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Raptors & Rockets Rising | Who’s The Worst NFL Team? | Liverpool’s Struggles Continue
0 Playsin 6 hours
Who’s Got the Ball? is back — and it’s a big one.
This week, Shane and James kick things off in the NBA, breaking down the Toronto Raptors’ impressive 9–1 run and giving the Houston Rockets some well-deserved recognition for their strong start to the season.
Then it’s over to the NFL, where they dive into Myles Garrett’s dominant performances and explain why it’s not a matter of if he breaks the single-season sack record, but when. They also debate who the worst team in the NFL is right now, question why no one seems to want to win the Super Bowl this year, and take a closer look at the Eagles’ collapse against the Cowboys — could it be the beginning of a real downturn?
Last up, the lads hit on Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 take down of Liverpool in Anfield as the performance of the weekend and what that means for Arne Slot (there’s a few honourable mentions for last weekend’s top performers thrown in there too). To finish off the football portion of the episode James and Shane preview and predict the massive Super Sunday clash between the top two - Chelsea vs Arsenal!
You’ll also get updated Power Rankings, more Gan Seans underdog picks, plenty of hot takes, big laughs, and absolutely zero filters.
Click now — you won’t get through this episode without forming an opinion.
🎧 Listen if you’re into:
- Football (soccer) analysis
- NBA previews & predictions
- Weekly NFL reactions
- Underdog betting tips
- Draft-style sports debates
- Power rankings across multiple sports
- Sports content from an Irish perspective with global takes
🔁 New episodes drop weekly!
Follow/subscribe so you never miss a breakdown of the latest in the EPL, NBA, and NFL.
💬 Connect with us:
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📩 Send your takes → wgtbpod@gmail.com
🌍 Based in Ireland | Talking global sports weekly
(0:00) Ireland Lose to South Africa in Dublin
(5:21) The Raptors 9-1 Run
(12:47) The Rockets Continue to Rise
(23:28) Myles Garrett’s Sack Record Hunt
(26:41) Who Wants to Win the Super Bowl?
(31:07) The Eagles Collapse vs the Cowboys
(36:54) Who’s the Worst Team in the NFL?
(43:10) Gan Seans: Our Underdog Picks
(46:19) Forest Batter Liverpool 3-0
(54:40) Performers of the Weekend
(57:35) Chelsea vs Arsenal Preview + Predictions
(1:06:07) NBA x NFL x Premier League Power Rankings
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Transcript
Recording Despite Challenges
00:00:09
Speaker
Alright lads, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got The Ball. and Me and Shane both here in, I know, what you say, 50% states. We've both got some kind of a fluke going and we're miles away from each other so we didn't get off each other. But yeah, I think it's just going around at the minute but we're battling, we're battlers, we'll battle through.
00:00:26
Speaker
We're doing this for you on Thanksgiving, the turkey is waiting. Thanksgiving football on right now too we're recording Shane. How good are we, huh? Oh, you know what? People just don't appreciate us. We're missing the game of the year here to the right hand side because every time I turn to look at it, there's nothing happening. and I turn back around to look at you they score touchdown. So we're missing out in the game day. But anyway, it's you know what? It's the things we have to
Controversial Rugby Match
00:00:48
Speaker
do.
00:00:48
Speaker
Speaking of another oval-shaped ball, you were at the rugby at the weekend. That's massive, mad South Africa game. ah one of That's one of the craziest games of rugby I've ever seen and definitely the craziest I've been at.
00:01:01
Speaker
Like, but i don't know what was going on. At times, everyone around was just literally laughing. There was people laughing because they were like, we yeah like we agreed we have 12 people now. We couldn't even keep up anymore. Like, Ireland have 12 men on the field. Oh, we have 13 again. Oh, no, someone else got yellow. We've got 12. Oh, someone, oh, South Africa got a yellow. Oh, no, they're sending them back on with no review.
00:01:22
Speaker
Everyone's like, what on earth is going on? And then you could sleep I think there seconds we were down to 11 men. I think it was eight seconds when there was the three yellows and the one red. It's just crazy. to be back And at one point it was like we were watching the scrum and we were like with it and we were like, yeah, this yellow for Porter is coming because he cannot. Yeah, it was coming. It was so far away.
00:01:43
Speaker
And like to make it worse, like they gave the yellow, the ref gave the yellow, played like a few more, and they scrummed a few more times and got the penalty try. Like, please just give them just give them the penalty try up front, don't.
00:01:57
Speaker
like give us the yellow before strike those yeah ireland wouldn't uh deserve anything from the game to be honest i think they fought as well as they could considering majority of the game they were down but we're miles off south africa they didn't even play anywhere near the level they could don did That yellow card for Orji Snyman that was overturned and he gave penalty and said, but i makes snow I know I thought the referee was abysmal for a lot of the game.
00:02:24
Speaker
i'm I'm not saying the yellow cards are wrong. I just think if you're sending off Ryan for what he did, but not even binning the South Africa 10, don't ask me to say his name. It's the whole alphabet. Yeah.
00:02:35
Speaker
you're not bidding him for what he did on Timmy O'Brien on the wing, it's the same thing. And rugby like, people look up to rugby as this is how VAR should work, this is how this should work. Because, oh, it's so consistent. Everything's the same. The same decisions go every week. And then you see almost the exact same thing. Ryan was obviously a bit worse, but you see almost the exact same thing in the space of 10 minutes. One's a red card and the other is nothing. I also thought it was maybe a harsh red. Jack Crowley's yellow is so funny to me.
00:03:04
Speaker
i What are you doing, boss? What is he doing in there? I don't know why he thought he'd get away with that. The Ryan one, yeah, for me, I thought was going to be a red like straight away. I was like, this this might as well forget about celebrating this try because he's diving in head first into the ruck. Yeah. Nonsensical.
00:03:20
Speaker
But yeah, I agree with you on the Tommy O'Brien tackle. That was definitely a yellow. And the more they showed it on the screen, the crowd was like, whoa. And then the ref was like, oh, negligible or whatever he said.
00:03:31
Speaker
yeah After that, i we knew kind of what way it was going to go. But at the same time, I agree with you that it's seen as a high standard of officiating. But refs in rugby often, if they want to make it all about themselves, they do it. And he always does. He always wants to make it all about himself. He's a shocking referee.
00:03:48
Speaker
Yeah, so, yeah, let's, I think it's at the point where we can both complain about the referee. And I think that even the South African fans are like, this is ridiculous. But I think everyone knows that Ireland didn't deserve that game. So the loss was was deserved at the end of the day.
Sports Overview and NBA Highlights
00:04:04
Speaker
And so what we touched on this week, we got a good show, a lot covered for you. We started off at the NBA. so touching on a a Raptors team that are on a great run. Really well deserved a chat about them. And then and Shane's Rockets got a shout out because of their good run. and We went into a bit detail on them too. and Moving on to the NFL Clutch Player the Week. First time it was a defensive player.
00:04:25
Speaker
You'll have to listen to find out who it was. Then we asked the question, why does no one want to win the Super Bowl? That was kind of off the back of that Eagles collapse and what on earth some of the big teams are doing this year, followed up by who's the worst team in the NFL. And we gave our answers to that. You'll have to give that a listen and find out.
00:04:42
Speaker
Following that on, then we got back to Gonshance, gave our picks. and We're getting better this season. We're getting closer and closer and to getting that five-pointer. I hope we're going to get one soon. Into the football performance of the weekend. Some honourable mentions because there was some good performances last weekend. And and then we moved on from that when we talked about...
00:05:02
Speaker
A little look at how Arsenal and Chelsea is going to go at the weekend because Arsenal were great last weekend and this is going to be a big one. Both teams are great midweek in Europe and two big wins. And we did wrap up then with the power rankings. So that is a big packed episode for you. Lots of topics touched on. Let's get straight into it. OK, so let's start with two of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. and We'll do one from the East and one from the West. We wanted to talk about this team because...
00:05:31
Speaker
They kind of deserve a lot of shout for how much they've surprised everyone start the season, and that's the Toronto Raptors. Second in the East, 15-3 record, and 9-1 in their last 10. They won last night against the Pacers. It was a very hard-fought game.
00:05:46
Speaker
I thought the Pacers looked more like themselves with... and TJ McConnell out there but Brandon Ingram just wanted the ball at the end call game and and hit the game winner at the end sent the crowd crazy so that's the kind of way that they're playing this season they're going win games late they're going to fight hard good defence good offence what do you think of them Yeah, they've been flying and I did not see this coming. I watched them early in the season when they lost the Rockets and they just weren't very good. They really weren't. They put up 121, they lost 139, 121 and they didn't look like they had anything going. And now all of a sudden they're on this nine game winning run.
