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Episode 55: Forecast Friday - Manchester Derby and a relegation clash amongst this weekends fixtures
20 Plays8 days ago
Marcus and Louie look ahead to all the fixtures in game week 16 in the EPL and discuss if it's too soon to be calling Liverpool favourites for the title.
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Transcript
Introduction and Hosts
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are back. It's the Global Sports Podcast Network English Daily Premier League show and we're getting ready. I can't believe it. We're getting ready for game week 16 and it is coming up to Christmas.
Manchester City's Form and Challenges
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all very busy. I'm Marcus Rantow and I'm joined by Louis.
00:00:25
Louie Easton
It's good to be here again with you on Forecast Friday. It seems to be us two quite a lot now, doesn't it?
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, you know, they they know where to come to for their their sports forecast news for the upcoming Premier League games. And it is really hot in up. ah Before we get into that, actually, ah Louis. Man, sit here out of it, right?
00:00:44
Louie Easton
I think so now. Yeah, I think they've got too much ground to make up. um And the way they're playing at the moment, especially their midfield, it's not looking good for Manchester City fans, I'm afraid to say. But, ah you know, they've won four in a row. So I don't think they'll be complaining too much. It had to come to an end at some point.
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I don't think they'll have any any problems knowing them. They'll probably take this year to rebuild and be right back at it. But this is the first time this season that I have conceded that Manchester City, I think, are out of the title race. um Which brings me very nicely to, we were just talking before we hit record about kind of my experiences watching football in the US. And Man City got a huge following there, particularly on the East Coast from doing their their tours there previously. um And I hear we've got quite a few American listeners. Is that right?
00:01:33
Louie Easton
Yeah, no, that is true. And we will be definitely broadening our horizons to the American audiences from next year. I can't say too much about it just yet, but just know great things are on the way. um And of course, yeah, you mentioned the East Coast so Manchester City owned by ah the same people that own NYCFC in the MLS. So ah yeah, there's definitely a connection there.
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, I think they've actually got connections with with clubs in in Australia as well and all kinds of all kinds of business going on there.
00:02:08
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:02:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
but um We'll probably know more about that kind of business come February, I
Manchester Derby and Key Matches
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
think. But enough about that, let's look at the football because Manchester City will host Manchester United in what I think is the kind of highlight fixture of this match week.
00:02:23
Louie Easton
Yes, two giants that are out of form. um Which shall I start on then? Shall I start on Manchester City? Because that leads us nicely into ah into that fixture. I think so.
00:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah!
00:02:33
Louie Easton
They are there at home as well. um Manchester City. Drew last week against a Crystal Palace was a bit harsh of a red card for Rico Lewis who scored the goal. But Pep, he's completely lost his head. In the post-match interview, ah he was saying ah it's because it's Rico. What do you think he meant by that, Marcus?
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? I can't ah can't get my head around it. I thought it was a harsh red card for sure. I mean, you know, because it was second Jello, we couldn't necessarily see VR's intervention because on my first glance, I thought he was a bit hotheaded, went in too quickly and he deserved it.
00:03:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But actually, if you look closer, it looks like actually he gets fouled. um And I think perhaps he's talking about, you know, the first Jello was a bit naive. He's a young player, he's mouthing up at the referee.
00:03:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not the first time.
00:03:24
Louie Easton
yeah
00:03:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been warned.
00:03:25
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I do think it was harsh sending off, but I do think it's a lot of naivety um and I like when managers back their players I just don't think it was warranted here. Don't think it was red card, but I don't think oh because it's Rico really makes any sense here think
00:03:40
Louie Easton
What does that even mean? I don't understand where he's going. Is he accusing him of racism? I ah don't understand the thought process behind it.
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's accusing people, and ah again, I'm just thinking, um you know remember that moment many years ago with Alex Ferguson and Kevin Keegan, and and Ferguson was saying, you know, people would try harder against Man United.
00:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's probably saying, look, we're Manchester City and everyone's out to get us. um But I think they're undoing things themselves.
00:04:09
Louie Easton
But singling out Rico Lewis isn't the way to portray that message if that is what he's trying to get across. But yeah, it's been a horrible run of form for Manchester City. Two wins in their last 10 games? Something like that? ah No, one win in their last 10 games, isn't it? They've got a worse ah form record than Sam Marino at the moment. That seems to be the joke on the internet.
00:04:28
Louie Easton
ah they They've had a tough um away fixture as well, mid-week Wednesday nights in Turin, losing 2-0 to Juventus. Obviously for our US listeners, Weston Mckenny of the USMNT getting on the score sheet in that game. Is is it just the midfield, do you think? i Because earlier in the season I thought they were struggling from the back as well, getting it to pass out of the back. but What do you think needs to change from Manchester City? Do you think this is the ah is the match where it all turns around? Because it is a huge match.
