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NFL Trade Deadline Madness | The Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Headache | Man City vs Liverpool Preview
17 Plays16 days ago
This Week on Who’s Got The Ball? Shane and James break down a WILD NFL Trade Deadline — with shocking Jets moves, chaotic Bears vs Bengals drama, and Sam Darnold balling out for the Seahawks?!
Then it’s over to the NBA where OKC finally fall, and the guys ask: what on earth is going on with Ja Morant?
To wrap up, the Premier League takes centre stage — are West Ham actually on the up, or is it all smoke and mirrors? Plus, a massive Liverpool vs Man City showdown — who takes it at the Etihad?
Updated Power Rankings.
A brand new Gan Seans segment.
Hot takes. Big laughs. Zero filters.
Tune in now for hot takes, bold predictions, and absolute sporting mayhem from start to finish!
🎧 Listen if you’re into:
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- NBA previews & predictions
- Weekly NFL reactions
- Underdog betting tips
- Draft-style sports debates
- Power rankings across multiple sports
- Sports content from an Irish perspective with global takes
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🌍 Based in Ireland | Talking global sports weekly
(0:00) Intro
(5:42) Bears vs Bengals Madness
(9:39) The NFL Trade Deadline
(20:09) NFL Clutch Player of the Week
(24:48) The Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Headache
(31:21) OKC Finally Lose a Game
(36:18) Quick Rockets Chat
(38:05) Gan Seans: Our Underdog Picks
(41:35) PL Performance of the Weekend
(45:24) Newcastle’s League Slump
(50:15) Wolves Sack Vítor Pereira
(53:56) Man City vs Liverpool Preview
(01:00:30) NBA X NFL X PL Power Rankings
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Tribute to Marshawn Neyland
00:00:09
Speaker
right, lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got the Ball. It's me and Shane here once again. And we did want to just start off the episode with um just kind of extending out rest in peace to Marshawn Neyland, who unfortunately died in the early hours of...
00:00:25
Speaker
Thursday morning, I believe. He was a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys. He just had a returned punt block for a touchdown on Monday Night Football. So extremely tragic. and He's believed to have taken his own life um with a gun.
00:00:40
Speaker
So we won't really give our opinion. Obviously, there's no opinion to be given, but we don't want to discuss it because... it's not really something that's up up in the air to be discussed and the facts are still coming out about it so rest in peace to him and obviously we want to extend and our our well wishes to his family and anybody that knows him obviously no one no one will be listening to this from from his side of things or his family but we do want to say it anyway because yeah it's it's extremely sad and shane obviously echoes those same opinions so
00:01:11
Speaker
We're going to move into our into our usual intro from there. We just wanted to have that
Shane's Travel Plans and Athlone Trip
00:01:15
Speaker
at the top. But Shane, how are you getting on? I heard your you're on the way to Budapest next weekend to watch Ireland. Yeah, so flying out Friday morning out of Dublin into Budapest and over there until the Monday after. So the game is on the Sunday.
00:01:30
Speaker
I feel this might be one of those trips where the football gets in the way of a great weekend, but i hope in i hopefully not. Hopefully Ireland can go over there and it get the job done. i Yeah, so all day Friday really, just myself and one other lad are flying out early. The rest them are in kind of quite late. So here's the Friday to get a bit of the sightseeing done over there. See see what Budapest about. Everyone says it's unbelievable. So really looking forward to Last weekend, it'll be my first time.
00:01:58
Speaker
Looking forward to it. And then last week I was in that loan for the very unfortunate end of the treaty season with the 90th minute overhead kick from Farage. He then took off his jersey and showed it to the treaty fans. It doesn't have a name on the back of it. And he also to had to be told, he's like, show them the jersey, show them the jersey. He like, you're playing for Bray, but you weren't good.
00:02:19
Speaker
I won't get into him. and So last weekend was very unfortunate, but next weekend should be really, really good. Yeah, no, Budapest is really, really nice. I've been there before. Well we're to well worth the luck across the city as well as being there for the football. And the stadium is classed as well. We're staying close to it, which is just kind of a bit outside the city. But there's so much to see there. And yeah I'm heading away myself this weekend. So...
00:02:43
Speaker
Shane is heading over there the following. So you're going to listening to this on Friday. I'm heading away the next day after this comes out and Shane is going away the following weekend. So with the way things work out, I'm coming back from my holidays on the Thursday, but I'm going to watch Ireland and Portugal here in Dublin.
00:02:58
Speaker
And then Shane is flying to Budapest to watch them away. So we kind of don't have a time to record next week.
Schedule Change Announcement
00:03:04
Speaker
I'll be fully back on Friday. So I'm going to have a couple of guests on. We're going to get another episode. You'll have to miss Shane.
00:03:10
Speaker
And this this this next episode is going to do absolute numbers without Shane there. And he's going to be all sad about it. over in the festival
NFL and NBA Highlights
00:03:18
Speaker
it's okay yeah it's okay um but no on a serious note that's what we're going to do next week you're going to have the episode on the Saturday morning instead of the Friday morning so just to note that and to keep an eye out for it but um this week we covered a lot there was a lot that went down across all the sports really but the NFL was a bit of a hotbed last week um over last week for things that went on massive game between the Bears and the Bengals offensively anyway we
00:03:42
Speaker
Had a quick chat on that because it was a crazy game and it needed a little bit of a chat. And then the trade deadline was crazy. We did not expect it to go down the way it did. So it was great to have a Jets fan on board for that because they were kind of one of the main features of that. So we got Shane's opinion on some of the trades and discuss some of the others. And and then we talked about our Clutch Player of the Week.
00:04:03
Speaker
So this week we've got a guy we didn't touch on yet this season and he deserves some pop as did his team. So you'll have to listen to hear who that is. We moved then on to the NBA. Back with Jan Morant. What is he at? We talked about him last season and some of the issues he had. And again, once again, he was suspended for a game by the team. And yeah, just really poor all around. We had a good chat about that. And then we talked about OKC, how good they are this season. They did lose a game, but how good they've been outside of that one loss and how good SGA has been once again for them.
00:04:33
Speaker
Then we
Soccer Predictions and Discussions
00:04:34
Speaker
moved on to Ganshance, gave our picks for this week, our underdog picks for teams against odds-on favourites in the NFL and the Premier League. Then we moved on to soccer.
00:04:45
Speaker
So that brought up the rear this week. We talked about our performance of the weekend. So we picked a team we hadn't talked about yet, had a team that has been hard of wins. You'll have to hold on for that one. And the team they beat, yeah, we wanted to talk about their slumps. So See if you can figure out who that is once before you get there. We talked about Vitor Pereira getting sacked from Wolves because, yeah, don't know what's going on over at Wolves and why they gave him that contract, but he gave our two cents on that one. And then we previewed Liverpool versus City.
00:05:12
Speaker
You won't be shocked by who Shane thinks is going to win, and but you might be shocked by the scoreline. And then
Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes
00:05:18
Speaker
I gave my prediction there too after we previewed the whole game before we moved into our power rankings and you won't be shocked again by some of Shane's antics in the power rankings but we'll leave that till the end you can figure out what went on there. But that's the whole episode, so much has gone on, so much chatted about. Shane gave a little cheeky shoulder shoulder shrug there, that's a reason enough to move over to YouTube and watch the rest but let's get into the episode.
00:05:41
Speaker
So we've got a lot to touch on this week. A lot went down in the NFL, but we can't move on to what happened midweek without first touching on a crazy game between the Bears and Bengals to end um last weekend. Well, it wasn't the final game, but it was is a very big one.
00:05:57
Speaker
Just abysmal defence across the board, I think, really in the fourth quarter. but that leads to incredibly exciting football. Like in total, you had well over a thousand yards, 495 in total for the Bengals and 576 in total for the Bears.
00:06:13
Speaker
What did you make of this game, Shane? Just mental all around. Like, as you said, the two defences were horrific start to finish. And then thought the onside kick for the Bengals was the end of it. I texted Bear Flander and I was like, that is just so bears. Like, to score that many points and come out the losing side.
