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Episode 272: Championship Review! Gameweek 5!
74 Plays9 hours ago
Southampton – In an effort to cheer ourselves up, we talk about what happened in the rest of the championship this week, with some way worse outcomes than ours!
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Transcript
Introduction and Derby Discussion
00:00:14
Zak
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. I am your host today, Zach Ingo Finch, as always, joined by wonderful, that's not even a word, Gregory Elliott. How you doing, budge?
00:00:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm alright mate, look, time time has elapsed since the derby, I'm feeling much more mellow, much more chilled, it's all water under the bridge and I'm definitely not still bitter about it at all.
00:00:43
Zak
yep up I'm doing back-to-back recordings. Don't lie to the audience like that.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
the but to
00:00:52
Zak
Luckily, all of the championship games are out of the way, which means we've decided to record this afterwards because, quite frankly, we both needed something else to think about.
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
it
00:01:01
Zak
And And quite frankly, as I alluded to the end of our episode, our Derby episode, it's quite nice to like think about something else. don't know if you feel the same, mate, but here we are.
00:01:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
do I do, mate. I do.
00:01:16
Zak
So, obviously, today is going to be our championship roundup. So, let's let's let's look at the scores and the
Championship Standings and Middlesbrough's Lead
00:01:20
Zak
doors. So, top of the championship currently, Greg, is Middlesbrough with 13 points.
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:25
Zak
They've won their first four. They drew their last game, which we'll talk about today. And we're at 15th.
00:01:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:32
Zak
That's all I'll say about that.
00:01:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant.
00:01:34
Zak
so It's a long, old season. so
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, the good news is, mate, we're a second-half team, so the second half the season is where it really comes to pass.
00:01:43
Zak
You keep saying that, I don't believe you. Oh,
00:01:48
Zak
yeah this is manic energy. Anyway, thought we'd talk about the games that have taken place. Because, you know, we all want to we want to see you know what what's gone down.
00:01:58
Zak
we We really like doing this championship. and It's meant that I'm so much more tuned into things than ever used to be. chatel check world things championship I started telling Greg about with the scores and he had absolutely no idea. As if we were...
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh god there was but one ma i honest i I've spent all of the international break moaning that there was no football on and then had such a busy weekend.
00:02:09
Zak
it its
00:02:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just like, oh yeah, there's a game.
00:02:17
Zak
i I did the same. I texted you last night, like, I just forgot there's football today.
00:02:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
was...
00:02:23
Zak
Missed all the football today. Like, missed the football on on Saturday. Watched all of the football that was on on Sunday, including, well, including the two Premier League games, you know, with with a derby that actually had goals, because apparently those can happen.
00:02:35
Zak
But let's let's bring it back to Friday, mate.
00:02:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
i that's it. Friday night, that's where it was at. That was, that was boy, that was a game. I did watch some of that. And,
00:02:44
Zak
So...
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
bad
00:02:45
Zak
it Ipswich Town 5. by Sheffield United 0. Afilajid, Afilajid, Hattrick, Hurst, Clark...
00:02:56
Zak
Another comprehensive dismantling of Ruben Selle's side. The only thing they would have been happy about was only one goal took place in the first half, but they did probably not think they'd be losing 5-0.
00:03:07
Zak
And then obviously, as you can imagine, the former Saints manager got his marching orders probably but later into the season than most of the Sheffield United fans wanted.
00:03:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean i mean, look, you you really put a target on your own back. When you look at a team like Sheffield Wednesday, where it's been financial disaster, they only had about 12 senior players at the start of the season.
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
They didn't have a goalkeeper. They had to absorb bring in one on an emergency loan. They've had one stand falling down. And they are still the best team in Sheffield in the table.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, you've got to be lapping that up as a Wednesday fan.
00:03:48
Zak
like just like
Sheffield United's Managerial Change
00:03:49
Zak
At the the end of yeah like the end of the season, Sheffield United missed out on the playoffs by a penalty shootout.
