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CL Round 4 - Toon v Bilbao
0 Playsin 10 hours
Jo and Iain discuss the current feeling in the Toon camp after a disaster weekend - but how despite that we are feeling positive moving forward and in particular about the next CL match v Athletic Bilbao
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Transcript
Jo's Return and Football Catch-up
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to GSPN's Newcast United podcast. It is me, Jo, I'm back in the hot seat. It's been a while, not really actually, I'm actually doing some work for a change, unless I'm like leaving all to the boys.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But I am joined, it is just me and Ian today. So how you doing, Mr. Mackay?
00:00:32
Iain
all right. I'm all right. You've made us get finished nicely on time and start nice and early.
Previewing Champions League Matches
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
see
00:00:38
Iain
So, yeah, it'll be a match. It'll be a match to watch. Champions League starts tonight, doesn't it? So I think Arsenal are playing.
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It does indeed.
00:00:45
Iain
Don't
00:00:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it does. So, well, Liverpool are playing Real at eight, which is obviously like this whole star game, isn't it really? But we'll see what, by the time anyone's listening to this, all these matches will be finished anyway. So, um yeah.
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, it is about Champions League, isn't it?
00:00:58
Iain
I
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's about our Champions League game though. So it's about Athletic Bilbao, sorry, um who are already in town.
00:01:03
Iain
It's
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ready to compete apparently.
Reflecting on Recent Team Performances
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um think what we'll do is, obviously we've got plenty to say about the Bilbao game and plenty to say about the Champions League, but let's talk about what's going on at the minute, how a kind of feeling based off the last game, just in general.
00:01:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Overall, I don't want to be too down because yes, all right, Sunday was a crap show to put it lightly, um but prior to Sunday, Everyone was feeling brilliant. So really shouldn't as much as it was awful. um We probably shouldn't let it drag. We're right down into the doldrums like some people are.
00:01:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But in general, how are you feeling? Obviously, I know Sunday was awful, but how you feeling about
Analyzing Premier League Struggles
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
the team? Do you think it was just a, yeah I don't even know. I don't want to call it blip don't think it was a blip. I'll be honest. um There's obviously some issues going on.
00:01:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
What are the issues? What do you reckon?
00:01:58
Iain
not to get too down by it, but it was dreadful. And i've already I've already done two podcasts this morning about how awful we were.
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:06
Iain
So I'm not going to do that.
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:02:09
Iain
but Go into the rest of the away games that we've played in the Premier League, which is where we're struggling, apparently.
00:02:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:02:14
Iain
And actually, we did really well against Villa. We were cancelled out a little bit by Leeds. But we got a point at Leeds,
Champions League Hopes
00:02:25
Iain
and I think that will prove to be a good point by the end of the season, because Leeds are very strong at home. But We got a draw at Bournemouth, who are really high-flying Bournemouth.
00:02:35
Iain
I think that was a good point as well. And although we lost at Brighton, having got back into the game, it looked for the last half an hour as if it was us that was going to score a winner, and then Danny Welwick popped up.
00:02:47
Iain
So just this West Ham game that was so appalling that it's knocked us sideways.
00:02:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:54
Iain
We'd won five of the previous six games, other than that Brighton blip.
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:59
Iain
And...
00:02:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:03:00
Iain
I prefer to hang on to that being where we are. um I've no doubt that under the lights, Champions League game, at home, everybody's going to be up for that, including the crowd.
00:03:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:03:15
Iain
and So we'll get a much better performance tomorrow night.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:03:19
Iain
But
00:03:20
Iain
I guess those draws, which will prove to be good draws by the end of the season, have meant that we've got a lower points total than we expected we should have.
Player Sickness and Its Impact
00:03:29
Iain
And it's not helped by the fact that Sunderland are up there in the top four five, picking up points left, right and centre.
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. no
00:03:38
Iain
They've already got more points than I thought they'd get all season. and They've only played 10 games.
00:03:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:03:43
Iain
and What did I know? So, but I'm all right. I'm all right. I think we've still got, um all our players are still class players. They just collectively didn't put the best foot forward at West Ham.
00:03:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was bizarre to watch, I'll be honest, because of the fact that there was no singular or even just a couple of people you could blame, which normally you can in a match. youd be like, oh, he was terrible.
00:04:06
Iain
Thank you.
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was terrible. Even Howe said at half-time that he's never felt before that he literally could have taken any player off. Now, that's got to be pretty bad for a manager, especially Howe, who doesn't really like to say anything ever.
