Russell Martin has sparked a fresh backlash among Leicester supporters after appearing to point towards the club’s youthful side following their humiliating 4-0 defeat by Oxford United.
The Foxes suffered their heaviest-ever loss in the third tier at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, increasing the pressure surrounding their manager after a deeply concerning start to the season.
Leicester sit 17th in League One after collecting only five points from their opening five matches, with one victory, two draws and two defeats.
Many expected the 2016 Premier League champions to challenge for immediate promotion following a disastrous second successive relegation, which sent them tumbling from the top flight into League One.
Instead, Martin is already facing criticism from sections of the fanbase after his team were dismantled on their own pitch by Oxford.
The former Rangers boss, whose spell at Ibrox lasted only 123 days last season, selected five players under the age of 23 in his starting line-up.
That included two teenagers, while Leicester’s five substitutes were aged between 18 and 23.
Martin suggested that inexperience and the demands of a congested schedule had contributed to the collapse, although he insisted he was not attempting to make excuses.
Russell Martin has sparked a fresh backlash among Leicester supporters after appearing to point towards the club’s youthful side following their humiliating 4-0 defeat by Oxford United
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BBC
“I feel I understand what’s happened today with so many young guys and a tough moment,” he said.
“We can’t quite get through it and after a big, busy period.
“We will be better for it. We have a week now and we have to make sure we put it right next week.”
Martin added: “We had a lot of players who were doing a third game in a week for the first time in their careers, but it’s not an excuse.
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Oxford were impressive as they thumped Leicester at the King Power Stadium
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GETTY
“But I think that’s the learning now. We have to find a team on the pitch, especially in a three-game week, that can deliver a consistent level of aggression and a consistent level of energy.
“The last three games we have built so much energy, so much feel-good factor about it.
“The players and staff, the fans have been brilliant and we had to build on the win on Tuesday night. Today we have done the opposite.”
Those remarks infuriated some Leicester supporters, who accused Martin of shifting responsibility towards his younger players.
One fan wrote: “He just can’t help himself. Blaming the kids at the end… wow.
“The one thing the fans have really got behind is the young players, and you’ve just thrown them under the bus. Not sure how you come back from this, Russell Martin.”
Leicester boss Russell Martin is under severe pressure following his side’s defeat to Oxford
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GETTY
Another posted: “Leaders lead from the front, take responsibility and face it head on… not this poor excuse as a manager, blaming younger players and not his tactics and choice of captain. Disgraceful.”
A third supporter described Martin’s explanation as “nonsense”, adding: “We were exposed today by every single issue that was there in the other two games this past week.
“The only naivety is from the manager.”
Martin now faces a crucial trip to Stockport County next Saturday as he attempts to halt Leicester’s alarming start and silence his increasingly vocal critics.