00:03:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like...
00:03:57
Zak
Like, what?
00:03:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:59
Zak
on earth?
00:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that's alright, mate, because what they're going to do now is go back to what worked for and bring back Chris Wilder for a third time, so
00:04:02
Zak
It's dire for them.
00:04:07
Zak
here yeah Play the same song!
00:04:14
Zak
it It is, it honestly must feel like every time Chris Wilder like unpacks his bag, like packs his bag, goes on a cruise, gets on holiday, lands in Hawaii, checks his phone, and then just like, oh.
00:04:28
Zak
gets back on the plane, flies back to Sheffield. So once again, go like I saw some people saying, oh, like it shows a lot of humility from a football club to like you know put their hands up and say they were wrong. was like, they've done this with him, what, twice?
00:04:44
Zak
This is his third time.
00:04:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:46
Zak
like It doesn't show a lot of humility. It shows a lot of stupidity. like We're going to fire him because clearly things aren't working out. It can't get any worse. Let's get that guy that just about kept Hall up.
00:04:58
Zak
ah ah just it's like youd be I'm surprised. like I don't understand why they're not going to go in Danny role, but like it did I think it baffled everybody. like not as baffling as Russell Martin at Rangers.
00:05:09
Zak
might bring that back at the end just because it's weird to talk about.
00:05:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:13
Zak
But like it surprised me that they hired him. It surprised me they took him they took this long to fire him. And it surprised me that their answer to the question is, well, let's just do what we were doing before. It wasn't that bad.
00:05:24
Zak
All we've done is lose like about 18 points for no reason.
00:05:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:05:27
Zak
So
Charlton vs Millwall: A Heartbreaking Draw
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So just to recap, just to recap Ruben Selez's time at Sheffield United in brief stats, that's five league games, five losses, one goal scored and 12 conceded.
00:05:28
Zak
hey ho.
00:05:43
Zak
Oh, it's been a bad weekend for ex-Saints players, ex-Saints managers. i guess even for us. like We've had a disappointing day with the derby, but we haven't had as much of a pot yet.
00:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
wasn't that, yeah.
00:05:54
Zak
like you know that Ipswich, one of the better teams, well, it's doing slightly better than us. Leicester surprisingly pulling out ahead of the demoted teams where we thought they would have a bit of a struggle.
00:06:07
Zak
Maybe they'll get points deduction.
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
right.
00:06:08
Zak
Maybe they won't. Who knows at this point, but... beside the bye that was Friday and that was Ipswich Town 5 Sheffield United 0 I've spent well too long talking about that one game so let's talk Charlton Athletic and Millwall Charlton Athletic scoring and then former St Cain Ramsey getting sent off at the 74th minute and Millwall scoring in the 88th wonderful
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
A heartbreak. Absolute heartbreak for Charlton in absolute scenes. that Just another one of those like crazy championship games. You never know when it's done.
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
right it's never Never leave a championship game early. I mean, never leave any game of football early because it's ridiculous. You paid your money for the ticket. you should to stay until the end. But especially a championship game because anything can happen right up until the end.
00:06:54
Zak
Yeah, well we've seen we've seen it so far. We saw it the whole last time we were in the Championship. We've so we've seen it a lot this season already. There's just so many ridiculously late-end goals. I don't know if it's just because extra time is plucked out thin air at this at this point, but either way, it was bad.
00:07:09
Zak
I looked out for Smallbone. I couldn't see him in the Millwall squad at all. I don't know. You said it might have been due to internationals, but I don't remember him playing when we had a look at the Republic of Ireland internationals.
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I also think he was injured with us right he he took a knock before he went so don't know who knows
00:07:25
Zak
James Bree played though. He came on in the 61st minute, which is less than i ideal because 15 minutes later he's having to be one of 10 men. so um But, you know, nice to see James Bree get some minutes. But that's Charlton Millwall.
00:07:38
Zak
And now we should probably listen to a word from our partners at Pioneek.
