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Episode 175: Match Preview: Aston Villa
65 Plays29 days ago
Southampton – It feels like it has already been a long week but we look ahead to the weekend where we have a home game against Villa!
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Transcript
Introduction & Podcast Hosts
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Greg Elliott and as always today joined by my good friend and wonderful co-host, Zach Ingerfinch. you doing mate?
00:00:23
Zak
Yeah, not too bad.
Southampton's Relegation & Management Issues
00:00:24
Zak
It's been a bit of rollercoaster week for Southampton fans, hasn't it? Relegation confirmed. Manager out the door. Everyone's got... like can i It's just kind of some mad...
00:00:37
Zak
expectations as to who our new manager is. I've seen, you know, as I've talked before, Ange Postacoglu, Gareth Southgate, Lampard, Rooney, Lallana,
Who Could Be Southampton's Next Manager?
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:50
Zak
Ricky Lambert.
00:00:51
Zak
Why not bring all the ex-players back? Give them a punt. And I'm just like, mate, what earth? Well, maybe we might even be able to do a job. of like, sure, let's just hire John from down the road, mate. Like at this point.
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:01:02
Zak
Some crazy, crazy sort of speculation. I very much doubt we're going to end up with a new manager before the end of the season. They've already said that. People seem to think otherwise.
00:01:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
it would be
00:01:13
Zak
But like...
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
We mentioned it in yesterday's episode, but it would be stupid to taint a new manager with the
00:01:20
Zak
Yeah, Agreed.
Season Strategy Without a New Manager
00:01:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
with this season. I couldn't think of an appropriate terminology there, Zach, is what happened. They all got filtered.
00:01:28
Zak
Yes, that's good. Yeah, but also like, if it's people like Roel, if he obviously is still probably the leading candidate last time I checked, but it's like a little bit disrespectful to whatever club he's at, that he wants to see out the season, he's already said that, and I think that most managers, if they're unemployed, sure, but I don't know, I'd much prefer them to take their time and go through a robust process rather than just trying to pick somebody.
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:56
Zak
We've got Ruskin to the end of the season.
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
really
00:01:58
Zak
rus you know If we lose, it doesn't matter if we win. We could get a little bit of pride back. If we draw... At this point, the only thing that we as a team are doing are trying to beat that record because we shouldn't be anywhere near that record.
00:02:12
Zak
And that's how the players feel.
00:02:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:14
Zak
And the other thing is to, don't know, potentially ruin the hopes and dreams of multiple clubs are above us that are planning to do special things like Europe and yeah whatever.
00:02:25
Zak
but Because, you know, stranger things have happened. For example, Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 last night. Stranger things have happened.
00:02:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Fantastic free kicks from Declan Rice.
00:02:31
Zak
LAUGHTER
00:02:34
Zak
Very true.
00:02:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unbelievable. But yes, that's right. But all of that speculation and buzz around new manager can wait because we've still got games to play, mate. So we've got Villa this weekend.
00:02:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rusk and Alana's first time together in the dugout.
00:02:53
Zak
Seven games to go, mate.
00:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a lot, isn't Four at home.
00:02:59
Zak
that that That's a lot for where we're at now, I think. And I know that that's, you know, we can argue that about the cows, till the cows come home, but it'll be interesting. We'll have to record this a little bit earlier than I'd have liked to. I'd much prefer to have seen a presser and seen what fitness and availability is like.
00:03:15
Zak
But alas, I am away for a day this week in jolly old London. So we're trying to get something in the calendar, in the in the books, which means we're probably going to be going a lot of speculation. But like,
00:03:29
Zak
it will be interesting to see how it plays out, in my opinion, just as just how the team selection is going to go Because now it's different to the last game, right?
Interim Manager's Role & Player Rotations
00:03:37
Zak
Because the last time he was in charge, he was supposed to be in charge for like two days or whatever, two games, until the next person they brought in.
00:03:43
Zak
This is essentially a little bit of an interim job. This is... you have seven games where you have to do things, right?
