Leicestershire

Kate Blakemore
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

The absence of an established number nine is causing Leicester some problems as Marti Cifuentes wrestles over the starting XI for each game and our end product is looking toothless.

His substitutions have been excellent to date - one of his obvious strengths since joining - but unfortunately this is what cost us against Wrexham on Tuesday.

James Jordan and Harry Winks were solid in the middle of the park; a complementary pairing that saw the former produce a lovely, well-worked goal in the first half.

The substitutions saw Jordan pushed up into the number 10 position, which didn't work against West Bromwich Albion on Friday and fell short again four days later (with Oliver Skipp brought on to pair with Winks).

There is a clear game plan with most opponents we face: sit deep, isolate the wingers and try and hit us on the break. Wrexham were no different and their substitutions - including the use of an old Leicester favourite in Matty James - certainly helped them push on in the closing stages to force the equaliser.

The return of Aaron Ramsey from suspension this weekend could see us create more chances, but we need to see more speed and urgency in our play.

Slow distribution from the goalkeeper, coupled with a disproportionate amount of possession among the back four, is infuriating for fans who seem to sense the urgency more than the players.

We are playing some nice football in parts with the lion's share of possession, but there are no points for that in this game. 'Gerrit forward!'

Listen to more from Kate Blakemore at Leicester Till I Die., external

"The boos at the end were very striking to me...

"I'm on the fans' side - I thought it was a poor performance. Harry Winks aside, I couldn't find many positives. That was abject, to me. Not enough threat, desire, pace on the ball - they were strolling through a game. They should have been out of sight."

On this week's When You're Smiling podcast, Jack Rafferty and former Leicester City goalkeeping coach and caretaker boss Mike Stowell reflect on the Foxes' fourth consecutive draw, 1-1 at home to Wrexham.

They also react to Marti Cifuentes' post-match comments.

Listen to the full episode of When You're Smiling and more Leicester City on Sounds.

Image source, Opta

Leicester City and Wrexham will lock horns for the first time in more than 43 years as the Red Dragons head for the King Power on Tuesday night (19:45 BST).

After picking up their second point from four home games with Saturday's 1-1 draw against Derby, Phil Parkinson's men are seeking to re-write their own record books by winning a third straight away game and registering their first ever win over the Foxes.

Marti Cifuentes' men salvaged a point at West Brom on Friday night to make it three straight draws and five games unbeaten in the Championship but have collected seven points and are unbeaten in their three homes games so far and have conceded only once.

• This will be the first meeting in any competition between Leicester City and Wrexham since a goalless draw in the second tier in April 1982.

• Wrexham have never won in six previous league meetings with Leicester (D3 L3); the Foxes have only faced Crewe (10), Loughborough (10), and Scunthorpe (8) more times without ever losing in the Football League, while the Red Dragons have only faced Crystal Palace (16) more without ever winning.

• Leicester have kept four clean sheets in their past five home league games, as many as their previous 30 beforehand.

• Wrexham have won four of their past five away league games (L1), and could win three in a row on the road in the second tier for the first time in their history.

• Wrexham's Josh Windass has scored four goals in his past three away league appearances, and could score in four in a row for the very first time in the EFL.