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Episode 196: Matchday Preview: Manchester City
0 Playsin 12 hours
Southampton – We somewhat relunctantly head into the weekend. Can we come out ad surrise City?
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Transcript
Introduction and Episode Setup
00:00:09
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 by my good friend, wonderful co-host, Zach Inco Finch. doing mate?
Pre-Match Thoughts and Team News
00:00:21
Zak
combination of really, really tired and really, really manic because I'm really, really tired, which will hopefully get us through an episode talking about us going against one of the better teams in the league and me hopefully being able to provide some level of entertainment as opposed to you just being horrifically depressed at the prospect of, you know, playing Man City.
00:00:44
Zak
Or whatever TLDR you want. Yeah, fine. There go. Much better. Yeah.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
that Look, we the press conference is in we've had the team news, we've been told there are no injuries and we're fully fit for all of the credit we give that.
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, we talked on the podcast before last week about how we take nothing from those actual words, right? So, I I don't know, mate.
00:01:13
Zak
It's
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do we do heading into this?
00:01:17
Zak
a bit of a weird presser. not going lie. I feel like, you know, it's like, what I meant to do? Announce stuff over the Tanoid? I'm like, no. Also, can't really doubt the words he was talking about the skullduggery, right?
00:01:30
Zak
We've always talked about the fact that no one a press conference is going to go out and be like, well, yeah, he did he has gone away. Matty Fernandez went on a holiday, so he he you know went on a trip see his family, so he might be a bit tired tomorrow, so I don't know how long I'm going to play. like that isn't But it for me, it does kind of defeat the object of what's the point of a press conference then?
00:01:49
Zak
If it's just going to be like 25 minutes of lying, in Juric's case, it's like three
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. Yes. No, no, no.
00:01:57
Zak
Yes, no, no, no, yes.
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:59
Zak
It's kind of... Yeah, I guess like it's they have to do that bit, right? And it's all about build-up to the game. And I can understand... i I think, again, it's just like a consistent underestimating of of the vitriol that you are going to face when your team has been this bad.
00:02:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:14
Zak
And like i think that even any anything that could be slightly perceived as sort of...
00:02:22
Zak
Not aggression, that's the wrong word. Anything that could be sort of seen even slightly as palming off the fans is going to get an annoyed reaction from fans. Because we get they they get paid to sit where they are.
00:02:34
Zak
We have to pay to sit where we are. I think that's the, that's always going to be the big divide. And, you know, you should never, fans should never rule the roost, but ultimately we're going to be here long before, we you know, we're here long before they ever joined the club and we'll still be here long before the club, you know, they've left.
Fan Frustrations and Expectations
00:02:51
Zak
So yeah, it's it's a, so it's a rock and a hard place.
00:02:56
Zak
It's good that they were upset and frustrated. i don't know how much cadence I take from the fact that they they want to end the season on a high starting with Man City. I'm like, you know what? If you'd started it with Leicester, would have been a lot easier.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
my If we just started it back in August, like...
00:03:17
Zak
What do you mean? We had that, like, penalty against the Newcastle, which we missed, right? No, the red card, Dan Byrne got sent off as Dan Byrne?
00:03:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:25
Zak
It's why all Newcastle fans hate Ben Brereton-Diaz, right?
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
We lost that game as well. Yeah.
00:03:29
Zak
and And, like, even mug us off when we mug us mugged us off when we got relegated because they didn't like him. And it's like, mate, he's not even our club anymore. Who knows where he's going to be next season? said But you're right, if...
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Set the season off off ah with a high where we, you know performed for 60 minutes and still lost, which really set the set the scene for where the rest of the season was headed.
00:03:51
Zak
i i just I just think that, again, for me, all of this like press conference today and all of the talk around the City game, it just massively shows the size of the job that anyone that's coming in is going to have to deal with.
00:04:07
Zak
And I don't know if you've seen today, Alfie House was talking about how Roel's been in Germany. He's been talking about how he wants to manage the Bundesliga or alternatively the Premier League.
00:04:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or the Premier League. Yeah.
00:04:18
Zak
So that's now what? Roel, who probably, basically, if he gets a job in the Bundesliga offered to him or Premier League, is probably not going to come to us. Liam Rossini, who's you know signed a new contract with Strasbourg, but has said, I'll happily go to the Premier League.