00:06:32
Speaker
Only for the Bengals to the side that they don't want don't know how to defend either and just let the bears come down and get there the winning points at the end. It was just... That mistacking in the Loveland was just horrendous.
00:06:44
Speaker
Yeah. Oh, absolutely horrific. like And like to dig DJ Moore is out there throwing passes. Loveland having a breakout game. Williams showed some signs of life, but he's done that a couple of times now where he'll have a good game, then he'll just fall off that cliff again. So I can't trust him either. It's just the whole thing was just, it was mayhem.
00:07:04
Speaker
It's the only way to put it. Absolute mayhem from start to finish. Yeah, and like that Loveland catch at the end, like such bad defensive play. like the The thing you do there is at least get a stop on that point, like take him down and hope that they don't have enough time to run up and and actually take the field goal because they had no timeouts left. Just want to slow it down as much as you can.
00:07:27
Speaker
But instead, just to completely miss tackle, lead with your shoulder instead of wrapping him and take him down. Similar to... Obviously not the same stakes, but what happened in that Minneapolis miracle game where Stefan Diggs ran in, like lead him with your shoulder for an experienced player to do that is so bad. 7.6 yards per play for each team, which is nuts. But Kyle Manonga was absolutely crazy. 26 carries, 176 yards. As you said, Caleb Williams caught two passes, one for a touchdown Joe Flacco, 470 yards, Tee Higgins with some crazy catches, one of the best catches I've ever seen on that sideline where he kind of made a swim move on your man.
00:08:06
Speaker
He said afterwards that he didn't even see the ball when he got his hands on it. That's how good he is. The game all around was it was crazy, but there's a huge issue there with the Bengals for their defence. I think the Bears fans are probably happy because they're used to having a really, really good defence and a bad offence.
00:08:22
Speaker
So at least they've got a bit of excitement now and they probably just wanted to be in this season and they are. They're 5-3. I can't see them making the playoff, but it's exciting and it's good. The Bengals, same old story, whether do you have Burrow or who else, like how must he feel watching on from the sideline, just seeing the same things happening, but with a different quarterback.
00:08:42
Speaker
Yeah, I'd say he's just sicked out of it. That defense just constantly lets him down. Like, when you said, when they signed Flacco in the first place, he was going to get absolutely butchered in behind that O-line.
00:08:53
Speaker
And it's not even the O-line are the biggest issue they have now. It's the actual the defense going out there, letting Caleb Williams look like Tom Brady reincarnated on him. It's just... like You just can't get away with this at this level.
00:09:06
Speaker
The money they've thrown around as well on the offensive players and then they've done nothing on the defence. We said this before the season started that it was going to be their biggest issue and that's back-to-back weeks now against the Jets last week when they let the Jets back into it.
00:09:19
Speaker
The Jets were 0-7 and the Bengals were like, here you go, here's your first win. And now this week, getting an onside kick, getting the points and then turning around and just letting Loveland to just go for a merry walk down the middle of the pitch is Unforgivable. Yeah, it's mental. You just can't get away with it. Yeah, it is. That's the word for it. It is unforgivable.
00:09:36
Speaker
Absolutely unforgivable. And I think at the trade deadline, then, they were obviously listening to offers. They did at least make one move, letting Logan Wilson go to the Cowboys. I'm not sure why the Cowboys would want a player who was losing snaps on a Bengals defense, but there you go.
00:09:53
Speaker
Also, yeah they were listening to some offers for Trey Hendricks, and apparently they wanted a first rounder and... That came down to a second. I'm surprised nobody cashed in on that for a second. I think he's definitely worth that. Yeah, definitely. um Now they're going to have another sticky situation with him in the offseason. But speaking of the trade deadline, and just go through a couple of the major moves before throwing it to you, because obviously as a Jets fan, we're going to get your opinion here.
00:10:17
Speaker
First major one, which was a huge shock, was the Colts splashing two first rounders on A.D. Mitchell in return for Sauce Gardner from the Jets. Then another big move involving the Jets where they sent defensive tackle quiin Quinn and Williams to the Cowboys in return for Mazzie Smith.
00:10:34
Speaker
a second rounder and a first rounder. Another one I actually really liked was Rashid Shaheed gone to Seattle from the Saints for a fourth and a fifth. And then lastly, another there was a couple more, but this is the only other really big one I think of note was Jacoby Myers ends up in Jacksonville after just just losing to them for a fourth and a sixth. So let's have Shane. Trade deadline as a Jets fan, what did you make of it?
00:11:00
Speaker
Yeah, I said to you that they were going to trade me as well, I think. new york to new team yeah Yeah, but no, I don't want new team. but I thought they were going to get rid of me the way they were getting rid of everyone else. The one with Sauce was weird because there was there was no talks of him being traded until he was literally traded. He only signed a new extension before the season started, 120.4 million.
00:11:22
Speaker
im And then, okay, they got a good deal. They got the two first in for him. But... I just think it's very strange to your defense has kind of been it's been okay this year. It's probably what it's been better in the offense. It's been more than okay. And then you go and get rid of the two main parts of it in and in one day. Neither of them looked like they wanted to be traded on like another player who clearly wants to be traded and didn't get his trade in the end in Brees Hall.
00:11:48
Speaker
But neither them were out talking. david showed There was no cryptic tweets or things saying, oh, I want to go. And then two of them were gone. And it's It's baffling because are you going to go into the next draft and say, OK, we're going to get another Southsguard and we're going to get another Quindam Williams? like You're not. The two of them are just, they're so good. So stacking up on first round drafts is all winning good. But how do you go out and replace two players of their quality?
00:12:15
Speaker
You just can't. The fact they held on to Jermaine Johnson, think it was more down to the injury he had last year, more than people not wanting him. But it was, Jets were probably be looking to fleece some team for him as well. And they weren't going to get it.
00:12:27
Speaker
it's it's very It's very disheartening because like for where do you go now like you're now you You haven't made the playoffs in 20 years, I think it is.
00:12:38
Speaker
You're not going to make it this year. That's 21. And then you lose. You get with your two best defensive players. like You're looking at another three or four years before you get anywhere near to the level in that. Our division is outrageous with how good Patriots and the Bills have been this year.
00:12:54
Speaker
we're getting further and further away from im not closer to him. Just none of it made any sense. like they They clearly could afford him. They gave him that contract in the last year, so there's obviously no money with cap space.
00:13:05
Speaker
So yeah, I was just reading here. So Gardner signing bonus, which hit the Jets books in 2025 and sits under capsules dead is 13.75 million. So that is quite small, but it's still where its like, what's the point?
00:13:18
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. I just, I think that you were right when you said it could be three or four years. I have circled in my mind 2030 because Looking at this right now, the current situation is you go into 2026 draft, there's no real solid quarterbacks outside of maybe Mendoza from Indiana.
00:13:37
Speaker
And I'm not sure if you want to take a punt there because it's not guaranteed. Whereas you're cold off until 2027, you've got some actual real talent coming out in at wide receiver and quarterback there.
00:13:48
Speaker
So it's probably defensive picks in 26, then offensive picks in 27. And then you're going to need to give your quarterback two years maybe to settle into the team before you get the playoffs.
00:13:59
Speaker
So that's 2030 as a point. And I like Aaron Glenn doesn't last till then. So I don't understand the why he signed off on this because I'm not sure what he thinks he's going to do. um He's not going to get a good enough quarterback in the next draft.
00:14:13
Speaker
And by the time that rolls around, even if that other quarterback is good that they get in 2027, he'll have long outstayed his welcome. So for him, this is not really solid. The last time the Jets did this, as you mentioned, that's when they drafted Sauce, Brees Hall, Garrett Wilson, Quinn and Williams.
00:14:32
Speaker
And now they're after getting rid of those guys. So now they actually have to do better. And I don't understand on the other side of things what in the world the Cowboys are doing. Because Quinnen Williams, although an excellent player, he is clearly slowing down. He's getting older.
