Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Daily Manchester City: FA Cup Forecast - E z W v the Os?
14 Plays24 days ago
Episode 71 - Jools is joined by Lewis to look ahead to City's FA Cup 4th Round tie against League One Leyton Orient. Includes special insight on Orient boss Richie Wellens from Lewis..
Sponsors and Advertising Zencastr Built for quality - designed for growth
a new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio+video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools - all in one place. Get started for free, we highly recommend it!
https://zencastr.com/?via=ken
Global Sports Podcast Network - creating the world's first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world's biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience - email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
Ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright | 2024 | Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Welcome and Introduction
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Manchester City Podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Jules Jordan-Probert and I'm joined today by Lewis Royal. Hi Lewis.
Reflecting on Defeat and Upcoming FA Cup Match
00:00:18
Lewis
Hi Jules, it's good to be back and hopefully back to winning ways in the weekend with a bit of cup action and what you would say an easier opponent because I think we did lose 5-1 last weekend, I vaguely remember. So yeah, hopefully hopefully better this week.
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I can't remember too much about that game anymore myself, so I think the best thing is to quickly move on, forget it ever happened and get back to winning in ways. And as you say, the opponent theoretically should be a lot easier. City, face Leighton Orient, travel to the Gown Group Stadium.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
at 12.15 on Saturday in the fourth round of the FA Cup in what could be City's only chance at Silverware this season.
00:00:51
Lewis
to the end.
00:00:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Leighton Orient have done brilliant to get here, beaten Borenwood on penalties, Oldham Athletic and then beaten Championship Derby County on penalties to get rewarded by meeting the Premier League champions.
00:00:58
Lewis
Back to you.
The Importance of the FA Cup for Manchester City
00:01:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lewis mentioned the 5-1 loss to Arsenal last time out.
00:01:12
Lewis
and the last time
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
How important is it to get back to winning ways and right those wrongs?
00:01:20
Lewis
Yeah, I think it's massive. With the with the tricky run of fixtures that we have got coming up, it is definitely good to, like we did a few weeks ago, pick up some momentum. I think that's definitely vital. Obviously, it's Arsenal away. we We went there not really expecting much. and We were humbled, apparently. I'm not too sure about that. and I'm not sure how we can be humbled in that Arsenal when they haven't actually won anything yet. So, I'll keep my mouth shut. That's an argument for another day. but Yeah, it's definitely important to so progress in the FA Cup. I think the FA Cup as a tournament this season is massive for us with the Prem looking out of reach with Liverpool and being top class. The Champions League looking a bit ropy with Real Madrid to play home and away and it's just more games to our calendar to add to our injuries and etc. And then obviously we knocked out the League Cup I suppose unfortunately.
00:02:10
Lewis
our bogey teams, yeah, I think it's definitely vital and it'll be good to see us hopefully score a few goals on the weekend and and not concede as many against a league one outfit, so yeah.
00:02:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
and City obviously have a great record in this competition, especially under Pep Guardiola. How much do you enjoy the f FA Cup and how important is it to and put the wrongs of last season's finals to bed?
00:02:36
Lewis
Yeah, well, it's one of the most prestig days the most prestigious English tournament. and Yeah, I love it. I think that it's been great for years. it's It's loved by many, many of the public. And I think that obviously we got beat to United last year in the final, which wasn't ideal. Our noisy neighbors, obviously May knew catching the headlines, but You know, i've had I've had great memories of the f FA Cup. I think we beat Watford 6-1 one year, and obviously Yaya Torre's heroics against Stoke in 2011. I remember watching that. And that was that was what really set us up and running to to all our great success since the takeover. So yeah, I think that I would love to win the FA Cup this year. And even if it is just the FA Cup and and the prem doesn't pick up and the Champions League doesn't go to plan, then I would be happy with with the season we've had in comparison to recent years.
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
So top four and f FA cap after the season that we've all experienced, that would that that would be that would be decent for you.
00:03:31
Lewis
Yeah.
