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Newcastle 1 Wolves 0: Prep Game for Barcelona?
0 Playsin 6 hours
Iain hosts Michael and Kevin to review the victory over Wolves on Saturday, to discuss the promise of Big Nick's match-winning performance and to assess whether this first win of the season is sufficient preparation to take on Barcelona on Thursday.
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Transcript
Show Introduction and Guest Features
00:00:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to The Daily Newcastle. My name is Ian Mackay. I am your host today and I'm i'm joined um joined by the masculine side of the team.
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
First of all, Mr. Kevin Esther, an unexpected stand-in for Joanne, who's too busy doing girly things. How you doing, Kev?
00:00:38
KEV
Yeah, I love being a last minute sub. and I told you on it on an episode recently, I said, now the kids are getting a little bit older, right? I've got a chance of being on more. think this is my third one of week. Puzzin.
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
said One in a week.
00:00:48
KEV
Can't wait for it.
00:00:49
Michael
ah ah
00:00:49
KEV
Can't wait for it. Back to three a week.
00:00:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, me and Michael are on three a day sometimes, ill tell you. I'm joined also by Mr.
Match Reflections and Analysis
00:00:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael Grameslaw. How are you doing, Michael?
00:00:59
Michael
Yeah, doing very well, mate. Much better. after finally seeing the team get three points on the board.
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I've got to pause here. Apologise, first of all, for not joining you for the immediate aftermath reaction last night, but also to to thank Mr.
00:01:13
Michael
It's all right.
00:01:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kevin Esther, who magicked a ticket out of nowhere at about half ten on a Saturday night. It was because your brother couldn't make it, wasn't it?
00:01:25
KEV
Yeah, last minute.
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I went and had a look at the actual game itself. And Kev saw me. He's photographed me on the terraces. I could not see where you were, though, but I've got a picture of me looking quite fat and gornless, me black and white top, staring into space, looking for where Kev was.
00:01:39
KEV
Looking brilliant. Looking brilliant.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I was actually looking straight down his bloody camera, but I still didn't see him. Never mind. Never mind, I did manage a pint afterwards with Joanne and the strawberry. So yeah, was all very good.
00:01:53
Michael
Happy days.
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, what a lovely match that was. And i yeah got out of the car, ready to park up, checked team news and thought, oh, it's kind of what we were expecting, isn't it?
00:02:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
What did you think of the selection, Michael?
00:02:09
Michael
Yeah.
00:02:11
Michael
Yeah, I thought it was one of those. i thought he might have been tempted to play a Langer just because I think... yeah You've got a £50m winger there. You really do want to play him. But I mentioned when we did the preview, us three, that I think if when you're embedding new striker, you need two wingers who play that system all the time to just get balls into the box and get the byline.
00:02:33
Michael
So he knows what to expect going forward. And, well, spoiler, that happened, at least on one side of the pitch. There was another side that wasn't great, but I'm sure we'll get to that.
00:02:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
We will get to that, no doubt.
00:02:44
KEV
Well, I did say on the team selection, I said I wanted a Langer on the left and Murphy on the right.
00:02:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kevin. Kevin.
00:02:50
KEV
yeah
00:02:51
Michael
Maybe that would have worked better.
00:02:51
KEV
Mainly because we all know we all know Murphy was the charger for EZAC. So we sold a very expensive iPhone and kept the charger. And Murphy now works compatibly with Volta Mara.
00:03:02
KEV
So we're laughing, but I did want a Langer on my left.
00:03:03
Michael
ah fact Yeah, very.
00:03:05
KEV
I mean, Barnes, Barnes was... I don't like being mega negative, but Christ, he was poor, wasn't he?
00:03:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was, it
00:03:13
Michael
ah the well It's everything we've come to expect from him, to be honest, at the minute.
00:03:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
i was. so I was delighted to see the Joe Linton, Tonali, Gamarish midfield intact.
00:03:27
Michael
Yeah.
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Despite our fears that Bruno might be a bit jet-lagged and haven't played at high altitude, that we might start with Miley in the middle. um I'd be honest, during the course of the game, Bruno looked a little bit like he was a bit jet-lagged.
00:03:41
Michael
yeah
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And maybe we could have started with Miley and brought Bruno on for the last 20 minutes to keep him super fresh for Barcelona game. Because he did give the ball away a lot for Bruno, I thought.
00:03:54
KEV
Yeah.
00:03:55
Michael
Yeah, 100%.
00:03:55
KEV
He did. He did.
00:03:57
Michael
It was one of his worst games, I think. But you mentioned in the preview, like he is coming back from Brazil. And Kev said it after the game as well. like You are never going to do that kind of travel and then be 100% fit for the next game.
