Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
NBA Conference Semi-Finals | How Can Leeds and Burnley Survive Next Season? | NFL Fantasy Football Sleepers
16 Plays25 days ago
In this week’s episode of Who’s Got The Ball? the lads have a look at the state of play in the NBA Conference Semifinals and have their say on who is going through, they discuss what Burnley and Leeds can do to stay in the Premier League next season and predict who will win the Championship Play-Offs, and to finish up they pick their NFL fantasy football sleepers who could be picked up later on in drafts to guarantee you points.
Gan Seans continues with Shane leading 25-16 & there is an update on the WGTB Multi-Sport Power Rankings.
Leave a review and subscribe to Who’s Got The Ball? to have every new weekly episode land in your inbox.
Don’t forget to give us a follow across social media too!
Recommended
Transcript
Weekend Sports Highlights
00:00:10
Speaker
Alright lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got The Ball. How are you going Shane, what's crack? Can't complaint to be perfectly honest with you. Grand all weekend, Grand Ngoire's Limerick won in the Heronim which is good and Liverpool lost but it didn't really matter. They were still clearly very very hungover the league is won anyway so yeah that's what you do really.
00:00:32
Speaker
It was a good enough win for Limerick. I didn't see it because I was at the Leinster match, which was... Yeah. It was some game, but like it's hard when you come out losing in a game like that. And it's just like the fact of never getting over the hump.
00:00:46
Speaker
I was really annoyed for a few hours after it. But then it's happened so many times in the last few years. It's like, oh, yeah, you kind of get used to it. But they didn't deserve to win, really. Yeah. in the grand scheme of things, but what went on in the last, like, minute or two was just a farce. Like, I'm sure it was bad on TV, but in the stands we were like, what was going on? Like, they were looking at it so many times and we were just none the wiser by the end.
00:01:08
Speaker
Yeah. So it's kind of afterwards then you have to look at which you don't want to be doing. and It's like VAR at a match. Like, you don't want to be seeing that. Like, you don't really know what's going on exactly. Yeah. There's another thing, and like, I never get my head around not taking the three points when you're three points down with... Yeah.
00:01:25
Speaker
less than a couple of minutes to go, just get extra time. If Leinster get that extra time, then they do probably win it because yeah jo they they probably have better fitness than that Northampton Saints team overall. But turning down to three points go for seven in the European semifinal is just, it's baffling. It's nonsense.
00:01:41
Speaker
It really is nonsense. They were making bad decisions all game and I said to my father then, like, take the three. And then they had an another chance after that to take the three and they didn't. So... Yeah,
Camogie Attire Controversy
00:01:51
Speaker
frustrating. But anyway, topic we wanted to touch on that's kind of prevalent in the media at the minute is the issue of in a camogie game. Basically, I'm sure you'll know about it, that the referee demanded that the players wear skorts instead of shorts. And we just want to touch on that.
00:02:08
Speaker
Shane, I'll let you go ahead. I just think it's so we're in 2025 now and they're still being forced to wear something they they don't want to wear. And clearly, like with the opera over it over the last couple of the past week, it's clearly an issue that's been going on for a while.
00:02:23
Speaker
And it's just it came to the fore last weekend with Clekenny in Dublin and Why did the GA get to make a decision like that over what they're wearing to play their matches? It just it makes absolutely maybe no, it's maybe it's not the thing you see, LGPA maybe actually. Yeah.
00:02:37
Speaker
Even still, like it the fact that they were going to postpone the match because they wanted to wear shorts over skirts or you trend the book all 30 players for the game started. It's just completely utter nonsense. And I'm glad someone has made a stand this weekend. I think it's Kerry and Waterford playing this weekend.
00:02:52
Speaker
And they just put out a joint statement. They're saying that they're going to, they're wearing shorts and that's the end of it. And hopefully this is the end of that matter. It's like something like this should never be happening. Like, yeah yeahs if they're ones playing the game.
00:03:04
Speaker
The referee gets to wear shorts. They don't make the referee wear a score. like to know So why should they have to be forced to wear something that a lot them say they're uncomfortable, they're not fit for purpose anymore. They're probably never fit for purpose, but no one was willing to stand up for it before and until last again. But I think it's utterly ridiculous that they're still being forced into these situations.
00:03:24
Speaker
Yeah, I think it's everything you said I agree with. I couldn't believe it, to be honest, when I saw it, that something like that can happen at an inter-county level. It shouldn't happen on any level, but and at that level where people will find out about it so quickly that the referee is that blatantly...
00:03:45
Speaker
basically sticking to some rule that's completely outdated to try and wield his own power. or um I don't want say anything personal about that referee because I don't know any of his views, but it seems to me like that's completely out of order.
00:04:00
Speaker
the level he was trying to push it and the rule in general is ridiculous so yeah it needs to be binned um people should be allowed where like you know what's comfortable with for them in the game yeah and you know it's like you know sometimes when you see a keeper in a harlem match where like a quarter zip um in the track sequence yeah and then like There's no referee threatening to book them. um So why is it different for the female game?
00:04:29
Speaker
yeah It's just a it's not acceptable really, but that's just an issue that yeah we both probably want to say a little bit on. Just one other thing on this. They're always saying about how they're trying to grow the game, trying to grow Camoge as a sport.
00:04:44
Speaker
And then they're going ridiculous over these trivial things then over, oh, they're wearing skirts, not shorts. Sorry, not shorts. like it's just If you want people you want to grow it, then let people wear it as comfortable.
00:04:55
Speaker
Like, you you can't be sending people in under under 12s and say, oh, you have to wear this ridiculous looking thing with shorts on their skirt top. It's like, wait. No, just just I wanted to bring it up because I just think it's utterly ridiculous. so that's That's the kind of level that we're still dealing with in terms of the GAA in 2025. I just couldn't get my head on this.
00:05:18
Speaker
It's really, it's just strange that it happens at that, like, as like, my sister plays that younger level, like under 12s or stuff like that, and that is never said or like never enforced. So I don't know like exactly what the rules around are, but how you could feel comfortable like saying that on a, on that kind of a level, it's just crazy. But anyway, we'll move into our usual run of things and just wanted to get that out there.
00:05:43
Speaker
Yeah, so we changed up our recording schedule. Hopefully this will help you guys with the listening as well and it'll be maybe a bit
Recording Schedule Update
00:05:50
Speaker
more enjoyable. So we're recording now on a Thursday. This will be coming out Friday morning as usual. So we're just recording the day before you'll be listening. So you basically have everything up to date in the action with nearly everything across the board, apart from a couple of Thursday night games in the NBA and soccer. but and with we've We've moved that around. So let's start with the and NBA first.
Knicks vs. Celtics Analysis
00:06:12
Speaker
We're going to go through each of the conference semifinals and they have been wild to start, like absolutely wild. I was thinking we'd start with the Knicks and Celtics. What do you think? I think it's the best one to start with, to be honest, because what a series that has been so far.
00:06:27
Speaker
Yeah, but you take the lead. Alright lads, this is just like a little post note here. My headphones died at that point, right after when we were recording and and I did change my headphones um to a different pair.
00:06:43
Speaker
Now everything I said was recorded, not a bother, but for some reason it wasn't synced up with my video. So if you're watching on YouTube, it'll look like my mouth is moving a little bit before I start talking and and if you're listening sometimes it sounds like me and Shane are like cutting across each other a little bit we weren't um we could hear each other in real time for some reason just the change of the headphones mixed up the audio so um please bear with that you'll still get all of our points um and it doesn't affect it too much but yeah in case you're wondering um hopefully this is something that we will not come across again but just wanted to throw that out there enjoy the rest the episode
00:07:22
Speaker
and that one Yeah, I actually can't believe how good the Knicks have been to start this off. Jalen Brunton has come up clutch in back-to-back games, but at the same time, how are the Celtics showing away two massive leads in back-to-back games in such a key stage of the season?
