Well is fun to have this Fixture back in the PL.

 

Even if this is us right now:

This went from a rountine win (most likely) to a must-win very quickly. 😅

Edited December 26, 20241 yr by Ledgerson

They've been sh*t lately but I anticipate we make this difficult much like we made Leicester difficult. Players need dropping NOW. 

 

Jorgensen

Acheampong Tosin Colwill Cucurella

Caicedo Enzo

Madueke Palmer Felix

Nkunku

 

Edited December 26, 20241 yr by Sconnie Blue

Attackers have failed twice in a row, time to change, and to rest Enzo and Caicedo as both looked tired late today.

 

Sanchez

 

James (or Acheampong)

Tosin

Colwill

Cucurella

 

Lavia

KDH

 

Madueke

Palmer

Felix

 

Guiu

If the football gets stale. Make some damn subs quick!

3 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Attackers have failed twice in a row, time to change, and to rest Enzo and Caicedo as both looked tired late today.

 

Sanchez

 

James (or Acheampong)

Tosin

Colwill

Cucurella

 

Lavia

KDH

 

Madueke

Palmer

Felix

 

Guiu

I'd have Enzo instead of KDH and Nkunku instead of Guiu.

For me Felix and Nkunku need a run of starts, 5 or 6 in a row so a proper call can be made on what they can do.

Jackson, Madueke, Sancho, Palmer and Neto have all had the luxury of regular starting berths and, for me, Palmer clearly merits it and Neto probably does too.  The other three haven't been remotely consistent enough to deserve a first 11 spot on a regular basis.  So Felix and Nkunku deserve the same opportunity to try and prove their worth.

 

1 hour ago, loz said:

I'd have Enzo instead of KDH and Nkunku instead of Guiu.

For me Felix and Nkunku need a run of starts, 5 or 6 in a row so a proper call can be made on what they can do.

Jackson, Madueke, Sancho, Palmer and Neto have all had the luxury of regular starting berths and, for me, Palmer clearly merits it and Neto probably does too.  The other three haven't been remotely consistent enough to deserve a first 11 spot on a regular basis.  So Felix and Nkunku deserve the same opportunity to try and prove their worth.

 

I dont think we will see Maresca give either 3 starts in a row, nevermind 5. 

Something a bit different !

Change up the full backs, and get the best three technical attacking midfielders behind the most natural striker (Guiu). Jackson, Sancho and Neto get a rest on the bench. Enzo also gets a rest, with Casadei (I'm assuming Lavia will still be out) coming in alongside Caicedo, and tasked with playing mainly as a DM, but going forward for set pieces either as an aerial threat or as an 18 yard shooter. 

Felix, Nkunku and Palmer won't offer much in defence, but I think Chilwell and Acheampong playing further back than we have seen with Gusto and Cucu recently, and Casadei and Caicedo offering better positional discipline in the pivot than Enzo, will help counter that

Less theoretical width, but none of our wingers are exactly pulling up trees in beating their man on the outside, or contributing much in the way of goals and assists, so let's try something else. 

If Guiu hasn't had an impact after an hour, then I'll bring on Jackson. 

If Nkunku is anonymous as the #10 then I'm going to have Chukwuemeka available as the sub option 

6 hours ago, axman2526 said:

rest Enzo and Caicedo as both looked tired

Apart from the need to get three points for a change, I can’t imagine resting them and can’t figure how they can possibly look tired. They don’t have to play any of the midweek games, they’re still very youthful and enjoy all the care that the worlds top athletes can dream of. Anyway, probably end 2-0 to Ipswich regardless.

5 minutes ago, Snedger said:

Apart from the need to get three points for a change, I can’t imagine resting them and can’t figure how they can possibly look tired. They don’t have to play any of the midweek games, they’re still very youthful and enjoy all the care that the worlds top athletes can dream of. Anyway, probably end 2-0 to Ipswich regardless.

Yeah Ipswich I expect to respond from their thrashing by Newcastle and Arsenals.

As an Ipswich local I've managed to source a ticket for this game, can't wait!

Maresca really needs to utilise our subs, the loss to Fulham clearly showed that. Have faith in your players, the likes of Felix & Nkunku deserve more playing time. 

Give Guiu a chance to make a name for himself as well.

Dear Enzo, start the lad....

Presser I just watched was 6 minutes long and did not have anyone asking about Lavia. Only injury Big Enz confirmed is KDH. He also confirmed some changes would be made.

So without Lavia news makes guessing his rotated team harder but here goes:

 

Jorgensen

 

Caicedo

Disasi 

Tosin

Cucurella

 

Lavia

Enzo

 

Madueke

Palmer

Sancho

 

Nkunku

 

If no Lavia, Caicedo back in to midfield and Colwill back in to defence.

As 

21 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Attackers have failed twice in a row, time to change, and to rest Enzo and Caicedo as both looked tired late today.

 

Sanchez

 

James (or Acheampong)

Tosin

Colwill

Cucurella

 

Lavia

KDH

 

Madueke

Palmer

Felix

 

Guiu

Ok KDH is injured, Lavia I don't know on, James is not ready.

Changed my mind on the keeper as well, and having review Colwills lack of effort in the winning goal he needs to be dropped. 

 

Would like Cole to get a rest here, never gets subbed and looked leggy near the end of fulham.

