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Episode 121 – Manchester City’s WASTED Opportunity, Arsenal Hang On to Second, Tottenham & Man United’s DREADFUL Form
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What a weekend of football it’s been! Just when you think Manchester City will surely overtake Arsenal in the Premier League, they fail to win against Southampton, keeping the Gunners in second place. Nottingham Forest continues to search for their mid-season form, while Tottenham and Manchester United no longer pretend to be looking for anything other than the Europa League final in Bilbao.
Join Michael Thompson and Michał Czarniecki as they review all of the action from Matchweek 36 of the Premier League Run-in. Tune in and enjoy!
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Transcript
Introduction to the Podcast and Weekend Football Overview
00:00:44
Mikey
Hello and very warm welcome back to the Daily English Podcast here at GSPN. It is me, Mikey Thompson, your host today, joined by our American, Polish, I don't know what to call you, but you will officially be Polish-Poland person next week. Is that right?
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Absolutely. This is the very last podcast that I'm recording for you guys right here from California. From next week on, you'll be able to enjoy the interior of my room with Man United logo on the wall. so
00:01:16
Mikey
There you go. mean, we will look forward to that if you ever catch us on the YouTube. and What a weekend of football. We are going to take you through all of the weekend's action this episode.
00:01:28
Mikey
and But we're going to kick things off straight away with the exclusive, the the the the part of the table where everybody wants to be, really. And that is Champions League football.
Arsenal's Performance Against Liverpool
00:01:41
Mikey
Now, with the Premier League actually having... Six clubs in contention to be in the top five places for the Champions League. It is heating up.
00:01:53
Mikey
Liverpool are the only team to have guaranteed Champions League football next year, which is madness considering how far away Liverpool and Arsenal were from the rest of the pack at one point.
00:02:04
Mikey
But now, second place Arsenal. Looked to be in a very strong position, but obviously winning only one in five matches means they're now looking over their shoulder and they need at least another three points to guarantee a top five finish.
00:02:19
Mikey
They're set to play Liverpool, which they did today, and it looked like another poor game for Arsenal. However, they revived and managed to get a draw from Liverpool.
00:02:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fantastic.
00:02:32
Mikey
liverpool Mikhail, what's going on in the head of Mikel Arteta at this stage of the season? Surely securing the shop and making sure Champions League football is the only priority.
00:02:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I think what he's got in his mind right now is that he he's probably super glad that his squad has pulled off like an almost ah almost a comeback. Like it's not a comeback because of their but that would be a comeback if if they won.
00:02:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But obviously ah those things couldn't start worse for Arsenal, like losing two goals like in a very short time. I think like one of the um one of the guys from statistics, I think they gave that number somewhere.
00:03:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to look for it, but in the meantime... oh there you go. 87. were just 87 seconds between Cody Gakpo putting Liverpool 1-0 up and Luis Diaz doubling their lead against Arsenal.
00:03:27
Mikey
Yeah.
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was super quick. Arsenal, they were basically asleep. And unfortunately, Kuba Kivior, Jakub Kivior, he was... negatively involved in that second goal where he totally did not cover ah the the guy who actually ended up with the assist with the second goal to Luis
Manchester City's Setback and Pep's Decisions
00:03:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Diaz.
00:03:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah so But in the second half, there was a completely different story. And also there is ah one more thing about, as far as statistics go, that I would like to mention. and Mikel Marino is the first Arsenal player to both score and to be sent off in the Premier League match since Pierre and Mariko Bameyang versus Crystal Palace in January 2021.
00:04:02
Mikey
Wow.
00:04:06
Mikey
wow
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
there you go statistics ladies and gentlemen
00:04:08
Mikey
Absolutely. And Arsenal have got it it. It was a strange afternoon, to be honest.
00:04:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah hmm
00:04:14
Mikey
Alexander-Arnold being booed by the home fans. I just think, i don't know, there was a lot to it that I thought left to be um to be desired, I guess, from both sides.
00:04:26
Mikey
and Arsenal now need, I think, if my maths is right, and it's really hard to understand this, but I think Arsenal need now just two points for, to guarantee and they've got to play um Newcastle next, ah which is is is a tricky tie in itself.
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:44
Mikey
Let's move on to the City game.
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:04:45
Mikey
Now, obviously, City were on a very good run of four straight wins, but a shock result to... Probably the worst team to grace the Premier League against Southampton on Saturday left them very vulnerable ah to chasing the teams behind them.