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:50
Zak
So it'll be interesting to see like who are his favourites. Are we going to see the return of some players that we've not seen for ages? I'm thinking Ryan Fraser.
00:04:01
Zak
I'm thinking, you know, Ross Stewart had a cameo the last game. Maybe he's fit enough to start. Yeah, it was there's some there' some real meat and bones to debate right up until we find out 50% of our squad is injured five minutes before the game starts.
00:04:14
Zak
LAUGHTER
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:16
Zak
as is usually the case.
00:04:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're right. is I think that all we can hope for is because it is like fresh set of expectations, right? So when we move on to predicted lineups, it's going to be really difficult.
00:04:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think all I personally hope for is that it just plays players in the positions that they play. And that doesn't really sound like a lot, but that really is sort of how low the bar has become.
00:04:47
Zak
That is how low the bar has gotten, right? Like, I know we've we've talked about Juricke and we've talked about who he could potentially replace him, but like, one of the things we've we've kind of speculated over the last couple of weeks is just how low our expectations are.
Player Performance Expectations
00:05:01
Zak
And for me, going into this game, it's just like, not be embarrassed, but i don't even know what that entails anymore because there's been games we've lost 3-0 and you've turned around to me and been like, well, we weren't humiliated. And I'm like...
00:05:13
Zak
So yeah, but you're right. It is a fresh set of expectations. And it's like... They if they have a they have a point to prove at this at this rate, right? In my opinion. And like... Anyone who's still going to be here... And there's going to be a few players that probably are still going to be here after the end of the season.
00:05:30
Zak
They're going to have to stake their claim. Or otherwise...
00:05:33
Zak
we're go to they're going to get replaced probably. like They might end up still being here, but that doesn't mean they're going to get the game time they want. and And this is an opportunity over the next couple of games for them to do that.
00:05:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:05:42
Zak
It's an opportunity to see which youth players, in my opinion, could come through. I'd love to see him play a couple of the players that we've got sort of in the Premier League too. But again, it's do you want to taint those players with their debut in this season?
00:05:55
Zak
Yeah.
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that we will see a few of them come up.
00:05:59
Zak
Yeah.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe not as early as this game. I think that he'll want to... to play the same sort of players that have been playing and try and put his mark on that instead of, or or, you know, we might see some of the more fringe players who have been in and around the squad, but i don't think it's throw the kids at it time yet. I think there'll be time for that in other games in the season for sure.
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know if this is yet.
00:06:27
Zak
Well, it's like, my my opinion on things like this is like, if all of our centre-backs are injured and we have no centre-backs, rather than trying to shoehorn Joe Eribo in centre-back, why don't we try and bring on, like, Kaya Sander, who's scored in the Premier League team?
00:06:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
percent
00:06:39
Zak
And it's things like this, and I guess these are the the elements that we don't really talk about. And one of the reasons we don't really talk about them is because it was point it would be pointless speculation. We knew that Juric was never going to bring them in, but... I find it very, very funny that if you remember when he was brought in, part of one of the reasons he was brought in was to play the youth.
00:06:54
Zak
They literally talked about him like using the youth setup and stuff. And who has he brought through? Because you can't like you know you can't really call Solabada and Paul Adoacu youth players. like I know they're younger, in comparison... So yeah, it's kind of interesting to me to see if the person who knows where the talents could lie will actually start playing them
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:07:17
Zak
And I think it's a good opportunity to do it because, again, like the only thing that they can get at this point is Premier League exposure. And so by that gives them something to fight for next season, I guess.
00:07:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I guess so. it's iss It's an interesting one. I don't know if there's a right answer. And I think that because Rusk hasn't been tainted yet with the real disappointments of this season...
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's a fresh opportunity with the crowd to have the liberty to express sort of whatever he thinks is going to be right without too harsh of a judgment or too harsh of a criticism.
00:07:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
because Because if it was still Jewish and he was like, oh, we're relegated, now I'm just going to play a team of kids, it's not... It would get a negative reaction compare comparatively, right?
00:08:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, it's not...
