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Episode 262: CRUSING into the next round! (Thanks P&O!)
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Southampton – A decisice victory in the cup certainly makes Tuesday nights feel better! We talk all about who caught our eye, some thunderous goals, and much much more!
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Transcript
Introduction and Recent Events
00:00:15
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 today joined by my good friend, wonderful co-host, Zach Ingo Finch.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
How you doing mate?
00:00:28
Zak
I have aged since this podcast last went live. i am now 33. Had a good birthday, as you can see. If anyone watches, to do Saints top. We just had a cracking win, mate.
00:00:41
Zak
I am. I'm buzzing.
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unbelievable.
00:00:42
Zak
I'm good. How about you, bud?
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, look, 10 o'clock at night recordings on a Tuesday evening come much easier when you win 3-0. Let's put it that way.
Saints' Victory and Key Goals
00:00:54
Zak
What do you mean? If we'd lost 3-0, would also have been mad. And we would have been able to bash this out with absolutely no issue. Because all we do is talk about football, mate.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:03
Zak
It is the basis and foundation of our friendship.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're right, look. It was... I think it's reasonable to call it a decisive victory in the AFL Cup.
00:01:12
Zak
In the end, it it was a nervy nevy first half, and there are a couple of decisions there that maybe have sort of what felt like more flashbacks to to Alex McCarthy making some decisions, some defensive work a bit from...
00:01:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
mood
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look.
00:01:27
Zak
Mate.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we're not worried about defensive errors because most importantly of all of it is we've got some goals scored by some strikers.
00:01:35
Zak
may three goals actually scored by outfield players.
00:01:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
On purpose!
00:01:43
Zak
It's just, it's been so long, mate. It's been so long we've not had to think about centre-back scoring. At least, at least since pre-season, right? Like, yeah, just.
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But look, I mean... It's good stuff. it's It's exactly what you want see. Cameron Archer off the mark. It's going to be the starts of a 40-goal season.
00:02:01
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what we predicted, right? It's got be.
00:02:07
Zak
that is That is what you predicted, correct, Greg?
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, it was a beautiful finish. He picked the ball up, he shuffled it out his feet, sent the defender for a hot dog, and just lobbed the keeper in a lovely kind shot.
00:02:16
Zak
still It was it was a really good goal, right? And initially, I was like, I'm surprised the defenders laid him gave him that much time, you you made the point where actually he made that time for himself by doubling it a little bit.
00:02:29
Zak
And then, yeah, really, really well picked that place, just went in, went the goal straight away. Mad, innit?
00:02:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh,
00:02:35
Zak
When they take shots at the goal and don't wait for it to get two inches away from the goal, they can actually score.
00:02:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
look, without meaning to get ahead of ourselves and skip the second goal, I mean, the best example of kicking the ball at the goal has to come from Matski, right?
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:02:51
Zak
Mate, mate, mate, mate, mate.
00:02:56
Zak
I have raving about this guy for ages, right? I did a really comprehensive player profile on Matsuki, and one of the points in that profile, and I got it up to read it out, because I'm like that, was literally...
00:03:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bring the receipts.........................
00:03:11
Zak
Yeah, was to was to say that... continue about what but of bardada Transition, good time, one punch. He has good goal f threat from long range, and this can he hits the ball really well, but can sometimes be problematic in his decision making.
00:03:24
Zak
So sometimes people would get annoyed because he would kick the ball from really far out, really poorly, and it would go out. and But that time, he he saw it, he thought, I could give that a crack, gave it a crack, and kicking the ball at the goal scored a goal, especially when you get on target.
00:03:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
i believe
00:03:39
Zak
Like,
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was even better than that, because when he watched the replay, he looks to his right to see if the run is on for the the short ball out to the wing, which, you know, we all favour. and And he saw that the man was covered. He looked out to his left to see if there was anyone worth passing to in support.
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Established, well, well, um why not? And just lived it at the goal.
00:04:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it went in. Like, but what could you ask for?
00:04:01
Zak
Yeah.
00:04:03
Zak
Absolutely, absolutely beautiful. like Bear in mind, like you didn't but didn't play the best in Northampton, but is one of those he is a player that When we talk but we we we looked at pre-season, everyone kind of thought, wow, he's to be really lively.