00:05:03
Mikey
ah what was you What was your make on on the Man City and also the Kevin De Bruyne debacle? ah He's been linked with Napoli this week. and i I thought he was going to go for like his his retirement years, but it seems as though his competitive football is is is still at the forefront of his his mind.
00:05:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, but maybe that again, like the look as far as the Veruna goes, I think this could be just the ah the premise of finishing your career while you're on like while you're in shape, while you're on form.
00:05:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because there were so many ah players that decided to cut their careers short because they were off form. ah that but But that might be just the state of mind of the Brunner.
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be honest, I do not really want to talk too much about it because like it's it's the Brunner's really like great final ah days for Man City and he will for sure be ah remembered fondly by a City fans.
00:05:49
Mikey
Thank you.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But I actually want to talk about Pep Guardiola here.
Southampton's Critical Point and Newcastle's Rise
00:06:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And to be honest, what was in his mind to bring Omar Marmosh from the bench at the 84th minute, let alone not starting him with for this game?
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Men's City, they were playing absolutely narrow. The only player who had any ah width into his game was Jeremy Doku, who was only introduced in the second like in the beginning of the second half.
00:06:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
For McAtee. ah For me, Man City were absolutely shocking.
00:06:28
Mikey
Oh
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
They were absolutely shocking. And yes, Kevin De Bruyne, look, he was playing well. ah I guess Ruben Diaz and Akanji as well. But we got to give it to Southampton too. That they were so desperate to get that one final point, which would make them not the worst team in the Premier League.
00:06:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that happened. That happened. Like, kudos to Jan Bednarik. Although... Pednarik, he nearly scored an own goal there ah while trying to clear from his own box. And Ramsdale, he luckily, he just he just saw the ball off of the pitch and it and it did not cross the goal line. So that was lucky.
00:07:08
Mikey
Thank you.
00:07:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But other than that, ah crucial point for Southampton, making them not the worst team in the history of the Premier League. Debbie Conte remains the worst team. And as far as Man City goes, I think like Pep Guardiola, he just got hit by his own ambition of trying to overthink the his squad.
00:07:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that came back to bite him in the butt.
00:07:30
Mikey
yeah Yeah, I think i think you you you are right, to be honest. they've They've squandered opportunity to go level on points with Arsenal as well.
00:07:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:07:39
Mikey
And it's left everybody who's chasing those Champions League spots within touching distance. and So, obviously, allowed Newcastle to move above City.
00:07:50
Mikey
into third as they had probably the pick of the weekend's fixtures against Chelsea. ah They managed to beat them 1-0 and they did have a 10 men ah to to to do so.
00:08:05
Mikey
And it's given, obviously, I'm not going to go into it, but Nottingham Forest the chance to go fifth if they could beat Leicester City. And obviously, Nottingham Forest squandered a chance at at doing that as well, which is going to come into its own. it we'll We'll talk about that in more detail later on, ah
Chelsea's Struggles and Key Match Incidents
00:08:23
Mikey
what's going on at Forest. But let's talk about the Chelsea game first. Newcastle beat Chelsea.
00:08:28
Mikey
um what What was your take on... Did you did you see this ending off?
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, I saw the scent-off and to be honest, Nicholas Jackson lost his mind.
00:08:40
Mikey
Yeah.
00:08:40
Mikey
Yeah.
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
He absolutely lost his mind.
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
like Like, elbowing someone that way, it was like absolutely... Okay, I cannot say that it was super deliberate. I do not think that Jackson really wanted to hurt his opponent and there.
00:08:52
Mikey
yeah
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But nevertheless, it was it was careless. It was careless and reckless. Okay, careless or reckless. I guess it was careless. I can just put it careless. And still, when you put that direct elbow, you're just asking for trouble.
00:09:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to be honest, that is actually interesting because Nicholas Jackson, by this sent off, he has effectively written himself out of the rest of the of the remainder of this Premier League season.
00:09:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that could be that could actually have been the last that we've seen of Nicholas Jackson at Chelsea. I also would like to bring one more thing, and that is so what Enzo Maresca said at the end of the game ah with yeah with a post-match press conference.
00:09:29
Mikey
Yeah, I was going to mention this. Yeah.
