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Episode 58 - Ipswich Town v Manchester United Preview
38 Plays1 month ago
The international break is over & the Premier League is back. On today's show, Tom & Richard take an in-depth look into Ipswich Town's huge clash against Manchester United this Sunday, as McKenna's side welcome the Red Devils & Ruben Amorim to Portman Road.
The Daily Ipswich Podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, is your new 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: Tom Crack
Guest: Richard Popple
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Transcript
Introduction and Game Preview
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to another edition of the Daily Ipswich here on the Global Sports Podcast Network. We are back after the dreaded international break, I think many will agree, and now looking ahead to hopefully another joyous weekend of Premier League football for Ipswich Town. On today's show, we are going to be looking ahead to arguably Ipswich's biggest game of the season so far against Manchester United, a big game for us fans, the players and certainly our manager Kieran McKenna himself.
00:00:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
to help me look into Sunday's game from both sides perspective. I'm once again joined by Mr. Richard Poppel. How are you doing, Richard?
00:00:41
Richard
Yeah, very well. Thank you, Tom. and Yeah, like you, looking forward to... I've enjoyed the break from football, I'm not going to lie, but it's a great game to come back to, isn't it?
00:00:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:51
Richard
Man United at home, it's... It's one of those games, I think a lot I said to you off air, my brother's a Man United fan. He used to bug me about you know Man United winning everything basically back in the back in the late 90s, early noughties and stuff. He doesn't crow quite so much anymore, but it's always kind of very exciting when Man United turn up at Portman Road.
Nostalgia and Current Form of Man Utd
00:01:13
Richard
And I think traditionally we do all right. the last One of the times we played when Ferguson was still the manager,
00:01:20
Richard
There was a quote he gave about Portman Road being, you know, it was 22,000 at the time and he said it was one of the loudest crowds he'd kind of ever heard for something that size. So it'll be a good game. It'll be a great, great occasion.
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we certainly hope it will be as loud as Fergie said that time this weekend, and that's for sure.
00:01:37
Richard
Yeah.
00:01:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Big game, obviously, for both clubs. We'll start with the away side of Manchester United. Another error since Fergie's. That seems like they're still trying to search for the true heir apparent to that iconic time Sir Alex had at the helm.
00:01:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
The new man in the hot seat now is Ruben Amorim. I'll say here now that my knowledge on the guy isn't the greatest. love the bob But if you look at what he's done, at sporting is won the league title with them and obviously left in a fantastic position leaving the club in a few weeks obviously come to Manchester City in the Champions League as well so he's already made English fans aware of what he can do against arguably the biggest or the best team I should say in the country as well but Richard Manchester United you know on paper and as as a club they should always be at the top you know as he said your your your sibling has
00:02:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
able to experience the high as he was younger. I think, you know, a very, very big club in the country and out of the country. But do you see Amorim, I'm not going to say, do you see him getting them back to Fergie there? That's a big discussion to have. But, you know, the four points off the top four or so, it's not a crazy thing. That's where they should be, it isn't it? Around that sort of area of the pitch, not of the table, actually, not where they are right now, that's for sure.
00:02:51
Richard
Yeah maybe I mean I always have a problem with those kind of you know getting getting the club where they belong and all that kind of stuff i I think they're kind of like cliches that's trotted out in football and there there shouldn't be any entitlement around it you know Man United had that incredible period under
00:03:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:03:07
Richard
Ferguson, obviously, and everyone who wasn't a Man United fan grew up absolutely hating Manchester United because they won all the time and I'm one of those people.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Me
00:03:15
Richard
So I will always carry a kind of, yeah, a bit of a dislike for them to be perfectly honest.
00:03:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
too.
00:03:22
Richard
So I think the last few years of watching them kind of be brought down to everybody else's level where where you're scrapping around and you know getting a cup win is is obviously seen as a good thing. it's fine that's Man United's level that's where they've been at for a good decade now to be perfectly honest so whether he'll change that I don't know I mean I think it's very difficult to break back into title contention you look at Arsenal they've had two brilliant seasons and they haven't quite managed to win it you look at Liverpool they've won one in the last seven years and they have been
00:03:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:03:54
Richard
any other era, they would have won two or three titles in that time, four four titles maybe. So the bar's gone up I don't know whether Man United with their current squad are really anywhere near that level, top four maybe because you know Spurs and Villa tend to kind of have occupied that spot over the last couple of years, Newcastle obviously snuck in. So the fourth space always seems to be kind of available And maybe, man, I can make a run for that. But I don't think they will this year because I think they've had a pretty poor start to the season. And I don't necessarily see Amarin changing things around that quickly, to be honest.