00:08:05
Zak
Yeah, I get what
Team Lineup Against Villa
00:08:06
Zak
you're saying. I just, again, like it I think because we have that liberty, it would be a good opportunity.
00:08:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
i agree
00:08:13
Zak
And I don't think he's going to lose his job regardless. like
00:08:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, exactly.
00:08:17
Zak
it
00:08:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, well, we have the unenviable task next of some predicted 11s, so maybe we'll go a little bit nuts in that. But first, a message from our partners at Bionique.
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and we are back. Predicted lineups, Zach. Do you think with how uncomfortable we looked in a back four, we stick with a back five, despite the fact that that in itself might be received negatively?
00:09:23
Zak
I feel like i don't I don't think anything at this point can be received negatively just because of everything we've done this season. Back four, back five. like the The problem is is that I can't remember the argument that was had the other day was...
00:09:37
Zak
well, why did we change from a back five to a back four when we did better that that last game beforehand against Palace? But then also the the game beforehand, why have we why are we still playing a back five when would we played a back four at Liverpool at White?
00:09:50
Zak
I just think they're going to be rubbish regardless. I think it's whatever whatever gives us the best defensive option against what is probably going to be an extremely tough Villa test.
00:10:02
Zak
And I think that you could go for a back four if you have both Downs and Ugachukri back, because that's when it works.
00:10:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which we don't because Downs is still suspended.
00:10:13
Zak
So that if not, may as well play the back five. And you're going to put in, you're going put your Stephens, your Harwood-Bellis... and Gian Bednarek, aren't you?
00:10:24
Zak
And then it's just going to be pick defender either side.
00:10:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:27
Zak
I'll play Karl Walker-Peters in his actual position, and then it's a join choice between Wellington and Manning, and it will probably be Manning starting again over Wellington.
00:10:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:36
Zak
So that thats that's where I'm at. like i If not, you know I know that Bella Kotchat said he's up for the fight. Whether or not he actually gets a look in the rest of the season, who knows? what Same with Nathan Wood, same with the other sort of...
00:10:47
Zak
what I would refer to as the Outcasts. James Bree is another one that was favoured lot of positions. Looking back at the last for the game as well, it was difficult to even compare because obviously of it was a Russell Martin side.
00:10:58
Zak
That's where we actually got a small cameo from Suleymane under Russell Martin in the 92nd minute coming in from Ryan Manning.
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:05
Zak
But either then, that was you know that was a bit sort of... it What's the word? Like shoehorned together squad. So, yeah it's going to be difficult.
00:11:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:11:15
Zak
do we Do we bring back some other players? What about Charlie Taylor? Is he is he even still here?
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I don't know. He disappeared into obscurity, didn't
00:11:20
Zak
They set him off on holiday early or...
00:11:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know. He didn't go and stand on the penalty spot when he was told to, and then got sent to the shadow realm. So, I just, it's a baffling one.
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, yeah.
00:11:35
Zak
Okay, so I've given you i've given you the defence. How do you think that our midfield lines up on our attacking options? Because I think that you're probably in agreement with defence, right?
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Well, it's yeah. Yeah. I pretty much agree with that. And I think it goes without saying that Ramsdale will play goal.
00:11:47
Zak
oh yeah.
00:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:11:49
Zak
Not lovely.
00:11:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
almost didn't need to be said, but almost.
00:11:50
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:11:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an interesting one because there's two trains of thought. So you either think of it as starting to try and build the players who are going to need confidence built for next season or try and shape something into what might be so you either give some of the players on the fringes who haven't had much of a chance this season and could be here next season a chance or you sort of stick with what you think is going to give you the best opportunity to win
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, if we... Or to to at least get something. Now, on that train of thought, you have to play Les Liga Chugwu because he's been solidly consistent in that in that role for us and important.
00:12:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whereas there's 0% chance of him being here next season. So... I think, personally, i would pick Big Les with Ariba and Matty Fernandes, probably.
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although, there's a risk that's just too similar. And if if we end up with the same sort of XI, I don't know if
Midfield & Squad Quality Discussion
00:13:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
that goes down well either. So, I don't know is the answer.
