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NUFC Mid Season Review!
17 Plays14 hours ago
The team discuss their expectations for the second half of the season as well as highlight what position should be priority in this January transfer window.
Host: Kevin Esther
Guests: Michael Grahamslaw & Iain Mackay
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Transcript
Celebration & Introduction of Podcast
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is of course the only way to start a podcast after beating Arsenal. Turn on the sign when we find out. For our listeners, if you haven't seen it, how on earth have you not seen that as a Newcastle fan? That is Bruno running around his living room with one of his children shouting Newcastle. Welcome to the Daily Newcastle Podcast.
00:00:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am joined by two amazing guests. This is three in a row for us three. We are on fire at the minute. It is me, Ian and Michael. Again, you lucky, lucky people. Ian, how are you feeling? Are you still on a high off the semi-final win or, and also what do you think of Bruno s singing?
Semi-Final Win & Mid-Season Review
00:00:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:00:50
Iain
I am still, yes I'm still on a high and I think Bruno's singing was delightful to watch. However, I'm not sure he's really got the tune, has he? He wants to come and wants to come and stand on the terraces if we still if we still do that sort of thing and join in.
00:01:06
Iain
He'll learn the songs quickly, he will.
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. it's i I just love it. I love the guy. I love the guy. Another person we all love at Daily Newcastle is in my next guest, Michael. Michael, three in a row for us three.
00:01:16
Michael
ah
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
How are you doing? Are you feeling the love? Are we feeling like a band of brothers now or what?
00:01:21
Michael
oh absolutely it doesn't get any better and just when I thought I'd calm down from the euphoria of that win yesterday you've got the Bruno started in the ears in the earphones and I'm ready to go let's go oh yes
00:01:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
ru Bruno's got your hyped. Our captain's hyped us up at the start of this one. Well, it is Thursday. m This is kind of supposed to be a weird wild card Thursday, but I'm not doing that. I'm going to break the rules.
00:01:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're breaking the rules today. Michael looks absolutely distraught at breaking the rules. You can tell who the pad lads were at school out of our street.
00:01:47
Michael
I'm a good boy.
00:01:51
Michael
Not a detention in my life.
00:01:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I thought middle of the season and we'll do a mini review of of what we're expecting. I think part one I'm going to ask you about your expectations from now till the end of the season, cup and league.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Part two, we're going to talk about what positions we should maybe target in the transfer window, because that might have changed now, looking at some of the recent form of some of our players. And part three, we're going to pick a player of the season so far each. We cannot pick the same again, so I'll go last, it's only fair. And I might even have a little bit of a quiz, because like I say, it was kind of a wildcard thing, but it hasn't worked out. We're going to do a mid-season review.
00:02:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's go Beauty Before Age, which means it's Ian Mackay to go first this time. Ian, what are your expectations for the league now going
Newcastle's League Ambitions
00:02:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
forward? what Where do you think this team can go? This is inspired by you, if I'm honest. You said on yesterday's episode we should be maybe targeting second, if we can beat Arsenal in the league. And then briefly at it the end of that, and what are your expectations off of the cups now? Could we get the two cup finals? Who knows?
00:03:02
Iain
m Firstly, my expectation is that I will never ever wear whatever the hell it is you've got on at the moment. is that i he said It's like a green onesie with snowmen on it or something.
00:03:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it's a its it's a big green oody for people who can't see.
00:03:15
Michael
but
00:03:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got an oody on because I came home from work to record this episode and there's been no heating on in my house because nobody's been in. So I've just launched this on Ian. I think it's good. I think it's trendy. It keeps me young. It keeps me warm.
00:03:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like it. I'm back in it.
00:03:29
Iain
if it's If it's functional, you're just about to get away with it.
00:03:30
Michael
100% all that'll work.
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wish, I wish.
00:03:37
Iain
However, I would have turned your camera off before you'd come on board, but never mind.
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look at the fleece, look at the fleece on that for people watching.
00:03:40
Iain
look I it's beautiful, beautiful.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lovely, lovely and warm.
00:03:45
Iain
My expectations have been rising ever since the Leicester game because I was at the Leicester game and having watched Newcastle's indifferent performances, some great, some far less so in the first part of the season. I sensed a real change in their approach in Leicester, followed up by them doing Ipswich. And yeah, I've always been of an opinion that we can go for top four this season. I thought it was a, we'd need to get things sorted out really quickly.
00:04:19
Iain
by the time of the Leicester game, if were that was going to still be on. However, they've done even better since then than anyone could possibly have imagined. And looking up the table, Kev, we are five points behind Arsenal and Forest.
00:04:34
Iain
um and less less than that buying Chelsea. We've got all of them to play at least once more. I don't see why i don't see why we can't keep this run going.
00:04:44
Iain
Look at the kind games coming up for us through January, February.
