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Episode 58 - Gameweek 22 Review + European Preview
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Debutant Irby White joins Louie Easton as the pair unpack the weekend's results and delve into what's going wrong at Tottenham and Manchester United.
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Transcript
New Hosts and Return from Hiatus
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the GSPN English Premier League podcast. We're back. It's been a while. We've had a bit of a hiatus, but we are well and truly back and with a couple of new faces. Um, only one of them is joining me today, but Irby White and a fellow Liverpool fan, two Liverpool fans on the same Premier League podcast. What could possibly go wrong? How are you doing, mate?
00:00:39
Irby White
I'm doing well, how are you?
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, not too bad. Thank you. So you are one of our new American additions to the ah Premier League team and to the Global Sports Podcast Network.
Irby White's Football Journey
00:00:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Tell us a bit about yourself. You know, how did you get into football? What's the story?
00:00:57
Irby White
I kind of all started with my brother. My brother was a player growing up and ever since I was born, my dad's a pilot. So my mom just had to always take me to every single one of his practices, every single one of his games. So, I mean, from as soon as I was born, pretty much I was, I was out there watching games, whether I remember it or not, that's one thing, but it's just, it's one of the first things that I grew up with.
00:01:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing. And Liverpool is the team that you chose. Very, very smart decision.
00:01:27
Irby White
Yeah.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who were the players ah that made you ah fall in love with the Liverpool team? And what was the Liverpool team that you were growing up with?
00:01:36
Irby White
Well, it had to be Steven Gerrard of course. I mean, you know, in my opinion, the greatest player to ever play for the club.
00:01:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, he was mine as well.
00:01:42
Irby White
I've only been supporting the team 20 years, so I can't go back and, you know, attest to Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes and all those guys, but he was the one and then The core, the team that I really remember was, you know, Alonso, Mascherano, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel.
00:01:58
Irby White
That was kind of, you know, the team right after we won the Champions League and the FA Cup, you know, when we were kind of going for stuff under Rafa, that was that was when it really set in for me.
00:02:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
you You'll I can add on to that. Pepe Reina in goal.
00:02:11
Irby White
Yeah.
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Dirk Kuyt. I love that team. That was the team that I sort of had my earliest memories of.
00:02:21
Irby White
Yeah.
00:02:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember my first ah match seeing as a Liverpool fan. Four years old, it was Liverpool versus Manchester United on the days where Fernando Torres was just absolutely terrorizing Nemanja Vidic.
00:02:32
Irby White
Yeah.
00:02:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
We won't dwell too much on that because this is a Premier League podcast.
00:02:36
Irby White
That's right.
00:02:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll leave it for the Liverpool podcast maybe and we can properly ah introduce you on that of your Liverpool background. But thank you very much for joining GSP and I can't wait to work with you many times in the future.
Liverpool's League Performance and Challenges
00:02:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So let's talk about the weekend then and we'll start off with Liverpool because they have now regained their six point advantage at the top of the league with a game in hand, which may take us up to nine. But we left it late, didn't we? Darwin Nunez right at the end. Were you one of the people that were writing off Darwin Nunez before the weekend?
00:03:11
Irby White
I would say so. I mean, I think I'd been discussing it with friends for weeks. I still think he had and has a part to play for the rest of the season. He's going to score big goals. He's proven that this weekend he proved it last season against Newcastle and against Forest.
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:03:27
Irby White
Is he good enough in the long term, especially under the new manager? Probably not. Does he have a job that he can do for us the rest of the season? Absolutely. He proved it on on on Saturday.
00:03:39
Irby White
He just does, he has to have something different, you know, he is as his nickname is agent chaos. Like he, he just causes chaos, whether that's you know been a good thing or bad thing. You know, some teams, I think they're happy to see him sometimes on the pitch and then he can pull something, you know, out of nowhere. Um, so I think.
00:04:00
Irby White
The weekend was great. What he did for us is great. He saved us right there at the end. Is he the long-term number nine? Not for me. But between now and the rest of the season, if he can you know contribute three, four big goals in us chasing, dare I say, a quadruple, but the Champions League and the Premier League is what we really have our eyes on. I think he'll score big goals between now and the end of the season. And then we'll see what happens when the summer comes around and what slot's interested in then.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and on a slot, as we have seen already, he is absolutely ruthless um when it comes to making decisions for the team.
00:04:33
Irby White
Mm hmm.
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not afraid to drop people. He's not afraid to sub people off. He's not afraid to hurt players egos, but With Darwin Nunez, you sort of have to ask the question, when Jota's out, would you start Darwin Nunez or Luis Diaz up front? Because Luis Diaz has been starting all of the matches and Darwin's been coming off the bench and trying to inject that sort of chaos ah into the Liverpool team. who who who Who do you prefer as a striker?