Ipswich Strategy and Game Analysis
00:04:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think the lack of preseason obviously has had this weird little international break to do as much as you can mentally and physically with the guys at the training ground. But yeah, it's not going to be as a quick of a turn around as many Man United fans will hope. Well, hopefully this weekend that does not start for them. With it being a the cliche of a new manager bounce, we were kind of a bit happy about when we played Liverpool to start the season obviously as our first game back in the league but we were both saying and we put in a good account of ourselves but one of the things we were saying going to that game was there's never a better time to play Liverpool here because it's a new manager and I and you know Arnie Scott doesn't know the league yet and I'll just maybe argue at the time that wasn't even it still beats 2-0 but it wasn't the best we've seen Liverpool all season. Do you think coming into this game this is the best time to be playing
00:05:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
aside like this, I can say the cliche of it, oh, it's better. They might be doing a lot better of when a new magic comes in. But I think this is a different sort of scenario than Liverpool at the start of the season. What do you think?
00:05:30
Richard
Yeah, I think it is, isn't it? I think the difference is, though, I mean, Arnie Slott has obviously done amazingly so far this season, but the difference is is the quality of players like Liverpool had a squad of players that were still very, very high quality and they and they had people who had been around for a really long time.
00:05:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:46
Richard
So and and also they weren't failing under Klopp where they really they maybe had dropped off a little bit, but they weren't. They came third last year, you know, they that they weren't failing in the way that Man United have been.
00:05:58
Richard
So I think there's more of a scope for there to be the bounce because Man United have been so pitiful so far. and So you might you might see you know that the players really inject something. They obviously played decently under Van Nistreloy.
Leadership and Team Dynamics at Man Utd
00:06:12
Richard
They clearly weren't that clear or happy under 10 Haag. But I think also it's just a bit like Players you know kind of need to take responsibility sometimes as well, don't they?
00:06:25
Richard
So it was weird with Man United at under 10 hard because obviously they won a couple of cups.
00:06:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:06:29
Richard
So they were able to kind of like pull out these performances and get these incredible results at different times. But in the league, they were woeful. you know I think they lost nine games last year or something.
00:06:40
Richard
They've already lost four this year. I mean, that's just not very good quality, is it? So I think their squad is kind of overrated, but they clearly have some very, very good players.
00:06:52
Richard
And Amarin has a great track record at sporting. So maybe that bounce comes in. I mean, we hope we hope not. But but I think there's a better chance for this to be a bit of a bounce rather than the Liverpool one where I just think that that was just a good team already.
00:07:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:08
Richard
And slot slot didn't do much to kind of like disrupt it.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it seems very much a continuation of club success and the positive change of the entire foundation of the club.
00:07:16
Richard
Yeah.
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
With Man United, you know, there's a lot of players in the, I think, as you said, the players have to take some responsibility You know, you look back in the past at Manchester United, where it's leaders, whether it's Roy Keane or next time or Gary Neville or last stages with Mark Sarouni and Giggs and all those guys.
00:07:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, it's Bruno, Bruno Fernandes and their captain, speaking from a fan's perspective, you know, I see him more on the ground running than I do on on the pitch.
00:07:41
Richard
Yeah.
00:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, obviously, he's a quality player there, but I think that's definitely, like you said, something that needs to be addressed with United is that sort of leadership quality, because I think that's some true, like, sort of, top men at the helm on the pitch. We said, hey, let's pull our fingers out of it here. with With the game as well this week, and one of the things I want to talk about is, you know, what McKenna spoke about, and I think it's the fan forum we had in Italy this week.
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
stating, which is a huge statement to say, but i'm I'm firmly in agreement with him saying this Sunday's game is the biggest game in football this
Ipswich Manager's Perspective
00:08:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
weekend. I'll just paraphrase what he said here. He's saying it's the biggest game in world football anywhere this weekend, the biggest game in the world and the biggest sport in the world.
00:08:13
Richard
Love it.
