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Episode 59: Kagawa, Valencia & Blind in Amorims System: Under rated players edition
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Niall is joined by Kieran to discuss former under rated players for United that could play in Amorim's 3-4-3 systems.
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Transcript
Introduction to Podcast and Theme
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, and welcome back to the Daily Manchester United Podcast. My name is Niall Hannigan, and I'm back with Kieran McGinley. Kieran, how are you?
00:00:17
Kieran McGinley
Ah, very well, Niall. Thank you very much. Yes, it's good to be back.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good stuff. for us So we're we're back at a wildcard Wednesday today. and We thought we would go back in time again.
Unsung Heroes of Manchester United
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
We like to kind of reminisce myself and Kieran on all kind of players. And with the incoming of Amorim, we've decided to look at some former players that might not have been the superstars or the main stars. There's a couple of big names there, but You know, players that kind of went under the radar that did a decent job for the club um and and maybe might have it improved when they left United.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And how would they fit
Shinji Kagawa's Potential in 3-4-3 System
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
into an Amorim system? So we're going to be looking like back today and um yeah discussing their careers for United and and how they would have squeezed into that system with the the new 343 that's going to be coming to Old Trafford very soon.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
You looking forward to it?
00:01:04
Kieran McGinley
Very much so, yeah, let's get stuck into this.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good stuff. Right. do You take it away with the first man there.
00:01:09
Kieran McGinley
Right, so I'm gonna go a little bit more obscure. I think I've mentioned it before in in previous podcasts, but I'm gonna go Shinji Kagawa. And ah he was here for a good time, not a long time at Manchester United.
00:01:21
Kieran McGinley
It's fair to say that 38 appearances in the Premier League, six goals all scored in his first season for the club, six assists over the two seasons. You know, those stats don't set anything alight, but I kind of think, you know,
00:01:34
Kieran McGinley
Chenji was but a good player. i mean he He was able to play ah in the middle of the attack on the left wing. He played it occasionally on the right. So he was a very versatile player and quite a quick player as well. Very much a dangerous player to have along the front three there. And I think i think in a system like Amorim's coming in, and he would do a ah solid job there. He still plays, by the way, in Osaka.
00:01:56
Kieran McGinley
and So that's that's brilliant.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Notness.
00:01:58
Kieran McGinley
I mean, he's 35 now. um I mean, what a legend.
00:02:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:01
Kieran McGinley
I mean, a Premier League title as well in in Ferguson's last Premier League title.
Kagawa vs. Bruno Fernandes: System Compatibility
00:02:06
Kieran McGinley
After that, though, you know, in the more easy era, didn't score a single goal for Manchester United in the Premier League. Well, how bizarre is that?
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I was really excited about the signing when when when he came in. I used to flat out play with Kagua um and Dortmund on FIFA. I think it was like that unbelievable Dortmund team with Lewandowski and Royce and all them.
00:02:21
Kieran McGinley
Hmm.
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I was really looking forward to that that sign. And and you know we played well. and It was kind of that 4-3-3-1 formation just off either Rooney or Vampirsi. you know, lots of talent, don't know if the Premier League suited him as much, probably not as physical as maybe he could have been. um But like a great foppler, wonderful technique um and was kind of hoping that they might be able to get a bit more out of him, I suppose. But ah yeah, it was kind of a player that you that you had brought up straight away when we were thinking of of doing this.
00:02:57
Kieran McGinley
Absolutely. yeah he um I've just been looking back now and he did miss it a chunk of time in 2012 with a knee injury. He missed about two months of action. So that might explain why he yeah he didn't have quite the the impact I wanted him to have. And of course, with knee injuries, they're always a little bit of you know sketchy. i mean Let's face it, the second part of his season, he was on the bench a lot more, which is a a huge shame. and I just think, though, that Kagawa was one of those that you bring him into this system today. Would he be as good as Bruno Fernandez? Maybe not, but you know what? As someone who can play anywhere along that front three, or at least, you know, on the wings or perhaps in the heart and midfield and driving forward, he would be a great player to have, especially in in the system that we're we're about to use.
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
Daily Blind's Fit in 3-4-3 System
00:03:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
definitely. I think he'd be great in one of the two behind um behind Hoyland, for example, if if he's going to be kind of the the lone striker up there. um Still yet to know of, I think there's a lot of different types of profile players you can have in those in those two and behind the striker, like we've mentioned before.
