Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Daily Forest - Ep 78 - into the FA Cup quarters, but tricky City test awaits! image

Daily Forest - Ep 78 - into the FA Cup quarters, but tricky City test awaits!

Daily Forest
Avatar
10 Plays25 days ago

Stuart and Mark review the latest comings and goings at the City Ground!

https://www.instagram.com/gspnforest

https://www.tiktok.com/@gspndailyforest4

https://x.com/GSPNDailyForest

https://www.youtube.com/@GSPNDailyForest

Our Sponsors

Bioniq - Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for ANY body. Get what's right for YOU. Right now.

We’ve spent years analyzing blood markers to develop our patented algorithm, enabling us to create a 100% personalized supplement to support your health by optimizing your micronutrient status.

Follow the link and Use code GSPN2025 for 40% of your first month’s subscription.

www.bioniq.com/gspn2025

Zencastr

Built for quality - Designed for growth

A new era for creation is here.

The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools — all in one place.

Get started for free!

We highly recommend it!

https://zencastr.com/?via=ken

Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.

For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:

ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com

www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com

Copyright | 2025 Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved

Recommended
Transcript
00:00:09
Mark
Love that echo.

Return to Podcast & Season Overview

00:00:11
Mark
Welcome back to Daily Forest. It's me, Mark, and the brilliant Stuart. How are you, dude? You all right?
00:00:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm all good. It's great to be yeah back on the pod and talking all things Forest as we enter a crucial part of the season. I think where we are at the end of March, well wherever we are end of march i'm saying now, that's where we'll be end of most
00:00:25
Mark
Yeah, man.
00:00:32
Mark
Well, hopefully that's positive. Some big games coming up, so hopefully we get through them unscathed.

Player Injuries & Recovery

00:00:37
Mark
Team news for the weekend. We have got two injuries. um I'm not actually match fit this weekend. Did my shoulder a few weeks ago.
00:00:44
Mark
Was told it was a frozen shoulder, but actually turns just the rotator cuff, so we're all right. We're in physio. Stuart's also out. Dude, what's happened?
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's long-standing knock. Unfortunately, he had a but bit of surgery a year and a half ago and, yeah, he was feeling it again. So a variety of variety of interesting treatments on on the wrist. And in the end, he just said, yeah, put some tape on it. So so here we are.
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here we are.
00:01:09
Mark
Mate, he's got the sports tape on as well. Look at that. Now start calling you
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was a great player, definitely. A wildcard Wednesday subject. to Top Forest players who had their careers ruined by injury, unfortunately.
00:01:19
Mark
and
00:01:22
Mark
yeah Brit Arm Sambalonga. There you go.
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
as we didn't call him, but we should have done.
00:01:28
Mark
Come on. Well, that's what your name can be because the arm's in and out. so the hokey-cokey, it, with our shoulders and arms at the minute. In-out shake it all about, or not too much because they hurt.

Upcoming Game Against City

00:01:38
Mark
But big game this weekend is City, obviously through to the quarterfinals.
00:01:41
Mark
Relieved, happy, excited.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think it probably in that order. mayor Relieved, happy, excited. um Relieved because we haven't yet had a difficult draw.
00:01:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know that a lot of people are saying prioritise the league over the cup and I get that.
00:01:58
Mark
We've made it difficult. We've made it very difficult.
00:02:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but but we've been heavy favourites all three of those games. Was it Luton, Exeter and Ipswich? um Yeah, we I would have been, although I'm also in the camp for saying I'd rather get Champions League than win the cup purely due to the long-standing financial benefits. um Yeah, we should have beaten all three of those teams more more easily ah and more more straightforward than we did.
00:02:23
Mark
Yeah.
00:02:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's relieved. Next one, happy? Happy? Yeah, happy. You've always got to be happy seeing the celebrations on the pitch after the game, especially Nuno sprinting after Olorena and just saying, oh, get on my back, mate, get on my back. I know you've played your heart out 120 minutes, don't to walk anymore.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And excited because we're a game away from Wembley. So relieved, happy, excited, all three, three with mug.
00:02:46
Mark
Yeah, one of those teams that could be at Wembley as well is Manchester

