Lozfox1978
The eternal pessimist
probably out now with calf strain. Anyone available from here to help Brendan muster an eleven?
Good post BruinWith Riccardo, Evans, Soyuncu, and Armartey all crocked, we have no choice but to play:
Justin; Fofana; Morgan; Castagne
In addition, Ndidi, Praet & Maddison are out of contention (or at least in Maddison's case semi-ambulant therefore presumably will not play more than 45mins at the most) it is not likely therefore that LCFC have the resources to completely nullify the counter-attacking threat of Grealish, Watkins & Barkley (which looms large, whether you care to admit it or not) so the target must be to mitigate it. So how to do?
Mendy has to play, but with the 3 Villa players mentioned above he's not noted for his strength, so isn't going to stop them on a charge. Him being alone they will run him ragged, piss through him, and when they do they will be a set of dangerous fuckers with 3 on 2 and the keeper. We cannot afford to allow that. No-one can offer aid. Tielemans will be the only help available in that m/f area and they will glide past him like there's no-one there (McGinn may even falsely engage Youri to permit smoother passage, that would be my tactic). We will find it difficult to operate with tight defensive lines - we haven't the personnel to set up that way. Unless we shore up the holes, the only answer is ostensibly a negative one - Choudhury, but needs must. Thus we have a m/f three of Choudhury, Mendy & Tielemans.
The final selection is Brendan's most telling. This will determine whether he is man or mouse. Vardy should not start according to injury reports and knowing Vardy as we do. If he can manage a 20 mins cameo at the back end, god love him, but please Brendan don't fuck him up for the sake of one game against a whole panoply of fixtures to come.
Where does that leave us? Well, we know (thankfully) Barnes is a shoo-in, so two more.
We have two scenarios:
1. The natural/regular replacement for Vardy would be Iheanacho, who would be complemeted/guarded by Barnes and perhaps Perez in wide roles, each narrowing down to strike areas to provide a partner when the attack is on the other side. An option to this play would be Under wide right, on-and-off exchanging flanks with Barnes.
2. Leftfield thinking may result in Slimani taking responsibility as line leader (not a bad idea against Villa - Konsa & Mings can get rattled) which scenario would demand perhaps Albrighton and Barnes as providers with intent to strike when patrolling the narrow side. If BR believes that Under could be more devastating than Sharkey, then fine - select the young Turk.
So my team for tomorrow would be:
Scenario 1
Schmeicel
Justin; Fofana; Morgan; Castagne
Choudhury, Mendy, Tielemans
Perez/Under, Iheanacho, Barnes
Scenario 2
Schmeicel
Justin; Fofana; Morgan; Castagne
Choudhury, Mendy, Tielemans
Albrighton/Under, Slimani, Barnes
I commend this to you gentlemen, and await your total destruction of my footballing wherewithal.
BLUE ARMY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If slimani was on, luke Thomas is your man for crosses. Showed enough in the few games back end of the season that he was very competent at crossing.Defo start with Albrighton if Slimani starting.