Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
GSPN Daily Wolves - Bournemouth vs Wolves Pre-Match
20 Plays9 days ago
Chris & Will discuss the upcoming game against Bournemouth. Along with all the usual ramblings and. our score predictions for the weekend.
Keep in touch with us at:
Tiktok @gspnwolves
Twitter @gspnwolves
Sponsors and Advertising
Bioniq - Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for ANY body. Get what's right for YOU. Right now.
We’ve spent years analyzing blood markers to develop our patented algorithm, enabling us to create a 100% personalized supplement to support your health by optimizing your micronutrient status.
Follow the link and Use code GSPN2025 for 40% of your first month’s subscription.
www.bioniq.com/gspn2025
Zencastr
Built for quality - Designed for growth
A new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools — all in one place.
Get started for free!
We highly recommend it!
https://zencastr.com/?via=ken
Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright | 2025 Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Humor
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hey Daily Wolves fans, welcome in. it is me once again, Chris, here at GSPN Daily Wolves. And with me is my, you know, my favorite sidekick, Will. Hey, Will.
00:00:22
Will
I won't tell Nathan you said that. um But yes, hello, hello. How are we? Are we living the dream?
00:00:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are living the dream, Will, we are.
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, as yeah as a co-founder, essentially, that's why I'm calling you my favorite sidekick.
00:00:31
Will
yeah Yes, yes.
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:38
Will
Well, thank you.
00:00:39
Will
I'll take it.
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, so here
Previewing the Bournemouth Match
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
we are. It's going to be this is going to be the contork going out on Thursday 20th as we record this on Wednesday night. And so just put in perspective, we're looking ahead to mainly going to be chatting about the forthcoming match against Bournemouth, who, you know, lo and behold, we're going to play again in the cup very soon as well.
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Huzzah.
00:01:02
Will
Yeah. Yeah.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:01:04
Will
Yeah.
00:01:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
so I mean, obviously, i think despite the loss we've mentioned this week that there was some a lot of positives, I think, to take from the Liverpool result, especially considering we were playing 12 men for most of the game.
00:01:16
Will
yeah
00:01:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that being said, Will, I mean, how are you just feeling in general heading into the weekend?
00:01:23
Will
um Well, me personally, I think I'm starting to come down with a bit of the lurgy that's going around right now. ah
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Okay.
00:01:30
Will
you know is I don't think that's helped by just how grey and miserable it seems to be in the West Midlands currently.
00:01:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:01:36
Will
um So it's just as well that we're taking a trip down to the sunny South Coast, aren't we? um But no, again, I'm Again, I'm weirdly, weirdly optimistic because I've got absolutely stats or rhyme or reason to to back that up.
00:01:55
Will
Apart from just, you know, Vitor Pereira. I just i trust him to, you know, given them giving the team a kick up the arse and we're going to go down away to Bournemouth. And yeah, we're goingnna we're going to come back with with something.
00:02:11
Will
um You know, I'm confirming that here and now.
00:02:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're confirming that. You heard it here, everyone, confirming it.
00:02:16
Will
Yes. Yes.
00:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, ah yeah, i'm I'm also quietly hopeful
Analyzing Teams and Strategies
00:02:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
that we'll do it. I mean, I think given where we are in the league and given their performances, Bournemouth overall this season, I'd be, to be honest, I'd be happy to come away with a point. Yeah.
00:02:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
just to keep the moment like get the momentum back and the very least not lose we're at that you know we're coming into that crunch point we definitely don't want to be losing more games wherever we can help it obviously i want the win but i think a way to them when they've been that you know to be fair to them whatever people thought that their expectations pre-season they are you know ah going above and beyond
00:02:37
Will
Yeah.
00:02:45
Will
No.
00:02:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although saying that, I mean, the first matchup against them earlier this season, we basically handed them a hat trick of penalties.
00:03:06
Will
Yeah, it was embarrassing, wasn't it
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So when you consider that, we did pretty well considering as as it comes into this week, well, they are fifth in the league and we're 17th. I mean, have you got, yeah, I'll take, i'll take to be honest, given ah all of that, as I say, I'll be happy with the draw and the win will be a bonus.
