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Episode 257: Championship Roundup! - Week 2
135 Plays17 days ago
Southampton It was another crazy weekend of championship action, and we have lots to talk about!
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Transcript
Introduction and Weekend Plans
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Greg Elliott and as always today, joined by my good friend and wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
How you doing, mate? You alright?
00:00:22
Zak
Yeah, not too bad, mate. Not too bad. It's the middle of the road, middle of the week. Close to the end of the week. Back holiday weekend for most people. My birthday Monday as well.
00:00:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Nice.
00:00:32
Zak
so yeah, can't complain. Can't complain. Just hope we get results this weekend.
00:00:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nice. always the way but look instead of looking forward we are going to spend some time looking back it has been another fast-paced weekend of championship football and we thought that we would go through some of the more exciting things that have happened and just you know go through it's the best league in the world for a reason and it pays to be alert to what else is going on and to know what else we're going to face so uh
00:00:43
Zak
never.
Championship Football Games Overview
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
we've had a look at some of the games and some of the results. We just thought we'd go through and, and read it off basically. So, but my list is in, think, reverse chronological semi-alphabetical orders act.
00:01:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm just going to follow that. and
00:01:19
Zak
reverse chronological semi-alphabetical.
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah.
00:01:24
Zak
yeah that Right, okay. Right.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's by kickoff time, but if the kickoff times are the same, then it goes alphabetical. See, so we're just,
00:01:32
Zak
Okay, that makes that, okay, that's slightly more logical to what I expected from you there, mate.
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
It made sense in my brain.
00:01:37
Zak
more a reflection of me than a reflection on you, I promise.
00:01:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, obviously the the first result is Ipswich and us with a 1-0 draw, which we have covered at length and will not spend much time pondering on on this episode.
Hull vs Oxford Game Highlights
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, reasonable draw, not a loss.
00:01:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
What more can you ask for? Next up, Hull versus Oxford, which finished Yeah. It was bit of an exciting game, mate, although the highlights are maybe not so much the football, but definitely the energy the announcer brings.
00:02:10
Zak
Yeah, i i told you I told you about this if you'd seen if you'd seen the announcer and like, no. And then I sent you the videos. And yeah, it's just, again, funnier that no one seems to match the energy that he has put it out.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:26
Zak
Coming from someone who on occasion puts out significantly more energy than people around me.
00:02:32
Zak
Sure, it doesn't bother him. Either way, make them using content nonetheless. But yeah, good game. Again, I said, I predicted they'd struggled.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was still a good game.
00:02:39
Zak
I really thought they'd struggle.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, another late winner, 94th minute winner.
00:02:41
Zak
So...
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hull took the lead three times in that game. So, you know,
00:02:47
Zak
Yeah, I saw. So...
00:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Both the goals they conceded as well were just absolutely abysmal handling of clearing across. Both goals like went in for a cross
00:03:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
sort of got headed up into the air and just fell at an Oxford player's feet who just volleyed it in both times. All right.
00:03:07
Zak
Mate, we wouldn't know anything about that. But by the sounds of it, by looks of it as well, like, Hull dominated a lot of the game.
00:03:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:03:13
Zak
So it does just seem like they were hit on the counter. But as I said, I thought Hull would struggle this season. I still think they probably will down the line. I think we expect Oxford to sort of be in and around them.
00:03:26
Zak
So it seems like, you know, even though they were teams that I would view to be quite evenly matched, there was clearly a side here that was...
Derby vs Coventry Game and Coventry's Potential
00:03:34
Zak
doing the numbers more than the other. As we know, that isn't necessarily what wins football games, but it's usually a indicator of which side is stronger, at least on paper, right?
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Next on my list, ah ah probably... ah don't even really think it's up for debate. Probably Game of the Weekend. Derby versus Coventry in a 5-3 thriller. Yeah.
00:03:57
Zak
Yeah, I think I was, I was pretty shocked when I saw that, uh, Derby were beating Coventry. Right. Uh, and that, that didn't last very long. I was like, Ooh, three, two, much to probably the upset of, uh, Nick, who is one of GSPN's co-founders.
00:04:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:17
Zak
He is a big Derby County fan.
