To be fair, all of those goals had a stroke of luck about them, but good to see us creating the opportunities
No offence taken, Harborough. The old skin's a bit thicker than that. There's no doubt we've also been toothless when Vardy has played and he hasn't had the likes of Maddison or Tielemans to play him in. All said and done, it's about having a working combination between providers and striker(s). Last night's result would suggest the combination worked against that opposition - 8 shots, 6 on target and 4 goals. That's definitely more ruthless than toothless.
On a side note... my girlfriend is a Derby County season ticket holder and I watched them play Barnsley earlier - genuinely Matty James absolutely controlled the game. Very calm and assured.
... different level Ed buddy ... how many from either team would get a regular Prem start? ... I think we both know ...
Given the state of Derby this season I wouldn’t imagine a player evens needs to be championship level to control the game against them. They look shot!
Was staggered to hear during the game that Wolves had spent 35million on a player that was 18 and had only ever scored one league goal. Talk about buying on potential. I guess time will tell but we certainly have an instant prem start in Fofana.
Great battling performance yesterday, and the pleasing thing was how good we were in the air at the back. That has been a real problem area for us over the past year, but yesterday we won most of the aerial duels. Thought Fuchs was brilliant again. What a servant he has been. So glad he didn't make his move over to the USA just yet. And it was good to see Tielemans and Maddison back playing together. We look the real deal in midfield when those two are both playing. I used to think that Ndidi was one of the first outfield players on the team sheet, but Mendy has been absolutely brilliant and his all round participation has been outstanding. His involvement in always being in a position to accept the ball and move it on quickly is probably better than Wilf's. At the moment he is undroppable and it's good to see his injury problems seem to be a thing of the past. Really glad he wasn't moved on over the summer. James Justin is another one who has really come on. He's far more comfortable on the right and takes a little while to adapt to being moved over to the left (which is understandable), but he has a fantastic mental strength to just get on and do the best he can and forget when things don't go 100 percent for him. Another one who will be difficult to justify dropping when Castagne and Ricardo are back. This has to be the strongest squad in depth that we've ever had. What we need now is for an injury free international break, a nice 2 week rest for some of the squad and time to prepare for Liverpool.
Fofana and Justin were both excellent yesterday ... just imagine how good they will be in a few years from now ... hopefully we can keep them both. Mendy has arguably been our best player so far this season ... certainly the most consistent with every performance being right up there.
Like keeping all good squads happy it will mean staying at or near the top of the Prem and getting European football every season - preferably Champions League. With a fully fit squad I think we would be able to mount a credible challenge in that competition. I'll throw it out there - with everyone fit what would your strongest team look like?
Schmeichel Fofana Evans Soyoncu Ricardo Mendy/Ndidi Tielemans Castagne Praet Vardy Maddison I can't choose between Ndidi and Mendy at the moment, but if I was pushed, I'd say Ndidi. I think Praet has had an excellent season. He can tackle, is good in possession and gets forward to support Vardy. Barnes, Justin, Fuchs, Mendy/Ndidi all deserve to start, and will always do a great job when called upon. Vardy needs to stay fit. If not, we would have to change our shape slightly.
I think our formation would change depending on formation, but I’d go with: Schmeichel Pereira Fofana Evans Soyuncu Castagne N’didi Tielemans Praet Barnes Vardy ... and I seem to have no Maddison in that... wow didnt expect that.
Toughie between 5 at the back with the three CB’s or 4141. Good to have the option to mix it up depending on the game. On another note, anyone find Klopp and Pep moaning about wanting 5 subs when yesterday they used 2 and 1 respectively a bit pathetic? It seems they quite often done use their 3 so it’s purely to disadvantage others. If they are worried about their players do what Brendan does and start some players some games and others off the bench and vice versa. Such entitlement!
It speaks volumes about the quality of the current squad when both you and Harborough leave an England international player out of your strongest team selection. The choice between Barnes and Praet is a difficult one. I love the momentum that Praet gives us, and I like the growing link-up play between Vardy and Barnes. The choice would have to be down to who the opposition is and whether we play a central 3 at the back. In a flat back four either Evans or Soyuncu would have to miss out but we can play Praet and Barnes. And at the moment we have only had short glimpses of what Under can do. So far he has been a good impact option, but he might have much more to offer. A great headache for Brendan to have.
I think the 3 Belgian lads playing together are very good indeed ... the Great thing is that we have options ... plenty of them
Harvey still needs to relax more when in on goal ... Under is the opposite ... his composure in picking Vardy out has been beyond... bodes very well.