Manchester City's Form & New Signings

00:02:50
Mark
City. We've got them this weekend. Starting to get back to some form though, aren't they?
00:02:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, it's, we've played them, both times we've played them this season, it's been been at the wrong time. So when we played them in December, they, and there were two or three games into their bad run of form.
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's why we sort of gave them too much respect, i feel. So we treated them like the old city and they played like the old city. Whereas if that game had been two or three games later, when they were right in the middle of their losing streak, we could have,
00:03:17
Mark
yeah
00:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
taken the game to them and and maybe gotten something at the Antihad. And now with those January signings, Omar Mamouche, Kouzunov, the guy from Uzbekistan, and Nico Gonzalez, they've got three multi-million pound pound new new signings and they are looking a team again. So, yes, it'll be it'll be tough tough at the city ground on Saturday.
00:03:42
Mark
Yeah, i like the look of that Vito Reis as well. Like Rolls-Royce of a defender is what he was called. think he had like 19 million that spent on him or 22 million, something like He's young as well.
00:03:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But interesting, they have about double double the price almost of Murillo.
00:03:52
Mark
he's good player.
00:03:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
So same similar background, i impressed in Brazil, but moving to Europe very early.
00:03:57
Mark
Yeah.
00:04:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But maybe that's the the city tax, city premium that they were charged double. And let's hope he's not double the player Murillo is.
00:04:07
Mark
Yeah, we talked about the Fulham game.

Forest's Fixture Schedule & Fitness Management

00:04:09
Mark
um That was away. This one's obviously at home and we were at home in midweek, so we haven't had to travel anywhere. So that would have saved a little bit. um But, you know, City played on Saturday, we played on Monday.
00:04:18
Mark
Two days less recovery and obviously City are, you know, much more, you would expect, oiled outfit compared to Fulham. Although Fulham have been looking great recently. Again, one in the cup at United.
00:04:30
Mark
um Do you think that'll play? I know we say, oh, you're Premier League players, they've got a whole week to recover, they should really be back to full fitness. But you know they've had that extra day or two to prepare. you know And against against City, you can't really afford to lose any days, can you?
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, it's, I say it it's fine. It's that way around. Let's say it'd been city on the Monday and then Ipswich on the cup Saturday. I think then it might almost become an excuse. I might think, Oh, we played the big boys on Monday. I can't get myself up for this game on a Saturday because it's the other way around. It's the shorter rest time, but for the bigger game. And I think adrenaline will carry the players through. And yeah, although there might be one, one or two concerns, we didn't, we mentioned already getting 120 minutes, um few others playing deep into the night as well. I'm not so, so concerned. Monday to Saturday with the adrenaline of the big game, i think they should be okay.
00:05:23
Mark
Okay, um let's talk sticking points. How concerned are you about Omar Marmooj coming to Forest?
00:05:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, I mean,
00:05:34
Mark
Tried to sign him so many times.
00:05:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah, I mean, is is I don't think, in his mind, I don't think that'll be a factor um because it's not as if, He was some really obscure player that we had only we had identified. i mean, he was he was tearing up the Bundesliga. So I think from his point of view, I don't think he'll be thinking, oh yeah, this could have been my home. I could have been walking walking on that river.
00:05:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think he youll have he'll he will have that that in his mind at all. um But yeah, he has made City look look better. Haaland hasn't really had a partner, a striped partner in his time time at the club.
00:06:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
after So when Foden and Grealish and ah De Broglie have been firing. He hasn't needed one, but those players haven't been firing as as much this year. So it's certainly a given City already a very different option. And yeah, Marmouche could maybe say he's he's a danger man ahead of head of Erling Haaland.
00:06:29
Mark
Yeah, well, I think, you know, he kind of he's kind of filled the void that they really missed for me with Alvarez. You know, Alvarez went to Atletico, scored an unbelievable goal in the Champions League the other day, by the way.
00:06:41
Mark
81 million lot of money, but he is some player. And to replace him, they kind of didn't really bring anyone in. You know, Savinho replaced one of the other wingers that went out in summer.
00:06:52
Mark
um But no one really kind of took over that Alvarez role. And they've they've missed that. And then obviously Marmucci stepped in. is his for His firing boots haven't quite been on, but he got a hat trick the other day, a bit confidence.
00:07:03
Mark
um And he very, well, the rumours are he very nearly came to the city grounds, but the fans at Frankfurt were like so desperate for him to stay that he felt like he belonged there.
00:07:14
Mark
um If that is true, do you think he'll celebrate in front of the Forest fans?
00:07:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I mean, it depends on depend on the game. I think you he's not going to do like that and put the hands down and refuse to celebrate at all. Because as I Forrest, it's not as if he's ever really had a connection with the club, but I don't think he'll go crazy. For example, if he scores, I don't think we will lose 2-0, but let's say he scores a second and 2-0 win, I think he'll celebrate.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
respectfully, but equally, if he gets a last minute screamer or a last minute equaliser, I don't think he's going to hold back just because this is a team who who tried to sign him. I don't think. I know that when Marley were on the pod a few weeks ago talking about Santiago Jimenez maybe coming to us in January and he was dead to Marley. In Marley's book, if yeah you turn down Forrest, then doesn't want to hear the name but ever mentioned again. I don't think it was quite like that with Marmouche, but equally, yeah i think we'll forget about it in the ASTC and we almost signed him because as I said, it's only rumours. We don't really know for sure if we did almost sign him or not.
00:08:22
Mark
Yeah, I mean, I'll be the first to put my neck on the line and say, you know, if he has a bit of a stinker for the rest of the season at a City, happily take him on loan next season.
00:08:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah, completely.
00:08:31
Mark
Do you know what I mean?
00:08:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:31
Mark
He did bits for us. Fuff. He does look like some player as well, doesn't he? You know, you watch him play for City as well with those players around him. You think, oh, he's got quality.
00:08:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely.
00:08:40
Mark
He does look good.
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
is Yeah, again, he would
00:08:43
Mark
Yeah. ah
00:08:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
be the main man with us.
00:08:45
Mark
Next one.
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry to, as you said, like, um yeah, it maybe it made me slotting in as Holland's foil, as is understudy almost. But who who knows? Maybe if the opportunity just come ah arise again, he certainly certainly still could well light up light at the city ground.