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I've
00:04:51
Iain
ah Yeah, I think we should be chasing down. I think we should be as much at it in ah in a ah much in a championship challenge as any other team is against Liverpool.
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
wow i was i was legit you've answered i was gonna ask you a question because like i said before i asked that question you inspired this part because at the end of yesterday's episode or towards the end you said if we beat arsenal in the league why shouldn't we be looking to finish second and that like i like it took 24 hours till just before this episode to sing in like ain's talking about us finishing second and he doesn't sound completely like he's lost a blot he sounds quite sane when he's seeing it and i'm thinking
00:05:29
Michael
Don't sense the surprise.
00:05:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
is And I'm thinking, is this something we should be targeting? should be aiming for? So yeah, I mean, that's what's kind of it. Did you genuinely believe we could not be in a championship challenge? Because we are behind quite a far behind Liverpool. But do you genuinely believe we could finish secondly and just before I come to Michael?
00:05:47
Iain
Do you remember when we got hunted down by Liverpool in our Champions League season and they came from a long, long way back? And and I think them chasing has pushed us on to actually get the points we needed to finish fourth. They finished fifth that year, haven't started that fantastic run around about now, 15 or 16 points behind us.
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:06:10
Iain
I'm just thinking, why can we not do a similar sort of thing? We're already seven straight wins into it.
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a great point.
00:06:15
Iain
We've got some benign looking games coming up. We've still got everyone ahead of us to play at least once, including Liverpool, by the way. And they're going to have to play each other as well.
00:06:25
Iain
So this point is going to get dropped by all of those ahead of us. Let's just keep this run going for as long as we possibly can and see where it takes us.
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant.
00:06:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's let's let's put somewhere on it, man. So what what is your expectation for the league game?
00:06:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want you to give me an um'm ambitious position, which you think is achievable. i mean i want to I want you to give us, actually, if we finish below that, I'm not going to be happy with that. what Give us two positions in the table where...
00:06:49
Iain
Well, I will be disappointed if we don't finish in the top four.
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:06:55
Iain
And given how without our best midfielder and our most consistent centre half, we can win at Arsenal 2-0, I'd be disappointed if we finish behind them and their second at the moment.
00:07:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:07:08
Iain
So I'm serious. I think we should think we should just keep this going at one game at a time and Eddie's got them thinking the right way. Why not? why not
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant. Michael, let's come to you then for the league. What are your kind of revised expectations? Like I said before, we're halfway through now. We've seen, you could argue, we've seen the good bad and the ugly of Newcastle this season against teams like Brighton and West Ham was the ugly.
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
The bad was, I mean, we were still picking up points at the start of the season, but we weren't playing well. And now we're well and truly seeing the good. So it's a good kind of point now at the review. What are your expectations in the league for the kind of rest of the season going forward?
00:07:48
Michael
To be honest my expectations haven't actually changed too much from the start of the season. I still expect us to be in that 4th to 7th battle. If we finish anywhere below 5th I am going to be disappointed but that's because of the runner form we're on.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:08:02
Michael
and you know you could say in in five games time we could lose three of them and we could be sitting there going well let's just get Europe but as it stands at this precise moment you're looking at it and going champions league has to be the aim who's who's our biggest challenges Chelsea haven't won in four and not in forest They win the championship a couple of years ago.
00:08:24
Michael
Don't be wrong, absolutely fantastic what is going on at Forest. But it's not going to be sustained throughout the entire season. And you'll probably see in seven, eight games time, they go on a run of maybe five or six games that will win.
00:08:37
Michael
They start a slip down the table. I just hope they stay in Europe. But, you know, Sydney are obviously going to end up being up there.
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hope they don't. We're above us. I want them to completely crumble. I want any team above us to crumble.
00:08:47
Michael
Well, we're obviously going to finish above them, but I hope to stay around there because it means an Aston Villa at Tottenham, I mean Tottenham and Man United are obviously missing out, but an Aston Villa, maybe even a Chelsea don't make an and Europa League at the conference instead and Chelsea backed about years in the conference.
00:08:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:09:03
Michael
That'd just be embarrassing. So yeah, I think Newcastle, I think we've got to finish top five.
00:09:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:09:08
Michael
I'll be disappointed with anything below and If we don't make Europe at all, it has you have to say at this point it's a bit of a disaster.
00:09:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh Wow.
00:09:17
Michael
Well, top four.
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:09:19
Michael
That's what we should be going for.
00:09:20
Iain
I just can't see how the there's so many points to play for. I can't see what happens to make us fall off a cliff that we don't finish and in the European places.
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, I think
00:09:30
Iain
i mean that's
00:09:30
Michael
Alexander Riza, get an injury.
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I was going to say EZAC getting injured would be a would be a disaster for us at the moment, the form he's in.
00:09:33
Michael
In we go.
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I personally think, I get what you guys are saying and we are in, um honestly, we are in such a good run of form. That win yesterday is, I'm still watching my highlights, like Ian said, it was top. I'm still watching the highlights.