Leicester's Surprising Draw with Oxford
00:08:21
Zak
And we are back, and we'll run straight into it, Greg. Oxford United 2, Leicester City 2. Probably expectation is that Leicester should have won, but they did pick up a red card in the twenty fourth minute. So... Yeah.
00:08:34
Zak
say
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
o That is early for a red card as well. That is that is crazy.
00:08:38
Zak
yeah
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah i mean Oxford promoted side right. We all had them down struggling and their form suggests that as the case. So to pick up a point from Leicester, it's got to be a win for them.
00:08:50
Zak
Yeah, they they went they went a goal up and then Jordan Ayou, about five minutes later, pegged them back. And obviously they got red card and then they managed to get another goal and similar to to us the other day, they got pegged back.
00:09:07
Zak
significantly earlier and then it ended up too too So, yeah, I think Leicester obviously probably expected more of themselves, but they are doing better out of the two demoted teams and the teams probably vying for promotion last season as well, apart from maybe bar Bristol City and commentary. So, yeah, i was i was kind of surprised. I guess we still need to know what's happening with
Championship Highlights and Competitive Nature
00:09:29
Zak
if Leicester ever getting a points deduction or do we just allow financial crime now? I mean, it seems to be the third case that
00:09:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that seems to be the the way in football, right?
00:09:36
Zak
it seems It seems to be you you rack up as many charges as you want and it means nothing. So that's more of a dig at the the teams in the league above us than the teams in the current league with us.
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:47
Zak
But Oxford United 2, Leicester City 2.
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I mean, thought a team that saved themselves by selling themselves a hotel and their own women's team? might have in the past done other financial wrongs.
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crazy.
00:10:02
Zak
Who knows, mate? But that isn't for us to discuss. We are now going to talk about Preston North End 2, Middlesbrough 2. A goal for Middlesbrough from former St. Matt Target.
00:10:14
Zak
They seem to be doing all right without their talisman, Finesas, who probably wasn't their talisman, but at the same time is definitely a player we knew scored goals for them. So yeah, Middlesbrough still doing really, really well. They're currently the top of the table.
00:10:28
Zak
for a reason. So four wins and a draw. The draw coming against Preston. a frustrating side to play. I remember rightly, they seem to do pretty well. Middlesbrough had the majority of possession and were the more attacking side as you'd imagine.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
look it Looks like a good point for Preston, to be honest. From four-man stats, seems like a decent point saved, so
00:10:54
Zak
And they had one of their new transferees score in stoppage time. So, you know, Preston probably thought they won the game in the 88th minute. And then Middlesbrough equalised in the 92nd. So, again, well Greg's point of don't leave before the end of the match. Are you literally insane?
00:11:11
Zak
Comes to fruition a little bit.
00:11:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:11:15
Zak
To be clear, do what you want.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:16
Zak
It's your money. I think it's just that we're both people that are like, well, we spent money on that. We're to stay. Yeah.
00:11:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:23
Zak
So, Preston...
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I sat and watched us get beat 6-0 by Chelsea all the way to the final whistle, so all the lines are a punishment, right?
00:11:29
Zak
And we were late to that game as well. Anyway, besides the point, we missed on the fireworks because it was Amazon Prime.
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:37
Zak
I remember as we were marching to St Mary's to watch our ourselves get battered.
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:42
Zak
Anyway, Preston 2, Middlesbrough 2. So, moving swiftly on. Norwich City 1, Coventry City 1. Looked like a bit of a mental game.
00:11:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, speaking of last minute drama.
00:11:54
Zak
96-minute equaliser. Look, at least we didn't need to make it that difficult for ourselves today. You always talk about being a Saints fan is difficult, and that's true.
00:12:05
Zak
And our derby game was difficult to watch. But at least we didn't like go a goal down and have to spend the whole of the 90 minutes trying to get that goal back. And then it felt like it would have been incredible. Because I reckon if if that happened, it would have been would have felt different.
