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Episode 148 - Another defeat at home
22 Plays3 days ago
Rob & Tom look back at Saturday's dismal 1-0 defeat to Brentford. It was hardly a classic but there was still plenty to talk about as the lads share their thoughts on the game and dive into the big VAR calls. The boys also discuss the new favourite in the race for Liam Delap's signature as well as yesterday's big announcement about women's football and what it means for the Tractor Girls.
The Daily Ipswich Podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, is the home of all your ITFC. Join us every weekday for the latest news, build-up and reaction in the club's first season back in the Premier League.
Host: Rob Binns
Guests: Tom Crack
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Ipswich brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. The only place where you can get daily content on every single Premier League club, women's football and Premier League wrap-ups in multiple different languages. You think I'll be used to saying that by now, but apparently I'm not.
Match Reaction Monday & Wildcard Wednesday Mix
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got a mix of an episode today. We're we sort of doing Match Reaction Monday on a Tuesday, but we're not going to do it. We're going to throw in a bit of a hybrid with a wildcard Wednesday as well, because this is going to be the one episode we put out this week until our Leicester preview later on in the week. So so it's going to be ah ah mixture of month of a Monday episode on Tuesday with a splash of a Wednesday episode on a Tuesday. A fun little hybrid to keep us through as we keep ticking along towards the end of the season. So the latest one of these games, which don't really matter, but still, like you go into the game thinking,
00:01:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
not that bowler, it doesn't matter. And yet still seem to walk away disappointed. This little run
Analyzing Ipswich's Defeat and Season's End
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
we've got on the moment. We're going to delve into the pretty dull defeat Brentford and joining me, Rob Binns, to go through that is Tom Crack.
00:01:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
How doing, mate?
00:01:17
Tom Crack
I'm good, Rob. Yeah, I've been away for a a few weeks, I think. I think since, I apologise, maybe since Townsform's gone a bit downhill, maybe I've, or since our fate has been sealed, I should say, maybe I've kind of made myself a bit scarce.
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:01:28
Tom Crack
But I'm back for today's episode. Yeah, looking for it. We'll get some other news as well as the season's very much coming to an end now. You know, it's been a bit like damp spirits, hasn't it, as the season's gone on recently, but I'll tell you what, the weather's beautiful in the UK right now.
00:01:42
Tom Crack
That's very much lifting my spirit. So hopefully that can continue as the weeks go on as well.
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you say it. I mean, it's just that point now, like, just feels irrelevant the rest of the season now. Like, don't know. It's like, I mean, apart from the the race for Europe is quite interesting, but it's just everything's been decided for a few weeks.
00:02:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
It just sort of feels like everything just feels like bit of formality at that point.
00:02:01
Tom Crack
yeah Absolutely.
00:02:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
if you're not If you're not one of that group of four teams or whoever it is going for those three champions league three or four Champions League spots. If you're not in the group of second to seventh, the season's just a bit pointless at this point.
00:02:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got teams waiting on cup finals. We just... so I don't know. I mean, you can see that. The fact that we've gone from religiously five a week to we're pretty much down to two now because there's just nothing to talk about because no one no one's generating up any news because no one cares anymore.
00:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
there's just way Everyone's waiting for the season to end. Yeah, it's...
00:02:36
Tom Crack
Next season, though we'll have a lot more for you once we start winning every week.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:39
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. We walk the league 100 points next year. There'll be loads to talk about. them
00:02:44
Tom Crack
yeah Yeah, it's crazy, isn't it?
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I say I've walked the league 100 points. Leeds and Burnley have got 100 and one of them has come second. So it doesn't necessarily mean you walk the league of 100 points. for But I said it, look, the general feeling everywhere is just waiting for the season to end, aren't we?
00:03:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
sort of what it felt like on Saturday,
00:03:02
Tom Crack
Yeah.
Brentford Game Analysis and VAR Controversy
00:03:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
weren't it?
00:03:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because it was not a good game of football. We we gave it the big up in the week, didn't we? say Brentford games are usually very entertaining. and both So me and Rich both put high amount of prediction, high amount goals in our predictions, thinking, you're not Brentford alike. The games are carnage. They've won 4-3 the week before. Here we go. But somehow we we seem to be that dull and boring to watch that we've managed to drag Brentford down to our level. And it was it wasn't a good game that looks better on the stats than it was. because say is around
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
think we had 10 shots, something like that. They had 15. So you'd think that'd be quite a good game, but it was a pretty drab affair, solitary goal and that's say a real distinct lack of chances in all honesty. It feels like, the mate and once again, something we're glad to be getting rid of. The main talking point is referee decisions of v are isn't that which and is something we won't have to deal with next year, luckily. But what were your overall thoughts on the game, Tom?
00:04:02
Tom Crack
Yeah, it well, you know, just looking at the game on the face, as you just said there, you know, I think, you know, with the exception of, yeah, as you said, Arsenal to Forest, no one's really got anything to play for. And this this game is the absolute antithesis of an end of game, end of season game, isn't it? Where our fate is sealed, Brentford, you know, they're a Premier League club for another year.
00:04:21
Tom Crack
Very much seems to be the case now moving forward, doesn't it? Yeah. away days for them as well. So maybe the motivation was even less so. Us, you know, you still got to defend and with the amount of chances we did do that.