00:14:47
Speaker
his His time to rush or time to quarterback has decreased over the last two seasons and they just gave up the best of the picks that they got in the Micah Parsons trade. So yeah, they have another one, but they just gave up one of the best for that, from that, to get him.
00:15:02
Speaker
And the whole thing doesn't really make sense as to what they do. Like, why didn't they just pay Micah at this rate? Like, Jerry is just playing... what he thinks is 4D chess. And really he's just playing tiddlywinks over there. Like he doesn't really under, it doesn't seem like he understands what he's doing other than creating media headlines.
00:15:20
Speaker
Yeah, so there is two signs that they Quinn and Williams trade. One is if Quinn and Williams is available, you take him. But on the other side, like why are you giving up that much? After getting rid of Mikey Parsons, you get in draft picks like, oh let's just give them up now. As you said, why not just pay Mikey in the first place? It would have made far more sense than coming down to the trade deadline and giving up everything you just got for arguably one of the best defensive players in the game.
00:15:45
Speaker
Okay, Williams is really, really good, as you said, but... just It's a move that doesn't make any sense at all for the Cowboys, I don't think anyway. Well, not considering the Micah side at all. Yeah, exactly. yeah So what's their record? Are they a winning record? No, they're 3-5-1, I think. Yeah, 3-5-1. So it's not like you're bringing them in to go and make a dash at a Super Bowl. So that's what I don't understand about this um this Williams trade.
00:16:11
Speaker
I think it's Gerry just talking about when he was um on Monday Night Football before the game with Stephen a going on about trades and to be honest he sounded like he was drunk the way he was talking that they have so many trades in place and another two coming and they have one already signed off and then they saw the logo the Logan Wilson one and the response to that was like a wet fart so they had to go out and pursue another one and they ended up with Quinn and Williams now as I said unbelievable player but the whole way that they've gone about things doesn't make a whole lot of sense although I do like their D-line now because they've got Kenny Clark and and they've got this position now with Williams kind of locked down and Ezraku is nice off the edge so it is okay but it's not Micah and then moving on to the Colts I think I'm like I'm looking at the negative side for all three teams here but honestly the Colts gave up way too much you've given up two firsts Sauce is one of the best cornerbacks in the game but
00:17:09
Speaker
You're going all in on Daniel Jones and you've just had him for nine games. Like yeah the last time he was first with Brian Dayball, the same way he was first with Shane Steichen, he got off to a really good start.
00:17:21
Speaker
Then teams figured him out. They figured out how to play against him. You don't give him time. And one player goes down on that offensive line. Jonathan Taylor goes down. Very similar situation could unfold like it did with Saquon going down and Andrew Thomas going down with the Giants. He's not reliable in the long term. Like he has done well this season.
00:17:39
Speaker
But you need to see at least more than nine games of him before you go, right, that's it. We're trading away the future because we need to get someone else and we're in win now mode. Like, it's too much in my opinion. And it might work out for them, but I just would err on the side of caution if I was them. I wouldn't have made that move.
00:17:56
Speaker
Yeah, like they're they're not going to win a Super Bowl this year. I'm pretty confidently putting my neck on the line saying that. Like, there's no way Daniel Jones is a Super Bowl winning quarterback. There's no universe he is. So for them to go out and, as you said, give up the whole house and say, okay, we're we're going to win it this year. It's like, who's telling you these things that thinks you can go out and win a Super Bowl when you have the likes of Josh Allen, you have Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts.
00:18:22
Speaker
Like that's three boys who are hopefully in a tier above where Daniel Jones is, maybe even two tiers above where Daniel Jones is. Daniel Jones is just playing above his own tier at the moment. He will, will always revert to mean.
00:18:34
Speaker
you You can have 9, 10, 11 games where you're absolutely outstanding, but you will go back to yourself where you're throwing your five interceptions a game and four touchdowns. As you said, Jonathan Taylor goes down. They've no one really in there behind him and can do what he does as well. So and all of a sudden, he's he's lost his safety net.
00:18:50
Speaker
Yeah, more I agree with you. I agree with you. I think it's absolutely mental. I think the Jets probably saw, they were like, oh yeah, two firsts. But as you said, jo it's negative for both sides because the Jets now have literally reset everything back the start again. You're not doing anything. It's like basically writing off another five years the way they've written off the last 20 years.
00:19:11
Speaker
Yeah. it's it's It's really, it's not good enough. As you said, Aaron Glenn isn't going to see out anything next to near this rebuild now. The same way when Steven Silas was in over the Rockets, like you knew he was only there so as the man who was going to take the flack until they realized, okay, no now we have a core of people that can do something. Let's get in some better. That's just going to be Aaron Glenn now. And that's his coaching career.
00:19:33
Speaker
um is is That's the issue with his coaching career now. It's his first job. Everyone's going to remember him as the one who
00:19:41
Speaker
saw the Jets the two seasons where he won four games and he'd like he'd be a defensive coordinator again in 12 or 18 months time yeah i i I could see that as something that might happen because it's it's something that this is a rebuild now and unless they've given him complete you know a sign off that he's going to be there in the long term, which i Woody Johnson is just never going to do that.
00:20:05
Speaker
No. So he just needs, he should know, he should have known that too. But um running off the back of the Daniel Jones conversation, I want to move into our Clutch Player of the Week chat. So we're gone with Sam Darnold for this week.
00:20:17
Speaker
The reason I mentioned Daniel Jones is because ironically, both of them were with Minnesota last season at one point. And also we've said like, you know, you revert back to the mean, Until you don't. And Daniel Jones is not at that point where he has gone past that.
00:20:32
Speaker
Sam Darnold is most definitely past that at this point. Unbelievable performance at the weekend. Just the Seahawks just look so good. Darnold is back in the MVP chat as he was last season.
00:20:45
Speaker
He went 21-24 for 330 yards um and four touchdowns. and like in that game, I think there was one point he had 20 straight passes or something like that without an incompletion.
00:20:57
Speaker
I think I said at the start of the season that I was really high on this team. and i I kind of backed them a lot to get into the playoffs. And... I thought that it was going to be a lot more of the run game here, a lot more play action.
00:21:09
Speaker
But Daniel Deshawn, he doesn't even need it. Like this is one of the worst running teams so far in the NFL this season. And once that does get going, which I think it will at some stage, because they've got two solid running backs, and he'll just get even better because he's so good out of play action. And now, as I've mentioned,
00:21:25
Speaker
They added Rashid Shahid, who has just been an amazing pickup, I think. He's so fast off the mark. And the Seahawks already lead the league in explosive plays of over 20-plus yards with 40. So like they're only going to improve on that with Darnold having Shahid at his disposal, as well as JSN and some of the other talents that they have right now.
00:21:47
Speaker
Yeah, so Shahid for a start going in there to be the opposite side to JSN is just two lads who can get down the pitch in Usain Bolt's speed of time. like derek they're down there very like They're past you before you even see them, the two of them. They're going to be really fun to watch. Darnold this season, 70.4% of completions, 2,000 yards, 16 touchdowns
00:22:10
Speaker
so good so I saw a start today where he was in the top four of the only people who do it. I can't remember. i meant to send it to you, so I'd remember for this, but I can't remember the other three are. But he's in ridiculous company there for the for the quickest to 2,000 yards and over 15 touchdowns.
00:22:25
Speaker
What a season he's put together. And he's done it quite quietly because like this is our first time mentioning him. And it's nine or 10 games into the season because... Is it like, do we expect it from him? Is that where to point where it's like, Joe, he is he that good? Do we actually just expect him to do this? But it was about time he got his flowers. Like, 230 yards is some going. i Jackson Smith and Jigba, eight catches for 129 yards. And then he's down at the goal line just spreading the ball out to Tim Horton or, say, Tom Horton. Tim Horton is the coffee shop. Tom Horton. I think it's Tyler. It's just, it's like...
00:23:00
Speaker
Is this? Oh, even better. There we go. To Tyler Horton. Horton had two touchdowns then because you're so worried about JSN that you're not looking at the rest them. And then all of a sudden it's like bang, bang, bang, bang.
