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Episode 57 - Gameweek 20 review
25 Plays16 days ago
Tom and Japtej review the results from gameweek 20 of The Premier League including:
- Has Ruben Amorim got a tune out of this Manchester United squad?
- Is it time to go for Ange at Spurs and Lopetegui at West Ham?
- Who will avoid relegation?
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Transcript
Introduction to EPL Podcast
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back to the Daily English Premier League podcast brought to you by GSPM. My name is Tom Jolly, and today I'm joined by the one, the only, Jobtage. And Jobtage, a long time no see, my friend.
00:00:19
Japtej
Yeah, I think we were saying it's probably been about a month, so good to be back.
00:00:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we've been slacking a little bit over the festive period, but don't get me wrong, we've still got a lot to talk
Game Week 20 Highlights
00:00:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
about. As Premier League, it's Game Week 20, just took place last weekend, and I tell you what, I was going to use the line Christmas cracker a few weeks ago, but we didn't do a podcast, but I guess we can call it a festive flurry of results coming in last weekend. Starting off at the Amex Brighton 1 Arsenal 1, I think the only thing to talk about straight away is the penalty.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
is It's Saliba coming in on Jel Pedro. He's gone in for the header and they've clashed heads. And that's got to be a first time in Premier League history a penalty's been given for an accidental clash of heads.
00:01:01
Japtej
Yeah, I mean, yeah, a lot of people have been saying that. I mean, I've seen a few replays and there's one angle where it does look a bit nasty. You know, maybe it's the bias of not, you know, loving Arsenal coming out or or just genuinely, I feel like it was a penalty. I know that they're not often given and you don't see incidents like that. But just i mean having seen it a few times, I do think that it was possibly a penalty. Do you think definitely not?
00:01:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It's not definitely not. The thing that bugs me the most is when the referee or the officials go over to the VIR screen and they've got it prepped on the freeze frame in slow motion. Let the referee see the full clip in normal speed, normal time before you result so much because you already that will flick something in the brain
Brighton's Season Performance
00:01:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
and go.
00:01:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
right still image it looks really bad then you look at another angle maybe in real time it might like spot look as bad but then again it's a good result for Brighton I'm pretty sure they're unbeaten against any top six side this season and it's a good point to get Fabian Herzler's side a little bit further up the table.
00:02:06
Japtej
Yeah I mean definitely you know they're 10th now and it's a solid first season you know last season they had a bit of a dip but halfway through this season they looked like they could be you know potentially pushing for the conference league place come the end of the season and and I think just as ah as a building season for Herzler you know next season they could push on and try and go for Europa League so yeah they're back in back in form this season.
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
and they've added definitely a couple of tricky fixtures as well. Four draws, one loss in the last five, and they're at City next week. Let's move up the Premier League table and look towards Brentford.
Brentford's Star Player Discussion
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brentford five, Southampton nil. At the same area as they're not having any look this season early, but I want to talk about Brandon Buermo. He has been superb this season. Only Skyler and Harlan lead him in goals in the Premier League this so far this season. He's been absolutely sublime, and especially for everybody's FPL.
00:02:58
Japtej
Yeah, I mean, you're not wrong. I've had the pleasure of watching him live a couple of times this season and he's he's so good. he's He's a bit like Mateusz Konya. He's not as good as him, but he's a bit like him in that when you're watching him, you can see sort of a level above his teammates, which normally indicates that he's ready for a move. And I think that I think he'd be ready for a club like Liverpool. I mean, I think if Salah was to go, he is like the ready-made replacement. You know, a guaranteed goal scorer, he's got the consistency, he's got the Premier League, you know, he's proven in the league. I feel like he's ready to take that next step to a top, top club.
00:03:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
How much do you reckon Brimford would be wanting for him? Because there's the whole thing of the English tax, whether it's foreign. The big one for me is, Brian and Buermo and Mateus Damsgaard, if those two had better hair lines, they'd be worth more money.
00:03:51
Japtej
I mean, definitely Dan's got he's struggling but I think I think and Waymo I Don't know. Do you know how long it's left on his contract maybe two years three?
00:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think I think it's a year or two, but I do think the idea to extend
00:04:03
Japtej
years Okay, I think maybe like 50 50 odd million seems fair. What do you think?
