Transcript
Speaker: Alright guys, welcome back to another episode of Who's Got the Ball. Myself, James Kellett, I am your host along with Shane Fleming and also we've got Michael Sheehan on deck for our NBA and NFL sections as usual. Lads, how are you getting on?
Speaker: I am extremely depressed. The Eagles season could not be going worse for me. Heads up. Looking looking at the Sixers, okay? Big Sixers fan right now. the Eagles, i'm just it's just pain and suffering.
Speaker: But we'll we'll work through it. Welcome to the life of a Jets fan, Michael. It's all just pain and suffering for me over here, but everything else is going quite well, at least in my other sports. Even the hockey, the Dallas Stars have started well as well. We don't talk about them, so it doesn't really matter. But and all my other teams, bar the Jets, are doing quite well. And myself and James have a big weekend coming up as well. We're off to Nottingham to see J. Cole.
Speaker: ah James enjoyed it so much in Dublin that he's talked me into flying to another country to go and watch him again. That's how good he is. So looking forward to the weekend now. Yeah, it's going to be sick. like The first time was so good. i was like As soon as it was over, I was like, I need to look up or else he's playing close to here.
Speaker: There was a few in the UK. Obviously, he went to the UK, to Ireland, and then back to the UK, which is nice, which gave us a chance to do it. and There were still tickets left, and flying to the East Midlands is so handy. so We said, why not? But usually we get into this intro kind of at the end of the show. We record myself and Shane, but Michael is on deck now consistently. So we're going to bring it in from the start, just to chat back and forth, nothing too crazy. And then we're going to get into the action. So you can expect that every week and instead of the rundown of what's to come. We have timestamps.
Speaker: in the episode plan so you can see everything that's going to come from that and also and to take this chance to tell you all please to subscribe on youtube if you're watching over there and if you're listening on any podcast platform make sure you're following us and leave us a five star review because all that stuff does help i know it's something that takes you 10 or 20 seconds to do you probably don't want to do it because you're listening but it means a lot to us so please do if you can especially when we get to when we get to 100,000 subscribers we'll basically be going these concerts for free because YouTube will start paying us so the sooner he starts subscribing the sooner we start getting paid and we can we can do all these fun things for free so thank you
Speaker: Yeah, if if if spending your money that we earned through this constitutes like going to things for free, I don't think Shane should be the the accountant on this. We might need to get some money. No, probably not. To look after the money. but Yeah, please. if we if we Look, we're obviously on what? like ah We're pushing in the high 300s now for subscribers, which we're really happy with.
Speaker: and So obviously, the next goal is 1,000. So let's see if we can get there. We're going to start with the NFL. We're going to start with Jeffrey Simmons a little bit because he rolls nicely into the main topic that we have today, which is who will win the NFC North. It's obviously a crazy division right now. The Vikings are 6-0.
Speaker: The Bears, who Jeffrey Simmons just joined, are five and two The Lions are 4-2 and the Packers are 4-3. But Simmons, three-time All-Pro, defensive tackle. He already has four sacks, six tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits through the seven games he's played this season.
Speaker: Pretty good considering he's playing with a terrible Titans team. um So the Titans, in return, they're going to receive a 2027 and 2028 first rounder and 2027 fourth rounder and they will send Chicago a 2028 fifth rounder. So kind of trading mid-round picks, the real deal is two firsts for Simmons.
Speaker: Funny enough, like that Simmons is joining Caleb Williams now, considering like a couple of months before he played against them in the NFL, he was making comments about and Caleb Williams painting his nails and he can't wait to say that to him.
Speaker: So yeah, the two of them are on the same team now. It's a really good addition. Some people saying this is an overpay, but I know what you guys think, Shane. Do you think this trade was fair for both sides or have Tennessee kind of robbed the Bears a little bit?
Speaker: I think it's a mixture of both. So I do think Tennessee have gotten a really good deal out of this. But I think Chicago, this is a move that they' they're pushing to try and win the Super Bowl. And he was kind of the missing piece on their defense. So he's 28 pressures through seven games, which is the most amongst all defensive tackles.
Speaker: And Chicago, would they were just kind of missing someone. a kind of a massive playmaker on their defense. I think he's absolutely master for He's going to improve the run defense. He'll make life easier for their edge for edge rushers.
Speaker: And they just, they are pushing now hard for a Super Bowl. This is such a big pay for them. If they get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs, we'll come back to this and say, well, they've kind of, they've they've they've they've sold their hand there by getting rid of their next two first round picks. But I like it on the face of things. I think it's a really, really good addition. It's one they really, really needed. and their defense has been fine this is one now that can bring him up kind of into the elite level maybe if he continues the form he was on yeah I think a lot of this falls back on the playoff success of the Bears and I think it's a really important piece as you said he's such a talented player and a lot of teams have
Speaker: They think that they can draft a lot better than they actually can. And a lot of first round picks don't actually work out, especially towards the back end. It's harder to get elite level talent. Like Simmons is a player that's better than anybody you'll get towards the back end of the draft, which is obviously where the Bears expect to be picking the next couple of years.
Speaker: Michael, did you have any thoughts on this trade before we move into our NFC North chat? I mean, i i was already, i think, much higher on this Bears team than either of you guys.
Speaker: I think adding a player like Jeffrey Simmons is just going to bring this defense to a level that they're going to be able to compete immediately this year. I mean, the first thought that came to my mind was, especially when I'm hearing about all the talks about, is this an overpay? Feels more like the Macal Bridges trade.
Speaker: Like it might be an overpay when you're looking at it microscopically, maybe just this week or the next few weeks. But if we're talking about this team in the Super Bowl this year, contending deep this and contending deep this year, and contending deep next year we're not going to be talking about this trade and being like oh can't believe they picked them up for that amount of picks I think it's difficult to see this going bad for the Bears especially this season with an offense already as as talented as they are i mean we'll we'll get into it in a minute but
Speaker: Yeah, I agree with you. I agree with I think it's a a nice segue into this section. As I said already, it's going to be who's going to win the NFC North. It's like it's most teams have played a mixture of six or, and I can't say six or seven because Michael is just going to hit me with it. Oh, above. Of course, my this is where you need to watch YouTube. You can guess what Michael did right there, six, seven.
Speaker: Okay, most of these teams have racked up a few games this season. Yeah. Getting close to the halfway point, and this is a nice time to look at it. I think, Michael, based off the way you were speaking there, i am going to guess that you have the Bears winning this division. So I want to hear your case for it, if I am correct in saying that.
Speaker: Well, first, my defense for the 6-7 meme is I coach under 18s, and every time I do it, every single one of them deflates and dies a little bit inside. Okay?
Speaker: So I make sure to do it every single time just to let them know. But ah you were absolutely right, James. I'm feeling the Bears to win this division. I think especially...
Speaker: I was a little bit iffy on them, but especially with this new addition of Jeffrey Simmons, I think this is the team to beat in the NFC North. Now, that is dependent on the Vikings, not just going undefeated for the rest of the season. Because I feel like every week I've said, they're going to lose this week, and they've not lost.
Speaker: So, it's outside of occurring, ah this Bears team looks so good. I mean, even we're talking about this Bears team that has... Tied second for 20-plus yard plays with 32 this season.
Speaker: And three of these games are with backup quarterbacks. This offense is sure fire. And I think this addition is just going to make the defense, even like like Shane was saying, the defense was already decent. This could bring it up to elite level to the point where they're really going to have a chokehold on on this division going into the playoffs. Yeah.
