bromley according to statistics. The 4-0 scoreline, with goals from William Thomas-Alves, Lundstram, Luke Thomas and Emil Riis Jakobsen, provided a convincing platform. It was a stark contrast to the 1-3 home defeat to Peterborough United earlier in the month, a result that had highlighted the team's earlier struggles.

Defensive solidity and individual growth

The new shape offers greater defensive solidity and has allowed individuals to flourish. Martin praised his team's composure after the 2-1 win over Doncaster, a match where Kamari Doyle scored a stunning strike and a late own goal sealed the points. The consecutive wins mark Leicester's first winning streak since November, though they have not won four consecutive league games since Enzo Maresca's nine-game run in 2023.

With 16 goals scored and 15 conceded this season, the Foxes have a narrow positive goal difference. Top scorer Emil Riis has four goals in six appearances, adding a cutting edge.

More detail at Leicestershire Live