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Daily Newcastle: Mac n Jo Thursday Mash Up
15 Plays8 days ago
In the absence of a crossover podcast with Brighton (Still hopeful for a Saturday Special with the Seagulls), Iain and Joanne consider how crucial the game at Brighton is on Sunday , who in the current first-team squad is sellable in the summer and where we should prioritise strengthening in anticipation of next year's European campaign.
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Mashup
00:00:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to The Daily Newcastle. My name is Ian Mackay and I'm joined this evening by mrs Joanne Ayres. We're going to do, following in mine and Mickey's footsteps, we're going to do a Mac and Joe Thursday mashup because the Brighton boys, who should have been around tonight to do our crossover pod, are all busy.
00:00:30
Jo
Hmm.
00:00:38
Jo
Hmm.
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's be honest, they're probably not scouting out potential places to stay in Europe
Brighton Game: A Crucial Match?
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
next year. Although, who knows? It could be the eighth and ninth places to get it, and then they would be.
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's not be harsh. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt. I have put a marker down to try and get to talk to them on Friday so we could get a bonus crossover podcast out on Saturday morning. So look out for that one.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is the Brighton boys though, and we've not heard much from them for weeks, so we're not expecting a great deal from that. Instead, Joanne and I are going to try to avoid talking very much about the game against Brighton, because the guys are going to do a preview tomorrow night.
00:01:11
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But don't think we can have a mash-up and start talking about Newcastle for a little while, Jo, without first addressing the question, Is this Brighton game the most important game that Newcastle has left this season?
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think?
00:01:37
Jo
Well, strangely enough, yeah, strangely enough, I had this exact conversation at work, was it yesterday or today, I get my days mixed up anyway, with Donna, who I regularly go to the match with.
00:01:47
Jo
and i would say yes, because this one is huge, because I think if we win this, not only does our confidence and our kind of belief that we are definitely securing Champions League, because we're already kind of up there and positive and thinking we're going to do it anyway.
00:02:01
Jo
I think if we get this win, it's going to not... It'll almost set it in our minds. have said this one in Chelsea, but it's almost too obvious to say this one in Chelsea, isn't it, really? But I do believe that if we win this one in Chelsea, that's that's it, by the way.
00:02:14
Jo
I don't believe there's any way we're dropping out the Champions League ones. So um I I might put them on equal par, but yeah, it's absolutely huge because if we do lose, let's hope that doesn't happen, obviously. If we do lose, it keeps us far too in the midst for our liking.
00:02:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
here
00:02:29
Jo
We don't want to be in the mix.
00:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah much
00:02:30
Jo
We want to lay ahead.
00:02:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just getting a bit distracted there.
00:02:32
Jo
Laura wants to join in.
00:02:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:02:36
Jo
and
00:02:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, yes, let's say move on from that. that was ah That was strange. It was you that had somebody interrupting you when you weren't expecting it the last time, wasn't it?
00:02:46
Jo
My child walked in the last time, so yeah.
00:02:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
never had that i've never had that I've never had that happen. i've got my headphones on and somebody's shouting Ian from that side and I really had no idea what was going on.
00:02:53
Jo
but
00:02:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Anyway, I would agree with you. The reason I think that it's the most important game is i think it's key. I know in our minds, we've kind of marked this one down as one that we might lose because we've got such an awful record away at Brighton.
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even losing it, we think there's enough in the remaining three games for us to be able to secure Champions League places. Therefore, ah ah win at Brighton or a win at Arsenal, I think puts us on, we think, on nine points, which definitely gets us into the Champions League.
00:03:31
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:03:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I would agree with you that this is
00:03:33
Jo
Yeah.
00:03:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
and key for us because it's almost like it's a free hit because we can still do it if we lose here, but if we pick up a draw or we win, I think it makes us more and more secure.
00:03:44
Jo
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're fortunate, and normally it's us that's been chasing the people ahead of us But I think we're fortunate in that we are ahead at the moment and rather like the win against Dipswich, which we were expecting, puts the pressure on the other teams to make sure that they win their games.
