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Episode 261: Matchday Preview - Saints vs Norwich!
134 Plays11 days ago
Southampton – The games are coming thick and fast. With our standard transfer episode pushed back to Thursday, we take the time today to preview our EFL Cup fixture, Norwich away, Will we porgress in the cup?
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Transcript
Introduction and Technical Difficulties
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Greg Elliott and as always joined today by my good friend, a wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
How doing, mate?
00:00:27
Zak
Second time recording, entirely my fault. Definitely had the wrong output. You were like, you're bit quiet, mate. And it turns out that it was the mic that I had retracted into the side of my face rather than podcasting mic that I have.
00:00:39
Zak
We were making mistakes. Have a hands up there.
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's alright, mate.
00:00:41
Zak
Apologise, Greg. However,
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, look, technical difficulties are my middle name. It's fine. Thank you.
00:00:48
Zak
it must just be nice for it to be my fault instead of yours, mate, to be honest.
Kids' Game Reviews
00:00:52
Zak
and What did want to ask you, Greg, though, is obviously you missed the game on Saturday, but you did have reviews from your children.
00:01:02
Zak
Reviews we did not cover due to our zealousness in covering our frustration at the loss. So, mate, can i hear your kids' reviews of the game?
00:01:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Look, they they work very hard. One less than the other, it has to be said. My youngest, who is seven, his his review for me was, we lost.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Buzunu made a brilliant save. And there was no additional clarification at what point in the game that save came, where it was, whether it was one that then led to the goal.
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But apparently Buzunu made ah incredibly good stop that particularly impressed him. And that was the only thing of note in the entire game.
00:01:44
Zak
incredible.
00:01:47
Zak
yeah
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh no, oh no. He did actually have one other gripe. There was one moment when the Stoke goalkeeper kicked the ball out of his hands and it went out for a throw in and the referee gave the throw in to Stoke and he was annoyed by that.
00:02:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
but You know, I think it's fairly reasonable.
00:02:07
Zak
pay Paying attention to those goalkeepers, mate.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's it. That's, uh, I think, uh, my eldest who is, uh, nine, she, she took her role of, uh, assistant podcast review analyst much more seriously.
00:02:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
She had, uh, some detailed reviews.
00:02:22
Zak
Little
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
She was, uh, intently watching at least some of the game, although she did disclose to me that she missed our goal. Uh,
00:02:36
Zak
kid.
00:02:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
uh, but,
00:02:36
Zak
Season tickets paid for the service paid.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it. That's unbelievable. But though she said that Matty Fernandez did a lot of running. He runs forward, he runs back. There are periods of time where he was the only one running forward and he had no one else around him to hand the ball off to. And it was just him doing all the running.
00:02:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
She said that Fraser was fast up and down the line as well. And that Jack Stephens had a good game. And that was that was it. that was she like I think that's all I remember. Yeah.
00:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, she paid a bit more attention at least, but man, I don't think my kids have a future in match analysis, put it that way.
00:03:12
Zak
Oh. it Bless them, mate. They tried.
00:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Maybe they can go and work in the Saints' black box room, maybe they as clued up as in there, it seems. Who
Preview of EFL Cup Against Norwich
00:03:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
knows? Anyway, moving swiftly on, mate.
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everyone's favourite competition is back. It is the EFL Cup. We are playing away at Norwich on a Tuesday night. Not an ideal draw distance-wise, is It's quite a bit travelling to chuck a random Tuesday night fixture in up to Norwich.
00:03:49
Zak
Yeah, well, it could be worse, but it's still not ideal, right? like
00:03:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's probably one of the worst draws in the, like, bearing in mind they region lock it at this point of the season, so it's south and north. It's probably one of the worst south draws we could have got, right?
00:04:04
Zak
Just any time you need to try and maneuver around London is some sort of nightmare, right? So yeah, it's for a Tuesday, it's not exactly ideal, put it that way.
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, we will be yeah we be playing anyway, and wait. do you think it's going to Do you think we're going to see a rotated lineup? Presumably.
00:04:25
Zak
Well, definitely, like, Wellington's not going to play, is he? Because as ah as of time recording, you can probably notice that we're not going to talk about any press conference that's taking place.
00:04:35
Zak
That is because it is my birthday on the day before, so we're recording this.
00:04:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's also Bank Holiday though, mate, so they might not even have one, let's be honest.