Transfer Speculations & Interests

00:09:03
Mark
interesting to see how they play, actually, City. um You know, because obviously no Champions League, so they won't have to think about midweek. They'll probably put a strong team out because they need to keep winning the games. I'd quite like to see McAtee in that role behind Haaland.
00:09:17
Mark
I'd like to see him start a few games because he looks like a player, doesn't he? He's just kind of limited for those opportunities. Although then again in the summer, maybe that'll play into our favour if we want to sign him.
00:09:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that's they didn't want to let him go in in January because, of course, in January they didn't know they'd be out the Champions League. So they wanted to keep him around as and as an extra body.
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But no, I think yeah're you're completely right. He will, I think, be on the on the move in the summer. If um'm if I'm right in saying he's only started in the Carabao Cup or in towards the end of the Champions League group stage, I don't think he started in the Premier League. So yeah, if James McAtee is to be the next Cole Palmer,
00:09:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
then we should be the the type of club who is joining simply because, yeah, Cole Palmer, when he joined Chelsea, he went from fringes to the squad to what Chelsea were sixth in the league. We are around, could be finished around sixth in the league or maybe higher. So, yeah, I'd expect us if McAtee is going to leave City permanently, I'd expect us to be in contention of of bringing him, bringing him in.
00:10:17
Mark
Yeah, like I'd love to see him come to the city ground. Imagine him giving us what and Elliot Anderson and and around that midfield. It'd just be like, we'd be good, wouldn't we?
00:10:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
and form those connections for England as well.
00:10:25
Mark
We'd be good to watch. Yeah, great for England as well. Tough competition from Dortmund and Leverkusen and those types of teams as well, though. But we'll see. We'll see. Let's play the ads.
00:10:36
Mark
Then we'll go and um talk a little bit about the f FA Cup because got lots to round up from this week and then we'll do predictions at the end.
00:10:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:11:13
Mark
great thanks by
00:11:20
Mark
absolutely right now please as well another was more at the ends a car to say by the way the most hypnotic music goes love in every second of that I was on the low taking me away smart thoughts yeah
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
and getting your phone out and click clicking that link and stocking up in your Bionique as you hear hear the hear hear the music. So yeah, it's a very, very nice, long persuasive, a bit of a jingling from Ken Davis at the Global Sports Podcast Network. He's the voiceover on that, I believe.
00:11:46
Mark
was lovely, wasn't it? dumb um du du du I'm like, great. It's fantastic. Very peaceful. it's lovely. um Not so peaceful, the FA Cup. i we've made it We've made a journey of this.