00:04:32
Tom Crack
But it does seem like, yeah, everyone's kind of half on their holidays, I think, which is just a bit of a shame. But it's got to be expected, I think, you know, considering the fact that, you know, said both clubs' fates are, for us anyway, unfortunately sealed. And it just had that look and feel to it, didn't it? You know, it's nice to see, looking at the ah line-up of the game, I'm not sure what your predictions were, but seeing the likes of Taylor and Chaplin getting their chances in the starting 11, obviously that very much does reek of it's the end of season now, let's just put, obviously Chaplin's had a few games starting recently, but it's good to see him getting some more minutes now as the season comes to an end because you know he's always going to try, no matter what, relegation or promotion or mid-table, he's always going to put a good shift in.
00:05:13
Tom Crack
So that's a good positive to see. But yeah, I think considering how our game against them at the start the season will be very much had something to play for and will really end up being one of the most heartbreaking losses of the entire season.
00:05:24
Tom Crack
It was kind of the and opposite of that, wasn't it, in terms of the amount of chances capitalised, the late drama, just everything you want out of a high-stakes Premier League game. This was very much the opposite of that.
00:05:37
Tom Crack
saw Thomas Frank after the game, so we like gave but gave it a good performance, which I guess was more just aggravated than rather than actually a good but performance. Obviously, we had chances in the latter stages. But yeah, I think just it it it reeks of an end-of-season match for both teams, really.
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, pretty much. So Brentford, they're in a weird situation really, like I said on the Friday on the friday preview. that They might have loads play for and they might not because we've bought Villa beat Bournemouth this week.
00:06:06
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brentford have jumped up into that eighth spot, which that could very feasibly become Conference League. But it's like, now they're in eighth, it's like they've got everything in their hands and nothing in their hands really because...
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
They win their next two games. It's in their hands to finish eighth now because they've got a fairly healthy goal difference gap on Brighton that you wouldn't see getting overturned in two games if they won both their games.
00:06:33
Tom Crack
Why would it be a conference league for them?
00:06:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then...
00:06:34
Tom Crack
Sorry interrupt you. Is that because if if you're not at all Spurs, you're player.
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
and so It depends on the other results, basically. it's so That's the thing. i guess It's everything in their hands to come a but it's also completely out of their hands because they need Palace to lose the FA Cup final, Chelsea to win the Conference League final,
00:06:48
Tom Crack
Right.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Chelsea to finish in the Conference League spot, basically.
00:06:55
Tom Crack
That ain't going to happen, is it? Well, maybe.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, could do after this weekend.
00:07:00
Tom Crack
Any points?
00:07:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Chelsea now got no striker for the rest of the season. So, we'll see how that... But yeah, they're sort of like... They have got something to play for, but then also, like, they'll know more after this weekend because if Palace win the FA Cup, Palace get it.
00:07:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if Chelsea lose the Conference League, obviously, it'll just be whoever finishes seventh. But then also... it depends who finishes seventh because if Forest or Villa finish seventh, they get it instead. Whereas it specifically has to be, and with the Conference League final being after the season as well, so from Brentford's point of view, they need, they've got to watch the FA Cup final this weekend, hope for the best.
00:07:24
Tom Crack
yeah
00:07:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've then got to win their own games and then hope on the hope the final league table lines up with Chelsea in seventh and then hope Chelsea win it the following Wednesday.
00:07:41
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's a weird, but there is something to play for to have the chance for them, but There's so much out their control. And think that if they'd been going for seventh rather than eighth, where they knew had something nailed on, we finish here, we get Europe, then I think that been a lot more of an interesting game than it was in the end. But it's like you said, it was nice to see Thomas Frank have a lot praise for the Ipswich performance. As far as they go, it wasn't a bad one for us. I mean, it's quite sad to say this season, but only letting one goal in, even if it is a poor game, is...
00:08:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's not the end of the world for us, the way things are going. but just didn't It's just the lack of attack and threat again.
00:08:24
Tom Crack
Yep. yep
00:08:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
so Obviously, there's a bit of controversy
Team's Attacking Struggles and VAR Debate
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
around the goal. We'll touch on that later in the show. but like we didn't have ah ah We didn't have a decent chance until the last five minutes. Brentford were fairly comfortable. was' no real Not that they were really creating many chances themselves. It was just quite a poor game for 85 minutes and suddenly we sparked into life and we were as they started to hang on a bit towards the end. so Hutchinson at the post, Flecker made that really good save from Burgess as well as we sort pared the pressure on late. But it's just sort summed up the season, didn't it? It's just like toothless going forward.
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I don't know what's wrong with it at this point that we haven't had't we haven't managed to find a fix all season. That's why we're finishing down where we are. But this is so much i get it It's the thing that gets me, I say all the time, there's so much talent on the pitch to just offer nothing for the majority of the game. I just don't know how we managed to do it like consistently week in, week out. i mean Hutchinson and Ciso Dallap, three really bright bright sparks there.
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
he have All of them have the quality to take the game while a scruff of the neck. Ciso had literally done it the other week against Everton. that they've all got the quality to just take the game and run with it. But we just like, so how many games did we just create next to not? I mean, so the two, even to the last four games we've had Arsenal, we didn't have a shot on target.
00:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle, we didn't have a shot on target. Everton, we looked quite sharp and actually had a decent performance in front of goal. And then today we've looked, we've we've looked nothing for 80 odd minutes and then suddenly sparked into life towards the end to try and nab a point.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a no real consistency there at all.
