“Should’ve won Saturday, but tonight we do” Positive Russell Martin Speaks on Leicester win against The Pilgrims after top draw McCarthy Goalkeeping

Leicester's Lift-Off Win In Review

When asked about the 2-0 victory to Plymouth Argyle at home, Russell Martin said he was “very happy for everyone, for the players, for the fans, [and] the staff.”

After an early injury to Jakub Stolarczyk, Russell Martin praised substitute Alex McCarthy, “[Alex] made 3 amazing saves, he shouldn’t have to.” Martin felt as if the defensive structure was breached and that the English goalkeeper got his team out of trouble.

He continued, “My job is to demand more from them because Al [Alex McCarthy] has to make too many saves late on in the game.”

“We should’ve won Saturday but tonight we do.”

Now, Leicester City sit 13th in League One after their first win of the season. They sit on 5 points after the win against Plymouth and points picked up from Notts County and MK Dons away.

First Half Review

Only a handful of seconds into the first half, Jakub plucked the ball out of the sky, being bundled to the ground. With the resulting injury forcing the Polish keeper off the pitch via a stretcher, Alex McCarthy replaced Stolcarczyk.

From the get-go, Harry Howell looked improved. He collected the ball, cutting inside creating numerous chances in the first half, with Louis Page challenging Murphy Cooper multiple times in the Argyle net.

Will Alves cut inside from his wing, firing a shot that was deflected passed Murphy Cooper by Alex Mitchell, upon 45+3, Leicester took the lead. A lead that was then extended just 2 minutes later by Harry Howell. Bobby De Cordova-Reid intercepted an Argyle pass just inside the Leicester half, setting away Will Alves, who found Bristric, his pass laying off Sammy Braybrooke. The resulting shot testing Cooper, with Harry Howell’s attacking positioning credited for his goal, tapping in the rebound and converting Leicester’s 2nd.

Second Half Review

Early in the second, Aribim Pepple seemed to out muscle Luke Thomas, a weakness that was exploited in his game. Alex McCarthy produced a good save from a glancing header, nodded goalward from a whipped cross.

Like clockwork, Bobby De Cordova-Reid was put through on goal, he attempted a similar shot to the one he missed at MK Dons, this time clearing the crossbar instead of missing the target wide.

Will Alves looked a Rolls Royce attacking midfielder, so smooth and confident on the ball, always looking to run at Wes Harding. Sammy Braybrooke intricately dribbled past 4 Plymouth players creating a counterattack from nothing.

Alex McCarthy pulled out an amazing save against Caleb Watts, he thoroughly earned his clean sheet, also clearing a headed chance off of the line with a flying save, something that hasn’t been seen recently, valiantly defending his goal mouth and helping towards the three points gained at the King Power Stadium.

Player Ratings

Jakub Stolarczyk – Can’t give him a rating although really devastated for him, felt he played well against MK Dons and Ipswich, hopefully he recovers soon.

Chrisitan McFarlane – 7/10: Solid again, looking like he has the position locked down.

Luke Thomas – 8/10: Really think he’s found his position, looks good next to Souttar as well.

Harry Souttar – 8/10: Solid, his progressive run was pure filth and starting to look solid in his new partnership.

Jayden Joseph – 7/10: Looked slightly tired before being subbed off but still promising attacking wise.

Louis Page – 8/10: So smooth and so silky on the ball, elated that he’s staying.

Sammy Braybrooke – 7.5/10: Covers every blade of grass and his passing is improving every game.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid – 5/10: He has to finish his chances, poor again when through on goal.

Will Alves – 8.5/10 (MOTM): Clinical, progressive, dangerous with every attack, a real Rolls Royce winger. Very happy to see his first goal for Leicester.

Harry Howell – 8/10: Similar to Alves, although still quite one footed, looked good though and looking forward for the rest of his season.

Admir Bristric – 6.5/10: Makes a lot of attacking space, always making progressive runs although little are played through, still getting up to the pace of League One.

Alex McCarthy – 8/10: A flurry of excellent saves, well and truly earnt his clean sheet.

Olabade Aluko – 6/10: Didn’t see a ton of game time although looked good when called upon, will likely be challenging Joseph if he can’t guarantee minutes. Tommy Watson – 6.5/10: Always looking to make something out of nothing, a hard chance for him at the near post.

Wes Burns – 6/10: Covers a lot of ground but not heavily influential.

Liam Cullen – 6/10: Needs to find his finishing boots, hopefully a goal to boost his confidence and find some gametime.

Russell Martin – 8/10: Decent subs, started his probably best XI, looking forward to the rest of the season with his progressive play.