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Episode 218: It's FIXTURE DAY!
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Southampton – We have the full list of our Coaching team, and today, fixtures are out! We've got lots to talk about as we get nearer to real football being back!
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Transcript
Introduction & Hosts
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome 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 Ingo Finch.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
How you doing,
00:00:22
Zak
Yeah, not too bad. It's been a busy workday.
Weather Humour in Britain
00:00:26
Zak
It's still unseasonably warm. I say it's unseasonably warm. It's just summer. And I'm i'm just...
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, that is unseasonably warm in Britain, you know.
00:00:33
Zak
but
00:00:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
LAUGHTER
00:00:35
Zak
Yes, for sure.
00:00:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pretty sure normally it snows or something right about now.
00:00:37
Zak
For sure, mate.
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. But yeah, it's.
Football Season Excitement
00:00:41
Zak
It's fine. It's just um it's a harsh reminder that we don't have real football at the moment. Some might call the club World Cup at real football. I don't know.
00:00:52
Zak
I watched one of the games the other day. i can't remember which one I watched, which says a lot.
00:00:57
Zak
That pretty much sums it up, right?
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not be keeping up with it. But look, like we we are getting closer and closer to real football returning. Today is fixture list day. At midday, we will get the full list of fixtures for the championship season, and we will find out who we draw in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
00:01:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's exciting times, mate.
Beer Changes at St Mary's
00:01:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But before we get to that, news out of the club.
00:01:17
Zak
It is.
00:01:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
We we have official confirmation of a decent beer being available at St Mary's.
00:01:28
Zak
you
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the most exciting news, right? Asahi instead of Kingfisher?
00:01:33
Zak
Mate, I really like a side. It's actually the it's the one beer I like actually, like if I get a chance to drink it, I'll usually have it. I still remember when we went to go see, when my wife and we went to go see Taylor Swift, it was just like one of the beers they had on tap in the pub. I just kept consistently having pints of that.
00:01:52
Zak
I'll get some of the bigger bottles from the Eastleigh Marks and Spencer sometimes from feeling, you know, feeling it on a Friday night. I'm really happy that that's going be there because Kingfisher was there.
00:02:04
Zak
as i so It all right. It sure was better than no beer.
00:02:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was wet and potentially alcoholic. Let's put it that way. of course, I am.
Club Management Changes
00:02:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
The more important news out of the club, guess, is that a we have confirmation of Will Steele's team, his management team.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Adam Lallana, who's announced his retirement from playing football, is part of the team alongside Carl Martin, who remains, and Ruben Martinez, who joins as a goalkeeping coach.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's, I mean, it's all moving forward, right? it This is news. How feeling about it?
00:02:42
Zak
Yeah, it's it' is's good. Obviously, Adam Olana has now officially retired as well. We all kind of assumed that, but and it's not over until it's over.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:53
Zak
You know, I remember you telling me that Jamie Vardy is apparently rumoured to go back to Fleetwood. So, you know, who knows what was going to happen? But think that's good. I'm kind of glad that his influence will stick around the club.
00:03:04
Zak
And obviously, Simon Rusk is off, which is a bit, you know, he did it right for us. But at the same time, like, I think that that's kind of that that makes complete sense to me. Yeah.
00:03:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:16
Zak
of The fact, and the same with Dean Thornton, right? I think if if Will Stills got his own goalkeeper coach for... we've thought How long has Dean been in the club? I swear, like forever. and I think it's probably about time that the goalkeepers were thought just a little bit different.
00:03:29
Zak
deep things Keep things fresh.
00:03:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Look, I mean, look, when the season went as badly as it did, change change is inevitable, right? And yeah, i don't think either of them leave with ill will.
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, Simon Ruff's arguably the most successful of the managers we had last season, right?
00:03:41
Zak
No, not at all.