00:07:39
Speaker
and like I backed them to win it out again, and with the way they're going now, I'm like, ooh. Yeah, they'll do well to win for the next six games if they if to get past this next team, because yeah but even when the Knicks are down and they look buried, they just keep coming back and they kind of the trees seem to dried up a bit for the Celtics and they're not getting enough points in the paint.
00:07:58
Speaker
Like if they don't sort their issues out quickly, they're going to be in serious. Yeah, because I can see this country thing is that very, very quickly. The Celtics won or lost both games and the Knicks didn't even play overly well for the majority of those games.
00:08:13
Speaker
Like being down 20 in both and there may come a game three now where the Knicks play like to the absolute best of their abilities and then it's three ne and then you're in big, big trouble. Like, I just don't understand what Jason Tatum is doing at all, to be honest. Like, it ties in with what you kind of just said about they're not taking their...
00:08:35
Speaker
opportunities in the paint and they're shooting badly from three and he's kind of the main culprit for that in the last in both of the last games to be honest because he like there's a there's a mismatch like where he has jalen brunson in the paint and he won't drive at him like he's doing some kind kobe baseline turnaround jumper like absolute crazy stuff that he was doing years ago that we thought was weaned out of his game And now all of a sudden things are going a bit awry. They're throwing away 20 point leads and he's all of a sudden just like, you know, bring this whole whatever it this is back into his game again, which makes no sense at all to me.
00:09:15
Speaker
um I don't know what. Yeah. it Yeah. It's like he's just completely forgotten who he was. just All of a sudden, it's it's like he's after getting that magic thing in the blind men in black where they just flash and once they're in, they forget everything.
00:09:32
Speaker
That's what happened to Jason Tatum. And the killer is that they have to lose in their two home games. They have to go to New York now for the next two games. like And with that home crowd, and like yeah, but we've been watching the videos of the Knicks fans outside the stadium they're absolutely wild. They're actually off their heads.
00:09:50
Speaker
Bring them back to New York and see how goes. I think they're sending some big trouble here. So in game two, they missed 30 threes. And in game one, they missed 45 threes. Not taken, 45 missed.
00:10:01
Speaker
Like, that is insane. Jesus. And looking at Jalen Brown in the first game, I don't know what really was going on with him there. He looked bit all over the place.
00:10:12
Speaker
Yeah, and then first half yesterday, he looked a lot better, but then he looked to drop off again. And Kristaps is looking quite injured. I i don't know if this illness thing doesn't make much sense to me, but looking at Mikael Bridges on the other side, he's just been immense. Like we were saying, like his effort on defense just hasn't been there, and some of the things he's doing on offense just don't make sense.
00:10:36
Speaker
And then last two games, he's the one who comes up with the clutch stop at the end to win it. after being clutch in the fourth quarter yesterday as well, like scoring 14 in the fourth quarter. It's just like, yeah, he he really turned it on.
00:10:50
Speaker
And he's he's really one of the players who's ignited this team, I think, to come back. First time that a team has come back from 20 points twice in the same series in the NBA playoffs.
00:11:04
Speaker
That's amazing. Another thing about him is that like i point no one is scoring massive. I know in the first game they had Brunson shoot 40, but last night like there was only two players over 20. Brunson is 17 and Michael Bridges is 14. He had a good game, but um yes yeah he hasn't been shooting the late te eitherter it's No, absolutely not. But then it's it's how deep their bench is. Their bench is coming on and making such a difference to you. And we're going to come on to OKC in a few minutes as well. And their bench is doing the same thing. It's how deep the bench is there is what's making a massive difference in all these series. And
00:11:42
Speaker
Like, that's why I think, like, that's why I thought at start that the Celtics would have enough. But their bench, as you said, like, a poor thing is that base kind of very off the pace, not a bit off the pace. And then, like, Cornette, sorry, is adding nothing either off the bench. And they're just, they're all over place. And don't know if it's the first series took a lot out of them or what's going on, because they seem to forgotten what they were doing well. I really don't know. It doesn't make any sense to me, because Tatum looked completely different against the Magic, as opposed to now, like,
00:12:12
Speaker
In the closeout game versus the Magic, he had 35 points, 4 of 5 from 3, 10 of 16 from the field, like nearly a triple level. And then he just goes to this, whatever this is. and But I still think the Celtics are going to win in 7, even though they're 2-0 down.
00:12:29
Speaker
Yeah, I think the way they played in those two games, I thought they would come out in the second game and change things. and I was wrong, but I don't think they do this again. i think they catch the Knicks cold and I think they take both games in New York and we're back in 2-2.
00:12:46
Speaker
I don't know why. think, I just think that this can continue and and everything I saw during a regular season and from both the Knicks and the Celtics points towards what we're seeing right now not being sustainable, but what do you think it's going to end with?
00:13:03
Speaker
I was going to go Nixon 6 to be honest. Now and I think Game 3 is the biggest game of the series. and No matter how far it goes. If the Santa get it back to 2-1 in New York different ballgame. If it goes 3-0, then they only have to win one of four. Then I think the Celtics are in trouble because you won't hold that next team win less than boy I think your seven game show isn't bad. They could very easily go two all and then the next one, the next one go 3-2 up and then the Celtics go back to back.
00:13:36
Speaker
But... I don't know. just think if the Knicks can go where they're going. The fact you're going down by 20. Like you said, that can't continue where you go down by 20 and win. So you never know. They are going have to tighten up defensively. But I think I'm backing them now to get through. Not to win it. Fair enough. i Just give them both for them to get through this series. We'll move on then to Pacers and
Pacers vs. Cavs Predictions
00:13:57
Speaker
Cavs.
00:13:57
Speaker
That's another one that's a big shock. um So Pacers are 2-0 up right now. Just Tyrese Halliburton. unbelievable like he's doing absolutely everything like in the last game yeah he only had 19 points but if you watch how he played like how hard he was working on the defensive end how hard he was working to supply his teammates with the ball when needed um and then that dagger to win it like the step back he looks the way his jump shot is it just doesn't look like you know when Steph or whoever hits one of these daggers or Donovan Mitchell or whatever it just looks a bit off but he does it so well
00:14:33
Speaker
um and that the way that they' they've won these two games is absolutely amazing like that comeback seven points down in the last minute the second time they've done that in this playoffs and it's only been done one other time in the last 25 years or more um so it's it's really really special but yeah on the other hand I think the Cavs were brilliant in the last game considering they had no Garland or Mobley or DeAndre Hunter I think If Mobley and Hunter come back, they could make a stretch out of this and it could be tight.
00:15:06
Speaker
But if Garland comes back, things will definitely change. I think that's one that he's massive and they need him back. Yeah. Yeah, it's another team where it goes to show that their bench is strong. It's clearly strong.
00:15:21
Speaker
but when So when they have their starters back and you have the lads coming on off the bench that started, it then there'll be they will be at a completely different proposition. um I wasn't too hot on tabs in the regular season. I think I've said it a couple of times here now, but I do. I'm still backing them to get through this over the Pacers.
00:15:36
Speaker
Again, coming down from seven, sorry, coming back from seven points down the last minutes. It's another thing that it's just not sustainable. And these teams that are saved in these ridiculous comebacks, did like they always get cock-a-hold in the end. It always comes back to bite you.