00:03:24
Will
Yeah, I know. But, I mean, as you just mentioned there, it's getting towards that end of the season stage where... Each game is, you know, a six-pointer. um And don't get me wrong, ah I'd love a draw. I'd, you know...
00:03:41
Will
um But just think about it. Think how good an away win would be. Think how big a win that would be. Because um not only are Bournemouth 5th, as you just mentioned, um despite my confidence, I think every Wolves fan is sort of looking over their shoulder to see that Ipswich are closing in on us. you know um Just behind us, I think we spoke about before how they're... Is it two points?
00:04:11
Will
behind um so just yeah we just don't lose just don't lose that's that's the sort of main thing isn't it um but yeah like i said i'm when you say on paper like that it's 17th against fifth um the sort of confidence that i started off with is slowly sort of going already but no um i'm I'm sticking to my guns I'm still strangely optimistic
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think this season more than anything has shown that on any given day, any team, and it's kind of a cliche, but can literally beat
Discussing League Surprises
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
anyone.
00:04:50
Will
yeah yeah
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, you see that, you know, Ipswich have gone and won even games you wouldn't expect. Forrest are flying. You've got the likes of Tottenham and Man U who are much further down the league than they would expect to be.
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's only, what, one, two, three, four games ago um that Bournemouth beat Forest 5-0, and yet Forest are up there in you know, like pushing for the top. So it's just a really weird season, I think, because there's teams in places that you just wouldn't expect.
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So ah we only three games ago, we beat Villa, who, again, I know they had a bit of a poor run going into it, but, you know, they're still um a really solid side, and we did good against Liverpool.
00:05:18
Will
Yeah.
00:05:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know we lost, but we showed... that we are competitive at that level.
00:05:33
Will
Yeah. yeah
00:05:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, I mean, i'm yeah, maybe i maybe I should be more positive.
00:05:39
Will
um Can I just play devil's advocate um just on that?
00:05:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:05:45
Will
um First of all, like you know a hundred percent agree I You think of the fact that you know we lost to Ipswich at home and then beat those teams like United that you said are a lot lower than they'd expect to be.
00:06:02
Will
But Apart from that win at Villa, we've not picked up a point in any of our last five games in the league, whereas Bournemouth have picked up 10 in their last five.
00:06:18
Will
say yeah, it doesn't make for a pleasant reading.
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it sounds like it sounds well like it's about time they dropped some, if you ask me.
00:06:25
Will
I agree. And you know what? I genuinely think that's where my ah confidence has come from. it's Like you said, it's that it's that running, that sort of squeaky bum time, if if you will.
00:06:36
Will
um And that's when I spoke about Pereira at the start of this recording, just sort of that crunch time, ah ah
Lineup Changes and Strategies
00:06:46
Will
trust him.
00:06:46
Will
I trust him to get us through that, given the sort of disciplinarian that that it's reported he is.
00:06:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think it's fair to say that as we go into this weekend, we're a very different, um you know, match to what Bournemouth met last time. Obviously, there's a been a few changes. You know, Lamina's gone.
00:07:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got ah new centre-backs. Obviously, the concern is Agbedou is probably going to miss this match. And then my question marks are over whether, you know, Bueno comes in the middle like he did for the second half against Liverpool, who actually, you know, they did...
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
solidly that second half um but for a whole 90 minutes it's another it's another question or whether we see Jiga unleashed you know brought in obviously he's only featured on the bench so far but he's now he will have been with the squad a few weeks longer and so there's the potential that they they wheel him out made him sound like he's you know he's not he's not able but
00:07:32
Will
Yeah. Yeah.
00:07:43
Will
Yes. Yeah.
00:07:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, but there's been, there's big, big, big changes and it's no longer O'Neill, it's Vitor and there's a very different, I think, dynamic to what they faced last time. And I know, i mean, if we hadn't given away so many penalties, we arguably would have taken points, if not all three from that last game because we we literally gifted them the victory.
