What would you do if you were Rafa? Getting a point against Leicester would in itself be a huge achievement and we're either going to play above our game or Rafa's going to see how fragile we are. It's whether he keeps it really simple going 4-4-2 but in all likelihood he is going to go 4-2-3-1, he's had the most success there and we've been (allegedly) playing this way all season. Either way, I trust the new gaffer, but I'd like to see Colback at left back (probably the best left back at the club) with Colo and Taylor as the safest hands among a dodgy bunch (I've read Colo was flying around training on Saturday and that his "injury" was - another - fall-out based on the Shelvey captaincy). Janmaat/Elliot pick themselves. 2 deep midfielders have to be Saivet and Shelvey. Saivet's always looked tidy to me and a lot of people say he's a good player. Then we're into the murky waters of the attack. Wijnaldum as no.10 probably gets the nod ahead of SDJ (is he fit?!) and Perez (still learning). Sissoko will have to get another run on the right side, because we have no other option, and if we're really lucky Townsend can play left. If Townsend is out, I'd sooner see Aarons than Perez, he understands left wing, Perez is a striker. Up front - if fit, has to be Doumbia. Perhaps the best option is to try and coax a performance out of Mitrovic and keep Doumbia as an impact sub. Amazing that for £80m spent we're still woefully short of real options. Either the first 11 (plus a couple of subs) play well, else we don't win. Hence why we don't often win. That said - 2-0 to Newcastle tomorrow night.
Think tonight is going to be a tough, crash back to reality, night for us We are deeply ****e...and it will take more than 3 days of being Rafa'd to make sufficient difference... that said...for the first time in ages looking forward to seeign what impact he has had, and maybe...just maybe we can pull off a draw (aye I know a typical deluded Geordie) Got to say it feels good to have a real manager.....who , even if/when we lose, will see why and how we did ..and then to something about it and address it this week.
I`m not after a result tonight, I`m after a performance. It`s likely we will lose,but how we lose is so important. I want to see players busting a gut on the pitch. Watching the Watford game yesterday, I was struck with how the Watford players buzzed around the pitch, chasing every ball, even in Arsenal`s half. They were a pain in the Arse for Arsenal. If we can reproduce their workload then we might get something tonight. Howay the Lads..
Tonight will be about containment and hitting on the break. I think we will be able to contain leciester tonight and im really hoping we can snatch 1, whether it be early and we hold on or whether it be late and a smash and grab. The players are going to be so up for this and that's something i dont think could be said for any of our previous games this season!
Like LiamO says, it's about the performance and regaining a little credibility and confidence. It's only been three days, so l am not expecting miracles, but l do expect a reaction. We are still fragile and for me this game is more about how we tackle it and how we respond if we go behind, than points, although one would be nice. It will be a disaster if they capitulate the way they have so many times before this season. The feel good factor and growing confidence and belief is so, so important right now. I am both anxious and excited in equal measure, but cannot forget how abjectly awful we have been up to now. HTL
I think a loss is not overly demoralising in the great scheme of things, obviously depending on the manner, expectation isnt high, it about adopting Rafa's methods and is kind of a free game to go out and start grasping what we will be doing from now until the end of the season. However a victory tonight, imagine what that would do for morale. Win tonight and there will be a light at the end of the tunnel, win tonight and we can beat anyone.
While I would love to see us put in a great performance, I'm not sure I'm expecting one. The important thing for me is that we stay positive no matter what the performance or result. He's only had three days with the team. It would be great to see a bounce - but this season will be decided by how we play against relegation rivals. Hopefully we can stay positive for the whole 10 games and then begin the autopsy if required.
I wouldn't be mad if rafa came out and parked the bus. Play doumbia and Townsend up top then all defensive midfielders with shelvey attempting to hit start the forwards off on a break. Mourinho did it a lot when Chelsea won the league. Sometimes you just need to grind out a point.
According to Rafa, Colo hasn't been training with the rest of the team but did come out to watch and listen as the team practised some new tactics: The Guardian - "On Saturday we had a tactical training session. We were doing some movements I would like to do in the future so he (Coloccini) came outside to see what we were doing." Sounds like it'll be Taylor and Lascelles again.
Just had a quick look at PhysioRoom, which is usually the best for getting up to date injury news http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php#c16 Colo isnt mentioned as injured, quite well possibly be on the bench? not sure whats wrong with him. In terms of everyone else, we are only really missing Mbemba, personally I dont care about the others. So Townsend could be in contention, mbabu, Tiote, De Jong and Cisse. Potentially we could have a reasonble bench for the first time in a while (if you just completely ignore the defensive aspect!)
People saying it's not ideal, i disagree. Nobody expects anything at all other than defeat, and assuming we do get beat it's clearly never going to be Rafa's fault, he's got a free pass on this one, we all already know the limits of the squad. On the flip side if he gets anything at all, whether in the manner of Bournemouth (a) or Spurs (a) it'll be an incredible shot in the arm..
We simply must defend deep and that way you take away Leicester's most dangerous player, Vardy, from what he does best, running-in behind. It's why Vardy wouldn't do well at a 'big club' because teams often defend deep against them. Leicester's counter-attacking has worked brilliantly all season. I say we just sit-in and frustrate them. I know, suggesting that we have the ability to defend is laughable but you've got to cling to something, right?
This goes for everyone - staff, players AND fans... 3-0 down, just sing your hearts out for the lads!
Got no idea how he's going to line up tonight, He could pick any striker, Cisse back to save the day? Doumbia to kick start the season? Mitro to come good? Perez the new Torres? Riviere to.... ? Actually excited for this game thought, Rafa said we need to try for three points against Leicester... THREE? that hadn't even occurred to me...
Well he is probably fairly wealthy. So I'd start by booking a massive party and ordering copious amounts of grade A narcotics and high class prostitutes. Maybe get a good quality band and DJ for later on. Plenty of booze. After the 3 day party was finished, I'd think about day 4 and 5.
It's been said enough in the past couple of weeks by quite a few pundits, close down the space and don't give Vardy the room to run into, need to work hard on the midfield as well, this is not the most important match though, Sunderland and Norwich are the key matches for us and wins would do more to save us than anything tonight, it would be nice to at least draw though.