00:10:04
Tom Crack
and I think it's that, like, but yeah, that's the thing I was about I think it's just that consistency of of an attack.
00:10:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is there?
00:10:11
Tom Crack
And we've, there's been so many factors this season as to why we haven't been able to do that. I think, you a large one, and I still think it's a factor at this point in of season, is that lack of chemistry. You know, you list and see Sue Hutchinson and Dillap there.
00:10:25
Tom Crack
You know, Dillap and Hutchinson might, know, have a few runnings together England's setups prior to joining the club with Dillap last year. But predominantly, it's them playing again for the first time. yeah And you know, obviously, yeah, some players can hit the ground running, but when almost the entire squad has been over overturned this past year, it's it's a really, really difficult thing to get right. And and some teams do, like Forrest did it few years ago with all their big overhaul and managed to stay up and look at where they are now.
00:10:47
Tom Crack
We tried to do it this year and just didn't work out. And I think it's it's a brisky game. I think was the necessary game to play this year of trying to get all those names because we had to do it. Because if you look at a lot of our players from the previous two seasons, we they haven't been up to scratch in Premier League. So needed that extra bit quality.
00:11:01
Tom Crack
But I think it's just having that cohesion going forward. And when you haven't got that after a few years being together, defensively and attackingly, and in the Premier League, you're going to suffer. And, you know, that's why we're up against defenders in the Premier League who have been together long time or just of just very, very good.
00:11:16
Tom Crack
So it's been a mixture of both really, hasn't it? But yeah, I think finding life for the last 10 minutes, which is a given, i guess, considering the point of the game you're trying to Brentford are trying hold on fully rather add one to their total. You're going to see some pressure from us. I think the crowd is a factor as well. But it's been the main issue all season, hasn't it? Just that constant or a bit more consistency in going forward and it's just not been there.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's been ah ah one of the big problems, hasn't it? but But let's have a quick break. We'll hear from one of our sponsors and we'll come back. We'll dive into the big talking points of the game, obviously, most notably those VAR decisions in the build-up to the the only goal of the game.
Women's Football Restructuring and Growth
00:12:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's not happened for a while. We were on such a good run with the old technology, weren't we? But had to fall apart at some point. Apologies for that. But let's go then let's get into the talking point of the game, which they all but they're all around the goal because it's come from a set piece. Again, something that until about January, February, we were quite good at. And then we just completely dropped off a cliff. And now we can see from them all the time. Balls into the box, set pieces, things like that. It's So a very frustrating goal to concede, but obviously the big talking point wasn't the goal itself, which is a fantastic header from Sharder, by the way, to loop it over or a share on the line like that.
00:13:10
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:13:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
really good goal, as as poor as our marking would have been. But it's obviously the fact that it was Brentford's third attempt at taking that corner. We had the first one that was sort of the first The first one didn't come on the pitch or something daft, so they there to do it again.
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then the big one was obviously at the second attempt, There was the incident in the middle of the box, bit of grappling going on in there, which looks like, which obviously she went to the monitor for a penalty.
00:13:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
They all had to have a look. And then ultimately the decision was that the ball wasn't in play. and doesn't The referee hadn't blown his whistle yet when it happened. So that's that's why the retake of the corner was given instead of a penalty choice or just say a goal kick for the poor delivery.
00:13:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's why we ended up with a corner again. And then they made the third time count. Shard have put it in, but to I think the general thoughts were that had the ball been live, as you say, as if the referee had blown his whistle, then it would have been penalty conceded the looks of it. What was your take on all that sort of drama, Tom? Were you worried when you saw VAR shout? Did you think it was going to be a pen and then as confused as everybody else when it ended up being a corner again rather than a penalty or a goal kick?
00:14:26
Tom Crack
Yeah, yeah. i mean, if you look at it, you know, I think Greaves on... I'm apologizing not knowing the Brentford player he was he was on there, but it does kind look almost like a bit of a rugby tackle from behind. And yeah, so v a are these days is kind of one that's given, but then to for it not to be because the ball was not live, it's it's it's a strange one, I guess. I mean, I guess I kind of honest understand the referee's thinking as to not giving it. But the thing that, you know, it annoys me, and, you know, VAR is such a...
00:14:54
Tom Crack
pretty most common topic about lot of people moaning, isn't it? Where it goes your way it doesn't. ah ah this isn't much This isn't one that either going your way it doesn't. It's just a matter of Slowing the game down. And the thing
Liam Dallap's Potential Move to Manchester United
00:15:04
Tom Crack
is, I've always been quite against that argument of slowing the game down.
00:15:08
Tom Crack
Because when the decision needs to be made, I think there is that can be a level of excitement that's added to it and a bit of drama added to when you wait for a decision. I'm a big fan of the NFL. And a lot of time there's decisions from the referee where they have to sort of go look at the monitor or just speak to the referee there, the video referee there. And it builds the excitement of getting a decision right and overturning a decision. And it really can impact the game in a positive way or a negative way.
00:15:30
Tom Crack
But the decision, for the most part, is the correct one. In this one, it's like we have those lengthy decisions, but it's not from a perspective of let's make sure this is...
00:15:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:15:40
Tom Crack
like beneficial to either side. It just seems like no one knows what doing. It's like, even if it's a foul, like we're not going to give it. And even if it is, like it's just move on. I feel like everyone's just so deer in headlights. I feel they are making some progress slightly.