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm still watching, listening to the commentary and all that stuff, but We have to be a little bit, I think we've got to look at the season as a whole, because we are halfway through in the start of the season. We were picking up points, not playing well. We then had a really weird period where even I was questioning the attitude, not of any how, but some of the players not turning up against the so-called smaller or not big six clubs.
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think that's going to come back. I think Ian's got a great point with what could happen for that to revert back to that book. ah think I think our aim, my expectations anyway, and I ah sound like quite a negative one here, which is rare for me, but I think Europa League has to be the minimum.
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have to be in some form of European competition because again, we don't know what the clubs around us are going to do. We have no idea how amer um Amarin could go on a 10 game winning run as a new manager, new manager bounds.
00:10:31
Michael
Hi, if regards about the sport.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I have no idea.
00:10:32
Michael
and
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Might not happen, might not happen, probably won't happen, but we don't know what's going to happen. New manager's coming in at West Ham. I know they're miles behind us, but we're only halfway through the season. I think Europa League is a minimum.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that this year Europa League is going to be seventh, by the way, because if we get the coefficient spot for the Champions League in fifth, that means Europa League becomes sixth and seventh, and conference league becomes eighth, which is mental, depending on the FA Cup.
00:10:52
Michael
Yeah.
00:10:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
That could be confusing if Tottenham somehow win it, but we're not going to because we are. Um, I think we've got to get you up a league. We've got to get you up a league minimum. And I think the best at Ian's convinced me, like I say, this is what inspired this whole first part of the episode. When he said, why shouldn't we, but and we could finish runners up this season. That is absolutely mental. When you think we have Jacob Murphy, Sean Longstaff, Dan Burns, Jamal, the cells, a meal craft in the team.
00:11:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we're going to finish potentially, I'm not saying we are by the way, but we could finish runners up. Ian's got me motivated. um Just very briefly before we end part one, what are our expectations for the cups?
FA Cup Strategy Discussion
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think all three of us now probably expect and most Newcastle fans expect to at least make the final of the league cup and it's f FA Cup this weekend. Could we could we get the final FA Cup? How are we feeling about that? Ian, do you think you'll go strong on the FA Cup or not?
00:11:50
Iain
ah absolutely Absolutely, I think um i think he's he's had a European campaign and the FA Cup is playing at a different time to the League Cup really.
00:12:01
Iain
So why not? There's going to be one or two extra midweek games perhaps. But a lot of the FA Cup games are on the Saturday anyway.
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:08
Iain
If you're still in the f FA Cup it's not extra games you've got to find.
00:12:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:12:11
Iain
You just have to yeah have your Premier League matches postponed till towards the end of the season. So I'm sure Eddie will be going all out for the FA Cup as well, whether he whether he wins or doesn't win the Carabao Cup.
00:12:25
Iain
Whether we can win the FA Cup depends very much on the draw and I will take and we' take the sign that we got drawn at home against Bromby as as a sign that we've got a bit of luck in the draws this year and why not.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:12:31
Michael
Yeah.
00:12:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Finally. Mm.
00:12:43
Michael
Yeah.
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair. Michael, cups.
00:12:48
Michael
um Well, we are fairly confident we're going to make the AFL final. And I think that obviously means that the home game, the Crystal Palace is going to be postponed. And then when you get the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, then all of a sudden you do sort of see games tally up around that time.
00:13:04
Michael
And I think if we're in a battle for, let's say a second, let's be ambitious, um probably, I'm saying top four, top five, but let's be let's be ambitious.
00:13:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:13:14
Michael
If we're in a battle for second, we're not going to be a prioritizing the FA Cup as much as what we are guaranteeing that Champions League place. Because as much as yeah we all say, oh, we want a Cup at Newcastle United,
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a good point.
00:13:27
Michael
we have been restricted so badly in the last two years by PSR that the board are 100% going to be looking at it and going, we need those Champions League funds.
00:13:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Make sure you get top four. Yeah.
00:13:39
Michael
And they're not going to say, oh, you've got to play William Missoula against Man United in the in the FA Cup. That's not going to happen. But it's always going to be on the mind. And I think The final of the AFL cups where we're going to put all the bread in the basket.
00:13:54
Michael
But I would love another cup room, but I see it ending in the quarters.
00:13:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant.
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant. I mean, that's very, very positive talk in part one. And and our first, again, let let us know in the comments what your expectations are as a Newcastle fan. What are your expectations from now moving forward?
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's really, really hard though, when I've just done that way and you guys have done it to take ah try and take out the last seven games because we just look we look brilliant.
00:14:17
Michael
Yeah.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Right. Our first sponsor is going to be very happy because it's coming almost halfway through this episode. Is Michael doing the first sponsor for me today? Is that what's happening?
00:14:27
Iain
Correct.