00:09:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
He said that in ah situations like that, in stadiums like that, the crowd decides whether it is a foul or not. Mr. Enzo Maresca, you have to watch this replay, man, because you clearly have no idea what you're talking about. And it's ludicrous to say that after such an elbow, the crowd decided anything.
00:09:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because in other games, the referees were far more lenient in similar situations with the similar similar elbows. And those were not direct send-offs. Those were just cautions. there was just there were Those were just bookings.
00:10:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Enzo Mareska, he was talking absolute malarkey there.
00:10:07
Mikey
Yeah.
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry. ah But there was other man manager who actually deserves the credit. it The proper manager 101, Eddie Howe. I have to bow down to him.
00:10:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the second, like, I've, ah um he's impressed me from ah the very moment once I saw him dismantling ah Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semifinal.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, both both of those semifinals. So, hats, like, hats off to Eddie Howe.
00:10:38
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. He's done a stellar job and I think they've put themselves in a very, very strong position ah going into these Champions League spots.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:47
Mikey
and The other game we did mention was Nottingham Forest against Leicester. ah It ended 2-2. Leicester took an early lead through Conor Cody. ah Gibbs White and Chris Wood both on the score sheet to put Forest 2-1 up and then a huge huge late goal from Bernadette's, or I don't know how you say that name, but it's as close as I'm going to get it, put huge dent into Nottingham Forest's hope of Champions League football.
00:11:14
Mikey
and But Europe is confirmed for them. However, we will save, considering that, what transpired at the end of the game ah between the owner and the manager until later on in the in the in the episode.
00:11:30
Mikey
What What I don't know about this game is is is Nottingham Forest are showing signs to me and I think it's just longevity of not having the depth in squad.
00:11:41
Mikey
and
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:11:43
Mikey
the the The struggling to see out games where earlier in the season they were managing these games far better than they are.
00:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, and and absolutely. Something just stops. Something just halted. um I think like somebody must have put some ah sand grains into this this into that machinery, effectively maybe not stopping the machine, but forcing it to run slower.
00:12:04
Mikey
Thank you.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah i really like Gibbs-White in this game, ah but at the same time, I'm still lacking... like I'm still missing that great defensive...
00:12:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
a collective that I saw ah from early from early
Tottenham and Manchester United: European Challenges
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
season or mid-season for Nottingham Forest. Milenkovic, Morato, I really expected far, far more from that from that couple of centre-backs.
00:12:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we also have to get some credit there for Leicester because somebody would say that they've got nothing to play for and yet they're showing the integrity. and And actually, Jamie Vardy actually so so having the proper ah like farewell like having like the proper farewell with the Leicester fans.
00:12:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jakub Stolacek in goal. ah Yeah, like he did not keep a clean sheet. He wasn't like the most important of of of of of the guys. ah for v Leicester, but nevertheless, kudos to Leicester for keeping that integrity.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as far as Nottingham Forest go, ah you know, I'm just looking at the last two remaining games and I have a little bit of a dilemma because the next game is against West Ham and then they're playing Chelsea, the final game in the Premier League against Chelsea at home.
00:13:27
Mikey
that could potentially be a decider between them two.
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, yeah. Absolutely. So I would say that ah Nottingham Forest, if they do not win against West Ham, I know that it's an away game and I know that West Ham, they might have some steam right after ah defeating Man United. We're going to talk about that.
00:13:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But... so I don't know. Actually, I don't know whether those three points will be enough because once they if they win against West Ham, they will sit in and and with 65 points.
00:14:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah And without Chelsea and Aston Villa playing their games, they will be tied with Man City. Also, without City playing their game. ah Is that going to be enough for Champions League football? I do not really know. i think Chelsea would need to drop some points on the way.
00:14:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, just like you said, like if Chelsea drop the points in the land next fixture, the final match week, like the final match day of the Premier League will be the decider.
00:14:29
Mikey
Yeah, it's good it's really hotting up and ah it's it's quite exciting to see who is going to end up on top. I mean, my heart goes out to Forrest. We will talk about that a little bit more later on.
00:14:42
Mikey
But the fact that they've got European football confirmed is is huge for that club. um And talking about things that are huge for clubs, you as people, check out Bionique.
00:15:32
Mikey
Absolutely. Check it out. um Now we're going to jump into our middle section of the podcast where we're going to talk about probably two of the most boring, underwhelming teams to grace our televisions over the last 12 months and that's Tottenham and Man United.