FA Cup Journey & Brighton Challenge

00:12:00
Mark
This season. We've got to put the teams to bed. Although, moving forward, away game, not what we wanted. But I think a trip to the Amex, probably more promising than a trip to St James'. Although, will revenge be on the cards after the seven mill
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think certainly Bournemouth and Fulham were probably probably the ones to avoid what with our seemingly seeming curses against our our promotion buddies from that class of 2022.
00:12:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, of course, you want to be playing playing at home or being Preston at home would have been been the dream draw.
00:12:28
Mark
Yeah.
00:12:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's be be honest, no disrespect to Preston, of course, the the lowest ranked team in it.
00:12:33
Mark
Oh, in a
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we want to be playing them at home at this stage. But Brighton away, it'll be interesting. Revenge, i think, will be on on their mind. um Although I think they've actually picked up more points since that than we have. think we've picked up about a lesson and no two losses and a draw since then. think they've won two and drawn one. So it's actually revitalised them and not yet um given us the courage to push on. So yeah, we could really be let neck and neck in the table with Brighton come come the end of March. It'll be really, really fascinating game against someone who apart from the off day, we should be well matched to. So yeah, mean, if going to want to win the cup or get to those Wembley semi-finals, you've got to win these tricky ties and you've got to win the easy ties. We've just about, we've been winning the easy ties and let's see how we can do against our, certainly our toughest cup of payment this season so far.
00:13:26
Mark
Yeah, tough couple of games. Brighton away is not going to easy in the Cup. We've got City coming up. um We've managed to survive against Arsenal. We've got a point. But you know i mean Arsenal are very deprived squad.
00:13:38
Mark
i mean they've They've got a lot of players out. Yes, all right. I know they beat PSV 7-1 the other day. However, you know you feel against City, they're probably going to bring more strength, and especially with Brighton in the Cup.
00:13:50
Mark
If you look at their performances recently, like Minte, like Rutter, João Pedro has been good all season when he's been fit. And, you know, Matoma, like they they really look like they're on form at the minute.
00:14:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, completely. I think that was their problem against us in in the 7-0, that they played them all at once and they didn't didn't start with any anyone in in the holding mid-roll, just Hinchawood, who's a full-back. So I think, yeah, certainly ah a mistake from Fabian Hutzler in a game to play all his attacking options.
00:14:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
at once, but now these other more defensive minded players are coming back. And yeah, like you do expect him to line up with two or three of those attacking options who you mentioned, and then the others coming onto the bench in, into extra time, which we, we don't have, um, Brighton's, although maybe our, it gives Wyatt a Langer has an adoy, just as good as Mitoma, um, Minte and, and Jao Pedro.
00:14:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
They then have Welbeck. We have a Dingra. Um, they, they have options in, in depth that we with Awani, Soz and Jota just don't have really in terms of game changing attacking substitutions
00:14:54
Mark
Yeah. Well, that'll be the task for summer, isn't it? I mean, I'd love in summer to get McAtee and Hutchinson. like imagine Imagine that as your bench.
00:15:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
so mean I'm not i'm not not sold on Hutchinson yeah now I think we thought Anderson would would be a bench option didn't we we thought Anderson would be Gibbs White's understudy Gibbs White's backup but then he forced his way into the team playing in a deeper role than he'd ever played for
00:15:04
Mark
But again, and you probably couldn't bench McAtee. That's the issue. Yeah.
00:15:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle where he was ah an attacking player or even even a winger. So yeah, I think if McAtee, if we were to sign him, we'd want him to also push on in a way, similar to Anderson and create himself that role in in the team make himself undroppable as Anderson has done so.
00:15:33
Mark
Yeah, be lovely, wouldn't it? So in terms of Brighton, would you change things up a little bit? Would you try something new? obviously we've got a lot of games coming up. Would you would you mix it up? It's a cup game.
00:15:45
Mark
Would you give anyone else a chance? Would you try and you know maybe get some more fitness into Sangare and Danilo? Maybe even give Sozer another chance? Because he's he's looked lively recently, Sozer has.
00:15:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's weird with the timing. So we've got yeah City Saturday. Then it's i ipsus again in the league. Then there's an international break. And then the f FA Cup is actually only.
00:16:08
Mark
Yeah.
00:16:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there's a bit of a a strange, strange order, order of fixtures. So you're right, may maybe because it is the first game back after another international break. Then, yeah, we we could do like what we saw in i think the November international break.
00:16:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if Chris Wood, I don't know what New Zealand are up to, but if he's flying three times around the world to play for New Zealand against Fiji or whatever, then you can maybe give Taiwo a start in in the cup.
00:16:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, I would like to see us play it the full, full strength. So definitely sales in goal, definitely Gibbs-White starting, things like that. But one or two changes, possibly Sosa in for Hudson-Odoi. You're right to give him that one additional chance. And Taiwo for Chris Wood, if If Chris Wood is tied, if it's going to go to penalties again, then give Tywo and Chris Wood an hour each.
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But with Tywo as the starter rather than Chris Wood this time, I would certainly um not be against the idea of... Yes, I think we made 10 changes in the first two rounds. Ipswich Monday, we made six changes. I think maybe three or four changes for Brighton would be what I would anticipate. So not full, full strength, but a good starting eleven
00:17:17
Mark
Yeah. Tough few games. mean, it puts you away. That's not going to easy either.