00:14:28
Michael
Oh, yes, I am.
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, take it away, Mike.
00:14:30
Michael
So here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we've spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And off you go.
00:14:37
Michael
And Zencaster, well, Zencaster came out a clear winner. But 4K video recording from your phone and AI editor removes all those ums and hours. It's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:14:51
Michael
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster.
00:14:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tell you what, us three have got some rhythm going here three in a row. Whoa, a girl's gonna take some getting back to my team or in that good form.
00:15:02
Michael
ah
00:15:04
Iain
it's it's it's funny you say rhythm i think the next the next time next time you'll have your guitar out and we'll sing the adverts
00:15:05
Michael
Three person pod.
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, I'll get the guitar.
00:15:12
Michael
Oh, that's a challenge.
00:15:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll sing them. We'll sing them. Let's do it. Let's do it. So part two. Um, we've talked, I think it was on the wildcard Wednesday with me when we talked about transfers and what players we would personally target.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And some honorable mentions are stupidly chucked in the thought of getting more salary on a free, but Hey, if we're finishing second this season, why not get them in? um Anyway, without talking about specific players, what I want to do is, let's be honest, as Newcastle fans, when we were looking at the transfer window, we were thinking, right winger, we need a right winger. However, the reason I think it's important to discuss this is Jacob Murphy has been in absolutely ridiculous form since that Brentford game when he started with two assists, he just hasn't stopped creating goals or scoring goals.
00:15:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Dubravka has come in for an injured Pope and he can play a little bit better with his feet and we look like a different team all of a sudden. We we press our goalkeeper, he just pings one of the fullback and we're off. We're in that transition period and we're hurting teams. and We very briefly mentioned before when Ian said what could possibly happen for us to fall off a cliff.
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's I could get injured. Wilson is injured. It looks like his body's starting to fail him. Unfortunately, we don't really have another striker. And then on top of that, we try to sign a center half in the summer. So there's four positions there. And I really, I'm not sure I need to get, I need to get your guys opinion on this. and What position, if we can only target one position, what's the one we go for? Is it a goalkeeper who can play with his feet since it looks like the Brava is leaving after that emotional farewell, which we mentioned on yesterday's pod.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do we go for a goalkeeper? Do we go for a striker to help Isaac? Do we go for a right winger or can Murphy get us through to the end of a season? These are the things that I want you guys to talk about. So Michael, if you could prioritize one position in this January transfer window, only one position, you can discuss all of them, but tell me which one you're going to prioritize at the end. Which one you're going to go for? This is a really difficult decision.
00:17:05
Michael
I think when you look at, I'll say which one I'm going to go for at the end, um as you say, but I think when you look at the positions, goalkeeper, we've just spent 22 million on ah on a backo, on a third choice goalkeeper.
00:17:15
Michael
I don't think we're signing James Traff at this window. I think that'll probably happen in the summer.
00:17:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:17:21
Michael
um So I don't think that's going to happen um just yet. So it wasn't a goalkeeper, as you can tell. Centre back, Sven Botman's back. realistically Jamala Sells should be back around February March time I believe um so it's only another couple of months we've got to go without an injury to another backup plus Emile k Craft will be coming back soon so I don't think centre backs are priorities there either um although you know another injury an injury in the next 10 days could vastly change that ah so for me it's it's what between striker and a right winger
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:17:55
Michael
And in January, no one's going to move to be second choice to Alexander Isaac, so it needs to be a right
Transfer Priorities Debate
00:18:02
Michael
winger. And I love Jacob Murphy.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
who
00:18:04
Michael
i think je I said at the start of the year, Jacob Murphy could get in the England squad. He's that good. And he's matched his assistant.
00:18:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
You don't look silly now, you don't look silly now.
00:18:12
Michael
No. He's matched his assists already from last season despite only playing 1000 minutes. He's been absolutely fantastic. and but regards the goals of the c assist he's averages one every like one hundred and ten minutes or something like that
00:18:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's got more He's got more than Ford and in other big names as well, which people forget about.
00:18:29
Michael
Exactly. He's actually becoming quite consistent with these numbers, um which is bizarre, really. But I think when you look at it, he is incredibly inconsistent. And he's a bit like Harvey Barnes, that he will either have an absolutely incredible game or he'll be missing. They're completely anonymous. And I think to this is the right time to buy it bring in one of those i glad I'm going to sound weird here, but one of those foreign wingers like Yoan Bakuyoko who pays, we have said, isn't going to move in the window.
00:19:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it looks good.
00:19:03
Michael
But you've got Jacob Murphy there in perfect form that you can embed him in, like we did Anthony Gordon, like we did Lewis Hall, like we did Brunoga Maras, and all three of them look absolutely fantastic right now.
00:19:13
Michael
So it's the perfect time to bring it right away.