00:03:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he would definitely fit the profile of of more of a creative player in there as well, and less of like a a powerful runner with the ball, more like creative. So it would be really nice dynamic, I think, with with Hoyland.
00:04:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, I thought that was a great strike here. Actually, won a bit of a blast from the past.
00:04:11
Kieran McGinley
Yeah.
00:04:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah.
00:04:13
Kieran McGinley
Thank you. Thank you. I get one every year, every year. So that was my one. Go on then.
00:04:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good stuff.
00:04:19
Kieran McGinley
Who, who are you at to bless us with that now? Let's see.
00:04:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well well, this man got a shout out on our top 10 Dutch players um with Ollie a couple of months ago. And this one is DailyBlind, who is made for a 3-4-3.
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:04:34
Kieran McGinley
Yes.
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
This man loves a back five or a back three or whatever way you want to look at it. um Really technical player. very comfortable in that kind of left of the of the three centre backs in that type of system could even play left wing back if you were going kind of defensive in the game as well so quite a versatile very comfortable on the ball um and yeah had ah had a brilliant career I mean was brought in under Louis van Gogh when we kind of probably the last time that we really played a three or a five at the back so um did quite well um what was decent I think he ended up maybe eighth or seventh in our list of of Dutch players so not not a bad return considering some of the the legends that we've had at United so uh yeah that was kind of the first player that sprung to mind for
00:05:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
For being able to adapt to this system, we were kind of chatting about the type of center back that would need to be playing. And you want someone that's comfortable in the ball. um And I think we're fortunate that Martinez is is probably really, really good for that position as well currently. So yeah, that was kind of someone that but I thought of as soon as we decided on the topic today.
Challenges in Midfield: Blind's Struggles
00:05:39
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, I feel like, um again, Dave Blind, I think was a decent player. I think for for the time we had, you know, I think he was ah a decent player to build the defence around. I just feel like after Van Gogh left, he was sort of left in this sort of, you know, it became a four at the back.
00:05:54
Kieran McGinley
And as you said, Dave Blind's much more comfortable, you know, when he went back, I think he went back to Ajax, didn't he, after they're very famous for three at the back or five at the back and he was much more comfortable in that system.
00:06:06
Kieran McGinley
I just don't feel a four at the back suited daily blint and I think that was a, you know, he was a signing that was made when we were playing five at the back as soon as van Gogh leaves.
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:18
Kieran McGinley
It's sort of a bit of a no man's land and where do you play him? I mean i mean he had a stint in the in defensive midfield and I just don't think it suited him. I think he was a bit too far up the pitch and where he lacked the sort of, you know, as that centre back he was more comfortable back there but as soon as you bring him out into that midfield I don't think he quite had the the composure needed to you know you'd not lose the ball in the middle of the park and it sounds so strange because when you're at the back day you're expecting that pressure to be on you from the strikers but Then you're talking about midfielders. Midfielders up against midfielders. you You go through the tackling drills as a midfielder. You try and win the ball in the heart of midfield and strikers do it a lot more now. They press the back line and try and force a mistake but I think you get even less time in the midfield because you don't have the option to play it back to the keeper which in that back five you you have ample opportunity with you know with now Anana at the back who can look forward and try and set off a pass or what have you.
00:07:14
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, I think daily blin would be yeah, you're right made for a for a back three or a back five However, we decide to play
00:07:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think um you know moving from from the defense where you're facing the ball to into midfield, where your back's to your back's the goal and you have to receive it on the half turn or on the full turn, it's a totally different position. You even see it with Trent, for example, like probably one of the best passers. Everyone's like, put them into midfield. and It's just a different position, a completely different skill set um and just a different awareness. so And then the other thing with the back five, the back three, it's
Importance of Specialized Players in Formations
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
they're very specialized positions. Like you know when you mentioned when we went back to a back four when Fangal left, you're kind of shoehorning him into a left back position or he's probably not big enough for a center half or a physical enough for a center half as well in a back four.
00:08:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that was in the era when the fallbacks were bombing in the Premier League, like everyone was known for having attacking fallbacks rather than this four center backs across the back four that all these teams are doing now and and having all them able to drop into midfield as the as the plus one. So yeah, I think if we are going back to that system, there are going to be requirements for kind of specialized players in those positions because it's even Even with that Chelsea team with Conte, what was it?
