Leroy: Kouyate/Obiang link-up makes it tough for skipper
He has needed it for some time and we’ve been told it’s due to injury along or the little TV outburst about fans not understanding the game.
Personally I think it’s a mixture of the two and for the record I want to say this: “No player, manager, chairman or anyone else at a football club should ever criticise the fans because they are the club and must never be talked down to.”
However, the bottom line is that Mark has looked a tired player and we now probably have the opportunity of seeing what many believe is the number one midfield partnership – Kouyate and Obiang – in action.
Whatever the outcome I believe we have reached the stage where Mark Noble will be treated not as an automatic selection anymore but as a squad man and that’s exactly how it should be.
Tomorrow Slaven has everybody available to him and no necessity to over analyse as he may have been getting into the habit of doing with injuries.
He simply needs to do the obvious and that means:
O Byram at right back
O Kouyate and Obiang in the middle
O Antonio back out on the right wing
O and Ayew alongside Carroll.
For me the team absolutely picks itself and I believe we will get a result although with the Foxes in great form it may only be a draw.
City will be buzzing and ready to have a go after a great run of results including their fabulous achievements in Europe.
They are back to playing as they did last season so Slav knows what to expect. It will be a very entertaining win and whilst I expect a draw against a team that hasn’t won on the road all season, a win is more than possible.
This is a big weekend for the manager and he could easily know exactly what is his best team should that midfield work and Ayew click with Carroll.
And given that Diafra Sakho should be back within the next two weeks there can’t be too many excuses for a poor finish
Leroy’s prediction: Irons 1 Leicester City 1