00:15:50
Speaker
and Like when done Dan Vermitton scored 48 last night. Like when he is Mobley back to help him, it is, as you said, going to be completely different ball game than when he has someone, another reliable scorer. I know Strux got 23 in 39 minutes, solid as well, but he's nothing special. yeah yeah did They need their special lads back and they need him back pretty pronto because it's another one where game three is huge.
00:16:15
Speaker
Mitchell, like his actual scoring in the mid-range on around... The rim and stuff has been great, like 33 points in game one, 48 in game two. But then you're looking at like one of seven from three and one of 11 from three.
00:16:31
Speaker
Like it's really not good enough from there. um You can't do everything thing, but he's taken 30 shots a game. That's the type of thing that he was doing back with the Jazz or back with Cleveland when they said like this is never going to work to win a championship.
00:16:46
Speaker
So they need Garland back to kind to kind of yeah Shoulder that load with him. um And yeah, Mobley is important. And obviously Hunter then from the bench unit too. Like even you're missing one your main bench guys, which is difficult. So I think the injuries have really, really played a big part in that one.
00:17:04
Speaker
I think it would be a different story if we had the full complementment of the Cavs team. um Having said that, I think the Pacers have been really impressive. Nembhard has been brilliant.
00:17:16
Speaker
and Him and and and Halliburton. and playing in their two guard positions have just been, they just work so well together. um And he always knows where an empire is, which is a testament to Halliburton as well, because none of these guys are like superstars, like around Halliburton.
00:17:34
Speaker
Like they're all solid role players, but he elevates their game with the way he plays. um So I think that's, that's pretty good in general with, everybody looking at him and how recently he got voted most overrated player in the NBA. I think that's ridiculous because it's just people hating on him because he's just he iss just an excellent player and he's proven it here.
00:17:56
Speaker
I'm going with the Pacers in seven. I just think when they have this lead, and I think even getting the Cavs getting their guys back, the Pacers are too good of an actual team to let this two-game lead slip.
00:18:08
Speaker
I think they'll take one of the games in Indiana regardless of who comes back for the Cavs. I just think They'll get it over the line eventually. um Now I know that would be going on the road to win.
00:18:19
Speaker
So maybe in six is more realistic. But yeah, I think um they're going to win in six or seven. I think they're not going to let this lead slip. What do you think? I'm going for the Pacers to get through this as well now. As you said, that the 2-0 lead is too big to let them slip.
00:18:36
Speaker
um I think Game 3 again, and I'll probably say this the whole way through, Game 3, it's another massive Game 3. I know that sounds ridiculous to say, but the difference in that series between 2-1 and 3-0 is it's it's game over or game on, and...
00:18:50
Speaker
Yeah, I just see, as you said, even even if the Cavs get their their lads back now, they jo it's a massive deficit to try and overturn against a really they're good unit. As you said, there's no real superstars, but they're really, really solid units.
00:19:03
Speaker
And ah yeah I don't see the Cavs being able to pull this out the bag. We'll move on to the other game that has a series that has two games played, and that's Thunder and
Thunder's Strategy Against Nuggets
00:19:12
Speaker
Nuggets. So we're sitting at 1-1 right now.
00:19:14
Speaker
What do you make of this so far? I can't believe how coherent the Nuggets are. I know they were absolutely dogged all over the place last night. In game one, they were like they were just they were so good. Jokic took back on his nonsense again with his 62 points.
00:19:31
Speaker
But the way that the Thunder threw them around the place last night makes me think this is going 4-1. I just can't see the Nuggets being able to keep up with them at all. The Thunder's bench, it's just so deep. The amount of lads they bring on.
00:19:44
Speaker
Yeah. And they're just, they're jarring points like it's fun. So like 148 points scored and think they had 8, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Yeah. only entered their bench in the fourth.
00:19:57
Speaker
Like they had it. don't think there's this.
00:20:02
Speaker
Yeah, I don't think there's this a single other team that have that. Yeah, they have like, yeah, we did like, you know, Spendie Yang got two points, Dylan Jones got four points. And I know it's kind of, it's garbage time points, but it's still the fact that you have so many lads coming on.
00:20:17
Speaker
Like, it's just seeing out a ridiculously big blowout. Yeah, exactly. Like, it's utterly ridiculous. there There's no other team that has a a bench that that that that is that big. And the only player that played over 20 minutes while he was Shea.
00:20:30
Speaker
Really good last time. Like, they're going to be fresh. 84% from the field, 85% nearly. Like 34 points. Yeah, it was, yeah. So good. In game one as well, I know they lost. They did give away like a kind of a 10 or 12 point lead. But as you said, the Nuggets were very, very solid in that game. Aaron Gordon hitting the big shot to win. He seems like he's made for moments like that. Then Jokic with 42 points, 22 rebounds.
00:20:57
Speaker
Like just, what can you even say about that? um But... Shea is just chipping away. like People are kind of yeah it's just stupid like almost ignoring. In game one, they ignored the fact he had 33 points and almost a triple-double with two steals and a block just because Jokic went crazy. But then in game two, he showed what he's about.
00:21:18
Speaker
And the Thunder really physically defended Jokic. They had hands on him at all times. Chet was pretty good on Aaron Gordon as well, which which um was a testament to him because he did have a tough game one.
00:21:32
Speaker
So i think that the Thunder kind of just made a bit of a mess of the first game because the Nuggets really shocked them. But I think the Thunder will win this in six. yeah and They're too deep, as we said.
00:21:46
Speaker
Like you have Isaiah Joe, Kasem Wallace, Aaron Wiggins. These are all guys coming off the bench. Jalen Williams, all these guys, Alex Caruso. That's five guys who are actually in their rotation.
00:21:59
Speaker
Like in general, they will play minutes. And that's 10 guys in a rotation. Like, that's just absolutely ridiculous. So, yeah, I think they're far too deep. The the but Nuggets kind of only really have five, six, if you're counting Russ slash Michael Porter Jr. being a little bit injured right now. He doesn't look right.
00:22:17
Speaker
I don't think they'll be able to get through this. I think it'll be over in six. Yeah.
00:22:24
Speaker
No, I'm sticking with five. I think yeah I can't see Danogos picking up another one now. um I just think they're they're they're they're too strong, they're too deep, they're too well coached and they're probably going to win this.
00:22:36
Speaker
i know I know I picked the Celtics first. I just can't. The more I watch this OKC team, the more impressed I get with him. Every single the time of watch him, I get more impressed him. Shea is a ridiculous basketball player.
00:22:48
Speaker
And he'd only been outshun by one of the best ever, in my opinion, in Jokic. Just a bit freaked. Last night, the Celtics scored 90 points in their games. And the Thunder had 87 points in the first half alone.
00:23:02
Speaker
The most ever in it and an NBA get playoff game. So that's just absolutely disgusting. It shows what they can do and when they they're humming like they were. Then... Last up, we won't spend as much time on this one because there's only been one game.
Warriors vs. Timberwolves Preview
00:23:16
Speaker
But the Warriors are 1-0 up against the Timberwolves. They'll be game two played by the time you're listening to this. It's on late tonight. um Game one, main things for me, big buddy Hield and Draymond game.
00:23:27
Speaker
Props to them. Really, really impressive. But Steph is everything in this. um He's injured. They said he could be back for game five with a week out with the injury, but it's a a grade one hamstring strain.
00:23:41
Speaker
It's going to be longer than that. They're just, I think they're just saying that. I don't think they, so I don't think they get through with him out. um And I don't think, yeah, I don't think he's going to come back for game five if it gets to that point at all. um What do you think?