Speaker: I just... I think Caleb Williams is a superstar already. He convinced me after the first game of the season. And maybe maybe i just love 50-point games because Luka also has my heart. But i just can't I just can't see this team not winning the division. I think the Vikings have to... They might hit like a nasty losing streak at one of these weeks. And they might lose like three or four in a row. I just...
Speaker: I'm not on the Kyler Murray trait, okay? I'm sorry, Shane. You've been such a good advocate for him so far. But I can't. It has to. Wait. No, you're right. GTA 6 hasn't dropped yet. It's coming.
Speaker: Another month. We have another month of Bill Kyler Murray. yeah the trick good kyler If this is good Kyler Murray, we might be in trouble. We're banking on him playing a little bit better, I think.
Speaker: and and Before, I think, the trade deadline passes, we cannot rule out some kind of a move by the Vikings at quarterback. There's some whispers of Kirk Cousins coming on back to town. He knows the offense.
Speaker: That would be interesting. and Shane, before we get your pick, I think it's interesting to note that the strength of schedule for these teams is really important i feel down the stretch so minnesota have 11 games left and they have the toughest ranking of strength of schedule in the nfl unfortunately for you shane your jets are second then third are chicago and detroit so three of these teams are in the top four for toughest strength to schedule green bay then are eighth and So they're pretty, pretty tough games coming up for them too.
Speaker: Obviously, Minnesota have the hardest there. And I think that has to play a massive factor in this decision. Shane, have you gone different from Michael here? ah have gone different from Michael.
Speaker: but i am sticking with the Vikings to win it out. I know. i just, I understand Michael saying Chicago and this move for Chicago is absolutely massive. It really does help him.
Speaker: I just think this division is so difficult. All four teams are are actually quite good. I wouldn't say really good because I'm not sure what Detroit are at the moment. I'm not sure if they're really good or just good. But having a 6-0 start, it's such a good head start to have.
Speaker: That even if you do lose two in a row or you go and lose this weekend to the Lions, but it's na it's not a fatal blow. like Being 6-0 is just so handy to have. and like I think if even if they go, what said they've left 11 games, if they went 5-6 and they finish 11-6, they're still going to get to playoffs. And I still think that would be enough to probably win this division.
Speaker: So they can it can lose maybe five games to the end of the season. and i so I still think they'll have enough to get over the line because, as James just said, every other team has a really tough run in as well. And they're already on two losses each and three for the Packers as well. So I just think...
Speaker: the head start that the Vikings have, like the lads, like they're halfway down their 100 metres and the lads are only starting their running now. So I just think the way the Vikings start, their defence is so good, only let up 74 points so far. Defence is their offence. I understand that Kyler Murray has been quite frankly atrocious, be honest, despite the weapons he has, he hasn't really gotten anything going. But when your defence is just letting in absolutely nothing at the other end, it just makes you really, really hard to beat.
Speaker: And the like the Vikings only really need one touchdown, two touchdowns a game with the way that the events are playing at the moment. And that just makes it so hard for anyone to try and keep up with them. I don't think they're going go unbeaten, like Michael just said, but I do think they have enough to get themselves over the line and win this division with the way things have started. it Yeah, I think a lot of how their offense evolves is based on the running back. like Obviously, Jordan Mason is back now, and I think that's massive because he is so much better than Aaron Jones. We were speaking about this yesterday on Gaelic Gridiron, and it was mentioned that they could be a mover for Jonathan Taylor. And if they did, then if they if they move for Jonathan Taylor, I would say that this this is a lock of a division for them because...
Speaker: That is what they really need, some kind of explosive running back consistently that can free up Kyler to run RPOs and actually where the other team takes the running back of the other team seriously to run play action, like diff like something that Kevin O'Connell likes to do with his quarterbacks and Kyler Murray might actually throw the ball a little bit more.
Speaker: Having said that, I think... The opponents for the Vikings are a bit scary right now. The fact they're going to play the Niners, Bills, they still have the Bears again. They have two against the Lions. They have the Patriots.
Speaker: I'm going to side with Michael. I'm going with the Bears. This trade today pushed me over the edge on this. I was fairly bullish at the start of the year that the the Bears' defense was going to let them down and would be the reason they might even miss the playoffs.
Speaker: And it's been fine up to now. and there Especially their rushing defense has been great. And that's what's held them together. And now you add this monster to your defense. It's a game changer. It's like when the Packers added Micah Parsons, how big of an effect he has straight away. This is a similar level, just at a different position.
Speaker: If you look at how they've played in every game, there's been ups and downs, but that's mainly down to backup quarterbacks, as Michael alluded to. And then when Caleb Williams is in there, he just runs the show. He can pretty much do anything.
Speaker: for this team with Ben Johnson. And if you're going to add a piece on defense that basically changes the game, it's massive. Like going down through, i looked at... yards per game for every team in the nfl both passing rushing and overall and the same on the defensive side of the ball i looked at points per game scored and against i looked at special team stats i looked at turnovers just to see where all these teams ranked and the bears are crazy with what they do across the board for this team so far
Speaker: 391 yards per game total is third best in the NFL. They have the best rushing offense in the nfl with 154 yards per game. They have the eighth best scoring offense with 26 points per game.
Speaker: They have the eighth best defense for total yardage allowed with 313, the third best rushing defense with 88 yards allowed per game, the ninth best points per game allowed with 20.4.
Speaker: They're also in the top 10 for yards returned on punt returns. And they do not rely on turnovers.
Speaker: They are a minus one in the turnover battle. So it's not fluky where you say they've had a lot of turnovers. That's why they're performing so well, like the Jags of a couple of years ago. Maybe the Vikings this year.
Speaker: But their defense is so, so good that I think the Vikings can sustain that. I'd be more looking at the Packers. Plus five turnover the over differential with a kind of weak defense. That's not sustainable.
Speaker: Whereas what the Bears are doing is sustainable. I really like all the underlying numbers to back up everything that you watch on Sunday for this team. James, sorry, I think you said something there. I missed it.
Speaker: So Michael had actually dropped off my screen half as sugar monologue there and I was trying to get you to stop just in case it wasn't going to come for anything but he he popped back on as quickly as he popped off. but Look, I do agree that they have been really, really solid but like a lot of those stats, so their running numbers have gone up significantly because of how poor the Jets were at stopping them that day where both their runners had 100 yards
Speaker: They also had a game where they lost 9-3. And I think Caleb Williams did play that game against the Vikings. He did yeah. He played like three quarters of the game. so Is that the one where he he got the hamstring injury, yeah?
Speaker: Yeah. Okay. But like a game like that is... it's Yeah, if I'm what's happening again this season, but you'd never know. And since then now, in fairness, they've scored 30 points, 31, 31, 23, 27. So are obviously coming back to, like that is their level, like the nine tree is just ah an anomaly. It would have been a great game of soccer, but a terrible game of American football.
Speaker: But I just... I just think the Vikings, and I've said it already and I'm going to say it all over again, their head start they have at 6-0 gives them such a cushion over the other three teams in this division and they all have tough schedules. This game at the weekend we're about to get on to is so massive. yeah for fer and for Not just for the Vikings and the Lions, but it's massive to see what level the Vikings are at when they come up against a divisional rival who scores points for fun but can't stop them.
