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How quickly football can change - United vs Brighton Review - Ep 220
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Sam and Cormac discuss the positives from United's 4-2 win over Brighton.
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Transcript
Introduction and Recent Winning Streak
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Manchester United podcast. You're joined by me today, Sam Brady, of course, and I'm joined by my good friend Kjormak. How are we, sir?
00:00:28
Cormac
Doing good, yeah. I think this is the first time I've been on an episode after we've won three in a row since I joined, so good good mood right now.
00:00:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. I mean,
Performance Transformation Under Almoran
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
mate, it's been a while. I mean, after um I believe it was Liverpool, that was the first time we had won two in a row under Almoran and now it's three in a row, mate.
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, who can stop him, mate? You know, so, I mean, and we'll get onto to it um later on in the episode, but
00:00:49
Cormac
right.
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was only a couple weeks ago where people were sort of calling Farmer in his head and he was under a lot of pressure. And now it seems like, you know, he's the pressure's off and somehow we're, what, fifth in the league? So, I mean, how...
00:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
how how times can change. But as I said, we'll we'll get onto that in just a second and and talk through, yeah, just the Premier League table in
Brighton Game Review and Player Evaluations
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
general. I mean, obviously there's there's a lot of twists and turns and a lot of unexpected teams that that are up there. and And one of them is, of course,
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
United so yeah we'll touch on that in just a second but of course this is our first episode back since the Brighton game on Saturday in the end Cormac a pretty comfortable 4-2 win but it was it was nervy at the end there what what did you make of of the game in general
00:01:48
Cormac
Yeah, no, I thought it was, you know, all the lads played superb again. I mean, got a great start first goal and then, you know, the lucky Castamere deflection. But honestly, I thought we were cruising. I was worried going into the match because looking back the last five times we played Brighton in the league, they beat us four out of five times. So, you know, we we know they've come to Old Trafford and passed and beaten us. So I was ah he pretty nervous. um But honestly, I thought they didn't look that threatening at all. I mean, Lamin's really only...
00:02:17
Cormac
I think he had one save in the first half and then it was Torres' last fifteen twenty minutes. He was called into action again. um But yeah, no, United looks so dangerous. There was chances, you know, for even more chances. I thought Sesco maybe could have bagged one.
00:02:30
Cormac
um But yeah, no, it's just so positive to see them playing the way they are. It looks like they're really buying into what Amarim's doing. it's ah It's about time, I think. But no, it's Mbwemu was class.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:43
Cormac
Cunha, I thought it was class again. Yeah. you know even I didn't think Bruno was at his best, but you know now it's kind at the point where in the past we were relying on him to pull us through these and now we have quality in other areas and they can kind of take him through it. But yeah, i was great performance and another three points. and I don't have a clue how we're ahead of Liverpool because if you had said that few weeks ago, I would have thought you're mad. But yeah, no, it's positive signs ahead, no doubt.
00:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, you mentioned that you think Bruno maybe didn't have his best game, but he still managed to produce a little bit of magic with his dummy ah for Embroen's fourth goal.
00:03:19
Cormac
Yeah, that was that was class. yeah
00:03:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
with That was very nice on the eye. But yeah, I echo everything you said there, to be honest. I think I like what I'm seeing now. It's more, there's more cohesion. they They seem like they're playing with a lot more confidence.
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. i do I do like what I'm saying. And look, as I said at the start of the episode, I think we have to be very careful because it wasn't... It was only a couple of weeks ago where Armourine was under pressure and we were talking very negatively.
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it it shows how... Look, football is funny how times times can can quickly change and and now we're looking in a ah lot ah lot better position.
Focus on Defense Amid Offensive Successes
00:03:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But I like what I'm seeing in terms of the link-up play, players are playing with with confidence.
00:04:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, said after Liverpool, and I'll say it again, I still do think there's obviously a lot um a lot more to to go and a lot more improvement to to be made.
00:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And like I said, after Liverpool, I do think now our attention does need to focus on the defence because as as I said, look it seemed like we were cruising at 3-0 and we somehow managed to let Brighton get back into the game.