Ipswich Game Preview

00:17:23
Mark
You know, you're looking at that ah straight after City as well.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:17:24
Mark
It's a bit savage, really. It's a must-win game. But at Portman Road, their fans will be up for it. And, you know, like we said, there's three or four of their attacking team that we'd probably want to sign.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not completely. it ib switch if If they are going to stay up, I mean, they've but like we we had to do the last two years where you circle, I could get a point in there, could actually win there. We're on their list as as a target. If Vips are going to stay up, they're going to need to at least pick up a point at home against against us in a week's time. And yeah, it's possible, that as you say, if we've come out of a bruising game against City on Saturday with confidence dropped or maybe picking up one and a knock or two, then yeah, Ipswich will not be an easy game ah in a week's time.
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll quickly play our second ad and let let Mark refresh himself. I think he's too wowed by Liam DeLapp there, it seems.
00:18:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Another nice nice music background to these ads now that we didn't have didn't have earlier in the season. So definitely great to ah be part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. Definitely great to do a lot with Zencastr. And can assure you that it's Mark's London hip hipster artists, actors flat in London with a bad Wi-Fi and not a Zencastr that's leading to this Frozen.
00:19:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah, City on on Saturday, starting lineup predictions from me. We're going to have to go for Sales in Goal. I mean, I think he will probably win PFA goalkeeper of the season in in the team of the year. I know you can't really predict who the other players are going to vote for. It's player voted for award, of course, as well.
00:19:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But ultimately, yeah, he's been probably the best best Premier League goalkeeper in the season so far. know Alisson had a great night in the Champions League ah last night, last night as we record, but because he's ah not played enough games in the league, Kelleher had a Good chunk at the start of the season, which is why think sales has got to be the shout for goalkeeper of the season.