Speaker: So can they score enough with touchdowns to be the Lions team who have two of the most explosive backs in the league in Amon Ross, St. Brown and Jameer Gibbs? Or if the Vikings hold them out to keep them to 12 or 13 points to what they've been doing with every other team, then I think we're looking at a potential Super Bowl winner in the Vikings if they keep up that defensive side of things. I really do believe that.
Speaker: I didn't believe in them at the start the year. But now I really, really do believe in them. I actually wish we waited a week before we talked about this so I could see how the Vikings are against the Lions and make my mind up then. Yeah, I think the funny thing is that like with the Bears, I was so low on them at the start of the year and I had the Vikings to make the playoffs. i was the only person that we we had here. And I still think they are really good. I still think my wildcard pick for them is going to come true.
Speaker: And I'm not backing off that. I just think they the Bears are two games behind them. If they beat them in their next head-to-head, it becomes one game and they split then their wins. So it's only one game that they're buying them for the rest of the year. And I know there's that big anomaly game at the yards, but then there's a big anomaly game where they score three points that you pointed out, where they didn't have a good rushing game. yeah And the three points are quite clearly an outlier in the rest of their...
Speaker: games that they've played so i think i really like the fact that they've added simon and that's tipped me over the edge i think yesterday i probably would have picked the vikings but that makes a big big difference for me michael lee who have you got at two three and four if you're to rank the division oh oh haven't honestly honestly if if You guys both make very compelling points, but if I was going to say it at the start, it was going to be Bears, Lions, Vikings, Packers. I think Packers going to end up just outside. They don't seem very convincing to me.
Speaker: I'll just leave it at that. I feel like each of the other three teams have something that they can hang their hats on. And, you know, we talked about the Bears' supercharacter offense. i think I think Goff is doing a fantastic job on offense this year.
Speaker: dealing the ball and you have the Vikings that are undefeated ah so the Packers it feels like it it might be a little bit different when Micah Parsons comes back but I don't i I can't see that saving their season for them you know it it just doesn't seem convincing for me that that's for me at least I just think is the kind of this the kind of move that Detroit should have made and if they had the capital. They should have been going after someone like Simmons because their defense is in such a hole at the moment and that's what's going to cost them massively. And I think this putt's going to cost them a playoff spot as well because scoring points has never been issue. From the last three years, they've been one of the best scorers in the league. I don't have the actual stats in front of me, but their defense this year with all the injuries is just costing them week in, week out. And they are lucky that they are 4-2.
Speaker: They could very easily be 3-3 or even with the way the defense is playing. If they'd gone for Simmons, I'd probably have backed them the way you've changed from the Vikings to the Bears. I probably would have changed from the Vikings to the Lions.
Speaker: But I just... I find it tough to rank this division because i know Michael says the Vikings don't have anything, but they do have Jordan Love and they have Christian Watson and that's one hell of a geo to be, to kind of get behind, but I still think they will finish bottom of this division.
Speaker: I think the Lions going to finish Packers. Sorry. Yeah. What should I say? Vikings. Vikings. Doesn't matter. Oh, sorry. I think the Lions are going to finish third and it's tough for me to say that because i had them, you you had them in a Super Bowl, let's say, in the Saturday and I just don't see. The NFC Championship game against their arms, yeah. Yeah.
Speaker: But if they don't do something in the trade before the trade deadline with their defense, then they're going absolutely nowhere. worse So at the moment, they're going to put them third. They're going to put Chicago second and obviously Vikings first. But I think all four of these teams will be a menace for anyone in a playoff game.
Speaker: I think they're four really, really good teams. And it's it's comfortably probably the strongest division outside. Yeah, it is the strongest division. There's no point even taking the piss. I'm not going to say that the Biddles have a tough division. They don't. They have the Dolphins, have the Jets.
Speaker: like This is comfortably the toughest division. All four teams are playoff worthy and playoff caliber. It just so happens that probably two of them aren't going to make it. And it's really hard to put a one to four on this because like anyone could go on a run in this division of winning eight games in a row and the whole thing just flips on its head.
Speaker: And that's where the problems are. Yeah, I think the Lions win at the weekend as well was really like a lot of fluky calls, bad refereeing. Some issues where you have the Packers basically handing them the game.
Speaker: Like that was a lucky one that they came out with for me. So i I have them last in the division because I think Packers... they still have that connection that you said, Josh Jacobs is back, which kind of opens up their offense. I think they're going to have a, we don't know like what's to happen in Thursday night football, but you'll have known by the time you listen to this, they're playing the Panthers. I think this nice place for them to go. They have a terrible rush defense. And then think, uh,
Speaker: Micah Parsons coming back will make the world of difference to that defense as it did last year when he was healthy. So I've got hit them in third and then Vikings second because of that three-point or three-loss gap between them and the vikings and the Packers already. And then obviously, as I said, Bears first. But you said already, Shane, we're going to talk about the Vikings at the Lions because it's a massive matchup in this division. I think it's a good spot to preview it because...
Speaker: We're just after talking about the whole division. This is the big matchup, really important. It's our game really of Sunday, the one we're going to preview. And the Lions are three and a half point favorites.
Speaker: The points total is 46 and a half. I really don't see it getting to that. I think this is a low scoring, scrappy divisional game. Michael, what do you make of this matchup?
Speaker: See, and I think here is exactly where our difference is when we look at the Lions, because I think the Lions are winning this game. And I'm not going to say it's going to be a blowout. Okay. I'm sick of saying that and being completely wrong.
Speaker: yes But I do think the Lions are going to win this weekend. Some crazy stats. Looking up, looking, looking up, getting my research done for this. Vikings blitz it 71% of the time, which definitely feels that way when you're watching the game. But along with that,
Speaker: They're allowing a 76.6 passer rating on on those blitzes, right? Jared Goff against the blitz this year, 123 passer rating.
Speaker: Right now, third best in the NFL. He's got a 14 and OTD interception ratio. the The guy knows how to score points. And by God, his defense cannot stop them either. But he knows how to score points.
Speaker: If there was a team to, i like, this is my breaking point for the Vikings. Like, if the Vikings win this comfortably this weekend, I'm coming out next week.
Speaker: I'm apologizing to Shane. I'm apologizing to Kyler Murray. I'm behind the Vikings. They might win the division. You're not going to apologize to Kyler Murray ever. Let's not lie here. i really feel Not yet. Not yet. Because if they do win, it's going to be like 6-3. So he won't need any credit.
Speaker: ah Like, i i really think the Lyons are going to win. And I think it might be by 10 points. I just feel like it feels like immovable object versus...
Speaker: unstoppable force. You get me? That's it. yeah I think the unstoppable force of Jared Goff and his goddamn offense is just going to take this down.
Speaker: It has to. I think an unstoppable force is that Brian Flores defense. like they're not He's getting blitzed, but he's not getting blitzed by Brian Flores and the Vikings in those other games. That's a big thing to consider. And Goff consistently every year, he has two or three stinkers.
Speaker: and this is probably the most likely on the schedule where he pulls it out 14 touchdowns no interceptions that has to be broken you can book it that he's having an interception this weekend and yes they put up points for fun but they only put up 17 think it was against the packers 17 or 19 that pack that packers team ah do not have a great defense so i think that This situation right now is one where both offences will struggle.
Speaker: Vikings, they don't have a good offence, Lions, because they are coming up against an unbelievably good defence. And we might be in a situation where it's going to be super close. I'm going to have the Vikings winning in a really weird game. Maybe like...
