Everton away (EFL Cup) pre match

[RonnieTodger]

Think Everton will be full strength. Probably going to be big Duncan's last game too.

[Guest Manini]

I think if we get past Everton we’ll win the whole thing - personally. But make no mistake this is an incredibly difficult tie. We need to play the first team and go for it - I don’t care if it’s only the league cup, it’s our cup and we should do all we can to win it back. 

[Gerard]

6 minutes ago, foxy boxing said:

Everton and their fans will really be up for this one as it looks like either Thursday or Friday Ancelotti will be confirmed as their manager, so he may be at the game watching and they will want to impress. They will most likely put out a strong team and hopefully we will do the same. they are going to play with passion and intensity and we have to be a=ble to match that if we want to go through the tie.

This is also a chance for Everton to save their season.

 

Struggling in the league and Liverpool away in the FA Cup. It's very unlikely they'll get relegated so I expect them to throw everything at this especially as there is a good chance of playing Villa in a two legged SF and they'd be favourites to get to a cup final. 

 

The balance for us is that it's imperative we get CL football next season so it's a conundrum of doing enough to beat Everton whilst respecting that we have a 13pt lead over 5th placed Tottenham with 21 games left. Personally I'd prioritise beating Everton then taking it from there knowing we have four league games in the next fortnight that we should be looking at getting about 6pts from which would be a very good return.

[ScouseFox]

8 hours ago, ttfn said:

We’ve got a 13 point cushion to 5th. If we throw it away it won’t be because we’ve played a couple of extra cup games.

haha i know, i'm just saying rodgers resting people this midweek would go down better than puel. 

 

under puel this time last year we gave up the cup and then beat chelsea, city and everton over xmas. and like i said it was probably the difference between finishing 11th and 9th. so nobody cared. if we gave up the cup and went on to beat city, liverpool and west ham in the next two weeks people would forgive and forget because we might end up in some sort of title race, if not almost certainly guaranteeing ourselves champions league football. 

 

but yes, by the time we've got to the quarters in any competition we've done the hard work by getting here, no point giving up now for the sake of two or three extra games. 

[SouthStandUpperTier]

If people want to go full strength for this, fine, but I fully expect some of the same people will be in the match threads over Christmas/New Year moaning about our leggy players being given the runaround.

[volpeazzurro]

6 hours ago, HibiscusMark said:

Do we really accept that players are fatigued or ‘leggy’ at this stage of the season? These guys are pro’s and supposedly ultra fit. Most have played only 90 mins of football per week over the 17 match season so far.   I don’t remember there being player rotation during the 15/16 season; in fact we were so strong because of the consistent lineup. Pure adrenalin and excitement kept them going.

 

There is quite an element of truth in that, particularly in having a team that mainly picked itself week afterweek. We were however extremely fortunate on the injury front. Also, a majority of our players now have been involved during international breaks compared to a minority back then perhaps.

 

We have to learn to effectively rotate our squad if we have any ambitions of firstly getting into Europe next year, putting up a decent show whilst there whilst still competing effectively in the Premiership to make sure that it's not another one year wonder.

 

Qualification, as I see it, is not just about the huge potential financial rewards that can be gained. It's also about making us attractive enough to retain our more talented players who understandably have competitive ambitions and also, attract even more premium up and coming talent to enlargen and complement our current squad.

 

For this year, due to our heady league position, the Premiership top four has to be an absolute priority and something like the League Cup pales into insignificance, it may have been different had we been just a fairly comfortable mid table team. This season has, more than ever, the potential to shape our longer term future. The League Cup, whilst nice, is financially irrelevant and small fry compared to the genuinly attaineable alternatives. We really should have the squad to rest four or even five of our players if our clubs fitness professionals even slightly think it would be advisable. It furthermore gives both reward and vital real game experience to those squad players that Rodgers continually tells us are training hard and taking on board his mantra.

 

To be knocked out would be sad but also be worth nothing more than a quick shrug of the shoulders and certainly not worth criticising Rodgers for whatever team he picks. We need to remain steadfast in aiming high for the benefit of our long term future.  Time moves on and Leicester City is a very different animal compared to 2015/16. We have progressed as have our ambitions. If we keep thinking small that's all we'll ever be. Just my tuppence worth.

[Guest Manini]

16 minutes ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

If people want to go full strength for this, fine, but I fully expect some of the same people will be in the match threads over Christmas/New Year moaning about our leggy players being given the runaround.

