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Daily Newcastle: Thiaw, Ramsey, Wissa: Positive Vibes
13 Plays7 days ago
Iain hosts Michael to discuss the flood of unexpectedly good news from the last few days, consider whether that is the end of the signings for this transfer window and preview the bonus Premier League Preview podcasts coming soon!
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Transcript
Introduction of Hosts and Surprise Co-host
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Newcastle, proud to be part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name's Ian Mackay. I am a rather unexpected host for tonight, or maybe I'm not. Maybe it's usually my solo pod. What is unexpected is I'm not doing this on my own.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm joined tonight by Michael Grameslaw. How are you doing, Michael?
00:00:31
Michael Grahamslaw
I'm doing very well. Thank you very much. I've got a surprise Wednesday away.
Discussion on Malik Chow's Signing
00:00:36
Michael Grahamslaw
So I thought, you know what? I'm going to come on and join you.
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which is very good because I might have been twiddling my thumbs sitting here on my own. But actually, there is quite a lot for us to get through. um Certainly in part one, what we're going to talk about incoming players.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I think it just has to be noted because we're slightly behind the curve here.
00:00:53
Michael Grahamslaw
Ooh.
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although I know they mentioned it last night. Malik Chow, centre-back reinforcement, has been announced officially as having signed. and i've evenden heard his introductory interview where he confirms that not only did he watch goal as a nine-year-old, but he has regularly watched goal ever since then as well.
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I thought that was a nice touch to even know about that. I mean, obviously, Howe's been interested in him for a couple of years. ah He's obviously been interested in Newcastle for a couple of years as well. So a match made in heaven.
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
but What are your feelings about him?
00:01:32
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, I feel like it's the seventh or eighth player who has said, oh, I really like Newcastle because of goal. um You know, the producer of that film, he should be getting royalties just for every signing that we make because he's done a fantastic job.
00:01:47
Michael Grahamslaw
Santiago Munoz is going to go down in history at Newcastle more as an agent than he ever did as a make-believe player. and But yeah, I think on a serious note. Malik Chau is a ah great sign and I think he's an absolute beast physically.
00:02:01
Michael Grahamslaw
um I think the one thing that are our back line was missing is pace and this guy has it in abundance. And I think he's one of those as well that he's not just like a Diego Carlos that went to Aston Villa where you know he's built, he's pacey, but he's an absolute lunatic.
00:02:20
Michael Grahamslaw
Malik Chow actually has a bit of a brain on him and looks like a smart defender. So him and Botman alongside each other for a full season, that gets me very excited.
00:02:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I do vaguely remember him playing against Newcastle in the goalless draw against Milan two years ago in the Champions League. What I like when I'm looking at him is some of his stats, 92% pass completion rate, very comfortable with either foot in in passing the ball out from the back.
00:02:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
That sounds like more control than we have when it's Jamal Lascelles who's bringing the ball out. Or is that harsh on poor old Jamal?
00:02:59
Michael Grahamslaw
No, I don't think it's that harsh at all. I do love Jamal LaSalle's myself, but he'll be the first to admit when it comes to playing out from the back, ah andin't he ain't really there.
00:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Never mind. Here's hoping that he just needs it holds up for the whole of the season anyway. um Because he's had a tored he's had a torrid time.
00:03:16
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, I think... ah Yeah, I think with Malik Chao as well, you mentioned his pass completion rate there as well. um One of the things for me is he's in the the top 15% for progressive passes of centre-backs across the top six leagues as well, um which means they're not just passes that are going side to side, which we quite often see with Newcastle.
00:03:39
Michael Grahamslaw
These are forward penetrative passes that are breaking the lines. And if he can find the likes of Bruno Guamaraes, Sandro Tonali in that midfield more often,
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah?