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, what needs to change? I think that you know the depth and quality of the squad speaks for itself, so I don't think there's there's anything to worry about for for City fans in that instance. I think the the reality is the squad is getting older, they've been playing at a very high level for a very long time, and you know, they're tired, they're physically and mentally exhausted, um which is great news for the rest of the league who have been pushing them. ah We'll talk about Chelsea later on because I think they're sneaking up and looking very exciting at the moment.
Manchester United's Struggles
00:05:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um can Can this be the one they turn it around? I mean,
00:05:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you said to me six months ago, three months ago, two months ago, Manchester City are going to host Manchester United at the Etihad, there's only one result I'm thinking about. And I'm thinking about draw, I'm saying three points to Man City.
00:05:49
Louie Easton
Mmm.
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
United lost their last two league games. They had that kind of bounce back feeling, didn't they, of Amarin in charge.
00:05:59
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think from what he's been saying recently in the press, he has made clear what I suspected before he came along that at the end of the day, he's inherited a squad. but is that the squad that he wants? I don't believe it is, especially because he's he's still trying to stick to this 3-4-3 and I don't believe these players necessarily fit that. So with that in mind, I would say this is Manchester City's game for three points.
00:06:24
Louie Easton
Yeah, I understand where you're coming from. ah Manchester United look ah equally out of sorts at the moment. You can see that from just looking at the Premier League table, they're sort of in that sort of just sort of pushing up towards mid table position. um Also going away this week, they've had less of rest a rest Thursday night match in Czechia where They got a bit lucky against Victoria Plasgene.
00:06:53
Louie Easton
I think that's how you say it. Rasmus hoylands rasmus Hoyland is ah starting to score a bit more though.
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
um was just go to say
00:06:58
Louie Easton
ah we We did sort of write him off ah before their new manager came in. Reuben Amareem, because he sort of went out of form under Tenharg and that we were seeing Rashford played up front a lot, but since Rashford has moved to the left wing, Rasmus Hoyland has taken that position in the middle, things are starting to look up for Manchester United in an attacking sense, but from defence,
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was gonna say.
00:07:22
Louie Easton
They were absolutely awful against Nottingham Forest, losing every header in the box. ah Worried about Onana as well, he's had some inconsistent performances, but he was the one that had the worst match at home against Forest last week.
00:07:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:07:38
Louie Easton
ah They've struggled in transition of play, trying to move from defence into midfield, passing it out from the back, but it was a horror show for Manchester United, I thought.
00:07:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and and I think if you had to we had to really feel for Anana and it's it's, you know, typical of where they are. Again, Amarin said after the match that he knows that they are rebuilding the team. He knows that this is very much a phase of just let me kind of get my feet on the under the desk and get get to work here um to think you would you would lose 3-2 at home.
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Old Trafford to Nottingham Forest would be unthinkable even at the beginning of this season when when things weren't looking particularly amazing.
00:08:15
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But credit to Forest, they've had a great season so far and they have been playing some great football and Chris Wood continues to just put a smile on my face um every time I see him put the ball in the back of the net.
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Thoroughly likeable player. I believe he might even have have reached some sort of milestone as like top goalscore in the Premier League for the club or something like that, um which is is pretty impressive.
00:08:45
Louie Easton
Oh, I'm not sure about that one. What I can say though, just based on their performance, ah Forest are great in all areas of the pitch this season, ah but especially in the last couple of weeks. You know, Sells is informing goal. They can counter, they can press up high. They defend well in their own box. I can only see a Forest win going into the Villa match because Villa just can't deal with ah that I mean, their defensive problems recently have just been awful. And Forest will exploit that, absolutely. We'll move on to that game later on. But um as for Man City versus Manchester United, it really you can flip a coin for this one. For this is the first time ah in a while where you haven't really been able to predict the Manchester Derby.
00:09:33
Louie Easton
and Both teams are exhausted, both teams are out of form, and both teams are in desperate need of some motivation. And whoever wins this match, if there is a winner, will hopefully have some motivation for their own sake, because but both teams utterly demotivated at the moment. But, you know, Manchester United, I see... like ah If you're a betting man, you'd see a Manchester United loss.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i'd I'd have to go with that and and I can't see, you know, they've had a lot of negative press recently. So I could see City kind of trying to kind of get their season back on track and and they've got a bit more.
00:10:09
Louie Easton
yeah um um'm also Yeah, I'm also interested to see who managed City playing goal for this match as well because they've been playing Ortega and dropping Edison, which I just thought was bizarre. The first match they did that in was against Liverpool and that gamble just didn't pay off. So, yeah, ah Pep's thinking, I can't get my head around what he's doing at the moment, not just tactically, but also in press conferences. um Yeah, it's a mess.