00:08:04
Will
Yeah, yeah no definitely. i mean That game springs to mind to just sort of sum us up under O'Neal, I thought. Or O'Neal this season, at least. um Because yeah it that that was just it was just embarrassing defending all round for those penalties. and But know like you said, times have changed that since then. Times have certainly changed. I think, you know,
00:08:33
Will
One thing's for certain, which you spoke about, is that Liverpool second half... If we play like that, we will be fine.
00:08:44
Will
We will be absolutely fine. you know there's not a There's not a shadow of doubt in my mind that we beat most teams, you know and especially in the bottom half at least, if we play like that.
00:08:57
Will
But that's the thing, and that's it's been a recurring issue this
Evaluating Wolves' Performance
00:09:00
Will
this season. I feel like there's so many times... that that I said that, or you know one of us has said that on this podcast, or you know just someone's mentioned it, or posted it on Twitter, that you know if if we play that way, if we keep that consistent, I think about, like you said, the the Villa game.
00:09:21
Will
Before then, it was the United game at home, you know where we played like we know these these players have the quality to to put out. But But it's just it's just sort of finding that consistency that we've been unable to do um So just fingers crossed they can at least be consistent for for this 90 minutes because, like I said, an away win would be massive.
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:09:51
Will
And, um you know, we we we do have the quality to to get it. It's just frustrating to think about, really.
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, for sure. And then maybe we'll run through in a moment some more, a couple more match facts and then also potential lineups because there's a couple of other positions to to discuss.
00:10:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But before we do, let's just take a brief message.
00:10:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're unique, Will. Did you know that?
00:10:57
Will
thank you thank you
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're welcome. And you two out there, everyone listening, you're all unique. um Did you know, Will, they have been a little bit of a bogey for us there recently, Bournemouth. They've won three of their last four Premier League games against us.
00:11:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Although all three of those victories have actually been at Molyneux.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um interestingly um and then Wolves are unbeaten in all four of the Premier League away games against Bournemouth alternating between a draw and victory each time it's them their most away games against an opponent without ever losing in the competition's history so we do actually have we we're terrible ah at home but we're okay away so maybe maybe we'll be there's there's an omen there
00:11:16
Will
yeah yeah
00:11:41
Will
Look, I told you, I told you, it's just good to get out of the greyness of the West Midlands. I think, you know, the especially, i can see it. I can see our Brazilian boys, you know, loving it down on the South Coast. um ah want I want to see more Aitneri and Xalgoma's flicks and tricks. And look, Chris, we're coasting to a...
00:12:04
Will
I wouldn't say coasting, actually. oh Look, I'll take a draw, as we said. ah But, yeah, um it's funny. Earlier I saw, i don't know if you saw, the Wolves put out a tweet about some of our best goals against Bournemouth since we got promoted not so long back.
Reflecting on Past Encounters
00:12:22
Will
Well, say not so long back. how How long is it now? Seven, eight seasons, something like that?
00:12:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, was it the 2016-17 season? No. It was... 18-19 19-20 Mm-mm. sixteen seventeen season
00:12:31
Will
I think it's...
00:12:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:12:33
Will
no No, surely it wasn't that long ago.
00:12:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:12:36
Will
i thought i thought i was thinking about 2018, something around that mark. either way Either way, it's it's gone it's gone quick.
00:12:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
he was
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
eighteen nineteen was europa
00:12:45
Will
Right,
00:12:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
right
00:12:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
because nineteen twenty was covid
00:12:48
Will
so was it...
00:12:52
Will
No, but wasn't it 2021 was COVID? oh Oh no, obviously they were both COVID. Yeah, that was a stupid statement.
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:59
Will
and
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So um anyway, I see now we're now we look um now we look shambolic.
00:13:00
Will
Yeah.
00:13:02
Will
Yes, we digress. We digress.
00:13:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that's what Father Time does to you. It it wipes your memory of all dates as they all blu like, you know, merge together in some horrible mess.
00:13:10
Will
yes
00:13:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm sorry, people.
00:13:16
Will
um
00:13:17
Will
But no, it's it's um I was just saying they put a tweet out about the... um you know a little compilation of our goals against Bournemouth. And there were some that i completely forgotten about. you know We all remember the Moutinho free kick away. that That was just glorious.