00:06:23
Speaker
know they haven't played many good teams outside of they beat the 76ers and they beat the Cavs twice. Outside of that, it's been teams that they probably should be beating, but when you looked at the way they started the season, you if you were going to tell me they were going to have a nine game winning run at any stage of the season, I would have said not a whole, not the team I watched against the Rockets anyway. And now they're averaging 119.1 points per game and only conceding 109.
00:06:46
Speaker
So they're plus nine and a half over this run of games as well, which is, they're just absolutely flying. And as you mentioned him, Brandon Ingram is just on fire again at the moment. And it goes to show, with like it only does, it takes only one player to come back and start doing things for team's fortunes just lift out of nowhere. We've seen it with the Patriots last night, as you mentioned as well. So he's he had 26 and 8 rebounds last night. and As you said, he just called game last night.
00:07:12
Speaker
They're just, they're really, really good. He scored 37 the game before to make the win streak eight in a row as well. So he's just putting up numbers left, right and center. And the team are just pushing him from behind as well. They're helping him when they can, doing what they can. And I don't think this is a run that's going to last forever. I think they will go on another run where they could very easily lose five in a row. But at the moment, they absolutely deserve a shout out for what they're doing. Second to only the very, very good Pistons team i and on that side of draw as well. So they're flying at the moment.
00:07:42
Speaker
Yeah, I think and like you' you're right in saying that it wasn't exactly the hardest run a games. But then again, like the East is not exactly juggernauts or anything like that. And to add to that point...
00:07:56
Speaker
The Cavs are probably the team that people expected to win the East and to go out and beat them. and Twice. still Yeah, twice and show what you're made of. that's That's a big statement. I think there's someone that probably will be consistent enough, I think, just based on the fact of where they are in rating. So they've got the fifth best net rating in the league, and according to advanced statistics, and fourth best rated defense, seventh rated offense. So they're in the top seven for both.
00:08:24
Speaker
And the fact is that they take care of the ball. They're second best in the league in assist ratio. So that's looking at how many assists you'd have per 100% possessions. And they're second best in assist to turnover ratio. So they look after the ball, they pass it around, they work well with each other, which is something that people, like it about including myself, thought that would be quite difficult with Brandon Ingram because it wasn't really certain how it was going to work with him.
00:08:52
Speaker
And he moved there. He didn't play last year because of the injury. Everyone kind of ruled him out straight away as working. But he's kind of the piece that they needed almost because it seemed like RJ Barrett and quickly and Scottie Barnes had a ceiling until they got him on board. And now you're looking at Scottie Barnes. He kind of had a tough time last season, but this season he is nearly averaging 20 points per game, eight boards and five assists.
00:09:15
Speaker
with three combined blocks and steals. And those are not too far from last season's numbers, but things look a lot different when you're winning. Yeah, 100%. Scotty Barnes in this 10-game streak, the one we're talking about now, is 24 and 10.
00:09:30
Speaker
24 points, 10 rebounds over this last 10 games as well. And he's the kind of he's the embodiment of what we were saying about Brendan Ingram as a star, but everyone is pushing behind him. Scotty Barnes is probably at the upper level of what he's able to do.
00:09:43
Speaker
And that's not a bad thing. I'm not saying like that's really, really good. If you're playing your absolute peak and you're getting these wins and you're throwing out this this this point difference of 9.5, then... Like if you can do that consistency for a good lot of time, then they will be very, very good.
00:09:58
Speaker
Yeah. They're obviously getting playoffs now. I don't think, I think they were in all of our preseason ratings anyway. don't think, I think they were. not actually sure. our boss i I don't know if, I can't remember if I had them. I need to check. I don't actually think they were.
00:10:13
Speaker
I think we're safe to say that they they are they are a good team. I think that's one that we might have all gotten wrong. Because if you didn't have him, I didn't have him. Because I'm pretty sure we all had the same teams for that side the... Yeah, I just checked there. I don't think that we've had them.
00:10:30
Speaker
so Okay, they're interesting. We were all the way off on that one. but Well, yeah, it goes to show that they're shocking everyone. so Yeah, 100%. I think the only thing then that i would look at that was maybe...
00:10:43
Speaker
not as positive about the team not to say that it makes a whole lot of difference because it's going to happen when you have brandon ingram and scotty barnes they don't take threes and then ingram just loves those mid-rangers so but there's four least threes attempted per game in the league and i feel like rj barrett and emmanuel quickly take quite a few but i think they should take more because if they can spread the floor more you'll get Brandon Ingram and Barnes inside. They'll get to the line because they can be isolated on people, use their bodies. And and Grady Dick in his bench minutes has put good few as well. But outside of that, that's the only part that they're a little bit off. And that might come back to bite them when you get to the playoffs. If...
00:11:24
Speaker
You do play, you know, we saw last year with the Celtics, that was their kind of main way of playing, but they probably aren't going to be the contenders this year, but the Knicks are looking to incorporate that. The Cavs heavily rely on that. So it's going to be an interesting thing to watch play. Do they incorporate that more? Do they even need to? and So that's the only maybe question mark I have right now based on this run, which is a testament to how well they've been playing really.
Raptors' NBA Performance Analysis
00:11:52
Speaker
Yeah, I think every team needs this. I do think they will need to incorporate it incorporate it eventually. You can't just get away with just not doing it for whole seasons. They will have to work a way of getting it into it. But other than that, I kind of agree with you. There's very little negatives to say.
00:12:07
Speaker
i'm if they could If they go on a run where they're playing like five good teams in a row, we'll see what they're of made it of then because they've come up against a lot of really weak teams. Yeah. But as I said, i certainly think I said it two weeks ago, it doesn't matter what team you're playing, you have to go out there with right mentality and beat them because any team can turn over anyone in this division, even to even the Wizards, which we saw when they...
00:12:29
Speaker
what they went in the GE and the, sorry, the Magic, that was the Magic, not the Wizard, but we can see the Wizards can win a game as well every now and again. So you just go out and say, oh, this game has won, it won't be won. So yeah, I think they're really good. They've surprised me a lot, surprised you a lot. And that's why we just wanted to give them a mention this week for sure.
Rockets' Comeback and Strategy
00:12:46
Speaker
Yeah. And moving on to the other team, it's another team actually that is struggling with three-point shooting not struggling but well to a point but they don't take them either they're actually the lowest in three points attempted per team in the league per game sorry um but that's the rockets they don't seem to need them at all either uh fourth in the west 12 and 4 8 and 2 in their last 10 um last night brilliant comeback against the warriors down 17 at halftime and or sorry down 13 and a half time and win the second half by 17 points uh really impressed with Reed Shepard as well in that game first I really watched of him in a full game setting um this season so I thought yeah he was he was really really good what have you made of them considering you're a Rockets fan
00:13:35
Speaker
I just love watching them at the moment. As you said, they haven't been taking threes, but i I am kind of happy they are. There was a lot of times last season where Fred and Dylan Brooks were putting up threes that were absolutely ridiculous and just they were never going to go down. So the fact now they're getting to the free throw line more, um theirre their mid-rangers are perfect. Obviously, Kevin Durant makes a big difference and he's coming in. He's just sinking mid-rangers. for fun. There was a tree that Alperin Sengu and Tugle, you see where he doesn't even jump.
00:14:01
Speaker
He just stands there and tries to float us like that's that's that has never worked for anyone in the NBA. What makes you think you can stand in the free throw line and not not give yourself any sort of an arc? So I am glad that they're not taking trees. And even without that, their offensive rating is 124.2. It's the second best in the league. So imagine if they did add trees like of what kind of a difference that would make. But I don't think we have 3.2 to really outside of Reed Shepard he's brilliant for tree but Eamon Thompson can't shoot trees not Durant Shangoon is hopeless from tree Josh Okoge is terrible from tree Stephen Adams is obviously he's not going to be able to shoot trees he's yeah he's a big man so it's only really Durant that you have any sort of faith in taking trees so
00:14:45
Speaker
if So if he doesn't want to do it, that's absolutely fine. ah The thing for me that think is brilliant is the rebounding. They're averaging 49.1 rebounds per game. to just simple What Stephen Adams does on the glass is outrageous when he's on the court. And that's why I i love and I hate the double big because therere they're a lot slower, obviously, when they have the two bigs out there. But the rebounds they get and the offensive rebounds in particular are just unbelievable. And yeah they pass it really well as well, 25.3 per game.
00:15:13
Speaker
Nine and a half steals and five blocks a game. I just love them. I really do. This is the best team I've seen, obviously, since Harden and Westbrook were there. They probably won't win it this year, but I just get more and more excited every week. and They have dropped a couple of stupid games as well. like they just but i wasn like youre Unless you're obviously OKC, you're not going to go and win every single game, which they appear to be doing at the moment as well. 12-4 is a great to season.