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
They left it late, but it wasn't through lack of try, mate. They, for all intents and purposes, after the goal, battered Norwich in every aspect of the word.
00:12:29
Zak
Yeah, Norwich, shut up, shut up, for sure, right?
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just insane.
00:12:32
Zak
Like, you don't...
00:12:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry. I mean, if if one statistic tells you the story of the highlights, it's total touches inside the opposition box, and that's Norwich 10, Coventry 52. So...
00:12:43
Zak
Excuse me, we all know the most important stat, Greg, is XG, and Coventry had 4, and Norwich had 0.15, so...
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
know
00:12:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, imagine getting 4xG and only scoring once. That's ridiculous. I mean, imagine getting xG. For that, you have to have a shot on goal. We don't know about that. slow we think
00:13:00
Zak
but
00:13:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's why we think it's a mythical stat, mate. It just doesn't happen for us. We don't shoot.
00:13:04
Zak
as As you can see, Craig is totally over Derby game.
00:13:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:13:09
Zak
And by Derby game, I don't mean Derby County.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Time has elapsed. It's all fine.
00:13:14
Zak
Just to be clear, the South Coast Derby.
00:13:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:13:16
Zak
It always laughs when there's only one real Derby, and I always think, is it Derby County? or
00:13:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:21
Zak
And that's just an intrusive, not an intrusive thought, that's a spontaneous thought I wanted to say out loud. Right, and so moving swiftly on, Bristol City 3, Sheffield Wednesday 0.
00:13:32
Zak
Bristol City, man. I thought after they lost Liam Manning to Norwich that they would struggle. And they seem to be racking up some high-scoring games so far.
00:13:42
Zak
And they are third.
00:13:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but I mean, it's only Sheffield Wednesday, isn't it?
00:13:44
Zak
can get it.
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, let's be honest.
00:13:46
Zak
yeah youre You're saying that I'm worried about us coming a up against anyone. like
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, the slightly better half of Sheffield because they've managed a point so far this season. Like, it's not...
00:13:58
Zak
This is true, but what you need to also understand, Greg, is that Alfie Haasen is looking forward to going Hull next weekend, and I can't think of anything worse. it but Now, is it because of the city?
00:14:09
Zak
Not really. i don't have anything against Hull, but again, like it's just one of those, oh, we should batter that team, and I can't help but feel that you said that about so many teams last season, and we picked up 12 points, and two of the wins we would have never really expected to have gotten, so
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well, yeah, there is that.
00:14:28
Zak
So, over way, Bristol City 3 Sheffield Wednesday 0.
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I guess you can only beat you can only beat what's in front of you. And, you know, Bristol seem to have hit the ground running, which is something we haven't done this season. So, yeah, fair play to them for kicking on.
00:14:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they clearly have a ah ah solid system in place. They were there or thereabouts last season and pushed on for it. So I guess it makes sense that they've stuck with it this season.
00:14:52
Zak
Former St. Jan Valerie still playing in Sheffield Wednesday somehow. kind of
00:14:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, they haven't got any other players, have they, mate? It's Slipper who's there.
00:15:00
Zak
this is This is true. It seems to be playing further up the midfield than I remember him ever playing for us.
00:15:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. All
00:15:07
Zak
And Joe Lumley on the bench for Bristol City. Because if you might have forgotten about that move, but that also is a move that took place.
Stoke City's Form and Birmingham's Struggles
00:15:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
all right.
00:15:16
Zak
So, Bristol City through Sheffield Wednesday, Neil.
00:15:20
Zak
moving on Stoke City 1 Birmingham City 0 how you feeling about that one mate
00:15:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Stoke are flying. Stoke are properly flying at the moment. Birmingham are a team that I predicted would be doing bits this season. and But Stoke really coming out of nowhere and just racking up points.
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just doing business.
00:15:43
Zak
I mean, arguably, Birmingham draw win-win-loss-loss. Stoke, however, are second with win-win-win-loss-win.
00:15:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:50
Zak
So you're right.