00:03:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:03:49
Zak
Yeah, it's... yes it's some I don't know, it would have been nice to see him go back to the development role he was working on, but clearly he's got stronger ambitions elsewhere, right? I think that people some people, like Carlsley, for example, are able to take that step back into sort of youth football. Russ did after sort of initially taking over for one game or whatever before taking over the end of the season.
00:04:12
Zak
So, you know, he did well, then ended ended up going on to join the first squad. So I think... Clearly, clearly just he wants to take the next step in his career, and it's completely understandable. That's where I'm at.
00:04:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:23
Zak
And obviously, Paul Trollope coming in, we've we've done a profile of him. So you you now know who he is.
00:04:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do.
00:04:31
Zak
Alfie House has done a little little like sort of analysis on his article as well, which is quite nice. And you can sort of see that the wealth of experience he brings in. But the fact that we actually seem to have like a gang now, it's good.
00:04:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:44
Zak
it can't It can only be a good thing.
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this goalkeeping coach, Ruben Martinez, the list of clubs he's worked for on the announcement on the Saints website, is That's a lot of experience in lots of different walks of life.
00:04:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brighton, Watford, Maccabee, Tel Aviv, Salzburg, St Etienne, Olympiacos. And then, obviously, alongside still at Reigns. So that's good, right? It can only be a good thing.
00:05:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's nice that he's bringing in someone that he's familiar with to work alongside as well.
00:05:13
Zak
Yeah, I think We were talking about, and there was a lot of noise around how it was really important to make sure we got a manager before the end of the season. And they they did that, even if it was in the most unannounced way they possibly could have.
00:05:27
Zak
And obviously, before pre-season's properly kicked off, we've now got a coaching team that have been put together and they will be able to meet and organise what they want to do before pre-season kicks off and then go from there.
Season Strategic Planning
00:05:39
Zak
And, you know, it will be a new project for all.
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And a signing as well, let's not forget.
00:05:42
Zak
Sorry?
00:05:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
like And a signing as well, let's not forget.
00:05:45
Zak
Yeah?
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
like We brought him in.
00:05:46
Zak
Yeah, I know. It feels like we haven't haven't had a sign-in.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was so early in the window, right, that it sort of feels like old news at this point. But like it's it's steps to get ahead of the game to show that they don't just want to leave it to the last minute and push.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
like They want to drive and bring that forward.
00:06:06
Zak
Well, I think we covered a lot of that with the interview Solek, right?
00:06:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's...
00:06:09
Zak
like that That says to me that we're already on the on the path to kind of being ahead of the game this time round.
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:14
Zak
And I think it's just the proof the proof will be how the season plays out, right? Like, if if we do really well and we go straight back up like but i know that's I don't want to think too arrogantly.
00:06:25
Zak
That is sort of the expectation. But, you know... It's also planning for the future and the understanding that, oh, we literally cannot do what we did last time because it will financially cripple us again.
00:06:38
Zak
So let's not do that.
00:06:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:39
Zak
And also just the general general and sort of planning for the future with wanting to build a revenue stream that isn't reliant on this, which means that regardless of where we sit, we'll be in a stronger position than the clubs around us is...
00:06:53
Zak
It's all good stuff, right? And and I think for for me, the finally finishing the coaching team is the cherry on top to the fact that they're actually listening about creating, you know putting footballing people into footballing places. And now they've filled all of those football places with football people.
00:07:07
Zak
And you know but what's what's more you know what's left is just to start seeing how it pans out, see how see how pre-season is, and then you know start to see, hopefully, results on the door.
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's it and 100 oh i agree with you completely uh it's nice that we've seen this movement early uh god it's it's starting to build that dangerous level of optimism real early though isn't it all right well uh
00:07:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's fixture day and we're going to move on to talking about fixtures and what we're most looking forward to and what's most important. But first, a message from our partners at Bionique.
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okie doke, and we are back. Okay, so yes, it's fixture day today. Zach, I'm going to start with the most important question. do you want in the Carabao Cup? It's obviously the most important competition for us this year.
