Russell Martin already looks like a manager prone to overthinking - even at League One level! A worrying trait given his underwhelming (or generally stubborn) spells in the Scottish Premiership and the English Premier League.
The 40-year-old's start at Leicester City has followed the same frustrating pattern, with the Foxes yet to register a win despite his self-styled Pep Guardiola-inspired philosophy. A ridiculous comparison that grows more distant with every game.
The former MK Dons, Swansea City, Southampton and Rangers boss repeatedly deploys impotent, possession-heavy tactics that leave his side methodically going nowhere. Attacks and attackers alike frequently passive against anything remotely resembling opposition.
This spectacle was painfully obvious at Stadium MK (the ground he once called home), where the exact same approach failed to break down a disciplined low block, mirroring earlier struggles against lowly sides such as Burton Albion and Notts County.
Leicester dominated with 76% possession, along with creating a more than adequate amount of shots, yet connections and movement between players looked disjointed. Non-striker Bobby De Cordova-Reid blazed an open goal wide while playing out of position; a tactical choice Filbert Way criticised, meanwhile Sammy Braybrooke struck the post.
It was a display of total control without penetration. Compounded by early substitutions through injury and a clear lack of sharpness among several key players.
Russell Martin's overthinking stalls Leicester City in visit to Stadium MK
According to the outlet's report, the stand-out performers were Player of the Match Braybrooke; Jakub Stolarczyk was satisfactory with a clean sheet. Luke Thomas, however, is miraculously impressing in central defence.
"Stolarczyk 6, Joseph 6, Thomas 6, McFarlane 6, Souttar 5, Page 5, Braybrooke 6, Reid 5, Burns 3, Chaplin 5, Watson 5. Subs: Bristric 4, Alves, Cullen, Howell,Filbert Way
Leicester City, Man of the Match
Sammy Braybrooke"
Conversely, the lowest marks went to Wes Burns and Tommy Watson up front. Elsewhere, Harry Souttar and Admir Bristric (who struggled to link play) also disappointed, leaving Martin with plenty to fix before Plymouth visit King Power Stadium.
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