00:03:55
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:04:08
Jo
Yeah.
00:04:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I know that Forrester got a really awkward one on Friday at home to Brentford. I think the game in Brighton, if we can get anything from it, will also be cranking up the pressure on the teams that have got awkward fixtures now.
League Position and Rival Fixtures
00:04:26
Jo
Yeah.
00:04:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
is this Is it this weekend that Chelsea's awkward fixture is away, is it is against Liverpool?
00:04:32
Jo
Is it...oh haven't even checked. I'm trying, you when you try to remember too many things, unfortunately, for what's happening ahead, but you've got, I think the Sunday's the more interesting day, isn't it?
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know, know.
00:04:44
Jo
Yeah, so Chelsea at home to Liverpool. West Ham Spurs is irrelevant.
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you see, if we,
00:04:48
Jo
Brentford Man U is irrelevant. Yeah.
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we lose, Chelsea drawing against Liverpool keeps them right in it. But if we can beat Brighton and Chelsea manage a draw at home with Liverpool, we've fallen two points further behind.
00:04:57
Jo
yeah
00:04:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's why I think this has got to be something that we've got to go for. Now, and know we've got an awful record there, but we have an awful record playing Brighton at home as well.
00:05:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm thinking back to two years ago
00:05:13
Jo
Yeah.
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
when We really needed to beat Brighton for Champions League qualification. And I wasn't there. I had to watch it on the television. But I had an absolutely fantastic night watching an own goal and Dan Byrne goal.
00:05:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we hammered them 4-1.
00:05:32
Jo
Hmm.
00:05:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
We were just better than they were. Now, I've seen Brighton do that to us since then. So I'm not saying that's what's going to happen. But we are in cracking form. So...
00:05:46
Jo
we are it's
00:05:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Without previewing the game, Johan, what do you think of chet what do you think the chances are of us going down there and actually putting in the sort of performance that we did in the Carabao Cup or final or away at Arsenal and doing a number on Brighton?
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's on.
00:06:04
Jo
well to say something that's completely obvious we need to do better than them we need to try harder we need to be better we need to want it more kind of facts on any game.
00:06:16
Jo
But I think especially in these cup finals that we've got leading to the end of the season, that just has to be the case in every game, doesn't it really? Chelsea-Liverpool game is a bit of a strange one for me because Liverpool have won the title now.
00:06:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:06:27
Jo
Are they going to slack off a bit? They don't need to care as much and you do see it happening sort of thing. They don't have anything to fight for. Chelsea will have something to fight for. And I think the only concern I've got with Brighton is they are technically still fighting for Europe.
00:06:43
Jo
They've got the conference place that they can qualify in.
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:06:45
Jo
So you've got them, Fulham and Bournemouth, I believe, who are fighting. I think they're only a point within each other. So Brighton have got something to fight for, unlike Ipswich and unlike some other teams.
00:06:56
Jo
So we have we are now playing teams that, well, next two games specifically, isn't it? Brighton and Chelsea, who have really got something to play for. Arsenal, in a sense, haven't.
00:07:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well,
00:07:05
Jo
They're pretty much... I think they're going to finish second. It's as simple as that. I just can't see them dropping. We've had this conversation, haven't we? I can't see them dropping the points out of second. I'd love them to. I want you to be right. Please let me be wrong.
00:07:18
Jo
just can't see it happening. So that's why these two games are the real pivotal games. Because you're going to see the most fight, or I expect to see the most fight, from both teams, not just from us.
00:07:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
they are
00:07:28
Jo
So it could make for two very interesting games, that's for sure.
00:07:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
well I hear what you're saying about so Liverpool not really having anything to go for and about Brighton having something to go for. But the same coin as that, you missed out chasing those European places. Brentford aren't that far behind.
00:07:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that could inspire them to continue their fantastic away form and do Forrest for us.
00:07:50
Jo
forgot about them. Bring that up.
00:07:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'd love to have Forrest lose at home, like they did against Everton.