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
That being said, it was an absolute banging free kick from from Danny Welbeck, which we'll we'll touch on. in a second so yeah i do think there's there's areas still look there's there's a lot of improvement to go but it looks like finally the the pressure is just relieved off of everyone ah and i think even in the crowd you saw in old traffic there's there's there's a lot more just confidence and a bit more energy back in in the crowd and and and everyone's just just feeling that that bit bit more better about themselves. you know You can see it in the players. You can even see it with Almorin in terms of the comments he he's making. I remember he made the comment after Liverpool where said to the media, look, you keep your narrative. Keep keep keep on with this narrative and and I'll keep doing what I'm doing. So I think even there's that ah that bit of cheekiness from Almorin now.
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And yeah, I like what I'm seeing. um and look we've got a very tough game against forest away on the weekend and then a very tough game uh away at spurs and i think um that that man with his with his haircut mate will be absolutely sweating buckets now because he probably couldn't have got he probably couldn't have got uh two uh two harder last games um with with with the five. and But yeah, I mean, yeah, I mean, we'll see what he does with that. In terms of, you mentioned there, and Buemo and Cunha, I mean, their link-up play throughout the past couple of games has been outstanding. But I think in particular, on the weekend, it was amazing. just Just touch upon them.
00:06:15
Cormac
Yeah, no, I mean, they were linking up so well. i remember there a when Buemu slipped the ball into Cunha, kind of threw the right side of the defence, and we just weren't seeing that before. um But yeah, no, delighted for Cunha to get, you know, his first goal um for us, and, you know, Buemu firing on all cylinders again, but it's just such, I think that's really what we were missing the last few years, you know, you look at the likes of you know, Garnaccio, I felt like he was kind of trying to do it himself. He wasn't really linking up great, saying what kind of Rashford you could say.
00:06:47
Cormac
um You know, he had Anthony up there not really helping much. and And it was all just, I think, stagnant. And they were all kind of just relying on Bruno to kind of, you know, i'll find them. But, I mean, now the fluidity, it's just, it's so fun to watch. I mean, you touched about that Bruno dummy the last goal. I mean, we we just weren't seeing that in the past.
00:07:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:04
Cormac
um And now it actually, you know, it gives me confidence now going into the next game that, you know, we have that attack where you can go out and score goals, you know, compared to last season where yeah it would it would be rare to be honest if we were able to get
Recruitment of Premier League-Proven Players
00:07:19
Cormac
a goal or two. I think, what, for a good while we hadn't scored more than three goals in a game under Amarim, so it was just that bad. But no, it was to score four at Old Trafford, you know, to look comfortable against, and I said it, a you know, a few weeks ago, I think Amarim's system has always been kind of decent against the bigger teams. You look back at, you know, results against Liverpool City last year, but
00:07:41
Cormac
It was kind of the mid-table, you know, lower league teams where I felt like this system really wasn't helping us. But, I mean, credit to them. It completely worked against Brighton. And I thought we just looked so much better than them. but um But, yeah, Buena and Cooney, I mean, they really have been great signings. And think you have to give credit to the recruitment team because, you know, they just went out, kind of didn't go for the the bigger European names. went for They're still big enough names, but Premier League guys...
00:08:07
Cormac
um And yeah, you know, they've worked out so well and yeah, excited to see that to see them keep moving forward.
00:08:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think Jamie Redknapp summed it up pretty perfectly after the game where he said, we always talk negatively of United's recruitment and have done in the past couple of years, but we also have to talk talk about it when when they get things right. and And definitely this summer so far with Mbwemo, Cunha, Lamens, Sesko is still a bit of a question mark, but definitely with those three,
00:08:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We have to give what give credit where credit's due in terms of that. and and i think I think the difference this time, okay, not La Mance, but in terms of Mboua and Cunha, is they're Premier League proven.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So many... for For so many years, we've gone out and got the next best thing from Europe. But obviously, they're going to take time to adjust it to the Premier League. Whereas yeah we've seen for the past couple of seasons now, Mbwema and Cunha can cut it in the Premier League.