00:05:07
Irby White
It's a tough question. I think you have to play Diaz at least 60 minutes. Darwin coming off the bench with 30 or 25 to go I think can be much more effective because there's tired legs in the back line in the opposition.
00:05:21
Irby White
Rather than playing him from the start when teams are up to speed, I don't know. And I think once he gets in, you know, he knows who to target to after, you know, 60, 65 minutes, you see who guys who are tired, he sees who can he can go after. ah He definitely frustrated, you know, those first couple minutes early on, but.
00:05:41
Irby White
He's the kind of player that just out of nowhere can do something like what he did. Um, but to go back to that, I think it has to be Diaz, you know, as you said, Jota's injury history, it's going to be a constant concern.
00:05:55
Irby White
Like, I think we just need to know that that's going to happen. He's going to come back for two, three weeks at a time, and then he's going to be out for five, six weeks. So when we know it's probably going to be back on the left, we know it's going to be Salah on the right, I would go with Diaz.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:11
Irby White
for me.
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. All right. Well, uh, so starting Diaz bringing on Darwin as that sort of, uh, David Fairclough role, bringing them on late and being a superstar.
00:06:15
Irby White
Yeah.
00:06:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But speaking of Salah, you touched on him, uh, very briefly. He's gone quiet these last two or three games, but it's no reason to panic really, is it, Irby
00:06:32
Irby White
Well, I mean, I think rival fans will love it. He he loves the the Christmas photo. Everyone always thinks that's what happens.
00:06:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm so bored of that joke.
00:06:39
Irby White
He starts. i'm I agree. I mean. I just think it's a thing this time of year in general. It doesn't matter who the manager is. We've seen this like in my time as a Liverpool fan. You get to that January or you get past the new year after that crazy schedule. And then if you're still in the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup is starting up. Now the new Champions League, you know, we don't wait till February for the knockouts. We've got a match tomorrow. So it's just, I mean, it's every three, four days. And as you said, the slot, he's ruthless.
00:07:09
Irby White
And I was thinking about this the other day. I mean, I was looking at the lineup and I feel like we've just seen. Nine out of 11 players almost every single week since the start of the season.
00:07:19
Irby White
So I think just, you know, we're not giving guys like Harvey as much time as he deserves. Like we're not seeing as much rotation under, under clock.
00:07:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely agreed.
00:07:27
Irby White
And I think it's taking a toll. Like, I think there's some wear and tear on those guys that are playing 75, 80 minutes every three days. Um, but. So I don't think it's just a concern on solid.
00:07:38
Irby White
I think it's a whole team thing, but once we kind of get out of this, you know, hopefully we get to the, the lead cup final, but once we get the, you know, kind of that out of the way, and then we get in that routine of, you know, hopefully the FA cup.
00:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:52
Irby White
Prim champions league. I think just when you have four competitions, it's those teams that are always in, it just seemed to stumble until they're out of one.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's absolutely exhausting, absolutely.
00:08:02
Irby White
Yeah.
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And we'll move on
Arsenal's Struggles and Controversies
00:08:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
to other teams now. I know we'd love to talk about Liverpool more, but ah this is the Premier League and ah the other another team may be still the other title contenders.
00:08:08
Irby White
Mm. That's right.
00:08:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, suffering a little bit with an injury crisis arsenal, they dropped two massive points against Aston Villa at home. And what's even more frustrating for Arsenal fans is the fact that they had a 2-0 lead and they scored a goal which got disallowed due to the Havertz with play. um Some people I cannot believe online have been saying that it came off his chest.
00:08:43
Irby White
Yeah.
00:08:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I never realised that your chest has a sleeve. I mean, it's just brain-dead, and we see this constantly with Arsenal fans. You must have some Arsenal friends over there in the States, Irby They're a massive club.
00:09:00
Irby White
I could probably say I have more Arsenal friends than anyone else. You know, I'm obviously i'm a Liverpool supporter and I've got my Liverpool circle of friends here, but there's Arsenal fans everywhere. People I play with, people I coach with, people like kids I coach, they're everywhere.
00:09:13
Irby White
I would say that's the biggest, unfortunately the biggest club here at where I am in Richmond.
00:09:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, so I'll ask I'll ask you this. Are they as delusional over there as they have been showing online?
00:09:22
Irby White
Yeah. Oh yeah.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are.
00:09:23
Irby White
Absolutely. Absolutely. It's wild.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, so we're agreeing that it was a handball.
00:09:30
Irby White
I don't think there's any question that it was a handball. I think, you know, your bias makes you see things. if If they think that was his sleeve or his chest, fair play to them. But, you know, even in the moment, I was just, I mean, I didn't even have to see the replay.
