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Newcastle United Vs Benfica - Champions League Match Preview
0 Playsin 9 hours
Michael Grahamslaw and Iain Mackay preview Newcastle United’s massive Champions League clash with Benfica, as Jose Mourinho brings his Portuguese giants to Tyneside.
In this episode, we breakd down the latest team news, tactical matchups and give our thoughts on the game. Is this already a must-win fixture for both sides?
Expect passionate analysis, proper Geordie insight, and the buzz of a city that lives for nights like these.
Subscribe for daily updates, match previews, and post-game breakdowns — Howay the lads!
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Transcript
Excitement at St James's Park
00:00:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everybody and welcome back to the Daily Newcastle podcast, your home for everything black and white on Tyneside. I'm Michael Grameslaw and today we're going to be talking about something that we just didn't feel like we'd be talking about years ago but now we're talking about it so, so much.
00:00:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Champions League nights at St James's Park and it helped me do it, I've got a long time friend now, Ian McKay. How's it going mate, you alright?
00:00:38
Iain
It's going great, Michael. I'm quite excited that we've got a big game like this, Benfica, War, European Pedigree, etc., to try and get over that horrible game that we listened to, I listened to, at Brighton.
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:53
Iain
I can't believe got nothing out of it. We were so good in that last half an hour compared to them. But yeah, that's what we need. Bounce straight back.
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly what Eddie Howe said in his press conference. It felt like we needed something straight away and that's what we've got, obviously.
Upcoming Benfica Game
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tuesday evening, Newcastle take on Benfica. One of those European games that can really define a season. and I mean, doesn't look like it. They've lost to Carabaug and Chelsea, but they're much better.
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
than they give them credit for. And they were decent against Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, who was their new manager, wasn't at the start the season. and How's it feel see a jose meinio back and well how is it goingnna feel seeing Jose back in the dugout at St James' Park? Because he's always a controversial figure, but some love him and some hate him.
Jose Mourinho's Impact
00:01:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
What camp are you in?
00:01:39
Iain
I'm in the loving, really, because... and because
00:01:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:01:43
Iain
because he's had the good grace to have an appalling record at St. James's Park when he's brought Chelsea and Manchester United there. Although I think he won his last visit, which was his first win.
00:01:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:55
Iain
And also, of course, very respectful to Mr. Robson, who took him under his wing as a young man.
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is. Yeah.
00:02:01
Iain
So, yeah, he calls St. James's Park Bobby's house, doesn't he? So, um yeah, I like i like Jose.
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:09
Iain
I do.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:10
Iain
ah who I'm amazed that he's had to go and
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Same.
00:02:13
Iain
managing Turkey for a year or two. I think, do you know what? He would be brilliant if they'd put him in at Nottingham Forest.
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he would have been.
00:02:21
Iain
he He's got this guy, he's got this job now.
00:02:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It looks like Sean Dyce though, doesn't it?
00:02:24
Iain
I know.
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, looks like Sean Dyche, which is going to be a bit of a weird one. um But yeah, Jose Mourinho. I remember when Chelsea had already won the league. I think it was two seasons back-to-back that came to play us at St. James on the final day of the season.
00:02:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he'd play like Hilario or Lenny Pidgeley in goal. And you'd see the likes of Titus Bramble score for us in a one mill win. And it's like, are you just doing this because you love us, ah secretly? Because Lenny Pidgeley ain't playing against anybody else.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But honestly, fantastic.
00:02:52
Iain
good It was a great header. Was it that the header or was that the volley?
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
think was the volley.
00:02:57
Iain
The header, wasn't it? Oh, the volley, yeah.
00:02:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
think there's To be honest, he might have done it twice.
00:03:02
Iain
I can't... He did do it twice, but I can't remember which one's which. But that's all he did, didn't he?
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, one was against the latter, one was against Pidgeley, but yeah. The only good memory is I think anyone has a Titus Bramble in a Newcastle shirt. But does kind of bring back days of Newcastle United in Europe when he was there.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um you know i've I've certainly felt the buzz across the city the last a
Champions League Points and Qualification
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
few months.
00:03:23
Iain
Thank you.
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It hasn't quite been what it was the first time around, but it still feels um quite special, particularly like even when you watch it on the telly. um I mean, you're at Benfica, ah you were saying, weren't you?
