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Thu 27th Feb: CROSSOVER - City Sink Spurs on a VARduous Night in N17
13 Plays3 days ago
Tottenham Hotspur fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Erling Haaland’s 12th-minute strike proving the difference in a game of missed chances and late drama. City dominated the first half and should have been out of sight, but Spurs came alive after a quadruple substitution, with Son, Kulusevski, and Spence sparking a second-half resurgence. Pape Matar Sarr had a golden chance in the 98th minute to snatch a point, but his header sailed over, leaving Spurs ruing their wastefulness. Meanwhile, Haaland fumed over a controversial late handball call that denied City a second goal. With their top-four hopes fading, all eyes now turn to Tottenham’s crucial Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar—can they keep their season alive? Stay tuned for all the analysis on the Daily Tottenham Podcast.
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Transcript
City's Narrow Victory Over Spurs
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Tottenham podcast and we are talking Spurs-Manchester City, a midweek fixture that didn't quite deliver on the promise that this one has in recent years. Manchester City have bounced back from a difficult week with a gritty 1-0 victory over Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Erling Haaland's early goal proved decisive as Pep Guardiola's side climbed back into the Premier League's top four. City dominated the first half, should have put the game to bed before the break, but their failure to capitalise on chances did give Tottenham hope of a late equaliser.
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ange Postacoglu's men improved significantly in the second half, pushing City deep into their own defensive third. But there was a glaring miss from Papi Matassar in the 98th minute, which summed up what was ultimately a frustrating evening that could be heard on the television as there weren't quite boos, but certainly what I would call a disgruntled soundtrack from the
In-depth Game Analysis with Jules
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
home fans. Delighted to say that I'm joined by Jules from the Daily Manchester City podcast. Hello, mate. How you doing?
00:01:03
Jools
Yeah, good. Especially good after getting one over on what has ah usually been a bit of a bogey team over the last decade or so for City. So yeah, it was there good performance by Haaland. Good to see him back in the team and just about got over the line for a big three points.
00:01:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's weirdly, it's weirdly the game that I, ah City at home is the game that I am most confident about, weirdly, in the Premier League calendar. Because Tottenham are so unpredictable.
00:01:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the one thing you can predict is that for whatever reason, Guardiola's just not been able to work Spurs out, ah particularly at home. But yeah, Spurs disappointing last night and well we'll get into it a little bit later. I think there's elements of players being rested ahead of the Europa League tie, although that is a week away.
00:01:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So eight days.
00:01:44
Jools
Surprised me that did.
00:01:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:45
Jools
It's the starting lineup.
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly. So, I mean, just in terms of the the story of the game. um So Jeremy Doku, absolutely electric down the left, caused all sorts of problems for Spurs. Breakthrough came in the 12th minute when Haaland latched onto a well-placed pass, finishing clinically past Vicario. Haaland really needed that. I mean, Jules, what did you kind of what did you make of the game overall?
00:02:08
Jools
and Yeah, I think your summarisation was bang on. it was It felt like a game
Doku's Impact and Tactical Observations
00:02:13
Jools
of two halves. ah Sorry to use an aged cliche, but City dominated, could have been three or four up in the first. um I think a lot of that was to do with, that like we said, the line-up that you put out. and Rest in Son, who has been a City killer in his career, um probably the most feared, one of the most feared players in the world from a City perspective, and normally does so well.
00:02:35
Jools
And you rest for Suma, who's looked really good recently too. and Kulusevski, who's also got a good recent record in general and against Man City. So I think that um that allowed City to but um put the impetus into the game first, control it. Like you said, Doku was electric, started back-to-back games against big teams as a first this season for Doku and he's been really good in both of them.
00:03:01
Jools
Obviously, we all know what Doku's about. He'll get the ball, he's going to do his trademark shimmy, he will beat his man, but can he find a City player? In this game, he did, and it proved to be decisive.
00:03:12
Jools
Haaland looked very dangerous. and I'm sure we'll get and got get on to it later, but then there was a second goal in injury time just before that chance for Spurs, you mentioned, it should have stood, so he should have had two goals, but either way, 20 up for the Premier League season for Haaland.
