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Defending Champions join English League Cup
17 Plays11 days ago
Iain hosts Michael to snicker at Sunderland and Manchester United's demise on penalties at the hands of lower league opposition and rejoice at Newcastles home draw in the third round against...er...lower league opposition.
There's a swift round up of today's transfer news, strangely bereft of any mention of Izak or Wissa and, on the eve of the Champions League draw, look forward to their dream ties in the league qualifying phase.
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Transcript
Welcome and Introduction
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello one and all and welcome to the Daily Newcastle, proud to be part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Ian Mackay, I'm your host tonight. Unusually for a Wednesday, I'm not sitting in a dark room talking to myself.
Newcastle vs. Bradford League Cup Discussion
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm joined by Michael Grameslaw. We've got a number of issues that we're going to get stuck into, mainly good positive stuff. Michael, are you ready to talk soccer?
00:00:41
Michael Grahamslaw
ah Absolutely not. ah and we've got We've had a talk about this. Everything's everything's been spoken about on that side. But I am very much ready to talk football.
00:00:54
Michael Grahamslaw
And no, not the one where you throw it towards the end zone and get these touchdown things. ah The one where Grimsby, no, not the one, well, actually, yes, the one you'll know from the film with Sacha Baron Cohen defeated Manchester and United in arguably the greatest cup competition in the world.
00:01:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, i have to serve i I thought we should start by looking at the League Cup because, of course, the defending champions have entered the competition tonight with the third round draw.
00:01:25
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh, yes.
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah Newcastle score a home draw,
Sunderland's League Cup Exit and Match Predictions
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
which is great. and We've been drawn to play against Bradford of the First Division. And and i think, given my luck in the ballot recently, that might be the first home game I get to this season.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think that looks like ah comfortable win, even with the B team out. What do you think, Michael? Am I being complacent like those Manchester United lads must have been?
00:01:53
Michael Grahamslaw
Well, we certainly won't be playing. Actually, we might be playing a £70 million pound forward, depending on how the Strand-Larsen deal goes. But ah yeah, to play that team, Man United must have been complacent because they were so much better on paper. But anyhow, won't let the lads do that. I mean, let's
Newcastle's League Cup Journey and Matchups
00:02:10
Michael Grahamslaw
forget about Wimbledon and Bromley, where it was a bit tighter than we would have liked last season. We won them both.
00:02:15
Michael Grahamslaw
But Bradford's... They were promoted last season from League 2. I think they're unbeaten so far this campaign. All their games have been quite tight from what I've seen. One goal in it either way. So it's be one of those where i think Newcastle will end up winning pretty comfortably. We can play the B team, but it's going to be one of those where it's it's a 1-0, but we have all the possession, most the shots, etc.
00:02:37
Michael Grahamslaw
Something like that.
00:02:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, we've got a guard against complacency because our mere neighbours, those lads just down the road at Sunderland, had a seemingly straightforward home tie against Division One Huddersfield a couple of nights ago now.
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And yet their League Cup campaign has been cut cruelly short on penalties.
00:02:55
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
00:03:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a shame. It's a shame. I think... They've got two signings still underway, either one of which comes in. It will take them over the £200 million mark of the players that they've bought, um which is amazing.
00:03:14
Michael Grahamslaw
Jesus. All that money just to get relegated. Yeah.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know, and knocked out of the League Cup by Huddersfield on penalties. It's just, well, I don't know. I don't know. I don't think he could have played any of these new players. It must have been the ah remnants of his, of of the,
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
championship side that lost all five of the last games last season um but anyway we're dotting around the league cup
00:03:36
Michael Grahamslaw
Mm-hmm.
European Teams and Underdog Potential in League Cup
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's very exciting that it should have started because of course it is whether we are the defending champions and it take me took me back to last march and that wonderful afternoon where we smacked the bin dippers hard as hard as we did on as hard as we did on monday it's just somehow somehow um
00:03:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
We ended up losing that game. I don't know how. i think we were more on top with 10 men on Monday than we were throughout that cup final. But i I don't want to dwell on that.
00:04:07
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:04:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just still hurt. um Some interesting other ties coming out in the draw for the third round. and and don't know if you saw a Crystal Palace-Milwall.
00:04:20
Michael Grahamslaw
Milwall.
00:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Apparently...
00:04:21
Michael Grahamslaw
Keep Jean-Philippe Mateta away from that game after what happened in the first one. Yeah, I saw it and the first thing I wrote down was, yikes, hopefully that doesn't happen again. Yeah.
00:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, um I wonder if the Territorial Army will be mobilised in South East London that night. um
00:04:38
Michael Grahamslaw
Probably will be.
00:04:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who knows?
00:04:39
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:04:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe it's going to have to be the full army that's mobilised because that will be tasty. and Did you saw the rest of the draw, Michael? Anything else stand out for you? It looks like the rest of the European teams got handed some fairly straightforward tasks.
00:04:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Villa got away at Brentford, which is a toughie, but City at Lincoln.
00:04:54
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:04:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Can't remember who
Wrexham's Rising Profile and Newcastle Parallels
00:05:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool got. Southampton, wasn't it, at home?
00:05:01
Michael Grahamslaw
Liverpool, yeah, Southampton at home. the The other one is the, well, the other semi-big one there is an all-Premier League tie between Wolves and Everton. um Basically, a relegation six-pointer in the Premier League, but it looks like it'll be ah quite a tasty game. Wrexham versus Reading is one that sort of caught my eye as well. Sort of Wrexham, one of those teams that's looking to push up from the Championship, and Reading, one of those that, you Will want to get back where they were, but they've had so many problems dropping into a League One, that going back up, playing against Wrexham, good chance to get some eyes back on that club and you know maybe show why they should be ah ah yeah a semi-decent team once again.
00:05:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael, you're only saying that because you're too young to remember. You're too young to remember the nightmare of a really horrible one-all draw at home to Wrexham in the FA Cup and Newcastle trailing down to the racecourse ground and getting whooped 4-0 in the replay.
00:05:55
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh.
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this is when, re I think Wrexham were, a I think they were a championship side, but it was only a year or two after that, that
00:06:01
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, yeah.
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
A dodgy, dodgy, dodgy decision disallowing a goal by Blythe Spartans because a corner flag fell over and they didn't score from the retaken corner meant that Wrexham knocked Blythe Spartans out of the cup at St. James' Park just two years later.
00:06:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So despite Wrexham having the Hollywood factor and being our glorious leader Ken Davis' favourite team, I'm not a fan.
00:06:24
Michael Grahamslaw
Wow.
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not a fan of Wrexham. Sorry.
00:06:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry.
00:06:34
Michael Grahamslaw
Can I just ask what year that was?
00:06:37
Michael Grahamslaw
ah
00:06:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, God, let me think, let me think.
Wrexham's Popularity Surge and Stadium Expansion
00:06:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ken used to wind me up about it when we were at uni, so that must have been, it was probably the late 70s, early 80s.
00:06:46
Michael Grahamslaw
Wow.
00:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
78, 79? Yeah.
00:06:48
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, definitely before my time then.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:51
Michael Grahamslaw
Definitely.
00:06:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, but of course, they have plummeted to great depths, been signed up by Ryan at ryan Reynolds, and now storming forward. i don't know, is it four promotions in six or seven years? I don't know.
00:07:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's interesting.
00:07:04
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, something like that.
00:07:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're
00:07:06
Michael Grahamslaw
Doing very well.
00:07:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mind you, ken as Ken can't get in to see them. They've got a ah worse ticket problem than Newcastle have. So bad, so bad that Ken's got a season ticket to go and watch Derby County instead.
00:07:14
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, I'm not surprised.
00:07:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I know, it's tough, isn't it?
00:07:20
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh!
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fancy having to be put in that situation. Anyway,
00:07:25
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah it's the To be fair, I was just going to add, Wrexham had this problem when um the social media star, I say in inverted commons, bootlegger was coming to town when they were in you know National League and they were struggling to get out of that league.
00:07:41
Michael Grahamslaw
And, you know, people start to turn up to watch them because of that. Him, there's a little bit of social media influence there. And Ryan Reynolds has took over and it's like, it is going to be one of those now where either they expand their stadium or they're going to find that, you know, the homegrown hardcore fans can't get in anymore.