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they bottled the lead. Yeah.
00:09:45
Irby White
I was like, well, there's a handball that's coming back.
00:09:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah its it was it was instant with me as well. There was no doubt that that was going to be overturned.
00:09:51
Irby White
Yeah.
00:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how deep do Arsenal's problems lie, is what I'm going to ask you now, because they have got their injuries. I mean, Saliba is a huge miss.
00:10:01
Irby White
Mm-hmm.
00:10:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bukayo Saka we've already seen, has been a huge miss. And Raheem Sterling just hasn't been doing enough for me on the right hand side.
00:10:07
Irby White
Yeah.
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I have absolutely ah no ah no remorse for that little snake, but ah it's it's It's an issue for Arsenal if they are going to still go for this title race.
00:10:21
Irby White
It is. And at some point, you would think the set piece danger is going to dry up, right? I mean, it kind of has a little bit. They can't just rely on that, you know, I get an, and I understand injuries are a thing and you look at their, they don't have a player like, I mean, you know, three years ago, Chiesa was what the player of the tournament at the euros. They don't have that kind of luxury of bringing those kind of players off the bench. So at the same time, maybe their squad is a little thin, but.
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
They have good youngsters coming through, though. I must say, Miles Skelly looks a proper, proper player from the left back and Ethan Nwaneri as well on the right wing. So they have got the Academy to look to.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in terms of players with experience, you have to think if you're in a title race, you rely on experienced players.
00:11:13
Irby White
Mm hmm. Exactly. And then and those young players only get you so far.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah.
00:11:18
Irby White
Like we saw, you know, everyone knows all about the class of 92. We don't need to talk about that. Now we saw what we did in the in the care about Cup final last year. But I mean, how far is that really going to get you when you're like you said, when you're in the title race and they have their eyes on the League Cup, you know, they need to come back from from that.
00:11:36
Irby White
Newcastle, they've got their eye on the Champions League too. Is their squad deep enough, though, to compete on three fronts? I don't know. And what's the priority for them? Is it Champions League or is it Premier League? Because we've seen the last two years kind of heartbreak in the way they've kind of fallen off.
00:11:51
Irby White
At what point does that kind of take a toll? You know, if Liverpool or Forest were to run away with it, it's just at what point is that just mentally fragility kind of set in?
00:11:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:59
Irby White
Like, are we ever going to get over the line here?
00:12:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean. There's still a lot of games to go. Let's not forget we are only in January and but it's just, you know, looking at the injury lists.
00:12:05
Irby White
Yeah.
00:12:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a worry for Arsenal and Michael Arteta, I believe, as well even alluded to the fact that Liverpool have stronger depth. I mean, if anything, it's a headache for Liverpool because spoiled for choice in the front line, you're worried about Harvey Elliott, like you mentioned, not getting enough game time.
00:12:27
Irby White
Yeah.
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So yeah, absolutely ah Liverpool win in that respect. We'll also move over to a team that are getting rid of a couple of players or looking to.
Manchester Clubs: Performance and Criticisms
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Manchester United, another loss for them under Ruben Amorim, 3-1 at home against Brighton. Brighton look a proper team but the The biggest takeaway from this match is what Ruben Amorim said after the match in the press conference, and here it is now.
00:13:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Irby you're smiling at that. what What are your reactions to that? You're a manager of one of the, I mean, the most successful team in Premier League history saying that the team is the worst in the history of Manchester United and saying all of the players are underperforming. I mean, as a fan, do you i would you respect the manager for saying that or would you feel a bit aggrieved at those words?
00:14:14
Irby White
I mean, I'm smiling because it's kind of the brutal and honest truth. And what a way to introduce yourself to the United faithful. um I'm trying to think of how I would react to something like that as a player.
00:14:25
Irby White
I think that would light a fire under me.
00:14:29
Irby White
We've seen it, you know, in Manchester United's recent history, players kind of just, if you get thrown under the bus, Mourinho did it a lot. They'd kind of fold. You know, there's kind of a fragility at you'd Manchester United as a whole.
00:14:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the thing is, Mourinho won trophies.
00:14:41
Irby White
so
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, he won the Europa League and said that was one of the best accomplishments of his entire managerial career.
00:14:50
Irby White
Yeah.
00:14:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But do you think this is maybe him trying to give a wake-up call to the players? I'm trying to understand the logic behind it because I think they need a wake-up call and I never thought that the previous managers were the problem.
00:15:03
Irby White
It could be him. It could be him trying to just stamp his authority and this is, you know, this is not going to be acceptable. You you said it a minute ago, that slot was kind of ruthless, but I can't rububen be ruthless. But United has just kind of seemed that they've had like this cultural issue for a long time.