00:03:50
Michael Grahamslaw
then you know there's a great chance that Newcastle United look even better than what we do in that defence into the midfield three. Now, getting into the final third, maybe we're going to have a few problems with that this season, but at least the
Jacob Ramsey Transfer Talks
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... But, but, but... News following immediately on from the new centre-back who can get the ball into the midfield with, I'm not sure agreement has actually unofficially been announced or not, but very, very quick moving.
00:04:06
Michael Grahamslaw
build-up is going to be there.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So fast it was out after the guys recorded the pod that was listened to this morning. But Newcastle in talks to sign Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa for £40 million.
00:04:35
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that sounds like a very good deal. Certainly ah big step up Personally, I think a big step up from Willock, but if he's the Sean Longstaff replacement, definitely a big step up from Sean Longstaff.
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
What are your views on on on Ramsey? 24 years old, fell from favour a little bit as a first choice at Villa last season, but he still came on with plenty of substitute appearances.
00:04:57
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
00:05:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that a good signing?
00:05:02
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, it's a great signing. I love Jacob Ramsey as a player. um I think when he first broke in at Aston Villa, it was in those central midfield positions. Now, when you look at Villa's central midfield, it is stacked.
00:05:17
Michael Grahamslaw
they um You know, Onana last season signed for, what, 50-odd million.
00:05:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:05:23
Michael Grahamslaw
He didn't even start games towards the end of the year, and he is an absolutely fantastic midfielder as well. So I think the fact that Villa were trying to push Ramsey out on the left wing just to get him included, even though, you know, it was quite clear he isn't the best at being on the wing.
00:05:39
Michael Grahamslaw
ah You can compare him to wingers, he isn't great, but his best position is that central midfield role. And the fact he didn't play that often, there for Villa, you know it shows the strength they have in midfield. And it's it's a smart sign sell it sorry it's a smart sale for them as well. £40 million, that's pure profit.
00:05:56
Michael Grahamslaw
um But I actually think it's going to be one of those that, as central midfielders go for Newcastle, couple of years' time, we're going to be talking about Ramsey, Bruno and Tonali as the best midfield three in the Premier League.
00:06:09
Michael Grahamslaw
And I know people are going to say, Joe Linton, you can't keep out Joe Linton.
00:06:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:06:13
Michael Grahamslaw
As much as we hate to say it, Joey isn't hasn't really been the same player he was like ah the season before last. um Last season, there were a few issues ah on the ball. He isn't particularly great.
00:06:26
Michael Grahamslaw
And when you're looking to improve as a team to get from what we were two seasons ago, where you know we could play on the counter-attack quite a lot, we're a little bit dirty, we're bending the rules a little bit, who doesn't, to a team now who...
00:06:40
Michael Grahamslaw
realistically, you go into games against Crystal Palace, et etc. You're expected to win. You need more Ramseys in comparisons to Joe Linton. And I think Ramsey is a great example of someone who can do the Joe Linton side of the game, but also create a little bit more for Newcastle as well.
00:06:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I was going to say, certainly when we're facing those defensive blocks that we struggled against at home five or six times last year, Everton, Bournemouth, Fulham, I don't think they go through all of them because they sat through all of them.
00:07:09
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think Ramsey definitely has a little bit of now.
00:07:10
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what I also thought, because I have seen him play down the left fairly regularly for Villa, and whilst that might not be his best position, he certainly does ah an effective job doing that, that that could easily be
00:07:23
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
a move that allows Anthony Gordon to play centre-forward for as long as we need Anthony Gordon to play centre-forward, or allows him to switch to centre-forward when Whistler comes off after 65 minutes to have somebody else that can play down the left. So I think it is really quite a smart move.
Transfer Window Updates and Rumors
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ramsey's versatility is something that is tailor-made for Eddie Howe.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Eddie Howe was liked him, again, for a number of seasons.
00:07:49
Michael Grahamslaw
100%. Yeah.
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think we did make an inquiry last summer, um I don't know, it seemed her to be Gehi thousand times last summer, but there were one or two other players mentioned. Alanga was mentioned on the last day of the season.