00:04:44
Zak
Yeah, to be fair, might not.
00:04:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also, it's only the EFL Cup. Like...
00:04:50
Zak
but You said it was everyone's favourite competition. You've got make up your mind which it is. Right, so yeah, because because of that, we're doing a double recording today.
Injury Concerns for Wellington
00:04:58
Zak
obviously, we don't know the extent of Wellington's injury, but he went down pretty badly in the last game. We didn't really, think, really I don't even know if we discussed it. I know we talked about it off air, I think. So because of that, it might be that we just assumed we covered it.
00:05:12
Zak
But like, it was pretty bad, right? You weren't there, you didn't watch it. But when he went down, he he immediately put his arm up. and everyone could tell that there's something wrong. It was the ankle that he's had problems with before.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't go off on a stretcher and then like me, right?
00:05:25
Zak
No.
00:05:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
like And then walk away.
00:05:26
Zak
but with No, he he bet he couldn't even put weight on it. Like, he put weight on it one once and then went back down.
00:05:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in the post-match presser, I saw that Will still said that it was an ankle that he's had problems with previously that he seems to have redone.
00:05:38
Zak
Yeah, if you if you remember the profile we did, the player profile we did, he ended up having like half almost half season out.
00:05:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it it didn't look good. Yeah.
00:05:45
Zak
due to due to an night due to the at that ankle injury. And I think he even had surgery on it.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:05:50
Zak
And then admittedly, he came back quite strong, but to have it, you know, to land on it dodgy again, or you know, it didn't it didn't look much when it happened.
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can't be good. Yeah.
00:05:58
Zak
So that's one of the ones where you know it's bad.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's always worse. Yeah, always worse.
00:06:01
Zak
Yeah, that's what I mean. So I very much doubt he'll be playing at left back and or left wing back or what left wigger at this point, whatever you want to call it, which means that we'll probably have a man in play in that role.
00:06:14
Zak
And maybe that means that we bring back Charlie Taylor into the fold because for someone that played quite a bit in preseason, we've not really seen it much since.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:06:22
Zak
There's not been any rumours about him going. Someone said about him going to Middlesbrough.
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, or maybe it's a good opportunity to give Rosliev a run out. Get some minutes in in a game with less pressure.
00:06:33
Zak
Yeah, but he's more on the right, right? So I wouldn't surprised.
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's on the right. yeah joe ah ah you mean Sorry, you mean on the left. I assumed you said Manning was just a certain...
00:06:40
Zak
I was talking to the left. and
00:06:43
Zak
Yeah, so but no, but what i mean is that if Manning's in that position, is there going to be a backup for Manning at this point, right?
00:06:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Yeah.
00:06:48
Zak
We have so many centre-backs.
00:06:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
right
00:06:49
Zak
but Do we have any? We only have two. we had you know We had three on the left, if you include Taylor.
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:54
Zak
But that is that is if Taylor's staying. And obviously, potentially now, you've got on the right, you've got Roy Slev, So Gawara, if he stays, dot, dot, dot, question mark.
00:07:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:05
Zak
And Bree, when he's back from injury, which then makes up three. But yeah, the left now.
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
think Breezy played on the left sometimes last season as well, right? is he He's quite a versatile one, I think.
00:07:15
Zak
can't remember, but I think that was more because, you know, we we got so used to having Carl Walker-Peters to be able to play both, I think.
00:07:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:24
Zak
Either way, it's a point of concern. I'm not worried about it. Now, I think Manning will be able to handle it. It's just how long will Manning be able to handle the stretch of games we have without the ability to rotate?
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:07:35
Zak
But I think everything else will probably have a little bit of rotation. They're going knackered at this point, right? Considering they seem to be real tired.
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:43
Zak
i think the lack of urgency that frustrated me so much last game was towards the end of that game. You can tell that the fitness drills that they've had to run through through summer are really starting to take the toll. And, like, ah you know, it's a good thing long-term.
00:07:56
Zak
i feel like at the moment it's going to be slightly worrying for how more quickly games are happening.
Norwich Team Analysis
00:08:02
Zak
So...
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, look, we got this one, we got one more, and then we got a nice international break, which is everyone's favourite.
00:08:07
Zak
Oh, good. Joy.
00:08:10
Zak
Joy.
