Everyone is fit and available except Matty James who has now returned to light training but still a long way off returning. So here is what I would play Schmeichel De Laet Morgan Huth Schlupp Inler Kante Drinkwater Mahrez Dyer Vardy Subs- Schwarzer, Wasilewski, Fuchs, King, Albrighton, Okazaki, Ulloa
Schmeichel De Laet - Huth - Morgan - Schlupp Drinkwater - Inler Albrighton - Mahrez - Kante Vardy or Schmeichel De Laet - Huth - Morgan - Schlupp Drinkwater - Inler Dyer - Mahrez - Albrighton Vardy
I'd maybe consider going a little more defensive. Would like to see Fuchs given a start and maybe play Schlupp in a more forward position. Schmeichel De Laet - Morgan - Huth - Fuchs Kante - Drinkwater Dyer - Mahrez - Schlupp Vardy That attack has some crazy pace in it, so absolutely blitz them at the start. Can then bring on Inler and Albrighton if we need to defend, or Ulloa/Okazaki as different options in defence. Starting to have some real options now, ahead of the defence at least.
... happy with any line-up we might start with ... more so with the fact that, if it's not working, Claudio seems to have a good idea of how to tweak a fix
Although i'd love him to do that, i can't see him adapting when hes spent large amounts of his career on the left. Though sometimes a left footed right back would be a better option than DeLaet
Bit harsh to put Dyer straight in for Albrighton who i think has been outstanding so far this season. For me: Kasper De Laet (official highest rated RB on the BBC website - are we maybe too harsh!?) Morgan Huth Schlupp Mahrez Inler Drinkwater Kante Albrighton Vardy With Kante just everywhere as normal
The tactical execution to me is the main difference between him and Pearson and its working wonderfully sofar.
Would be a travesty if Albrighton was dropped, everything good can be traced to his introduction last season. Personally would probably start with either King or Okasaki instead of Inler. I do feel however that Inler will be brilliant for us when up to speed.
Just symptomatic of the evolution of the squad (more strength in depth now we're "established" in the Prem), which would have happened under Pearson too.
No doubt, its good to have a squad of players that can really impact the game, but i meant the tweaking that CR has done with the formation(s) and changing things round when we aren't doing well.
Inler showed a lot of quality in his breaking up play. Just some loose passing and keeping up with the villa pace let him down a bit. He'll adapt. Edit. And to top it off he came out and admitted as much after the match, which I think is an excellent sign
Doubt Inler would have given us a second look without CR being here. Don't underestimate how highly regarded he is on the continent - we are seeing why now.
I think we're weaker this season than during last season's run-in. We scored goals for fun then to, but we were tighter defensively. This is because we've moved to a four at the back; Huth has looked less assured and De Laet, who dropped by Pearson in favour of a attacking midfielder, is again proving to be a liability. This 4-4-2 system isn't as effective, meaning Ranieri is having to change it mid-game (essential covering for his own failings) to bail us out. The performance against Bournemouth and the first half against Villa were as bad as we've been in the Premier League so far but, thankfully, we have more quality to come off the bench than last season. I would imagine that many of the signings that have strengthened the squad would have been identified before Ranieri came in.