00:04:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:20
Zak
Uh, pretty sure he was involved in the club at one point in one way or another. But yeah, his only clinging to relevance of Derby is the fact that we they still have that points record because it reminds them of a time they once made Premier League.
00:04:33
Zak
And judging by this weekend's result, they won't be making it back anytime soon.
00:04:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, I mean, look, it was an entertaining game. They stuck in there and you know right up until the end, until they sort of didn't.
00:04:45
Zak
Yeah, to be fair.
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Derby's first goal was some catastrophic defending from Coventry. Derby's ah Sorry, Coventry's first goal was some catastrophic defending from Derby.
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, pointing out what you were saying. Derby's first goal, however, was probably a better free kick than Ryan Manning's last week. It was unbelievable.
00:05:07
Zak
us Yeah, but Manning had never scored a free kick, Greg.
00:05:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
From wider...
00:05:10
Zak
He was always, for some reason, became our like primary distributor after the James Ward-Prowse, right? And everyone kind of didn't realise why.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:18
Zak
i mean, not during the necessarily like a little bit during the first round of the championship. Obviously, like, Stoey Armstrong scored that absolute cracker at one point.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:05:26
Zak
But, yeah, it kind of felt weird. But now I feel bad saying that after he scored that goal the other day. But i feel that's a bit blasphemous to sit on a Saints podcast, mate, but...
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then but then there was they traded penalties, that are both the clearest cut penalties you'll ever see. One of them, I think he literally... yeah I mean, if you if she saw that happen in a WWE ring, you'd go, that was a pretty decent move.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Kicked him in the chest.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
but He was playing for the ball, but he wasn't close enough. and The other one was just... You talk about arms being in a natural position, and I'm not convinced that at full outstretched above your head to reach towards the ball counts as natural.
00:06:05
Zak
No, that that that doesn't really sound.
00:06:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... but
00:06:06
Zak
it That's, you know, that that feels like they're, you know,
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
they They were moaning at the referee, but really I couldn't, for the love no money, see why. don't think there's a clearer handball that I've seen. But then, yeah, Coventry looked very dangerous, very lethal.
00:06:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Got the last two goals to to finish off. And, yeah, on four points now, same as us. Going to be there or thereabouts, I think. right they
00:06:30
Zak
Yeah, I think they they really are.
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Making that push.
00:06:33
Zak
And I think they're only going to build from last season. And, you know, initially I thought, okay, Ipswich, maybe Sheffield United, Leicester, if they get their act together. But we always said Coventry as well.
00:06:45
Zak
And I think that Coventry are actually probably going to be up there with Ipswich as probably one of the primary ones fighting for those top two spaces alongside us.
Wrexham's Championship Challenges
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to be interesting for sure all right uh i'm going come back to the rest of the list but first a break and a message from our partners at bionique
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back. I'm going to break the order of my list, Zach, and I'm going to leave this next one until last. So the next game we're going talk about is Wrexham and West Brom.
00:07:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And man, Wrexham, welcome to the championship, right?
00:07:56
Zak
Okay.
00:08:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
We talked last week a lot about how their home form was going to be important because of you know making it a fortress and yeah West Brom come along and score a handful and Proof it's going to be a much harder step up than you think.
00:08:15
Zak
it I obviously I'm starting to regret putting them as hard as I did in our championship predictions because I said, but then again, it was reliant on whether or not all of their new signings click straight away.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:08:26
Zak
And again, it still baffled me that they tried to turn around to be like, well, you know, that other teams can spend more and have this bit. I'm like, the only reason you're here is because you outspent every one of your rivals. So let's not let not go there.
00:08:38
Zak
like And I feel like they probably wouldn't necessarily have a problem with PSR because they're going to make the money for the club elsewhere, right?
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
hmm
00:08:44
Zak
If I have to see another... and but i don't know what that cold brew coffee brand is, but I'm probably never buying it. It's just because I'm sick of seeing it in their signing announcements. Yeah. But it is one of those things where, like look, if they're starting to start gelling together, that they'll do a little better. And I feel like out of the two promoted sides that we thought would do better, i was pretty shocked that you put Birmingham City above them.
