Manchester United (H) pre match, 16 Oct, 3pm

[Corky]

3 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

Not seen anything about covid spot checks for tomorrow. Have they quietly swerved it? Anyone know if we have to do 'owt? 

If you've had both doses the card you were given seems to be enough in my experience.

[MonkeyTennis?]

2 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

Not seen anything about covid spot checks for tomorrow. Have they quietly swerved it? Anyone know if we have to do 'owt? 

Didn't seem to be anything in place at the last home game, at least not at my gate, so I have been assuming that checks have been quietly dropped, but could be wrong. 

 

[Free Falling Foxes]

I think some of our under performers so far, such has Youri and Harvey, will shine tomorrow. Add the fact that Nacho and Vards are scoring plus Man U aren't keeping clean sheets atm, we could score 2 or 3.

However, for reasons we are all aware of, I think we'll ship 3 or 4 goals.

Might scrape a draw but think 2-4 loss.

At least we'll be first MOTD

[goose2010]

Was there any update on Wilf? 

[Bert]

Kasper 

 

Castagne Evans Soyuncu Bertrand 

 

Perez Tielemans Soumare Barnes

 

Nacho Vardy 

[KrefelderFox666]

41 minutes ago, Spudulike said:

Not seen anything about covid spot checks for tomorrow. Have they quietly swerved it? Anyone know if we have to do 'owt? 

There's an article on the website again.

 

https://www.lcfc.com/news/2289127/arrive-early-covid-19-spot-checks-in-place-for-man-utd

[fazzyfox]

S**t I've just realised who will be refereeing the match on Saturday.

The United players again.

[Bert]

Pawson 😩😩😩😩

[Andy11111]

1 hour ago, Spudulike said:

Not seen anything about covid spot checks for tomorrow. Have they quietly swerved it? Anyone know if we have to do 'owt? 

I'd like to know aswell, the answer u got off the other bloke wasn't a proper answer, maybe a lateral flow.

[Ric Flair]

Ryan Bertrand doesn't make the match day squad for me, even with injuries he's absolutely nowhere near the required level. Awful signing so far, weak as piss.

[Spudulike]

2 hours ago, Corky said:

If you've had both doses the card you were given seems to be enough in my experience.

I've had 3 doses. Should be alright then. 

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-press-conference-live-6065587

 

13:54JORDAN BLACKWELL
Lots of games?
“This is what the club is adapting to as well, with the players. To get to European football, there is a huge demand. We’ve hit a dip but the schedule doesn’t change. It’s something we’re looking forward to. We’ve still got a long way to go in the season. It’s a great opportunity tomorrow to get back to our level and hopefully we’ll progress over the course of the season. If you’ve earned the right to play in Europe, you’re going to play lots of games.”

13:54JORDAN BLACKWELL
United?
“They have quality players. Ole will have them motivated. You’re looking to win every single game. Marcus Rashford coming back is a huge player for them. Jadon Sancho is adapting but has big quality. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest to have played the game and is an incredible role model. His game has changed but he always brings goals. They’ve always been very good in transition.”

13:54JORDAN BLACKWELL
Difficult to work without international players?
“It’s recognising where the issues are, that’s the main thing. It’s been defending with the ball, that’s what we need to improve, not making loose passes, and conserving the ball. The players have not been here but we’ve been able to do some cohesive work in that and hopefully that will pay dividends for us.”

13:54JORDAN BLACKWELL
Justin and Fofana?
“In terms of JJ, he’s working so hard. It won’t be too long, the next few weeks, we can see him joining the group around about the next international break. He’ll be a huge plus for us. Wesley is ahead of schedule. He is giving everything to his recovery. Hopefully not long after the Christmas period he could be back, which would be great news for us.”

13:53JORDAN BLACKWELL
Iheanacho injury?
“He’s 100 per cent fine.”

13:53JORDAN BLACKWELL
High-scoring game?
“Hopefully not. We want to fix those problems. We’ve looked like we can score goals, but we need to fill the gaps and fix that behind. When I analysed some of the goals we conceded, we were way too passive, and that’s what I don’t like. Hopefully it will be a very good game.”

13:53JORDAN BLACKWELL
Soyuncu?
“He’s no different to any person in the world. The biggest shot anyone can get is encouragement and that’s what I try to do when the players are suffering. He’s looked fresh and good in training. Evans has been a player who has made every centre-half better. When Jonny isn’t there, the balance isn’t there because he’s a great communicator. He brings players’ games to another level.”

13:53JORDAN BLACKWELL
Vestergaard, Soumare, Daka?
“It’s always difficult when you come into a squad of players. Jannik has been used a lot more than what I anticipated. His role coming was pretty clear. He didn’t have a long pre-season and then he picked up an injury. Without much adaption time, he’s had to play games. I’ve no doubt he will have an impact for us. Bouba, it’s about adapting to the pace of the game. Patson, he’s here for the long term but we know he can contribute. What we’ve done is strengthened our squad with the signings and hopefully we’ll see that over the course of the season.”

13:53JORDAN BLACKWELL
Winning again easier said than done?
“It’s firstly performing. That’s what we focus on, because we know if we perform well, we will win games. Our level of performance hasn’t hit the heights so far. It’s only been seven games. We’ll see where we are after 10. We’ve got a great run of games and we hope to pick up the performance level.”

13:52JORDAN BLACKWELL
Motivating players?
“That’s the job. We haven’t been at our level and that’s the truth of it. The speed of our game, the defending. We’ve assessed those games and it’s been straightforward over this past couple of weeks seeing where we need to be better and fixing that. If we can get back to our level, we’re a great team to watch.”