00:15:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:51
Zak
is they they They took a loss, but then they've returned to winning ways quite quickly.
00:15:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
and it well It was a tough ground-out victory.
00:15:55
Zak
We remember from paying them, right?
00:15:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's you know they were they They got the goal reasonably early on, but but it was a tough game.
00:16:04
Zak
Yeah, but at the same time, like we never expected it from Stoke, right?
00:16:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But again...
00:16:07
Zak
When we played them, we never really expected it.
00:16:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:16:09
Zak
And we were like, oh, it's actually much harder than we expected. So, fair
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, mate, again, the stat that counts, shots on target, Birmingham, zero. So, you know, that's yeah the ball at the goal.
00:16:21
Zak
Greg, are you trying to tell us that that the point of the going the game of football is to score goals?
00:16:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
You don't win games.
00:16:27
Zak
And you to do that, you need to put the put the ball in the opposition's net.
00:16:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Simple game, innit?
00:16:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's real simple. It's real simple.
00:16:33
Zak
but That that sounds sounds like some sounds like some crazy talk, mate.
00:16:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Crazy. Some voodoo. Yeah.
00:16:39
Zak
But yeah, Stoke City 1, Birmingham 0. now And that puts Stoke City 2nd and Birmingham 11th, which is slightly better than us currently.
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mmm.
00:16:50
Zak
Anyway, moving swiftly on. Swansea City 2, Hull City 2 are next opposition. Yeah. 40-minute goal, 45-minute goal.
00:17:01
Zak
Swansea then peg back with a 57-minute goal. And once again, Greg, as we keep pointing out, these late, late, late, late show with a 97th-minute equaliser from Hull City.
00:17:12
Zak
Like, i don't I don't understand what's happening in the championship for this to consistently take place. And despite, you know, Hull being 20th, you know, they've managed to peg back a draw.
00:17:24
Zak
And again, you say they can can only beat the teams in front of you, but fair play to them.
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, look, it was... It's late drama. pushed for the equaliser, they got it. It's just the craziness of the championship.
00:17:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's another hard-fought...
00:17:37
Zak
it's It's once again, like, it's too... Hmm...
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's the competitive nature of this league, right? that All of these results, none of them are ah ah with you know Sheffield United excluded. None of these are pastings. They're all close four games.
00:17:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
This was a ah ah tough, four-out game where they pushed for the equaliser hard and eventually got one. you know It was a shot that rebounded and came out and he hammered it in. like Just scrappy, competitive games.
00:18:09
Zak
That's the thing, right? like I can't pretend that I know much about either Hull or Swansea. I just remember Swansea was where we got Russell Byrne and Manning from, and I think Joe Lumley.
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:18:18
Zak
And that's that's pretty much it. And I remember Swansea being a up-and-down Premier League team for a long time. But I know they've been solidly sort of mid-table since then. But again, as you pointed out, just like this such a weird nature of this league where last-minute winners are all over the shop. but so fair play to both of them.
00:18:36
Zak
So that result, Swansea 2, Hull City 2. Moving on, Blackburn Rovers won Watford nil. And we will discuss that after a word from our partners at Zencaster, which Greg kindly reminded me of, because if not, I would have definitely forgotten.
00:18:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform and Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:19:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description and learn more about Zencaster.
Watford's Unpredictable Season
00:19:17
Zak
And we are back. And after managing a draw against us last week, Watford have gone on, well, I say last week, before the international break, Watford have gone on to lose to Blackburn Rovers, who sit just below us, 1-0 with a 47-minute goal from Morishita.
00:19:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, it looks like it looks like a game. it didn't look like a particularly interesting one.
00:19:42
Zak
It like Watford probably had the better of st striking it against the actual goal, but Blackburn were the one that actually scored.
00:19:50
Zak
and it's It's so weird as to how much we struggled against Watford, and yet, you know, it's a different day, and you can tell how strange football is, can't you?
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, it just...