00:04:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I think Brentford will be having to ask for a little bit more because for a player of his quality and the kind of position he plays because he kind of floats all around that front three doesn't he where he was he when Tony was there he was kind of mainly off that right hand side you you look at how much Brentford need him in their squad now with him and Visser up top as a two Brentford's york and Cole I guess there's what they want to call it do the bees but essentially I don't think Thomas Frank's gonna want to lose him it wouldn't surprise me if he stays at Brentford because he's clearly enjoying his time there but I do understand what you mean when he wants to go for a bigger move because he definitely has the quality
City's Victory and Manager Rumors
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
to. too Moving up and north towards the Etihad, Manchester City 4, West Ham United 1, City back to winning ways with back-to-back wins against Leicester and West Ham and your big news that you just told me was a lobber take, he's on his way out as he drops it.
00:04:54
Japtej
Yeah, I mean, that's the news being reported this evening. And there's even been pictures that have come out in the last hour or so of Graham Potter meeting with the West Ham technical director at a hotel in London. So I think La Pategi will get sacked in Graham Potter. Well, I don't know if they're like finalizing talks or they're like introductory talks, but Potter is definitely in the mix. And I think La Pategi will go. And to be fair,
00:05:22
Japtej
When you look at the season, I think he's lucky to have lasted this long, really.
00:05:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:26
Japtej
Do you remember that game when Tenhar got sacked, the West Ham Man United game when West Ham won? I think that probably bought him a good few extra months that he probably shouldn't have had.
00:05:38
Japtej
So I think it's the correct decision there.
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's the same with the ra Wolves result we saw on Monday Night Football recently. When they beat Wolves at home and you look at that result and go, seeing an absolute good result, one of the teams down there may be fighting with them. They started Gary O'Neill at the time.
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you look at the bigger picture, West Ham should have higher ambitions than where they are on the table right now. And I think Graham Potts will be a a superb acquisition, should be able to get him.
00:05:57
Japtej
Hmm.
00:06:00
Japtej
Hmm.
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do think Graham Potts is a little bit of a level above West Ham. And I think my opinion they should have never sacked David Moyes. I'm not sure what West Ham's fans' thoughts on that are, but I know they're not happy with Lopategi at the moment.
Chelsea's Challenges and Improvements
00:06:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crystal Palace 1, Chelsea 1. Eberichie Eze with another assist. He's been superb this season. Cole Palmer on the score sheet again for Chelsea. Probably a well thought I'll draw to be honest because I looked at some of the chances that both sides had. I think it was maybe maybe a fair result. What's your thoughts on that?
00:06:29
Japtej
Yeah, I think so. I watched the game and it probably was a fair result. I mean, a bit of a shame as well because it feels like recently with Chelsea, what we've been doing is is missing chances and then gifting away goals. And that's exactly the same as what happened on Saturday. You know, Cole Palmer scored in the 14th minute, lovely goal.
00:06:51
Japtej
great play from Sancho and you think, right, this is where we kick on. And I mean, the rest of the game was back and forth. Both teams had chances. But Mateta's goal in the 82nd minute was so, so easy for Palace and just, you know, 90 minutes of hard work undone. And it's a sort of goal that you give away and the result that you get that just proves where we are as as as a squad. And I think shows as well the the problem with having such a young squad. you know I know that things have changed for us probably since our last episode about a month ago, where now you know it looks like we're in great form, obviously excluding these last four games. But whilst we should get top four this season, I think the squad is still too young and inexperienced because an older squad, a squad with a couple of you know more experienced players can see that game out.
00:07:47
Japtej
you know those like two or three older players get the group together and say listen you know let's keep the passing slow keep it calm just see the game out last 10 minutes get that win and you know suddenly we're four games without a win and when you look at those games it's it's poor because we've we've lost points against some of the easiest teams we've played all season you know Everton, Fulham, Ipswich and Palace with all due respect A run of four games doesn't get easier than that in the Premier League. I'm not saying we should have won every single game, but I'm saying to draw all four games, well, to draw two and lose two is really poor, really poor.
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got a couple of questions to raise to on Chelsea. First of all, Enzo Maresco, I think he's done a superb job this season. We remember the start scene, we were all writing him off when we were the signs at Chelsea.
00:08:39
Japtej
Yeah.