00:04:09
Michael
And the fact that Bruno can have arguably one of his worst games in a Newcastle shirt and still be you know not terrible, it just tells you how good he is.
00:04:17
KEV
Yeah, six out ten.
00:04:19
Michael
Yeah.
00:04:19
KEV
Yeah. ah think I think for Bruno, was like Michael said there, when I messaged you guys after the game, I was like, it must have been so difficult just physically for him. and But for me, he was still winning the three kicks in the last like five minutes when we needed him, especially one down the left-hand side corner at the Leeds' end.
00:04:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:36
KEV
It was pretty... Actually, that was carnage. But Fabian Shaw comes belting out and does a Maradona roulette into Bruno. and And Bruno goes down and wins a foul and just think, God, that's why he's in the team. He had another one.
00:04:48
KEV
air towards Gallagher on the right wing where won a free kick, which he had no right to win. I just think, even if he's not having the best game, that character and that fight and that sheer willingness to win and is a massive, massive
Midfield and Defense Discussions
00:05:01
KEV
help. And I think also there's a little bit of sadness in it.
00:05:04
KEV
It also tells you the gap between, I mean, Ramsey's injured, so this isn't anything against Ramsey, but it tells you the gap between a 50% Bruno or a 40% Bruno and a fully fit Willick and Miley at the minute it was too big of a gap, I think, where you can't bring Bruno, Tonali or Joel in and out.
00:05:21
KEV
Maybe with Ramsey, you might be able to, but he's out for six weeks, isn't he? So, hopefully.
00:05:24
Michael
It seems that way, yeah.
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Well, i I don't know. i think I mean, I said I was really pleased that all three of them started. And, you know, certainly in the first half, it was working once we got up to speed. um But I don't know. I think Miley's got to be trusted. to this if this is to be his breakout season, you've got to trust him.
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if you can't trust him at home to the team bottom of the league, when can you trust him? You know, we had to trust him when he was playing away at PSG two years ago, when he was playing away at AC Milan two years ago.
00:05:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he did fine. um I just think, you know, he needs some game time. That would have been a great game to start him in and personally. But as I say, I wasn't disappointed that Bruno was there. I just thought by the end, maybe Bruno could have done with her with a half off and been a bit fresher for for Thursday.
00:06:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So was there anybody else left on the bench? What about the defence? I mean, we keep starting Shah and Byrne. And I know they're brilliant. Three clean sheets out four. But can they start every game? Are they just going to play every game until one of them gets injured?
00:06:29
KEV
um I mean...
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael?
00:06:31
Michael
I think it's it's one of those where it will just come off the international break. Byrne didn't play the second game ah for England, ah did play the first. Fabian Scherz retired from international football. So I think this is one of those times where the two probably can, you know, you can keep playing them.
00:06:47
Michael
I think it's going to be one of those where you get to maybe October, November, where the games start piling up a little bit more, where you start to see different combinations. Botman and Cher will be a little bit more than maybe we'll see Botman and Malik Tiao or Bern and Malik Tiao.
00:07:02
Michael
Because, you know, both Botman and Tiao... as backup centre-backs on the bench, that is probably better than anyone in the league, really.
00:07:08
KEV
That's insane, isn't it?
00:07:11
Michael
um But they those two probably will be the starting centre-backs, I think, at the end of the season.
00:07:11
KEV
Yeah.
00:07:17
Michael
But right now, Fabian Schoen and Dan Byrne in the first half both made some excellent contributions to keep winning the game. So I do have to say, I want Bottman and Chiao in there eventually, but you can't argue against taking either of those out.
00:07:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's true, Michael. I agree. i agree. and But there are echoes of something I was saying running up to the cup final at the end of last season about how it was a squad game.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eddie keeps picking these favourites and it it catches up eventually. It does catch up. But I hear what you're saying. It's at the start of the run, so they're all fit. So you might as well be playing them to get them tired before you make the changes.
00:07:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. But what ah what a solid defensive performance we have produced. in his first four games. They're excellent. Three clean sheets. I know Liverpool scored three, but they only had 0.65 XG in that game.
00:08:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Didn't get in the box, didn't shoot in the box.
00:08:15
Michael
Yep. yep
00:08:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It's shaped up to be the sort of season like it was two years ago, where it's all built on only losing three times throughout the entire season.
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that a winning formula in the Champions League or in the Premier League? you like it?
00:08:36
KEV
for I think if you if you only lose three times in a season, you yeah you can't complain about That's incredible. But I think just going back to the rotation, what you werere talking about as well, very briefly, I think the timing had a lot to do with it. So not particularly international breaks, like Michael said, I think that does have something with. But I think if we already had six points on the board, Miley might have started and Bruno might have been, but we were desperate for a win, weren't we?
