Team for Leicester

[PistolPete]

Akpan has generally been a better option since January.

I also feel like we didnt replace guthrie properly, who was always a good replacement for cabaye 2 seasons ago, being good technically and able to find a good forward pass and always want the ball but we havent replaced him at all...

When using this site I think I need to make a log:

Handsome Man thinks that Akpan is a better option than Guthrie *Add to loon list*

[sandman]

You're definitely in the Guthrie can get away with murder log. Akpan was involved in a midfield partnership with Danny Williams during our most consistent run of the season was he not? Whilst Charlton was Guthrie's first good game in what, 5 or 6 months?

[PistolPete]

You're definitely in the Guthrie can get away with murder log. Akpan was involved in a midfield partnership with Danny Williams during our most consistent run of the season was he not? Whilst Charlton was Guthrie's first good game in what, 5 or 6 months?

Yep, his form dipped for sure. For me it's that Guthrie wants the ball, he has a good first touch and doesn't shirk a tackle. Akpan is afraid of tackling, hates the ball and has an iffy first touch. What I do like about him, is that he holds his position well - thats supposed to be a positive observation by the way!

[SPARTA]

I'm dreading tomorrow night. Leicester fans in full voice, while we roll over with the light-weight powder-puff central midfield of Akpan and McAnuff. At least in a couple of games time it'll be over for us and we might try a couple more kids before the season's out.

I'd like wholesale changes tomorrow; we wont get them!

------------------------------- McCarthy -------------------------------

Gunter ----------- Morrison ---------- Hector ----------- Bridge (c)

McCleary -------- Tshibola ----------- Kuhl ------------------- Obita

--------------------- Tanner ----------- Pogrebnyak ------------------

[SCIAG]

Whilst Charlton was Guthrie's first good game in what, 5 or 6 months?

Agreed that Akpan's run in the side coincided with our best spell of form, but to be honest I think that was often despite Akpan's presence, with him being substituted early. He's clearly capable at this level, but only on his good days; a typical Akpan performance is not good enough. Contrastingly, Guthrie is more than good enough, except in his worst matches.

Anyway, in response to the section I have quoted, Guthrie was one of our best players against Yeovil, Brighton, and Leeds. And it's not like he was consistently playing badly when he got injured either, mostly he was just being scapegoated after a couple of below-par matches.

[Handsome Man]

You're definitely in the Guthrie can get away with murder log. Akpan was involved in a midfield partnership with Danny Williams during our most consistent run of the season was he not? Whilst Charlton was Guthrie's first good game in what, 5 or 6 months?

Yep, his form dipped for sure. For me it's that Guthrie wants the ball, he has a good first touch and doesn't shirk a tackle. Akpan is afraid of tackling, hates the ball and has an iffy first touch. What I do like about him, is that he holds his position well - thats supposed to be a positive observation by the way!

From what I saw, Guthrie just got found out. Teams watched how he played and knew that if they pressed him even slightly, we would lose our forward momentum, and if a couple of players ganged up on him, he would panic and get rid of the ball. Akpan, at his best, fitted into what everybody else was doing, and complemented Williams excellently. Akpan is not the finished article, and has had bad games. A fit Karacan is undeniably a better player, but overall Akpan looks like a midfielder who could fit into a team capable of playing in a variety of different ways.

[EarleyRoyal16]

McCarthy

Gunter
Morrison
Hector
Obita

McCleary
Legiertwood
McAnuff
HRK

Pog
ALF

That's assuming the worst on the injury front. Hope Kuhl/Tshibola is on the bench, along with Tanner.

[maffff]

McCarthy
Gunter - Morrison - Pearce - Obita
Leigertwood Hector
McCleary* - Drenthe - McAnuff
Pogrebnyak

*or Hal

[SPARTA]

Seems there's a lot of fans calling for Leigertwood to play, but many seem to forget he was always barracked on here for being inconsistent. When he was poor he was atrocious; when he was fully fit and full of confidence, then he was an asset. He's a confidence player! He'll fall to pieces with the way our fans turn on the team this season. Still, we haven't really got a great deal of choice at the moment. Jake Taylor deserves a chance though, otherwise there's little point in him being in the squad.

[ZacNaloen]

I hope Hector is fit and we can drop Gorkss

That's my main thing.

He's been atrocious for weeks now.

