Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Arsenal vs Newcastle Review! Do NUFC have one foot in the final!?
18 Plays2 days ago
WOW! Do the mighty magpies have one foot in the final? The team discuss all the action from leg 1 of the League Cup Semi Final against Arsenal.
Host: Kevin Esther
Guests: Iain Mackay & Michael Grahamslaw
Sponsors and Advertising
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!
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 | 2024 | Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, well, well, oh my goodness, the excitement right now as part of this podcast. Welcome to the Dear Newcastle podcast. We all can't wait to get talking. Do Newcastle have one step in the final? Dear I see it all.
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I tell you what, I wasn't far away with that phone either. I'm going to come to my guests first. And then we're going to have a little bit more structure, but we haven't actually spoke before this one. So I just want to get some instant reaction.
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want to talk to my, my podcasting pal. So my first guest is Michael. How you doing, Michael?
00:00:44
Michael
Oh, I'm actually really bad. and It didn't go how I expected. i'm Fantastic. You said we were a little bit off the floor. It's an absolutely fantastic performance.
00:00:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unbelievable.
00:00:54
Michael
I'm in a great mood and I cannot wait to talk about the game.
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And my next guest, V-legend, Sir, I'm starting to call him Sir, I'm getting him knighted, Sir Ian Mackay. How are you feeling? Absolutely buzzing with that.
00:01:06
Iain
Well, you can call me Sir Kev, as long as you don't call me Grandad, that's all right.
00:01:11
Michael
ah that's my job
00:01:12
Iain
I am i um i think I texted that with 20 minutes to go that I was forgetting to breathe sometimes, because so good but that was like that was like two walls erected in front of our in-yard box.
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah You did, you did.
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unbelievable.
00:01:27
Iain
It just looked very secure.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly,
00:01:29
Iain
i'm um I'm absolutely, deliriously happy, honestly.
00:01:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
wait We got it spot on, we got it spot on.
00:01:35
Michael
That's my job.
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think obviously with a match review, I think we're just going to do part one, first half, part two, second half, because there was two very different styles of play, a little bit of a master plan in there. In part three, and we'll talk about how far we can go because we're in a great run of form.
00:01:45
Michael
Yep.
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we'll also go through our number one player and from each of us from tonight. And we cannot double pick. I'll go last this time because I stole the first one last time. and So part one, the first half, I thought we were up absolutely brilliant. I heard on the radio, or driving home from work, that he's punted saying, well, you know what, you're going to get from Newcastle, a weight of a big team. They're going to catch you on my counter attack. Absolutely not. What a whole load of rubbish.
00:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
on Unbelievable, full main half, give me wheels, call me a bike. We were absolutely fantastic. We pressed, we hurried, we won the ball off from high up the pitch, we took the game to them, we attacked, we had shots, we put crosses in the box, the keeper was grasping at straws sometimes trying to control Jacob Murphy's sheer cross on ability.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we took an unbelievable lead in that first half. Ian, what were your thoughts on that first half style of play-wise? How impressed were you and how impressed were you with the approach from Eddie Hall? You put Willick in instead of Longstaff like we said.
00:02:56
Iain
ah think it was I think it was it was i think worked the way he wanted it to work because every everyone to a man played to the top of their game. And 20 minutes in, I'm thinking, but we're better we we are better than these.
00:03:10
Iain
And that's what we said. um I was really encouraged. I don't know if you saw. I watched the Arsenal fans TV preview this afternoon. And they they said that you know we we had a much more potent
00:03:19
Michael
Yeah.
00:03:24
Iain
attacking force and a much better midfield than they had and they predicted ah they predicted a win for Newcastle.
00:03:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're gonna win the league.
00:03:30
Iain
ah
00:03:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're gonna win the league.
00:03:33
Iain
No, i I mean I'm thinking well look if that's what the Arsenal fans think then then we're not wrong to be thinking the same and so proved exact unplayable and and to to have one centre forward that's got both Saliba and Gabrielle crapping themselves and second-guessing themselves and it's a fantastic thing to see, particularly when it's Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy that are snapping around picking up the pieces.
00:04:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was put in tonight.
00:04:00
Iain
I thought it was a it was a, maybe it was a surprise, we weren't surprised that Eddie went for it, picked Willick, that would have tipped him off before kickoff that he was going to try and push forward and go for it when he picked Willick.
00:04:06
Michael
Not.
00:04:12
Iain
And we did, we had them on the back foot. I had a ah slight butterflies when they did their quick break, and Martinelli raced through and whacked it off the post. But that's the only time, the only time they showed any pace and got in behind us at all.
00:04:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:27
Iain
The rest of the time, I'm thinking, well, you know, sideways rice can pass it side to side for the whole rest of the game.