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Victor Moses was unbelievable as a right wing back and he was useless as as as a winger.
00:08:26
Kieran McGinley
Oh, yes.
00:08:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, it's um definitely going to be interesting to see who we can bring in. But yeah, we'll we'll go with David Ben for that one. We'll take a quick pause here for an ad.
00:08:39
Kieran McGinley
Good, good start.
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
and that yeah And we're back with a few more suggestions after the break.
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
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Antonio Valencia's Versatility
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you've mentioned CAGWA. Kieran, who's next that you're thinking could squeeze into this system?
00:09:27
Kieran McGinley
Yes.
00:09:30
Kieran McGinley
I think we've we've got to go back to a certain Ecuadorian from Wigan.
00:09:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:09:35
Kieran McGinley
Of all places to find an Ecuadorian, you go to Wigan. Antonio Valencia, I feel what a you know a very versatile player out on that right hand side.
00:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:09:44
Kieran McGinley
you you You played him anywhere and he just did a job. And I had to look back because I remember him, yeah he was started out as a right winger, became you know further back on the pitch, but actually it's pretty equal and how how often he did that.
00:09:58
Kieran McGinley
134 games played as a right back, 126 on the right of hand side of midfield and only 56 as a winger.
00:10:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:10:04
Kieran McGinley
So he was a very versatile. We had that right-hand side locked down. But yeah, I was surprised to see him on 134 as a right-back because I do remember him. You know, he first came to the club. He took the number seven.
00:10:16
Kieran McGinley
He took it on with with great pride. And the season later, he was like, actually, can I have the 25?
00:10:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:21
Kieran McGinley
And stuck with that for forever. And yeah, I just think, you know, he had his hard-headed moments as as as it came by. He had a few silly red cards and that. But I think on the whole, as a wingback,
00:10:35
Kieran McGinley
Back's a potential there.
00:10:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah.
00:10:36
Kieran McGinley
So good. So good to to base it around. And I think he would excel in that. Now, would he get in ahead of Maseraui now? There's a question. I think Maserau is more of a complete defender if you want more solidity at the back.
00:10:49
Kieran McGinley
I mean, I think I've read up he's had the most tackles. Yes, we've we've managed to squeeze a Maseraui stat in there. Most tackles in the Premier League so far this season. So yeah, good signing.
00:10:59
Kieran McGinley
We're we're still not over how good that signing was.
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's He's brilliant.
00:11:02
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, yeah. Again, there's another mention, another pound for the pot. I think Valencia, though, when you're looking for pace, you're looking for ah someone to lock down the right hand side, no matter where they're playing, he is able to do that. And it just shows with the fair share, you know, 339 appearances he made for Manchester United in all competitions, 25 goals, 58 assists from that right hand side, 13 of them coming from that right back position. So, I mean, it's clear to see he was made for that.
Carlos Tevez: Past and Potential Fit
00:11:32
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, right wing roll. Right ring back roll. If I could even say that right.
00:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
write ringback but Right Right ringback.
00:11:38
Kieran McGinley
Right ring back. Yeah, you're right ring back that one.
00:11:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Exactly.
00:11:42
Kieran McGinley
That's it.
00:11:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah here and It's a brilliant shout.
00:11:44
Kieran McGinley
What am I like?
00:11:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think what you're looking for from a right wingback in the system is just legs, pace and power. like i mean e He was brilliant. and It's strange because, you know, a player that signs reunited at that top level, it's it's strange to see them actually change their position when they're in their prime early, you know, because you could see as a winger, he was a bit limited on the ball.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. Like he kind of had one trick. He was outrageously fast. So just used to kick a pass to defender and and had a good cross, developed a really good cross. But as a right back, like, could you imagine playing against them? It would just be a torture.
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, what do you do? You push the ball past them and he just either beat you with pace or beat you with strength. It's just a must be an absolute torture.
00:12:21
Kieran McGinley
See, the thing is in a 3-4-3, it's not even on, you know, if we're playing with those midfielders on the right and the left as the sort of basis there, it's a case of they need to cover.
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:12:32
Kieran McGinley
They don't even necessarily need to be great at tackling. They just need to be able to run back and work work work it and try and make it as difficult as possible to get the cross in or to get the pass away.
00:12:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a grind. Yeah.
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:12:42
Kieran McGinley
So I think Valencia would excel at that.