00:09:00
KEV
So I think later on in the season, like Michael said, in terms of October, November, when you maybe sat comfortably in third or fourth,
00:09:00
Michael
we were Yeah.
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's true.
00:09:06
KEV
and when you're defensively solid with that back five, including the keeper, obviously, then I think you might see more rotation.
00:09:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:09:13
KEV
But going to what you said about the defensive, I love being solid defensively. um I think any everybody does.
00:09:18
Michael
yeah
00:09:19
KEV
I think everyone's said for years, haven't we, defences win league titles? I'm not saying we're going to the league title, but the way we've started, It's a very promising, promising way. I know the Liverpool game was, I mean, we had 10 men and it was unbelievable to get back to all anyway.
00:09:32
Michael
Thank you.
00:09:32
KEV
So think you can almost take that one out of a defensive record for me. um And going back to the other thing you said about the defence with... Eddie picking his favourites. I think he would become a favourite by being trusted.
00:09:43
KEV
And if Fabian Shaw was 10 years younger, we'd be losing him for 90, 100 million at Real Madrid, I think.
00:09:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:09:49
KEV
He was so, so, so good. Amazing on the board. His passing was bang on. He dealt with their big striker really well. and he made it, he made it was as good as a goal the first half. The ball came flashing across the box and shot up, put it behind for a corner.
00:10:03
KEV
That's as good as a goal because if Wolves score there, the tails are up, they started well and we're in trouble and we're against it. And then Burn equally one-on-one with Wolves striker again in the box, made a sliding tackle where he just hooked his left leg around the Gallagher end and kept it in. So them two contributions alone for me are as good as goals. So I think it's a great
Player Performance Highlights
00:10:22
KEV
way to be. Yes, we all want to see expansive attack in football, but...
00:10:25
KEV
I mean, if you're not conceding goals, you're not going to lose many games without trying to sound like Mike alone.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah That's true. That's true. Just to finish off on the defence, I think it's got to be noted. Nick Pope. Nick Pope's been reborn this season, hasn't he?
00:10:39
KEV
Brilliant.
00:10:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's still a great shot stopper, but actually his distribution's not bad at all now.
00:10:40
Michael
Excellent.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's looking far more assured.
00:10:45
Michael
That was good.
00:10:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's quick.
00:10:47
KEV
Competition.
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's throwing it out. Ramsdale must be having a word with him in training or he's copying off him. I don't know. But, yeah, I mean, I know it's meant be competition and we think Ramsdale was going to take over from Pope.
00:10:54
Michael
Hmm.
00:10:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was our assumption.
00:11:00
Michael
Yeah.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ramsdale can't get a look in yet. He hasn't put a foot wrong. ah I've cursed him for Thursday now, of course.
00:11:05
KEV
I agree. Yep, that's it. Two clangers against Barca. ah
00:11:10
Michael
You hate to see it.
00:11:11
KEV
It's only Wolves.
00:11:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, look, that was, that's it's grand. I know you looked at it almost kick by kick, like yesterday, Michael. We're not going to do that. I'm going to do the ad for Bionique, and we'll come back and just examine how exciting having Big Nick as centre forward is for us.
00:11:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:12:02
Michael
you
00:12:10
KEV
Thank you.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're back for part two and we're going to talk about Nick Valtamade. Kevin, you put me in a seat where I'm sitting, perfect height, perfect angle to watch that ball from Murphy drop to see Valtamade take two paces back to lose the centre half, rise majestically like an eagle and thump that ball into the back of the net.
00:12:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a goal that was. And he doesn't score headers, you know, that's not what he's in the team for.
00:12:50
Michael
Hmm. Hmm.
00:12:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, so many really good touches in the first half. I mean, I know he tired. Apparently he came off at 65 minutes because the cramp was doing him in because he'd run so hard, but what a fabulous, what a fabulous debut to make.
00:13:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He trained, he'd had two full training sessions with his team. He was waiting for a cross from Murphy because Murphy told him he crossed it a lot. Apparently that was um as much as, uh, as much planning as they had for that sort of thing.
00:13:14
KEV
Of course, Murphy just said to him, I cut the ball off.
00:13:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, yeah, just keep watching for the crosses. Um, each of you. I'll come to you first, Kev. What pleased you about Volta Mada's performance, apart from everything?
00:13:27
KEV
Oh, have everything. I'm falling in love with a striker already and it's one game. I mean, I'm normally so calm and I'm like, I give him a chance. This could just be a Pertapatch. no and No, no, no, no.
00:13:38
KEV
This guy's my new favourite player. and You're right. Hedden isn't apparently his strength, but he had, for me, I think his strength is intelligence just from one game. I mean, I could be miles off it here, but The acknowledgement to peel away from defender, because he clearly read the flight of the ball better than the centre-half. He clearly knew he had to take them two paces back, and that got him in the right position, and he handled being in that position brilliantly.