00:03:34
Lewis
Yeah, I'll take that. Yeah,
00:03:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, there's plenty of teams that still don't win silverware despite all the charters in there, as you might have alluded to.
00:03:40
Lewis
yeah there is. There's a few you can name now.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We won't do that because we're were ah we're diplomatic on this podcast. But yeah, I think as long as the the silverware keeps coming in, obviously this year is a bit of a write-off at this point, bedding some of the new sign-ins, which we can get into in a bit, and some of the youth players too.
City's Squad Speculations and Leighton Orient's Form
00:04:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And with that in mind, who do you expect to play? There's going to be a lot of rotation here, surely.
00:04:08
Lewis
Yeah, well I think, I was having a new assignment, Nico Gonzalez from from Porto, I think we'll definitely get a start and give it some minutes just just to get his confidence for the club. We know how it is to come into Man City and perform. Grealish is a ah prime example of that. um And yeah, fill in the midfield, which will hopefully move up move forward into the league. Obviously against Arsenal, I think Bernardo has to drop to centre mid with cover search, and Gudna will not be at his best, like we mentioned.
00:04:36
Lewis
But in terms of youth product, obviously I definitely want to see James Magattee starting again. Hatrick last time out against Salford, I thought he was superb. but And he even said himself how much he wants to excel and prove to the fans, prove to Pep how good of a player he is and why he's there and he wants to get on the ball. So I think this is another a great opportunity for him, not a the at the Etihad this time. So I'm not as clean a surface to what hes what he's used to and he's been brought with.
00:05:01
Lewis
And I think that we will find it tricky at late and already like we did against Cheltenham a few years ago where we had to scrape a 3-2 win. Nico O'Reilly as well. i would I would want to see him again. He did good. He left back against Salford. I know he's been looked at by Chelsea, I think I saw recently, and a few other clubs sniffing towards him. But yeah, just hopefully Nico Gonzalez can perform.
00:05:28
Lewis
hopefully looks good for our midfield crisis and yeah I'd love to see a few for youth products getting on the pitch again.
00:05:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the, that, that my massive win against Salford that you mentioned, that really did lift the club, didn't it? after what had been obviously a ah ah a terrible run, um, um, Arsenal have put that to an end recently, but these, these FA Cup games where you get young players coming in and performing, Mactee getting a hat trick last time. It's really exciting, really invigorating. So it could be another catalyst for what could be a strong end to the season, right?
00:06:01
Lewis
Yeah, no, definitely. I mean, the deficit against Salford, like you said, yeah, really, it was really good for the fans, good for the club. And I imagine it was good for the changing room. It would have, it would have spurred the players on moving forward and especially spurted Pep, spurted Pep on after his little, his little domestic issues and his obviously issues on the pitch this season. and so yeah
00:06:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we can't all be at the at the top all the time, right? The bigger they are, the harder they fall. And that's why everyone wants to laugh at Earl in Holland.
00:06:26
Lewis
Exactly. so far exactly
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to take a little break now. And then when we come back, we'll look a bit more athlete-oriented and what they have done to get you and a bit more about their team.
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Manchester City Podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network. We're here previewing Man City's fourth round epic appetite at Leighton Orient on Saturday. So a little bit more about Leighton Orient for the unfamiliar. They've been mainly a football league side since their founding in 1881, before they had huge financial trouble and on field trouble and Italian owner, Francesco Pacetti, which got them relegated three twice in three years under 11 managers. Nigel Travis took over in 2017 and appointed the late manager Justin Edinburgh, and the Oz legend who got them back into the football league, win in win in league yeah winning the national league in 2018-19 and getting the east down named after him after his passing in 2020. A couple of years in league two have proceeded that before Richie Wellens guided the team into league one
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
claiming the league two title in 2023. Wellens himself has just been awarded the league one manager of the month after a stellar few weeks. Late in orient are in sixth in league one and in great form only losing three of the last 21 in all competitions but unfortunately for the O's all three of those have been at home.
