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NFL Free Agency Moves Draft | Is Bruno Fernandes the Premier League POTS?
12 Plays12 days ago
Episode 67 of Who’s Got The Ball? brings the energy as Shane and James dive into a fast-paced breakdown of the biggest stories across the NFL and football world.
🏈 The lads kick things off with an NFL Offseason Special, drafting the best moves so far and reacting to all the chaos. From bold predictions to spicy takes, they tackle one of the wildest hypotheticals yet—what if Kyler Murray ended up in Minnesota? And just how far could that take the Vikings this season?
⚽ Then it’s over to the Premier League, where there’s no shortage of drama. They react to a huge result for Manchester United against Aston Villa and debate whether Bruno Fernandes has done enough to earn Player of the Season honors. Plus, a big-game preview of the Carabao Cup Final as Arsenal take on Manchester City—who comes out on top?
🇮🇪 International football gets a look-in too, as the focus turns to Ireland’s chances of making it to the World Cup with a key matchup against Czechia on the horizon.
📊 As always, expect Power Rankings, Gan Seans, and plenty of strong opinions along the way.
Short, sharp, and packed with talking points—Episode 67 is not to be missed.
🎧 Listen if you’re into:
- Football (soccer) analysis
- NBA previews & predictions
- Weekly NFL reactions
- Underdog betting tips
- Draft-style sports debates
- Power rankings across multiple sports
- Sports content from an Irish perspective with global takes
🔁 New episodes drop weekly!
Follow/subscribe so you never miss a breakdown of the latest in the EPL, NBA, and NFL.
💬 Connect with us:
📸 Instagram → @whosgottheballpod | X / TikTok → @wgtbpod
📩 Send your takes → wgtbpod@gmail.com
🌍 Based in Ireland | Talking global sports weekly
(0:00) Intro
(5:41) Best NFL Free Agency Moves Draft
(21:04) How Far Can The Kyler Murray Led Vikings Go?
(27:33) Gan Seans: Our Underdog Picks
(31:12) Man United Solidify 3rd Spot
(34:28) Should Bruno Fernandes Win Premier League POTS?
(41:45) Carabao Cup Final Preview
(47:47) Ireland’s Last World Cup Qualifying Hurdle
(54:24) Premier League X NBA Power Rankings
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Transcript
Introduction and Banter
00:00:09
Speaker
Alright lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got The Ball, episode 67. I'm not going to do it.
00:00:18
Speaker
Yes you are. No, I can't be, I can't be doing that, it's too cringy. My sister would definitely you want me to do it if she watched the podcast though, constantly with the 6-7. Man, it doesn't even mean anything.
00:00:29
Speaker
But...
Excitement for Ireland's Game
00:00:31
Speaker
Myself and Shane are back once again. we were very excited for the week ahead. Very nervous as well. Obviously, Ireland playing in Prague. We mentioned later on everything about that in the podcast. We we go into detail on it. But Shane, I want to get your take on something since we don't have the and NBA portion this week.
Cunningham's Injury Discussion
00:00:48
Speaker
What you make of the news of Cade Cunningham? with the He has a collapsed lung. I don't know how long he's going to be out for. and We said that he could get the MVP because other players miss out on games and now he's not going to reach the number of games needed to even get to the award and and the other lads are.
00:01:05
Speaker
So I think it's a massive loss. It could change the Pistons season if he's out for a long time. I think the Pistons season has already changed for the worse with the way things have been going recently. They've kind of just...
00:01:16
Speaker
Like they come into the season, no one expects them to be doing what they have done. So I think they're just kind of coming back down to average now and without him as well, I think it kind of puts puts a real cooler on them in any sort of a playoff fight. If they come up against someone who's just elite, without him, it's going to be a a lot, lot tougher.
00:01:33
Speaker
I really
Impact of Cunningham's Absence
00:01:34
Speaker
feel for him. he's been having some season for They've been having some season as a team. to lose your best player like this to a collapse lung. However, like what even happened? I just saw Michael put in that he collapsed lung. haven't even looked it up yet.
00:01:44
Speaker
It's wild for that to happen. And he's definitely, if he's back again before the end of the season, I'd be very, very surprised. I don't think he'll play any of the last 15 games and then we'll see about a playoff run after. buss Yeah, I feel for him. and I feel for them. And I think it's just kind of, it's put a hole to put a real damper on that side of the draw now as well, because it was already poor enough, as we say over and over again, but for the best team to lose their best player before the playoffs is just absolutely sickening.
00:02:11
Speaker
Yeah, I think i he was out for a few games and I i think they were obviously assessing him or whatever. And then they just announced that that was the case. So I have no idea how it happened, but I think If he does come back, if he say if he has to miss them the rest of the season and then he comes back for the playoffs in April, he won't be basically as fresh as he could be. And that's to definitely be a hindrance to them. And if they slip maybe behind the Celtics and even the Knicks here, if they go on a losing streak, then that's going to make it even more difficult because they'll have a tougher matchup than they would have had. And after such a great season...
00:02:49
Speaker
we already see injuries now coming into a play and coming into our minds of how it could affect the playoffs, which we hate because it always happens and it always ruins out at least two or three teams injuries that are picked up during, but this is beforehand and I have no idea what the recovery timeline is for a collapsed lung. So,
00:03:07
Speaker
I'm sure we'll have more on that next week when Michael
Schedule Announcements
00:03:10
Speaker
is on. and So we we do talk about this later in the episode, but we'll throw it in now Right now, for this week, we just did and football and NFL stuff with the usual gun chance and power rankings because...
00:03:24
Speaker
Next week, Shane will be in Prague for the Ireland game and Michael will be joining me. So you'll get the episode a day earlier. It'll be on Thursday instead of the usual Friday release. And and we'll do an NBA special. We'll just be talking and NBA, everything in the lead up to the playoffs.
Stadium Visits Update
00:03:40
Speaker
So you'll get your full and NBA fix there with that one.
00:03:43
Speaker
Anything else going on with you before I get into the rundown? No, I went to Finn Harps last week for the 3D match. One hell of a drive. I have three stadiums left in the country to take off now outside of that. So I'm taking them down one by one. i have two that I won't get to this unless we get them in the cup because they're in the top division, Drada and Derry. But I'll hopefully get Wexford take off when we play them away. And the Friday we come back, actually, i think we're going up to it.
00:04:09
Speaker
Getting off the plane and straight to Wexford. So other than that, it's been a quiet week. and Paddy's Day was very much i very much Paddy's Day on Paddy's Day. And other than that, we'll say nothing else. We'll let you get into the rundown.
00:04:22
Speaker
Still recovering from that two days later, are
Sports Topics Overview
00:04:25
Speaker
you? Yeah, forever. Yeah, you don't have the the usual punch to your to your words at times in the episode, especially when you say something very, very funny that you'll have to listen out for during the Irish session.