00:13:05
Zak
That's the thing, right? Because for 45 minutes, we were terrible. And then for 45 minutes, we almost did okay.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:10
Zak
And the the players didn't hugely change until the latter stages of the second half. And then it was just, at that point, proper us being put to the sword, as usual.
00:13:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I mean, the the only so like solidly in that midfield name I have on the list that I don't see changing is Matty Fernandes.
00:13:19
Zak
um um Yeah, it's a difficult one.
00:13:27
Zak
Yeah, that's pretty that's pretty much it.
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Other than that, pick two from the squad.
00:13:29
Zak
Everyone else, you know, you could theoretically...
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:13:31
Zak
why you know Why not play a Fraser? It's interesting that you seem to think that they'll go back because of the you know they don't want to waste time developing Uga Chukwu. That was one of my earlier arguments early in the season, where you were quite firmly against it, where I was like, I don't understand why we're developing someone else's player.
00:13:48
Zak
Where looking back here, I kind of forget he's on loan at this point because he's become such a staple part of the team. And it's actually quite upsetting to think we'll lose him. But now now I think that as much as there is a clean slate,
00:13:59
Zak
and they a new manager in, interim, even for the time being, we still have that record to beat. And I don't think until we get past that record, they are willing to mess about because I think that messing about too much, you know, as much as I'd love to see him play sort of Kaya Sander and some of the other sort of youth prospects,
00:14:21
Zak
I don't think they're going to do that until, at the very least, we are not we have that those points secured. And that could take right up until the end of the season. And it might still not happen because the idea that we're going to take some points away, considering, you know, we laugh and joke about it, but realistically, we've got some tough games ahead of us.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:40
Zak
Villa is one of them. Let's not pretend that they aren't where they are on merit currently. They're absolutely flying. Look at look at how well they... they recruited in January to be where they are now.
00:14:51
Zak
Like, you know, Rashford's given a new leaf of life, life there. Asensio, you know, ex Real Madrid player flying at Villa, Champions League football, this and the other, you know, with be this game, we take some points from those.
00:15:04
Zak
So I would consider like a draw to be a good thing, but I think that the, they will play to the strengths of the squad.
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
What?
00:15:13
Zak
And I think that having potentially a player in the squad, as the assistant who knows the the best strengths and probably has his ideas as to who will be the best. Maybe, maybe Adam Lallon will play himself.
00:15:29
Zak
Maybe we'll see a whole 90 minutes of Lallana because he's decided that he he needs to be in there and do some of that work. But yeah, I think until we get past there, I think that it's going to be the former option that you say, which is we are going to play to get something out of every single game that we can.
00:15:46
Zak
Because also, like other than Leicester and Everton, realistically, I think that most of the other games were probably going to get well beaten. And that's, and you know, that's, that's, bear in mind that Everton undergo a completely different system and Leicester, which you've obviously said is being referred to at the moment as El Capio, but add an R in there.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
El Crapco, yeah. yeah It's being speculated to maybe be the lowest quality game of football in Premier League history, which probably means it's going to be like a fivef four win or something.
00:16:16
Zak
car I cannot wait for both of us to be confirmed relegated by the time that game plays and then it ends up being like the best game of the season, despite the fact that it means nothing.
00:16:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:24
Zak
Because imagine all of those players playing with that freedom. But then also, again, like we we still have something to play for.
00:16:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:30
Zak
And I think that it's it's easy to forget that.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:34
Zak
Right.
00:16:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
What about like small bone? Like every other manager has seen something in small bone that we, we don't necessarily see. And sometimes vocally don't see.
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:47
Zak
Yes, a weird one, isn't He's going to be around next season, though. But I think until until Big Les is gone, we should be playing Big Les over him.
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:55
Zak
if it's If it's him alongside Big Les, I'm not adverse to it.
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:16:59
Zak
and There is very much the speculation that Eribo is going to go at the end of the season, and I wouldn't really blame him either. But I wouldn't be massively upset by it, but at this
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the reason that Will Smallbone comes under fire quite as much he does is, we've mentioned before that he's sort of like the jack of all trades.