00:15:42
Speaker
Yeah, I think the main difference between and the Rockets is the depth. like I don't think there's too much of a fall off between the starting five and then the next two men up and It's just OKC of ridiculous depth. I think that might be the only thing that holds it back in the playoffs. but The start of the season has been crazy. Like like you mentioned already, second best offensive rating in the league.
00:16:05
Speaker
Second best net rating as as well, only obviously from running to OKC. Highest offensive board percentage in the league, like 41% is just nuts. I think the next closest is like in the mid-30s. There's a big, big difference. And to be like plus 10.7 on the boards every game, I don't know if that's sustainable. But again, like you said, when you have those big men out there and that is your game plan, then it might well be quite close to that, what the number that is sustainable. So I think that's something that might be worth checking back on after about 30 games, because I wouldn't be surprised if it's still pretty high. And now that is otherworldly like the way it is now, but I still think they can keep it close enough.
00:16:45
Speaker
The only worry I have is not as much the three-point shooting because you're so dominant inside. You're so big, so strong. And I think Van Vliet, whenever he does come back, whether it's late in the season or next year, he gives you that along with Shepard. And so thats that should be okay in the long run. it's I feel it's more so the turnover. Sometimes...
00:17:06
Speaker
The team is quite lacklustre with the ball. And I felt like that was a bit of problem in the first half last night. It's quite low. The percentage of turnovers are quite high, should I say, 15%. It's below the Nets and Pelicans. and There is other teams like the Warriors and Lakers who are worse. So it doesn't signify a bad team. It's just something worth noting. and Because I think there's so many positives. I think the team should really just be looking at the things where they can improve these marginal gains. like shoot five extra threes, bring that turnover percentage down by 2%.
00:17:40
Speaker
And that's how you beat an OKC or Nuggets because you're going to beat everyone else without a doubt. Yeah, 100%. ah hundred percent And the one the one thing I said when we did our season preview of the Rockets was...
00:17:50
Speaker
that they needed to bring up their three point percentage by even if they brought it up by 2%, I think I said it's an extra six points a game or an extra nine points a game or something, whatever way it was working out. And that makes such a difference. They obviously haven't done that yet, but they can bring that up and, as you said, bring down the turnovers because jeez I was watching, i watched the San Antonio for the cup game live.
00:18:11
Speaker
And some of the turnovers in that game just were beyond belief. Kevin Durant was just dropping balls left, right and centre. couldn't believe what I was seeing. yeah yeah He actually couldn't hold on And it was like, these are the kind of things that can cost you a season.
00:18:24
Speaker
I know it was dramatic. I think that was sixth or seventh game the season. It was never going to cost them the season at that stage. post Yeah. if you like If that's the kind of thing you'll continue doing over and over in the season, it is going to cost you eventually.
00:18:34
Speaker
Obviously, to got away with last night with a brilliant second half. I haven't actually watched that one back yet myself. I need to i need to watch it this evening or tomorrow. I was working in the office today, so didn't have a chance. both and i just so I just think, I really do think they're brilliant. Last night, Reid Shepard was starting in 31 points.
00:18:51
Speaker
but yeah Is he finally someone that can... you see someone that can finally be trusted. can Can you start him over Josh Okoge now in the next couple of games? It's interesting to say that because sorry to cut across you but that was the main thing I wanted to ask you this question because it's going to fall into this. Do you think it would be beneficial to just keep starting Okoge because he's not great but he's not horrible and then let Reid Shepard continue to cook these second units because if you start him you might lose out then on the bench contribution because last night
00:19:23
Speaker
he He was plus seven off the bench and Sengun was minus 14. So, you know, that swayed the whole thing. Whereas you might see a difference there if he starts every game. Yeah, Josh Okogie was minus 13 as well um from the start, which is not great.
00:19:40
Speaker
like I do understand the reason he is starting him and it is for what you just said about Reid Shepard comes in then and just just goes off against the second squad. But if Wyn Durant is back, there's only so long you can hold back Reid Shepard as well when he's making such a difference in every single game. You have to start throwing him in from the start and just kind of seeing what he can do. 31...
00:19:58
Speaker
i'm if thirtyy one nine and five is what he can do from the start, then you'd be wasting him, leaving him on the bench for, and just giving him 20 minutes a game. Yeah. Some, like, it i i don't do de I think when there is a fully fit squad, and I don't mean like Fred Van Vliet back as well, I think when Durant is back there, so you have, you have A-Main, you have Smith, you have Durant, you have Seng Yuen, and then you have Reid, Akogi, or you have Steven Adams. say If they're, if you're picking one of those three,
00:20:27
Speaker
Unless you're going Dumbledig, then if if it's between Okoge and Reid Shepard, then there's no competition there for me. I think it has to be Reid Shepard. he's He's come on leaps and bounds this summer and he looks really, really good start the season as well.
00:20:39
Speaker
Yeah, i understand both sides of it. I just thought be interesting to find out what you thought as a fan because I guess it works both ways. But I i guess like if you did start him, then...
00:20:51
Speaker
You could just move around the other minutes and then stagger the way people come out, take out KD earlier and then put him back in earlier, things like that. and So <unk>s there's always ways around it. And I guess if he does keep playing that well, he'll have to. And I like him and Jabari playing together as well because yeah i think Jabari's pretty good from three. We forgot to mention him considering his size. Yeah,
NFL Thanksgiving Recap
00:21:11
Speaker
we did actually, yeah. yeah him Him and Shepard on the floor together do spread the floor. And then if you have Shangoon inside and KD from mid-range, like... you the defenses won't know where to go because you can't play tight on someone you also can't play zone because you're leaving space so yeah that's the team has so many things they can do so I guess it's a good a good problem to have the last thing I wanted to touch on is Eamon some of those shot making some of his shot making ability inside is unbelievable now he is
00:21:41
Speaker
like absolutely woeful from three but he's still averaging 17 points per game over 17, 7 boards and 5 assists I think if he's so young he's so good defensively if he does add a three ball to his game and or he even shoots 38% instead of 22 which is what he's shooting now he could be an MVP in the future
00:22:03
Speaker
100%. I think he's absolutely superb. Himself and his brother, because Oster's had a great start for the Pistons job when he's been on the court. He's missed a couple of games now as well. like There was a couple of shots there that Aimeen took last night that he has absolutely no right to get even close to the basket, let alone actually get it in and getting his his and one then as well on top of it. He's so strong. He's so determined. Once the basket's inside, he's like, I'm getting there.
00:22:27
Speaker
i don't If you think you're stopping me, best of luck. having the prayer, because... he just hears He's such determination and he he wants to be an MVP. And I think that's the big thing about him is that he will bring the three ballings. He'll be like, okay, I can do this so well now. I can do this. I'm 21 or 22. If I can add a three ball, then what is stopping me from being a Shea, Alexander, not going to try. Or what's stopping him from getting to level? I'm not saying he will reach that level because that's the elite of the elite. But if he gets anywhere close to also it, then he is definitely...
00:22:57
Speaker
especially on this Rockets team, if they keep going on the upward trajectory as well, then keep the key laughs sitting out there. rockets If the Rockets in the next three or four years are winning 60, 65 games a year and he's the star man, then himself or Shane Ging are going to get an MVP in the future.
00:23:16
Speaker
Yeah, I think playing with KD is definitely going to help him learn some of the nuances of the game as well. So good all round, great start. I'm sure you're happy with that. And we'll have to check again as the season goes by. So let's move on then to the NFL.
00:23:30
Speaker
We've got big games on. today as we're recording Thursday for Thanksgiving another game will be on on Friday evening Black Friday so you'll be listening to this that morning and that'll be game between the Bears and Eagles but right now got on a second screen here I've got the Lions and Packers we're looking at currently 17-14 it's half time
00:23:52
Speaker
Eminem is on the stage currently. So, yeah, there you go. But I tried not to react as I watched Jamison Williams run in a touchdown as he sat on my fantasy bench and because he put a slur for me last week. But anyway, no one wants to hear about that. Clutch player week from last week, then.
00:24:09
Speaker
Myles Garrett, what an absolute animal. This is a long time coming on our we behalf. I think we've only talked about offensive players and clutch player the week. And... What he did last week then, like you but I know I overlooked him because i completely forgot to put the Clutch Player the Week into my... but I want to be doing this episode altogether, once you mention him, it's like, yes, absolutely. Three sacks, five tackles and two forced fumbles last week.
00:24:33
Speaker
He has 18 sacks on the season. The record is 22.5. He's surely passing that now this stage. He's going to get there. like He's the best defence player in the league. The Browns are absolutely rubbish, but but he helps.