00:09:07
Zak
It's only two games in, but I already seem to be eating my words a little bit there. And you seem to be, you know shockingly, Greg, the the you one a better lead better at better predicting football than me.
00:09:19
Zak
To any long-term listeners.
00:09:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, as long as you can leave the heart out of it and not predict a Saints win, I feel like it's...
00:09:24
Zak
Yeah, this is the thing. Much better at predicting stuff outside of Southampton. I'm too cynical to not.
00:09:32
Zak
Yeah, maybe...
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, leaving your heart out, it makes sense. But look, speaking of heart, right? Baggies flying high, six points now. Be remiss not to mention how good they are doing, especially, you know, my a brother-in-law are Baggies fans, predicted them finishing 11th.
00:09:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So definitely some nice stop-the-count messages going around this weekend.
00:09:48
Zak
Yeah.
00:09:51
Zak
what
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... 100%.
00:09:52
Zak
the The thing is is, there's so much more football to be played, right? I don't want to start thinking that we are we have guessed the outcome of the the season, but like there are some surprises to the start you know everywhere, right?
00:09:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
Birmingham, Blackburn, and Charlton Game Reviews
00:10:04
Zak
like look Even looking at the Premier League, you've got Leeds winning and Sunderland, which no one expected.
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:10
Zak
Already already like a chick chipped the away at a quarter of our points tally.
00:10:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, crazy.
00:10:14
Zak
So...
00:10:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. but ah Some points of note. Tom Fellowes got the first assist, which, you know, who we've recently been linked with.
00:10:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Price, their striker, got a brace, which is, you know, he's off to a flying start. He scored their goal against Blackburn last week as well. So...
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
literally flying. And you want to talk about impact off the bench and how important that is in the league. Jed Wallace came on in this game and scored after being on the pitch for a total of 28 seconds. Yeah. Hmm.
00:10:51
Zak
Yikes. But yeah, but that that's that's the other thing though, right?
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:10:54
Zak
like Like Broadhead got a run in for Wrexham. And I think with Wrexham, it is almost like they're an entirely new team. It's going to take them a while to gel. Whereas a lot of these are a lot of the other teams they've come across against like us, yes, we we had a new manager and yes, we had some stuff, but it still took us 90 minutes to beat them. But I feel like if you've got a team that's well drilled, no knows how they play for the players that kind of have been haven't moved a huge amount since last season,
00:11:18
Zak
then, you know, I think they're probably going to do better. And that's been proven so far, at least, anyway.
00:11:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, next on my list, Blackburn and Birmingham. Birmingham getting a 2-1 win there.
00:11:32
Zak
Yeah, again, another promoted team, right?
00:11:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like you say, yeah, another late winner.
00:11:35
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
They equalised in the 90th minute with a penalty and then went and got the winner in the 99th minute. So, but just like we said about this league, right?
00:11:46
Zak
vibes of yeah like with the vibes of our game right you know you're going 1-0 down and then somehow in the 90 past the 90th minute managing to score twice and again like just a lot of added time and a lot of know a lot of late goals is all part of the fun but fair fair play to Birmingham I guess
00:11:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
The late, late, late show.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, I mean, it's that sort of resilience that is going to be needed battle in this league, right? It's real tough, tight. Yeah. Look, they're going to be, so aren like I said in my predictions, they were going to be in and amongst it.
00:12:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's feeling that way early on, right? Like a couple of good results starting to come together. They're up there on four points, same as us now. So interesting.
00:12:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
interesting stuff.
00:12:37
Zak
Yeah, I think they're really showing their championship credentials. Like, you know, considering they're a team that went down and obviously set came straight back up. And I think that's where they massively did differ from, like, sort of Wrexham, right?
Preston's Victory and Leicester's Squad Issues
00:12:51
Zak
But it is kind of, you know, I guess i guess all of the... guess investment is now kicking into gear and trying to build something. And I wouldn't be surprised if you're right, we end up seeing them down the playoffs, down the line. But again, very early, early doors.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very early doors. Right, moving on to another promoted team. A 0-0 draw for Bristol and Charlton. You've got to put that down as a great point for Charlton, right?
00:13:20
Zak
Yeah, 100%.