00:09:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, there's going to be a question mark over can they make the step up to a bigger club ah with all due respect to Wolves and Brentford. But if you or if we're already seeing you do it for a Wolves and Brentford, there's evidence that you can do it in the new league.
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, and and and in terms terms of Mbwema and Cunha, and Mbwema as well, but Cunha, I think what i love about him, it does everything with intent.
00:09:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
When he gets the ball, he knows exactly
Emerging Attacking Trio Potential
00:09:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
what he's doing. and i think or I think our front three, well, if if you include Ahmad in that as well, I think Ahmad and Buemo and Kunia are everything that a United attacker should be.
00:09:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
They get the ball and they try and make things happen. And I think for so many years now, our attackers just haven't filled us with excitement, too many sideward passes.
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whereas you know that Buemo, Kunia Ahmad, I'll include that, even if they lose it nine times, though they'll They'll try the 10th time. you know that There's that there's lot speed, there's that drive to to always try and make something happen.
00:10:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And when you've got two out of your three front men doing that, you're always going to be dangerous going forward. And if we can if we can now start to integrate Sesco and make that front three, I mean...
00:10:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
we've we've got one of the most dangerous front threes in the league if Sesko can also start to chip in with a few goals here and there and and really help with the link-up play as well because I know Gary Neville mentioned it as well, but at the minute, it definitely does feel like Mbwemo, Cunha and then just Sesko separate.
00:10:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
and So I think if he can look start to start to pick up a bit of form as well, then then yeah, I feel like we can be a real force. But I think you saw it with Cunha's goal.
00:11:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Casemiro plays it into him and his the first thing on his mind was to take the touch to the right and bend it around the defender.
00:11:09
Cormac
Thanks so
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we We need players like that going forward and I think that is everything that a United attacker should be. And I think those two especially, they they feel like they're holding the weight of the shirt very well and and they aren't sort of and folding and under the pressure of the shirt, which many players have done. it And look, I'm not...
00:11:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not blaming any players to ah have that have come here and and failed and under the pressure because, look, it is a big shirt and it holds a lot of weight. But, and Buen Munkunia, yeah, if they can, look, be firing like this all season, and I mean, we're we're gonna we're going to cause any defence trouble. That's why I say, um obviously, now and I think we need to look at our defence and look look at our ah recruitment in in terms of areas like that. um But, yeah, going forward,
00:12:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
but we're We're real frightened to score four goals against again again a pretty decent Brighton team is iss good for any team on that day.
00:12:10
Cormac
Thank you.
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let sort let alone the the worst United team we've ever had, apparently. so yeah and All good signs and we'll talk more positive signs just after this quick break from our sponsor.
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back to the daily
Casemiro's Resurgence and Contributions
00:13:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Manchester United podcast. Look, in the in the first part of the episode, we talked about the the really positive game and and the positive win against Brighton, another win. And look, I'm starting to get used to this now, Cormac.
00:13:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, one player I do want to touch on, we've talked about the new signings, but one player who has come under a lot of criticism in ah and in recent times, But on Saturday, looked like his old self. It's that man Casemiro in the middle of the the middle of the park. He got a standing ovation when he walked off. We spoke last week um after the Liverpool game because he went to Asia with Brazil.
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
so look, the man's playing playing his part and he's putting in a shift. Cormac, another great performance from him again.
00:14:17
Cormac
Yeah, no, I mean, obviously he had that ah assist to start the game off to Cunha and then followed it up with with ah a goal, albeit a fortunate goal. um But yeah, i mean, the man's just timeless. You know, he he has, as you said, come under scrutiny in the past.
00:14:32
Cormac
um But yeah, that performance on Saturday was, it reminded me of kind of when we signed him the first season where he was just unbelievable.
00:14:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:14:39
Cormac
um But yeah, no, it's good having that, if he can keep that consistent along with Bruno, because we've said, you know, centre mid is kind of an area where we need recruitment or we'd like to see, you know, the likes of Belayba or someone come in.
00:14:52
Cormac
um But if he can kind of just keep what he's doing, complement Bruno nicely, I think this thing can work out well for for the rest of the season. Definitely. i don't even know if if we'll need another centre mid, especially, you know, if we can kind of get Ugarte firing a bit.
