--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-10-23T04:53:56.370Z last_updated: 2026-10-22T11:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/leicester-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVpY2VzdGVybWVyY3VyeS5jby51ay9zcG9ydC9mb290YmFsbC9mb290YmFsbC1uZXdzL2xlaWNlc3Rlci1jaXR5LXByb2dyZXNzLXJ1c3NlbGwtbWFydGluLTExMjA5Mjk2 --- # Leicester City's true test of progress begins now as three-year wait beckons - **Source:** - **Published:** 22 Oct - **Club:** Leicester City - **Original URL:** https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-progress-russell-martin-11209296 But the tide has turned for Russell Martin. Back-to-back wins over Doncaster Rovers and Bromley, their first consecutive victories since last November, have given Leicester a platform to start climbing the table. The 2-1 victory over Doncaster arguably flattered the visitors, with Leicester controlling proceedings and rarely looking in danger of surrendering their lead. At Bromley, they went up another level, scoring four goals, keeping a clean sheet and producing their best performance yet this campaign. Martin has attributed the turnaround to his side being better in both boxes, combining aggression with composure and building on the previous performance. Those factors have all contributed, but the biggest change has been tactical. Make sure you never miss the latest Leicester City news and opinion by making Leicestershire Live one of your Google preferred sources Leicester have used a 3-4-2-1 formation in their last two games, with the change bringing improvements at both ends of the pitch. The three centre-backs have protected Alex McCarthy's goal well while looking more comfortable in possession. Will Alves and Luke Thomas have excelled in the wing-back roles, while John Lundstram, Louis Page, Kamari Doyle and Sammy Braybrooke have all contributed defensively and going forward. "We changed after Stockport and I was annoyed at myself," Martin said when asked about the new formation. "We looked fairly solid on Saturday and we grew a little bit and improved on that tonight. I'm sure we'll be flexible and change, but right now, we have to find a way to help us win as much as possible." Against Bromley, Leicester looked like a Premier League side facing lower-league opposition in the FA Cup. The 4-0 scoreline was harsh on the London-based side, with the Foxes missing three major chances in the first half. Fortunately for Leicester, they will not have to wait long to test themselves again. Martin's side travel to Luton on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off) with the chance to move into the play-off places for the first time this season. Wigan Athletic then visit the King Power Stadium, giving Leicester the opportunity to extend their winning run to four games and collect 12 points from 12. Leicester have not won four consecutive league games since Enzo Maresca guided them to a run of nine straight victories between September and October 2023. Luton, managed by Jack Wilshere, should provide a tougher test than Bromley, although they have also struggled for consistency this season. Wigan, meanwhile, are rooted to the foot of the table on seven points. October concludes with the visit of Stevenage, who are level on points with Leicester. By then, the Foxes could be chasing a fifth consecutive victory, with another three points potentially taking them into the automatic promotion places. If Leicester are to challenge at the top of League One, they must build on their last two results. They have already discovered how unforgiving the division can be, but the victories over Doncaster and Bromley appear to have brought some much-needed confidence to the squad. Now, the focus turns to Luton, and Martin appears to have far fewer selection dilemmas than he did at the start of the season. Earlier in the campaign, the Leicester boss struggled to settle on his strongest XI, but the performances of the last two games have given him a clearer template to work with. Martin named the same starting XI against Bromley that had beaten Doncaster, while the substitutions allowed Will Smallbone and Conor Chaplin to gain more minutes. After such an emphatic midweek victory, making wholesale changes for the trip to Luton would be a surprising decision. Consistency in team selection can be an important ingredient in successful teams, but Leicester's recent history offers a reminder that it is no guarantee of results. Ruud van Nistelrooy named the same starting XI for four consecutive games, only for the Foxes to lose all four, fail to score and concede nine goals. Leicester's last successful period under Maresca also shows that there is more than one route to consistency. The Italian regularly rotated his side, switching between Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy, using Conor Coady during busy three-game weeks and turning to Dennis Praet to rest his midfielders. Martin has the depth to take a similar approach if he chooses. Leicester's options were clear at Bromley, when he was able to introduce two former Premier League players and Wales international Liam Cullen from the bench. That depth gives him the flexibility to refresh his side when needed, without necessarily sacrificing quality. Get the best Leicester City news, analysis and more straight to your Inbox! To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.