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's it. I mean, Blackburn had one off the post and And yeah, just ah ah and another tight fork game that went that way. It's just the the craziness this league, right? Anyone can really beat anyone. You can't but go into any game expecting a win, and we're showing that week in, week out.
00:20:17
Zak
Yeah, and it was a debut goal for someone on loan from Warsaw for Hull. So fair play. And it's lifted them away like yeah the out of the out of the bottom relegation zone. So on to better things. But I just i just can't help but feel like we make things so much more difficult than they need to be when we see the results of the but the the teams we've played so far, right?
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:45
Zak
however moving swiftly on West Brom which Albion 0 Derby County 1 how do we feel about that Greg as families who have our Baggies fans
00:20:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
Derby County's Unexpected Win
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Look, you have to look at the statistics of this game that tell a story, right? 67.5% possession baggies. percent possession to the bayi 18 shots, 4 on target, 32 touches in the opposition box, opposed to Derby's 9.
00:21:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
18 shots. Like, just none of them in the goal. Like, toothless.
00:21:19
Zak
Ben Burritson-Diaz played 69 minutes of that game and his replacement his replacement assisted the goal and another substitute is the one that scored.
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and there you go. Point of place. Yeah.
00:21:31
Zak
So again, this is evident of what happens, Greg, when you do substitutions right and the substitutes actually like make a difference in the game, which is always lovely to see when that actually happens.
00:21:42
Zak
And that sometimes happens.
00:21:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Derby County goal in that game was their only shot on target. Like, just a game completely against the run of play.
00:21:47
Zak
Yeah, but again, you you could only if you're a substitute, you have like 15, 20 minutes. You have like 15, 20 minutes to actually like do something. if both If you come on and one of the substitutes assists and one scores, they're the only two subs of the game, those subs are the ones that change the game.
00:22:02
Zak
That's just logic, mate. So, fair enough.
00:22:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, a completely against the run of the run of of the game win, but you you take what you can, right?
00:22:11
Zak
short True. Well, according to...
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'd love a win dirty game. So.
00:22:15
Zak
According to our network boss, Nick Brind, he will 100% just be happy because when we told him about what our opinion was in Denver to Diaz, he was like, you're chasing promotion.
00:22:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:28
Zak
We're just trying to survive. I don't really care. Maybe he'll score a goal. So that shows you about the that's about the enthusiasm of Derby County supporters at the moment for their current predicament.
00:22:39
Zak
I think, yeah, they'll probably just be happy to take the win, right?
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:22:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. Fair play.
QPR's Recovery Against Wrexham
00:22:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
it yeah Always nice to get a win against the runner, blade to be fair.
00:22:48
Zak
And Greg, finally, we are on to our last game of the weekend, and that is QPR 3, Wrexham 1. So QPR, absolutely pasted the other week against Coventry, have managed to recover, i would say, pretty well.
00:23:05
Zak
You know what, you know?
00:23:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's less welcome to Wrexham and more welcome to the Championship. Just but they finding out the levels. We know that this is a competitive, difficult league and now they're finding out first-hand in QPR who, you know, for most of us, I think, were predicted to be not great this season.
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
i
00:23:28
Zak
either bottom or mid-table, right? We didn't think they were going to do fantastic.
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, just... tough, tough time to for Rex. You know, learning how difficult it is when you go back to back. The step up at this level is is insane.
00:23:43
Zak
I also think that they struggle from what we we we're going have, which is like just an influx of new signings, right?
00:23:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:23:51
Zak
Kiefer Moore showing he can score goals, though.
00:23:53
Zak
like that he He was one of their new signings and has managed to score consecutively the last two games now. But the fact that me and you were discussing briefly before the start of this one, ah a little bit about sort of apparently Phil Parkinson's position is sort of on the rocks, which is mad considering he's managed to win and like
00:24:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
back-to-back-to-back promotions.
00:24:15
Zak
Yeah, and also, you know, it's not like he's doing the the worst in the league currently. You know, they're outside of the theyre outside of relegation zone. Admittedly, not by a lot. But the idea that they're going to, like, find someone better.