00:03:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm at Athletic Club, so it's going to be absolutely fantastic. But again, we are looking at this going into another defeat. As we say, fine margins. Danny Welbeck doing the job on us at the weekend. It's been a bit stop-start.
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
How important do you think it is that Newcastle get the three points on Tuesday? Yeah.
00:03:58
Iain
Well, I think it's really important, ah not just for the Champions League qualifying. I think when you say there's not as much of a buzz, I think that's because there's eight qualifying games and we've won one away from home already.
00:04:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
You think?
00:04:10
Iain
The jeopardy is not quite there yet. I think, you know, if we yeah if we're picking up enough points to be ahead of where we need to be, that ah that would be great.
00:04:20
Iain
But then the buzz will really grow for the last few games. um
00:04:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:25
Iain
Equally. if the jeopardy is there for us to qualify or not by us drawing tomorrow, for example, um I think it'll build Michael.
00:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:04:33
Iain
I think it'll build, and either way. But I do think this is the same as the Union Saint-Groës game, which we went to needing to bounce back from that heartbreak against Arsenal.
00:04:47
Iain
Um,
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:48
Iain
And we played really, really well because it was Europe. Even those misfiring wingers that don't do anything in the league, Alanga and Gordon, look pretty good against Union Saint-Germain.
00:04:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
The dead?
00:04:58
Iain
and So hopefully more of the same tomorrow night.
Gordon and Alanga Performance Comparison
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you mentioned that, like um and it's something I was going to pick up on, in Europe, oh we the wing players, and Gordon and Alanga, they've played both games, have looked incredible. like They've been really, really good against Barcelona and same again against the Union Saint-Gilwell.
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they haven't really been in the league. Do you think that's because Champions League games are a little bit more expansive, potentially? There's a bit more space than we work with? Or do you think it's just been one of those where it's maybe a coincidence? Who knows?
00:05:31
Iain
Well, I think um ah think Barcelona have afforded us the space because they were so attacking going forward.
00:05:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:38
Iain
And it's Barcelona, so everybody was really up for that. I think, if we're honest, USG was so dreadful that anybody would have shown...
00:05:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:48
Iain
You would have looked all right on the right wing that night, Michael. Yeah.
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pace and precision. That's what I said.
00:05:55
Iain
What I hope it's not is that Alanga and Gordon think i think they're so big that they only need to get up to play these European games.
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:04
Iain
Gordon doing the same for England. He's superb in the last two England games. We really haven't seen that.
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:10
Iain
I was expecting big things against ah Brighton and he was fairly anonymous.
00:06:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was.
00:06:16
Iain
Like I said, when we reviewed that game though, I do think that he's hampered not having a Tino or a Lewis Hall behind him because I think
00:06:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:25
Iain
He trusts them defensively and he can concentrate on getting forward, whereas he's got half an eye on getting back to help Dan Byrne out when it's Dan Byrne that's left back.
00:06:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:35
Iain
So maybe he needs to trust Dan Byrne. and Dan Byrne hasn't really let us down yet. He does sometimes end and end up in the car park, but fortunately, Botman's always covered him.
00:06:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
He hasn't, no.
00:06:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:47
Iain
and
00:06:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
up
00:06:48
Iain
So, yeah, I'd like to see those guys turn it on. I'm assuming they're going to when it comes to my prediction.
00:06:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, well, we'll look forward to that at the end. um But yeah, it's for me, it's it's been the intensity for me. I think in Brussels, there was ah even against Barcelona, there was the intensity and the press, the energy that was showed. And for me, it's...
00:07:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd say the confidence as well, actually. It's been completely different to what we saw against, let's say, Brighton, for example. think Liverpool and Arsenal, we showed well we showed that confidence for periods of the game.
00:07:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Arsenal, we were a little bit standoffish at times. um But in the Champions League, we've just had that confidence to just go for it. I don't know if maybe that's because we we're sitting here and thinking, oh, you know...
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
what's the worst that can happen? We get knocked out. We can get knocked out by sitting back or we can actually give these teams a game. um But when you look at the league phase, you mentioned earlier there, we have eight games.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Barcelona, already done. Union Saint-Gilwell, not exactly a massive fixture, but there's still PSG, Leverkusen, Marseille, Athletic Club and PSV afterwards. And there's no easy points there, although PSV might look at it i like it the way they played against USG.
