Ruud van Nistelrooy has declared that he won’t abandon Leicester City’s new formation, suggesting he could once again field an unchanged line-up at Manchester City.
Having switched to a 5-2-1-2 shape against Chelsea, van Nistelrooy then named the same 11 to take on Manchester United.
It was the first time since taking the reins that the Dutch manager has stuck with the same line-up from one game to the next.
So far, the system change has not managed to halt City’s losing streak nor their scoreless run.
But van Nistelrooy has been pleased with the level of performance in the games, and feels the players need more time to make the set-up work.
And so it is likely to be how City line up when they head to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, with Conor Coady, Luke Thomas and Patson Daka all namechecked as they look to reprise their roles.
“The Chelsea and United games, there were enough signs to continue with that (formation),” van Nistelrooy said at his press conference on Monday.
“I think it’s good to also give that more time. A formation change is not something you’re going to flip around, in my case, week after week. You have to let the players get used to it.
“There’s a new role for Patson Daka, Luke Thomas, Conor Coady. There are different players who have had an opportunity in this formation.
“We’ll continue to build on this. Of course we have to do better in situations, in moments in the game, like against United. The first two goals were incidents where we could have done better.
“But in the end we created more chances. We should have scored one or two goals in the United game, and also against Chelsea. Let’s continue to build.
“We’ve invested time on the training pitch to develop it. It’s a great challenge on Wednesday.”
While the same line-up seems most likely, City’s near-fully-fit squad does give van Nistelrooy options if he would like to change.
Wout Faes was picked out by van Nistelrooy for an error he made against United and Caleb Okoli will be pushing to oust the Belgian from the central defensive three.
Woyo Coulibaly could also be a contender to replace either Victor Kristiansen or James Justin at wing-back.
In midfield, Boubakary Soumare’s form has fallen sharply, giving Harry Winks a chance to come into the fold.
And while Daka is expected to play again, Jordan Ayew or Facundo Buonanotte would offer an alternative at the top of the pitch.
Predicted City line-up (5-2-1-2): Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Coady, Thomas, Kristiansen; Ndidi, Soumare; El Khannouss; Daka, Vardy.
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