00:15:53
Tom Crack
You look at the automated offsides. I think we had it in our game, Stamford Bridge, where Ben Johnson was originally called for offside or and built or maybe i think the CISO who put the ball in for the build-up. Maybe he was, but that was overturned in a heartbeat from the automated automated version. So there are aspects to it.
00:16:10
Tom Crack
I think I'm looking forward to it not being a part of our season next year. You know, there's there'll probably be some goals that we're going to get that we wouldn't get in the Premier League because of not being VAR. But, you know, I guess there are aspects of that are good because if it does benefit you, it helpful there. But I think just before that third corner was taken, just frustration builds. Frustration builds and builds and builds. And you saw when, like you said, when Charlotte scored that really, really well taken header, as you said,
00:16:36
Tom Crack
the reaction from the crowd, you know, usually when you concede, it's just, ah, sit down, done. But they're all all the fans behind the goal were just waving their fans in the air in anger because it's like, what are we doing here? Like, we're not really... It wasn't being annoyed at conceding a goal.
00:16:48
Tom Crack
Obviously, we would have been annoyed at conceding a goal, but it's just mode it's just quite rightly just being angry at the faff it takes to get this decision right after three corners.
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:16:57
Tom Crack
And it just it just slows the excitement the pace the game down when it's done in this manner, of e vr And it really just... kind of reflect the whole mood of the game and and how long that decision took. And yeah, really kind of, it kind of takes away from the goal as well, which is a shame for Brentford there. But yeah, just bit of, like I said, just faff the way some VAR decisions are made these days. And that really was a prime example of it.
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, ah so I don't know. It's one of them in it that it's become so irritating to have a hold of and just nobody seems to like it. But then at the counterpoint, you then see some the two of the decisions that have happened in the playoffs this week. the The goal Leighton Orient scored, he was about four yards offside, and then the red card for the not-stoutly striker, who's now going to be suspended for the second leg, when for what was actually not a question mark it was even a foul when he got straight red for it.
00:17:44
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
that There is a serious problem with the quality of refereeing in this country at all levels, and that's where the problems with VAR come from most of the time.
00:17:52
Tom Crack
yeah
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
is it's actually It's more the people operating in it than the system itself, because it seems to run all right everywhere else pretty much. unless Barcelona or Real Madrid are involved. Who knows what goes on in there?
00:18:08
Tom Crack
yeah Are you a fan of the lengthy weight sometimes? does it concern you if if if it's decision that either goes away or not? Like I said, just like from a US sports perspective, I can understand it.
00:18:20
Tom Crack
Do you you apply that or just think it should be quicker?
00:18:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
hip
00:18:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
In my head, I always think that VAR, the tagline they came in with was clear and obvious, wasn't it? And I think if you have to spend five minutes looking at something...
00:18:30
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:18:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
and then there's not clear and obvious error, is there? you just if you If you spend five minutes and watch six different camera camera angles to come to a different conclusion, then where's that clear and obvious element coming?
00:18:36
Tom Crack
Hmm.
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
that if you if you just say If you decide five minutes later that actually yeah there probably was enough in that challenge for a penalty, then it's just wasting time.
00:18:51
Tom Crack
Mm-hmm.
00:18:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It should be that should there should be a time limit on, I think. It should be like, right, a minute, look at what you need to look at. If you can't say clear and obvious, that the wrong decision's been made in that minute or so, then you just play on.
00:19:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Referees make mistakes here and there. Like say, that'd be enough to clear out the obvious ones.
00:19:07
Tom Crack
and
00:19:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like say, I had that but late and orient one, that clear and obvious. You'd have a quick look for a minute and go, oh yeah, offside. you'd watch that red card challenge back in the playoffs. Like say, the Notts County striker, you'd go, oh yeah, not red.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'd see that in a minute. You don't have to sit and watch 15 replays and then come back three minutes later and go, know, we're just going to stick with ref anyway.
00:19:31
Tom Crack
Yeah, yeah.
00:19:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's That's what I don't like about it. But yeah back to the i say the build-up to that goal. see Grappling is one of those weird ones, isn't it? that The threshold seems to change every week on what's a penalty and what's not. Nobody seems to know. like you You get blatant ones you get away with, but then you also get some that feel like nothing given as penalties. but so The party line obviously...
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's come out. We have that Premier League match centre account on X now as of this year to give the official reasons why. So the party line that come out after that challenge was referees call of no penalty to Brentford following potential holding offence by Greaves on Vandenberg was checked and cleared.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
The content occurred before the ball was in play. So they haven't late they haven't said which way they lent on whether it was a penalty or not.
00:20:20
Tom Crack
I was about to say, yeah. It's very vague, isn't it?
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they seem to have not had to, almost had to not look at it. They've just gone, oh yeah, he's not blown his whistle yet. or um that bas us out we have and We don't have a decision to make here.
00:20:30
Tom Crack
Yeah, yeah.
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, so so I mixed it up early. So that was actually the first corner, was that one. The second corner was Taylor and Norgaard. And ref said was six
00:20:37
Tom Crack
Yeah.
Episode Wrap-up and Future Content
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
of one, half a dozen of the other.
00:20:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Booked them both. And I went, no, I'll take it again. And then the third time, and per time they actually they actually managed to get the ball in the box with no messing about in the box. And they scored from it in the end, but Yeah, so don't know, on VAR anymore really that i still really, I stand by that it's a good system.
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
We just don't use it properly.