00:03:29
Jools
Doku looking good, and a Yeah, a very big win for City, i'm trying to claim on to that Champions League position come the end of the season.
00:03:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let me just ask you a question about Jeremy Doku, actually, because i think as an outsider, everybody looks at Doku and goes, this guy is everything that football's about. Like blistering pace, tricks, incredibly exciting. And that's what football's about. It's entertainment at the end of the day. And he does that.
00:03:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I've certainly always got the impression... that Pep doesn't like him. I don't think because he dismisses his talent, because you can't do that, but he's not a Pep player. Pep's all about systems and positioning and everybody knows their job inside out in every situation. Whereas Doku's a wildcard kind of footballer and much more unpredictable.
00:04:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I don't think Pep likes anything that he can't legislate for because ultimately the the system will kind of always win
City's Tactical Shift and Midfield Adaptation
00:04:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
out. Do you think that's that's maybe turned a corner now and Doku might find himself with a run in the first team?
00:04:21
Jools
ah Very possibly, but I thought that when City beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 and he was the best player and then he didn't have a good game until the Liverpool game on Sunday. So um I think with Pep, he buys players like this, then moulds them.
00:04:34
Jools
So Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, you'd say they're of the similar ilk, but he uses that technical ability, then moulds it to create... something efficient is the goal at least doc who hasn't proved that he's got that efficiency in the locker yet but he's probably the best at creating opportunities for the chance you know for the chance to create space which is what pep definitely wants from his wingers but hopefully this can be the start of a really good run in the team for him it seems like greelish is on his way out
00:05:08
Jools
He's had a tough time, some big moments, but it seems like the right decision. Marmouche had just been bought. He looked great. He wasn't too good yesterday, but he he looked really dangerous in general. And Savinho's been City's most consistent forward all year.
00:05:23
Jools
So there's a lot of options in those wide areas. But if Darko plays like this and keeps getting that end product, then yeah, he should and he should and could get a good run of the team.
00:05:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think this is the idea, actually? Because Marmouche is, I guess, he's not he's certainly not ah an out-and-out striker, and he appears to playing a more creative role. is Is this kind of another pep shift, and is this maybe the system that we might see as kind of De Bruyne's powers wane, and there's more of a kind of creative onus on Marmouche?
00:05:56
Jools
um I think perhaps um he was reluctant to change for ah for too long after Rodri got injured. Still playing with Kovacic, replacing Rodri's role with and obviously two completely different players.
00:06:10
Jools
Kovacic is so forward thinking and a bit slow and a bit rash ah for all his good qualities too. Ultimately, when you're at the base of a solo pivot for Manchester City and you push show up so high up the pitch, you need someone that can do that defensive work and he isn't that guy.
00:06:27
Jools
So Pep has finally adapted to a double pivot, especially with the signing of Nico Gonzalez. So I think he's just trying to figure it out. And I couldn't, A, I couldn't tell you anyway, because Pep throws a spanner in the works nearly every week.
00:06:40
Jools
But B, until Rodri's back, I don't really know what the settled position is going to be. But um yeah, there is definitely going to be a change of the guard at the Etihad over the next season.
00:06:50
Jools
12 to 18 months for sure and De Bruyne seems to be one of those that might make way because he's not been fit for about a year at this point and I think a few knee and ligament injuries have really derailed what has been an illustrious and outstanding career.
00:07:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
Haaland's Form Amid Controversies
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah, absolutely. And you mentioned Erling Haaland as well. 20 league goals for this season now. I mean, it's it's one of those weird seasons for City, obviously, because they've been patchy. And I think you kind of assume as an outsider that Haaland's maybe not been on song and maybe by his crazy standards, it is a slightly quiet season for him. But 20 league goals should have been 21, which we'll touch on in in just a sec. What did you make of his performance?
00:07:36
Jools
Yeah, i i was I was pleased. um i think, yeah, Haaland's someone that... ah Everyone criticises for not being involved in the game. But we talk about how um particular Pep is with his positioning. That's by design.
