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Daily Forest - Ep 83 - how will Forest deal with their first injury crisis of the season?
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For the first time this season, Nottingham Forest are facing a potential injury crisis. Stuart, Mark, and Marley discuss how they would deal with it if they were Nuno!
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Transcript
Season Outlook and Optimism
00:00:09
Mark
Welcome back to Daily Forest here at GSPN with me, Mark Stewart and Marley Lads. How are you?
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, all good. All good. Looking forward to an exciting run in the season. We'll see that few, few extra wins. Probably we win half our remaining games, and we'll be absolutely fine for a third, I think.
00:00:25
Mark
Yeah, doable.
00:00:26
Marley- NUNO
Aye.
Manchester United Midweek Game Reflection
00:00:27
Mark
Let's just check in on Man United. Obviously, big game midweek. Did well, 1-0 win. Nice to see Alanga get that goal against his former team, wasn't it, mary
00:00:36
Marley- NUNO
Yeah, and the game scared me. I mean, it was lovely to see Alanga scoring against his former team because like when but you've bought a player and the player's been mistreated as such or not done very well at a club before and he's been outcast, he's been sold...
00:00:52
Marley- NUNO
He's come to you, he's played against his former team, he's wanted to score quite clearly because he could have passed in a situation and didn't. He's gone and scored. Although he's not celebrated, you can tell he wanted to because he's made a point.
00:01:03
Marley- NUNO
And that win scares me a little bit because back in September, before the season really taken off, I think we'd beaten Liverpool, but
Nottingham Forest's European Aspirations
00:01:10
Marley- NUNO
we hadn't really got any thoughts of how well we'd be doing. I said this on a podcast episode.
00:01:16
Marley- NUNO
Can I invite the prediction soon as you know? not same believe and I will hold it back. Forest can qualify for Europe this year.
00:01:29
Marley- NUNO
And I will record and entire episode of GSPN Forest Daily with a pair, and I do own these, of Nottingham Forest underpants on my head. Okay.
00:01:40
Marley- NUNO
So, yeah.
00:01:40
Mark
I remember that episode. i was there for that. And I feel like the rest of the Premier League heard that episode, including the players, and went, we want to see that. So they've all given us a chance to get into Europe this season. And I think it's doable.
00:01:53
Marley- NUNO
Yeah, I mean...
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you know what? in I think this might have been the the same episode or certainly one of the very first first episodes where, Mark, you made your famous prediction.
00:01:53
Marley- NUNO
Yep.
00:02:00
Marley- NUNO
like
00:02:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we can get Conference League. and but my My honest thoughts were, who is this guy? Who is this idiot I'm doing a podcast with thinking we're going to Conference League? We're going to finish 14. Who's this over-optimist guy I'm on a podcast with? But no, I'll hold my head off to you you guys.
00:02:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Your optimism and enthusiasm far outstrip mine. And you're you're both right. So i'm delighted delighted to be yeah be able to watch mary with underwear and his and his head and is being beaten better than conference league.
00:02:27
Mark
Yeah,
Challenges at Villa Park
00:02:28
Mark
big week as well. Man City in the semifinals. It's all looking good for us for the rest of the season. and and Good win against United. ah Tricky always against you United because they've got some good players, but good to come through that. ah More tricky this weekend, though, going to Villa Park. We're always rubbish at Villa, aren't we, Marley?
00:02:42
Marley- NUNO
Very, very rubbish at Villa. I remember we've been there two times since getting promoted. Once with a 2-0 loss, we didn't look like getting anything from that game. If we had any chance, it was ruined when Jonjo Shelby decided he was bored and wanted to play a lovely through ball to a Villa attacker who lashed it in the back of the net.
00:02:58
Marley- NUNO
And despite a near-carte goal, he was a horror show at left-back. And Gibbs-White might have scored from a very good through ball from Divock Origi early in the second half to make it free too But it was a 4-2 loss. We never looked really like getting anything.
