Who is next for the chop?

[unique 466]

With Whittaker, Martin and now Ruddy taken out of the first-team firing-line, who is next due for a spell on the bench at best?

On their current form, Howson and Dorrans must count themselves fortunate to be starting games, so surely replacing either or both of these two regularly can only help to strengthen the midfield?

[CANARYKING 708]

Time to give Vadis a go, can be any worse then the other shit.

[BroadstairsR 2,273]

Those two deserve it but the problem is that all consistency in selections has virtually disappeared nowadays.

I cannot remember a spell of City games, since Newcastle (?), that have seen so many changes, and for every game.

Too many changes on a weekly basis for me.

[Old Shuck 291]

Clearly I am naive and completely out of touch with the modern game.

I thought you established, preferably in pre-season, your best formation, best approach and best XI and made it as familiar to the players as possible-those who were considered part of that first XI and those who, in the event of injury, suspension or loss of form, would step in for them as and when needed.

Its consistant, everyone knows their role, their position and what is expected of them. Eventually it becomes second nature. You focus on your game and how you want to play, not obsessing with the opposition and how to cope with them-stop giving them so much respect and give them reason to have some for us.

Clearly that is the footballing approach of a Luddite and the modern game is all about treating every game as a completely separate challenge, a one off for which a different approach is needed for every opponent.

Have Leicester chopped and changed so much for every game-with the original "Tinkerman" in charge?

[Jacko 0]

Howson was a big disappointment yesterday (they all were) but it was particularly frustrating as by his own admission he was getting a chance to play in his favourite position - just off the striker.

However, Howson can''t be dropped at the moment. Whether we like it or not he is actually our best option on that right wing. He does a decent job protecting our right back - which is a weak point in the defence whoever players there.

Redmond doesn''t give you that protection and he doesn''t seem to be hurting teams either to compensate for those shortcomings at the moment. In terms of balancing risk with reward, he doesn''t warrant a place in the team right now.

The most worrying thing is that for all the money spent since entering the Premiership in 2011, we are as offensively reliant on Hoolahan (now 33/34) as we''ve ever been. That was shown today and unfortunately he''s not going to go on forever.

[BroadstairsR 2,273]

Agree Old Shuck.

We need a settled side, especially now that we have a big fight on our hands for the remainder of the season.

Injuries/suspensions apart this need only be "tinkered" with according to the venue (home or away) or the opposition (ref: Relegation League.)

This hokey cokey approach to team selection (in-out, in-out, shake it all about) is not a show of tactical nous more

a proclamation of naivety, panic or call it what you will.

We haven''t even got a settled captain theses days. Who was captain yesterday btw, I forgot to notice?

O'' Neill''s inclusion surprised most, but he filled the captain''s role well and led the team well, only to be discarded.

There''s a current thread denigrating our brightest asset, Nathan Redmond.

Does the kid know where he is these days, in or out? Here or there (and with a variety of team-mates?)

For sure AN was dealt a rougher hand than need be with our Summer''s (lack of) dealings, but he''s hardly inspiring confidence with such a shambolic approach to his team selections.

Many of us were surprised immediately the team-sheet for the Arsenal game came out and were to subsequently be heavily criticised on the grounds that the team achieved a well deserved point against an Arsenal side who, in Charlie Nicholas''s words, "Should have had that game wrapped up within twenty minutes," Apparently their three crucial injuries were incidental in view of our masterful tactics on the day, which were exonerated by a rear moment from the normally goal-shy Lewis Grabban.

The team for Watford was even worse, IMO.

I rate the man in many ways and feel we need to see the season out with him with any talk of seeking a replacement being far too premature, but please Alex get a grip, you are at the moment providing your critics with all the ammunition they need, and more.

[HampsteadCanary 0]

4-4-2 seems to be doing the trick for a few teams this season. I''d play Mulumbu and O''Neill in the middle, Brady left, Redmond right, and play Mbokani and Hooper up front. In January. When we don''t sign anyone....

[TIL 1010 5,246]

[quote user="HampsteadCanary"]4-4-2 seems to be doing the trick for a few teams this season. I''d play Mulumbu and O''Neill in the middle, Brady left, Redmond right, and play Mbokani and Hooper up front. In January. When we don''t sign anyone....[/quote]I really cannot see Hooper finding a way back into the line up.

[ZLF 335]

you can perm the cbs any way you like but there isnt a combination good enough for the prem league

They have looked better in the last few weeks because a very defensive midfield has provided great protection at the cost of our creativity - bennett and bassong, while outclassed and having their limitations brutally exposed on saturday, DO probably remain the best we have. But they are dragging the team down.

Sadly a midfield trio of tettey dorrans and howson is probably the worst cm combo we could have in terms of a defensive shield and creative options.

Oneill was missed but having someone with creativity in the middle and to demand the ball was a must, neither dorrans and more disappointingly Howson never showed for it in the way the injured wes does.

For me howson is the next for the chop; in his preferred midfield slot he had the ball a fraction of the times either dorrans or tettey (even redmond) did, made no attacking contribution nor any defensive. Only 12 of his 20 (yes just 20 despite being cm) passes found a yellow short - and two of those were kick offs... The poor man needs a rest and hopefully we will come back to his sparkling best - we do have options.

Up front neither grabban, mbokani nor jerome had any service nor had an impact due to the midfield - not one to judge their ability on at all. You flip a coin and take your choice; against stones I would say jerome to start next week.

[daly 551]

Hooper

Have you been to CR