00:07:57
Jo
Oh, actually, you're right. Brentford have got a game in hand as well. Sorry, I forgot about that. Because the last time I looked at the table, Brentford are like five points behind Brighton. But if they win their game in hand, they're only two points behind Brighton. they are right in the mix too, aren't they?
00:08:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so come on.
00:08:12
Jo
Yeah, two. Come on, Brentford, eh?
00:08:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on, Bournemouth. Come on, Brentford. Come on, Bournemouth. Particularly when Bournemouth are playing at Arsenal. Bournemouth need those points too. So it is so tight for those European places, whether you're at the top end chasing for Champions League or at the bottom end chasing to get into the last place or two.
00:08:22
Jo
True.
00:08:25
Jo
Oh god, yeah.
00:08:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And hopefully that will inspire them to start taking points off our rivals. What we don't want... is for Brighton to be inspired to take points off us in that race, which seems like an obvious thing to say.
00:08:44
Jo
No.
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I was going to take part in that preview podcast tomorrow, but unfortunately I'm not able to. So that's why I just want to get my little bit.
Match Predictions and Team Dynamics
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can I just say, I think that Newcastle won 3-1.
00:08:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you know I was going to say that?
00:09:00
Jo
You never did, did you?
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's something for you to mention on tomorrow's preview.
00:09:04
Jo
Go on then, I will for you.
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um'm good I'm going for a Newcastle 3-1 win, which is very close to when we beat them 4-1.
00:09:08
Jo
Cool.
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also close to when they beat us 2-1 in the FA Cup. So why not? Right. No more about Brighton because we're previewing it to tomorrow.
00:09:19
Jo
you No.
00:09:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do think it is it's a key game. It is the key game.
00:09:24
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I guess Eddie would say the next game is always the most important game. And I think it's proving to be that. I think if we'd lost at Brighton and then lost against Chelsea...
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know we might be really struggling to be worried about the last few games because we don't want to get get dropping out of it right thanks for that Joanne I'm going to go and click the button so that Ken Davis can tell us all about Bionic
00:09:38
Jo
Yeah, it's not good at that point, yeah.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
There is a huge gap there that I almost started talking in the middle of.
00:10:36
Jo
I know.
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
it nearly caught me out that time and I didn't even realise until he started speaking again. I'd forgotten about it. My word. Dead air that Ken. He really ought to be better than that.
00:10:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we'll let it go. Now part two of the Mac and Joe Thursday mashup. I think part two and part three are the same really because Michael and I had a chat about who was going to take over from Joe Linton in midfield if his knee injury proved to rule him out for these last four games.
00:11:07
Jo
Nope,
00:11:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I still haven't heard anything on that. Have you heard anything on that?
00:11:11
Jo
not at all.
00:11:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
No? Well, in this case, no news is probably bloody horrible news, although it is only a fortnight that he's going to have to rest for and then the season's over.
00:11:21
Jo
True.
00:11:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in that discussion, we went through the three midfield options and I think we thought that... Lewis Miley was the one for the future that we wanted to play because he'd be part of it all next year.
00:11:37
Jo
yeah
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
We thought that Sean Longstaff wasn't and his time was done, so we were going to sell him. And then in looking at Joe Willock, who was the first choice when we played Ipswich, we kind of said, hmm, hope it's Miley. It could be Willock, but actually at the end of the season, Willock might well be somebody who we can get a decent fee in.
00:12:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
In fact, Michael's already got signing for Crystal Palace, by the way. and We can get a decent fee to give him some first-team football, which he struggled to get at Newcastle this year, and he probably needs at the point of his career that he's at now. Because we want to be strengthening the midfield.
00:12:16
Jo
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:12:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
We want to be bringing players in that are lifting, or not only giving us more strength and depth for our hopefully Champions League campaign, but also lifting the basic quality of the squad.
00:12:17
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, who else in that first team squad needs to go? i don't mean has to go, or there'll be some that have to go Perhaps we will come back to one or two who we might let go when we look at where we need to strengthen part three.
00:12:46
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:12:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But who else in that first team squad, Joe, do you think has had their time at Newcastle?
Transfer Talks and Squad Depth
00:12:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we really ought to be trying to ship them out.