00:08:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think Benfica will be one of those where, well, how do you view it, actually? Do you think that's one of the easier games that we have? Or do you think this is one where
Benfica's Form and Mourinho's Familiarity
00:08:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
they could still put up a really, really big fight and still cause us a lot of issues?
00:08:19
Iain
I think there are think they're a good team. I think you said they're second in the Portuguese league.
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know.
00:08:27
Iain
The only team to take points off Porto, who are top. but Jose Mourinho as manager now as well.
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:08:35
Iain
I would much prefer that the previous manager had been there because we might caught them off guard with St James' Park, etc.
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:42
Iain
Jose Mourinho knows all about James' Park, so i think I don't think we'll surprise them with the intensity that we play with. or that the crowd gives. um But theyre they're a good team, but they're a Portuguese team.
00:08:55
Iain
And, you know, we really ought to be, it's not it's not a Spanish giant or a German giant, it's a Portuguese giant.
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:09:03
Iain
So, and we're at home. I think we're favourites. We must be favourites.
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we are favourites. And to be honest, every media outlet I've seen ah has us down as heavy favourites. I don't think I've seen one match preview that has us not winning, which is concerning, to be honest, because seems like people are writing off Benfica.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And maybe if you lose to Carabaug, that's something that has to happen. um But if we do win, it'll be six points from three games. you realistically need 12, I would say, to qualify for the next round.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we do pick up a win, would you say that's sort of halfway there, really? i know statistically it is, but would you become very confident of us qualifying if we win on Tuesday?
00:09:48
Iain
I am already very confident of us qualifying, Michael.
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:09:52
Iain
And if we win against Benfica, I've got Benfica, Athletic and...
00:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair. Fair.
00:09:59
Iain
Who's the other one that we play at home? PSV?
00:10:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
PSV. Yeah.
00:10:03
Iain
Yeah, I like i think there ah those with the three points we've got are our 12 points. I'd look at anything we get away from home as a bonus.
Newcastle's Winning Strategies Against Benfica
00:10:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:12
Iain
But I think we're capable, maybe not a PSG, but it won't matter by then. I think we're capable of picking stuff up in Marseille and Leverkusen.
00:10:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agree.
00:10:20
Iain
But I think Marseille and Leverkusen are the two best teams we've got left to play. So it's important we win this, I think. Otherwise, we're going to put the pressure on ourselves to have to pick points up in those cauldrons.
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:10:33
Iain
And I'd rather not have to do that. I'd rather go in, relax, come back from Germany with a draw.
00:10:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, go on.
00:10:39
Iain
And as I say, that's the bonus then. um
00:10:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'll say it's terrifying, isn't it
00:10:43
Iain
But yeah, must say, yeah, I'm i glad I'm not going to that one.
00:10:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
it? Yeah, I'll have to say.
00:10:51
Iain
am i even ah might I might even watch watch that one from behind the back of the sofa.
00:10:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just the case the ultras are looking.
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, it's it's one of those, like Benfica, you look at them and they've been a good, good team for so long now. But it's also one of those where they haven't beaten an English team. I think they've got one win in nine ah games against English sides.
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know they knocked us out of the Europa League a few, well, over but about 12 years ago now um Still haven't let go of that. um Curse Rodrigo and ocar cardda Oscar Cardozo for that.
00:11:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But they've had a few turbulent months themselves. Mourinho's had to come in, and particularly after that Carabao defeat. They don't look great. um But I think we'll go into team news in just a moment.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only news you don't need is how good Bayern is. But we're going to tell you anyway.
00:12:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent stuff. So just heading into team news, the first thing I want to ask you about. Centre-back pair partnership of Malik Chau and Sven Botman. Been absolutely fantastic. But do you think maybe this is the game we see Fabian Scherr return to the centre-back into defence?
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because he's got a play some time. And he is that good.
00:12:43
Iain
Surprised. I wouldn't be surprised. and Instead of Malik Chow, what we read, and I don't think we've seen, maybe we have seen for ah the end of a half, Malik Chow is meant to be able to play right back as well, isn't he?
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:12:58
Iain
So I would like Malik Chow to do right back, Trippier to come over to the left, and then Sha can play with Bottman or Byrne, centre half.
00:13:09
Iain
Takes Byrne away from left back. I'm not convinced...
