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Episode 111: Crossover with Manchester United!
72 Plays8 days ago
Southampton – Back to league action next, and nothing like a trip to Old Trafford to build on our momentum! We're joined by the Daily Manchester United crew to discuss the fixture.
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Transcript
Introduction and Season Overview
00:00:05
Speaker
sport podcast network Hello and welcome to the GSPN Daily Man United Podcast and we're joined today by our good friends from Southampton. Zach, how are we today?
00:00:16
Speaker
Yeah, not's too not too bad. We've had some club news today, which is which is interesting. But as you can probably attest, we have had a bleak season. so So realistically, we might as well just skip to the goal prediction, like score prediction now. How many did you fancy? Not just yet, not just six.
Southampton's Challenges and Changes
00:00:32
Speaker
We want to know more wait so want more about whats said how you felt about the season, where you think it's gone wrong. Obviously, it's ah ah very dramatic for you at the moment. so yeah just Just tell us from the start what's been happening. It's been a mad season to be ah ah be a Saints fan. um've We've done a couple of retrospectives recently with the new year and sort of finally getting rid of a manager who We all have a lot of good favour towards, but you could see that you can't play that way with the squad we've got because nothing was happening. and then sort of But he came into this season with a lot of good favour and I think that's what kept him going as long.
00:01:11
Speaker
as we were. like We were looking back retrospectively and how amazing Wembley was because you know for a club like us, that is you know once it once in a lifetime. like Greg, who is unfortunately absent, like will talk about with his kids, he's like, he needs to make sure that they are not used to going to Wembley every year. However, with the topsy-turvy way that we might be existing in the future, who knows? yeah, kind of like from their There was a lot of optimism, mainly from Greg. He he had us finishing 12th, which is mental. Would you look at it now? Yeah, I thought we would stay up maybe if we invested enough
Financial Concerns and Management Issues
00:01:46
Speaker
money. I don't think that one statement signing in Ramsdale was enough. And that's proven to be. And I think it's kind of like all of our transfer business over the last couple of years has kind of been completely undone. A lot of the transfer business last season, we've we've kind of the footballing people behind the scenes have kind of
00:02:04
Speaker
disappeared and the only one left at one point was like basically Russell Cotton. And then when he left, there was no one left. So they've obviously see brought in Ivan Djuric and the announcement today is basically the Saints chairman, Henry Kraft, has been like sort of stepped down, quote unquote.
00:02:19
Speaker
And what it actually feels like is that he, that you know, the shareholders primarily came in and Dragan Solek, who's like the primary shareholder, was like, what is going on? Because our other club in Turkey is like fifth in the league. We're absolutely flying. They're putting out all these lovely messages about how well they're doing.
00:02:36
Speaker
And then it's sort of like they look over at what is supposed to be their money owner and we're burning cash. There's a couple of conspiracy theories knocking around. We had our lowest ever attendance at the FA Cup kept It was not like 12,000. It's really, really bad. Like the TV cameras did not do it justice. It was very, very empty. And um I think a combination of like the accounts are due very soon. So there's a lot of people speculating that maybe the money that we've invested that we think is going to be the side of things that were good is not as good. And that and we tried to do a transfer episode yesterday, obviously, like a transfer Tuesday. It's been replaced at our usual segment of Tactics Tuesday whilst the sort of windows open. and
00:03:18
Speaker
And when I tell you that we did not have a single incoming, not even a rumor of a single incoming, like no one, it's another thing that says to me that no one actually has any idea what's going on behind the scenes. That's crazy. So as much as like, you know, and I just see that in know one of the teams that I low key follow in the background, like I'll watch, I'll put the old game on and stuff, and I think more more due to history than anything else. But it's one of those things where like as much as you had your troubles,
00:03:46
Speaker
It's not like you've done exactly the same thing, and then the same thing's happened again. The only thing that we've not done, which we did the last time we got relegated, was panic by a bunch of players, which I'm very worried they might do last minute. Because Paul Onuachi, the big tool Nigerian man who lots of our fans love, but as a striker, I will point out, has yet to score a goal.
00:04:09
Speaker
He is very much like leftover transfer business from that window and like they want to send him back to Turkey sort of. He kind of wants to go back because he was having a much nicer time there.