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's been brilliant, not only with his tactical now in the way he set up his team, but the way he seems to limit the media's expectations because they got quite ahead of themselves a few weeks ago when Chelsea were when the Liverpool Everton game were postponed and Chelsea were climbing towards four points behind ah Liverpool.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
How could you think he's been and where can he take this Chelsea team?
00:09:01
Japtej
I think he's been really good. I think no one would have expected this this season. I mean, the last four games have been a bit of a blip. That's a shame for him, really. but But even if you take it as the full season, we're far ahead of expectations and we're well on track.
00:09:19
Japtej
to finish in the top four and win the conference league and i think if you had said to any chelsea fan at the start of the season we will finish in the top four and win the conference league a hundred percent of fans would say that's a great first season and we should do that i mean top fours you know not confirmed at all uh but we should get it i feel like we're better than you know, I feel like we're better than Newcastle. We're a bit more consistent than Man City. We should really get that full spot and there's absolutely no excuse to not win the conference league. So if we can get those two things and then I think in the summer we've got to to maybe look for a more reliable striker, someone like
00:10:04
Japtej
you know, Osman, Gioccore, someone like that, look for maybe another centre back, maybe a goalkeeper. And the main thing that I'd be looking for in the summer is experience in those positions. and Like I've already said, I am a bit tired of just the constant young players because whilst I understand the money ball model and, you know,
00:10:26
Japtej
all the logic behind it. You don't win a Premier League with a squad that's purely young players, as Arsenal will tell you. You know, if Arsenal if had had, like, you know, some of the more experienced players that they brought in, like Sinchanko and Jesus, but who were better quality, mixed in with the players like Saka, Martinelli, Saliba, all these brilliant players, they might have seen it over the line. The reason Arsenal haven't won a Premier League is because they've they bottled it in the last four or five games of the season and that comes with youth and experience so i'm worried the same thing will happen with chelsea in the coming years say that. you know We are near the finish line of winning a premier league it's difficult to so get it over the line you know if you look at united the the great united teams of past when you had like the class of ninety two,
00:11:18
Japtej
you know, Neville, Giggs, Scoles, all these players, they couldn't see it through by themselves. They had players like, you know, Roy Keane, you know, Dwight York, Andy Cole, these more experienced players who helped them over the line. So I think it's a must.
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
My second question for you on the Chelsea model, I guess you could call it, is you just you just referred to the the conference league. How beneficial is it that Chelsea can basically play two completely different squads in that competition compared to the Premier League?
00:11:46
Japtej
It's really beneficial. I actually think it's quite lucky not to diminish Enzo Mareska's start to the season at all, but I've seen a lot of praise for him about how he's managed the squad. I actually think that it's been quite easy for him to manage the squad because Because of the level of opposition we're playing in the conference league it's like it's a logical decision to play two separate elevens with the amount of players we have and the difference in quality between the primary league and the conference league and i think actually recently maybe one of the issues we've had in the last four games is that there's been no conference league.
00:12:26
Japtej
you've got players like in konku who are increasingly unhappy felix the same you know jackson's looking a bit burned out even parmer's looking a bit tired so and i i had a fear at the start of the season that this would happen once once the conference league gets harder and you're playing harder opposition or the competition stops like it has now then you've got the issues of of managing the squad again so look next season if we are in the Champions League it'll be much much harder so let's see hopefully we get Champions League and then we can face that when it comes
00:13:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um My final question on Chelsea, before I take a little bit of a break and tell everybody about GSPN, is Jaden Sancho. He reached a lot of headlines after his move to Manchester United. There is the buyout clause in his contract, probably 25 million towards Chelsea. He's already equalled his goal in a Sistali from Manchester United whilst at Chelsea this season. Do you see a future for him at Stamford Bridge long term?
00:13:25
Japtej
um I'd say possibly, yeah. I think when when we first got him on loan, I was really skeptical and a bit disappointed. But he's been brilliant, like really good. What I've seen from him is glimpses of what we saw at Dortmund. And it's not like glimpses of, as in like, oh, just small bits every now and then. It's been most games and it's been like watching a player regain their confidence.