00:15:20
Irby White
um Whether that's down to the manager, I've got other things on United that I think are down. I don't think the manager is necessarily the problem at United. you know I think they can go through 10 managers and no one's going to fix it. I think there's just a cultural ownership problem. But to Ruben's point, is he right? Probably. Is it the right thing to do? I i don't know.
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they're thinking of moving on Marcus Rashford, and I think he was definitely one of the biggest ah offenders of attitude problems within the squad.
00:15:49
Irby White
Yep.
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Anthony, as well, already confirmed to be leaving Manchester United for the rest of the season, joining Real Betis in the Spanish La Liga. So definitely some changes going on around Manchester United. Let's go over to the other side of Manchester now ah to a team who had a very different Premier League weekend. Manchester City traveling to Ipswich, winning 6-0. I mean, that is just, you know, away from home after having an awful run of matches. Are Manchester City back?
00:16:28
Irby White
Were they ever really gone? Yes, maybe a little bit. They were do a blip, were they not?
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think more than a little bit actually they're 15 points off.
00:16:32
Irby White
I mean, were they do a blip? Yeah, they but it was it was one heck of a blip, but they just looked like themselves. you know i mean That's what we've been kind of accustomed to.
00:16:42
Irby White
That's what I've been you know used to the last couple of years. Sometimes I, for years, I didn't even turn on these Manchester City games because I knew it was going to happen. You know, and that was kind of just, they showed who they were.
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:52
Irby White
Ipswich, we know, you know, they're sitting there, you know, in the danger zone. Were they ever really going to get anything from this match? Maybe a month ago and City was really going through it. Maybe they've kind of gotten the wheels going a little bit more, but yeah.
00:17:06
Irby White
I mean, are they back? Probably. Are they too far gone from the title? I don't want to rule them out, and but.
00:17:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, its it's a scary thought.
00:17:13
Irby White
They looked like themselves and they, yes, and they're making moves in the transfer market, um which sometimes that's all it takes.
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think ah think it was only a matter of time.
00:17:20
Irby White
Yeah.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they've signed to um they've signed their new ah defender from Lens I want to try and say this name. Uzbekistani 20-year-old defender Abdukhodir Khusunov.
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I pronounced that right.
00:17:35
Irby White
I think you got the last name, right?
00:17:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've got him on a deal. Yeah, I i i hope so. 2029 is when the contract expires. 33.6 million on that deal. I don't know an awful lot about him.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not going to... um I'm not going to act like I know anything about him, but you know it's good to see them bringing in young players once again. I thought their transfer window was quite frankly strange in the summer when they re-signed Ilkay Gundogan selling Calvin Phillips when I think they needed backup in that position.
00:18:08
Irby White
yeah
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah It was a strange, stranger transfer window and an awful start to the season ah for Manchester City. like four titles in a row, I think.
00:18:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah and And they just looked at a completely different team, but I think we may be starting to see the Manchester City we were all afraid of last season.
00:18:24
Irby White
Yeah. Yeah.
00:18:32
Irby White
We are and you know, we're playing them soon. and You know, they're playing some of the big guys soon, but
00:18:40
Irby White
All right. They're still, you know, they could be a result away from just, you know, the talk going again. Are they going to be in the Europa league? Are they going to miss out on the champions league? I don't think that's the case, but they're not a team you want to face right now when they're scoring six goals and keeping clean sheets.
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, that's a real statement win.
00:18:59
Irby White
Yeah.
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. ah So the team ah that are currently...
Nottingham Forest and Tottenham's Season Review
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah the bit I mean, let's just say it, the surprise of the season, Nottingham Forest.
00:19:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
three I mean, the surprise in a positive ah aspect. We'll move on to the negative surprises a little bit later on. But 3-2 against Southampton went 3-0 up in the first half and sort of switched off in the second half.
00:19:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
but um Nottingham Forest are now in the exact same position, I mean exact same points ah as Leicester City were when they won the Premier League in the 2015-16 season.
00:19:36
Irby White
Don't say that to me.
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I mean, I'm just saying, the the thing is with the Leicester City season, and everyone's saying this, every single other team were having an off-season. You know, Manchester City were having an off-season.
00:19:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Tottenham almost finished second. What a change they've had a since then.
00:19:53
Irby White
Yeah.
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal ended up finish finishing second, but the question is now on everyone's minds, could Nottingham Forest be doing a Leicester?
00:20:05
Irby White
They very well could. they're They're starting to take shape of a true Nuno team. If you remember back to that Wolves team when they kind of had, it was Podence, Jota, and Jimenez up top, you know, they would counter you.
00:20:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:20:19
Irby White
They could sit back, they'd sit in front of you, and then they' when they'd been the ball, they were at you. They're doing the same thing with with Chris Wood, Hudson Odoi, Elanga, and Morgan, what's his name?