00:08:04
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, surprise that one.
00:08:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm sure Jacob Ramsey was mentioned at the start of the transfer window.
00:08:06
Michael Grahamslaw
100%.
00:08:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I think it'll be ah a great signing. Now, I've got a little bit of an update, which we can put out, because I haven't really seen it anywhere else, and and I'm hoping it didn't make it up.
00:08:14
Michael Grahamslaw
and so
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. We are also expected to bring in Joanne Wisser from Brentford. That is being held up until Brentford can bring in a replacement and they've earmarked Watara at Bournemouth.
00:08:28
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes.
00:08:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But of course they can't bring in Watara until Bournemouth bring in a replacement. And I heard that ah they have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen to bring forward, ah but to bring in the forward I can't remember all of his names.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Adley from Leverkusen.
00:08:55
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes. Amin Adli. Yes.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean Adley. I couldn't remember his first name. Which, if that's true, then it can come through quickly. um I don't know. I've heard the deadline for playing against Aston Villa is Friday at 12 o'clock.
00:09:09
Michael Grahamslaw
Friday.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's all going to happen tomorrow. and But then when when they want to, they can make these things move quickly, can't they? I wonder if Wisser will be sitting on the bench. What do you think?
00:09:22
Michael Grahamslaw
I think it's one of those, I think it'll come probably a little too close, Villa. um Which is a shame, because I think it's one of those games where Johan Wiss's pace and the fact that he's a very clinical player for a fast forward.
00:09:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:09:36
Michael Grahamslaw
you usually find fast forwards aren't exactly the most clinical players. um But that pace and their ability at getting behind makes up for it. Kolo Mawani is a player that I think of in that example.
00:09:48
Michael Grahamslaw
Johan Wiss is deceptively clinical. um And I think that would have been perfect for us against Aston Villa. It'll be even more perfect for us against Liverpool. So if he is missing against Aston Villa, I'm still relatively confident that a front three of Barnes, Gordon and Alanga can do the job.
00:10:06
Michael Grahamslaw
Um... But our games against Villa tend to be very one-sided, one way. Either they batter us or we batter them. And, you know, I would happily take a draw at Villa Park given the last few results there.
00:10:22
Michael Grahamslaw
And the fact they're a very good side who... ultimately haven't had a great transfer window themselves. This Ramsey deal, as much as we were sitting here and going, oh, that's a great signing.
00:10:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:10:32
Michael Grahamslaw
This might actually be an enabler to Aston Villa as well, who, you know, that's 40 million of pure profit.
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, ah but I mean, at least this time we will not be facing Marcus Rashford nor the gifted Asensio.
00:10:46
Michael Grahamslaw
Marco Asensio. Yeah.
00:10:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although I did hear that they were looking to get him back on loan. Maybe this will allow them to do that. ah
00:10:54
Michael Grahamslaw
touch
00:10:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Too late to play against Newcastle, fingers crossed. and So what about that? Just over 10 minutes Three positive transfer stories for Newcastle.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And we were talking a couple of days ago about how this transfer window could turn out to be fantastic. I think in the last 48 hours, they've made several strides towards reaching that conclusion.
00:11:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to pause here for Bionique and we'll come back and talk about outgoings.
00:11:16
Michael Grahamslaw
hundred um
00:11:33
Michael Grahamslaw
Why I need to fight?
00:12:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we're back for part two, Outgoings. 30 seconds, Michael, on whether Monaco's offer for Kieran Trippier is something that Newcastle will treat seriously. My view is certainly not.
00:12:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think?
00:12:13
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, I have to agree. I don't think Trippier is someone that's for sale at the moment. um I think it's one of those where we probably could have got a good fee from him from Bayern Munich last year.
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:12:26
Michael Grahamslaw
i think if Trippier was to go, that would have been the time and the place. But let's be honest, Trippier was having a bit of a difficult time for personal reasons. If he wanted away, it would have happened last year.