00:14:03
KEV
and ah thought it was a fantastic header.
00:14:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
know
00:14:05
KEV
Not as easy as what maybe some people on Match of the Day just said, oh yeah, he heads it in. he just He doesn't just head it in. That's an insane header.
00:14:10
Michael
Yeah.
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
and okay It's behind him a little bit isn't it?
00:14:12
KEV
It's behind him.
00:14:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean he really has to crane his neck get him
00:14:14
KEV
He's leaning. He's Jumping off his left foot when his right foot's so strong, it's it's a very, very, very difficult header and he does very well to place it where he does. But there was a couple incidents, like you said, there was a pullback across the box which wasn't meant for Valtemar, but he was intelligent enough to realise that, I can't remember who made the run, the player had already made the run and the ball was going to go behind him, so Valtemar dropped right to the edge of the box and picked the ball up and laid it back to Murphy.
00:14:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I started to
00:14:37
KEV
He just seems like a very intelligent player.
00:14:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that question is your new favorite thing of destination.
00:14:39
KEV
And that incident... and was it yes the first half when Barnes was offside we scored Barnes was offside I think Murphy put it in the end um
00:14:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
think you're crazy. It's creepy. Yeah, you did question. It's not question. It's a question. It's a question. It's question.
00:14:48
KEV
He gets a ball with three or four around him and he's just so calm.
00:14:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a question. It's a question. It's a question. It's question.
00:14:51
KEV
That's why i call him Fernando Berber crouch, right?
00:14:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a question. It's question. It's a question.
00:14:53
KEV
He's got the pace of Fernando Torres, the touch and the class of Berber Tov and his goal was a Peter Crouch goal, wasn't it?
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's question. It's a question. It's a question.
00:15:00
KEV
So Fernando Berber crouch.
00:15:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
a question.
00:15:01
KEV
But it was the composure, four players around him, chipped over into Barnes.
00:15:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's question. It's a question. It's question. It's a question. It's a question.
00:15:05
KEV
Barnes obviously didn't time his run right, but he was closer on what I thought when I saw the replay.
00:15:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's question. I explore 15 dimensions of the ancient times. I'm not a citizen.
00:15:09
KEV
I thought live, I thought five miles of not going to celebrate this.
00:15:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe by the time I'm a citizen of the government.
00:15:12
KEV
um but actually when matchup it was a matchup with the Sky Sports showed it he was actually very very close and but yeah I love him I think so far he just looks very intelligent and I think he'll fit in fantastically well I think he'll be able to adapt with different players I think we'll see a different type of Volta Mata when it's a Langer and Gordon I think he might drop into almost a false 9 or 10 and let their pace just
00:15:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's lot of people who are in the world. It's perfect way. Anyway, I told you my clients, which is a great place. A bunch of other people who are in the world.
00:15:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
They just become a citizen of the future. I'm not a citizen of the world.
00:15:33
KEV
come inside and create, like, go into the space he creates centrally when he comes deep.
00:15:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not a citizen of the world.
00:15:37
KEV
So I think he can play different with different players. With Murphy and Barnes, he can be that big Peter Crouch type player. And with Alanga and Gordon, he can be the Berbatov. So, yeah, I love him. Absolutely love the bloke. I hope he's here for the next 15 years and he's not another Carl Court. I don't think he will be, but yeah.
00:15:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you did look as good on telly, Michael?
00:15:57
Michael
Yeah, he was absolutely fantastic for me. i mean, I mentioned yesterday he was involved in everything. And when I looked afterwards, he had less touches of the ball than any other player who started the game.
00:16:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:16:10
Michael
But he arguably did the most off and on the ball. I remember ah number of times where he came either to the right wing or into our own half to try and win the ball back. And I'm sitting there going, that's our striker.
00:16:23
Michael
What is he doing there? And that sort of work ethic reminds me quite a bit of a young Harry Kane.
00:16:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
h
00:16:29
Michael
I'm not saying he's going to score the goals of a young Harry Kane. If he gets half as many, I'll be a very happy man.
00:16:33
KEV
He's going to double what Cain's going.
00:16:37
Michael
A lot of people think Harry Kane's terrible, so he might just do that.
00:16:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have a crouch.
00:16:42
Michael
But six foot six great intelligence, the work ethic of Miguel Almiron. I'm sitting there thinking, who have we signed?
00:16:48
KEV
Oh, yeah. Miguel Berber, Miguel Berber Crouch, maybe we'll train you.
00:16:54
Michael
ah i Honestly, he was fantastic.
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
burber crouch
00:16:57
Michael
And maybe it was just the debut sort of adrenaline, but if he does that every other game, he's going to be very, very happy on Tyneside.