00:08:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh...
00:08:38
Zak
the The thing is, do we do we want to start weak or do we just want to start off strong?
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:08:42
Zak
Do we want to have... Because I worry if if you say Pompey, and obviously we've already got South Coast derby, like, man, Hampshire Constabulary are already worried about the two they've got to cover. But four games against Pompey...
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
It'd only be three. It's not home and away, Lex. It's just... Just a ah sneaky little fixture in there. like Be alright.
00:09:02
Zak
So you're thinking...
00:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that is the one that storm we want, right?
00:09:05
Zak
Yeah, pretty pretty much. or Alternatively, maybe one of the promoted Premier League teams. Obviously, not in the case of if we want to advance, but I would like to see you know'd like to see how we come up against, quote-unquote, tougher opposition.
00:09:21
Zak
Admittedly, it's in a
00:09:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:09:22
Zak
um um ah different like time. But also, depending on when the fixture comes, like it might actually be good to play against like a Sunderland or a Burnley.
00:09:32
Zak
So that's the other thing, because you know I think of making a struggle this year, right? like
00:09:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:38
Zak
Like any promoted team.
00:09:40
Zak
So...
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
My honest answer is I think that it's really important to set the benchmark early this season that we could not care less about any cups.
00:09:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right? like We have got a long, congested season of fixtures in championship to focus on. And if that means a slightly embarrassing defeat to someone like Gillingham in the first round of the Carabao Cup, then if that's what it takes, that's what it's going to take.
00:10:11
Zak
Don't want to go up against Grimsby or anybody, no.
00:10:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, that's it.
00:10:15
Zak
Or or do jo just not want us to get battered by Liverpool, because at least then we go out with like a reason as to why we we're up there bad, right?
00:10:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look.
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, something like that. I i mean, look, I'm always for a cup run. I would love to see us win a trophy. I just think that our priorities lie elsewhere this season.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is that is probably going to be the most important part of of all of that.
00:10:31
Zak
Yes, that that's the main thing, right? Yes.
00:10:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. What do you think is more important or what would you feel better about? An easier, the air quote, un-air quote, because no fixtures in this league are easy, but an easier start or an easier run out?
00:10:55
Zak
The problem you've got with being a Southampton fan is whenever we do this, it's always the teams that are better that we seem to be better at and the teams that we should be beating that we for some reason massively struggle with.
00:11:10
Zak
Or we just we just we just assume we're going to win and then we lose like 1-0 and it's just infuriating. I would say a tougher run towards the end because also when things start to get tight, if we have to show character and actually beat people, like that's where the key points differences are going to be.
00:11:28
Zak
an easier start also means that we just hit the ground running, right? So that's kind of my my opinion on it, but I'm also very aware that all of it's going to be risks. And as you pointed out, this is a far more unpredictable league than I think people give it credit for.
00:11:43
Zak
You know, like... So, yeah, I think that's where I land. I think that tougher towards the end, easier towards the the beginning. Or like an actual mixed bag would be nice, like an actual tough fixture followed by a sort of Rotherham.
00:11:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:11:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
hmm
00:11:58
Zak
But then things like that
Southampton vs Portsmouth Discussion
00:11:59
Zak
are going to give you issues with if we have a bad game and we lose, we... I know that it's going to be probably quite a lot of new players coming into this new season. I'm just very aware that we were unable to put two performances together in our last season.
00:12:15
Zak
And now, if we're able to put two performances together and then we lose, I'm worried of like what that's going to do mentally to the team. And I think that's why a lot of these...
00:12:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, consistency is going to be a really important factor going through.
00:12:29
Zak
Yeah.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where is the optimal place in the season to play Pompey first?
00:12:38
Zak
Like, you want the window to be slammed shut. You want at least a month of consistency. And you want us at that point to hopefully be doing well.