00:07:52
Jools
it's It's absolutely by design. So it's not his fault. but He is as good a finisher as they come. And yeah, you could say it's been an off-season because his standards have been so ridiculous. But the whole team has been a lot worse than in Haaland's first two seasons. And the service hasn't been there. The consistency in the line-ups hasn't been there.
00:08:11
Jools
pretty much every forward player has dipped as well. And yet he's still hit 20 goals in the Premier League by February and he's bad injuries too. So when you put it like that, there's only one really forward in the world or two that could probably be comparable at this time.
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and and as we said, it should have been 21 goals. um We'll talk about exactly why that was and the VAR controversy after this.
00:09:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
There we go. The advert's so good we heard it twice. um i did ah I do just have to say, I say off the back of that advert every time, is that'll be the voice, that's the voice ah of Ken Davis, who those of you who listen to that Saturday feeling, um the kind of weekly roundup show that we do here at GSPN, ah might recognise Ken's dulcet tones.
00:09:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, he's got a lovely voice. It's not normally as sexy as that. I don't know why he's gone so ASMR. I love it, but It's like, it's kind of overwhelming.
00:09:50
Jools
Speak for yourself, mate.
00:09:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Jules, about you, mate. I'm um so like, after after this show, I'm ordering some Bionique, like just, just so I've got more chance to chat to Ken about it.
00:10:01
Jools
Our bodies are unique, you're right.
00:10:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, they are. four Cheers, Ken. Thank you. Yeah. Right, anyway, sorry, that's really throwing me off. But yeah, so as we mentioned, could have been 21 league goals for Erling Haaland.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Goal disallowed in the second half. So roughly what happened, referee gives a handball on the pitch, VAR reviewed it, and in the absence of overwhelming evidence, they chose not to, or elected not to, I believe is the letter of the law, overturn the referees on the field decision.
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I watched the replays, And I thought it was handball by Kevin Danso, Spurs centre-back. um I didn't think it was a handball by Erling Haaland at all. You pointing out probably by Archie Gray as well.
00:10:44
Jools
I think it initially touches Archie Gray's hand and then the ball kind of gets clasped in between Danso's hand and Erling Haaland's big old Norwegian chest. and and then it kind of And you even see it as like, and as ah sorry, i'm ah I'm foaming at the mouth because this was such a bad decision.
00:11:01
Jools
have So the decision took five minutes of watching um the same two-second clip over and over. So it was a slog watching it on TV. So then after the VAR had looked at all these images, you could see clearly that Danso's hand is what hits the ball as it hits Harland's chest.
00:11:20
Jools
And then Harland finishes with aplomb. Fantastic. But then after the VAR recommends that they should award the goal, the referee decides that he's not going to and the game just played on as if nothing had happened after as if we hadn't just spent five minutes watching the same two-second clip over and over and over.
00:11:40
Jools
So I've got that image of Danso's hand and Harland's chest ingrained in me last night.
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? the it's I mean, like we're not the first people to say anything about VAR. Everything's been said. But as the length of the decision-making process, also when you're in the stadium, I've been there in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and you're looking at one of the screens because no one's telling you what's happening.
00:12:03
Jools
Yeah.
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And obviously, unless you're like the bionic man, you haven't clocked the initial incident because it's professional sport that moves at lightning speed. So you've got no idea what being pulled back for. You just know there's a VAR review of a possible handball. You don't know which way that's going um or what it's going to mean. like Ultimately, it was kind of an unimportant game actually last night. So it didn't really matter. But if you take two minutes and the referee and the VAR are at odds,
00:12:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
and that's a cup final, for example, then suddenly it's a lot more problematic. Yeah, and i agree. I thought was a stinker.
00:12:38
Jools
I would say that for City, it really was a big game, though. I mean, this is ah this is a Spurs team that regularly beat City and off the back of being outclassed by
00:12:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:12:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's true.
Significance of City's Victory for Standings
00:12:47
Jools
Liverpool.