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:13
Iain
I know he works hard. He makes some great tackles, but he does get skinned by a fast winger. And I think that's Portuguese have got i've got that in their armoury.
00:13:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
It does, yeah.
00:13:23
Iain
So something like that, maybe.
00:13:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:25
Iain
um And of course, if you start utilising your centre-halves as full-backs, then all the bets are off, aren't they? ah I don't think he'll do it.
00:13:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:34
Iain
I think he'll go with Chow and um <unk>en Botman, if Trippier does play. Probably Bern again.
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:41
Iain
ah You know, I know there's... need for strong rotation, but not at the start of the games. and
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
They think it's going to be one of those where...
00:13:49
Iain
Where is Lewis Hall?
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you'd love to have Tino or Lewis Hall available. And you think if probably even so Saturday, if they were available, results would be very different because ah both of them are fantastic players.
00:14:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So you think it'll be same back four as we saw against Brighton then?
00:14:10
Iain
It'll be the same back four. Like I say, i would shake it up. It would be a completely different back four. I'd like to see Chow, who looks very good at bringing the ball forward when he's centre-half.
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd be inclined to agree.
00:14:21
Iain
He must be good doing that down the right flank. He's great passer of the ball.
00:14:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Potentially, yeah.
00:14:26
Iain
I'd like to see that. I'd like to see it. I don't know whether Benfica in the Champions League is the right time to experiment with it, but is it any less important than than playing against Fulham on Saturday in the Premier League?
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe not.
00:14:37
Iain
I don't think so.
00:14:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's one of those. You've got to rotate against one of them, haven't you? Because Bottman is one of those players, he gets injured so frequently. I think it's six or seven games now he's got on the bounce where he's started and most of the time he's finished the game.
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's one of those where it is a worry, getting so many minutes in his legs.
00:14:51
Iain
Thank you.
00:14:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then a player that is a doubt, if we move into midfield, Sandra Tonali. Not an injury, thankfully. Just training with an illness. But then Joe Linton. Apparently picked up an injury with Brazil. Didn't look himself um against Brighton.
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you say the door is very much open for Lewis Miley to start? He made his name in the Champions League for us two seasons ago. this his big break, do you think, this season?
00:15:22
Iain
I think. Well, will he
Newcastle's Lineup Decisions
00:15:24
Iain
start? I think he's on the bench. If Tonali starts, he'll come on for Tonali whenever that is. Maybe half-time if we manage to get ahead.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:32
Iain
I think Joe Linton should be left to watch from the sidelines. Ramsey should start in Joe Linton's left midfield place.
00:15:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:15:41
Iain
I thought Ramsey is attacking enough to work well with Gordon or Barnes to have some
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:52
Iain
Good transition work up the left-hand side, which we've missed without the full-back. I think Ramsey playing in there compensates for Tino or Lewis Hall missing. saying And maybe that'll get Gordon moving forward like he does when he plays for England.
00:16:06
Iain
I don't know. I think we've got to be attacking with this, so we have got to go for it. And Ramsey's done, what, two or three little cameos we've seen.
00:16:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
hundred cent Yeah, 100%.
00:16:17
Iain
Give him a start. You know, he's a great player.
00:16:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's one of those as well. We're kind of benefiting from Benfica's poor results so far because they're going to look at this game and go, how will we go how are we three games in without a point?
00:16:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do we need to go to St. James' Park now and actually get something? And i think the winner in Mourinho will have him try and win the game. um I know everyone says he's a very defensive manager, but with that, we might start seeing gaps and we might actually see the best of our wingers.
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the big question is, what wingers, or which wingers, should I say, you think will start the game? Do you think it'll be the two Antoneys or... Do you think Jacob Murphy did enough against Brighton to cement his place?
00:17:05
Iain
Do you know every time Jacob Murphy comes on, I think he does enough. to reinforce that he should start.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:17:13
Iain
Just because he spent 55 million quid on Alanga doesn't mean he's got a divine right to get started. I probably would start Murphy.
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely not.
00:17:21
Iain
I think he deserves it. And it all ties into the um rotation, if you're buying into rotation.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
like Yeah, exactly.
00:17:30
Iain
Mourinho in the Champions League, though, is a special thing. He's won the Champions League twice with two teams who've got no right to win it. Did he win it with Porto?
