Struggling Wes Morgan, Danny Simpson need to be phased out

Struggling Leicester captain Wes Morgan and recalled Danny Simpson should have been phased out of the Leicester City starting XI. This is business, not personal:

To be fair, continuing with Wes Morgan as captain and a starter is one of the biggest mistakes Claude Puel makes at Leicester City. Reinstating Danny Simpson constantly is just as misguided. Lack of money for transfers was not a problem, as Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans are ready bought replacements at centre-back.

The club had made the correct decision to respectfully recommend Simpson find a new team in the summer. It’s never easy to see a loyal servant – and champion – in the development squad, though the side must come first; it’s business not personal.

Naturally the Foxes are short of options at right-back due to Dan Amartey’s injury and Ricardo seemingly suited more forward; and ‘Simmo’ has been adequate coming back. However, is adequate good enough for a side chasing Europe?

There are many reasons for the former Manchester United defender to be dropped: no attacking nous, ageing legs – he is age-32, troubling for a full-back in the Premier League competing with rapid left-wingers. Occasionally being at fault for goal-making-mistakes. Speed is so important in the top-flight, that is of course no fault of the duo.

We can’t blame the pair for everything, for example Puel’s insistence on playing a zonal-marking system which cost at least one goal at Molineux. Although zones may help the 35-year-old Morgan keep tabs on opposition, that tactic appeared to negatively complement his immobility. That stationary feel exaggerates his often poor touch on the ball.

Obviously we join lcfc.com in wishing ‘captain Morgan’ a happy birthday.

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Yes, Morgan has improved of late and scored a brilliant header while fighting off three Wolves defenders on Saturday; though he’d need to score one every match to cancel errors out committed, at the current rate. His absolute lack of pace is relished by opposing forwards on a weekly basis. Two red cards in three clashes earlier in the season was Foxes of Leicester’s final straw.

For the veteran not to insist on his colleagues at the back staying staunch, solid, not to mention remaining in defence himself at 3-3 after incredible efforts to equalise is regrettable. Wolves’ winner then emerged.

Working as a pundit for Sky Sports, former Wolverhampton player Matt Murray noticed the experienced Foxes back-four refusing to learn from their repeatedly exploited high-line on the break. So it is not just physical slowness but mental alertness lacking too. While we can respect club legends, we can also expect – actually demand – the best for Leicester City.

A change in formation for Leicester City

Is a switch in basic style a possibility for Leicester and Puel? Maybe; Puel is stubborn in his beliefs. Yet he has listened to opinions on topics like Harvey Barnes’s recall, along with adapting his formation for certain games to mixed results.

A 3-4-3 is once again the recommendation: Kasper Schmeichel (captain); Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire, Caglar Soyuncu; Ben Chilwell, Ricardo Pereira; Hamza Choudhury, Wilfred Ndidi; James Maddison, Demarai Gray / Barnes; Jamie Vardy.

Just as the tweet above states: Chilwell will absolutely thrive in advanced midfield positions; while still being positioned to defend capably. Ricardo then ultimately solves the right-back issue by eliminating it.

The defence increases pace and youth while retaining a thorough international pedigree. Three defensive midfielders is not advantageous, even two ‘DCMs’ versus some sides at home is unnecessary.

Gray and Barnes will have to battle for the remaining wing place, both made a great effort at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, generally playing superbly well in parts. In fact they both scored; although Barnes’s finish went down as a Wolves own-goal. Hopefully more assists to come in that case. In conclusion, this proposed format allows for a swift counter attack, whilst keeping shape; improves defensive frailties and enables faster beginnings; while allowing for forward creativity.