00:04:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's kind of negative or anything against his team, does he?
Contemplating Lineup Changes
00:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
For him to come out and say that. He was being very honest, wasn't he? was just dire. Yeah. just da ah ah I've never watched a game of like massive professionals where, especially when they came off the back of the Spurs game where they actually played brilliantly.
00:04:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yes, I know we made six changes, so it's not the same team. But you're then talking about the front three being in our strongest ones, Gordon, Valtimardi and Murphy. You've then got our strongest three in the middle of Tenale, Bruno and Big Joe.
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, the back was a bit disjointed because of a fullback situation.
00:04:50
Iain
Thank you.
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But It's insane that a team like that, which was pretty much our strongest offerings because of the likes of maybe trips not being available so Kraft was in, if you know what i mean, and to play as if they've never played together, because that's what it looked like. They couldn't kind of string any real passes together. They looked completely disjointed.
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, people were played way out of position. i think Hale lost the plot a bit as well. I think everyone lost the plot, I'll be honest, from top to bottom. I just blame everyone. So I'm not going to blame anyone in particular. I'm just going to say it was everyone's fault.
Reflecting on Past Games and Future Optimism
00:05:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was a disaster. We absolutely need to move on. um But I said it on Sunday. I said we'll go out on Wednesday and we'll probably smash Bilbeau because that's kind of what we do. um And then we can just be more concerned about Brentford on Sunday again, especially with being away.
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yes, all right, we need to sort the away record out, but don't know.
00:05:35
Iain
no
00:05:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
know what the solution is at the minute, I'll be honest.
00:05:38
Iain
I think we were appalling in the second half last year when we played away at Brentford. We were we were
00:05:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:05:44
Iain
sloppy in the first half to go in 2-2 but then we were dreadful in that second half when we lost 4-2 and that was the game that they had the long chat afterwards where everybody was honest and we went on a run where we then won the next nine games or something now and his press conference this afternoon Eddie Howe said that they'd had a long chat afterwards and they had been honest so I'm kind of hoping that
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. Turning point.
00:06:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:06:12
Iain
that history will repeat and we can go on a decent run because, you know, to brush aside Tottenham, who were third and had won four and drawn one of their five away games, in the manner that we did, it looked as if we were approaching the sort of form that we need to be in.
00:06:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:06:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:33
Iain
but just don't really understand where West Ham came from.
Player Health Updates
00:06:36
Iain
Right at the end of that press conference, Somebody asked whether the sickness that had been going through the camp could have had an impact. And to his credit, Howe didn't say, yeah.
00:06:46
Iain
He said, no, we won't use that as an excuse.
00:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:48
Iain
But I know how I'm feeling like I'm okay, but then find out I'm wiped out by three o'clock some days if I've got a bug.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
It might have played a little bit. Yeah.
00:06:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:58
Iain
Tonali had a bug and was out for about 10 days with it. So if it's something like that, maybe that has had an impact. And hopefully...
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe it has.
00:07:06
Iain
They're all getting better and not getting worse before we play tomorrow night.
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, oddly enough, right before we started this pod, i saw on, I don't know, one of the social media platforms, um that Bruno didn't train yesterday because of illness.
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're hoping that he was going to do like some recovery work at home. um so I'm wondering whether this is all part of it and does that in turn mean Bruno's now not going to be ready or available for tomorrow or is he going to be Bruno and probably push on and insist on playing but then not be 100% so it's interesting to see based on the conversation we've just had that there are some still poorly players in the squad you know what i mean and who who are they apart from Bruno that we've just read about you know what i mean who else is included in this
00:07:50
Iain
what burn Bruno contracting bubonic plague or something would explain how terrible he was playing on Sunday because he was awful
00:07:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
Lineup Decisions for Bilbao Match
00:07:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, this is probably his worst game in... Forever.
00:08:00
Iain
leave him out if he's ill like we left Tenali out and brought Miley in leave Bruno out
00:08:06
Iain
you know Miley, I think, is definitely due again.
00:08:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Miley has to start, in my opinion.
00:08:09
Iain
and And I'd leave Joe Linton out as well.
00:08:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:12
Iain
he was He's been awful.
00:08:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been terrible of season.
00:08:14
Iain
can't I can't understand how Anthony Gordon could come off the left wing at half-time and Joe Linton go out there.
00:08:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's get real.