00:12:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I'd be brilliant yeah yeah because he could support an attack and get back into defend and and and wouldn't be complaining about any of it you know so um yeah great shout um I don't have much more to say about that I was just delighted that when he was because at the start I was unsure of him as a winger but he turned out like you said to to be unbelievable right back and um yeah I was surprised by the amount of appearances he had at that position as well um but yeah
00:12:50
Kieran McGinley
Hmm.
00:13:07
Kieran McGinley
Yeah. Yeah.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Great stuff. So yeah, we'll move on to to my second pick.
00:13:11
Kieran McGinley
got
00:13:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I'm not going to lie. This pick is, I was struggling a bit. So I did pick a kind of ah a famous player if you were like, but he hadn't mentioned on the podcast yet. So I had to go for Tevez.
00:13:23
Kieran McGinley
um Mixed feelings about Tevez.
00:13:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah know I know this is Manchester and all that. like But um I mean, I don't know.
00:13:29
Kieran McGinley
Yeah.
00:13:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
he'd be He'd be unbelievable just to have back, I think, and in this kind of um high-pressing kind of all-out all like kind of style football and and anywhere across the front three as well. I think, um obviously, in the in the prime of that Champions League winning team, we had four unbelievable strikers to choose from and the four of them just rotating and not across all positions as well.
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's going to be huge for for the players that we have at the moment to try and fit into this Amorim system to be able to adapt um and press in different ways. And then when we have the ball to kind of pick up different spots.
00:14:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And um yeah, real real tenacious player as well. Never mind his technical ability. um So yeah, always something that you kind of you'd like to have in your team, I think. So yeah, it is it is mixed feelings.
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, he went to City. i Really interesting character though. I mean, the whole West Ham thing as well. like he what He kept West Ham up by scoring a goal against United and Old Trafford, like mental stuff.
00:14:21
Kieran McGinley
Yeah.
00:14:25
Kieran McGinley
Written in the stars, wasn't it? Just don't mention Disneyland.
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:28
Kieran McGinley
No, there's ah obviously he was part, I remember in that 0708 side when you had Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, what a front three. And I think as front threes go, that's once in a generation.
00:14:41
Kieran McGinley
You're not going to see another front three like that for a long, long time. I mean, that is, that's your, you know, 0708's answer to MSN of Barcelona.
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:51
Kieran McGinley
That is just quintessential front three who are on exactly the same wavelength and all of them can rotate that position. you know yeah As you say, Tevis was no stranger to being put out onto the wing and get a ball in or You know, being that deeper player, getting the wings forward and cutting the ball back, he's on the edge of the box to tuck it away. I mean, yeah yeah, absolutely. That, that front three was so formidable and Tevez was just a lethal striker. It's what you needed. We had three lethal players up top and to be part of that trifectory. Yeah. i Yeah. Tevez just just got, he deserves his place there.
00:15:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it was brilliant. I think Berbertoff was in that mix as well.
00:15:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and Just like, just the talent was just unbelievable. um But yeah, it's funny because if you look, if you were to say to like, even, even looking at it now, like, how did that work? You know, you've got Rooney, Teves and Ronaldo across the front three, you'd be like, no, ah there's no way that works because they're kind of filling in each other's positions.
00:15:27
Kieran McGinley
Hmm.
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it worked and it worked very well and they were they were willing to kind of put in a shift for each other I suppose which um which made it work and then you had obviously an an amazing platform behind them as well but oh yeah a joy to watch and but had to give Tev as a mention to see how we get on in this in this new system.
00:15:57
Kieran McGinley
Yeah.
00:16:01
Kieran McGinley
Breaks my heart, but yes, he would have been a great player in this system for sure.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good stuff right we'll take another quick break here we'll be back with a couple more suggestions.
00:16:19
Kieran McGinley
The Global Sports Podcast Network is changing the face of football podcasts. With dedicated daily content for every Premier League team, women's football, fantasy football and a daily Premier League wrap-up, which is broadcast in five different languages, it's your one-stop shop for your daily football fix. So find GSPN wherever you find your usual podcasts.
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right here and take it away. Your final pick for this evening.
