Another match gone and another win and so our thoughts turn to the next game – away at Crystal Palace. This is a slightly earlier than usual pre-match article - but you have to be pretty quick off the mark these days!
The win against Burton in the League Cup (or whatever it’s called this week) was very important. In a tricky tie away to a team known for a bit of giant killing in recent seasons it would have been easy to halt the momentum built from the 9-0. Especially with so many changes to the side. It’s important that those on the periphery of the side feel part of the collective and that they’re ready to do a job if called upon. The likes of Ian and Gray might be important later in the season as it’s the squad that will ultimately decide how successful we’ll be across 3 competitions.
Crystal Palace will be a very different proposition from Burton Albion. Let’s face it they know how to beat us. In fact the evidence of recent seasons suggests they know how to beat us pretty well. If I was Roy Hodgson I would be dusting down the same game plan as last season and setting up my team exactly the same way. If I was Brendan Rodgers I would be watching a few videos of our recent games against Palace and looking to see where it all went wrong.
Outside of the Palace game the evidence of recent games suggests we should set up the same way and with the same personnel. Confidence must be high and players must surely be looking forward to this game eagerly. That confidence could be dented pretty quickly by a Palace side who’ll know all about the Southampton thrashing and will be determined to bring us back down to Earth.
Despite all this I think we have to stick with the same team from the Saints’ game. It wouldn’t be a great message to drop someone after a 9-0 win would it? – or does anybody have a tactical master plan that would make us think differently? Our last four games against Palace have been losses: 3-0, 5-0, 1-0 and 4-1. We’ve a great report after the initial 10 games stage, but will the first nut, on the first wheel, begin to loosen on Sunday?
My Team:
Schmeichel
Ricardo, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell
N’didi
Perez, Maddison, Tielemans, Barnes
Vardy
Subs: Ward, Morgan, Justin, Praet, Gray, Albrighton, Iheanacho
Leicester v Palace Pre Match musings
posted on 2/11/19
What about a 4-3-3 with Ndidi, Praet and Tielemans behind Vardy, Barnes and Albrighton. That could make us more solid and compact against the top teams?
posted on 2/11/19
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 2 hours, 11 minutes ago
What about a 4-3-3 with Ndidi, Praet and Tielemans behind Vardy, Barnes and Albrighton. That could make us more solid and compact against the top teams?
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Yes I’m not that worried about that. I don’t really see Praet as purely a defensive midfielder in the way Hamza and Wilf are. He has a range of passing to his game.
When Wilf was partnered with Mendy his game dropped as somebody had to be the person who provided the carry or passing from midfield - not his game - and not was it Mendy’s. Hamza is similar in that he’s a disruptor and not a creator. We can’t play both Choudhury and N’didi if we want balance - that was my point.
posted on 2/11/19
Yes, I don’t disagree with that Joby. My only point was relying solely on Ndidi to protect a flat back 4 with attacking fullbacks against a team that play in between the lines and use width would see us murdered!!
I agree with all you’ve said there. Choudhury and Ndidi together creates imbalance and I don’t like Choudhury in that wide left role in a 4-3-3. Problem is you have to drop Maddison to make 4-3-3 work and I don’t think Rodgers with do that.
So let’s agree that when we face a team like that we go 4-1-2-2-1 and play zero width 🙃.
Ndidi
Preat Tielemans
Perez Maddison
Vardy
How can it fail?
posted on 2/11/19
I agree on dropping Maddison too.
I like Maddison centrally so if you’re reverting to 4-3-3 it’s probably a choice between him and Tielemans. It’s a balance problem you might have against the better teams and I’d rather that than force Maddison to play where he’s not effective (i.e. out wide).
As long as the solution doesn’t involve picking two of N’didi, Choudhury and Mendy in that midfield three - then I’m happy it’s an option.
posted on 2/11/19
Yes, we’re back in agreement Joby.
Praet Tielemans and Ndidi is quite a balanced 3. If they were disciplined we could play a quiche attacking front 3.
posted on 2/11/19
We’d have to sign Neil Ham, Danny Egg and Sean Pastry first mind.
posted on 2/11/19
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 4 hours, 10 minutes ago
Yes, we’re back in agreement Joby.
Praet Tielemans and Ndidi is quite a balanced 3. If they were disciplined we could play a quiche attacking front 3.
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Wow! Exciting, what's this innovative new quiche attacking style exactly?
posted on 2/11/19
comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 4 hours, 10 minutes ago
Yes, we’re back in agreement Joby.
Praet Tielemans and Ndidi is quite a balanced 3. If they were disciplined we could play a quiche attacking front 3.
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Wow! Exciting, what's this innovative new quiche attacking style exactly?
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Vardy, Perez and Barnes going all out attack, and after every goal they celebrate by eating a different quiche.
posted on 3/11/19
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 1 day, 14 hours ago
A very difficult game, Roy has Palace playing really well and only a few points behind us.
I'd take a draw now if offered.
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Morning all
We've had our fair share of luck (re- VAR) so far TB which has obviously helped our current league position tbh so i'm not expecting too much out of this game.
I'd also be happy with a draw but my head says 1-2.
Safe journey to all making their way down
posted on 3/11/19
comment by TUX (U5315)
posted 13 hours, 41 minutes ago
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 1 day, 14 hours ago
A very difficult game, Roy has Palace playing really well and only a few points behind us.
I'd take a draw now if offered.
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Morning all
We've had our fair share of luck (re- VAR) so far TB which has obviously helped our current league position tbh so i'm not expecting too much out of this game.
I'd also be happy with a draw but my head says 1-2.
Safe journey to all making their way down
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Good call.