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Uh, Morgan Gibbs White.
00:20:31
Irby White
Morgan Gibbs White, you know, those are four guys you don't want running at you and you, when you transition and lose the ball. So can you win a title by doing that?
00:20:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:39
Irby White
Absolutely. You know, a lot of teams, like you you said, a lot of teams are going to have to drop points, have an off season off, you know, second half of the season, but they're a danger. I mean, I don't see them dropping off anytime soon.
00:20:50
Irby White
They can see the two goals to South Hampton, who we know are at the bottom, but. You know, they're just, I mean, they're dangerous. They can take out anyone on their day. And we've seen, you know, as Liverpool fans, losing to them at Anfield early in the season.
00:21:00
Irby White
And then, you know, we can't get three points off of them, which has been infuriating.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was a frustrating match.
00:21:05
Irby White
Yeah. yeah
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah And the thing is, the Nottingham Forest, all of their best play is off the ball.
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, they hit teams on the counter and absolutely ruthless.
00:21:11
Irby White
Yep.
00:21:11
Irby White
Yep.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Anthony Elanga fancies himself as the fastest player in the world. And when you've got players with that much confidence, you can see why they're doing as well as they are. And, you know, maybe not. Maybe so Forest fans aren't hoping for a Premier League title. I mean, Liverpool, I still think are favourites. I'm not going to say we will win it because I hate saying stuff like that now. I've learned from my mistakes. but ah Forest very much dreaming of European football next season and rightfully so. They're playing like a European standards team Champions League standard team. um And I did mention that we would talk about some of the negative surprises
00:21:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everyone's talking about Manchester United. No one is talking about Tottenham Hotspur. I mean, that it is just a calamitous season ah for ah Tottenham. I mean, 24 points from 22 games, 10 losses. ah And they have just, I mean, losing to Everton, 3-2.
00:22:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And conceding three goals is bad anyway, but three against Everton and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring. It's an awful, awful season for Tottenham Hotspur, to say the least. And everyone's saying, well, maybe it's at time for Ange to leave. But surely, despite the injury problem, some of their players have to be taking accountability and taking the blame, Irby.
00:22:46
Irby White
At what point are they going to just stop blaming the injuries? Because some of the goals they've conceded lately, I just asked myself, what is Ange doing? What do they do in training every week? Because there there doesn't seem to be any improvement in the team's collective and individual defending. ah something i mean It can be just, if you look back at that second goal when Ndiaye scored, it was one ball through the midfield and he's running at the back line. I feel like every time I turn on the top of the match,
00:23:13
Irby White
It's one pass through the midfield. All their midfielders are out of the picture and they're just, the opposition's just running at their back line. I'm like, I don't understand it. Surely you can make adjustments to do that. But like I said, one pass, the midfield's out of the game and they're just, they're chasing and they're recovering, you know, and it seems to happen every single match.
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's it and I understand that maybe some of their less experienced players are playing. I mean, Kinski and goal, third choice, understandable that he's obviously going to feel a little bit exposed and, you know, Archie Gray playing out of position at the age of 18. But like you said.
00:23:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
that it it's just simple football that they're not playing and they are having no results every week but Ange is so stubborn and ah and he won't change the team.
00:23:58
Irby White
Mm hmm.
00:24:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I suppose maybe the question is are they have they already written off the Premier League, accepted that they probably won't get relegated and just ah play on that hope and maybe go for a cup, you know, they're in the semi-finals of the League Cup um and they are still in the Europa League and maybe that's what they're, I'm trying to make sense of it.
00:24:34
Irby White
It's similar to kind of what I said about Man United earlier. Is the manager necessarily the problem? I mean, under and Daniel Levy, it's just they have not had much success. You know, they made it that Champions League final against us, but. Some of the decisions that are just made with the players they bring in each summer baffle me, you know they get that new manager bounce and I mean he's played some good football, right? Last year they were top of the table for a little while. You know they fell off there at the end, but
00:25:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be honest, I don't think their signings are the issue because I thought Solanke's been okay. James Maddison was a great signing, you know, getting his contract. And Lucas Bergvall, I think, has been one of their shining lights in their recent matches, especially against us in the League Cup.
00:25:18
Irby White
I just think a lot of those midfielders, I look at it other than Madison struggled to get into any of the traditional big six sides.
00:25:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
i suppose I suppose you have a point.
00:25:24
Irby White
um Yeah. But, you know, back to your point and what you said about Ang being so stubborn, he he seems to take it personally in every post-match and pre-match press conference too.