Speaker: 13 12 something very very close by a point but i think the vikings scrape through this one and show everybody that that lions win last week or that packers win that lions win over the packers last week was um kind of something that they probably didn't deserve and they they throw one back here for that shane what do you think Yeah, so the line of defense is allowing 27.5 points a game, but Kyler Murray isn't going to score 27.5 points, mostly because he can't score half a point, but he's not getting anywhere near to this 27.5 points a game.
Speaker: I do think the Vikings are going to win this, and I think it is down to what you just said. Brian Flores and us that defense are just, they're a nightmare. They're a nightmare for every team they've come up against so far this season. It's why they're 6-0, because as I said, their their ah offense has been just how good their defense is. That's what's been helping them.
Speaker: Kyler Murray needs get something going here, but will he get something going? Who knows? I actually have it down when as 18-13 to the Vikings. I think Jared Goff is going to have a tough day out.
Speaker: If they can get Gibbs going at all, then I think I could flip that to 23-18 to the Lions, but it is going to be all about the defense coming up against Jared Goff, and if they can stop him, then they stop the Lions, and it is pretty much that easy.
Speaker: But Kyler Murray really needs to get something going. He's sore to sink. I don't need to qui in on him again. We've already had Michael tear him a new one there second ago, so we leave it there. But I think the Vikings are going to win it Last thing want to say as well.
Speaker: Shane was saying earlier, you sorry, James was saying earlier, you know, that the Vikings are probably looking to, you know, make a move at that quarterback. There's this guy. i don't know if you heard about over in New York. The Giants just picked up this JJ McCarrick. He's looking class. I don't know if the Vikings heard of him, but they should take a look. Like he looks like a guy. They can forget about him. He's he's the guy for us this year. JJ, 18. Might have to turn turn this three into an eighth on my 13-odd back in Jersey. Get JJ stuck on the back for this season. Bit asking tape up there.
Speaker: Okay, let's get into our King of the Hill locks before we move off the NFL. Every week, as usual, we bring this segment to you an association with kingofthehill.ie. Essentially, it is a free NFL prediction game. You create your account, you go in, you pick who's going to win every game on Sunday, including Sunday night football. You earn points. for your picks and you can win money completely free if you know your ball and one game every week you can lock it in for double the points if you pick an underdog it's worth extra if you pick overtime it's worth 100 points the game just has to go to overtime you can double that up michael tried to do it last week so let's get into it this week last week we were all unsuccessful i went put packers win in detroit and i talked about that game there that's probably why i'm so salty about i got the l
Speaker: Shane, he went with the Jets. The less said about that, the better. The Dolphins got the win. And Chiefs, Seahawks. Michael did go for overtime. Unfortunately, the Seahawks steamrolled that one.
Speaker: So, lads, what have you got for us this week, Shane? We'll start with you. I'm going with the Bengals. The Bengals did a job on the Rams last week. They're playing in Tennessee this week.
Speaker: Tennessee are so, so poor. And i think they they are due a slap in the last week. yeah yeah No, the Bengals batted the Ravens last week. but they're playing Tennessee this week. Okay. that's it I thought you said the Rams last week. Sorry. I thought I said the Rams, by the way.
Speaker: yeah you said the Rams. I'm literally reading it here. I don't know how the **** we're rolling here. I don't know I read the Rams and I'm looking at the Bengals batted the Ravens last week and they seem to just flick into gear. They're a very poor team.
Speaker: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I'm going with the Bengals to win by eight. That's my luck for the week. I'm never back in the Jets again. Michael, you can talk now. I've ruined the whole podcast, so I have.
Speaker: ah I feel like there was a lot of good options here. There was a lot of good options here. If i if the Bears-Seattle game was here, I'd pick the Bears. you know You're going for my homer picks.
Speaker: Really, really in my bones wanted to lock in the Lions. There's only one reason I didn't lock in the Lions. I'm locking in the Raiders. Because if I'm wrong, if I'm wrong,
Speaker: If I'm wrong, the Jets get their win. And Shane comes on here a happy man. And if I'm right, I finally get some damn points. And unfortunately, it's at the cost of the Jets. So, I'm going with the Raiders.
Speaker: and The Jets are cooked anyways. So yeah, that's that's a very solid pick there. And it's not ah the most cowardly pick on the board. Shane is locking in the Bengals. 12 points. Come on. You need to put your cojones on the table here, man. Like I'm about to do. I'm about to pull a Michael.
Speaker: Balkans. At Bucks. Give me overtime. 100 points are on offer. Divisional matchups are so hard to call. And with both teams coming off big wins, these two sides are hard to separate. I think Michael Penix and Baker Mayfield are going to duel out this game in Tampa. Earn me double points. 200 in the bag.
Speaker: Let's go. Okay, those are our locks. Do with them what you will if you want to play along. know you agree with any of us or you have your own. Let us know what you think. And play over at kingofthehill.ie because it is great and you can win money, as I said, completely for free entry.
Speaker: So yeah, we got to get into the NBA because week one is in the books. We're going to do the best team in the first week and the most disappointing or the team maybe that have the most question marks.
Speaker: So luckily for Shane, the best team in the first week are those Houston Rockets. They are 5-0 right now. When we made the selection, um when we were doing our prep, we said the Rockets, they were 4-0. They went and got another win. They've got the best offensive rating in the league, 120, or the second best, sorry, in the league with 123.4. And then the ninth best defensive rating, 109.2. Their third in net rating, plus 14.2. Every night, they look great. They've played some good teams too. Getting a win against the Spurs is not easy, especially with that huge A&M Thompson block to end it. So Shane, I'll give you the floor here to talk about your team because through one week, they look the best team in the nfl and the NBA.
Speaker: Yeah, and the the return of Fred Van Cleet has been such a difference maker for this Rockies team. They really did miss him last year, but it's not just that. Shingun has been running the offense. and Despite that Atlanta game where did have six turnovers, he's been absolutely, just he's just been he'd been playing bully ball every single week against every single team.
Speaker: He eventually got the better of Ben Yana in that Spurs game after having a really, really slow start in that. And Kevin Durant is just scoring points for fun. four 20-point games and he had 18 last night as well on top of that.
Speaker: It's the first time since 2014, 2015 they've started 5-0 now. and And it's just everything just looks so good. They're 40% from three, which is going to come up because they're just not shooting from three very well. And they've 21.5 fast break points a game as well. And the way they're doing it, they're not just throwing hopeful balls at people. There's always someone moving.
Speaker: Eamon Thompson looks like an absolute and utter athlete this season. It's just, everything is going right. And last night, I watched that game last night. They won by 32 in Milwaukee. Milwaukee are an awful basketball team. And they, but they know they are. The amount of air balls they show. I've never seen the lights of in my life.
Speaker: But... The Rockets just never looked out of their comfort zone. There was never a point in that. I could have turned that off at half-time when was so confident we were going to win that game. like They were just really, really good. it's Javarius McTurney looked so good. Eamon Thompson looked so good. Fred Van Cleet is back to his best.
Speaker: Kevin Durant is still Kevin Durant. Shingu missed last night. Clint Capella steps up. It's like the next man off the rank is always good as well. Reid Shepard came in for the game when Fred didn't play in the back-to-back. He was unbelievable.
Speaker: They just have depth that actually see looks... Really, really capable. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored four threes last night, and including one in Garbestein, which was so harsh, but also so clean. It was just so good. He just just pulled up, stopped, and just sunk it for the last points of the night. Fred Van Vliet is only shooting at 29.4%. That's to come up. He was incredible last night in the third quarter. He scored 14 points in the third last night.