00:04:19
Zak
And I saw a lot of the fan base just be like, well, he'll probably be shipped out on loan. and right And like some of the other people, you know, we've looked at a
Transfer Speculations and Team Changes
00:04:24
Zak
little bit. So Kaya Sander, as example, has been shipped out on loan. We're have lot to talk about in Transfer Thursday.
00:04:31
Zak
Kind of glad we've left it to Transfer Thursday, Greg, you're not going to lie. So much has happened.
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
good thing It's been busy.
00:04:37
Zak
Not as much of it incoming as we'd like, but we'll never know.
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's
00:04:41
Zak
like a lot can happen in a day. A lot needs to happen. It hasn't resolved all of our problems, but it is an example of how there is depth in the club that we haven't really tapped up or used.
00:04:54
Zak
And that is an example of it.
00:04:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
been busy.
00:04:57
Zak
And...
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm really surprised it's taken game. had such a good preseason. It's just, it's baffling that it took that long, right?
00:05:06
Zak
But he sort of, seemss usually he's been playing what, in like a similar role to to Matty Fernandes, right?
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:05:10
Zak
That's where they they want to deploy him.
00:05:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:05:13
Zak
And the problem with that is that do you deploy him over Mati Fernandez with no probably not. That doesn't mean that he's not going to be useful and around. And as we start to change things about, I think that there's a chance, you know, hopefully he'll have more of a the ability to show how good he is.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:05:33
Zak
Cause again, like he captained his side in Japan.
00:05:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I mean, if Will still sees Fernandes as more of an eight anyway, and he's looking for a ten, and if you're basing it off of current form and what we've sort of seen through the games, do you think our best midfield, if we're sticking with a three, might be Shea Charles, Matty Fernandes, and Matsuki?
00:05:59
Zak
Now, I don't want to do a disservice to Fidlin' Downs, especially this early on. Didn't have the best game. He was our captain for today.
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
couple of games in a row that we said that as well now.
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two or three.
00:06:11
Zak
Yeah, it's, you know, I don't know whether it's the struggle.
00:06:14
Zak
I don't know whether it's learning to play 17 different types of football in the space of a year. It's messed him up a little bit. Whereas, you know, Matsuki's coming a bit more fresh to how we play at Southampton or whatever the way that Will Steele was trying to force it.
00:06:27
Zak
It might just be fatigue because they've gone from Russell Martin, you run once or twice a game when you have to make the sprints or you have to run back to you will run every day, five miles nonstop, you know,
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:41
Zak
the sort of level of training that they've put in preseason. But I would not be also opposed to it. Like people are talking, I've already seen some people who share their opinion today, probably based off of the performance today, that like, you know, if we bring in another midfielder that that plays sort of better, Downs becomes a backup, surely. And I don't think that's a bit of a disservice. Again, like you might just be having a rough start, but you know, based off of that, like if what people are saying is that we don't have creativity,
00:07:11
Zak
and we had somebody who came on scored a really, really good goal, which is something we've not seen for a while, realistically.
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:21
Zak
so And he already plays for us.
00:07:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, Fraser...
00:07:23
Zak
We don't even need to transfer him in
00:07:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mad. And Fraser also getting on the score sheet for the first time in an upsettingly long time. Yeah, crazy.
00:07:31
Zak
in. 2024, apparently. Last year. I don't remember when, but that's kind of mad, isn't it, really, when you think about it.
00:07:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:07:38
Zak
considering how many goals he scored for us in the Championship, especially sort of late goals. and So, yeah, very much so.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, he he also showed himself to be particularly useful in that sort of favoured role. And I guess allowed to go back into that role now that we actually have a right back.
00:07:53
Zak
Yeah, he, Rysleff played really, really well. I didn't expect it. You know, again, it's it's hard to you know, I'm sure we'll get into the transfer tuesday Tuesday, Thursday, whatever tomorrow, right?
00:07:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:08:04
Zak
And we were, there's been a lot of backlash for us signing a third choice goalkeeper who, let's face it, probably is never going to play. Is there because we needed cover. We've talked about how we needed cover.
00:08:15
Zak
I think what people actually wanted was a replacement for Gavin Bozzuno in the first choice.
Team Strategy and Player Performance
00:08:21
Zak
And they're annoyed that that's not going to happen. and Whereas we've kind of discussed previously, Bozzuno's been playing a right.