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, it's interesting you signed the new contract because its it looks and sounds like he needs a
Liverpool's Premier League Prospects
00:10:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
break. ah Before we move on to the rest of the features, because there are nine others, I think it's time we heard about Zencaster. So I'll let you guys know because here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:10:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Zencaster 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 description to learn more about Zencaster.
00:11:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So ah they theyre keep putting us on on this at the same time. So we we have to know acknowledge that there's two Liverpool fans running this this episode.
00:11:20
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:11:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool host Fulham, we are now very much the bookies' favourites to win the Premier League. ah I might be starting to believe.
00:11:32
Louie Easton
I am too, however I do still think Liverpool are more vulnerable than people. ah give us credit for. um Because I think we are still beatable.
00:11:43
Louie Easton
I look at some of the other teams and their flying form. But, you know, our trip to Girona in midweek, even though we were rested, we struggled. um I understand it's an a away night in a Champions League against an underdog team, so that's going to happen regardless.
00:11:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:59
Louie Easton
But I just didn't see Premier League winners or Champions League winners as we want to go for as well this season.
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:07
Louie Easton
against Girona and you know you can understand that maybe we weren't putting out our full team you know Kiaza and Jota still coming back from injuries good to see Elliott getting some more minutes now but I still think that there is a slip-up in us we saw it before ah that sort of break where we didn't play Everton against Newcastle
00:12:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:32
Louie Easton
I thought, yeah, that was that was a really weird match um with Newcastle. You know, there are some Macalesters missing from this game as well through suspension. I thought that yellow card on him was ridiculously harsh.
00:12:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:46
Louie Easton
um And Darwin Nunez, I think. ah I don't know about you, ah but I'm starting to give up on him. I said this on the Liverpool podcast as well.
00:12:57
Louie Easton
We've given him so many chances up front and he's just not good enough to be the starting striker for a Premier League winning team. We see Jota and we see such a difference that he makes whenever he plays.
00:13:10
Louie Easton
It's such a shame that he's so injury prone, but it's also good for Nunez to be getting as many minutes, but he hasn't been scoring.
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
e
00:13:16
Louie Easton
He's got what? like barely any goals in his last 10 matches or whatever. I don't know the exact statistic behind it, but the eye test, especially against Newcastle, he's failed.
00:13:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think it's it's quite, quite low. I think it was I did have it written down somewhere. I won't go and find it for the sake of of Darwin Nunez fans. It's interesting because ah one of his key stats is he's covered the most ground of any Liverpool player in per game this season.
00:13:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And in that sense, you know.
00:13:42
Louie Easton
Only because Elliot hasn't been playing. That's all I'll say.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, whenever I'm at Anfield, picked this the the great thing ah is is the atmosphere and the support that play it players get from the supporters. And fans have really got behind Nunez and really kind of cheered him on and and love how hard he works for the team.
00:14:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But strikers ultimately ultimately will be charged to their goals. I mean, you talked about the midweek game, it was the pretty dismal watch. And again, you know, who comes in to save the day? Mo Salah, who got sports player of the month, this this month, and who is still somehow trying to sort out a a contract.
00:14:14
Louie Easton
Yeah, for me, I think you're in.
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did read on this is Anfield today that Liverpool might be interested in 23-year-old Brighton striker Jal Pedro, which
00:14:29
Louie Easton
Oh, yes, please.
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
makes me think that, you know, and also something we're not really talked about and maybe something for the Liverpool guys to discuss or something for us to discuss later on. um slot has a bit of a ah reputation I see as coming in as kind of like a nice guy but people who have worked with him as particularly in the dutch league said you know what he's ruthless if you aren't performing he will ship you on and this sounds very much like you know what we like you you're nice but we need something else and I could see
00:15:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, if that bid is successful, they're saying, talks in January, probably a transfer at the end of the season, Jal Pedro in, young, knows the league, and very good player, score goals, I can see that happening.
00:15:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even through things like, you know, big love for Jottis, he's probably my favourite Liverpool player, and i I'm lucky to have seen him score at Anfield and and seen him play in the flesh.
00:15:14
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:15:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But as you say, injury prone, and that that doesn't help you win a title. So ah That's the talk at the moment. Jeff Pedro could come to LFC by the end of next season um hosting Fulham at home ah Which is a fixture I've seen before it was only a 1-0 win a run rainy evening um Much easier for me to get tickets for that
00:15:40
Louie Easton
I saw it twice last season actually, that one. That's the only two Premier League matches I went to as well. the for the oh yeah I didn't even have a ticket for one of them, someone just let me in when I was asking everyone if they had a spare ticket. but um There we go, and yeah the one at Anfield especially, the 4-3, was one of the matches of the season you know that there were only a couple better maybe the uh chelsea four man city for one that we saw as well last season but that that that liverpool full of match was just unbelievable it was a pure clop evening of football um and i was in the cup for that i was lucky enough to be in the cup for that one
00:16:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh. Hmm.
