Ric Flair Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 1 minute ago, Leicester_Loyal said: Will never happen if we go furthre in the ECL, we simply just don't have the squad and will have too many games. Trying to achieve both will likely result in us achieving neither, we should be 80/20 leaning towards ECL. That's not what Rodgers will say publicly, or to the players though, and rightly so. Exactly, we've still got a maximum of 19 games left and if we go far in this ECL then it's actually a huge headache where we fit these 3 postponed games in, there's very few free midweeks so it's going to be brutal. Nobody, even the biggest Brendan Rodgers apologists can seriously take comfort in the notion that we'll get the majority of our injured players back without any others occurring and it'll all be fine. So we'll have to prioritise. It is a lot more likely we can navigate 6 more European games unbeaten (possibly still qualify the 2 Legged games with narrow defeats in 1 of the legs) than it is to try and procure 30+ points from our remaining 13 PL games to stand a chance of top 7. 1 1 1
filbertway Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 22 minutes ago, Ric Flair said: I don't like this notion that we might be better as a collective team without Maddison and a more combative midfield 3. The Maddison of October 2021 onwards seems faster, stronger, better at tackling, pressing and carrying the ball. If he's fully fit then he is the first player on our team sheet or should be, he is exceptional. He looks a new man. A Maddison that actually wants to put himself about and do the dirty work as well as getting on the ball and making stuff happen is the Maddison we need. I'd still have KDH as first name on the teamsheet these days, but Maddison on form would be a close second. Hard to know what's up with him atm, he's been in and out for nearly a month now. Makes me wonder if once again we're on the cusp of seeing the classic 2 months of on fire Maddison followed by 6-8 months of him contributing very little. 2
tsintskaro Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 Logically this should be the end of the great results, but not that great performances series. Arsenal has great results, but great performances as well. so this will be hard. on the other hand all those not that great performances with great results may lead to better performance too this time. I still really want to club dont turn his head from PL
escape2victory Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 I love Maddison and he is probably our best player but the 4-3-3 is really working for us and is difficult to fit him into the system unless he plays as an 8, which I’m dubious about or as an inverted wide player. in many ways the game is moving away from these mercurial number 10 types. If he was born 10 years earlier and was in prime Barclays premier league era, the team would be built around him in a 4-2-3-1. As a romantic of the game it’s a shame the game has evolved more and more and being strong, quick and athletic is the default. There should always be a place for the Le Tissier types ! The likes of De Bruyne and Silva at Man City have a lot to answer for, working their arses off every week whilst being amazing technically
Supergray22 Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 4 hours ago, Ric Flair said: Exactly, we've still got a maximum of 19 games left and if we go far in this ECL then it's actually a huge headache where we fit these 3 postponed games in, there's very few free midweeks so it's going to be brutal. Nobody, even the biggest Brendan Rodgers apologists can seriously take comfort in the notion that we'll get the majority of our injured players back without any others occurring and it'll all be fine. So we'll have to prioritise. It is a lot more likely we can navigate 6 more European games unbeaten (possibly still qualify the 2 Legged games with narrow defeats in 1 of the legs) than it is to try and procure 30+ points from our remaining 13 PL games to stand a chance of top 7. A few weeks back a lot of people wanted Brendan out and were talking of relegation. The likelihood is that we probably won’t get top 7 and our chance of winning the ECL is only slightly higher. The run in will be tough but I don’t think now is the time to say prioritise one over the other. The returning players and general improvement in form and effort from the players has helped us put a small run together. We will be able to rotate players and formation more effectively. As they say winning can become a habit and until we start to see signs that pursuing both is not going to work I don’t see us changing things. We need to dream big and go for it. 1
Ric Flair Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 4 minutes ago, Supergray22 said: A few weeks back a lot of people wanted Brendan out and were talking of relegation. The likelihood is that we probably won’t get top 7 and our chance of winning the ECL is only slightly higher. The run in will be tough but I don’t think now is the time to say prioritise one over the other. The returning players and general improvement in form and effort from the players has helped us put a small run together. We will be able to rotate players and formation more effectively. As they say winning can become a habit and until we start to see signs that pursuing both is not going to work I don’t see us changing things. We need to dream big and go for it. Of course, but we don't have any free gameweeks between now and May and still 3 postponed league games to make up. When we've European games either sides of a PL game then the whole ethos should be around our strongest team being on point for the European games.