00:12:49
Zak
So the first time we come up against them, it's not going to be, know, sort of shaky. Because if we were to beat them really early on, it could be a massive boost. But I think that a lot of the new players would be absolutely shaken if sort of three or four games they're getting booed out of the park because we're like 4-0 down to Pompey or something like that, right?
00:13:10
Zak
So I would say like October.
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
well be That is all a horrible thought to put into the...
00:13:15
Zak
Yeah, but like, also but that you know that's how it would be.
00:13:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my god. like I can't believe you said though those words.
00:13:20
Zak
ho, ho, ho, ho.
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Honestly, I had a physical response to that................
00:13:22
Zak
i i mean Again, this is worst case scenario, but I'm thinking from the perspective of you are like a 18, 19 year old, because let's face it, we're going to build a young squad again that you've been brought in and all of a sudden you've played like maybe one, two games and you're really excited to play for Southampton.
00:13:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:13:39
Zak
And then all of a sudden you start, yeah yeah you make a mistake and then Portsmouth win at home and the vitriol from the crowd, boom you will suddenly realise how much it means.
00:13:50
Zak
And I don't want to do that to a player, so they just have to make sure they win, Greg. but That's all they need to do.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:13:58
Zak
And I think that but if you're asking me the optimal time... it's It's probably going to be October. If you ask me when I think we're going beat them, probably most of the season. like like I'm sorry. like i know that that's a bit arrogant, and but it's like, come on.
00:14:14
Zak
They really struggled to come up in the first place. They really struggled to stay in for a last majority. of you know don't even want to say fair play for staying up because this just feels a bit gross. But... They stayed up regardless.
00:14:26
Zak
We're going to have to treat them like championship of opposition, but we need to go out there and like just absolutely batter them, no matter what.
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:14:33
Zak
And as I said, the most optimal time for the first game will be October. If it ends up as September... ah think that Will still just needs to sit the entire squad down, newbies and all, and just show them like the 900 YouTube documentaries you can find about why there's such a vicious history between Southampton and Portsmouth and explain that you will go down probably ah ah some sort of cult heroes. if you know It will be things that come up on replays in 5, 10, 20 years down the line if you score and you win that game.
00:15:04
Zak
But if you lose, they're always going remember, oh, he's that guy that like let those three goals in a pump against Pompey.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:10
Zak
So October in the really long winded answer to your question.
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. You're right. be Because, like...
00:15:16
Zak
it'
00:15:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're right, though, because, like, for context, like, last season, in their little pre-roll video for the for the season, i beating Pompey 4-0, like, a decade ago was in there.
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:15:31
Zak
Yeah, because because it's important.
00:15:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like 25 games unbeaten, winning promotion, back-to-back promotions and beating Pompey at home. that is like That is the but hierarchy of importance of the club.
00:15:38
Zak
it It's hugely important
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:43
Zak
I don't think people... and like Again, like i'm thinking I'm hoping and I think they understand. i was talking to you Part of the email that came out the other day was also like the... Even like the Portsmouth Hospitality, like you can go on a waiting list or whatever, register your interest. It was like, oh, why? yeah I don't know why.
00:16:01
Zak
Like, it's going to be... Everyone kind of knows how the game's going to be. Everyone knows what the atmosphere is going to be. Like, again, Hampshire Police...
00:16:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:16:08
Zak
It's going to be a... a clash right and we we just need to make sure that we we come out on top any way possible october in my opinion gives us the best sort of a time to prepare and also beat them and then go on off the back of that that's the confidence right that's the most and as a lot of people said like they would rather if if we lose back like twice to pompey as far as a lot of people have said like they we just don't deserve to go up wouldn't matter if we managed to you know we beat pompey twice and ends up in the automatics and it means that we don't like
00:16:40
Zak
don't get through it's interesting to see the combinations of people combinations people are putting together but the the the outcome of all of that is that well we need to win those games obviously and and i agree wholeheartedly so i think that you're right from a mentality perspective it is going to be important uh and yeah so yes uh for to reiterate for the i think like sixth time because that's who i am as a person yeah october what about you mate when should we play them
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
halloween
00:17:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
look you're right not not in the first five fixtures uh you want to be more settled than that you want it's too much it's going to be a hostile volatile experience regardless right so you want to be as settled as you can i think october is fine uh is whatever Whenever it is, it's going to be the most one of the most looked forward to fixtures of season.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going be fascinating.