00:16:23
Louie Easton
um I initially had a ticket for the newly built Anfield Road section but that wasn't finished yet so it was a sale to move us to the COP and I got the last ticket in the entire stand um and thank God I did ah because that Macalester goal is such a shame we won't get to see him play because we saw what happened in this exact fixture
00:16:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:16:44
Louie Easton
one of the goals of the season, barring Garnaccio's goal.
00:16:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:16:49
Louie Easton
But yeah, as for this match, ah i I can see maybe a weakness in Liverpool but but basing on the fact that they just had a trip to Spain and fill in the fresh for a week and they have the motivation after a good result against Arsenal last week.
00:17:04
Louie Easton
ah So I'd be interested to see what happens. so
00:17:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree. And I think, you know, it's very obvious what McAllister brings to to the club and that, you know, when you lose a player from midfield of that quality, how it affects the team. So as Liverpool fan, I'm worried, but is Anfield, I can see a result going in our favour, maybe a draw.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't see us losing Anfield, but yes, Liverpool host for them three o'clock on Testy.
00:17:28
Louie Easton
We're such pessimists, aren't we?
00:17:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which is crazy because Klopp came to turn us from deafers into believers and it seems like we've come back full circle again um ah what took though and I want to talk about ah to a club and a team that
00:17:36
Louie Easton
We really have. It's like the Brendan Rodgers days.
00:17:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
this This team of podcasters ripped into mercilessly at the beginning of the season and have not just been getting results, but looking really good whilst doing it.
Chelsea, Brentford, and Tottenham's Current Form
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Chelsea ah will host Brentford this weekend. Brentford have got one of the worst, I think it's joint worst away record in the league with Southampton. They've only won once away from home this season. um And Chelsea look amazing. I can't believe I said that.
00:18:15
Louie Easton
Yeah, yeah, um um just to correct you, sorry, they have only got one point all season away from home.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
sorry yes one point yes
00:18:23
Louie Easton
And yeah Southampton are the only team that are worse and that's based on goal difference. It's so strange because Brentford are the best team in the league at home, even if Liverpool beat Fulham.
00:18:36
Louie Easton
um and that's that is just unbelievable. ah You know, um Brentford as well, um they were very good against Newcastle, I have to say, um and Bermo and Visa, incredible performances from both of them.
00:18:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:54
Louie Easton
um And it's it's weird because Newcastle were so strangely bad ah defensively, they just weren't making challenges and Brentford completely ah exploited that.
00:19:05
Louie Easton
ah Hopefully, Chelsea host Brentford in a bit of a West London Derby. ah Let's hope that Kookareya has got his actual boots on this week instead of... It looked like he was playing on Slip N' Slide. It was so strange.
00:19:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But did you notice he swapped studs for studs? It was just basically the same moves.
00:19:23
Louie Easton
No, I didn't. i I don't know what happened then. It's so strange. ah Yeah, giving the ball away, what was it, twice in the opening 20 minutes?
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Twice.
00:19:35
Louie Easton
um But other than that, Spurs were absolutely dreadful, weren't they?
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes and I unfortunately you know not so long ago said is it time to stop spurs bashing but then spurs started doing spurs things again so um well and and now it's actually so you know
00:19:47
Louie Easton
Yeah. Oh, it happens. They're such a strange team.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can talk about Chelsea and Karl Palmer all day long, as I'm sure many will will do. But Spurs will go away to Southampton. You mentioned they but they are the worst team away from home. They're in the bottom three at the moment. They're not looking great. i can't seem They seem to be playing their way, which isn't doing them any favours. Is this an opportunity for Tottenham to come back and say, OK, do you know what? We can do a job.
00:20:17
Louie Easton
Well, it's Spurs, so yeah there it is an opportunity. All jokes aside, um you know, Southampton just five points from 15 games this season. and ah i i'm worried I'm worried about Southampton, but I don't think we expected them to really make a chance to stay up. But Spurs in 11th, I don't understand what's going on with that team. They got six wins from 15, 20 points in the Premier League, and
00:20:43
Louie Easton
the Europa League, aren't they? So maybe they're not as fresh ah this season, at weekend rather.
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:20:49
Louie Easton
um But it is an opportunity, absolutely, to answer your question.
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i I can see them pick up some points there. I think they have, when they've looked good, they have looked very, very good and actually really entertaining to watch as well. um Just when they've looked bad, they yeah they just seem to fall apart.
