Boro pre match

[Monsell1976]

king and amartey running our midfield, king who passes short sideways or back, and amartey who has been doing very similar.

I know king has nothing to add other than the above, just hope with drinky not being there, amartey gets brave and takes the role of the forward thinking player.

Thinking we are going to get over run, and beat, as these two are the best we have to offer, and cannot see who will link the midfield and attack.

Could be seriously in trouble after these next 3 games.

[davieG]

Claudio Ranieri will assess the fitness of striker Islam Slimani ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Middlesbrough at King Power Stadium.

- Claudio Ranieri to assess Islam Slimani’s fitness ahead of the Premier League clash with Middlesbrough 

- Nampalys Mendy and Ben Chilwell have returned to training, but are not fit for Saturday’s game 

- Leonardo Ulloa is recovering well from a back problem 

 

Claudio Ranieri will assess the fitness of striker Islam Slimani ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Middlesbrough at King Power Stadium. 

 

The Algeria international missed last weekend’s clash with Watford, as well as the UEFA Champions League victory over Club Brugge on Tuesday, due to a minor groin injury. 

 

Meanwhile, left back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Nampalys Mendy have both returned to training, as has striker Leonardo Ulloa. 

 

“Everybody is getting better,” Ranieri said ahead of Saturday’s fixture. “Today (Thursday) Ben Chilwell trained and Nampalys Mendy trained. 

 

“Ben Chilwell and Mendy aren’t [fit] because it’s their first training session together and they’re not ready. 

 

“I think also tomorrow I’ll check on [Islam] Slimani if he’s fit. Kasper Schmeichel also started slowly to move the hand – some movement with the balls. 

 

“Leo [Ulloa] now is much better. He suffered with his back but today he trained very well.” 

 

The Foxes will be without suspended midfielder Danny Drinkwater for the clash, but Ranieri has confidence in his squad to continue to play positively. 

 

“Drinky (Danny Drinkwater) is an important player for us but I’m sure the team will react very well,” Ranieri added. 

 

“The operation will be the same tactically. Of course it’ll change the individual movement of the players because Drinky knows very well the movement and the others have to make their movement. 

 

“I hope the players that are involved in the middle of the field play well and play together.”

Read more at http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/2016-17/ranieris-fitness-update-slimani-mendy-chilwell-ulloa-3434421.aspx#CHsZHy1zoxiU4rAK.99

[lgfualol]

Pls Slim

[Master Fox]

We could solve a lot of our problems bringing Chilwell, Mendy, Gray, Hernandez, and Slim to the team.

 

Out goes: 

Vardy

King

Albrigton or Mahrez

Fuchs

Morgan 

 

[UPinCarolina]

So glad that we're on the Mendy

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Mendy could yet be the signing of the season  

[Mayofox]

For those of us lucky enough to live in Ireland, the match will be live on Sky Sports 5.

[FireFox]

2 hours ago, artursteppe said:

Been wondering since the Liverpool game if Albrighton could be used in a three man midfield. With this news might he play in a two man central midfield in our usual 4-4-2 or maybe in central midfield in a different formation? We could go 4-1-4-1 with Amartey in front of the back four with Mahrez, King,Albrighton,Schlupp and Vardy or Slimani as lone striker.

Lallana is playing in a midfield 3 for Liverpool. Don't see why Albrighton can't.

Looks good to me.

 

                       Zieler

Simpson - Morgan - Huth - Fuchs

                    Amartey

             Albrighton - King

Mahrez                           M/S/G

               Slimani/Vardy

 

Bench: Hamer, Hernandez, Kaputska/Barnes, Okazaki, Slim/Vardy, M/S/G, M/S/G

 

And we know Albrighton can link up with Mahrez if he's getting heavily marked - he won't make the runs for through balls like Drinky, but runs to the byline and then crosses to Slimani would be dangerous.

[Guest CityFan 06]

Talking of Albrighton, I feel he could do a job at CM. He's capable of the 'Drinkwater over the top for Vardy ball,' and his playing style tends to be that, continually looking to feed the forwards in. For me Albrighton could be great at RM too, because not only could he help Simpson defensively, but it also means he can get crosses into the box without having to check back each time - that would be ideal for the likes of Slimani too. I've noticed Albrighton has switched a few times to the right wing, and during the great escape he was excellent there.

[FerrisBueller]

      I'd go with this

 

                  Zieler 

Simpson  Morgan  Huth   Fuchs

 

Mahrez          King         Albrighton

                    Okazaki

          Vardy         Slimani

[AmarteyAndChill]

1 hour ago, Bob Weasel Fox said:

Mendy could yet be the signing of the season  

He's defo the one I was most looking forward to seeing at the start of the season.

[AmarteyAndChill]

26 minutes ago, FerrisBueller said:

      I'd go with this

 

                  Zieler 

Simpson  Morgan  Huth   Fuchs

 

Mahrez          King         Albrighton

                    Okazaki

          Vardy         Slimani

King playing CM by himself? Wow

[FerrisBueller]

4 minutes ago, AmarteyAndChill said:

King playing CM by himself? Wow

Shinji could put a right shift in just in front...