00:08:20
Lewis
Watch
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have you got any any stories about Richie Wellens that you'd be willing to share the Lewis or any insight to the to the man?
00:08:23
Lewis
it.
00:08:30
Lewis
Yeah, so he's a massive, no, um I'm only joking. Yeah, well, his son Charlie Wellens was at Man United Academy growing up and he went to my school for but two or three years. And then I think he's at Reading now, but his dad and was obviously a footballer himself as well. He played for Don Gaston in a few clubs. So it's great to see him excelling now as a manager, which I didn't actually think think he would. and But he is, so yeah, and and I'm glad he's doing well, hopefully not too well on the weekend.
00:09:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
What's his wallpaper like?
00:09:06
Lewis
It's just gold, it's just pure gold, a block of gold all around you though, that's what it is.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh dear. Well, hopefully he won't be getting his hands on any of it. I've said he has anything to do with it. there is There's been 16 meetings between the two sides. and The O's have only won two of them.
FA Cup: An Opportunity for Smaller Teams
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
The first meeting between the two in 1909.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
and ah ah which was a 3-2 loss for City.
00:09:28
Lewis
And.
00:09:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Football did exist back then, believe it or not, and 4-3 when both teams were in League 2 in 1964. City have won all but two of the remaining 14 and this will be the third meeting in the FA Cup with City winning both of the previous ones, both away and both in the 1920s.
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So lots of relevant recent history between the two to go on. But and the two haven't met since 19... Oh, I've just lost it. Sorry, I think it's 1967, but we'll call it since the the mid to late 60s. A lot has changed for Manchester City in those times.
00:10:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
and the city have obviously turned into a powerhouse and a latent orient have gone through the mill. But this is really what the FA Cup is all about, isn't it Lewis? A latent orient of beating a few good teams to get here and to be on TV against the English champions. And yeah, just speak a little bit about what what it what it could mean for these smaller teams coming up against such a big team as Man City.
00:10:39
Lewis
Yeah, the small teams in the Epic Cup, it's always massive. You see the excitement of the fans, the manager, the captains of the clubs when the draw was made. We saw it in Tamworth, who gave it a really good go against Spurs, who actually must have feared the occasion, the the fans that were there at the stadium. The difference in pitch, although it was on 3G, 4G, would you believe that you can actually have Bobby Leastro? James Madison didn't believe it, but there you go.
00:11:08
Lewis
So yeah, I think that obviously money-wise for the club as well financially is is superb. And yeah, I think that they're going to give it a real good go. Why wouldn't you? They'll get the fans behind it. They're at home. They're on TV, like you said. Early kickoff. Just like Tamworth Wern, I think that It'll be a great occasion, a great day out almost, not just a football match, it's a day out and if they do happen to progress to the fifth round then it would be a great achievement for the club and it would it would make the headlines and it would make history forever.
00:11:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think even a good performance or a goal or two would create a memory that would live in the memory of all those fans, wouldn't it? Many of which I'm sure have been following the club during many of the financial troubles they experienced in the in the early tens or late noties and the relegations that came with that.
00:11:47
Lewis
yeah
00:12:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, these these are the moments that you look back on when you're all following a team like this. and they yeah they they live strong. Their current squad has got a couple of players that um some some people, may maybe not many, but some might be aware of. Current captain Darren Pratly, ex-Premier League player with Swansea and Bolton Wanderers. and He must be about 40 yards now, so fair play to him. where what What a legend. Jamie Donnelly,
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very highly rated Spurs lonely, not set the world alight, but he's someone that I know a lot of people have got their eye on moving forward. New signing, Azim Abdelai from Swansea has started excellently at for four Orient, scoring three and getting an assist in his first three games. And their full backs are probably where the strength in the team lies. You have Jack Herry on the left and Tom James on the right, who are solid and provide weight and the energy all game long.
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, you would expect Man City to have the major say in this one, Lewis. Who would you expect to be some of the standout performers? And where do you see this game being won for City?
