Leicester 2, Doncaster 1, Positives and Negatives, Player Ratings and Match Report, League One Fixture

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A few changes made from Russell Martin. Sammy Braybrooke and Harry Souttar back in, Kamari Doyle getting a chance from start. A slight change in system as well, playing Luke Thomas higher, as a back three with O’Hora to the right, made it possible to play Okoli in partnership with Souttar, which is a super solid unit in the back.

Leicester opened a bit nervously, not a surprise when you have slight change in formation, also having players playing a bit out their more known positions. Sammy Braybrooke have a challenge as he is played almost as a second striker, also an exam for Will Alves who has to play a bit lower in the field, and run a lot, doing a brave job.

The first half was fairly balanced, with Leicester taking about 25 minutes to adapt to their new 3-4-2-1 system. It would have been ideal to swap Louis Page and Sammy Braybrooke, as Braybrooke found himself in unfamiliar positions. Typically, he plays a supporting role from the back, but he was now in the box, looking for scoring opportunities.

Emil Riis had a tough game and struggled to get in position to score. Doncaster played aggressively, aiming to disrupt the Leicester players, but unlike Peterborough last week, they couldn’t capitalize on counterattacks.

John Lundstram took advantage, showing determination and scoring for Leicester just before halftime. His close-range strike put Leicester ahead 1-0 at a crucial moment in the match.

Three points in LE2! 👏#LEIDON | @BCGame pic.twitter.com/SoGwR4Tq36
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 17, 2026

Leicester came out second half, again being pressed by Doncaster, but with confident and solid play from Caleb Okoli and Harry Souttar, it was more solid in the back. Leicester today having less possession than usual, and also playing a much more direct game, getting the ball out of dangerous areas with more clearing than usual.

As in the first half, Leicester managed to take control of the game, 10 minutes into the first half, and then in the 61st minute it was time for Kamari Doyle to show his magic. The 21 year old midfielder on loan from Brighton, showed what he can do with a smart strike from inside the penalty box, fantastically finding the net behind Doncaster goalkeeper Simkin. Leicester were 2-0 up.

In the final phase of the game, Doncaster made several changes to spark a reaction, which worked as they scored from inside the penalty box. They had a few half chances, and in the 84th minute, Leicester defender Warren O’Hora was the last man on the ball, 1-2.

In the 71st minute, Conor Chaplin is getting his first minutest this season, coming on for Sammy Braybrooke. Chaplin never managed to get into this game at all, running a lot, but without vision and influence. Liam Cullen was another substitution not being much worth, getting on for Kamari Doyle in the 79th minute. Leicester lost momentum in a period were everything should be settled and well under control, instead it gave Doncaster more fuel as they build a momentum, scoring with high pressure from a half chance and mistakes done by Leicester players, losing the ball in an area you could easily have found a better solution.

Will Alves hit the bar in the 89th minute, as his attempt was a good one, but as usual things never materialise for the young creative local. Alves shortly after was taken off, Aluko getting minutes again, and showing his worth as Leicester managed to keep on to the lead and win this battle in the end.

Great to get 3 points on board, hopefully this can be a positive when playing Bromley away next. Again a battle and a lot of sloppy play in vital parts of the game, luckily today having two wonderful strikes from Lundstram and Doyle, but still it looked difficult and struggling, not really having the flow needed to be a team fighting for promotion.

Positives

Two great goals scored from midfielders, John Lundstram and Kamari Doyle
Harry Souttar and Caleb Okoli both showed they should be given a chance to play together
Change of formation, that in real helped as it made it more controlled with better blocking
Alex McCarthy doing nothing wrong today, keeping everything simple and tidy
Creating enough chances to win much more comfortably
Credit to Russell Martin for a change in play, approach and formation

Negatives

Sloppy passing at times and missing the ball in crucial areas, especially on the goal for Doncaster
Emil Riis being in major struggle to get things correct, showing lack of technical quality to keep the ball up
Warren O’Hora again being uncertain and a weak link and a player far below Hilari Kangasniemi in quality
Liam Cullen and Conor Chaplin coming on and making the Leicester team weaker, not doing their job correctly, not being equipped physically, losing almost every battle out there
This change in formation was for the better, but with players playing out of their best positions, this could be in danger of failing
The use of Sammy Braybrooke is a riddle, would have changed him and Louis Page, but still working good enough to win the game
There are several players who have too many up’s and down’s, today Emil Riis was a disappointment, and again not having a proper striker option on the bench, Bristric missing

Line Up:
McCarthy 6, Okoli 7, Thomas 6, O’Hora 5, Souttar 7, Lundstram 8, Braybrooke 6, Page 6, Riis 5, Doyle 7, Alves 6 Subs: Cullen, Chaplin, Aluko