00:24:29
Zak
and You never know. It might be Ruben Seller's new destination. Or Russell Martin!
00:24:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that...
00:24:33
Zak
That would make complete sense!
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that honesty from Wrexham's point of view is that in the previous seasons, their home form has been entirely what's kept them afloat because you know the race ground, or Keras, is ah ah supposed to be a fortress for them.
00:24:50
Zak
Yeah.
00:24:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know so far this season, what they've seen is a two-all draw to, as previously mentioned, the eternally struggling in Sheffield Wednesdays and And now a loss to QPR, who was supposedly also going to be, should have been a team that probably at home they would expect to beat. So it's...
00:25:16
Zak
Yeah, it's going to be...
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is step up but you know Their home form is supposed to be what's going to be their specialty and keep them going. And they're yet to see that at home. So that but that chat is going to be there. And there was chat before the season even started that Phil Parkinson is a good lower league manager, but they don't think he's going have what it takes to step up to the championship. And he's kind of yet to prove them wrong.
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... you know with With all of that money and all of the noise that comes with it you know that chat is always going to be there. and you know Whether they stick with him and see it through or or find an alternative and make some big know Hollywood sign-in, who knows? but yeah they're They're learning how difficult this league is. Yeah.
00:26:05
Zak
Yeah, we we kind of... It's funny, you you predicted Birmingham would do a bit better and I predicted Wrexham would and you're right. And as I said, I think it can know it would have gone over two ways. Either that they root a gel and they they do what they've done the last couple of seasons or they they hit the brick wall that is you know you the quality of the championship.
00:26:24
Zak
And I think you're probably more right than I have been so far. And I guess we'll see what happens.
00:26:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
this
00:26:28
Zak
Maybe they replace the manager. Will it make much of a difference? Who knows?
00:26:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
but look I mean what the nice thing for Wrexham and for all of the teams we've talked about today and including ourselves is that it's still really early days like we are so bung into this team that we can't make these like sweeping judgment calls like
00:26:32
Zak
Yeah.
00:26:40
Zak
Oh yeah. so So early.
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Realistically, we talked about the the transfer window closing being like the the start of the real season. And so if you take it by that metric, we're one game in. And you know now now's where it gets real.
00:27:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
You get to start seeing what really comes together.
00:27:04
Zak
True.
00:27:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's why we love this league, right?
00:27:07
Zak
What doesn't?
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's supposed to be this competitive. Anyone can win anything. ah you know Last season, right up until, I think, two games before the end of the season... was only one club in the league that couldn't go either up or down.
00:27:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, like, like yeah just craziness all the way to the end. That's what we love it for. That's why it's the best league in the world. this not no Look, mate, it's not just Premier League.
00:27:29
Zak
There it is. That's the line was waiting for.
00:27:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, genuinely, the competitive level and the fact that anyone can beat anyone on any given day is what makes it so good. And you don't get that anywhere else. it's It's just the best.
00:27:45
Zak
Okay. Well, was about to that's all we have time for, Greg. but have a bonus round for you. And that is because as we're, as the hypocrites that we are, when we say, well, let's not talk about all of our ex Southampton players. To be clear, I'm only talking about never bringing them back to the club.
00:28:01
Zak
And it's a perfect example, right? Russell Martin is the first Rangers boss to fail to win any of the first five league games since John Gregg in 1978. Russell Martin's... Yes. Yes.
Russell Martin's Tough Start at Rangers
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is insane.
00:28:11
Zak
so martins
00:28:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I saw Ali McCoy say, so they're 10th in the league at the moment, which is one place of relegation.
00:28:17
Zak
yes
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Ali McCoy came out and said, 10th isn't a place in the league for Rangers. It should be a bus route. And that, yeah, just mad.
00:28:26
Zak
Yes. 2-0 loss, kept loyal to his previous side that managed a goalless draw against Celtic. And we know about Russell Martin staying loyal to players when they're underperforming as well.