00:19:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just before I go to Ian, you've made a great point there about embedding in a right winger. Does that not then lean itself towards a big striker then? To kind of, not a big striker, but a striker like, I mean, Jonathan David's on a free in the summer. You could probably get him in a good price and all that names being remembered. Could he come in and not play a second and fiddle, but if we're going to have a lot of games in my cups and all that stuff, it could be a striker.
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not sure. Still, I think Murphy's in such good form. Can we get a little bit more out of him for the next three or four months? I'm not sure. Ian, which position would you prioritize out of them for? Or would you? I mean, I don't think anyone's going to prioritize that in midfield, but you can if you want.
00:19:53
Michael
I'm going to prioritise left back, I don't think Liverpool will know.
00:19:54
Iain
Hi, but need we need a new manager.
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, I don't think I know was going to do it.
00:19:56
Michael
ah
00:19:57
Iain
We need a new manager. No, we don't need a new manager. I agree entirely with what Michael said in terms of centre half. I think we are we've got three great centre halves fit at the moment.
00:20:10
Michael
Yeah.
00:20:11
Iain
plus Lloyd Kelly and I think LaSells and Kraft being fit as well means we've got six covering the two set and a half positions very very soon we don't need another one of them we probably could do with a right-sided one to cover for Shah's inevitable decline with age but that's not this window and goalkeeper I think yeah it's if Dubravka is on his way and we we haven't had that confirmed yet we're short in goalkeeper however
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fair. Okay.
00:20:40
Iain
Odysseus Velucid, what do you call him?
00:20:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Blackedemus.
00:20:44
Iain
is it cost us cost us a lot.
00:20:45
Michael
Ah, hip.
00:20:47
Iain
He's a Greek international. He's played at Benfica. We haven't given him a chance yet. um why is he not Why is he not good enough to be the backup goalkeeper? He's an international. He looked quite good when Greece won at Wembley, to be fair.
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:00
Iain
So not a goalkeeper. um I was going to pick right winger as well. You've just made me doubt myself by saying, oh, yeah, but what if Isaac is injured? If Isaac's injured?
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the big question. That's the big question. If Isaac gets injured, can a Sula do it?
00:21:14
Iain
i
00:21:16
Iain
Well I think Asula,
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Will Wilson get fit? Can we keep Wilson fit for two months? I don't know. It's tough.
00:21:22
Iain
ah despite being raw, Asula's had six months bedding in, working with this squad. and So I think Asula would be a viable alternative to EZAC and therefore I will go particularly because Miggy looks like he's on his way out.
00:21:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:21:42
Iain
So we need to we need to strengthen down the right-hand side. I think it's still a right-winger. um Who? I'm not sure. Like I said, I think a cheeky bid for Yakuba Minter back from Brighton, because they're not picking him, would be redressing the wrongs that we were forced into last summer.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:03
Iain
And it wouldn't cost a fortune, I don't think. So yeah, I'd go right winger with a striker just behind and then forget centre-half and goalkeeper until the summer.
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I would probably agree with center half and goalkeeper until the summer as well. For me, it's just that thought. I mean, Isaac is easy. You can't get rid of him. I mean, you can never drop him, but I just think if you could get what would be perfect is a player who can play a right wing and through the middle competently, that would be perfect for Newcastle.
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
That versatility right now, not not like Gordon. I know Gordon can play through the middle, but we miss him too much on the left.
00:22:37
Michael
Yeah.
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we could have a player who could play right wing whilst these acts fit and bang on the goals in, but when if he gets injured can just slot in as a striker. And again, I mentioned before, Jonathan David from Lille can play anywhere across that front three line and he looks like a really, really good striker.
00:22:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's goals but game record is amazing in the French league. and It's fantastic for Canada, but then who did Canada really play without upsetting any Canadians?
00:23:01
Iain
Kev, I think you're ah mispronouncing ah Brian and Buemo's name really badly.
00:23:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jonathan David.
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brian Bremel.
00:23:10
Michael
Let's just about this area.
00:23:11
Iain
Sounds sounds like you're coming in with something called john Jonathan David.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can he play as a striker?
00:23:15
Iain
He's played down the middle. He's played down the middle. He comes into the middle a lot. i think he I think he'd be perfect. And he was the guy we were picking out at the start of the season that would be the number one choice, I think.
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah i've said I've said if I could pick one person, but it would be Alanga from Forest. I think he's just looking better and better and I i would love to see him under how, but he can't really play through the middle. But if Bremel can play through the middle,
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I haven't seen it personally, but I don't watch Brentford that much, if I'm honest, as a Michael called Brentford, utter walk nonsense. um ah one ah to I don't watch Brentford that much, but it'll be really interesting to see what we do.
00:23:45
Iain
ah
00:23:45
Michael
Not that.
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I probably agree. I think right winger probably is the priority still as a Newcastle fan, but it's well worth thinking, is it time to get that second strike? It looks like Wilson's contract isn't going to be renewed, so we do need to sign when I'm a summer.
