Ranieri's last two team selections have included nine of the team from last season. It genuinely feels like he's hung his future on that group to somehow rediscover their collective hunger and confidence.
Whatever the final line up, I'd be amazed if it is far from the last two matches. If it is, Ranieri is going against what was agreed following the Southampton match (evidenced by the interview with Shakespeare that I heard pre-Derby).
I think Ranieri wants to change the formation and personnel but the players either aren't able or willing to comply. That means it's all about the old guard. It's a complete gamble but it could be that he doesn't feel that he has any choice now.
I'm expecting this or one away from this: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, N'Didi, Albrighton, Okazaki, Vardy.
I said when watching the Derby game that it was heart-breaking. It's like seeing a great person with Alzheimer's. It's the same person but not the same person.
I'm someone that likes to turn on my team when the time is right and I've argued the pros and cons of that on here many times. I support them completely on a match day until I don't and then I'm pretty negative because I think supporting my club is about more than just cheering. I accept that I probably turn before most do. Tomorrow will be a major milestone for me. Probably the final chance that I'm prepared to give that great old team before I properly turn on them and call them out for gutlessly decimating a wonderful era.
You'll also probably be aware that I'm not shy about calling out a manager when I've got no belief in him. I called for the head of Sousa at half time in his first match with us. I called for NPs head well before anyone else appeared to. On the other hand, I never wanted Sven to go, or Holloway, or Levein even. I think I judge a manager fairly in the context of what they're working with. I have no compulsion against Ranieri whatsoever. I think he's desperately trying to do his best in the face of players that just aren't doing what he's asking them to. It's disgusting me and I want to support him. If that's at the expense of the players, then so be it.