00:08:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's happening at Portland road. It's an Ipswich and there's nothing that can make more proud than that. Really? i You're smiling as well. I'm smiling. And this is why we're back in the Premier League for games of this, like the biggest game in the world to be happening up on the road.
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously one of the reasons why this is such a big game is because of our opponents and then your manager coming in. But, you know, we've taught ourselves in this position well. How would you play any massive games? it's It's such a huge moment this weekend, isn't it?
00:08:41
Richard
Yeah, it is. I think it is interesting like hearing him talk like that because he's not normally as kind of effusive with his language.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:50
Richard
He's maybe been hanging around with Mark Ashton a bit too much. He's he's got some of that kind of like hyperbolic branding language coming into things.
00:08:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
the
00:08:58
Richard
But m yeah, I mean, I think for McKenna himself, clearly this is a massive game. It's his club going against his other club. So So ah Yeah I mean obviously it's a huge game for him personally and i I don't know whether I'd agree with him on the biggest game in the world or not I have no idea what the other fixtures are but I think in terms of the the context with the McKenna connection the McKenna story in the summer that Man United were clearly interested in bringing him back it's not gone right for Man United. so but But conversely, that door is now kind of like shut for McKenna for a couple more years probably to to go back. So there's something interesting in all of that as well. And then obviously, Ruben Amarin will be chomping at the bit to prove you know to try and prove that he's he's got what it takes to be in the Premier League. And it's a tricky game for Man United. There's no doubt about it. we're We're buoyant. We've just got the first win of the season. We're at home. People know we've been playing well at home. And then you've got this whole kind of
00:09:56
Richard
narrative around the two managers as well. So it's a win-win situation for us really, because we've got a bit of a free hit and we should be pretty confident.
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely, especially after our fantastic and
Lineup Speculations and Tactical Plans
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
it spurs a few weeks ago, we're going to take our first break. When we come back, we're going to look at the town side of things, talk about players returning, what sort of lineup we may have, as well as what sort of rotation we might see this Sunday at Pullman Road.
00:10:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back here on the daily switch, looking here to town's huge game this Sunday against Manchester United at Portman Road. Looking at the town side of things now, Richard, one of the big things I'm concerned about or intrigued about, I should say, heading into this Sunday's game with now that his red card suspension has lifted, Calvin Phillips has potential to return to this team. But one of the revelations of our game in London a few weeks ago against Tottenham was a brilliant performance from, I'm trying to get his name right here,
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jen's case day, I believe that's correct. And how it's announced. We finally got there. And he finally arrived in a town shirt as well. So I think that's going to be a key battle throughout the season who is going to join more Z in the middle. Where do you stand in it was that it's coming back.
00:11:31
Richard
Yeah it's really difficult to predict isn't it because can you say yeah as you say it was absolutely superb at Spurs and I think also I just really like I hadn't heard him talk before or or be interviewed or anything and then I heard I heard one a couple of weeks before just before that game and he spoke really intelligently and really like calmly
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:50
Richard
and actually quite thoughtfully which is not necessarily what you always hear from footballers all that much. not Not digging at anyone but you know he was he was happy to kind of like go with answers rather than just the same stuff that you normally hear right.
00:12:05
Richard
So yeah, he he was so impressive in that game. I think you kind of, you know, I would think you would give it to to the players who have got the shirt and I think they worked really well as a midfield. the only The only caveat to that I suppose is we're the home team in this game so maybe there's a slightly different, we're going to play slightly differently.
00:12:26
Richard
But I'm guessing realistically, you know the the caliber of the opposition, even though I had a bit of a dig at them earlier, you know Man United player for player are better than us. So maybe we set up in a similar way to to the way that we did effectively at Spurs. And then you you know you keep that midfield the same. Phillips was getting better, wasn't he? So I don't know. It's it's a tricky one. what what Where would you stand on it?
00:12:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I'm in, it's it's it's a difficult, it's kind of a heart or head situation here because my, my heart is saying Houston, I think he was fantastic in that game. And I think, you know, keep the good times rolling, especially the team that got us that three points. I think it's key to having that sort of chemistry street maintain, but I think we've seen throughout the season that, you know, it's kind of been considered, we have been considered more. He's partner in that part of the field. And I do see it on continuous this weekend. I think just with the experience he has in games against
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
top so I don't put my knee on the top side. The other side, but it's not doing very well. But he's experiencing these sort of bigger gains, I suppose. But I think in all honesty, I wouldn't be that upset either way. I'm more inclined to you say, just like I said, just because of his brilliant performance week before, but I see the merit and I see the reasoning behind it, if Phillips does give in to the team, that's for sure.