00:04:20
Speaker
But it very much feels in that sense that like, if we do that, like he was our fifth choice striker, that window, we struggled to basically get anybody else. We've been linked with a lot of names that have gone on to do lots of things. Like long way back when we were, you know, we were sort of ah linked with people like Gackpo and stuff like that before they ended up going on to, you know, the much better clubs. So like the intention is there. It just seems like the background footballing part is it not really been in place. And they're now starting to kind of realize And now things are starting to
Hope and Strategy for Improvement
00:04:51
Speaker
change. But some interesting points of that statement was like he says he's dis disappointed with the results, but he was talking about sort of it kind of seemed like he's now accepted with them. Because again, like miracles need to happen. And we're just not
00:05:07
Speaker
we didn like We won against Swansea, which we you'd expect us to win against, but we were all very on the fence of whether or not we'd win. And you know for our vicious rivals, Portsmouth, beat them 4-0, we only beat them 3, which makes me very sad. um um But like even starlet Tyler Dippling, who you know has been linked with you guys, he scored two goals, but even he was like, well, I didn't really celebrate them, or I didn't really care, because they were basically tappins, and I'm expected to score those sort of goals. Yeah.
00:05:34
Speaker
We're starting to see sort of shape under the new manager, which is nice. He's starting to kind of pick his starting 11. It's kind of crazy because some of the players that we've got that we weren't expecting to be sort of in that space are now in that space, like Suleimana, who anyone that's listened to our podcast will hear us talk about him a little bit. But he's kind of like everyone remembers him as the guy that was the fastest at the World Cup.
00:05:58
Speaker
And that was great. And then did nothing. And then scored two goals against Liverpool in our 4-4 draw before we got relegated. And then we were hoping he'd light up the championship. Had lots of injuries, has come back and not really done a lot. And then he played the other day, scored the weirdest goal, and then started shushing the crowd. Like went to the round overs at the corner. You're like, hey. He did that.
00:06:22
Speaker
It's one of those things where you're like, wait, do you really, do you really? Yes. And I think that that's, that's a lot of our players. Like we've got a guy called Armel Bellacottchap, who was a German international a while back. He's kind of came back this season, not had a look in, played one game against Cardiff. There's loads of speculation about him going. And then there was lots of talk under the new manager, how he's going to get back in and he wants to go back and play for a good club.
00:06:46
Speaker
and then he was left out of Swansea and people asked the question like our local reporter Alfie House was like well you know is what's what's going on with him is it is there transfer on the cards because obviously that's basically where if anyone's left out now that's the first thing we think and they were like no he's just not that good we're like oh Simple as that. But yeah, and obviously all of these things have caused massive divisions in the fan base across like the different players and across the different opinions of of what's going to go on and what's going to happen next. But like, honestly, going forward, I'm just hoping we build towards the championship now, because at this point, this point, it's genuinely like and we are considered and it's it's upsetting, but a free hit, a free, free points for everybody that plays. I don't say that yet. jinx us. ah tried to
00:07:33
Speaker
sir I'm trying to be optimistic, or at least optimistic for Greg's sake, because he would usually be the one that kind of goes, oh, well, you never know. But even he's been more down. Yeah, very much so. Whereas as I've always been far more cynical, and especially when it comes to sort of the way the season's been so far. it's one of those things where you're like, wow, can't get any worse. And then like our new manager bounce was a near, near drawings full of them.
00:07:59
Speaker
That's how it goes. That's how it goes, mate.
Manchester United's Performance Review
00:08:01
Speaker
We're going to go for a quick commercial break. We'll be back. We're going to talk a bit more about United. I suppose we've touched on Southampton for a lot of that segment there, but we're going to get Sam's views on what he thinks the game's going to plan out in the next couple of days.
00:08:15
Speaker
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00:08:34
Speaker
So welcome back guys to the GSP and my United Daily podcast. We are joined by Zach today from Southampton. So we're just going to talk about United now, see how we're shaping up for the game in the next couple of days on Thursday. It's a big one. We're very excited about it. Me and Sam spoke yesterday. Just want to get his take on where you think things are going and how we're going to shape up.
00:08:52
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I mean, we touched on it yesterday, Ollie, in terms of, but I mean, we've had a fantastic week. I mean, going into the week, obviously, we fared the worst, but obviously, a draw, Anfield, no one really expected that, and then and then a win at the Emirates as well. So, I mean, the week's been fantastic for us. Obviously, as a season as a whole, it's been an absolute mess.
00:09:16
Speaker
So, I mean, you can't really say any more in terms of, I know, Zach, you said there, I mean, Greg would normally be the one that says, you never know. And that is really what it's like playing United. I mean, you literally never know. I mean, hopefully, I want to be optimistic and I really hope, like we said yesterday, Ollie, that we really do put on a good display and we bang in a few goals. Yeah, we bang in a few goals and sort of build on the momentum.