00:12:58
Jo
It's tough one, actually. You guys have made some good points on midfield, by the way. I'll just kind of put my little two pennies in on that before we move on from there. But I'm absolutely with Miley being the backup, by the way. I would 100% be starting him without question.
00:13:11
Jo
Willock, I do agree, could be sold on for a decent fee. And I could see him going back down south to Palace. It's probably a good shout from Michael there. um And I have heard on the grapevine that Longstaff will pretty much definitely be leaving.
00:13:23
Jo
And then you know what it is? I don't blame him. He's a good guy. He can still do a job somewhere else. And he's really not going to get a lot of game time for us moving forward. And he'll know that, you know what i mean? So kind of back up everything you've just said, ah do agree with a lot of that anyway.
00:13:36
Jo
I'm trying to think of like who else. So are we talking like just any anyone in the squad at this point? Are you talking like, are you thinking anyone who's a regular start in 11?
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I'm not talking about, her well, i mean, um'm ah ah um'm no, not regular starters.
00:13:47
Jo
Would we...
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We've got a 25-man squad.
00:13:52
Jo
Mmm.
00:13:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So anybody in that 25-man squad that is not,
00:13:54
Jo
Yeah, I know.
00:13:57
Jo
I know.
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
and you're not excited by if they're sitting on the bench to come on. i mean, I think if i i think that we need to keep hold of Pope, even if we do get a replacement goalkeeper. But Martin Dubravka, for example, is somebody who needs to be moved on.
00:14:10
Jo
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:14:15
Jo
I think he will be. I think he'll want to go though, won't he? Again?
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well,
00:14:19
Jo
He's someone who can still do a job somewhere else as well. So let him go really. But it really depends on Pope as to what sort of position he wants to play in terms of if we're going to buy in a more experienced goalkeeper, who's going to automatically be number one? Is Pope going to be happy dropping down?
00:14:40
Jo
If we don't, then we'll buy a younger goalkeeper who is going to be more like learning from Pope and Pope still is one number one, that might, that obviously would fit him better. So I think that's a bit of a situation based entirely on who the goalkeeper is that we bring in.
00:14:56
Jo
I know we've got like about 6 million goalkeepers on the books, by the way, so we could probably get rid of literally an entire handful of them and still have a few left over. Apparently it's Rudy staying on, but is it like something, we had like a goalkeeping coach role or something or
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
out hey it was It was weird that he was signed in the first place, to be honest. I think, you know, he might need his contract to be renewed.
00:15:16
Jo
It was. It was very weird.
00:15:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
The English goalkeeper's there. ah could have a role in making up English quotas to, uh, to go into the, the Champions League.
00:15:27
Jo
Yeah.
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I don't think Rudy's there for that because I don't think he made it into, he's not in the, he's not in the first 25, is he? Or is he? Can't remember if he's in the first 25 or not.
00:15:40
Jo
He's not, is he?
00:15:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, the goalkeeper is the number, the current number holder of the number one shirt is Martin Dubravka.
00:15:41
Jo
No, surely not, man.
00:15:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that, uh,
00:15:47
Jo
He is.
00:15:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
We should thank Martin for his service. We renewed his contract. We don't know for how long, but if it does go over the 30th of June, perhaps his move to Saudi is still on, and perhaps there'll be a little fee coming for him.
00:16:01
Jo
Oh, it was. It was a one-year extension, wasn't it? And I did say the second I heard he'd signed it, I was like, surely that's just so we can get some money from Like, I don't know. You don't know, do you?
00:16:11
Jo
You don't get told. You're just like, oh, he signed a one-year extension.
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I don't know.
00:16:15
Jo
No more information.
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll have to we'll have to see it
00:16:19
Jo
It's...
00:16:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, in defence, who are we thinking about in defence?
00:16:19
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:16:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would keep on hold on to Jamal Lascelles, and I know he's just signed his one-year contract extension, so presumably they are doing that.
00:16:30
Jo
He has, yeah.
00:16:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what about Emil Kraft, third choice right back, let's say, and Matt Target, third choice left back?