Predicted Lineup for City Game

00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Usual back four. We we said mentioned Aina is tired, but he's going to start. It'll be Aina. Milankovic coming in after he was rested. Then Murillo and Nico Williams. Yates and Anderson, the middle two. Dominguez has not been so impressive from what we've seen of him over the last a couple of games that he's started.
00:20:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think, yeah, this is the game game for Yates. A couple of goals in his game now in the Newcastle loss against Ipswich midweek. So I think this is definitely a game for Yates, pardoning Anderson, a partnership they've played played a couple of times before.
00:20:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then, yeah, I think i the usual usual front four of Lange, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi and um Chris Wood. ah There's a call, there's an argument for, um yeah, perhaps...
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um bring in a Dominguez or a Sangare into the middle, playing Anderson out wide. That could work, but ultimately I want to go for the ah main four.
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Mark, I just went through went through my lineup. I'm not sure if you could hear me. Try and guess my team for the City game and we'll see if that would also be the team you'd pick. So who who did who did I go for as the goalkeeper?
00:21:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:21:08
Mark
Alright, I reckon you go Matt Sales in goal. Because let's be honest, we do not have anyone else. Back four. I reckon you've kept it the same as the Prem team normally is.
00:21:20
Mark
I reckon
00:21:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep, that's what I'm for, yeah? no No changes from your team yet? you You would also go for that, or would you would you throw Moreno in?
00:21:34
Mark
I'll come back to you on that one. I'll come back to you.
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. You're
00:21:37
Mark
um I reckon you've thrown Yates in to disturb the city middle.
00:21:43
Mark
And I reckon you've probably put Anderson next to that with Gibbs, White, Callum Hutton, Adoya, Langer and Wood.
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
reading my mind. Reading my mind.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Perfect. So you guessed guest my team perfectly. Then I guess Nuno's team.
00:21:56
Mark
Reddish Palms.
00:21:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. do we do Do you think, would would you also agree with that? Or is there any any other names you you can throw at me that I i might have missed?

Lineup Strategy Discussions

00:22:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
We could also wouldn't mind seeing it in the Forest team.
00:22:10
Mark
I think maybe I'd try something different because I feel like everyone starts predict us. um
00:22:16
Mark
And I feel like go... Would I go narrower maybe slightly? I think I'd try... Although at home you do want to go for it.
00:22:27
Mark
think I think I'd try Selzingo. think I probably would actually give Moreno a go for the experience at left back. because he's tenacious and it works against Liverpool. And I think think he's got more to offer. I think he's got injured, didn't he? But I think he has got more to offer.
00:22:39
Mark
Put Einer back at right back, Milenkovic and Murillo in the middle. I'd keep Yates in there. I like that.
00:22:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Yep. ye
00:22:45
Mark
ah And I ah really want to see Sangare get fit and go on those power runs. And I feel like we need, against City, we need someone a bit bigger in there, just to disturb it little bit.
00:22:56
Mark
So try Sangare and Yates together. And then put Anderson slightly further forward. um And rather than having out-and-out wingers, I think I'd have Gibbs-Watt and Alanga just behind Wood.
00:23:12
Mark
But like rotate it where like sometimes Alanga joins Wood up front and go with the two. And it makes a diamond behind. And sometimes it makes 4-3-3.
00:23:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think it's probably the only only alternative, really, to to the team that but that I said and we we discussed at the start. Because you're right, if you predicted the team I predicted, then Pep's going to predict that as well. So maybe maybe it is getting a bit bit bit too too predictable and that that team has has merit, as you say, with Alanga and Gibbs-White both playing in a free roll, going very narrow where when we need to, but also with Alanga's pace as an out-wide. that's certainly something I could see see doing pretty well. um
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I would not have any any any problems with but that team. Sangare, yeah.
00:23:58
Mark
Or maybe Danilo.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:59
Mark
Maybe Danilo as well.
00:24:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:01
Mark
just just something just Just a bit more in the midfield, just to compact it and then break away a bit more. Because I think we can break on City. i mean, if you watch watch some of City's games at the moment, you know they're getting broken through like butter still at the back.
00:24:15
Mark
There's definitely goals to be had there, I would say. Yeah.
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and the benefit with that second team is then we have a player as strong as Hudson-Odoi on the bench. I mean, be starting Hudson-Odoi and Alanga, then you've not got anyone to bring on when they're tiring. So if you start with just one of them, then can bring on the other to cause havoc in that city defence in the last 20-25 minutes.
00:24:35
Mark
You never know. you might You might go and just put all the midfielders and go Sangare, Dominguez, Danilo, Gibbs-White, Yates and just do like a five-man mashup and then bring the wingers on. Hmm.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we did that against Liverpool right back at the start. um Yeah, we started but without the wingers in that game. They both came on. Langley set up Pazinadoy for that winner. So, yeah, well what why not return to that?
00:24:53
Mark
what would you What would you do if it was 0-0 and he brought on Hudson-Odoi, Alanga, Souza and Jota at the same time?
00:25:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, that would be, yeah, it would to completely confuse that City defence. They often play with four centre-backs. They can be quite narrow as well. So, yeah, I think Jota's a pest.
00:25:09
Mark
Terrifying.
00:25:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
City wouldn't know how how to deal with him. Buzzing around. And so, is that as we said, we have seen bit bits from him. He scored a couple of goals um in the limited game time he's had. So, yeah, that would be certainly an interesting way way around that City city midfield, which, as we say, without Rodri, is not as strong as it should be.
00:25:21
Mark
Terrifying.
00:25:29
Mark
Yeah, although Gonzalez looks all right. He's stepping isn't he? So we'll see. Long-term replacement, maybe. But yeah, I mean, interesting. It's going to be an interesting game. I mean, especially if if they if they go full strength.
00:25:41
Mark
my My worry is that they'll put Marmouche, Foden and Doku behind Haaland, because I just don't know if we'll handle that.
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, it'll be certainly a big big challenge for Murillo and Milenkovic, great duo, but again, they did look slightly out of sorts against against Newcastle a couple of weeks to go now. So yeah, I think it'll be interesting, it'll certainly be if those four, they all offer something different. um They all have the different strengths, but yeah, we've we handled handled Liverpool twice, our only team Salah hasn't scored or assisted against, ah so why can't we put, I can't remember who scored directly against us last time, but if don't think Harlem scored in that of opening a game early this season. So yeah, why don't we so be the only team who Harlem hasn't scored or assisted against this season too.
00:26:27
Mark
Yeah, maybe. Maybe, you never know. Well, there you