00:21:02
Tom Crack
Yeah. Yeah.
00:21:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's just it's a case of English refs make too many mistakes compared to everywhere else, which if they're going to make mistakes anyway, then you might as well get rid of it and just let them make them in the game.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
and There's less to complain about when two or three different refs have looked at it and still got the wrong decision. is when, don't know, but was just saying, I was and always think when you watch European games, though, don't you?
00:21:24
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:21:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, it works. I mean, apart from the handball rules, your overhandball rules are stupid. We saw that in one of the European games the other week, but other than that, just so much better compared to how they do it in the Premier League. So I think I'll be quite happy to be rid of it next year. that Because at least, like, I'm saying that as much as though there's some there is some really bad ones in there, like the ones I've said in the playoffs, but those sort of 50-50 ones, like,
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd rather just ref makes a decision, right, we move on, game carries on, rather than five minutes checking and then all of a sudden to scroll through when you get home as well.
00:22:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because but if you're in the ground, you have no idea what's happening half the time as well. I think it's it's better in the championship, definitely.
00:22:12
Tom Crack
This is probably, this may be devil's advocate here for me. And, you know, it's, I think, to be honest, outside the Premier League and the Championship, obviously, in recent years, I haven't really ventured watching it many other games outside of, you know, major international tournaments the Champions League. But, know,
00:22:25
Tom Crack
I think one of the themes that came out of the Euros last summer especially was the quality of refereeing and especially maybe in the World final year year or so before that as well. With VAR decisions, i think being a big factor is not taking very long and predominantly being always correct.
00:22:38
Tom Crack
Is that, you know, do you think maybe we should, you see that tournament there and that is usually and obviously the best of the best refereeing in those games. Should we maybe lower our standards when we watch the Premier Because the best the best aren't in there.
00:22:52
Tom Crack
that And that's a silly question, isn't it? But like, you know How do you get everyone to that to that level? Because you know everyone's doing the same job at the end of the day. Obviously, you know similar to footballers, I guess, everyone's doing the same job, but others are better than others. But I guess when it comes to refereeing, there really should be a gold standard, especially in Premier League, quote-unquote, best league in the world.
00:23:10
Tom Crack
Because like I said, I think the Euros last last year, there really was no complaints at all, refereeing decisions-wise. I think every single one predominantly was, and unless i you didn't tell me otherwise, was quite good.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
well That's the thing with that. Euros is what summed the situation up perfectly because plenty of refs were getting a big praise. There was two, remember from the group stage, there was two controversial decisions that went the but where the VAR debates were from.
00:23:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
One was Anthony Taylor, one was Michael Oliver. The two English refs who went out there.
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that that just i summed it all up, didn't it?
00:23:41
Tom Crack
Really? There you go. That's
00:23:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
All the other referees and all around Europe in there. getting praise for how the game went by.
00:23:49
Tom Crack
so weird.
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Refs don't come up. know it's two English refs who made the howlers everyone was talking about, which just about sums up the standard of it. But as I say, it's damned if we do, damned if we don't, aren't we?
00:23:56
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because nobody likes VAR, but then we're probably going to have some absolute shockers in in the championship next year where you think, so so just look at the playoffs.
00:24:07
Tom Crack
I wish we had it.
00:24:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
like The playoffs have been an advert for VAR and the EFL, but then as soon as you put it in, everyone's going to hate it.
00:24:12
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:24:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. be like it is in the Premier League. i don't know what the solution is apart from you. We can't just overhaul the entire English referee system ah ah because there's that many bad eggs in there. I don't know.
00:24:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
so In this case, it it took away from the game. That's what that's what I don't don't like about... I always think of referee decisions that...
00:24:31
Tom Crack
yeah
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're, what, 25 minutes into a recording and the main thing we've had to sort of talk about is a referee decision. I mean, yes, with the game being rubbish, doesn't help on that front.
00:24:42
Tom Crack
Well, that's the heart of the game, wasn't it?
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:45
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:24:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the thing. That's what I don't like. i don't want You don't want to come away from a game and have to talk about VAR and referees. You want to talk about what's happened in there. that's That's where my problem is with it for me, that things get brushed over a lot quicker in the EFL.
00:24:54
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:24:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
When it's just a referee decision, you move on. that That's what I'm looking forward to being back next year, that we come out of games and we'll talk about what happened. We won't talk about... We won't have to spend five, ten minutes talking about this shocking referee decision or what, what are your thoughts on this? This was an interesting debate that we'll just go, right.
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we probably should have had that goal, shouldn't we? But what are we going to do about it?
00:25:22
Tom Crack
We'll see, mate. I'd be very surprised if we don't at least once say, hey, what the hell, why what that if but if we didn't have VAR, that wouldn't have look counted. But yeah, we'll see.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, probably. i don't know how it all works out, does it? But, Let's move away from it. We've talked about it for long enough now, but let's have another break. We'll hear from another one of our sponsors here at GSPN.
00:25:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we will come back and wrap up the show with the final part with some bit more general news.
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bit of fun. Technology don't like me today. I mean, so it's a miracle we've got this episode out. My and internet went completely about 30 seconds before me and Tom went to to jump on and record and i had to sort that out.
00:26:23
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:26:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not my day with technology, but anyway, this is the final part of the show now. We've got there eventually after a couple of technical glitches here and there, like we say. that And like i said at the start, we've done a bit of a hybrid one today. We don't want to do a full match reaction episode because we're a day later than we normally be.