00:15:48
Mikey
And to make that even better, people are spending thousands of pounds to go and watch these two play teams play live in Bilbao because they are the finalists of the Europa League this season.
00:16:01
Mikey
I mean, what a waste of money to watch probably and potentially the most dull game of football we have ever seen as a final ever.
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:16:11
Mikey
um I am having a bit of a rant here. Both teams went into Europe this week on Thursday and came out with results that put them into the final. United were underwhelming. They were shocking in the first half. Second half, they had a better half.
00:16:23
Mikey
And so many fans hold hope based on that performance in the second half. I just, i'm I'm done with it. I'm really done. Both teams had until Sunday to play.
00:16:35
Mikey
um United played West Ham, lost 2-0. Spurs played Palace, lost 2-0. I've got very little to say, yet we've got so much to talk about. a
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, absolutely.
00:16:47
Mikey
is It's so, so depressing. ah The problems are big. ah Let's go to you first. You were telling me what Ruben Amarin has said about the what he thinks about the Europa League um and how that affects the club and and where United are ah
00:16:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I don't know whether you guys heard that comment, but basically was the post-match press conference, where ah during which, so when, Riben Amorim claimed that Europa League final was not the biggest of the problems in the club.
00:17:17
Mikey
Thank you.
00:17:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Actually, quite the opposite. He claims that Europa League final is the the smallest of problems of the club. ah And i kind of understand I kind of understand what he meant there, that probably that's this one game will not decide the entire fate of the club, according to him.
Impact of Missing European Football on Man United
00:17:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And maybe rightfully so, but then again... It's very easy for Ruben Amorim to say because he knows that whatever happens at the end of the day, he will stay at the post of as Man United manager.
00:17:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he will have the total backing of the board. So he will stay. ah So it's very easy for him to say. But what he doesn't realize is that if there is no and if there is no Champions League football for Man United, there is no European football whatsoever for this club as well.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And please ah try ah on the back of that to bring any sensible, sensible player from Europe that would be willing to play in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup only.
00:18:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah No, that's not going to happen. I think that Man United, they are in for the time for for the battle for survival. And also financially, I remember you, Mikey, saying that the like Manchester United failing to win this Europa League trophy would mean a big loss at the end of the season, ah not to mention potential FPL problems.
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
as
00:18:44
Mikey
yeah
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's going to be ah just a a disaster if they do not win.
00:18:45
Mikey
i think
00:18:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I do not and i really think Ruben Amorum underestimates the importance of that game in Bilbao.
00:18:53
Mikey
Yeah, I think ah but possibly it's just been you know tactical with his words, trying to put the pressure on on ah off should i say off off his team so they don't feel like it's do or die.
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:05
Mikey
and I've got two views, though, and I wonder what your opinion is as a fellow Man United fan. One is, i agree, financially devastating, devastating.
00:19:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:17
Mikey
It's created an opportunity of bringing players in, devastating because you're not going to be pulling the same kind of player. However, we have had that for the last five years where we have qualified, apart from, i think, one season where we didn't.
00:19:34
Mikey
well What might be beneficial to to this is that you are restricted in the person you can buy and and you can only rebuild a team and restructure a team when you've when you've got the the bare bones of ah of a team with you.
00:19:50
Mikey
ah Hopefully, it would it would it would get rid of players within there. So it would help shift wood if we didn't get into Europe. players that want to play in Europe may want to leave.
00:20:01
Mikey
And that leaves you with a squad then that you can build a new philosophy with. Whereas currently he's trying to do that with a lot of people. He's
00:20:11
Mikey
indoctrinated. I don't know what, that's not the right word. um But he's he' he's taken into the team. um I wonder if a year without European football would mean... I don't know, because it means that it's it's been semi-successful if we win.
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:20:27
Mikey
You know, in two in two weeks' time, if we win, or a week and a half, it's been a great season because she United have won and they've still finished 16th, 17th in the league.
Tottenham's Management and Performance Analysis
00:20:36
Mikey
However...
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I'm sorry for laughing because this is just so ridiculous to say that um it's it's absolutely awful.
00:20:40
Mikey
is, it's awful. It's awful.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And to be honest, I understand. i understand. And I believe all of my United fans understand this right now because this is a dilemma. Because on one hand on one side, you want to play in Champions League.