City's Key Players to Watch
00:13:12
Lewis
I think like against Solford, like we saw on on the wings, like we've said before, I think with Docu and Savino, we'll hopefully get some game time and I think that their pace, their first touch, their acceleration and especially Docu, the sharpness of him, it will be too much for Leonorean. However, like you say, and obviously you can't really blame the pitch in Manchester City, but it probably will have an effect.
00:13:34
Lewis
you know they are probably and i'm sure it won't stop and ducky from doing his little shimmy and his little side step uh... the outside ball i think he he's been great in in the cup matches this and this season so far so i think that definitely the pace and ultimately the fitness and towards the end of the match especially if it does go straight to extra time i think that like you saw with Spurs over ruling Tamworth in that in that last 30 minutes it will it will definitely take an effect on Leighton Orange on Leighton Orange defensive ability ultimately like score prediction so you never know because I wouldn't be confident with us keeping a clean sheet definitely not I don't think many fans would although we would like it I mean Salford did come close on a few occasions you've got to give it to him
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
and if I had to push you for a score prediction.
00:14:25
Lewis
Score prediction, I'd probably, I'd want to say 4-1, but I can't, I don't know, I feel like it'd be tighter. Maybe like a 3-1, maybe a 3-2 like it was against Sheldon four or five years ago, so yeah, who knows.
00:14:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good viewing for the neutral, not for any potential listeners of this podcast. then
00:14:46
Lewis
Yeah, basically.
00:14:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i think I think you'll be comfortable. and But wet away trips know with the F8 Cup, giant killings, you never know what can happen. someone It happens to someone every season, doesn't it?
00:14:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So this would be the year to get City as well if there was ever going to be one.
00:14:59
Lewis
Yeah.
00:15:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm not putting that into the into the universe. We're not manifesting that. It's going to be a routine, comfortable win, and MacT is going to bang another hat-track.
00:15:13
Lewis
okay
00:15:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to take another ah ah another break now. And when we come back, we're going to look at some of the other fixtures in the Effie Cup this weekend.
00:15:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Manchester City Podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network. We're here previewing the ethic cap this weekend. We've gone through Man City's trip to Leighton Orient. and And now I'm just going to go through quickly some of the other fixtures. So Mani and I did a hosting Leicester today. That's yet another trip to Old Trafford for Roode van Isleroy. Do you see him getting any more than he than he's had over the last couple ah ah couple of experiences there?
00:16:19
Lewis
know No, I don't. I think that, well, it was Van Nyseroy managing United against Leicester in the League Cup, I think, earlier this season, where it was 5-2, was it? 5-1. It was a demolishment, realistically, and I think that...
00:16:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
probably got the job off the back of that, to be honest.
00:16:36
Lewis
Yeah, I think he probably did, yeah. Yeah. We've seen Leicester give City a good game at home, but I just think it's ultra-afford. It's the FA Cup. We saw United excel against Liverpool last season in the FA Cup with Ahmad's heroics.
00:16:48
Lewis
which he's also done to us this season. So I just think that it will be too much for Leicester going there tonight in the FA Cup and I do see United progressing unfortunately. However, I would love ah would love an upset because it would be a massive upset for for Leicester to progress.
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah and United, of course, won an Emirates in the previous round as well, knocking out Arsenal. so A lot of the same reasons that we've said the FA Cup is so important to City this year. It applies tenfold to Man United, really, doesn't it? I think, yes, the holders, which gives a bit more pressure too.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
bat I mean, their league form, Reuben Amorim needs something. I've seen people say he's under under pressure already. And how how could you not be? theyve They've lost most of the games since he's been there.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So an FA Cup run could be exactly what is needed for them too, but hopefully not too big a runner.
00:17:35
Lewis
Yeah.
00:17:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have Leeds versus Millwall, which is about as tasty as it could get in the championship.
00:17:43
Lewis
Okay.
00:17:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the the old football hooligan Darby there. Leeds flying high at the top of the championship this season. Millwall have been good since Alex Neal's taken over, but I feel like that one might be a bit too close to call.