00:12:37
Michael Grahamslaw
Monaco is a beautiful place and I think anyone could be tempted by the scenery more than anything else but Kieran Trippier leaving Newcastle isn't something I see happening I could see him staying and maybe even ending up on the coaching staff in a few years time
00:12:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Me, and me i I agree. I do like the, yeah think i think anywhere where it's tax-free income is something that would be an ah an appeal, whatever your age is and whatever your job is.
00:13:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But i can't see I can't see them letting trips go.
00:13:04
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's such a central part, such a, I think, such a crutch for Eddie Howe to work with as well, given that he hasn't got anyone above him who's really doing much support.
00:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
He needs guys like that in the and the squad. and so ah Other departures.
Strategizing Newcastle's Transfers
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I think we have another departure.
00:13:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be Alexander Izak. um And that follows on to how ah I was going to frame this section, which is whether you think if we sign Chow, Ramsey and Wisser, whether we are going to be bringing anybody else in.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
They go hand in hand, surely.
00:13:49
Michael Grahamslaw
I think if we sign those three players, obviously Chau's already in the door. Ramsey looks likely and Vissa. It seems like it's just a matter of when.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:13:59
Michael Grahamslaw
But if we sign all three, I think that's the end of it. I believe it takes our spend outgoings to around 150 odd million, which is what we were told we'd have at the start of the window.
00:14:12
Michael Grahamslaw
um It was roughly between 150, 170, depending on who you um Some were probably looking at euros, some looking at pounds or something like that. um I think that's the end of it for us.
00:14:24
Michael Grahamslaw
um And to be honest, I'd probably be happy with that. um If Alexander Rezac goes, it means for me, you've got to spend that money straight away because nobody wants to sell in January.
00:14:38
Michael Grahamslaw
um So you either keep that money till next season.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:14:41
Michael Grahamslaw
or you hold on. I know we've brought in some fantastic players in January, but you tend to overspend more often than not because of that. um But personally for me, i think after these transfers, we might see an outgoing in, and I was going to say maybe a Joe Willock, but I think that leaves us too strapped at the back, even if he will be injured for most of the campaign. So yeah, I don't think we see any more outgoings or any more incomings from Newcastle after those three.
00:15:11
Michael Grahamslaw
But let's be honest, we' we didn't think, not many people thought we'd get these signings in in such a quick period of time. So who knows what we're thinking?
00:15:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure, there's a fortnight left.
00:15:21
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, I mean, ah apparently, sorry, go on.
00:15:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I quite liked El Canoose with an 18 million release clause or 25 million release clause. I can't remember what I read.
00:15:33
Michael Grahamslaw
I think it was 25,
00:15:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
25 million release clause, young lad, come in, develop alongside Miley. and If nothing else, that saves Miley from having to come on two out of every three games, which I think is the situation if while working with a five-man midfield squad.
00:15:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's far better if the six. I'm assuming Joe Willard never recovers because, let's face it, he hasn't for the last two seasons. um
00:15:59
Michael Grahamslaw
No.
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I agree that we've spent the money that we were told we had to spend. However, we've got a cheeky Lloyd Kelly 20 mil and a cheeky Sean Longstaff 13 mil up our sleeves.
00:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
What about one or two fairly substantial loan fees? for our equivalent of Rashford and Asensio. Does that make sense in a Champions League year?
00:16:26
Michael Grahamslaw
I think it makes sense if you can bring in a ah ah solid striker at that level and then it gives you the option to loan out Will Asula. I like Asula as a player.
00:16:37
Michael Grahamslaw
To be honest, I like him as a person. Obviously, I've never met him, but he seems like a great person to have a around. But I think he needs a season where he's the main striker somewhere and he's banging in those goals and getting the confidence up.
00:16:50
Michael Grahamslaw
And more importantly, getting that positional awareness, because it doesn't seem to be there at the moment.