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:13:22
Zak
Again, they're the ones we want. We put them to to definitely get demoted as well alongside Sheffield Wednesday. say so I know if I'm surprised necessarily.
00:13:34
Zak
I guess Nathan Jones is doing Nathan Jones things, which is being in the championship and doing well. But remember, that's sort of his level.
00:13:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
unbeaten so far this year but crazy yeah yeah
00:13:46
Zak
Yeah, other than that, I don't have a huge amount to speak about It was a nil-nil draw. Like, there were no goals scored. Some goals almost happened. Goals did not happen. However, Nathan Jones, very, very happy with the outcome.
00:13:57
Zak
So, you know, for them, it's a much better start than I think most people would expect, including us.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
next on the list Preston North End beating Leicester 2-1. Another late one. 85th minute finish. Notably, Thierry is small with the assist. X-Saints as well.
00:14:18
Zak
Yeah, this it's it's one of the things, like, I think I've... I was talking to this before we started. It's one of those things, regarding to to Southampton especially, that we have...
00:14:32
Zak
We have not been known for our academy in recent years, right? So, like, you know, we aren't producing the Bales or Yorkside Chamberlains or the Shores or, like, the Lallanas that we once were.
00:14:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:44
Zak
But a lot of the players that we've had that have been released are, like, knocking around and sitting around the championship, right? Like, of the even at that game we were talking about last 0-0 with Charlton. That was Kane Ramsey who used to play for us.
00:14:57
Zak
He'd obviously then went on to Charlton. You've... One of the other games, you know, the Millwall-Middlesburgh game, you've got Alfie Jones, who used to play for us, never made it into the first team, but was released, went to Scotland before coming back to Hull.
00:15:10
Zak
So it's like, there's there's lots of... We have actually got, like, a lot of... Our youth players that have left our system that haven't quite made it into the Premier League or quite made it to the sort of stardom levels that you'd expect.
00:15:22
Zak
But when people talk about our academy not being like what it once was, it doesn't mean that it's still not producing you know relatively good footballers and those relatively good footballers are still knocking around.
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:33
Zak
out
00:15:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crazy. Brilliant three points for Preston, though, got to be said. you know... think we both said that Leicester are likely to struggle more than than you would expect to relegate your team to this season, but still be putting a fight on.
00:15:46
Zak
Yes.
00:15:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Leicester's goal, this is the point of note from the game, was scored by a youngster, Jeremy Monger, who becomes their youngest ever goal scorer at 16 years old and 37 days.
00:16:02
Zak
Jeez.
00:16:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's just mad, isn't it? Like, absolutely mental.
00:16:04
Zak
That was a child on the pitch.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:07
Zak
But then again, like that they they've had to sell. They've lost Jamie Vardy, who's still looking for a club. They just had Hutchinson pilfered off them, so they're having players sort of pilfered off them at the rate that we were worried about what happened to us. That hasn't really happened.
00:16:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I
00:16:26
Zak
So far, to be clear, the window's not closed. But yeah, I think you know we don't know if there's still going to be a points
Sheffield United's Struggles Under Ruben Seles
00:16:32
Zak
deduction, right? There keeps being conversation about it. I thought it was all confirmed.
00:16:36
Zak
It doesn't seem to...
00:16:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
think it's still win the in the court of appeal, but yeah. It's crazy that it looks weak.
00:16:43
Zak
but yeah The fact it's not wrapped up and the league started is kind of insane to me because it's like, you know, that could be building, they you know, what if they start doing well and then that could just completely kill momentum or alternatively but you have the they have the points deduction and then that results in a fight back, right?
00:16:58
Zak
It's just the fact that, yeah, the fact that it's it's not sorted yet and the league has now started is I think unfair on all sides involved.
00:16:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, sort of galvanizes them. Yeah.
00:17:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I definitely agree.
00:17:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. I think e e ah think we will now take a break and have a message from our partners at Zencaster before we come back and and wrap up with our last three games.
00:17:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster 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 podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:17:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster.
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and, uh, we are back. Uh, Swansea City beating Sheffield United 1-0 in another bit of a shock result, to be honest.