00:17:36
Zak
do Do you reckon it could end up as first game of the season?
00:17:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't wait. No, absolutely not.
00:17:41
Zak
What about last game of the season?
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, no. Oh, I don't think so, no.
00:17:45
Zak
because what Because imagine if it wasn't important because we'd already won the league or got qualification.
00:17:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
They...
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're going to... Oh, my God. Can you imagine having to be crowned champions at Fratton Park? No. The...
00:17:57
Zak
LAUGHTER
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow, there was a moment.
00:18:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
no No, it's going to be on the most mundane of Saturdays where they can move it as to an early as a kickoff as they can, right? like It's not going to be on some already heightened occasion.
00:18:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to a drizzly, dreary day, probably in October or November, where they can make it a 10am kickoff if they're allowed to jesus get it out of the way and done with.
00:18:27
Zak
The funny thing is, like, although we know by this point, well by this point, and probably by some here some of the points that some of the listeners are listening to this, the fixtures would already be out. What I think is probably funniest is you you could, if you could get access to what, like, the police rotors would be, wherever they're most, wherever they're the least amount of holiday is probably when it's taking place.
00:18:49
Zak
And,
00:18:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like the fact that you think the, the, uh, gaining access to police rotors might be less secure than gaining access to the fixtures. So. but
00:18:59
Zak
Look, mate, there's a lot more money in the Football League than there is in the local constabulary, put that way.
Zencastr Platform Promotion
00:19:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. I want to move on to any fix other fixtures we're excited about, but first the message from our partners at Zencastr. Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform, and Zencaster came out the clear winner.
00:19:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
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. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster.
00:19:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, and and we're back. So, other than the South Coast Derby, is that it?
Fixture Anticipation & Rivalries
00:19:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are there any fixtures that jump out to you as exciting or one to look out for on the calendar?
00:19:50
Zak
The Nathan Jones derby, obviously.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:54
Zak
I know we've we've talked fondly about Charlton Athletic in our most recent episode with your dad playing for him. However, mate, I look forward to us absolutely battering them, like 5-0 and putting Nathan Jones to shame because I ah shouldn't say.
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:10
Zak
Honestly, I think our feelings on him have been clear. I think that there is a... I think he said he wishes he did things different here. But I don't know if that means be more of a...
00:20:23
Zak
you know, volatile, aggressive person who was in charge of the club or what? It just feels like, I feel like it's going to be one where if the fans have an opportunity to wind him up, they're going to, and that's going to be exciting because it'll be,
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is the type of person who's going to bite to it as well.
00:20:40
Zak
Yeah, exactly. And I think that it could spill over onto the pitch and I think it could be a good game. My also worry is that like it could spill into that game and end up with a red card. like i How many injuries... I think the better question, mate, is over the over the two Nathan Jones derbies and the two South Coast derbies, how many injuries are we going to pick up?
00:20:58
Zak
Like, that's the that's the big worry for me. Like, depending on when these games land, you know, you could end up with people suspended or what, or what you know.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
There.
00:21:08
Zak
it's That's the thing that kind of makes me slightly wary. But that's the ones I'm looking forward to. Obviously, the the obvious is Wrexham. Chance for us to a appear in a documentary.
00:21:19
Zak
Hopefully not as the first championship team they beat.
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we lost 10-0 to Southampton. Yes.
00:21:25
Zak
Yeah, see, that's fine.
00:21:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the headline we want, right?
00:21:26
Zak
But like my other way other worry is that they're like we become like the first championship opposition they beat, and that ends up on the documentary. Because let's face it, as a club that likes to break the records of other teams, that would be 100% something we do.