00:08:27
Zak
You know, realistically, it's if McCarthy gets injured, there's a problem. And, you know...
00:08:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:32
Zak
if we technically still own Ramsdale and Newcastle don't buy him and we go into next season and we've splashed out and then we end up with like five keepers, we will continue this cycle of problems that we have. It's on a loan, so that loan will end and then maybe McCarthy will go to third and Bazzini to second if Ramsdale comes back.
00:08:49
Zak
We don't know, but it is very much that is the same where a lot of Brentford fans weren't a right...
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hadn't really thought about it in thought about before, but I guess arguably if we end up in a really bad situation goalkeeper-wise, presumably there's an option to recall Ramsdale and take the wages hit for a period of time.
00:09:06
Zak
I mean, it depends whether or not he would do that, right? Like, that's the that's the that's the problem. And I think some of the other things that people have said is, oh, are we not giving Dylan Moody a run out? I'm like, because when you're 17 and you're developing, surely you need to play games and not be sat on a bench for two to three years, of like for an entire year of your career on the basis that, you know, it's good to get around the senior team.
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
seven
00:09:26
Zak
But he's also in those under 18, under 23 teams.
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:09:29
Zak
So he needs to play in them.
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
A 17-year-old goalkeeper is basically in the womb, let's be honest. That's...
00:09:35
Zak
yeah yeah that That is also another thing, right?
00:09:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:09:38
Zak
So, yeah it's... yeah I think that... that there's been i think what my point was here was there was a lot of Brentford fans that were kind of like, yeah, he's not that great, and this or the other, and you could take him off our hands. And that's sort of how a lot of the Norwich fans are feeling with some of our transfers. And and again, it depends. like We have had players before that are not very good until you put them into the right system.
00:10:01
Zak
One of the reasons that Solomana did so well in the second half of the season was because he got moved into a different system than the Russell Martin ball system, right?
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
You could say the same about though exactly who we were talking about, Ryan Fraser, right?
00:10:09
Zak
And it might just be...
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like he struggled and had personality clashes with managers and stuff at other clubs, but he's come here and has shown that his apt attitude is...
00:10:14
Zak
Correct.
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's exemplary. You can't fault him.
00:10:24
Zak
Yeah. people
00:10:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think he's put a foot wrong all season.
00:10:25
Zak
People can change. things can things can Things can happen.
00:10:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:10:28
Zak
People might get bored of playing on the bench. you know i have had moments in my life where I've been demotivated and not that good at a thing. And then I've had moments where suddenly I've had some circumstances have changed and I've been able to be really, really good at things. There's specific aspects of my job which I can look at and and recall you know with that. like i I didn't know how to talk on a mic when I first started podcasting. And now it's the second nature. you know i still don't speak properly, but that's just because of the way I word.
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's crazy, right?
00:10:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:10:57
Zak
Part of the channel, mate.
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Indeed. Right. I have other ah points to bring up and points of concern as well.
00:11:02
Zak
Good.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not just all positives.
00:11:04
Zak
Oh, perfect.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can't just gush. But but but first, a message from our partners at Bionique.
00:11:06
Zak
Yeah, but that's me. I'm the one that worries about stuff, mate, not you.
00:11:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back. Uh, yeah, look, all right, I want to, all right, look, I want to start with, I want to start with the positive, which leads into the point of concern.
00:12:00
Zak
Point of concerns, mate. That's what want to know. What is your concern?
00:12:05
Zak
We've just had 11 minutes of positives. but But you pop off,
00:12:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, no, no, no. But I've got a very specific point in time, right? So, Alex McCarthy made some very good saves tonight, uh, Probably at some crucial moments of the game, right? Where if Norwich pull back an equaliser, might be a different story. It's not quite as comfortable.
00:12:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But his distribution still was not great. And, man, there were some decisions passing the ball around the back that were really interesting.
00:12:37
Zak
But that's the problem is, Greg, is that's the two ways that you can give the ball away but to other players.
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. And not just...
00:12:44
Zak
If his distribution's bad, and then you're worrying about him passing out from the back as well, how else is he meant
00:12:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. But not not exclusively McCarthy we're talking about with these mistakes as well. Like, all of the centre-backs had a few questionable passes into...
00:12:56
Zak
No.