00:15:08
Cormac
um But yeah, Casemiro is phenomenal. I think if if he still had the the pace, he used to have bit more legs in him. I think you know you're talking about being, if he can keep consistent, one of maybe the best defensive mids in the league if he did have that pace. I think that just kind of lets him down a bit. But I mean, yeah it was a timeless performance. He was you know so solid. And even the last few games, his passing as well has impressed me a lot. of you know Obviously, he had the assist to Cunha.
00:15:34
Cormac
um But it kind reminded me of, again, back when we first signed him, just that quality. I feel like last season maybe he was kind of, you know, didn't look good on the ball, looked nervous at times, giving the ball away cheaply, but he looks confident again.
00:15:48
Cormac
He's able to play, you know, nice ticky-tackle football at times in the middle. So, yeah, guys he he has impressed me.
00:15:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, the thing is with Casemiro, right, and and I say this all the time, if you come into your United and just work and you're a dog and you just put in an absolute shift and everyone can see that, we'll fall in love with you as a player, like no matter who you are.
00:16:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we we won't mind about the quality, but if you show that you you just dog it out, you work so hard, then you're you will be loved and appreciated by the fans. And I think that is exactly that sums up Casemiro. I think, look, we don't expect the sort of old, the the younger years of Casemiro. We know now he he's obviously slowing down and he can't play a full 90 minutes.
00:16:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But when he plays those 60, 70 minutes, he puts in an absolute shift and in the middle of the park. And look, he's not a long-term solution. We know that as well.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
so And we also know, and he might know this, that this might be his last season at United. But what a couple of seasons he's he's had at United. I mean, he will be adored now by United fans forever. And I think...
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's one of them where when he spoke in the summer, I remember he said that he he loves playing for United and his best years was actually that that first year, which maybe surprised a lot of people.
00:17:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's it's one of them where I genuinely think he he loves playing for United. And you can see that with the effort he puts in. And look, as I said, he's not a long-term solution.
00:17:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And last year, I did think, look, buddy, it's time to it's time to move on. like I remember Jamie Carragher leave the football before the football leaves you
00:17:36
Cormac
Yeah.
00:17:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And what ah where what how far we've moved on from that. I mean, but i mean as you said, he he's timeless. We we adore him and and he put another great shift in ah on the weekend.
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and So, yeah, what what a player. um Look, and in terms of the game, I mean, obviously we we were comfortable at 3-0.
Danny Welbeck's Surprising Form
00:18:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
what i mean What happened that that last 10 minutes? i mean let's let's touch Actually, let's touch on the the first brighton goal and and the man who scored it, Danny Welbeck. Obviously, this is a United podcast.
00:18:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
danny Danny Welbeck is very closely tied, obviously, with his United links. There's been rumours that, hey, if Thomas Tuchel needs a backup in the summer, then maybe Danny Welbeck's your man.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just a ah word on on his form right now. What free kick, by the way.
00:18:33
Cormac
Yeah, yeah, I mean, another man who's just timeless. I mean, I'm still surprised he's producing the goods at the rate he is. I mean, you know, obviously, remember he scored against Arsenal back in the day against us, but, mean, we know he has that quality.
00:18:46
Cormac
And, yeah, that free kick, I mean, it was a great strike. But, honestly, I felt Lammons could have done it a little bit better.
00:18:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go.
00:18:53
Cormac
I think the issue was the free was so close. Like, it seemed like Lammons was wary of him going to his... um
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:19:00
Cormac
his left near post. And I think Lamins was just a second too late reacting to it. Um, but still nonetheless, you know, right under the crossbar, was bit of dip curve on it. It was, it was a great strike. And, um and yeah, if anyone was going to score for Brighton, I mean, yeah you kind of felt like it was, it was going to be him.
00:19:16
Cormac
Um, so credit to though. He's still supplying the goods and makes me think like we, we might've sold him a good bit too early. I think he could have done a job for us, especially when we, we had those striker issues over the past few years. Um,
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
canny Can he do a job for England, Cormac?