00:08:21
Iain
but Just bring Ramsey on for Joe Linton. Anthony Gordon might be fancy-down-only-trying part the time, but he's a match-winner.
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:30
Iain
Yeah.
00:08:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, there was an issue apparently, yeah.
00:08:32
Iain
Howe did say that Valtimara was looking tired. That's why he took him off, which is fair enough. Give him a rest. He should hopefully be revitalised for tomorrow. Yeah,
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
Importance of Upcoming Matches
00:08:43
Iain
yeah i we need to play and they will need to play and play well to get over and past the hangover from the West Ham game.
00:08:54
Iain
um And if they do, they've got another opportunity in London against Brentford on weekend two
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:02
Iain
put a better performance in.
00:09:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:05
Iain
bit of a test for them.
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
True. Yeah. I think there's a lot of pressure on them for Sunday, I'll be honest, just because of the whole bad away form. Because we're talking about over the last eight games now, away games, obviously, um you've got four draws and four losses, so it's not a good...
00:09:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it's just awful, isn't it, really?
00:09:20
Iain
Now, you're including the two away games at the end of last season, aren't you?
00:09:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, see in the last eight, yeah, of course.
00:09:28
Iain
Which was Arsenal, where again,
00:09:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh no.
00:09:31
Iain
We had a higher XG than Arsenal. We should have won that game. And then, you know, we've got good draws at Villa, at Leeds, at Bournemouth. Should have beat Brighton.
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh no. I'm not feeling, it's just, oh no, I'm just pulling like stats that I'm reading, obviously.
00:09:42
Iain
I don't think we've played badly.
00:09:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not, I hate kind of thinking too historical about things. um We need to kind of move on and move to the next game. i'm just feeling I'm just hoping or praying that the players aren't feeling that pressure for going to Brentford, if you know what i mean, and feeling that They have got this kind of away game hangover kind of just going on and on and on sort of thing. So I think it'll be a big thing to get a result at Brentford.
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:10:08
Iain
Yeah.
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we'll not rattle on about Brentford too much because this pod's about Bilbao. and But in general, look, like I say, look, we're over the moon prior Sunday. We were.
00:10:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're happy. We've won five out of six, like you say. We're classing Brighton as a blip. We're not going to talk any more about West Ham because I think we're pretty much done with it. it It was just bad and then we'll leave it to bed sort of thing. But um like I said on Sunday, and I'll repeat it again, i honestly feel like we'll come out firing tomorrow.
Opportunities Against Bilbao
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whoever's ill is ill, but there's certain players which we'll discuss later on the pod that I think just have to be starting as well um instead of others. But... Look, we'll see what happens, but I think we'll both agree that tomorrow night or tonight as people are listening to this is going to be ah literally a whole different ballgame to Sunday.
00:10:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
you agree?
00:10:56
Iain
I do, yeah. It definitely is a different ballgame. They're kicking off on a different day against a different team, so it's bound to be.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Ian.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
there'll be fireworks in the background it's going be awesome man it'll be fine setting it all off um no it'll be brilliant i'll tell you what i'm going to play the bionic ad now and then we can literally rattle on about the bilbao game how we'll feel and we'll discuss what players they've got out as well which should make it easier for us again um and run through our predictions and lineups but i'll be back to you in a second
00:11:08
Iain
be good. It'll be good.
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:11:36
Iain
I don't
00:12:02
Iain
know.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much, Ken, as always.
00:12:05
Iain
We will.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Right, so Bilbao. Should we talk a bit about them? Because they've got their share of injury woes as well. um without This is where I'm going butcher some names, so just bear with us.
00:12:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
i They're without their captain, Yuri Bocicce. That's what he's now called. And it's blatantly not Bocicce, is it?
00:12:25
Iain
I
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nico Williams is obviously a big want-to-be out.
00:12:29
Iain
buticche i would say, yeah.
00:12:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that I'll work with that. Nico Williams is a big one to be out. um Great player, in my opinion. um Inaki Williams. I'm going to butcher his first name. I'm awful at this. And the next one being Sanchet.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sanchet? Whatever. Anyway, those are the guys that apparently they're star players that they're all without. um So that's got to be another bonus for us. And really, Bilbao are having a bit of a similar kind of season us in terms of like league position and stuff.
00:12:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they're sitting about 11th at the minute.
00:12:57
Iain
Thank you.
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So they're not exactly flying themselves. And they haven't really had a great Champions League campaign at all, have they? They won the last one, but they lost the first two. So, yeah, technically it should be a game that we go on and win.