00:23:14
Speaker
Tush pushes with tight ends now and everything at this point. like They don't care. like yeah upstairs They're apt there. yeah As you said, they are they you you were really high in mid-sertie season. I don't think I was anywhere near the level of... um of up there that I should have been on them and that they're just, they are absolutely class.
00:23:31
Speaker
As a team as well, they're they're the fifth highest in the league in points per game with 28.9, but they're also the fifth highest or fifth lowest, should I say, in points allowed for opposition per game with 18.8.
00:23:44
Speaker
So that's a 10.1 differential per game. Like if you put that across their season, they're they're like over 90 on their differential across the games played.
00:23:55
Speaker
like where Have they played? Well, they're six and two, so over 80 and they haven't played yet. nine games you yet they have their bye week but I think just in general the team is so well drilled that's why picked McDonald for coach of the season as well and I hope that will come true because I got a nice 16 to 1 price on that at the start and it looks like this defence is ticking as well as the offence so this is you know about Darnold for being the clutch player of the week but this team is just so strong and I think they go out and bring Jacoby Brissett back down to earth here on Sunday against the Cardinals and and really
00:24:30
Speaker
put the burners on him and and take another win in this division which will see them even further head into the league because they are top of this division right now as we speak but I think we spent a lot of time on the NFL but a lot of stuff went down and Sam Darnold needed those flowers because we haven't given them to him just yet as you mentioned but let's move on to the NBA then.
00:24:50
Speaker
Jammer Ant, what on earth is going on here? A little bit of background before I throw it over to you but His suspension, he got a one game suspension from the team. Basically, the the coach, Thomas Isolo, it showed like in the game against the Lakers, I don't know, did something happen at halftime or what, but in the second half, Morant came out and just didn't play. He just jogged between three point line and three point line.
00:25:14
Speaker
And he made absolutely no effort and he made it clear that he was doing that. So after the game, Isolo challenged him. um They had lost to the Lakers. He challenged his leadership in the locker room, apparently.
00:25:25
Speaker
And Morant responded in a tone that the franchise deemed inappropriate. So that made him have to sit out the loss to the Raptors on Sunday. And then after that, he had 18 points and 10 assists on Monday against the Pistons. But they lost that game and they've lost again since the Rockets.
00:25:41
Speaker
He was asked by media in the Detroit game um after the Detroit game, was he having like his usual joy in playing basketball? And he just responded, no, and this guy, not someone that's, that the team is going to keep around for much longer because he's already after letting them down for years upon years. And this is just another feather in the cap of all the bad things he's been doing.
00:26:04
Speaker
Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous at this stage, but like theyve they backed him through all his his firearms issues. He's like, he's still behaving like a kid, but he's a kid who's getting paid an outrageous amount of money to do something that so many people would love to do. And there's times where he literally just can't be arsed.
00:26:22
Speaker
He came out in the second half against the Lakers and was, as you said, just jogged around the place like there was nothing going on. he was it was actually like he was out for and a Sunday morning jog in the park, like just going up and down, and up and down, not bothered. And then and it was against the...
00:26:38
Speaker
the the the Warriors, Jermon Green said his podcast that he thought he was doing a silent protest and he was making it very clear to everyone that he was doing a silent protest so it wasn't very silent. i am It's just mads um but When he was asked after one of games, or after the last game, he was like, why didn't you have your usual energy? He said, ask the coaches.
00:26:58
Speaker
Ask the coaching staff. Under P was the only answer he gave to the questions when he was doing his interview after the game. Top off, just sitting down, looking, this continent, this continent, to try to make up a word, look in the discontent and then ask the coaching staff, why why why were you so slow in second half? Ask the coaching staff. Ask the coaching staff.
00:27:18
Speaker
so They need to get rid of him, but the problem is, yeah, the problem is like, what do you get for him? If you do rid of him, what are you going get for him? Because so he a cu when he's on his game, he's worth a first round pick. If he's Top of his game, the issues aren't there. He's definitely a first-round pick, but with the way he's playing, the way he's speaking to people, the way he's his attitude is in general, you're not going to get much from at all.
00:27:41
Speaker
I could see the Pelicans taking him because Zion, again, just can't stay fit. But other than that, he's gone down to ah literal bottom of the league team. And for someone of his talent, there should be teams pushing for championships should be looking for him, but no one wants to bring that attitude into their their locker room.
00:27:57
Speaker
Yeah, you're right. 100%. And the the worst part about it for me is that they moved off a good coach from Taylor Jenkins because they wanted he wanted more of the ball in his hands. So they went to a different style of offense here.
00:28:08
Speaker
and And looking this season so far, he's averaging a career high in touches and dribbles per 100 possessions. And he ranks second in the NBA, only behind Shea in dribbles per 100 possessions.
00:28:20
Speaker
possessions So his touch time has increased by about 30% from last year. They're giving him what he wants. They're letting him try and run the team. And the team is not working out. it's not It's not playing as well because of that.
00:28:32
Speaker
It shows that last year they were much better playing the previous system. He's on a career low 30 minutes per game for a reason. 38% from the field and only a measly 14% from three.
00:28:43
Speaker
It's so bad. It's a lack of effort and also just a lack of performance. And then his minutes are being cut because he's playing so badly. But then he's sulking about it. And one thing I outlined that I was going to ask you is who would actually take him in a trade. But you've kind of covered it.
00:28:59
Speaker
There's no one really. Like it doesn't seem... like anyone really would do that unless it's a team that's already kind of down and out and has gone on a last resort kind of a thing. Yeah, so like you look at his his Monday against the Pistons, so he got 18 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. You're like, on paper, that looks really good.
00:29:18
Speaker
The fourth quarter, he took two shots and got four points. So he went down the fourth quarter and just said, okay, meh, I've done what have to do. have 14 points, 10 assists, five rebounds. like this fellow is meant to be taking over games here. He's the fellow who's meant to do in your 40 point games the Tyrus Maxey is doing for the Sixers. Like just go out there and just pull up the points, help your teams to win. He's he's actually hindering the team more than anything.
00:29:43
Speaker
And as you said, 30 minutes a game now, it should be lower and probably it's only going to go down. He's not going to get more minutes. He's going to start getting less minutes until they can get him out the door.
00:29:53
Speaker
Oh, there's only like, where does he go? who wants like Who's going to take him? Nobody wants him. They should have traded him in the summer. we We said at at the end of last season that he probably was going to go in the summer. And now they're reaping the misbenefit of not getting him in the summer because he's he's clearly just a waste of space. He's probably a bit harsh, but it's the only way i can put him at the moment because I can't think of any other way to describe him.
00:30:18
Speaker
Yeah, and it's funny because I know last season when we started up the podcast, maybe three or four episodes in, we had a similar chat about what on earth he's doing and why his behaviour is just wrong. And like causing issues on and off the court now with 59 appearances over to pa the previous two seasons before this is so bad. like Nine appearances in one season, obviously injuries.
00:30:41
Speaker
and And then the suspension too, when he did come back, like, I don't think anyone would take him on that. Like sometimes when players are kind of bad eggs, some teams take them because they're so settled.
00:30:52
Speaker
Like the way maybe DeMarcus Cousins ended up at the Warriors, they kind of were so settled. They were like, oh, you either adapt to us or we'll just boot you out. Like we don't care. yeah But even Miranda is such a loose cannon that I don't think any team would be willing to do that. So yeah it's funny that we're back here again and we're probably the next time we talk about him i'd say it could be a time when he does get traded or something else goes down negative because i can't see them turning things around with his um his track record. But our second topic that we wanted to cover was talking about a team who's really, really been positive.
00:31:27
Speaker
We were looking at the OKC Thunder and we're like, wow, they still haven't lost a game. They don't look like they're going to lose a game at all. This is on Wednesday. and And we're like, right, let's talk about when on their calendar will they lose a game?
00:31:38
Speaker
And we'll talk about how well they've done so far. Lo and behold, they went out and lost on Wednesday night. Two points to the Blazers. So what's going on? They've lost the game, Shane. They're on the way down.