00:18:00
Zak
i
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, I had the blades flying high this season and it's but it's not going well so far, is it?
00:18:07
Zak
so so So did I. And I think it's one of those things that... we couldn't have really predicted that Ruben Seles was going to have that much of an effect, right? Like, I don't, I'm still not really sure why they got rid of Chris Wilder in the first place, just because he didn't get them sort of over the line.
00:18:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:18:22
Zak
They still got to the playoffs. They would have been liked to have been higher, but let's face it, like again, like record breaking championship seasons, you know, leads and leads rightly so getting up there only as well.
00:18:36
Zak
They missed out by like a hair's breadth, right? Realistically.
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:18:40
Zak
Swooped it out with a manager who, again, just about saved Hull from relegation. And other than that, it was a part of Reading's set-up and then us during our demotion from the Premier League, where he managed, what, like two wins?
00:18:53
Zak
It seemed a real surprising turn to put him in. And then, obviously, 4-1 opening weekend and, you 4-0, I can't remember if it's 4-1 or 4-0, but either way, dressing down in front of the fans that a lot of people weren't happy with,
00:19:06
Zak
because it's game day one. And then obviously much better than a four-goal deficit, but still a one-goal deficit and losing, you know. No time to panic yet.
00:19:17
Zak
But also i'm noticing that there's a lot of people that are falling for the heads.
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. But look, I mean, we talk we talked a lot last season about if you don't kick the ball at the goal, you don't win. And zero shots on target registered for Sheffield and only eight shots overall.
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's just...
00:19:34
Zak
Yeah, you're not you know wrong.
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:19:36
Zak
You need to shoot the ball at the goal for it actually to go in.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:40
Zak
You can't run it into the get into the into the net. This is not fifa like right? So...
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:47
Zak
but
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yes, look, maybe they'll turn it around or maybe yeah just the entire city of Sheffield in for a miserable, miserable year.
Watford vs QPR Game and Controversies
00:19:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, so we will we will watch with bated breath, though. And then in a game ah ah described by you before the show, Zach, as a game that no one cares about, Watford versus QPR.
00:20:10
Zak
Wow!
00:20:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
What?
00:20:12
Zak
It would throw me right under the...
00:20:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:20:14
Zak
Look, all I'm saying is it's going to be sort of a mid-table fight for a team against another mid-table team, right? I'm sure Watford and QPR fans are heavily invested in their games.
00:20:25
Zak
It was just an off-the-cuff comment about how I felt about that game because I'm not a huge fan of Watford.
00:20:34
Zak
Thank you for helping. Thank you for that, Greg. I appreciate it.
00:20:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Always welcome, mate.
00:20:39
Zak
Sure. You know, two two two early goals, some late drama, and yet somehow Watford...
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Always.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:46
Zak
I think the other thing, mate, is I still think that their ah shirt is criminal. And I know that's more of the sponsor's decision.
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:54
Zak
However, get a different sponsor if the sponsor is forcing you in your red and yellow kit to have a bright blue sponsor at the front. It I thought RollBear was bad.
00:21:05
Zak
Like... Mr.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:21:06
Zak
mr q
00:21:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
It looks like a melting rocket lolly.
00:21:09
Zak
yeah it It does. Like, again, like I would be, I think the actual kit wouldn't be too bad if it wasn't the fact that that horrific, and I know that isn't something that I should hate Watford for.
00:21:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only way I can describe that shirt. Hmm.
00:21:21
Zak
I don't really hate Watford. I think I hate the institution of giving somebody a job for two months and then firing them and and completely not like this. Absolutely no consistency. It's like a shotgun club, right?
00:21:32
Zak
Like every, you either do well or they just, they just ship you off immediately.
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:21:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:21:37
Zak
So I'm not giving up defending it. I was thought and did not pay much attention to this game, Greg. I'm not going to lie.
00:21:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
no uh
00:21:45
Zak
Kind of annoyed Watford won. There you go. I like QPR more because QPR had Ronnie Edwards and they looked after him well. There you go.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
sure uh and uh the game I've saved till last uh the the reason I moved my list around mate uh Portsmouth 1 Norwich City 2 uh
00:22:04
Zak
Well, you were Southsea, right? Unfortunately, because you need to entertain your children somehow.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was, yep.