00:16:33
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:16:39
Jo
Craft and target were my two thoughts, yeah. Yeah.
00:16:44
Jo
yeah I mean, I don't know many people that want to keep Target and I feel a bit sorry for in a way because it's nothing that he's done personally, is it? um But he's not at all.
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's not reliable. He's been injured so many times and taken so long to come back.
00:16:56
Jo
No, no. Oh, no, I completely understand why people want rid of Target, by the way. I just feel a little bit sorry for him sure it's not like a personal thing. But mean, no, Target surely has to go if we can get any anything for him. I don't know.
00:17:09
Jo
Craft's a bit of weird one, you know, because I really love what Craft did for us when we did have so many injuries at the back and he came and he played such an important role that he really pulled off that people didn't expect him to.
00:17:22
Jo
was more kind of the thing for
00:17:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I
00:17:23
Jo
And I don't know whether it's just that kind of more of a soft spot for him because he did that. And because it but no we know he can. and I don't know old Craft is, I'm not going lie. Do you know how old he is?
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean sure he's still a current Swedish international and he's never let us down when he comes on.
00:17:37
Jo
Yeah. Like, I don't think he's too old, is he?
00:17:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like him as well.
00:17:39
Jo
know what I mean? It's not like he's literally at the end.
00:17:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:17:41
Jo
I know he's not young, but he's not like at the end, end of his career. I'd keep him personally, but I know a lot of people who would probably say, well, it could be someone can get off the books. The talk of Miley going, by the way, because I know I've touched on Miley very briefly, but this whole talk about Miley going over to like Germany and stuff at the minute, that, that would be so much more of a worse move than even selling Anderson.
00:18:03
Jo
And we were upset at sending Anderson, you know what I mean? I can't,
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think in that first press conference back from his bout of pneumonia, Eddie was totally dismissing any talk of loaning.
00:18:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Miley out and Osula as well by the way.
00:18:21
Jo
Yeah, he can't go nowhere.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I do think i don't think that they both came on at the same time against Ipswich Sydney and Osula just double underlined why he should be first choice replacement when it comes to giving Izak a bit of a rest I think.
00:18:32
Jo
Yeah.
00:18:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
um We've touched on Callum Munson there who of course is out of contract.
00:18:36
Jo
absolutely.
00:18:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eddie's a massive fan, has been for years so is there an extension there. Personally, don't think so. I think we should thank Callum for his service. We keep our fingers crossed he comes on and gets one more gold to get to 50 before he leaves.
00:18:57
Jo
Oh no.
00:18:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Callum Wilson's time is surely over.
00:18:58
Jo
Yeah.
00:19:02
Jo
Yeah. I think it's desperate times if we're wanting anything more from him at the minute. He'll obviously have big expectations because he's just the guy he is and his kind of attitude, which is brilliant. But his body just isn't playing ball.
00:19:13
Jo
It hasn't played ball for a long time. And we've already, again, had this discussion that Ocelet should absolutely be back up to Ezek until we make any more purchases in that kind of area of the pitch.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So,
00:19:24
Jo
But again, it was, and again, this is all talk. and This is where I wish we just kind of knew more factual information apart from all the booms that you hear on social media and stuff. But again, there's talk about even Wilson being offered another contract missing and thinking, surely not. Like surely that is just a massive rumor.
00:19:42
Jo
I know Eddie's a fan, but is Eddie a fan just because it's almost like a type love affair type of fan, if you know what i mean? I'm not saying they're lovers, by the way, before anyone wants to twist my words there, but you know what I mean?
00:19:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
so <unk>s it's almost It's almost like a family member kind of a thing, really.
00:19:55
Jo
that's what I mean. Yeah. Like, all right, he loves him, but you can't just keep someone at the club because you love him, you know? So, no, I think it's time for, Wilson to thank him very much, obviously for what he's done, but yeah, it should be over.
00:20:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
The last one I was going to ask you about, and we'll have a little break, the advert, and then we'll talk about where we're going to strengthen, and maybe some more will come out there, was Harvey Barnes.