00:13:34
Will
But um one of Sasha's few goals for us came away Bournemouth as well, which, honestly, I remember watching it back. I had absolutely no recollection of it whatsoever. And it was only last season, I think.
00:13:52
Will
um And then another one that caught me by a surprise that i've completely forgotten about as well was um Ivan Cavalero scoring at home to them.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
no yeah
00:14:04
Will
And it was a lovely little finish. mean, he had bags of time. was through 1v1 for what seemed to be an eternity. But yeah, it's just little little blasts from the past that have, um I think, yeah, ignited a bit of confidence in me.
00:14:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's, ah there yeah, it's nice to reminisce, but some I'll pitch you a couple of questions, okay? So the one is, right, Belagard.
00:14:24
Will
Okay.
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we think about the second half of last game against Liverpool that we mentioned, arguably the second half was stronger and was shored up a lot when the likes Belagard came on.
00:14:35
Will
Mm.
00:14:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even even though he's playing the false nine, Giga added that different element to what Gage was offering in the first half. I know Gage is clearly a best finisher, but it did add to that depth to midfield and also at the same time gives the the runner into the box.
00:14:50
Will
Mm.
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So firstly, Bellegarde bench, or does he earn a spot to come back in? Has he proven that he needs
Midfield Debates
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
to be in the start?
00:15:00
Will
um So he's looked good centrally, hasn't he?
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:15:08
Will
Are you going to drop Andre or João?
00:15:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are you?
00:15:12
Will
Sorry, I don't mean to flip that question back onto you, but my point is, it I just think those the two Brazilians in the middle, ah just don't see how you can drop them.
00:15:23
Will
I think they all ah that good. um I'm going to throw a slight curveball at you, though. um You spoke about that false nine, Munetzi playing in that false nine position.
00:15:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, yeah, I think I said Jiga for some reason. I meant Minetsi.
00:15:40
Will
it's It's okay. It's okay. um and i'll I'll let you off. ah But what about Belgarde? there maybe maybe not as high up um but you know i because i do see him as that attacking midfielder you know um and that's that's the only case i can make for him starting um but i also think it depends on the likes of like you said um wedges and savabia you know who you're starting and playing around him um it also depends on
00:15:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:16:15
Will
um I've not seen a time frame on this, so excuse me if I'm just completely ah you know out out of um touch with this.
00:16:25
Will
But I don't know when the return date for Larson is, but you know he's been out for a couple of games now. So again, you that's that's another one to think about.
00:16:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:16:36
Will
um So i suppose I suppose long story short, it's probably not. I probably don't start him. And I do feel harsh saying that, but it's purely because of how much I like Andre and Shao Gomez.
00:16:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I just wanted to put it to you because I think it is a debate worth having and purely that he's been so good recently when he's come into the center and he's kind of shown that that is his best spot.
00:16:55
Will
Yeah.
00:16:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even when he came on second half, you know, put a couple of great, I know minutes, he ended up offside a couple of times, but he was involved in a couple of those crisp passes that were trying to play him through.
00:17:00
Will
Hmm.
00:17:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And um so it's worth debasing, but I do think that Andre and Gomez are like Vitor's starting pair.
00:17:09
Will
Yeah.
00:17:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think I think unless some you know and unlesss one of them is injured or suspended, that's always going to be the start.
00:17:17
Will
Yeah.
00:17:21
Will
Yeah.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Bellegarde is going to be the sub for the most part. Yeah.
00:17:26
Will
Can I just say as well, Savi, on Bellagarde, I think he's hit form ever since we put out that episode where me and Nathan were just ripping into him a bit.
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:39
Will
So, you know, yeah it's obviously yeah giving him the motivation.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, take the credit, take the credit.
00:17:44
Will
Yeah.
00:17:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then ah I guess the question is, if if Larson, let's double whammy So if Larson's fit, who plays either side? But then again, he might just start as a sub and then come on later.
00:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if he isn't fit, who's gonna who are we going to see up front?