00:13:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Again, go based on what we've just said as well, we obviously are going to go into this game assuming and expecting us to win maybe and expecting us to be the bigger and better team. um What's your thoughts
Strategizing Against Bilbao
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
on Bilbao? Do you know of any other players that are out or...?
00:13:29
Iain
Well, Michael, bless him, even though he's not working today, he he had found something that he sent us just beforehand. So Nico Williams has been left out because he's injured.
00:13:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:13:41
Iain
That's nine.
00:13:46
Iain
unaii aillo bennet prados yera alvarez marro and sonati edigo lacue and enakki williams
00:13:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah ye
00:13:56
Iain
that's nine And I guess they're only being mentioned because it's nine first-teamers. So this is like Newcastle turning up at Dortmund with nine first-teamers out.
00:14:08
Iain
So presumably they've got their own little Lewis Miley to come through and their own Emil Kraft at full-back and their equivalent of Jamal Lascelles will have come in at centre-half.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
fifty
00:14:20
Iain
And
00:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:22
Iain
you know i think we would have had too much for them when they were at full strength, but if they've got seven or eight first-teamers out, then there's no excuse. They should be able to play with with flu and still beat them.
00:14:35
Iain
I'm encouraged by that.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'd expect...
00:14:36
Iain
It cheered me up.
00:14:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
There we go, you see, there's always a positive.
00:14:39
Iain
I hope none of them are seriously ill, but it's cheered me up.
00:14:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think any of them are like gravely ill, so I don't think it's too much to worry about, to be honest. But yeah, there's like illnesses and just slight injuries from what I'm aware of anyway. I don't think there's any major injuries involved in all that, but. Yeah, look, we've got to try and take every positive moving forward here. um
00:14:56
Iain
Yeah.
00:14:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But even without that, i was genuinely was feeling all right going this game. Even off the back of Sunday, I was feeling all right about Wednesday. It's obviously just a bonus, isn't it, that they've all got all those players out.
00:15:07
Iain
yeah
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But it's more, for me, about who we play. Because I think how he must be a bit like... He's going to be thinking the same thing. Like, who deserves to play?
00:15:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
after Sunday. um Some people are like, oh, they're saving themselves. I'm like, don't be ridiculous. An entire team isn't going to be saving themselves on Wednesday, especially when they know how important the league is as well. You know what i mean?
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I don't, that sort of talk to me is just ridiculous.
00:15:30
Iain
Why are we doing that?
00:15:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. um
00:15:34
Iain
He's got a dilemma, hasn't he? He's got a dilemma. He either makes wholesale changes or he picks the same team and gives them a chance to redeem themselves.
00:15:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, big one.
00:15:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:15:45
Iain
And I mean, ah it's set up for a great chance to redeem themselves if they can get anywhere near their normal standards.
00:15:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:55
Iain
and
00:15:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:15:56
Iain
i think I think there'll be a bit of a halfway house. I think there's definitely one or two players who, then learned to be played. and
00:16:06
Iain
Shall we start with the team?
Goalkeeper Debate: Ramsdale vs. Pope
00:16:08
Iain
Who would you pick in goal?
00:16:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, I'll tell you what, we'll go from the back and put Ramsdale in. And it's not based on the fact that Pope had three goals scored on him, by the way. ah said this, me and Nick were talking about the Spurs game near the other day.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we both agreed that Ramsdale is a solid keeper. We are more than happy to see him in goal. And he should be playing and all of the Cup games at the minute. um Anyway, so yeah, I did say that. I expected to see Pope against West Ham, but I wanted Ramsdale back in against Bilbao.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was before the West Ham result. So I'm going to stick with that, and I think Ramsdale should be back in goal. What do reckon?
00:16:41
Iain
Well, I was very impressed with him when I was at the Tottenham game, as you know.
00:16:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:16:45
Iain
I thought he was excellent.
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. Mm-hmm.
00:16:47
Iain
His distribution is just streets ahead of what Nick Pope can do, despite the throw against Benfica.
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:16:55
Iain
And and then After an hour of of not doing very much, he then pulled off a fantastic save ah against Tottenham.
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:07
Iain
Michael was trying to blame Pope for two of the goals. And I think he would i think he could, have on a different day, he would save Paquette as first. um And a definitely on a different day, he wouldn't let the last one go through his legs.
00:17:21
Iain
But and ah seventh minute of injury time, we're already trailing.