00:17:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:17:38
Iain
And he won it with...
00:17:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Inter Milan, yeah.
00:17:40
Iain
Inter Milan. So, you know, he'll be thinking, they're only two games in, they've got six games left, and he might be thinking, ah you know, a point is a good is a good start if they've got a home match coming up.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:54
Iain
A point at Newcastle isn't a bad result for them. um
00:17:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not at all.
00:17:59
Iain
So, yeah, I don't know. yeah I have faith in Mourinho parking his bus, because we've seen him do it so many times in the Premier League.
00:18:10
Iain
And we are fairly blunt unless we're playing Bradford or USG. So I don't think it would ah think it we'd only have to be a minibus he'd have to park and keep us out.
00:18:21
Iain
So I am worried. I'm a bit worried he does that. But I've got my fingers crossed on the Champions League music inspiring them all.
00:18:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah To be honest, I think i think it will. I think the telltale sign for me will be if Murphy starts of Murphy's the only winger that didn't get on the pitch against Union St. Chilwa.
00:18:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even though Alanga came off, it was Harvey Barnes that came on um and Gordon moved to the right probably because he was on a brace. And, you know, it was the could he get a hat trick sort of thing.
00:18:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But I think it'll be one of those where... To reward performances, Jacob Murphy's played 27 minutes in the Champions League, got an assist against Barcelona. And to be honest, there's no way he's played more than 300 minutes in the Premier League, I don't think. And he's looked like one of our best players.
00:19:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Might have surpassed that at the weekend, actually, thinking about it. But he's looked like one of our best players every time he's been on the pitch. And for me, ah think he's just got to start because his tactic is just beat your man and get the ball into the box.
00:19:18
Iain
When
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
When you have a sixfoot six striker, I quite like that idea. And Vultemar just impresses every time he's on the pitch. So he's definitely going to start. Osula's not going to get a chance.
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
He might do 70th minute onwards.
00:19:39
Iain
we
00:19:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think Jacob Murphy, for me, though should be one of the first names on the team sheet.
00:19:45
Iain
oh when we Here the talk, and we've talked ourselves about how the midfielders and wingers have got to chip in with goals. Murphy's shooting prowess goes a little bit under the radar.
00:20:01
Iain
But I can remember some fantastic goals at Ipswich in off the bar.
00:20:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
It does, yeah.
00:20:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:06
Iain
Of course, the second goal when we beat Tottenham 6-1 was absolutely wonder strike from 25 yards.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:12
Iain
Who can forget the one against Crystal Palace that went in from the touchline and he meant it.
00:20:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
and He did.
00:20:18
Iain
and Yeah, I i i think he scored another really good one. was it it we We lost 4-2 at Chelsea, yeah.
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:27
Iain
and Yeah, so i think ah you know I think that's something that we've got to keep our eye open for as well.
00:20:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
00:20:35
Iain
ah So yeah, definitely start Murphy. um And ah you've got to start Gordon. The Volzermade are up front. The midfield is where all of the choices are.
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. and dr and Ramsey or Miley, ad to be honest, I'd like to see them both start because I think Miley was absolutely fantastic against Brighton.
00:20:54
Iain
Well,
00:20:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
He came on and he was arguably our best midfielder on the day. And although Ramsey wasn't, should I say, it as good as anyone else on the day, um i didn' I thought he was maybe not...
00:21:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
He wasn't poor. He was bang average, really. But... He's the like-for-like Joe Linton replacement, should I say. and I think if Joe Linton's going to play like he did against Brighton, maybe he has a knock.
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got to play Ramsey, as you say. But would you like to see them both start?
00:21:22
Iain
oh It would be, well, I was going to say, it would be lovely if we still had the Geordie Maradona to play.
00:21:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:30
Iain
Unfortunately, he's at Nottingham Forest now. We'd have to make do with the Geordie Tonali.
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Smiley-miley.
00:21:36
Iain
Smiley Tonali. um Yeah, I think Lewis Smiley has been studying Sandro Tonali and you can't learn from anyone better.
00:21:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Smiley-miley.