00:08:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, look, what do you think about Norwich? they They're off to, I guess, arguably an an equally bumpy start to the season.
00:08:20
Zak
Yeah, new manager, Bristol City, prenu previous so Bristol City manager, Liam Manning, very much seem to be heavily reliant on a talisman, a little bit to, like us with Matty Fernandez, is heavily reliant on Josh Sargent.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lost against Middlesbrough at the weekend.
00:08:36
Zak
Josh Sargent being a player that I've seen a lot of our fans want to go in for, very much doubt that we will. He's the captain of Norwich. It would be nice for David Downs, have a fellow American with him though, don't get me wrong, just don't see it happening.
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:08:49
Zak
know they they they be our artistris You know, you know, don't even really want to call them colleagues. They beat down the road, which is always nice to see.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:08:58
Zak
But yeah, you know, beaten Middlesbrough at the weekend. Our potentially linked,
00:09:07
Zak
like, forward player Azaz... Probably not. We'll see what happens there. Scoring one of the goals against them to put them to the sword. But it seems like sort of similar capitulation to us. So both teams are going to want to bounce back with a win, right?
00:09:22
Zak
But Norwich, Faber-See, for me, are a team that go up to the Premier League
00:09:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:27
Zak
You see them for a bit. They go back down. They used to have Pukki. I don't think they have him anymore. They probably think he probably retired like 10 years ago, but he was always someone that remember being a good player in your FPL.
00:09:40
Zak
That is about the extent that I know. Oh, Stephen Fry supports them. That's about the extent of my knowledge around Norwich City, mate. Oh, I didn't switch hate them.
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, look, I mean, i think that they're probably also going to be having a fairly rotated side. They're also going to be sort of doubling their efforts on the championship, especially after the ropey start. I think it's going to be just one of those cagey affairs. That's what I feel like is coming up.
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, all right, we talked.
00:10:07
Zak
It's going to be interesting to try and figure out the squad, mate. That's all I'm at.
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's it. Look, we talked about left back, but we're going to talk about our whole predicted lineup. But first, a message from our partners at Bionic.
00:10:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah Okay, mate. And we are back. So, Tick McCarthy goes in goal.
00:11:03
Zak
It's a cut game, isn't it?
00:11:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just throw a question that's going to upset you at the back, straight off the bat there.
00:11:07
Zak
Yeah, probably. i mean, it's a cut game. We want to try and make sure Bazzini's fit enough for all of these thick and fast championship games.
00:11:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:11:16
Zak
Sure, but you're right, it is.
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:11:19
Zak
It has upset me a little bit more than I'd expect it to.
00:11:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Manning at left back.
00:11:26
Zak
Yep.
00:11:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Stevens presumably stays in the mix as this captain.
00:11:31
Zak
a
00:11:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'd expect to see him in there.
00:11:33
Zak
Maybe. wouldn't be surprised if he left. Did he rest in last game?
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
i don't remember.
00:11:38
Zak
I think he did, if I remember rightly.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, what you thinking? k Quasi presumably back in. Yeah.
00:11:44
Zak
Yeah, I think he needs to build his confidence a little bit, right? And that would be a good opportunity to do it because what are the stakes?
00:11:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:51
Zak
Are we devastated if we go out of the EFL Cup this year?
00:11:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, mate, with the trebles on,
Speculations on Starting Lineup
00:11:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean...
00:11:57
Zak
Right, so you would be devastated if we missed out on the EFL Cup.
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not even a little bit, but it would be nice to build a bit of winning momentum, wouldn't it? It would be nice to at least score some goals.
00:12:07
Zak
Agreed.
00:12:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ronnie Edwards probably back in the mix.
00:12:12
Zak
I'd like to think so. ah ah the the you know, it's had a ah rough few games, but again, it it's like building that momentum. I think it's going to be difficult because then it's not like it's going to be
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:23
Zak
not a strong squad, right? It will be probably similar to us where you're going to have rotation, but they are still a championship squad for a reason. As much as I might have disrespected them by not really knowing a huge amount other than my cursory knowledge from their time in the Premier League.
00:12:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. right you Look, you did well. You didn't even mention Delia Smith. Don't worry about it.
00:12:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
a Right back. You think Rosalie Evel just get on the pitch, get some minutes, start getting some of that? Or you think...