00:13:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
one person may return it. I don't i actually know if this is if it's gonna have um a time recorded. We don't know if this player in particular will be back in the team, but it's time. It looks like it could be the case. That's Jacob Greaves been away for a long time.
00:13:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think we've seen since West Ham, which, you know, fair play going high enough to that because we wanted to be honest, but it seems to be back in that if he's fully if he's ready to go, if you see him getting straight back in the team, but that is putting a great shift recently.
00:14:06
Richard
Yeah.
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I feel like Greaves on paper will be back in the 11 if he's fully fit.
00:14:14
Richard
Yeah, you you would you would probably think so. I don't know. I mean, I think I agree with you on the whole sort of you know coming back from adversity sort of thing because you know Ben Johnson who had ah ah an appalling game at West Ham as well and I don't think we'd seen him since maybe or maybe seen him once briefly but he played really well against Spurs didn't he and like you know came back and had a very decent game there.
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:35
Richard
I would say that Greaves probably comes back into the side but again I think McKenna has a real loyalty about him and he's also pretty pragmatic you know so I think he i think he if they've been working with Burgess, actually they won't have been, they will, because Burgess has been away with Australia.
00:14:53
Richard
So I think there's probably a very good chance that Greaves does come back in because it's the likelihood is he has been working with the team over the last couple of weeks.
00:14:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, um tend to agree though touching will give us a predicted lineup in the next part of today's show. But just one of the things that impressed me the most in that amazing day out in North London a few weeks ago was the kind of hybrid five at the back, sometimes a three and it was sometimes a four was all over the place. But I think on paper, it looked like a five with Johnson and Davis, then three in the middle. Obviously, we don't know who the three middle will be heading into this Sunday. But do you see that sort of setup?
00:15:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
being the case as well, just because one of the things I'm basically pissed off is it seems that Reuben Amorin likes to play a free to back of two winbacks, most likely that will be Gallo and I assume as Rowie. So sort of to counter at like flight, do you see us maybe going the same formation as them?
00:15:47
Richard
I think so, yes, I would think so. I mean, it's difficult, isn't it? Because we haven't seen how he's going to set them up. We're presuming because of what he's what he's done in the past that's that he's going to repeat the trick.
00:15:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:15:58
Richard
But he's working with different players and he's working with players in a really short period of time as well, because most of them, like we discussed on a previous podcast, they're not going to be back from international duty.
00:16:09
Richard
Well, some of them until maybe the day before or Friday, maybe. No, not the day before.
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it even went, let's be honest with that.
00:16:14
Richard
but but Yeah, exactly. so So Friday, maybe. So, you know, maybe he sticks to his tried and tested. Or maybe he does something that they're a bit more used to and he tweaks the way that they you know press or or whatever it might be, a couple of their trigger movements or something like that. I don't know, it's difficult to know how how much you'll change in that short period of time. McKenna's not one for kind of like, and I don't think responding to what another team does, he very much sets it up the way he wants to and is kind of,
00:16:46
Richard
I think he's been burnt a couple of times in the Premier League because of that, maybe, but that's all part of his process of learning anyway. And he does it quicker than most managers.
00:16:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:16:54
Richard
and So yeah, I don't know, it'll be interesting all of that, won't it? I mean, I think, yeah, it's really tricky, isn't it? how We talk about all these formations and all this kind of stuff, but ultimately, it's about the kind of energy you put in, isn't it?
00:17:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:17:08
Richard
And the effort that you're putting in and and all that kind of stuff, the players should know how to play in in various different positions and and and structures.
00:17:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
One of the things that may give us that sort of energy boost is the home crowd. You've said it many times on the podcast that Portland Road needs to be a fortress for season. Obviously, we haven't got our first win, but some impressive games against the likes of Fulham and Aston, but I've seen us get key points, which hopefully may help us out come the end of the season.
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sir Alex Fife touched on it a while back. You touched it many times. How key will Portland Road be this Sunday?