00:04:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I've been saying that for ages. I've been saying that for ages. He's got, ah he wouldn't get an home midfield. I'm talking about a hundred million pound. He wouldn't get an home midfield. He just wouldn't. I'm, I'm promising.
00:04:42
Michael
None of them would.
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm not even getting carried away here. Anybody who knows me, anybody who listened to this, who has listened to my podcast previous to when I was on miss one, Deccan Rice is massively overrated. Michael, I've got to get you to come in.
00:04:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, that first half, I mean, ah can't I'm a little bit speechless. I'm still so happy that we took the game to Arsenal away from home. We've had so many bad results there. We've never won a game without Bruno. Everything was there about, oh, well, it's going to be tough in Newcastle. Getaway absolutely took the game to them. What are your feelings on that first half, Michael?
00:05:13
Michael
and I fell into place didn't it but I do have to say first 15 minutes I thought we were absolutely fantastic and I even said in the chat I feel like this is awesome I'm starting to get a hold of the game and I'm starting to get a little bit too much control for my ligand
00:05:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nah hopeless.
00:05:29
Michael
And then we went up the other side of the pitch, scored. I mean, as mentioned yesterday, set piece, Arsenal, dreadful from them. And it proved just before, one of the scrappiest goals you'll ever see, but one of the best finishes at the same time.
00:05:44
Michael
First time, top of the net, absolutely fantastic. And to be honest, did you expect anything other than Jacob Murphy, assistant Alexander Rizak? Absolutely not.
00:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
The guy's on fire! You know, we we did an England episode at the very start of his journey and we said Jiggle Murphy for England if Thomas Tuchel was there tonight. He's a baller!
00:06:01
Iain
I think you'll find it was only Michael who said Thomas.
00:06:04
Iain
that advanccing The rest of us have pulled his leg for the last six months.
00:06:04
Michael
Yeah, I was going to say, I've got to, I've got to get something right sometime.
00:06:12
Michael
All right. Otherwise he's a boot me off. But no, we were absolutely brilliant to a man today. Um, first half in particular, uh, picking a man of the match at the end of this episode is going to be really, really hard, but that first half, it might be the best we've played all season.
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gotta be tough.
00:06:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree, it's a great point. I think away from home as well. I think we've we've put on better performances in terms of the slick passing and the slick moves, but the occasion, semi-final without Bruno, without Shaw, away at the Emirates, it's that moment of we have really, really stepped up in terms of the occasion and how the players responded to that occasion and stuck together.
00:06:38
Michael
Absolutely.
00:06:50
Michael
Yeah.
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look we know Arsenal are technically a fantastic team and I mean I'm getting carried away obviously as I am going to being a mega positive fan anyway I'm going to be Unbearable for some people tonight on there on this episode. But, um, we are, right like I say, Austin, we're a technically good team. And like you said, Michael, them we did have a very small period in the first half where we started to get a bit of control. And that I think I put back in my group, it's going to happen at the Emirates. It's it Arsenal. I think the players will be prepared for when Arsenal get a foothold, you know, at some point in the game. And I think we're prepared for it, which we're going to come into in the second half in terms of what the plan was there. But
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just absolutely brilliant, my first half. Honestly, I can't pick a player where I'm thinking they could have done a bit more than you mentioned before. Martinelli going through and hitting the post. You've got a ride you're looking sometimes away from home in semi-finals. And you're right, I could have changed the game, but I mean, Dubrovkin made himself big. and The last thing I want to ask you about in our first half is the and partnership with Burnham Botman.
00:07:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
and It still personally doesn't look there, but I mean the improvement from the first game, which is natural. Botman's had a long time out, but the improvement seemed to be there from the first game. We've been working there, but often trading nothing. Ian, were we you impressed with Botman and Bern tonight? In particular, but the connection, the partnership, when one went to press, when one didn't go to press?
00:08:16
Iain
I just remember both of them making some fantastic interceptions. They headed everything clear.
00:08:22
Michael
Mmhmm.
00:08:22
Iain
I don't know if they've got to work in tandem in the way that Sharon Byrne worked in tandem.
00:08:23
Michael
Ah.
00:08:27
Iain
and There was only one centre forward for them to look after and there was no pace for them to be left one on one really. So was there any need for them to be covering each other?
00:08:40
Iain
I don't think so. I think they were secure at the back. the Arsenal just didn't get the ball. under control enough to be playing any sort of three balls to us. Like I said, everything was going from side to side on the pitch.
00:08:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, forced them wide a lot.
00:08:52
Iain
The pair of them though were absolute.
00:08:54
Michael
Yeah.
00:08:58
Iain
but but but They were just so dominant in the air. They headed everything clear. And they weren't even the two best defenders on the pitch because I thought Lewis Hall and Tino Livremento were even a step forward from what they were doing.
00:09:07
Michael
Fantastic.