00:17:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, i I agree, but but there's ah there's a nag. I've got this nag in the back of my head. When Wiss has fit, hopefully in days rather than months, where does he fit into the team?
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where do we pick him? If we've got an actual nippy number nine leading the line, playing centre-forward, where does he go?
00:17:31
KEV
I think it's
00:17:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
There, you've got two and a half minutes to answer that between you.
00:17:35
KEV
a...
00:17:35
Michael
Thank you.
00:17:36
KEV
I'll only take a minute, I think, because I think mine might not be bang accurate. But do you know when we had Isaac and Wilson in that season where we finished fourth and the times we would play together and Isaac went left wing? I don't think he'll do it this time.
00:17:47
KEV
I think what he'll do is take the midfielder out. ah Because like we said about the gap of that first three midfielders, the gap below them isn't quite there. I think if you take one out and go with 4-2-3-1, I don't think this will happen every game. But do you know, at home to a Wolves or at home to a ah Burnley where we're just going to sit back I think he can free up that midfielder, put Valtemar behind Wieser, or he can interlock.
00:18:08
KEV
But like Michael made a great point, if Valtemar is coming to our own half, look how much space there is for the wide men to come in.
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:18:14
KEV
So you could even play Wieser as a wide man, but I don't think he'll do that.
00:18:15
Michael
Yeah.
00:18:17
KEV
i think at home, it'll be the case of 4-2-3-1 with Valtemar in the 10 and Wieser through the middle. But I do think there's a possibility because Wieser did it at Brentford when Ivan Toni was there.
00:18:28
KEV
Wieser can play as like an inside forward on the right or left and he can kind of drift and intermingle. Gordon could be the third. He could kind of swap out.
00:18:39
KEV
um But yeah, I think it's very exciting. I think there's lots of options and i think it makes us more unpredictable. Sorry, Mike, I'll talk more than a minute there.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, Michael, is that is that the answer?
00:18:45
Michael
It's all right. meta
00:18:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where would you plan?
00:18:49
Michael
I would love to see that personally. um I think what ah will end up happening, I think it'll be a case of, let's be honest, we've got so many injuries. We always do. There'll always be a space for both players, but i think when everyone is fully fit, it depends on the opposition.
00:19:05
Michael
You're playing in a Wolves, as Kev mentioned. That's when a Volta Marla can start up front because Wiss has not going to get much time ah to get in and behind. And then if we're 1-0 up,
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
by saying it's
00:19:15
Michael
they're going to start trying to attack like Wolves did.
00:19:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
To God's he tooth.
00:19:16
Michael
I mean, it took them 75 minutes to do anything after the first five.
00:19:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
to mean, John Binksman, Scottish acting the most a fragile, snake, were molded, the same person who's the
00:19:20
Michael
and But that's when Wisser can come on and cause the damage against Barcelona.
00:19:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Baskin, Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Mr.
00:19:25
Michael
Let's say they're both fit this week. Start Vultimada against the likes of Wolves.
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Mr.
00:19:29
Michael
Start Wisser against Barcelona because Barcelona are going have so much of the ball, we're going to hit on the counter.
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Baskin, Mr. Mr. Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Baskin, Baskin, Mr.
00:19:35
Michael
And it almost meshes perfectly with Barnes, Murphy, Gordon, Alanga.
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Baskin, Mr. Mr. Baskin, Mr. Mr. Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Mr. Baskin, Baskin,
00:19:39
Michael
on the wings as well. So we can play pretty much any style as Kev said, and it just makes us so much harder to play against. So bring on the next game.
00:19:50
KEV
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I quite fancy 4-2-3-1 with Valtomada as the number 10. but ah But that mean that takes Joe Linton's place in the team. And there there'll be games where we need Joe Linton rather than a number 10, won't there?
00:20:02
Michael
Yeah.
00:20:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, horses for courses. That's going to be the answer. and I'm going to pause there and ask Michael to give us the Zencastr advert, because I'm interested and whether you think that was a decent enough preparation for the Barcelona game or not.
00:20:22
Michael
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we have spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. And Zencaster? Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and and yeah AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ours, it is super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:20:41
Michael
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster.
00:20:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zencaster is fantastic, but it's not going to be able to sort out a i yeah AI, AI, AI editing.
00:20:54
Michael
E-I-E-I-O.
00:20:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just, it's just not going to do that.
00:20:55
Michael
but
00:20:56
KEV
Up, up, up, yeah, league we go.
00:21:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, part three, looking forward. I thought it was a decent, um, decent enough prep people getting back from their international break. Um, I'd prefer Bruno not to have played the full 90 minutes because he did look shattered by the end of it. and But, you know, he's like Tonali, isn't he? They're like bloody Duracell bunnies.
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
They just keep going.