Speaker: Reid Sheppard 33.3% from eight attempted threes a night as well. So what's that? We'll give him three a night. the next three games will will tell an awful lot.
Speaker: and So they have Dallas Friday, OKC Saturday and Boston on Monday. So if they are 8-0 after that, then you're looking at your NBA champions. Well, I think the the Boston game will be tough.
Speaker: but There couldn't be a better time to play OKC with their injuries, to be fair. No, probably not. but And Dallas are going to come off a high, though, so that's going to be a tough one. I think you're very harsh on the team's three-point shooting because 40% is the highest in the and NBA across 100 possessions. 40% from three is insane.
Speaker: That's incredibly good. So per 100 possessions, the team has been attempting 32. So that's very, very low, but they're shooting them very well, which is a hard thing to do. And something that probably won't stay at that level, the three-point percentage will come down, they will get worse, most definitely. But they might shoot more of them as they feel more confident. And I think Van Vliet will play a part in that. I noted something that The team is sitting at 11th worst in turnovers per 100 possessions at 17. That is going to come down. That is going to get better. Because Van Vliet consistently, when he is on the court, this team is one of the best in the NBA for turnover margin.
Speaker: They are very, very good at looking after the ball. He rarely turns it over. The team looks after the ball incredibly well. When he's on the court, they're always in top 10, top 5 in terms of turnovers. And when he's not, they're in like the bottom 5.
Speaker: So I think that's going to improve as he gets his feet under him. So I think it's only going to get better in that regard. Eamon Thompson, you you mentioned about 3.4 offensive rebounds per game is insane. Insane.
Speaker: He's just so active, so intelligent. He's able to now come into a point where he's been in the NBA for a few years. He feels comfortable telling other guys what to do and like dictating things, which is really, really important. And i think Asar is very similar. The two of them...
Speaker: The two twins are are both really high basketball IQ, which you can't buy that. You can't train that. That's just, it's just the way that they are. So there is so many different pieces on this team that you could identify. Before I throw it to you, Michael, I want to shout out Terry Eason. He has looked so good, so active defensively as well. 1.4%.
Speaker: one point four 1.4 blocks per game 1.2 steals per game on top of his 10 and 5 like he's just the type of guy that you can have in your rotation and him more in key moments especially when you get to that kind of crunch time of the season when you need wins and when you get to the playoffs he's probably going to step up and have a bigger role than the likes of Reed Shepard and Bogdanovich he's going to be basically right off your your starting and five so yeah I really like him and I think he's well worth a shout out but Michael what have you made of the Rockets so far?
Speaker: I think the Rockets could not have started better. this This team looks like everything we thought this team was going to be last year before the injuries. like It felt like every time, James, I don't think you could underline it enough, the difference that Fred Van Vliet does to this team.
Speaker: So many people were talking about the Rockets and about their point guard position. And I felt like we we were talking about it all last year that this team is built for Fred Van Vliet to step in next year and immediately have impact.
Speaker: This guy knows how to work. He knows how to win championships. He's been on a championship winning team.
Speaker: I feel like there's there's so many things I want to get on, and I feel like you guys have touched on so much already. The Amund Thomsen leap, especially there's a certain kind of archetype that's coming into the league. And I kind of feel the same way about Yaxel. I feel the same way about Amund's brother, Aswar.
Speaker: These defensive playmakers, that's what I like to call them. These players that can... Impact how a team runs a defense, impact how a team can address a niche offensive talent. For example, like you saw it the most impact it could have ever had.
Speaker: In a game against the Spurs, where they threw it to Wemby, and he did a nice little spin on Amund. Amund looks like he's about halfway down his his hip, and he just comes up and blocks that to win the game. I don't think... What a highlight to have immediately in the first week for Shane. i couldn't imagine how you felt.
Speaker: That's insane. To have that... Like, there's only a certain number of players in the league that could do that right now. I mean, yeah you could say Jokic, like, not Jokic, Jesus, Embiid. But he's also seven foot. When we're talking about Garrets, you're thinking Amin Thompson, you're thinking Asher Thompson, and you're thinking maybe now Yaksa Lenderberg. Like,
Speaker: I don't think anyone other than those three players could have made that block on Wembenyama. And that's how special Almond Thompson is as a defensive player. Meanwhile, on the offensive side, mean, right now he's shooting 82% from the free throw line.
Speaker: Okay. He's shooting 33% from three on 1.2 threes a game. It's okay. It's possible, but he's shooting 57.9% from two. Like, from to like I don't expect that to stay at 60% two-point shooting, but if that stays above 50% and he can keep it efficient, he can try and bump that three-point average up a little bit. I think the assistance of Fred being able to shoot the ball, Reed Shepard, I was about to say shooting the ball 38%, but that's actually 28%. So we're going to leave that we're going to leave that alone real quick.
Speaker: But Jabari Smith averaging 42% on his threes. I think the more the floor spreads, obviously it'll be an issue in the postseason. That's where it'll most likely creep up again. But I could see Amon Thompson bumping up to 20 points, 25 points if someone drops out of this ah starting lineup.
Speaker: The Rockets, if you're a Rockets fan, I don't think you could be happier after the first week. This is, this is I'd say, the team the team to start, at at least in the Western Conference.
Speaker: Yeah, I'm feeling real good about my first pick in our over-under wins draft, that 48.5 Rocket wins. I had that booked, so I'm feeling good right now on that. Dan, any closing thoughts on the Rockets before we move on to the most disappointing team?
Speaker: Yeah, so I just think with Emmanuel Thompson, so he's gotten a lot of praise, but I do think that's 60% he's out at 59.4. I think that is possible for him to keep going at that level because the way he's shooting, it like he's not taking stupid shots under pressure. and like de shas he's taken The taking, there were a couple that was missed last night where I was cursing him. was like, how are you missing that? It's pretty much wide open. And he's still at 60%, then I don't see why he can't say about 55%.
Speaker: 57% I think he just looks really really good I think I put him down as most improved player in our preseason and guesses and with way he started I don't see why he's he mightn't be a shoe in Fidasa if not defensive first team think you had him runner up as defensive player the year because we didn't do most improved yeah I had him in the underdog I think that was in my hot takes but I'll check in a second any yeah I just think that the depth is just so good Six Rockets last night reached double figures. And I think if you have that without, when you're missing Shingu and you're missing Marcus s Smart, missing Steven Adams, they're three of your your top 10 rotation guys on top of it. I just think the world is their oyster or their lobster, however you want to look at this. And the lobster because it's red.
Speaker: I just think they're theres there's something there for this team this year that they just need to to keep going the way they started. I know it's not possible to go 82-0 and there's still 78, 77 games left. But seventy eight seventy seven games last post Yeah, i think 48.5 was a really, really good line that James got on his over-under. And this team is looking like a legitimate title contender with the way they've started, it i think, in my not-so-humble opinion. Yeah, I think that...
Speaker: I do think that they're they're going to make a lot of nice regular season and then come playoffs let's assess but for now they're really enjoyable to watch so that is great for you Shane every night to get a good team on your TV and team we probably feel sorry for the fans of so far is the Miami Heat you can't feel too sorry for them they've got Giannis But think they're just not really working out so far for this team with Giannis.