00:09:10
Iain
and Absolutely wonderful in that first half.
00:09:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, spot on. Michael, your thoughts on Botman and Byrne? Are you starting to believe a little bit more? Because I know we all had our slight concerns after Botman's rustiness, but yeah, how are you feeling about that partnership?
00:09:25
Michael
I feel if they were up against Gabriel Jesus, it would have probably been a different game at start off. I was surprised that Havertz started, and but that just tells me Arteta was expecting us to sit back because Havertz is better against that kind of defensive line-up.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:09:38
Michael
With us pushing, Jesus would have been much better in their attacking line. He might have actually got behind us a couple of times, but and that's where we do see Botman and Bern struggle a little bit. but at the same time, you can only play what's in front of you.
00:09:51
Michael
That's what we've said so many times. That's what we said yesterday. um And literally, I've got, I've actually got to start here that Sven Botman, Tino Livremento both made eight clearances.
00:10:03
Michael
Botman and Byrne made more combined than the entire Arsenal team. And when you look at it,
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
well
00:10:11
Michael
I don't think they were ever in any worry of in open play, should I say, because corners, they were dangerous.
00:10:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we did look dangerous of course.
00:10:17
Michael
But in open play, I don't think there was a single moment where Botman and Byrne were really, really stretched, except from that Martinelli moment on the counter. But it was more down the the left hand side, I would say, than Central.
00:10:29
Michael
So but But brilliant partnership. Let's just see if when we're against Wolves and Bournemouth and they're going to try and hit us on the break a little bit more pace. Obviously Fabi and Cher will be back as well.
00:10:41
Michael
But let's just see if whatever combination of those three can handle that pace.
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep
00:10:46
Michael
And if they can, we've got an excellent chance of doing something special this year.
00:10:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, getting in part three. Hold your horses. We're all getting excited.
00:10:56
Michael
Sorry, I'm a bit too eager.
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you want to see? and
00:11:00
Iain
mmm michael is going to do your first advert for you kev because i've got a tiny little emergency i need to deal with when it'll be finished by the time he's read it okay
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
No worries. No problem. and Michael is that professional that he will be able to adapt. I do just want to add as well, give you a little bit extra time. and You mentioned about the the corners there as well, and they were very good off corners, but I felt again, we clearly prepared so, so, so well.
00:11:22
Michael
Yeah.
00:11:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to come to that in my second half in terms of just how right we got it. So Michael, as Ian's just announced, you're now taking over that first sponsorship message from Zencast to no pressure.
00:11:32
Michael
and
00:11:35
Michael
I'm
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hope you're prepared. and Beautiful.
00:11:39
Michael
always prepared.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll get that one done and we'll be straight back for part two.
00:11:44
Michael
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. And Zencaster, well, it came out a clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ours, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster.
00:12:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliantly done Michael, but for me, tonight, for that advert, I would have just said, if you want a software which is as good as Newcastle, out of the way, it'd be Emirates. Pig Zencaster. That would have sold it. There would have been enough for anybody. The sales would have went through my roof. um Right, part two. Very different game in my second half, and I think it was part of one big master plan. Eddie Howes' master plan. He gets it right again, can you believe? So, minority of idiots.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
were potentially talking about getting that man gone. Unbelievable. My master plan came together. I think we came out with second half and we did look to defend a little bit more, lure them onto us a little bit and get a little bit more space in behind. And by God did that work. The second goal comes in the second half. Anthony Gordon at the minute just looks like he's back to what he was. He had a tough start of a season.
00:13:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and anyway he looks battered and bruised from that challenger from Spurs in our last game our last victory because we're just getting that many victories at the minute and it worked and when after that we went very defensive substitutes came earlier I'm gonna let you guys speak about that um because we did make a lot of interesting subs but hey
00:13:19
Michael
Yeah.
00:13:22
Michael
Yeah.
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
tune on the way to Arsenal. I don't think we can say anybody got anything wrong tonight. Michael, I'll come to you first this time um and then we'll go through what your thoughts were on the second half. How happy were you with the subs? How happy were you with the way we came out and the way we changed game plan?
00:13:38
Michael
Yeah, I think one of the best things that top teams do is they adapt to the situation. And it was quite clear from the second half that we were happy with the 1-0, but we still wanted a little bit more. We still were, you know, we hadn't sort of set up shop just yet. And, you know, I think without Alexander Isaac, obviously that second goal probably doesn't happen.
00:13:56
Michael
He is the best striker in the world, and it's it's becoming ridiculous how good he is. But he came off um quite early. um And I even said myself at the time, those substitutions have come far too early for my liking. I do not like these whatsoever. And I do have a little start that makes me sound like an idiot. So be prepared. But in the first 60 minutes of the game, Arsenal had an expected goals of three. That's an expected goal every 20 minutes.