00:04:34
Zak
it is that whole kind of thing where why, i don't know what it is about the fact that we seem to think we're going to get all of the candidates that we want and that we, we're being funny about the candidates we want.
00:04:46
Zak
And like most of them, Yeah, I'm going to look at Southampton realistically as an attractive prospect. It's almost like we want a Premier League manager. Now we've gone down rather than when we went up.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:00
Zak
Because, you know, we can we can talk about the past and we can talk about mistakes made and, you know, decisions could have been better. And you think about back to the the sort of Atkins and being sacked off and then Pochettino coming in and us being really mad about it, but it being really shrewd decision at the time.
00:05:16
Zak
we can have all of these sort of conversations, but ultimately it's a moot point.
Leadership Challenges and Management
00:05:20
Zak
We're going to have to look at in who, in sort of two to three weeks time, who is actually going to be available. Obviously, once the championship season fully comes to an end and those managers can then, you know, do whatever, I think it will get a little bit more spicy and a little bit more interesting.
00:05:34
Zak
But, I just think we are such a project and I think that you really want to have somebody that's motivated for that. And I do worry, you know, about some of the, a lot of the people we're being linked with.
00:05:45
Zak
I keep using the word sort of young and ambitious, but the problem with that ambition is that that ambition outstrips Southampton a lot of the time. That's that's kind of my my worry. And then I'm also seeing people now happy to settle for sort of, okay, here's a question for you, Greg.
00:06:02
Zak
Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard or Gary O'Neill?
00:06:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, no thanks.
00:06:08
Zak
No, but b if you had to, if you had to pick one, because the amount of people I've seen that could be happy to have Frank Lampard because he's done well with Coventry, it's quite quite quite a lot more than I'd expect.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:06:19
Zak
but But we might end up in a position where those are like our realistic choices. And that's, yeah, it's...
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, guns ahead. Steven Gerrard, because maybe my wife would come and watch more games with me. Uh,
00:06:34
Zak
And again, this is why I hope for some like complete outlier from the K-League none of us have heard about, where I had to do an entire... re Like the research episode I did in Spores, where there's just no information on the guy.
00:06:44
Zak
So you have to dig deep into articles that are years old, or what in Spores' case, his literal LinkedIn profile. Like having to watch videos that he'd done like a year ago to try and understand what the guy might be like.
00:06:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:57
Zak
So yeah, but... Well, I know that's a lot that I've just said in words to talk about a press conference for a game potentially we've got tomorrow. None of it's really about the press conference, but that's because they're annoyed and they want to try and do well.
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
they're right
00:07:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's like a tumultuous situation though, isn't it? Like... Like, regardless of how these games go, that's not really where people's focus or thoughts are.
00:07:20
Zak
No, and I think that's the problem.
00:07:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And if that's that's not ah the fans' focus and thoughts, how can we possibly expect the players to have
Player Motivation and Performance Issues
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
that focus? like Yeah.
00:07:29
Zak
It's very, very good point. And I think it's... My only counter to that, mate, is the fact that they're paid a lot of money. a truckload of money to do the job that they have to do.
00:07:42
Zak
And...
00:07:44
Zak
No, you're right. you're You're right. ah Yeah, you're right. They're still going to get paid either way. so But it is is one of those things where, like, what motivation do you need? I'm like, i don't know. The thousands of pounds you're being paid do your job. Like...
00:07:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
it?
00:07:58
Zak
but it's probably, you know, we we there are a multitude of factors at play here for sure. But yeah, you're you're right. I think that there's not, there can't be a focus on it as much as we'd like there to be because it's, there's nothing to play for anymore.
00:08:13
Zak
And you're right.
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
mayor
00:08:14
Zak
It's pre preseason. Previously, I said, I thought that the points record was super important. I just don't think it is anymore.
00:08:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:08:19
Zak
Like now well now we've matched the joint worst Premier League team of all time. It's not as bad as being the worst. So Is what it is. I
00:08:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, is being the worst team in history on goal difference like just as embarrassing? Would it even be embarrassing enough to score less points had to do it on goal difference?
00:08:33
Zak
i think that...
00:08:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:38
Zak
we We've... We're there for a reason, is is where I'm at.