00:18:02
Will
um It's a very good question. I would like to know what the situation with Rodrigo Gomez is because, Chris, I still don't know that and I can't believe... um Again, unless I've just somehow missed something whilst I've been at work or something like that, I can't believe I've not seen anything about that.
00:18:22
Will
um But let's assume he's fit. um I would stick him on the wing... um and have Cunha the other side with Larson up front. I don't feel as though Cerebio or Gredes did enough.
00:18:40
Will
And when they came off against Liverpool is when we started to play. And I do feel harsh saying that um because they have put in good performances recently.
00:18:52
Will
um But, i you know, I prefer the idea Larson starting, and you know, even if he can only play a half or 60 minutes, you know, get get that hour in um I'd rather the game was able to pan out like that than us be sticking him on with the last ten and, you know, sort of that last gasp attempt of playing a bit of hoofball to the big man up front and trying to, you know, nick ni a goal.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:19:25
Will
I hope it's not that kind of game for us.
00:19:28
Will
um But yeah, so I suppose you know when you actually think about it, there's a lot of questions, a lot of variables um going into this weekend and a lot of different options for us. And not all of them are negative ones, you know if if you think about It's not like we're ah we're asking these questions because players have played badly and need dropping. um We're asking these questions because we've we've we've got positive options.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, in regards to Rodrigo Gomez, so I did look into it, um and Wissall was asked about it in his post-match, because obviously
Predicting Lineups and Tactics
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was late news on the the day of the kickoff.
00:20:04
Will
Right.
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah a And he didn't say exactly what, but just that he got a small problem as was the phrase he used. But he meant medically, as in because it Sam Johnson was...
00:20:16
Will
Right.
00:20:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
the same listed as like small minor pulls or injuries minor injuries, small injuries, he called it.
00:20:23
Will
Okay.
00:20:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So hopefully if it's a minor thing, it was just a one week because as there's a big gap between the two games.
00:20:30
Will
Yeah. Yeah.
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Because at the very least, you'd expect him to be back on the bench as soon as he's fit, if not pushing for a starting spot, because he is he is phenomenal. And he's arguably one of my players of the season.
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know he doesn't play as many games as everyone That sounds really stupid.
00:20:42
Will
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:20:44
Will
No, yeah.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
because you know there's people put way more minutes into the pitch but in terms of um or maybe maybe if not player of the season what's the like what's the you know newcomer or upcoming or young player young player of the season or something because ah he's a he's firmly a fan's favorite already right every time he comes on you know he's going to give you 110 every time he runs himself ragged up and down the pitch like a whippet
00:20:58
Will
Yes, yes.
00:21:04
Will
Mm.
00:21:08
Will
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just love that. And he always looks like happy and determined. And in in every interview, he looks like so thrilled to be there. when He's on the pitch. He looks determined. And even though he's like three, you know, ah few feet, a couple of feet shorter than some of the people around him, he's still winning balls and getting stuck in like because he just leaps like a salmon.
00:21:28
Will
you Yeah.
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, I just love everything about him. And you almost just want all your squad to have that kind of enthusiasm.
00:21:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's definitely up there for me as one of my my players of the the season so far.
00:21:39
Will
Yeah.
00:21:44
Will
No, I 100% agree and I've got a few points off the back of that. First of all, like you said about him becoming such a fan favourite in such a short amount of time, that's how easy it is because it's it's not only his footballing ability, don't get wrong, like you said, he looks great on the ball, but it's the attitude and the personality that you know we see come across in the commitment that he gives that leads to players like him being so highly rated by by fans. you know That's what you want to see.
00:22:17
Will
certainly seems to carry himself very well with the... you know I like the humbleness as well and just the so the work ethic. I think if we if we had a squad full of players like that, with that mentality, I think we'd be about mid-table, you know?
00:22:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:22:35
Will
um But secondly, if it's just a minor injury for him, then... um just thinking ahead, although you mentioned that there's the whole week break in between um Liverpool and Bournemouth, you mentioned that we're going to Bournemouth the week the weekend after as well. We've also got Fulham at home next week.