Speaker: They got their first win last night against the Hawks, but they did start 0-4. They lost to the Timberwolves, they lost to the Pistons, they lost to the Hornets, and they lost to the Mavs. They got spanked by the Timberwolves and Pistons in those two games. And...
Speaker: Giannis has been good. He'll he'll consistently be good. He's averaging nearly 28 points, 11 rebounds, four and a half c assists, a steal, half a block. like He will consistently be good on any team that he's on.
Speaker: The issue with this team is the rest of the roster built around him right now because he works really well with guys that just sit on the perimeter and shoot really well from three.
Speaker: But anybody that wants to drive into the lane and take up his space is basically redundant in this team. So Bam is finding it a little bit hard to get going. I think Davion Mitchell is thriving and in this offense. He's shooting well from three, and nearly 40%. He has nearly eight assists per game, which is really impressive. But outside of that, everybody else is struggling. Klay Thompson is washed. They just need to just cut him. He is useless at this point in his career. He cannot do anything. He can't shoot threes. He's terrible on defense.
Speaker: Pella Larson is honestly a better option than him right now. The reason they won their game is because Andrew Wiggins spotted up really well from three, but he won't do that every night. So I'm concerned about the makeup of this roster more than anything. and I don't know.
Speaker: They will probably sort things out because Giannis is one of the best, maybe put top three players in the league. They probably will sort things out enough to get to the playoffs, but I feel like it's not built perfectly and they probably need to make some trades. Michael, what do you think of their makeup and how they've played so far?
Speaker: I mean, i'm i'm genuinely shocked by how bad it got. Like, I expected... the The first game happened and I wasn't surprised. I was like, okay, you know, they they have ah a more shallow guard depth than most of the league, but I don't think it's difficult to find three-point shooters. I don't think it's difficult for Eric Spolstra to kind of bring up these wings.
Speaker: And we're a week in now. And I'm kind of like, oh, is this? And a lot of people are saying it. The Bucks? Bucks in red? Oh my God. Like,
Speaker: And it's disappointing, obviously, to see Klay Thompson fall off. I mean, there's there's clips of him asking who who is the the current team leader for three-point makes in a season.
Speaker: Klay, it doesn't matter. Don't ask me to hold for you. It's okay. yeah ray Ray Allen is sitting at home. Fine.
Speaker: He's very relaxed right now. We don't need to work. No. I mean, we're looking at it right now. you You look down, you look at this team, you're going, who's their premier three-point shooter? Oh, oh is that Bobby Portis with 4.8 three-point attempts a game at You're telling me Giannis could have had him on the box anyway?
Speaker: It's fine. And I would argue maybe Giannis with Ryan Rollins might look a bit better than next to Davion Mitchell and Pele Larson. I mean...
Speaker: The big thing for me when it comes down to this team is Bam Adebayo. Tyler Hero has been talking about it a little bit on the Instagram. He is the the Miami Heat golden child.
Speaker: I will admit that. However, we need to address the fact that you know this this Miami Heat team has ah currently the seventh lowest ah points allowed in the league for a team that's supposed to hang its hat defensively is shocking. I mean, every team that comes into the a game against Miami Heat can get off what they want. They allow rebounds in their building, even though they've got two twin towers back there next to the rim. They're still the 14th right-of-round league average in terms of offensive rebounds.
Speaker: How? Just simply how? That shouldn't be happening on a team that you have two of the best bigs, I would argue, in the conference. Now, the reason why I would argue that is Bam Adebayo.
Speaker: Bam's got to be better. We've been talking about this guy, about how good he could be, how good he looks in europe in in like international stages and stuff.
Speaker: he's averaging 14 points per game right now. Like yeah on 54% from two, which is fine, I guess, but you're not even taking 10 shots on 15% from three and you're taking four threes.
Speaker: Like, can I at least have you take 15 shots a game that are just twos? Like, You need to start... But he can't get into the lane because that's where Giannis plays. It just doesn't work. The two the two of them together doesn't work.
Speaker: Giannis and Van last night had one shot outside the paint between the two of them. One shot between the two of them outside the paint. You're going nowhere if that's the way you're going be moving forward. Sorry to cut you off, Michael, but just thought it was a good point a good time to drop that in there. Van is not helpful.
Speaker: Clay is not helpful. Hardaway is not helpful. Wiggins is not helpful. Baron Derwin last night. It's a roster that just hasn't been put together. they thought was get Giannis and see what happens.
Speaker: And just seeing what happens isn't working at all because no one else is helping. 109 points a is 27th in the league. 105.3 offensive rating 27th in the league. 118.8 defensive rating, 24th in the league. 3 point percentage, 30.6, 25th in the league. 41 rebounds game, in the league. Rebound differential, minus 10, 29th in the league. And point differential 29.7 4th worse than the league.
Speaker: forty one rebound per game twenty seven in the league rebound differential minus ten twenty nine into league and point differential of twenty nine point seven is fort worthson league I know it's only five games, but this is not the Miami Heat anyone was expecting to see. And they really just thought they just throw ball up to Giannis every single time and he'll come down with this.
Speaker: Bam has regressed massively. If Michael just had 14 points a game, 7.3 rebounds from your centre is not going to get you anywhere on top of that as well. And you can come back in there again, Michael. Sorry you about that. No, no. that these These are all the stats I was trying to list off. You you take it away, Shane.
Speaker: Go on. and I just think it's ridiculous. like did They got rid of Tyler Herro, who was their sixth man of the year there maybe two or three years ago. They just shipped him off along with half the rest of the roster to Milwaukee. I know Milwaukee are struggling, but all the lads they got rid of would be really helpful to Giannis right now. I genuinely think that. I think...
Speaker: Juarez Jr. don't know how to say his name. I think he'd be really helpful. like He looked decent last night. Tyler Hero was the only good thing the Bucks had gone last night. He was really, really good shooting. And then, yeah, I don't know. I just think they've made an absolute dog-sinner of putting this roster together. And if they thought they were going to put this together and win a championship, no. Giannis is going to have move again he wants to win a championship because the Heat have absolutely cooked themselves.
Speaker: And I don't think it's going to be this year. They let Norman Powell go. Yeah. yeah He could have been actually a useful a useful player around Giannis, the type of player that you actually want. Okay, his defense isn't great, but as you said, lads, the defense has been shocking.
Speaker: So it's not like they're sacrificing... defense in other ways it's like all right you might as well just get someone who can actually score and works alongside Giannis when the rest of the team quite clearly doesn't so I would mark it down unless they actually make some moves um which I doubt they will because they've only just got this new system in I think that they're not going to be contending at all this year and definitely next year they're going to have to retool around Giannis and see what they can do but yeah i think it's disappointing start for them considering they made that big trade but it is all about roster construction and they ultimately haven't done that we are gonna let michael go at this point we've got our nfl and nba topics in the bag we're gonna talk about some premier league stuff so michael doesn't want to hang around for that boring shit so we will thank you once again michael for joining us this week and we will chat to you again next week sir
Speaker: No worries, I'll let you off with one last thing. The jazz, blow it up. It's over. I'll see you. Oh, yes. He's finally admitting the jazz are done. That's a great way to leave it. See you, Mike.
