MGLCFC

Hopefully the Sheff Wednesday debacle will alleviate any 'we can just turn up and win' attitude. Whilst I was fuming at that performance, it did serve as a bit of a wake up call and hopefully was a reminder that all teams need to be respected and the correct mental approach is essential. Think it will be like most games so far, we'll wear them out and end up comfortable winners (I hope). I also think the fact that Vardy isn't playing is a big bonus - it takes away the media circus and also the possibility of whipping up their crowd to get really behind Brum.

Not sure it was perfect - unexpected definitely

Rotherham are also without one of their decent payers (Ayala) who got sent off today.

For me the table doesn't lie. We are top because our all round game is better than our opponents. We have the best defensive record in the League, probably the best midfielder in the league and an ability to dig deep to win games late on. Leeds are 10 points (maybe 13 hopefully after Monday) behind us for a reason and that reason is we are better than them as an all round team.

But I'm not disputing that Soutter isn't a good player - I'm challenging the logic of him starting in front of Vestergaard or Faes at present.

Apparently Vardy is not going to be fit for Monday night's game according to Enzo - which in some respects I'm pleased about. It should be all about Leicester City v Birmingham City, not Vardy v Rooney.

Let's take a neutral stance here, whether you like Vestergaard or not. He's been one of our most influential players this year - fact. He hasn't made that many mistakes - fact. When he does make a mistake some on here are over critical as though that is their sole purpose to identify what he does wrong. Will he be good enough should we be promoted - no, unless we have some serious pace either side of him. However, this season, he's part of a defence that has conceded very few goals and only once 2 in a game. We all know his limitations, but in the system we are deploying, he is a key component.

No, but it can't be anything serious as Enzo said he will be ok for Wednesday

I suppose I meant, that they played a much higher line than most who come to the KP and that there was more space to run into. I hope he plays against Millwall as I look forward to seeing him cope with a different challenge defensively. He certainly took his opportunity to impress well today.

I thought that's what I was saying?

I don't think any of our 3 main strikers are particularly suited to the system, but Daka did a decent job today. However, like others have said, Plymouth came with a game plan that suited Daka's style. It will be interesting to see how plays when teams sit deep. On today's showing, just as good as the other 2.

Looks like he reads the game well. Not sure if he is that quick from watching the video, but not always easy to tell.

I think we can rotate either KDH or Wilf over the coming games with either Casadei, Akgun or Praet, but not both (it went horribly wrong at Sheff Wednesday when both were rested). Same can be said with Vestergaard and Faes, using one of Souttar or Coady. Got to look to put a relatively refreshed full strength team out v Ipswich

Corrected

Not sure if all the details are correct, but we won a League cup game 4 - 2, against Brentford if I remember correctly(I think it was one of the years we went to Wembley). We were 2 -0 down and scored 4 goals in the last 10 minutes.

Kel's penalty in the Community Shield - I was convinced he'd miss it.

Kasper's goal that wasn't given v Yeovil (although we did score with the follow up)

Leo Ulloa v Norwich when we won the league (and his last minute penalty to get us a draw v West Ham) - noise registered from KP on the Richter Scale

Again wasn't a winner, but Steve Walsh's equaliser after Bergkhamp sublime goal in a 3 - 3 all draw at Filbert Street.

Knockhaert v Forest to send us into the play offs

Who would you drop for him as Vestergaard and Faes have been outstanding this year. I don't see Maresca as having favourites, until they drop off in form, I'd say Faes and Vestergaard are playing on merit.

This is nothing like Rodgers football. There is a purpose to what we are doing and it often takes 60 minutes to wear teams out. Sometimes the fluidity and intensity is missing, but I like how the team have confidence in the system working eventually (which it has 14 out of 17 times this season so far). When people talk about us getting found out in the Premier League is there a naivety to think that better payers won't be brought in who can play the system more effectively? I agree that even at this level we are short of quality in one or two areas, but with an almost fully fit squad now there is enough depth to be good enough to beat most teams, whilst allowing rotation. I looked at the bench yesterday - I wonder how many teams could afford the luxury of omitting Albrighton and Daka from their match day squad? This season is all about one thing - promotion, So I'm not too bothered if things take a year to bed in properly as long as we keep winning.

When you have two decent managers at this level trying to outsmart each other, sometimes you don't come out on top. When we beat Man City 5 - 2 a few years back, Rodgers got his tactics spot on that day, it doesn't make him a better manager than Pep. Enzo and the players appear to believe in the system and the odd defeat here and there isn't going to change things. We weren't battered last night, just a team who played to their full potential against one that didn't. I do agree with other posters though that in certain areas of the pitch we have players who struggle to play the system effectively and that includes Vardy.

I said this to a mate, that we don't seem to disclose the extent of our injuries this year. Apart from McAteer where it was obviously a hamstring issue, all we know is Cannon (back) Wilf (muscle) Doyle (knee) Yunus (knock) Praet (back). I suppose Maresca might ask, why we need to know?

I've a feeling we may lose one of our two next games (and win the other) - if so I hope it's Middlesboro. I just don't see any team making 17 points up on us over the remaining fixtures, if we beat Leeds