00:31:50
Speaker
Yeah, they're awful. The Rockets are going win the whole thing. No, it's it's clear as they um They're just, I know they lost last night, but it's our fault because everything we say and eventually just turns to dust. They're averaging 122.2 points a game, which is nothing crazy.
00:32:09
Speaker
It's 36.6 defensive rebounds. 36.6 defensive rebound the game. Like, how are teams going to put up enough points against him if you're not getting anywhere near to getting the defensive rebounds off your shots?
00:32:22
Speaker
It's mental. and They're just some teams. Shea has just picked up where he left off last year as the MVP of the finals, and he's just just shooting lights out every single week. there's There's no one. Like, you just can't stop him.
00:32:36
Speaker
Shea was out for a couple of games, literally didn't make a difference him. Yeah, no, I think the only game that had actually made a small bit of difference was last night, and that's only because Dort and Caruso and J-Dub are all out, so you're getting hit with four. All out as well, yeah. As long as, as well as Chet, but they're fifth in points per game, seventh in rebounds per game, second in steals per game, seventh in blocks per game, and third in opponent points per game. Like, 12.8.
00:33:03
Speaker
Who's top of this? In which stack? in all of them um so who's top of points per game uh let me pull it up i'll let you know um but in general like to be top of so many stats it's just crazy and the ones that i was going to also mention there was um they're plus 12.8 differential across each game the only team that's higher on that is the rockets um they are plus 13.
00:33:33
Speaker
The Rockets are also top in points per game. So 124.7.
00:33:38
Speaker
So then the Nuggets, then the Sixers, Heat and Thunder. So they're pretty much top or around the top in every single thing. And the differential is just crazy good as well. Similarly to the Rockets.
00:33:51
Speaker
I think looking at Shea's plus minus, he's plus 69 on the court, plus 46.2 when he's not on the court. So they're not as good. Shea is laughing about 69. So that's great.
00:34:02
Speaker
they doing there's there's still They're still good, like, without him on the court. ah But it's not the same because their offensive rating drops massively. But then their defense improves because it's it's mostly, like, double big or bigger guys on there. So it's kind of, you have the good with the bad with him not on the court. And on the court, it's, like, two different teams. But he's had 81 games of 20-plus points. It's nearly a full straight season.
00:34:26
Speaker
That's I didn't know that. That's absolutely mental. Like that's someone who's whose standard just literally never ever drops. So even without him on the court, plus 40 odd points is still not bad. Like and especially when he is playing nearly every game you as well.
00:34:41
Speaker
Like you're going you're going to win more than you lose, which is I know that's the most obvious thing in the world to say. But like. they they're They're clearly going over 70 wins again this season, I think. They're going to get close to any race. They'll definitely get over 65.
00:34:54
Speaker
yeah I don't think they'll go into double figures for losses. Wow, that would be crazy. like at that like What's the record? The Warriors had 70-odd Warriors record wins.
00:35:08
Speaker
Yeah. In that one season, they had, come on, just give me the basic answer here, Google, seventy three and nine So that's the record. like Yeah, that's i think they'll be close to that this year. I just think they're unbelievable.
00:35:22
Speaker
Yeah, that's the only time there's been a single-digit loss. So if they can match that, that would be absolutely nuts. And if they can match that and then actually win like the championship like the Warriors couldn't do that season, that would be historic season, probably the best we've ever seen. And all the injuries I just mentioned, and you mentioned with Chad as well, J-Dope hasn't even played a game yet. like So they need him back as well to take some of the load off Shea.
00:35:47
Speaker
But like... When those guys come back, they're only going to get better. It's just scary, scary how good they are. I don't know how many years they can continue to do this for because it looks like a long, long time already.
00:35:58
Speaker
Yeah, they' they're so young as well still. So, so young, which is the crazy, the crazier part about it is they're only going to get better year on year on year. And tea if Shea gets any better, then there is like how high, like how high is his ceiling?
00:36:14
Speaker
Like go where can he go? I know. Let's talk about the Rockets really quickly. They're good out there. Yeah, very good. I think they're on a very good run in fairness since yeah since they started off a little bit shaky. Pistons.
00:36:29
Speaker
It wasn't actually... The first game wasn't bad. the The second game was quite poor. But then since then... Really good. And I think still finding your feet with AMN as well, kind of taking on the load.
00:36:41
Speaker
He looks a little bit confused at times, but 90% of the time he knows exactly what he wants to do. So the rest will come. So I think you're only probably going to get better. And that's a very good thing because sometimes it can take it can take a while to get going when you have a new acquisition like KD who...
00:36:57
Speaker
coming back to the jab point he was saying to Jammer's mother in the Grizzlies game like oh your son doesn't want to be here like you're not going to be here much longer and stuff like that so always John saying or something that's what Kevin John said yeah wow yeah Shingun is there the season like a man on fire as well I just think he's absolutely class no I agree I think that the way the Rockets are 28 da 28. No, go ahead. No, I just um go and no i was just talking He was and last rebounds.
00:37:32
Speaker
well, yeah, he's having a very good season so far and it doesn't have to be the focal point anymore, which is probably positive for him because it allows him maybe to be a bit more free. And like you play that double big lineup a lot. And actually that might be some of your worst minutes because it looks like now you're a bit more free with KD playing there. So yeah, it's great to have a lot of options. And I think I was, what I was just going to say is that if it keeps going this way, we'll we'll have to do a full segment on them next week because I think this run is going to continue the way that they look.
00:38:04
Speaker
But let's move into conscience then. Last week, we had two wins for you and one for myself. So I picked Villa to beat Liverpool. That did not come off. The Bengals, as we already mentioned, they broke my heart against the Browns. I should have had that one, but I did not.
00:38:19
Speaker
Both of us had the Broncos to beat the Texans, which did come off. And then your other picks, you had Wolves to beat Fulham. That did not work out. We'll get an early red card, but you had the Bills to beat the Chiefs.
00:38:30
Speaker
Even though you did want the Chiefs first, we thought it was the other way around. It turned out that Bills were the underdogs and I should not have said just take them instead. 7-5 is the score now, so you're two behind me once again. and Do you want to throw out your picks for this week?
00:38:45
Speaker
I'll let you go first this week. Oh, thanks a million. You're so kind. and You'll be happy to hear my first one anyway. Shocked to see Liverpool being underdogs. I think if Liverpool are underdogs in any game, you kind of have to take it Like...
00:38:59
Speaker
I mean, well, not shocked that their underdogs sit here at home, so you would expect them to have lower odds, but shocked that they're against an odds-on favourite and you can take them in this game that we do. So obviously we're picking teams that are playing against odds-on favourites. So Liverpool at 13-5, that's my first pick.
00:39:16
Speaker
A similar mindset I've gone for in the second pick is the Eagles against the Packers. That's on Monday Night Football and they're 11 to 10. The Packers are odds on favorites there. So it's like when you have a really big team that that's going against an odds on favorite, you kind of have to back them. You're giving yourself a good chance.
00:39:34
Speaker
And then my last one is the Steelers to beat the Chargers on Sunday Night Football. I like the Chargers team too. I like the Steelers, what they did last week against the Colts. I probably prefer the Chargers in general, but the fact that they've had to desperately go and get a draft bust from the Saints to fill in at O-line on the deadline shows how much they're struggling without Slater and Alts. So I think the Steelers get after them and they win a narrow one. So they're 5-4, put the three together and it's 16-1.
00:40:02
Speaker
yeah I didn't actually get down as far as seeing that Eagles one because I put in two football ones and then I saw the Jets were 11-10 against the Browns. So... I backed both my teams this week. I backed the Jets at level 10. I backed Liverpool at 13-5. As you said, you've said everything that makes sense about that. How you cannot pick Liverpool when they are underdogs.
00:40:24
Speaker
And finally, I have gone a bit rogue on my last one. You'll be shocked to know. I don't know if I mention it very often, but I hate Arsenal. And they are eventually going to lose a game. Sunderland at home 15-2.
00:40:36
Speaker
um Do know what? Sunderland have really good start to the season. They won away at Chelsea. and know that's nothing special, but I just think 15-2 in a one-off game against Arsenal, who would have had the midweek game as well.