00:22:11
Zak
So you got to see all of the Norwich fans walk around a bit smug after the game. So that must have been a nice feeling.
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep, they were enjoying the sightseeing down at South Sea, watching the hovercraft come in and out. Lots of very happy Norwich fans. no No real happy Pompey fans.
00:22:25
Zak
na No, no.
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, the opening goal within six minutes, a Norwich player found himself unmarked from a free kick.
00:22:27
Zak
Oh, well.
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
like It just wasn't good enough defending. Pompey had a penalty saved. To be fair, their goal that they got back was a decent goal. But if Pompey fans are being honest, beaten by a team that are probably going to be pushing for the playoffs this year, not the worst defeat in the world, but still funny, isn't it?
00:22:57
Zak
Did we entirely miss, considering how much I dislike talking about Portsmouth and down the road, like i it did we also miss Middlesbrough?
00:23:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know.
00:23:07
Zak
Did you mention that? Did you skip over it with your eyes?
Portsmouth vs Norwich and Southampton Connections
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I must have skipped over it. Yeah.
00:23:11
Zak
Yeah, to to be clear, to be clear, listeners, what you don't know about Greg, which is a little fun fact that I know about Greg, is that despite the fact he's got two eyes, struggles to see out both at the same time. Weird, crazy thing, little bit colourblind.
00:23:23
Zak
So, mate, I can forgive you if you're on a bright list and you just skipped over.
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but you're right. No, you're right.
00:23:28
Zak
Because that was a pretty busy game of the den.
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh,
00:23:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was. Can't believe missed it. I even have ah ah a couple of notes about it. But yeah, it was ah ah like an 87th minute winner, right?
00:23:41
Zak
Yeah.
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah.
00:23:43
Zak
Well, 87, 97, 49, Middlesbrough 3-0, as I said, ex-Saints. Yes. You did. Again, this is one of those situations where, for me,
00:23:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, it was a dominant second half, right?
00:23:48
Zak
like saints
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I think I have Millwall doing quite well this season, but it's not off to the best start.
00:23:51
Zak
yes
00:23:55
Zak
yeah
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whereas Middlesbrough... I mean, I guess push it on in a way. don't know.
00:24:04
Zak
again like again this is this is one of those situations where for me
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Doing all right.
00:24:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
but It's two wins from two, innit?
00:24:09
Zak
but For me, if you were Sheffield United, surely you would have brought Rob Edwards, a team, like a guy that could, you know, I don't know if it's because he'd already been tapped up by Middlesbrough that point. But know that obviously didn't have a great time at Luton last season, but did get Luton promoted to the Premier League. whether you If you're Nathan Jones, you think that that was all you, but it wasn't.
00:24:29
Zak
And, you know, put up a good fight whilst in the Premier League. I would have hired that. manager, not a manager that was saving a team from the bottom flight of the championship.
00:24:41
Zak
So don't know what went on behind the scenes there, but fair play. They've obviously recruited well for both a manager and, you know, ah ah effectively players as well.
00:24:52
Zak
As I said, ex-Saints scored one of those goals as well.
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I might have missed another game as well.
00:24:54
Zak
So you're always a good part of the fun. But
00:24:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did we miss Sheffield Wednesday Stoke?
00:25:00
Zak
you did listen, I feel, weren't they, Stoke?
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great. I mean, look, Stoke beat Wednesday. Wednesday is still in chaos.
00:25:10
Zak
Yeah, that's the thing, right?
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Stoke flying high at the moment.
00:25:11
Zak
like That's what I feel really bad for. It's just the fact that, you know, it's been like three three months now that none of them have been paid on time. They're not, you know, it's got be it's going to be awful when you have the turmoil on and off the pitch, right?
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ridiculous.
00:25:24
Zak
At least like what I can say, the positive things about Ruben Seles, is when it came to Reading's turmoil off the pitch, obviously they've eventually been brought out and been saved now. But when, obviously, he was in charge of them in the championship, he did a lot to...