00:13:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
so And not just questionable passes, right? Like, Wood nearly stuck it in the back of the net if not for a save from for McCarthy. Let's not forget.
00:13:10
Zak
yeah That would have been a good goal.
00:13:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:13:14
Zak
Yeah, but I agree. But I think that Nathan Wood's been out for a while. And as I said, I predicted be a start at the weekend. I think he played really, really well against Stoke, despite the fact that, you know, there were mistakes that led... I think it was like an individual performance that led to the Stoke mishap, right?
00:13:31
Zak
I think that he played well at the weekend. I think he's come back in. You can see he was he could see that from the injury picked up. He had a bit of ah a sort of...
00:13:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
literal eye proper old school centre back like taped head black eye wooden leg laughing
00:13:39
Zak
Yeah, like literally... literally
00:13:44
Zak
Yeah. And, you know, he took a bit, took a bit of ah a knock knock today and was, and was bleeding all over the park and, you know, was expecting him to go, expected him to kind of go a lot earlier than he did and obviously got swapped out for, for Charlie Taylor in the end.
00:13:55
Zak
But I think he had a really, really decent game and I think it's been good for him to, to come in.
00:13:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:00
Zak
And I think with've with, with, with Korshi and, and, uh, Edwards, yeah, okay.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:14:07
Zak
We know that they need to be bedded into the team. Downs as well. it's I think that the big point of concern around that, Greg, is the fact that, okay, will who are we going to play at at Pompey? Because if we're supposed to be getting new transfers in, I feel like the team that we've a team we've seen over the weekend or similar to this evening is what we're going to have to play at Pompey.
00:14:25
Zak
Because if we're just going to shove... I feel like you can't shove new transfers in to a derby match like that without...
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:33
Zak
without giving them time to bed into the squad like I think it's going to bad but you know Roroslev did a lot better fitting into that sort of position and a Manning got an assist again today but yeah you're right that there maybe we do need I think people were talking about us needing another centre-back and I thought we had 75 at one point and we we do but maybe somebody I don't know a bit more to know because Wood was a bit of a bruiser but again it's because you've got this sort of they need time to bed in we don't have time if we want to win or if we want to get automatic qualification we don't have the time try em vded and in that's
00:15:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I have to say that I think, i don't look, obviously you call into question some of the decisions and we've had, I don't know, I don't want to say doubt, something I think I'm a bit harsh about Kwasi, I think he's just you know settling in, but I think what I took from it is that they really missed the leadership that Stevens brings to that back line, which is kind of crazy to say out loud when you think about some of the conversations we had before the season started, but
00:15:41
Zak
But I think that I'm also also not too proud enough, Greg, to hold my hands up and say that we might have been wrong, right?
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But think that's really...
00:15:49
Zak
like I think that's one of the one of the but i think what are the problems with humanity and society as ah ah as an entity to get deeper this 10 o'clock recording is that sometimes we can't put our hands up and say, I think I was wrong about that.
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:02
Zak
we always talked about how a lot of managers talked about how good he was behind the scenes. We didn't really see it on the pitch as much. and And I will say that I basically said, strip him with captaincy after the second red card and and take it away.
00:16:13
Zak
And then, yeah, he scored a really solid goal. but But you're right. I think that when we had Bednarek, I think he was able to step into that role quite easily. But where you've got a, what would have been third or fourth choice centre-back from last season alongside two brand new centre-backs, the lack of that sort of I guess seniority in the back line as well just wasn't there either.
00:16:35
Zak
Manning basically our oldest player.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:38
Zak
but Look at that point. And he's too busy bolting it up the left-hand side to be able to organise that defence.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Again, in this system, not a defender. Like, it's just not, it's not how works.
00:16:47
Zak
hi
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
the But look, I think that there was, I think there was a huge amount of positives to take from it. And obviously the scoreline reflects that, but, but even, even outside of the, the,
00:16:56
Zak
Still a championship side, mate.
00:17:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
scoreline there was lots of movement up front. I saw lots of runs that weren't picked out that should have been. i mean, how many times can Ross Stewart nearly get on the end of a ball before one of them accidentally hits him and goes in the goal?
00:17:17
Zak
Oh, mate.
00:17:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:19
Zak
Inches, like right? They were like, there was the diving header. that was At one point, he missed the ball. by but you know It's almost like ah so most luck he just needs... I think it's just that problem with that sort of gangly, tall striker.