00:20:11
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:20:15
Jo
Cool.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
There has been talk of him going out and and and him being superfluous because we've got Anthony Gordon down the left. We've got a couple of good, young, left-sided attacking players in the under-21s.
00:20:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do we need Harvey Barnes? Is that a luxury? i mean, my personal opinion is that's the strongest position in the team when you've got two players for that. And we are looking, I think, to have two interchangeable players for every position.
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's how you've got the strength and depth.
00:20:50
Jo
Yeah.
00:20:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
to cope with the European campaign.
00:20:51
Jo
Yeah. here
00:20:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I would keep Harvey Barnes. And I mean, I think he's he's played himself into me thinking that since the Carabao Cup final.
00:20:59
Jo
yeah
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been excellent.
00:21:03
Jo
Yeah I 100% don't want to lose Barnes and if I'm honest I didn't want to lose Barnes even before you went on his recent run so now that you went on his recent run I'm like all for keeping him but as you've just said if we you know we're talking about qualifying Champions League yet we're sitting almost trying to whittle down a squad that really is fairly thin anyway like you said we really do need quality across the pitch and not just
00:21:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:21:29
Jo
one real quality player and then an all right backup come on man if we want to be ah ah big game player you know one of the big six we'll never be on the big six because they'll never allow us to be but you know what i mean if we want to be constantly competing yeah so i mean you know you're challenging europe eventually want to try and challenge for the title we want to keep challenging for cups we cannot work on a paper thing squad so i think as long as the likes of harvey barnes are happy to stay
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
we want to be challenging them.
00:21:56
Jo
And knowing fine well that it takes a lot of hard work to stay in the first team, then brilliant.
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
agree.
00:22:01
Jo
But I think that's how it should be. There should never be a given that someone... That's a left winger. And that's it. If he's injured, then someone else comes in. But otherwise, that's our left winger. I hate that.
00:22:12
Jo
It should just be whoever's hurting the most, I was going to say, sorry. Working... hardest the most and playing well and just ah ah again on form you get picked on form performance whatever you want to call it but yeah so 100 want to keep bonds based on all of that yeah
00:22:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:22:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think unusually after the turgid, bloated squad that Steve Bruce managed to assemble and and where we couldn't get rid of anybody, I think with with
00:22:35
Jo
hmm
00:22:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Almiron going and the guy who was only there for just... Who was the centre-half? forgotten his name already. He's at Juventus now. Him.
00:22:51
Jo
I was just watching him on Sky Sports.
00:22:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah know. It's amazing. they Anyway, Lewis somebody, isn't it?
00:22:55
Jo
Lewis.
00:22:58
Jo
Jamal Lewis.
00:23:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I didn't mean Jamal Lewis. Is he still there? He's got to go. He's just got to be released. His contract must be finishing. No, I'm talking about Lloyd Kelly is who I'm talking about.
00:23:00
Jo
Yeah.
00:23:07
Jo
It was Jamal Lewis, wasn't it? Oh, like Kelly, man.
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm talking about Lloyd Kelly.
00:23:10
Jo
That's awful. Yeah, sorry. It is like Kelly. I've literally just been watching on the TV before as well.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
and those two those two guys Those two guys were part of the squad, so were too short in the 25-man squad.
00:23:15
Jo
Yeah.
00:23:20
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:23:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there are gaps for people to come in. and We're not having to sell before we've got space to bring anybody in.
00:23:24
Jo
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which is why it's interesting to look at who else might get shipped out. Because it kind of sees whether we're going for three or four or five to strengthen the squad. We're overrunning a bit, Joanne.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to stop and ask you to give us the the Zencaster ad with your distinctive Geordie twang. Mmm.
00:23:47
Jo
My proper dulcet tones like. and here at the right Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:23:58
Jo
Zencastr came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start a podcast, that sounds great, and it's delivered efficiently.
00:24:09
Jo
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr.
00:24:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And there we have it. If I'd played the recording, we would have been talking about Zencaster again, which, I mean, I don't really understand that word.
00:24:23
Jo
We would have said Zencaster, don't you know?