So now having thought on it what I would like to see for Monday now is:

 

Jorgensen 

 

Acheampong 

Disasi

Tosin

Cucurella

 

Caicedo

Lavia (or Enzo)

 

Madueke 

Nkunku

Felix

 

Guiu

On 26/12/2024 at 11:21, Sconnie Blue said:

They've been sh*t lately but I anticipate we make this difficult much like we made Leicester difficult. Players need dropping NOW. 

 

Jorgensen

Acheampong Tosin Colwill Cucurella

Caicedo Enzo

Madueke Palmer Felix

Nkunku

 

Jorgensen

Gusto Tosin Colwill Cucurella

Caicedo Lavia

Palmer Nkunku Neto

Jackson

Edited December 27, 20241 yr by Sconnie Blue

5 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Jorgensen

Gusto Tosin Colwill Cucurella

Caicedo Lavia

Palmer Nkunku Neto

Jackson

Changed your mind on Josh starting eh?

4 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Changed your mind on Josh starting eh?

For now.

Teams are recognizing Palmer and Jackson are the only real players that are a threat in the attack. If Palmer is marked out of the game or forced to drop deep, we are then at the mercy of Jackson and whether or not he has his shooting boots on. 

Force Palmer wide, having Nkunku & Jackson in the middle, and Neto with the direct runs. Lavia & Caicedo to hold the middle. 

Edited December 27, 20241 yr by Sconnie Blue

still knock down from yesterday's debackle. are we back to guard the minimal lead again? yesterday all were rubish

 

 

all eyes od Maresca now on

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

For now.

Teams are recognizing Palmer and Jackson are the only real players that are a threat in the attack. If Palmer is marked out of the game or forced to drop deep, we are then at the mercy of Jackson and whether or not he has his shooting boots on. 

Force Palmer wide, having Nkunku & Jackson in the middle, and Neto with the direct runs. Lavia & Caicedo to hold the middle. 

He won't play Palmer wide imo.

 

1 hour ago, mojo said:

still knock down from yesterday's debackle. are we back to guard the minimal lead again? yesterday all were rubish

 

 

all eyes od Maresca now on

Yup, very deflated.

Given our luxury of having a separate squad for Thursday night outings, I am really struggling to see the need for rotation of a young squad. We should be taking the advantage of playing a stable 11 in the league. It’s our greatest (only) advantage.

Ok, I read stuff on here that says we’re a young squad gaining experience in a project and that the EPL is the toughest league in the world, but I also read stuff suggesting we can glibly make a load of rotational changes because it’s only Ipswich as if we are peak Barcelona taking on a hungover Sunday league team.

And talk of Maresca using his subs. Whilst this has been an issue with hindsight in the last couple of games, the second (edit: just seen we are now third) places team against Ipswich should not come down to tactical and well timed substitutions. We should be 3-0 up at half time. But does anyone think that’s even remotely likely? Nah, it’ll come down to panicking about game changing subs in the last 13 minutes to either hang on to a single goal lead, salvage a draw or try to avoid another embarrassing defeat.

Edited December 27, 20241 yr by Snedger

On 26/12/2024 at 10:17, Ledgerson said:

This went from a rountine win (most likely) to a must-win very quickly. 😅

I Disagree, I don't think this is a must win.

Big Enz and the team have exceeded all of our expectations, second at Christmas with 35 points is a really good return.

I mean that is 5 away from the magic 40, and 9 away from the 44 I would feel safe for another season of PL football. I have every confidence in the coach and the team to pick up at least 3 more wins, does not have to start Monday.

 

Would be nice if it did though:)

If we were 3-0 down at halftime, I wonder would Maresca still make his customary 1st substitution between minutes 72 and 76? 

I don't forsee any tactical or formational changes from Maresca. And Jackson will definitely start this game. He starts every EPL game regardless of form.

Should still be enough to turn over The Tractor Boys though.

8 hours ago, axman2526 said:

I Disagree, I don't think this is a must win.

Big Enz and the team have exceeded all of our expectations, second at Christmas with 35 points is a really good return.

I mean that is 5 away from the magic 40, and 9 away from the 44 I would feel safe for another season of PL football. I have every confidence in the coach and the team to pick up at least 3 more wins, does not have to start Monday.

 

Would be nice if it did though:)

30-35 points will probably be easily enough to stay up this season, as Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton are a level below the rest (or two levels in Southampton's case).

4 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

30-35 points will probably be easily enough to stay up this season, as Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton are a level below the rest (or two levels in Southampton's case).

Maybe right but I will feel more comfortable when we do make it to 44 points.

On 26/12/2024 at 23:23, Sexyfootball said:

Something a bit different !

Change up the full backs, and get the best three technical attacking midfielders behind the most natural striker (Guiu). Jackson, Sancho and Neto get a rest on the bench. Enzo also gets a rest, with Casadei (I'm assuming Lavia will still be out) coming in alongside Caicedo, and tasked with playing mainly as a DM, but going forward for set pieces either as an aerial threat or as an 18 yard shooter. 

Felix, Nkunku and Palmer won't offer much in defence, but I think Chilwell and Acheampong playing further back than we have seen with Gusto and Cucu recently, and Casadei and Caicedo offering better positional discipline in the pivot than Enzo, will help counter that

Less theoretical width, but none of our wingers are exactly pulling up trees in beating their man on the outside, or contributing much in the way of goals and assists, so let's try something else. 

If Guiu hasn't had an impact after an hour, then I'll bring on Jackson. 

If Nkunku is anonymous as the #10 then I'm going to have Chukwuemeka available as the sub option 

spot on apart from the keeper