00:23:57
Speaker
I want to start with talking about Buddy Heels because he he he left the Christmas card list there again from my, with the way he shot against the Rockets. I didn't know he had it in him, to be perfectly honest. i I really didn't know he had that in him. And now he's continued that into game one here as well.
00:24:14
Speaker
um i know I think he missed his first A3s. And I i was cursing him because he hit 11 in a row against the Rockets. But after that, after he found his feet himself, Jimmy and Draymond, they really did pull it together. But as you said, Steph is the glue.
00:24:28
Speaker
And without Steph, there's no way to get past this Tim Buller team, I don't think. His age. I know he went to a new age, yes. But I think, yeah, so, but still, to go from that cold to being, like, roast and hot, it's crazy.
00:24:42
Speaker
First thing, yeah. Unstoppable. Yeah. I can tell you now that the Timberwolves win game two, just for those who are... Just going to spoil it for those that haven't watched yet. The Timberwolves going to win game two, they're going to win game three, game four, and game six, and they're going to do it in six.
00:24:59
Speaker
I just think Steph being out is... And the Timberwolves can't keep this up with the three-point shooting. It's the worst two-game stretch, I think, in playoff history of three-point shooting. 17.2% in that game.
00:25:11
Speaker
And in game five against the Lakers, which they won, 14.9%. like but Yeah, the Warriors defense was great, but regardless of how great it is, they don't have enough shooters now without Steph, and they're not going to be able to stop.
00:25:26
Speaker
The Timberwolves putting up more points than they did last night, so or two nights ago. So, yeah, I think it's curtains really for the Warriors right now without Steph, so that's kind of unfortunate because you hate things to be ruined by injury.
00:25:40
Speaker
and But, yeah, that's pretty much that's pretty much it. We all have We have the same except for I still believe in the Celtics. You've got the Knicks. um So the rest were on the same wavelength for those. Yes.
00:25:53
Speaker
and Then let's move on to football. So what we're going to do this um is talk about the teams who got promoted and the teams that are in the like playoff and the
Premier League Promotions
00:26:03
Speaker
championship playoff. So Shane Trout this idea. I thought was pretty nice one. Down the Teams that we are looking at really mainly Leeds and Burnley, we know they're already through. They both finished on 100 points, which is madness.
00:26:15
Speaker
And then the playoff teams is Sheffield United. They'll be playing Bristol City first leg is tonight. So you guys don't know the score of that. Then Sunderland and Coventry is the other one. So you want to get started with Leeds since they won the championship?
00:26:29
Speaker
Yeah, what a like the championship. And they were the best team in the championship last as well and kind of fell away towards the end. But they're a really good side.
00:26:40
Speaker
But I think they need to do something crazy and get rid of Daniel Farke when they're coming up. And he's proven himself so many times he can't manage in the Premier League. If they get rid of him with the money that they dave apparently have to spend, if they can get in a good manager who knows what he's doing in the Premier League, I think they have a really good chance of staying up. There's talk of them having 100 million to spend, and they've kind of just put down a couple players that I think would be really good signing for him.
00:27:07
Speaker
um And then we can kind of just, we can just talk about them for a minute, but then I'll just go back and speak about Leeds then. But I think bringing in Creaving Keller will be unbelievable for him. I really, I hope he gets a better move than a promoter team. I hope he gets a Borough move or something like that.
00:27:22
Speaker
Kelleher to them would make so much sense. They clearly don't fancy Meliard anymore. And he's just looking for chance. Yeah, exactly. yeah And the Premier League and Kelleher has kind of proven himself.
00:27:33
Speaker
I think he'd be cheaper now than he would have been quartered last summer. I'd say you'd get him for around 20 to 25 million. maybe even less, maybe 15 to 20 million. And like if they say up then he's 26 this summer, no, he's 26 going on 27. You could get a good 10 years out of him.
00:27:51
Speaker
You can keep his head in the Premier League, you know, around this or even sell him on for a more profit in two years time if you do go back down. um I think they massively need to bring in the centre-back as competition to Ampadu and Joe Rodan.
00:28:04
Speaker
Joe Rodan has been found out. Another man who, a bit like Daniel Farke, needs to be thrown out with the water when they're coming up and There's a lad playing for Toulouse called Razman Nicholson, who is quality. He's running the show there in League One for Toulouse. And I'd say, Joe, and a lot of people would jump at the chance to get a go in the Premier League.
00:28:24
Speaker
You get him for in around 10 million, so you're kind of keeping a go but a kind good ah bit of cash back then as well. And bringing him in to kind of short up beside Ampadu, who had an incredible season. Matt Targus at left-back, because Junior Farpo was going on a free apparently.
00:28:39
Speaker
He's not playing for Newcastle. Wouldn't be too expensive because they didn need the money. Get in him. And I've gone a bit wild. They need a striker because Joel Pirro has only inside learned how to score goals in the last three weeks. And he's kind of, he's boosted his stats massively of the last couple of weeks.
00:28:58
Speaker
Why not bring in Callum Wilson from Newcastle? They're going to be looking for a kind of, they're going to be looking for a bit of upgrade. So you're on your million, so why wouldn't they get rid of him? 60 on Kelleher and then like peanuts on the others.
00:29:13
Speaker
I was like, no, it's going to be tournament in Keller. I don't know what I don't just say like you're going to say, learned it quite hard to take the players. Their striker moves, bring them back over or something.
00:29:26
Speaker
so what That's not a bad shot either. I also think Tyler Morton be a Buss. I think i think he's the main issue for for me with them is to add to the list of people you just named. I have down here also.
00:29:42
Speaker
Darlow, Bogle, Ampadu, but also Nanto, Aronson. I know Manor Solomon is on loan, um um but then Rodan and Sam Byram. Like, all of these guys have tried, and most of them on multiple occasions in the Premier League, and they just haven't been good enough.
00:30:02
Speaker
um So it'll be really interesting to see how many of them they stick with now that they move into this level. and But if they have the type of money that you're talking about, like, There's no reason why they can't challenge to stay up. I think Tanaka and Gruev in a midfield too coming into the Premier League will be an interesting one to see how that translates and because that's kind of a new pair. and And I think that's something that would be interesting to see if that works, stepping up to the next level.
00:30:28
Speaker
And Perrault is one that I definitely made a note of because he was really good at Swansea, like 24 goals in his first season, then 20 goals And then 16 and 19 in his last two.
00:30:42
Speaker
As you said, he added more towards the end of the season. I don't know if he'll be good enough to cut it in the Premier League. and I don't think he will. And to be honest, I i think they'll go back down.
00:30:55
Speaker
um I just think the gap is so big right now between the Championship and the Premier League. And there's only real one team that I fully think have a good chance of staying up. I'll come on to them in a minute. But Yeah, Leeds just really isn't one of them for me.
00:31:09
Speaker
I think of those, was the lads you mentioned there, lads that play behind the striker, the likes of Nanto, Aronson, Solomon, I think the only one that I'd be willing to give, kind of, depending on the doubt, to is Nanto.
00:31:21
Speaker
Like, he is still very, very young. i think he has all the talent in the world. He's in the full Italian international. When he was up the first time, he was only 20. His attitude seems a bit distinct, to be fair.
00:31:33
Speaker
But I think if they can get a turn out of him, I think there is still a really good player in him. Other than that, like Manor Solomon is, oh, he's useless. He really is. He's a good championship player. He's another man that kind of fits in the Cameron Jerome bracket for me. If it's great for championship, not good enough for the Premier League, probably we should go to the MLS, and is the kind of level load key that I don't think he's good enough. And I think they have...