moore_94 Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 (edited) Pre-match Press Conference vs Arsenal On Chelsea and Abramovic sanctions “It's a difficult situation they have to manage, you feel for Thomas and the players. I've total empathy for him and the players but they're very professional The reality of modern day football is that you have to keep the noise away from players, you can only really focus on the football. As difficult as it is they'll just concentrate on the football” Team news “We'll have another check on Ricardo, Justin played 60 minutes so we'll check on him. Fofana is very much a doubt but we'll hopefully have him back next week” On Arteta “He's done an excellent job, they're in a really strong position to finish in the Champions League.” On current form “The Forest game was a humbling experience for us and reiterated what we'd been saying up until that period. From that game we've been able to analyse ourselves and put a game together to get results. We had to come away from that result in the FA Cup and take stock. The basis is the work rate and if you can work hard consistently.” On Albrighton “He's been a huge inspiration for the players Last night he made a great contribution to the game but it's also about his concentration. I've worked closely with him for over three years and he's a great guy for our squad.” On Fofana “He's come in and has been outstanding but has a lot of improvements to make He's worked hard to get back and will hopefully he'll be back very soon” On Barnes “At the beginning of the season it was more about his fitness Over the recent weeks you can see his importance to the team and the top class player he is. There's still so much more to come from him, he's a joy when in full flow. It's great but he knows we're still demanding more and he's still demanding more from himself” On Fofana “He's fine, he is getting physical work in and we'll take it from there (Renne) will be the first game he's available for.” On returning players “With all the games players go into it having very little rest. It inspires players who have been playing to know they have that competition It's good to have players feel safe psychologically, but not too safe” On Arsenal “Mikel has done an excelent job This year they haven't been in Europe that has helped them settle and they've used the coaching time really well, they have some young players. They've used that time well. If they can keep their players fit and available they should be in a really strong position to finish where they want to.” On Arsenal clash “We try to win every single game we want to play in It's the same idea at the weekend, we don't think about Thursday, we go to the Emirates Stadium and want to put in a good performance.” Edited 11 March 2022 by moore_94 1 2
Supergray22 Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 4 minutes ago, Ric Flair said: Of course, but we don't have any free gameweeks between now and May and still 3 postponed league games to make up. When we've European games either sides of a PL game then the whole ethos should be around our strongest team being on point for the European games. Agreed. I do think we will go strong in Europe but whether we get knocked out next week or win the thing I don’t think the approach will change. Their will be rotation to keep the team fresh and manage fitness and injuries. Brendan doesn’t have a static preferred 11 that he pursues for any length of time. Until the latter stages I think we will carry on as we are.
goose2010 Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 I would go with Kasper Albrighton or hamza Cags Big Dan Thomas Youri Wilf Dewsbury Hall Lookman Kel Barnes Leave the others for Thursday night as its a lot bigger game. Having Justin, Ricardo, Maddison & Fofana available for Thursday would be massive.
Cropwellfox Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 (edited) Would definitely treat as a free hit, and play a deep back line… kasper, Hamza, Vestergaard Soyuncu, riccy P, Mendy, KDH, Thomas, Maddison, Lookman, Iheanacho. Save Albrighton, big dan, daka, Barnes, Tielemans legs and get Fofana 30 mins off the bench. last thing we need is Amartey or Barnes to pick up an injury Edited 11 March 2022 by Cropwellfox
ARM1968 Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 No way I’d play Fofana in this game. Arsenal have a nasty habit of causing us bad injuries. Will be a tough game I think. Both teams have the ability to take the game by the scruff. Both got good players. Both can be a bit brittle, us more so. Hope for a good game and a solid 1-0 to the Foxes. I’d take 5-0 to us though.