00:09:46
Speaker
um um and then I know we've got Brighton as well at Old Trafford again after that so I'd like to think these next couple of weeks we start to see a bit of momentum building and and and maybe maybe just maybe a little shift in our season and and see what positives we can sort of ah ah take going forward but as I said you just never know with the United I mean We're the type of team this season where we draw and build, win it, win it, and then lose to the bottom of the league, Southampton.
Optimism vs. Reality for Manchester United
00:10:18
Speaker
I respect that, I just respect that. If we lose go we lose to to you guys at Old Trafford tomorrow, once again, we'll be in the headlines and and questions will will be asked. so i mean I want to be positive we can beat you. Do you know what to do in a year?
00:10:36
Speaker
and What was that, Zach, sorry? You know, the last time we beat you. When was that, tell me? 2016. Oh, really? You should not be worried. The thing is, you're not a fan, you are always worried. That's the problem. Exactly, exactly. I mean, I've been liking the way we've been playing at Anfield and then at the Emirates, but yeah, as I said, you just never know. And I hope players that played well,
00:11:00
Speaker
at the Emirates on Sunday, like Harry Maguire, like even Zertje, I hope he gets a bit of a chance as well, because obviously like we touched on yesterday, he's had a tough couple of weeks, obviously a few fans booed him off when he got dragged off ah against Newcastle, so I hope he gets it gets another chance to to prove himself tomorrow as well, and and maybe he can nick a nick a goal as well, we also yeah and then Yeah, the fans of Liam Maguire, ah he played very well at the Emirates and and and De Lekt and then...
00:11:31
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, and obviously Bruno, since he's come back from from his suspension, he's been firing. Obviously, he got that Man of the Match performance away at Anfield last week. So, yeah, I want to be positive going into it and and I'm hoping for a win. But as I said, I'm not being overly overly optimistic because i've seen I've seen some United performances this season to to make me very very worried. so Yeah, that's it. and But the feeling now, it's kind of like we might go with a different mindset because obviously we went in as underdogs against Arsenal, against Liverpool. We weren't expected to win. We were expected to get battered by these. But now it's kind of a different mindset. Everyone's on a high. We're all feeling very confident. So how how do you feel it's going to go? out What do you think the mindset is going to be? Are we going to go out there just to absolutely batter them rather than play on the counter attack? Because you can even see Southampton playing on
00:12:25
Speaker
actually going all out on the tech. Yeah, I mean, we have to be dominant straight from the first whistle, to be honest. We have to dominate the ball and we have to shift this mentality of our playing counter-attacking football and letting teams have chances and have the ball. OK, it's all right to do that and Liverpool away and Arsenal away and is City away. But when you play playing teams, no dis no disrespect is like Southampton especially. especially at old traffic you have to dominate and you have to from the first to the last whistle you have to just attack attack attack basically and
00:13:03
Speaker
yeah As I said before, I hope we go into the game really confident, not overly confident, because I think that they have no reason to do that. I know we've had two good results, obviously in the past week, but as I said yesterday, I think they should so okay take positives from that. But because of the games we've had this season, I think we should we should still approach the game.
00:13:28
Speaker
going, you know what, like, we should just play our game and and know that even even if we if we play poorly, Southampton can punish us. I mean, Gary Neville said it earlier on this season, I 100% agree with him, where at times we have genuine genuinely been pound for pound, one of the worst teams in the league in terms of, in some games, how we've played. So if we play like that, I'm sure so Southampton can create create chances of their own and and and maybe punish us for that. But I hope we we go in there and and and
00:14:02
Speaker
really put on a show and get a few goals. So, yeah, I'm hoping for that. Yeah, that's what we're after, isn't it? Because if we did lose this game, or even got a draw, it kind of, it'd feel like one step forward, two steps back, really, wouldn't it? So, we really need to carry on this positive mindset that we've got at the moment. I'm excited. I really am excited. A little bit nervous as well, because, you know what I mean? We're at Old Trafford. It's not really been a fortress for a long time now.
00:14:27
Speaker
We've struggled at Old Trafford. I think we've been better away, our away record better, I think, than it is at home. So there is that nerve there, isn't there? And I guess it's kind of their bottom of the league. So we'll be expected to go out there and absolutely fump them. and it yeah And it's not always the case. It really isn't. so that couldn lose What are you feeling your setup will be?