00:19:32
Cormac
England. that That might be, oh I mean, do you know what?
00:19:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
He has a good yeah good record for England when he has...
00:19:36
Cormac
I feel like, yeah, yeah. I feel like, I mean, obviously, ah you know, you have Harry Kane up top. That's kind of his position. But I feel like as of as a kind of a super subbie, he could do a job, I think.
00:19:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, mean...
00:19:48
Cormac
Has that experience, obviously, too.
00:19:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, Oli Watkins isn't isn't really firing this year. So, look, I mean, if Danny Welbeck keeps playing the way he's playing, Tuchel's got a decision to make. I mean, what ah what a sort of revival that would be for for him. And I mean, I'm speaking for all United fans. I think we'd be...
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm so happy to see him by back in the squad. And yeah, what a free kick. As you mentioned, Le Mans maybe maybe could ah could have done a better job, but it just came out of nowhere. You didn't expect him to sort of bang it in i getting like that. I mean i can't remember the last time Werbeck scored a free kick like that. but Yeah, great goal. And then obviously at 3-1, you're thinking they can't do it, can
Tactical Adjustments and Game Pressure
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
they?
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then at you're thinking, hang on a minute, they can do it. So it was, what, going into the 90. mean, how has that happened, Colmar? Hmm. what i mean how how has that happened come ah
00:20:45
Cormac
yeah Yeah, I mean, i feel like it that stuff's happened to us all too often in the past. I mean, when that second goal it goes in, I was thinking just pure deja vu, here we go again. Like, it would it would be us to bottle it now.
00:20:58
Cormac
um But no, i mean, it's positive signs that, you know, they push on and actually not even, you know, just closed up shop and scraped out of it.
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:21:05
Cormac
They got a goal put it away, which I don't think we've seen in the past. But yeah, I don't know if it was in the players' back their minds, like, oh, here we go again and kind of... got a bit nervous, but I mean, in the end, that you know, and Boehmau got that goal and it didn't really matter in the end, but it should have definitely been a more comfortable win, but I think, you know, to even though Brighton got two goals, I think we were so still so much better than them, and if we if they had somehow scraped a draw, I think it would have just been absolutely demar demoralizing, and I think we wouldn't really be as in an optimistic mood now. I think if that had happened, I'd kind of be like, oh, here we go again, like wins might be
00:21:44
Cormac
Hard to find, but no, the lads, fair play, and they pulled through it, and I think it's a catalyst now to go on ah and really go run.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, let's let's talk John Armourin and how we set up because... The problem, I think, what happened at the end is we got too comfortable.
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I also think Almorin got a bit too comfortable. I think the subs that he brought on quite early on, to be honest, around the 70th minute mark. OK, you're 3-0 up, that that's fine.
00:22:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But with 20 minutes to play against a decent Brighton side, the subs you're bringing on, I think, send a message to the rest of the squad Like you're bringing on Heaven, Xerchi, Agate.
00:22:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think a lot of the the message that that got around and that Almiron was sending really was, look, we're comfortable here, lads. We're done. Let's set up shop.
00:22:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think doing that against a Burnley or ah West Ham even at the minute is fine. But with 20 minutes to go against a Brighton or a Bournemouth or whoever, I think you're you're playing with fire a little bit like that. Because, look, as as as it turned out to be, they only need one goal and they're right back in it.
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And, look, you wouldn't put it past us to bottle bottle that in in the past. a couple seasons. So yeah, I do think it was not the greatest decision from Almorin.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in terms of a positive that that you can take from from that, I think Almorin at the beginning the game tried to go really tight. He tried to push.
00:23:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
He made the defence push really high up. But you saw the first 10, 20 minutes, balls were getting played in those channels, in behind De Ligt and and in behind the fullbacks.
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then I think you saw Almorin go, you know what, lads, drop, drop up a couple yards. Let's just sit and and and not give away the these cheap chances, which we don't have to do.
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's a positive, that you can look at that and go, you know what, like people will say Almorin doesn't adapt. And look, he didn't adapt the system at all. But he tweaked it a little bit. And I think Almorin, the way I thought after the game was, you know what, he he's almost learning on the job, and which is a crazy statement to say, i know, nearly a year on.