00:25:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:34
Irby White
You know, reporters ask, they kind of want just answers like kind of what I asked, what are you working? And he just, he's very snappy back back at them. And it's just,
00:25:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:44
Irby White
You know, we've, I mean, we saw under c clop a couple of years ago, you know, when we were having that tough season where we finished fifth, he, we switched to that four four two just to kind of get through that period.
00:25:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've noticed that.
00:25:55
Irby White
And I feel like as a manager, sometimes a simple formation change or personnel change is all you have to do. There's a lot of injuries going on over at Tottenham, but just. They seem like they need a lift and whether that's assigning or not, they just need to change things up and just start getting results. Because you said going for a cup, going for the Europa League or the Carabao Cup, that's great and all. But if they keep trying to, you know, doing it this way, I could see us coming back and I could see them getting knocked out in the first round of the knockouts of the Europa League too.
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely, but on the other side of the coin of that result, 3-2 to Everton, David Moyes is back at Everton, and he's already got a win against a traditional big side.
00:26:30
Irby White
yeah
00:26:36
Irby White
Yeah.
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Maybe a relegation rival this season, even so. David Moyes is back, and it's just nostalgic seeing him back in the touchline again. You think of the old Everton, you know, Seamus Coleman and Leighton Banes and Phil Jagiellka in the backline,
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tim Howard in goal, you know, Steven Pienaar,
00:26:55
Irby White
Michael Arteta.
00:26:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mikel Arteta, yes, Kevin Morales. I mean, this was a wonderful Everton side, ah regardless of rivalry.
00:27:01
Irby White
Yeah. Yeah.
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Do you think David Moyes could maybe bring, I mean, maybe this season is a write-off for Everton, I could be wrong, but could this, do you think David Moyes is the manager to take them forward?
David Moyes and Everton's Future Prospects
00:27:19
Irby White
I think so. I mean, you saw what he did with West Ham, you know, winning that European trophy. I have a good friend that's a West Ham, diehard West Ham. And he was, I mean, he's still, he's happy with Grand Potter, but he still doesn't understand why they let David Moyes go.
00:27:31
Irby White
You know, they had that tough season last year, but it Moyes or Everton just kind of seems like it's his club and it always seemed like it was destined to happen a little bit, you know?
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:27:42
Irby White
So I think he's a great manager. Do we want, you know, Everton, the good times back to the good times, whatever, if there ever were good times, but do we want Everton to be, you know, a danger, a force again?
00:27:55
Irby White
No. But is he the guy to do that?
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:27:57
Irby White
Yes, because he understands the club.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:27:59
Irby White
He was there for what? I mean, nine, 10 years.
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
years Yes.
00:28:02
Irby White
I mean, it just seemed like forever before he went to Manchester United and that, you know, they seem to always be able to take points off of the big teams, too.
00:28:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:28:11
Irby White
So. If he can get some of that old magic back from his original time there. Absolutely. Um, I think they will stay in the premier league too. And then that new stadium next year.
00:28:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think so. Unfortunately, I think it will be the the three teams that came up, I think, are the three teams that will go straight back down.
00:28:26
Irby White
Absolutely. You know, wolves, we know wolves have their issues, but. They seem to have just enough. Yeah. The three teams at the bottom just seemed destined to go down. So Everton staying up, going to the new stadium with Moyes, a manager that knows the club inside and out.
00:28:42
Irby White
he get He'll get his preseason, maybe get some of his signings in. They could be a threat next year. I mean, and they have players now that we've seen this year. Calvert-Lewin scoring goals again.
00:28:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
a goal again.
00:28:53
Irby White
Is he the player that we, a goal? I'll go, but you know, yeah.
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's been a long time for him but as it seems strange that it's Boyz's first match back as Everton manager and Calvert-Lewin's already put one in the back of the net ending a endless goal drought.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been so long since we've heard his name mentioned in the same sentence as goal and it's not been when will he get a goal. ah ah Yeah, good times maybe a ahead for Everton and what we seem to think they'll say. We will take a short break now and um I mean this episode's already going a little bit over schedule but ah we will take a short break now and when we're back we'll preview the European football that we will be seeing mid-week.
European Competitions Preview
00:30:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know why it repeated itself there. I had to cut that off. But a massive thank you to Adash and Connor from the Daily Liverpool Podcast. It's a very Liverpool orientated episode, this one. But we will preview the European football that we will see. I mean, in the Champions League Tuesday, um Monaco versus Aston Villa.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
That will be a great match, won't it? I mean, Monaco have had their moments in the Champions League this season. They're in the ah pack in the middle of the playoffs ah in this new format, which I hated at first, and now I understand maybe it is quite good. Just too many matches, but a great match on the cards straight away. Villa traveling to a very grand part of the world, Irby.