00:04:40
Speaker
Yeah. We'll get into the rundown of the episode. So we started with the NFL, something similar to last week. We did a draft of our favorite, um... trades that went out during this off season so last week we did our favorite free agency move so this week we did our favorite trades back and forth in a draft style then we talked about kyler murray joining the vikings and what's what that's going to do for them how far they can go before giving our gone chance picks and an update on the score there we moved on to performance of the weekend in the premier league last season last weekend and we joined in on the debate
00:05:17
Speaker
Is Bruno Fernandes going to win player of the season or should he win it? And then preview the Carabao Cup final before a look at Ireland's squad for the for the games against Chechia and hopefully either Denmark or North Macedonia the following week and how we think that that Chechia game is going to go. And then we wrapped up at the power rankings. So a lot of good stuff in there for you. NBA will be coming next week. Let's jump into this week's episode. all Alright, so we're going to start with the NFL.
00:05:43
Speaker
We just got NFL and football for you this week because we've got a full slate NBA next week, as you'll have heard in the intro. So we want to do something similar to what we did last week. Last week we did...
00:05:56
Speaker
the best free agency moves of the NFL offseason so far. So this week we're going to do the best trades of the NFL offseason so far. So you're first up this time in the draft. Last week I went first. We're going to do draft back and forth, same as last week.
00:06:13
Speaker
So Shane, you're up
Top NFL Trades Discussion
00:06:15
Speaker
first. What was your best move? Sorry, should I say? Yeah, it's going to... I think there was only one option here and I'm sure if you were going first have gone for this one as well but I can't really look past the Trent McDuffie move.
00:06:27
Speaker
um I just think the Rams have done really really well. We've said it now two or three times already that yes they've given up four picks but it wasn't their top first round pick and none of the others are really like it's not really any consequence to them and they've sorted a position that they really needed to fix so I just think Trent McDuffie's a no-brainer go first here.
00:06:45
Speaker
Yeah, I had McDuffie first as my first pick as well. So I'll move on to my second option then um for number two, and that's Jalen Waddell going to the Broncos.
00:06:57
Speaker
It's a very recent trade, but I think it was great value. ah think McDuffie gave up a lot because he's worth a lot. This one, i think they gave up a lot and he's worth a lot too. So I think both sides got what they needed out of this as they did with the McDuffie one.
00:07:15
Speaker
Broncos, they get another weapon to add to Cortland Sutton for Knicks. I think that's important. he's He's been very good for the Dolphins. So I think Waddle is a very good addition. And to give up number 30 as their pick in the next draft, I don't think it's much to give up, along with a third and a fourth. And then you get a fourth in return, and you actually move up in the fourth round. So really all you're giving up here is kind of like Jalen Waddle for number 30. He's much better than anybody you could get that's unproven at that level in the draft. So great move by the Broncos to get him in, I think. Yeah, I actually thought it was a bit of an overpay, but then when you explained it there, I didn't realise was a fourth round going back to him as well.
00:07:59
Speaker
yeah So it does actually make it a bit more more feasible. It also means Miami have 11 draft picks going into this draft this summer. So let's see if they can do a...
00:08:10
Speaker
They'll do a Cleveland or if they'll do something proper and actually build a team around something else. because They have plenty of options here going forwards. For my second pick, I'm going to go with, I really like the David Montgomery move to to the Texans. First Gruggs, a fourth and a seventh.
00:08:26
Speaker
Again, I don't think they've given up a whole lot and they really needed someone like him in here. He wanted to be a kind of an out-and-out number one running back, not split in the field anymore with that other monster. Gibbs as well so I think this is a really good move for both him and the Texans and it's it's I don't think that's too much of an overpay either to yes Croggs it's not great to lose him but they've gotten what they need and they can kind of build around that defence they had already and whatever they've left of us Yeah, i think I think you're right. I think that that one is on my list as well. And I think it's something that it could prove to be massive. Like right now it looks like a solid move, but it could prove to be absolutely huge if he like really steps up as a number one back. So I like that shout. Next I've got...
00:09:09
Speaker
Another cornerback, well, a guy who can play more than just cornerback, but that's technically his position, and that's Teron Johnson. um i think the Raiders did very well to get him in.
00:09:20
Speaker
They got a seventh round pick as well, and all they had to give up was a sixth round pick for him from the Bills. So he can pretty much line up everywhere. He can play anywhere in the defensive backfield. He's a great reader of the game. That Bill secondary was good for a long number of years when when they had Jordan Poyer, Matt Milano, Christian Benford, Teron Johnson, like a lot of good names working together. So I think he brings a lot of experience that the Raiders desperately need. And yeah, I think he's he's a very good addition. For for what they gave up for him, I think it was well worth it.
00:09:58
Speaker
Yeah, I don't mind that at all. I'm going to go for a defensive player this time as well. I'm going to give the Jets a bit of props here. I'm going to go for Tavondre Sweat for Jermaine Johnson. The Jets' run defense has been absolutely criminally bad for a long, long time. This fella is absolutely huge. he When he's on his form, he just eats people up for fun.
00:10:18
Speaker
He's not great at sacks, only three sacks in his last two seasons. But if you just get him going... Along with the other two lads they've signed as well, whose names have escaped me now. I think it's it's good for Aaron Glenn in particular. Jermaine Johnson didn't really fit the defence he wanted to go with either. So to get rid of him and get in someone that would really help.
00:10:35
Speaker
i've I have no no complaints about this one really for the Jets side of things. Yeah, I like it. I had Jermaine Johnson further down the list. I don't think I'll get to him, but um I think I like him as a player, but when he didn't want to be there to get somebody who's very, very good and is exactly what you need. And Aaron Glenn is going to play more of that like heavy defensive line to try and stop the run. So yeah, good move by the Jets.
00:11:00
Speaker
Zaire Franklin then is next for me. I think the Packers did a solid job because... They lost for Sean Gary. Obviously, they're not the same player. They don't play in the same position, but it is a high-volume tackler that they bring in and somebody at linebacker who can really work.
00:11:17
Speaker
They gave up Colby Wooden. I think they're pretty solid at at DT, so they I think they're okay on that front and to bring in another good linebacker. it's It's mad when they look at the stats for for Franklin. I knew he did a lot for the Colts, but...
00:11:32
Speaker
He recorded at least 125 tackles in his last four seasons and 644 total tackles in that span is more than any other player, which is pretty crazy. So they've got him now to to go alongside some of their other elite players on defense, um including obviously Micah Parsons when he comes back. So, yeah, I like that move by the Packers to add to their defense once again.
00:11:57
Speaker
Yeah, you've actually mentioned my next one. Then my next one is Rashaan Gary going to the Cowboys for a 2027 fourth round pick. He's just really, really solid. He's something that the Cowboys have needed. Again, none of these deals seem to be the other team giving up a whole lot to get in what they need. And it's kind of suiting both teams at a lot of the time. And this is another one that suits both teams.
00:12:19
Speaker
15 games last year, 45 combined tackles, 25 solo tackles and 20 assisted tackles, seven and a half sacks on top of that as well. So he had a really good season last year and he'll really help this Cowboys defense when he gets in the door and gets kind of just gets going with and with what po they're trying to do there.
00:12:35
Speaker
Yeah, I think he's racked up like at least seven and a half sacks the last three seasons. So I think it's it's a good it's it a good addition and for them, especially considering what they lost last year.