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:16:55
Michael Grahamslaw
If he can go on loan and get that, then there's every reason to do so. And the only way you enable that is probably by bringing in another striker on loan, which maybe sounds counterproductive, taking out a striker to bring in a striker.
00:17:12
Michael Grahamslaw
um But I think that's the only way really we do something, because we've got the two winger positions sorted. I'd personally be happy with the five in midfield purely because Joe Linton's the only one that's really that injury prone.
00:17:27
Michael Grahamslaw
Obviously I'm not including Joe Willick in that. um Joe Willick did feature in 32 games for us last season, um which is baffling. Actually, I didn't realize that he did only play a thousand minutes, which is probably the reason for that number of games.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:41
Michael Grahamslaw
so Um, um, But yeah, it's one of those where I think we're all right in centre midfield after we bring in Ramsey. And it means Miley's going to get a lot more game time, which will help his development.
00:17:52
Michael Grahamslaw
think the only position I'd really sit there and say I'd want another player in is maybe another experienced left back. um because Matt Target isn't going to cut the mustard.
00:18:05
Michael Grahamslaw
ah Lewis Hall, very young, but still a little injury prone. And of course, Dan Byrne can play there, but I want Dan Byrne as centre-back cover, not left-back cover. And I'm aware of how well he did in the Champions League last time out playing at left-back, but I don't want to see that again.
00:18:21
Michael Grahamslaw
I'd love an experienced left-back, just in case.
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two years older.
00:18:26
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tino and Trips can both cover left back as well, but I mean you're obviously you're ah you're obviously leaving right back short in that case, a look although Emil Craft is the extra pair of hands, or pair of feet in fact.
00:18:32
Michael Grahamslaw
True.
00:18:37
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:18:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
to step into the right back position. But I just think you what you're saying is indicative of where I think we would benefit given how many games we should play if we're doing any any good. It could be 60 games.
00:18:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just having extra bodies in the first team squad that can step in and do a job to a certain level.
00:18:57
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:19:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we've got some we've got some great kids in the under-21s.
00:19:02
Michael Grahamslaw
and so
00:19:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But having watched them in pre-seasons, Nobody shouting in a way that Lewis Miley was shouting two years ago, play me, play me.
00:19:15
Michael Grahamslaw
Absolutely not.
00:19:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:19:17
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
They maybe could come on and do all right with 20 minutes, half an hour here and there. um And I hope some of them do, because that's where they get the confidence to to take that step forward.
00:19:26
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:19:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But, yeah. ah What about a cheeky little loan offer to take Alexander Mitrovic on loan for the season whilst he's not registered for Al-Hilal?
00:19:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That keeps them with a little bit of... flexibility as to whether they would give them a registration next year or a Magist in Dreamland, Michael.
00:19:47
Michael Grahamslaw
I think you might be in dreamland, but it's a dream I want to have as well. um I'll happily go to sleep right now enjoying that dream because I imagine Alexander Mitrovic coming in. I mean, granted, we'd still have alex Alexander Izak and we'd still have Johan Wisser. Well, we would have Johan Wisser. He's not signed just yet, but...
00:20:06
Michael Grahamslaw
Ah, Isaac, he's probably still going to be in a hissy fit in two months' time.
00:20:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:20:11
Michael Grahamslaw
um imagine that'll be when he starts to come out of it. Wissar knows the Premier League very well. Mitrovic, could you imagine that depth of Isaac, Wissar and Mitrovic?
00:20:24
Michael Grahamslaw
Even if Isaac wasn't to play the whole season, I'd still be confident going into a season with Wissar and Mitrovic, which I'll be honest, two, three years ago,
00:20:34
Michael Grahamslaw
It would have sounded like the daftest thing I've ever said. um But yeah, that that would be a dream.
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
think Mitrovic is a much better striker now than he was when he was that young hothead that that that Rafa Benitez seemed to fall out with.
00:20:45
Michael Grahamslaw
When he was with us the first time. Yeah.