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
to But it's not
00:28:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's not what he sees in training, mate. They should have won three ne or The goal should have been disallowed. It shouldn't have been a penalty. And they should have scored three. That's what he said in this presser. So, you know, they've got the moral 3-0 victory.
00:28:55
Zak
i i am surprised he's still in charge, put it that way. like I feel like it's only because of the new ownership and they probably don't want to admit that they've been that bad...
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:29:09
Zak
he started people like, you it was like big money signing the bench, other bits and pieces. It's just three decisions went against us.
00:29:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:16
Zak
Yeah, you're right. I didn't even know if you were being legit or not, Greg. I just assumed, but three decisions went against us. There was a lot of anxiety, managing expectation. We have so many players trying to get their career. It's so difficult.
00:29:27
Zak
It's going to be hard. And the thing is, it's like, mate, it's not just hard. It's the fact that you've not won a game yet. Like you won like an okay game in the European, like Champions League, right? They got kicked out. So...
00:29:38
Zak
I just, I kind of, it's like a, and I think it's because me and you keep interacting with the stories. with The problem that we've got is we just keep being fed all of this news to us because we've accidentally trained the GSBN, Salampton's Twitter and all its other social medias to just consistently throw Rangers content at us because we we just keep it an eye.
00:29:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:29:56
Zak
And this keep it an eye has become sort of like watching a car crash take place where you know you're in trouble for rubbernecking.
00:30:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:30:03
Zak
And you should not rubberneck, especially if it's someone you know. But you also morbidly can't help but look over and be like, what is happening over there? And that's kind of how I feel about it because he gave us some of the best times and also, in my opinion, some of the worst. Again, like that Chelsea game you were talking about, Greg, we ran to it. We were late.
00:30:21
Zak
There were pyros. There was a pitch invader. there It was there's the worst game we ever saw, only to get one. And then the whole meme of it can carry on like that when we lost 5-0 to Tottenham.
00:30:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:34
Zak
it's it's kind of weird to see it all fast forwarded because they're getting the whole what we had in our Premier League season but just only that yeah but only that without any of the championship season
00:30:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
In five games, literally, literally, literally some of the chants, I mean, some of the the things said at Ibrox from the fans, it it had real
Reflecting on Championship's Competitive Edge
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
vibes of that on the game.
00:30:56
Zak
you've you've lost the, how are you going to be able to to to go into that stadium and expect, you know, to to go for the fans be all right, guys, don't worry, I've got this.
00:31:06
Zak
And like, I expected him to go before Ruben Sellers, put it that way. And that that says a lot.
00:31:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:31:11
Zak
And I feel like the Ibrox faithful and, you know, Rangers fans are are a rowdy bunch. I am very surprised that, you know, he he is still in a job. But again, that was just a little bonus episode, Greg, because we keep seeing it fed to us as the algorithm knows we like it.
00:31:28
Zak
So that's the championship for this week, mate. Crazy as ever. Lots of late goals. Lots of grinding out of results. I think what it shows you is that it's a much tougher league than people think.
00:31:40
Zak
And a lot of what we would expect to be wins turned out to be losses and vice versa.
00:31:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's
00:31:45
Zak
Either way, hopefully I get to watch something next weekend that at least contains goals.
00:31:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
hope, mate. Let's hope. mate Let's hope.
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:31:52
Zak
Wonderful. And that is about all we've got time for today. Thank you very much for listening to us. Our energy has been manic. We are tired. We are angry. We are sad. We are happy.
00:32:03
Zak
We are all of the emotions. Ignore all of that. Follow us on the socials. We're on Facebook, X, Blue Sky, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok.
00:32:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:32:14
Zak
Maybe we'll be unhinged on there. Maybe not. Probably not. I don't pick the socials where we're the most crazy because that's weird. Thank you once again for listening to us and being a partner in our madness. We will be back tomorrow with something Saints related.
00:32:30
Zak
And we will see you in the next one.