00:31:59
Speaker
Definitely, if they can get their rebuilding right, then they'll stay up. Yeah. But I'm a bit like you, I don't see it this year. Really? I think they have a better chance than Burnley, to be perfectly honest, us and we will come on to them, as you said. But, yeah.
00:32:12
Speaker
But I just, I i did i can i think to treat the three them come up, we're going straight back down again, unfortunately, and it's something we will touch on over the summer, the kind of of with the gap. between the top, between the Premier and the Championship. We won't go too deep into that now, but I think the Trelo can go back there again. Let's move on to Burnley then.
00:32:27
Speaker
For me, the reason I think Burnley are going to stay up or have the most, the highest chance of staying up because they have kind of a lot of good young talent that's kind of unknown and I think has improved from the last time they were up.
00:32:43
Speaker
and And I just think they're much more well-drilled I think then last time they were trying to play football or and you know we we kind of saw that with kind of, I don't know, when when they were previously up, they just didn't look like they were a team that were going to stay up from the very start. It didn't look right.
00:33:03
Speaker
And it's the same with Southampton this time around. It just doesn't look right. Yeah. And it doesn't look like they're a team that are going to stay up whatsoever. um And... that's exactly what happened. They were one of the worst teams in the league. But I i think this time around, Burnley are just really well drilled.
00:33:22
Speaker
They've only conceded 16 goals this season, which is really, really important when you have a good defense. They've got Trafford in goal, Esteve and Egan Riley as their two center backs. So that's kind of their three goalkeeper, two center backs. They're all 22.
00:33:38
Speaker
I think there's only going to be progress for those guys. I think they will make a nice step up. um And I think they do have a good bit of kind of solid options then um when you look at some of the some of the guys that they have further up the field. Like I think Brownhill was a bit impressive the last time he was in the Premier League. He wasn't like a world beater or anything, but he looked good in flashes and he's been very good in their most prolific attacking player this season, even though he's playing in midfield.
00:34:07
Speaker
And then Josh Cullen, obviously, is up and down like a yo-yo between the Premier League and Championship. But it's good to see him back. And I think ah kind of those two guys being closer to 30 years of age with some of the younger guys around them is really important.
00:34:23
Speaker
but that they kid they kind of i like I do agree with everything you're saying. They are like Trafford, Egan Riley and SVR the three I kind of had earmarked as one type of word on. Conceding 16 goals in a league as competitive as championship is utterly ridiculous. It really is. like it's it's It's madness. I can't get my head around how they've done it to...
00:34:43
Speaker
Like the amount of games they're playing, they're playing Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday. And I think there were 12 games that conceded the goal there at one stage as well. When Trafford was asking for JJ Watt to of retirement.
00:34:54
Speaker
It's just, it's already ridiculous. But I just, my problem with them is I don't trust their forward players. um i know they they were the second highest scorers in the league, but they were still, like, they scored 69, Leeds scored 95.
00:35:08
Speaker
They're a good bit back from Leeds. Now, Leeds also did concede 30 goals, which is quite longer than 16. Almost double what they conceded. But I think when it comes to the Premier League,
00:35:19
Speaker
No, it's not. But I think the problem is that if you're coming up and Josh Brownhill is their most attacking player, you've got 18 league goals, second only to Pirro. Like, if your striker can't score and enough goals when your defence is doing all the work, then I think you're going to be in issues when you come up.
00:35:34
Speaker
I kind of earmarked Josh Sargent from the signing, and I think he's looked really, really good for Norris this year and deserves another goal in the Premiership post. Like, other than that, like, when I was looking at players aside, I was trying to avoid the three teams going back down because they're all crap.
00:35:50
Speaker
So, like, you don't want to be really taking Southampton players and trying to stay in the league again when they've already proven that they can't do it, which is why I found it hard to, like, recommend players for Leeds, recommend players for Burnley. But... They need a striker that can get 10 goals in the league next season, and that will go a long way. If they can keep their defence as it is, and Jermaine Pierre, the left-back, is really, really good as well, bombing up and down.
00:36:12
Speaker
ah yeah i think if they can get a striker, a bit like Edelap, they can keep their defence as it is. Defence, you know, about American football soon. Keep their defence as it is. Then I think that they could stay But I just, I don't see it either, unfortunately. I just don't know which of the teams in the Premier League they're going to catch.
00:36:32
Speaker
Like, I think West Ham are going to be a completely different proposition next year when Potter has a summer under his belt. I'm not sure which team would go down, to be honest, in place of them. But I just think that they have the best chance out of the three, I think, in my opinion.
00:36:47
Speaker
and But yeah, there're it's very hard to see any of them staying up the way last couple of seasons have gone. um It's just that thing of going down and coming straight back up always works the best rather than spending a few years away and coming back. It's like restarting all over again.
00:37:02
Speaker
Yeah, I think that's one thing I noted that the lack of proper striker, cur um something they really need to sort out. So hopefully like they can make a nice move. I think someone, yeah, like at the lap would really work or like the way um Carlton Morris was when he was with Luton. like he He was good. like If they got a guy in like that, I like the look of Lyle Foster when he was at Premier League, like but he was a bit erratic, but he he couldn't really finish. Well, he had some good traits, and but that's not really come to fruition as much. So it's going to be yeah it's going to be an interesting one to see what they do.
00:37:41
Speaker
you want to move on into the
Championship Playoffs Overview
00:37:43
Speaker
playoffs? I think we'll quickly touch on these. So we have Bristol City against Sheffield United starting tonight. I've just made one note on each of these teams, really. My note on Bristol City has been that they they need to win at home if they're going to have any chance. Because if you look at their away form this season, they only had four wins all year.
00:38:01
Speaker
But they had 13 wins at home and seven draws. They were the fourth best team at home in the league. So they really need to win at home. Plus, they have a lot of Irish lads, which I love to keep an eye on them because of that. So I'm delighted they just made the playoffs.
00:38:13
Speaker
But ultimately, they're not Premier League level or anywhere near it at the moment. Then Sheffield United are by far the best team in this bunch. They made a mess of it at the end of the season, losing four of five in a row towards the end at the time when Leeds and Burnley just couldn't stop winning. and um And I hope Tom Cannon steps up for them is kind of my note on that um in in these playoffs. But yeah, I think it's hard to look past Sheffield United winning that side of things. What do you think out of those two?
00:38:40
Speaker
Yeah, i I think it's only going one way. Like getting 90 points at the championship infin and finishing thirds is criminal. Like it shouldn't be happening. So the fact that they are they are that high a level above the other three that are in this playoffs and Bristol City just kind of snuck in really. They were only, they were actually leveling points with Blackburn. So they got in on goal difference. Like so we' very tight there between the six down as far as the nines really. So as they wanted it.
00:39:07
Speaker
As you said, they do need to win at home, but I don't see them winning either leg. I think this is going to be 4-0 or 4-1 to Sheffield United over the legs. And then we've got our Sunderland and Coventry. um um My note on Sunderland is um just that they they've had a really bad run up to this point in the last like four five weeks. They've lost all their games. They drew the game before that.
00:39:29
Speaker
yeah It's just not a good run into things. You want to be on the up. Coventry were a bit rocky at times, but I think they're on a better run and I can see them taking Sunderland down here, to be honest.
00:39:41
Speaker
I think they're probably aiming for next season. Both these teams probably are, but Sunderland probably fancied their chances more than Coventry. But I think that's kind of why Coventry might knock them down a peg or two, because I think Coventry are probably in long-term plan.
00:39:55
Speaker
They're probably thinking, OK, we built up nicely into the playoff spots this year. and Next year, we'll go for automatic promotion because they've got a solid enough team. But I think Coventry could win out of these two. um But what do you think?