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:43
Zak
Like, we've we've had opportunity not... it's a not be that, you know, I was hoping that that would be enough of a motivation to get them all playing again. We've seen like weird sparks where somehow for like a game or half a game, we'll put performance together and then it will collapse and the mentality breaks. And again, I think just everyone at the club is exhausted.
00:09:05
Zak
Players alike, staff alike, fans specific, like especially so. unsurprisingly, because, you know, I can't help but rave enough about the fact that we, you know, people can mug off our support and be like, oh, they not it's not like Newcastle and stuff like that.
00:09:19
Zak
Or it's not like, you know, it's not like, but it's like, mate, we're still going up and down the country, like week in, week out to watch, to to every away game to watch, you know, you hear us singing, it's mad.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
About every weekend.
00:09:32
Zak
And the self-deprecating humour is obviously a very, very British way of dealing with it all. And we do it very, very well. And I just think that, yeah, all I can hope for is that off the back of this, you know, they still want them to believe and they still hope they can get something. And I think that if my expectations are ah ah so low when we get to small predictions that anything above that is better, that that can mean that I only have a good Saturday regardless of result, right?
00:10:02
Zak
But we'll get to that once we talk about some lineups later.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
see how that one plays out. Yeah, okay. Well, let's ah let's move it on to team lineups. But first, a message from our partners Bionic.
00:10:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back.
Match Strategy and Lineup Speculations
00:10:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alright. We sucked against Leicester. Right? We were awful. Now, that was a team that previously, I think we would both agree, has probably been our best XI.
00:11:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
the The options off the bench didn't fill us with confidence. So... What's your line-up looking like for tomorrow?
00:11:13
Zak
it's going to be the same, right? Like the entire point of this was to, uh, Russ talked about the presser, like trying to get our average goals conceded from three to like, he's got it down to 1.5. That's massive. I'm 1.5 is still, still, still more than zero.
00:11:29
Zak
it's a really weird, like sort of place to be, but I guess, I guess on the paper that's progress.
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:36
Zak
I don't know if you've seen the sort of discussion around Wellington and him not really getting a chance and not because they they don't want, they think he's good.
00:11:44
Zak
It's to have the kind of the stability of what's going to Ramsdale, Manning, Stevens, Bendereck, Hartwood-Bellis and Carl Walker-Peters at the back, right?
00:11:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
i didn't Manning rubbish game and Stevens had a stinker.
00:11:57
Zak
Yeah. Yep.
00:12:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Spin them off and put two more strikers on. It doesn't matter, right?
00:12:04
Zak
Just go forward back, yeah?
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, look, right. we have played We have played five at the back and two holding midfielders and consistently conceded three goals.
00:12:07
Zak
It's City anyway, right?
00:12:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if you just accept that Man City are probably going to score five, the plan becomes, don't worry about that, just try and score six. Let's play 11 attackers and just have the most incredible game of football you've ever seen.
00:12:28
Zak
left I don't even think even if we put 11 attackers on the field, mate, we'd still get a shot off, if I'm totally honest. ah ah but they they They would all want to pass it to each other. Maybe they're too, you know, to too kind to one another. But okay, so it's back back to the realistic line-up. So it's going to be the back five when we like or not.
00:12:46
Zak
It's gonna be down Zunogacuq in the middle of the park because we're not gonna change that. Aribo hasn't had a look in since Ruska's been in. Literally, I think it was like started to pretty much every game up to that point and then just hasn't even been in and around the team.
00:12:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not in anywhere, right?
00:13:01
Zak
He he wants Fernandes to be, you know, he wants Fernandes to be playing a pivotal role.
00:13:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Center back, forward.
00:13:08
Zak
So Fernandes starts, we know that.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:10
Zak
Solomar will start.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, you can't not start Fernandez after five minutes of chanting his name.
00:13:15
Zak
Correct.
00:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would be absolutely ludicrous.
00:13:20
Zak
so So if we've got Fernandes and then we've also got Solomar, who have we got up front? It's just going to be a choice between Paul and Stuart.
00:13:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:28
Zak
Probably Stuart again.
00:13:30
Zak
i do feel bad for him. I saw some of the interview or some of the conversation around his sort of dark, lonely days on the training field and trying to get himself back from injury. And yes, it it's awful.
00:13:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gone from dark, lonely days on the training field to dark, lonely days stuck at the top of the pitch with no one willing to pass you the ball.
00:13:41
Zak
hey
00:13:44
Zak
Yeah, like you can see the frustration being apt.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three touches.
