[Salus Populi Suprema Lex]

I hope everyone had the best Christmas day possible in difficult circumstances.

It's a huge game today; a tough game. Interesting team selection; not one I expected, but there are lots of games at this time of year, so rotation is required. Let's see whether we can continue the superb away form.

 

[Wilt]

Think Vardy will get done today... Bailly.

Bailly red card.... like Bailly but it’s bad for my nerves when he goes in for a tackle

 

[Judas]

He just said bailly is cb? Unless your taking that to mean lindelof is rb?

I took it to me 3 5 2

He kind of said no to the change of shape I thought? Maybe you're right. It wasn't totally clear. Maybe its wishful thinking from me.

 

[Sandikan]

A little worrying seeing the formation but Ole's got it right much more often than not recently. Eventually

Asks a lot of Dan James! And Shaw isn't much of a wing back when there's a specialist wing back on the bench. But let's see how it goes.
Keeping it sensible early doors will be exceptionally important.

 

[sammsky1]

Is WanB injured or just enjoying a well deserved break?

 

[arnie_ni]

He kind of said no to the change of shape I thought? Maybe you're right. It wasn't totally clear. Maybe its wishful thinking from me.

I missed that part. He was vague either way, but bailly is definitely cb unless he outright lied

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Is WanB injured or just enjoying a well deserved break?

Well deserved injury break

 

[lex talionis]

Glad to see McTominay is fit. I was sure he’d need more time to shake off a groin pull.

Matching Leicester’s pace was a good move by Ole. But Bailly needs to reward the manager’s faith by cutting out the kamikaze defending. Otherwise, my confidence is sky high today.

 

[Random Task]

For the bedwetters

That would make for attractive viewing If the name Liverpool were not sitting pretty above us.

 

[PlayerOne]

Bailly seems to do well against Vardy, let's hope that continues.

 

[PitTon]

The last two times when Ole tried to use 4 Defenders when we defended and turned to 3 CBs and two wing backs when in possession. Both times James played as right wingback and did nothing at all and after 1st half Ole changed the formation straight away. It'll be surprised if he tries that third time when everything in the past showed it not working well.

With ball: 34(Shaw,McTominay,Fred,James)12
Without ball: 4231

Hope it works.

 

[zenith]

Very poor selection and gives out the impression that we are afraid of being beaten. Very similar to Leipzig and I expect a very similar result

 

[Acole9]

A backup RB is becoming a pressing concern. If AWB were available then it would have been 442.

I agree, I think that's why we wanted Trippier, I can't see that happening now though with his ban. Not sure who else they could target, Wan Bissaka could do with some competition like Shaw has at left back with Telles just to keep him on his toes.

It's clear Solskjaer doesn't trust Williams or Fosu Mensah and I don't blame him to be honest.

 

[tomaldinho1]

I hope everyone had the best Christmas day possible in difficult circumstances.

It's a huge game today; a though game. Interesting team selection; not one I expected, but there are lots of games at this time of year, so rotation is required. Let's see whether we can continue the superb away form.

Likewise and, whatever the result, enjoy boxing day!
Will be an intriguing game

 

[SirAnderson]

Very poor selection and gives out the impression that we are afraid of being beaten. Very similar to Leipzig and I expect a very similar result

Huh? It is 1 enforced change from the team that beat Leeds 6-2. Geez.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

It's line ups like this that make me question Ole. James was great against Leeds, but Leicester is going to sit back and try and counter attack against us. They won't be all out attack with space in behind for James to attack. Some games he should be picked. For me, this isn't one of them...

 

[DRM]

I don't like 3 at the back and I especially don't like 2 up top. I feel like martial and Rashford just get in each others way!

 

[RedFish]

Let's not concede in the first few minutes then.....

 

[DRM]

Huh? It is 1 enforced change from the team that beat Leeds 6-2. Geez.

Leeds were so naive defensively and gave us a lot of space to attack. Leicester won't do that!

 

[lex talionis]

Leicester are a top club. It would be daft to send in Williams or TFM against them at this point in their development.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

It's line ups like this that make me question Ole. James was great against Leeds, but Leicester is going to sit back and try and counter attack against us. They won't be all out attack with space in behind for James to attack. Some games he should be picked. For me, this isn't one of them...

wasn’t everyone questions the manager before the Leeds game? And also questioning whether we should be making 9 changes for Everton.

you might be wrong, or might be right. But I think there’s a tendency to question the team selection far too early.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Ah ok, interesting. Sounds lopsided. Reckon it'll work?

I forgot TFM as well. He's also played Axel there before so you have to think he's used James at RWB for a reason.

Not sure, I think we're better when we play more attacking/aggressive but let's see!

 

[stu_1992]

Are we expecting to see James as a wing back then? I still have nightmares about Baillys performance at right back versus PSG a couple of years back.

 

[Random Task]

Very poor selection and gives out the impression that we are afraid of being beaten. Very similar to Leipzig and I expect a very similar result

I think it has more to do with fixtures piling up, as is generally the case over the Christmas period, and making changes to the startling lineup to accommodate them.

Or maybe you're right, Ole is simply givin' it the biggun.

 

[SalfordRed18]

Are we expecting to see James as a wing back then? I still have nightmares about Baillys performance at right back versus PSG a couple of years back.

Hope so, it's where i see his future. With us atleast.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Leicester must be red hot favourites, being in second place.

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

Weird weird team. If it’s 3-5-2 Shaw over Telles is very weird.

 

[Tincanalley]

Feck off Bwendan! Shaw to score.

 

[Random Task]

Weird weird team. If it’s 3-5-2 Shaw over Telles is very weird.

I thought it was 343?

Pfft, I dunno.

 

[SalfordRed18]

Match where we can make a statement.

I expect us to fold.

 

[SirAnderson]

Leeds were so naive defensively and gave us a lot of space to attack. Leicester won't do that!

Still, don't change a winning team if you don't have to. Besides, Leicester are not a defensive team either, they will try to hit us on the break, but will still have a lot of possession. When they try to hit us, we will be well suited to hit them back

 

[48 hours]

Nice of Leicester to write Football Manager in the dug out behind Ole. Might stop people calling him a PE teacher now

 

[DRM]

feck! 3 at the back

 

[tomaldinho1]

Maguire left Mike Dean waiting for that fist bump for so long ...going to be some awful calls today

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

Been waiting for this game for what feels like forever. Let's go!!

 

[Adam-Utd]

Rashford ffs.

 

[48 hours]

Awful miss Rashford.

 

[SirAnderson]

Been waiting for this game for what feels like forever. Let's go!!

Same! Let's hope it was worth the wait!

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Back 4 for us not 3-5-2

fecking hell, Rash

 

[Judas]

fecking Rashford what an unbelievable chance.