Yeah, agree with this too. To be honest people have been saying our players look leggy since about October so there won’t be much change there. 
 

These are usually the same people who “no thanks” every prospective new signing in the transfer forum as “they’d be a bench player at best, no better than what we have”. I think people forget to realise that we need to build a “squad” not just a team, to compete in Europe. But that’s a completely different point for another day. 

[KrefelderFox666]

30 minutes ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

If people want to go full strength for this, fine, but I fully expect some of the same people will be in the match threads over Christmas/New Year moaning about our leggy players being given the runaround.

I still think it's a big myth that players get tired by playing more games, I think it has the opposite effect, players get better and the team moulds.

 

The only thing is, it's another 90 minutes of injury risk. Apart from that you could field the same 11 every match and expect top performances, these players are super fit and it just means adjusting training a little. However, as I said above somewhere, I am happy changing 3-4 players around, fringe players who have already had plenty of game time this season from the bench (Praet, Gray, Iheanacho, Barnes etc.).

[KrefelderFox666]

1 hour ago, foxy boxing said:

Everton and their fans will really be up for this one as it looks like either Thursday or Friday Ancelotti will be confirmed as their manager, so he may be at the game watching and they will want to impress. They will most likely put out a strong team and hopefully we will do the same. they are going to play with passion and intensity and we have to be a=ble to match that if we want to go through the tie.

Absolutely, the match is SOLD OUT. So expect a real good clash. We have to be ready for it and I hope we give it a real go.

[fuchsntf]

7 hours ago, HibiscusMark said:

Do we really accept that players are fatigued or ‘leggy’ at this stage of the season? These guys are pro’s and supposedly ultra fit. Most have played only 90 mins of football per week over the 17 match season so far.   I don’t remember there being player rotation during the 15/16 season; in fact we were so strong because of the consistent lineup. Pure adrenalin and excitement kept them going.

 

Totally agree...If this was March time,then maybe some might get

That burn-out,leggy or tired play in there game...And this team & squad,does not have that full gas ethos of the 2015/16 title year..

Norwich..out Leicestered us,and always had 2-3 players covering and closed down excellently our space and our wingers..neither Everton,nor

Villa shown any concentrated or intensive intent over 90 minutes...They couldn't do that all season..If you like they sacrificed " their" top games of

Leicester & Man.city to put in those performances...I doubt it but if they could show the same commitment for the " other boring,run of the mill games,they would have no probs..

 

Space

[Ross 'LCFC' Turner]

 

Hopefully my view is better this time around 

[whoareyaaa]

I think we will go with quite an attacking line up for this .. I can see us going defensive against Man City with Hamza coming in to pack out the midfield.

 

Think Perez will start possibly rest Vardy for Nacho, Gray will probably start.

 

 

[SouthStandUpperTier]

28 minutes ago, KrefelderFox666 said:

I still think it's a big myth that players get tired by playing more games, I think it has the opposite effect, players get better and the team moulds.

 

The only thing is, it's another 90 minutes of injury risk. Apart from that you could field the same 11 every match and expect top performances, these players are super fit and it just means adjusting training a little. However, as I said above somewhere, I am happy changing 3-4 players around, fringe players who have already had plenty of game time this season from the bench (Praet, Gray, Iheanacho, Barnes etc.).

Normally I'd agree. But we're about to play 6 games in 18 days, including 2 in less than 48 hours. We need to utilise the whole squad over this period.

[gw_leics772]

11 hours ago, fuchsntf said:

Its not about how this Forum  believes whats right..Thankfully!!

Its how B.Rodgers decides...and being the manager that has got us this far...and a manager that a high majority of fans in this wanted..

I am more than Happy and relaxed in supporting & encouraging the players he selects...including system!!

 

And IMO the critic of Puels selection was total nonsense...Many just couldnt understand where and what Quality M.city  had as  a squad,and where we were.

Why Risk injury,or tiredness for the rest of the season,there must be IMO in this competition,Rotation. Why Not 4-6 players ??

Wholesale changes of 9-11 players I don't see...but whatever the descision ,this season BR has earnt at least my trust,no matter what some foxestalk heroes,consistently moan on about....

Leicester City is a long project....not something to Crunch into a Short ,One Off season,Chasing only the  thoughts ,our presently seen  best team( from some fans) must be chosen ,cos they the almighty have spoken..!!