Lineup and Tactics for Upcoming Game
00:14:48
Speaker
What's the mindset there? It's difficult because we thought he'd kind of settled on how he wanted to set up. I think he'll set up the same that he set up for most games. But the problem is, our game at Swansea, we played with no out and out striker. But ironically, when we brought two strikers on, we then didn't score a goal. So I wouldn't be surprised if he sets up pretty much exactly the same way. There wasn't really as much rotation as we expected because I think his mindset was, well, one,
00:15:13
Speaker
to, you know, he's very aware that the FA Cup is important, especially to smaller clubs. And that's no disrespect to our club. But at the moment, the the cup is the only thing that's brought even a shred of positivity.
00:15:24
Speaker
yeah Because as as much as we we were like, we beat Swansea and there should be an expectation we do like the luck in the relegation season we last played in was what we lost to one to Grimsby town. We discussed that in our pod where like there was a whole load of controversy over their inflatable fish.
00:15:40
Speaker
So for for me, it's like we, we might end up playing the same way, but the last time we predicted a lineup, it was, it was completely wrong. Cause again, he played the calda bean and he played Tyler dipling up front. So I wouldn't be surprised if, if that worked, he would do it again. The problem is, is that the, the change in opposition. Okay. Okay. Cause we're going to go into the next section. I'm going to get you to talk about players, each year players and what you say it's going to be. So we'll come back just after a quick break.
00:16:28
Speaker
Oh, that's tricky to get that one out.
00:16:31
Speaker
Welcome back to the GSPN Man United Daily podcast. and We're joined with our South Hampton correspondent, Zach here. And I'm also joined with our Manchester United, Sam Obrady as well. So just before I rudely cut you off Zach, tell us about each of the players, what position you think they're going to be playing. How are you going to set up basically when it comes to Thursday? oh Goal goal is is basically one thing and one thing only, and that is Ramsdale. Because then if you paid attention to our other goalkeepers the rest of the season, it doesn't mean that Ramsdale hasn't had his fair share of not good games, but you know regularly shipping five goals. Alex McCarthy has been caught out far too many times than he should have. And then we had a couple of sort of cameos from Joe Lumley that wasn't great.
00:17:13
Speaker
sent back I imagine Taylor-Harvard-Bellis and Jan Bednarek because they are just the solid defensive rocks I don't see that maybe changing if we continue to kind of do the through at the back thing It was kind of weird in the FA Cup lane. I think we kind of put James Brie in that situation um and which was slightly bizarre, but I think we'll probably end up having Nathan Wood, Jan and Taylor Howard-Bellis. And then right-hand side, I'd like to see Karl Walker-Peters actually played there. very much doubt it, because that's that's his natural position. But so I wouldn't be surprised if, because of the rest and bits and pieces, we put Sir Gewara back in, at least that's what I hope, probably have Karl Walker-Peters back on the left.
00:17:53
Speaker
He's really liked in the middle of the park, put in Ugechukwu with a Rebo. I don't know if Dan's still out injured. So potentially that. And then we'll probably end up having Matti Fernandez, Tyler Dibling.
00:18:06
Speaker
Maybe Kaldimene again, and then I'm hoping we actually have an out and out striker, but depending on how he wants to play and considering the opposition rubber games, we'll probably need a big man, so they'll probably put Paul up top and maybe kick the ball towards him. Not that that's done a lot of good so far. So yeah, it's nothing too drastic, but it's been difficult to kind of guess because of the fact that we were we thought he'd kind of agreed on 11, completely surprised us the other day and obviously the scale of the opposition is different and I guess that's what's nice because when we were playing under Russell Martin and we knew exactly what the team sheet was week in week out and on top of that we knew that we wouldn't have a different plan no matter who we've played. We've seen that he does a lot of ah sort of
00:18:51
Speaker
man marking, which is kind of annoying we could have pressed some of the players in some of the games. But it's just nice to have a manager that realizes that there are more than one way there is more than one way to win a game. And that's kind of where we're at. So I don't really see anything too dramatic. But obviously, it's a couple of days between now and then. I wouldn't be surprised if someone left during that time. Our entire thing at the moment is... and january of our best players. And obviously, Kyle Walker Peters is due a contract renewal at the end of the season. um He's only got six months left. If I was him, I probably wouldn't sign it. I will be devastated when he leaves because he's probably been one of our best players. So he's, so you say the danger, man. Who should we, who should we be worried about when we're playing on Thursday?