00:12:46
Speaker
We'll stay on the Cowboys then and we'll send somebody away from them. And that's also Diggy Zua. I really like him at defensive tackle. I'm not 100% sure why they gave him up. I guess maybe because they have Kenny Clark.
00:13:00
Speaker
and they also got in Gary just now so maybe they don't need anybody else in that system um but i either I really liked him and I think They got a third rounder. OK, that shows how high the talent is. But I think it's really important that the Niners continue to add on that defense because some of their players are getting older. So I like that move for them. He wasn't as productive last year in terms of sacks and overall tackles, but he's great against the run when he does get going. Obviously, the Cowboys weren't in general, but that wasn't solely down to him.
00:13:33
Speaker
He had four and a half sacks the season before. and i think across the board, he's been very solid in his in his five seasons so far with the Cowboys. So I like the move for the Niners in a position of need for them, really. They fill it nicely.
00:13:47
Speaker
Yeah, it's not too bad. Is this my fifth pick? Yeah, this is your final one. Yeah, so there's a couple that I kind of... want to give honorable mentions to but I don't want to come across you either so I'll wait till you've done yours I'm actually going to go with Justin Fields going to KC for a sixth rounder here Don't ask me why, but it just feels like a really, really cheap deal for the for the Chiefs getting someone a real goal line threat, very much in the kind of the same mold as Patrick Mahomes, but obviously about 20 levels below what he can do. But put him on the goal line with Kenneth Walker and they have a really, really good chance there. and
00:14:25
Speaker
in the red zone on of kind of just running in a couple of field goals, field goals, running in a couple of touchdowns and kind run in field goals. And I just think he's a really good pickup for a team that has a good offensive line, obviously, to have him behind them. He's so much ability to run, as he showed last year with the Jets as well.
00:14:41
Speaker
He just didn't fit what Aaron Glenn wanted. And i think to chief I think the Chiefs have gotten an absolute steal out of that one. Yeah, i think a lot of times Andy Reid as well does like adventurous stuff on offense. So he could almost use him. like I know he might play a couple of games. Or run him back. Yeah, not not even. like ah like In a way that they bring him in and sit Mahomes maybe for like a snap and have some kind of mad play drawn up.
00:15:07
Speaker
And I think that would be something that I could easily see Reid doing. And especially if he gets a couple of games early in the season while Mahomes is rehabbing or fully recovering, then he might get his feet under him. And and I'm sure he'll look a lot better than he did with the Jets, as you said.
00:15:24
Speaker
So I'll wrap this up. I've got a couple of honorable mentions as well. But first up, I'll go with DJ Moore as my last pick in this draft.
00:15:36
Speaker
Now, it was a a lot that the Bills gave up from, I think, in hindsight, looking at like what Jalen Waddle went for I think he's probably a better player than Moore is because Moore is a bit inconsistent and he does have his limitations.
00:15:51
Speaker
But he is still a very good wide receiver. And I think they gave up a second round pick and they received a fifth rounder back. So they still have the same amount of picks in the draft after the trade. But they they just basically get in a guy who you definitely say he's better than the production you'd get out of a punt on a second round wide receiver, which could be hit or miss. And then you still keep your fifth rounder. So...
00:16:14
Speaker
Josh Allen's got his his main guy. I'm sure he'll make and life easier for him considering he didn't really have anybody and Shakir can then be a 1B option, which I think is much more suited to what his skill set is. So I like the move all around for the Bills to basically assess an area that they've been lacking in for a long time.
00:16:33
Speaker
But what are your honourable mentions here? have got? Minka Fitzpatrick for a seventh round pick is a good one for the Jets as well. and Michael Pittman for seventh for a sixth round pick isn't bad either. I really do like that move. DJ Moore was sixth on my list. It was kind of a toss up between going for him or Fields. I had a feeling you'd bring DJ Moore anyway, so I didn't really need to bring him up.
00:16:55
Speaker
And yeah yeah, that's it then because you've kind of stolen the rest of my ones and I've done my list of 10 there. So what did you have? um I had a lot of similar ones to you. I already mentioned Jermaine Johnson earlier and that I liked him. But one I did have would be my next pick is Titus Howard. and i think the Browns did pretty well to get him in because Browns lost every single starter on their offensive line. i think it's the first time that happened since like 1970 to them.
00:17:24
Speaker
and they're going to be absolutely in a mess next season anyway. Offensive line is a very hard position to sort, and Titus Howard has played in every offensive line position except for centre, and he's done it competently with the Texans, so I think it's smart just to give up a fifth rounder for a guy at least that can fill holes for you across the season.
00:17:44
Speaker
Outside of that then, i had Geno Smith as somebody who... He's not going to light the world on fire. I know you're not going to be too happy with him as the Jets QB, but I think it was a smart move because he's the guy that's not going to get you too many wins. And if you shore up the defense, if the defense improves and he does, he's the reason you lose games, that would actually be a good formula for the Jets because you'd still get a high pick when the draft is great with QBs next season. So...
00:18:16
Speaker
It's not a good move for the player. I think it's a good move for an organization that knows that they don't want to win too many games. So that's him in mind. But I didn't actually think he's ah he's an overly solid player. I actually never, we never got your take on on him being the Jets' new QB since it was announced. Obviously, you're our Jets fan here. So what's your thinking after hearing that?
00:18:41
Speaker
So like I really wanted Kyler Murray and we get on to him in a couple of minutes and I didn't want the Jets go and do this where they go and bring in another stand-in for a year. if sit at Waste another year of well just wasting another year of me watching him, suffering through him for another year again. And this is just kind of, it's such a Jets move to do.
00:19:01
Speaker
Like no Jets quarterback has a winning season. um since he was there. the only one with a 500 or more is Jumann Simeon and he went two and two. Everyone else has a losing record since James Smith was the quarterback, what was it, 13 or 14 years ago.
00:19:19
Speaker
it's It's so Jets and I really do hope they have something lined up for next season when it comes to the the the draft next year, maybe Manning or the lad that decided didn't want to go into the draft this year, maybe one of the two of them next year would really help. But yeah, it's just like, it's just setting us up for another season of absolute torture. And poor Brees Hall has been franchise tag, so he can't go anywhere either.
00:19:43
Speaker
Yeah, we'll have to see what happens. I'm not overly confident again. Unlike last year, won't be going into this year's preview with my head held high and thinking anything's going to happen because we're we're we're going straight into another losing season. And...
00:19:56
Speaker
I feel bad for Aaron Glenn as well because his coaching career is going to be starting off absolutely horrifically when he has two losing and seasons. And even if that's what the organization wants him to do, it's very hard for him to come around then and say, oh yeah, well now I'll just go and get another head coach job. He's going back as a defensive coordinator in two years, I think, or maybe three years.
00:20:15
Speaker
Yeah, I agree with that. i think I think if they have a really, really bad season, even if that's what they want for a higher pick, I think they tank him and throw him out at that point because yeah they've got so many picks in the next draft and and they'll want somebody else in there picking someone. and So unfortunately, I don't think it's going to be solid. And also, it's hilarious, Gino Smith back there the way it ended the last time with him because but he didn't show up for one of his defensive tackles like football camp. After the guy paid for his his flight and his accommodation and all, and then he wouldn't even pay the guy back.