00:24:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But at the same time, and to be honest, yeah, he probably should have figured this by out by now in terms of who you can press against and who you can't press against.
00:24:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Brighton are definitely a team where you can't get really tight and press against them because they play good football. Even I was thinking that first 10, 20 minutes, like, bloody hell, like, Brighton can pop it about a bit. Like, we're in for a ah tough game on our hands here.
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the positive you can take from it... Almoran recognised that and went, you know what, let me tweak tweak it here and there and and look it turned out to be the right decision. And I think just subtle things like that, Almoran sort of learning learning on the job and and look, as I said, should he really be still learning it a year on? Maybe not. But the fact that did that was...
00:25:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
was a positive. So, um yeah, i think I think we'll see more of that from Almorin. Don't be surprised that if we we come up against different teams and we start a certain way and then it's not going the way how it is, because I think Almorin's still sort of learning, still tweaking and playing around with what he can and can't do against certain teams.
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So so now we'll know now he'll know, I guess, when we play them back at the Amex not to do that.
00:25:28
Cormac
Yeah, and I think that's what you know a lot of us United fans want to see because we've said time and time again he doesn't change things, but the fact that he is now we're kind of starting to change things I think is what we've all been crying out for and you know even if he is learning on the job, which maybe you know he's into the job enough, but the fact that he's just getting more flexible and a bit more adaptable is I think all we really need to go on and have success because I think he was just too set in stone on his idea to play and now
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:57
Cormac
think it's good that he's figuring out, you know, okay, maybe this isn't working. It's been too much time.
00:26:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Hear me out, Cormac, and people might think this is crazy to say, but do you think there was maybe more pressure on this game than there was against Liverpool?
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because no one expected us to do anything against Liverpool and everyone expected us just to get battered. Whereas this game against Brighton, it was massive. It was absolutely massive, mate, in terms of building that momentum. And if we would have lost it,
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We would be back to square one again. do you almost feel like like this game was massive now?
00:26:36
Cormac
Yeah, and no, I agree. I mean, you said, you know, against Liverpool, everyone was expecting us get battered. You know, i that's one, there's really no pressure at all. You know, if if you can get a draw, even that's a superb result.
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:26:48
Cormac
You know, all the fact that we won was absolutely amazing. But yeah, I mean, going into this one, we had won two in a all You know, ah first time we'd done that under him. But, you know, to go and win three, I think that's where you're really like, OK, like this is a sign, you know, the best form we've been in under him.
00:27:03
Cormac
And, you know, these, as I was saying, these are the games that kind of would get to us in the past, these kind of mid-to-high-table team games coming to Trafford and kind of you know, running right a little bit. um So I definitely think there was a lot more pressure on this game. And it was a chance to really see what the lads were made of, you know, after the back of the Liverpool match. And, and yeah, they showed up.
00:27:24
Cormac
They showed us what we wanted to see. And fair play to them. um Got the job done. And, yeah, I mean, hopefully we can go out and do a fourth game now.
00:27:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly. So with City losing to losing Chelsea losing to Sunderland, Cormac, that leaves us in fifth.
Optimism for Top Four Finish
00:27:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, if you would have said that a couple weeks ago, people would think you're crazy.
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how far can we go, mate?
00:27:48
Cormac
Yeah, I mean, if I had said this weeks ago, I would have, you know, just called myself insane. But I think top four is properly on now.
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:27:58
Cormac
And, you know, ah just based off the form, the way the players are gelling right now, um you know, we've seen we can beat the top teams.
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:28:07
Cormac
all Granted, Liverpool have been on a pretty dismal run right now. I think four losses in a row. um But yeah, I mean, I think players look so good right now. The attack, we finally have a competent attack.