00:07:59
Michael Grahamslaw
And all of a sudden you've got, you know, people coming over from America, which is fantastic for the club. But that fan who's, you know, not able to get into the game, is gonna hit it's going to hit them hard. but As a club, they need those Americans coming to watch. and you know Because America is going to be what makes Wrexham a top tier club. It's not going to be Wales
Nostalgia and International Audience Growth
00:08:20
Michael Grahamslaw
or England.
00:08:21
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah know It's going to be them breaking America.
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, and ironically, not ironically, but similarly, it's going to be America that sends the Daily Newcastle to the top of the charts when it comes to Newcastle-based, content-based podcasts, because we know that we're quite well listened to in America.
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got a lot of listeners over there.
00:08:43
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
00:08:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
and um And we're very we're we're very proud. Hopefully, we'll get a bit bigger, and then we'll get invited to stuff. which will be fine if they're paying for the flights.
00:08:52
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd love to go. m Finally, ah
00:08:56
Michael Grahamslaw
I'll just keep getting told how it's soccer instead of football, and I am just having a go and being funny for those trying to watch, but yeah.
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:09:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
soccer, Michael. It's soccer.
00:09:05
Michael Grahamslaw
I'll um'll try not to do the accent.
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is where the World Cup is next year, though, isn't it?
00:09:11
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes, it is.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there you go, you see. You'll have to accept soccer because it'll be called that next year, and that will be the that will be the focal point of global football. and Finally on Wrexham, you did just have ah give me a little bit of a flashback there when we started talking about it to a very cold October, November afternoon when for some reason at uni, Ken, previously mentioned Wrexham supporter, thought it would be a great day out for the lads on the second floor of Tower, our student digs, to go.
00:09:43
Michael Grahamslaw
Second floor of Tzawa.
00:09:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
to go with Paul, who was also part of our gang and a big Blackburn supporter up to Blackburn to watch Blackburn Wrexham. My goodness.
00:09:54
Michael Grahamslaw
ah
00:09:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
nil It finished nil-nil.
00:09:55
Michael Grahamslaw
That sounds delightful.
00:09:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
It finished nil-nil. And ah let me tell you, it was more
Podcast Production and Broadcasting Evolution
00:10:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
boring than that sounds. But there you go. I think with that, I'm going to do a this and listen to the little tune in the background.
00:10:04
Michael Grahamslaw
Brilliant.
00:10:13
Michael Grahamslaw
you
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think subliminally, Bionica telling you that you've got to start doing yoga and some meditation. If you've got so far that you've designed your own supplement, then you've got to heal from within.
00:11:06
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I played a little extra sting afterwards because I thought it would give you a nice counterpoint in terms of having relaxed you and then set your nerves really jangling again.
00:11:24
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, you've you've set my heart rate going.
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent.
00:11:26
Michael Grahamslaw
I mean, thanks. Maybe it was needed, but I'm going to be a height for the whole episode now.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, no. I think we need a little bit of adrenaline anyway, because we've got, what, eight a half minutes in this part, and we've got so many little bits and pieces of transfer news to talk about.
Champions League Draw and Newcastle's Prospects
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to fire them at you, Michael, and tell me what you've seen, what you think.
00:11:41
Michael Grahamslaw
Let's go. and Okay.
00:11:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rumours out this afternoon, apparently, these are for players leaving, that Bayer Leverkusen have inquired about the availability of Sven Botman.
00:11:50
Michael Grahamslaw
Okay.
00:11:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Discuss.
00:11:57
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, I mean, I don't think it'll happen. We could inquire about the availability of Kylian Mbappe. I think it's probably got just as much of a chance of happening. ah Why Sven Bottmann would want to leave with?
00:12:09
Michael Grahamslaw
um Because, I mean, Leverkusen are a decent side, but they are managed by Eric Ten Haag. which means inevitably they'll be closer to relegation than Champions League next this season. And Sven Botman's still got a very big point to prove in the Premier League, and I don't think there's a better place for him to do it than at Newcastle. So, Sven Botman, stay in put.
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Nicola will be absolutely delighted and I agree with you. The cynic in me that is hoping that Sven Botman doesn't doesn't miss seven out of every 10 games for the rest of his career with a knee injury is wondering whether we ought to sell him just to cash in and make a little bit of a profit and find a different centre-half.
00:12:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's a big fan favourite. I mean, when he's fit, he's head and shoulders above the rest of our centre-halves.