00:20:50
Speaker
So your man just broke his nose or broke his jaw. Actually, it was in the in the dressing room. and his jaw, yeah. So, yeah, welcome back, Gino. Couldn't be... Couldn't be more Jets, in my opinion, the way everything is called. But you did mention Kyler Murray as your ideal candidate for the Jets coming into this offseason. I think a lot of teams would be looking at him because you would have got him for a minimum, similar to Geno, but you get a much better player and a much younger one. He was Offensive Rookie the Year in his rookie season, of course. Two-time Pro Bowler. um He's been solid across his career. like
00:21:28
Speaker
You look at maybe his best years earlier on with Arizona. He had a a pretty good year and in his second. His first and second year were very good. His third year too. You're looking at a player who has a lot of potential, but as time went on, it's like first season, 16 games, second, 16, third, 14, then 11, and then eight.
00:21:50
Speaker
You could see the injury issues start to creep in and the play was also declining. 17 games then in the season after that, but the Cardinals were great at the start and then they completely fell apart. So that's when the questions really started getting on him. And even though that was his second highest total in terms of overall yardage.
00:22:07
Speaker
And then last year, he only played five games and they just clearly made it evident that they did not want him anymore. So I think he has a lot of potential and landing with the Vikings and Kevin O'Connell, I don't think it could be a better landing spot because he seems to be QB whisperer. And Sam Darnold arrived there as a much lesser player than Murray, in my opinion. And he's he's gone on to be a Super Bowl winner since he started working with Kevin O'Connell and and then moved on from there.
00:22:36
Speaker
Yeah, so I just like him as a player because of what he does. His running game is really, really good. So 29 attempts last year, 173 yards. We won't really look at that one. It's his second season, 133 attempts, 819 rushing yards in season.
00:22:51
Speaker
and That's just really, really impressive and 11 touchdowns on top that as well. They can get him back to anywhere near the solid player and as you said, Kevin MacDonald is the perfect man for us. Imagine having him as an option running.
00:23:03
Speaker
You have Addison, you have JJ outside him to pass the two really solid options as well. And 1.3 million for the year as well as there is the rumours what they're paying him because of what Arizona owe him.
00:23:14
Speaker
yeah So it feels like a kind of it feels like a bit of a win-win here for him and for the organization. Get him in, see if he can get his games back up to over 10, have a winning season, which he probably will with the Vikings here. And they don't have to rely on JJ McCarty, which is obviously a massive benefit for him because he's quite clearly not very good, despite them waiting for him for a year.
00:23:37
Speaker
everything being built around him, losing Sam Darnall to give him a goal. And he's just not the answer. He's a backup quarterback at best. he stays fit, he's so stable and he he'll be really, really good there. And again,
00:23:50
Speaker
the coach there is just going to make him the player he was in his first two seasons again. i think I think it's a great move for both him and for the organisation. Yeah, I think it was perfection for the Vikings who didn't want to go splash on a quarterback because then you're making it clear that you're punting completely on your high draft pick that you had. JJ McCarthy, who calls himself nine and was just absolutely woeful.
00:24:17
Speaker
He'd be lucky to get nine minutes on the pitch this season. Like 11 passing touchdowns from him last season, 12 interceptions, 72.6 rating, 27 sacks, 57% completion. Just really, really awful, awful stuff. And even Murray at his worst wasn't as bad as that. i mean no And he has so much more potential, I think.
00:24:39
Speaker
You looked at Darnold coming in there in his first season, he had 14 wins. Last year, Kevin O'Connell with JJ McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosner as his starting quarterbacks, he went 9-8.
00:24:52
Speaker
And the line is set at 8.5 wins this season. I think that's outrageous. I think it was 8.5 last season I went with the over, or it was 9.5 and I went with the over and it was close, one or the other. and No, it was 8.5, yeah, because I hit that. But Eight and a half again, surely you have to go for that because there's no way they're going to have a losing season with Kyler Murray there. Yeah, not all.
00:25:16
Speaker
Because Kevin O'Connell is just, he's done so much and he hasn't had a guy who's really good on the ground yet. So as you said, this is one of his biggest strengths. So let's see what he can dial up.
00:25:29
Speaker
because right now in this division, I think it's wide open. The Bears were great, but they had so much injury luck on their side. They didn't have any injury issues on their offensive line, even though they signed so many new pieces. And it was so rare that they all stayed fit. The Lions, you don't know if they're coming or going right now.
00:25:48
Speaker
And then the Packers, they haven't done a whole lot this offseason that would instill confidence in you that they're going to take and a big step. So I think this division is going to be competitive. And I don't think there's any reason why the Vikings can't challenge and and push maybe to even be the team that wins it.
00:26:07
Speaker
I agree with you 100%. I still think the Lions will go into this as favourites. They're going to have such an easy schedule compared to last year with how they finished the season. And they're going to get off to hot start, I think. And I think it'll be hard to catch them. But if anyone is going to catch them, it will be this Vikings team. And if as I said, if Kyler Murray gets going from the off, then everyone around actually needs to watch out. Because with Kevin O'Connell, Kevin O'Connell,
00:26:34
Speaker
Kevin O'Connell, this Vikings team could be scary with the wide receivers they have with him running with Aaron Jones. If they hold on to him and keep him fit, then they have stay some serious talent coming out of that backfield.
00:26:46
Speaker
And if the offensive line can just do anything decent, then they'll absolutely flying us. Yeah, I think so too. Brian Flora is still there on the defensive side. I think they'll be even better than before with another season to him.
00:26:58
Speaker
It's funny that the only thing I'm thinking about right now is... the playoffs like for them and i'm thinking kyler murray was so poor in his one playoff game where he he had two interceptions two sacks 40.9 rating but it was against the rams in that season that the rams won the super bowl so look can't get on them too hard but he wasn't woeful in that um so it'll be interesting to see the narrative will definitely come up again if they do get back to the playoffs with him of can he do it so interesting storyline i think Since we have no and NBA, we've only got two sports to cover. We'll go into Ganshans as our second thing here. We usually leave it a little bit. two seconds.
00:27:36
Speaker
My phone keeps vibrating and then he didn't put on sleep mode. Sorry. Ready to go? So last week we had another week where we didn't get a five pointer, but I'm happy with my results from last week um because I picked up two points, stretched the lead back out to three.
00:27:56
Speaker
So I'm 28 to 25 up. and We both had Newcastle to beat Chelsea. That came off. We both had the Wolves to beat the Thunder. That did not come off. And then you had the Suns to beat the Celtics, which didn't come off, but I had the Raptors to beat the Pistons, and which did which did come off in Toronto, a great win for the Raptors. So I picked up two there. and I'm going to throw out my picks first this week.
00:28:21
Speaker
I found it very hard this week to pick. I thought there was kind of a lack of options in both sports. So I ended up going to and NBA in the end.