13:52JORDAN BLACKWELL
International break?
“The international break, this one, it’s been a great opportunity to reflect. There are only seven games gone but it was about resetting and getting back to the fundamentals. I was able to look at where we can improve, of which there are many areas. Injuries can really affect our performance level, but we need to get back to pressing, and playing that dynamic fast football with confidence. We’ll look to get back to that level. It might be the reverse of last season and we pick up towards the end of the season.”

13:52JORDAN BLACKWELL
Evans?
“We’ve had a plan for him this week which meant he wasn’t able to go away internationally. All being well, if there are no ill effects, he will be available. Jannik Vestergaard has picked up a knock so we’ll assess that. We’re looking forward to this next block of games.”

13:52JORDAN BLACKWELL
Newcastle impact on Leicester?
“It’s always going to be a challenge for the likes of ourselves. It’s important that when you have money, you also have direction. Here, we have a structure that allows us to compete. For the people of Newcastle, it gives them hope that a great club can be up there challenging again. It’s a good thing if they get that feeling back. It’s a huge club. With the right investment, they could be a challenger. We can only concentrate on ourselves and make sure we have an identity and it’s all with common sense.”

13:51JORDAN BLACKWELL
Bruce?
“This week has shown his integrity as a man. To reach 1000 games shows his resilience as a manager. I feel for Steve. You can get put on death watch by the media. It can affect families. He’s got on with his job.”

13:51JORDAN BLACKWELL
Committed to Leicester amid Newcastle talk?
“100 per cent. I’ve got a contract until 2025. I absolutely love being here. I’m very fortunate. I’ve got a great chief exec and a director of football, and a group of players I enjoy working with. We have a structure here that allows us to compete. I want to be here. I’ve seen the reports around it. It doesn’t help anyone, particularly Steve and Newcastle. It’s the type of week I don’t like in the modern game. We are trying to work hard but the speculation can destabilise players and supporters. I’ve been in the game long enough to focus on my role.”

13:30JORDAN BLACKWELL
Rodgers is here.
Rodgers has arrived.

Stay tuned for updates.

13:16JORDAN BLACKWELL
Good afternoon!
Hello there and thanks for joining us.

Club football is back and Brendan Rodgers returns to press duty this afternoon.

He's due to sit down in the media suite at Seagrave from 1.30pm.

[StanSP]

1 minute ago, davieG said:

When Jonny isn’t there, the balance isn’t there because he’s a great communicator. He brings players’ games to another level.”

100% agree with this. Its why our defence looks so shaky and hesitant and underwhelming without him. 

[davieG]

2 minutes ago, StanSP said:

100% agree with this. Its why our defence looks so shaky and hesitant and underwhelming without him. 

We're going to need to find a replacement ASAP

[Stevosevic]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

Ryan Bertrand doesn't make the match day squad for me, even with injuries he's absolutely nowhere near the required level. Awful signing so far, weak as piss.

Agreed. Terrible. 

[tickler28]

10 minutes ago, davieG said:

We're going to need to find a replacement ASAP

Let me think....someone else signed by Sir Alex....someone else with a Premier League winners medal....someone else who's fallen out of favour at Old Trafford and someone else who plays CB?......🤔

[davieG]

45 minutes ago, tickler28 said:

Let me think....someone else signed by Sir Alex....someone else with a Premier League winners medal....someone else who's fallen out of favour at Old Trafford and someone else who plays CB?......🤔

He doesn't look too happy at the thought of joining us.

[Pliskin]

2 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Ryan Bertrand doesn't make the match day squad for me, even with injuries he's absolutely nowhere near the required level. Awful signing so far, weak as piss.

And that piss is dehydrated. 

[Pliskin]

One thing you can never criticise Rodgers for is his media presence. Few odd statements made on local radio from time to time, but when he’s in front of the leeches of the wider media circus he always comes out well. 

[Dahnsouff]

Amazing how much more positive the potential presence of Jonny Evans in the side can make you.

[lee7]

3 hours ago, Bert said:

Kasper 

 

Castagne Evans Soyuncu Bertrand 

 

Perez Tielemans Soumare Barnes

 

Nacho Vardy 

That is close to our strongest starting 11 with the players we have available. The only change i would make is Lookman for Perez 

[teblin]

2 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Ryan Bertrand doesn't make the match day squad for me, even with injuries he's absolutely nowhere near the required level. Awful signing so far, weak as piss.

I thought he looked the part in the community shield but been poor in other games since. Maybe Covid has caused him fitness issues. Or maybe like you say he isn’t up to scratch.

[An Sionnach]

7 minutes ago, teblin said:

I thought he looked the part in the community shield but been poor in other games since. Maybe Covid has caused him fitness issues. Or maybe like you say he isn’t up to scratch.

Bertrand has about 500 games under his belt and a number of international caps so if he was as bad as some say he would have been found out long ago. It might help if Barnes gets back and helps out when needed. Harvey has got to do some defending at this level.

[volpeazzurro]

3 hours ago, Bert said:

Kasper 

 

Castagne Evans Soyuncu Bertrand 

 

Perez Tielemans Soumare Barnes

 

Nacho Vardy 

All good for me apart wasting a player for the pointless Perez. If we wanted an attacking winger I'd play Lookman, if we wanted to be more conservative with meaningful workrate it would be Albrighton. Perez adds nothing. I'd even sooner play a 433 with Daka there  ... or if I'm really honest, even Filbert Fox. Playing Perez now should be a sacking offence 😅

Edited 15 October 2021 by volpeazzurro

[volpeazzurro]

2 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Ryan Bertrand doesn't make the match day squad for me, even with injuries he's absolutely nowhere near the required level. Awful signing so far, weak as piss.

Until JJ is fit I believe Thomas is a better option.