00:14:26
Michael
after anyhow made those subs their expected goals were 0.1 in 30 minutes no no i'd never do that yeah
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I tell you what I will add, that's an incredible stuff but I'll also add, I thought you were going to pinch mine there. Arsenal didn't have a shot on target in my second half.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is in insane.
00:14:42
Michael
complete performance
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Insane. So they were shooting from whether they can have 27 shots. We can take a ball and go home with it if they want 70% of a ball. We'll take the 2-0 lead into the second leg, but absolutely spot on, Michael.
00:14:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
we It was just the timing of it. I thought it might be a bit early, but it was just amazing. Ian, what are your thoughts on them subs? The way we set up in the second half and the way we just ah absolutely done Arsenal again.
00:15:08
Iain
And I thought, well, given that we're not playing on Saturday, I thought he's that came off a bit early. And and I think we're sacrifice was a double. So it was a double sacrifice when Anthony Gordon then goes to play in the middle.
00:15:21
Michael
Yeah.
00:15:22
Iain
Although Harvey Barnes kept a little bit of a threat for another 10 or 15 minutes. And when those guys came off and we were effectively lined up with a 5-5-0 formation and there was still still 20 minutes to go.
00:15:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Genius.
00:15:35
Iain
I was a bit concerned that we're just inviting them on, inviting them on, inviting them on, but no shots on target because the double wall was absolutely wonderful.
00:15:40
Michael
Yeah.
00:15:46
Iain
and Or five midfielders moving as one across the field and coming out and challenging. They didn't have any time to do anything other than knock it sideways to the next man to see if they could probe and find a gap.
00:16:01
Iain
When they did knock a ball forward, There was a Lloyd Kelly, or there was a Dan Byrne, or there was a Sven Botman, just to head it clear. Tenali was picking up those and making sure that they didn't just go straight back to them as well.
00:16:14
Iain
I like the way we we did try to play out of that, won a few free kicks to ease the pressure a little bit.
00:16:14
Michael
Yeah.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:21
Iain
I mean, it was masterful, but ah at 20 minutes out, I was wondering ah was wondering if we hadn't done everything a little bit too early. When Jesus came on as well, didn't he?
00:16:33
Iain
who was in a bit of, they say, oh he scored five goals in his last six, he scored one in his last three, that was the stat I was looking at.
00:16:33
Michael
Yeah.
00:16:42
Iain
and But yeah, no shots on target in the second half, that's that just shows, impenetrable, what but a performance.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. There's a couple of things that I'm going to pick up on. Michael has just said we have a best strike win in the world. Amazing.
00:16:57
Michael
Of course.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alexander Izak. I think it's very hard to argue with that at the minute in current form. m And Ian's just... Eddie Howe's masterful. Might have been a little bit early to most people, but he's a genius. He saw it.
00:17:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it worked. and I think the main thing I took away from from tonight's... Well, last night's game, if you listen to this in the morning, but from the Arsenal game away where we beat them. 2-0 in a semi-final of a Carabao Cup.
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's game, just in case you're not sure which one we're talking about. The thing I took away from it, which was really exciting, is we have more than one way of playing. We don't always have to be the high intensity pressing team.
00:17:28
Michael
Yeah.
00:17:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can be physical, we can mix it aerially, we can fix it, you know we can mix it on the floor. We can look after the ball a little bit better and we can sit deep and we can catch you on my counter.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we can also like, you know, we can sit five, five zero and just beat you without a striker because we can, because you want to show off because you want to make our team to cry a little bit more. So it's fantastic to see that we have a team and we have a manager, we have a coaching team.
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everybody deserves massive credit, the players as well, by the way, because we've executed it just how, how intend to want this to go. Um, We have more than one way of hurting teams and we have more than one way of playing. And I just love seeing that, that we can adapt to the situation. Michael mentioned earlier, he's spot on. The best teams can adapt to situations. We knew Arsenal were going to come gunning for us and we knew we could still hurt them on the break. We got the second goal and it was massive, honestly. just a huge, huge performance.
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
The last thing I want to touch on before we go into part three, and we somehow pick one player each, um is what was really interesting was Arsenal set pieces.
00:18:30
Michael
Good luck.
00:18:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
We briefly mentioned it before, um and we did look very we dangerous. We did have a couple of half chances where there was a couple of free hitters.
00:18:40
Michael
Yeah.
00:18:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought, oh, goodness gra gracious me. um So I guess a question I'm going to pose to you, a little bit tongue in cheek, but are Arsenal just a glorified Stoke City?
00:18:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that, is that what we are now? I mean, I've never played against an Arsenal team, or I've never watched my team play against an Arsenal team where I thought, God, just don't come see the corner and we'll be okay.