00:28:33
Speaker
First of all, I went with the Jazz to beat the Sixers. um I know my team, but I just don't trust them one bit because who knows who's going to be playing. Tyrese Maxey's out for another two weeks. Oubre's out for at least another week. Paul George, this will be his last game before he's back from the ban. Edgecombe is nursing an injury. And and then obviously Embiid is still not returned from that oblique strain. He might be back, but odds are he probably plays tonight and then doesn't play that one.
00:29:01
Speaker
So I could just see the Sixers losing even though the Jazz are 20-48 and the Sixers are 37-32. So I'm going with that as my first. Second up, I'm going with West Ham to beat Villa away.
00:29:11
Speaker
West Ham are 14-5. Villa are 19-20. just think... i just think I don't trust Villa lately. They don't play well. and They're playing again tonight in the Carabao, or Carabao, in the Europa League.
00:29:25
Speaker
And I just think that West Ham have been on good form. They'll nick like a 1-0 win here in a stodgy game. And then last up I'll go with the Magic to beat the Lakers. Magic are 38 and 20, Lakers 44 and 25. I think the Magic have been good lately. It's funny, when Paolo was out earlier and in the season it was just Franz and Desmond Bain and they looked good. Now Franz is out and it's just Paolo and Desmond Bain, they look good again.
00:29:52
Speaker
And the in-between where they had all three, they didn't look good. So I just think that it'll be a tough one on the road for the Lakers who've played a lot of games and this week. They played the Rockets twice, they're playing again tonight and then the Magic is the next one on this road trip. So i think, yeah, 11pm on Saturday I've got the Magic winning that.
00:30:10
Speaker
Yeah, so I have two of the same as you. I have West Ham to beat Phila and the Jazz to beat the Sixers as well. The only difference I have, I have the Warriors 33 and 36 to beat the Hawks, or 36 38 and 31.
00:30:23
Speaker
Again, this is it just seems to be getting harder as the weeks go on. i was really hoping Man City would be underdogs against Arsenal, but they're both odds on, so it couldn't go there either. Yeah. The Premier League was impossible. So I just picked the one I could and then went over to the NBA. And even that took me about 15 minutes of going through everything to to pick two out. So West Ham, the Warriors and the Jazz.
00:30:43
Speaker
Yeah, i was in the same boat. It took me ages to decide on the and NBA. And my last pick came down to either that Warriors pick or the Magic. And I end up on the Magic. So, yeah, very close to being all three the same. Let's see how we go. Don't think there's too many options. So let's hope the ones we picked are going to give us a few results. and Surely.
00:31:06
Speaker
surely we're due or do you're due a few more points anyway i think yeah shocking after i walked it last year yeah three points still though a five pointer could change everything in in the next few weeks before the season ends but we move on to some football action then perform to the weekend same as the game we previewed last week united beating villa 3-1 which i predicted perfectly by the way not very often that that happens so i have to get that in there United in general looked ready to bounce back from that Newcastle loss, though it didn't really mess around. I think it although did go back to one one. I think the fact that the whole game they were more positive, they didn't look like they just lost a game when they usually do. You can tell that they just lost usually. And then to go one one, they'd usually just fall apart at that point. But they didn't panic.
00:31:55
Speaker
They exploited that Villa Highline really nicely with that Mbumo dummy run before Cunha got his run in and kind of had the line scrambling. I thought that goal was beautiful, that pass from Bruno and the finish by Cunha.
00:32:09
Speaker
And then Sesco actually scoring a scrappy goal for once. but A lot of his goals have been nice finishes, so I think it proper striker's goal, which is nice to see too. Casemiro looked brilliant. Cunha fought for everything, as usual.
00:32:23
Speaker
And I just think it was it was nice for, I don' i know Villa play a high line, but a lot of the time they do sit in when other team does have the ball in their half. They're kind of hard to break down. And for once, you United looked like they were able to break them down, which is something they haven't been doing the last few weeks. And in recent years, they've struggled to do that. So a lot of positive signs from the win, I think. And I was really impressed with them.
00:32:48
Speaker
Yeah, so it went exactly as we suspected it would really. We both had called United wins. We both said Villa would score and yeah, like United were just all over him from start to finish. Cunha, as you mentioned, brilliant. Bruno, brilliant. Mbwemo off the ball, excellent. Kami Mainu, like what Ruben Amarim didn't see in him is something will never understand and it's probably the reason he's not still in this job because if he was playing Menuh beside Casemiro and Bruno further up, then he probably would still have a job.
00:33:16
Speaker
Casemiro, it's like him saying he's leaving has just just lifted him. but he's he's It's now like, you're thinking it's like, oh, can we actually get him sign a new contract? Because he's he's so good at winning headers from corners and it's either defensive or attacking. Either way, he still wins nearly every single header.
00:33:33
Speaker
I think Martinez is really poor on that corner goal. From every angle I've seen, it kind of goes past his hand. I don't understand how you're letting the ball go across you like that into the far corner. But it's just, it is an absolutely smashing header. And then, yeah, Bruno was excellent again. Another two assists, I think. I don't know if he got the assists, it's actually going on. I don't think so.
00:33:54
Speaker
But I think he's been absolutely remarkable for City since Carrick has gone in there. And... so We said last week, is if United won this, then I think they will they have kind of wrapped up the top four now. And I do agree with that. I do think they're they're sitting now in the top four, top five.
00:34:12
Speaker
Yeah, they look fairly solidified there. And I think you bring up Bruno and we want to get in on this debate that everyone is having right now. And ah yeah, nice transition there. And I'll let it slide that you did say that he plays for City and since Carrick came in. But...
00:34:29
Speaker
ah oh that's Wrong side of Manchester. and yeah I think it's an interesting one. So what I'm referring to is, should Bruno Fernandes win Premier League Player of the Season?
00:34:42
Speaker
Now, if you're looking statistically and you're looking at the eye test, I think on both counts, you should probably say yes. Because... He's been the one solid, consistent player on United's team for the last four or five years. He's dragged them through so many moments. Anything positive that's happened has been through him.
00:35:03
Speaker
i know other teams don't like him because he whinges to the ref, but that's what kind of a captain does at times, especially Portuguese one that they tend to get in the ref's ear a lot. But He isn't like a dirty player like Bernardo Silva often is. He's someone who cares a lot about his team. He's given every single player on the pitch instructions as often as possible, telling him exactly what he wants, where he wants. Those two assists, both of them, he just stopped after he put the ball in because he knew how good the the chances he provided was. Like he provided so many chances over the last few seasons and nobody was there to finish them. Finally, has guys who were able to finish for him.
00:35:44
Speaker
98 chances created this season, according to FootMob, and 40 more than Declan Rice, who's in second with 58. Sabah Slade's in third with 56. It's just crazy to be an nearly double the next player. He's just a creative...