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whether it be more expensive, I think everybody's more expensive in January, aren't they? So yeah, maybe right winger, maybe right winger.
00:24:09
Michael
Yeah.
00:24:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Perfect timing. Thank you very much. Second advert is going to be done by, as I called him yesterday, Sir Ian Mackay.
00:24:15
Iain
Thank you.
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is the Sir of his podcast. um And we will show instant respect as he reads out our second sponsorship message.
00:24:25
Iain
I'm not singing it this time.
00:24:28
Michael
Mmm.
00:24:29
Iain
The Global Sports Podcast Network is changing the face of football podcasting with dedicated daily content for every Premier League team, women's football, a dedicated Premier League wrap-up in five different languages.
00:24:41
Iain
This is your one-stop shop for your daily football fix. Find the GSPM wherever you are. Wherever you find your usual podcasts, wherever you are, indeed.
00:24:52
Iain
That's not what it says.
00:24:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep, rescued it at the end, kind of. We made up for it. Well done, Ian, well done. I think you should sing it next time. Might sound a bit better.
00:25:01
Iain
A girl, yeah, yeah.
00:25:02
Michael
We'll set up a band.
00:25:03
Iain
if i if i knew that If I knew the tune, I'd have to get the words to fit the tune and they would probably be the right words then. Anyway, next time.
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
right So part one, we've we've reviewed our expectations and since we're kind of halfway through the season. We've also looked at what our priority would be now. We've reviewed back because in the summer it was a center half seemingly at Newcastle.
00:25:24
Michael
yeah
00:25:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And now we're all seeing right winger, even though the incredible form of Jacob Murphy, I believe could probably get us through at the end of the season. and I think we all kind of agreed right wing is a way forward. Let us know if you think it should be striker in case he gets injured.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So part three, it's
Player of the Season & Trivia Game
00:25:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
that time. We are going to pick our player of the season so far. Ian got to go first on his p player of the match yesterday. So I'm going to go Michael first, player of the season so far.
00:25:48
Michael
oh
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ian can go second and I will go third. We cannot pick the same one. So the listeners don't have a go to. So we're picking somebody who it might clearly be because the other person's already picked them. Michael, pair of a season so far halfway through, who is it?
00:26:01
Michael
oh I think I know who Ian's going to pick and unfortunately it's the same person I'm going to pick so I'm sorry Ian.
00:26:08
Iain
I don't know.
00:26:08
Michael
ah but
00:26:09
Iain
I was going to go for map target. so
00:26:12
Michael
yeah i have i'll go i'll I'll tell you what, I'll go Furry's counterpart, Lewis Hall. ah Yeah I think Lewis Hall's been absolutely tremendous so far this season and you know for someone who at the start of the season so I can't remember his name but that idiot Man United fan who posts on socials was saying oh Lewis Hall versus Mazarawi.
00:26:33
Michael
Mazarawi looks like nothing compared to Lewis Hall and Lewis Hall's beginning to look like one of the best left backs.
00:26:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:26:38
Michael
I'm going to restrain myself and stay in saying the Premier League and not the world I don't think he's up there with the likes of Federico DiMarco yet, but he's certainly up there with some of the best in the Premier League at the minute, particularly if you're thinking that's Andrew Robinson or something like that, because Lewis Hall, he gets up and down the line, he contributes going forward, he's improving so much in the back line as well.
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:27:00
Michael
He's not the liability that I thought he was at the start of the season. And, well, our Louis just paraded me.
00:27:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair play, fair play. Ian, over to you.
00:27:10
Iain
Lewis Hall has been fantastic and is getting more and more fantastic game by game. I picked him as player of the match because he does things that just just thinks I've not seen anybody at fullback for Newcastle or anywhere else actually does. He's got such good close control, gets out of such tight situations and protects the ball. He's wonderful. However, he's not my player of the season.
00:27:36
Michael
Oh.
00:27:36
Iain
might be by the end of the season. I think you've got to give it to the Colossus that is big Dan Byrne.
00:27:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
and burn play with the season so far ah hands of one finger
00:27:45
Michael
He was up there. I'll admit that.
00:27:47
Iain
He has been the player, he's been good from the first match. I think you could probably count on the hand the fingers of one hand or the hands of one finger, if you like.
00:27:58
Michael
yeah
00:27:58
Iain
ah Fingers of one hand. i went
00:28:00
Michael
okay
00:28:01
Iain
how many times he's been found out in terms of his pace, which is ah which is a ah testament to how well he's reading the game at the moment, that he's not caught out for his lack of pace.
00:28:12
Iain
But he's like ah it's like kicking a ball against a 10-foot wall to try and get past him at the minute. And he's inspirational for the rest of the defence, I think. He's been missed at consistency.
00:28:23
Michael
Yeah.
00:28:25
Iain
And even in the matches where we haven't played well, Dan Burns played well.