00:18:52
Michael
It's
00:18:56
Michael
becoming that.
00:19:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'd never look like scoring. Like Michael came out of a great start, 0.03 or 0.3 XG after we went 5-5-0. Ian never had a shot in talk. I'm saying, are we just a glorified Stoke or have we just made them look that way?
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ian.
00:19:18
Iain
I think it's good that Arteta's not snubbing the the opportunity of the set piece goal.
00:19:29
Iain
They all count the same as one goal, don't they? Even if rather than doing a tippy-tappy 27 touches before somebody knocks it in on the line. and However, I think they've i think they're over relying on it.
00:19:42
Iain
I was listening to stats beforehand.
00:19:44
Michael
Yeah.
00:19:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good point.
00:19:46
Iain
were listening to stats beforehand where Arsenal were exceeding their two seasons ago, exceeding their XG by 25% and scoring a lot of goals. The following year, when they did their changes, they tightened up a defence but their XG or was it was, although it had dropped a little bit, and the percentage of goals they scored had dropped a little bit, they still scored the same number of goals. This year,
00:20:14
Iain
This year their x number of goals of score is slightly below their XG and that is a lot lower than it was and that's because you know they're not relishing the opportunity to do anything in open play.
00:20:26
Iain
I think they're using open play and we saw it tonight.
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:20:30
Iain
They're using their open play to gain ground and then to win a corner or to go round and round the semicircle on the edge of the box to then hopefully get tripped or pushed and win a free kick.
00:20:45
Iain
And they had a few like that. But you know if you've got giants in in in defense and Newcastle are one of the teams that are physically big enough to hold their own against Arsenal, then that shows how really difficult it is for them to score.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:01
Iain
And and and i think you know I think they are.
00:21:04
Iain
I don't think they're as free flowing and as enjoyable to watch as they used to be.
00:21:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree.
00:21:08
Iain
And and I think it's a mistake.
00:21:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael.
00:21:11
Iain
I think it's a mistake.
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, sorry Ian. Sorry Ian.
00:21:13
Iain
It's all right.
00:21:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael.
00:21:15
Michael
yeah I think Arsenal are playing like they've still got Olivier Giroud up front and if you look at the yeah absolutely fantastic player used in the wrong system in the Arsenal system now we'd probably score 20 goals a season but you look at Kai Havertz Kai Havertz brilliant player I love Kai Havertz I said in the Christmas special I'd love to have him at Newcastle but in no world should an Arsenal striker
00:21:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, by the way, what a play he was.
00:21:41
Michael
be in the top five for aerial duels in the Premier League, which Kai Havert is. He's lost the third highest amount in the Premier League.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:21:50
Michael
he wits He loses a lot more than he wins. And if you want to play that way, from open play, relying on Kai Havert to win headers, you're not going to get anywhere.
00:22:01
Michael
And we saw it again today. Kai Havert trying to win aerial duels against Sven Botman and then Dan Byrne. You might as well have just put Miggie Almer on up against Costell Pantilimon.
00:22:12
Michael
Just hands there. Oh, I should have said Peter Croucher, not a dirty Mackham, but I do apologise everyone.
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, yeah.
00:22:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
bo
00:22:19
Michael
It's the tallest player I could think of.
00:22:21
Michael
But point still stands.
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um What is interesting, ah both fantastic points again, I think. and made hip in la head I was really surprised that when Arsenal got the ball out wide, we were looking to kick it off a Newcastle player.
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
to get a corner rather than actually get the ball in the box or a pullback. I was like, it was a period.
00:22:39
Michael
Yeah.
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then they tried to kick it off Lewis Hall about three times to try and get a corner. It didn't work. And I was like, just beat them or put the ball on the board. You're doing anyway. I love that you tried it because again, smashed them.
00:22:51
Iain
Without Saka, they don't have a player who can go past the fullback.
00:22:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good point.
00:22:56
Iain
Martinelli's not that player. Martinelli's fast enough, but I think Tino found him out early on in the game and he he knew it wasn't worth trying.
00:23:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:04
Iain
So you'd see that Martinelli going down the left, putting his foot on the ball and coming back and knocking it back and then we go.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:23:11
Michael
There, all your stuff.
00:23:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great point, right? That's going to be the end of part two. Nice place to leave it. Ian is going to do our next advert and we're going to come back and try and pick one player each somehow.
00:23:24
Iain
The Global Sports Podcast Network is changing the face of football podcasting with dedicated daily content for every Premier League team, women's football, a dedicated Premier League wrap-up in five different languages. This is your one-stop shop for your daily football fix. Find the GSPN wherever you find your usual podcasts.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
brilliant stuff, just like Newcastle United tonight again. um I'm just going to keep saying that all the time. um But last before we do pick a player, which I do kind of, we're talking to me about Saka. I don't know if he's going to be back for a second. Like I don't know, you know, in terms of injuries and all that stuff, but Arsenal still can be with dangerous.