00:17:17
Zak
Yeah, master of none, though, innit?
00:17:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that causes him the problem, right? Yeah, that sort of causes him the problem because he's not as good of a holding midfielder as either Downs or Riga Chugwu. And he's not as much a good, as good of an attacking midfielder as Matty Fernandes.
00:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he or he really, or but even maybe a Rebo, he really sort of falls into that,
Will Smallbone's Potential
00:17:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
that crack. I don't know. It's, it's,
00:17:39
Zak
it It's one of those things where, i don't know if you saw, i think Russell Martin was interviewed on another podcast, and he was basically talking about that he doesn't want to disrespect the players he had under him, but the quality of the Premier League isn't there with most of the players.
00:17:53
Zak
and and that And that is, fortunately, is pretty much where Smallbone fits.
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
00:17:58
Zak
Maybe in the future, he he becomes a better quality player Premier League player but like remember when we were in the relegation season we shipped him off on loan to what like Sunderland or Stoke like we literally yeah we literally sent him down to the championship because we did not think he would fit into our squad then and now he is you know so it's not a disrespect to him as a player I think that maybe he could become good in the future but he's just not there now
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Swansea. Yeah, Snoke, that was right, yeah.
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But also...
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, but I guess also, like, we've talked before how about the systems that they're asking play these players to play in don't suit him at all.
00:18:32
Zak
No.
00:18:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And maybe in in a system where we're presumably and hopefully going back to basics a bit and playing players in their positions where they know how to play and sort of have played since their youth days of football and doing, like, simple...
00:18:39
Zak
He is hoping.
00:18:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
playing ball, like taking it back to basics. Maybe that is something where he can sort shine through. maybe. maybe
00:18:55
Zak
Yeah, but that'll be interesting because we're going have, if not, but we're going to have to play with some sort of system that contains defensive midfielders just because of the sheer amount we're going to end up with next season. and
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:04
Zak
Because if not, you know, we've got Downs, we're going to have Shea Charles back. Does Smallbone come in before any of them? If Fernandes goes, does he have a bigger role to play? Maybe, especially as I don't think Lallana is going to be playing next season. I think he might still be at the club. but I can't see him...
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I actually think small bones strength is as more of a playmaker. So almost sitting in front of a defensive midfielder to play that role, maybe trying to give Matty Fernandez the freedom to push forward a bit more, maybe kind of works in a three, but then I think the problem is maybe you struggle for width with the other players.
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
So don I don't know.
00:19:41
Zak
So i guess I guess for the Villa game, it's a roll of a dice, isn't it?
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not a puzzle that I'd like to solve.
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:45
Zak
and And again, it's like, who do we have in wingers?
00:19:47
Zak
Are we going to play, you know, depends whether or not we decide to go back to sort of playing Cameron Archer and playing normal attacking football. We go back to lumping the ball at tall pool whenever we can.
00:19:59
Zak
It'll be...
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Surely that's a question of fitness, right? Because you can't truly... This is this is not a sentence, Zach, that I thought I saw myself saying at the start of the season, but how can you justify leaving out our top scorer in Stryker and not play tall pool?
00:20:16
Zak
Wow, what what an incredible sentence to say. Yeah, no, exactly. exactly you're You're right, though. But again, it's like it's having to adjust the system. Maybe we'll finally see the the attacking formation for a full 90 minutes or at least for a first half of Tawpool and Cameron Archer.
00:20:34
Zak
maybe this is Maybe this is finally the day that it happens.
00:20:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
imagine They just drop it into like a four four two we have We have, like, Sulemana on one side of midfield without the pressure of having to just go old school, like, ping it up to the big man. It bounces off his head and Cameron Archer just runs in behind.
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
The optimism is already bubbling inside me just thinking about it. Maybe... Yeah.
00:21:03
Zak
It would be lovely if it was worth anything. yeah Again, again. what But then again, there is something on the line which does make it competitive still.
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:12
Zak
It's not being the worst team ever.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Okay, well, we we'll move on to score predictions and whether you think that this is the game that breaks that duck or not. But first, a message from our partners at Zencaster.
