Leicester City’s first League One match in 17 years ended all square as they drew 1-1 at newly-promoted Notts County on Saturday.
Russell Martin’s side overcame huge pressure to take the lead just after the hour-mark, with debutant Jayden Joseph dispatching a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
However, the Magpies stuck to the task and took advantage of some weak Leicester defending to equalise in the 81st minute, thanks to substitute Conor Grant’s quick reactions inside the box.
Notts County press disrupts Russell Martin style
There were no surprises from Leicester when it came to the style of play under Russell Martin.
Just as they did in their soft launch in the EFL Cup against Northampton last weekend, the Foxes dominated possession at Meadow Lane, 69% to Notts County’s 31%, while Leicester out-passed their hosts by a massive 560-197.
But for all their possession, Leicester struggled to carve out clear chances and gave up plenty of their own, with Notts County coming out on top 16-11 when it came to shots and 39-16 for touches in the opposition box.
That was because Martin Paterson had a clear plan to disrupt his opposite number.
Time and again, County counter-pressed Leicester, relentlessly looking to win the ball back as quickly as possible after losing it and trying to keep the visitors unbalanced and out of rhythm. When Leicester did manage to play through the pressure and sustain possession, County settled into a narrow 3-4-2-1 shape focused on funnelling the ball out wide and stopping easy progression through the middle.
Notts County vs Leicester City match momentum
County were incredibly effective, winning the ball in the final and middle thirds 11 and 22 times, respectively, compared to three and nine from Leicester — while the Foxes were dispossessed nine times.
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was lucky to see the ball strike the crossbar and land in his arms after he was closed down by Oliver Cooper. That was just one of seven tackles from Cooper, with the tireless Welshman front and centre in the Notts County press.
Leicester stubbornly stuck to the task, but McCarthy never looked settled in this high-risk possession system. In front of him, passing moves from Martin’s men routinely broke down as they tried to force the ball through the middle. The result was a deluge of high-quality chances for Notts County, who really should have punished their illustrious visitors more harshly.
Notts County show grit as passive Foxes throw away hard-earned lead
For all the pressure they put themselves under at one end, Leicester still found a moment of sheer quality to take the lead at the other.
Jayden Joseph’s strike in the 62nd minute was pure quality and came after the Foxes had endured so much pressure and hard running from their hosts.
However, the reaction from both sets of players told a story.
Notts County didn’t let their heads go down after conceding and immediately started taking the game to Leicester once again. In response, Martin’s side defended in a worryingly passive manner, gifting territory to County at an alarming rate.
The most explicit moment came when County equalised in the 81st minute. A rare attack from build-up play rather than pressing, Paterson’s side progressed the ball through the middle before working it to right wing-back Nicholas Tsaroulla.
The Cyprus youth international charged forward with the ball and was given far too much freedom by both Will Alves and Luke Thomas on the Leicester left, with the pair simply allowing Tsaroulla a free run and dangerous cross to an unmarked Emile Acquah.
Acquah’s headed effort hit the post from close range, but while Leicester defenders were flat-footed inside the box, Notts County midfielder Conor Grant pounced quickly to slot home the rebound.
What did we learn from Notts County vs Leicester City?
The fact that Leicester were able to ride immense pressure then find a goal is a promising sign. What is worrying, however, is how much they struggled to execute the gameplan expected of them by Martin. And that is not going to change from a manager who is famously stubborn in his possession-heavy approach.
Notts County fans, meanwhile, will be thrilled with the application and intensity of their side, who have already shown they can mix it with the best in League One following their promotion. The resilience to stick to their task and come back after falling behind only adds to the optimism.
Leicester will make the short trip back down the A46 with egos severely bruised, now knowing full well that reputation means absolutely nothing in League One. If the 2016 Premier League champions are to climb back up the ladder quickly, they’ll have to get their hands dirty.