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Mitrovic is a Newcastle supporter.
00:20:50
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
His idol is Alan Shearer. He knows the crowd loved him. And he knows, I think, that it was Rafa who eased him out.
00:20:56
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:21:01
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, it just didn't fit Rafa's system, which is fine sometimes.
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although he did with great grace. he did that with great grace and I tell you what, if it had been Mitrovic playing centre-forward against Atletico last Saturday, he would have had a first-half hat-trick.
00:21:07
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we should leave it there. going pause there. Let's just dream that dream whilst Michael reads the Zencastle advert.
00:21:25
Michael Grahamslaw
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we have spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. And Zencastr, it came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it is super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:21:44
Michael Grahamslaw
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, the last time you said that, you were editing, and I did my Zorro Z for Zencaster, and you edited it out. You just made sound like I'd sneezed.
00:22:00
Michael Grahamslaw
I didn't do that deliberately.
00:22:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm not going to do it again. No, I won't. I might try it when you when you're least expecting it. Anyway, on to part three.
00:22:10
Michael Grahamslaw
i think Zencastr must have looked at that and gone, that wasn't supposed to be there. That wasn't intentional on my behalf, but it just knew that I wouldn't like it. So it's just, woo!
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fair fair enough.
00:22:20
Michael Grahamslaw
ah Praise be to Zencastr.
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough. Now, I noticed when I got all logged on to be able to set up to record this podcast, Michael, that you have been quite a busy little bee in
Looking Ahead to the Season Preview
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
doing some prep work for ah but for a bonus podcast to come out on Saturday morning.
00:22:31
Michael Grahamslaw
Ooh, spoiler!
00:22:38
Michael Grahamslaw
That is correct.
00:22:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So you've previewed the season for us, which I think is great. But one of the elements that you've done, I can't let you have the whole of this to yourself. You've predicted.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
the Premier League finishing order. Am I right?
00:22:53
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes. That is correct, yes.
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm going to have a podcast on Saturday morning that comes out about 10 minutes after yours, where I will do the same. And I think we need to encourage the girls and Kevin to find some time between now and five o'clock on Sunday morning where they do the same.
00:23:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then at least we've got our own little, I know, how long's your how long is your pod?
00:23:15
Michael Grahamslaw
No chance.
00:23:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
because I think mine will just...
00:23:20
Michael Grahamslaw
It's 30. It's 33 minutes. um So that's why I didn't.
00:23:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you've produced you'veive've you've previewed the whole season, though, haven't you? You haven't just sat there talking about what number anyone's finishing.
00:23:29
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, so I've previewed each team.
00:23:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:23:33
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, so I've gone through and I basically gave, um basically I wrote a similar article for the company I work for. So went, you know what, really going to enjoy doing that. um So I've put, you know what, this team's going to finish here.
00:23:44
Michael Grahamslaw
This is the reason why. This is who I think the the player of the season is going to be. ah This is who is going to be a fantastic signing for each club. So I've gone through, done that on all of them. i ah just I had pitched thought about pitching to the team and then I realized, hang on, it's going to be an hour-long podcast.
00:24:02
Michael Grahamslaw
And YouTube tends to get a little bit annoyed at us when we do videos over 15 minutes, saying it's not the optimum length. So I'm trying to keep a the socials happy as well.
00:24:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's that's fine, Michael. So it's 1 to 20. It's player of the season. It's best signing for each of the 20 teams.
00:24:25
Michael Grahamslaw
That's what I've done, yeah.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can do that. I can do that in 10 minutes by not thinking about my answers. No, I'll think about my answers, but I'll just record it so we can put it down and have a comparison.
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, are you prepared...
00:24:37
Michael Grahamslaw
Absolutely.
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
to share your top form.
00:24:46
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, absolutely. um To be honest, this is probably the the area where I was most confident. um And have...