MarriedaLeicesterGirl Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 4 minutes ago, NasPb said: 0-0 draw I would take that. 3
jv1 Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 How has Fofana gone from being available to be on the bench for Rennes to having covid to not being available for Arsenal at all because of fitness not covid- do they literally just make it up as they go along- im not saying for one second we should be rushing him to do anything but the messages that come out of the club on injuries and return dates is almost laughable if it wasnt so damn sad- they literally have no idea
goose2010 Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 7 minutes ago, jv1 said: How has Fofana gone from being available to be on the bench for Rennes to having covid to not being available for Arsenal at all because of fitness not covid- do they literally just make it up as they go along- im not saying for one second we should be rushing him to do anything but the messages that come out of the club on injuries and return dates is almost laughable if it wasnt so damn sad- they literally have no idea because Covid could pretty much destroy his fitness if he has it bad. a friend of mine has it currently and he is struggling to get out of bed even after 3 jabs. 1 1
jv1 Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 3 minutes ago, goose2010 said: because Covid could pretty much destroy his fitness if he has it bad. a friend of mine has it currently and he is struggling to get out of bed even after 3 jabs. Im not debating what covid can or cannot do but read the presser they didnt even mention covid today - talking more like he isnt ready- just very strange mixed messaging- if he isnt ready he isnt ready and shouldnt be rushed but be bloody consistent on saying that 1
Foxes96 Posted 11 March 2022 Author Posted 11 March 2022 11 minutes ago, jv1 said: Im not debating what covid can or cannot do but read the presser they didnt even mention covid today - talking more like he isnt ready- just very strange mixed messaging- if he isnt ready he isnt ready and shouldnt be rushed but be bloody consistent on saying that I guess it could still be linked. Ie. Had Covid so hasn’t trained for the best part of a week, so therefore isn’t ready fitness wise for this weekend, but will be okay for next week. 1
Popular Post sacreblueits442 Posted 11 March 2022 Popular Post Posted 11 March 2022 7 hours ago, AKCJ said: Use this game as an experiment IMO. Kasper Amartey Fofana Soyuncu Albrighton KDH Ndidi Justin Maddison Daka Iheanacho Would like to see how Daka and Iheanacho get on together, gives rests for Tielemans, Barnes and Thomas too. ....too many games for Albrighton, is probably getting in the red zone, the back four although having played for some time now, are not subjected to the same physicality as players infront of them!!! Maddison definitely comes in, so should Mendy, Lookman on the left and perhaps Perez playing on the right, protecting the right back as I would suspect most of any attacks will be down our left hand side. Kasper Ricardo Amartey Soyuncu Thomas Mendy Maddison Soumare Perez Nacho Lookman Perez and Lookman have great work ethics, so they will help out the fullbacks and support the midfield. There are certain players in this team who are too much in the redzone, we need to manage them. 6
SouthStandUpperTier Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 53 minutes ago, jv1 said: How has Fofana gone from being available to be on the bench for Rennes to having covid to not being available for Arsenal at all because of fitness not covid- do they literally just make it up as they go along- im not saying for one second we should be rushing him to do anything but the messages that come out of the club on injuries and return dates is almost laughable if it wasnt so damn sad- they literally have no idea I don't think Fofana was ever a serious option to play against Rennes at home, even if he hadn't caught covid. The cynic in me thinks the club only teased the possibility in order to shift a few more tickets.
Steve Earle Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 (edited) 7 hours ago, Leicester_Loyal said: Will never happen if we go furthre in the ECL, we simply just don't have the squad and will have too many games. Trying to achieve both will likely result in us achieving neither, we should be 80/20 leaning towards ECL. That's not what Rodgers will say publicly, or to the players though, and rightly so. Fofana JJ Ricardo Evans & Vardy all to return very soon or after the international break… Edited 11 March 2022 by Steve Earle
Guest Chocolate Teapot Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 For me an absolute must win game. If we lose Rodgers is toast. Its ridiculous we shouldn't be saying we should beat a side with double our resources and half the games. And it's even more ridiculous we're raising season ticket prices and that's only because our wage bill is out of control.
StanSP Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 Sadly think the clean sheet run and momentum ends here. They'll be fresh and have a lot of good attacking talent.
Hammo Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 Given our ‘comfortable’ league position, who among us wouldn’t happily accept a defeat at Arsenal if it guaranteed a quarter final spot in Europe? I know that is a hypothetical trade but it has to influence Rodgers’ thinking in terms of team selection. 4
st albans fox Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 3 hours ago, ARM1968 said: No way I’d play Fofana in this game. Arsenal have a nasty habit of causing us bad injuries. Will be a tough game I think. Both teams have the ability to take the game by the scruff. Both got good players. Both can be a bit brittle, us more so. Hope for a good game and a solid 1-0 to the Foxes. I’d take 5-0 to us though. Handy cos he isn’t available 2 hours ago, jv1 said: How has Fofana gone from being available to be on the bench for Rennes to having covid to not being available for Arsenal at all because of fitness not covid- do they literally just make it up as they go along- im not saying for one second we should be rushing him to do anything but the messages that come out of the club on injuries and return dates is almost laughable if it wasnt so damn sad- they literally have no idea PL protocols - he was positive on Wednesday. He can’t train until he’s negative. That’s going to be Sunday (poss Saturday) at the earliest. -
majaco Posted 11 March 2022 Posted 11 March 2022 Really tough to manage the amount of games we have to come. We will have more injuries and each one will lead to the same blather. We would need a fit squad to manage it without injuries, something we have not had for a long time. If we can, miraculously get to the next international without further injuries, we would start to look stronger.
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