You're right, it's a tough one. Vs Swansea I'd be tempted with a traditional midfield 3 to try and combat their passing game. However, I don't think we've picked up a single point this season in a game whereby we've set up focusing on the opposition so it's a tough one.

I reckon 3412with Nugent (i'd pick Kramarić) in the no10 role. Albrighton is perfect for right wing back, absolutely baffling that he's only just got in the team!

Its a tricky one for me i like the sound of three at the back but there is no pace there anything getting past the wingbacks and we look vulnerable. It does help with Schlupps in ability to defend and keeps his pace.
play Nug and Vardy behind the only forward who can score with his head.

The formations incidental for me on Saturday the difference we be us the supporters who will still keep chanting if we go behind and will be that forth man. I just wish my camel and i could be there.

I don't think we should be worrying about Swansea, I think we should play a formation and team that's going to cause them problems. Let's take the game to them, put them under pressure and make them worry about us rather than worry about them.

They've got nothing to play for and if we play to our tempo and energy levels then we should stand a good chance or winning. Also now Bony has gone and Gomis is injured, they're left with Emnes, who I didn't rate while at Boro.

I really don't think we can concentrate on setting up to stop the threat of other teams when we need to food on winning and the best way for us to do that is play like we did in the first five and last two, in other words with no fear and the instruction to attack.

If Albrighon plays then start with Ulloa, if Mahrez gets the nod I'd play Kramaric.

^ not sure how keep turned to food but anyway.

Been catching up on the posts this week.
Seems a shame that some threads seemed to develop in personal exchanges which seems contrary to sensible debate.

In terms of the team selection issues.
First of all in terms of Schlupp. At matches we do not have playbacks and slow motion replays but impact of players on the pitch are more immediate. What was clear at WBA was that when he had the ball he played with purpose and confidence and made life a misery for their defence not only for opposing full backs but also central defenders.

I lost count of crosses into box from both him and Albrighton –mistakes from Lescott and McCauley at the end were result of this constant pressure.

Although there was an early mistake or two –his defensive work was also there – he is not a great tackler but his covering back and interceptions overall were OK. He must play –he will be opposed by Rangel in view of Naughton injury and we have to be positive against Swansea. If we try to take them on at their strengths we will come second – I was at Liberty – for threequarters of game we were not at races.

Bear in mind that they also play with wide men and I hear Montero may be back – so De Laet may be good option. Any way –overall I agree with Arro – we need to win these home game s- which means being brave and playing to our strengths – which is pace and getting ball and players into box.

Personally I would play Wasilewski every week even above Morgan in any format- he has more pace –good balance and when the chips are down –is more ruthless
In terms of the question of Donington regarding Albrighton and his “missing” period ( except for his familiarisation with the under 21 side!)
it is interesting to see some coincidences. He came on as sub on the 7th Feb – did OK and then did not get a minutes first team play for next 6 matches during which we achieved just 2 points –so although things were not going well- no place even from bench .
He has reappeared and by coincidence we have won last 2 matches. As another coincidence the 7th Feb was also the “sacking” weekend and rumours circulated about certain players or associates and social media comments. Probably coincidence again – cutting off nose and spite spring to mind but …..surely not
Anyway water under bridge – Nev also made good point about crowd support – it was excellent against West Ham – and is massively important ..

I often express my doubts about our management but the team when they cross that white line are representing us –so 100% support for 100% of time

Re crowd support - apparently, the 'clappers' are back on Saturday, so when the team comes out of the tunnel, lets all give them a massive dose of the clap...

I have to say I had doubts when I got to my seat against Hammers - bloody nonsense I think was my comment- but they seemed to work with a lot of people nearby who normally sat on their hands

"I have to say I had doubts when I got to my seat against Hammers - bloody nonsense I think was my comment- but they seemed to work with a lot of people nearby who normally sat on their hands"

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I agree. My reaction when I saw them was "Oh no." But then I found myself playing with it and making a racket.

As regards formation, I'd go with the same team that started against West Brom. While that 11 wasn't greatly successful at the time, I think it's a decent set-up against Swansea. It's doubtful that they'll play with more than 1 striker, therefore I don't think it's fruitful to play with 3 centre backs as we'll mostly have a man over at the back who isn't doing much. The choice is then between playing 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 and, while it's tempting to play King and match Swansea up in the midfield area to protect James and Cambiasso, I think it's more important to show attacking intent from the outset.

So unchanged for me but at least we know we have options on the bench. The impact the subs have had over the last two games is a big positive for the team.

Been catching up on the posts this week.
Seems a shame that some threads seemed to develop in personal exchanges which seems contrary to sensible debate.

My sentiments exactly. I'm here to talk about football and have no interest in personal exchanges. We're all entitled to our opinions and I disagree at times but I always respect your views and when I've responded to you in the past, I've always done it by sharing my thoughts, not by attacking you personally. I'm not accusing you of attacking me either because you've also responded with your football opinions and not made it personal. The way it should be. I've got no issue with you at all and I enjoy your posts, just so you know.

I would prefer Wasi too and yeah he's the third fastest in the league apparently though I'm sure defenders run further distances and that's how get up more speed. I can't believe he's faster than De Laet or Vardy. I get why Wes is playing but Wasi is a better player.

As for Wasi he makes opposition attackers faster as they run away from him as they look for a different option the trying to get past "Waz the impaler"

As for the Clapper thing (old git alert) us in the old main stand at Filbert street gould join in by banging the boards under the seat with our heels to great effect. Just like swans suits ties, cap and looking at the mtch while legs going mad underneath.