00:03:13
Marley- NUNO
and from Even when we had the chance of an equaliser, we were the only one behind. We didn't look like getting it. But this season we're doing better in general. So if we're ever going to have a good performance and look like getting something at the Villa Park, it's this year, it's tomorrow.
00:03:26
Marley- NUNO
It's going to happen.
00:03:27
Mark
yeah Yeah, I agree. I agree. Difficult though. Rashford back on form. ah Emery's got Asensio under his wing now as well. And obviously Watkins up front, always dangerous. um Can we keep the door shut this time? Will we go more defensive? I mean, we're good on the counter-attack, so that might be positive. But it's going to be backs against the wall probably, isn't it?
00:03:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think it's going to be one of those games like Ipswich, not Ipswich,
Tactical Possibilities Against Villa
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
sorry, Brighton in the Cup last week and then Liverpool early on in the season. i think he might be a wingless wonder team from Nuno with both Ilanga and Hansen Odoi starting on the bench. i think he'll pack the midfield, maybe even with Sangari in there as well after his impressive 10 minutes or so against against United. And i think, yeah, it's going to be backs against the wall. Villa have so many threats. so you' You've already mentioned them.
00:04:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm confident of a 0-0 draw. I know we said earlier in the season that James and producer Alfie were furious when Marley predicted a few 0-0s in a row, but this time I think we can all happily take to be honest. Thank
00:04:28
Mark
yep Yeah, absolutely. I think it'd be good purely to stop Villa getting any more points to get us towards Europe, you know, because they are going to be a challenger still towards the end of the season. So I think if we can nullify them, even with a draw, it's one game less. And we've we've got some good games coming up, you know, games that are winnable for us. So it should be good.
00:04:45
Mark
Marley, what are the tactics, right? what would What would you go? Would you go five at the back?
00:04:49
Marley- NUNO
Well, yeah, without Ina, I think it's going to be a tricky formation to pull off because ah don't think Harry Toffolo is an attacking enough player for a five back. I think he suits a four.
00:05:04
Mark
Mm-hmm.
00:05:04
Marley- NUNO
But at the same time, if he will struggle, mainly due to lack of match fitness, having not played much, and when he has had game time, he's come at centre back, I think The best option is to go with five-back. So he has got that extra cover when he needs it from Murillo or Morato on the left-hand side of centre-back.
00:05:22
Marley- NUNO
And ah would have a cameo, if we're doing well, to Eric da Silva Moreira. Because I think an attacking wing-back position suits him to the tee.
00:05:34
Marley- NUNO
I would love to see him operate properly in that position for at least 20 minutes. So I think if we're level, or especially if we're winning... on 70-75 minutes, bring on Moreira for Nico Williams, or move Nico across and bring off Toffolo and see what Moreira can bring us with a proper cameo.
00:05:52
Mark
yeah Yeah, maybe. It might be quite nice to see some time of Marrera. He does look good. Maybe he needs some loan time next season. But, you know, he looks like a positive
Player Roles and Defensive Formations
00:06:00
Mark
positive player coming through the ranks.
00:06:00
Marley- NUNO
that's ah That's another claim I made, by the way, of
00:06:02
Mark
In terms of...
00:06:03
Marley- NUNO
a few months ago in an episode, I said that within 10, 20 years, Marrera would be a Ballon d'Or winner.
00:06:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
that he was going to win the Ballon d'Or.
00:06:08
Mark
Imagine.
00:06:11
Marley- NUNO
And um I do not honestly believe that I, yeah, I think I made a fool of myself that day, but we'll see.
00:06:13
Mark
Well...
00:06:19
Mark
Well, you never know. You never know. It's about time a right-back won it. you what mean? It could be good. and In terms of full-backs, you would imagine Moreno is the obvious choice to come in, right, Stu?
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, he's against Villa. I mean, if it was at any other game, it it would be. That's the well why is that that really bad timing for A&M to get his first knock of the season that Moreno can't.
00:06:39
Mark
Oh, yeah, of course.
