City v Palace Pre Match

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Think we need to go hell for leather on this one, we seem a much better side trying to take the game to the opposition with pace etc

[HoustonFox]

I really hope Pearson does not go 4-4-2 as we were outplayed playing that formation against them earlier in the season,

Spot on they out played us earlier in the season when we went 4-4-2,Konchesky never bombed on once as he was so concerned about Zaha,as a result we were forced to sit back and they punished us with two quick goals.

I'm worried about them on the break too as they have a lot of pace. Speroni always seems to have a blinder against us too. We have to play to our strengths and get at them early. Everytime we've tried to close up shop we've conceded. Ironically for one of the best defences (sadly no longer the best) we are nervous defenders. The reason we didn't concede many was not only defending from the front but the fact we kept ball and attacked a lot. Need to get this back for the last few games of the season. Let's hope Jeff stays on fire too....

[LCFC FOX]

Has to be the same team that started against Bolton surely?

[TrentFox]

There are a few too many 'ifs' in my thinking here, BUT If we win this, and Bolton and Forest fail to get maximum in either of their next two fixtures, a win against Watford means we're sorted for PO's I think ???? Basically, win this and the pressure we out on the others chasing 6th becomes huge.

[Lineker's Left Foot]

This has to be the biggest game since our play off games IMO

[Guest Col city fan]

I'm worried about them on the break too as they have a lot of pace. Speroni always seems to have a blinder against us too. We have to play to our strengths and get at them early. Everytime we've tried to close up shop we've conceded. Ironically for one of the best defences (sadly no longer the best) we are nervous defenders. The reason we didn't concede many was not only defending from the front but the fact we kept ball and attacked a lot. Need to get this back for the last few games of the season. Let's hope Jeff stays on fire too....

Lets hope Speroni plays like he did on Tuesday night!

[Guest Col city fan]

Has to be the same team that started against Bolton surely?

4-4-2 away with King in the middle hasn't worked all season. Look at the stats. Our away form is very poor.

I genuinely don't know the way to play this one. I'm thinking along the lines of taking it to them and going for it.

The sensible thing would be to play to not concede. How things stand, a draw is not as bad as it would seem, depending upon other results of course.

Pearson will really be earning his corn picking the right team and formation to get a result for this one.

[Bluetintedspecs]

4-4-2 away with King in the middle hasn't worked all season. Look at the stats. Our away form is very poor.

I genuinely don't know the way to play this one. I'm thinking along the lines of taking it to them and going for it.

The sensible thing would be to play to not concede. How things stand, a draw is not as bad as it would seem, depending upon other results of course.

Pearson will really be earning his corn picking the right team and formation to get a result for this one.

Agree bud, called Tuesday nights starting 11 but haven't got a fookin clue which way he'll go on Saturday Wouldn't surprise me to see him revert to the Brighton formation?

[MC Prussian]

This has to be the biggest game since our play off games IMO

I think that honour will go to the last game of the season, at F*WEst away.

[MGLCFC]

Played 4 4 2 v Palace at home and were totally overrun for 30 minutes and 2 - 0 down. James replaced Dyer, went 4 3 3 and took the game to Palace and could and probably should have got a draw had the blatant handball on the line been given.

[indierich06]

4-4-2 away with King in the middle hasn't worked all season. Look at the stats. Our away form is very poor.

I genuinely don't know the way to play this one. I'm thinking along the lines of taking it to them and going for it.

The sensible thing would be to play to not concede. How things stand, a draw is not as bad as it would seem, depending upon other results of course.

Pearson will really be earning his corn picking the right team and formation to get a result for this one.

Usually I'd agree with you, but I think 442 is the way to go for this one. It will be an open game and Palace are low on form and confidence, especially in front of goal so I'm not convinced they'll impose themselves on us. if we play our passing game properly in a 442, it should work against this lot. If we can nick an early goal and get their fans on their back then that will make all of the difference. We should be straight out of the blocks and at them - first goal will be crucial.

[Fez of Mahrez]

I'd go 4-3-3 with Drinkwater back in for Knocky. I think the full backs are going to need a bit of help from the central midfielders tracking across. Palace will be fired up after the run they've been on and their crowd will be up for it.

Need a performance similar to the one at Brighton, just with more of the chances taken obviously...

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Played 4 4 2 v Palace at home and were totally overrun for 30 minutes and 2 - 0 down. James replaced Dyer, went 4 3 3 and took the game to Palace and could and probably should have got a draw had the blatant handball on the line been given.

Interesting theory but maybe they play differently at home

[marbelladave]

4-4-2 away with King in the middle hasn't worked all season. Look at the stats. Our away form is very poor.