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I said a little bit tongue-in-cheek, but also kind of half-meaning it that we are almost a glorified Stoke City of these days when you're watching them play. and Not quite that extent, but we're still a very good team. and As Eddie, I'm sure we'll say I haven't heard his interview, and but I'm sure we'll say it's only half-time.
00:24:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've still got a job to do at St James's. All of that stuff is true, but if we play like we did tonight at home with a crowd behind them, I mean, i' I'm not going to say it yet.
00:24:23
Michael
Absolutely.
00:24:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to hold off. m Yes, Ian, how far can we go?
00:24:31
Iain
Kevin Sucker will not be fit for the 5th of February. He's two months out, but he'd have to turn up with Harry Potter in two if he was going to try and turn around a two goal deficit at St James's Park.
00:24:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes brilliant brilliant well i'm there oh i don't want to i'm still not going to see it you're almost convinced about it we're going to pick one player each
00:24:54
Iain
Now what? Right, you want mine first?
00:24:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm going to go last, yeah, so it's going to go Ian, Michael, then me. and We cannot pick the same play, that's the only rule here. And again, just a brief justification on why you were so impressed with the play you picked for tonight.
00:25:10
Iain
I think you could choose 11 at least, but I am going to pick Lewis Hall.
00:25:13
Michael
Yeah.
00:25:18
Iain
I thought Lewis Hall is an outlet, he works so well down the left with Anthony Gordon, with Joe Linton, with Joe Willick tonight, the whole of that left has got some sort of, um' and with Dan Byrne as well of course, they've got some sort of telepathic psychic connection.
00:25:36
Iain
But well what I've seen occasionally but I saw five or six times tonight he's in a position with the ball at his feet surrounded by two or three Arsenal players nowhere to go but he his footwork is so fantastic and he's a 20 year old left back he could bring the ball away
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's a good technical player.
00:25:57
Michael
Yeah.
00:25:59
Iain
past Arsenal midfielders and he did that so many times. um I think there was one where he was about to get caught on it and he fell over and put it out for a throw in anyway, which is fair enough.
00:26:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yep.
00:26:12
Iain
and But yeah, I just think that, I mean, the boy does keep getting better every game he plays.
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:26:18
Iain
Where is his ceiling? like I mean, he's only been playing six months.
00:26:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
yep
00:26:22
Iain
Where does he end? Exciting stuff.
00:26:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, um I think as well about that moment when he fell over and put it out for a throw and he actually, it's the first time I've seen him have a bravery to get up and have a go at some of his teammates. He's all, so far he's been quite quiet and a little bit, I'm a new kid here and it looks like he now feels like he belongs, which I think for him can only be a good thing because he's willing to have that little pop in his place.
00:26:38
Michael
Yeah.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on, give me an option. I'm not just going to run but long. Brilliant choice Ian. Michael, who's your one player from tonight?
00:26:52
Michael
So there are there are two that stood out for me but i am just going to pick one don't worry um and i am going to go with sandro tenali um i wanted to go sven botman um i will say but sandro tenali We hadn't won a game in the entire time that Bruno had been here, when he hadn't played, starting and gave us yesterday.
00:27:16
Michael
And today we didn't look like losing. And and there is one player who just consistently was a levels above anywhere else, anyone else, maybe except Alexander Isaac on that pitch in regards to quality.
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
like
00:27:30
Michael
There was a moment in the second half, um, where one of the small moments we got the ball, we had the ball and you think, Oh, just get it back to the defense. Let's play it out a little bit. And let's just try and hold on to the ball.
00:27:41
Michael
And, um, we break it's a massive kerfuffle on the left-hand side comes out to gnarly, just one first touch volley over. It's nearly a perfect pass to set. I can't remember if it's Barnes or Gordon through it just gets intercepted.
00:27:54
Michael
And I'm picking out a moment where he's gave the ball away. I know, but it's just oozes quality.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, that moment, that moment stuck out to me because I thought, what vision to see that pass over the top of the defender left. So, yeah, I know exactly what moment it means.
00:28:04
Michael
Yeah.
00:28:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant.
00:28:05
Michael
And it's one of those as well as I think most people maybe didn't realize he was captain tonight. He has played what, less than 20, maybe 25 games for us.
00:28:17
Michael
And he already stood out as the captain in that team. And to be fair, I don't know if his leadership was great. I wasn't really watching, but to lead a team, to be fair, that didn't really need lead at all that much, but to a 2-0 win at the Emirates and be arguably the man of the match.
00:28:34
Michael
I don't think there's any center midfielder that's going to be better than Sandro Tenali in the next five, 10 years.