Upcoming Game Strategies
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Thursday against Barcelona. Are we absolutely sure? Certain. Put your mortgage on the fact that Gordon will start on the left wing and Barnes will sit it out.
00:21:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that would be my choice.
00:21:35
Michael
Yeah, I think we are.
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. Yes.
00:21:37
Michael
I think Barnes hasn't played well enough to cement his position.
00:21:40
KEV
Hmm.
00:21:40
Michael
If Barnes had a good game against Wolves, I think he would have kept his place. Eddie's loyal to players like that. you You do well. I'll keep you in the team. We saw when he played was putting Corkers in against Man United and stuff, he was still getting in.
00:21:53
Michael
But you have to let Gordon back in. Have a longer and Gordon on the wing for the first time.
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you pick Alanga rather than Murphy to start, would you? Because we're on the transition.
00:22:04
Michael
Against Barcelona, I would, yeah. I think if we'll... Yeah.
00:22:09
KEV
Yeah, I think that's a great... I think we might go five at the back and have 5-3-2 with Gordon and Isaac.
00:22:16
Michael
Who?
00:22:18
KEV
Gordon and Volta Marder. I mean... um Alex who? I don't even know who he is. He hasn't scored, has he? Valtemar has got more of a team.
00:22:23
Michael
Nah.
00:22:24
KEV
What?
00:22:24
Michael
Not even playing.
00:22:24
KEV
Anyway, I think we'll go 5-3-2 and I think it might be the five at the back with Botman.
00:22:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And.
00:22:29
KEV
um Almost like the Leeds team. I know it was a bit weird doing it against Leeds, but they actually have a ridiculously good home record.
00:22:31
Michael
You might be right, yeah.
00:22:36
KEV
I think with Barca being such an attacking team, if you've got gordon Gordon's pace up the pitch and then you've got obviously Valtemar to kind of drop deep and link it between the midfield and Gordon, I think you could be still dangerous on the counter.
00:22:49
KEV
If that all goes well, then we go kind of man for man, high press, try and beat it, but then sit deep once we get past the halfway line. I think once for Ty, you can bring on people like Alanga to come and maybe kill them off in that in that last 20 minutes. Hopefully, Wiss is fit. That's the thing.
00:23:05
KEV
He's only missed about two or three games for Brentford. We've got no idea idea if he's going to be ready for Barca.
00:23:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know.
00:23:10
KEV
um And if he is ready Barca, what a debut that is.
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
It looks...
00:23:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
It looks bad, though, doesn't it Because it's a knee injury, and he's been to see a specialist, and even 24 hours after released that news, more than 24 hours after that, he still has no update. It's not like he's phoned and gone, oh, it's fine this morning, actually. It you know was just a knock.
00:23:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not. I think it's an injury. I think he's out for a few weeks, but that's just my worries.
00:23:37
Michael
There was...
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I'm not that worried.
00:23:40
Michael
Yeah, there was content. There was um articles going out ah literally in the last hour saying that it looks like he's going to be out for four to five weeks.
00:23:48
KEV
oh Oh, Christ. He's only missed five weeks of his whole time in England combined.
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. but
00:23:54
Michael
Yeah.
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Never mind. um I agree with you, by the way. Whoever said 5-3-2.
00:24:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think, and I think that's got to be Sha Burn or Sha Botman-Burn.
00:24:03
Michael
Kev?
00:24:09
KEV
Yeah.
00:24:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
i would put I would put Hall in on the left side, wing back, rather than Antino across to the right and leave Trippier out. Purely from a pace angle, what do you think?
00:24:20
KEV
Hmm. yeah
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you keep hearing Trippier or would you want to see some pace?
00:24:28
Michael
ah
00:24:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're going to be up and down. and you need Again, you need some athletes, don't you? You need some fast athletes.
00:24:33
Michael
I wouldn't be putting Lewis Hall in for his first start against Barcelona, personally. I'd be keeping... Yeah, Trippier was one of our better players, apparently, according to other people. I didn't think he was that good yesterday, but um some places had him down as man of the match.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello.
00:24:48
Michael
um
00:24:48
KEV
Yeah.
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello.
00:24:49
Michael
Which, yeah, that's I didn't think that. But if you know he did put in a decent performance. He was slightly out of it at times. But I think when you're up against the attacking talent that Barcelona have, I'm aware Lewis Hall has kept Salah quiet.
00:25:02
Michael
He's kept Saka quiet.
00:25:03
KEV
Yeah, you know
00:25:03
Michael
But he wasn't even trusted to come. Was he trusted to come on yesterday? I don't think he was.
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, didn't come on.
00:25:09
Michael
ah No, didn't come on.
00:25:09
KEV
no, didn't come on.