00:28:28
Michael
That's fun.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, great, great shout out. He definitely, definitely deserves at least one of us to pick him. So I'm glad you did Ian. It's his leadership qualities as well I want to add about Dan Burney. He just looks like he's really relishing this role at Newcastle at the minute.
00:28:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And it's shown with the performance on the pitch.
00:28:44
Iain
Can I just point out, i've just I've just thought as well, if you are going to try and count the number of times on the fingers of one hand, when it's down burn, that means it's less than four.
00:28:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Off with the rest.
00:28:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah you I knew that way he was going as soon as he added that. I was like, oh, here we go. um Yeah, well, fantastic shouts.
00:28:57
Michael
yeah
00:29:04
Iain
Sorry.
00:29:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lewis Hall, Dan Byrne, absolutely brilliant. I'm torn between two here. I think the obvious one is, I'm not going to go the obvious one. So I'm going to see him put Alexander Isaac. I mean, he's actually starting to get people to talk about him being the best striker in the Premier League.
00:29:14
Michael
Yeah.
00:29:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even Michael was saying,
00:29:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
best striker in Europe. So he's really, really starting to to look fantastic. And I give him my player of a match yesterday because of how good his overall game seems to have improved. I'm not going to go him though.
00:29:22
Michael
Oh yes.
00:29:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm also not going to go to Gnarly. I think people expect me to go to Gnarly. I'm not. I am going to go for Bruno. And it's not because he started off his show.
00:29:41
Michael
Oh!
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's because he's moved position. He's moved position. There was a lot of scrutiny about Bruno becoming captain and to a point he was scrutinized that much to a point where he didn't win a coin toss for however many stupid things at St James.
00:29:50
Michael
Yeah.
00:29:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he he wasn't a leader. He wasn't this. He wasn't that. He's had to change position from a six to a eight. He hasn't just changed position, but he's also transformed the team in recent weeks. um Six assists, one goal that doesn't really do him justice and in 20 appearances, but he has been unbelievable. The way he leads the team, the way he gets the crowd involved, the way he's adapted positions, the way he's learned to play with Tenali.
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
The way he helps out everybody around him, he makes them look better. He sacrifices his own statistics for the team. And I think in a season where he's been made captain, he's really stepped up. I know that might not be a popular one. I know Tenali and his act definitely deserve shout outs, but for me.
00:30:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bruno's just been undeniable. I think he's been brilliant since moving further forward and Tenali's had a big role in that, but yeah, Bruno for me so far. We've still got our playover season at the end of the season, but we're only halfway through, so that's how we're so far.
00:30:42
Michael
Oh,
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, since this was supposed to be a wild card, we're going to have a couple of very quick FA Cup-based questions because we play this Sunday at three o'clock against Bromley in the FA Cup.
00:30:46
Michael
great one.
00:30:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bromley, Brompton, West Bromley, Albion, I've got no idea who we are. Well, Bromley, League Two, somebody said, um Right, so a couple of questions. I think we'll just go take it in turns to answer because it's not really multiple choice or guesswork. and So we'll go, Ian got to start the episode with Beauty Before Age. We'll go Michael first this time. Michael, you have your guess first when he can go a second. Which player has won the FA Cup the most times? Good guess. Ian, who are you going with?
00:31:28
Iain
Do you mean in the history of football?
00:31:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
and the history of the FA Cup.
00:31:32
Iain
The history of the FA club? Which player has won the FA Cup the most times? i
00:31:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Michael's regretting his decision. He's got a chance to come in and sneak a 1-0 lead.
00:31:42
Iain
um ah Yeah, yeah, yeah. Who's it going to be? Who's it going to be? Oh, well, that is a toughie. I think it's a Man U player and I'm going to go Ryan Giggs.
00:31:55
Michael
Yeah.
00:31:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ryan Giggs. Both very good guesses but you both incorrect.
00:31:58
Michael
Oh.
00:31:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
This play is won it seven times and it is Ashley Cole, Chelsea and Arsenal. He was at Arsenal at the back end when they were dominating when he went to Chelsea in the Mourinho era so seven times.
00:32:05
Michael
a
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Still 0-0. This next question is weirdly gettable but it sounds really hard. A little bit of a cue. We'll go Ian first. Ian first for this one. Which team has the most consecutive final losses in FA Cup history?
00:32:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's relatively recent, you don't need to go back to 80-70s. Which team has lost the most consecutive final losses? I'll give you a hint for both. It was three finals in a row and we lost every single one.
00:32:38
Iain
three f FA Cup finals in a row.
00:32:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who lost them?
00:32:42
Iain
ah
00:32:46
Iain
I am going asking.
00:32:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Arsenal. Michael, who are you going to go for?
00:32:54
Michael
Chelsea.
00:32:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Correct. 1-0 Michael. Michael?