00:13:47
Zak
And ah I don't know if it's just because like Paul's really tall. So then they just think to kick at him because they're like, oh, it must hit him. And because Ross isn't as tall as Paul, despite the fact he's got good holdup game.
00:13:58
Zak
Like maybe they're just like, oh, well, if I hit it to him, he might not get it. You don't know if it's just like a psychological thing at this point, or it's just the fact that, you know, we we weirdly reverted to some sort of moss like Russell Martin ball last week, right? And then it just kind of showed why that doesn't work for us either.
00:14:16
Zak
so So yeah, like lineups wise, I just don't i don't see why they would change it. you'd think, well, we said such a bad game last game, they'll have to change it I'm like, uh-huh.
00:14:27
Zak
I still don't see... is the whole thing, right? like His whole thing at the moment is stability over anything else.
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
definition of insanity just getting horrible flashbacks to Russell Martin being in charge like just doing the same thing doesn't work
00:14:38
Zak
Yeah, but do do you not remember? This is this is very similar. Again, it's it's history repeating itself. it's It's very similar to Hassan Hütel being here, him going, Jones coming in for a couple of days, him being replaced by Sellis, and then Sellis trying to do sort of Hassan Hütel ball, but not really, but basically doing it, except without the level. And that's the problem, is they're trying to get them back to basics, but we're also very aware that they all now have this kind of ingrained thing in them,
00:15:08
Zak
to to play out from the back badly. And occasionally they're just going to do that. So yeah it's just, it's difficult. And it's it's it's even more difficult because you can see they talk about the amount of preparation they put into each game and every game start week starts afresh.
00:15:25
Zak
But then they go into the game and you wonder like, do they prepare to play the way that they play or does it all just collapse at the first sort of 10 to 15 minutes? And if you're a manager at that point and you've set up your team to play a specific way and they just stopped doing what you've asked them to do,
00:15:41
Zak
and You have no authority, because especially if you're an interim manager. or do What do you do to deal with that, I guess is my question. And I think that's the problem at the moment, is that we we lack a we lack an identity.
00:15:52
Zak
We've had a couple of games where we've been really hard to play games. We've had a couple of games where well we don't they don't look like they should be at the bottom of the Premier League with like three points for 80 minutes, and then then we'll show why, because someone it will score and then it will just become a goal first. So it's it's really difficult...
00:16:10
Zak
to predict positively a game against a significantly stronger side than us when the entirety of the history of this year and this, you know, this season, it goes against us, right?
00:16:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:16:26
Zak
don't know. What are your thoughts? Do you think there'll be any changes? What changes, well, I guess, would you like to see? Because, you know, I'm very verminate in the fact they're probably going to keep it the same, because why would they not?
00:16:37
Zak
Yeah.
00:16:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I really hate playing with a back five. I'd like to see a swap to a back four. I don't see him dropping Steven.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
so I don't know.
00:16:51
Zak
Thank you.
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you're right. I don't think anything will change. It'll just be the same. And then because of that, we'll probably get beat 8-0. Whereas if we've, you know, made ah ah but maybe take off Howard Bellis...
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
sack off Manning and play a back four with don't know Yuki I guess
00:17:15
Zak
Well, you'd move Karl across to the left and you'd you'd move your Yuki to the right.
00:17:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah no
00:17:19
Zak
And again, like he's not really had a bit bit of a look in the team since Rusk's been in. And it's interesting to see as well, like between the three managers that we've had in charge for season, because we've had three managers in charge, who have sort of been their favourites and who they've decided to play and who are getting spots in week in, week out. Because again, Suleymane barely got a sniff under Martin, but despite in you know a couple of people's opinions being a lot poorer...
00:17:45
Zak
both you know the the tail end of the season after having you know a bit of a resurgence, he still managed to keep his place as well. So, yeah, it's very, in my my opinion, interesting to see...
00:17:58
Zak
who of the managers, you know, and who of the three managers we've had who they specifically like to play in, you wonder at the moment with with Rusk being in, like, is he playing, we've discussed this before as well, is he playing the strongest team to get the most points or is he playing people he knows are going to be here next season the end?
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I don't ah ah don't think don't think it's that because i think there are quite a few players in that starting XI that won't be here next season.
Team and Management Critiques
00:18:28
Zak
Yeah.
