I really do not understand what and how we are doing but love it. I have always loved Albrighton as he gives his all good or bad. Villa did him wrong and he has just thought I will show you!

Fuchs has sat in the fountain of youth and every player is playing their hearts out. I think we will beat Liverpool but if not, oh well. But we will......

A team and formation built out of necessity but wow!

I suspect the injuries forcing Rodgers’ hand could work out better for Leicester in the long run. One of the criticisms of him from fans of most of the clubs he’s managed, is his lack of compromise on the way he wants his team to play. Seeing the success Leicester can have when they set up to counter (and they are one of the best in the league at it because of Vardy), it’s something he should know he can fall back on even when you’ve got your best players back and really want to boss games with the ball.

I can only see us playing with a back 3 when everyone’s fit. He won’t leave any of them out they’re just all too good to not play, have the wingbacks bombing on all the time with Ndidi or Mendy protecting

It’s a good question Joby and one I’ve been pondering too.

My main “good problem to have” is Ndidi. I honestly don’t think he would add as much to this current formation as Mendy does, and I don’t think we should upset the current momentum by meddling with it until we need to. So for me, he starts his comeback on the bench and has to prove he’s more effective at beating the counter press and supporting Tilly than Mendy. I can’t believe I’ve just said that. BTW, Mendy or Tilly are currently my players of the season so far (POTSSF).

The second “good problem to have” is Soyuncu. Fofana was probably the one to make way as he adapted to the premier league in our back 3, but then we realised he’s Maldini reincarnated. He has to keep his place now. Soyuncu, Evans and Fofana alongside Pereira and Castagne is a mouthwatering prospect. As harsh as it is on Fuchs and Justin.

What is hugely positive is that we now have the option with one sub to go 4-1-4-1 is we’re struggling in a game, and also have options to play Maddison central or operate with Barnes and Praet wife of Vardy on the counter.

Options options options. That makes these hood problems to have.

I can’t believe I’ve just said Mendy should keep his place over Ndidi.

Pinch me.

comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 1 hour, 10 minutes ago
It’s a good question Joby and one I’ve been pondering too.

My main “good problem to have” is Ndidi. I honestly don’t think he would add as much to this current formation as Mendy does, and I don’t think we should upset the current momentum by meddling with it until we need to. So for me, he starts his comeback on the bench and has to prove he’s more effective at beating the counter press and supporting Tilly than Mendy. I can’t believe I’ve just said that. BTW, Mendy or Tilly are currently my players of the season so far (POTSSF).

The second “good problem to have” is Soyuncu. Fofana was probably the one to make way as he adapted to the premier league in our back 3, but then we realised he’s Maldini reincarnated. He has to keep his place now. Soyuncu, Evans and Fofana alongside Pereira and Castagne is a mouthwatering prospect. As harsh as it is on Fuchs and Justin.

What is hugely positive is that we now have the option with one sub to go 4-1-4-1 is we’re struggling in a game, and also have options to play Maddison central or operate with Barnes and Praet wife of Vardy on the counter.

Options options options. That makes these hood problems to have.

I can’t believe I’ve just said Mendy should keep his place over Ndidi.

Pinch me.


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I thought Rebekah was the wife of Vardy?

I actually like the idea of N’didi coming off the bench. BR likes to put an enforcer on late in games especially when we’re trying to hold on to a game. N’didi is perfect for that role.

Well some think she is a Praet....

comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 10 hours, 36 minutes ago
It’s a good question Joby and one I’ve been pondering too.

My main “good problem to have” is Ndidi. I honestly don’t think he would add as much to this current formation as Mendy does, and I don’t think we should upset the current momentum by meddling with it until we need to. So for me, he starts his comeback on the bench and has to prove he’s more effective at beating the counter press and supporting Tilly than Mendy. I can’t believe I’ve just said that. BTW, Mendy or Tilly are currently my players of the season so far (POTSSF).

The second “good problem to have” is Soyuncu. Fofana was probably the one to make way as he adapted to the premier league in our back 3, but then we realised he’s Maldini reincarnated. He has to keep his place now. Soyuncu, Evans and Fofana alongside Pereira and Castagne is a mouthwatering prospect. As harsh as it is on Fuchs and Justin.

What is hugely positive is that we now have the option with one sub to go 4-1-4-1 is we’re struggling in a game, and also have options to play Maddison central or operate with Barnes and Praet wife of Vardy on the counter.

Options options options. That makes these hood problems to have.

I can’t believe I’ve just said Mendy should keep his place over Ndidi.

Pinch me.


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I tried to say the same but not as well on another thread. But do we play Ndidi in the back 3 in that case as another player who can carry the ball out?

With all our centrebacks fit I don’t think Ndidi would get in ahead of them. Not sure we’re going to see our centrebacks fit anytime soon though!!!

I guess we could try 3-1-5-1 as a variation on the current formation and see if playing Ndidi can allow Tielemans to look forward more. I just think that Tilly’s tactical and positional awareness is really supporting the whole defensive aspect of our game. Will be one to watch.

comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 18 minutes ago
With all our centrebacks fit I don’t think Ndidi would get in ahead of them. Not sure we’re going to see our centrebacks fit anytime soon though!!!