00:25:38
Zak
help them get through really, really troubled times, right? And like had a couple of wins that I think they managed to like even do well with a points deficit due to due to financial issues.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:25:49
Zak
if you are If you don't have that part as well, that if that part's going terribly, so for example, losing 3-0 on top of having to go to fan protests and on top of you know just the whole...
00:26:02
Zak
toxicity around
Stoke's Triumph and Southampton's Concerns
00:26:03
Zak
it. ah It's got got to suck, right? like you know we've We've seen at least a good story this week in Balkan being saved. But obviously, don't take away that from Stoke playing well enough to score three, though. Yeah,
00:26:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, Stoke with two wins from two, right?
00:26:14
Zak
and know
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Flying absolutely high, which is not really what you want to see when we're coming up against them at the weekend. It's going to be, you know, a difficult game. We can't underestimate that.
00:26:26
Zak
yeah it's not going to... I don't know if it's going to be as... stale matey as it usually is i think that they have got that reputation of being that type of team i don't think that they're that type of team anymore
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, I've bought this story before. I've had this vibe going into Saints v Stoke before and I've been bitten once too many times.
00:26:40
Zak
e
00:26:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
This should be a good game this season. It should be proper competitive and it was still the worst game of football I ever sat through. So like I'm not not holding my breath for an entertaining one.
00:26:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:26:57
Zak
I don't know, mate. They're currently there. That's off at the championship. don't know what tell you.
00:27:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, flying high. yeah, I mean, hopefully... hopefully not for too long. Hopefully that only lasts as far as the weekend. But look, I think think that covers all of the fixtures, unless I've missed any more.
00:27:10
Zak
and date Indeed. Indeed.
00:27:13
Zak
i thought That is everything. To my knowledge, mate, there's no other games of the championship, but unless but there are teams that we are unaware of that are in the championship.
00:27:22
Zak
Yeah.
00:27:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:27:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
but look, another crazy week of action and Championship.
00:27:24
Zak
so
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Loads of drama, loads of late goals. just Just once again proving best league in the world, isn't it?
00:27:31
Zak
I think it's it's it's fun for us to do this. Obviously, we didn't do this last year with the the Premier League. And we did like, you know, I think Tuesdays when we didn't have the transfers, we were doing in tactics and we did a bunch of other different things.
00:27:44
Zak
But one of the reasons I kind of like this roundup is that There are teams in the Premier League that I know very, very well, right? And I know kind of what to expect and i can kind of predict where they're going to end up.
00:27:54
Zak
And with the Championship, it's a bit more, like there's for me, there's a slight bit more mysticism around it. So like, I'm mugging off Watford and Cape QPR.
00:28:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:28:02
Zak
I don't know where I'd get off mugging off any football club I don't really know much about. a professional footballer. You know, I support my hometown because I was born here. But it's it's one of those things where I think, again, it like demystifies and helps us understand a little bit And maybe helps us recognise how hard it's going to be or towards the end, how easy it's going to be and learning a little bit more each week about some of the players and some of the some of the teams where usually I wouldn't pay as much attention.
00:28:31
Zak
And, you know, we want to make sure that we we give...
00:28:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:28:34
Zak
You know, we don't have any crossovers really in the championship this year. Obviously, Wrexham is bit different, we don't really have a lot of teams around us anymore where we can have those sort of back and forth discussions. And I don't want to just make make an assumption that every single week, going to walkover because it's this club.
00:28:49
Zak
want to understand that, oh no, actually, if we come against this club, they've got this really bright young defender and goalkeeper that's done a good
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:28:55
Zak
amazing. So we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. buts sort That's all I'm at.
00:28:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:28:59
Zak
That's all I wanted to point out the end.
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Well, look, thank you very much for joining us through on this journey through the championship today. we'll be back tomorrow with, uh, some discussion on some stuff, something saints related. I'm sure, until then, thank you for joining us. Let us know what was your highlight of the weekend. Uh, we are on all the socials. We are on X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, blue sky, all of them. Let us know.
00:29:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, sit The long wait is nearly over. you know Almost seven days without football, Zach. But we're getting back towards that preview end of the week. We're getting there.
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's coming real soon. Like say, be back tomorrow. Thank you very much for listening. Have a wonderful day and we'll see you then.