Leicester City's troubled start to their League One campaign has drawn wider attention, with the BBC's 72+ podcast dedicating a segment to the club's struggles and the position of manager Russell Martin.

Former Leyton Orient and Wales winger Jobi McAnuff, co-presenter Aaron Paul and Tranmere Rovers manager Darrell Clarke all weighed in on the situation, asking whether Martin will be given the time he needs to turn things around at the King Power Stadium.

A difficult opening to the season

Leicester arrived in the third tier this summer as one of the most high-profile relegation stories in recent Premier League history. The expectation from many quarters was that they would mount an immediate push for promotion back to the Championship. Instead, the early weeks have brought inconsistency and dropped points, leaving the club below the position their resources would suggest they should occupy.

Results have included a 2-1 home defeat to Burton Albion and a goalless draw with Notts County, performances that have done little to convince supporters that the season will follow the script written for them before a ball was kicked.

Martin's methods under the microscope

Russell Martin arrived at Leicester with a clear footballing identity: high-pressing, possession-based play. Implementing that style in League One, with a squad still being reshaped after significant summer departures, has proved a work in progress.

The 72+ discussion reflects a broader debate among the club's supporters. Has Martin been given the tools he needs? Is the squad depth sufficient for a division that demands physicality and consistency across a gruelling 46-game schedule? And, crucially, will the ownership back him through a difficult patch or move quickly if results do not improve?

Those questions carry extra weight given the club's widely reported financial situation. Leicester were put up for sale by their owners earlier this summer, a development that adds uncertainty to every decision taken on and off the pitch.

Wider context in League One

Leicester are not the only club finding the third tier trickier than anticipated, but they remain the division's most prominent name and their form attracts scrutiny that smaller clubs simply do not face. Every slip is magnified, every tactical decision dissected.

Martin's situation is not unique in football: managers of big-budget clubs in lower divisions are routinely judged on a shorter timeline than their counterparts elsewhere. The patience shown to him, or withdrawn from him, will say as much about Leicester's ambitions and structure as it does about the manager himself.

For now, Martin remains in charge. The coming weeks, with a fixture list that could offer points to claw back ground, represent as good an opportunity as he is likely to get to steady the ship and begin delivering the performances the club's support base demands.

Whether the 72+ panel's curiosity about his tenure turns into a more urgent conversation depends entirely on what happens on the pitch between now and the first international break.

Frequently asked

Why are Leicester City struggling in League One?
Leicester have had an inconsistent start to the season, dropping points against teams like Burton Albion and Notts County. Manager Russell Martin is still implementing his possession-based style with a squad that has seen significant changes over the summer.
Is Russell Martin at risk of losing his job at Leicester?
Martin's position has come under scrutiny following a difficult early run of results. The BBC's 72+ podcast raised the question of whether he will be given time to turn things around, though as of now he remains in charge.
Are Leicester City for sale?
Yes. Leicester's owners put the club up for sale earlier this summer, which adds uncertainty to the club's direction both on and off the pitch during their first season back in the third tier.