00:17:38
Richard
I think it will be brilliant on Sunday. I think it will be absolutely brilliant.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:43
Richard
McKenna is saying it's the biggest game of the of the weekend. I think the atmosphere will be fantastic.
Portman Road's Influence
00:17:47
Richard
It really, really will. it's what Is it 4.30 kick off?
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, prime sign. Yeah.
00:17:52
Richard
It's going to be dark. It's going to be under the lights. So it's going to have that evening feel to it. I think it will be rocking. And I think, man, you know, I had a room for a game. I really do.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's it's I think it's going to be, I said i said it a few times, like for his first game, but not just for Amroom, but for his players. It's not really the sort of ground you see much these days in the Premier League. I mean, you know, Ken O'Welford, which is normally last year, to be honest, but majority, it's that sort of modern bowl you get, which we played against Tottenham recently. So to have this sort of throwback appearance and the sort of rugged atmosphere and this sort of a why not us crowd, which we're going to have on Sunday, hopefully will be a rude awakening for Man United.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
One of the things that obviously in terms of football, nothing's really been going on that much last week or so, but somebody who's been doing the rounds for the club is our CEO and chairman Mark Ashton, all over the place into his wife, blessed up. if We saw him on British Suffolk and he was on sports sport yesterday. And he was over in America, I think, just doing some negotiations and some willing and dealing with our game changer partners over there.
00:18:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you like our CEO talent going out in the public and talking with us? I would be fan of it to be fair, like rather than hiding behind.
00:18:57
Richard
You are without a bit.
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so. Rather than hiding behind it' a clipboard and saying press releases.
00:19:00
Richard
yeah
00:19:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's the only way you speak to your fans. He's up eyes up front, does unfortunately get baited into going for headlines or sort of talk sports, trying to get asked with David to stuff like he doesn't need to say anything. that You can you get you get a very professional response.
00:19:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's narrow. But he does give this sort of opinionate response because he was rare to see from a sort of good executive these days.
00:19:19
Richard
what did What did they ask him? I didn't i didn't see that bit about David Koot.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, the first part was the story broke in the past week or so.
00:19:27
Richard
Yeah.
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he was just asked like, what's your thoughts? And then he goes, I'll give my thoughts when all the facts have come forward. And then right in the bit when I assumed in a cut to break, he said, like, would you let would would you be okay if David Koop referee lifts his game?
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's like, Again, I'll say what I'm going to say, but obviously they're trying to get that sound by the guy, which, you know, it's a position you're going to be in when your person talks to a Premier League club, but he held his own there.
00:19:45
Richard
Yeah.
00:19:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But like I said, he's saying the right stuff and gets you really galvanized as a fan base. I think that's the thing I like about him doing with media appearances.
00:19:57
Richard
Yeah, he he I mean, look, I think it's a big part of his role that he enjoys, it seems.
00:20:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:05
Richard
I think sometimes his style may, you know, grate with certain people potentially a little bit. But I think what you what you you know can't accuse him of is that even throughout this fairly difficult period, really over the last sort of three months where we've only won one game,
00:20:21
Richard
he's been pretty consistent about you know fronting up and and talking through things. And I think maintaining as well a level of confidence that you know we can sort of turn the situation around. And I think the stuff to do with America and all that kind of thing, that's clearly a business move around next next summer because there's lots of rumours around that town are going to be in America in pre-season, which
00:20:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:44
Richard
most Premier League British clubs you know are are somewhere abroad and obviously we we normally go to like you know a lovely little village in Austria or something and which is all very picturesque it looks very beautiful actually but you know we all we all know from a commercial point of view that the club are going to be trying to take advantage of of the the Premier League status if we are still in the Premier League, so we will be in the States I'm sure next year. So yeah, he's and look he's happy to put himself about, as long as Ipswich Town is is the main sort of focus for that, I think that's great, you know, and and Mark is obviously a good ambassador for the club and and and the job that he's done over the last few years.
00:21:25
Richard
and so yeah it's it's yeah he's but He's very happy to do it and them and yeah it's it's nice to see the town badge and the town name all over all over the national news.
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very much so. We're going to take our final break on today's show. When we come back, we're going to give you our predicted lineups for Sunday's game as well as our predicted score lines.