00:31:20
Irby White
This is one of those matches. There's a few this week, but this is one of those tomorrow that has massive implications. If you look at the table, there's I mean, multiple teams that are within three, four points of each other. And as of now, Villa in fifth place, you know, looking to to secure one of those automatic places in match day seven.
00:31:41
Irby White
It's hard to look past them. They've had, you know, an amazing Champions League run. I feel like Emery is kind of maybe put more of his cards in the Champions League this year. Can they go to Monaco and get you know what they need three points and kind of looks like theyll they would just about secure at that top eight finish? I'm looking forward to that one very much so.
00:32:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. um And Liverpool in the same evening playing against Lille. Liverpool still on maximum points out of the six games and maybe it's time to start arresting some of the ah main players considering the fact that we already have automatic qualification for the knockout stages. Is that something you'd like to see or would you still like to see us go and get maximum six points out of these last two matches?
00:32:30
Irby White
I think winning, you I love what Van Dijk said a couple of years ago. You want to win every match no matter what. Do I want to see him playing tomorrow? The fact that we've already secured the qualification, probably not. Konate's fitness has been an issue too.
00:32:44
Irby White
I think this is a good game for Endo to come in at center back. Endo Quansah, don't know about it as a duo, but you said it.
00:32:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:50
Irby White
There's a lot of guys that need minutes. Harvey Elliott needs minutes.
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Federico Chiesa I'd like to see more of as well.
00:32:55
Irby White
Kiye said, yeah, this seems like a perfect nailed on match for him. Or is this the game to kind of get solid 60 minutes and maybe two goals, get him a brace, and then he's back flying for the weekend?
00:33:07
Irby White
It's hard to predict what he's going to do, you know?
00:33:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is at home as well, so there's no ah there's no travel fatigue there.
00:33:12
Irby White
Right. right I think it's a good game for Connor Bradley as well. I think he's he's he's shown, when he comes off the bench, I mean, he's immediately flying into tackles, winning duels up and down up and down the sideline.
00:33:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah.
00:33:26
Irby White
I think this is a great match for him as well.
00:33:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's got the highlight of Liverpool's campaign in the Champions League as well, this season flying into Kylian Mbappe.
00:33:29
Irby White
i
00:33:35
Irby White
Yeah. I mean, absolutely.
00:33:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was his ah last match before going going ah out injured as well, but what a way to go out.
00:33:42
Irby White
I mean, and especially to do it to Mbappe at Anfield of all, like just no fear, absolutely no fear, which is what a way to like get the crowd to admire you.
00:33:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Such a good match.
00:33:54
Irby White
I mean, he's something else. What a, what a option to have.
00:34:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's the Tuesday night. ah Wednesday night, ah Arsenal against Dynamo Zagreb. Maybe a team that you don't want to underestimate. Dynamo Zagreb have got two wins, two draws and two losses. 24th, which is the lowest possible point ah to progress into the knockout stages. if your arsenal If you're an Arsenal fan looking at this match, and Arsenal are still third,
00:34:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that a game that you are thinking maybe we don't want to underestimate it, but we don't want to play our only remaining first team players? I mean, it's a difficult one for Arsenal.
00:34:45
Irby White
i think I think what you just said, you just hit the nail on the head there. They can't afford to have another injury. you know I mean, if Odegard or Gabrielle were to go down, for example, that could really derail their season. They're comfortably in third. And did you say it's at home or is it away?
00:35:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah It's at home.
00:35:04
Irby White
I think this is a good game for them to rotate. and I mean, not a lot at stake. you Of course, you always want to pick up points, but I would rotate the squad if I were them.
00:35:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the points are so close, because there's only been six matches.
00:35:17
Irby White
They are. Yeah.
00:35:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Arsenal are lucky enough to be at the top of, ah well, the top three. But it's such a difficult one for Arsenal, like you mentioned. Maybe a bit of rotation.
00:35:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just get rid of Reiss and Erdogan, like you said. ah The other big big match in the champions is probably one of the biggest matches of the round of fixtures Manchester City versus PSG both of them are much lower than they would like to be City still ah progressing as it stands but only by one point and the team that are one point behind them, PSG. So this is a proper Champions League six-pointer and it is an away match for Manchester City. They are travelling to the French capital. um This is the one to look out for, isn't it, Irby?
00:36:10
Irby White
Absolutely. And I mean, could you imagine a Champions League knockout without PSG in it? You know, they've been trying, they've been dying to win it for years, but I mean, I'm just looking at the table.
00:36:21
Irby White
There's, you know, a loss.
00:36:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been, and there's two matches to go.
00:36:24
Irby White
Are they out? Not necessarily, but I mean, they're good on that. They're just, they need help on the last day.
00:36:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they need.