Game Predictions: Forest vs City

00:26:31
Mark
go. That's the roundup of of what's happened this week. It's been a busy week. Hopefully lots of three points on Trent's side this weekend. Hopefully no Mahmoud goals.
00:26:39
Mark
Fingers crossed. Hopefully no Makati goals either. Just to put it out there.
00:26:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe we've cursed it. Maybe we've cursed it and we'll be sitting here on Sunday, reviewing, uh, Man McAtee coming off the bench, set up Marmouche for his second hat-tricking English football. Hopefully not, though. Hopefully not.
00:26:53
Mark
You said that last time you predicted FA Cup, you said Exeter. So I'm slightly nervous. Because you seem to have the crystal ball.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and that wasn't a prediction there. Yeah. no um Yeah. Crystal ball, i I'm going to say 1-1. That's a realistic prediction. We're going to say 1-1. We will take the lead, though, so I think it will be one of those 1-1s that...
00:27:08
Mark
Yeah.
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Now we would take a 1-1 against City, but I think it's going a late equaliser from them. So I think it'll be a one all that feels like a defeat rather than one that feels like a win.
00:27:21
Mark
I don't mind that, though. and I'd rather that than be stressed out 1-0 down the whole game. um
00:27:29
Mark
I'm feeling positive. I feel like we might nick it because we've been struggling recently. I feel like we've got a performance to come out of somewhere. Some confidence from the quarters. ah Obviously, City got through as well.
00:27:40
Mark
I'm going to go with a 2-1. I think realistically, it'll probably be because I think there's goals in both teams.
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, i' why if we don't lose to them and we stay above them and then we're in third place with 10 games to go so yeah i'm i'll be definitely more more than happy with the draw just to keep up that the longer we're in the champions league position positions then the sooner the season will finish i think we've been third since what december now since boxing day or something i think so it's almost it's now we're into march we've been holding that position for a while even with bad performances so even if it means grinding out results the longer we stay here the better
00:28:12
Mark
Perfect. Love that for us. But that's the roundup for this week. Thanks so much for joining us and we will see you very soon right here on Daily Forest.