00:13:53
Japtej
Like, for the for Cole Palmer's goal on Saturday, that was all him. He did a lovely dummy, you know, progressed with the ball, squared it to Palmer, who finished it. and And one thing that I've noticed this season is when you give him the ball, you can trust him with it every single time. I think that's such a valuable asset. And not in the not in the way with like a Jack Grealish, where you might give him the ball, and you can trust him with it, but he'll probably just turn back and and pass it to the fullback or whatever.
00:14:23
Japtej
Sancho keeps the ball but he progresses it forward he he picks the right pass and yeah he looks like he's you can see he's he's gotten an older and he's gotten a wiser even in his footballing IQ so look I'd be more than happy to to sign him permanently.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's all we're going to talk about for Chelsea for this episode. This podcast is part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. GSPN is a world's first in podcasting, bringing you podcasts all about the world's biggest sporting export, the Premier League. We've got teams covering women's football, men's football and fantasy football. And we're going to be bringing you podcasts for every club every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:15:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're bringing you
Bournemouth's Rise in the League
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
live content, every club, every day. That's all we've got time for on the GSPN section. Moving into some of the other Premier League fixtures over the last weekend, Bournemouth. Andoni Ariola take a bow. Bournemouth undefeated in eighth. He's done a superb job since coming in at the Vitality. And just looking at the Premier League table now, Bournemouth up to seventh.
00:15:28
Japtej
Yeah, I mean, it's seriously impressive, especially when you look at the managers who've come into English football and struggled. I mean, namely, La Pategi obviously is is compatriot, who had a stellar CV and has really struggled in English football, whereas Iraiola looks like I mean, if Antroposto Gogli was to get sacked, he's been the main name, the main name linked to replace him. So that sells you everything you need to know. And when you look at their last sort of 10 games and the teams that they've beaten, you know, they've beaten Tottenham, they've beaten Manchester United, they've got some big wins under their belt. And especially when you factor in, you know, losing Solanke in the summer, I thought that they might struggle and be in the relegation spots. So huge credit to them.
00:16:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thanks for reminding me that Manchester started for two years in a row, lost 3-0 at home. but You mentioned Anthony Areola to Spurs, I think that's an interesting point because is that a step down now?
00:16:31
Japtej
I think that's a bit disrespectful to Spurs.
00:16:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
give ah john scott
00:16:35
Japtej
I mean, ah personally, i on on Spurs, I mean, I think they should stick to Foster Coley, but if he was to to come in, it would be a step up for him, just given the the size of the two clubs.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Speaking of certain clubs in the Premier League who are doing really well this season, Aston Villa doing superbly well in Europe. They've struggled as of recently a little bit in the Premier League, but for them a 2-1 win at home to Leicester. Aston Villa have been brilliant this season. Is Unai Emery going to lead them to Champions League football once again and how far can they go in Europe?
Aston Villa's Champions League Aspirations
00:17:11
Japtej
um I mean, I think that they'll struggle to get Champions League football this season purely because when you look at the points gap already is that four points off Chelsea, which isn't that much but that they're basically qualified for the next round of the Champions League and anyone in Emery's position would prioritize that. you know For a club like Villa, it's a bit like Leicester five, six years ago when they got in the Champions League and they made it to the quarterfinals, I think. These opportunities don't come around often. They've already beaten Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
00:17:47
Japtej
you know i could eat I could definitely see them getting through the next round, getting past the round of 16, maybe getting to the quarterfinals, maybe even getting further. you know So I think when that starts to kick in February, March, April time, they'll fall off even more in the league, sadly.
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
but was eight years ago but lester got into the champion
00:18:06
Japtej
Jeez, eight years.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
funny in season. I remember their big game against Athletica Madrid in that one. I want to turn my attention to Leicester for a moment. I think Ruben Asura has done an alright job since he came in. I think they should have got a point at least against Manchester City last time up when they had the home fixture against Pep Guardiola. So I thought they were brilliant that day. El Canoos was superb that day alongside Jamie Garde That had a couple of chances he should have put away. was Against eight Villa maybe they did struggle years ago a little bit to create chances that but on Leicester got into the whole the champion I think they've got a league. really big chance of staying up.
00:18:35
Japtej
Yeah, i agree with I agree with you. I was at the King Power for for Leicester Man City and I agree they should have got at least a point. I can't believe that City managed to keep a clean sheet in that one. um And I think for Van Nistoroy, the sad thing venm will be that results haven't been great.