00:24:45
Speaker
When you have him on defense and his ability to hit the quarterback is going to help you because it's stopping plays every single time. no one can get near him. He's so strong. Another man who's strong determined like Eamon Thompson, but he's determined to just hit people and knock them over and put them on their arses.
00:25:01
Speaker
It's the forced fumbles for me on top of it. Like it's kind of very underrated side of him because i it was for me anyway because I didn't realize how many he had. I was think he has four forced fumbles on the season now. That's a lot.
00:25:13
Speaker
That's mad. Yeah, he's he's absolutely flying and he's he's helping the Browns be mediocre instead of absolutely woeful. Yeah, I think the last... So he's the first player ever to have 13 sacks in a four-game span. He's done that over his last four games, which is nuts. The reason we couldn't give him clutch player week in the previous weeks is because the Browns just keep losing. You can't really be like, oh, you're clutch player of the week and your team gets whacked and you took a massive play day to stay there.
00:25:42
Speaker
So the day that they do get the win and he contributes massively to that, then and that's the day that he gets a share out. Like you said, 22 and a half is the is the record. Like, I think it's just inevitable that he gets there. He needs five over last six games. Like the the pace he's on, like I said, 13 and four.
00:25:59
Speaker
He could have that done in two weeks. and so yeah could never done next Yeah, 100%. Michael Strahan and TJ Watt will be having to hand over that crown. and So I think, look, it's it's a tricky one with the Browns because Shador, he played okay, and but they barely allowed him to do much apart from that one depth field throw. And now Shador suddenly thinks he's the best rookie quarterback to ever have played in the league. But that's another day conversation. and i think...
00:26:28
Speaker
Garrett probably needs someone better there long-term, a quarterback before he recurrently is on a winning team. But I think they deserve to take that win and celebrate it while they while they have it. and We looked at something else that is quite prevalent at the moment, and that's why does no one want to win the Super Bowl?
00:26:48
Speaker
I know that's a bit of that a kind of a strange thing to say, but like, it looks like that at the moment because so many teams are just falling apart. We're going to hone in on the Eagles collapse against the Cowboys because that was massive. But outside of that, like the Bills lost again against the Texans in another game that they really shouldn't have. and The Ravens start off the season slow. The Chiefs aren't even in the playoff spots. The Lions look average in most weeks. and They really can't seem to get it going when they have more injuries on the offensive line.
00:27:19
Speaker
Packers are far from complete and they keep making hard work of all their games. Bucks falling off a cliff. Darnold, four interceptions against the Rams. Patriots and Bears with the easiest schedules I've ever seen. And Daniel Jones is just coming back to the mean.
00:27:34
Speaker
Why do none of these teams want to just kick on? It seems like the Rams are the only proper scary team in the league. Yeah, Rams are the only scary team, but the Patriots are on a nine-game winning run as well now, so they are the other team that seem to want to do it. But they've won nine in a row, and I'm looking... like Yeah, and they're looking like, how?
00:27:54
Speaker
like How have you won nine in a row? Because if you don't look like a team that's won nine a row. You don't fill me with confidence at any stage, unless you're playing the Jets, and if sure, i I'd beat the Jets at this stage, but there's no one who wants to do it. The Bills' losing to Texans last week was...
00:28:09
Speaker
abysmal after what Josh Allen had done the week before and it's our fault again because had the clip ready to go and we're like we'll actually hold off on that one for a couple of days now we're going to let this one die down before we praise Josh Allen again but yeah none of them none of them are capable of putting together any sort of a run that Eagles Cowboy game we're going talk about in a second but that's you You just can't be 21 points up and throw it away like that.
00:28:36
Speaker
I think it was 32 minutes they went without scoring or maybe it was longer. They just completely fell apart. They got 21-0 up like, oh, that's it. We're 21-0 up. This Cowboys team don't have it in them to mount any sort of comeback and voila, overtime.
00:28:49
Speaker
Bang. Brendan is... and a half minutes in total. forty one yeah that's i that's much Just crazy. Absolutely mad. The game's only an hour or long.
00:29:02
Speaker
Yeah. Didn't score for like three quarters of it. like They literally got spotting. Yeah. yeah but Just absolutely.
00:29:14
Speaker
Yeah, just crazy. And like we we talk every week about this, obviously. So we're getting ready for this. And every week we're like, who's going win the Super Bowl? We're like... There's no one. Like, I would say, as you said, the Rams are only team that looks serious. even they at times look like they're falling apart at the seams as well. So there's times where you're looking like, oh, maybe they don't want to win it either.
00:29:34
Speaker
This is the most open ever been. Last year, everyone knew the Eagles going to want do it. The year before, everyone knew the Chiefs were going to do it. It's just kind of like, this the first year a long time that we've had any sort of a, oh there's actually there's actually a chance that someone is going to come out the blocks late here and just mount a charge.
00:29:50
Speaker
I don't know who it will Maybe the Rams, maybe won't be the Colts now because Daniel Jones has remembered who he was. It could be the Lions, yes, but I'm sure what we're watching here for the Lions isn't very good either. Yeah, I've still got my... Who's going to do it? 20-1 slip on the run there. So I am hoping it is them because they were such an outsider at the start the season, but...
00:30:14
Speaker
I don't know. I think I'm the most confident than them by a mile, but I don't want to go too heavy on them because knowing our luck, they'll just get hammered by the Panthers this weekend if we do. Yeah. yeah Say how amazing they are. So let's just wait and see there. and But yeah, I think coming back just on the Patriots quickly before we go back into the Eagles game, I do think that they're a good team. i don't want to get that like misconstrued because I think they're well built like you have to people have to realize who are going too heavy on them that they have like such an easy schedule it's one of the easiest schedules ever like and they're still have easy games coming up after this and Will Campbell has gone down injured now so he might be out for the rest of the year that's a massive loss I don't think that they're going to win the Super Bowl I just don't think they're coming out of the AFC yeah they've had a good season so they do deserve some props there but
00:31:07
Speaker
I wanted to go on the Eagles possessions in the second half, right? It was punt, punt, punt, missed field goal, fumble, punt. And added into that was the fumbled punt return before that very last punt, because that doesn't count as a possession. They never had the ball, they just fumbled it. So you're looking at two fumbles, really, four punts and a missed field goal in the second half, and not scoring since 11.32 left in the second quarter.
00:31:37
Speaker
That is like one of the biggest collapses. It's the biggest throwaway of a lead by a Super Bowl winner the year after they won it since 2003. That's how big a collapse it was.
00:31:49
Speaker
matt like and we We have Evan in the group chat for the the fantasy and he was like, can we just get this game over now? When it was when it went to 21-0, he was like, what's the point in even watching the rest of it like it? It was written in the stars that they were going to go and win this 42-3 or something mad. And they just stopped. They just literally just stopped playing football. That punt fumble is absolutely horrific. The one time you want your man to just take any sort of pressure off,
00:32:17
Speaker
and the The fact he fielded it in the first place made no sense to me because he was so deep. Just fair catch it and just get back. What like what you think you're going to do from 10? Probably going to go into the end zone for a touchback anyway. i talk about but Yeah.
00:32:29
Speaker
So what what are you doing trying to pick it up and go with it? And outside of that then, like, Dalen Hurts isn't very good at throwing the ball at times. I know, OK, he was 27 of 39. He got 289 yards. But there's times where he just does. He just never fiddles someone with confidence. And...
00:32:47
Speaker
like he is He has really good receivers there. and Brown, Smith, Barkley's a good receiver. Dallas Goddard's not bad and on his day. He had two catches for 20 yards. But there's times then where Hurst is just throwing these ridiculous passes and gets away with it. He doesn't throw any interceptions. But there's times you're just thinking, in like how is that not an interception? How is that not an interception? And George Pickens has been some difference maker for this this Cowboys team. like no Nine catches from nine targets.
00:33:15
Speaker
146 yards, an average of 16.2 and obviously that one touchdown as well. he's He's made CeeDee Lamb's life so much easier. Even though CeeDee Lamb is obviously still wide receiver one, he had 11 targets, only four catches because he's marked a lot tighter than George Pickens is. And if you try and double mark George Pickens and leave CeeDee Lamb, then it'll be CeeDee Lamb getting nine receptions and nine um nine targets as well. So Like what you do.
00:33:44
Speaker
And then poor Jake Ferguson is just the poor man is only catching five or six for 60 yards on top of it. So if the two boys are in trouble, just throw it down to your safety blanket in Jake Ferguson as well. They're just a team that should be a lot better than they are, I feel. um Yeah. So no one's talking about them as any sort of Super Bowl winners because they just always find a way to let themselves down.