00:21:06
Louie Easton
yeah Oh, of course, they played midweek against Rangers. Of course, of course.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:21:10
Louie Easton
how I literally watched some of that match. What am I on about? Yeah, no, they looked...
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
So memorable.
00:21:16
Louie Easton
Yeah, well, it was memorable because the Ibrox stadium is just a cauldron on European nights.
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah.
00:21:22
Louie Easton
But yeah, one all against Rangers and they had to properly fight. Rangers looked like the better team as well. They had more shots. They had to more shots of the target as well.
00:21:34
Louie Easton
Spurs dominated possession. um I don't know what's going on with Spurs this season. They need, I honestly think it's time to start talking about Andrew Post or Koglu and if he should be.
00:21:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:21:46
Louie Easton
That's honestly because they brought him in and I thought, well, he's going to have a new manager bounce and then Spurs aren't going to threaten for Europe again because I think they need to focus on the Europa League.
00:21:59
Louie Easton
Premier League, it's out of the question really.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, if if they finish this season with a trophy, Europa League, FA Cup, is is that a failed season?
00:22:06
Louie Easton
then I will eat my words. No, it's absolutely not because Spurs haven't won any trophy since 2008. And eight and that's what they that's what their reputation is with ah current football fans is that they just don't win trophies and they haven't done for a long time.
00:22:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah.
00:22:22
Louie Easton
um There have been bumps along the way for Spurs since that time, ah you know, sacking Jose Mourinho a few days before a League Cup final and getting Ryan Mason in as that final manager. I just don't understand what they're thinking it has been. Business wise though, Spurs I think are a very good club. They've got a very nice stadium and they've got a decent squad of players. You know, they've got some players who have really ah come into ah the team as proper starting players in the last couple of seasons. You know, Papay Matassar, I think he's been excellent. Kula Shevsky this season has been terrific. One of the best, ah one of the best players this season, I think, in the entire league. Brennan Johnson as well.
00:23:02
Louie Easton
um But I just don't see Ange Postocogli lasting as manager if they don't do well in the Europa League this season or at least the FA Cup because They're 11th in the league Spurs should be challenging for more than that They've had a huge fool this season and they've had an awful row of form in recent matches as well um you know losing to their rivals Chelsea last weekend losing to Bournemouth before that drawing with Fulham drawing with Roma and looking at their recent matches. And then before that, just a couple of weeks, losing to Ipswich Town at home. This is not good enough for Spurs standards.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. And I do fancy them away from home against Southampton. My quick fact from from the Spurs Stadium, because I've been there, I think it's it's incredible.
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Apparently, there are no red fire extinguishers in the Tottenham Stadium.
00:23:57
Louie Easton
What? Well, but because of their rivalry of Arsenal.
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've purposely, yes, they've purposely invested in fire extinguishers that do not have the majority colour of red, apparently.
00:24:06
Louie Easton
So that's so that's so cringe.
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:24:08
Louie Easton
I'm sorry. That's really cringe.
00:24:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
If anyone can fact check that and verify for me, I'm pretty sure that is true. um But, you know, don't hold me to it. Let let me know if if you think otherwise. ah across Across the way then, um asked I was going to say Highbury, not Highbury at the Emirates, Arsenal, or host Everton.
00:24:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Incidentally, did you see the Everton fan who came over from Australia for the most side
Arsenal's Set Piece Strategy and Successes
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Derby it that was called off?
00:24:35
Louie Easton
I did see this. I did see this.
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
my gosh ah fair play to Everton they had him around at the training ground and and he met the players and stuff and um you know yeah but a Seamus Coleman kind of yeah yeah absolutely because
00:24:38
Louie Easton
Is that...
00:24:43
Louie Easton
Okay. Well, that's good at least, but that is a huge shame. I'm just wondering how he got to tickets. You know, do you not have to be a season ticket holder? He must have known someone, because I...
00:24:55
Louie Easton
I mean, getting tickets for Liverpool is a nightmare. I don't know about Everton. Maybe they just need to send out their stadium. Anyway, ah talking about the match. um Who's at home?
00:25:06
Louie Easton
Sorry, is Arsenal at home?
00:25:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal at home, Everton will travel.
00:25:08
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah.
00:25:11
Louie Easton
Everton nicely arrested, though.
00:25:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:14
Louie Easton
The match last week cooled off. They're not in Europe. They are ah in a lot of need for some points to get themselves further away from the relegation zone. Still five points from the drop, granted with a game in hand.