00:18:55
Japtej
but performances have been encouraging. You can see already that he's put his stamp on the side. They're playing nice attacking football. At the back, they're starting to look a bit more solid. I think that will be their key issue going forward this season. I think goals-wise, they won't really struggle because, like you mentioned, El Canusi, you know, Mavadivi, Vardy, they've got some serious talent up there. But at the back,
00:19:21
Japtej
they are lacking and they do lead goals. I think that they'll still be in the relegation battle probably until the end of the season, but Van Nistroy is doing a good job and I hope it continues.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've already mentioned Spurs. They lost 2-1 to Newcastle at home last weekend. Turn our attention to Newcastle first. Alexander Isaac scored in eight games in a row at the moment. Only three players in Premier League history have scored in consecutive games more. Jamie Vardy obviously has the record at the moment for 11 games. the It's 11, it's heaven, the famous commentary line a few years ago. Reid Von Nistreoy is the person who Jamie Vardy broke the record from. And Daniel Sturridge is surprisingly in there, which is a name that I thought had been there. But he is from his time at Liverpool.
00:20:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
on the whole with Newcastle. Brilliant performance at Old Trafford. Definitely deserved the win at Old Trafford. Definitely deserved the win against Spurs. Where do any house team need to be aiming for this season?
00:20:19
Japtej
I think that they should probably be aiming for top four. When you look at the table, there are one point behind Chelsea, but then when you look at recent form, they're absolutely street sad of Chelsea at the minute. So I think that that they should definitely be aiming for top four and and they could even win a trophy this season as well.
00:20:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was just going to mention that Carabao Cup fixed this week midweek against Arsenal who had their hearts broke two years ago against Manchester United. How far? I say two years ago, it was just about three years ago in 2025. But how how much do they have to
Newcastle's Top Four Ambitions
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
prioritise the difference? Because they really put all their eggs in one basket last season than they did with the Carabao Cup and they really wanted to win that. and They did end up going to go top four at the end of that season.
00:21:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can they do both again this season? Can they go that one step further in the league cup and get the trophy and then find themselves in those top four spots or top five because top five could be champions league this season?
00:21:14
Japtej
I think that they can. I think that the squad looks more well-rounded and more mature. You know, especially when you've got someone spearheading it like Isaac. I mean, he's one of the foreign players in the world right now, not just in the Premier League. Then you you got Anthony Gordon, who's looking brilliant, you know, Tenali's playing well, Jim Marais, Joe Linton.
00:21:39
Japtej
They're all playing well and and they just look more assured. I feel like two years ago, or was it last season? When they were doing really well, it was um it was sort of like maybe excitement of all the money coming in and all these signings that pushed them over the line. Whereas now they just look like a quality outfit. So I think they've got a better chance of of sustaining it.
00:22:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
The one player in there that I wanted to mention was Joel Linton. I think he is brilliant.
00:22:06
Japtej
Yeah.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's one of those players, a lot I mean alongside a couple of players in the Premier League, particularki book watching them on TV and watching them live is two different things. I was at Old Trafford when Newcastle were 2-0 winners on the Monday night last week against Manchester United and he just ran the midfield.
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He ran the midfield Sonali and they hit the post as well. and him and izak were the two that i picked out from that game in particular that just completely ran the show izak is so fast so powerful so quick on the turn and it's something that when you're watching them on tv you you you get but then you you watch them in person up close and you think oh he's got some yard of pace as new when he sprints back turn our attention to the losers from that game spurs we've already mentioned androposco you say you should keep each they should keep him for me i think he's one of the most
00:22:41
Japtej
Hmm.
Spurs' Struggles and Future
00:22:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Overhiked I think is the word because he loves to play. Look at me at Aussie coming into Pemini. I've got a really high backline and I will never change it. Naive. Vincent company. It reminds me of him at Burmley when they got relegated.
00:23:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think Spurs are going to be anywhere near down there from the end of the season. I think Manchester United have got more weight at the moment.
00:23:07
Japtej
Yeah, I mean, I take your point, but I feel like the the kind the counter argument for me would be when he's had his best squad and they're playing, you can see, I mean, you know, 4-0 against Man City.
00:23:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't get me wrong, they haven't really struggled recently with the back line. I think they're back too.
00:23:27
Japtej
Yeah.