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it would be. That's what happened against United. He came in as a sub and Niko moved back over to the right. So, yeah, and unfortunately, we we could don't have that option, which is why, yeah, there's the possibility of, yeah, the direct swap, just bring in Toffolo and move Niko Williams to right back.
00:06:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or you go for a back five and even have Nico Williams, left wing back, Dominguez, right wing back, and then have Murato, Murillo, Milenkovic as your back three. So, yeah, Toffolo, as like Marley says, would suit at the back four.
00:07:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you go for a back five, then have Dominguez as the right wing back with De Silva-Murera as an option to at least get a significant amount of game time as a sub. But I doubt we'll see Murera from the start.
00:07:22
Mark
question I mean he's so pivotal in the centre of defence but could we bring Murato in and put Murillo at left back is he fast enough
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or put Murato as a left back. Um, apparently I think then you lose too much by taking Murillo, by breaking up that Murillo Milenkovic, um, partnership.
00:07:35
Marley- NUNO
I
00:07:39
Mark
I suppose yeah true
00:07:42
Marley- NUNO
think he has played... The issue with Murato at left-back is... I'm pretty sure he played there for Benfica. So does have the experience. But from what Benfica fans were saying when he was joining Forrest, I don't think he played very well at left-back for Benfica.
00:07:57
Marley- NUNO
But apparently Murillo can play left-back, but we've not seen him there yet. So I'm not i'm not entirely sure...
00:08:02
Mark
yeah I'd be intrigued to see what it was like and yeah it gives Murato that chance to prove himself at centre back alongside Milenkovic as well
00:08:06
Marley- NUNO
The
00:08:10
Marley- NUNO
issue is, though, it was last time we played a centre-back who could play left-back at left-back. It was Moussa Niacate here last season, and that was a horror show.
00:08:20
Mark
Yeah. Yeah, maybe Toffolo deserves a chance. You know, he's got the fitness. He's got the tenacity. Maybe he'll have a worldy game. You never know. Maybe this is his chance to try and break into the team for a bit.
00:08:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the thing is there was championship interest in Toffolo in January. As soon Nuno wouldn't have kept him if he didn't think Toffolo could still do a job. So, I mean, I would prefer Toffolo to be the option, to be honest, because if you aren't to play Toffolo in a situation like this, you might as well have cut him loose in January.
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's in the squad, he's been patient, he's been a good influence off the field.
00:08:48
Mark
Yeah.
00:08:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I would like to see Toffolo get that start.
00:08:55
Mark
Yeah,
00:08:55
Marley- NUNO
And
Harry Toffolo's Club Dedication
00:08:56
Mark
fair.
00:08:56
Marley- NUNO
Toffolo does want to be at club as well.
00:08:56
Mark
Fair. Yeah, go on.
00:09:00
Marley- NUNO
Obviously, I've mentioned soon before, my dad works at a garden centre and often gets
00:09:08
Marley- NUNO
shopping there. Well, Harry Toffolo often goes in and takes his kids to the soft play. And last time he came in was during January. And he went over to my dad and started talking to my dad.
00:09:20
Marley- NUNO
He actually went up to and tapped on the shoulder and said, we're on fire, aren't we? um And when they asked him, are you leaving? Are you staying? What's happening? He said he wants to stay. But at the same time, he wants to play as well.
00:09:32
Mark
Well, yeah, it's good to know. It's good to know. Good to have that core of players who want to be here, especially when they're not on the pitch, which is nice. um And I think it's important as well. And he does look like a good character. He looks like a solid character in the dressing room as well.
00:09:44
Mark
i'm We'll go to the ads and then we'll come back and we'll chat more about what we can do to try and um catch Villa on the counter as well.
00:10:03
Marley- NUNO
Thank
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry for a second time there. The ah infinity button had been been nudged. that was ah It started the second time. So double double the Bionique.
00:10:39
Mark
ah
00:10:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well worth an investment.