00:12:49
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:12:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Malik Chow excluded because we haven't seen how good he's going to get.
00:12:54
Michael Grahamslaw
The Rolls Royce.
00:12:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I think we hold on to Sven Botman. One person we're not holding on to whose loan move for the last year of his contract to Middlesbrough was confirmed today is Matty Target.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that means he's on loan this year and then his contract expires in Middlesbrough. If he's half decent, if he has a loan period like he did when he came on loan to us, Middlesbrough will be offering him a two or three year contract.
00:13:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So good for him.
00:13:21
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, probably.
00:13:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's had a nightmare with injuries. um probably wondered after being so good and the in his long period, what the hell is going on? Because he seemed to get injured before his actual signing time um started. And we've only seen him. Apparently he's played 47 times for Newcastle.
00:13:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think, no, altogether, i think 30 of those was in
00:13:44
Michael Grahamslaw
but Since signing permanently?
00:13:48
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh, altogether. I was going say.
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
in the loan period So that is a hell of a lot over four years or whatever it is.
00:13:54
Michael Grahamslaw
Definitely.
00:13:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, anyway, we wish Matty Target well. um And probably if he's gone into the top half of the championship, he's found his level again.
00:14:02
Michael Grahamslaw
We do.
00:14:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's be honest, because I think Newcastle have outgrown him. and
Champions League Group Stage Strategies
00:14:10
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two bids made, 50 million, 55 million, both rejected, apparently going in With a £60 million bid for Strand-Larsen at Wolves.
00:14:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, effectively, it's how much money are you going to pay Wolves to sign their own suicide note, I think. Because they got rid of all of the... They had two goalscorers last year. One was Cunha and he's gone.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Neither was Strand-Larsen. Even their third top scorer was Ait Nuri with four. And they sold him to Manchester City. So, but don't know. I'd love Strand-Larsen.
00:14:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I can't see what... I can't i can't see... why Wolves would almost commit to being relegated by selling him for 60 million, because they make double that just by staying in the Premier League, I think.
00:14:47
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, 100%.
00:14:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think?
00:14:59
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
Conclusion and Listener Engagement
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is this going to complete?
00:15:02
Michael Grahamslaw
I think it's one of those where I was confident until about an hour ago. um and new I know that Newcastle will put in that £60m bid, as you said. I think he's an absolutely fantastic player. But in the last hour, we've been told that Cristian Tos Uche who was Wolves' replacement for Jürgen Strand-Larsen, should I say, ah is actually that move has actually been called off by the sounds of things.
00:15:29
Michael Grahamslaw
um I don't know exactly why, um but it seems like that move is off, and he would have been the one that would have allowed Strand-Larsen to potentially move to Newcastle. So it's ah it's an awkward one.
00:15:42
Michael Grahamslaw
Maybe it won't have too much of an impact, because I do know he's a striker that's scored like five goals in his career. um So maybe it won't have too much of an impact, but when Wolves are signing replacements using that money, you think, right, yeah, we've got something going here.
00:15:59
Michael Grahamslaw
But then when those kind of get cancelled and you think all they've got now is that John Arias, who's going to who came in from, believe it was Botafogo, playing as a centre-attaquer midfielder.
00:16:11
Michael Grahamslaw
Huang as a striker who looks incompetent.
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah
00:16:15
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah There's not really a lot there for them. So it's it is a tough one. I would love Strand-Larsen. $60 million seems like a little bit too much to pay, but in the current market, at the you know it's the 28th of August as this is going out.
00:16:29
Michael Grahamslaw
Shuttle and pay the money. 100%.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah. Yeah. I like Strand Larsen at 60 million, a lot cheaper than and your Chelsea man, Jackson, at 80 million or whatever he ends up with.
00:16:41
Michael Grahamslaw
hundred um
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
God, I just can't see that we give Chelsea 80 million for Jackson. And effectively, it's the same 80 million that they spent 30 on buying De Lapp and 50 on Joe Pedro.
00:16:49
Michael Grahamslaw
Definitely not. Yeah.
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
That just looks so bad.
00:16:54
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can't do it. We can't do it. We'll play with Dan Burnett centre-forward rather than do that, for goodness sake. At least he'd get on the end of the corners, wouldn't he? Maybe. I don't know. don't
00:17:04
Michael Grahamslaw
ah I'll tell you one thing as well, though, just quickly to to put in there. If we do sign Strand Larson, it'll be cheaper than Seshko. And ah can guarantee Strand Larson won't be terrified to take a penalty at Grimsby.
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that was awful, wasn't it?
00:17:18
Michael Grahamslaw
ah Because, what was it, the 10th taker of a penalty is your £75 million pound striker.
00:17:25
Michael Grahamslaw
That is, mentality-wise, that is one of the worst things I've ever seen. If you're a striker, you want to score goals. It doesn't matter how they come, when they come. yo if ah If most 70 million strikers are sitting there going, right, give me either the last one or the first one, because the last one's got the chance to be the most decisive, put that weight on my shoulders, or the first one, I'll get us off to a good row.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:49
Michael Grahamslaw
Not, oh, by the way, ah do I have to take one?
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agreed.
00:17:52
Michael Grahamslaw
Can I not do it first?
00:17:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Carl, I'll take the one before Renan. But anyway, he's probably thinking, though, Michael, that was a really good decision, having seen £127 million pounds worth of talent in Cunha and Mbwemo be the two Manchester United players who missed the penalties that knocked them out.
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, but we shouldn't be rejoicing in this.
00:18:09
Michael Grahamslaw
You know what? Good point.
00:18:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
We shouldn't. That was part one.
00:18:15
Michael Grahamslaw
ah Look, I need to prolong this.
00:18:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we would say we haven't seen enough to start saying we've dodged a bullet there, have we?
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then Man United haven't seen enough to think that they've got a bargain either, let's be fair. It's early days though, early days. m
00:18:24
Michael Grahamslaw
No, not yet.
00:18:32
Michael Grahamslaw
is indeed.
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Willock, fit on the bench for Monday night's game. Fit, I would say, fit fit for being sold and then and a step up on midfield, being recruited in these last few days.
00:18:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And today, a lot of news that Kobe Maynew, who's an excellent player, seems to be surplus to requirements because Amorim just doesn't fancy him. um
00:18:58
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you told me. They wanted £70 million for him back in January, but that price has plummeted.
00:19:03
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:19:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we could get more than half of it in if Willick is signed by perennial last day of the transfer window signers Crystal Palace.
00:19:06
Michael Grahamslaw
Don't know, 45. Yeah, 100%.
00:19:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's been linked to Crystal Palace throughout the window.
00:19:15
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah and so
00:19:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that something that that sneaky one that we could predict and look really clever come seven o'clock on the 1st of September?
00:19:25
Michael Grahamslaw
Look, i would I would love it. But I think it's one of those where Joe Willock will only be... I think he'll only be sold if Newcastle can guarantee they can get a central midfielder in. Manu is obviously a great option for that. He gives something a little bit different because for me, he is more years closer to that number 10 than he is...
00:19:44
Michael Grahamslaw
um a number eight or a number six. Whenever he plays the eight or the six, he doesn't really work in that position, which is why Amorim doesn't really fancy him. But in a bit more of an advanced position, he looks like such a great player.
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:56
Michael Grahamslaw
um But for me, Willick probably stays. And I hate saying that, but I think because of the injuries too, Tonali and Joe Linton against Liverpool, selling a central midfielder might just be a bit too much work.
00:20:12
Michael Grahamslaw
But Joe Linton's wife has said he's okay and that he should be back soon. So yeah, yeah.
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is he on the medical staff?
00:20:20
Michael Grahamslaw
Apparently she's just, she was just there at the RVI just going, you know what?
00:20:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
if
00:20:23
Michael Grahamslaw
I think that's, i think that's fine.
00:20:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's...
00:20:25
Michael Grahamslaw
I'll give, I'll give Carlo a ring.
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'll be fine. You'll be fine. and then And then she rubbed Tonali on the shoulder and he's going to be fine as well.
00:20:33
Michael Grahamslaw
She's probably dislocated it again.
00:20:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fingers crossed. I did hear, I can't remember when I heard it today, but I did hear some people saying that neither of them looked that bad.
00:20:35
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:20:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eddie said they were bad on Monday night.
00:20:41
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:20:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
They looked bad on Monday night, but... Yeah, maybe they're not as bad as we think. We've got a Leeds team to play and then we've got another i've got ah week off, haven't we, for the international break.
00:20:47
Michael Grahamslaw
Hopefully not.
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
So maybe they're not needed for another three weeks yet, which which might be enough for them to be fit.
00:20:53
Michael Grahamslaw
Yep.
00:20:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, look at that. All the way through a transfer section, Michael, we never mentioned Izak. We never mentioned Wisser because those those deals are...
00:21:05
Michael Grahamslaw
Who?
00:21:09
Michael Grahamslaw
Dead.
00:21:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Constipated in the extreme. Yeah, we'll have to see if somebody can sprinkle some fibra gel on those and they'll move before the end of the window. We don't know. We're just hoping it's Strand Larson.
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to do another sting because, you know, I love it. And then I'm asking you to do your Zennie advert as well, mate.
00:21:30
Michael Grahamslaw
Let's go.
00:21:45
Michael Grahamslaw
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we have spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. And Zencastr? Well, Zencastr came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums, ahs and cigarette lightings from Ian's.
00:22:04
Michael Grahamslaw
It's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr.
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
You see, Michael, I'm old school. when When the old radio DJs are sitting doing their programmes to their audience and the clock is ticking past midnight, you'd always hear them spark up.
00:22:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, welcome back.
00:22:31
Michael Grahamslaw
It's past the watershed where we are. It's fine.
00:22:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome back. Back to part three. And I have a bit of a confession to make, Michael. I've been looking at the pots for the Champions League and the draw that's being made tomorrow.
00:22:42
Michael Grahamslaw
ah fool
00:22:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I know you suggested that we might update our look at ah at our dream teams, the dream ties that might come out. ah Sadly, no Scottish teams involved. The Celtic somehow managed to draw 0-0 twice with a Kazakhstan team that seems to play somewhere east of Japan.
00:23:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And Rangers, wow, Rangers were humiliated really by Bruges and it could have been so much worse.
00:23:11
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, that's it. Okay.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
So neither of those available in pot four for us to get drawn against. um My confession though is the more I look at this and thinking there's nobody in pot four apart from us, actually,
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's nobody in pot three, really. And I quite fancy us against five or six of pot two. And let's be honest, we've beaten two or three of pot one in recent years. So not am I a fool?
00:23:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Am I thinking that we could actually have a decent campaign here and do an as do an Aston Villa and end up actually edging past PSG in the quarterfinal?
00:23:43
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh, no.
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
God, I hope we get Liverpool in the quarterfinal. I'd love to knock them out. I'd love to knock them out.
00:23:54
Michael Grahamslaw
He's that goal to knock them out the Champions League. I can actually see it now. It's like a really badly written film.
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:24:00
Michael Grahamslaw
um But yeah, I think when I look at it the season ahead, I actually have confidence. When I looked at the pots, I was thinking myself, you know what? We do have a good chance of getting through here because all you need is four wins.
00:24:14
Michael Grahamslaw
And unless you get really unlucky and get the complete worst case scenario, that looks not relatively likely, but it looks it definitely looks possible. I think maybe we won't do as well as what Aston Villa did. And there are, I will say there are two teams, I think, in part four that I want to avoid. But other than that, yeah, there's not too many.
00:24:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I know one of those teams is going to be Atletico, isn't it? That's one of them.
00:24:43
Michael Grahamslaw
It's actually not surprising.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it not right? But I wouldn't want to avoid them because, to be honest, when we played them in the Cellar Cup, I thought we played them off the park for the first hour.
00:24:52
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And really, it was just...
00:24:53
Michael Grahamslaw
And Man United battered them last year.
00:24:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was when they made 11 substitutions with half an hour to go that we yeah we sadly wilted to that under their fitness. Who are the two you don't want then? Monaco?
00:25:07
Michael Grahamslaw
Monaco and Galatasaray, mainly away.
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Galatasaray away.
00:25:10
Michael Grahamslaw
Galatasaray at home would be fine, but Galatasaray away, I'm actually more concerned about the well-being of our fans than I am the the football on display because I've got a lot of friends that I know will go.
00:25:22
Michael Grahamslaw
And it is a little bit of a hostile atmosphere, but it would it would be legendary to go to.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I had to look up where Pathos was, by the way. They're Cypriot. So I don't want that away.
00:25:35
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, in my dream draw... I've got Paphos turning up at St. James's Park to give us one of our banker wins. and And another debutante in Pot Four, the Belgian side, Union Saint.
00:25:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I can't read it. I can't read my own.
00:25:56
Michael Grahamslaw
I
00:25:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it? Those, those guys. I'll have them away because that's a nice, easy trip. Belgium.
00:26:04
Michael Grahamslaw
ah do like a trip. i would love a trip to Belgium, yeah.
00:26:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's my two from part four. Who are you going to have in part four?
00:26:11
Michael Grahamslaw
So the two I want are Paphos and Union Saint-Giloy. um
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, right.
00:26:18
Michael Grahamslaw
So i've but I've matched you there. But what I would say is, best case scenario, I think I wouldn't mind a trip to Cyprus away.
00:26:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
You have.
00:26:25
Michael Grahamslaw
And then you get the Kazakhstani champions who currently aren't even winning the Kazakhstani league. They're throwing it away on the second final day, which is something I looked at this morning. and um They lost their last game before playing Celtic and that not they're now not going to win the league.
00:26:41
Michael Grahamslaw
I wouldn't mind them at home, ah but worst case scenario, as I mentioned, Galatasaray and Monaco. But yeah, Union Saint-Geloy, just because Trip with Belgium, tough team, but still one that I think we could beat. And then Paphos, because Cyprus is kind of nice.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not sure because it's not in here. and try to see who's in instead. I think Bodo Glimt are going to turn up somewhere, aren't they?
00:27:08
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, they're in pot three.
00:27:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
They will. Ah, Pot 3, that's okay. Yes, I've got them now. Right.
00:27:13
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pot 3 then. I have gone for Marseille at home and um Slavia Prague away out of Pot 3.
00:27:24
Michael Grahamslaw
Makes sense. Yeah. ah To be honest, that's a great shout. ah One thing I will say, and um I can imagine there is a lot of people who would pay good money to see Joe Linton get his hands around the neck of Mason Greenwood.
00:27:40
Michael Grahamslaw
And that becomes all possible if we draw Marseille. I will say I'd have Marseille down as ah as a worst case scenario team. I think they're probably one of the the two strongest teams in that pot.
00:27:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
they They are...
00:27:53
Michael Grahamslaw
But at the same time, they're a team that are beatable. I think the team you don't want in pot three is Napoli. um
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:27:59
Michael Grahamslaw
You know, Italian champions, absolutely fantastic. The atmosphere will be fantastic as well, but Napoli's ultras are something else. um But the two i I would want would be Bodo Glimt and same as you, Slavia Pra.
00:28:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't mind Bodo glimps at home, but they've played on an artificial pitch, don't they?
00:28:19
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Away from home, that could be super dodgy, as Man United found out.
00:28:21
Michael Grahamslaw
Bodo at home, Praga way.
00:28:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good, eh? We're not far off here. So we'll move on to pot two.
00:28:29
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And it's interesting when you're picking these because you can't have more than two teams from the same country. And also you can't pick any of the English teams in your first eight games.
00:28:38
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:28:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So which is why I didn't go for all of the French teams or all of the Italian teams for that matter.
00:28:44
Michael Grahamslaw
Hmm.
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in pot two, mainly because I'm hoping I get a ticket for it. I'd like to play Juventus at home.
00:28:52
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes, I've got Juventus down as well.
00:28:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
and At home, have you? Excellent.
00:28:56
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, yeah, the old lady.
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and because Villa beat them last year anyway. But also I'm thinking Napoli are champions in Port 3. Juventus are obviously a little bit overachieving there on historical reasons to be shoved in Port 2.
00:29:08
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes. 100%.
00:29:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
so But I'd have Atalanta as well out there, to be fair.
00:29:10
Michael Grahamslaw
Ah.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, Juventus at home and a way away, a little sort of sunny weekend away in Villarreal.
00:29:14
Michael Grahamslaw
ah
00:29:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fancy that?
00:29:23
Michael Grahamslaw
I wouldn't mind it, although I've put down for ah the team I would want would be Benfica, the real stadium of light. um As I mentioned, it'd be really nice to win there twice in one week, which this would give us the the chance to, obviously the Portuguese version, and then we'd play potentially play, should I say, Sunderland at their crappy version ah later in the week.
00:29:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
At their stage.
00:29:47
Michael Grahamslaw
So, yeah, Benfica and Juventus is a dream.
00:29:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they're TAMO Stadium of Light, the Sunderland play at. Yeah.
00:29:55
Michael Grahamslaw
Absolutely.
00:29:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Out of pot one, out of pot one, and this will be one of the early games, so they haven't got properly fit and organised yet.
00:30:02
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:30:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want PSG at home again, so we can beat them 4-1 again.
00:30:06
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh, no.
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on!
00:30:09
Michael Grahamslaw
No, no.
00:30:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're so such a much better team than we were when we stuffed them 4-1.
00:30:14
Michael Grahamslaw
ah Yes, they are. ah bill but i mean be So are they.
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, we are.
00:30:19
Michael Grahamslaw
mean, to be fair, Spurs gave them a good game.
00:30:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:23
Michael Grahamslaw
Chelsea beat them in the Club World Cup final. So maybe I'm overestimating their talents. But in the Champions League last season, second half, obviously, knockout football, they were terrible in the group phase.
00:30:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, yeah, they were. This is why I want them in the group phase, Michael. And then I went for ah then i went for ah went for a place where where a lot of have got some experience.
00:30:36
Michael Grahamslaw
But I don't want to see them again.
00:30:44
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh.
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've gone for Inter Milan away from home. That's the away game I went for.
00:30:47
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes. Inter Milan, yeah. I've got, to be fair, I've got the reverse. I've got Inter Milan at St. James' Park, and then is this the way to Barcelona away?
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:30:58
Michael Grahamslaw
Because I'd love that. And then worst case scenario, I know a lot of people, I know a lot players from what I was seeing a bit earlier want to do the Bernabeu. Do not send us to the Bernabeu because Real Madrid are just a different beast in the Champions League.
00:31:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:31:14
Michael Grahamslaw
The league phase, maybe you get something, but I'm terrified of Real Madrid.
00:31:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, on the on the games I've picked, which could come out, just as you know i i can see us winning five of those. And that would put us in the top eight, like Villa did.
00:31:29
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:31:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
We wouldn't have a qualifier. We'd go straight into the quarterfinals. And I want Liverpool in the quarterfinals. um We've got their number. I think we'd do them. What do you think?
00:31:42
Michael Grahamslaw
That's what was...
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:43
Michael Grahamslaw
mean, I'll ideally play the worst teams possible ah and not, you know, the champions of England.
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:31:50
Michael Grahamslaw
um But yeah, I do i do agree.
00:31:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I will.
00:31:52
Michael Grahamslaw
i'd I'd like to play Liverpool and get the better of them this season because we were so close to... We were all ah we weren't robbed on Monday, but there were a lot of controversial decisions in the game and you're kind of left feeling like what might have been...
00:32:06
Michael Grahamslaw
I do think if we played them again ah sit and the in a ah big atmosphere, i do think we could get the better of them again. um But it's it's just annoying that you know they seem to beat us in the 90th minute so many times.
00:32:20
Michael Grahamslaw
Maybe, just maybe, we could do the same to them in the Champions League.
00:32:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
and i
00:32:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
You never know. let's say Let's dream of that. Let's dream of us getting through to at least the semi-finals of the Champions League because my draw is coming out. and And obviously, having been drawn at home in round three against Bradford, we're going to successfully defend the League Cup.
00:32:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
but he cup
00:32:43
Michael Grahamslaw
easy being a Newcastle fan, isn't it?
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely, yeah. Well, I don't know if anybody listening out there in podcast land agrees with us or not. You can let us know by dropping us a comment below. Obviously,
00:32:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is on YouTube as well, and I should have said about half an hour ago, please like and subscribe so you don't miss any.
00:33:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are on every day now, seven days a week, um and you'll get your little Newcastle gossip and a bit of a laugh along the way as well. Thanks very much for listening. Thank you for joining me, Michael, and I will catch you up later in the week.
00:33:03
Michael Grahamslaw
Yep.
00:33:15
Michael Grahamslaw
No worries.
00:33:19
Michael Grahamslaw
Bye.