00:17:30
Zak
It's just having that level... ah You You saw it with downs as well, right? like you just they They almost need to just be like a foot further every single time.
00:17:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:39
Zak
And maybe life would just be a lot better.
00:17:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
pleasure That's the thing with football and particularly being a striker though, is that when you're on the form, that happens for you without thinking about it.
00:17:47
Zak
a
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
When you are in desperate need of a goal, everything is that extra millimetre away and they just need... It really just feels like they need just one to to just bounce in, but...
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's still promising that they're almost there in the right positions, right? like They're in the box, getting on nearly getting in in the end of crosses.
00:18:07
Zak
Yes.
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
like We had so many chances. And it it's good to see. It's exactly what we need. like Shots and shots on top. We had nine shots tonight, which really seems low.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But five of them were on target and three of them were goals. So...
00:18:24
Zak
and Again, Norwich aren't a walk-over side. They're a chap their championship opposition.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
right
00:18:29
Zak
Yeah, okay, they were a rough start to the season. but No real rougher than we have.
00:18:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
and and And they were, rot you know, they were a rotated team as well.
00:18:33
Zak
No, he didn't have Charles Sargent out there.
00:18:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was not their first choice 11 out on the pitch, but they had, they had chances.
00:18:41
Zak
Yeah, 100%.
00:18:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
They had chances in the first half for sure.
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
though I mean, for the first, really?
00:18:43
Zak
Again, couple of scary ones.
00:18:44
Zak
couple of scary ones
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. But it, it, even with that, it's still coming to the end of the game felt comfortable, which is really good considering how rotated we were as well.
00:18:57
Zak
weird to say right odd to odd to say as a a Saints fan that at any point it felt comfortable and I did not think we really had a big chance of losing it after we went two up and that is not something I ever usually feel and I'm pretty sure you're in the same boat right
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Like that's,
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
i actually but I actually felt after we scored one, I'm like, we're going to go on and score a couple And although that's not my normal position as a Saints fan.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's normally an edge-of-the-seat discomfort, but I didn't really feel it, which is nice.
00:19:30
Zak
kind of if i'd swapped by If I'd swapped my prediction for the weekend, weekend I said 3-0. This game I said 2-1.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
look I mean, with this commentator on Sky pointed out that actually your prediction wasn't that bad of an idea because this is the first game of the entire season that Norwich have been involved in that haven't ended 2-1.
00:19:40
Zak
and If we swap around, it' almost right.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
What
00:19:57
Zak
It's a bad day for them, for sure.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
a crazy start.
00:20:00
Zak
A good day a good day for us. And again, a good day, well-deserved day for Ryan and Fraser, right? You talked about earlier with the fact that he's kind of you know benefited from maybe a change of system, change of role, but ultimately you know proving...
00:20:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:18
Zak
you know It's not like it's it's the the vital Wembley winning goal, but it's still important and it still shows that, you know, okay, we get ourselves in the right positions. We do the right things. We pick the right defenders to tackle and this and the other.
00:20:31
Zak
way like We will actually get the ball in the net because it the doom and doom over the last week, especially around transfers...
00:20:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:50
Zak
there's a lot of upset that there's no one really coming in the door.
Fan Reactions and Player Highlights
00:20:53
Zak
And I guess the reason being is because but there is not a lot of faith in the players we currently have. And that is, there is understandable reasons as to why, but today showed that, you know, even with some of our depth, we are able to, to have a comprehensive win. Right.
00:21:09
Zak
And that's what's important.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:10
Zak
Oh,
00:21:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
even in a game where we bought Brimbrim Diaz on. Right, I've got...
00:21:13
Zak
mate.
00:21:16
Zak
oh they
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got other talking points. I'm not going to rag on how little his contribution was to the game. Too much. Other than that, I've got another point.
00:21:25
Zak
Oh.
00:21:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got a star to pick out. first, a message from our partners at Zencastr. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:21:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zencast 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.
00:21:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencast. Okay, and we are back. I talked before the break about what I wanted to pick out. You talked earlier about...
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
the man of the match being Nathan Wood and how it shouldn't just be the goal scorers. And actually...
00:22:07
Zak
so To be clear, i would like to quote that that's Maxi on X that that talked about that. I don't want to just be like, I don't want to just regurgitate someone's opinion and claim it's mine.