00:26:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're chuck in a little bit of Wildcard Wednesday element in there now. Just pick up on some of the news stories i've checked out in a while because obviously, Tom, you need to catch up, don't you? You've been a bit out the loop the last couple of weeks.
00:26:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's good for you to find out or pick up the odd bits here and there.
00:26:55
Tom Crack
Yeah. This is how I get my news, bro. Yeah.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I want to talk about something that broke today as we record yesterday as this comes out. It's actually about the women's game because they've had a restructure of the system which obviously affects the ITFC women.
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
because they've had a bit of a ring rejig on how it all runs. So it's now Women's Super League Football is now an independent company. It's going to look after the top two tiers. That's been announced asz of they when no what day is it so but as of Monday.
00:27:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
see and then Which now means that what was formerly the Women's Championship, which obviously the Tractor Girls got promoted to for the first time in their history, that is now going to be 2.
00:27:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
w s l two in a bit of a regio round, sort of lifts the top two divisions a bit higher up from those below them now. So like say, this independent company, Women's Super League Football, is now going to take over controlling those two leagues, obviously trying to grow them but and grow the x for coverage of them as well and lift them up and take them to the pinnacle of the women's game.
00:27:50
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:28:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
and hopefully so to continue to grow things up. There's a lot of sort of branding and identity changes as well, subtle little things like new badges, new colour systems. But so they've sort of really, so a big overhaul of the top two tiers of women's football, which obviously is now as an impact on on Ipswich following the season.
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they their promotion celebrations over the weekend as well, down in the town as well, which is good to see some so amount of people that turned out there as well.
00:28:22
Tom Crack
Mm-hmm.
00:28:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, it's good to, So it's going to be interesting the way this sort of plans out and hopefully, yeah obviously the idea is it's going to grow the women's game further and like I say, hopefully it will, with promotion generally and then all this extra pushing, it will grow the audience for the Ipswich Town women and women's team as well.
00:28:47
Tom Crack
Yeah, absolutely. it's It's very much, it's not surprising in terms of the timing of this announcement with the Euros approaching as well this summer. I think it's really, really good timing, very smart from the WSL to do this, considering, like I said, the amount of interest that international football gets, especially in England, who are fantastic at moment, how good they've been in recent years to have this, then you'll get the popularity of that to then transform into this. And also as well to put the second division underneath that Super League banner, which really has like become a lot more popular in recent seasons, it's only going to help further from a financial perspective as well, just from from a player's perspective.
00:29:22
Tom Crack
I think it's really, really good as well just having that kind of sort of stability because you do see in sort of lower tiers that we were in recent years that obviously we're getting paid, but, you know, it's maybe the structure of it is not as solidified as the the top league is.
00:29:37
Tom Crack
And with this now being under that sort of Super League umbrella, it's definitely going to help. And it's just really good to see, isn't it? Like, as you said, but the celebrations in town on the weekend and then obviously just the promotion in general, it's...
00:29:51
Tom Crack
the The men's side of things have been quite difficult this year, but to have the on the other end with the women to see how brilliant they've done and now be rubbing shoulders with, you know, obviously they may not be as big as their male counterparts, but, you know, the likes of Newcastle, Forest, Southampton, Sunderland, Birmingham, there's some big names there going playing next season, Palace as well. So it's it's really really brushing shoulders with, like, the the big names now.
00:30:13
Tom Crack
And they deserve to be there. They've had a really, really good past few seasons. And to be now in the Super League or aspects of the Super League, it's only going to help the club moving forward. And it's a fun time to be joining it.
00:30:23
Tom Crack
And yeah, like I said, I think with the Euros this summer, it's going to garner a lot of interest moving forward as well. More games at Portman Road, I think that'll be a nervous ability. Obviously, we still have international break with the men's side of things. So usually when that happens,
00:30:35
Tom Crack
the women play there as well. But even without that, I think that could be a more of a consistent thing because they seem to be selling out a lot more as well. But with that comes performances. I hope they can still get some wins and get the crowds in. But really, really good news. Really, really good news. Women's games just... I mean, my... my I know about you, but I lived in Manchester past few years.
00:30:54
Tom Crack
And so I went to a few City games. I went to the Manchester Derby that Etihad a few years ago. and one of the things I really like about football, women's football especially, is it's what football used to be for us growing up, I feel, in terms of...
00:31:06
Tom Crack
The atmospheres aren't too volatile. It's it's in like 50,000 people. They're still like, no one's like maliciously trying to do anything. main Main thing for me is that it's affordable. You know, it's it's about 15, 20 quid a ticket.
00:31:18
Tom Crack
Obviously, that's an aspect of trying to get engagement up there. But, you know, football is for everyone. And the fact that it costs not much to go and see your team play... should, you know, it's, it's, you can argue to the Cal State really should be place the men's game. Unfortunately it's not, but it's great the women's game and and they're taking full advantage of that by getting as many people in as possible.
00:31:38
Tom Crack
And hopefully we're going to do that as well. But yeah, I think women's football made some really, really big important strides recently as, and this is only another one that's to help both town and the game as a whole grow.
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so it's kind it's a new era for for the women's game. And so they're going to launch a new website as well over the summer. So the new independent company, Women's Super super League Football.