00:35:59
Speaker
workhorse and he does so much more than that for the team and he played half the season in defensive midfield which is madness to think that's an even bigger crime than not playing Maynard for Amarim in my opinion the fastest midfielder ever to reach 100 goals and 100 assists for one club and that can be found really in records there's probably something back in the eighteen hundreds but that's the only player that that can be found to have done that i mean in the speed he has done The only two players in recent records that have done it quicker in any position were Suarez and Mbappe, who did it for Barca and PSG. So that's the kind of company he's in and he's playing in midfield and they're both forwards. Did it quicker than Messi and Ronaldo did it.
00:36:42
Speaker
Obviously they had way more goals at this point, but it just shows you the a ability he's had in a very poor United team. And I think there's nobody... on that Arsenal team who stands out to me that has done enough to win player the season. So I think this should be a season where a player who doesn't play on the best team or the team who wins the league gets it because he's just been exceptional.
00:37:04
Speaker
Five player the week's so much, so much to say about him that I could just go on for hours. like I might like to go on forever because i don't want her to talk about him as player the year.
00:37:17
Speaker
I don't actually like any of the options here, so I have the odds up in front of me. Dekton Rice is obviously currently the favourite and if he was still playing internationally for Ireland, he wouldn't be next to near the top of this list of people. I'm not even joking, I'm not saying that for teetishly, I genuinely do believe that if he was still playing for Ireland, that he wouldn't be getting as much talked about as much as he is.
00:37:38
Speaker
His corners are brilliant, yeah, fair play. He scored a couple of goals, blah blah blah, whatever. He's not like this Arsenal team have been, there's no one on this Arsenal team, maybe Gabriel.
00:37:48
Speaker
Okay, maybe because he scores a lot of goals and corners and he he's just, he dives, he throws himself around. he's not He's not the kind of person you want to see winning Player of the Year award.
00:38:01
Speaker
There was one against Bayer Lavergues and someone touched in the back and his legs came up like he's diving. The one against Spurs was absolutely horrific. So he's not the kind of player you want winning this award.
00:38:12
Speaker
Haaland, again, had a good start to the season. He's kind of falling off. Semenyo, I think Semenyo is a good outside better at here, 18-1 in some places. ah eighteen to one in some places both I just think it's it's been, like we said it last week, that the Premier League has been a bit poor this year. And I think every single player has kind of fell for that as well, bar maybe Bruno, who's just getting an assist every single week. I think he now has 16 assists. Nine of them are from corners, a free kicks, and seven from open play. and
00:38:43
Speaker
It's hard to look past him, especially when everyone around him is an Arsenal player who hasn't done enough to win this award for me either. So and just think it's it's a race that's going to come down to the wire.
00:38:54
Speaker
I think if United can get to second, which I think is a really, they're in with good shout now because think City been really, really average recently. If you United finish second, then I think he walks into it. But I think if Arsenal win the league, they will give it to the English second race, but they wouldn't give it the Irish second race.
00:39:09
Speaker
Yeah, it's hard to argue with that point. I think it's it's really hard as well to watch some Arsenal games when the commentary is obviously supporting him because he is an English player, same way the lads would do it on the Irish commentary. So that's not a knock on the commentator, but it's it shouldn't be done at the club level and because you hear sometimes...
00:39:33
Speaker
Like the other night he was he made a horrendous mistake and it was like the other player who was on the end of the pass. I think, let's just say it was like Jokeres. He got blamed for it, even though Rice made an absolute hames of it. And I was just like, this is just consistent. The stuff we're going to see now over to the next few months of of Rice and propaganda to try and get him...
00:39:57
Speaker
this player the season. Yeah, it's going it's not going to be nice to see. He's he's money on to win it. and And it's hilarious as well because obviously Bruno's assists, his quality of delivery is is so, so good.
00:40:10
Speaker
There's only... two other players who've had at least seven assists from open play and then he has the extra nine from set pieces and and now all of a sudden it's acting like his assists aren't worth anything because they're from set pieces and now Sky Sports are getting that on their ground. did that become thing?
00:40:28
Speaker
Never. Yeah. When did that become a thing? That open basis versus all assists? As soon as it was just again, it was another... It's brought because that's what sells on Sky and TalkSport and all these crappy and media outlets that that just want to basically rage bitit fans and then appease the fans of every other club to be like, oh, yeah, look, he only assists from corners. Like, He's created 98 chances. we We know he's elite in chance situations. So it's the most ever for you United in a season as well, that amount of assists. And it's four off the record that Henry and Kevin De Bruyne have.
00:41:06
Speaker
So if he can get five assists in the next... How many games do we have left? Nine, I think, is it? for your Nine games left, I think, yeah. So if he can manage that, then i think that surely solidifies it because if you can get the assist record in a season...
00:41:24
Speaker
that a lot of players probably haven't been up to the level that you would consider player of the season worthy, then I think, yeah, he he deserves it for me. So I also think you mentioned Semenya. I think if City did make a comeback and won the league, then he should win it because he was so good Portnum and he's been good, but they're just falling apart. And so there's not much really can be said for that.
00:41:46
Speaker
So we did speak about Arsenal there a lot. We'll move on to their game this weekend as our preview. They're playing Man City. It's the Carabao Cup final. It's going to be an interesting game in recent history.
00:42:02
Speaker
Arsenal have been the team that have been on top in this tie. City haven't beaten them since 2023. Three losses for them and three draws. But before that, City won 15 out of 16. So an absolutely mad dominant run over Arsenal. But now it's shifted over the last couple of years.
00:42:20
Speaker
It would be Arteta's first trophy with the Gunners since 2020 when they won the FA Cup. City just went one season without trophies last year. Obviously the year before they won the Premier League. So...
00:42:31
Speaker
They'll be looking to break their drought and get a get a cup under their belt. Current form would lead towards you saying Arsenal are going to win it. But at times they've looked unconvincing and maybe Pep will have something up his sleeve. But I'm interested to hear what you think is going to happen in this game.
00:42:50
Speaker
I think this is where Arsenal have finally come a bit unstuck. This is a City team full of players who played in final after final after final, coming up against an Arsenal team who most of them probably weren't around in 2020 to play in that last final.
00:43:05
Speaker
It's very hard to get your first one over the line. And especially when coming up against a team of serial winners. okay They haven't won anything in the last 18 months, but this is still a team of superstars. You just know how to get over the line to win trophies.
00:43:17
Speaker
the kind of game Haaland is 100% going to show up for and do something. I think it's going all the way to penalties here and I think City are going to nick it on penalties. I think it's going be very, very cagey.
00:43:28
Speaker
Just the way Arsenal like it, I think City might go 1-0 up. Arsenal will equalise not from a corner, Gjokic is his going to score. You heard it here first and then it's going to go all the way to penalties, I think. I just think it's going to be so close.
00:43:40
Speaker
Both teams going to feeling each other out for an hour, i'd say. City are still aren't going to push anyone out. They're going to just stay in that shape that has, well, to be fair, it has suited them really well all season. It's why they're top league because they know how to keep things tight.
00:43:53
Speaker
But I think City are going to get this one over the line. Yeah, i I don't know if I'm going to fall on that side of it. I want to make a bold statement that I think City would honestly be best served in this game by benching Haaland.