00:12:47
Jools
And it's not often you can say City outclassed throughout the course of a game, never mind a season. and And it really felt like Liverpool was a changing of the guard on weekend. So this was a big game because if City didn't win this game, they'd be I think they'd be seventh right now.
00:13:00
Jools
So it really does matter because the thought of man Manchester City not being in the Champions League, less than two years removed from winning it, is unfathomable and unacceptable for for for the fans and for the club itself. so and And that goal, or non-goal as it were,
00:13:18
Jools
and Could have been in incredibly important because, as I'm sure you're going to get on to, or maybe we'll touch on it now, Spurs could have scored immediately after, which would have been the 99th minute of the game when it was only meant to be four minutes of injury time.
00:13:32
Jools
So if this could have been the stinker of all stinkers from Man City's perspective.
00:13:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? it's It's a funny old game because, as you said, cliche alert, but it's true. Game of two halves. It probably could have ended a draw. um In the first half, Mamouche and Doku went close.
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Spurs were significantly improved in the second half. Now, a lot of first-team players left out, um something which I'm slightly confused about. But after the break, a little bit renewed energy. So, Sun, Kulisevski, Kulisevski,
00:14:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
and jed spence all came on now jed spence has by far for the past few weeks been tottenham's best player and i can
00:14:12
Jools
I'm impressed with him. So impressed with him, how he's adapted to different positions, being like not fancied by anyone at the club, and then coming in and being one of your best players during the hardest period under Ange.
00:14:24
Jools
Sorry to cut you got off there, but I really, really rate Jed Spence and his mentality.
00:14:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is the thing. He's had an interesting ride because he butt he came to Spurs and ah Conte was the manager at the time. So he had just been at Forest on loan from Middlesbrough, where he's in the championship team of the season. Forest got promoted. He was fantastic.
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Came to Tottenham. Everyone really excited. per Pedro Poirot wasn't at the club at that point. We didn't have a right back. Antonio Conte didn't fancy him at all. um And Antonio Conte said, I'm paraphrasing here, but um this was from a director from a Spurs journalist.
00:14:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
essentially said why why can't jed spence get a chance in the team and antonio conte said um are you joking because i've seen him train so now we all we all know like not gonna miss was conte's a bit of an idiot but that that is don't get wrong fantastic football manager but he's he's just a
00:15:18
Jools
Or are his standards maybe too high?
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, or what he i maybe what he wants from a full-back isn't necessarily what other managers want from a full-back. Because now, Spence went on loan to Leeds with a knee injury, then went off to Genoa in Italy.
00:15:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And so as you say, really bounced back. He's been... right up there in the last couple of months as our best player. And if he carries on playing like this, it would be him or Kulusevski for player the season. and Played left, blackpa but played right back, played centre back for us as well.
00:15:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I kind of get with the only things Spurs have to play for is the Europa League, that you might want to rest players. Now, the Europa League game isn't until next Thursday, so it's eight days from the from the City game.
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you just don't want to risk injury or whatever. Like, fine, I understand that. What i don't get... is dropping Spence, who's played a lot of football recently, but is nowhere kind of with a full season so far under his belt.
00:16:13
Jools
And he's young.
00:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I,
00:16:14
Jools
He's young as well.
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But also, if you're playing well, keep playing somebody.
00:16:19
Jools
yeah
00:16:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's in good form. Keep playing somebody. And Spurs were better in that second half. um Brennan Johnson had a low drive that tested Edison. um Sun nearly turned across in at the far bow post. um And Sarr missed a late header that I would say, I mean, kind of classic, ball slightly behind him, star fished up in the air, bounced off his forehead.
00:16:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would say it should have been a goal. um Did you think that was a bit of a let-off?
00:16:41
Jools
ah sun sun It just kind of clipped the back of Son's neck, really, didn't it? Do you think that kind of put him off slightly? Because he he seemed already in the air by that point, didn't he?
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but yeah, potentially. I mean, he kind of, when he hit the deck and had his head in his hands, he knew that that was a ah fantastic chance.
00:16:55
Jools
Oh, yeah.