00:20:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who doesn't want to play in the Champions League? It's a great opportunity to repair your budget.
00:20:59
Mikey
And
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then, on the flip side, going to league face of Champions League with the likes of PSG, Liverpool, Arsenal, ah even Aston Villa. ah Even Aston Villa. I'm sorry. Apologies. i did I didn't mean to offend.
00:21:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But to go go for to to for the likes of such teams and presenting what... Presenting what the likes of Viktor Lindelof on the final minutes of of the game against West Ham, where he loses possession and he nearly cost us a third goal.
00:21:26
Mikey
and
00:21:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that the kind of level that going to present? So yeah, I to understand this dilemma. And let me put some more salt in there. Manchester United have suffered the ninth home Premier League defeat of the season, their joint most ever home losses in a single league campaign, along with 19-33-34, and 1962-63. And I have one more stat for Tottenham Hotspur coming up, but we're going to get to them now. Yep.
00:21:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
sixty three and i have one most sta forgotten in the hospital coming up but we're goingnna get to
00:21:56
Mikey
Yeah, I think we should we should move on to Spurs. And i i guess we're feeling what it must feel like to be a Spurs fan. and Yeah, Eze scored twice in his warm-up, really, for the for the cup final.
00:22:11
Mikey
um And they dismantled Tottenham Hotspur and and deserved win. I don't think there's much to say about the game. It was it was a comfortable win for Palace. and I think they deserved everything. And I wish them all the very best of luck on on on the weekend when they play Man City.
00:22:29
Mikey
um I really hope that they win.
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:22:33
Mikey
Going into it on a win is great. I don't know. Yeah, i've I've got very little to say about this. I honestly don't know how to predict it.
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay
00:22:41
Mikey
But go on, hit us with your stat about Tottenham. Yeah.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tottenham Hotspur have lost 24 matches across all competitions this season. Their second most ever in a single campaign, only behind their 25 in 1991-92.
00:22:50
Mikey
and
00:22:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we have those two stats with Man United losing their ninth home Premier League game. Tottenham Hotspur overall losing 24 matches across all competitions this season. and And then you look at the Europa League final and to be honest, I think...
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would be very unfair for Poste Koglu to be sacked right after the Europa League final if Tottenham loses. It's going to be super unfair.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Out of those two managers, Ruben Amorim and Poste Koglu, I think that this situation should be flipped. I think that Ruben Amorim should be fearing for his position and Ange Poste Koglu should be given more time.
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And somebody would say him, oh, but wait, but Amorim has just been brought into the club. Well, maybe. But... I'm sorry, but you should expect more from Man United than I think you can expect from Tottenham Hotspur. Because ah I'm going to just, you know, take a little bit of like, ah I'm going to take my lesson from from history. And I'm just going to say that, name me a manager who's going to say win anything with Tottenham Hotspur.
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Really. Because they couldn't even do it in in a in their best season yet, I think. twenty eighteen twenty nineteen when they reached the Champions League final. or And they were super close into ah achieving the immortality and winning the very first trophy in a long, long time.
00:24:19
Mikey
Mm-hmm.
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
but And that would be and invest's what that one being Champions
Weekend Highlights and Upcoming Matches
00:24:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
League.
00:24:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they failed to Liverpool. Maurizio Pochettino couldn't do it. Jose Mourinho couldn't do it. So... like if If anybody else thinks that Ange Postacoglu should be any better, ah no, you're dreaming. It's the problem of the club, I think. So go ahead and try winning anything with Tottenham Hotspur. And if they do not win, you should still keep Postacoglu.
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really think you should. On the back of the entire season.
00:24:53
Mikey
Yeah, and it changes so quickly. Football fans are very, very fickle people. And and and he was a breath of fresh air, revolutionary in the way he played.
00:24:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:25:06
Mikey
Ange Ball was created and then all of a sudden, He doesn't know how to win and, you know, the results have suffered. i think I think both teams are ready for the Premier League season to be over and both teams have an opportunity to earn and the trust of the fans or respect of the fans a little bit longer
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:30
Mikey
by winning that final. and But that's all it is, I think. I think it's just gaining a little bit more time before, you know, fans start to come come down on them.
00:25:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:25:41
Mikey
It's a poor showing from both teams. um It's bound to be a poor final. If you go into it, I'm really sorry for you guys. and Best of luck to at both teams, as we'll find out.
