A decade ago, in September 2016, Leicester City were preparing for a Champions League campaign, a testament to how far the club had risen. Fast forward to the present day, and the Foxes find themselves languishing in 17th place in League One – the lowest rung they have ever occupied since joining the Football League back in 1894. Since taking charge, Russell Martin has overseen just a single victory in the opening five fixtures of the season.
The situation reached a nadir on Saturday when Leicester suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat on home turf at the King Power Stadium at the hands of Oxford United. The disappointment was palpable; sections of the crowd could be heard chanting, "You're getting sacked in the morning," a stark illustration of the mounting pressure on Martin, who was hoping for a strong start to redeem his reputation after a troubled spell at Southampton and a challenging tenure at Rangers. Despite the gloom, there are voices that believe a turnaround is possible.
Former Leicester assistant manager Michael Appleton expressed confidence in Martin’s ability to steer the ship back on course. "It's a difficult moment, there's no doubt about it," Appleton told The EFL Show on Sky Sports News. He acknowledged the enormity of the task, noting that the expectations placed on a club that not long ago competed – and even won – in the Premier League are enormous. Appleton highlighted Martin's track record, pointing out that the manager has secured only three league wins across his three recent appointments – Southampton, Rangers and now Leicester – in 28 attempts.
"With those expectations, you've got to deliver," he said. "It's still very early, but losing 4-0 at home, together with the setbacks against Plymouth and Burton, makes it a very tough start. They need to start winning games quickly to change the narrative." He also stressed that Martin’s experience could prove valuable. "He's been at a big club with high expectations before, and he didn't get the start he wanted.
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 added. Appleton reminded listeners that early-season defeats feel especially painful when they occur 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 said. He concluded that, despite the heavy burden, Martin appears comfortable with the challenge.
Reading co‑CEO Joe Jacobson offered another perspective, focusing on the squad's inexperience. "They've got a really young team at the minute," Jacobson observed. "You look at the players they're bringing off the bench and they're taking off experienced players and bringing on younger ones." Jacobson explained that young players often feel the weight of the stadium atmosphere and the expectations of a fanbase still reeling from recent disappointments. "It takes a long time for a fan base to turn and get right behind their team again," he said.
He noted that Martin knows exactly what he wants his side to do, and while that clarity can sometimes cause division among supporters, the manager is likely to stick to his principles. Drawing a parallel with Martin's time at Southampton, Jacobson recalled how the Saints lost four consecutive games in September before embarking on an unbeaten league 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 suggested. Jacobson also touched on the broader context of club ownership and fan sentiment.
He pointed out that Leicester's owners have publicly announced the club is up for sale, a move that mirrors recent turbulence at Reading. "When owners openly say they want to sell, it's really difficult for the fans to buy into that," Jacobson explained. Yet he remains optimistic, believing the season could still be successful if the players receive sufficient training time and the manager's ideas take root.
Looking ahead, Leicester's next challenge is a trip to Edgeley Park to face Stockport County, who currently sit third in League One. The contrast is striking: a decade ago, Stockport were competing in the National League North, and now they are the favourites to beat the Foxes on their own ground. In summary, Leicester City are navigating a historic low under Russell Martin, with only one win from five games and a recent 4-0 home loss amplifying the urgency for a reversal. While critics are vocal and the fanbase is divided, former insiders like Michael Appleton and Joe Jacobson argue that Martin's experience, coupled with a willingness to learn from past setbacks, could provide the catalyst needed to halt the slide.
The upcoming fixtures, especially the clash with a strong Stockport side, will be crucial in determining whether the Foxes can begin to climb out of the abyss or continue to flounder in League One.