00:28:19
Cormac
I think we could, I think top four at this moment should be the expectation. um And, you know, granted, we'll see in a couple of weeks how they're still playing. But I mean, I could see them putting on, I mean, well, we're only six points off the top. but I could see them putting on a little bit of a, you know, maybe charge staying maybe within nine, 10 points at first. But I'm actually very optimistic. yeah can't believe I'm saying that because I was thinking, oh, here we go. Another 15, 14 place finish at the start of the season. But um and I think they look really good and i'm I'm very optimistic, I think, for what they can do.
00:28:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think obviously um um ah what I'm about to say is the two clubs I'm about to include, are we're in completely different situations with. But I think we've got a similar feeling to what Arsenal fans are feeling right now, where obviously they're going for the league and we're well, ah hopefully going for Champions League.
00:29:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think both of us are thinking, come on, like we can do this now. like This is actually the season where we can actually like get to where we think we can get to. and Because you've you've seen just this weekend alone, that the big teams are struggling and and there's inconsistency.
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if you're that one team that stays consistent, you can really sort of push on and really get ahead. And obviously, Arsenal are at the top of the league now by four points.
00:29:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they're going to be thinking like, OK, this is our year. Big teams are stumbling. and And if I was in that United dressing room and if I was hammering, I'd be saying, come on, lads, we got this. like OK, we may have struggled at the start of the year and it was awful and we and we thought it was going to be terrible. But we're in fifth, lads. Let's just keep it going and let's...
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we can stay even slightly consistent, we we will give ou ourselves a chance. And I think that's all United fans really want by the end of the season, just to be in and amongst it, just to give o ourselves a chance that we go into those last couple of weeks thinking, you know what, we can do this if we if we pick up a few results here and there. What what can't happen is, light that like last season, where we come to the and the few last couple of weeks and we're not in anything and we're not challenging for anything.
00:30:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think with a week's break, game by game, a week to prepare for the game, we we can seriously do this. And I think... not only should as fans we start thinking like we can do this but as I said the players should should start going you know what like we're not as bad as everyone says we are like they can all chat and and rival fans can say what they want but why don't like we'll just focus on ourselves and I think As I said, in compared to us in Arsenal, I think that's what Arsenal fans are thinking right now.
00:31:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal fans are thinking, or everyone thinks we're going to bottle and we're not made for it. But let's not listen to the outside noise. Let's just focus on ourselves and kick on. And I think we should as well as adopt that ah mentality. um lot and It's very possible. and I think United now are where most fans probably expected us to be at the start the season. Maybe a bit high, but I expected us, come the end of the season, to be floating around the sort of 6th, 8th, 5th range. And obviously, that there's still a lot of games to go. And I do expect us to drop down maybe to like 7th 8th or 6th.
00:31:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But give it a couple of weeks. and And as we've as with sort of been the topic of of this episode, I guess, in terms of how quickly football can change, give it a couple of weeks. And if we're in and amongst it by Christmas, then we've given ourselves a real chance. So, yeah, i think I think that should be the realistic ambition. And um I know, as I said at the start, I know one man who is definitely hoping that, and that's United Strand.
00:32:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, Forest away on Saturday. and And look, again, with Forest away, it's a game where we can win. I think the lads and and the fans now should be looking at Forest away and going, you know what, like maybe a couple weeks ago, if you asked me I would have said no chance, but now look, we can win that.
00:32:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then after that spurs away, you go in, you know what? Like, I think we we can, we can win that as well. So slowly by slowly, week by week, you're building confidence, confidence, confidence. And no longer, and now we're going, we're looking at the fixtures and going into games going, oh, I don't know about that one, or where are we going to pick up points?
00:33:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, we we win we shouldn't have that mentality. We should have the mentality now, go, you know what, guys, let's go, let's go. so Yeah, very positive. And I think, look, we'll leave it on a positive note because many episodes in the past couple of weeks and months, we've left it on maybe a negative.
00:33:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's finally that good to leave it on a positive. And it's always positive speaking to you, Cormac.
00:33:27
Cormac
Likewise, mate.
00:33:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been a pleasure, mate. And then look, for the listeners and and for the viewers, loads more episodes to come this week and obviously the the big game on Saturday as well.
00:33:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for for me, it's goodbye. And and for Cormac, it's goodbye as well. We'll see you in the next one.