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
The other day was Bissouma and Archie Gray, if you correct me if I'm wrong. But they've really struggled with injuries. But I think I agree with most Spurs fans. When are they going to spend this Harry Kane money?
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
when do they
00:23:39
Japtej
Yeah, I mean, obviously.
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because everyone says, oh, they had a couple of couple of players in there that they they they you know They've bought in the summer over the last few years, but I'm looking at that squad now and going, it needs vast improvement. They've just signed the young goalkeeper, haven't they, this week, 12 million. I think they need to invest further this January.
00:23:56
Japtej
Yeah, the the problem is that there's not really quality options available in January. So I can't even think who that they could bring in in the short term to fix their problems. For me, it is a matter of seeing out this rough patch, waiting until you get Romero, van de Ven, Vicario back.
00:24:15
Japtej
And things change. I mean, they've got like four out of their best six or seven players out injured, which no one can account for. You know, Mikellar, Tester and Arsenal are making a huge deal out of having Sacher injured and Wernheri injured. And look, it's not ideal for them, but Tottenham have it way worse. And I feel like people aren't giving Posterkogli the slack. if If he had his best squad available,
00:24:43
Japtej
and the performances were poor he was being stubborn like he is now then there'd be absolutely no defense but purely based on his injuries i think they have to see how this period
00:24:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely. Turn our attention to the Sunday's games, Fulham 2, Ipswich Town 2, Sami Shmodik's open the score for Ipswich, Raoul Hymn is equalising just after half-time with a penalty, then Ipswich go up the other hand, 21 seconds later, William Dalap converts a penalty of their own, then last 10 minutes or so, Raoul Hymn is with another penalty shot, with Elise Davies getting a bit discombobulated at the back post, shall we say.
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ipswich, really impressed with them this season. How are all the teams that that came up at the start of the season? They've got a little bit about them, haven't they? They've got a little bit of something there that they can hang on to. Portland Road's becoming a little bit harder for teams to go to. Liam Delaps on the score sheet. Samish Monix has finally proven himself a little bit more. Still got a couple of players in that squad, including Jack Clark, who aren't primarily proven and are not really convinced on, think he could do with a lone move out in January. But we'll start off with Ipswich on this one. They've definitely got a chance as well.
00:25:50
Japtej
100%. I think if any of the teams at the bottom will stay up, it would be Ipswich because, I mean, it like you said, they've got a bit about them. They're hard to beat, which is rare for teams at the bottom. You look at Southampton Leicester with all due respect,
00:26:06
Japtej
they're not hard to beat you know teams can happily put a few goals past them whereas ifs which you know you're in for a tough game i can't think of many games this season where teams have beat them convincingly even when they have lost and like you mentioned when you've got someone like liam dilap at the other end of the pitch who's been you know, probably one of the top sort of 10, 7, 8 strikers in the league this season. You know, you've always got a chance. I think any team at the bottom would be looking at that. Maybe like, for Leicester, the issue for them even might be that Jamie Vardy has sort of passed it. like Like we were saying, he should have scored at least one or two against Man City. And maybe five, six years ago, he would have scored those chances.
00:26:51
Japtej
Ipswich have got a player at the other end of their career in Dilap who is bagging those chances and is in red hot form. So if any teams to stay up that's in the bottom three I think it would be Ipswich.
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and on to Fulham, Marco Silva. He's not quite one of the Premier League managers this season because Forest have been there and done it. They're obviously, as we're recording this, we're about an hour and a half away from Forest versus Wolves and all. I knew that would be a really interesting game. But from a point of view of Fulham, really impressed with him this season. Raul Jimenez, I feel like he's found that spark again after getting back from the injury. They've got Muniz up front who, they they've got clear competition in the number nine spot. At the back, there's one or two players I'm not totally convinced with Calvin Bassett being one of them.
00:27:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
but as a whole unit Anthony Robinson as well has been brilliant so for a full and point of view successful season for them.
00:27:39
Japtej
Yeah, I mean, that i'd I'd class them now. It's just a ah really good side. The sort of side who, a bit like maybe a Brighton or a Brentford, it's not a fluke when they get good results or they beat big teams. It's just a quality team with a quality manager who have been good for about two to three years now.