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're back here on the final part of today's show, looking ahead. The town's huge game this Sunday against Manchester United. Previewing this weekend's action, of course, but we'll just touch on a few of the guys who went away on international duty for their respective countries.
Player Updates and Predicted Lineups
00:22:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just ticking off a few here. Amari Hudson and Liam Black did go as the other 21s. I did see over the weekend, Richard, that Amari didn't play one of their games, I believe it was against Spain. And he apparently did pick up a slight knock, but appears to be okay, which is good to see.
00:22:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then the craziest, I think, so that things happen all the time when he goes on his last reducing this time, not his doing our merch Kosovo V Romania. The game ended, I believe, with about five minutes left at nil, nil, after Murray and his Kosovo teammates walked off the pitch because of some sort of discriminatory chance towards them and the team. So I'm not sure what the technical landscape is for them, but if they if they're part of other fair play in doing so. And we saw Sammy Schrodix and I think Richard's now favorite player, Dara Shay against England at Wembley as well in what was Lee Carthy's final game before Thomas Tootle takes the helm next year. Seemed like eve ive I must add what's much again. Seemed like an even game in the first 45 until a red card came
00:23:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
for the floodgates opened.
00:23:34
Richard
Yeah.
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
O'Shea played the full 90. I think Schmodecks had about 85 or so before coming off. So good thing is we didn't get hurt, but they they were out there for a long time, which is, yeah.
00:23:46
Richard
He, well, yeah, Schmodix at one point did look like he was hurt, didn't he? He was down and then all of a sudden sprung back up.
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:23:52
Richard
But yeah, I didn't see the whole game. I basically saw the first half an hour, which was pretty tight and fairly boring. ah ah And then came back like just after halftime and it was three nil or something.
00:24:03
Richard
So yeah, it changed. It changed pretty quickly. I mean, Schmodix played all right. He was buzzing around. O'Shea.
00:24:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it right back up there?
00:24:11
Richard
O'Shea did what O'Shea does to me. you know he he He looks like he's a good defender. I really hope he is a good defender, but he looks like he's a good defender because he'll kind of like make a slight mistake and then charge back and make a tackle, which looks great.
00:24:26
Richard
But I'm not sure if it is necessarily needed in the first place.
00:24:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:30
Richard
But look, he had a very good game against Spurs in the last game. So let's hope that he can kick on from there.
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Absolutely. We're gonna look at our predicted lineups now for this weekend. The start of the, uh, goalkeeper and defense. I think we'll talk about, obviously, I assume merging goal for both of us. And then if we go to what I think is key into how the games going to turn out, how we're going to sort of line up in the defense. I'm going to go through five at the back with, I've seen Johnson Davis sort of inverting forward in terms with Johnson Davis's fallback. Then I've gone to find Zaby O'Shea.
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've played it safe with Burgess because I'm just not sure if Grease will be happy either way because I think Burgess has been a really good performance in recent weeks and you know he's maybe confident if one of those guys goes out he can step up but I don't see Grease starting whether he's fully fit or not I'm afraid but that's the back five I've gone for Richard. Thoughts and what but what's your sort of ideal defensive shape?
00:25:29
Richard
I agree with you. I agree with you apart from probably would go for Greaves over Bird just purely because he's been there for the last week or so.
00:25:40
Richard
That that would be my only thought. and But yeah, i think I think you need to say, will they go four in the back or five in the back? I mean, yeah, we've we've already talked about this, but you you would
00:25:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's difficult.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
It gave Johnson that security, didn't it? He was able to sort of go forward and do that brilliant so much to then get it to the middle for our second goal. I think he was playing as a forward right back with no sort of two in the middle as opposed to the three we had.
00:26:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
his willingness to go forward wouldn't have been as great because, you know, you have to, there's less, there's more space that's open if I go forward than before.
00:26:10
Richard
Yeah.
00:26:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
That gave him a lot of confidence. And I think Translady didn't put a foot wrong as he barely does for us.
00:26:15
Richard
No.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, I think it's just the way to go. And the right side has been quite weak. So I think both of you defensively is a good way to go.
00:26:22
Richard
I think you're probably right. And I think also because Tuon Zebi is probably alongside Greaves, but actually maybe he's probably our best out and out defender.
