Pre Match Middlesbrough v Leicester

[Blaarev]

First game of a new year, but not the first prematch thread since the Everton cup game already have a thread. Anyways, let's hope for a bright start. Mahrez, Slimani and Amartey will have buggered off to the AFCON, so this will be the first of a row of games where the likes of Gray and maybe Musa and Ndidi will have their chance to shine.

Kick-off in the middle of my working day so I guess it is a bank holiday over there then.

 

[SJN-Fox]

I believe the 4th official for this game is a certain Mr Moss.

 

[Blaarev]

I believe the 4th official for this game is a certain Mr Moss.

No need for me to avoid updates and record this game then

 

[dpjfox]

I thought the AFCON bound players were ok for this game and then leaving but whatever team we put out surely the confidence within the camp will be much improved following yesterdays win. We will have to battle hard but we can take something from this game, im predicting 1-1 Musa

 

[yackandandah]

so this will be the first of a row of games where the likes of Gray and maybe Musa and Ndidi will have their chance to shine.

Did you mean to say Mendy rather than Ndidi?

Ndidi obviously won't feature. I don't think the line-up will offer any surprises as we don't have a whole heap of choices.

 

[Blaarev]

Did you mean to say Mendy rather than Ndidi?

Ndidi obviously won't feature. I don't think the line-up will offer any surprises as we don't have a whole heap of choices.

Totally forgot about Mendy..... Ndidi won't feature vs Boro, but maybe later in January (if he has signed, of course)

 

[dpjfox]

Slimani and Mahrez leave for AFCON after Boro game

 

[martin peters]

Are all the AFCON players available for this one?

 

[camberwell fox]

Are all the AFCON players available for this one?

Yes.

 

[Skitzo]

think we'll need to make at least a couple of changes just to freshen it up, at least 1 in CM with Mendy coming in for Amartey I think will happen

 

[homer]

think we'll need to make at least a couple of changes just to freshen it up, at least 1 in CM with Mendy coming in for Amartey I think will happen

Why the blue blazing feck would we replace a player who has performed exceptionally well with someone who has not kicked a feckin ball ?

Seriously, what is wrong with people ?

 

[Cate Fox]

Aaaaand 2017 begins

 

[popillius]

Same 11 for me. I don't see any reason to set up differently against Boro, albeit away from home.

It was interesting to hear Ranieri talk about Mahrez in that role behind the main striker. He said that '...his team mates need to get used to him playing there' or some such phrase after the game which I do think is very valid. I didn't think he was as bad as many are making out against WHU, especially in the 1st half and perhaps Ranieri has a point here; if we persist with this formation it may well take a few games for others to get used to having Mahrez available in the middle of the park, meaning that the CMs can look to move the ball forward quickly and not backwards or sideways as has been the case for a lot of the games this season.

 

[sparky79]

I think we could benefit from setting up solid on Monday and relying on having more quality than them.

Schmeichel
Simpson Morgan Huth Chilwell
Amartey
Albrighton Drinkwater Fuchs
Gray
Slimani

 

[yackandandah]

If we start with both Fuchs and Chilwell (which I can't see tbh), I think Fuchs would be preferred at full back.

Given everyone is seemingly available, I don't see any real reason to change from WH. Maybe Fuchs for Chilwell (at full back) just to give young Ben a bit of extra recovery time.

 

[Skitzo]

Why the blue blazing feck would we replace a player who has performed exceptionally well with someone who has not kicked a feckin ball ?

Seriously, what is wrong with people ?

because the former ran his balls off for 90 mins and we play less than 48 hours later, we expect our midfield to get through morte work than most so freshening things up isn't a reflection of their performance

 

[Miles Away]

because the former ran his balls off for 90 mins and we play less than 48 hours later, we expect our midfield to get through morte work than most so freshening things up isn't a reflection of their performance

Every player ****ing off to Africa should play the full 90. Let their international teams rest them. Amartey, Slimani, Mahrez all start.

When they leave we will naturally rotate the squad.

 

[yackandandah]

Dunno why, and maybe I shouldn't say this as it's tempting fate, but I'm confident about today. It's a decent test for us, and I think we'll rise to it. I don't expect a win (though one would really be a confidence boost) but I think we'll see a committed performance..... if instead we see one that should be committed.... well then I dunno... I give up!

 

[Motown Fox]

Jake– ‏@jrs97_
We're coming for you and all the Leicester scumEasiest scrapof the year was at Leicester in November. Easy win again #LCFC @oldbob1944

 

[pork pie fox]

I think I walked past them on the way to the ground at our place. I thought they looked like a bunch of bellends then, too.