00:28:00
Japtej
And yeah they've got really good players all around the pitch. Iwobi's been fantastic for a number of years now. Anthony Robinson just today has won the Best American Footballer of the Year award over Pulisic. Leno obviously in net and a solid defense with a brilliant manager. So, yeah, Marco Silva for me has been probably the underrated manager of the last three years, I would say.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just mentioned the words forest there. We'll cover them later in the week alongside wolves because that'd be a really interesting counter. The final game we've got to go to Anfield half for Sunday evening, Liverpool to Manchester United to everybody counted Manchester United out and Reuben Amring's team put in a brilliant
Man United vs Liverpool Analysis
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
performance. Arguably should have won the game.
00:28:48
Japtej
Yeah, definitely. I mean, I was listening to Roy Keane yesterday before the match and I've never heard him like that. he was like He couldn't find a positive in the United team. He was saying, I feel it's going to be a bad day. There's nothing I can hang my hat on. And I think most people in the country probably would have felt similar.
00:29:08
Japtej
that it would be you know three, four nil to Liverpool. But as soon as the game started, you could just see a bit of fight in United and key players stepping up. I mean, I'll let you speak more about him, but Bruno Fernandez for me was just absolutely brilliant. I mean, what did you make of his performance and the team's performance?
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want to start off with before kickoff, because everybody counts out, but Manchester United are a weird football club, man. I mean, I've been through the ups and downs with the moment. I mean, my more and more downs than ups over the the last few years. And I'm saying this, if I'm just a spy spy, I'm a spy in my whole life. But when when you look at the everyone going into that game, I sent a message into the last group job ever yesterday and said, we'll we'll get a result today. There was just, it's it's just United are the team to go and lose four on the trot and then just beat City like we did.
00:30:01
Japtej
Yeah.
00:30:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
we with the team we with with it same with It's the same because you look at the fixtures we've had at Anfield over the last so sort of three years, 0-0, 7-0, 0-0. Don't get me wrong, Amfad is a really tough place to go, but yesterday we made it our own.
00:30:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
First 15 minutes, got ourselves on the balls really well. I think if you look at the way the team was set up, you could see that it's Amfad's first full week of training with the squad since he's come into the job.
00:30:20
Japtej
Yeah.
00:30:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lissandra Marne is a life centre by role, was not hesitant to jump into midfield and I think the main winning winning of the game is that left-hand side because Diego Dalla, I'm not his biggest fan but he had a really good performance.
00:30:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bruno Fernandes at that left-10 position. If you look at the average position in it, he was more playing just behind Hoyland, but he was really floating onto the wherever the space was.
00:30:44
Japtej
Yeah.
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't get mad for the first goal. It's really avoidable from a Liverpool perspective. Bruno Fernandes has just done one step inside and taken four players out of a first reverse pass to the Sanrio Miners. Brilliant finish.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
At the other end, Liverpool's goal. Mateus de Litt. They'd said about it on commentary, and I completely agree. He's your international team mate, is Cody Hackpo. you you know he's going to cut in on his right foot there.
00:31:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Diving in like that, really disappointed. But I do think that right centre half position isn't going to be his long term.
00:31:15
Japtej
Yeah.
00:31:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be him and Maguire battling for that centre position. It's going to be Lenny Yoro on that right-hand side, Ole Miss Rawi, depending on who's going to be playing as the wing backs. And then you look at Liverpool's second goal, for the penalty, is it a handball? Yes. Can you see where Dalit's argument is that he didn't mean to do it? Yes. But is it going to be given? Yes. that that's just how That's just how the Premier League seems to work. um and It does really annoy me, and I mentioned this at the start of the episode, that when the referee goes over to the to the screen, that it's on a still slow motion picture straight away, it plants that in their mind that they need to give it as a reverse decision compared to what was given on the field. And I think that that is one thing maybe with VR that does change, but it doesn't excuse the fact that it was a brilliant, it probably was a penalty. Solid dispatched it, did about a 10 minute long celebration and with about 25 minutes to go, it was 2-1 to Liverpool. And then Manchester United targeting that left hand, or Liverpool's right hand side, that with their left, should I say, throughout the game,
00:32:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
do go the low gets down the right hand side with O'Hann's Lo'Garnaccio. Across the box, Paul defending by Robertson at the back post, Ahmadiala dispatched it. Now the last minute, Joshua Zirksi, he had the chance, Maguire skied it, but he was offside.