Happy days

I see Sky are now predicting we'll finish 16th

With QPR, Sunderland and Hull relegated.

That'll do me! Despite Dyche being an annoying get, I'd like Burnley to stay up with us. They've tried to play football the right way and have got some good results this season.

Yes, I agree with people stating that they would prefer to start with Was rather than Wes. I’ve been impressed with his form this season and he has been one of the few that has stepped up, whilst Morgan has arguably gone backwards.

The trouble is that, in a four, we know that Morgan won’t be dropped so the discussion has become almost redundant. Just as it appears that Hamer is unlikely to feature in the first team again.

Mind you, Albrighton is now a starter so you never know ….

I think Wes will always get the nod because he's captain but Cambiasso would be a perfect replacement. The thought of Huth and Wasi is also a lot more intimidating for strikers, you know you're going to be in a game with both of them.

If we can avoid defeat against Burnley then I don't think they'll get enough points to beat the drop, although they do have a favourable final day fixture at home to a Villa side that will probably already be safe at that point.

Of the games QPR have, several are winnable; their problem is that they're running out of games and can't afford many slip-ups.

Hull have some difficult teams to face but have 4 of their remaining 6 at home, including a massive match against Burnley.

Sunderland have a horrible-looking fixture list, although matches like Everton away and Southampton at home are opportunities at this point in the season. Their home match against us could be vital.

Overall, I still see at least two of the promoted sides going down because I'm yet to be convinced that both Hull and Sunderland are /that/ bad and on the slide.

I think Burnleys spirit and fight will win them more points than Hull and Sunderland. They're both short on confidence and are playing without any belief. Going into the remaining games on the back of recent results is going to he tough. They've both got some really difficult games and although Hull have four at home the only winnable one would be Burnley, though that's not guaranteed, Burnley could win that.

I wouldn't rule West Brom out yet, they could easily lose every game. If they were our remaining fixtures I'd expect is to lose them all and I'm positive.

Arro what odds do you think you could get for them losing all seven games and us winning five.
Both are highly unlikely but we are going for it.

They only have to pick up a point or two

Was not Wes for me too! Now there was a band for you! The Blue Army all walking the dinosaur would have those Swans well and truly befuddled!

West Brom have some difficult games in there, but they Liverpool at home (they've got problems) and Newcastle away (a team you want on your fixture list right now). Plus there's no guarantee that Palace's run will go on forever and I wouldn't be surprised if West Brom beat them this weekend. I'd give up looking at them and Villa as they'll get out of trouble easily - what I'm hoping for is that one of Sunderland and Hull won't be able to address their downward slide in the face of some difficult games. If we can maintain some momentum then we should be able to overtake Burnley and QPR, and pick off one of the northeasters if they fail to pull their act together.

Palace just smashed Sunderland and just seem to know how to win games. I definitely fancy them to beat a West Brom side on the back of two home defeats to the bottom two. Liverpool need to win to have any chance of qualifying for Europe. Could you imagine the backlash if they fail to even get into Europe? That's not even an option for Liverpool so they have to beat West Brom so I think they'll find the quality they need. They'll lose again then before going to Newcastle. Newcastle aren't great but would you fancy beating them if we'd lost five on the bounce?

Villa are better than West Brom, they have some very good players who have been underperforming and I have no doubt they'll pick up enough points so I'd agree to forget about them.

I reckon you'd get great odds on that Nev and you're right it could easily happen. We can beat Swansea, Newcastle, Burnley, Sunderland and QPR, draw with Southampton and lose to Chelsea. But draws at Burnley and Sunderland would be fine because they'll have to beat us i'd imagine.

But form changes, arro. Hopefully Palace are motivated by the opportunity of finishing in the top half and will keep going, but I certainly wouldn't discount West Brom from that match. I then think they'll win at least one of Liverpool at home and Newcastle away, and one win and a draw would probably see them safe. And that's to discount any chance they have against the top teams.

I also think there's going to be a fair degree of 'ex manager returning to club' syndrome when WBA play Palace as well.

We all know what normally happens in those games.

I don’t think you can under value the advantage of “points in the bag” rather than “games in hand” at this stage. We are all looking at future fixtures and trying to second guess the outcome, but we know that not every game will go to form – there will be shocks along the way. That’s why Leicester start at a disadvantage as we’ve still got less points than anyone else.

That’s also why I think we can discount Villa and WBA: one win that wasn’t expected or a draw when a defeat was anticipated and they’re more or less safe. Sunderland and Hull still have an advantage over us and we need to keep winning to catch them. One round of results when they lose and we win would do it, but equally this could go the other way.

It may well come down to our performances against Burnley, Sunderland and QPR, but we have to try and keep winning to ensure that those results matter.

It's a 3 for me. Play to our strengths and go 4-2-3-1 if that isn't working.

Good to have options.

Not looking at anyone else's games. Just taking it one match at a time...

comment by johngee (U5021)
posted 10 hours, 39 minutes ago
I have to say I had doubts when I got to my seat against Hammers - bloody nonsense I think was my comment- but they seemed to work with a lot of people nearby who normally sat on their hands
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JG, I think I must sit quite close to you in B2 and that was about as noisy as I've heard in our area. Hopefully we can replicate that tomorrow.

We won't win if we play like we did at the Liberty though, we were truly dreadful in the first half particularly and 2-0 did not flatter the Swans in the slightest (I was there too).

Game at a time now so let's hope that no Bony, Gomis, Naughton and Montero not playing recently gives us a chance for revenge!

I am bewildered by the possible formations but please not 5 at the back!