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think Posta Coglu did um as well. Yeah, do you know what? Like, i I felt that game could have gone either way. I find myself not that bothered because but I'm looking ahead to AZ Alkmaar. And we're going to talk about what's up next for Manchester City in just a second.
City's FA Cup Aspirations
00:17:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep, and we are recording on Zencastr right now. um So Jules, up next for City Plymouth in the FA Cup.
00:17:51
Jools
Yeah, don't underestimate them.
00:17:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, ah it should. it I mean, it will obviously...
00:17:57
Jools
they the Are they the linear English champions?
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
what what does what's What's the Lineal English Champions?
00:18:04
Jools
No, no, as in because ah Liverpool are obviously champions-elect and Plymouth saw off them in the last round, didn't they? So i just i was just being facetious.
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, there's this thing, isn't there?
00:18:14
Jools
It's okay.
00:18:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because there was this thing of like the lineal World Cup winners. And for a while, it was I think it was Cote d'Ivoire. Because having beaten recent World Cup winners by that metric. Kind like boxing. It's like you get the belt if you beat the champ.
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I love that.
00:18:29
Jools
Yeah. It doesn't matter, but it's something nice to talk about sometimes.
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love that. I mean, obviously, but kind of a ah ah good run in the Cup. Well, not a good run in the Cup. So aren't that kind of club. Getting to Wembley and winning the trophy. would kind of be a redeeming factor in what's been a disappointing season for City, wouldn't it?
00:18:49
Jools
ah Yeah, and we've spoken a lot about this on um on our podcast and the FA Cup has to be won. It's ah pretty much non-negotiable at this point. With Arsenal out, Liverpool out, um it it has to be done.
00:19:03
Jools
And City have a really good recent record, well, in every competition under Pep really. But the FA Cup as well we got to the last two finals, both against you and United, did one win, one loss. We don't need to we don't need to lament on the loss too much.
00:19:16
Jools
But um yeah, I think City need to win. And at home against Plymouth-Orguile, yes, I know they just beat Liverpool and I was having a bit of fun there. But it really, it should be a comfortable win and through to the quarterfinals. And then there's only three more games. So this is the only silver where City can win this year.
00:19:33
Jools
So the FA Cup has never been more important to Pep Guardiola.
00:19:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and AZ Alkmaar up next for Spurs, Europa League knockout stages.
Spurs' Europa League Focus and Managerial Perspectives
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ange Postacoglu promised he wins a trophy in his second season. um He really managed to to shrewdly narrow that down by getting Spurs knocked out of both the League Cup and the FA Cup within four days.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So well done, Ange, to be fair. nice Nice to kind of secure a bit of rest.
00:19:56
Jools
You had a good crack. Well, I mean, the first leg, you had a good crack in the League Cup. Second leg was was a bit not bad, yeah.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's it's what and you talked about um kind of ah Liverpool sort of completely dominating Man City. It was the same for Spurs. It was a real, it you know, you get those games that are ah pretty humbling as a football fan where Mo Salah managed to run an entire football match while walking and it was pretty disappointing.
00:20:15
Jools
Yeah.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:22
Jools
That exact word has given a lot of City fans PTSD this season, I think.
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and um yeah, ah do yeah i've got I've got slightly, yeah, slightly, I think, yeah, I've got PTSD myself just from from that Liverpool game. But is it up my next? Obviously, Europa League is kind of the basket in which all Tottenham eggs are in. i might ask everybody this when we do crossover pods.
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
What is your opinion? And you think kind of so eat the City Pods opinion or City fans opinion Ange Postacoglu? Because the Spurs fan base is pretty mixed. um I was interested in what kind of outsiders think.
00:20:56
Jools
um Well, I can only speak for myself, I guess, but my take on him is that I think he's a very, very good coach. and I respect him as a man.
00:21:07
Jools
i do think how affable he is kind of got him off a bit scot-free and because he was a miserable so-and-so for a couple of months. understand why, but also...
00:21:21
Jools
like He was rude in nearly every interview for about two months.