00:28:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:28:40
Michael
Bellingham maybe, but Sandro is going to be up there.
00:28:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought Boone was burn not captain tonight.
00:28:46
Michael
Not corner of what I've got in front of me.
00:28:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
fair Ian, what are you going to add to the tonali talk?
00:28:50
Iain
I was just going to add, I just won, and I love Sandra Tanardi, but it just occurred to me, this was a stat I heard, which I was delighted to hear. Who was the last English team to beat Arsenal?
00:29:02
Iain
Before tonight.
00:29:03
Michael
to tune
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle?
00:29:05
Iain
It was Newcastle. We're the only team that can beat Arsenal.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
a
00:29:10
Iain
Come on. We're going to be Liverpool in a title.
00:29:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
We just love, excuse me, we love the tears of Miguel Arteta that much.
00:29:17
Iain
We do.
00:29:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:29:19
Michael
To be fair, I've just checked um BBC there and BBC does have Burn Down as the captain, while
00:29:19
Iain
We do.
00:29:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought Burne walked out first, yeah.
00:29:26
Michael
I was going to say but with the the statistics that I've got in front of me as Tenali and so that's up there, so that's wrong. um But either way, Sandro Tenali was levels above everyone tonight.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I thought he was brilliant, yeah.
00:29:38
Michael
And to be fair, Dan Burner's captain was pretty brilliant as well.
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, of course. Yep.
00:29:42
Iain
ah can I make a spare before you pick yours Kev because I know you're not going to I know you're not going to pick this player but just at the end of the game I'm going to pick out Gabrielle Martinelli a player I have had no time for whatsoever in the past but somebody who I watched go all of the way around the Newcastle team and shake hands with them and genuinely congratulate them on
00:30:07
Iain
winning that game. Sort of go up and so talk to six or seven of the Newcastle players and and congratulate them because that's what you do if you're a proper sportsman footballer.
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
to move.
00:30:21
Iain
You accept and and and um congratulate the opposition when when they have performed really well and and beaten you and that's what he did.
00:30:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's a great, um yeah.
00:30:30
Iain
So yeah, Martinelli went up in my estimation
00:30:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great observation. and to be fair and I didn't get to watch it. I flew straight down, set up for obviously recording this. But yeah, great observation. You know what? That makes me like him a little bit. And if he wants to come to the tune and play on the right wing for a little bit, feel free.
00:30:45
Michael
He wouldn't get a game. Not in front of Jacob Murphy.
00:30:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's like getting in front of Jake Jarno or Merfeldo.
00:30:49
Iain
Wouldn't get in, wouldn't get in.
00:30:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
My player. ah and I was going to go to gnarly. I was so, so impressed with to gnarly. He did it with our Bruno there. We were talking in the last the pod, how influential Bruno's been and how good he's been since moving into the eight. Just looks like to gnarly is just instant class. So my next player, if I didn't get the pick to gnarly is Alex. He's act. I know we kind of expected from him now. He's in a great run and form. He can't stop scoring, but the reason I'm picking he's act.
00:31:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Before of this hot run of form, I didn't think he ran the channels that well. I didn't think he dropped deep brilliantly. He was always a very good finisher and he was lightning quick and he was, he was kinda, he wasn't always in the box when the ball fizzed across the box. He's thinking, oh, that's where Wilson would be.
00:31:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now I'm watching him and I'm seeing him drop deep. I'm seeing him take a turn on the ball. I'm seeing him run with channels. I'm seeing him getting out wide and beating players. He's holding the ball up. He's linked in the play much better. He's trying. He's not quite there yet. I mean, it's amazing. It was still room for improvement when you watch exactly the minute.
00:31:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's still not quite in that poachers tapping position, but he's starting to make a runs a lot more.
00:31:54
Michael
No.
00:31:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now I've been watching him really closely and I thought tonight was one of his most complete performances. Again, big occasion, big stadium, big first leg away from home, lone striker against arguably what some people call the two best center halves partnership in the league and Ezak was just dropping deep at the right time, running behind it, absolutely brilliant. So I've got to pick Ezak and it's not because of his goal score and form, it's not because he's banging the goals and it's his overall play and how much of that has improved since apparently after the Brentford loss, i he how had a you you don't know how true any of this stuff is, but he had a one-to-one kind of with the main players saying where they need to improve.
00:32:34
Iain
Mm hmm.
00:32:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not giving all the credit the howl because EZAC has just turned into an absolute monster at the minute. He looks almost unplayable at times.
00:32:35
Michael
Yeah.
00:32:41
Iain
Well, it was it was he's acted it was he's acted such a lid for the first shot of the game and he's going down on the right hand channel.
00:32:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
We just need to keep him fit.
00:32:46
Michael
Yeah, sure done a lot better.