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
and We have Coventry versus Ipswich. Coventry and the Frank Lampard have improved slightly. and They have stolen Swansea's captain in January as well, Mark Grimes, who looks to have settled in quite well. But for Ipswich, again, this could be so important to their mental mentality for the rest of the season. They could They could look at it as if they get out of the FA cap, they could concentrate on the league more, but I don't think it normally works like that. I think the the positivity that you get from from winning in any form carries out carries over and and a strong cap run could really do wonders for their Premier League survival chances. there
00:18:44
Lewis
No, it definitely could. I think a big cup win was commentary out of our side with the recent semi-finals last year, was it? And I think that it'll definitely spur the fans on, it'll spur up, switch on. Hopefully, Liam de Lapp can get a goal or two to take that into the Premier League and carry on his immense form this season and hopefully get them out of the bottom three because it will be sad to see the three promoted teams or go back down walls might slip in there. I don't see it, but yeah, I want to see some change in terms of that. The gap between the Premier League and the championship changing, because at the minute it's too big of a gap for me.
00:19:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree. This year has really kind of highlighted the difference between the championship and the prem, isn't it? And Ipswich kind of started okay, but it's all gone down the wayside since.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And losing at home to Southampton, that that is criminal.
00:19:37
Lewis
yeah
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
that There's only seven points between the two teams now where that's probably unacceptable, really.
00:19:41
Lewis
Yeah. I know.
00:19:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Kieran McKenna,
00:19:46
Lewis
Yeah, because Southampton run for the... They run for the worst points record, wasn't they? Derby's 11. So...
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're still on for it. They're still on for it.
00:19:54
Lewis
Yeah, well... yeah
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, after that win, you'd imagine they'll crawl over that line. They're are still only seven points away from getting out of the relegation zone, but then that that's a much bigger task.
Everton vs. Bournemouth: A Preview
00:20:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Scrolling down a little bit now, we have Everton versus Bournemouth. This is the last season for Everton at Gooderson Park. So it could be massive for the club to potentially bring the FA Cup back to it. and We obviously Bournemouth are flying, but a Gunnison Park is going to have a great atmosphere for this one, Lewis.
00:20:29
Lewis
Yeah, I see Everton getting the job done. I think that in in a cup game, in a one-off, it's basically a cup final for Everton to make it as far as they can. They're not expected to go far. I think they're safe now in the prand, they picked up a few good results the recent few weeks. And James Garner, special mention to him, that that assist was spectacular. But yeah, I think the Bournemouth on the day can be quite dodgy, especially away from home and especially in the cup. So yeah, hopefully. I would like to see Everton go through.
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
David Moyes, of course, took Everton to the FA Cup final, I think it was 2010, the fastest ever FA Cup final goal as well.
00:21:01
Lewis
Yeah.
00:21:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was so hard, but Chelsea beat bested them that day. So I'm sure he would love to get his hands on the FA Cup trophy that he has never won as a manager. and but come close. We have Birmingham versus Newcastle. Birmingham flying high in Leighton Orient's league and as they should be with the money they've spent to be quite honest but with Newcastle and everyone is excited about their chances of winning the cap after beating Arsenal in midweek in the Carabao cap. Do you see them resting with this one with a hectic Premier League schedule involved as well?
00:21:41
Lewis
Yeah, I don't see them going full strength like they did against Arsenal in the week I think that the FA Cup for them is not a main target. They'll happily take a lead cup having having come very close and a couple of years ago or last year whenever it was. So I think that Eddie Hall will definitely be thinking about European spots in the league, be obviously thinking about that final against Liverpool. I mean, what a massive game that is. But I see it going all the way. I think that Eddie Hall wouldn't want it to. He'd rather just lose. But I do see it going all the way to extra time with Birmingham obviously having a team, basically a top half championship team going up against Newcastle. So I think you'll definitely be a test.
00:22:20
Lewis
away from home, away from home for this union.
00:22:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a perfect opportunity for a giant killing that one, Newcastle obviously putting so much energy into reaching the Carabao Cup final. Yeah, they could be there for the taking, but and they should have the strength in depth to see off someone from League One, in my opinion.