00:25:26
Louie Easton
um And travelling to Arsenal, that's always hard. so I understand Arsenal had some midweek football as well, but Arsenal as well in the last week at the Fulhams Craven Cottage,
00:25:41
Louie Easton
drawing and that was a strange draw as well because Fulham just hit them on the counter attack and Arsenal just seemed to be playing for set pieces more than anything else now and I don't know if you saw but they actually made a mural for their set piece coach Yova
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm Oh my gosh, I mean like
00:25:59
Louie Easton
in the in the in the tunnel as well going to the stadium where they've got all sorts of murals they put i hope it's a joke for their sake because that is the most woke nonsense that i have ever heard oh it's it's so embarrassing for arsenal fans i'm sorry but oh absolutely
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you could argue that they they've got every right to be excited about it just because of the amount of goals they scored from corners. um People are saying, you know what? You must know by now. not Don't let Arsenal have corners. Don't let it happen.
00:26:30
Louie Easton
Oh yeah, I completely agree on that, in that respect, but come on. You know, and I was annoyed as it was when he started getting out of the bench to go up and act as the manager.
00:26:43
Louie Easton
what's good I understand that their game is set pieces, but just come on. Let Martetta do the managing. That's what I think. and Anyway, as for the actual team, rather than me just slandering their club, let's actually talk about this.
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it
00:26:58
Louie Easton
yeah
00:26:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah well
00:26:59
Louie Easton
Let's still go out there, actual team. Bakai Osaka, definitely one of the players of the season, absolutely. um I was speaking to um yeah um speaking to our good friend as well ah on the podcast, the Arsenal fan based in Reading. I won't name his name just because you'll know who it is from that. ah he um he He said Bakai Osaka is the best player in the Premier League last time I was on this podcast.
00:27:27
Louie Easton
um What's your opinion on that, Marcus? I wanna know.
00:27:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what I don't think it's right because I think and it sounds really biased I think Mo Salah is the best player in the league at the moment
00:27:40
Louie Easton
Oh, it's not biased at all. Come on. It's... You're you're not wrong. It is Mo Salah.
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, there's there's been this kind of murmuring, particularly around Arsenal fans, which I think is absolutely justified, that Saka is not given the respect he deserves.
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I absolutely agree with that.
00:27:56
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it is a curse of the English Premier League that we just don't seem to really give our English players what they deserve in terms of flight.
00:28:07
Louie Easton
yeah
00:28:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
If they didn't really deliver, because he's delivering week in, week out.
00:28:11
Louie Easton
he is
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's also, he's a young lad who's who's leading that team.
00:28:15
Louie Easton
He's got more assists in the Premier League than they are the player this season. I will mention him actually, it's quite cruel. Nick Bird said it and it's good to give people their spotlight. But yeah, Saka has just been incredible. What I'm really impressed by this season, we're going back to the set pieces thing, which I hate, but ah he has been incredible at swinging those corners in from the right hand side. ah it led to It's led to multiple goals this season.
00:28:40
Louie Easton
um And, you know, Fulham just can't deal with the set pieces. We saw in Monaco, interestingly enough, however, that Monaco just put some players on the halfway line and that kind of ruined Arsenal's plans to sort of just get in with the mosh pit in the middle and try and make space to win a header. But because they had three players on the halfway line, they had to put a couple of defenders back and suddenly that's a little bit less of a threat from set pieces.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh wow i didn't see that that's really interesting okay um maybe because actually so actually i did catch that i didn't realize that's what was happening but i do remember it took quite a few attempts for us not to get anything really into into them on set pieces um and i didn't realize that's what was going on so that's interesting um i think
00:29:11
Louie Easton
still well Still lost 3-0 granted, but ah you know, it was an interesting thing to see.
00:29:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Although Everton are well rested and are ah yeah having that kind of coming off of good results, et cetera, I think Arsenal at home, Saka, it's going to be a win. We've got a few more games to quickly look at before we wrap things up, but before that, um let's have a look at what we do at the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:29:50
Louie Easton
This podcast is part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only network bringing you exclusive daily news and views on your Premier League team, the Premier League, women's football and fantasy football. It's a unique listening experience that puts fans first, bringing you the very latest breaking news from your team. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and make us your first listen every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network, every club, every day.
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nice one, Louis. So a few more games to to kind of fire through because we are fast running out of time and I'm just going to get your opinion on all these
Wolves, Ipswich, and Nottingham Forest Previews
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
fixtures. Wolves will host Ipswich.
00:30:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's actually one of the tastiest games we're looking at this weekend.
00:30:34
Louie Easton
that is a brilliant match, and I'll tell you why. They're on the same amount of points, both in the relegation zone. Granted, whoever wins won't get out of the relegation zone regardless, just because it's impossible. Palisades are four points ahead. However, that will give a lot of motivation to whoever wins that, and especially if wolves can perform at their best, I just don't think that Ipswich have the quality to stop them. Mateusz Kunier,
00:31:01
Louie Easton
Uh, although, in West Ham, it was interesting to see, um, who was it that got into a ding-dong with Jared Bowen? Uh, I'm trying to remember, I'm trying to remember his name off the top of my head.
