What do you think is Leicester's best lineup against Southampton?
The back three clearly isn't working for Rodgers, after seemingly throwing all his eggs into the 4-3-3 basket pre-season. I hope that Saturday presents an opportunity to explore a different version of this system in the absence of Barnes and Ricardo.
As David Bevan pointed out last week, we sorely lack creativity without Barnes in the side, and Iheanacho has consistently shown his ability to score and create whenever he's on the pitch. In terms of providing attacking width, KDH has looked comfortable drifting into attacking positions on the left and could fill those gaps. Maddison is often at his best when he's not pinned to one area of the pitch, and has shown his qualities as an inverted right-winger.
Our 'best' lineup obviously includes Fofana, and I'm sure he'll start if he's still at the club, but I wouldn’t argue against leaving him out as a point of principle. We were warned about Little Wes's petulance when attempting to sign him from Saint-Etienne, and the hope was that he'd mature during his time here before the vultures began to circle.
So for me, it's a 4-3-3 of sorts. The individual profiles might not match the system, particularly in attacking areas, but the key has to be finding a way to get Iheanacho at the moment: Ward, Castagne, Fofana, Evans, Justin, Ndidi, Tielemans, KDH, Maddison, Iheanacho, Vardy.
Matt Jedruch
We have to be proactive to get the fans onside. That means ditching the five at the back, especially when playing opponents who are even worse at defending than ourselves. Anything but a win here and things will turn toxic quickly.
I'd go with this, playing a 4-1-2-1-2/4-3-1-2: Iversen/Ward, Castagne, Fofana, Evans, Justin, Ndidi, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison, Iheanacho, Vardy.
Dante Clarke
In my view, we have to ditch the back five: it's not working and I'm not sure it's ever worked successfully for us. Based on his showing at the weekend, I fee like we have to start Kelechi – it may not always be pretty but he makes things happen.
As a result, I'd go with a diamond but have Praet in for Youri - he's much much athletic and suited to the role, so it'd be: Ward, Castagne, Fofana, Evans, Justin, Ndidi, Praet, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison, Iheanacho, Vardy
Chloe Dexter
I think Iheanacho simply has to start at the weekend. With his consistent goal involvements whenever he plays, I really don’t know why Rodgers doesn’t start him every week. That does mean changing formation, but without Barnes we have no real threat out wide, so why force it? Four at the back should work fine.
For me, Fofana saying he wants to leave should mean Soyuncu or Amartey start. If Fofana does still get the nod, I’m sure Rodgers’ relationship with the other centre-backs will get tarnished.
Ward, Justin, Evans, Soyuncu, Castagne, Ndidi, Tielemans, KDH, Maddison, Iheanacho, Vardy.
Jack Johnson
I actually thought a back five was the right call against Arsenal and their lively frontline. Against Southampton and their front, er, one, it certainly isn’t. This is definitely as time to be a bit bolder… and to echo the room, to #FreeKelechi.
Fofana’s future makes him a serious doubt, so I’d wager that he won’t be involved. Whatever happens, something – or someone – is going to have to give, keeping mind our lopsided squad and current injuries. Perhaps inconceivably, that’s Tielemans.
For what it’s worth, I’d be inclined to go with a midfield diamond – because we simply don’t have dangerous width beyond the full-backs – and crank up the energy. So that’s Ward, Castagne, Evans, Soyuncu, Justin, Ndidi, KDH, Praet, Maddison, Iheanacho and Vardy.
Joe Brewin
There are two key elements to selection this week. A return to a back four – we look too shaky and frankly disorganised as a five. That four should be Castagne, Evans, Fofana and Justin. Fingers crossed that big-name line-up can concede fewer than two goals for a change.
The other element is playing 'Southampton specialist' Ayoze Perez wide. He's disappointed against most Premier League teams, but against Southampton and Sheffield United (when they were here) he's a goal machine!
Therefore, Ward, the above back four, Ndidi, KDH, Perez, Albrighton, Maddison, Vardy. Although, I'm tempted to unbalance the team and play Iheanacho for the reasons Dave Bevan wrote in his recent article…
Iain Wright
There’s surely no better time to start telling an established Premier League manager what he should be doing than when he looks like he doesn’t have a plan himself. So this would be my plan Brendan… thanks for listening.
Ideally, travel back in time and buy a starting Premier League keeper, but for now we’ll keep faith with Danny Ward.
Bring Soyuncu in for Fofana but play him on the right side of the two. To compete, we need players with a bit of hunger. We need our defenders’ heads to be on the end of set-pieces into our box, not dreaming of a luxury penthouse off the King’s Road.
Keep Ndidi and Tielemans in midfield but push Dewsbury-Hall a bit wider left with Maddison on the opposite side, both playing as very narrow wingers with Castagne and Justin given licence to overlap. We’re losing so much from Youri not being deep enough to collect the ball from the back.
Play Kelechi in the hole behind Vardy. He makes things happen.
Dave Bevan