[AmarteyAndChill]

Just now, FerrisBueller said:

Shinji could put a right shift in just in front...

We already get overun playing two central midfield plus Shinji who droops deap.

[TJB-fox]

1 hour ago, FireFox said:

Lallana is playing in a midfield 3 for Liverpool. Don't see why Albrighton can't.

Looks good to me.

 

                       Zieler

Simpson - Morgan - Huth - Fuchs

                    Amartey

             Albrighton - King

Mahrez                           M/S/G

               Slimani/Vardy

 

Bench: Hamer, Hernandez, Kaputska/Barnes, Okazaki, Slim/Vardy, M/S/G, M/S/G

 

And we know Albrighton can link up with Mahrez if he's getting heavily marked - he won't make the runs for through balls like Drinky, but runs to the byline and then crosses to Slimani would be dangerous.

Cos Liverpool press the ball very well and have most of the possession.

Our defending and pressing this year has been awful and we can't string more than 3 passes together before lumping it up to 5"8 strikers 

[Kendal Fox]

Well, now that we've qualified for the round of 16, we might be a little less anxious given a certain amount of weight's been taken off in general .

 

At least a team like Boro at home is as good as any to start picking things up in the league. Whether we win or not is a different story. But we can't deny it's a lifeline.
 

Digressing but does anyone else fancy seeing Hamer back in goal?

[norwichfox]

4 hours ago, davieG said:

Kasper Schmeichel also started slowly to move the hand – some movement with the balls.

I thought his hernia problem was sorted?

 

It's still a game we need to and should win, and now we're qualified with guaranteed top spot in CL I'd like to see Claudio be a little more adventurous with his selection for this game and play Gray & Kaputska for at least 30 mins apiece. Is James fit enough for 1st team chance yet?

[foxinsox]

Zieler (should be Hamer!) 

Simpson Morgan Huth Fuchs

Amartey King

Gray Okazaki Musa

Vardy

 

Slimani and Kaputska to come off the bench. 

 

Tempted to put Was in as DM to put some fear into them... 

[Nick]

4 hours ago, davieG said:

Kasper Schmeichel also started slowly to move the hand – some movement with the balls. 

Thats err - good news I guess.

[Wakeyfox]

For anyone out and about on Saturday and not in the fair shire of Leicester it's the commentary game on talksport2. 

[Izzy]

It would fvck up the whole system and formation, but I'd be tempted to play Fuchs in midfield if we could back fill his position. For me he's a just quality footballer who can run, tackle, get stuck in and find a pass (like the one to Vardy at home to Man Utd last season). 

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Anyone with me....anyone?

[Solihullfox]

9 minutes ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

It would fvck up the whole system and formation, but I'd be tempted to play Fuchs in midfield if we could back fill his position. For me he's a just quality footballer who can run, tackle, get stuck in and find a pass (like the one to Vardy at home to Man Utd last season). 

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Anyone with me....anyone?

My mate suggested this when we discussed the likelihood of Drinkwaters ban during pre match beers on Tuesday night. Wouldn't be the worst plan.

[foxinsox]

10 minutes ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

It would fvck up the whole system and formation, but I'd be tempted to play Fuchs in midfield if we could back fill his position. For me he's a just quality footballer who can run, tackle, get stuck in and find a pass (like the one to Vardy at home to Man Utd last season). 

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Anyone with me....anyone?

I amnot too far away. A defender who can read the game, tackle, win in the air and play the ball forward suits me. I wouldn't want to disrupt our back 4, but Was or Benny would frighten both Boro and the crowd. Unleash the psycho... 

[crazyleicester]

Boro look really solid and with a big lad up front should suit our defenders. They are very organised though and look hard to break down so I cant see it being a goal fest. Our record vrs Boro has been good in recent times having won our last 4 against them and in fact we have won 6 and drawn 6 lost 0 in our last 12 meetings.

 

As for what we do, I havent got a scooby!! No DD and Mendy only just back into training means that Kingy and Amartey must start in MC. It is a bit worrying but sometimes when the linchpin isnt their to pass the buck to we may see the rest stand up and be counted. It looks like it may be too early for Slimani which Im fine with as I really want Vardy to get one as he could then get another bunch of them. I also want Gray unleashed. I reckon CR will go safe with Albrighton again.

 

Anyway, whatever we put out, regardless of how few clappers we have and despite a large injury list, we will win this game 1-0.

[AmarteyAndChill]

31 minutes ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

It would fvck up the whole system and formation, but I'd be tempted to play Fuchs in midfield if we could back fill his position. For me he's a just quality footballer who can run, tackle, get stuck in and find a pass (like the one to Vardy at home to Man Utd last season). 

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Anyone with me....anyone?

You mean like Lahm and Alaba can play cm because they are quality "footballers". I agree.