Capitulation in matches is a “running theme” at Leicester and they were guilty of “criminal” defending in their latest defeat, according to former Foxes winger Matt Piper.

The Foxes suffered a damaging home defeat to relegation rivals Wolves on Sunday with all three goals scored against them in the first half.

“It’s damaging,” Piper told the When You’re Smiling podcast. “It won’t be any good for the confidence of the group.

“Getting beat 4-0 at Newcastle and then losing 3-0 to Wolves this week who are in the relegation zone, it will hurt the confidence of the fans.

“I’m not going to get after the fans for leaving early because I understand. You see comical defending like that, your team 3-0 down at half-time, a performance strewn with mistakes.

“There was no urgency and effort in the performance and we’ve seen that at times under Ruud since he came in. A capitulation in that first half like the first five minutes of the second half against Newcastle.

“We had some experienced players on the pitch in both games so it is a trait you don’t really understand. It’s been a running theme throughout this squad. When they concede their heads start to drop, they start making unusual decisions. It has to be tied to the lack of confidence in the group.

“To make some of the defensive decisions they did in that first half is completely criminal. You can’t defend like they did against Wolves and expect to win Premier League football matches.”

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds