jayfox26 2,035 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 With the news that a few key players will be returning soon, what are peoples thoughts on our strongest team and formation if we had a fully fit squad? Before the season started, I'd have said the 1st 11 was pretty much nailed on, but we have seen some fantastic performances from the likes of Mendy, Praet and a few others who we may not have thought would be regular starters for us. For me I quite like the 3-4-3 wing back system we seem to have been playing and the thought of a back 3 of Fofana, Cags and Evans with Ricardo and Castagne as wing backs sounds awesome. But then we have Barnes, Under, Maddison, Tielemans, to fit in somewhere as Vardy would obviously be up top and Ndidi would play cdm which does seem harsh on Mendy but Ndidi is a monster. Kasper Fofana, Evans, Cags Ricardo Castagne Ndidi Tielemans/Madders Under Barnes Vardy I cant see us having everyone available for too many games this season but is interesting to see what options we have at full strength Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Mark 2,179 Posted 2 November 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 If we're insistent on playing a back five then there's less need for the protection Ndidi gives, a better ball player in that position such as Mendy is more suitable for the way Rodgers wants us to play. 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jayfox26 2,035 Posted 2 November 2020 Author Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 3 minutes ago, Mark said: If we're insistent on playing a back five then there's less need for the protection Ndidi gives, a better ball player in that position such as Mendy is more suitable for the way Rodgers wants us to play. True and maybe we would revert back to the 4-1-4-1/4-3-3 type formation when we have everyone fit. The 5 at the back seems to work against the top teams though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HighPeakFox 10,394 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 I'm sure we'll see horses for courses - if nothing else, these last few months have shown the importance of rotation and quality squad cover. What a luxury being able to bring Maddison on after 60 tonight, for example. That pass to Under...........wow. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StanSP 26,077 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 Kasper Fofana - Evans - Soyuncu Ricardo Castagne Ndidi Under - Tielemans - Barnes Vardy It's interchangeable with Under and Barnes going out wider if need be. Tielemans can drop deep with Ndidi when we're in a defensive shape. Vardy still gets support. Ricardo and Castagne bombing down the wings and also giving support to attacks. Or, if the game requires it, we go to a back 4... Kasper Ricardo - Fofana - Evans - Castagne Ndidi Maddison - Tielemans Under - Vardy - Barnes In any case, it's gonna be one of the best selection headaches to have. More to the point, it actually helps us with depth on the bench and back-up options - Praet, Mendy, Iheanacho, Soyuncu to call upon if needed... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post foxfanazer 12,813 Posted 2 November 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 We have some serious talent on our books 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
davieG 17,025 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 The better the 25 man squad the less you’ll need or use all your best 11 at any one time. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KFS 2,976 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 3 minutes ago, StanSP said: Kasper Fofana - Evans - Soyuncu Ricardo Castagne Ndidi Under - Tielemans - Barnes Vardy It's interchangeable with Under and Barnes going out wider if need be. Tielemans can drop deep with Ndidi when we're in a defensive shape. Vardy still gets support. Ricardo and Castagne bombing down the wings and also giving support to attacks. Or, if the game requires it, we go to a back 4... Kasper Ricardo - Fofana - Evans - Castagne Ndidi Maddison - Tielemans Under - Vardy - Barnes In any case, it's gonna be one of the best selection headaches to have. More to the point, it actually helps us with depth on the bench and back-up options - Praet, Mendy, Iheanacho, Soyuncu to call upon if needed... This is frightening. Wow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Farley 152 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 The pessimist in me questions if we will ever have a fully fit first eleven 🤷🏻♂️ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lad1966 43 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 The thing is, no matter who in the starting 11, we are competitive and playing some great football. The trick for BR Is picking the right combination against a particular opponent- what a great position to be in! I am loving this🏆🏆🏆 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shailen 1,889 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 I think this season has shown how good our strength in depth is and that may be key to us doing something special this season. All teams will have injuries given the fixture schedule but those that have the best squad depth and can manage those injuries will flourish the most. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jayfox26 2,035 Posted 2 November 2020 Author Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 8 minutes ago, StanSP said: Kasper Fofana - Evans - Soyuncu Ricardo Castagne Ndidi Under - Tielemans - Barnes Vardy It's interchangeable with Under and Barnes going out wider if need be. Tielemans can drop deep with Ndidi when we're in a defensive shape. Vardy still gets support. Ricardo and Castagne bombing down the wings and also giving support to attacks. Or, if the game requires it, we go to a back 4... Kasper Ricardo - Fofana - Evans - Castagne Ndidi Maddison - Tielemans Under - Vardy - Barnes In any case, it's gonna be one of the best selection headaches to have. More to the point, it actually helps us with depth on the bench and back-up options - Praet, Mendy, Iheanacho, Soyuncu to call upon if needed... I think that's the key and we showed against Arsenal and again tonight that our bench can be game changing. Bringing Under and Vardy on changed the game against Arsenal and Under and Madders helped us to regain composure tonight when we were under the cosh. Even Madders off the bench against Man City as well. Will be great to have so many options and if we do manage to get everyone fit and keep them fit, there is no reason we cant do well in both the league and UEL 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ajthefox 2,506 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 4 minutes ago, StanSP said: Kasper Fofana - Evans - Soyuncu Ricardo Castagne Ndidi Under - Tielemans - Barnes Vardy It's interchangeable with Under and Barnes going out wider if need be. Tielemans can drop deep with Ndidi when we're in a defensive shape. Vardy still gets support. Ricardo and Castagne bombing down the wings and also giving support to attacks. Or, if the game requires it, we go to a back 4... Kasper Ricardo - Fofana - Evans - Castagne Ndidi Maddison - Tielemans Under - Vardy - Barnes In any case, it's gonna be one of the best selection headaches to have. More to the point, it actually helps us with depth on the bench and back-up options - Praet, Mendy, Iheanacho, Soyuncu to call upon if needed... Maybe I've just forgotten how good Wilf is and been dazzled by Mendy in his absence, but I'm not sure either of these is our best team. I think Mendy and Tielemans with a 5 may actually be a better combination that either of those line-ups. I suppose the freedom we will hopefully have when fit is that we can play with 4 at the back, Wilf/Mendy sitting and then Madders and Youri further forward against deeper lying teams where the back line needs less protection, and then go to a 5 with Mendy and Tielemans more central against teams where we're expecting to have less of the ball and play more compact. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sampson 3,002 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 As much as I agree our squad depth looks really great from last season and on paper, this squad is as good as we've ever had... ...but Vardy is still the one player we cannot replace and we're one Vardy injury from dropping back in the table. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jayfox26 2,035 Posted 2 November 2020 Author Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 9 minutes ago, Sampson said: As much as I agree our squad depth looks really great from last season and on paper, this squad is as good as we've ever had... ...but Vardy is still the one player we cannot replace and we're one Vardy injury from dropping back in the table. Its true and it's not just his goals. It showed against Arsenal that 1st half when they played a high line and pressed us high up the pitch, our midfielders could not get on the ball and make things happen. As soon as he came on, Arsenal shat themselves and moved their defensive line back allowing Tielemans to get on the ball and eventually set up the winner via Under. Iheanacho isn't a bad player and is a decent option in the squad, but he cannot replicate Vardy. I'm not sure who can replicate him to be honest and it will be a tough job for our recruitment team to replace him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom12345 1,145 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 Unless Ndidi can improve his passing, Mendy has to play ahead of Ndidi. We are much better in keeping the ball and in transition forward because we have Mendy instead of Ndidi and because we now have Justin/Castagne instead of Chilwell. We cannot go back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LCCFox96 945 Posted 2 November 2020 Report Share Posted 2 November 2020 Things I'm excited for: Christmas New Year Anything moderately entertaining in my life Ricardo and Castagne operating the wing back roles in this side 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