00:32:59
Michael
um Four years ago, three years ago and two years ago. Leicester, Liverpool. That was in Liverpool twice.
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, it was 2021-22. Yeah, so three seasons in a row.
00:33:10
Michael
ah
00:33:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got, we have a cup final and lost each time. Newcastle have done it twice, 98 and 99. And then we got them a semi-finals in 2000. So we were close to matching them, but we didn't still Chelsea. Right, this one's quite interesting.
00:33:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um um I'm kind of banking on Ian, I don't know why, he's a historian of the game, he's ah he' a student of the game, so it's a good job he's going second for this one.
00:33:29
Michael
Correct.
00:33:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
1-0 so far to Michael. Right, how many teams in English football have more FA Cup wins than Newcastle unit United? So I'm not looking for the specific teams, I'm looking for the number of teams who have won more FA Cups than Newcastle.
00:33:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not going to give any more information than that, because if you know how many FA Cups we've won, then you should be rewarded for that.
00:33:52
Michael
Yeah.
00:33:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Michael, how many teams in English football have more FA Cup wins than Newcastle? What I mean by that is winning the actual FA Cup, by the way, not just winning the FA Cup, winning the trophy in champions.
00:34:02
Michael
Yeah, yeah. Oh, that'd be horrible.
00:34:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:34:06
Michael
How many times have we won an FA Cup match?
00:34:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Being champion.
00:34:09
Michael
You can tell I'm stalling.
00:34:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:11
Michael
Six.
00:34:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
six u Six teams have more f FA Cup champion medals with us.
00:34:16
Michael
Probably miles off.
00:34:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ian, who are you going for?
00:34:19
Iain
Yeah, I think.
00:34:21
Iain
I think we've won it five times, by the way. Is that right?
00:34:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nope.
00:34:28
Iain
Oh, interesting.
00:34:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've won at six.
00:34:30
Iain
ah Six times right still, and that's what Michael said.
00:34:31
Michael
Six.
00:34:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:34
Iain
There's six more teams have won it more than that. I'm going to go. Is it the nearest one wins?
00:34:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go on then, we'll go nearest.
00:34:41
Iain
I'm going to go seven, because I think there's more than six teams have won it more than six times.
00:34:43
Michael
I think he's right.
00:34:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazingly Ian, you are spot on.
00:34:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Seven teams have more FA Cup championships and I told you Ian would get it, he's bang on. The teams are the traditional, I see a traditional, they're not the traditional big six but the ones people know is the big six and Aston Villa.
00:34:49
Michael
Yeah.
00:35:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, we've won it six times, so seven teams have won it more.
00:35:07
Iain
course or seven seventh time this year, I thought you were going to say that.
00:35:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, what's the
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
What's the score overall? It's 1-1, so this one decides it.
00:35:13
Michael
Oh.
00:35:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll just go closest wins, right? Closest wins, and it's Ian to go first for this one.
00:35:18
Iain
oh
00:35:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's a bit of a disadvantage, actually, with the closest wins, but you've just done Michael with it. So, hey, we'll see where we are.
00:35:24
Michael
Exactly.
00:35:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. How many times how many times have Newcastle United reached the quarters or further without winning the FA Cup?
00:35:28
Michael
Oh.
00:35:44
Iain
God, Kev, what do you do during the day? Have you just sat there with a long long list of stats counting them up?
00:35:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hey, I put a lot of, I looked in into this just for, I thought it was a wild card, it's not, but I'm using it.
00:35:55
Iain
Right. m
00:35:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Closest wins, so you might want to be a little bit tactical about this.
00:36:00
Iain
Yeah, so we've got to get to the... Well, if you said semi-finals, you could nearly guess quarter-finals. I don't know. I don't know. um I think we have got through to the quarter-finals
00:36:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I haven't made that many quarterfinals.
00:36:14
Iain
or further and not one,
00:36:16
Iain
11 times.
00:36:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ooh.
00:36:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I guess the question is, Michael, more or less? High or low?
00:36:27
Michael
the What I originally had in my head was 13.
00:36:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:36:32
Michael
But you know what? I'm arse. I'm going to say 13.
00:36:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, you think it's 13, 11 and 13. The official number is 19. Quite a lot when you cast the United.
00:36:45
Michael
Fair enough.
00:36:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Michael's course who he takes for win on this occasion. Well done, Michael. It's a 2-1 win.
00:36:53
Iain
um him
00:36:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Little bit of trivia there. It's always nice to finish with trivia. m So listening to our next episodes where we'll be we'll be previewing the Bromley game. That's a challenge. We all enjoy and look forward to that one.
00:37:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm doing our research on Bromley, but yeah. Thank you very much for listening. Thank you to Ian. Thank you to Michael. It's been a pleasure as always. If you disagree with any of our new expectations or expectations for the Cup or what position we should prioritise, let us know on my socials. We'll interact with you. Thank you very much. You'll hear from us tomorrow.