Played two, lost two was the bottom line for these two clubs going into Saturday's match. Both managers had called for a vast improvement in performance levels - one of them got it, one most certainly did not.

That a 3-1 defeat flattered Ipswich tells you something of how bad they were, looking every bit a side rock-bottom of the table this morning.

Jim Magilton's first three games in charge at Portman Road have shown the size of the task he faces in trying to lift Ipswich back to the Premiership.

Last week he was talking confidently of "at least being in the running for the play-offs". On Saturday evening he was trying to come to terms with his third straight defeat, and there are far better sides than Leicester lying in wait.

The Northern Irishman said: "I knew there would be ups and downs but even in my worst nightmares I never thought we'd have lost three out of the first three games.

"I know we are capable of getting results in this league. It's a matter of having belief and I certainly won't lose belief myself. People who don't want to go along with me on that won't stay at the club, it's as simple as that.

The disjointed nature of their play against a determined Leicester was typified by a first-half opening that went begging when Nicky Forster went for goal rather than cross to the unmarked Alan Lee. The pair exchanged a few words, and fans will hope that is not a sign of rising tension in the squad

Magilton added: "We'll solve this by getting the right players in, so I'll have to wheel and deal. But that can only happen if we can attract players to a club who are losing games and that's where I've got to work magic.

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble will sign today on a three-month loan. Midfield is a particular problem as Ipswich are missing the influence of Owen Garvan, who is expected to be out for months rather than weeks with post-viral fatigue.

Leicester had been booed off after last Tuesday's home defeat by Burnley, and manager Rob Kelly's four changes to the side paid off with one of them, Stephen Hughes, putting in a man-of-the-match performance that included Leicester's sweetly struck second goal.

Defender Patrick Kisnorbo had already headed in Danny Tiatto's free kick and, at 2-0, Ipswich were firmly in the 'lucky to get nil' bracket. Then, remarkably, they scored as substitute Matt Richards saw his 25-yard shot deflected in. That set up a nervy final five minutes for the home side but, with the last kick of the game, Iain Hume restored some perspective to the scoreline.

Stewart Jackson (Daily Telegraph)