urban.spaceman 31,522 Posted 3 November 2020 Report Share Posted 3 November 2020 The best thing about this situation is that we absolutely fell apart last season when we had injuries in key areas. Now we're strong despite those injuries. I'm so ****ing excited to see the full strength team together. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Les-TA-Jon 1,059 Posted 3 November 2020 Report Share Posted 3 November 2020 With the schedule, injuries, and Vardy’s age there’s no such thing as ‘the first 11’ this season. It’ll be heavy squad rotation and management from here on out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Leeds Fox 1,519 Posted 3 November 2020 Report Share Posted 3 November 2020 2 hours ago, jayfox26 said: With the news that a few key players will be returning soon, what are peoples thoughts on our strongest team and formation if we had a fully fit squad? Before the season started, I'd have said the 1st 11 was pretty much nailed on, but we have seen some fantastic performances from the likes of Mendy, Praet and a few others who we may not have thought would be regular starters for us. For me I quite like the 3-4-3 wing back system we seem to have been playing and the thought of a back 3 of Fofana, Cags and Evans with Ricardo and Castagne as wing backs sounds awesome. But then we have Barnes, Under, Maddison, Tielemans, to fit in somewhere as Vardy would obviously be up top and Ndidi would play cdm which does seem harsh on Mendy but Ndidi is a monster. Kasper Fofana, Evans, Cags Ricardo Castagne Ndidi Tielemans/Madders Under Barnes Vardy I cant see us having everyone available for too many games this season but is interesting to see what options we have at full strength As intelligent as Evans may be. Having the quicker CBs wider means they’re covering the slower one on the inside (usually into the penalty area). Having a quicker one in the middle means they cover towards the outside. Less last ditch challenges, more ability to stand up and force the attacker wide or force a shot from an unfavourable angle. I see why Evans might play central, I just don’t agree with it. It has positives which can help Cags and Fafs, but also has limitations than can cost us points. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fightforever 816 Posted 3 November 2020 Report Share Posted 3 November 2020 (edited) Under and ricardo on the same flank will make oppostion mangers shit themselves. Plus if they try to mark them out the game you have castange and barnes on the other side. Then if you try to mark them out who looks after Vardy? Not like before where everyone knew to just mark vardy and let the wingers have the ball knowing without Vardy we were useless at scoring. One of the major reasons we were shit at getting past counter attacking teams once mahrez left. In attack we were relying too much on our central players. Then if you want to press higher to stop tielemans and maddison all of a sudden Vardy, Under, Barnes, Catstange and Ricardo all have space in behind. As long as the pressure doesn't get to them we can get top 4 with a fully fit squad. They all have the ability to get top 4. Edited 3 November 2020 by Fightforever Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cunning_ham 0 Posted 3 November 2020 Report Share Posted 3 November 2020 3 hours ago, Tom12345 said: Unless Ndidi can improve his passing, Mendy has to play ahead of Ndidi. We are much better in keeping the ball and in transition forward because we have Mendy instead of Ndidi and because we now have Justin/Castagne instead of Chilwell. We cannot go back. Then we might as well sell Ndidi to any of the top 6 teams? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NaijaFox 986 Posted 3 November 2020 Report Share Posted 3 November 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, Tom12345 said: Unless Ndidi can improve his passing, Mendy has to play ahead of Ndidi. We are much better in keeping the ball and in transition forward because we have Mendy instead of Ndidi and because we now have Justin/Castagne instead of Chilwell. We cannot go back. Good problem to have, but as good as Mendy has been, a 100% match-fit Ndidi shades it. Different kind of player but makes the team better overall. Edited 3 November 2020 by NaijaFox Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fox92 11,441 Posted 3 November 2020 Report Share Posted 3 November 2020 3 hours ago, NaijaFox said: Good problem to have, but as good as Mendy has been, a 100% match-fit Ndidi shades it. Different kind of player but makes the team better overall. Not for me. Mendy is better on the ball. See the way he takes the ball forward as well. I agree they are different kind of players but together they don't work. I was a critic of Mendys, especially when he "re-signed", but he has really impressed me since coming in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom12345 1,145 Posted 3 November 2020 Report Share Posted 3 November 2020 11 hours ago, Cunning_ham said: Then we might as well sell Ndidi to any of the top 6 teams? I am not sure if there is a correlation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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