00:31:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I don't know.
00:31:12
Louie Easton
This is, uh, I'm sorry, we're absolutely...
00:31:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's very late on a Friday.
00:31:16
Louie Easton
Mario Lemina! Mario Lemina. Yeah, that's who it was, yeah.
00:31:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, yeah.
00:31:20
Louie Easton
Yeah, got into a ding-dong with Bowen and I just, and you know, squared up to a coach as well.
00:31:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:25
Louie Easton
i I don't understand what's going on there, but that's besides the point. Ipswich versus Wolves, that's probably one of the matches of the weekend, absolutely.
00:31:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I think, you know, because Wolves are at home, because Utrecht can't seem to really get something over the line, i can I can see Wolves getting three points out of that. We talked about um Forest a bit already. They will host Villa, Oli Watkin's potential injury doubts after um midweek game, um and Forest at home and flying. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I feel like Aston Villa won't get any points from this.
00:31:59
Louie Easton
No, I don't think so either. Forrest did so well at Old Trafford, as I said. ah Just strong on every part of the week. However, ah good news for Villa. John Duran is back to scoring ways and he looks a proper, proper player again. You know, Villa um Not the fresher team had a midweek trip to Leipzig. I'm still worried about their defence on the edge of the box and dealing with counter-attacks. That's how they got punished against Crystal Palace. ah But yeah, I can only see a forest win, especially with the way they're playing and the fact that they are rested and at home.
00:32:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah villa looking a bit tired i think as well um we talked about jab hedger at brighton brighton will host palace uh 2 p.m kick off on saturday um
00:32:40
Louie Easton
Hmm.
Brighton's Season and M23 Derby
00:32:45
Louie Easton
Just the... I hate that rivalry, though. Can I just say, the M23 Derby? Oh... Ooooh! We've got some rivals! We're on the same road! Oh! Oh wow! We have to have fights now!
00:32:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
came up with that
00:33:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
someone Someone was clutching.
00:33:03
Louie Easton
oh we've all got we we've We've both got some birds in our logos! Let's have a ding-dong! You know, let's have a scrap at the ab... Just shut up! You're not a proper rivalry, you never will be.
00:33:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:33:15
Louie Easton
Brighton vs Palace, though. Let's recover.
00:33:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm glad you mentioned the M23 Derby. What a load of nonsense.
00:33:23
Louie Easton
Oh, it's just, and it's not even, deal you know, it's it's Brighton Road for parts of it and the A23. Let's get that out of the way. The M23 only goes to Crawley. I know that because I live just off it. But anyway, moving on. Brighton versus Palace. Yes, um I do see Brighton coming away with three points here. I just think their quality and the way they're playing this season has been incredible. Joao Pedro, as we mentioned,
00:33:51
Louie Easton
proper, a proper, proper player. Um, and as well, your Kuber Minter off the right wing, really looking a proper player, getting a good goal, um, earlier this week against Leicester away. And Mitzaimer as well, still doing things on the left wing, cutting inside as he always does causing issues. Um, however, Palace's right back situation is looking good at the moment. Munoz, uh, getting a goal, uh, as well against Manchester city.
00:34:21
Louie Easton
But yeah, i I can only see three points for Brighton. I think you will think the same.
00:34:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. And I'm a bit worried for Palace actually. I thought they'd be a lot better off at this point in the season than they are at the moment. um Nothing to be too concerned about, but also kind of you've been in the league long enough now to start wanting a bit more. And they were looking really good um a few seasons ago. So I wonder how Palace fans are feeling about that. Final game to have a quick look at then is actually the Monday fixture.
Bournemouth and West Ham's Start to the Season
00:34:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Bournemouth will host West Ham. West Ham, who made a lot of investment in the summer and just looking again, not really consistent enough, home and away.
00:35:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're going to go to Bournemouth who have had some fantastic results recently.
00:35:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tell me, what do you think about Bournemouth?
00:35:12
Louie Easton
they're They're a good team.
00:35:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:35:14
Louie Easton
They're a great team, Bournemouth. You know, two late goals to be Ipswich, Unel and Utsara, but i while Bournemouth don't necessarily have the best team on paper, um and West Ham do, it really does seem like the game will go the other way.
00:35:29
Louie Easton
I think Bournemouth, you know, it's good seeing Kepa back in goal in the Premier League. I've always liked seeing him. He's always chaos in some form or another. But, you know, they've had a revelation this season, Bournemouth, absolutely, with Evan Ilsen coming in from Porto in the summer, Justin Clivett as well.
00:35:46
Louie Easton
Taverniers had some sort of resurgence as well as Antoine Semenyo, who we just couldn't get enough of earlier this season.