00:19:37
Speaker
The problem is is that most of our goals this year have come from our defenders, which is which is terrifying at first. Set pieces aren't that good either. But if Kaldimene's Suleiman is coming into form, I feel like a big enough stage like a United game would be a good place for him to show it. Because a goal against Swansea is not going to get you much. Obviously, Dippling being played in a more forward position as he has been might mean that he would love to, I'm probably sure, bag a goal, considering his full debut was against United. That's kind of where I see our two biggest threats, but also, Matty Fernandez is your goal, and he is somebody who me and Greg like to keep under wraps every time that every single person questions us on, like, oh, Tyler Dippling has been a sensation. We're like, that's great. Please don't pay attention to Matias Fernandez, because he's going to go far. It's not going to be with us in the future, but as long as we can retain him for the time being,
00:20:33
Speaker
Yeah, that'd be quite nice. So that that's probably where I see most of our danger coming from. i From United, though, it could be anyone. Like if you've got an out of form striker who needs a goal, that's Southampton and the team to do it again. It's like, bear in mind you had Rashford School last game. Yeah, exactly. Sam, how do you see us setting up? What would you like to, who'd you like to see started?
00:20:52
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, sort of similar to that why I don't see ah anything too dramatic from Amarin. I think he's going to set up similar to to how we did on on on Sunday afternoon against Arsenal. Obviously, you you've got Maguire, Delict, Martin, as he might maybe bring Euro in and and swap one of the the three out.
00:21:14
Speaker
I don't really, I'm not a fan of how he swaps and changes the centre backs throughout the game. I would like i'm not fan of that yeah i'd like to sort of see him stick by a three and sort of stick with him going forward. But obviously, if Euro gets the chance, I think this is this is a game for him. then, yeah, I got a main who probably are going to start in the midfield again,
00:21:39
Speaker
he could maybe bring even a Casimir or an Ericsson in. Obviously, they are they both had shockers in in in that Newcastle game the other week, so I don't know how they they they're going to bounce back from that. And then, as ah as I said before, maybe Zurchie might get a start as well, obviously. rotation yeah Yeah, obviously, we're we're still in, obviously, the Europa League and and and the FA Corp. and so he might rotate with Zirce replacing one of the front three. But again, the last the last game Zirce started was was again that shocker against Newcastle. So it's whether he trusts him again to to start him. But again, after he came on um um in the second half against Arsenal and and and played really well, I think maybe he might give him that trust tomorrow. And as Zach said, if if you need a striker that's out of form that needs a goal,
00:22:36
Speaker
then Southampton will seem to do it again. So, I mean, if and if Zirce obviously played really well against Arsenal, then if he can build on that confidence in Nickah goal tomorrow, then then
Predictions and Final Thoughts
00:22:47
Speaker
all the better. So, yeah, nothing nothing's too dramatic and and I think we we should secure all all three points really. so Yeah, I think it keeps it very similar to teams that we played, obviously against Liverpool and Arsenal. So, guys, before we finish up, we've got about another 20 seconds. Predictions, what are the scores going to be? Zach, I'll let you go first, my friend. I've got two, one heart, one head, one's for Greg. The heart prediction would be, like, I'd love for us to to win 2-1 because it would be the only thing we can talk about all season. My head says you're going to beat us 3-0 and probably Zach's a hat trick, why not?
00:23:19
Speaker
wow oh wow yeah because i'reing to this but red because this is This is what happens with us. If there's an out of form striker, they go to us and they score. But obviously the heart prediction would be, love to see Matthew Fernandez get two. And whoever wants to score for you United at that point, because there's no way we'll keep a clean sheet.
00:23:36
Speaker
or fighting talk there. I don't know, it's kind of, you say things like that and it's just, I don't know, worries me a little bit. We really won't. You really won't. Okay then, so Sam, what do you reckon? We did prediction yesterday, but tell me again what you're thinking. Yeah, it's the other Fernandez on the pitch who's going to bag out a couple of goals tomorrow. So look yeah, I would love to see us win three or four nil, but as I said yesterday, I'm sticking with a very conservative two nil I'm going.
00:24:04
Speaker
Yeah, mate, I'm going 2-1 because every time I go high, it lends in tears. So I'm being very conservative for 2-1 on this one. But guys, thank you so much. Thank you, Zach, for joining us. It's been an absolute pleasure. Great to meet you. Sam, also, it's been brilliant, mate. And guys, that we'll see you on the next part. This has been the GSP and Man United Daily Podcast. Take care. Bye-bye.