Kasper Schmeichel is nearly fit but will miss this game but otherwise we have a fully fit squad to choose from. So here is what I would go with Schwarzer De Laet Wasilewski Huth Upson Schlupp Cambiasso James Nugent Mahrez Kramaric Subs- Hamer, Morgan, Simpson, Drinkwater, Knockaert, Vardy, Ulloa
Sorry Proud - can't see any justification for bringing Kaspar straight in ... other than that I like your team but suspect we will see Wes and Danny Simpson start (unfortunately) ...
I think it's pretty clear how you have to play if you want to have a chance to get anything out of a game against Man City. Barcelona did it, Liverpool did it and Hull did it. You have to play high tempo and close their midfield down quickly and hunt in packs. Stand off them like we did against Everton and they will pick out Aguero and Dzeko or Bony and we will be in trouble. For that reason I would resort to 4 at the back and stick 5 in midfield to stop them playing. Mahrez would have to go because he just isn't prepared or equipped to play that sort of game. --------------------------------------- Hamer------------------------------------------ - ---De Laet--------------Wasileski--------Huth---------------------Konchesky - ----------------------Cambiasso-------------Hammond-------------------------- - Albrighton--------------------------James------------------------------Schlupp - -----------------------------------Ulloa/Kramaric------------------------------------
... Schwarzer had his best game so far against Everton and couldn't be faulted for either goal ... he looks solid under pressure and commands his area well ... it might be argued that with matches he is coming into form ... and with him Huth and Upson together our dfensive play is looking far less panicky and frenetic ... ... the last few games with Kasper were flappily unconvincing and in combination with Wes cost us goals (and points) ... why on earth would you therefore risk bringing in someone who hasn't played a competitive game for months and was less than convincing in the last few he did play, for someone who is showing signs that he could just be getting his act together?
Schwarzer playing crap and Schmeichel being the number 1 and playing fantastic for 3 years for us. Also at his former club with a point to prove there? Kasper has to start for me. I would rather go with Ben Hamer over Schwarzer Simpson has had a few bad games IMO and with Schlupp and De Laet as wing backs we will be well set up for counter attacks
The reason Kasper has looked flappy is partly none of our centre halfs was dealing with the high balls either. Now we have 2 giants in the back with Upson and Huth so its not going to be as much of a weakness as before. We lack pace with our centre backs so we need a quick keeper to get off his line and clean up, Kasper will do that but Schwarzer won't Kasper has been training for some time now and I don't think match fitness is an issue with a goal keeper. If he is looking sharp in training then thats good enough for a goalkeeper
I don't disagree with your first paragraph ... but I'll be gobsmacked if he drops Schwarzer for this game ..
Have to say, I'm with Filberto on the Schwarzer situation. No-one seems to be allowing for him to settle down or forgiving him a bit of rustiness. He's bedding in now I think, certainly if the last game is anything to judge by, and we just need to be a bit more patient. If he can get to anywhere near his best then we'll have a world class keeper for the rest of the season at least.
Nigel has since said Kasper Schmeichel is close to returning but won't return until after the Man City game
Schmeicel should have been dropped before he got injured. I've said before he's a great shot stopper but the rest of his game is not up to the highest level. Hamer came in and did well and our defence looked more solid with him as part of it. Dropping Hamer for Schwarzer was just plain wrong. I've nothing against Schwarzer, in his time he was a very good keeper (never world class) but that time was 7/8 years ago not now. He was 3rd choice at Chelsea and that's what he should be with us.
Playing 3 centre backs to mark 1 forward is just plain wrong so I'd go: Hamer De Laet Huth Upson Schlupp Cambiasso Albrighton James Mahrez Kramaric Ulloa
Schwarzer Simpson Wasilewski Huth Upson De Laet Cambiasso James Kramaric Mahrez Ulloa Subs- Hamer, Morgan, Schlupp, Drinkwater, Albrighton, Vardy, Nugent
Personally I couldn't leave Schlupp out of the side at the moment ... he is arguably our most dangerous player right now whether it's creating or getting on the end of stuff ... he could have had a couple against Everton with a bit more composure ... but at least he is getting into those positions and his raw pace gives opposition defenders plenty to think about ... using your line up I'd simply swap Schlupp for Simpson and switch de Laet to the right ... Simpson brings very little to the team other than an ability to knock it out of play ... his distribution is dismal ...
Last season watching Schlupp i thought he lacked the intelligence at times on the pitch to do anything with his abilty This season he has improved that aspect now end but his biggest flaw now is his composure. He snatches at chances which which has cost us a lot of points over the season but this is the season why Schlupp really stepped up and proved he is worth his place at the club
... he's probably missed less chances than Nuge ... the difference is that he is so quick and physically strong that he is able to get chances that others can't (or won't) ... in terms of "costing us points" ... I suspect we'd have quite a few less without him and indeed ... any 'blame' on that front is far more easily attributable to other areas of the team ...
Been saying this team for a while now! Hamer De Laet Wasilewski Huth Upson Schlupp James Cambiasso Mahrez Ulloa Kramaric
I'd love to see that given a go ... but I'd be very surprised if he goes with more than the loan striker tomorrow ... at home hopefully - nothing to lose now - if we don't win a fair proportion of the remaining games we are toast ...
Cant see us going 2 up front away to Man City. After Man City other then our game in hand against Chelsea we are finished with the top teams meaning the rest are all 6 pointers, they are the types of games when we will play Ulloa and Kramaric together
