"He's been a victim" - Claim made on Jordan James situation at Leicester City | OneFootball

FLW's Foxes fan pundit discusses Jordan James' start to his Leicester City career

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

No player likes to be substituted at half-time, but that unfortunate role was placed upon Jordan James in Leicester City's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

The former Birmingham City youngster has struggled somewhat since coming back to the Championship, following a one-year stint in France with Rennes, failing to make a proper impact in the handful of games he has played so far.

James was brought in for his first start against Coventry City in the place of attacking midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who was sent off on his debut in the Foxes' 2-2 draw with Oxford United, and in the mind of Football League World's Leicester fan pundit, Louchlainn Martin, James has had to be "shoehorned" into an unfamilar attacking role, leading to unremarkable performances.

Martin feels that the best is yet to come for the Welshman, and once he's able to play in a more natural box-to-box role, he'll start to excel for his new side.

James was taken off at the break against West Brom, but Martin doesn't read too much into that, as Marti Cifuentes has more often than not chosen to shuffle his pack at half-time since he became Leicester boss.

"I'm not concerned in the slightest about James being taken off at half-time, as half-time substitutions have been a common theme with Marti Cifuentes in the opening seven games," he said.

"I think there's only been a few games where he hasn't made a change at half-time, becuase he just didn't get the team spot on from the beginning."

The fan pundit believes that Ramsey's red card against Oxford has seen James put in an awkward role where he excels less, and ultimately that's led to some disappointing performances.

"I feel James has been a victim of Ramsey's red card a few games ago, as he was brought in as the new number ten, and then he was sent off on his debut, and James has had to fill that gap," he explained.

"In my opinion, James is not a number 10, he's more a number eight, a box-to-box, and he's been shoehorned into that number 10 position, and it hasn't suited him.

"Besides that, though, he hasn't even performed badly, he's actually been quite good, he just hasn't done anything special yet."

James was used across the midfield during his time at Birmingham, playing defensively, more attacking sometimes and even on the left wing. However, during his time at Rennes, his starts came soley as one of the midfield pivots, and it's clear that this is where he will begin to perform in a Leicester shirt.

Leicester City fan pundit outlines ideal midfield three

As it stands, Ramsey will serve out his three-match suspension in midweek against Wrexham, and then be available for the weekend's battle with Swansea City.

With the former Aston Villa midfielder back, competition will grow even stronger in the middle of Leicester's park, with a number of quality options available for Marti Cifuentes to choose.

On who he feels are his "ideal" midfield three, Martin said: "I'd put Harry Winks and James next to each other, with Ramsey ahead of them.

"There's one more game of Ramsey's suspension, and then he'll be back on Saturday, and I feel for that Swansea game we will see that midfield three.

"For now, though, I feel James might miss out on the next game, just because he isn't a 10, and I feel Winks and Boubacar Soumare did their best against West Brom and will reclaim their spot as the number eights."

As is the case for any side relegated from the Premier League, it's been a summer of transition at the King Power Stadium, and a red card for their Bilal El Khannouss replacement wouldn't have helped settle things at all.

Despite this, the Foxes have performed the best out of the three former top flight sides so far, and are in a healthy position inside the top six. You feel that, once Cifuentes gets some rythym in his team selection, Leicester will be a tough side to stop in the Championship.