00:32:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. Yep. Again, moving out wide. Much better than he ever used to. He's doing that so much better now. he He's genuinely improved his game and I think that's why I'm picking up tonight. It was just a complete away striker performance, linking the play.
00:32:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really impressed.
00:33:00
Iain
I don't think I don't think either Saliba or Gabrielle will be sleeping very soundly tonight, they will be having a nightmare or two.
00:33:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let us know
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Isaac has to take him out of his pocket first, if he if he lets him out, yep, yep, yep, he's got like an IKEA gift card, he's got his keys to his Lamborghini, he's got his dog collards from all the teams he's scored again, so when he just finds Saliba in Gabrielle, oh there you go lads, I'll let you have your time back.
00:33:10
Michael
ah Keys, phone, Sir Libba, Gabrielle ah but you yeah
00:33:14
Iain
<unk> welcome
00:33:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
and It was brilliant and let us know in the comments sam which players impressed you guys listening. and and
00:33:31
Michael
I was just going to add just one thing there just before we go. I do have to say um we so we spoke about a play over match, but I think it's important to note just how well Eddie Howe handled Miguel Orteza today because ah with the three substitutions, obviously we mentioned it in the second part, but I put in the chat and I would say, ah
00:33:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah.
00:33:52
Michael
There's not a single manager in the world that brings on Sean Longstaff, Lloyd Kelly and Harvey Barnes for Joe Willick, Jacob Murphy and Alexander Rizak, but Eddie Howe does. And I even said at the time, maybe that's what makes him so good as a manager because he's seeing things that we can't possibly see.
00:34:10
Michael
because I thought it was mental and it turned out to be absolutely brilliant. So, fair play, credit to you anyhow and we'll hopefully see you in the final.
00:34:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is.
00:34:21
Michael
And we'll hopefully see you lift a trophy.
00:34:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know Ian said this before, so I'm going to pinch it off Ian before he jumps in. He has said that Eddie Howe will become an elite coach. And I mean, everybody knows my feelings towards Eddie Howe and how brilliant he is. And I hope when he said, look, he's a young coach that he will make mistakes, but everyone knows my feelings on Eddie Howe.
00:34:34
Iain
one
00:34:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is the best manager we can have right now. So I'm going to let Ian have a final word before I give a tiny bit of information about a final because we might, might be going there. I'm not going to say it yet, but I'll go to Ian first before I share the information.
00:34:49
Michael
Oh.
00:34:51
Iain
um Yeah i i I agree with you and I've said for a long time I think Eddie Howe is an elite coach um and and I'm still hoping that my
00:34:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
You have.
00:35:05
Iain
first three places in the Premier League bets will pay out on Newcastle. In fact, if we can beat Arsenal 2-0 in the league game, why aren't we not why on what chasing second and waiting for and waiting for Liverpool to drop off? That wasn't what I was going to say, what I thought needed to be noted, which was when the when the guys were at the end of the game waving to the crowd and taking the applause.
00:35:28
Iain
close up on Martin Dubravka who was in tears and I think that means that was probably his last spot for Newcastle before he goes off to Saudi Arabia and if that's the case his concentration levels tonight were incredible.
00:35:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, last game.
00:35:44
Iain
One block he made in the first half from Gabrielle from about four yards
00:35:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Schmeiglesk. Yeah.
00:35:49
Iain
Fantastic. And he never missed a cross. He never flat much. um i think he I think he performed really, really well.
00:35:59
Iain
If that's the the game we remember him by, then and it's a fitting testament.
00:36:00
Michael
It was excellent.
00:36:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's changed my opinion.
00:36:05
Michael
I agree.
00:36:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I never, I'm not going to sit here and say I've always thought he's a brilliant goalkeeper. There was a period last season when he came into a team and I thought, oh no, maybe age has caught up with him, but he's proven me wrong.
00:36:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think there was a couple of other fans who maybe felt the same way. He's, he's proven them wrong.
00:36:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's coming to a team and being absolutely brilliant. and Again, not just shot stopping or coming for crosses with his feet. He's been a massive, massive help. So if it is his last game, what a way to bow out. Hopefully he's allowed a bit of time off to come and watch for final potentially, if we get there.
00:36:21
Michael
Yeah.
00:36:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But final is on the 16th of March, which is a day before my birthday. Imagine.
00:36:41
Michael
Happy birthday.
00:36:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Imagine. That birthday weekend, but that's all I'm going to say about that because we're not quite there yet. We've still got the second leg in a month's time. um I think most of us from a pod will probably be at that game.
00:36:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we might try and get some sort of live video posted when we're reacting to it.
00:36:53
Michael
It's open.
00:36:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully it's a happy one. Thank you very much to Ian, Michael, and everybody listening. It has been an absolute privilege during this episode. Miguel, your tears just taste so good.