Analyzing Villa's Squad Strength
00:10:42
Mark
yep we do like bionique and um you know it's good that you noticed because i was like oh still going but yeah we're moving on to villa difficult it's got an engine room midfield with mcginn in there you know telemans some good players kamara as well um what's the plan we are we are we focusing mainly on counter or you know can we catch them off guard and stick to our normal formation and try and attack them
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, kind of counter for me, I think, like you say, they've got, I think they've a full strength squad and um no injury worries and no injury doubts. And that that full strength Villa squad is, I mean, in theory, it's better than ours anyway. That's why they're in the Champions League quarterfinals and we're just trying to qualify for it. So they're a stage to do ahead of us in their development. They got promoted, what, three years before us and they're probably a couple of years ahead of us in terms of having that established structure, being able to bring in the likes of Rashford, Asensio, Tielemans, like you say.
00:11:36
Mark
Yeah.
00:11:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
So i I think it'll be tough. I think um yeah we we shouldn't, I don't think, especially without Wood as well, um i don't think we should could can really take take the game to them.
00:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think catching them on the break and they limiting the match as few opportunities as possible is is the way forward.
Impact of Injuries on Forest
00:11:56
Mark
Yeah. Yeah. 100%. Marley. um molly Would you keep a one-year in the side or would you try and go with some sort of like three going forward of, you know, Hudson-Odoi if he's fit, Gibbs-White and Alanga through the middle for pace?
00:12:10
Marley- NUNO
Well, based off what I've been seeing on Twitter from a reliable source, that's not an option this weekend because Taiwo Awani only trained for 20 minutes yesterday apparently and will not be available against Aston Villa.
00:12:26
Marley- NUNO
So it's looking like, for me, Sosa and Hudson-Odoi on the wings with Elanga through the middle.
00:12:27
Mark
Good.
00:12:33
Marley- NUNO
Obviously, Jota and Sosa are interchangeable, but I'd rather see Sosa from the start, see what he can bring, especially with his limited chances recently. I think he deserves a start just to prove to Nuno that he is definitely, definitely still In contention for that place, he's still capable of bringing something to the team. And like Elanga got dropped for Jota, came back and was on fire.
00:12:54
Marley- NUNO
Hopefully Sosa can be on fire now. He's coming back from a few weeks out of the matchday squad.
00:13:00
Mark
Well, if Hudson-Odoi is fit, right, would you not keep Hudson-Odoi and Alanga out wide and put Sosa through the middle with a pace?
00:13:07
Marley- NUNO
I'm not sure, mainly because we've seen Elanga work through the middle already this season. We've not seen Sosa through the middle yet.
00:13:12
Mark
Yeah.
00:13:14
Marley- NUNO
And I don't think Villa Park away is a game for trying new things at all.
00:13:15
Mark
Yeah.
00:13:19
Mark
Yeah, fair.
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do we know, Marley, what tie was an injury may or may not be? also saw some, the source plays I saw it, I didn't quite believe it, but guess fair enough, I'll defer to you and your source of you saw something more reputable. Did he pull something and come off or what was the issue with him?
00:13:41
Marley- NUNO
He said that the way he found the information out, he doesn't want to say what the issue is. He doesn't want to say who told him, but he's got things right in the past, which other people didn't believe him on.
00:13:55
Marley- NUNO
So I'm feeling he's true that I want his carrying an injury, hopefully light. But then again, Chris Wood being back is always a potential. you don't We don't know how long he's out for. We've not been given a a solid, concrete timeline.
00:14:09
Marley- NUNO
So we never know. It could be untrue or Chris Wood could be back and one. He could be out. But I guess it's just a tactic of wait and see.
00:14:18
Mark
Yeah, 100%. I do think it's a bit of an issue, though, especially if Ina is now out. If Wood and Awanya are both out as well, we do need a full squad. I think one of the reasons why we are third is because we've had most of the team fit for most of the season.
00:14:32
Mark
And, you know, like the games when, like, for example, Arsenal away, when Anderson and Gibbswhite both had knocks, It's a massive difference, like such a difference when you're missing one or two those star players.