00:26:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:26:33
Richard
He's got pace. He's obviously got the history with Man United as well. I think him being there actually improved O'Shea because O'Shea was continually being pulled out to the right where, you know, when Clarke was there, and you know, Tuon Zebi was missing and all that kind of stuff.
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
yep
00:26:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:26:47
Richard
And that was leaving us way too open. So I think, yeah, I would agree that you'd probably stick with three three at the back and then Johnson and Davis. I i would agree.
00:26:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fantastic. Moving to the two in the middle, we've kind of touched on it earlier with who we slightly to prefer. But so with that in mind, are you going with Houston and Morsy in the middle?
00:27:10
Richard
Yes.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I'm going to Phillips Morsy. So to wait and see, which we can
00:27:14
Richard
e Do you think Sam will hang on to his spot as the season goes on? Because people have been talking about that, haven't they? That that eventually it will be because you stay in Phillips.
00:27:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
God, I hope not. and It's not from a, it's only from a performance perspective. I think it's been great to see the likes of him and Swansavy and Davis sort of, you know, make the leap. I think they've been our three best players from the season before ive who've been there for a while at least as well to show their primary quality players. now I don't know. I think, you know, he's just, you've got to think about the emotional side of things as well. And I think a lot of the guys in the scene really feel confident seeing him in the middle, whether that's sort of,
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
quality point of view, or just really, I think, especially from a leadership perspective, who's going to take over that mantle if he goes out because you know,
00:28:00
Richard
Yeah, I do.
00:28:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't see could you see a more the Phillips being being captain. And then you know, you wouldn't look for an attacking side everything attacking captains is ever either way to go if you need to look at the whole pitch. So then you got to look at someone like, you know, Greaves or I don't know, I think that's a big factor to play into it regardless of performance.
00:28:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
You always get a good performance out of them. Like I can sort of six or seven out of 10. We're not we don't really rely on him on goals or assists. We just rely on to be a nuisance a lot of time.
00:28:26
Richard
Hmm, hmm.
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's very good at that. You know, like you said, he didn't get your heart against fans because one of the big runners from it.
00:28:30
Richard
I don't know.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he did his job being getting stuck in the park, but not getting the rest bad.
00:28:33
Richard
Yeah.
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But so he's he's doing what he should be doing. So I don't really see how he could be taken out the team from a performance perspective. And like I said, that leadership, do you, do you carry that opinion as well?
00:28:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or could I agree there is an argument to be had.
00:28:52
Richard
I think so. i mean i think he I mean, it's an obvious thing to say, right, but he's the captain. so who then becomes your captain, you know, Connor Chaplin was probably the vice captain wasn't he last year.
00:29:04
Richard
So, you know, you're then removing all of that leadership from the team. Now, of course there are other people that would step into it. I'm sure, you know, I think Jacob Greaves used to do captain hull and at times, I think, but look there are other, there are other options, Calvin Phillips potentially, you know, whatever, but I think Morsy means quite a lot to that team.
00:29:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:24
Richard
So I, I would be, I think his form would have to drop off another 10, 15%. I think at the moment he's playing well enough to kind of like warrant his spot. But if that changes, I think McKenna would would make that choice. He would make that decision.
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
be a massive one as well. I mean, maybe with the Christmas pictures coming up soon, obviously, 10 games a week, almost like that's something that could happen.
00:29:43
Richard
Maybe. Yeah.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, all three guys have had moments where they've been our best player in certain games or been one of the top three. So I'm not opposed to if it happens, but I wouldn't like to see him permanently dropped.
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
If that was the case.
00:29:57
Richard
I mean, we need another body in there anyway, ultimately, really.
00:30:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely. January may have to be the case of that one with the front.
00:30:05
Richard
yeah
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's kind of a front two, but we'll see a front three. Obviously, our man, that's what Liam's left will huge game for him. And then behind him, I think we're going to have Murray Hutchinson and Sammy Shillis, all three who were fantastic against Tottenham Hotspur.
00:30:18
Richard
Yup.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
So touching on which of any of those you guys must touch in particular, they've all, they've all applauded so far.
00:30:23
Richard
Yeah, Dilap's so confident at the moment. he's and He's in great form and he's a threat to anybody. Man United aren't up too much defensively. I don't think that's where you can really get at them.