00:40:07
Speaker
I think Coventry are going to win it over the two legs. But neither team is coming into this and spark in sparkling form either. Coventry are win, two losses, and a win in their last four. So they were on a two-game losing streak as well. But London have just fallen apart towards the end of the season. then like If they're finishing any season with five losses and then going into a playoff...
00:40:28
Speaker
your momentum is completely down. Joe Belliam seems to be kind of just a bit lost at the moment, or whatever's going on when he he's not really stepping up either. And commentary, I hate to say it, but Frank Lampard has done an incredible job since he took over there because I thought the way they sacked Mark Robbins was disgraceful.
00:40:46
Speaker
But clearly it's worked out for him now they're in the playoffs. And I think they'll be in the playoff. In the playoff final, it's all up in the air. Anything could happen. But I still just think that the best level of team will come out on top. And I think Sheffield United will.
00:41:00
Speaker
That could honestly go anyway. But I think out of all these teams, I don't think any of them stay up if they get up. um Unless they really surprise us. No, and i yeah and I'm just so sick of seeing Stephanie United go down and come back up. I would love to see a French face. I'd love see Comteau get back up. It's been so long. Just to see it. Just to have something different. Every other team in the playoff, actually the United.
00:41:27
Speaker
Yeah, like Sunderland after 15 years, Coventry after however long, and Bristol for the first time. Not another yo-yo team like Burnley. They're going up and then they're going to do absolutely nothing next year.
00:41:38
Speaker
tossed around the place for 38 games then just go back down again i just can't like is there any wonder that this team is going up and coming back down when it's the same teams over and over again like that's another issue The parachute payments are another issue as to why this gap has gotten so big between jamm dippins the Premier League. And I know it sounds counterintuitive because they've been giving money, but when you're giving the same people money and they keep messing it up, it's starting to give someone else a bit of money. like that just i just yeah I do they'll be separate tonight, unfortunately. Instead of them after how abysmal they were the last time it was embarrassing.
00:42:11
Speaker
I think, yeah, any of those other teams would be but a more interesting story, think. And I'd just love to see like Jason Knight captain Bristol City into a and like into a championship playoff win.
00:42:24
Speaker
be unbelievable. Hopefully they get
Betting Picks & Predictions
00:42:27
Speaker
on well. They're the team I'm rooting for the most because of their big Irish contingent. and But yeah, that's kind of our take on that. Me as well. So hopefully for you guys out there that are fans of any of these teams, we're not too big of a downer to say that they're all going back down. But if you're a Burnley fan, I have hope for you.
00:42:43
Speaker
yeah heard You heard it here first. Yeah. But let's move into gone chance predictions then. Last week, you had two two wins, I believe. and i And I had one. So the lead is stretched to nine once again. yeah You're back clear pole position. I've only a few weeks left to catch this up.
00:43:02
Speaker
Not looking. Let's hear what you've got this week since you are so far ahead that you deserve to be going first. Fair enough. I just want to start by apologizing to Conor Casserly for putting leads in the absolute foot there. To be fair, you were trying your best to keep positive.
00:43:17
Speaker
I was trying my best, but then I just, i yeah, I couldn't actually continue it anymore there. Yeah. Yeah. um I've gone, usual, I've gone two Premier League and one NBA. So I've gone for the Pacers to go three up on the Cavs. Yeah, the Pacers at 6-5 to beat the Cavs at thirteen to twenty And even 6-5 is a ridiculous price for the Pacers.
00:43:37
Speaker
And then in the Premier League, I've gone, everything at 72 to be Fulham. Everything, there a bit they're a bit cropped. We all know they're a cropped, but it's their last game at Goodison Park. And surely it has to mean something.
00:43:51
Speaker
So I sorry i do think they will be Fulham this time. Oh, you definitely have everything to be Fulham as well. That's why you're laughing at. oh And finally, I've gone for Ipswich to beat Brentford.
00:44:03
Speaker
The pressure's off. Liam De Lappe is going to bag a hat-trick. Ipswich 4-1, Brentford Brentford are literally on the beach now. They beat Nottingham Forest last week and they're they' so they're not going anywhere. They're kind of stuck in the middle.
00:44:16
Speaker
Their captain's already come out said that Brian and Buena was going next season, and so clearly their heads aren't in anymore. Interesting than one, because thinking about Brentford and how they're making a good charge for Europe when I was looking at that one, and I was like, no, I can't do it.
00:44:29
Speaker
But fair enough. You've gone with Ipswich there. But I, yeah, I have gone with Everton to beat Fulham. I've gone with Everton just but like this, but like Everton, their last home game at Goodison is' the following week, they're away in this one.
00:44:44
Speaker
So... Yeah, yeah. But either way, I still think that they're probably one of the best bets here because Fulham are kind of on the beach. um I know they can still get Europe, but yeah, sometimes Fulham just don't really care. At times it seems like you don't know what you're going get with them.
00:45:01
Speaker
I think Everton, yeah, theyll I just think they might have a better chance here. and Then my second one is West Ham to beat United. I just think United are just going to be like, yeah, after...
00:45:15
Speaker
You just can't trust them in the league. I would hope that United are going to win. but And realistically, for me, this is going to be a 1-1 draw or something like that. But I think it's one of the best chances. United are evens and West Ham are So I think we've done a few evens at times. So we'll go with that.
00:45:33
Speaker
um That's on Sunday. So I think, yeah, give me West Ham 11-4 on that one. Just... Just because I think United tonight are going to put a lot in and they'll be just ridiculous in the league. So stick with that.
00:45:44
Speaker
Then my third one, the reason I was laughing so much is because I also went with the Pacers. But I'm going to change that because I need to make and need to make a bit of a run at you. So I'm going to go with like my reserve pick that I had in mind. And that is Arsenal to beat Liverpool. and The reason I was not going to go with this one is because I think that Liverpool are just going to have a point to prove and they're going to want to smack Arsenal.
00:46:05
Speaker
um But I think that I'll just go with that because I don't want to be the exact same as you and I really need a five pointer if I'm going to start making a comeback here. um so i i yeah i did actually look at that one as well. I looked at that one as well because I think Liverpool might be on the beach.
00:46:25
Speaker
yeah if you and They looked on the beach against Chelsea last week, so I did look at that. But it it is Arsenal. And I hope Liverpool hate as much as hate Arsenal and Nauteta and go out and prove a point. How many points they had in the last two seasons and they were the one the league. out Just come on, just leave it. So like you didn't win the league, can you just stop?
00:46:44
Speaker
Except he was wrong. He was wrong. that They have less points after 34 games than we have after 34 games. They had 80 and Ipswich here, you have Ipswich on my mind, against PSG, he said that yeah like that the other bench told them that they were the better team.
00:47:06
Speaker
and And then Luis Enrique was like, no, that never happened why you why are you saying this stuff? It's just outrageous. But anyway, despite all of that, I think that could go one way. Liverpool might go out and say I'm going back them. But I'm taking the chance that Liverpool are just chilling.
00:47:21
Speaker
and Arsenal are going to be like really angry and going to take this as their Champions League final. Fair enough. So I think Liverpool are evens in that one. Arsenal are like 13-5 or something like that. So those are my three. We have one the same, so I'm not going to go two the same again because I do need to make up points.
00:47:39
Speaker
But Yeah. ah You know if United lose and Spurs win that United are 17th? I'm fully aware that. United drop to 17th.
00:47:51
Speaker
That's absolutely, that's utterly criminal for a team like Manchester United. Now it's criminal that they're 15th and Spurs are 16th and they're going to open the final. bus If you United finish this weekend seventeen Wow.
