The Fox Report – Burton Albion in Review as Foxes Fail on Home Turf
Burton Albion Review and Union FS Banner after Tone Deaf Media Posts
Today Leicester City played their first home game of the League One campaign, against travelling Burton Albion, a team they previously beat 3-0 away during a strong pre-season. The Foxes looked to gain their first 3 points of the season after a 1-1 draw away at Notts County, Burton also drew at home to Stevenage after a 91st minute equaliser from Oliver Sanderson.
The starting 30 minutes could easily be described as a nightmare start for boss, Russell Martin.
Martin fielded a similar squad to the one that drew away at Notts County last Saturday with Jayden Joseph replaced by Olabade Aluko after a heavy knock and Bosnian Striker, Admir Bristric preferred over Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
After 5 minutes Caleb Okoli’s poor defensive awareness was punished again, being spun by Burton’s Striker, Matthew Dennis. Dennis’ strike then guided past the sliding Aluko, and the ball found the corner of the net, beating the stretching, Alex McCarthy.
A similar echo of boos that was heard last season erupted as Foxes heads were dropped. The defensive mistakes had continued to this season and the similar poor passing from the back was shown again.
Just 20 minutes later the Foxes found themselves 2 down. Okoli being bypassed by the strength of Charlie Webster, who found Dennis through one on one with Harry Souttar.
The Australian was too slow to react and required the internal help from Luke Thomas. Which left Leicester’s left-hand side exposed and allowed Kgaogelo Chauke free to find the bottom right-hand corner of the net, the glancing foot of McCarthy unable to block the shot.
Russell Martin and Leicester City’s day then turned from bad to worse as Oliver Skipp was sent for an early bath upon the 29th minute after a high, reckless swinging challenge got the 25-year-old sent off.
Although not all doom and gloom in the first half as a counterattacking chance was converted. A looping ball from Admir Bristric over to Will Alves started the race, Alves then looped a quick cross to the back post.
The cross was nodded goalwards by Bristric, then converted at the back post by the incoming Wes Burns, a quick and clinical counterattack combination from the only positive attacking players on the pitch.
The second half brought a handful of attacking bouts with cameos from Louis Page, Harry Howell and Tommy Watson, although none of the chances seemed to create a clinical enough chance.
Leicester were brought back down to reality after being shown “the dark arts” as Burton had a spell of physical plays and scrappy defensive performances, managing to keep out the oncoming shots, travelling back down the M1 with all three points.
The Foxes have now taken just one point against Notts County and Burton Albion, both teams tipped to be relegated by many ahead of the season, the real issue seems to be the lack of fight especially from the senior defensive players.
Union FS, a supporter’s group, arranged a banner and collage pre match, displaying the teams’ colours of blue and white with a slogan “For Our Club, For Our City’ and it really appears that only a few players are fighting “For Our Club” and “For Our City”.
The supporter’s group have previously arranged banners and displays, protest against current owners and board members and foodbank donations and charitable fundraisers for the local area, whilst being marmite between the fanbase, Union FS seem to have the club’s best at heart.
— Jack Rafferty (@JackRaff) August 22, 2026
The attacking promise and real fight and determination is coming from mainly academy graduates and local talent whereas the more established and experienced players are not acting as role models.
I feel again as if Sammy Braybrooke had a better game than many today, he seemed a technical and progressive player although appeared slightly physically lacking for this league, something that can be developed.
Will Alves again looked good. He always looked to carry the ball forward and create whenever he had the ball at his feet.
Hamza Choudhury was brought on after just 34 minutes, replacing the defensive gap left behind from Oliver Skipp and showed real tenacity and fight, throwing in strong challenges and covering a lot of ground.
Although he made a few decent and strong saves, I feel as if Alex McCarthy could’ve done a lot better with both goals conceded, the potential reintegration of Jakub Stolarczyk or debut of Franco Ravizzoli would be welcomed by many.
The combination of Caleb Okoli and Harry Souttar cannot continue, Okoli was brought into the club in the Premier league yet still looks out of his depth two leagues below, unable to string a few passes together and outmuscled almost every time, a youthful option in Kevon Grey or a replacement signing is needed as that combination has been at fault for all of the goals we have conceded this season.