00:14:44
Mark
ah And if we haven't got a big kind of figure up front, like a spearhead, we might struggle unless someone else can step in.
00:14:49
Marley- NUNO
yeah but Yeah, but the issue is every single team has one player that they can't do without.
00:15:00
Marley- NUNO
You know, Arsenal had a really tough run of form when Martin Odegaard got injured and when he came back, they started winning again.
00:15:01
Mark
Yeah.
00:15:09
Marley- NUNO
Rodri getting injured sparked a winless run for Manchester City. I guarantee you that If um certain players got injured, like if Bruno Fernandes got injured, Manchester United would absolutely collapse.
00:15:21
Marley- NUNO
I think Liverpool...
00:15:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
they They already have to think about it.
00:15:23
Mark
Yeah. Yeah.
00:15:25
Marley- NUNO
In Liverpool, Mo Salah got injured, I think they would start to struggle. If Gravenberg got injured, they would struggle, maybe.
00:15:31
Mark
Yeah.
00:15:31
Marley- NUNO
Every single team has this one player who, when they pick up a knock or get injured, they start to struggle. The good thing for us is, I think our player of that sort of profile...
00:15:42
Marley- NUNO
is Nikola Milenkovic at centre-back. And luckily for us, he looks fresh at the minute. He does not look close to picking up an injury. So unless he has a horror moment against Villa that he breaks his leg or something, I do think we will be completely fine because we can work way around these other injuries.
00:16:01
Marley- NUNO
Milenkovic one we would not be able to work our way around.
00:16:04
Mark
Yeah, fair. Fair. Completely understandable as well. and So what what else could you do in terms of you know replacing a one-year-old? Because one option is a bit rogue, but
Alternative Striker Options
00:16:16
Mark
we've got depth with Danilo, Yates, Dominguez, Sangare is now fit again.
00:16:22
Mark
Anderson has played up front before. He can play as a striker. Is it worth a try?
00:16:28
Marley- NUNO
I'm not sure with him only having one Premier League goal this season. Stuart, what are your thoughts?
00:16:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that's a thrones mark I thought you were say, but Gibbs White as the front man.
00:16:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think if you're going to have one one of those two as as the false nine, then yeah, I mean, yeah, you would, again, you would lose Gibbs White's tenacity and work rate.
00:16:38
Mark
No way.
00:16:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But you're right, I agree with with Marty Anderson is one Premier League goal ever, isn't it? He he never scored for Newcastle. I know he had a decent run on loan at Bristol Rovers, but that's a different story.
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, I mean, you're right, it would not be...
00:17:00
Mark
yeah
00:17:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you never know with Mikel Marino and Arsenal, maybe the reason that Anderson's only got one Premier League goal is he's never played up front before. Maybe give him a chance up front and he'll suddenly find something.
00:17:10
Mark
Yeah.
00:17:11
Marley- NUNO
Yeah.
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I would be surprised if that is the solution, to honest.
00:17:15
Marley- NUNO
True. I mean, I personally think that there is one thing we tried under Steve Cooper a few times at the beginning of our Premier League existence, which we could try again. It never used to work that well, but now we're a better, well more well-fixed team. We could try it again.
00:17:33
Marley- NUNO
Probably won't work, but we used to play without and any recognised striker on the pitch, we would go with Lingard, Brennan Johnson and Gibbs-White alternating between the two wide attacking positions and a false nine sort of role, like a nine and a half like Xerxes plays for United.
00:17:51
Marley- NUNO
If we could try that again, now we've got wingers who are better in front of goal and we've got Gibbs-White more toned into being a threatening player. maybe that could work a bit better to nick a 1-0 win or a 0-0 draw.
00:18:04
Marley- NUNO
But then again, it's a massive risk. And as I've already said, trying something new isn't a good idea at Villa Park.