I guess we could try 3-1-5-1 as a variation on the current formation and see if playing Ndidi can allow Tielemans to look forward more. I just think that Tilly’s tactical and positional awareness is really supporting the whole defensive aspect of our game. Will be one to watch.
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Not sure we’ll see all our centre backs fit together. Evans seems to be picking up more short term niggles which could be a sign of age, we’ve still not sorted a contract extension have we? I wouldn’t want to lose him but would he accept a more rotational roll? A back three of Ndidi, Forfana and Soyuncu looks formidable

Accidentally hit send! The recovery pace would allow us to play a very high line and also be flexible to go to a flat 4.

When are we expecting all these players back anyway?

Cheesy - Castagne after the international break, hopefully. Soyuncu and Ricardo next (although the latter will obviously have to be eased in). Ndidi after that I think but hopefully before Christmas. We might have them all back for the final Europa League match, which could be a great chance for those players to get minutes if there's nothing to play for in it.

It's a fascinating thing with Mendy, and I agree with those who have talked about there being a serious consideration about whether he's to continue even when Ndidi's back because his role is benefitting the team. In particular, he's happier receiving and moving the ball in tight areas than Ndidi is.

Still, I think it's exciting to see us working several different ways of playing. And that includes players succeeding in positions that aren't exactly natural. There have been many seasons when we've bemoaned players "playing out of position", yet now we're seeing almost everyone having a go at the wide roles in the front 3 (Barnes, Under, Albrighton, Maddison, Praet, Perez; even Justin had a joust there against Wolves, although that was more to keep an eye on Traore in the last 15 minutes). Tielemans has played wide midfield at times in some matches, Ndidi's filled in at CB, Castagne should be able to play both sides, apparently Ricardo can too, Fuchs has looked as comfortable as I've ever seen him at LCB and Justin seems to play everywhere. The versatility that the squad now has after years of players in their "correct" positions being the accepted norm is quite staggering.

I too think Mandy is in front of Wolf. He’s beginning to play like Kante.

Thanks DM. Not a bad time to start getting players back as xmas time can be quite relentless. Here's hoping we don't have many more injury setbacks going into the new year like we did last season

Well good news folks, the French under 21 coach has announced that Fofana has a knee injury

with all these players coming back surely we are one of the clubs who should be pushing for 5 subs. it would keep a few of them happy and brendans choices easier.

afv - Interesting injury. Suggestion of inflammation on the knee. A bit nondescript. I mean, it may be true. But I do wonder with this whether the player might be preferring to maintain his place in the Leicester first team rather than go around playing France U21 matches. We may only find out come the Liverpool match.

For some time, I've favoured the option of three centre backs with decent wing backs. Now we have 5 players who fit the bill perfectly, with more than half decent back ups, this is definitely the way to go. Ndidi is undoubtedly a class act, but Mendy complements the midfielders around him far more and for that reason, and that alone, I would put Mendy as first choice starter in that position.

Maybe even Dunge is accepting that a back 3 is a viable way to play 😉

comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 22 hours, 32 minutes ago

“I can’t believe I’ve just said Mendy should keep his place over Ndidi.”

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When you actually reflect on that statement you realise just how remarkable it is. Just last season N’didi would have been classed as undroppable. Arguably our most important player. You saw how the results dropped off in his absence.

If somebody had said at the end of last season that we should consider playing Mendy instead they would probably have lost all credibility in any forum they posted in. He was virtually gone from the club. Wasn’t he out of contract? People raised an eyebrow or two when he was handed another 2 years.

Personally, although I never disliked Mendy and thought he’d never really been given much of a run, I only ever thought he’d be a squad player in an injury crisis. I never thought he’d compete with Wilf let alone be considered as a better option for some games.

With these options we have now I start looking at the other areas where we lack depth. There aren’t many, at all with everyone fit. Vardy is an obvious one and probably always will be until he goes, but the other might be Tielemans. It’s evident that whilst other players are rotated that Brendan tends to keep Youri involved. Is he another player we need to get cover for?

comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 1 minute ago
Maybe even Dunge is accepting that a back 3 is a viable way to play 😉
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That was quite amusing.

I’ll give you 8.5 for that comment 😃

comment by Merseysidefox (U4842) re Fofana

"but then we realised he’s Maldini reincarnated."

What a wonderful comment - I love it!

(let's hope the knee issue is not serious and he's fit to play against Liverpool) UTF

comment by I remember Albert Cheeseborough"Super Sub... (U1481)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842) re Fofana

"but then we realised he’s Maldini reincarnated."

What a wonderful comment - I love it!

(let's hope the knee issue is not serious and he's fit to play against Liverpool) UTF
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It is.

Until you remember he said the same thing about Filip Benkovic

Two compliments on the trot. I’ve gone all embarrassed.

Thanks for the 8.5 Joby. Just gutted it wasn’t an 8.75 which is the score I’d give Fofana for his performance on Sunday.

Damn, you snuck in unveiling the fragility of my thin argument.

Anyway, who says Benkovic is t the new Maldini. We’ll never find out as he’s made of crisps and dry spaghetti.