00:34:08
Speaker
But that was a massive win for especially confidence-wise. That was a massive win for them confidence-wise. Yeah, I agree. I think Dak is having an unbelievably good season as well. He deserves a lot of props for how he started the season off, but then they hit a little slump, but then he's come right back. and I think when CD was out, he was still feeding Pickens, but it was a little bit more difficult. cd sometimes his body language is a bit questionable. like He kind of, I don't know, it's a bit hard to read. He looks like He's super happy, but passive-aggressive at the same time. and and it's It's kind of a strange es strangeng one. I don't know whether he's not happy with Pickens getting extra targets, but he seems like he's he's still getting so many targets. he's He's actually just dropping the ball too many times. and He had way too many drops. I think he had like four of 11 receptions, but there was three or four drops thrown in there and in that Eagles game, even though they did get the win. but
00:35:00
Speaker
yeah and I think the Eagles' fall apart was... It's going to tell massively tomorrow because I think this Bears team is probably not what their record shows. They've relied a lot on turnovers. and They've won some games that I don't know how they won them. and but They shouldn't have won, yeah. Yeah, they shouldn't have. But then if you look at the Eagles, you'd expect them to go out and beat that team no tomorrow. They're seven-point favourites. But if they go out and throw that one away, this could be reminiscent of two years ago where they fell apart after starting the season so, so well. And then they got blown out in the playoffs. And it's just that kind of culture in Philadelphia with the Eagles. It seems like it's make or break. Like when everything is going well, it's amazing. But when everything is kind of piled on Sirianni, he may not be able to deal with it. And Saquon is not in the same beast he was last year, which makes everything way more difficult.
00:35:55
Speaker
Yeah, and if they go and lose tomorrow, all of a sudden they're six and four And did the team that looked unshakable only two or three weeks ago all of a sudden looks like they can be got it. And then they the Chargers. Okay, they have the Raiders and the Commanders then.
00:36:09
Speaker
have the Commanders twice, actually. I think they'll 8-4. They'll still be in a decent spot. Yeah, they'll still be in a decent spot. They still have the Bills to play. Yeah, and they still the Bills to play. They have the Chargers to play. The Raiders and the Commanders twice.
00:36:23
Speaker
They'll probably win those three. So like we're not saying they're going fall out of the playoffs by any stretch of imagination, but they'll look a far easier prospect in the playoff for anyone who who takes them on if they keep going.
00:36:34
Speaker
And if day if day if they can't turn around from what they did in that Cowboys game, then a lot of teams will fancy their chances against them, especially this Bills team. Yeah, no, I agree. and'm Staying on teams that fall apart, we're on a topic of teams that seem to fall apart apart every single week.
00:36:52
Speaker
And so we have the question posed.
NFL Team Struggles and Predictions
00:36:54
Speaker
We don't know what each other picked. I'll let you go first. Who is the worst team in the NFL? This was very hard for me not to pick the Jets because they're the one I want, but I know they're not the actual worst team in the NFL because it is quite clearly the Tennessee Titans.
00:37:12
Speaker
um yeah It's not just this year. it's It's last year as well. Like last year, there were three and 14. 11 points scored only 18 points a game while conceding 27.1 points game last year. 5,000 yards across running and rushing last year.
00:37:27
Speaker
And then they come into this season and they start 1-10. The coach sacked after 1-5 and then the intern comes in and goes 0-5. It's like, oh yeah, thanks for making such a difference there. Through the first 10 games this year, so their offensive yards 3-5-2-5, 3,525.
00:37:43
Speaker
Rushing yards is 1,300. Passing yards, 2,359. 51 of on third down, which is awful. Surprisingly, their third down conversions, they're 10 of 13, but they're getting there so often because of a bad yard complete in third downs, they have to do something to keep going.
00:37:59
Speaker
On 4th down, sorry, yeah, they're 10 13. 32 touchdowns. yeah It's a unbelievable on 4th down, but it's their 3rd down is their absolute killer. They're just absolutely horrific.
00:38:11
Speaker
i'm I was looking there and back and so since 2022, they're 17 and 44. So this has been a long time coming and it's not getting any better anytime soon. They're absolutely atrocious.
00:38:24
Speaker
Yeah, more it has gone into a bit of ah a clusterfuck. Excuse my language because he like he came out of college with such high hopes. And this is one of the things that kind of the the way the draft is done annoys me. It's because the best player in college ends up going to the really, really, really bad team.
00:38:42
Speaker
And it just completely destroys their confidence for so long before to get a chance to turn around and actually do something good. They're dropped in at the deep end straight away. Don't get to do what Mahomes did and sit out for a year. Josh Allen as well, I think, got to sit out for the first year and kind of just watch it, learn learn what's going on.
00:38:59
Speaker
You're dropped straight in and say, OK, you were good in college. Go and be a good NFL quarterback. It's it's it's not that easy. It's not easy for anyone to go in and do that. And guess your name is Tom Brady. um Actually, I think he set out his first year as well, didn't he? Yeah, he did.
00:39:14
Speaker
Anyone who was made seems has got on him to be in the conversation of the greatest of all time has set out their first year. They haven't been just dropped in and said, okay, just go and shatter confidence there and see what you can do in the first year and we'll eventually get you some weapons. I don't think it's very fair. yeah And also a point on those two is that they were picked like very late, like, well, not very late, but Mahomes was picked later in the first round and Brady was obviously not picked in the first.
00:39:37
Speaker
So they were picked to teams that were already actually good or had good coaches, whereas he was just dropped into probably one of the worst head coaches we've ever seen in Callaghan. I actually do think he started off the season very, very poorly, but I'm liking a little bit more of what I've seen from him. He's made some brilliant, brilliant throws. And I think last week he made a really, really nice one off one foot back across his body, which is...
00:40:01
Speaker
like a like very at least that's the only positive thing i actually that's why i picked the titans the same as you because the raiders and saints are not too far behind them in my opinion but the saints don't look absolutely horrendous they've got a decent coach in kellen moore and they have some good defenders and then the raiders they might be slightly better with a new oc and considering to have gino Bowers and Gentry there and the old OC apparently according to reports that are coming today was calling the wrong plays on the sideline that they didn't even have installed in their ah offense and motioning players and tagging on players and not telling Geno Smith so that might be why they were as bad as they were on ah offense yeah but
00:40:46
Speaker
Back to the Titans, I think the only positive is that Cam Warden might be good in the future. But outside of that, I actually don't know what else. like The worst points differential in the league, minus 136. 15.2 points per game scored, like just over two touchdowns. And allowing nearly four touchdowns a game with 27.5.
00:41:07
Speaker
They're losing games by almost two touchdowns. Double score, yeah. Every single week. I just think... There's barely any output from the defense. like And then you have next to no talent on the offensive side of the ball. like You're looking at Calvin Ridley, who was supposed to be their veteran receiver. He couldn't catch a cold before his his injury, to be honest. It was pointless having him out there.
00:41:28
Speaker
it's It's kind of hard to know what... coach or level of coach would want to take them over. I know you could say, oh, you have the young quarterback in Cam Ward, but it's a stinking situation, really, the whole the rest of the roster.
00:41:40
Speaker
and And still, there's a lot of people aren't 100% sure on Ward. So I actually don't know what top head coaching candidate in the next cycle would want to take that job. Like, I don't think a college coach who's doing really, really well is going to come out of that college team and say, okay, I'll go in and fix this because they go and do that and then they're sacked after two years again because haven't been able to turn it around, they're back to being an offensive coordinator in the college and they're basically starting again. So, like, they're going to to take some a massive punt on someone who, like to the Wake Forest coach or something, someone like that who's going to have to just, they're going to just go mad and just hope something works out because, as you said, they have nothing.
00:42:19
Speaker
i'm I do like what Cam Ward has done as well, but as you said, he's he's the only one, he's the only bright spot they have there. he He's thrown to no one, he's thrown to myself in you every week. We have as much chance of catching the ball as Calvin Ridley has. like So yeah, I feel for him and I do not feel for this organization because they've done this themselves.
00:42:39
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. I agree with you. To come on a bit of play-by-play here by the Thanksgiving game, I'm sure if you guys are watching it, you'll know what happened. But crazy call by Dan Campbell. I know he goes for it on fourth, but to go for it and run it at midfield, fourth and three after just getting stuffed on fourth and two, then the next play, what Watson gets a deep, deep touchdown after Arden Lofts. This game is...
00:43:05
Speaker
Bit daylight now, 10 points between the sides. 10 points, yeah. That's all we've got for our NFL segment. Let's move on to Gondchance. All right, so last week, and we both had two right. We were both very, very close to five-pointers. I had Newcastle come up for me and the Browns and come up for me as well. Thank you, and Miles Garrett. and And then you had...