00:23:02
Will
um So we've got a midweek game. So that's three games in the space of seven days. So it may be that in that case, we don't see him or at least certainly not starting or playing 90 minutes.
00:23:14
Will
um Not just from a tactical point of view for this game in isolation, but just looking ahead at the other fixtures we've got coming up and, you know,
00:23:24
Will
keeping an eye on those, knowing that we're going to need players available. um Because, you know, it's ah it's a very, very busy week.
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is indeed. um I'll run through what i well my potential lineup in a moment, but I will just take a moment to remind everyone that here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we did spend a lot of time selecting our delivery platform and Zencastr came out the clear winner.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr.
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Will, I agree that... Well, we both agree that basically Rodrigo Gomez is a star. um
00:24:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, if you remember as well in the while we're on that topic, I think it was a the cup game ah the previous round when he scored. And then after the game, he was like running up to the crowd to go and kiss his girlfriend in the front row and and like be all darling.
00:24:08
Will
Yeah.
00:24:18
Will
Yeah. Yeah.
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like he's just the cutest guy. and But anyway, I think in terms of the lineup, I think we'll see... Most of the back line as we've been seeing it, obviously the change is going to be Aga. So I think we'll see eight Nori. I think we'll see Tossie on the left.
00:24:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we'll see Bueno in the middle. And then Doc on the right and Semedo at wing back. I mean, I've gone for Bueno just because he's got more, can see like he came on last game and he's look he's got the experience at this point.
00:24:51
Will
Yeah.
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Giga, we I think, isn't is an option, but you never know. um Midfield too, I think, yeah, Andre and Gomez, if they're both fit, I think they are the linchpins and they'll continue to be the like key starting players.
00:25:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
this may be the week that you mentioned in terms of three fixtures in a short space of time maybe one of the games bellegarde is swapped in at some point you know for one of them or comes in for the second half more often because of the fact that you know maybe one's on a yellow card we' got to rotate or whatever but i think that's this is the kind of week you mentioned where we'll see some rotation in that middle spot it's good to have know that bellegarde fill
00:25:15
Will
Yeah.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
That hole and also that, I mean, even Minetsi, if he's not playing as a false nine, is an ah arguably another contender as well.
00:25:32
Will
Yeah.
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then ah front, if Larsson's still injured, then I think at least to start, you'll see Gedge again with Kunja.
00:25:39
Will
yeah
00:25:46
Will
Yeah.
00:25:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Sarabia, I think. I think even though he got pulled at halftime, there is an... ah i think there's still...
00:25:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
think Vitor has shown that he seems to like him. i mean, we've seen him in the last three or four games in that spot.
00:26:03
Will
yeah
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i know he hasn't always amazed people, but I mean, the Villa game was arguably one of his best performances ever. And he still creates moments. And I think the way that the way that Vitor wants the group to play, and he he talks a lot about consistency. And I know he's used, what's great is that we've seen him unafraid to make changes.
00:26:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like last game, half time, boom, it's not working. I'm going to yank two of you off and make the change. But I think at least for the start, he's trying to build that consistency and then see where it goes.
00:26:40
Will
Yeah, 100%. I also think as well, um in in all fairness to Serbia, the way we set out to play against Liverpool in that first half...
Player Fit and Dynamics
00:26:53
Will
it was never going to suit him and his style of play. And like you said, he can still he still has his his moments and can create something out of nothing. you know is I think going forwards in terms of creating chances with little through balls and just i love I do love the way you his his brain footballing brain works. You can see it ticking and it doesn't always come off. and I think people get frustrated because of that. but
00:27:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:27:23
Will
I dare say that's sometimes due to the players around him as well. I said, the style of play. Whereas going away to Bournemouth... I think that's going to suit him more. you know With all respects, I know ah know obviously there's no easy game and certainly not when you're in our position, um but it's just a complete different mindset and mentality from the get-go than is compared to going away Anfield.
00:27:53
Will
So hopefully he's given a bit more opportunity to show us what he can do because I do think you know he certainly, like I said, has the quality. And um as you mentioned, Vitor seems to rate him seems to bat in well enough to starting the past few games. So I...