00:32:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's all going to come together. And as ah ah they're doing a lot more branding to try to say all the there sort of behind the scenes stuff to really help grow the game the coming time. And like say, that so it's like you said, it's so it's a great time for Tractor Girls to have gone up and make sure they kept they ride the wave of this new branding, new identity and as the women's game continues to grow.
00:32:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so hopefully they'll maintain their spot in that division because there's going to be a lot of benefits now, definitely, for staying in those talk and under that Women's Super League umbrella now as it's WSL and WSL2.
00:32:29
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:32:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so, fingers crossed, they maintain their positive run because hopefully doesn't flip.
00:32:34
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:32:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
or Or even worse, have we both we have they've been one the one shining light for the club this year. really don't look We don't lose that next year. and i'll drop um may I like to think we do better at the first team level. But one more thing we've got to touch on before we go, sort of broken over the last couple of days, is it looks like Liam Dallap's got a new favourite in the race to pick up his signature. Obviously, we know he's going to be more available for around £30 million pounds because of his relegation clause, he had his contract.
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it looks like, i mean, we'll see how this plays out over the next couple of weeks with obviously Europa League final, but at the moment Manchester United leading the race for Liam Dallapp, even though he's despite being being in the City Academy for however many years before coming to Ipswich.
00:33:19
Tom Crack
and
00:33:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Man United are on the go. i don't know whether that would fall apart if they didn't get in the Champions League next year, if they lose the Europa League final and would have just come 16th in the table wherever they are, but don't it just seems an odd choice to me.
00:33:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, you'd have to assume they're not going to be as bad as they are this year. But, like, there's there's better options there, surely.
00:33:49
Tom Crack
Can't get worse, can they?
00:33:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know, like,
00:33:52
Tom Crack
Well, it's weird you just get to the point now, like Man U being the fact that we're looking at Man U as a potentially poor move. It's it's's such a poor indictment of them as a club because, you know, Manchester United really, like, they used to be able to really find strikers or just sign strikers who were decent and and they'd improved so much going in there.
00:34:10
Tom Crack
You know, like Berbatov's Bruni Van Persie's Sahars, even Van Nistelroen. There's so many examples of class players going there and improving upon themselves.
00:34:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:34:19
Tom Crack
Yeah. And on paper, they still have that pull and that allure, don't they, of being on the face of a top club, the biggest club, some still many would argue, in the country.
00:34:31
Tom Crack
And I think it really does all depend with with this move in particular. I think it does, it complete and you know it shows the quality of the lap and where his aspirations are, I think. But if they win the Europa League, and considering how poor of a season they've had, Champions League football than it'm goingnna be is to be.
00:34:49
Tom Crack
Is that definite do they still have to qualify for like a two-legged race against a random team?
00:34:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you get in and you get in pot one for winning the Europa League well.
00:34:56
Tom Crack
Oh, wow. Okay. Well, yeah, well, I think that's, you know, they win it, then it's a very tempting aspect, isn't it? But that's, you know, me me and James have spoken about, and I'm sure everyone else is thinking about what team would he be best suited for.
00:35:09
Tom Crack
And it's a side where a striker is, it's obviously, but it's desperately needed. There's some teams he's been linked with, which I don't think really soon because they have a striker, or at least he'd be competing for that spot. And you could argue that's the case there, maybe Rasmus Hoyland, but he's been dreadful. you Even the goal he scored against Bilbao at home in the second leg was just, he fumbled it in and looked shocked to himself that he even got it in the back of the net.
00:35:29
Tom Crack
So I'd like to think he could very much lead the line there. It's just, you know, does he want to join a side? i don't know he wants to join a side that's that low, but, you know, they can't, as you said, they can't get any worse.
00:35:41
Tom Crack
So it's only going to be a positive. But, I think for him, it's having that spotlight around him so soon after leaving us because he's able to be able to be he's been able to float under the radar this year outside of our r fan base.
00:35:53
Tom Crack
And all he's done is just bring in positive news to him and the club. And it's been a really, really good season for him in individually. If he goes to a club like Man United, which I think be the best move for him, as opposed to Everton, would he then be under that same sort of positive spotlight? He obviously wouldn't because United is like...
00:36:09
Tom Crack
if you're not winning, you're dreadful. And that's because they set a fantastic standard for so many years. So I don't think it's pretty good for him to be in that sort of environment yet at his age, maybe in a few years when, you know, he's like a fully fledged England international, but I don't think it's the right move for him It'd be interesting though. It's one of the big sort of transfer sort sagas this summer. It's unfortunately for us, it's an outgoing, but I'm still very much invested as as to see where he's going to go. Do do you think United's the place for him or somewhere else in the Prem or outside?
00:36:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. like You make the point. It's the valid point that you make that it's the one place where you're nailed on to be number one, aren't you? Because the options are poor.
00:36:53
Tom Crack
Yeah. Yeah, which he'll want. He'll want to be nailed on. Hmm.
00:36:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
just don't understand how they've still got the pool they've got. It looks like Cunha is going to go there as well. like he's He's moving down the table. but yeah Like, they're not going to be as... You have to assume they won't be as bad as they've been this year, again next year. But we probably said that last year. We probably said they won't get any worse when they were dropping, hanging around like eighth whatever it was, missing out on you or where down the last couple years. We probably thought, oh, yeah, they'll be ah ah be back in the Champions... Like, most people would have had them in and around the Champions League again this year, wouldn't they?
00:37:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And ah they said they're down in 16th or whatever that...