00:21:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:48
Iain
But he he reminds me so much of how Tonali plays. He's very, very functional. I need him to be, I still need him to show a bit more ambition and a bit more confidence when it comes to forward forward balls because he's capable.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:22:04
Iain
and But I'm as encouraged by his role in in assisting Valtemada against Brighton because he got in beyond the ball, picked the ball up in the box, beat his man and put a great cross in, but which were required Valtemada to do something pretty special to score from.
00:22:20
Iain
But that shows confidence that he's got the high up.
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's still getting him in the position. Yeah.
00:22:24
Iain
Yeah, absolutely.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:22:26
Iain
So I wouldn't mind if they both started at all. i imagine if Tenardi's ill, he'll still be on the bench. He would come on if Miley really looked overawed.
00:22:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'd agree.
00:22:37
Iain
But we wouldn't expect him to be overawed. He's been a Champions League player for two years now. and And, you know, he's been training with the first team since he was about 16. so yeah don't know where Joe Willock is. Is he still stuck in the York maze?
00:22:52
Iain
I mean, each he could yeah he could be an option if Jacob Ramsey's still rusty and not up to speed.
00:22:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, there's always a chance. He's one of those, isn't he, where he just seems to go missing for long periods of the season. And it's usually an injury. It doesn't seem like that. i minute I think he's been on the bench for the last few games just unused. um Maybe we're looking at it and going, he's actually sixth choice now behind Ramsey, behind Miley and, of course, the three starters.
00:23:14
Iain
Hmm.
00:23:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we mentioned our team news there. Benfica have a little bit of themselves. um Alexander Barr, the right back, is out injured with a cruciate ligament. ah Bruma, the left winger, also has a big injury. He's a very pacey, tricky winger.
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So probably good that he's not around. But... Mourinho did have the chance to rest most of his starters because they only played in the Portuguese Cup against a second-tier opponent on Friday.
00:23:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um That means Antonale Trubin will be back in goal, Nicolas Otamendi and Antonio Silva will be a centre-back partnership. You've got the experienced veteran in Otamendi there and the young Antonio Silva who looks fantastic.
00:24:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Pavlo Divas, if anyone watches England games, he's the the Greek lad that got a brace against England and has a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Champions League to his name. So...
00:24:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's back. he's pro That does look like it's going to be a dangerous, dangerous team to play against. But the Mourinho way, as you say, he'll probably try and soak up pressure. And he'll probably try and tell the referees everything there is to know about football just to try and get something on his side.
00:24:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we haven't got Jose, but we've got Jesse to tell you about our second advert, and that is Zencastr.
00:24:41
Iain
Exactly.
00:25:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I tell you what, after four defeats on the bounce, Jesse is still as pumped up as ever. So you really have to thank the Scouser that doesn't sound Scouse.
00:25:18
Iain
Thank you.
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But... Speaking of, well, controversial decisions, should we say, um because that's what Man United's first goal was apparently. um Referee reputation.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Simon Marciniak is viewed as one of the greatest referees in the world.
Referee Controversy with Simon Marciniak
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you and I may know him as the referee that gave the Paris Saint-Germain penalty in Paris, the 93rd minute or whatever it was, against Tino Livramento.
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And guess what? He's back. um Thankfully, Tino's not going to be on the pitch um to give away a controversial penalty. But when you hear a a referee that's done you dirty in the past coming back, it it doesn't fill you with confidence, does it?
00:26:09
Iain
Well, that was a terrible decision. To be fair though, for the for the first 93 minutes,
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was good.
00:26:18
Iain
like Newcastle taken the lead and Paris... desperate. He didn't bend any rules to let Paris get back in. He was quite strong against the Paris Ultras.
00:26:30
Iain
um That's marginal. you know We've had dodgy penalties that were equally as... I'm thinking of Anthony Gordon's toenail being stepped on a couple of times and we've got the penalty for it.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That doesn't fit my agenda.
00:26:44
Iain
and It was a bad decision.
00:26:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's
00:26:47
Iain
I know, look, let's let's focus on the fact that he's regarded by Most as one of the best referees in the world.
00:26:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
the best in the world.
00:26:57
Iain
And he's going to come into the cauldron.
00:26:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:26:59
Iain
and If he is going to be swayed by noisy crowds, it's our noisy crowd that's going to be in his ear all the way through this game.
00:27:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I'd be very interested to see if there's odds actually somewhere off for Jose Mourinho to be sent off. Because it's going to be one of those.
00:27:13
Iain
Ha ha ha.