00:25:52
Mikey
But what we don't...
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
and don't And don't call us. I'm sorry. And i don't call us about the refunds.
00:25:57
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely.
00:25:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
No refunds.
00:25:58
Mikey
Absolutely.
00:25:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
ha No refunds.
00:26:00
Mikey
good No refunds available. and But what we do here at ah GSPN is make sure that we choose the complete opposite of the choices that Tottenham and Man United have made this year.
00:26:14
Mikey
And we make sure that our platform is the very best to deliver the best podcasts available. That's why we chose Zencastr.
00:26:53
Mikey
Check it out. You should know it all by now. But if it's the first time that you are listening to us, we have multiple podcasts, podcasts for every football team, women's football, fantasy football. We've got the lot. Check out GSPN.
00:27:05
Mikey
And if you fancy starting a podcast, Zencaster must be your choice. and We are going to conclude today's episode, our review of the Premier League season, which sees Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City and Chelsea filling up those Champions League spots.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:27:22
Mikey
But will that be the same come game week 38? It all remains to be decided and I'm very excited to find out.
Controversial Refereeing and VAR Issues
00:27:29
Mikey
However, we do want to quickly talk about our highlights of the weekend.
00:27:34
Mikey
and As the championship is settled and the relegations are settled, we want to share with you what we think ah were standout moments from this weekend. So, Mikhail, first with you, can we talk about what you thought stood out from this weekend?
00:27:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Well, it's going to be pretty subjective, but im I'm trying to also be creative about this stuff. So I will go for something which is not super obvious, because um I think that there is a good potential talking about Bournemouth Villa, like in little bit more detail.
00:28:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But other than that, I think the game Ipswich Brentford had some highlights, and they were not particularly positive ones. And that's going to be, again, the level of refereeing and the level of VAR in terms of the rule of when there is a penalty and when there is no penalty.
00:28:22
Mikey
Thank you.
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
and The game between Ipswich Town and Brentford. Brentford, of course, ah looking to ah still be in income contest in and contest for and the euro the European ah spots in the Premier League.
00:28:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just have to say that what has happened in that game, Twice, at least twice, Brentford was denied a penalty for a clear, i would even say, like, I think in wrestling they call it like a, I think like a leg chop, where you basically move, like with you like like you use the entire mass of your body to hit against Brentford.
00:29:06
Mikey
Thank you.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
the legs of your opponent and the opponent just goes down or just basically just just suplexing your opponent. And this is exactly what happened in the penalty box of Ipswich. And twice did the referee just deny those penalties.
00:29:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that is absolutely, absolutely disgraceful. Not to mention that VAR also took a look at that. You guys took a look at that and you saw that it was like, it was just clear as day And like i I do not really understand like what else you have to say and and what else you have to do in this penalty box to actually get granted a penalty after that.
00:29:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:41
Mikey
So just to jump on that really quickly, this is coming from the Premier League.
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:29:45
Mikey
So the referee's call of no penalty to Brentford following the potential holding offence by Greaves on Van der Berg was checked and confirmed bait by VAR.
00:29:56
Mikey
Apparently, the reason they couldn't make the decision was because and the contact between the players occurred before the ball was in play.
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
It doesn't change anything.
00:30:09
Mikey
Well...
00:30:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what?
00:30:10
Mikey
the
00:30:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what? I mean, like, I presume that this is like from some official statement, right? Of of the Premier League or
00:30:15
Mikey
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hmm.
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So freaking what? So what? protectable Like the ball, like it was before the ball was in place. So what? It cost, like he put his hands on him.
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was a typical wrestling move. And wrestling, like you actually got a cheer from the crowd. But it's not wrestling, folks. It's football or soccer. I'm sorry, guys. So that should be penalty.
00:30:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is why I'm just absolutely stunned. And also like another thing which was pretty much of a shocker to me, but I think it doesn't have to do with ah like with football and with soccer. It has something to do with the really but bewildering ah behavior from Ipswich security guards who decided to take some Ukrainian fans' flag of Ukraine and that he brought to the stands because he wanted to cheer for Yarmoluk.
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. but who is Ukrainian who plays for Brentford, his flag was taken from the security guard because the Ukrainian flag has been deemed as political.
00:31:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
So good good luck to you, Ipswich, security fan security for ah considering Ukrainian flag to be too political.