00:37:29
Tom Crack
Yep.
00:37:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. Obviously, you don't know who's actually made approach and who's just paper talk, though. though. ah so When I hear like Newcastle, Chelsea, they're in name for him. like yeah You're going to have to compete for the number one spot. Newcastle obviously depends on whether he's out-goes or not, how much game time you get. You're going have a more competition there. but You're going into a much stronger club and situation with the club and also a better dressing room. because That's the big problem with United. The dressing room has been toxic for years.
00:38:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:38:02
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:38:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um don't know I don't know how the the the appeal should have gone four or five years ago at United the the way they are now but somehow that still goes there but I say but then some of the I say Kunia, Dalap if they get these sort things in you have to assume they'll be up there again next year but I don't know it's it's not the one I'd be looking at if I was Dalap but then the counterpoint is exactly what you said to start with though isn't it is that he's denial it or not He's nailed on number one there because Hoyland's been really poor this year and Xerxes has been worse.
00:38:35
Tom Crack
Yeah, the thing talking about, you know, we're not a Man United podcast here, but saying like, you know, the pull for them has gone five years ago. and i kind of disagree. I thinks it's i i think they they've been awful the past few years, but that name is such a big, I don't want to say the word for because when it to football, but it's such a big brand.
00:38:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:38:54
Tom Crack
yeah They can still attract these players and they were able to, under the guise of... they're brilliant years of years ago, they're able to bring in those like video with silly transfers by Cavani since last 10 years ago, but like, yeah it's still a big name for people.
00:39:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:39:07
Tom Crack
And like, there's, I think wherever, wherever they are at now, I'm sure most players are coming to that club. Obviously, financially, it's a big incentive to go there. But I think a lot of people who go to that club now are thinking, like, I want to be the one. And that very much strikes me as a player like this. I want to be the one to bring them back to where they were. Because that that obviously is the aim. You'd like to think that is the aim of most people working in that club. i feel like there's a few people there who just want to bleed it dry and run away.
00:39:34
Tom Crack
But there's a lot of people there who do want that to be the case. And I think that would be something that would would interest him. But it's so much more than just one striker that's going to have to completely overhaul that. But we've been saying this about United now for, what, 13 years, 12 years now?
00:39:50
Tom Crack
since Since Fergie left, they've had some brief sparks. Mourinho was, I think, really the only really decent spark they had. after Fergie left, but predominantly it's been very poor. I'm still very much like just moving away from him. I really would like to see him at Everton next season. I think it's the perfect move for because, again, apart from Beto up top, they haven't really got that many top names at number nine.
00:40:09
Tom Crack
Moyes is a fantastic manager. Gets the so many some so get so it's a lot out of young players. Moving to a new ground as well. They've had a really good end the season, apart from game against us where we...
00:40:20
Tom Crack
kind of gave him a good run for the money, but I think it's a good move for him. But yeah, but you know Man United's pull may be too much, way too hard to avoid.
00:40:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so, look, I mean, ultimately, look, they've been rubbish for years, haven't they? But at the same time, they win the Europa League, that's three trophies in three years. think only Man City have done better than that. That's quite how rubbish they've been in the league.
00:40:39
Tom Crack
Yeah. yeah
00:40:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, So, ah still they're still in and around competing, aren't they?
00:40:41
Tom Crack
Yeah, it's crazy, isn't it? Well, they hired it with Trophy, didn't they? Like, Ten Hag just hid his failures on the FA Cups.
00:40:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but,
00:40:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
look, I mean, he's obviously been fantastic to that. We we can't drive his price up because he's got that relegation release clause in there going to be available for cheap.
00:40:54
Tom Crack
and
00:40:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, to be honest with you, I mean, I've said it the last couple of weeks, I want Hurst to start the rest of the season. Like, all you're doing is opening up a risk for Dallapp to get injured and then nobody wants, I mean, suppose it's probably good for us if he gets injured, if it's not really long term and nobody wants to sign him.
00:41:03
Tom Crack
yeah
00:41:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But like, i want I'd rather see Hurst in from the start. Like, at they it was good thing with, like you say, Taylor's getting more minutes because that's probably basically deciding whether we keep him or not, i think, is why he's getting more minutes now.
00:41:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is he going to be here next year? Same with, the Chaplin getting some more minutes. know he had to come off, but i think that was illness rather than injury, so he should be back next week. But um want I want to be...
00:41:32
Tom Crack
yeah
00:41:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
These sort of players who are going to have to have bigger roles next year than they have for this year. I want to see them these nights. Especially Leicester this week, because that just needs a championship fixture at this point, isn't it? like we're both
00:41:43
Tom Crack
this
00:41:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're both long gone. like That is a warm-up fixture for next year. I want to see the sort team we're going have out next year. but don i I would play Hurst over the lap. They're like... like non-negotiable for me in this Leicester game coming up this week as as good as obviously De Lapp's been but we know he's going like all these clubs are swarming around like give Hurst the game time I won't make that argument again because I've done that about three weeks in a row and De Lapp started every week anyway this is like my thoughts but we we'll leave it there look with hybrid match reaction something
00:42:03
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:42:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
News Roundup Wildcard episode. I don't know what we've done. we've We've pushed it all together into one. It's been a good episode, but we'll we'll call it there. Thank you from me and Tom for listening to today's episode. we will be back on Friday this week for our preview to that Leicester game.
00:42:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And until then, we will see you next time.