00:35:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:35:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:53
Louie Easton
uh are now on the bench that's great quality to bring on um david brooks as well what a story for him you know coming back from cancer and performing in the premier league at a high level uh once again uh i can't see anything other than a bournemouth win really i know I know West Ham are meant to click at some point and they did get a win against Wolves but when are they going to do it against a big team and then have that consistency to carry on? that's I just think things need to click for um for for West Ham and they haven't yet.
00:36:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree and and interesting you mentioned about kind of Bournemouth have had a really good kind of start to this season and um when they when they sold Solanke I thought oh okay this is a bit brave considering how many goals he's bad for you last season same I thought with Ivan Tony at Brentford but both clubs
00:36:45
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:36:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
relying on the other strikers to really step up and they really have and it's been quite something to watch. So I'm i'm sure both teams are quite happy with the business they've done ah before the season started. ah That is game week 16 and it is going to become a very congested very quickly.
Conclusion and Game Week 16 Excitement
00:37:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah louis's been
00:37:09
Louie Easton
And this has become a very long episode of this podcast as well.
00:37:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
this The forecast Friday is always long for us because we have to cover every every team and we've got so many opinions about every team.
00:37:15
Louie Easton
always does.
00:37:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
One day, I will get through an episode without um talking about Spurs in a negative context. I almost made it. I started to say we should stop Spurs batting.
00:37:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm looking forward to to this game week. ah Very quickly before we finish off, out of all 10 fixtures, what do you think is going to be the one, the highlight?
00:37:41
Louie Easton
I think Manchester City, Manchester United, you have to say. That's a much bigger rivalry than the M23 Derby, and and also whoever wins will really benefit from that, especially if they can carry it into future game weeks. And this is the first massive test for Ruben Amorim as well.
00:38:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I think when he came in, that was the thing that but everyone was looking forward to. I won't be long before it's the Manchester Derby. I think it's what only three or four games in Premier League wise. Yeah, i'll I'll take that one.
00:38:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would have said Wolf Zip Switch is another one to really light a fire under, but, you know, Man City, Man United, 430 kickoff is going to be a fantastic match.
00:38:20
Louie Easton
Oh, can I just say, we actually didn't touch properly on Newcastle Leicester.
00:38:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle Leicester. I was going to say you didn't touch a Newcastle Leicester.
00:38:28
Louie Easton
yes okay okay quickly i'll i'll i'll wrap this up um firstly with uh new castle they are just looking awful defensively uh losing jewels all over the pitch awful awful in transition to defense um the midfielders really don't engage and new castle have just been so inconsistent this season they should really win
00:38:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's do that before we finish off because the sack is
00:38:51
Louie Easton
ah but the new manager bounce for Ru Van Nistelroy really has been a thing in existence. I really thought it was stupid business ah but getting a draw against Brighton is always a good thing especially with the form that Brighton are in this season and the sort of quality that Jamie Vardy still has at striker is brilliant you know he got a goal and a very good assist ah against Brighton.
00:39:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cool. Yeah.
00:39:15
Louie Easton
I still think ESAC should be a winger uh he um he he's so quick his feet are so uh so quick as well his decision making is so clever he can cross and uh Harvey Barnes uh in the middle whenever ESET goes out to the wing and Harvey Barnes plays in the middle I really think that's where Newcastle are very dangerous um but Newcastle I just think they try to outscore teams too much rather than beat them in all ah positions of the pitch. The defence really ah is their big problem ah this season ah but yeah I still see Newcastle winning.
00:39:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and Esac's got, I think, three assists this season as well as the goals he's bagged. He's looking really good. The fans obviously want him to to commit and stay. um Should Eddie Howe be worried?
00:40:08
Louie Easton
Maybe. I think they're too inconsistent. I think the team don't work hard enough. I think ah he's not demanding an enough out of that midfield. um They sort of goal hang a little bit, especially Bruno Guimarais. You see him making runs into the box and they're not really running back to defend, which he should be doing, especially in the Premier League at the highest level.
00:40:29
Louie Easton
ah when they are so afraid to commit tackles ah in defence. Maybe Eddie Howe should be worried, especially considering the fact that Newcastle just have a lot of money and can afford to replace replace him with almost anyone.
00:40:45
Louie Easton
um But yeah, I don't i don't think Newcastle are that team yet to challenge for Europe. Obviously it was a great thing when they did get into the Champions League and hosted PSG at home. What an atmosphere. um But yeah, just give them give it time. See if they are ah going to improve and then maybe pull the trigger if they need to.
00:41:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair enough, Louis, thank you very much. Thank you guys for listening from all over the place, including across the pond, as we've heard. ah You've been listening to the daily English Premier League podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network.