00:21:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:21:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster.
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okie doke. So, Zach, I'm going to throw you straight under the bus, mate. Is this a game we beat the record?
00:21:58
Zak
I think it could be. And I think it's because Rusk gave us our best new manager bounce so far, which was a boring 0-0 draw.
00:22:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah? 0-0 draw?
00:22:09
Zak
tall Paul is scoring now. So as long as there isn't any update between now and when we make this prediction that he's out for like three games or something ridiculous, because that would be just the icing on the cherry.
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Four goals in nine goals in nine starts is genuinely almost good Premier League striker form.
00:22:26
Zak
Yeah, so so so theoretically, you know, two goals from Paul and I'm actually at home. Somehow we keep Villa quiet. I don't think we'll keep a clean sheet because we never do.
00:22:37
Zak
But I think that that would be, know, it would be going down with at least the slightest amount of pride as opposed to we have confirmed our space in the championship for next season, which...
00:22:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is a better league.
00:22:52
Zak
It is a better league, right, but you know we're we're going to we're going to run out of parachute payments soon, and we're going to run out of the ability to go up and down like a yo-yo without it being significantly harmful.
Avoiding Historical Failure & Match Predictions
00:23:05
Zak
we are We are going down this season. they They need to show some fight. like I appreciate... some of the Instagram posts from some of the players, you can tell maybe they have tried their best and they aren't just that good.
00:23:17
Zak
You know, Taylor Harbour-Bellis springs to mind as someone put in, I'm so, so sorry, but, but like, you know, that's fine. Just make it so we're not the worst of all time. Please, we've been we've already had enough banter, tin pot stuff for the entirety of the season.
00:23:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm
00:23:32
Zak
I'd love to see it happen. Maybe it could happen this game. Maybe we will be just completely underestimated. I could also see us easily getting battered. But that isn't the prediction I've given, Greg. There you go.
00:23:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
going 2-1 win is that what I heard in amongst it nice I love it I'm here for that level of optimism look
00:23:44
Zak
piece of positivity for me. to So I am going for a 2-1 win amongst that absolute waffle.
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
We all know that I have not predicted a Saints loss all season and are not going to start now. Like, that would be the craziest part of the week if I suddenly came out and went, no, we're going to lose 3-1 in a rather tumultuous week.
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I still think that stands. I think that my prediction might be equally crazy, though, because I think, Zach, we're going to win 1-0.
00:24:21
Zak
Right.
00:24:23
Zak
Wow.
00:24:24
Zak
We get the one... Oh, that would be a horrible way to spend 90 minutes of your life, wouldn't it? Is us to go one goal up and then manage to somehow get over the line.
00:24:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:32
Zak
With a 12 minutes added time because of ridiculous VAR check at some point. You're right. Awful. Awful. hate every minute of it.
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:40
Zak
If we're going to win this season, that's it's going be.
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. A painful 1-0 win where we get the goal in the first half.
00:24:48
Zak
you call You call me the pessimist, mate. Good Lord.
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I predicted a win. What more do you want from me?
00:24:53
Zak
Yeah, it's it's just... You you just know. Like, that's... That's like 90 minutes of pain to get that win in comparison to just, you know, a two-goal cushion that gets dented. But...
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
be But you you you think that that amount of s suffering during in the game only makes it feel sweeter at the end when that victory comes.
00:25:13
Zak
Sure. i I wish you all the best.
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, we are running out of time here today, but we will see how it
Podcast Wrap-up & Listener Engagement
00:25:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
lands at St. Mary's on the weekend. Thank you very much for listening to us. We are on all of the socials. Drop your score predictions in the comments and let us know. We are on Facebook, Blue Sky, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, all of it.
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bebo, that's still a thing, maybe?
00:25:42
Zak
Other miscellaneous social medias that we are unaware that we have.
00:25:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, let us know your score predictions. Let us know how you think the rest of the season is going to play out. I'm somehow still looking forward to it. So that may never go away, at least.
00:26:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Until then, we'll see you next time.