00:40:50
Speaker
ah good bit of travelling. Giaccares is out, so they'll have to play Marino up front, who is somehow a defensive midfielder and a striker. I know he's scored twice in midweek, so I better not say anything, but I just think fifteen to two is is great odds for a team at home against any anyone. My odds are sixty seven to one which is mental.
00:41:07
Speaker
Wow, yeah, the Sunderland brings that up a lot, but I was going to go for that exact same pick if if the Liverpool one didn't catch my eye when I scroll down further, because I like the two NFL ones, so I was like, I need one football here.
00:41:20
Speaker
But yeah, it's not a bad show because Sunderland have been good. like They've lost once in the last eight, and that was to the best team in the world, Man United, so obviously you're going lose that one. Yeah, of course, yeah. So it's different.
00:41:35
Speaker
So let's actually move on to football then, because that's our last sport that we're going to touch on this week. As usual, we've got the three in there. We're rotating the order in which we do them so that you get a little bit of a feel for each sport, first or second each week. So football brings up the rear this week. We're going to look at performance of the week from last weekend.
00:41:54
Speaker
So West Ham beating Newcastle really stood out to both of us. I think they put on a great performance at home. It was their first win at home since February. What did you make of them and what did you make of their win? Where did they come from?
00:42:07
Speaker
like They went 1-0 down and it was just looking like the most, this is West Ham this year and they're just going to be a damn squib now for the whole game and just fall over the line. and They just they just they came to life. Pinchotts and Targets.
00:42:24
Speaker
Oh my God, second sneeze. There's another one. Second sneeze. That gives me the perfect moment to say the last sneeze when we said someone needs to give the minute, my mother was the first one in. So yeah, she wanted a shout out there for that because we didn't shout out last week and I was in big trouble. So there you go. Fair play to work.
00:42:44
Speaker
but We're not giving another fiver this weekend. She's clearly the first person that listens to every episode. So she's going to have to... make make Make her five results where she's not getting them off of us anymore. Anyway, so yeah so they did 10 shots on target. And once Newcastle 1-0 up, West Ham just came to life. It was like, okay, we literally have nothing else to lose here now.
00:43:06
Speaker
They had the penalty overturned, which I thought was another thing that was going to kick him in the teeth. I was on the bus at Lowen's, I was only watching this on someone's phone over his shoulder, so I didn't see a whole lot it. 15 shots 12, they had more corners, they had less possession, but that's going be expected.
00:43:23
Speaker
i I still think they're probably in trouble, but this was just something that I did not see coming. I thought Newcastle were going to go there and walk all over them. Yeah, I thought they started out really well because they looked on it from the start when they hit that first, they hit the first shot off the post through Bowen. And then Murphy scored a kind of a stunner, like from long, long distance. And then after that, Newcastle, like I wouldn't even call that a big chance. Like it wasn't a big chance. It wasn't even really a chance. He just took a long shot. And then from there, West Ham, the penalty was overturned.
00:43:53
Speaker
But then they did get a really nice goal through Paquetta. And then they got the own goal, which they were on top at that point. They deserved that goal. it was kind of all them at that point, like 1.75 XG versus 0.52.
00:44:07
Speaker
For all Newcastle's possession, they couldn't really do a whole lot. And it was a typical Nuno team performance. So maybe he might get things going. I think Wilson up top as a target, if he stays fit, does help the team because they were going for kind of more pace and they weren't.
00:44:22
Speaker
having an out-and-out striker, even if he doesn't score every week, it's a different kind of a look for them. And maybe this is something they can turn to going forward. Yeah, 100%. I think like like they have two strikers there with Targaman in Fulcroc and Wilson, but Fulcroc clearly you doesn't want to be either there. So you might as well go at Wilson and see what he can do for you instead because he's always been a really, really solid Premier League player.
00:44:45
Speaker
and During his time at Bournemouth at Newcastle, he's always been really good, but his fitness is always what what kills him. If they can get a run of games out of him, if they can get 10 games out of him, they could very easily win three or four. and They're right back in the mix with staying up then if they can get any sort of thing.
00:44:59
Speaker
I really like the three behind them in Somerville, Paquette and Bowen as well. um Three live wires. Paquette, that's two lovely goals he has this year now. The one against Chelsea and one against Newcastle. And the one against Chelsea didn't matter in the end, but that one just really gave him so much life and gave the fans something to scream about, gave the team something to work towards.
00:45:19
Speaker
And they they just deserved it then after that. Yeah, no, I agree with you. Newcastle kind of in a bit of a slump here in the Premier League. like I think like they've been so good in the Champions League. They're in the think sixth in the table at the moment, and they've been continuing to perform there. But then the Premier League, they look a little bit gassed.
00:45:38
Speaker
And although they did get a big win that they needed a couple of weeks ago, and then since then they've they've looked a little bit sluggish, and they were sluggish earlier in the season too.
00:45:49
Speaker
They're in a similar position to what they were last year. They started off slowly too in the Premier League, but last year they didn't have Champions League football to take all this out of them too. So I think it's a little bit worrying.
00:46:01
Speaker
I think they will turn it around, but you don't want to leave yourself too much to have to catch up. like They want to be back in the Champions League places. They don't want to be coming down to Europa League or Conference League. So what do they have to do really to turn this around?
00:46:15
Speaker
I think there are new signings so outside of Fulton Madden. paul They haven't really gotten the best out of the other ones. Haven't gotten the best out of Langley yet. He's now sitting on the bench because he's gone back to Murphy and Gordon, they haven't gotten the best out of Ramsey. Obviously, the striker hasn't played a game yet from Brentford. Vissa.
00:46:38
Speaker
Yeah, Vissa hasn't played a game from yet. So ah think when if they can get those new players to bet in, it will help a lot because they're kind of just running with the same team as last year, just with Bultemada scoring the goals instead of Izak. So it's kind of like you so you spent all that money and you ended up with the same team.
00:46:54
Speaker
Dan Byrne is back playing left back. I don't know why I've forgotten everyone's name. don't know why Lewis Hall has dropped out of this starting 11 all of a sudden. Is it because he just wants Dan Byrne in there, but he wants the bot man and T.R. to be centre back partnership?
00:47:09
Speaker
Livermento was kind of falling in and out with Trippier. Yeah, he's injured now. Trippier or Livermento? Livermento, he's out for a while. Oh, is he? Yeah.
00:47:20
Speaker
I'm not sure when he's coming but he makes a few games for him. I think the last time were in the Champions League cost them and they finished outside of it, I think it's going to be the same this year. i think I think the two games a week, I don't think their squad is deep enough or strong enough to be able to handle both.
00:47:35
Speaker
They've been really good in the Champions League, but then they come back into the Premier League and it's like all their focus has been on the Champions League that they forget about the Premier League. um It's like they're so focused on getting out of the group state the Champions League and the league, I think they'll finish top 10 obviously, but I don't think they'll be pushing that top five again this year.
00:47:53
Speaker
Like the end the way they ended last season was unbelievable. They could do that again if they get knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16. They could go and win eight of their last 12 games and push push back in. But I just think, I don't think they're strong enough to be able to manage the two competitions together.
00:48:09
Speaker
Yeah, I don't think so yet anyway. Maybe stepping someone into the Europa would have been better this season. yeah I think you're right. like You did mention that outside of Chou and Valtemada, they haven't really got the best out of the signings. Chou has looked really good and so has Valtemada. But like when you do spend that much money, I know Ramsey had fitness issues, but then at this point you did spend a good bit on him. But that midfield is so strong outside of him.
00:48:32
Speaker
i know he kind of adds the depth so okay there you go you kind of got depth there with that one but alanga has been a big letdown and i did say when they signed him that i don't think he was worth that money i've seen him at united i saw him at forest he's good at getting assists but he has no end product i'm in terms of he's ahead of chicken yeah in front of the chicken just runs and runs down behind allies yeah yeah but i think this coming back will be big for the team too because yeah he's a proven goal scorer and valtemar has already hit the ground running so I think him coming back might be a turning point.
