A decade ago, back in September 2016, Leicester City were preparing for a Champions League campaign, a testament to the heights the club had reached just a few years earlier. Fast forward to today, and the Foxes find themselves languishing in 17th place in League One – the lowest rung they have ever occupied since their admission to the Football League in 1894. The contrast is stark and painful for supporters who once celebrated Premier League triumphs and European nights. Since taking over, Russell Martin has overseen just a single victory in the opening five league fixtures.
The most recent result was a crushing 4-0 defeat at home to Oxford United, a loss that left the King Power Stadium echoing with chants of "you're getting sacked in the morning" aimed at the manager. Martin entered the role hoping to rebuild his reputation after a troubled spell at Southampton and a challenging tenure at Rangers, but the early signs have been far from encouraging. Former Leicester City assistant Michael Appleton, however, believes the situation is not beyond repair. In an interview on Sky Sports News' The EFL Show, Appleton acknowledged the difficulty of the moment but highlighted Martin's growing experience.
"Russell Martin is a very experienced guy now. It was always going to be a difficult job, with big expectations from a club that not too long ago was playing in the Premier League and winning the Premier League," he said. Appleton noted that Martin has managed only three league wins across his recent stints at Southampton, Rangers and Leicester, a record that underscores the pressure he faces.
Appleton stressed the urgency of turning things around quickly. "Losing 4-0 at home, along with the results against Plymouth and Burton, makes it a very difficult start. They've got to start winning games very quickly to address it," he warned. Yet he also expressed confidence that Martin's past experiences at high‑profile clubs could serve him well.
"He'll draw on those experiences and maybe use them behind the scenes with the players and staff, speaking about how they dealt with those situations and trying to keep everyone calm," Appleton suggested. The former assistant also pointed out the psychological impact of heavy home defeats. "When you're in a difficult moment and you're losing games, it feels much worse when you're at home. I'm not saying losing 4-0 at Oxford would have been a good result in any stretch of the imagination, but when it happens at home, it feels so much worse," he explained.
Despite the bleakness, Appleton remains optimistic that the upcoming fixtures could provide a platform for recovery. Reading co‑CEO Joe Jacobson offered a different perspective, focusing on the squad's youth and inexperience. "They've got a really young team at the minute," Jacobson observed.
He noted that the club often substitutes seasoned players for younger ones, a strategy that can be risky when the team is under pressure. Young players, he argued, may struggle to cope with the heightened expectations of a fan base still reeling from recent disappointments. Jacobson also highlighted the broader context of fan sentiment and club ownership.
The recent announcement that Leicester is up for sale has added a layer of uncertainty, reminiscent of the turbulence Reading experienced when its owners signaled a potential sale. "When they recently came out and talked about wanting to sell the club and actively looking for a buyer, straight away the fans almost say, 'Well, you don't care now. You just want out.
That's your main focus,'" Jacobson said. This perception can erode the connection between supporters and the organization, making it harder for the manager to galvanise the crowd behind his vision. Nevertheless, Jacobson believes Martin possesses the tactical clarity needed to steer the team forward. He recalled Martin's spell at Southampton, where after a four‑game losing streak in September, the club went on an unbeaten run that lasted until February.
"If he can turn the ship, he might start to get a tune out of some of those players," Jacobson mused, suggesting that disciplined coaching could eventually translate into improved performances. Looking ahead, Leicester's next challenge is a trip to Edgeley Park to face Stockport County, who currently sit third in League One. Stockport's rise from the National League North a decade ago mirrors Leicester's own recent fall, and the fixture promises a test of character for both sides. As favourites on paper, the Foxes will need to demonstrate resilience and tactical acumen to avoid another setback.
In summary, Leicester City stand at a crossroads. The club's historic low under Russell Martin reflects a combination of managerial transition, a youthful and inexperienced squad, and off‑field uncertainties surrounding ownership. While the early results have been disappointing, voices like Appleton's and Jacobson's suggest that Martin's experience, if applied wisely, could spark a turnaround.
The coming weeks, especially the clash with Stockport County, will be crucial in determining whether the Foxes can halt their slide and begin the climb back up the league ladder. The journey ahead will demand patience from fans, strategic adjustments from the coaching staff, and perhaps most importantly, a renewed belief that the club can rediscover the fighting spirit that once saw them lift the Premier League trophy.