00:31:27
Mikey
yeah
00:31:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah it was just It was just a shambles. It was just absolute shambles. I wish i wish this game never happened. And ironically, it's
Criticism of Nuno Espirito Santo Despite European Success
00:31:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
my highlight. So there you go.
00:31:36
Mikey
i think I think it's a valid a valid point. And especially talking about the the penalty or not penalty, um the Arsenal-Real Madrid second leg sticks in my brain because there was a penalty given in that that was 100%
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:49
Mikey
ah hundred percent ah just a very standard coming together in most Premier League games and they gave that. So I think what we're lacking is ah consistency ah in these decisions and and why why they're being made.
00:32:04
Mikey
and But yeah, it didn't change much and in that game for Ipswich, let's be honest, as as their season is pretty much done. I think mine's going to go to Nottingham Forest and it's to do...
00:32:16
Mikey
with the coming together at the end of the game. and Marina Cass, the owner of Forest, came onto the pitch and was visibly angry at full time with Nuno Espirito Santo.
00:32:31
Mikey
um I'm a bit shocked. This result meant that they had guaranteed European football.
00:32:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:32:39
Mikey
When that owner was sat in a room at the start of the season, writing down the objectives for Nottingham Forest, European football would not be on that list.
00:32:51
Mikey
It wouldn't. and And the fact that they are there and he is so angry, I've got two ways of looking at it and I'm trying to be as positive as I can. The first way is that they have now got to a position where they are demanding ah results and where they want to want to succeed.
00:33:08
Mikey
um And his his expectations are so high now. And that's not a bad thing for a football club. um My other side of it, flip side, is that maybe he's got a bit carried away and he's lacking perspective on and where the club have got to this season.
00:33:24
Mikey
And following the results in other games and the opportunities that Forrest had with this game and the fact that they were 2-1 up, maybe he's let the heat get to his head because it's been 25 degrees in the UK today.
00:33:37
Mikey
um And he's is is is let that vent. I also think... you You can't do that on the pitch. You've got you've got you've got to do that behind a closed door and speak properly. So I do think that there's an apology required there, regardless of your position at the club and your motive for making that that that obvious. I don't know what your thoughts were.
00:34:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know what? I think like it's the owner's evil privilege. That's how I call it. It's the is's the owner's evil privilege to de demand whatever he wants.
00:34:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's this that's That's because he's the owner. So ah so i if he had bigger expectations as the season, like and like he if his expectations grew as the season was going on, ah that's his right.
00:34:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
that is the That is the right of the owner of of a football club. But the way how he tackled it was disgraceful. If he had any objections towards the work of Espirito Santo, he could have done it in the tunnel. He could have done it in the dressing room. He could have done it in a far calmer surroundings of, for example, his office.
00:34:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, he could have done it there. So if he was disappointed that Forrest did not get that get those three points to the end of the game...
Final Thoughts and Podcast Promotion
00:34:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
He had all the right to, but the way how he handled that is just disgraceful. Because like what's the point of of of airing dirty laundry in public?
00:35:07
Mikey
Yeah, I agree.
00:35:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:08
Mikey
I was just thinking, like what strategically, if you if he logically thought about going into that situation, what's he going to gain by doing it?
00:35:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:35:16
Mikey
and and i guess i guess it wasn't. I think it probably was more emulive emotive and and impulsive. um And unfortunately, he's got to live with that. And hopefully, if he is a good owner, ah he will have the decency to be able to apologise for maybe not what he said, because he might believe that,
00:35:35
Mikey
ah but for how it was done, how it was delivered, as as you say. a
00:35:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:35:40
Mikey
I think it's been another interesting weekend. I can tell you that it's going to go until the death before we find out who gets those esteemed five places at the top of the Premier League.
00:35:52
Mikey
It's all to play for. And if you want to find out the latest news and up-to-date information, make sure you tune in to your daily English Premier League podcast.
00:36:03
Mikey
As always, it's been an absolute pleasure doing a podcast with you. I will wait until the final week to have you back on the review show.
00:36:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah you
00:36:11
Mikey
But for now, Mikhail, it's farewell from us.
00:36:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you. Thank you guys so much. And yeah, I'll be coming to you from Poland from next week on. So...
00:36:20
Mikey
And you guys, you stay safe and we will be back with another podcast every day for you guys to tune into.