Russell Martin speaks about the performance
Russell Martin said when speaking to BBC Radio Leicester: “I have to take responsibility for it,”
“[I] haven’t prepared the team psychologically enough” as the team looked sluggish and negative from the starting whistle.
🦊#LCFC | Russell Martin has told BBC Leicester Sport that there will be some ‘honest conversations’ after today’s defeat to Burton Albion.
— BBC Sport Leicester (@BBCRLSport) August 22, 2026
Leicester City are sitting 18th in League One after the first two fixtures.
🔗 https://t.co/ruTTFyCIWI pic.twitter.com/ZbenATjO4n
It is positive to see that the manager is coming out and taking responsibility but it is also clear that a stronger and more aerial dominating striker is needed, as Martin sets his team out to whip crosses into the box and headed chances need to be converted, Admir Bristric isn’t that striker.
It is also clear that defensive reinforcements are needed to replace Luke Thomas, if that is Christian McFarlane or if that’s another signing.
Despite the embarrassing loss, the Leicester City media team continue to pump out the most tone-deaf tweets and communication.
The constant undermining and poor timed messages are routinely posted and I feel as if it spurs on fans to comment hate or belittle the players on and off the pitch, something the fanbase has become accustom to.
A disappointing result, but thank you for being with us today 👏#LEIBAL pic.twitter.com/WsbX1s7y31
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 22, 2026
Man of the Match
This week it seems especially hard to pick any positives, although I would give my man of the match to Will Alves, he looked promising again on the ball and every time he had the ball to feet, his head was up looking for a team mate, he created the goal and was one of the only sparks in the team today.
Player and Manager Ratings
Alex McCarthy – 3/10: A few decent saves although should’ve done better for both goals.
Olabade Aluko – 5/10: Tried to attack where possible, defensively out of position a lot.
Harry Souttar – 4/10: Slow and lacklustre, best of a bad bunch when it comes to our centre backs.
Caleb Okoli – 2/10: The worst defensive performance since Wout Faes against Liverpool.
Luke Thomas – 4/10: Nervous on the ball, looked better when brought into midfield yet still ropy and sloppy. Dying to get a yellow card week in week out.
Oliver Skipp- 2/10: Rash challenge left us a man down for an hour, at fault for our loss today. Poor decision making from an experience midfielder.
Sammy Braybrooke – 5/10: Always looking to create yet bullied physically at times, no real mistakes but could’ve done better.
Liam Cullen – 5/10: Unlucky to be pulled, seen very little of him as subbed early.
Will Alves – 7.5/10: My man of the match, created the goal, showed pace and technically ability in abundance.
Wes Burns – 6.5/10: Scored on his home debut, always trying to cross into the box and take on his man.
Admir Bristric – 6/10: Scrappy yet quick, always making runs and trying to get in behind, helped towards the goal, yet substituted due to lack of match fitness.
Hamza Choudhury – 6.5/10: Some strong challenges, showed heart, got the crowd going where possible, likely to start now due to Skipp’s suspension.
Harry Howell – 5/10: Had a few decent crosses, very one footed, surely there’s academy prospects just as good, i.e. Riley Carr / Jake Evans.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid – 4.5/10: Uninspiring, lacks presence in the box, looked fatigued from the second he stepped foot on the pitch.
Tommy Watson – 6/10: Always looked to bring the ball goalwards, again lacking strength needed for the league, muscled off the ball constantly.
Louis Page - 6/10: Hopefully staying, similar to Alves in ability, local talent, happy to see him back in a Leicester shirt.
Russell Martin – 3/10: Positive words after the final whistle, although confusing subs made, looks as if he didn’t want to be humiliated instead of holding on pressure and trying to get back in the game.
Leicester now must get ready to face Ipswich Town away on Tuesday night in the EFL cup, Burton Albion travel to Meadow Lane next Saturday to face Notts County in League One football.
Harry Pascoe 