00:24:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zencaster, indeed. So where do we need to strengthen? There are some obvious areas that we should talk about because people are already talking about who they're going to get.
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would say if I had to bring four players in, let's say, It would be a right winger first. It would be somebody to replace Longstaff and Miley in midfield.
00:24:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Second.
00:24:57
Jo
Miley?
00:24:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not Miley.
00:24:59
Jo
Not Miley. Willock?
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Longstaff and Willock. Yeah. I think they'd have them in second. and
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
A centre half. But I think we might be ahead of time looking for a centre half, you know, if there's not the right one available.
00:25:10
Jo
I know. It seems to be a popular choice, the centre-half thing.
00:25:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because we
00:25:13
Jo
Mm-mm.
00:25:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can't get rid of any centre-halves, and we don't want to get rid of any centre-halves.
00:25:17
Jo
don't
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Sharon Byrne, with Bottman coming back, gives us plenty of options, I think.
00:25:23
Jo
know. It's not desperate at all.
00:25:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that the controversial part of our discussion, is we don't need centre-halves?
00:25:28
Jo
I don't think it's a desperate... and it's It's a popular one. I've seen a lot of people talk about getting centre-halves, and there's still obviously massive talk on the Gehi thing. I wouldn't reject the likes of Gehi coming, I suppose, because all jokes aside, I do think he could do a great job for us, and how would have him whipped into shape something brilliant.
00:25:45
Jo
that does mean... The likes of Cher would probably kind of drop down a bit. And i do appreciate he is getting older and he can't probably start every single game moving forward. So maybe that's why they talk about it.
00:25:56
Jo
I don't know. I don't think it's the position that we are desperate to look at, if I'm honest. My opinion would definitely still a right wing. I know obviously we're on peak Murphy time at the minute, but even Murphy will know he's peak Murphy.
00:26:09
Jo
And this is going to end at some point, bless him. It would be amazing if he goes into next season.
00:26:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
He can't play every game if we're going to be competing at the latter stages of the Carabao and the FA Cups and eight games minimum in the Champions League.
00:26:15
Jo
m
00:26:21
Jo
Oh god no Yeah
00:26:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Murphy can't play 72 games. Yeah. No. and
00:26:28
Jo
But it goes back to what we've just been saying though We need kind of that strength and depth Across everywhere Because at the minute we don't really have a strength and depth on the right wing Even though we do have flexibility between Barnes, Gordon and whatever
00:26:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah both
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
no Well, he keeps trying sort of hammer Barnes and or Gordon over on the right, and neither of them looks happy doing it. Neither of them is anywhere near as good coming down the right as they are down the left.
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Goalkeeper, certainly if we get Dubravka moving on, and he was almost in Saudi back in January, I think that's where he'll go.
00:26:51
Jo
Yeah.
00:26:53
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:26:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we need a goalkeeper.
00:26:57
Jo
Yeah.
00:26:59
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:27:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you believe some people, James Trafford's all already got a locker assigned in the changing room.
00:27:06
Jo
Deal signed, eh? I know. Apparently.
00:27:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
but we'll have to see how that goes yeah one years of experience where he had to have some sort of PTSD therapy before he got through to the end of the last season he played in the Premier League um so you know I'm not sure that's the right choice I think we need somebody three or four years earlier older who has played Champions League football that's who I would go and get and then
00:27:10
Jo
We'll see, yeah. Yeah.
00:27:32
Jo
Yeah.
00:27:35
Jo
Yeah.
00:27:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
and then Also, what about a forward to cover for Isaac?
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
A Callum Wilson who still has the sort of skills that Callum Wilson had two years ago and isn't made of glass.
00:27:46
Jo
Well...
00:27:53
Jo
i mean, we've talked about the likes... Well, there is that as well. I mean, we've talked about the likes of Mbwemo, haven't we, a million times over, who obviously is a right winger but can play in the striker role.
00:28:04
Jo
So, again, that gives a lot of flexibility across the front. I know we've got Gordon who can technically play there anyway, but we prefer Gordon to be out left, don't we?