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:21:39
Zak
So...
00:21:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
but you know that's got opening day potential right what southampton at the race course that's got that's got friday night first game of the season vibes like
00:21:44
Zak
Yeah?
00:21:47
Zak
exciting. Be exciting.
00:21:51
Zak
especially Especially if their strike performance is going to be headed up by both Jay Rodriguez and Danny Ings as well. so it's a little reunion at that point.
00:21:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
right it's just like football poetry there somewhere uh
00:22:01
Zak
hondru yeah, that's...
00:22:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm always excited for Boxing Day to see which game we get.
00:22:08
Zak
Nice.
00:22:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Famously, my wife is quoted as saying, I hope we're away next year, which has been interpreted as an away trip. Whether that's what she meant or not, that's how it's going.
00:22:16
Zak
Nice.
00:22:22
Zak
It's a hint of being like, I really would love to go to Lapland for Christmas. And you'll be like, right, so we're going to West Brom away.
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
LAUGHTER
00:22:29
Zak
yeah yeah your dad was a Baggies fan. You should love it. but
00:22:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be fair, a trip up to the Hawthorns is always a lovely day out. a But, yeah, it's just excited. I can't wait to... It's the the biggest piece of admin I look forward to in the calendar year, mate. It's sitting down and adding all of the fixtures to my family calendar.
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm absolutely buzzing. I can't wait. I'm so excited.
00:22:57
Zak
Any, any, any outliers that you're looking forward to anything that you think might end up being a fun game that you haven't thought of?
00:23:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Millwall at the Den is always fun, right?
00:23:06
Zak
Mm-hmm.
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
lia Always a good atmosphere. Obviously, the the games against the other relegated teams are going to be interesting. Obviously, Leicester beat us, you know, both times the last championship season. It would be nicer to set a better benchmark than that.
00:23:25
Zak
Yes, I agree.
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sheffield United is going to be an interesting game. Obviously, they were right on the cusp last year and should be there or thereabouts again this year. art as this
00:23:33
Zak
Yeah, be interesting to how competitive it gets this year in comparison to last.
00:23:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's no bad fixtures in the championship. It's just such an exciting league. There's no team on that list that you look at and think, oh, we're going to get battered by them.
00:23:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But simultaneously, there's no real team that you look at on the list and think, that's an easy game. but Like, every game is dangerous.
00:23:55
Zak
true True, but when you say that it's always exciting, there is the opportunity for us to play Stoke twice. so a
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I think that that is the exception that proves the rule.
00:24:05
Zak
Yeah, it's important to mention, though. As much as you can pretend they're not there, they are, unfortunately, position we are to have to play.
00:24:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that I mean, historically, just the the worst games of football I ever witnessed against Stoke, it's
00:24:22
Zak
Yeah. Agreed.
00:24:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
fine. I'm sure that'll be true to form. And then somehow I'll still turn around and expect that to be one of the fixtures I drag my wife along to. And she's like, what are you doing? What are we doing here?
00:24:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm excited. i can't wait. I look forward tomorrow to so picking out the highlights with you and going through it.
00:24:46
Zak
Yeah, going be fun. I'm looking forward to it
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as we build closer and start thinking about predictions and how we're actually going to finish in the league.
00:24:52
Zak
too. We've
00:24:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's that's coming up real soon for sure.
00:24:58
Zak
already set out our expectations and they're not... They're already quite optimistic.
00:25:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we're going to win clear and break the record of points scored in championship. that's Anything less than that is not acceptable, right?
00:25:11
Zak
That is the goal, mate.
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. That is just about all we've got time for today. we will be back tomorrow when the fixtures are out. Until then, thank you very much for joining us. Let us know on socials what games you are looking forward to most next season. Are there any away days in particular that you're excited for?
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let us know. We look forward to to reading through all of them. Until then, we'll see you tomorrow.