00:49:05
Speaker
Yeah, I think as well, they signed Ramsey from ah Villa and Villa were more than happy to let him go. And I think that says an awful lot about the fact you're signing him because they had Morgan Rodgers there. They brought in Harvey Elliott to replace him, which is probably lifefor like for like. Similar enough kind of level anyway, I think, between Ramsey and Elliott when Elliott does finally get on Emery's good side again.
00:49:27
Speaker
I just think some of the signings were very strange. they weren't They weren't signing for the Champions League. They signed for the Europa League. Outside of Valtimata, I think he's absolutely unbelievable. But i just think i think they are a bit out of their depth this year. We'll have to wait and see how they finish off Yeah, it's funny though because then there are performances so well in the Champions League, but I get your point. yeah With Alanga, it was a bit confusing and maybe Ramsey doesn't fit in as well, but then obviously Villa had to let him go for the PSR, but I do think that they probably could have gone elsewhere with that money.
00:49:57
Speaker
I think, yeah, it's a difficult one all around, but this was the the point anyway of West Ham got a little bit lost there, but I think we did want to touch on Newcastle and how they've had a mixed season. And West Ham, they did get their one win. Let's not get overboard here on this one, but they could turn things around and let's see if they do.
00:50:15
Speaker
and A team that... are going to look outside of their current manager or the manager they did have to turn things around is Vitor Pereira getting sacked from Wolves Wolves were in the same spot last season after 10 games they had 3 points this time they have 2 they turned to Vitor Pereira after 10 games or not 10 games after 19 to December something like that last season so a few more games down the line think Being in the same position this time, they've they've snapped off the hand early and they've gone, no, we're getting rid of this guy.
00:50:46
Speaker
They just gave him a three-year deal in September, despite losing the first four games of the season. That was an absolute ridiculous move because it didn't need to be done. No team has ever stayed in the Premier League on two points after 10 games.
00:50:58
Speaker
I'm not sure Wolves are going to change that because it looks like they don't have any manager options to come in because they're they're scrambling at the moment. Yeah, 45 days after they gave him that new contract, he's out the door.
00:51:10
Speaker
I said to him at the time, was like, what on earth are they doing giving him a manager who... So did they won six in a row and then lost, didn't win in the next 14. And then you've given him a new contract off that run of 20 games is mental.
00:51:24
Speaker
45 days all he lasts after his new contract. And I'd say the payout was, it wasn't cheap because they would have given him a big contract because they they really did like him. Yeah, they're done.
00:51:35
Speaker
and And I think it's it's the owner's fault because everyone they sold was unbelievable and they replaced him with players who'd never played in the Premier League. We did say that, didn't we? Yeah, like Nikop has...
00:51:50
Speaker
Wolfe, the left back to replace Aitonori it's just they're players that aren't even getting into the 11 now I know he scored twice against Chelsea in the cup but outside of that he's been a no-show in the Premier League really Arias to replace Cunha makes no sense either like a 27 year old who has never scored goals really and you want them to replace your top scorer from last year yeah they're as you said over the message to me if Gary O'Neill has actually turned them down then the things are worse than than they look on the paper You can see the one who guided them to those three points in 10 games last season and then ultimately got sacked. So if they do turn if they did turn to him and he turned them down, they're absolutely fecked because that is that is not a good look.
00:52:32
Speaker
I'm not sure if that that actually happened or not. That's what's being reported. and But like you said, the Cunha sale and then Strand Larsson getting injured didn't help. But really, who's going to provide to him? They don't have whole lot there.
00:52:43
Speaker
They don't seem to have a good lineup at all. um or a team that can turn things around and they're, as I said, scrambling for managers, they haven't really an option. I think at this point they should go for the likes of a Michael Carrick who is going to be good in the championship and because that's where they're heading in my opinion.
00:52:59
Speaker
I think there's no point bringing in someone now like Ten Hagin saying, oh, he can save us, he can save us. I don't think there is any saving us. There's no one who can bring in here. Mourinho couldn't go in here and save this. Peperola probably couldn't save it. So you might as well start preparing for next year.
00:53:15
Speaker
Start looking at January to see how you can get out and get in. That will make you a solid championship team that comes straight back up because like but they're they're so far removed from a team that should be playing Premier League football.
00:53:28
Speaker
wait like it doesn't matter who's in charge, that they might as well just pack it in and say, okay, I know it's very early to give up after 10 games, but two points after 10 games, they're eight points in safety. And okay, Burnley are, I still think they're a bit of rubbish. They're picking some points. Exactly, that's what was going to say. They still have three wins.
00:53:46
Speaker
What is it, none? it's yeah they're they're theyre They are in big, big trouble. Suddenly they made them look so silly. Yeah, I agree with that. Massive trouble. But looking at the top end of the table then, rather than the bottom, we've got a big matchup on Sunday.
00:54:00
Speaker
City versus Liverpool. We're going to preview that. So Liverpool in this game, they've won two in a row. I think against Villa, they got a bit of luck to turn things around in their favour and they had a decent performance on top of it, but sometimes you need that luck to get you on a bit of a run.
00:54:18
Speaker
And then against Real Madrid, they were exceptional. Pressing from the front from the very start, that's exactly what they wanted to do. And I think... Then on the other hand, you have City, who are on three wins in a row after losing to Villa.
00:54:31
Speaker
Big wins against Bournemouth, with Haaland showing up there. And then last night against Dortmund, they could have scored like 12 goals. They were unbelievably good. So I'm really looking forward to this this game, I think. Two teams and a nice run. And you're not.
00:54:45
Speaker
Let's hear what you have to say then. Let's hear it. I just, like, i yeah I said last week that you shouldn't be afraid of City. You should be afraid Haaland. I still do think that, but Haaland is just doing things that are ridiculous levels of goalscoring.
00:55:03
Speaker
If he gets in behind you, he's going to score. And Liverpool have been letting in teams in behind him a lot over the... Not against Real Madrid now. the only time anyone got in behind him was Drew Bellingham and... yeah We should actually do a podcast on how overrated I think he is one of these days as well. If Haaland gets in behind you, like's he's not coming up against Alisson in the one-on-one. He's coming up against Mamadash Vili, who has had a shaky-ish start. So you'd get back Haaland against him.
00:55:29
Speaker
If, Joe, when Arsenal go and drop points at Sunderland on Saturday, which is absolutely 100% going to happen, like this is a massive game for either team if they can get to three points. Pulls Arsenal back in a good bit.
00:55:40
Speaker
I do think Liverpool can get to three points. I think they will. But Van Dijk and Canadi need to do the exact same as they did on Tuesday and not let anyone get within a looking distance of the goal. I want them to need binoculars for the whole goal, for Haaland to need binoculars, how far away is to see us.
00:55:59
Speaker
Remember, I feel they should be able to have a cup of tea sitting in the goals because no one should be coming close to him. But I am very afraid of what Haaland could do. He's a joke cup of a footballer. I think I can't see it going the same way the Real game did because although...
00:56:14
Speaker
like They did try to play out from the back and City do that too. Pep Guardiola is seasoned in tactically changing slightly game to game when he needs to. Whereas Xabi Alonso is still learning that in big moments and he kind of lost the battle there by kind of trying to play the way that they always do and expect him to come out on top.
00:56:36
Speaker
You're not playing you know an easy team there at all in Liverpool and he should have known that but I think Pep knows that Liverpool struggle against kind of a low block and going direct.
00:56:48
Speaker
Now, they're not going to do that to the extent that other teams have. But Haaland is someone you can do that to. So I think they'll be selective in the way they do it. They'll be smart about it, but they'll also play out from the back too. And that's when Liverpool need to hit.
00:57:01
Speaker
um So I think it's going to be a really interesting game. I could see a bag of goals here considering how both teams played. I know Liverpool only scored one, but they were really well... They were really creative in that game. And also then City, as I said, how many chances they had. And Foden looked like he was...
