Russell Martin Defends Tactics in Heated Exchange with Leicester City Fan
Under-fire manager tells supporter the team was 's***' before his arrival, vows to stick with his passing style after cup defeat.
Leicester City manager Russell Martin engaged in a contentious exchange with a fan outside the stadium following the team's 2-1 cup loss to Stevenage. The supporter filmed the encounter after the match, during which Martin defended his tactics and stated that the club had been underperforming prior to his tenure.
Martin, who has secured four wins in eleven games since taking charge in June, asserted his commitment to his possession-based playing style. "I live and die by the sword," he declared, highlighting the team's high shot count in recent matches as evidence of attacking intent.
"You got promoted under Enzo [Maresca] and you've been s*** since then. You won 96 points," Martin told the fan, referencing the team's successful promotion season under his predecessor. He further questioned the fan's expectations, noting past managerial changes and contrasting recent shot statistics with the previous season.
The fan, who had traveled from Exeter to attend the game, expressed a desire for the team to play more direct football. "We want you to succeed, but don't play the football the owners want you to play. Play the football we want you to play," the supporter argued. The fan also voiced concerns that Martin could be another manager to depart, leading to a cycle of repeated issues.
Leicester currently sits 14th in League One, with only two wins from seven league matches. The team experienced a significant defeat earlier in the season, losing 4-0 at home to Oxford.
Martin has previously stated that the criticism directed at him has become "really personal" and is difficult for those close to him. Following the loss to Stevenage, he lamented the team's inability to convert their dominance, marked by 21 shots and 72% possession, into victory. "We're so dominant, so many chances, limited them to very few, but we concede a set play and a goal we shouldn't," Martin said, attributing the defeat to a lack of clinical finishing and defensive lapses on set pieces.