00:36:30
Irby White
Exactly. So they need three points. Whether if if they, if they were to drop this one, the city. you know, they're relying on that last match and then other results to progress. And for a club of PSG stature, financial stature, this this has been a colossal, I mean, this is treacherous territory they're in.
00:36:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:36:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and Man City's final match is against Club Bruges. So maybe they would be looking to pick up the points there.
00:36:59
Irby White
Yeah.
00:36:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But ah I mean, this is a huge, huge match regardless. PSG traveling to Stuttgart for their final match as well. And the final ah day of European football, Hoffenheim versus Spurs in the Europa League.
00:37:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I mean, Spurs will just want to go for the Europa League now, surely. This season has been a write-off in the Premier League. and I think the only way they're going to have European football next season is by winning the Europa League.
00:37:27
Irby White
I mean, that would be quite, quite a story to finishing, let's say 12th place and winning the Europe league. And I mean, you're in the champions league, weird things have happened, but are maybe they are one of these teams that just meant for cup play.
00:37:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:37:38
Irby White
I mean, they, they made us look rough last week or two weeks ago in the caribou cup, you know, and cup play, you know, Thomas people did it with Chelsea. It's just survive in advance, you know?
00:37:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:51
Irby White
So. I think they have to go all out. We know they have the injuries, but they have to go all out in the Europa League. And I think Ange does too, to save his job.
00:37:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean
00:38:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is in Germany as well, so um they'll be travelling there.
00:38:02
Irby White
Yep. That's a difficult stadium to play into.
00:38:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, absolutely. German fans are just absolutely crazy.
00:38:09
Irby White
Yep.
00:38:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
They still have standing sections, something that the English football doesn't have really anymore. um But I think part of the reason they are a bit of a cup team is because of their new stadium. You know, it's a proper cauldron.
00:38:21
Irby White
Yeah.
00:38:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's so loud in there. They've got light shows before kickoff. They've got All sorts of entertainment going on there between ah when the match is an ongoing we saw that we had squid game thing they did a few weeks ago which was just mad um but like we said I think if you are a Spurs fan you're just thinking I don't care about the Premier League anymore.
00:38:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just want to win a trophy.
00:38:44
Irby White
Yeah.
00:38:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, when they're in the semifinals and they have got the advantage against Liverpool in ah the League Cup, you would absolutely take that. You wouldn't care if you ah finished 17th, if you'll spurs, as long as you won a trophy, because that is what they are being banted for and have been since they last won a trophy, which was the League Cup in 2008.
00:39:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, The final fixture of matches is a big clash of British Titans, ah the second biggest team in English history, Manchester United, against ah the second biggest team in Scottish history, Rangers. Well, actually, Rangers have won more leagues than Celtic, I think, still.
00:39:26
Irby White
I believe so.
00:39:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah but yeah um this is I mean when you're looking at this match you're just thinking atmosphere straight away ah because Rangers fans are absolutely mad Manchester United at home in the Europa League
00:39:39
Irby White
They are.
00:39:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just wondering what your focus would be as well. ah Same question as Spurs. If you're Manchester United, what what would you be looking for this season? I suppose it would be the Europa League as well, maybe.
00:39:57
Irby White
It has to be the FA Cup in the Europa League. It has to be because similar to Spurs, if you know, winning the Europa League, you're in the Champions League. So I think Reuben, you know, has to do the exact same as Ansch.
00:40:09
Irby White
They both have to go for it. um And the Premier League is a write off, you would say, for Manchester United. So yeah yeah, I mean, when you're, when you're in a situation like both these clubs are, but me and United, as we're talking about, you got to go for it.
00:40:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so
00:40:25
Irby White
You got, I mean, Yeah.
00:40:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, this is all you can really say. And it will be a huge match for Ahmad Diallo as well, returning ah to his former team Rangers who, um I mean, he didn't have massive success there, but I think all Rangers fans are very pleased to see that Ahmad Diallo has sort of become Man United's star player almost this season.
00:40:34
Irby White
Yeah.
00:40:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's him and Bruno Fernandez and ah I mean I think it with Manchester United and Spurs all you can hope for is the Europa League and both of them, this' I mean they do absolutely have the quality to be able to do it but it's discipline and it's tactics and that's what's ah completely failed ah Manchester United and just tactics I think for Spurs and injuries But, you know, we covered that aspect earlier. I think we will end the podcast there. It's good to be back here on the daily English Premier League podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network. And, Erbe, thank you very much for joining me. I hope you enjoyed your debut and um hope to see you in many episodes in the future.
00:41:30
Irby White
Cheers mate, I'm looking forward to to more of this. This is a good banter, I love it.
00:41:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
You sound English with an American accent, Ervy.
00:41:40
Irby White
Oh yeah.
00:41:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alright, thank you very much. We'll see you for the next episode.