00:28:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:28:14
Jo
So funny one? Do we buy out-and-out striker or do we buy someone like Mbwemo? Great if him. if not someone else, but you know what i mean who can be a bit more flexible, so we can just keep kind of mashing up across the front three.
00:28:28
Jo
Obviously, Izek is always going to be predominantly our main striker, all going well and he's not getting injured. don't know. I think, I mean, I'm all for a sign in Buemo regardless, by the way.
00:28:40
Jo
And then Mr. Murphy can be his understudy. All jokes aside, and I used to say in Buemo was going to be Murphy's, but, you know, it will be the other way around. But again, it's a tough one because,
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like Alanga. the more since Since Kev picked Alanga out as the top of his list, I've been watching him a bit more closely and I do think he's excellent as well.
00:28:52
Jo
Oh, God, Ilanga's fantastic.
00:28:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
You couldn't buy Alanga and Mbwemo though.
00:29:00
Jo
I don't think he would leave. I do not think Ilanga would leave Forrest. I think we've got a better chance of getting him well, personally.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:07
Jo
What do you reckon?
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Koot.
00:29:08
Jo
Do you reckon Ilanga would leave Forrest?
00:29:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think Elliot Anderson would have a word with him and tell him to go.
00:29:13
Jo
you reckon? After the season they've just had? If they make Champions League, do you think he will?
00:29:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, i don't i think that's I think they need Champions League to hang on to a lot of their players.
00:29:20
Jo
That's what I mean.
00:29:23
Jo
That's what I mean. But that's like, if we both finish Champions League.
00:29:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Kunja looks like he's going. Kunja looks like he's moving from Wolves.
00:29:30
Jo
He does.
00:29:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's almost said he has. And he can play on the right. support the midfield. He would be a...
00:29:38
Jo
Isn't he linked heavily with Man U though?
00:29:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know, but what does that...
00:29:41
Jo
isn't it I think it's his camp that pushing.
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why would he go there?
00:29:43
Jo
I don't know, it's him wanted by the way. I think it's his camp are kind of pushing massively for It's going to be money, isn't it?
00:29:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:49
Jo
His agent probably going to get a ton from Man U, so he'll probably push for that, won't he
00:29:54
Jo
That's what the talk is anyway.
00:29:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, if Man U actually managed to win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League, then yeah, then that would work.
00:30:00
Jo
Yeah. Yeah. I think they've got to win that, haven't they, really?
00:30:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But if they don't, if they don't, and where's their their games tomorrow night, I think, isn't it?
00:30:04
Jo
They really have to.
00:30:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thursday night, their game. And it's a horrible game, Atletico-Rilbao. That is a tough, tough tie. and If they don't get through, then they're not in Europe at all.
00:30:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they wouldn't even qualify for the bloody song contest where they're going to finish.
00:30:22
Jo
Oh.
00:30:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, so that's our little chat about where we need to strengthen. i don't know if we have picked anything different to what other people are talking about. I think we are being a bit different saying we don't need a centre-half because Eddie's been chasing one for more than 12 months.
00:30:44
Jo
who That's it.
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do think we need a right-winger and I think if you get the right player, you can have a dual purpose who can maybe cover right wing, cover centre-forward, cover midfield.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Those guys are out there.
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, that's us all mashed up, Joe. And you're finishing plenty of time for the rest of your evening.
00:31:02
Jo
been wonderful.
00:31:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So thank you very much indeed, everybody, for listening. Please let us know in your comments about who we should be targeting, what positions we should be prioritising for the strengthening, who you want to see the back of in the squad.
00:31:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is there somebody we haven't mentioned that you think will bring in a super big fee? that general for example, who you would who you'd let go to try and have a lot more money to spend.
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that what it's going to take? Do we need to sell one of our super, super superstars to have 300 to spend instead of 150 and really build up a squad that can challenge for the Champions League next year?
00:31:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Discuss. I suppose we'll find out and have more talks about that later on in the summer. Thank you very much, Joanne. See you soon.
00:31:55
Jo
later.
00:31:59
Jo
Thank you.