High Stakes in the FA Cup for Everton and Bournemouth
00:22:40
Lewis
Yeah.
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Next up, we have Brighton versus Chelsea. Definitely one of the the ties of the weekend. Both teams could probably do with a trophy. That's for sure. Brighton, of course, haven't won one in and a long time. And Chelsea have gone longer than they're used to without one. And both of these sides, at the start of the season, you would have fancied for running this tournament. How do you see this one going, Lewis?
00:23:03
Lewis
again, it's hard to call. I do see Enzo Mresco really trying to go for this FA Cup. The Leafs fell away. Obviously they've got the conference league, which they should win, but I mean, West Ham won that. So I mean, there you go. That's all you need to know. So I do think that Chelsea do progress, um, against Brighton. Brighton this season have had mixed emotions about. They've, they've been spectacular in some games. They started off really well.
00:23:28
Lewis
looking really promising for for Europe again, but then they've sort of fell off with a few ah few dodgy results and I don't think they're consistent enough. So they're also going to be wanting to go on a big FA Cup run, obviously sitting mid table in the Premier League. So yeah, I think it'll be a great watch and and definitely ah definitely a great one for the neutral.
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I agree. There's always goals between these two. and And it's fallen off, like you say, quite a bit for Brighton over the last few weeks, including that 7-0 hammering at the Hands of Nottingham Forest, which has probably lost a bit of graces with the Brighton fans for their new man, Hertzler.
00:24:00
Lewis
Oh yeah, of course, yeah.
00:24:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, I think the FA Cup could be a very important avenue for him and Brighton this season, because the way it's going, it's turning out to be quite a poor season.
00:24:07
Lewis
Yeah.
00:24:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there's still time. There's still time. Next, we have Aston Villa versus Spurs and I think this, you could say, is the tie of the weekend because there's strong rumours that a certain Andrew Posterkogel will lose his job if he loses this game.
Spurs vs. Aston Villa: Manager's Future on the Line
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a shame it comes down comes down to a one-game shootout like this but recent performances for them and then that pretty pathetic showing against Liverpool. Yes, Liverpool can do that to anyone, but to look to go out in a Cup semi-final without a shot on target and without any kind of semblance of a chance in the game has got to be disappointing. So how important is this for him and for Spurs, Lewis?
00:24:56
Lewis
It's absolutely huge I think that obviously we all know and just said that in his second season he wins a trophy so is his chance to prove it ultimately and if he doesn't it's going to be a ah ah torrid season for Spurs where are they in the league they sit 14th they were down to 16th at one point last week and yeah it's it's gone literally gone from bad to terrible to absolutely abysmal spurs. I mean, look at the facilities, they've caught the stadium. It just doesn't match where they currently sit this season in in all competitions, especially if they don't pick up a win at Villa Park on the weekend.
00:25:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
and that is not the place you want to go when you when you're desperately vying for a result. ah Villa Park, and yes, Villa have done excellent in the Champions League, got a lot of plaudits there, but the league form has stuttered in the last couple of months, probably the effects of the Champions League coming into play there. But i Emery loves the caps, doesn't he? and I think he would love to bring the FA Cup to Villa Park.
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
One of England's most historic stadiums used to host semi-finals every year as well.
00:26:04
Lewis
yeah
00:26:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So think it'll be a cracking game. Have you got a score prediction for that one?
00:26:10
Lewis
and I see lots of goals. I do see lots of goals. I'm just going to go for it. I'd probably say 2-2. Maybe Villa went on penalties. I think it would be very close.
00:26:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I like the sound of that.
Nottingham Forest's FA Cup Strategy
00:26:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
and The last game and we're going to talk about is Exeter versus Forrest. You'd imagine there would be a lot of rotation for Forrest going so well in the Premier League. Third, and and while we're on it, I did ah last episode I did with Josh Vince from the Daily Arsenal team.