00:12:53
Zak
Well, he started the weekend. We both said we didn't expect him to play. We didn't know if he was going registered in time. But by the sounds of it, that transfer was signed to the radar. Registered, been in the building a day and a half.
00:13:03
Zak
Literally in the building where they were talking to Will Stead about new signings, right?
00:13:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:07
Zak
like That's very ironic.
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Crazy.
00:13:09
Zak
So yeah, wouldn't be surprised.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
is i mean, i' i didn't see it I didn't see how he did coming on as a sub, but yeah, I wouldn't be surprised to see him involved.
00:13:14
Zak
Did okay. yeah Drilled a couple of good ones. Again, he did about as much as he could have, I think... in what was in the short time of frame that was expected, but I wouldn't be surprised if they chuck him straight in because Bree's not playing, still injured.
00:13:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
injured. Yeah. Yuki's probably on his way.
00:13:32
Zak
Fraser, Yuki's probably on his way. he's lost Does that mean that Yuki's at last appearance going to be against Northampton? I remember if he played against Ipswich. If so, that's incredibly depressing.
00:13:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
mic so Yeah.
00:13:43
Zak
Anyway, besides the point, yeah, so so that that i would I would expect him to start and that's why they brought him in, right? So it just really depends how else are we going to line up with the strikers?
00:13:56
Zak
Are we going to...
00:13:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if we if we're talking rotation, a midfield the that we've talked about being pretty solid and easy to pick lineup, how much we rotate in that? I presume that we see one of trials and downs would expect one to be rested probably
00:14:14
Zak
In Northampton game, Downs was rested. i imagine it's probably going to be the same. So just think Charles has got more of an engine on Maybe you have, you know, Fernandes there and Matsuki again.
00:14:31
Zak
Have like a three in the middle there.
00:14:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah hmm
00:14:32
Zak
That'd be quite nice to see. But I can't, yeah, I can't see them replacing the entire one. Like, I just don't, I don't know if we'll see Smallbone again. See, it's not transferred Tuesday or whatever is.
00:14:43
Zak
Unfortunately, this is replacing our usual segment.
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It'll be transfer Thursday, mate. It's all good. We've still got the...
00:14:48
Zak
Yes, don't get me wrong, but, you know, there's there's rumors of him potentially going to Wrexham for quite a significantly larger fee than I think anyone would have expected because it's Wrexham.
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:57
Zak
They pay a premium at this point, just just just for the documentary alone, to be honest.
00:15:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:15:03
Zak
So, you know, who else have you really got? Yeah. Aribo is probably out the door, or at least we've not seen him the entirety of this little run-in so far at beginning of the season. who else should you jump in for, you know?
00:15:17
Zak
So maybe Downs goes on the bench and will come on later.
00:15:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah i think I think we'll probably see Matsuki get start.
00:15:21
Zak
But that's that's kind of where my head is at. And then maybe do we see... Yeah, i think it's about time.
00:15:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I he was so good in preseason and such a creative outlet that now that we're talking about and we've talked a lot about like lacking that creativity and that sort of spark, it seems baffling to me that we've not seen more of him in the games.
00:15:32
Zak
had a really good pre-season. Yeah.
00:15:45
Zak
but yeah Yeah, like, i don't know if it's just that they don't they don't trust him yet and he's still bit rusty and all of those various different things, but this would be an opportunity to see that, right?
00:15:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:55
Zak
and And if he doesn't show you that, you know, probably he will end up securing himself a lone move. But, you know, like they feel like Jay Robinson is going to need to be rested because there's only so much you can expect from
00:16:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
100% yeah I expect him to not be on the pitch I think we I'd like to see a front three of Archer Downs and Stuart all playing together hmm
00:16:07
Zak
You don't want to overdo it too early on. So then what?
00:16:19
Zak
So pretty much like what they he would have lined up at Northampton had Stewart not gone out sick like five years before, which resulted in embarrassing Diaz playing.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And what I'd love is for all of them to score. Just get that monkey off the back, mate.
00:16:34
Zak
Yeah. yeah
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just get it out of the way and just start the season
Strikers' Performance Hopes
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
flowing. and get If we can have three 40-goal-a-season strikers, we'll be laughing. i
00:16:45
Zak
I think the problem is, mate, and I'm sure you've got your little, like, either AI spiel or you've done some sort of looking into a good, looking into our record against Orange City.