00:27:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's going to be in the f fourth official's ear the entire time. And if a referee as good as he is gets wind of that, he might just end up telling Jose, look, zip your trap or go back to Turkey. um I guess it's Portugal now, isn't it?
00:27:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... Just one word on Newcastle's star signing, Nick Vultemada. Arguably the best striker signing of the transfer window.
Predictions for Newcastle vs. Benfica
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hugo Eketike maybe is up there as well. um Went under the radar a bit in Germany. Five goals already. Could you see him potentially getting a sixth for us against Benfica?
00:27:51
Iain
course, I can see him getting a sixth for us. If Otamendi is playing centre sent a half and Gordon's running at him, I would say if there's a chance somebody's going to get a penalty to take.
00:28:03
Iain
And if Gordon's already gone off, it'll be Valtemada.
00:28:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:28:06
Iain
Actually, Gordon couldn't be fouled for a penalty if he's already gone off. But you know what I mean?
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know what you mean.
00:28:11
Iain
Why not?
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know what you mean.
00:28:12
Iain
Why not? Valtemada's the man who's scoring our goals. And every every training session, we get to know him a little bit more.
00:28:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:20
Iain
He gets to know us a little bit more. um You know, Murphy's assisted him. Miley's assisted him.
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:29
Iain
He's there. He's the man who's who's going to put them in, Michael. And without prejudging anything, I think we're going to score three tomorrow night. So he's bound to get one of them.
00:28:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I'll tell you what, you've gone ah you've gone a little early, not too much early though.
00:28:46
Iain
should think but
00:28:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm going to ask you for your prediction going on that. I know you yeah have something lined up.
00:28:50
Iain
It's because I'm working. I'm waiting for my tea, Michael, so I thought I'd push you along to the prediction end.
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah.
00:28:57
Iain
and Yeah, i i rather tongue-in-cheek all the way through last year predicted us to win 3-1 all of the time. And we did a few times.
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You did?
00:29:06
Iain
So, in fact, if you backed if you backed it, you would have made a profit.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
We did.
00:29:11
Iain
And i've never i haven't predicted 3-1 this year. However, tomorrow night, I'm going for Newcastle to beat Benfica 3-1. I have Vultemar to score.
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
chills.
00:29:21
Iain
I'm going to go for Gordon. to get a penalty.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:29:25
Iain
And who would be the... like let's say it's a Let's say it's a towering Sven Botman header. It'd be lovely if it was Malik Chow.
00:29:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:29:37
Iain
Sven Botman's played a lot of games that he's only ever scored once, I think. But yeah, Botman.
00:29:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:42
Iain
Botman with a header. There you go.
00:29:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oof.
00:29:44
Iain
Botman, Gordon, Volta Marder. Don't care who scores for Benfica. It'll be that the Greek lad. The Greek lad will get one.
00:29:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fair enough. Fair enough. To be honest, I was thinking along the same lines as you, but I am actually going to change it up a little bit and I am going to say I think it's going to be a pretty stale 1-0 victory.
00:30:02
Iain
Thank you.
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think the atmosphere will be fantastic. Jose Mourinho will come and potentially play the Jose Mourinho way. I didn't think that would happen at the start of this pod, but I've kind of been convinced a little bit. They'll try they'll try and hit us on the counter. and They'll maybe try and focus on set pieces. um We'll manage to to break them down.
00:30:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's probably going to be big Nick getting the goal once again. But we do need goals from other places. And to be fair, Barnes has one now. It's his only goal. Maybe he'll come on and be the difference.
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just need a winger to start doing something. Because they've not been good enough, they?
00:30:47
Iain
Well, I forget what I said in a previous part, but it could even be a Jacob Murphy from outside the box.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh Oh, I would love that. Jacob Murphy gets his first Champions League goal, I believe. Yeah, I don't think he's... No, he definitely didn't score two years ago. So I would love to see him on the scholarship.
00:31:05
Iain
He deserves one.
00:31:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. But there you have it. Tuesday night, 8pm kickoff at St. James' Park. You'll be able to hear the atmosphere all the way up here in Blythe.
00:31:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm looking forward to it, to be honest.
00:31:18
Iain
Thank you.
00:31:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hope you enjoy the game. I'll see you afterwards for the immediate reaction. And for now, see you later.