Leicester City manager Gary Rowett is planning changes to the team for the match against Bristol City. He has observed that the squad struggles to maintain their energy levels when playing three games in a week.
Rowett Aims to Combat Fatigue
Rowett prefers to maintain a consistent starting eleven. However, he acknowledges the need to make changes to ensure performance levels do not decline. He felt City were fatigued during the defeat to Norwich, attributing it to the two away games against Stoke and Middlesbrough in the previous week.
With City preparing to face Bristol City on Tuesday night, Rowett hinted at rotation to bring fresh energy to the team.
Potential Line-up Changes
Ricardo Pereira’s fitness is being carefully managed. Rowett spoke with Pereira before the Middlesbrough game, being aware that he had been left out of midweek fixtures under the former manager. Rowett said that all of the players against Norwich “just didn’t quite have that energy on the back of a big week and two away games”.
Rowett stated that he has learned that the squad struggles to go three games in a week with the same team. He said that he doesn’t like changing a team but he may have to in order to get the energy needed out of a game.
Rowett has hinted at a more attacking team selection for home matches. Jordan James and Divine Mukasa are strong contenders to come into the side to take on Bristol City.
Defensive Adjustments Considered
While Rowett typically avoids changing his defence, he may make adjustments. City are currently on a run of 30 Championship games without a clean sheet. Jamaal Lascelles could start on Tuesday night.
Rowett said that when a team is in this position, he looks at experienced centre-halves being available. He added that he is looking at whether they need to tweak one or two things, because they can’t wait and have to go and get clean sheets.
Rowett said he thought the defenders defended really well at Ipswich. He said Luke Thomas was on a yellow card early and defended brilliantly and he thought the two centre-halves were fantastic. He added that Ricardo Pereira had his hands full with two players on that side at times but he thought they defended diligently.
Rowett said that while the defence is an area that ideally you want to keep the same, he thinks they are going to have to make some changes in all parts of the team to get the results they want.
Predicted City line-up (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Choudhury, Lascelles, Nelson, Thomas; Winks, Skipp; Fatawu, Mukasa, James; Daka.