00:57:18
Speaker
back to his very high level that he had a couple of years ago. So I'm really excited here to watch this game. I know you said you're nervous about it but as a neutral, it'll be a great game. And what do you think? You said you think Liverpool are going to win, but how do you think the game's going to pan out? And what's the final score you're giving us?
00:57:34
Speaker
So I've gone for two in Liverpool. completely and utterly high as a kite off Tuesday night. I think we beat him last year twice I think he's going to be repeated at.
00:57:45
Speaker
But I was looking at Haaland and i was I was just like, so his he must be outperforming his XG at an outrageous level to have 13 goals in 10 games. His XG is 10.28. that In 10 games.
00:57:57
Speaker
it's That's absolutely outrageous to that high NXT in 10 games. And to still be outscoring it is just... It's mental. Like, 13 goals in 10 games in the league is is mad because...
00:58:09
Speaker
How do you stop him? Like, he's big, he's strong. He's worked out how to pass now. He can run with the ball. His touch has gotten so much better over the summer. He can literally do it all now. He links up play, whether he's having more touches.
00:58:20
Speaker
And he's still the man finishing everything at the end of it. His first goal last night is... Sorry, his first goal. His only goal last night is just some finish again. took the net off. Yeah, he's always in the right place at the right time for that ball to fall to him. Dacia as well just knows. I put it here, that's where Haaland is going to be in. He's going to just...
00:58:40
Speaker
just do what he does. And then, as you said, Foden, two lovely goals as well last night. So, City are unfortunately hitting time, or hitting for him at a good time. and But so are Liverpool. So, I think, we'll see, we'll see. Two wins so far. Let's see if they can continue that on. Bud,
00:58:57
Speaker
and You broke down how good City are attacking-wise there. I don't think there's any world in which they don't score um at home against this Liverpool defence, which has been all over the shop for the majority of the season.
00:59:09
Speaker
So I'm going with a bag of goals here. I'm going with City to win 4-2. I think it's going to be super open. I think both teams are going to score, but I just back Pep here a little bit more than I do Slott. I think he'll hell use some some kind of modified tactic, which will throw a Spanner into the works, be that a long ball with somebody playing off. And Foden, as you mentioned, is playing quite well, which is good timing. And Docu is going to burn whoever is playing right back for Liverpool. They're going have an absolutely tired time. So...
00:59:40
Speaker
I like City in this one being at home, but I do think it's going to be an interesting game. So 4-2 is my prediction there. Yeah, look, it's it's one of those games where you could you could literally put a...
00:59:50
Speaker
course ah um ah cigarette paper between them um that's how tight it could be it could be four two city could be 4-2 Liverpool could be 2-2 all 4-2 all it could be anything so I've no issue with you back in City here at least you didn't sit in defence like you normally do as well so congratulations on finally getting off that fence and putting your money where your mouth is oh yeah the fella who also comes with like the most outrageous of predictions and I'm i'm a fence sitter in your race but anyway You did also back Liverpool in Don Chance, so you've contradicted yourself there, unfortunately.
01:00:23
Speaker
um playing the field, you know, if either way I'm the winner. And if it's a draw, then I've had the moral victory since apparently I'm the fence-sitter. But let's move on to power rankings here at the end. Last week, this is what I had. I'll throw out my last week and I'll throw out my this week. So last week had OKC, Arsenal, Chiefs, Bournemouth, Colts and the Sixers.
01:00:43
Speaker
A few chains up change-ups going into this week, especially surrounding the NFL because there was a good few spanners thrown into the works last weekend. I've gone with OKC and Arsenal still at the top unmoved. OKC just lost one game, so it's not time to panic there and move them down. Arsenal continue to do what they're doing, so they're sitting where they are still.
01:01:01
Speaker
Next, I've got the Seahawks in third. We talked highly on them there. They've been very, very good on both sides of the ball. It's about time they got some pop here, so I'll put them in third. The Bills are in fourth, another new entry from the NFL. They went out and did the thing against the Chiefs.
01:01:16
Speaker
They looked really settled. The defense was good, and Josh Allen had his best game of the season, and just in terms of his composure and time. winning and playing well in big moments so there you go i've got them in fourth and i'm bringing in the bulls and they've been really really good so far they shocked me they came back from 24 points down against my sixers the other night which is extremely frustrating and for as a sixers fan but as a as the way the bulls played was really good they had such good heart and they've been really good offensively and surprisingly good defensively this season so
01:01:47
Speaker
They're in fifth. And then in sixth, I've gone with Sunderland. I think they deserve a bit of a pop-off here because I could have went with City and you get being on a good run of form. But I think Sunderland only lost once in the last eight.
01:01:59
Speaker
They're fourth in the Premier League only by goal difference on the same points as Liverpool. And they've been the set the joint second best defence in terms of goals conceded with only eight. So they've done way better than anyone expected. And that's pretty powerful for me. So...
01:02:13
Speaker
I'm going to bring them up in the rear. It's OKC, Arsenal, Seahawks, Bills, Bulls and Sunderland for me. Yeah, that's very different to mine. um Once we get past the fact that I also have OKC at one.
01:02:24
Speaker
um I'll just go through last week first. So I Colts, Arsenal, Lions, San Antonio, Spurs, Villa and the 76ers. OKC had to come in for me this week when were they started at 8-0.
01:02:35
Speaker
I said last week that if if they kept going the way they were doing as champions, they would come in and they'd gone straight to the top. I put the Patriots in second because when I was looking up my NFL teams to put in, I didn't realize they were 7-1 until I looked it up. was like, they've quietly gone to 7-1 and they look really, really good.
01:02:53
Speaker
and So I thought they deserved a shout out. I have Arsenal in third, unfortunately. don't want to say too much. now I have the Colts in fourth. I had them first last week. You can't just... bomb them out to bring in a different team just because they lost one game.
01:03:05
Speaker
And then have my own two, the Rockets and Liverpool, fifth and sixth. The Rockets going five in a row. Rockets going five in a row, the best scoring offense in the league. and They look really good and hopefully that run can continue.
01:03:19
Speaker
And Liverpool just beat Real Madrid, so why not? That's crazy. like like I knew you were going to bring Liverpool in and United won three in a row and I did not even sniff them in because I'm not delusional. And here are Liverpool back in and they just lost how many games in a row?
01:03:34
Speaker
And they win two. This has just given the few eye-ups. They've won three and done us four now. They've won three of their last four. I don't care. I hope live but hope City go and clatter them because if you're going off that logic, there's so many other teams. United have won three their last four.
01:03:49
Speaker
They're unbeaten in their last four. So United should be there. As soon as you said Sunderland, I was thinking of doing a sneaky last-second sweatshop to bring so put Sunderland in after you mentioned their run of four in both.
01:04:01
Speaker
That's cheating. Can't be doing this. yeah Yeah, and yeah you actually have four new entries this week. And just a correction on the Patriots, they're 7-2, I think, at this point. so their seven theirs said No, they not have their bye week?
01:04:15
Speaker
and No, I don't think so, because they are on the same record as the Broncos and... Yeah, they're same record as the Broncos and the Colts, so they're on 7-2. But yeah, really good season. It's probably about time we brought them in, so that was a nice point, and it allowed you to move Arsenal 1 down as well, which suited you down to the ground. but ah Yeah, wonderful.
01:04:36
Speaker
Another week ended with Shane's delusion. So thanks again for listening. I really appreciate it. As every every other week, we do appreciate it. But next week, we'll be coming to you on Saturday.
01:04:48
Speaker
um A bit of a change-up. I'm off on holidays, and then... uh until it thursday day and then shane is heading over to the ireland game in hungary so he's heading away on friday morning so i'll be a recording and hopefully with a couple of guests on friday evening and get it out to you saturday morning so keep an eye out on that for a different time and i'll throw it over to you shane to wrap up yeah Cheers lads, just keep watching and following along I'll give you some updates about Budapest and making back, probably not the football and more about the city to be honest suppose we'll see I'll see you back here in two weeks and James will see you back here next week just keep keep following us as you said last week, the road to 100,000 is on so let's get there See you lads Welcome back to another episode of Who's Got The Ball with Shane and James