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I do.
00:16:54
Zak
I don't think it's as good. I don't think it's that great. From my memories of all the times we've played them, it's not what been an easy game.
00:17:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, let me tell you, mate, that you are couldn't be more wrong.
00:17:05
Zak
Oh, good.
00:17:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
In the last 19... What a random cut-off point. The last 19 games against Norwich, which I presume is an even amount of years, it doesn't say, a we have lost only three times.
00:17:22
Zak
Oh, okay.
00:17:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have won eight. And there have been eight draws.
00:17:24
Zak
That's nice.
00:17:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:17:27
Zak
Oh, good.
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Get your money on penalties, boys.
00:17:28
Zak
Well, we can't called draw, at least. My fear is it goes to penalties and we really see you can score.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
right
00:17:36
Zak
but
00:17:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
the The most exciting Norwich game in recent memory, Zach, I don't know if you'll remember it. I feel like as soon as I say it, you'll remember it. It was around this part of the season in the championship season last last time, and we drew four rules.
00:17:52
Zak
Yep. Yep. I remember exactly where I was. I went what's the name of the burger place that's near Bedford Place, mate?
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Could be any of them.
00:18:01
Zak
Seven Bone. Seven Bone. I was in Seven Bone for my brother's birthday and I got told off a lot but because I spent the entire time consistently checking my phone and going, what? Or yes.
00:18:12
Zak
What? Yes. Whilst being annoyed that didn't attend the game. So yes, ma Greg, I do remember that exact game. And that was just after Russell Martin took charge and everyone went, please what what is this Russell Martin fella about?
00:18:26
Zak
And it turns out that what it's about is lose the ball all
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just you both.
Past Encounters with Norwich
00:18:29
Zak
time.
00:18:29
Zak
But there we are.
00:18:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And look, if you want the AI breakdown that we all know and love, the the brief context is, I don't know, i mean, this is really something.
00:18:35
Zak
Oh, oh, yay.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've not seen it before.
00:18:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Norwich is in good home form. Southampton are performing very good away.
00:18:56
Zak
Are we?
00:18:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't remember any of those particularly, I don't know.
00:18:58
Zak
Based on what?
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No idea, mate.
00:19:01
Zak
So Matty Fernandez and Wameen are brilliant at Northampton. And then what?
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:04
Zak
We drew at Ipswich. A very good away form.
00:19:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, if you place it last season, he's not wrong.
00:19:09
Zak
Are you basing it on Friendly's as well?
00:19:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you look
00:19:13
Zak
Like...
00:19:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
i't know Look, if you dig deeper into this, it's got some data-driven context, which are some wonderful words. That has a higher-than-average XG for this matchup, with a pre-match combined XG of 2.9 versus a general average of 2.0.
00:19:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Norwich at home have an XG of 1.57, which is above their season average. And Southampton away is slightly below their season average. Looks like a goal will come from a corner, and the goal line looks to be the market for a single goal, but expect a lively 90 minutes with a real chance of both teams to score.
00:19:52
Zak
Oh, don't you just didn't just like it when computers pretend they know what they're talking about? And then a game happens, and then almost... Oh, it's almost good fun. Again, Sheffield United, mate, going to win the league. 40% chance to get promoted.
00:20:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
right yeah
00:20:05
Zak
Where are they the table at the moment?
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, look, Zach, let's not mug off computers for trying to predict game too hard because next up, that is our job.
00:20:07
Zak
Oh, good.
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:20:16
Zak
okay
00:20:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:20:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, mate, we are back. but I feel bad throwing you under the bus all the time with school predictions so I'm going to let you choose.
00:20:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you want to go first or second?
00:20:56
Zak
I'll carry on going first. You throw me the bus all the time anyway, mate. This is no different.
00:21:02
Zak
ru That's me.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
How are you feeling?
00:21:04
Zak
You're a very good friend. But what I will point out, Greg, is that going off of the logic that you used last game, the lowest amount we need to win but still conceding is 2-1.
00:21:16
Zak
I'm going to go with two one because apparently the pattern of our season so far has been to at least go to a goal down. And again, they'll probably play Sargent. Sargent will probably score against us because we're all really salty that we want to buy him for some reason.