00:28:15
Will
I don't know that I'm... Because him and... ah Maybe this is more for Gredez. um But I do sort of see those two as a little bit of a duo in a strange little way. um But I think for Gredez...
00:28:33
Will
I'd be less keen on starting him purely because if you think back to the start of the season, um when he came back and we didn't, none of us ever thought we'd see him in a wool shirt ever again.
00:28:45
Will
And then he came on a few times as a sub and we started to realise like, oh, he's, you know, he's got a bit, he's putting in a shift here. But since he's been starting, don't know. I just feel like it hasn't really been clicking.
00:29:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the first half against Villa particularly, it did. He was just, I mean, he on another day, he could have had two or three goals in that first half. You know, if you think back, he was getting um great opportunities.
00:29:11
Will
yeah
00:29:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
and The Liverpool game, I think, was always going to be a tough call. mean, him against the likes of, because he's not, you know, he's not got the strengths of someone like Strand Larsson. I know people say he doesn't hold the ball up well enough, but when you've got the likes of, you know, Van Dijk,
00:29:23
Will
hmm
00:29:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
against you um gage is gonna struggle i think against against that the way we were playing so i don't know i i i think he's still okay to start at least while arson's out there um and yeah i'm still think that sarabia may start i think it would be interesting if gomez was fully fit and was able to start instead of sarabia think
00:29:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel like he and Gedge showed in that um previous cup round that they have a connection. They worked really well for that one goal that Gomez scored.
00:29:50
Will
Yeah, yeah.
00:29:59
Will
Yeah.
00:30:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And Gomez spoke in the interview afterwards about the fact that they they have a good rapport and and they're always looking out for each other in those moments. And I don't know. So maybe if Gomez was fit and we we could have seen more of that tandem, it's a shame that it's kind of come, ah this minor injury has kind of conflicted with with this opportunity.
00:30:11
Will
Yeah.
00:30:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:30:22
Will
Yeah, no, I agree. and Isn't it weird just on that note? I always find it funny in football how some players just it's like they just seem to get on ah on on the pitch. you know as opposed to like I've always thought that, especially in the professional game, but it's good to see yeah if they do have that chemistry, it'd be nice to to see it in action and you know see it play off again.
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would. It would. So final thoughts, Will.
Score Predictions
00:30:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give me your your score prediction for the weekend.
00:30:52
Will
um I'd love to say a 1-0 or something, but I don't see us keeping a clean sheet. I know we've improved on that recently, but I think we still conceded twice as many goals of as Bournemouth have on average per game this season. um So I'm still going to a win. I'm going to go for a 2-1.
00:31:15
Will
I don't know what I'm basing that off, um but I'm sticking with it.
00:31:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, yeah, I was also going to go for, a as much as I've been saying I want to draw, obviously I mean, I'll take a draw. Obviously, I want the win.
00:31:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm going to be confident that second, I mean, the I think, to as I've said earlier in the week, I think the whole performance against Liverpool, despite the two goals, one being a penalty, was actually not that bad.
00:31:29
Will
Yes.
00:31:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Second half was great, but the first half was actually still competitive against the top team.
00:31:43
Will
Yeah.
00:31:45
Will
Yeah. Yeah.
00:31:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm going to go Wolves.
00:31:50
Will
I like it. I like I like the optimism.
00:31:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because again, Aga's out, so I think we're capable to concede one. um but i mean, I presume he's out based on what we've seen last week.
00:31:58
Will
Yeah. look yeah and
00:32:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Vitor said that he you know he felt it at half-time and didn't tell anyone and then continued into the second half. And then he got a bit of a scolding, I think, for choosing to continue without saying anything because that could obviously make it a longer gap than need it needed to be.
00:32:14
Will
Yeah.
00:32:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you don't want to mess with Vitor.
00:32:17
Will
No, no. But i think I think just on the side note, even with Aga, and I mean, don't get wrong, I love him. where we're very much capable of conceding, I think, regardless, which is the issue.
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are. Here we are. But we both predicted a win. So let's see. Let's see what the future holds and cross our fingers, everyone. And just remember that no matter what happens this weekend, out of darkness cometh light.