Leicester captain Souttar says players responsible after 4-0 Oxford defeat

Leicester City captain Harry Souttar said the players must accept responsibility after a 4-0 home defeat by Oxford United, a result BBC Sport reported as the club's worst league loss at its current level in the English football pyramid. The League One setback on Saturday followed Leicester's first league victory of the season against Plymouth Argyle only days earlier.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, Souttar said his side fell below the competitive standards needed to give themselves a chance. He pointed to lost duels, tackles and headers rather than tactics, saying the team played some acceptable football in the first half but did not compete strongly enough. He described that commitment as the "bare minimum" and said the failure was solely down to the players.

The defeat intensified scrutiny of head coach Russell Martin, whose possession-heavy approach has drawn criticism. The reaction from supporters was immediate, while former Leicester forward Matt Piper called the display a "sackable performance" during BBC Radio Leicester's post-match analysis. Souttar nevertheless directed blame away from the coach and toward the squad's execution on the field.

Souttar has remained at Leicester after the club suffered consecutive relegations, despite reported Championship interest from Sheffield United and Wrexham following his appearances for Australia at the summer World Cup. He has become captain of a younger, reshaped side after playing only five times for Leicester over the previous three seasons. Two of those appearances came last season after relegation had already been confirmed, following a 16-month recovery from a knee injury sustained during a loan spell at Sheffield United.

Against Oxford, Souttar lined up in front of veteran goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and alongside experienced defender Luke Thomas. The back line also included 20-year-old Jayden Joseph and teenage Manchester City loanee Christian McFarlane. They were among five Leicester starters under the age of 22, reflecting the club's reliance on youth after several senior, high-profile players left during the summer.

Those departures included former England midfielder Harry Winks, Denmark defender Jannik Vestergaard and Ghana forward Jordan Ayew. Leicester's task is to return from the third tier at the first attempt, but the Oxford loss halted any momentum generated by the win over Plymouth. Souttar said the squad would review the moments it handled poorly and try to respond in its next match. Leicester face third-placed Stockport County on Saturday, with Stockport arriving after a 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.