00:48:06
Speaker
like you give us you You actually just need to get rid of every single one of the players and just just start the club like it's one of those... Expansion....revention teams or whatever the word is in the MLS where the team just gets dropped in and they get a fantasy draft.
00:48:21
Speaker
Expansion, yeah. like you just need You need to build, you need to start an expansion team then because United at 17th... It's just the only thing that's keeping me from looking at that is the fact that they're going towards the Europa final and just I'm just
Fantasy Football Sleeper Picks
00:48:33
Speaker
trying to block it out.
00:48:33
Speaker
But every weekend it's just... crippling crippling yes but um let's move on then to the nfl obviously the draft just happened we touched a lot on the draft we'll touch more on it and during the summer we'll keep this one nice and quick for you it's kind of a fun one we're going to give three options who are kind of like sneaky fantasy options at quarterback running back and wide receiver um So just like not the guys who are very top of the board or guys who you would typically say, yeah, I'm going to draft them first overall. Some guys a little bit further down that we think might do well.
00:49:06
Speaker
um So do you want to go first with quarterback and tell us what you've got? Yeah, so I just want to start with saying that every one of my picks are here we go. um They are those kind of players.
00:49:18
Speaker
So my quarterback, I've gone with Justin Fields. um I know in in in real life, in real life, he is quite clearly a liability. He's shown so often he's a liability.
00:49:30
Speaker
But in fantasy... He's really, really solid. He's a good runner of ball. He can throw touchdowns. He runs, averages 50 yards running again. That's five points if you're playing your PPR. That's five points on top of every touchdown he throws.
00:49:44
Speaker
We won't talk about interception because people...
00:49:48
Speaker
So the 50 rushing yards in a game is the fourth best in the NFL for quarterback. And I think having a quarterback that runs that isn't Lamar Jackson because he's obviously going to go a lot higher. So getting in at Justin Fields or someone like that I think is a good sneaky option, especially in a two-quarterback league.
00:50:07
Speaker
And if he can find Gary Wilson, the way that Gerwilson thinks he should be found, then to you could be in for real, real big one from Joseph Ian this year. I actually like that. I had him like on my long list. I made a list of a couple of honourable mentions and throughout I made an extra two at each position, but he was my one of them. Just because of what you said, the fact he's a sneaky, good runner and he'll get in for a number of touchdowns, I'd say, um this season. So,
00:50:35
Speaker
Yeah, I think it's not a bad shout, but my one is Geno Smith. um I think he's kind of one, if you don't draft a quarterback high and you want to get one later in the rounds, he might be one of the most reliable options.
00:50:49
Speaker
I think he's just going to throw like an arse load of touchdowns to Bowers and he'll just fireballs to Bowers and he'll catch them. I think Geno will just keep driving them down the field and then Geno will just pop up with the the old touchdown to Bowers or to Jacoby Myers or something like that. so I think he'll get a lot yards.
00:51:07
Speaker
um And I like him under Pete Carroll. So I think he last year he was QB 14 in terms of where he ranked. This year he's ranked QB 26 in terms of what people are thinking.
00:51:19
Speaker
So it's not great. I think he should be higher than that. And in terms of fields, last year he was QB 31. That's because he barely played in four games. um But people have him QB 12 this year, so pretty high.
00:51:31
Speaker
um so Let's go for wide receiver then. I'll go first with this one. Just before you on there, just want to defensively wear it. When I saw Gene Smith was going to Las Vegas, I was sick and they weren't in the keeper league because I would have loved to kept Brock Bowers as one of my five because Gene Smith is going to find him.
00:51:55
Speaker
Brock Bowers had such a good rookie season. That was without a decent quarterback. Imagine what he's going to do when he has someone that actually knows how to find him with the ball. Yeah, he's going to need. Yeah, I think think that's a good show from you. Probably the first tight end off the board, I'd say, in everybody's drafts this year. So we'll be keeping an eye out for him.
00:52:13
Speaker
Oh, 100%, yeah. For wide receivers, then, what I've gone with is ive I've made a bit of a bit there ah list here but I'm gonna go with my guy gonna go with Malik neighbors I think it's not a hugely outside of the box pick he should go early enough but I think he could go even earlier than where he's being ranked so he's currently ranked wide receiver eight last year he was wide receiver six in his rookie season um he was so good he he had a woeful quarterback play last year and he still had 1200 yards and seven touchdowns
00:52:47
Speaker
That's only going to get better, although it is a bit of a messy situation. But realistically, he only has to play like two games with Jameis Winston. There's like 500 yards and eight touchdowns for you straight away to the neighbors.
00:53:00
Speaker
um But I think Russell will go deep to him lot as well. And I think, yeah, I think it's it's it's a solid option. Someone who might who might be one of that might maybe my top three wide receivers to look at this. um What about you?
00:53:15
Speaker
I'd be very surprised if Neighbours does drop that far because I think he showed enough in his rookie year that people should be picking him up. But the fact that he's dropped in his ranking from 12 to 14 shocked me because I thought Vantony would be going Last year he finished sixth in terms of production.
00:53:32
Speaker
Oh, okay. Oh, sorry. Okay. Well, yeah, that makes sense. So yeah I think he, I think it's quality. um And I think it's a good, think it's good to bring him up. and Another of my share me out charts. Lord.
00:53:44
Speaker
Rashid Shaheed. So... Yeah, I was kind of straight from bottom of the bar with I thought that was the way we were going. So I'm happy enough to continue with this.
00:53:57
Speaker
um so just the look The way he started last year, if he can get that going on again this year, then is a really, really, like he's someone that will be definitely sitting on a wave wire. after the first two weeks and you'll see he scored five touchdowns and gotten 300 yards out of nowhere and he'll be like, oh, let's pick him up and then he gets injured.
00:54:14
Speaker
Just like he did to see him just gone. But he was averaging 17 and a half yards a catch last year before he went down after week six with the meniscus. And I know he is a bit of a waste.
00:54:27
Speaker
Yeah, I can be with that player, yeah. um He was ranked 29th when he went down. um If he can kind of get back to any sort of a level, then as I said, he'll be on the way of where someone could need someone to cover a gap week, bye week, and then in he comes and he might be able to drop him down. for him If he's playing, he's going to be got be of at least wide receiver too.
00:54:47
Speaker
He's good for a deep ball I'm just hoping for the best. Is Derek Carr going to be happy there or not? Yeah, I think he's he is a good one to have like like a bench guy if you're going for a wildcard kind of player that you can bring on.
00:55:04
Speaker
Especially if your league is like like a 12-person league or a 14-person league. He's definitely worth a pick-up. So no, I like that shit. Then for running back, who have you got as your pick?
00:55:19
Speaker
I finally got one that doesn't really to hear me out. I've gone for Jordan Mason. So he's gotten his move from yeah from San Fran to Minnesota. and When he was San Fran last year, he was our lead back for the first seven weeks. He was 18.3 carry of the game, 95 yards, 0.4 rushing touchdowns per game. i don't know how to work that out into real person peak figure. And then he was five yards per carry.
00:55:45
Speaker
um only nine running backs scored more points per game on him over that span. And this was him kind of coming in with his first real goal at being a starter. And I think he's going go into Minnesota. Aaron Jones, I think by the end of the season, even halfway through the season, he'll be wide receiver one over Aaron Jones because he's only, t he's not really standing the test of time as much as yeah he'd like to think he is. And I think he's going to take a step No, really like that. And I really liked him the Vikings did that picture because I think,
00:56:15
Speaker
Like he he was very solid and he looked very good um for them. And I think it's kind of a thing where he probably want to be paid for the fact that he played well. They obviously still back McCaffrey and they needed to, they couldn't pay everybody right now because they're in a tough situation in terms of that side of things.