00:43:26
Speaker
The Texans, no, sorry, what am I talking about? Newcastle also and Everton will be united with 10 men. Let's not talk about that. We've all had the Colts then to beat the Chiefs. And somehow Daniel Jones and the Colts transpired to throw away their lead and lose overtime. So neither of us got five-pointer. But the score is 11-10 right now to me. I'm still one-point up. So we're adding wins these last few weeks where we're getting into the swing of things. and I'll give mine first. The reason I said Texans is because I have the Texans this week. and I've got the Texans to beat the Colts. I just think Daniel Jones is...
00:44:05
Speaker
Going to continue to regress. He has a broken or a fractured fibula. He's going to keep playing, I think, despite that. But that's not good because Will Anderson Jr. and Daniel Hunter are going to absolutely light him up.
00:44:17
Speaker
um So that's not good. seven to four the Texans are. and We've got the Arizona Cardinals then to beat the Bucs. I think the Bucs are so badly injured. that They just continue to lose games at the moment. They're on a massive skid.
00:44:30
Speaker
They were... I think they were or 5-1, and now they're 6-5. And the Cardinals are pretty good on deep balls and racking up passing yards, and the Bucs cannot stop anyone in the passing game at the moment. So I've gone the Cardinals there at five to four Third one, the football was pretty hard.
00:44:52
Speaker
It was either Burnley away to Brentford, and I didn't think that was going to come up. So I went with West Ham to put the final nail in Arnest Lott's coffin, ten to three at home to Liverpool on a three-game unbeaten run with West Ham at the moment. So that's my three. And it's 26-1 for those three picks together.
00:45:12
Speaker
Yeah, we actually have two the same again this week. I have the Texans at 74 to beat the Colts as well. I also have West Ham to beat Liverpool.
00:45:24
Speaker
I think, I literally think every single team in the world will beat Liverpool at the moment. We'll talk about a more when we come out the first a couple of minutes, but I have West Ham to beat Liverpool as well, which, like, this is the first time in my life I've ever said that Liverpool are going to go out and lose a game, but...
00:45:39
Speaker
It's just, it's so Liverpool with the way things are going. Jesus, what they did last night was absolutely abysmal. And if West Ham come out with any sort of fight, Liverpool don't have it at the moment for some reason. It's completely gone. So I thought a 10-3 is a great price. Liverpool are somehow 7-10 favourites to win that.
00:45:54
Speaker
And finally, going back-to-back on Everton. Everton are to beat Bournemouth, who are evens. Everything just, yeah. So Everton look quite decent at the moment, so I've gone with them again.
00:46:05
Speaker
Yeah, good to ride the hot hand for something that just came up for you. Might as well go back for it again. and I'm surprised to hear you going on against Liverpool because I don't think I've ever heard you do that in this. and but just see how It's just the Let's just move straight on to best win or best performance of last weekend in the
Forrest's Victory and Liverpool's Struggles
00:46:25
Speaker
Premier League. We've gone with Forrest beating Liverpool as the best one.
00:46:28
Speaker
I think just Forrest to go Anfield and win is absolutely massive for them. We'll look at their side of things first. couple of big early chances for Liverpool. I think McAllister should have scored that chance. And Anderson getting a nice clearance off the line. He's been amazing for Forrest this season.
00:46:45
Speaker
Horrible set-piece defending once again for Liverpool. Leeds to the first goal. I think that goal that was ruled out for Jesus, I don't think that was a handball. So Liverpool kind of avoided one there.
00:46:57
Speaker
But whatever was said at halftime then didn't really resonate because straight away, Forrest, straight off the bat, in that mentality to go straight away and go, we're getting a goal, we're shutting this down, we're getting that 2-0 lead. They have to be commended for that. And and I think...
00:47:13
Speaker
Good start to life in general at Forest for Shandish. Three wins, two draws on a loss in all competitions. and Seven points from their last 12 possible in the Premier League. So they're out of the bottom three. The league is so condensed, they're actually only seven points from the European spots.
00:47:28
Speaker
um So yeah fair play to him for turning things around. Yeah, he's done and and a phenomenal job when he went in there. He went into a really broken team as well after what Andrews, after putting in him through over his 41 days, whatever, he was in charge there. And Deitch had just come in.
00:47:44
Speaker
Morgan Gibbs-White has said that he just feels so much happier with Deitch in there. Clearly, like, Sean Deitch has always been a really good man-manager. I think that's always been clear to see. But he's gotten this team. He's he's walked into a squad players that are absolutely perfect for him.
00:47:58
Speaker
um Elliot Anderson is... Just a constant workhorse. He'll be starting to bring in at the Euros, I have no doubt. Southampton Declan Rice will be that midfield too for him. He's absolutely superb. It wasn't just the McAllister block. He had two or three blocks in the first half alone that were goal-saving. Obviously, the McAllister one is the one that sticks out because McAllister should score.
00:48:17
Speaker
yeah Especially when the keeper's out of play as well. But that's just some block. And then... they put it up to their forward players. Jesus is strong, quick. Dan and I, we talked about him when he when he made that signing up from Bologna over the summer and he's he's hit the ground running as well. And then Hudson-Doy is coming back.
00:48:33
Speaker
Gibbs-White is just the metronome. He's just in there, just makes everything tick over. Such a good player. Superb. And then Then their their two full-backs have been super superb from the last couple of weeks as well. Nico Williams and the goal scorer, the second goal, I can't remember his name.
00:48:48
Speaker
Sabona. Yeah, i'm lovely finish as well, but it was full-back to full-back again. Yeah, yeah. that was That was a system that worked and they they knew that was going to work against Liverpool. They exploited it. is I think, yeah, Forrester on a nice, I think, path now because I think with Sean Dyche, that's the squad was built for a manager like him because it was built for Nuno and they're quite similar.
00:49:11
Speaker
So I think they're going to do well now. I think they will turn it around. But Liverpool on her on a really, really bad run, I think... Another big loss last night against PSV um in the Champions League. ah I know we're not really focusing on them this week, but what's your, if you're to sum it up in as short, as sweet as you can, what's your feelings on the team right now?
00:49:33
Speaker
they They look so badly coached. No one seems to know what they're doing. No one wants to run backwards. Once the ball gets turned over, the midfield just stays in position. There was a screenshot I saw from the game last night in particular where Kirk makes a break down the left.
00:49:47
Speaker
So he gets the ball, we'll say, kind of halfway between the 18-yard line and the halfway line. And when he gets from where he was past the halfway line, no one inside him has moved. None of the midfield has moved. None of other defenders moved forward.
00:49:59
Speaker
it's it's like the role it's It's actually like Sabuccio. That's actually the best description I've ever They're all stuck in the spot. None of them go anywhere. None of them move anywhere. And then Kirk has lose the ball because he's no one to pass in size.
00:50:12
Speaker
They're so easy to defend against because Gakbo and Salah do the same thing. They cut inside and lose this every single time. i'm with this Alexander Izak, I think he received no passes into his feet against Forrest when he was on the pitch.
00:50:24
Speaker
There was no passing network where he was involved in it. i'm Why are you buying the best number nine in the league and then just forgetting he exists? yeah How does that make sense? I think the last two half times, whatever has happened in that dressing room,
00:50:38
Speaker
are possibly the worst half times in the history this football club. They've come out after half time in both those games and it's like, it's like they've all been whipped around the dressing room because none of them are coming out with any sort of urgency. They finished the first half last night and they were brilliant.
00:50:52
Speaker
Um, they They should have been leading going into half-time. They come out after half-time and all their heads have dropped. It's like, that should have be like that doesn't make sense. how are you going in there losing the head instead of going in there and everyone is g-dop coming back out. Let's keep going where we're doing. Let's keep doing what we're doing for 10 minutes. We'll get a goal.
00:51:09
Speaker
They come out to concede again and Jesus, that third goal, Kanata. What on earth is he doing? I don't know if you've watched the highlights yet. I know you're watching Arsenal, but... Yeah. This is the man who wants 300 grand a week. He thinks as good as Van Dijk. You can't do that. he cant Van Dijk is nothing to be... He's not exactly a yardstick at the moment either.
00:51:27
Speaker
It's a coaching mistake to to keep picking somebody. 100%. There's no one else. They don't have another centre-back to put in there. Leone's injured. Gomez's injured. And they're just going to drop Gravenbridge in there. And then all of a sudden, you've no midfield options then. So, like the injuries aren't an excuse for the run they're on.
00:51:44
Speaker
Because every team gets injuries. We were very lucky last year. We got absolutely no injuries. But... yeah to lose both your right backs and your third-way centre-back, meaning you have to play the one that's so clearly either out of form or out the door, basically, because he thinks this move to Real Madrid is done. like He shouldn't be your... person the The gauge transfer, knock on through, looks worse and worse every week as all of us.
