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Leicester manager Russell Martin had a few changes to his starting line-up. Stephy Mavididi missing from the squad, being replaced by Wes Burns from the game vs. Northampton. Alex McCarthy in goal, getting his Leicester debut, replacing Jacub Stolarczyk. Leicester were the superior team from start, but again having possession is no use if you can’t produce goals. This made it easy for Notts County to go on a few counter attacks. Will Alves was lively from start and showed his best, but again it could have started terribly, Alex McCarthy doing stupid mistakes in passing and looked rusty and not ready for this job at all. From that early shock, Leicester managed to get some control, but not producing anything of danger in front of the Notts County goal. To see Nathan Opoku not being used for this game and having BDCR as a false attacking option and playing him up front in line with Liam Cullen, looks a dead mans solution. In the first half Leicester rolled up a great chance, Sammy Braybrooke shot from inside the penalty area went just wide. BDCR did the best of it and worked hard, not really knowing if it was him or Liam Cullen who were the upper man, with the Wales international looking far from comfortable, not really having much influence in the game, being invisible. Jayden Joseph's first senior goal is cancelled out, and it ends level ⏹️#NCYLEI | @BCGame pic.twitter.com/lMpwt1NfDQ — Leicester City (@LCFC) August 15, 2026 In the second half, Notts County took more risks, as it opened up for BDCR who almost capitalized on a perfect pass from Sammy Braybrooke to Wes Burns. Unfortunately, BDCR struggled to control the ball and attempted to push it over the goalkeeper instead of making a turn to take it around. He isn’t a striker and it showed today again. In the 62nd minute, Leicester build up a great chance, with Jayden Joseph scoring with a shot from distance, making it 1-0. Great quality from the youngster. Changes were done in the 71st minute. Tom Watson coming on for Will Alves and Hamza Choudhury in for BDCR. This in itself stopped every prospect of more attacking play and the midfield became more defensive, having Skipp and Choudhury in the side. Harry Howell coming on for Will Alves in the 77th minute. The changes might have been needed, but the structure in midfield was gone, and Notts County took over, created counter attacking chances, against a very static Leicester team in these final minutes. Notts County managed to fight back and scored after a counter of a shot in the post. Conor Grant finding the net from close range, 1-1. Russell Martin decided to field his only proper number 9, giving him 10 minutes on the field. Bristric made his first minutes in the Leicester shirt. Looking for clues in his first minutes, he looked far from what is expected to fill this role. We just have to wait and see, but it was not convincing from the Bosnian U21 international. A good pre-season is starting to resemble last season, with a manager who may have difficulty if he chooses not to use pace on the flanks and play with a proper striker up front. The midfield appears strong, but the defense was fragile. The game ended fairly at 1-1, considering the chances and effort from both teams. Positives - Jayden Joseph scoring his goal, his performance also very positive - Sammy Braybrooke again showing quality, but not as powerful as we would hope for - Having so much possession that the game should have been a 6-0 win - BDCR working hard, but not able to do much constructive, with no pace and no goalscoring touch - Getting a point away is not a disaster - Some good play, but disjointed and divided into parts - Much new situations and players as the team is far from settled Negatives - To play without a proper top forward is a suicide - A game plan not really in place and as said before playing 4-3-3 without a striker or a 4-1-5-0 is far from ideal, Nathan Opoku looks a jewel compared to what Russell Martin had to put on top today - Admir Bristric is not the answer to solve the job up front for Leicester, his ability is not near the level needed, he needs time and patienced with him, the club needs the profile of Elijah Adebayo - This looks a difficult task and the new faces looks far from capable of doing the job needed - What looked bright in pre-season, looks far from correct at the moment - The players coming on, did not perform to a level needed to keep the lead, they made the team worse - Finishing practice needed, too many lost opportunities - Riley Carr and Tommy Neale are better options than many of the new signings and that is a shame to watch, not giving Carr and Neale a shirt number - A number of good points to clearify the match in Russell Martin’s comments after the game, but it was not a performance to be proud off, losing a game when taking the lead and having 77% possession. Excuses are not acceptable at this point, especially when those youngsters, Joseph, Alves and Braybrooke were the better players - Alex McCarthy having a rusty start, not understanding why Stolarczyk is not playing - Not a clear idea on who was the top striker today, no one really played up front in that JV9 role Line Up: McCarthy 5, Joseph 6, Okoli 5, Souttar 5, Thomas 4, Braybrooke 6, Cullen 2, Skipp 4, De Cordova-Reid 5, Alves 6, Burns 5, Subs: Howell, Watson, Bristric, Choudhury - Leicester City, Man of the Match - Sammy Braybrooke Match Stats (H/A) - Possession: 31 / 69 - Shots on Target: 2 / 2 - Corners: 3 / 5 - Fouls: 15 / 11