[maffff]

Jake Taylor deserves a chance though, otherwise there's little point in him being in the squad.

I'd rather have Ledge being off form than Taylor tbh. Can't see anything in him that he brings to the team and doubt after this season (unless for some stupid reason we keep him on) he'll be playing above League 2.

[SCIAG]

Seems there's a lot of fans calling for Leigertwood to play, but many seem to forget he was always barracked on here for being inconsistent.

"Always" being used in an unconventional definition meaning "for a few months before McDermott's sacking".

He's spent a decade playing at this level, you don't do that unless you're a) good, b) consistent.

The concern is whether he's recovered from his injury, but frankly I don't think we've got any better options.

Jake Taylor deserves a chance though, otherwise there's little point in him being in the squad.

I'd rather have Ledge being off form than Taylor tbh. Can't see anything in him that he brings to the team and doubt after this season (unless for some stupid reason we keep him on) he'll be playing above League 2.

He's already shown that he's more than capable in League 1, so I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up there and even in the Championship (the likes of Bartley, Golbourne and Antonio have all stepped up from there in recent years, after all).

He's still not played more than a half for us in the league, so it's pretty hard to judge him. By all accounts he did well at Brighton, including putting in a fantastic cross that Le Fondre should have scored from. My only concern with him - and it is a pretty major one - is that Adkins clearly has absolutely no faith in him.

[BR2]

Seems there's a lot of fans calling for Leigertwood to play, but many seem to forget he was always barracked on here for being inconsistent. When he was poor he was atrocious; when he was fully fit and full of confidence, then he was an asset. He's a confidence player! He'll fall to pieces with the way our fans turn on the team this season. Still, we haven't really got a great deal of choice at the moment. Jake Taylor deserves a chance though, otherwise there's little point in him being in the squad.

I agree with maff and Sciag.
Ledge was made to look a bit slow and ponderous at Premier League level but showed the other night that he is still very comfortable at this level.
As for tonight we need a bit more pace centrally at the back and some grit in midfield but who can read Adkins when it comes to team selection?
We play a number of games at home against lesser sides with just the one up front and then two up front with no holding midfielder-expect changes from the Bournemouth game and if that doesn't happen the bloke is an idiot.

[Royal Prince]

I hope Hector is fit and we can drop Gorkss

That's my main thing.

He's been atrocious for weeks now.

Hector tweeted this morning saying: "Wake up feeling good. Game day against top of the table. On Sky Sports 1 tonight. Nothing better then that".

Fingers crossed, but that sounds like he's ready to be involved. As much as I agree Gorkks deserves to be dropped, I think we could do with Hector anchoring the midfield in place of our many absentees, he might just help to provide us with some much needed stability.

[Royal Ginger]

I hope Hector is fit and we can drop Gorkss

That's my main thing.

He's been atrocious for weeks now.

Hector tweeted this morning saying: "Wake up feeling good. Game day against top of the table. On Sky Sports 1 tonight. Nothing better then that".

Fingers crossed, but that sounds like he's ready to be involved. As much as I agree Gorkks deserves to be dropped, I think we could do with Hector anchoring the midfield in place of our many absentees, he might just help to provide us with some much needed stability.

Or it could mean that he's happy to be watching it on Sky Sports, but i'm just being facetious. I'd expect Morrison to get the nod ahead of them both tonight.

[royalgrumpy]

Kuhl has traveled with the U21's to Boro.

[royalgrumpy]

Seems there's a lot of fans calling for Leigertwood to play, but many seem to forget he was always barracked on here for being inconsistent.

"Always" being used in an unconventional definition meaning "for a few months before McDermott's sacking".

There are some very short memories on here. Leigertwood was often criticised in the Championship. He is indeed a confidence player, and when he lacked it, he would look nervous and concede possession, and many on here were straight on his back in your reviews. On his day at this level he is terrific; lets hope he's up to speed and bang on it tonight, he's going to need to be!

[SPARTA]

Kuhl has traveled with the U21's to Boro.

No Craig Tanner in the U21's tonight..

[The Rouge]

I think promoting Kuhl and the gang to the first team too soon would be a bad move personally..

[royalgrumpy]

I think promoting Kuhl and the gang to the first team too soon would be a bad move personally..

When wont be too soon? Bearing in mind there's 5 games left, and next season they'll almost certainly be in and around the first-team squad.