00:21:28
Zak
Probably because he's a good player. But um then, i don't know, maybe his American counterpart, Damien Downs, finally gets a goal. And maybe also Stewart. Like, let's just open the accounts of the players that are strikers that everyone is the most worried about, right?
00:21:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Get these 40 goal a season strikers firing.
00:21:42
Zak
I'm
00:21:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Get them on the line. I love it.
00:21:46
Zak
looking forward to the 150 goals we're going to score this season, mate.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love
00:21:49
Zak
It's going to amazing.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
unbelievable Right.
00:21:52
Zak
So where are you at, Greg? I've said 2-1 using see pretty much logic stolen directly off of you. So if you do the same, perfect.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Logic's out the window. I've got a gut feeling. And it's... You're probably going to be surprised by it, mate. I... For some reason, deep in my gut, I just feel like it's going to be too old.
00:22:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we'll win on penalties.
00:22:14
Zak
Oh, gross. I want to deal with penalties on a Tuesday.
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's the EFL Cup, so you don't get extra time at least. It just goes straight to the misery.
00:22:24
Zak
No, you're right. This is true. But it's still a thing I really struggle watching to this day in any format of the game. And you are very aware of this.
00:22:35
Zak
We've talked, you're like, watch these penalties, nah, watch afterwards.
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I don't...
00:22:38
Zak
Can't deal with the pressure.
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just... I don't... There's no sound, reason, or logic to where this has come from. This is based purely off of gut feel.
00:22:48
Zak
You base it off of the fact that we line up quite similarly. We've had similar results this season and we're both coming into the game in a similar position.
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, maybe. And, like, we've had a lot of draws historically as well. Like, it just feels...
00:23:02
Zak
Okay.
00:23:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would just be the most Saints thing, wouldn't it?
00:23:05
Zak
Yeah.
00:23:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's kind of like...
00:23:06
Zak
Historically, a lot spoke with 0-0, mate.
00:23:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
name
00:23:09
Zak
So...
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, if we're being like brutally honest, right I'll try to put positive spin on it, but if I'm being brutally honest, if it goes to penalties, is that a penalty shootout that either team really wants to win?
00:23:24
Zak
ah
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right? Like, wind you go into the game wanting to win the game because you want to build that momentum, but at the point that you've already drawn,
00:23:27
Zak
Yes, please keep us in this cup competition longer.
EFL Cup's Significance
00:23:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Does the competition itself really matter that much to anybody? Not really. But could make some pretty miserable viewing. I
00:23:49
Zak
It'll be what it'll be. And it's a Tuesday night and we'll just we'll have to but the vibe check it.
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
think that's the first time I've ever predicted a draw as well, mate. Let's go and throw that out there.
00:23:57
Zak
You're turning cynical in your old age, mate. That's all I can say.
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, we will see. We will be watching with bated breath.
00:24:06
Zak
oh yes.
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I presume on Sky Sports Plus for those of with Sky Sports subscriptions. But, man.
00:24:13
Zak
I'll try not to mug off the commentary team this time, despite the fact that I did get very mad last time.
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I promise nothing.
00:24:19
Zak
then You made me feel bad.
00:24:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. but
00:24:23
Zak
You made me feel bad for the fact that they kept getting basic information that is less than Google away about our team wrong. 100%.
00:24:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, it' sir it's a tough draw. It's a long, long night up. Fair play to any fans travelling up to Norwich to tonight.
00:24:41
Zak
hundred percent
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can't wait to hear you in solid voice through the TV. Hopefully over the top of the commentator.
Listener Engagement and Predictions
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Until then, though, look, that's all we've got time for today.
00:24:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hope I'm wrong. i hope that it's a good, solid win. Let's open the accounts of all of these strikers, score all of the goals, let's make it decisive, put all of the our doubts to bed and go into the weekend against Watford with huge amounts of confidence.
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
let's Let's do it. I'm fired up. I'm ready. it's exciting. Listen, let us know your score predictions. Let us know in the comments or on all of the socials. We are on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, Blue Sky, all of it.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let us know. How do you think we're going to get on? How much do you care about the EFL Cup? Are we going to win it this year? Maybe. Look, who knows? Anything could happen.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much for joining us. Zach, thank you very much for joining me. We will be back tomorrow reacting to whatever happens at the game tonight for a slightly chaotic late night recording, which is everyone's favourite.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I cannot wait. We'll see you then. Have a great day, everyone. And come on, you Saints.