00:26:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I forgot to even mention Nottingham Forest when we were discussing where City would finish. We both said City would come third come the end of the season and I said yeah if City finished above Chelsea it'll probably be a good season.
00:26:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Of course I forgot ah ah about the stampeding of Nottingham Forest this season.
00:27:01
Lewis
no
00:27:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
They have been fantastic. So I should never be forgetting about them. do think they might drop off coming into the season. I think that's not not an unfair thing to suggest, but an FA Cup run could turn what is a great season into an even better one, Lewis.
00:27:22
Lewis
I think it it's a weird one with Forest because obviously many people happen to come like 17th scraping by the gauge and I think I had him 15th or 16th is sort of they don't look amazing when they play like you watch Liverpool and you think yeah that's a title winning side they look absolutely fantastic both attackingly attacking and defensively But with Forrest, I think it's more of the fact that they're so clinical. Chris Wood this season has had his shooting boots on for sure. He's literally going for the golden boot. I mean, no one would have ever predicted that and come the start of the season. So I think that it is a weird one. In terms of the FA Cup, yeah, it would be fantastic. I mean, Champions League and and an FA Cup run would be what Forrest fans would have dreamed of being in the championship two or three seasons ago. So yeah, I think it would be fabulous for them. I don't think Exeter,
00:28:12
Lewis
is too much of a hurdle, but like you say, it's it's a massive trip down south and yeah, it'd be a dodgy pitch and you never know.
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah familiar with Exeter's pitch away.
00:28:24
Lewis
Yeah, very. I've seen from the motor actually driving past a few times on a big hill, so there you go. Very windy, that one.
00:28:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the best insight and knowledge on the Daily Manchester City podcast for all of you.
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just finally on Forest. Yes, they probably don't play like a team you'd expect to be winning as as often as they do. But I find that really refreshing. It's kind of the antithesis or the opposite of what Man City do, absorbing all that pressure and then being so, so clinical.
00:28:53
Lewis
Yeah.
00:28:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if you watch them in the highlights, they look like they play brilliant football. You know, but they do they they do create loads of chances.
00:29:01
Lewis
Yeah. Yeah, I know. yeah
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, of you know, I'm being a bit facetious there. They have been so good going forward this year. Teams just cannot handle how quick and direct and clinical they are. You mentioned Chris Wood, but also Morgan Gibbs White has been one of the best players in the league, in my opinion, this year.
00:29:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Anthony Alanga has kicked on so, so much.
00:29:19
Lewis
Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So is an epic up related. But where do you think they'll finish come the end of the season in the Premier League?
Nottingham Forest's Season Performance
00:29:30
Lewis
Well, I mean, this is actually not that not that long to go. I do think the Champions League is definitely a possibility for them. Hopefully we can sneak in there with fourth. And then again, like you say, you've got Chelsea coming back.
00:29:41
Lewis
You've got Newcastle, who are going to make a charge. You were still there or there about. So i guess I guess time will tell. But if I had to pick, I would probably say fifth, unfortunately, for forest fun.
00:29:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think fifth might be enough this year, though.
00:29:56
Lewis
Oh, it might, actually, yeah, mightn't it?
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
with it but So, i yeah, I mentioned that the other day. It could be a good year for City for it to be five teams going through in the Champions League, because it might well come down to that.
00:30:03
Lewis
Yeah.
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if it is five, then the the neutral in me wants to say, then yes, they will they'll they'll do it. But with these defensive teams, they tend to run out of steam come the end of the season, don't they, unless you're called Leicester City.
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But yeah, if Chris Woods, Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Alanga, keep firing and their defense and stays as it is, they had that big blip with the 5-0 loss, didn't they?
00:30:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But after that, come back and with a 7-0 win. So the mentalities the mentality mentality is not an issue there, and Nuno has done an amazing job.
00:30:32
Lewis
Yeah, send it around.
00:30:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that will about do it for us today. Looking ahead to the FA Cup this weekend. I've been Jules Jordan-Probert. Thank you to Lewis for joining me. We've been the Daily Manchester City Podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.