00:18:10
Mark
Yeah, I don't, I just don't. mean,
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
The thing is, if Tywo is injured, then we'll have to try something new because every game this season we've played Wood or Tywo. So they're both injured, then in whatever happens, we'll have to try something new. So I get your spirit, Marnie, that you don't want to experiment at this late stage in the season. That's such a difficult ground.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But with these injuries, we might have to. We might have to. And you never know, maybe a wild card but shout like Anderson up front will be the thing that works and ah gets us a ah smash and grab victory.
00:18:39
Mark
Yeah, 100%. Right, we'll go to the second ad and then we'll do protected lineups for the weekend.
00:19:18
Mark
Boom, love it.
00:19:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Same with the other one. It's this is weird um flashing thing is why it started going again. So Zencastr, great. Sometimes we'll play your ads twice.
00:19:27
Mark
Really good. But you know what, then your clients are happy and that's what we all like. Perfect. Lineups, who's going first?
00:19:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know if we've all been throwing out so many theories.
00:19:37
Marley- NUNO
but
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I came to this recording with a predicted line-up, but now now now I'm still still need to think. um Yeah, those are...
00:19:46
Mark
Molly, you want to go first?
00:19:49
Marley- NUNO
ah Sure. So my predicted line-up
Predicted Line-ups and Tactics
00:19:52
Marley- NUNO
then. We're going to start off With Matt Sells in goal. I don't think that's a rogue shout. I think that's quite obvious. He's just won our player in a month award.
00:20:01
Marley- NUNO
Left back. I'm going to stick Harry Toffolo in. I'm going to play our three centre-backs. Marato, Morello and Milenkovic. With Nico Williams at right back.
00:20:01
Mark
Yeah.
00:20:11
Mark
Yeah.
00:20:11
Marley- NUNO
Our midfielders, I think the only option really. Is to go with. You know what? I'm going to go with Gibbs White. Alongside Ryan Yates. And in front of them.
00:20:23
Marley- NUNO
I'm going to put Calamudsen-Odoi and Neil Anger. Behind them, I'm going to put Elliot Anderson.
00:20:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was it a 5212? Was that the same, Marley?
00:20:34
Mark
ah right yeah
00:20:37
Marley- NUNO
I think, yeah, I think playing the wing as narrow, if a one is injured, could be like an inverted winger position, could be the answer. I think we've done it before this season off the bench and it's worked well enough.
00:20:52
Marley- NUNO
And I think if Gibbs White and Anderson can rotate between dropping deeper and playing in that cam role as a short shadow striker, that's where the goals could come from. Or a Langer's pace breaking through, which is why I want him in the middle if the one is injured.
00:21:02
Mark
yeah
00:21:06
Mark
Yeah. Yeah. Fair. Um, Stuart, need more time to think are ready?
00:21:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, I'll go. um So I'll go Cels in goal. think it'll be a very long time before there's a Premier League game without Matt Cels in the Forest goal. I do think, I have a feeling that it won't be Toffolo starting, so i have a feeling it'll be the back three of Murillo, Morato, Milankovic, Nico Williams, left wing back, and Dominguez, right wing back.
00:21:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And that will sort of invert. So wait when we're in possession, I'll go to a back four with Nico shut him to right back. just have a feeling, I did hear it somewhere else, that Domingo, they'll try and shoehorn the extra defender in, Moretto. And yeah, I don't just don't think, although I did, and I know I said earlier, Toffolo deserves that start. just have a feeling it's not going to come purely because he's not suited to the wing back. He's more a full back.
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the back three, Domingo's right wing back, Williams left wing back, Gibbs White, sorry, Yates and Anderson as as the two, and then Gibbs White, Ilanga Hudson-Odoin. have I had too many players?
00:22:11
Marley- NUNO
you
00:22:11
Mark
No, that's fine.
00:22:12
Mark
That's fine.
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
no there's a 5-5-2-3 5-5-2-3 is a thing I can get myself there so yeah essentially yeah
00:22:16
Mark
You're saying a Lange through the middle then. All right. i My worry with that is that if they're going to revert to a four at the back when a defensive, Nico's got to get from left wing back to right back.
00:22:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah so yeah they well maybe shuffle forward but no you're right that's probably ah an issue with that yeah
00:22:33
Mark
you know say It seems odd, doesn't it? like It seems really bizarre.
00:22:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. So but maybe we'll go with Mabel Marley. We're right. We'll beat Huffalo, even at left wing back after all.
00:22:42
Mark
Yeah. um I'd love to see how Marrera got on in the Premier League from the start. I'd love to see it, but I do think it'll be Toffolo.
00:22:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:22:49
Mark
And like you said, I think he deserves a chance because, you know, first time all the left backs have been out. So I'm going to go Sells in goal. I'm going to go three at the back of, ah yeah, Murato, Murillo, Milenkovic.
00:23:03
Marley- NUNO
Thank you.
00:23:04
Mark
The four in front, or revert into the 5-3-2, however it is. But the four the four across the middle. Toffolo and Nico out wide. And going to do the same. But I think probably Anderson and Yates in the middle.
00:23:21
Mark
And then I think I would go Gibbs-White,
00:23:26
Mark
Hudson-Odoi, and then Alanga up top. So Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi behind Alanga. But I'd also be down for seeing Toffolo, Gibbs-White, Anderson and Nico across the middle with Hudson-Odoi and Alanga behind Sosa or Jota.
00:23:41
Mark
That'd be interesting as well. But I think it'll probably be the earlier one. Something like that.
00:23:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's definite definitely really interesting.
00:23:45
Marley- NUNO
Yeah.
00:23:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
This has been the hardest when we've done a predicted line-up all season because, yeah, Nuno, again, it's mainly due to the injuries and and the good form of the team that we haven't needed to, um being this situation with so many so many absences or so many ah fitness doubts.
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah'd say i yeah, I don't know. That's why the worry is there slightly. It hasn't been there there in weeks, but equally that worry is balanced out by the fact that we don't need to win based on the but ah great performances recently.
00:24:14
Mark
yeah exactly and this is it but yeah predictions scorelines Marley
00:24:20
Marley- NUNO
I've got two scoreline predictions because, in my opinion, it does depend on the line that we play.
Score Predictions and Optimism
00:24:27
Marley- NUNO
If we go simple, playing, like, say, a langer through the middle, ah thing I think we do well and I think we nick a 1-0 or 2-1.
00:24:39
Marley- NUNO
Going off rule, we're not allowed to predict Forrest to lose on this podcast.
00:24:43
Marley- NUNO
I think if we experiment too much, we'll get turned over, but I can't say on the podcast, so I'll just go with a 0-0 draw.
00:24:43
Mark
Stuart
00:24:50
Mark
stewart
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so i won't copy Marley's prediction directly, but no, think Nuno has earned our trust. It might might be a strange team, it might be a strange game tomorrow, but I think we've got enough in us to spring the surprise and and get a 1-0 win. I think the goal will come from somewhere and then everyone will will be behind the goal and we'll steal that that win.
00:25:14
Mark
I think there'll be goals. think will. um I'd love to see us win 3-2. um But I feel like it'd probably be 2-0.
00:25:26
Mark
I reckon we can get a point, but I do think Villa will score.
00:25:30
Marley- NUNO
Yeah, I think usually there'll be goals in Forestry-Villa match, but think with our situation at the minute, we're going to try and just shut Villa out.
00:25:38
Mark
Yeah. yeah Could be quite an open game though.
00:25:42
Marley- NUNO
Copper, Jose Muno, Diego Simeone, partner bus.
00:25:45
Mark
Yeah. Well, I think if Woods fit, everything changes. But it just depends.
00:25:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, completely.
00:25:49
Marley- NUNO
Everything does change.
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
We just we don't know.
00:25:50
Marley- NUNO
If Woods fit, we win 5-0.
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:52
Mark
Imagine.
00:25:56
Mark
Imagine. Be so good. Yeah, lads, pleasure as always. Hopefully get the three points tomorrow. And then on to the final push for the rest of the season. Ooh.
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Marley, quick question for you. When are you doing that episode with your underpants so I can go on holiday that day? Are you doing it when your European but football is mathematically secured? Because the way we're going will be
00:26:19
Marley- NUNO
episode after we secure European football. So say we secure European football at home to Leicester, the Leicester review episode will be the one I wear them in.
Relegation Outcomes and Standings
00:26:29
Marley- NUNO
Or if we do it in midweek against Brentford and we don't do a review episode, it'll be the preview episode for I believe it'll be the Palace game that I would do it in.
00:26:29
Mark
Perfect.
00:26:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
palette on that monday Yes, no, it will be because I think we could secure minimum Conference League quite soon, I think. I know Champions League is is now the aim in terms of being mathematically sure of any Europe will be, I think, could even be two or three games before the end of the season, like you say.
00:26:55
Marley- NUNO
I mean, currently, the lowest we can finish, I calculated, is about 16th, mathematically.
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah That's one of the things that everyone belowers wins every single game, which, of course, they're playing each other. so
00:27:09
Marley- NUNO
Yeah.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think realistically, yeah.
00:27:10
Marley- NUNO
Points-wise, we need to pick up one more point without the other teams picking up a single point to be mathematically safe from finishing below sixteen
00:27:23
Marley- NUNO
Because minute West Ham, Everton and Tottenham can catch us by one point mathematically.
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but not every single team can catch us up, though, because if West Ham, Tottenham and Everton win every single game, that means the teams, they're beating everyone else, if you know what i mean. So for that to happen, everyone everyone else will need everyone everyone will need to win every game.
00:27:38
Marley- NUNO
Yeah.
00:27:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And of course, only half the teams can win win every game.
00:27:44
Marley- NUNO
but Yeah. The lowest amount of points that could still catch us if it won every single game is 33 points.
00:27:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, I mean, so yeah, get what you mean.
00:27:52
Marley- NUNO
and down to West Ham.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everton could catch us up, but that doesn't mean everyone is as well as Everton catches up.
00:27:58
Marley- NUNO
Yeah.
00:28:00
Mark
um'm I'm intrigued to see when teams will start getting relegated because there's a gap.
00:28:01
Marley- NUNO
So,
00:28:04
Marley- NUNO
apparently Southampton can be relegated this weekend.
00:28:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well,
00:28:09
Mark
Yeah, but that's probably right.
00:28:11
Marley- NUNO
The prediction is Leicester will be relegated some point later on in the season. I think the prediction I've seen is that Leicester will be relegated on the May. No, I'm predicting it's the 11th of May.
00:28:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's quite late. That's after the players. I would have thought, I'd hoped we would be sending them down on on the 12th of May.
00:28:27
Marley- NUNO
I think a lot of people think we will send Leicester down, but I do think it depends on the results.
00:28:29
Mark
Could you imagine
00:28:35
Marley- NUNO
And if Wolves drop off form again, I think Leicester will be relegated with two free games to play, an ips switch and and Wolves could easily go down to the final day. But that depends on Wolves' form.
00:28:47
Mark
Well, I think it comes down to this weekend. If Wolves win and the other three don't, I think the gap will be so big that they'll probably just fall apart.
00:28:53
Marley- NUNO
Who do Wolves have?
00:28:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i mean, you can't see if Leicester have lost 14 of the last 15 games that they're going to have to, they aren't going to, yeah, suddenly start winning, even if we'll start losing.
00:28:54
Marley- NUNO
Because I really, really want Wolves stay up.
00:29:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think it's done.
00:29:04
Mark
Yeah.
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
but We know it's done. Mathematically, it'll take three weeks, four weeks, but we know, we know, we know it's done.
00:29:10
Mark
Yeah. Mad. Anyway, lads, pleasure. And I hope you enjoyed the podcast at home and we'll see you very soon.