00:32:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zirksi was offside in that position, so as much
00:32:24
Japtej
But if if I can, you're right, he probably was outside. But ah on reflection, I mean, at first glance, everyone thought it's a terrible mess. Then you wash it and you think, actually, it's an awful pass. I mean, what are your thoughts on Xerxes? Because he obviously got substituted off after half an hour in the last game. You know, yesterday, I don't think he was great. That pass was the sort of hallmark of the player.
00:32:52
Japtej
in really poor level of confidence. What are your thoughts on him?
00:32:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he has more confidence. He shoots in that position.
00:32:59
Japtej
and
00:33:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he can see the gap there, but we know that he's not going to have that half yard of pace. We'll flash back to Monday night for a second against Newcastle. awful performance by Xerxes. He'll know it himself.
00:33:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I felt bad for him. He didn't deserve to be booed off. And I do not compare any Manchester United fan who booed him off at Old Trafford that day. I think that was a disgrace. You should never boo your own player off single-handedly if he's been subbed off.
00:33:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But at the same time, I really liked that Amurim had the balls to do it and May knew which was a brilliant performance even though we lost.
00:33:26
Japtej
Yeah. Hmm.
00:33:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
attention. I disagree. I think his cameo was really good. I think he looked at the whole that played it. Intricate such is that he did one really long spread of a pass to brilliant finance. I thought was superb. The support that Manchester United fans gave him from that away and it was brilliant. Manchester United fans have been quite outspoken and had their opinions on certain players in that team. But I think he could be I don't think he's going to be the future number nine for the club. I think he's going to probably have to facilitate himself more in one of those number 10 positions, like we saw when Rashford was playing as Everton. I think those two are kind of on the same wavelength. But overall, I think not just Xerxes, but the whole team had a good performance. But Bruno Flanders highlighted his interview after the game. Needs to continue. We've got Arsenal in the Cup on Sunday in the FA Cup.
00:34:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
big game for that one being the holders of the competition and Arsenal play midweek, we've got the week off, I think Manchester United can go and get a result of the Emirates for the first time in six years on Sunday and then you look at some of the games after that, Southampton in the league and then we go over to looking looking again.
00:34:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
more towards the the latter stage of the season where we' got then we've got City in in April, you've got your Chelsea's, your other the kind of big teams in and around there. But I remember speaking to a Bournemouth fan a few weeks ago, or coming coming back out of Old Trafford, getting public transport home, is that any team in the Premier League can go and beat anyone these days.
00:34:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
No fiction is easy.
00:34:50
Japtej
Mm.
00:34:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Manchester United need to take something from that result and say, yes, it's a positive result getting a point at Anfield, but go away from that and take away the performance and the levels that you played at and take them into the next one because if if they turn up to them on Sunday and get walloped, I'll be really disappointed in in that performance if that happens because the spirit and fight and the the quality that they showed as a team on Sunday needs to be replicated more consistently.
00:35:18
Japtej
Definitely. I mean, yeah, I agree. that This performance means nothing if you don't build on it. It's a bit like the winner of a city. You beat the city and then, you know, the results get worse.
Premier League Standings Overview
00:35:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
every one
00:35:32
Japtej
and
00:35:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think we'll just wrap up this episode by looking at the Premier League table. So Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich prop up the table in 20th through to 18th. Wolves sit on the same point but just above Ipswich with goal difference in 17th. Looking a bit further up the table Manchester United move up to 13th in the table so still heavily above that relegation zone. I don't think that's going to happen this season realistically. For Spurs as well, only one point above Manchester United. Brentford in 11th, Brighton in 10th, into the top half, Fulham 9th, Villa 8th, Bournemouth 7th, into the European spot. City down to 6th, not quite the season. Pep Guardiola would have wanted with six losses so far this campaign.
00:36:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
They'll be building on that with two wins in a row. Newcastle up to fifth over their win with their with their win over Spurs, and then rounding off the top for Chelsea. Nottingham Forest, if should they win on Monday night, have the chance to go second in the Premier League with Liverpool still having a six-point lead at the top with a game in hand. That's all you've got time for on this episode of the Daily English Premier League Podcast, brought to you by GSPN. Goodbye from me.
00:36:33
Japtej
and goodbye from me.