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's why I asked you that question, Michael. ah
00:24:56
Michael Grahamslaw
I think the top four is going to be almost identical ah to this season. um ah You have Liverpool in first, Arsenal in second, Man City in third and Chelsea in fourth.
00:25:10
Michael Grahamslaw
But the big difference is that I think there's going to be a quite substantial gap between those four and the rest of the the European pack.
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Interesting. um I don't want you to go through everything, obviously, because we want to be listening on Saturday to get the full picture.
00:25:27
Michael Grahamslaw
Well, you can imagine who I've put last.
00:25:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's that's not a prediction.
00:25:32
Michael Grahamslaw
Burnley. No.
00:25:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
that That's just a wish list. um
00:25:36
Michael Grahamslaw
That's a spoiler.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
where Where did you put Newcastle?
00:25:41
Michael Grahamslaw
So a little bit of a spoil, but I put us in sixth position. um
00:25:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:25:48
Michael Grahamslaw
I've looked at it and I've gone, ah think we're going to struggle a little bit um with Alexander Rezac being out.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay
00:25:55
Michael Grahamslaw
um But I think it's one of those where i think it's probably at the right time of the season. where you're playing Aston Villa away, Liverpool at home.
00:26:06
Michael Grahamslaw
We picked up one point in those two games last season. We lose them both. We've only lost out on one point. I think you lose a striker like Isaac, you do lose probably about 10, 15 points a season.
00:26:20
Michael Grahamslaw
You bring Whisser in, that probably gets you a decent chunk of those back. But... I don't think we'll do as well as what we did last season purely because the Champions League as well.
00:26:31
Michael Grahamslaw
So, yeah, I've got to ah have've got a team I hated putting above us in fifth. But people going have to to watch or listen to find out which team that was.
00:26:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm going to wait at least two and a half minutes before I find out who it is because I've got to talk to you up to the end of the yeah ah pod. Can I just say, i mean, I'm happy to share, but my top four will be completely different to your top four.
00:26:57
Michael Grahamslaw
Mm-hmm.
00:27:02
Michael Grahamslaw
Really? Interesting.
00:27:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, I think you'll see Manchester City regaining the Premier League. Liverpool second.
00:27:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal third.
00:27:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Newcastle will finish fourth.
00:27:22
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh, you think we'll improve on last season?
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we've got five or six improvements to the squad. And we've got an Alexander Isaac who, let's face it, with was lethal for the middle part of the season.
00:27:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for the first quarter and the last quarter of the season, he was off it.
00:27:38
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:27:42
Michael Grahamslaw
Just pour a, uh...
00:27:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Whistler will be giving it all for 38 games. And if if we're putting the ammunition through and the pace up there, I told i don't think we'll miss Isaac.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know I know he's not the best striker in the world. Whoever we get is not Isaac. But
00:27:59
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:28:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you remember in those last 11 games how many how many gilt-edged chances Isak missed?
00:28:07
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, he wasn't great at all towards the end of the season. um I think if there was if you look at it and think we have the Callum Wilson of two years ago, ah well, three years ago, should I say, where they were both extravagantly talented and brilliant.
00:28:21
Michael Grahamslaw
i don't I think it's one of those where you could argue Wilson comes in and Isaac was getting dropped, but... Yeah, that middle part of the season, he was unplayable. But as you say, the end, it wasn't impressive at all. And it's I think that form is the only reason the rumour that he wanted away at the end of last season has any any credibility whatsoever because his performance has dropped.
00:28:46
Michael Grahamslaw
I think, let's be honest, he said he wanted to stay here. I don't think he comes out and says, by the way, I'm staying if he wanted to leave um all the way back then.
00:28:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:56
Michael Grahamslaw
But as you say, his performances give it that credibility because he was very poor.
00:29:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
he was He wasn't really good and he cried off against Arsenal.
00:29:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, you didn't he? And but was he he didn't play against Everton, did he? Or did he play on one leg? can't remember. He was so anonymous against Everton that he might as well have not have done.