 

Was happy to give this a like, up to the end of the first paragraph.

 

Unfortunately, 2nd paragraph is a load of old toss 🤣🤣🤣🤣😘😘😘

 

 

Got better towards the end though but a crappy ending.

 

3/5 stars.

[gw_leics772]

8 hours ago, HibiscusMark said:

Do we really accept that players are fatigued or ‘leggy’ at this stage of the season? These guys are pro’s and supposedly ultra fit. Most have played only 90 mins of football per week over the 17 match season so far.   I don’t remember there being player rotation during the 15/16 season; in fact we were so strong because of the consistent lineup. Pure adrenalin and excitement kept them going.

 

Based on what I've seen on the pitch, in answer to your opening question, I'm going to have to go with a yes.

[Haywood_6]

 I would go with:

 

                  Ward

Justin Evans Morgan Fuchs

                  Ndidi

Perez  Praet Maddison Gray

                  Vardy

[Collymore]

Will there be a stream for this?

[ThurmastonFox]

3 hours ago, Ross 'LCFC' Turner said:

 

Hopefully my view is better this time around 

Ahh think that’s my seat this time 

[Gerard]

A massive game for them, season defining.

 

Not so much for us, more of a sideshow as we have much bigger fish to fry than Everton in a League Cup QF. They have to be favourites for me as they'll put out their first XI whilst we have a mix and match side with one eye on Man City and Liverpool. 

 

I've just layed us on Betfair at 2.48 and will back us again just before kick off with much higher odds I assume once the teams have been announced. 

[ScouseFox]

5 minutes ago, Gerard said:

A massive game for them, season defining.

 

Not so much for us, more of a sideshow as we have much bigger fish to fry than Everton in a League Cup QF. They have to be favourites for me as they'll put out their first XI whilst we have a mix and match side with one eye on Man City and Liverpool. 

 

I've just layed us on Betfair at 2.48 and will back us again just before kick off with much higher odds I assume once the teams have been announced. 

tbf i'm not sure they've got much of a first team left. 

[CUJimmy]

Where are people meeting up before the match?  We are staying overnight nearby so are looking for an away friendly drinking hole for a pre-match pint.

[SAFC1]

As a neutral, that’s such a tough game to call.  

[Dr The Singh]

2 hours ago, Collymore said:

Will there be a stream for this?

This question needs answering

[Foxaholic ME]

6 hours ago, volpeazzurro said:

There is quite an element of truth in that, particularly in having a team that mainly picked itself week afterweek. We were however extremely fortunate on the injury front. Also, a majority of our players now have been involved during international breaks compared to a minority back then perhaps.

 

We have to learn to effectively rotate our squad if we have any ambitions of firstly getting into Europe next year, putting up a decent show whilst there whilst still competing effectively in the Premiership to make sure that it's not another one year wonder.

 

Qualification, as I see it, is not just about the huge potential financial rewards that can be gained. It's also about making us attractive enough to retain our more talented players who understandably have competitive ambitions and also, attract even more premium up and coming talent to enlargen and complement our current squad.

 

For this year, due to our heady league position, the Premiership top four has to be an absolute priority and something like the League Cup pales into insignificance, it may have been different had we been just a fairly comfortable mid table team. This season has, more than ever, the potential to shape our longer term future. The League Cup, whilst nice, is financially irrelevant and small fry compared to the genuinly attaineable alternatives. We really should have the squad to rest four or even five of our players if our clubs fitness professionals even slightly think it would be advisable. It furthermore gives both reward and vital real game experience to those squad players that Rodgers continually tells us are training hard and taking on board his mantra.

 

To be knocked out would be sad but also be worth nothing more than a quick shrug of the shoulders and certainly not worth criticising Rodgers for whatever team he picks. We need to remain steadfast in aiming high for the benefit of our long term future.  Time moves on and Leicester City is a very different animal compared to 2015/16. We have progressed as have our ambitions. If we keep thinking small that's all we'll ever be. Just my tuppence worth.

Why do folks keepsaying we are fortunate on the injury front inbstead of giving credit to our medical staff who are exceptional

[Ric Flair]

We love losing quarter finals, it would be lovely to get a sniff of a Wembley appearance. I still want the FA Cup win but this would happily do this season along with a top 4 finish, would go down as our 2nd best ever season in the modern era.