00:44:10
Speaker
I know it's a bit crazy to say because he scored five and seven against Arsenal, so maybe i'm mad. But I just think what we alluded to already about Gabriel is something he's become a master at this season of throwing himself on the ground in a way that gets himself free kicks and...
00:44:30
Speaker
Diving all the time in positions where he can win the refs and get into the refs good books and and see that. Oh, look, how I pushed me in the back. And this is something then that constantly goes and goes and goes the whole game as Holland gets frustrated.
00:44:45
Speaker
Holland has looked average this season. His goalscoring has been great, but his play on the ball. has been horrendous at times. In the first leg against Madrid, he was woeful when he got the ball. I just think Marmouche, if he played and he was able to drag some of these Arsenal players all over the place, and he interchanged with the likes of Sevinho and Semenho and gave Arsenal a bit of confusion, I think it would work better.
00:45:07
Speaker
and But maybe I'm mad, maybe Haaland goes out here and bangs a couple of goals, but I just think that would be something that would make this game a bit more interesting. I think Arsenal are just going to win this in a frustrating way. I agree with you that it's going to be 1-1 in 90. And I just think everyone is going to want penalties just for the entertainment factor because the game has been so stodgy. And then Arsenal are going to score some kind of a crappy goal with like five minutes left and extra time, win it 2-1 and have wasted two hours of everybody's time. and And everybody's going to leave after watching exactly what's expected of these two teams because...
00:45:44
Speaker
Arsenal are just going to make this frustrating and that's what they're going want to do. One question I had in mind was who are some what way Arsenal are going to line up in the in the attacking spots. So you think Giaccares is a starter here?
00:45:57
Speaker
Yeah, I think Giaccares is sack of. And I think to go back to Trossard off the right again, sorry off the left, I think he really likes Trossard for games like this. Just someone who's just going to work.
00:46:09
Speaker
the absolute bones out of himself for 60 or 70 minutes and bring on Martinelli or someone with a bit of pace. So yeah, I don't think Odegaard starts. I think Ezey starts over Odegaard again, especially after his goal against Bayer Leverkusen as well.
00:46:22
Speaker
He's clearly in really he's in a really good vein of form and he's the kind of player when he's in that vein of form, you need to keep playing him until he's out of it and then you can drop him again and say, okay, you had to run.
00:46:32
Speaker
Time to get Odegaard back in for a bit more control. But now that I've said that, it wouldn't surprise me we did start Odegaard furthermore control. The man that's just going to press and press and press, he is his captain as well. So yeah, I'm actually not going to try and pick to midfield. I'm going to say Saka, Trossard and Giaccares at the front three and either Eze or Odegaard behind them.
00:46:53
Speaker
Yeah, I think it's think we're talking about it so quickly. I don't think you're, I think you're definitely right about the front three because Trossard is the type of player that plays in this game. And then if you're going to say that he'll go with the Trossard route, then you might say he'll go Odegaard because that's the the usual i'm in big games. But Eze has definitely warranted a selection here. so I think in fairness sake, it should be him, but we'll see what, what way they line up. And I'm pretty sure my take of Holland on the bench is definitely not going to be coming through, but if it is, Pep heard it here.
00:47:26
Speaker
Just let you all know. He listens to this podcast, of course. We, yeah but we don't, we definitely don't condone that wardrobe choice that he had against Madrid. Where on earth was he going with the lumberjack shirt on the sideline? Holy Christ.
00:47:41
Speaker
just ah Especially when you're losing and you're losing quite badly to come out with something like something normal. It's like he couldn't Galaxy Brain on the pitch so he Galaxy Brained his outfit and says, oh Jesus. use Yeah.
00:47:55
Speaker
So moving swiftly on from that to the Ireland squad and the game against Chechia next week. Obviously we've mentioned it.
00:48:06
Speaker
You're going to Prague. Yeah. for the game I believe you don't have a ticket but you're going to be there for it anyway yes and hopefully you'll you'll find your way in but the squad was released today.
00:48:18
Speaker
i think we were discussing it. The only real misses from the squad are kind of through injury, the likes of Mikey Johnston and Evan Ferguson. The only player outside of that that isn't injured that I thought should have been in it was Amabami Dele. I think he's been really good for Strasbourg and they're doing well in in Europe as well. So I think he deserved a selection really, if I'm being honest here, but they've gone with John Egan for the kind of leadership and jimmy dunn is a questionable one over him i think for me i don't know if you've done this out but i'm gonna throw out what i hope the lineup is against chechia and i'm going with kelleher in goal of course coleman right wing back o'brien collins and o'shea three center backs because scales is suspended for the chechia game
00:49:05
Speaker
Manning, left wing back. I don't think Brady is fit enough. and Then Knight, right mid. Molumby and Azaz in the centre. Ogbene, left mid. I know he hasn't played much lately, but he always tries his best for Ireland and we need him.
00:49:18
Speaker
And then Parrot up top. That's what I think they'll go with and what I hope they go with based on who's there. and But would you make any changes to that? No, to be honest, I wouldn't. and The only one I would question is Ogbené. Obviously, as as a Limerick fan, I watched him up in the Markets Field. I love when he's starting for Ireland. It's just kind of such a full circle moment every time I see him s step out in that pitch. I have to watch him up the Markets Field. But i just I think he's been playing under-21s football, so he does have minutes in his belt if they're not at the highest level.
00:49:51
Speaker
Other than that, i I don't see too much more he can do, really. I think the forward options are very limited. Parrott, Ida, Johnny Kenny. I'm very surprised Johnny Kenny is after getting picked again. He was basically thrown out of Celtic.
00:50:03
Speaker
I think if if anyone else had been fit, obviously if Ferguson was fit, then Johnny Kenny wouldn't be there. But... He hasn't really done enough to be kind of i warranting a place in an international squad, but it needs most.
00:50:16
Speaker
Good to see Sammy Smoddix back once he stays fit now and doesn't pull out of their squad again. Pretends to be injured again. Yeah, I think what you picked is pretty much nailed on what it will be. And I'm just really looking forward to getting over there now on Tuesday and just seeing...
00:50:30
Speaker
seeing what happens. yes I'm also really happy to see Boston Lawle is back in. Yeah, that's it's great. I think that's a great selection. And Alan Brown as well deserves good bit of props for what he's been doing with Borough. He's been so good. And he's transitioned as well. He's playing wingback a bit as well, fullback. So he could come on anywhere that we need him, which I think is important. And Harvey Vale,
00:50:54
Speaker
I'd say he'll likely be someone that comes off the bench to make an impact going forward. and He's probably one of the only forwards that we have that can actually do a bit of something off the bench outside of Smodics. So moving to the game itself,
00:51:11
Speaker
It's going to be really tough. Look, Ceci lost a away to the Faroes, Croatia and Georgia in recent years. It's mad to lose to the Faroes 2-1, Croatia 5-1 and Georgia 4-1. So they're battered in those.
00:51:24
Speaker
But at home, they drew nil a little with Croatia. Like, if you date back, they've only lost once at home since 2022. And that was against Turkey. And in that game, they got a man sent off and they only conceded the goal to go 2-1 down in the 94th minute.