00:29:15
Michael Grahamslaw
He did, but he wasn't very good.
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, yeah. So I think that we've got a much stronger team and yet the essence of the team remains three or four years deep. The Chelsea team, the Chelsea have got the same problems as they had last year.
00:29:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they did pull it together last year very well. But there's so many new players in that team, they're going to have to get used to how they play with each other. and You know, they won the Club World Cup champions, but that team's already been disbanded and replaced with a whole load of different players.
00:29:56
Michael Grahamslaw
i think the the team that start i was gonna say I think the team that starts that first game of the season will be almost identical.
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm exaggerating a little bit.
00:30:04
Michael Grahamslaw
And I think when you're switching out Nicholas Jackson, who we've looked at and said, we don't want him as a replacement for Isaac, but he probably would get us 15 goals a season. and I've got a feeling you replace him with João Pedro, and then you've got Liam De Lapp as back up.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:30:19
Michael Grahamslaw
I know Chelsea are playing in the Champions League this year, not the Europa Conference League. But for me, I think they're going to be so much of a better side. But I think what will stop them from being in that title race...
00:30:31
Michael Grahamslaw
is that Club World Cup where they've gone all the way through to the final, not had a gri not had a massive pre-season ah because of that. But I think you know when you whenever you see a team, so players play in the summer consistently, by the end of the season, they're not the player they once were.
00:30:48
Michael Grahamslaw
mean, just look at Phil Foden, for example, when he played in the last tournament for for England. He still hasn't recovered from that.
00:30:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or Cole Palmer.
00:30:56
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, he died off massively at the the season.
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or Cole Palmer in the second half of last season.
00:31:00
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:31:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
The yeah Achilles heel for Chelsea, I think, though, and this will be an Achilles heel, whoever they bring in, is that they're still going to be playing Robert Sanchez in goal.
00:31:11
Michael Grahamslaw
ah Unless...
00:31:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Calamity Sanchez. Unless they get Donnarumma. City have got Donnarumma.
00:31:16
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes, I was just about to say that. Well, apparently City haven't even contacted PSG about Donnarumma. Donnarumma was saying yesterday his socials that he was guaranteed to be off.
00:31:28
Michael Grahamslaw
So it seems like there's an agreement already in place with someone. If that agreement was is with
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they bought Chevalier to replace them, haven't they?
00:31:34
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, they've bought someone to a replace, haven't they? Yeah, if that agreement is with Chelsea or Manchester United, I'm a little bit concerned about how strong those two teams could be because you replace Robert Sanchez or Andre Onana with Gianluigi Donnarumma and all of a sudden you've gone from a laughingstock to the strongest beef or chicken stock in the market and all of a sudden the food's tasting pretty good.
00:32:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Except in the midfield for Manchester United. Come on. If they get Belaba as well, if they get Belaba as well, I will start worrying about Manchester United.
00:32:07
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes, the midfield's terrible, but...
00:32:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But to be honest, you know, what's Kuna going to do? He's not going to go and win the ball himself. He's not going to get a kick this next season.
00:32:18
Michael Grahamslaw
No, he'll stand around, but...
00:32:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, we're previewing the season, which is not this podcast. So we just were previewing the previews that are coming. Thank you very much indeed, Michael.
00:32:28
Michael Grahamslaw
Preview-ception.
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, when maybe we should have run into another half an hour. preview but I'm sure we'll have we'll all have chats about that as the season gets underway thank you very much indeed for joining me Michael that was much more fun than sitting waffling onto myself on a Wednesday which is what I've had to do the last few weeks um
00:32:38
Michael Grahamslaw
Absolutely.
00:32:48
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, I'm afraid you're back at it next week while I'm away, but I will try and be around on Wednesdays a lot more for you.
00:32:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
good stuff Thanks very much for listening, folks. That was me, Ian Mackay, hosting Michael Grameslaw as part of the Daily Newcastle podcast. We'll be back tomorrow with another one.
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
See you then.