Jayden Joseph has spoken out in support of Russell Martin, insisting that every member of the Leicester City squad believes in the manager's approach and that the system simply needs time to bed in.

The 20-year-old defender, who signed a new contract at the club until 2030 earlier this season, told BBC East Midlands Today: "We all believe in it. I feel like it's a good style of football and it will work, and I feel like the rest of the team believe that as well."

His comments come in the wake of a 4-0 defeat to Oxford United that intensified scrutiny on Martin and his possession-heavy methods. Former Leicester forward Matt Piper was among the critics, branding the approach as "passing teams to death" and pointing to similar difficulties Martin encountered during a short spell at Rangers and in his later months managing Southampton.

A squad built from scratch

The context behind Leicester's difficult start is significant. The club arrived in the third tier following back-to-back relegations from the Premier League and the Championship, and has had to navigate serious financial constraints in the process. A number of high-profile, high-wage players departed in the summer, including Danish defender Jannik Vestergaard, former England international Harry Winks and Ghana forward Jordan Ayew.

To balance the books, the club leaned heavily on academy sales. Fees from Jeremy Monga's move to Manchester City and Abdul Fatawu's transfer to Ipswich Town proved vital, according to the report. Owner Khun Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has also put the club up for sale in recent weeks, adding further uncertainty around the club's direction.

The result of all this upheaval is a squad that looks almost unrecognisable from the one that ended last season in the Championship. Just three of the players who started Leicester's final second-tier match at Blackburn Rovers also started the defeat by Oxford.

"We are a new group," Joseph acknowledged. "It's no excuse, but I feel like it's natural that it would take time to build what we have and let it work out."

Academy graduates carry the load

Joseph is one of several academy products who have been thrust into regular first-team action as a direct consequence of the summer clear-out. That added responsibility has given younger players meaningful League One experience, even if results so far have not gone to plan.

Martin's position has attracted divided opinion. Leicester captain Harry Souttar placed the blame for the Oxford result squarely on the players, saying the defeat was "solely down to the players" when defending his manager. Former Foxes defender Conor Coady took a broader view, suggesting the problems at the club "have got to run deeper" than Martin and his squad alone.

The case for patience

Possession-based football, of the sort Martin has consistently tried to implement, typically requires a settled group of players who understand one another's movement and decision-making instinctively. With so much turnover across the squad, it is perhaps unsurprising that the system has yet to click.

Joseph's message to supporters was one of calm rather than complacency. "It's difficult for the fans, we know that," he said, "but patience is a good thing. We need to give it that bit of time for it all to come together."

Whether Martin is afforded that time will depend on results in the coming weeks. For now, the players are publicly united behind their manager, even as the pressure around the club continues to build.

Frequently asked

Why are Leicester City in League One?
Leicester suffered back-to-back relegations, dropping from the Premier League to the Championship and then from the Championship to League One, leaving them in the third tier for the current season.
Is Russell Martin still Leicester City manager?
Yes. Despite a difficult start to the League One season, including a 4-0 defeat to Oxford United, Russell Martin remains in charge. Players including Jayden Joseph and captain Harry Souttar have publicly backed him.
Who is Jayden Joseph at Leicester City?
Jayden Joseph is a 20-year-old defender who came through the Leicester City academy. He recently signed a new contract at the club until 2030 and has been one of several academy players given regular first-team minutes in League One.