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
fine. But look, I...
00:22:18
Zak
It's all my point is, Greg.
00:22:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
but look i can't I kind of echo that sentiment, but my pick for Man of the Match is Shea Charles. Because I just think that especially, yeah, and more than that, he's just is willing to carry the ball and take on a couple of players and just put that slightly more lethal pass forward than I think anyone else in the team.
00:22:26
Zak
Yeah? Engine.
00:22:31
Zak
Right positions.
00:22:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
his read of the game seems to be phenomenal. Like, the amount of interceptions he made, it was, you know, and some of them were definitely misplaced passes, but I just think he had real control of the map.
00:22:53
Zak
Yeah, but even if it's a misplaced pass, mate,
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:57
Zak
You need to be there to get it, right? You can have a player make a misplaced pass, and if you don't pick up that misplaced pass, it's not punished.
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:04
Zak
And that's one of the things we also need to do more of, which I think that even we've still just talked about in a roundabout sort of way, is that you do need to make sure that we we punish the the mistakes made by the teams.
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:23:15
Zak
And I think we did that tonight pretty pretty well, right? Archer and Fraser both punished mistakes from Norwich, and that's what we did.
00:23:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:24
Zak
That's what's won us the game. And then just like an absolute bit of what I can describe as beauty in that Matsuki goal that then, you know, made it 3-0.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can describe it as something else, but it's not appropriate for the podcast.
00:23:34
Zak
Yeah, no, we've we've discussed that. also Also, when you get a chance, I'll send you something WhatsApp that did make me laugh.
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:23:40
Zak
It's about all the other news that's taken over the world today.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
but but But look, I mean, I think, yeah, Shea Charles is going to be, I think, one of these players that does that work that sometimes goes underappreciated?
00:23:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I just think he had real control of the midfield.
00:23:54
Zak
He
00:23:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we talked earlier a bit about how Downs looked a bit out of sorts. And I kind of, as I'm saying, I wonder if perhaps, because that's the role he played for us in the championship, you know, the year before, I wonder if that's just, maybe he's not really as bad as we think.
00:24:04
Zak
took
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's just not as good by comparison when you look at what's next to him.
00:24:17
Zak
It's just that Shea Charles is doing a lot more of the work that he would have done previously, which makes him look worse. And then then the problem is, is that the few times that he's done things that would expect him to do they've resulted in errors. Because there's not the the positives that are outweighing the negatives. There's a hyper-focus on the negatives, right?
00:24:35
Zak
And I understand that.
00:24:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:36
Zak
And I think that might be a fair might be a fair comparison. But you're right, Shea Charles. but There is a lot of of work in that midfield that goes underrated. and they are the reason that, you know, we're able to to push on. It's just, i think, that's that's why sorting out what's the rest of that sort of midfield area is going to be is going to be so vital.
Future Prospects and Team Building
00:24:57
Zak
And again, it's putting all this transfer business to bed, which, you know, by next week, we're going to have to think of a diff segment different segment for Tuesdays. However, I think we'll all be a bit happier and breathe little bit easier that we'll be able to, I guess, build for what is left of the the championship season. And now the this cup run,
00:25:14
Zak
which know how I feel. I'm happy we won the game, right? But like in the build-up that you talked about, Greg, I'm not still in the cup.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:24
Zak
The championship is more important. And now we've got to deal with this.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:28
Zak
It's almost like, fruit what is it? Like Ruben Amaran coming out and being like, well, it's really good, Manchester United don't have European pay and football because then we can focus on losing in the Premier League instead.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, I will be eagerly watching the draw tomorrow and look forward to drawing the longest possible away trip, which always seems to be the way in one of these games.
00:25:39
Zak
It's very much the case.
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
feel like we always seem to draw Everton or Man City in these cups.
00:25:55
Zak
of course we're going to end up drawing Everton because, you know, and we need to we needed to have a clash with with the the the the current owners of Tyler Dibbling, mate.
00:25:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Normally... Yeah.
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:03
Zak
So...
00:26:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:05
Zak
oh
00:26:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Football's poetic in that way.
00:26:07
Zak
course it is. That is the way the universe works.
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
then And then we always seem to draw Man City in quarterfinals. I don't know what it is. That's just...