00:52:05
Speaker
We'll talk about more next week when West Ham beat him. It is frustrating, but again, the amount of money they spend, I think... Yeah, it's criminal. They could have allocated funds to sender back if it was that important. They obviously tried to sign them, but they put everything else first.
00:52:20
Speaker
So the talent like the doctor do one have is the talent is there. all it points to is bad coaching because... The coaching, yeah. Last year, like, it was clearly just hero ball with Salah. Like, the system was kind of similar to the where Klopp had them playing, but then it was like, platform Salah, let him go.
00:52:38
Speaker
And now everyone's like, oh, that's what we did last year. He's not playing well what we do now. Like, it's... They don't... they I don't know what they're doing on the training ground because... Like, but we brought in... We brought in...
00:52:50
Speaker
A set piece coach and a fella that does the set piece videos, I can't remember what his job title is, it's something made up anyway. We conceded no set pieces by this time last year, now we've conceded nine and we've brought in a set piece coach that's meant to coach this, so clearly he's not doing his job.
00:53:05
Speaker
There's no attacking patterns. um I know their DXG is great. We 6.34 to 5.54. We've lost those games 10-1 over the course of the last three games. doesn't matter. So the ball's not going in the net. It doesn't matter. Like XG, sometimes I love it. Sometimes I'm like, I just get it out of my face. cause it's I don't see where Liverpool should have scored six goals in the last three games other than the McAllister dance.
00:53:27
Speaker
And Gap was header last night as well. Like they just don't like there's everything is off the cuff. There's no attacking play. All the set pieces are just chum into the box. Like there's no way like Arsenal do the move where they back post, win the front post and win the header.
00:53:44
Speaker
Like I praise Arsenal a couple of minutes though which I hate doing. But clearly it works. We just put Van Dijk on the front post, Canati on the back post and hope the ball finds one of them. Like that's not how you score a set piece clearly because we haven't scored one in the season. Like so Yeah. They drive me insane at the moment.
00:54:02
Speaker
We did say short and sweet that was more like long and angry but yeah apologize sometimes you have to let it out. um I have one more point to make before we move on. I ordered Liverpool jerseys seven weeks ago when Liverpool were good and when they arrived Liverpool were absolutely abysmal and now I can't wear them anywhere. I got the deterred in sleeve.
00:54:22
Speaker
And now they're just, they're so crafted, they're stuck in the wardrobe. Took seven weeks to come. We've won six in a row when I ordered them. think we've won five in a row when I ordered them and I got them and now we've lost nine in the last 12 or whatever it is. So my fault again, wish we can't do the podcast. Liverpool might be good again.
00:54:39
Speaker
Yeah, I think we had a few honourable mentions to throw in with the yeah but big wins on the weekend. Newcastle beating City. You know, Valtamata and Barnes could have had that game 3-0 at halftime. They had...
00:54:53
Speaker
unbelievable chances but then Foden didn't miss a big one and I think Barnes Morton made up for his misses and Guardiola a bit of a head loss too which is always funny Everton beating 10-man United yeah I think that was just I don't want to take up airtime too much and going in on United here now after we just did have that bit on Liverpool but at the same time I do think that That was one of the worst performances I've seen in a few years is just like a complete lack of effort. And then for Amber... was worse than going to be Eitoss. It was, I did think so too. And for him to say, oh it's the I'm worried about the signs of last year and we're miles off and stuff now, come on.
00:55:32
Speaker
I've given him as much benefit of the doubt as I can now at this point. and I'm a bit sick of listening to him and I'm a bit sick of, yeah, you can flow your system around a bit when other teams have the ball and you change. But then in a game where it's crying out for, stop playing five at the back, let's fully go into a different system, he doesn't do it. So, there yeah, that's very frustrating.
00:55:54
Speaker
And then Arsenal dismantling Spurs. Spurs didn't create a single thing. The goal was super, but out of the blue and... It seems like their attacking philosophy is just try do things out of the blue. And then suddenly they put three past their PSG last night and still managed to lose forty three and So they're an interesting... So's first. So's Those three honourable mentions.
00:56:15
Speaker
I think thought Arsenal were absolutely brilliant we don't need to touch that one too much because we're going to talk about our game of the weekend now in a second so i leave I'll just kind of brush over that one Spurs were abysmal absolutely abysmal that's all I'm saying that they were embarrassing to be honest imagine imagine the United throwing up against City and doing what Spurs did Ruben Amman would actually be he'd be The fans are go on the pitch and pick him up and walk him where say and and walk him back to Lisbon. like You wouldn't get away with this.
00:56:39
Speaker
um I thought everything were really, really deserving. As bad as United were, I thought everything were really, really good, especially with 10 men. they They worked so hard. I didn't agree with Neville and commentary saying that the keeper should do better on the goal. I think it's just an absolutely world out of this world finish. I know you turned the commentary off at halftime. Oh, think that's I can't listen to him.
00:57:00
Speaker
And then what was the other one? Newcastle. Newcastle just deserved that as well. I can't remember what, but there was something on the clash that because I wasn't watching It must have been the Ireland game actually. It the Ireland game. I actually had to watch it back because I was at that game. So yeah. Yeah. So was kind of flicking over and back, but I just, I love when Pep loses his head and then puts out a completely rotated team against Evercoos and loses as well. So hopefully they go on a loop and run now and of some kind.
00:57:24
Speaker
Yeah. That was great. Yeah. if if joe wanted To be fair, it was our hardest weekend of picking a game of the weekend. To be honest, it really was. So it's good that we get to talk about Arsenal a bit
Arsenal vs. Chelsea Preview
00:57:34
Speaker
now.
00:57:34
Speaker
Yeah. Like you mentioned, we're going to preview Arsenal's game. So they're away to Chelsea. Should be a great game. It's between first and second in the Premier League. I'm really looking forward to this one. and My message you to Arsenal and Bayern game last night, that was the best game I've watched all season. Just two teams that really knew how to adapt to different situations and Arsenal, they were under the cosh for a lot of periods but they played their way out of it. and Credit to them. They deserved the win in the end for if any of the gutsiness that they had in the second half to go, all right, we're pinned back in this in the first debate. We're going after this one now in the second. And, and you know, to score three goals without having Geokhrez, Odegaard, Havertz, and even if you want to point to Gabriel Jesus, Trossard coming off injured.
00:58:20
Speaker
I think they did very well there. And Chelsea obviously beaten Barcelona. It was brilliant. they were I know Barca had a red, but they were good value for that win. They should have been up and by even more by the time Arejo got sent off. So I'm really looking forward to this one.
00:58:36
Speaker
Yeah, I'm just going to make me sick everything I'm going to say in the next 10 minutes. um, Arsenal are the best team in Europe at the moment. and I don't think there's any denying it now. They're not just about to set pieces anymore. i'd Like they were in the start the season, were so reliant on set pieces. But now, like you can now actually, see if you if you ask me what an Arsenal goal is,
00:58:56
Speaker
it's It's the goal that Eze scored. It's the goal that Trossard scored against Spurs at the weekend. It's just and fluid, into intricate play. One ball over the top and then to finish it. Eze has been absolutely superb since he's gotten his feet on the table.
00:59:10
Speaker
and He's absolutely brilliant. How Marino is a number six and a really, really good false nine. is he's He's the new Gary Doherty of the Premier League. like It's but Where is this coming from? like he I didn't obviously watch that game last night. I was too busy raging at Liverpool, but I just thought they were brilliant against Spurs. Eze was brilliant against Spurs, and they're just so solid. On top of everything, Declan Rice is out playing out of his skin, and whoever they drop into that back line,
00:59:37
Speaker
just knows their job so well. They put they put in Mascara last night yeah and it it actually looked like he was Baby Gabriel the same way Hinkapi looked like Baby Gabriel at the weekend as well. So dave they've they they're just so strong.
00:59:50
Speaker
They're the kind of team, it's like, I was talking about someone recently, it's like OKC. players The players that come off their bench don't make a massive difference in 7-11. So Madueke has put...
01:00:03
Speaker
has made me shut up this year because he's been actually quite good when he's played as well. I thought he was absolutely abysmal at Chelsea last year, but he's a really good backup to have for Saka because he's the same kind of thing. He just cuts inside. He can use his left. He can go down on his right and get it across as well.
