Boos, nervousness and helpless shrugs marked another failure to launch for Leicester City as the Foxes lost at home to lowly Peterborough United at the King Power Stadium. Foxes boss Russell Martin said there would be "no quick fix" in sacking him after supporters chanted for his dismissal. Midfielder John Lundstram admitted the team was playing with "anxiety" at home, pressure fuelled by regular criticism since the club's slow start to League One following back-to-back relegations.
The day began with two rare interviews from the club's hierarchy. Chief football officer Jon Rudkin, who had long declined media requests, spoke to BBC Radio Leicester and addressed the heavy criticism he and owner Khun 'Top' Srivaddhanapraba have faced, including calls for him to leave and for the club to be sold. He said he "cannot comment on speculation" about a sale brochure marketing the club for more than £200m. Sporting director James Mc Carron also backed Martin, saying he was "totally convinced" the manager was the right appointment, though his comments came before the latest setback.
Leicester sit 17th in League One after eight games, and their third home defeat of the season leaves Martin under growing pressure. Mc Carron had spoken of the team's potential after a three-week international break that gave Martin more time to instil his preferred control-the-ball style, but the side failed to show it when it mattered.
Former Foxes winger and BBC Radio Leicester pundit Matt Piper questioned how much "respect" players have for Martin, underlining the unease surrounding the squad. With Peterborough, led by former captain Robbie Savage, taking the points, the pressure on the club's leadership is unlikely to ease soon.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing