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00:00:01
Daily Newcastle: Arsenal v Newcastle Runners Up Play Off Preview
0 Playsin 7 hours
Iain hosts Joanne to preview Sunday's Second place play off
Will Eddie out-tactic Arteta again?
Will Newcastle go 5 at the back?
Whose in if Botman is out?
Answers coming up
Follow us on social media https://linktr.ee/gspnnewcastle
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Delay Explanation
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Newcastle on an unusual Saturday morning. I know we should have been out with this preview of the game at Arsenal on Sunday this morning, but because of some crossed wires and miscommunications, the crossover podcast we planned for last night didn't take place.
00:00:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
app But don't worry, that's in that's in the past. We have got one or two advantages in being able to talk about the game a day later.
Newcastle vs Arsenal Preview
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
in that the managers have had their press conferences on Friday lunchtime.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
My name is Ian McKay, your host, and I'm joined tonight by the lovely Joanne, who is going to talk to me about whether we're going to finish runners up or not. Joanne, good evening. How are you?
00:00:55
Jo
Good evening, i am very good and looking forward to Sunday, that's got to say. It's going to be ah pretty exciting day. i'm going gonna spend it at pub because it's exciting terms of the still in the nerves, isn't it?
00:01:05
Jo
Let's get real, it's kind of, it's really getting down with look down and dirty now, I'd say. put it lightly.
00:01:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it seems it seems as though every game in this last five or six games that we've had has been the most important game of the season, including the Carabao Cup final.
00:01:11
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, now we've got the Carabao Cup final in the bag, we don't have to worry about that quite so much.
00:01:21
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:01:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
So this, again, is a really important game because effectively it's a runners-up playoff match, which is astounding.
00:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who could possibly have predicted that Newcastle would be in line for a runners-up position in the Premier League this season. Any guesses as to who could possibly have predicted it, Joanne?
00:01:48
Jo
I think it was you, Sir Ian Mackay.
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was. It was.
00:01:55
Jo
It was.
00:01:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
i have been banging on about how, in fact, it I don't know if you remember when we looked at it when there were 12 games to go, I heard us finishing ahead of Liverpool as well, but they really did have to fall off a cliff for that.
00:01:56
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But I always thought that, you know, we'd have a good go at Arsenal and this match could be pivotal for us to jump above them. And so it has proved. At the moment, we are two points behind them. So a win for Newcastle on Sunday would put us a point ahead and therefore City would remain a point behind us even if they win.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And a win at home against Everton in our final game would mean that we would clinch second place in the Premier League, which is runners-up.
Chelsea Match Recap and Tactical Analysis
00:02:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not just second place. As Arteta called it last week, it's not the best, but it's the best of the rest.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And certainly there certain periods of the season, in this season's Premier League, where I think Newcastle have been the best of the rest behind Liverpool. But anyway, let's not race ahead to talk too much about the glory of the finishing runners-up.
00:02:49
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because we've got a couple of games to play, including the one on Sunday, which we will preview. First, I just wanted to go back to that Chelsea game. We sat beside each other and watched at St James' Park.
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know how tense and nervous I was.
00:03:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Particularly second half, when the 10 men of Chelsea made it look like it was them that had 11 and that we had 10. m
00:03:20
Jo
Yeah.
00:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But apparently, i don't know if you've seen all of this, the The spin I've seen on it, Joanne, is that we shouldn't have been worried.
00:03:28
Jo
Yeah.
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because apparently it was all Eddie Howe's genius tactical master plan just to sit off them and let them have the ball in front of us and do all the fancy passing, but really not have too many attempts on goal, which actually was true.
00:03:37
Jo
Yeah.
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
There were only two saves, weren't there?
00:03:46
Jo
who
00:03:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you feel that when we were sitting watching it, though?
00:03:48
Jo
I think.
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you think that was us in control?
00:03:53
Jo
Not fully in control, but can you remember, obviously it was me, you and my dad, wasn't it? it? um And we did kind of have the conversation of let them pass it about as much as they want.
00:04:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to be a little
00:04:03
Jo
when There wasn't a lot of kind of end product, was there, like you've just said.
00:04:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
bit more.
00:04:07
Jo
So really, we probably should have felt a bit safer in the knowledge that they were kind of doing that. But are we not just typical Newcastle fans that probably for the rest of our given lives, no matter what happens to us, no matter how many things we win, we'll always have that hang on a second, we're only one nil up type of feature.
00:04:24
Jo
And also, isn't this typical Newcastle? We never know how to do things like the easy way, do we? So we always like to make it hard. um And all right, we can joke about Eddie not sending us the memo on his master plan, but I'd still rather them keep their cards close their chest anyway, you know, keep it from the opposition and stuff.
Tactical Strategies and Squad Depth Concerns
00:04:41
Jo
But he did the right thing. If that's really what he planned to do, then you're a genius, Mr. Howe. A lot that we already didn't believe that anyway.
00:04:47
Jo
that's fine.
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, curiously, it goes full circle back to us playing Arsenal, because if what Eddie did was just sit back, and he left three men on, didn't he? Apparently, it wasn't a tactical switch to bring Sven Botman off the ah central centre-half in our three centre-backs and bring a midfielder on. It was because he'd had a kick and he was injured and would come on to injuries later on, but Sven Botman, very, very doubtful of being available for for the game on Sunday.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So maybe maybe this was almost that like when when the Arsenal went were two behind in the first leg of the Caramau Cup at their place, and Miggie came on with his 5-5-0 formation instruction to everybody.
00:05:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
we just thought, right, well, we'll sit back for half an hour and we don't think you'll get past us. And they didn't.
00:05:41
Jo
True.
00:05:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if it was something like that, that's exactly it worked exactly, didn't it? Pope had to make a couple of good saves. But actually, they didn't really make, didn't really challenge that much. And in the end, it was us that scored the second goal.
00:05:54
Jo
you
00:05:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that last six minutes was glorious.
00:05:59
Jo
It was.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two up. Yes. Anyway, that was that was last, that was, yeah.
00:06:01
Jo
There's the comfort right there just for the last few.
00:06:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was last week's nervous, nervous, nervous time.
00:06:09
Jo
Six pointer eh?
00:06:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think that we will be aiming for the same sort of system against Arsenal again, three at the back, even if Botman's injured, how would you attack it?
00:06:25
Jo
m Yeah, I mean, I had this conversation before the Chelsea game about the Arsenal game, though. So again, it was kind of skipping ahead. But I did say at the time I would like to see us adopt that formation. And I can't remember who I was talking to because they're like, well...
00:06:40
Jo
Do you not think it might be a little bit predictable in terms of Arteta might obviously be expecting it? a way, I don't care whether he's expecting it or not. I don't think he knows how to play against it.
00:06:50
Jo
So, yes, I would like to see us do it. And then obviously we did adopt it during the Chelsea game. So that that was interesting cause that kind of threw me because I didn't expect that. and But it worked perfectly. But yeah, I'm going to stick with what I originally said, that I would like us to do that.
00:07:05
Jo
Granted, injuries have put more of a spin on how we'll play, I'm sure how we'll make it work. If he wants to play that formation, he'll make it work with the players he's got available.
00:07:17
Jo
I think, all right, I know we don't have the biggest squad in the world, but I think we've still got enough in it to still play the formation we want and shut them out. And like I said, make Arteta cry for the fourth time in a row and not let them score for the fourth time in a row.
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
eight
00:07:32
Jo
so I'm looking forward to that, that's for sure.
00:07:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
that would be That would be very, very sad. and Yes, Arteta's tears.
00:07:37
Jo
For him.
00:07:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nicola's favourite tears, apparently.
00:07:42
Jo
Tasty tears.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
it would be It would be lovely to see them falling again. So, it's the runners-up playoff.
00:07:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's very exciting. Neither of us can go because it's away from home. Where are you going to watch it?
00:08:02
Jo
I'm watching it in a sports bar in town called Abajo. It's on Grey Street. It's a cool sports bar. I can't speak. Cool sports bar, to be fair. It's just like downstairs and almost hidden away to to a degree, but it's a great sports bar anyway. So I'm going to go there with my dad, and I think Donna's going to join me as well. So I don't usually go out for the away games. I'll usually you just watch it at home, but it's a bit of a different away game, isn't it, really? And I think I might just need a couple of swift ones to see me through this one.
00:08:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well, I will be watching from home.
00:08:30
Jo
LAUGHTER
Press Conferences and Injury Updates
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe from behind the sofa, who knows? But yeah, i I just find it safer to watch from home on my own than nobody sees the Don's tears.
00:08:44
Jo
Oh, no.
00:08:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
If it happens, there won't be tears.
00:08:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
There won't be any tears.
00:08:45
Jo
no
00:08:46
Jo
don't. No, don't talk like that.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It will be, it'll just be lovely. Now we are going to come on to what they talked about in their press conferences about availability of players, what we are hoping and what might happen.
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
from the Arsenal team point of view. But first, I'm going to click a magic button, which will prompt Ken to tell us all about Bionic.
00:09:17
Jo
you
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now. Thanks, Ken. And that's by Monique. Cristiano Ronaldo's mob.
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just for Kevin. So, yes. so we saw Eddie's press conference at lunchtime. Or it was this morning. It comes out on YouTube at lunchtime. So, had to listen to that.
00:10:00
Jo
Yep.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Not a lot of positive news on injuries there, Joanne. and
00:10:20
Jo
know
00:10:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think... He left the door open for Sven Botman to come back, but reading between the lines, don't really want to take any chances on on somebody who's coming back from pretty much 13 months out with two dodgy knees.
00:10:32
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
What did he say about Trippier and his calf, which was which wasn't a serious injury, but you know what did he say on that?
00:10:43
Jo
Yeah.
00:10:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did he...
00:10:47
Jo
Personally, from what he said, i wouldn't expect to see Botman, personally.
00:10:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:10:54
Jo
No, I just i just don't. He's categorically ruled out Joe Linton for the rest season, that's a given. Trips, I'll be honest, I'd be surprised, but then sometimes, I don't know whether...
00:11:05
Jo
I always sometimes take what Eddie's saying right with a pinch of salt because I don't know whether he's divulging too much or information. But again, like ah what I said before, i kind of I kind of like it when they do hold the cards a bit closer to the chest anyway.
00:11:17
Jo
I don't know if trips will be. But at the same time, I don't expect him to play either. think Willick was the other one mentioned. So maybe not him either.
00:11:27
Jo
So we do have a few out, but then we've got to remember we've got some great backups. And if I'm honest, even if Willick was available, i want to see
Player Analysis and Predictions
00:11:34
Jo
Miley start regardless. So to me, that kind of area of the pitch, I would have made that switch up anyway.
00:11:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they kind of Mixed it up last week to not have to find a Joe Willock replacement who Who in himself Was a Joe Linton replacement and Playing the three Centre halves and two wing backs Meant that Once you pick Barnes and Gordon to play Either side of Isaac that there wasn't a slot In midfield left So if they play the same formation That would be
00:11:49
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:11:57
Jo
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:12:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
the case again, wouldn't it? The only person potentially missing from the Chelsea line-up is Sven Botman.
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to be fair, if Botman's out, they must have done most of their training this year to cater for the fact that Botman's out injured.
00:12:28
Jo
Yeah.
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I don't think it's going to be too much of a stretch to shuffle Fab Schaar to be the central of three central central defenders and bring Emil Kraft in.
00:12:38
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:12:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hoafu, who, let's be honest, and we haven't seen loads of him, but he does seem to have improved under Eddie Howe in the same way as Eddie Howe has been able to bring Joe Linton on, been able to bring Jacob Murphy on, been able to bring Dan Byrne on.
00:12:50
Jo
Yeah.
00:12:53
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, Eddie has this magic wand that he can just turn Worker Day Championship level players into England internationals, which is a wonderful trait for our manager to have.
00:13:07
Jo
It's crazy, isn't it?
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think he might have, ah you won't be able to convert Kraft into an England international, of course. But I think there might and might be that same sort of that same sort of development that we haven't really seen a lot of.
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although when he's come on and done his cameos, Kraft has certainly not let us down. The other thing which he did hint at, is that Jamal LaSalle might be sitting on the bench and ready to come on to play the last 20 minutes, which I don't think would be any bad thing as well.
00:13:38
Jo
Yeah.
00:13:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I know he won't be match fit, but if you want ah ah if you want a guy who bleeds black and white is going to put his body on the line, then you couldn't get anyone more like that than Jamal LaSalle.
00:13:44
Jo
Not at all.
00:13:49
Jo
Yeah.
00:13:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it would be absolutely lovely to see him come and actually take part in this season.
00:13:58
Jo
Yeah. Wouldn't it just.
00:14:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
because because he's not played. I mean, you know, and I think the rest of the squad would appreciate it. I'm going back to where go back to Bruno and Trippier, waiting to find him before they lifted the Carabao Cup at Wembley on that lovely afternoon.
00:14:05
Jo
Yeah.
00:14:13
Jo
Oh, it was fantastic, wasn't it?
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fabulous.
00:14:16
Jo
It was. I don't think you want to step forward by the looks of it when you look back at it, so obviously at the time I didn't appreciate it. And when you watch the millions of reruns like we have done, you can really see a point of Bruno is insisting on him coming and at least just stand as much as he still stood in the background and just kind of held the back of the cup.
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:31
Jo
He insisted on it happening. But I'd love to see LaSalle's get some minutes, man, and just get something this season because it must be so hard to be out for an entire season like that. But you're right, he's absolutely solid if he can come in and spend the last 20 minutes or something just being our our rock at the back and keeping them out if...
00:14:48
Jo
Hopefully we are ahead at that point and we're trying to protect the lead. Oh, no, I'd absolutely love to see LaSalle's come on. I really would. I think you'll get a great reception from our fans as well. So that'll be good.
00:14:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you might see Kraft moving up to take over Murphy's wing-back position and LaSalle's coming on for the last 20 minutes. So effectively, we'll be defending with about five centre-halves.
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. We might be two or three up and they'll be crying because Arsenal are potentially struggling with a lot of their own injuries.
00:15:13
Jo
Why not?
00:15:21
Jo
They are.
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
They have had Havertz out for months, although he has started training again this week.
00:15:24
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think he's going to be fit enough to start. He might be forced to, of course, because their makeshift centre forward, who, to be fair, has performed reasonably well, Mikel Moreno, got himself sent off against Liverpool.
00:15:37
Jo
Yeah. Of
00:15:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, again, he's a true Geordie.
00:15:44
Jo
course, deep down.
00:15:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He played for Newcastle for a year, a few years ago, didn't he? he doesn't want to play against them in this game. So he got himself sent off in the last 10 minutes so he wouldn't have to.
00:15:50
Jo
course he doesn't
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thanks, Mikel. But then, you know, I think Rice was missing from that game as well. So we don't know whether he's coming back.
00:16:00
Jo
yeah well i pulled up i was gonna sorry i was gonna say i pulled up some details
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gabrielle's obviously out.
00:16:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who else is down?
00:16:08
Jo
because he did say on Havertz that basically he's done parts of sessions in the last two days, they're still just going to make a decision tomorrow. How many times do you hear that anyway? But what i didn't realise is that there were so many other guys involved. So apparently Rice, Trossard, Martinelli and Timber have also only done part sessions apparently.
00:16:28
Jo
So none of them have completed a full session. So again, they're saying they're going to have to wait until tomorrow. So I don't know whether that's him again. holding his cards close to his chest and not just not giving any information away or whether that's completely true and they're all on the kind of slightly doubted list if you know what i mean so there's quite a few when you you start listing them off and there's quite a few of their important players as well so it's not like it's just anyone in the squad if all of those players happen to not start that's huge really isn't it
00:16:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
It will certainly, you'd think it would have an impact, but they have got, I think, a bit more strength and depth than we have.
00:17:04
Jo
They have.
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:17:05
Jo
know. I know.
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got this Nuanieri lad.
00:17:08
Jo
Unfortunately. Mm-hmm.
00:17:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
youngster who can come on and and be a and terrorise us i quite rate uh calafiore who doesn't seem to get very many minutes given that he's a italian international uh probably because timber's been so good but if timbers out they've got a they've got an international to come straight in
00:17:14
Jo
Mm-hmm. He
00:17:27
Jo
has.
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm not holding out any great hope that Arsenal are going to be so weak that we don't have to be at our absolute best to be able
Arsenal's Challenges and Tactical Mastery
00:17:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
to take something from them.
00:17:38
Jo
Absolutely not. No, no. We need to be on top, top form on Sunday.
00:17:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, yes, but we're top of the form league, I think.
00:17:42
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Arsenal aren't, if we're honest, because that draw at Liverpool, which i think was a I think was a very creditable result, but it stopped a run of, was it three straight losses?
00:17:51
Jo
Nope.
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
with Brentford and two Paris Saint-Germains.
00:18:01
Jo
Yeah.
00:18:04
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:18:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So this is why we've caught them, of course, because they haven't been picking up points in the Premier League. They're on a pretty dreadful run.
00:18:11
Jo
Yeah.
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think we ought to be able to take some confidence from that. if If we don't remember how terrified we were when we looked like we were being bossed by a 10-man Chelsea, and we turned that around to google what the journalists told us afterwards, that actually that was the fantastic tactical master plan of Eddie Howe to deal with the threat that Chelsea might get and in fact it was really working in the first half 11 against 11 because they never got a kick in our hearts.
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can remember Dan Byrne, we can remember cheering Dan Byrne playing centre forward, he was the most forward man to when he was closing people down and pushing everybody, pushing and pushing Palmer back to to the edge of his own box.
00:18:50
Jo
Wasn't he? was Brilliant.
00:18:57
Jo
Yeah.
00:18:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
which of course is the freedom that having three at the back gives you.
00:19:03
Jo
Yeah.
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, if that really was a tactical masterstroke, then we should we should be super confident going to this because we've got the same team to perform another tactical masterclass on Arsenal. Arsenal a little bit in disarray.
00:19:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
The manager is going in a little bit. It sounds a bit stressed to me.
00:19:25
Jo
Daddy?
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It sounds like he's a little bit over. oh Yeah, the pressure's really starting to tell on Arteta, I think.
00:19:32
Jo
Yeah.
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
and So, yeah. That would be so good. I can't wait for actually. I'm now really looking forward to it.
00:19:41
Jo
Yeah.
00:19:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we're going to predict. I will be predicting. You know what I'll be predicting in the last part. ah But before we get on before we get on to mopping that sort of thing up,
00:19:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
and our predictions, I'm going to ask you, Joanne, to give us the lovely Zencastr advert, because you know how much I like you reading to me.
00:20:00
Jo
aww aren't you just a sweet talker there you know right I'll crack on here at Global Sports Podcast Network we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform Zencastr came out the clear winner with 4k video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently if you're ready to tell your story check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr
00:20:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very good. Thank you very much indeed, John. That was lovely.
00:20:32
Jo
Thanks.
00:20:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Part three, predictions. But before we get on to predictions of the score, I am going to ask you, we don't do this often enough, I don't think.
Star Players and Match Predictions
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who do you think will be the star player on each side?
00:20:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Forget Arsenal.
00:20:49
Jo
I
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who will be the star player for Newcastle? Whose turn is it?
00:20:52
Jo
i was going to say, because if I'm honest, with with so many women being out for Arsenal, it's going to be hard to pick that actually. So yeah, let's forget about Arsenal.
00:21:02
Jo
do Do I be totally predictable and just pick my boy Jacob Murphy? or
00:21:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, are you saying that? However, and I mean, I'm not saying he's no good away from home, but he's he's a lot more visible at home than he is when he's playing away, isn't he?
00:21:11
Jo
He could totally be.
00:21:15
Jo
He is.
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was a bit anonymous against Villa, for example, and a bit anonymous.
00:21:16
Jo
Yeah.
00:21:19
Jo
I'm not going to pick Murphy because it is too predictable from my side. even Even any listeners that surely listen would know that I'm obsessed with Murphy, so I'll not.
00:21:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:21:28
Jo
I'm going to pick Tenali. I think Tenali's going to be an absolute beast on Sunday.
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
right Okay. Okay. Yeah, what I would love to be able to do, but even I wouldn't believe it, would be to pick Isaac. But Isaac has been off it since the Carabao Cup Final.
00:21:43
Jo
Yeah. He's like, needs to be.
00:21:48
Jo
Very.
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I don't know if that is because heard an interesting theory that
00:21:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
when he's trying to win himself more money than his new deal, and he's got to prove what he can do, he's on it. He's done that. They've got to wait till the end of the season to offer him the more money.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's kind of got to wait for for that to be rewarded for his performances. And he's just sort of treading water now. What do you think of that? I personally think it's um not really.
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um but I don't know. He doesn't strike me as that sort of player.
00:22:24
Jo
No.
00:22:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's more likely that he's carrying some little injury that nobody has mentioned properly.
00:22:28
Jo
Yeah. I'd be very disappointed if he was that type of player because you're right, he doesn't come across as it. Obviously, we don't know these guys inside out, do we? So we know what their media trained kind of personalities are, unfortunately, because they are all media trained.
00:22:43
Jo
i'd just be at would I'd be disappointed if that's what he's doing. I'd be very disappointed. But Come on, he knows how important this is. So I'd love to see him come back out firing because we are in need of it, I'll be honest, because to have him up top and firing will make such a big difference on Sunday.
00:22:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:59
Jo
Hmm.
00:23:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, you started with Murphy, who you weren't going to pick, and I've started with you, Zach, who I'm not going to pick, because I think this is going to be a...
00:23:04
Jo
Hmm.
00:23:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is obvious this is one where Newcastle's defence is the key. and And i think they're all going to play really well for us to win, but they will be led as ever by my favourite for the player of the season.
00:23:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Dan Byrne will have to be Colossus again.
00:23:25
Jo
Yep. hundred percent.
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll have to head everything clear. He'll have to be, yeah, he'll have to be on his mettle. Although I think he looks even better when he's got Liveramento outside him.
00:23:37
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
think he's even picked up from when Royal was playing there. I'm not sure why. Maybe Liveramento gets back slightly quicker because he is so nippy.
00:23:49
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:23:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah my yeah, Newcastle player of the match prediction is Big Dan Byrne. Because he'll never beat Big Dan Byrne, you know. He's from Blythe.
00:23:56
Jo
Apparently it's because he's from Blythe, yeah.
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So, what score are you going to go for? What score prediction are you going for with your round?
00:24:04
Jo
Well, because I i am a bit getting obsessed with the fact that they haven't scored against us all season, I don't want them to score again. So I've got to put a nil for Arsenal. So I'm going to go for a nice, i would say comfortable 2-0 win, but you know, it's Newcastle. So we might make another two ni win of nerves, but 2-0 is going to be my go-to.
00:24:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle 2, Arsenal.
00:24:26
Jo
That's the one.
00:24:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
See what I did there? Did you see what I did there?
00:24:28
Jo
it. I love it ah love It is.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good. Well, I think i mean, but you know, if if we were if we were looking at the past games this season, the last two games we've played them have ended in 2-0 defeats for Arsenal, both home and away.
00:24:40
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:24:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I'm going to stick with my 3-1. One, it's a long time since we won 3-1.
00:24:50
Jo
it is
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're win. I think they are certainly weaker in defence than when we've played them, because Gabriel being out, I think really, I know they do a lot to try and come for it and they've still got some great defenders. Saliba's another great defender, but without Gabriel, I think they are vulnerable, even though even he was bossed by Izak in those two games.
00:25:17
Jo
yeah.
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so I'm going to go for us to win 3-1. I do think that if we've got a new... if I don't know. i think they I think they will. I don't know. I don't know if they're going to have very many shots. I think it's going to be comfortable.
00:25:31
Jo
yeah.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we've got our first team playing a tactical match that will really frustrate Arsenal. And
Potential Premier League Implications
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that that you know we've got... We had Saka's number.
00:25:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know? We double up on him.
00:25:47
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think that that's you know Barnes is very good at coming back and helping out Tino on that I think yeah i think we're going to I think we are going to win comfortable maybe is the wrong impression I think we're going to win 3-1 because I don't think they've got much of a cutting edge they could have a very unfit Havert they might be playing Martinelli up front but he's a winger anyway
00:25:56
Jo
Yep.
00:26:09
Jo
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:26:17
Jo
Yep.
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
faced you know
00:26:17
Jo
Yep.
00:26:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think they've got a lot of people to score. I'm going to put them get one because we always throw one in the net ourselves really, don't we? But I think we'd be on top. I think we'll win 3-1. And that would give us the three points which would put us a point ahead of Arsenal. We would move into second.
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
If City won, they would stay in fourth, level on points with Arsenal because they haven't got as good a goal difference.
00:26:42
Jo
yet
00:26:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that would mean It depends on these two games tonight, but there is still one combination of results whereby Arsenal could drop out the top five and not qualify for the Champions League, which would be hilarious.
00:26:58
Jo
Just a bit.
00:26:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the first part of those results is for them losing at home to Newcastle. So let's hope we can do that.
00:27:04
Jo
It is We must start that.
00:27:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
We then have a really long shot. But by the way, I think this is going to be a much better value at the bookies than what the actual chances are. Arsenal's last game is a away at Southampton.
00:27:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you'd think all day that is an easy three points. But I tell you, last Saturday, Manchester City went there, had 78% possession, had 26 attempts on target.
00:27:26
Jo
Struggled, didn't they?
00:27:29
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:27:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
They thought that was going to be an easy three points and they drew 0-0.
00:27:32
Jo
Yep. Mm-hmm.
00:27:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
This new interim manager that they have seems to have instigated a much more steely rearguard by Southampton. I know they needed that point to avoid being the worst team in the league. But, ah you know, if it's a nil-nil, any breakaway could put them a goal up.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Southampton could be Arsenal 1-0.
00:27:54
Jo
True.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then it depends.
00:27:58
Jo
Can you imagine, Meng?
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Villa win their two games.
00:27:59
Jo
Oof.
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
City win their two games. It would probably need Chelsea to win at Nottingham Forest in the last game of the season. But that could put Arsenal in finishing sixth.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which would be hilarious.
00:28:15
Jo
I mean, come on, just a bit. Considering they've been title contenders all season. All season and they end up in the Europa. Oh, I'm sorry. Then
Closing Remarks and Match Review Plans
00:28:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think if we...
00:28:24
Jo
Arteta's tears will taste good.
00:28:26
Jo
Then.
00:28:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think if i think if we if we win... If we win, we go second. City are only a point behind us.
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they can level on points with Arsenal.
00:28:37
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:28:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I don't think they'll catch them on goal difference. But there's, it could be that Mikel Arteta could be the first person who finishes fourth in a two horse race, which is quite a badge of honor, I think.
00:28:56
Jo
Mm-hmm.
00:28:57
Jo
Just a bit.
00:28:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that that is it's possibly Olympic quality bottling.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you are, Mikel Arteta.
00:29:09
Jo
Brilliant.
00:29:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Olympic Standard Bottler. and I think that's what we should leave on. So I'm going to thank you very much indeed for joining me tonight, Joanne.
00:29:16
Jo
I agree.
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Both times we tried to record this.
00:29:23
Jo
Got there in the end.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
First one was, first one started terribly and just went down from there when Zencastr chucked us out really early. So we've we've done a second one. and i'm Thank you very much indeed for joining us.
00:29:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fingers crossed we're both on cloud nine come Sunday night.
00:29:36
Jo
Yes.
00:29:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not sure who is doing that review late on on Sunday, but nobody's at the match, so it could be any one of the five of us that's joining in there. But we'll have a review that comes out on Monday morning when hopefully we are patting ourselves on the back for qualifying for the Champions League and getting very excited for the final game against Everton where we clinch the runners-up spot.
00:29:40
Jo
Yeah.
00:30:05
Jo
Absolutely. See
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much for listening. well We will talk to you very, very soon.
00:30:11
Jo
you later.