00:17:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:24
Iain
I don't think it was too bad. He did make some very good saves in that game as well.
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:30
Iain
But um I agree with you.
00:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We did.
00:17:31
Iain
let's sort let's Let's go for Ramsdale. I don't think Howe will. I think Howe will pick Pope.
00:17:37
Iain
But I would i would have Ramsdale as well.
00:17:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think it's a wrong decision. And as I say, yeah, got nothing to with the West Ham game. i just Ramsdale is a solid keeper and I just don't think he's getting enough time.
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, he's played some Carabao Cup games, and but Pope is getting the league and the Champions League as well. So aju I don't know. I'd understand if Ramsdale was like, far off Pope or he was learning from Pope or anything like that in that terms of like a backup keeper but Ramsdale to me is as good as or even some some say are better because of the distribution thing because in terms of shot stopping he's right up there with Pope so to me Ramsdale has to be in but anyway well that's our opinion so anyway Ramsdale in and we're back four
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Apparently Trips is back.
Defensive Lineup Considerations
00:18:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Trips really is going to have to come back in at right back, isn't he?
00:18:21
Iain
Good.
00:18:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, Byrne's going to have to be on the left, I think, because of the lack of options, unfortunately.
00:18:24
Iain
Yeah.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hall is available, but I bet he's on the bench. You can just guarantee it. I'd love to see him start, but the fact that he hasn't had any minutes anyway, he's not going to start, is he?
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So I would expect Byrne to be at left.
00:18:40
Iain
and needs you know damn burn need to rest
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I agree he does. No, know. I know, but we're left back situations not great at the minute is Is the problem we've got.
00:18:51
Iain
Yeah, but Trips could play left back and somebody else can craft again right back to give Jan Byrne a bit of rest, even on the bench.
00:18:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've crafted right back maybe. I'd be happy with that, yeah. Yeah.
00:19:01
Iain
Again, he won't do that. It'll be Trippier and Byrne.
00:19:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
You won't. Yeah, exactly. It's going trips and boon. It's a funny one because as much as we're saying what we want, well also know what Well, we don't know what Hau's going to do, but come on, we've watched it long enough to kind of guess what he's going to do. you know what i mean?
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, the middle two, personally, I would have Chau and Cher. Do you agree or would you have Bobbin in?
00:19:21
Iain
m i was thinking Chow and Cher. It's harsh on Botman. But Botman came off very early on. Did he think he was... I mean, Botman didn't do too much wrong, did he? I know he sc scored the own goal.
00:19:34
Iain
Maybe he was psychologically damaged at half-time.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but these things happen.
00:19:37
Iain
And that's why he came off.
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:39
Iain
But um
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:42
Iain
i don't mind. I don't mind which two of those three play centre-half. Chow could do with a little bit of a rest.
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just like... you could ah like the challenge shape. partnership i know chow and bottom of the future okay age-wise get it completely get it i do love to see the chow and share partnership they're very similar players but in such a good way that they play really well together as well they're both very calm on the ball they've got again their passing range is fantastic the pair of them i just like seeing them play together so that's why i would personally put them two in
00:20:14
Iain
I think you might go Char and Botman and save Chow to come back against Brentford.
00:20:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
hmm
00:20:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
True. That would be the most sensible one, actually.
00:20:21
Iain
Char and Botman's a long-standing partnership, isn't it?
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:20:25
Iain
They've they've played they played together more than Char and Botman. So, yeah,
Midfield Selection Debate
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:20:31
Iain
midfield, that's a tester for you.
00:20:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is, isn't it? Because, obviously we don't really know who's sick, because is Bruno sick?
00:20:36
Iain
like so
00:20:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
If he is, and he's not, let's assume he is, right? Let's assume Bruno's not available, or he'll just be on the bench.
00:20:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tenali's okay, right? He's alright now, isn't he? He's fine.
00:20:51
Iain
Tenali, Miley and Ramsey.
00:20:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
His sickness is gone. He's fine.
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like that three. I think it has to be that three. I'll be honest.
00:21:02
Iain
But I tell you who else will be saying, look, you've got to give me a chance, will be Joe Willock because he played really actively athletically and was better than I've seen him for at least 18 months when he played against Tottenham.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Big jaw has to be dropped. True.
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
true
00:21:17
Iain
had an assist for the goal for Voltemada. and So, yeah, um I don't know if it could be Willock instead of Ramsey.
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:21:24
Iain
But Willock, Miley, Tonali is probably still enough and for a decimated Atletico Bilbao side.
00:21:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say i think you could be.
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I'll say Tenarly, Miley and Willock, I'll be honest, if I'm going to pick a three. That I think would, I don't know, make sense if you want to call it that.
00:21:40
Iain
OK.
00:21:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's who I would go for. However, I wouldn't be sad to see Ramsey because Ramsey's been all right, to be fair, hasn't he?
00:21:44
Iain
I'll go for that.
00:21:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
The front three is a funny one for me because you know I'll always favour Murphy on the right because Alanga to me is just not fitting into our
Choosing the Front Three
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
style of playing. It's nothing against him. I really like him. I will keep repeating this because I don't want to be hammered about because I'm still happy about Alanga signing. But I do still think Murphy's still the answer on the right. However, he also can't play every single game.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So do we bring Alanga back in? Do have Baltimore in the middle?
00:22:13
Iain
No.
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do we have Barnes on the left? do we have Gordon on the left? It's like... I'm a bit torn. But Gordon, to me, i reckon he'll perform better on Wednesday. don't know.
00:22:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know.
00:22:26
Iain
You're really cutting it. I mean, if Barnes is... um Sorry. If Gordon is reserving his best performances for the Hollywood games, this is a Hollywood game.
00:22:38
Iain
Champions League, Nighttime,
00:22:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I know. and that's what I mean.
00:22:40
Iain
On the telly. So you're cutting your nose off to spite your face if you say, well, you're not playing in this. I'm going to put Harvey Barnes on.
00:22:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, no. That's why I think he will play.
00:22:47
Iain
and
00:22:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because he's up for these games, which I hate.
00:22:51
Iain
i
00:22:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah hate to say, because I hate what i hate it and want to be true, if you know what i mean. I don't want him to just be up for the big games, so...
00:22:55
Iain
Yeah.
00:22:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, don't
00:22:58
Iain
I agree. But I think it's going to be Gordon, Voltemar, and Murphy. Murphy scored a great goal. Murphy put two or three good crosses in.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
know. Oh, no. Well, you know I'd always play Murphy.
00:23:07
Iain
and
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just he can't play every single game, can he? So it's that's the only thing I'm thinking.
00:23:13
Iain
Well, I think he'll... He came off. He didn't play the full game against West Ham. I think he'll be all right to play at home in that.
00:23:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
True. He doesn't have to play the full game against Bilbao either, so...
00:23:24
Iain
No.
00:23:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. We could go for it, try and get some early goals, and then just make relevant changes and save who we need to save for Brentford on Sunday. Is the main thing.
00:23:35
Iain
Yeah. It's got to be Voltemada, though, hasn't it? You wouldn't start Assoula in this game.
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. can't figure Asula out like all jokes aside with Asula right and know we sing the daft song about him and I know he's like this bag of energy and bag of fun but like I was watching something the other day you like the Geordie Journos don't you you got to watch those guys and I was watching them after the West Ham game
00:23:56
Iain
yeah
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And one of them made a great point. He was just like, what is a Sula? Like, what is he? And one of the other guys was like, what do you mean, what is he? And he was like, I just can't work him out. He comes on Sometimes he'll do some good tricks. Sometimes he does absolutely nothing. Sometimes he just runs around like a headless chicken.
00:24:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or sometimes you have people like Howe coming out and saying that he's going to be the all-around player. He was like, but I'm yet to see evidence of any of this. And I get what he's saying completely because you do look at him sometimes and you think, oh yeah, he's going to be good. Or then you look him think,
00:24:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
what what What's he doing? Like, what purpose does he have on that pitch apart from running around like nuts?
00:24:34
Iain
Well, I think you'll find i think you find these are he's our second top scorer, isn't he
00:24:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, i'm I'm with that guy on the Geordie Journals.
00:24:42
Iain
With three. and
00:24:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, he's not, is he not? No, man.
00:24:47
Iain
So, no, I think Asula should be...
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gordon isn't? No.
00:24:50
Iain
Asula could play right wing in the first half if you want to save Murphy. But, I mean, that's really rubbing Alanga's nose in how poorly he's performed since he's gone into the team.
00:24:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:25:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:25:03
Iain
But I love Asula down the right.
00:25:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't see Asula start now.
00:25:05
Iain
He's so fast and strong that he'll terrify the full-back.
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah.
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
In reality, that's more suited to Asula when we're saying what is Asula. Asula really isn't a striker, is he? He's...
00:25:17
Iain
i zero a million
00:25:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like I say, I'm not entirely sure what he is. But he might be more suited to being a winger. Or playmaker. Or something. But he's just not a striker, man.
00:25:26
Iain
He's big and strong, and he had he did have a albeit fairly weak, but a header on target in the second half against West Ham, and which Valtemarra couldn't get anywhere near doing in the first half.
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's just not.
00:25:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
He can cause trouble.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:41
Iain
So i think Isula is definitely getting better.
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:47
Iain
And, you know, he took his two goals. um When did he score two goals? He scored a great goal. um
00:25:56
Iain
scored two goals against Bradford. He took them both really well. um
00:26:02
Iain
can't remember. Did he come on against USG and score against them as well? I can't remember. Was that the Barnes? No, he was it was his assist, wasn't it?
00:26:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. this is yeah
00:26:10
Iain
He was really strong. and wanted it more than the centre-half, held them off, put a great ball through for Barnes to score against USG.
00:26:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:18
Iain
I think, you know, if nothing else, he was herring around against West Ham, but not getting any service, as isolated as Walter Marder was.
00:26:31
Iain
But he was a bit faster, so he was rushing them a little bit.
00:26:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:34
Iain
I think the jury's still out on him.
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah
00:26:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that's what I mean.
00:26:37
Iain
um I think he's improving.
00:26:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just can't figure them out. I'm not saying he's awful, but I'm not saying he's great. And I can't predict what he's going to be in the future. And that's why when when that guy from the Geordie Journals, I was
Assessing Asula's Role
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
like, you bang on there. Because just can't figure him out at all.
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So,
00:26:52
Iain
It's what they used to say about Maxi.
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
You like that? Come good, I will sell him. Well, there we go. He's a bit of a maxi, is he? He's just a bit of a fun guy. He's just a fun guy. But yeah, look, he's not going to start, is he? He's not going to start up front. He's not going to start on the wings. So no, he'll come on later in the game, no doubt.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But like say, I think we need to hit them early, take off people that we need to keep for Brentford because we need to really hit the Brentford game hard. So that's my opinion.
00:27:21
Iain
Nice. I mean, we've got Sean Neve in the reserves who is very, very good. he He seems to have dropped out of the picture altogether.
00:27:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:27:33
Iain
But all these young lads can play if we need them.
00:27:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:36
Iain
That's where Miley came from when we needed him. But Sean Neve scores a lot of goals the under-23s, whatever it's called. Yeah. twenty ones whatever it's called and
00:27:51
Iain
Maybe this is a game where he could get some change because, to be fair, Athletic Bilbao are 11th, aren't they? They've already lost five games there.
00:27:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:00
Iain
They've got a similar record to us.
00:28:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:28:02
Iain
But I don't think you'll fancy coming to St James' Park because we've got two records. We've got our home record and we've got our away record.
00:28:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:09
Iain
um
Confidence in Home Advantage
00:28:11
Iain
You know, if if they have a split like we have, then I think we'll stuff this lot to- tomorrow.
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:28:16
Iain
I'm hoping we do.
00:28:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:28:19
Iain
I've seen... Four games, five games? Anyway, when I go, they win. There's not anybody else that can say that, I bet.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So
00:28:29
Iain
Every game I've been to, they've won.
00:28:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ian, what you're trying to say is, i need to get you more tickets, right? I don't
00:28:35
Iain
Well, I have got a ticket for tomorrow, so I was only talking in reference to this one.
00:28:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
know. I got you one.
00:28:41
Iain
um But that's good. I'm going, so we're going to win.
00:28:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly. And you're not far from us as well. So that means we can have pre-drinks in the strawberry, we can meet at half time and have drink, and we can go back to the strawberry after. You're
00:28:56
Iain
could somebody else or I'll be getting an Uber home no I won't
00:28:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
just smiling.
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I was going to say, yeah. It'll be an expensive one, that one. um But yeah, no.
Predictions and Scorers
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
All jokes aside, we'll be fine. um As I say, even immediately after the disaster of Sunday, ah said we'll be absolutely fine on Wednesday, so I'm going to stick with that.
00:29:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'll tell you what, we'll wrap up, but let's do predictions. Are you choosing your usual, are you going to go for something else?
00:29:23
Iain
i i don't think they'll score So I'm not choosing my usual. I'm going to go for quite a dull 2-0,
00:29:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good.
00:29:32
Iain
like we did against Tottenham.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:29:33
Iain
But we're in control of that game so much. um
00:29:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
We were. Absolutely. was very happy with that game.
00:29:39
Iain
I think there'll be signs of the malaise and the nervousness that we had against West Ham will mean that we won't start quite so 90 miles an hour as we usually do. But I think we'll just have too much for them.
00:29:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree. um I'll go just to be different. so I was going to say 2-0 but I'll take reno Because, ah again, i think we will tighten up at the back. And, yeah, we can tell he can take Bill Belman, surely. Dear me.
00:30:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't let that one come back. The bite is on the backside. But, yeah, come on.
00:30:10
Iain
No, it won't.
00:30:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got to go into this confident, right? We'll be fine. We'll be fine.
00:30:14
Iain
Yes, we're confident. Who's going to score?
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are.
00:30:19
Iain
Malik Chow to get his first goal.
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who's going to score?
00:30:21
Iain
Although, in our team, we haven't even picked him.
00:30:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, wouldn't that be marvellous?
00:30:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have. ah said Shane Chow the back. You said Shane Botman.
00:30:29
Iain
Did you? I said Sharon Buttman, yeah.
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, even though I do agree that Chow needs a rest. But I did say Shane Chow, to be fair. He might come off the bench later on, you know, and just score. So you never know.
00:30:39
Iain
We're going to win 2-0 and score in the 87th and 89th minutes. That would be a horrible game to watch.
00:30:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, God. Please, let's not. i know exactly. i that That's too much, man. Um... Valtimardi will get another one. He'll get back on the score sheet. I reckon Barnes is going to score.
00:30:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to come off the bench and score. Um...
00:30:56
Iain
Fair dues.
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Tonali's going to score Sodett.
00:31:02
Iain
Let's...
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Midfield neutral.
00:31:03
Iain
Let's go to town on them. Let's really stuff them.
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:07
Iain
And...
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:31:09
Iain
Because they're not as good as Benfica, are they? Or are they?
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Benfica are better than them personally, but... So really, if we're beating Benfica, we're beating Bilbeo.
00:31:17
Iain
Yeah.
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that's not how football works.
00:31:21
Iain
Well, because it's our goal difference that's keeping us up there in the yeah in the top eight, putting us ahead of Liverpool and the other teams that have won two and lost one.
00:31:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Yep.
00:31:33
Iain
and So, yeah, this is an opportunity to boost that even more.
00:31:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:31:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Keep going, exactly, yeah. It is important. know some people are like, oh, it's not as important. Well, course it is. It's a league format. It is important. um It could literally be the difference between qualifying or going in into like the little playoff pot.
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I say the little playoff pot. It's like 16 teams, isn't it? So it's not exactly little.
00:31:52
Iain
Yeah, or going into the playoff pot or dropping out the competition altogether.
00:31:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean Entirely, yeah. um I'll be honest, and know it's easy to say because we've had a decent start at the Champions League league, um but I ah can't see we're dropping out of it.
00:32:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
i would I would genuinely be shocked if we dropped out of it.
Champions League Progress Confidence
00:32:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
At this point, I'm hoping we're in the top eight, quite frankly, but I'd be absolutely shocked if we end up dropping out in the league like from the league format, personally.
00:32:11
Iain
yeah
00:32:20
Iain
Well, I think that's... um I'm the same, but that's because I'm assuming we're going to win tomorrow. And I'm going to assume that we can beat PSV when we play them at home.
00:32:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:32:30
Iain
And that gives us the 12 points we need. If either of those go wrong, then we've got three tough away games, haven't we?
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:32:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have.
00:32:37
Iain
Marseille, Leverkusen and PSG.
00:32:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, gee.
00:32:43
Iain
They're all tough games. So we need it.
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. Oh god, yeah.
00:32:47
Iain
We need two wins at home.
00:32:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
We do. We'll be alright, man. Come on. Look, we're staying positive. we can't be We're dragging ourselves back again, Ian. We're not allowed to do that. We're going to stay positive, alright? um
00:33:00
Iain
a
00:33:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're happy. We're going to win. And like I say, I'll see you in the strawberry drinks. And on that note, I'm going to say bye.
00:33:07
Iain
Sounds good.
00:33:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because now I'm looking forward to a drink tomorrow. Or tonight. Sorry, as people are listening. So, see you soon.
00:33:15
Iain
See you later.