01:00:17
Speaker
He's a wicked whip on him when he's eventually allowed to take a free kick as well. So yeah, their depth is just is what's making the difference to them and they have to win the league now. Yeah, I think Madueka was a good sign and I didn't think it would be at the time, but it works out very well for them. And all that depth they have now in the back line is actually working out to their advantage and because they can rotate in and out centre backs and they all look to know the job, like you said. The one player that stood out to me is Zuby Mendy last night. He was unbelievable. I think he helps them go from a kind of a more passive team that requires set pieces to a team that constantly moves the team up the field at ease and at will. He's like a metronome on that team. He's just like completely...
01:01:06
Speaker
aware everything that's around him he receives it from Raya he looks over both shoulders he knows who is where the centre-backs know when he's going to come back and receive the ball it just he's just amazing to watch and but a little bit on Chelsea a similar player not maybe not a similar style but in the same position as Enzo Fernandes who I thought was super against Barcelona um and I think That'll be a nice battle in midfield between Zubimendi and Enzo. and Just kind of the two workhorses in the teams, six point points separate the sides. I think a Chelsea win would really open the league up and and make the title race a little bit of interesting. But if Arsenal win, I feel like they're home and host basically already by Christmas because yeah they're just going to keep picking up more wins after this one. And and if they come out of this run of a North London derby with Spurs, a Bayern Munich game and a Chelsea game with three wins, who's going to really stop them at this point? And especially with no Cole Palmer, I think it's going to be very hard for Chelsea to overcome this kind of at this kind of a challenge.
01:02:09
Speaker
Yeah, just a quick word on Zubimendi. So Liverpool were obviously linked with him last summer and the deal was done and then he pulled out. um I know Gravenberg had an unbelievable season last year, but Zubimendi is something that they're really missing on this run of absolute nonsense. or doing word like you Imagine having him in the midfield instead of McAllister or something and Gravenberg's up for McAllister, he'd make such a difference. but i Chelsea, at chelsea our sorry if Arsenal win this tomorrow, it's going to be like Liverpool last year. Everyone knew Liverpool had the title wrapped up last year by Christmas, sorry, in November.
01:02:39
Speaker
Same, when Liverpool beat Man City in November last year, everyone's like, oh yeah, well, that's that done. If Arsenal win tomorrow, everyone everyone's going to like, yeah, well, that's that done. That's Arsenal waltzing their way to the title. and If they have the mentality first, we'll see, but I really think they do.
01:02:54
Speaker
For Chelsea outside of Enzo Fernandes, I absolutely love Moiluk Isedo. I think he is unbelievable. He's probably the best out-and-out sixth in the league at the moment.
01:03:05
Speaker
He's worth the one-thackling. Yeah, 100%. He did one-thackling made on Tuesday before he was coming back and... Kind of it was in from the side and it's one of the ones that always gets called for a foul, but he got all ball didn't touch the man. was like, how on earth have you made that tackle coming from almost semi behind to get your foot around, get the ball, keep it and get the pass off.
01:03:25
Speaker
He's he's absolutely brilliant. and he's another man who, when you give him a half an inch to shoot, he'll find the top corner like he did against Liverpool earlier in the year as well. He's he's He is something else. And another one that Liverpool had the deal agreed and lost out to.
01:03:39
Speaker
i know it's looking back now, i' like, geez, it'd be great to have them in the midfield. We did win the league last with midfield we have, so I can't be too kind of, I can't be too kind of looking lovingly at players on other teams here. But like having Zilbermendi in this Liverpool team now, it makes such a difference. I think Arsenal are going to win this.
01:03:55
Speaker
I think it'll be too one to Arsenal. Yeah, I think one more point I wanted to go on was before we gave my prediction was just that, no, you're good. You've you've got your 2-1. And I'm going to just say that the statistics behind, i know we were talking about XG earlier, but it's a bit crazy. Like,
01:04:15
Speaker
and Chelsea doing very well, obviously. 21.96 XG created. um so that's the most in the league. But they're playing a team with the least XG against in Arsenal with 6.24 against them.
01:04:29
Speaker
That is absolutely nuts. Like 6.24 XG against you this far into the season. The closest is Man City and they almost have 13 against. It's just nuts. And i mean to look at These two teams, they both scored a lot of goals, like 24 for and Arsenal and 23 for Chelsea. I think the two goals Arsenal conceded then against in the last two games, Spurs was like long-ranger, just complete freak. And then the Bayern goal was absolutely magical.
01:04:57
Speaker
So if Chelsea are going to score, it's going to need something magical, which I think Esteba can show that he can produce. And against Barcelona, what a goal he scored there too. and So I actually have the exact same as you. I'm going with I think Chelsea will produce one little bit of magic, but Arsenal are just too powerful, too strong and too solid. So I'm going with 2-1 as well.
01:05:19
Speaker
Yeah, it's the first time, personally, that they they really seem to believe what that dope that's leading them is saying. I think normally, he's like i still think he i didn't think he's a spoofer, but it he he really does.
01:05:32
Speaker
So, as I was saying earlier, Liverpool look so bad because the SRC team looks so well drilled. It's unbelievable. It's almost a Man City level of like everyone, every single player knows how to play.
01:05:43
Speaker
they don't give the ball away. They don't let shots away. I think they went four games in a row without conceding a shot on target even. So any wonder their XG is so low as well. They're just, they're unfortunately the best team in Europe. They're going to make me sick, boss, anyway.
01:05:56
Speaker
Yeah, boss, two-two ones. I agree with you. 100% they are probably the best team in Europe right now. And they proved that last night against who hadn't lost all season. So people are making that argument.
01:06:07
Speaker
Quick update on the score before we move into the power rankings 31-21 to the Packers right now that just as we were talking about that the Packers had a big fumble near the goal line but they managed to re scoop back up so they scored a touchdown on that drive and we're looking
Updated Power Rankings
01:06:22
Speaker
at Jarrett Goff now trying to drive the Lions down this has been an entertaining second half from what I can see over the corner of eye let's see if the Lions can grab another one before the fourth quarter starts and so power rankings you want to go first here Yeah, so last week I had the Pistons, OKC, Patriots, Arsenal, Colts and Man City.
01:06:42
Speaker
and a couple of changes this week and to continue with me getting sick in the bag, Arsenal have gone to the top of my pile here. So Arsenal are number one. OKC stays second. Pistons dropped to third.
01:06:54
Speaker
With that, the Patriots dropped to fourth. I brought the Broncos in instead of the Colts. and Broncos are now on an eight-game winning run. So, I mean, if that's not hot, then I don't know what is. And then rounding out my top six are Villa, who have four wins in their last five.
01:07:08
Speaker
Nice. Nice. Yeah, I like that list. I've gone similar off the top to what I did last week, but I changed up the kind of bottom half. So I've still got OKC, Arsenal and the Rams. I just think that OKC... That was a woeful play by the Lions. They just try to...
01:07:26
Speaker
tried to like double pass and Sharon Goff got little so I could not laugh at that OKC top they just keep winning Arsenal in second best team in Europe and in football and definitely the best team in England the Rams third as we mentioned earlier they're kind of the most powerful and of all the teams in the NFL so I've then third the Pistons I've moved them up a spot from last week. I had them in fifth.
01:07:51
Speaker
And that's because Man City have dropped out altogether. And i think going on a 13-win streak for the Pistons, they deserve to still be in here. One loss doesn't change that. Patriots, as I mentioned earlier, very good.
01:08:04
Speaker
Even though they do have an easy schedule, they're in my power rankings now. And that's because they've got the best record in the league. So I had to put them in there at fifth. And then sixth is Chelsea. And they're on a great run at the moment. And beating Barca really...
01:08:17
Speaker
kind of wrapped up who they really have been over the last month or so so that's my top six okc arsenal rams pistons patriots and chelsea so that's that's another another week done and we're gonna run away here and watch the fourth quarter of this game so throw it to you to wrap it up quickly Yeah,
Engagement and Social Media
01:08:37
Speaker
thanks, lad. So as you might be able to tell, neither of us are at our full strength this week. So we' we're just kind of, we got through it and we we do hope you enjoy it. And just keep listening. i'm The numbers we're seeing on Instagram, the reels and stuff are absolutely unbelievable. But so many people, i looked last week, it's 66% of people who view our reels aren't following us.
01:08:55
Speaker
So if you would just hit that button, it's It takes you two seconds and you can mute us then if you want, but just just hit that button and just it will really, really help if you can kind of just help get the following account up and to see what we can do because it's it's a lot of effort every week. There's a lot that goes into it behind the scenes as well.
01:09:11
Speaker
James puts in an outrageous amount of work behind with the graphics and all that kind of stuff and I put together the TikToks while James pulls them and I put them up. But there's a lot goes into it. So just any any sort of ah like or share, Antony, we really appreciate it and we will see you next week. Thank you very much.
01:09:26
Speaker
Nice one, lads. See you next week. Welcome back to another episode of Who's Got the Ball with Shane and James.