Park Ji-sung: The Ultimate Team Player
00:16:51
Kieran McGinley
was it Was there any doubt where this could have been going? I've mentioned him so many times in in previous... that If I didn't remember Kaguar, I mentioned Kaguar once or twice, I've mentioned this player about 90 times by now. Of course it's Park Ji Seung, the engine, absolute formidable player who could have played anywhere in the midfield. And I mean anywhere.
00:17:12
Kieran McGinley
played 65 times on the left, 29 times on the right, had a stint as attacking midfield in center midfield as well. And whilst he didn't have the stats to back him up, you know, 204 appearances in total for Manchester United, 28 goals, 28 assists, he made up for it for the sheer work rate. If you need someone there to run up and down the pitch for you, like I've said before, Park Jisung could run a marathon and play 90 minutes the next day. he He left it all for the badge, that is for sure. And for someone who can play anywhere, in the centre of the park, on the left, on the right, and you need someone who with that formidable work rate, Park Jisung is just your player. What a player.
00:17:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it was brilliant. And it's really weird because like, if you think of all the top teams now and you think of the type of kind of utility player in the best sense of it, it's very hard to kind of find a comparison, you know, of of a player like that because Ferguson always spoke about it when it was clear in his lineups as well.
00:18:03
Kieran McGinley
Hmm.
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, you'd be looking at a Champions League game going, what a team. Actually, why is Park G sung there? And then it starts and you're watching the game and you're like, OK, I get it now.
00:18:15
Kieran McGinley
Yeah. Yeah.
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like as a six or seven or eight-year-old watching, you're going, but he's not doing stepovers. But then your maturity kind of gets there.
00:18:23
Kieran McGinley
Well, yeah.
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you're like, ah, OK, Farah, I see what he's doing. like And yes, he is man-marking Pierlo on the pitch.
00:18:28
Kieran McGinley
Hmm.
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is what walking with him everywhere he goes. And yeah, I think he regrets not putting him on Messi in that Wembley final as well.
00:18:37
Kieran McGinley
Look, mistakes had to be made, but we learned from them and we learned that Park Ji Seung was just um i amazing. And I think ah he is one of those players, much like we've mentioned about Karak in the past, a very intelligent player.
00:18:49
Kieran McGinley
And he is definitely one of those i could I could probably see. Well, I hope he does go into management because he's a very intelligent player.
00:18:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:55
Kieran McGinley
ah He was for his time, could read the game so, so well. And 100 caps for South Korea. You know, he's one of the best for South Korea, honestly. You know, I think Jung Min-Sung beats him to that now, but especially before Jung Min-Sung, there was Park Ji-sung and that was that. You know, there were no arguments for that one.
00:19:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, two absolute legends in that country, I'm sure. Like you can see at the the the height that Son has it. I mean, it it he might not have been as flare of a player as Son, but in terms of how well he was respected and how well he did as well and bringing them to the major tournaments, yeah, unbelievable.
00:19:29
Kieran McGinley
Hmm.
00:19:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:19:32
Kieran McGinley
Fun fact though, he is working as a technical director. I just looked this up for J.M. Book Hyundai. So he is in Korea. He is still within football as a technical director. So there you have it.
00:19:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Technical Director at Hyundai.
00:19:43
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, J.M. Book Hyundai. It's a football team in the K League. So no, no, no, no.
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah was the car manufacturer i was like that is an incredible he wasn't engine himself karen i was like that is an unbelievable career shift to be fair like what was what was he doing was he studying the university of manchester at the same time or something engineering degree
00:19:50
Kieran McGinley
He's not going into cars. He might have been an engine himself, but he wasn't. That would have been written.
00:19:59
Kieran McGinley
Come on. Had to be done, had to be, we've fallen apart here at the Daily Mail, just, you know, it had to happen at some point.
00:20:11
Kieran McGinley
Hey.
00:20:15
Kieran McGinley
Well, incredible. Well, still, four Premier League titles, a Champions League. Need I say more? Need I say more?
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, incredible. And then if you're looking at the Amorim system, I mean, like, you mentioned you could play anywhere. Like, honestly, like, I think apart from the striker and the back three, you could probably put them in those, you know, five or six positions.
00:20:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
You could put them either at the wing backs, one of the deep two lying, or if you needed to be a bit more defensive, just put one of them in behind the striker as well and either drift off left or right.
00:20:36
Kieran McGinley
Oh, yeah.
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he'd be great. Like, and especially in Europe, if we can get back to the Champions League. So um yeah, definitely something you'd want in your squad.