Speaker: So the lovely Michael has that left us. You're just left with myself and Shane now to look at. We'll clip that over and send it to him. we we're gonna wrap the rest of this episode with our usual bits and pieces so we're gonna get into gonchance which if you don't know is our underdog game where we pick underdogs in the nfl and the premier league every week the nba will be in there soon enough once the season gets rolling a little bit more but with this we pick teams that are playing against odds on favorites so true underdogs we have three every week each one is worth a point if you get all three in a week you get five points
Speaker: So through this season, I am 15 points. Shane is on 8th. Shane's got some catching up to do. Last week, we both had the same two correct. So I had Villa and Bournemouth at home. Villa at home, sorry, and Bournemouth away. So Villa were at home to City, Bournemouth are away to United. Shane had the same two.
Speaker: they both came off and then I had the Saints or Shane had the Saints sorry to beat the Steelers that did not work out in the Paris game and then I had the Chiefs to beat the Seahawks which the Seahawks battered them so that was a great win for them and let's get into this week Shane what are your three picks Yeah, so the Premier League just gets tougher as the weeks go by, but I have managed to pluck two Premier League games out of the air here. I've gone with United to beat Chelsea. United are Chelsea are 5-6.
Speaker: Don't ask me why, I just have a feeling we were talking about this just before we started a recording as well. I said to you that I think United going to win this because it would be very Man United players coded to... win this game, keep carrying a job and then they go and lose next week 4-0 again and that's the end of him. But I just think Chelsea were so poor against Spurs last weekend in the game I wrote about if you want to find this over on our sub stack and they had no attacking threat at all against Liverpool last night in the Cardboard Cup as well. I just think they're missing something.
Speaker: um Colt Palmer will miss this game as well I think. That's real. Or did last night count as it? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter who's shot anyway. I just think United are going to beat Chelsea this night. I think last night does count it is. Okay.
Speaker: I've also gone by Brighton to are 13-20. Brighton had the better of it last night and in the Cup as well. I thought they looked really good in the highlights packets I watched after. They just lost some penalties. I just backed them to get over the line this weekend.
Speaker: And Chelsea were, not Chelsea, Man City were so poor last weekend. Villa villa just played them perfectly. They've given the rest of the teams a bit of a ah template on how to do it. And if anyone's going to learn how to do it, it's going to be Brighton. And playing them with the week is only going to help them.
Speaker: And then, unfortunately, I have had to put in an NFL game here, despite how tough it was. And I've gone with the Browns at 64 to beat the Steelers, who are eight to fifteen The Browns just keep getting it done somehow.
Speaker: And I said last week on the Hard Counts UK podcast that I think the Steelers are a bit of a... They're kind of, I hope it's a word I use, doesn't matter. i just I just, I don't think they're worthy of their records, to be perfectly honest. And I just think the Browns, probably not worthy of their record either. But if one team is going to win, and I think it will be the Browns to get it over the line somehow.
Speaker: They just have to keep winning. So they give Deshaun Watson this contract anyway. That's definitely coming around the corner. So I think this will go the way of the Browns. Oh, Christ, Browns fans would not be happy to hear Deshaun Watson getting a new contract no matter what he does this year. and Yeah, they're both going to pay for Tigers, I think, is a good way to put it because they're they're they're kind of fake and it's hard to believe in either of them.
Speaker: And we did speak about United and Chelsea, and I said that if those players don't react to getting booed off the pitch by having a good performance, then they'll never react to anything. So it would be like them to win. I haven't gone for them in this, but I do like the pick.
Speaker: at In my three, we do have one the same in that as Brighton. I've gone with Brighton also to beat City. I do think that they played them close with two backup teams and for each in midweek and Brighton will be out looking for a win. i think it's kind of a very Brighton situation to go over. We have Liverpool and City in consecutive weeks. If we come away with three points in those two, we'd be happy. And i think that's what they're going to do.
Speaker: So I think they're going to get the win there, 15-4 against City. I've gone two NFL, so Vikings are 6-4 and the Lions are 5-9. I'm going to back what I said earlier and go with the Vikings to win.
Speaker: Despite the Lions being favorites, I do think the Vikings will get it, continue their undefeated run to 7-0. And then next up, I have gone with the Raiders, 26-25 to beat the Jets, 25-31. I don't know how the Jets are favorites, obviously because they're at home.
Speaker: But they're really not the worst team in the league. They just have a terrible head coach who cannot coach his way out of a paper bag. So I think the Raiders are going to take them down this week um and make the season even worse for Aaron Glenn and possibly push him towards a sacking.
Speaker: So those are my three picks for this weekend. and We're going to move on to our football section and talk about the premier league so as usual we have a performance of the weekend shane alluded to it man city losing to aston villa to on to villa villa had two big chances in the game they took both of them nicholas jackson looked great the first chance it was a really good finish second one lovely play between him and him by and getting the ball back and donnarumma probably could have done better but he got the finish and kind of stemmed city's flow at that point
Speaker: holding Haaland to just three headed shots on target and nothing on the ground shows how strong they were defensively. And and i think they were really solid. The game probably could have ended a draw, but Villa were just too hard-nosed. They were not letting that happen. And if you look at the XG on target, Suzuki prevented 1.68 with six saves, which is superb. He looks like a great signing. I thought Aston Villa were so impressive and they deserved that win to put them up into ninth, just two points off the Champions League places now.
Speaker: Yeah, so when I did my my pre-season writing piece on one player every team should sign, I put Suzuki down as a goalkeeper that had to go to Leeds before I realized Trafford was available.
Speaker: I just thought he looked so good in the World Cup and I looked up all his stats from last year. He looked like he had a really, really good year with Parma. I can't imagine, sorry, I can't say I watched... a single minute of power football last week but he's come in and he just looks so good he really looks the part his distribution is absolutely incredible on top of it as well and he's just such a good shot stopper this is one of those games Villa were not losing or drawing this game for Lovner money even if they were still playing now it would still be 2-1 I think because they were not letting City have a single they was just weren't in and venting
Speaker: Considering this ability, we started the season with no winning four, got absolutely battered day one against Brighton in one of the worst opening day performances you've seen a long, long time. And it's kind of like what happened to against Newcastle two years ago, where Fergie then said they were going to finish in the top four after watching them get absolutely annihilated by Newcastle.
Speaker: It just seems like once they kick into gear, it's very hard to get them off it. And this was one of those games that... On paper, then we did both say was going to happen. I just had a feeling and you were the same, but I just think they can beat anyone on their day.
Speaker: It's not a good time now to face Billa and they've fallen United and Sunderland in their next three, which are all very winnable for them as well. Unless you United holds... If United replace Carrick before that game, then it might give them a better chance. But if Carrick is still in charge for that game, I think it puts Billa in a really, really good position to go and get an extra nine points.
Speaker: I think Unai Emery is the best coach in the league at the moment and with the way he's the way he rebuilt this Villa team and the way he coached them against City was just perfection to a team. Matty Cash came back in and looked like an absolute world-beater again.
Speaker: Mattson came back in from injury, put him up against Stockoo, just so he didn't even miss a beat. The whole thing, every single part of the game they played was absolutely incredible and they were full value for this and they they will go on a run again now the way they did last year.
Speaker: Yeah, and the the fact that they've got like kind of a ragtag set of defenders with the injuries they've faced throughout the season at that spot, especially at centre-back, and Lindelof is in there who looked past it at United and he's doing a great job for them.
Speaker: to continue to defend strongly as part of that system. I think you mentioned Cash. I thought he was so good in the game, so aggressive as well. He was stuck to his man. He didn't give him an inch. And I think that was really important in the winning of the game for Villa, that everybody took their assignment in the game seriously. Like you mentioned in their next few games, Bullam at home, United away, Sunderland home, and then even after that, Ipswich away and Everton at home. Those are their next five in the league, and you could say that they could easily take 12, 13 points out of those games. I think that they could be really set up then for a nice push into the rest of the year.