00:56:32
Speaker
So I think, yeah, I don't see any issue with that because I think he could could be a very solid option and get him early quite low in the draft maybe.
00:56:42
Speaker
And then stow him away. And as you said, as Aaron Jones kind of weathers throughout the season, the Vikings probably will use him more. Yeah. um No, i like that shout.
00:56:55
Speaker
my My one here is Tyrone Tracy. So I've gone again with a Giants player. and But I think he was really good last year. I had that show last year of Tracy and Neighbours because I drafted them.
00:57:08
Speaker
to say i had ah a good bit confidence in them i looked at a lot of them over the summer and i thought yeah they'll be good which they were again a very lackluster giants offense with an awful um offensive line he had nearly 1.2 um thousand 1,200 total yards that's looking at both rush oh had i think like five or six touchdowns. So like in overall, he was very good. I think they'll have a more mature offense this time around.
00:57:38
Speaker
He's very good out of the backfield catching the ball. So I think that'll be a good option if Russell Woodson looks to use him that way. And if Jackson Dart does get in, he'll be looking for check downs to make his life easier.
00:57:50
Speaker
And then you do have Cam Scadabo there as like another back. So he's there to kind of wear defenses down and you might break off a big run from Tracy from time to time. So he's looking...
00:58:01
Speaker
running back 31 at the moment. And last year he finished running back 26 in his rookie season. So I think he's only going to step up from there. um So i get the I get the people probably maybe weren't worrying about the fact that yeah there's two running backs there now, but I still think he'll be the lead back and he'll really produce for them. So that was my pick. and Yeah, honorable mentions I had then kind of, I also mentioned Justin Fields, as I said.
00:58:28
Speaker
um Another one I had was Devontae Adams, I think he he still has a lot in him. And if he's in a better attitude, I think he could be a good wide receiver to pick up. And then my honourable mention from running back was Kyron Williams.
00:58:41
Speaker
I think he could be one of the best running backs to pick up. He is ranked running back 11. He was running back seven last year. He could be top five, to be honest. In that offence, if people are looking at Puka and Devontae is the main options. He could get a bit more space. He's yeah he's just a touchdown machine. 16 and 16 games last year.
00:59:01
Speaker
yeah Those are some of the mentions I had. yeah Just a little fun exercise. Yeah, i just I just put down tre yeah i just said three names around that I wanted to, in case you were taking one of mine, I just kind of put one back up as well. So I think JJ McCarty, I think, is going to go very low and could have and very, very solid year at Minnesota.
00:59:22
Speaker
I didn't really do too much on him. I think Braylon Allen, there's talks of the Jets going into a kind of a two-back situation. that A bit like what they've been doing in Detroit. i think if it goes that way, he looked really, really decent at the start last year.
00:59:36
Speaker
um I think if you are struggling, again, as you said, in a 10 or 12-person league, um if you are looking for running back that's kind of just going to get you solid numbers, he might be the one. And I'm so excited to watch Cooper Cupp be a wide receiver one to again.
00:59:50
Speaker
um I think he's going to drop on many boards because... People probably won't trust him, but I think it'd be silly if we overlook him for someone like Raheem. think it's worth going with Kopp just at least to see if he does slip.
01:00:04
Speaker
He wouldn't be want to be putting one of my top picks on, but if he slips down, I think it's worth grabbing him. um And I think to touch on a two-back situation, like looking at the lines, I think Jameer Gibbs was running back one last year, and I think he's going to be running back one again, but by an even bigger stretch this year, because they're just going to use Montgomery less and less.
01:00:23
Speaker
and because Gibbs can do absolutely everything and when it was just him he was just a destroyer so they're just going to use him more and everything but yeah that's a few few options for you there if you're looking to
Sports Power Rankings Update
01:00:35
Speaker
already start planning for your NFL fantasy drafts and we'll have a lot more on on that leading up closer to the season but moving then into our last topic as usual we've got the power rankings so Jonah let me go ahead first lovely so um yeah absolutely I do i went first last week I've gone with Liverpool, OKC, the Cavs, Arsenal, Timberwolves and Wolverhampton Wanderers so this week I've changed it up a good bit
01:01:01
Speaker
um um I've moved OKC back to first I know they lost their first game against the Nuggets but they absolutely battered them in the second game just outrageous how well they played against them last night so That pushed them up for me to first place. Liverpool are in second.
01:01:19
Speaker
Obviously, they just won the league. um And they are on the beach, I suppose, last week it seemed. They might come back off the beach to whoop Arsenal this weekend. We'll see how that goes. But yeah that's still what I think so far.
01:01:34
Speaker
um Then I've gone with the Knicks in third. Just what they did against the Celtics coming back from 20 points down twice. You deserve to be in third. um So that's why I've gone with them in third. Then looking at Man City, um I thought they have to go into fourth at this point. like They're in the FA Cup final.
01:01:50
Speaker
They're unbeaten in nine games. They might take second place off Arsenal in one of their worst seasons that we can remember in a long time. there still They've come go towards the end. Then yeah Pacers in fifth, I think, leading the Cavs 2-0.
01:02:06
Speaker
the best team in the Eastern Conference in the regular season and they're making it look kind light what they've done against them. So i think, yeah, I know that the Cavs are down players, but they've just been really impressive, the Pacers.
01:02:19
Speaker
And then Chelsea are in sixth. So from March to they only lost once to Arsenal. um So i think they deserve to be to be in the top six at the moment. They're on really good run and they're pushing well and truly into that Champions League spot as well as their Conference League push.
01:02:38
Speaker
Fair enough, I can't really complain too much. I think ours are quite similar, to be honest, but I'll give you my last week run to first. So last week I had Liverpool at the one, Thunder in two, Wolverhampton Wonders three, the Timberwolves four, Celtics five and Palace were sixth.
01:02:55
Speaker
I've also made it this week. So I still have Liverpool at one.
01:03:00
Speaker
um I'm not sure. There's not really much to say. There are league champions. I'm not really going to move them until I really have to. I have the Knicks in a two just because they are really, really on fire at the moment. They're 2-0 up in their series.
01:03:12
Speaker
have Man City have come in for me at three. Four wins on the bounce every cup final, as you said, everything you've said. Pacers at four. Again, everything you've said. There's no real need to... Going through it again, have OKC at five.
01:03:26
Speaker
As you said, dave they lost their first, but what they did last night was just silly season. And I know they dropped a good bit for me from Eamon last week, but I still think they're their quality outfits. And in sixth, I have Wolverhampton Wonders still. They lost last week to Man City, but they're still... so they They were on the best run of form in New York. You can't just drop out of a top six because you lose one game. So Liverpool, Knicks, Man City, Patriots, OKC. I'm fairly...
01:03:52
Speaker
so we've gotten there and obviously the only difference is you've still got Wolves and I've got Chelsea I think I just had Wolves six last week so I think you had them higher so I think yeah from six to out for me didn't feel too bad but I think if I had them higher yeah it would be it's hard to just completely remove them no it's yeah no I'd take them out both of our rankings that's another episode in the books lads um hope you enjoyed it and hope you enjoy having the kind of more up-to-date information as soon as it comes out.
01:04:21
Speaker
And we'll continue to do with this to have the most up-to-date stuff for you. But appreciate you listening and give us a like or subscribe or follow us wherever you can. And obviously look at our social media clips too, because we appreciate that.
01:04:33
Speaker
Shane, see you, lads. Thanks very much, lads. See you next week.