Both Leicester and Oxford, relegated from the Championship last season, have endured difficult starts to life in the third tier winning only two games out of the seven league matches they have been involved in. Given the O’s financial position and the relative stature of the two clubs, however, this was another encounter which the Foxes, particularly with home advantage, must win if they are to have any realistic chance of competing for promotion this season.
A debut for Riis
Leicester went into the game strengthened by activity in the transfer window but weakened by news that first choice goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk suffered an ACL injury and will miss the rest of the season. It was too early for most of the deadline day signings to be involved in the starting eleven although their presence in the medium and long term will mean that Russell Martin has some difficult decisions to make.
On Saturday, there were three changes from the team that started on Tuesday night against Plymouth Argyle. Alex McCarthy came in for the injured Stolarczyk, Wes Burns replaced Harry Howel on the right and, in the biggest surprise, deadline day signing Emil Riis was the choice to lead the attack, Admir Bristric moving to the bench. Warren O’Hora and Kamari Doyle also signed on Tuesday, were amongst the substitutes.
A disastrous afternoon
Not many would have been prepared to bet on Leicester losing 4-0 at home against a side who have also struggled this season. But that is what happened.
The away side started the game the brighter, pressing high up the pitch – as tends to happen against Martin’s teams – and being rewarded when, in the first of many defensive mistakes by the Foxes, Christian Macfarlane was caught out with a long ball over the top after eight minutes leading to Mo Missanga crossing for Mark Harris to score. There was a suspicion of handball by the striker (confirmed when I saw the replay) but the referee didn’t spot it.
Leicester responded with some attempts, most notably by Riis, Jayden Joseph and Bobby De Cordova-Reid but Oxford, reverting to a packed defence, protected their lead up to the break.
The least said about the second half, from a Leicester perspective at least, the better. Unbelievably, a combination of sharp Oxford breaks, clinical finishing and diabolical defending resulted in three goals for the away side after 57, 60 and 77 minutes. Many Foxes’ fans left after the third goal and those who remained joined in with the Oxford contingent’s chant, aimed at the Leicester boss, suggesting that he might not be in gainful employment much longer
A new low
There have been a fair few low points for Leicester City in recent times. It is difficult, though, to think of a grimmer one than this. Yes, the referee – Dean Whitestone – was terrible – failing to spot Mark Harris handling the ball into the net for Oxford’s first, and denying the Foxes two obvious free kicks in dangerous areas whilst penalising more innocuous challenges elsewhere – but that can’t be used as an excuse for the defeat. In short, the away team were by far the better team, quicker, stronger, more organised and clinical.
I can’t think of a worse performance in more than fifty years of watching the Foxes. Being critical is the easy bit. Explaining the performance, and tackling the underlying problems, is much more difficult. Some will put it down to the possession game employed by the manager. It is certainly true that the build up was much too slow and lacking in intensity. Criticising the style alone, however, seems a little simplistic to me. In addition, for instance, the defence was fragile all afternoon, continually undone by Oxford’s quick breaks.
In his after-match comments, Martin put the defeat down primarily to lack of experience. I think there is something in that. The young players – Sammy Braybrooke, Will Alves, Louis Page and Macfarlane – looked tired. None of them – I suspect - will have played three first team games in a week before. They were bullied by the seasoned professionals they were up against. The problem is that it is not clear that the experienced players on Leicester’s books have the necessary quality to push the Foxes up the table.
These are worrying times indeed. The pressure is ramping up on the manager. Defeat in next week’s away fixture at Stockport County may force the club to take action.
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