00:21:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:21:24
Jools
And my opinion of likability of him kind of shifted then. But I do like him as a coach. And I think when things are going good, it's as good as anything. you ah You can speak more to this than me, I'm sure. But anything Spurs have had in the last decade or so, really, and when it's going well.
00:21:42
Jools
and The football is fantastic. But what i think not a lot of people um have taken into account in terms of whether he should have gone not or stayed is how young the squad is. that Even your most experienced players like Romero are still only 26.
00:21:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:57
Jools
ah yeah No one wins anything with with the team of that age profile. And all of these young players are coming through and most of them are improving. The strike rate is pretty high, I'd say.
00:22:08
Jools
So um ah some money's been spent. Of course, Spurs and could always get backed more considering the amount of money that you make with the stadium and commercial activities. But um yeah, I feel Andrew's been a bit hard done by brought a bit on himself as well.
00:22:23
Jools
But ultimately, i think he at least deserves a chance to see whether he can win a cup in his second season, like he stated.
00:22:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, do you know what i think? Yeah, my opinion, broadly speaking, is he's got three months to prove himself. um Good end to the season. Like he a lot of young players. Mateus Tell's come in. Obviously, we've got Spence playing really well. Doggy's coming back. Danso's new into the team. Graeme Bergfau are two kind of first-team mainstays a lot of the time. They're both teenagers.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And... Yeah, if there's if there's kind of the green shoots of improvement and, to be honest, a win in the Europa League, which at some point would mean getting past Bilbao or Lazio, which are both very difficult games, then yeah, yeah, who knows?
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the spectre...
00:23:05
Jools
It's Europa League or Bastogne, basically.
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly, yeah, yeah. But the spectre of Andone Iriola kind of looms over Ange Postacoglu at the moment.
00:23:15
Jools
Oh, okay.
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, lot...
00:23:16
Jools
is is that is Is that the talk? Yeah.
00:23:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's the guy who who all Spurs fans talk about. I have pointed out he might have significantly better offers in the summer. So that wouldn't be a done deal because he might not want to come to Tottenham.
00:23:25
Jools
Yeah.
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um He's probably having quite a nice time in Bournemouth. But what's um just before we finish up, Jules, what's what's the rest of the city what's the rest of season hold
City's Season Goals and Pep's Legacy
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
for City? what's What's the aim now?
00:23:38
Jools
um Well, yeah, um like I said, the FA Cup is imperative because a season without silverware with this wage bill, this sum amount of talent and it in the squad come coming to the end of Pep Guardiola's club career, you don't want to waste any years um of the great man's final years.
00:23:54
Jools
and But top four and the FA Cup is minimum requirement. Finishing outside the top four is disaster. I think it'll be five. it The top five should qualify for Champions League based on the coefficient this year.
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:24:09
Jools
So fifth could even be... um like a lucky escape, but anything lower than that. Non-Champions League football would be embarrassing and a complete failure, to be quite honest.
00:24:22
Jools
Regardless of injuries, there's enough quality and enough money being spent on the squad. January was £150 million too They were one of the only teams that really spent in January. So there's that input as well to consider. So the rest of the season, we're not expecting any trees to be pulled up, but expecting silverware to be won and enough consistency maintained to get over the line and finish in the top four, possibly five, whatever it takes.
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fantastic. um Jules, thank you so much for joining us, mate.
00:24:53
Jools
um It's been a pleasure. Thank you.
Podcast Conclusion and Network Promotion
00:24:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And don't forget, if you are interested in all things Manchester City, do check out the ah Daily Man City podcast. And if you're Premier League football fan, I just want to know about other clubs. We do have a podcast for everyone. If you're a Spurs fan, of course, which I imagine is why you found yourself um clicking on this often sombre podcast, but slightly more hopeful now.
00:25:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah then do give us a listen. We'll be back tomorrow and it's at GSPN Tottenham on all social media. Plus don't forget to rate and review us on your podcast app of choice. It really does help and often fine.
00:25:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just click on the five stars. It's easier. Right. Come on Spurs. We'll see you next time.