DJ Barry Hammond

Decent start. Ayew looks to be the one drifting inside with Justin playing as the more advanced full-back to me.

The really stupid thing is his substitutions suggest he kinda know’s what the right combinations are (bar Ricardo) - he’s just afraid to go with it from the off. Thing is - the effect pressure can have on thought processes is perhaps not fully understood by fans. Yes, the right starting line-up seems obvious to most and this isn’t it - but if you’re contemplating something all week, knowing you seriously need to get a result here in terms of your job - it can contribute to massively over thinking and coming up with the mess he’s set out here. Maybe he’ll get there? Mav has forced his way in which you can at least say is a positive in the lineup. I expect Fawatu to get on the pitch at some point too and hopefully be in the mood to show in no uncertain terms he’s starting material too. Were also likely to see at least one of our two natural 10’s on the pitch at some point too - the hope has to be, we’re still in the game at that point.

Anyone else just lazily think “we’re signing Cat Steven’s now?” I know, it’s hardly close.

Anyone else had a nice couple of weeks off, checking out of the melodrama that is Leicester City so far this season? Those that have stayed locked into all the drama - what’s the situation now, is there anything pressing that one might have missed? I take it Cooper is still viewed as a twat - given that lineup is unlikely to convert views his way. One side interesting thing, outside of the obvious ones - no Vestagaard in the squad, Coady is preferred on the bench.

I’d add Bournemouth in that grouping given it’s a home game. I think Cooper’s position as manager for the rest of the season will be clarified come the next two international breaks. He may get past the next one (after the one we’re in), but if he’s not picked up a couple of wins and a decent total of points - more than 10 certainly - by the second break (finishing with Man Utd away on the 9th November) it then becomes necessary for the board to act. December looks a lot trickier in comparison - but no doubt that’s where we go on a run of 6 wins in 8 😂

Why do I get a feeling - even this far away from the game - that Cooper will go with Ayew up top, demoting Vardy to the bench?

Wouldn’t it also be down to a changing of the guard - he was very much a Pearson signing so Manning was never likely to keep him on.

Doubt Rudkin’s going anywhere at the moment

Not sure what to make of that. There’s plenty of positives you could take from that game. But Cooper isn’t doing himself any favours with some of the decisions he’s making. The international break might not be a bad thing for us.

Everton and Southampton giving us some hope I see!

Come on Coops - get Ricardo on for Justin or Kristiansen

Mav making a big point there!

Female co-commentator doing her fellow female professionals no favours for failing to understand formation shifts between attack and defence.

Sucker punch - but great changes by Emery.

We’re definitely on top here. One thing Cooper has certainly managed to do at halftime is get the 11 on the pitch fired up.

Yep, Cooper has to be looking at Ndidi and thinking he needs one of the two guys on the bench on in there. Ndidi did a good job of providing a semi-aggressive press early on; but he’s not enough of an attacking threat. As good as Facundo is technically - he feels a little light weight to me at times - so maybe he goes with the new lad? Another option - hook Kristiansen and Ndidi for Khannouss and Ricardo - play Fawatu left wing back, Perira right wing back, Justin makes a back three and then play Ayew and Khamnouss centrally behind Vardy - that gives you the box 4 midfield AND 3-2 rest defence without the need for any rotation and threat down both flanks.

Lots of huff and puff. We’re a little bit clueless on how we’re supposed to attack - which is why it keeps breaking down. The only clear, designed, link up play we showed in the final third was Fawatu to Ndidi on the inside channel - from Enzo’s time with us. Will be interesting to see what changes Cooper will make and when. Word for Okoli - he’s done well 👍

This could get ugly - Villa starting to toy with us - we have no idea how we’re supposed to attack.

We’ve posed more problems for ourselves than we have to Villa.

Forest 1-1 Wolves Chris Wood put Forest in the lead, Wolves equalise quickly after.

Not really sure why Villa have started rather passively against us… yes, our passing often proves why, but they are letting us have touches of the ball.

He’s won at least 3 already! He’s a machine! 😂

Faes lucky Watkins didn’t go down - could have been a red if he had.

Cooper’s being very naive with Ricardo. There will always be players within a squad that have dialogue further up the chain than the manager. Vardy will certainly be one; but Ricardo is clearly another - so if you drop him, you have to make sure whatever you do in his place works. Add to this that he’ll also be a highly respected figure within the squad - Cooper seems to be picking a fight that he stands to gain very little from. Should we read more into the fact Top was present at training this week? It might not be unusual in itself, but he is a new dad of twins - so whilst some might argue he would be happy with an excuse to get away on business for a bit - I’m not so sure watching us train would have been a high priority for me.