00:26:15
Zak
But once again...
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
but That sticks out in my memory as just a consistent draw.
00:26:19
Zak
Are you sure it's not because you just remember the Nathan Jones doing the one positive thing he did for this club?
00:26:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Moussa Gineppo's lob. Is that what we're thinking about?
00:26:27
Zak
Just absolutely... Yeah, just somehow knocking... sit Stopping City from winning... Was it the quadruple at the end?
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was the quadruple that year, yeah. yeah
00:26:35
Zak
Oh, we ruined it for him. Oh, no Anyway.
00:26:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And now Nathan Jones got knocked out by a League 2 team tonight.
00:26:38
Zak
but yeah.
00:26:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
i don't know if you saw that, but that's...
00:26:43
Zak
No, that's a bit...
00:26:44
Zak
last
00:26:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's hard to say, isn't Because also, doesn't even care about this cup.
00:26:50
Zak
Well, again, but also we we struggled to get past Northampton at that point. And and again, like that's one of the reasons that we do need to take the positives from this is that like a week ah week ago wasn't as easy as we needed it to be, right? Like...
00:27:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:03
Zak
So today today was good. My bad at the match, if you can't tell Greg already, is Matsuki because I've backed him from the start. I was glad for him to get on, glad for him to score a solid goal. I don't think he changed the match as much as I think, you know, yeahre you you're right, like Shea Charles and sort of Nathan Wood and and, you know, once again, like Manning being solid as well.
00:27:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Got
00:27:23
Zak
like And Roroslav making runs that you know very much naturally come into, yeah
00:27:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
an assist as well on his debut.
00:27:29
Zak
very like sort of naturally being able to come into a squad and just pick up that role. and And I know that, you know, that's kind of expected of footballers, but as we've discussed, we've got a couple of players that have required a bit of bedding in, right?
00:27:42
Zak
And one of the reasons we wanted to bring him in the looks of it is that he had a Premier League experience and has been with Brentford during their promotion. And there are lot of Brentford fans like, oh, thank God to be rid of him this or the other, but he has stepped to that space, you know, which, you know, would have been occupied by Vabri or Sagawara or,
00:27:59
Zak
apparently Fraser the entirety of the last couple of weeks and has been able step in there naturally. So i just think it was a very good team performance. there is very There are still big points of concern that aren't going to be resolved overnight, but shall we just take the win?
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Winning becomes a habit, and that's the important thing.
00:28:15
Zak
Like, can we just do that?
00:28:18
Zak
Like, that would be really nice for us to do.
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
me just think, right? Just think. You head into Saturday. We get comfortable three points at Watford. That's my prediction. Spoiler alert.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And head into an international break on Cloud9, ready to come back with fresh legs, ready to be kicked in a Derby Day affair.
00:28:42
Zak
just reminded me there's an international break and I got sad. of Yeah, the other thing is a a shameless plug. For anyone that's not listened to it, episode 232, we had our player profile on Matsuki.
00:28:54
Zak
Because again, like I think that he could go on to be a a real asset for the team. And I was glad to watch him get some minutes today and you know score one of the goals that he became known for when he was at FC Tokyo.
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
an absolute banger, that's for sure.
00:29:08
Zak
Yeah.
00:29:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, that is all we have got time for on this late night recording session after the game. Zach, as always, thank you very much for joining me.
00:29:17
Zak
Thank you, mate.
00:29:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you. It's been a pleasure.
00:29:21
Zak
Sorry, I messed up your spiel where we thank the wonderful listeners that actually keep this podcast going, not just me and you chatting.
00:29:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. That's it. Thank you everyone for listening. What a wonderful affair to finish with a win in the evening. Beautiful.
00:29:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we look forward to the draw. Who do you want to draw in the cup? Let us know. What a away day would you want? Or even in a home game, maybe? We'll see.
00:29:45
Zak
Pushing boat out.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let us know in the comments or on all of the socials. We are on X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Blue Sky, All of them, let us know.
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'd love hear from you and cannot wait. We will be back tomorrow, as alluded to, with some Transfer Thursday, and it is going to be a bumper episode, I'm sure. There is a lot to talk about.
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But until then, thank you very much for listening. Enjoy the win, and we will see you tomorrow. Have a wonderful day.
00:30:27
Zak
Late night recordings, baby!