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So think it is playing what he thinks is the strongest XI and honestly, the upsetting thing is but these as easy as it is to shout out for change, I don't see an obvious way to make that starting eleven better from what we've got available.
00:18:29
Zak
I think originally we both... are well
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, don't
00:18:50
Zak
Ultimately, i think it's the same thing we say all season, mate. We're just not good enough. And that's no...
00:18:56
Zak
that's just the reality of the situation. we're we're We're not good enough. And that's due to a multitude of reasons. you know is it You can put it down to a combination of poor recruitment, poor management, poor club management, at least on the footballing side of things. It's the same stuff week in, week out, what we say, is a a combination of things that have got us into the position that we're currently in.
00:19:17
Zak
I just hope that it isn't ruthlessly put on display against a Manchester City side that supposedly, quote-unquote, are having a rough season.
00:19:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, it should be one of those days where they sniff blood in the water and just absolutely annihilate us.
00:19:28
Zak
ah That's all we can hope for, realistically. and
00:19:37
Zak
Or, you know, maybe maybe the optimism that you usually have could actually come out and somehow we get like a nil-nil and that that would be considered a massive result.
00:19:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:19:46
Zak
And...
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, well, let's move on to that.
00:19:47
Zak
yeah
00:19:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's get into our our actual score predictions. But first, a message from our partners at Zencaster. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
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Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:20:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so we are back. Zach, as always, I'm going throw you under the bus first, my friend. What are you thinking?
00:20:25
Zak
Well, if Haaland wants to match or even surpass Mo Salah, he's going to need to score another seven goals.
00:20:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
how big How big are we going?
00:20:35
Zak
So to so to to match him, if he scores eight goals, he surpasses him. If he comes back tomorrow and plays against us and gets those eight goals, that would be good.
00:20:47
Zak
An 8-0 loss isn't as bad as a loss. No, probably like 4-0 or something. LAUGHTER but Maybe Haaland scores as one or two, but like i could it it depends. like we over We'll either be able to drag out a board draw if we just defend the way that Rusk wants us to defend and everything goes into just not conceding and give up the idea of even scoring a goal.
00:21:14
Zak
Because if we're struggling this much for attacking opportunities against you know teams like Leicester... coming up attacking opportunities against City, it's it's really going to be like the sort of one-off chances we're probably going to get.
00:21:26
Zak
like like which Like what Archer had at like Arsenal and stuff like that, right? Except I just don't think that any of our strike force have the confidence at the moment to to get those goals.
00:21:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:21:35
Zak
So that's why I would say if we're lucky, best case scenario, in my opinion, will be a nil-nil. But if it gets bad, it could be easily four or five. That's kind of my opinion of it. I'm sorry that that's not a really optimistic take, but I feel like I would be doing everyone a disservice if I just lied through my teeth and went, yeah, we're going to win 2-1.
00:21:56
Zak
the idea that we keep a clean sheet is farcical in itself, but also if we put 11 men behind the ball and their entire job that whole game is to not put the ball in the back of our own net, I'm hoping that means we can come out with something. and But City are also City, right, is the other problem.
00:22:12
Zak
You've got players across that entire team that can change games in the but drop of a hat.
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Their backup 11 is worth more than our entire squad. So...
00:22:21
Zak
And again, that that alludes to what I was talking about yesterday, where this is precisely part of the problem, in my opinion, about the way that financial fair play rules are and the way that it is the gulf between the teams at the top and the bottom now.
00:22:35
Zak
But hey, what do I know?
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:36
Zak
I'm just an armchair pundit anyway, mate.
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alright, well... It's hard. This is hard for me.
00:22:45
Zak
Is he going to do it?
00:22:46
Zak
Is he going to predict the loss for the first time this season? Has it finally got to you?
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look,
00:22:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm feeling the least optimistic heading into this game.
00:22:54
Zak
Oh, I'm so sorry, Greg.
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I have felt all season. I have got feeling in my stomach.
00:22:57
Zak
I'm so sorry.
00:23:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
and and And the problem is the the rest of the season, I felt optimistic. So what this probably means is a 2-0 win.
00:23:07
Zak
yeah You had me there. You had me thinking, oh he's finally going to predict the loss. But no, you think that because you think we're to lose. You're trying to reverse psychology through your prediction that we're going to beat Man City 2-0.