I genuinely don't know the way to play this one. I'm thinking along the lines of taking it to them and going for it.

The sensible thing would be to play to not concede. How things stand, a draw is not as bad as it would seem, depending upon other results of course.

Pearson will really be earning his corn picking the right team and formation to get a result for this one.

Lets look at the stats shall we.......

From the end of August to the end of October we put together a run of 9 games that took us top of the league, we did so playing 4-4-2. In 7 games King partnered Drinkwater from the start, the other 2 King was on the bench due to an ankle knock but replaced James on both occasions.

Our results in those 9 games were, won 7, drawn 1, lost 1. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good argument, eh Col.......

[Happy Fox]

Play 4-4-2 if that doesn't work change it to 4-3-3 or vice versa.

Managers have to be flexible these days and they are so I don't see the problem with what formation we play rather our pressing game which needs to be on to the max, and if we are then we will win the game imo.

[Babylon]

Lets look at the stats shall we.......

From the end of August to the end of October we put together a run of 9 games that took us top of the league, we did so playing 4-4-2. In 7 games King partnered Drinkwater from the start, the other 2 King was on the bench due to an ankle knock but replaced James on both occasions.

Our results in those 9 games were, won 7, drawn 1, lost 1. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good argument, eh Col.......

Of the nine games played he started 6, benched 2, not in the squad 1.

[marbelladave]

Play 4-4-2 if that doesn't work change it to 4-3-3 or vice versa.

Managers have to be flexible these days and they are so I don't see the problem with what formation we play rather our pressing game which needs to be on to the max, and if we are then we will win the game imo.

:D ........You do remember that Nigel Pearson is our manager don't you?

[marbelladave]

Of the nine games played he started 6, benched 2, not in the squad 1.

OK. Missed the game he was out with his ankle injury, that was against Burnley at the KP. Started the next 2 games on the bench, coming on for James on both occasions.

Still, not too shabby.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

:D ........You do remember that Nigel Pearson is our manager don't you?

[Guest Col city fan]

Lets look at the stats shall we.......

From the end of August to the end of October we put together a run of 9 games that took us top of the league, we did so playing 4-4-2. In 7 games King partnered Drinkwater from the start, the other 2 King was on the bench due to an ankle knock but replaced James on both occasions.

Our results in those 9 games were, won 7, drawn 1, lost 1. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good argument, eh Col.......

Ahh... You're in one of those 'knowitall' moods today my friend I see?

How many games that he started were AWAY from home? And how many against good standard opposition?

??......

PS.. There's little point quoting stats at me when they aren't correct!

[5waller5]

It's got the potential to be a great game - two fragile teams with alot to play for .... the first team to score won't lose ... so go with 442.

It's all pointing to a cracker and a LCFC win ... so I'm predicting a boring draw ... it's the Leicester way.

[dayday]

Lets look at the stats shall we.......

From the end of August to the end of October we put together a run of 9 games that took us top of the league, we did so playing 4-4-2. In 7 games King partnered Drinkwater from the start, the other 2 King was on the bench due to an ankle knock but replaced James on both occasions.

Our results in those 9 games were, won 7, drawn 1, lost 1. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good argument, eh Col.......

[dayday]

Lets look at the stats shall we.......

From the end of August to the end of October we put together a run of 9 games that took us top of the league, we did so playing 4-4-2. In 7 games King partnered Drinkwater from the start, the other 2 King was on the bench due to an ankle knock but replaced James on both occasions.

Our results in those 9 games were, won 7, drawn 1, lost 1. Let's not let the facts get in the way of a good argument, eh Col.......

[dayday]

My mobile texting is doing crazy things,but getting back to the match tomoz,if we go 4-4-2 regardless of stats we will get beat,play the same side as tuesday and we will stand a better chance of winning.

[marbelladave]

Ahh... You're in one of those 'knowitall' moods today my friend I see?

How many games that he started were AWAY from home? And how many against good standard opposition?

??......

PS.. There's little point quoting stats at me when they aren't correct!

Actually I am in what is best described as a know****all mood today. I am stuck waiting for a desperately needed computer power supply that has still not arrived so I have been looking through our results to see if I can understand just how we have got to where we are.

My feeling is that it is quite complex, just blaming specific players, or the midfield, or NFP's over cautious approach does not really cut it as an explanation, too many things do not make sense.

Take Vardy for instance, now almost universally derided he was an ever present in the run of 9 games that took us top (7 starts, 2 from the bench) so I think it is fair to say he must have contributed something, now he rarely even makes the bench.

Marshall's drop off in form this season has been obvious for some time and now it looks like Knockaert is going the same way, further examples that suggest, to me, that we are getting things wrong at a quite fundamental level.