00:25:10
Michael
So it's one of those where he's got, what, 60 minutes under his belt? Yeah. wouldn't be I can't ask him to start against Rafinha in that case.
00:25:19
KEV
Yeah, I am.
00:25:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, Rafinha is just a Leeds reject, though, isn't he?
00:25:26
KEV
I'd sell me soul from a return.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:25:29
Michael
ah I'd sell all of us all.
00:25:31
KEV
Yeah, I'd sell all of our souls on this pod without consent just to get a free new return. I think the whole one's a great question. i said I do get what Michael's saying. Coming in for your first first full 90 or your first start.
00:25:46
KEV
against kind of, I mean, there's no Yamal, thank God, but we'll come to that in about two minutes. um
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think if there if he's had a, he must have had a setback. Hall must have had a setback not to come on yesterday. Because if he hadn't had not a setback, that was a perfect opportunity for him.
00:26:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wolves at home. We're ahead. The defence is looking assured. Unless he's obviously fit and he just was getting saved because he's going to play against Barcelona.
00:26:14
KEV
I don't think any of us are, but but let's not underestimate Trippier's leadership of qualities.
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, he's been...
00:26:18
KEV
I know on the pitch, he wasn't fantastic at heart. I don't think he's had brilliant start of the season, Trippier. I there was a period last season when Trippier came back into a team and he was like with Trippier we first had and he was brilliant ah in terms of on the pitch.
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:26:32
KEV
Look how important he was in my cup final on last season. Just how calm he was on the ball.
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:26:36
KEV
Chestnut back, they were keeping calm and everything down. I think we're going to need that against Barcelona because there's going to be times we're going to be under the cosh. I think it's not going to sum it up properly, but um there's not many PC ways to sum up how think Barcelona are going to come at us.
00:26:49
KEV
So... Like I say, i think we need that leadership quality. I would love to see Hall and Tino with the three centre-halves because it really gives them licence to come into the midfield and help out or add a bit of width.
00:27:01
KEV
So I love the idea Ian's talking about, but I also understand Michael's kind of concerns where can you really bring him in? I don't think you set him up the field because think he's fantastic, but it's tough to come straight back in.
00:27:13
Michael
It's a big ask.
00:27:13
KEV
In an unfamiliar formation as well, I know we've done five at the back before with Hall, but he's used to four, so I think it'll be with five at the back, I think it'll be Trippier right and Tino left, bro.
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
i It's good of us, isn't it, Michael, for us to make our points so that Kevin can just sit on the fence all of the time.
00:27:32
KEV
I think Trippier right back, five at the back, there you go. I'm not going to do a Nicola.
00:27:35
Michael
There we go.
00:27:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent.
00:27:38
Michael
haven't contributed to this part.
00:27:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well... Well, she contributed more to this pod than the last one she did.
00:27:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, sorry.
00:27:44
Michael
Oh, Ian.
00:27:46
KEV
LAUGHTER
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bad. thats
00:27:47
KEV
She's in New York.
00:27:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, at least she's been mentioned.
00:27:48
KEV
enjoy Enjoy New York.
00:27:49
Michael
love you, Nick.
00:27:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
She's been mentioned in this pod, which was wasn't happening the last time.
00:27:49
KEV
Not much to listen to us.
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, was it was it a good prep? Yes or no? Michael.
00:28:02
Michael
No. No, absolutely not. um Barcelona will play a completely different way. um I think it's one of those where I would have preferred to have played a team that would have liked to have had a bit more of the possession, played a bit i'm quicker with the ball, let's be honest.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm
00:28:17
Michael
Wolves were about as as Kev's children, I assume at the moment, yeah.
00:28:24
KEV
Yeah.
00:28:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
not going to be able to do it.
00:28:25
Michael
Yeah.
00:28:25
KEV
Well, one of them's pretty two-flinch.
00:28:26
Michael
ah One of them, yes.
00:28:27
KEV
Do you have one? all right and but
00:28:28
Michael
Children's probably not right. But yeah, the newborn. ah
00:28:31
KEV
Yes.
00:28:32
Michael
Yeah. ah But yeah, i thought Wolves, they could have had the ball for 90 minutes and they wouldn't have done anything. Barcelona, you probably give them a ball for 30 seconds and they can they can cause you some problems. And just worth noting as well, tonight, Barcelona have rested at quite a few players.
00:28:49
Michael
um But we'll we can get to that.
00:28:49
KEV
Shock.
00:28:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was it a good prep, Kev?
00:28:55
KEV
Tactically, no. ah Physically and mentally, yes. A clean sheet's always but always a good prep ah in terms of psychologically. Brilliant prep. Keeping another clean sheet. and I also think psychologically it's good prep because we are going to have less of a ball, but you're more willing to have less of it when you've just had a game where you've had 70% of it, I think.