00:30:35
Richard
so And that's not going to change with a new manager, I don't think. and So not straight away anyway. So I think, ah ah yeah, Dilap will be key.
00:30:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:30:44
Richard
But also Schmolyx is playing, like we've said on the podcast a few times now, he's coming up with moments that are really, really important and you back him to kind of do it again. He's, what is he now? He's 28, 27, 28, something like that.
00:30:55
Richard
He's in the, he's in the peak of his career. He knows what he is as a footballer. And I think he's, he's a really useful player to have because he, he may not be really in the game or effective for 90 minutes, but he he has the moments which matter.
00:31:08
Richard
And Hutchinson had his best game of the season. So hopefully from that, he takes confidence as long as the the knock that he picked up isn't too bad.
00:31:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:31:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think one of the things, you know, we we always stay with the Murray Hart system, like, oh, we want to see more goals and assists. And that's on paper. That's the thing that sort of stands out most when you look back at the season. But one of the things that I've really watched the Tottenham highlights many times now, it's just great to relive that Saturday. It was a Sunday, wasn't it? Really that Sunday. But I think his most impressive thing from that game, it's something, you know, it's you've seen it progress throughout the team at the time for after the season gone with sort of the game experience happening, but it was when he's sort of going forward and first laid it to him and he could have had a wayward shot and probably wouldn't have gone in, but it said he's like, I'm going to take it to the corner flag and dang got fouled and around it around the 92nd, 93rd middle.
00:31:51
Richard
Yeah.
00:31:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's just that sort of maturity we're seeing from him, which I don't think we're seeing from him against like Liverpool city to start. So he's not that we're in positions to win those games, but he would have just wanted to go for it. And now he's realizing though, the, the, the wind's more important here, not my stats and that sort of thing.
00:32:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's really, really, important to see. I think of Schmoditz as well. Like, to be fair, he hasn't yet scored at Portland Road. It's the only sort of cloud hanging over him because all three of the goals have been away.
00:32:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think City Brentford and obviously Tottenham last week. So maybe getting the home monkey off his back. Yeah, he's that's fantastic, isn't he? And then I'm so excited to see what the lap does against United Centre backs, whether they have a two or three.
00:32:24
Richard
Yeah.
00:32:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you have a two, then he's going to have a fantastic day, I feel. They have I think that young Lenny Yoro they signed in the summer, he could potentially make his debut because he fits for really nasty.
00:32:35
Richard
Oh, really?
00:32:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's been back in training for a while now. And if it's really nasty, knock over the summer, but supposedly he's he's ready to go now. So that'll be interesting about between two young guys, if that doesn't take place.
00:32:44
Richard
interesting
00:32:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, it's gonna be a tasty, tasty battle with the Latinos defenders as it always is. Can we get your predictions on the score? It's always a big, big one, isn't it?
00:32:55
Richard
yeah I mean, look, I'm buoyant. I'm buoyant from that Spurs win from the, yeah, from the little break.
00:33:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
as you should be.
00:33:04
Richard
And I think we'll do it. I think it's going to be jumping and um' we're going to finally win a home game. So I'm going to go for 2-1 to town.
00:33:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's exactly what I've gone for as well.
00:33:16
Richard
Cool.
00:33:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
2-1. I think, yeah, the home atmosphere. I've also had some reason how, you know, we've we put some great points away from home this
Final Thoughts and Predictions
00:33:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
season. So I've kind of said maybe the home crowd doesn't play as much with that. But I think in this scenario, it really will.
00:33:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sunday 4.30 is like the prime time slot for the Premier League. on the weekend, like, you know, that's not the thing, but never the character most likely to be the best, you know, it's a big game.
00:33:31
Richard
Yep.
00:33:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's really gonna be on comms. So it's a massive, massive game for the town and for the players. And I think they're gonna grab it by both horns and really give him a quite harsh welcome to the Premier League. I'm really i'm very excited for it again, because man United and premise been a long old time, but I'm really, really looking forward to it.
00:33:50
Richard
Yeah.
00:33:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's gonna do it for today's show. Thank you so much for listening. thing And thanks so much Richard for joining us as well.
00:33:58
Richard
Thank you, Tom.
00:33:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Join us tomorrow. We're going to be joined by our colleagues by the mobile at the Daily Man United as we continue to preview Sunday's massive clash at Portland Road.