00:20:51
Kieran McGinley
He's an injury. He's an injury crises dream and an injury crises Messiah. At least for sure. Come on then now. Let's let's round it home. Bring it home. Who have you got for us?
Danny Simpson's Journey to Premier League Champion
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, this one's a bit mad. I was really struggling. If I was struggling with Tevez, I was really struggling with this one. um I've gone with Danny Simpson purely just for a Premier League title winning experience to bring him to the squad.
00:21:11
Kieran McGinley
Ooh.
00:21:18
Kieran McGinley
And so we need that right now.
00:21:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
So obviously, we do we do. We need someone. We need a winner. We need a winner. um Yes, it does sound mad. But yeah, Danny Simpson, Premier League winner, obviously had that heroic year at Leicester City. um I don't think he'd start ahead of Valencia, but I think he he could definitely do a job at right wing back and could probably in some games tuck in as a right side of the three as well in a back three. um But yeah, I just ah thought it was an interesting one that he kind of left United at probably the peak of their powers and then you know slowly had a made a career for himself and then ended up
00:21:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
having a Premier League medal and an unbelievable journey, to be fair. So yeah, sometimes you know it's not um a graveyard for some players, Man United.
00:21:58
Kieran McGinley
Yeah.
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sometimes they go on and do amazing things like Danny Simpson just did.
00:22:06
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, I mean, absolutely. Yeah, that Leicester season will go down as one of the best seasons of Premier League football of all time. And at that point, Danny Simpson, as you said, absolute peak of his powers. And it's it's clear to see, yeah, the talent was there, you know,
00:22:24
Kieran McGinley
that Leicester team is regarded as maybe not being the most talented, but being the most formidable, tenacious, you know, could you say bribed with pizzas every time they won? Either way, they were the true motivators.
00:22:36
Kieran McGinley
You know, Claudio Ranieri got the best at that side purely for motivation. Not to say that, you know, we're top of the league, but we're only supposed to avoid relegation. You know, we beat the drop last year, you know, we're only supposed to be relegation candidates.
00:22:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly.
00:22:49
Kieran McGinley
even 30 games into the season, he was saying, well, there's still a chance we could finish from a table, you know, we're enjoying it whilst we're here. And I think those, that good club atmosphere in general helped the entire team and and it allowed Danny Simpson and that role right back to flourish.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely and I think when when a player kind of goes from club to club and really builds their career and doesn't really give up and faces a lot of rejection from you know over the career it's very easy to kind of down to us and just give up but an unbelievable story and and probably a bit of grit that we would need as well at the club at the moment and a player that Amarin would probably like as well due to his kind of versatility but also just kind of ah stubbornness and Yeah, willingness to win, I suppose, which is sometimes it's taken as a given, but sometimes just isn't there as well.
00:23:30
Kieran McGinley
Yeah.
00:23:36
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, and I think as well, you know, you said about the sort of tenacity of Danny Simpson, you know, he's he's spent his time at the championship as well in certain seasons. So it's clear to see he's able to, you know, keep the hard grass, work hard, work his socks off for for the club's badge.
00:23:51
Kieran McGinley
So, yeah, it's clear to see such a hard worker, you know, he would be ah he would be a a decent fit. Now, would do he start? Here it comes again. but Would he start ahead of our current right back rival right as where are we it's that well?
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah
00:24:04
Kieran McGinley
that There he is again.
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:06
Kieran McGinley
There he is again. ah But to be fair, you know as as you we say, as a utility player, you know you'd be a hard pass not to pass up on Danny Simpson.
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. As a right ring back, he'd be unbelievable to be fair.
00:24:17
Kieran McGinley
As a right ring back, he would be phenomenal.
00:24:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'd be up there like. Well, Kieran, thank you very much. and we've We've rattled through a few players there. A bit of a blast from the past. Didn't go for the the superstars. um But yeah, I'd like to kind of go back into memory lane and pick a few gold and all these out from the from the good old days at United. So yeah, thank you very much for joining me on this episode.
00:24:39
Kieran McGinley
No, it was a pleasure. Hopefully we can delve into more obscurity and just find some hot hidden gems that we forgot about. I love hidden gems.
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. Absolutely. Hopefully, Amram can do the same.
00:24:50
Kieran McGinley
Yes.
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's see. Brilliant, Kieran. Thanks very much.