00:29:15
KEV
I'm always trying to look at the positives. But And then I think physically, I think obviously the players who will play, Gordon, um I think is bound to play against Barca. I think Alanga will play a big part in the transition, but he didn't get any minutes.
00:29:23
Michael
Yeah, I'd agree.
00:29:27
KEV
So, well, I think Alanga did get some, but not many. and So, like I say, i'm I'm pretty excited, you know, physically um and
Team and Player Future Prospects
00:29:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't wait for it.
00:29:34
KEV
psychologically.
00:29:35
KEV
But yeah, it's everything in the 90s is coming back now, isn't it? Flip phones are back, fold phones are back, ah flare jeans are back. The 90s music's even coming back, just remastered. And now we've got Barcelona, Newcastle, St. James' Park.
00:29:50
KEV
What a time to be alive.
00:29:50
Michael
Who's going the hat trick though?
00:29:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm back.
00:29:51
Michael
That's the question.
00:29:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's right. And then we saw we saw Tino in that
00:29:54
KEV
You know, and Dino's back.
00:29:56
Michael
Yeah.
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tino in the advert, didn't we? He still looked like he could come on and do 30 minutes for us.
00:29:58
KEV
Yeah.
00:30:03
Michael
does.
00:30:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah yeah Oh, poor Will. Poor Will.
00:30:08
KEV
Who will?
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll end up coming on. What you think of the view that I heard i heard this afternoon that actually we didn't say tie it and tail off.
00:30:10
Michael
He's a right winger.
00:30:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
We just decided after 60 minutes that we'd done enough and we could just do the old old Italian national side trick of being one up.
00:30:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just hold them off. Just play the game out without too much stress. Not herring up and down the field and pressing really hard. Trying to score 2, 3, 4, 5.
00:30:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
We just held them off for the last half an hour. Which is what we did really. i mean I don't think Wolves managed a shot, did they? They might have had the ball and might have looked like in some nice patterns on the halfway line.
00:30:49
KEV
so It was a very Floyd Mayweather performance wasn't it? If you're going to put it at boxing get ahead on points man just stay far enough away keep them at bay keep them at arms length so that you hang on to the points victory I think yeah I don't know if that was intentional I think Howe's mentality always try and blow them away try and attack try and score goals so
00:30:52
Michael
Yeah.
00:31:06
Michael
Yeah.
00:31:07
KEV
I think, you know what, Wolves are better than what we all thought, I think. i't I don't think i mean any of us expected Wolves to be brilliant.
00:31:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, they were.
00:31:12
KEV
I really like Bueno, bad full-back. Their number three has got fantastic feet.
00:31:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fullback was good.
00:31:16
Michael
Yeah. Be bot Tina quite a bit.
00:31:17
KEV
um So I think Wolves this season, if get Stran Larsson back on the team, I think they might be okay. I think they might be. and Obviously, we're going to miss Cunha, but I think we've got enough about them to stay if they can get Stran Larsson fit. I know he wants to come to us in January, but we might let them might let him keep him until the summer again.
00:31:34
KEV
PSR is no issue now.
00:31:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
life
00:31:35
KEV
We can just... Every Premier League game now is a scouting mission, thanks to Alexander Ezek and Liverpool. Just PSR is gone. Do we want him? No, I don't want him to want Might have him.
00:31:44
Michael
ah
00:31:46
KEV
Might take Might take Stran last and we'll just see who we want in the summer. Lovely stuff.
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
well Well, after the Barcelona game, after the Barcelona game, next sunday next Sunday, I hope we're watching Semenyo closely at Bournemouth because I think he's a lovely player.
00:31:50
Michael
Starting to sound more like Liverpool every day. There
00:31:53
KEV
We're turning into everything we hate.
00:32:01
KEV
Ooh.
00:32:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway,
00:32:04
Michael
you go.
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much, boys, for helping me to review the game. Three points, of course, which takes us into the top of the table. I think after City-Blue Man United away, they've gone ahead of us, but we're still 10th and everybody's played.
00:32:14
Michael
Yeah, Yeah. Hmm.
00:32:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I did spy if we if we win at Bournemouth, we get eight points and Chelsea are fifth on eight points at the moment. So we're not far off. um But anyway, we've got the Champions League to think about before the next Premier League match, which is on Thursday.
00:32:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we've got at some point, we're going to go through all of our games and do some points predictions. That's got to be coming up soon, hasn't it?
00:32:40
KEV
yeah I think that's Wednesday's episode I think Tuesday night we record that
00:32:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe tomorrow.
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. That's exciting. ah Anyway, thanks very much, everyone, for listening. Thank you, Michael. Thank you, Kevin, for joining me. um We'll see you all very, very soon.
00:33:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure.
00:33:12
Michael
Thank