HitchinFox

I've seen the ratings and was a tad surprised as, for the first 15-20 minutes, he was terrible. Granted, he didn't cost us the game, partly because of the new formation. But it was scary to watch. Don't get me wrong, I think he had a half decent game in the second half, but it doesn't take away from the fact that Ayinde had him on toast and caused all sorts of issues (including the yellow card).

I just mentioned this in the post-match thread (and I might regret it) – I genuinely think Chaplin will be good for us this season. He was bad today, granted, but once he is fully match fit and has got in the rhythm, I can see him becoming part of a rotation of players where we will be thankful that we have him.

Right. My humble take. Positives - Martin changed things! - The three at the back gave us an extra pass and more space to do our thing. It also gave us a +1 when Donny attacked, which made their forward line look extremely ordinary. - Luke Thomas' moments of being terrible didn't cost us today, because we always had at least two players behind him. - Souttar put a shift in. He did a lot of the unseen stuff really well, as well as get his massive head in the way plenty of times. His presence meant that Donny had to figure out ways to play around him, which meant they had to go wide with their long balls. - Pretty much everything that Kamari Doyle did. - John Lundstram went from a 2 against Peterborough to a 9 today. Looked like a captain and made things work. Linked play, moved the ball well, drove forward, the lot. And the goal was a huge plus. - Pretty much everything Louis Page did. - In so many games, Alves has looked like the only one trying to make things happen. Today, he still put a shift in and was very good (and nearly scored a stunner), but we won despite him not coming off. This isn't a dig at all – just that it's refreshing to see that one of our youngest, most talented players doesn't need to carry the entire team on his shoulders every week. - Sammy Braybook. Kid's a very, very good player. - Okoli looked like he enjoyed the back three. Physical, good in the air, had more confidence with the ball when he knew he had two players around him. - Riis worked hard and was a threat. Again, he didn't come off today, but he worried Donny's back line and his work rate was brilliant from the first minute to the last. - We didn't have BDR on the pitch at any point - We have Connor Chaplin fit and ready. Ok, he was really baaad today, but he will come good for us in this league. No doubt whatsoever. Negatives - Conceding a silly goal, obviously - For the second week running, Luke Thomas got taken to the cleaners by a young, tricky winger. This time it was Leon Ayinde. It didn't cost us, but in the first half it was 100% clear that he had Thomas beat. - Liam Cullen. What is the point of him?

Playing in the 1st round of the FA Cup. Had half forgotten we would be. Can just see the headlines. We're so going to get someone like Boreham Wood and get knocked out.

Every cloud...

If Grant McCann sets his the team up like he normally does, we have more than a chance. He wants his sides to dominate the ball and dictate matches and often tries to create overloads in the opposition third. We might finally be able to play through a team, like we did at Stockport, rather than desperately try and play around a 9-man low block with endless Brussell Ball.

On paper, yes. Playing the way we do, no. BCR is a perfect example of a player who, despite his qualities and Prem experience, is utterly ineffective and unsuitable to the demands of a direct, physical League One.

Well, at least they're used to seeing car crashes and other disasters, so can probably deal with one of our home games better than your average fan.

Wouldn't give Top that much credit - ie. him understanding what a league table is. We promote etc.

Going by Russell's post-match interview, we won't be seeing Aluko next weekend. The bit about players not doing their jobs was pointed directly at him and O'Hora.

BDR sits on 2.0. This means people are giving him more than 1. Unbelievable.

He looked like he was 19 – which is easy to forget due to his size and composure with the ball. What I mean is that he got outjumped and outmuscled a couple of times. He timed two headers really badly and in one instance didn't even try and win one – just sort of tried to make himself present and put the Posh player off (can't remember which one it was for them). To be chucked on at half time when the score is 0-3 could've not have been easy, so considering that, I thought he did well overall. A couple of nervous moments and a few mistakes which, luckily, went unpunished. There definitely is a player there, but my worry is that the current environment around Russel, the fans, the struggling team etc. might not be the best for him to develop. For one – who the hell in the team is he going to learn from? Okoli? Souttar, who looks like he really, really, really doesn't want to be here? "Calamity" O'Hora? Ben Nelson is probably our best CB and he is a) injured b) only a couple of years older.

I really want us to win too. For me, that isn't me offering some sort of unquestionable, unwavering, ever-glowing support for Martin. Far from it. I'm a City fan. I just. Want. Us. To. Win. Every game, always.

Sorry to hear that. Puts things into perspective, somewhat. Hope you do get better.

The last uplifting game for me was the season opener under Maresca against Cov at home. I still couldn't quite believe we'd been relegated, but the way we came back in that game, the way we played football, KDH grabbing a brace and it being live on Sky against a local rival made me think – as it turned out, rightfully – that we had a chance of bouncing straight back with style. I've enjoyed isolated games since, but that day (August 6 2023) was the last time I remember my spirits being lifted by Leicester City Football Club. Three years is a long time to go without that from your club. So yeah. Thanks Top. Thanks Rudkin.