00:51:40
Speaker
So they are elite at home. Really hard to beat. And I just think they're going to be really, really tough to break down for Ireland. I just think we can't do anything stupid. Just need to play our own game and a bit more of that kind of slow build-up that we've had recently. Because if we start lumping the ball forward and then giving them it back every time and putting ourselves under pressure...
00:52:04
Speaker
That's going to be a recipe for disaster. So I think we need to hold on to the ball because we have some technically good players and some players that like to fight. Chechia be open, I think, to defend and then grab a goal from a set piece with Suchek or something like that. But luckily, we've got some good defenders at set pieces. and I just think that this is going to be a cagey, cagey affair.
00:52:24
Speaker
And if I'm to go out on a prediction... I'm going for a very, very, very nervous game where both teams don't want to lose and Troy Parr does his thing and gets us the winner in the 80th minute and we win 1-0 with a cagey last 10.
00:52:38
Speaker
I just think it's going to drive our nerves mad this game. It's just going to be tough, tough watch. Yeah, I agree. I think it's going to be an awful watch to be perfectly honest. I think it's going to be from minute one I think we'll know how this is going to go after five minutes. Because if Ireland start by humping the ball left, right and centre, then we'll know that's where they're going to go for 90 minutes. And it's going to be, I don't know why i I didn't, I meant to say lumping lumping the ball. Oh God, there we go. If we start lumping the ball in the first five minutes, then I think that's how the game is going to go. And we don't have Ever Ferguson up there to try and bring it down. Troy Parrott is obviously an absolute machine at the moment. He's an enough he's not just on fire.
00:53:19
Speaker
I think if anyone's going to score a goal, it will be him. I think Seamus Coleman is going to be so important. If he is fit enough to get 70 or 80 minutes out of him, absolutely brilliant. I'm obviously back in Ireland to get through here, but I think it's going to be a really, really hard watch from start to finish.
00:53:33
Speaker
Yeah. What would you go at your scoreline if you had to give it? 2-1. Yeah, that's going to be nervous. If we concede a goal, I'm going to be...
00:53:45
Speaker
I'm going to be not a good person to watch this game with because my nerves are going to be shot. And I've got my ticket locked up for the next game with the season ticket. So praying we get there.
00:53:56
Speaker
Hopefully it's not friendly. Yeah. I don't want to be watching some friendly against North Macedonia. But look, I would take the Danes the week after because we need our revenge over to them.
00:54:07
Speaker
Doesn't matter that they're probably the best team that out of the four. i really hope we get there and we get to play them. So the next week, The game is going to be on Thursday next week. So and we're probably going to record the podcast, myself and Michael, on Wednesday and and get it out on the Thursday before Ireland game. So the next time you'll be hearing from us, the two legs will both be done and we'll either be over the moon and we'll be in the World Cup or we'll be extremely disappointed. So let's see. Let's see.
00:54:35
Speaker
Power Rankings then to wrap us up. Do you want go ahead first with your last week and then your updates? Yeah, will do. So last week I had San Antonio Spires at one, City at two, Thunder three, Arsenal four, Pistons five, United at six. So there is a couple of changes this week.
00:54:53
Speaker
One new team, but a lot of moves around. So Thunder have won 10 in a row since we were in last week. So they obviously are going to move up to number one. Again, they're they're back to being the best team in basketball.
00:55:03
Speaker
The Spurs dropped to 2 for me, so they're still 8-2, and if the Thunder hadn't done what they had done, then the Spurs would s still be top, but Spurs dropped to 2. Arsenal come up to 3rd. They're on one of only two English teams through in the Champions League, so they move up to 3rd.
00:55:17
Speaker
The Lakers now 9-1 in the last week. It's very hard to leave them out, especially when the Pistons are sh struggling a bit at the moment. They're at 5-5, so the Lakers come in for the Pistons. United come up to fifth for me. and They just keep rolling on. And last week I wanted to take them out. This week it's literally impossible. There's only three good teams the Premier League this year are at the moment. And the three of them are 1-2-3.
00:55:38
Speaker
So City, three wins, two draws. And they just about hang on at sixth place for me this week. Ireland will go in there next week when they get into the World Cup. Yeah, they'll be top of that list. There's no doubt in it. and We've got a very similar lineup here.
00:55:52
Speaker
So last week I had Thunder, Spurs, Pistons, Arsenal, City and United. So I've still got the Thunder top. You mentioned it. Ten wins in a row. And more importantly for me is that they're three and a half games ahead of the Spurs with only 15 games left. So that the one seed seems to be locked.
00:56:10
Speaker
And the Spurs, you already said, 8-2 last 10. They have to be second. So they stayed top two for me. Arsenal then are in third for me. and Move up, same as you. Best team in the Premier League right now. And they're battling on all fronts. So they're in third. I've moved United up to fourth because I think recently they've they've been very solid. Apart from that Newcastle game and a couple of questionable performances over the stretch before that. But since Carrick has come in, they've been great. So...
00:56:38
Speaker
They're solidly in third in the league and fourth in my rankings here. Next up, it was between the Lakers and the Hawks. I just didn't want to put in the Lakers, to be honest. I prefer bringing in the Hawks because they've got 11 wins in a row. It's the longest streak in the NBA right now. okay Yeah, they're they're absolutely flying. and But...
00:56:57
Speaker
The funny thing is all it's done is move them up from the the ninth seed to the eighth seed. So it shows us how far back they were before they went on this streak. So right now they're they're up for me in in fifth place. And then last is City. They haven't lost a Premier League game since the 17th of January.
00:57:16
Speaker
They've been pretty stodgy lately across the Prem and also in also in the Champions League. They're out. So, yeah, they just hold on because there's no one else really to pick in the Premier League. I wanted to put in Newcastle because they look good in the Premier League lately, but then they got battered out of Barca. So I'll be putting them in here. and So that's my sixth Thunder Spurs Arsenal United Hawks in City.
00:57:37
Speaker
So that's a... I think while I'm away next week, I think you and Michael's doing anti-power rankings. So pick the six worst teams across the two and I'll get a bit of enjoyment out of watching that when I come back. This look in here, us the Wizards and the Pacers last 10, they're both 0-10 in their last 10, so... that's just horrendously wow think the stations are on their they're on their longest losing streak since sometime before the 2000s um or maybe it was early 2000s and i think it's 12 in a row now they've lost so they are just stinking it up and zubach is back for them as well so that's a makes it even more mad but yeah they've done the tanking thing very well
00:58:20
Speaker
That's another episode done. As I mentioned, next week we'll be back on Wednesday. It'll just be myself and Michael. Shane will be in Prague, so it'll be an NBA special. and We'll still get in Shane's power rankings and Gonshance. We'll get those mailed in to us from Prague. But that's it for another week. Shane, throw it to you to wrap it.
00:58:39
Speaker
Yeah, lads, so really, really, really appreciate all the support again. Just keep hitting those buttons. We really do appreciate it. And I will see you in two weeks, hopefully on the way to a World Cup.
00:58:52
Speaker
Welcome back to another episode of Who's Got the Ball with Shane and James.