00:23:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. One of them's going bounce off of Torpool's shin.
00:23:21
Zak
Where are two goals coming from to beat Man City?
00:23:30
Zak
Right.
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And one of them will come from Matty Fernandez. It'll be a wonder goal.
00:23:34
Zak
There we go, yeah. At least we're both in agreement that if a goal is to be scored, it it deserves to be Mati Fernandes.
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:40
Zak
So...
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. ah ah the I mean, let's face it, if Matty Fernandes scores against City at any point in the game, regardless of what happens the rest of the game, that stadium's going to be singing his name for the rest of the game.
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, that's...
00:23:55
Zak
Yeah. In in what what could be one of his last games for the club...
00:23:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's
00:24:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
bea bea ah It'll be 50... We'll go one nill up in the third minute. He'll score a header. And we'll probably get beat like sixteen one Like, Haaland will score a double hat-trick.
00:24:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Kevin De Bruyne will finish his farewell tour with some some magic. But he'll be fine, because Matty got his goal. And the party will be on.
Season Reflection and Hopes for Improvement
00:24:26
Zak
but it's fine because you actually predicted a 2-0 heard you sneak that in there right
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 2-0 win. Yeah, 2-0 win. That is... Look, when I've been feeling positive the rest of the year, it's not happened. So now I'm feeling rubbish about the game.
00:24:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's got to be the only way it can play out. That's just that's just how it rolls.
00:24:46
Zak
Interesting, interesting. We'll see what it we'll see we'll see we'll see how but how that confidence does you on Sunday night, mate. but so Because if it doesn't work the other way around, you're going to have to start coming up with new ideas to be able to predict wins.
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's fine, mate. Look, we've got plenty of excuses left in this season. We've got the last day at Goodison Park and then, the you know, what anything can happen on the final day of the season and then...
00:25:06
Zak
Yep.
00:25:11
Zak
It's the fact that it's final day and also Arsenal's revenge tour after being knocked out of the Champions League. So, you know, I locked out of the Champions League, not going to win the Premier League, you're not going to win anything else.
00:25:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
No,
00:25:20
Zak
So get mad, question mark?
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
they'll just be on the beach. Yeah. It'll be beach football. That's all it's going to be. Both teams fully mentally checked out with nothing to play for.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's
00:25:35
Zak
Oh...
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
pre-season in a nutshell, mate.
00:25:38
Zak
But, mate, after this, there's only two games left, which then puts us on a a small break for however many months, which I'm sure will fly by.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Thank God.
00:25:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:49
Zak
However, bit weird, isn't it?
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Crazy.
00:25:52
Zak
Yeah, crazy. Well, I'm sure we'll do like an end-of-season review.
00:25:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll wait to look back through my start of the season predictions and see how awful they were.
00:26:01
Zak
Oh, mate, for sure, for sure. You already had us predicting. Oh, well, obviously we'll beat these teams, and now it's like, can we even stream five passes together in a row without being dispossessed?
00:26:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, a gentle reminder, mate, that we are still not even at as many points as as high as I put us in the table. So...
00:26:21
Zak
Oh, mate, being a Saints fan this year has been... I feel like if if anyone comes out the other end of it, and and we're all still fans, we're all still looking forward to the games next year, it shows you the endurance of a man, in my opinion.
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's just It's just character building. You've got to have these low times to enjoy the highs.
00:26:39
Zak
yeah, but so was low.
00:26:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
we've really earned We've really earned some highs, right? Like...
00:26:43
Zak
we We really, really have. ah calmt I can't wait for us to lose our entire list of the ship as we're celebrating five new wins and we get bored of it. wonder what that's like. but
00:26:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, we will find out. All right, well, that is just about all we've got time for today.
Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement
00:26:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
as always, Zach, thank you very much for joining me
00:27:00
Zak
Thank very much, mate.
00:27:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everyone, thank you very much for listening. Let us know your score predictions in the comments. Hit us up on all of the social medias. We're on all of them. just just Just any of them.
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're there. will be back on Monday, come what may. it a... be it i copy and paste episode about how we performed for 70 minutes and lost, or a surprising celebration as we predict my prediction comes true.
00:27:25
Zak
yeah
00:27:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will see how that plays out, but we'll be back then. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone.
00:27:44
Zak
Let's go do neutral, baby.