Speaker: A really interesting game for them after the Fulham game at the weekend is Barca away in the Champions League. yeah They performed really well against good teams in the Champions League every time they're in it.
Speaker: And I think this could be no different. It actually might be a very interesting game against Barcelona. And I wouldn't be surprised if Villa go out there and get a point or something from it because they're just so well able to put it up at any night. I know they got battered by...
Speaker: born within the cup but i think that's important for them to just be out of a domestic cup apparently they're glad to be donet with this yeah yeah they can just focus on the league and focus on the on the champions league so yeah i'm really really high on them now to push up into the position that we said that they would be in when we predicted the table at the start of the year it didn't look great at the start but like you said a few years ago they did the same and emory always seems to get things right it shows how good of a manager he is but we want to talk about a game then that's going on this weekend and this will be the one that Shane will have his write-up about afterwards and this is going to be Liverpool versus Arsenal at Anfield so definitely no bias in Shane's writing here as a Liverpool fan who hates Michael Arteta but I think this comes at very interesting time because before we get into this we want to talk quickly about Arsenal losing to Fleetwood
Speaker: Fleetwood Town, 18th in League 2, hosted Arsenal Wednesday night, hold them to a 1-1 draw. Max Dowman got sent off for a kick-out. and Obviously, the game was still 1-1 at that point. There wasn't long left, so that's not like that kind of played too much of a part. And then up steps the Fleetwood Town 5 penalty takers, and they slot every one of them. Unbelievable. Unbelievable.
Speaker: and a save on Bruno Goumerais from the keeper and everybody storms the pitch. The scenes were unreal. like That could be one of the biggest, if not the biggest, Cup upset in football English football history. It was one of those games where Arsenal just didn't want this in the first minute. They didn't want it. They weren't ready for the physical battle that was coming from a team at the bottom of League Two who were fighting for their lives every single week.
Speaker: Arsenal, it wasn't even that weak in Arsenal. I know it was rotated, but there were still a lot of players in there who should be good enough to get this over in line. Gioca is there, they think Max Dantin is the next come out of Messi, and he just he just couldn't get into the game at all. I believe we were full credit for this win. I know it a draw, but they were they were full credit to go shoot in the next round. They really, really deserved this.
Speaker: Arsenal were absolutely appalling. And I think there's a lot of teams in the Premier League who could kind of take him out of this. The likes of the teams down to on the line, the likes of an Ipswich or a Fulham or Coventry, just put it up to Arsenal and be more physical. And they're not able to take it. None of them are. They never have been.
Speaker: Gabriel, I know he didn't play the other night, but he's one of the worst where if you give him any sort of physicality, he just becomes a damn squib. He's just so meek when it comes to a physical battle lot of the time. So, yeah, I was just so happy to see him get knocked out. And then, of course,
Speaker: we didn't get him in the next round which i really wanted i really wanted fleetwood obviously i didn't want born but anyway and i'm just glad they didn't end up playing city away yeah i think ah every extra game for fleetwood is great for revenue and also for to give them that pump up because obviously they started the season poorly and and their manager he's had an interest in managerial career where he goes between fleetwood and waterford city which is really interesting and yeah and and look it's great for him only 38 years old obviously a massive night for him probably one one of the best of his whole career but hopefully it gives them the boost now to drive up the league two table because they take such a kind of inspiration from the fact they were able to do that to the english champions it's such a crazy crazy game but on to the premier league obviously we said liverpool versus arsenal
Speaker: Liverpool did get the win midweek on penalties against Chelsea, as Shane said. churn gun chance Interesting stats over the last 10 years, excluding friendlies. Arsenal have only beaten Liverpool three times in 27 attempts.
Speaker: So it's almost a very, very strong bogey team for Arsenal to get wins against. There's a lot of draws in there, but only three wins is very, very low. and It should be a factor, the games being in Anfield, but... Funnily enough, Liverpool are so good away and they've been kind of poor at Anfield this season, only five points from four games. So they might actually have preferred if this was in the Emirates, given how it's gone so far this season. But what do you think is going to happen on Sunday? This is the only game on Sunday too, so a nice long build-up into it into the afternoon.
Speaker: Yeah, I think getting that win over Brighton last week at home is absolutely massive. Liverpool's confidence coming into this game. If they dropped points set bright and last are at home to Brighton last week, then I think they'd rather this game would be away. But if they win this, it puts them three points off Arsenal at the top of the league. and i just I think this is it's just such a massive game for both teams. I think the midfield battle is going to be where it's won and lost.
Speaker: and If they go with Rice and Bruno up against Graven-Murse to McAllister, whoever wins that battle will win the game because I think there's enough forward options on the pitch, especially for Liverpool, that can make something happen at any time.
Speaker: He's actually the top goal scorer that's not a robot in the league. He's not named Ernie Holland, so he's a top scorer. I'd say the man who scores 14 goals a game. He just looks like he's Newcastle. He's actually part the season. and Every time he steps on the pitch again.
Speaker: Beard has looked really, really good the last four games. Farquhar has come into it as well. And then you have Gakbo, who started the season really well. Rio is a good option off the bench. Moonaise, if he's back, is a good option as well for the end of games.
Speaker: And Saka being out for Arsenal is absolutely massive. I presume they'll go Haberts, Malouette, Gaye and some other ball on the other side. But I just think it's it's a really good time for Liverpool to play him. I think if people if you're looking to play Arsenal, it's when they don't have Saka.
Speaker: They've just lost in the cup. Max Downing won't be on the bench, so you don't have to deal with the fanfare around him coming on as well. And Maduweke is just, I just think he's such a nutting footballer. I don't know to describe him. i don't mean that as like, I'm not saying he's crap, I'm not saying he's useless, but he's just, he'll score a goal of having done nothing for the rest of the game. And he's a winger. He's the man who that's meant to make all the chances happen. Low impact.
Speaker: Yeah, that's the one. yeah he just He does very, very little. And I'd rather have rather be facing him than Saka, even though I don't think Saka is any world-beater anymore either. But I just think it's there for Liverpool to win this and pull themselves right into a title race.
Speaker: Yeah, I think this game is probably going centre around the players who actually come back from injury and those who don't. Because there's obviously questions on both sides. You mentioned Munoz. I don't know if Sabaslay is going to be out, is he?
Speaker: Yeah, I think so, yeah. So that's a big miss. No last time they go at the moment. Yeah, but in general, like a player that does play well in big games and he can have a big moment. And then you've got, on the other hand, like he's the one who scored the unbelievable goal against Arsenal, the big moment in a terrible game last year.
Speaker: Yeah, game of football. So he's just... You've got Declan Rice then coming back for Arsenal, which is massive. He's had a bit of rest and he's probably going to be the most important factor in this game because I would take him and Bruno over Gravenberch and McAllister any day. But I think the rest of the team then obviously plays a part too because you mentioned Arsenal missing Saka.
Speaker: solace may come back on the bench so that could be some kind of impact if they had him if munaz is back from middle for liverpool that's an impact there so it is kind of dependent on how quickly these players that might be back or might not be back do come back i think the midfield battle is important as i said When you do look through these results, there was a hell of a lot of draws in there. And I think we're down for another one this weekend. I think both teams are fairly solid. That six point gap between the two, I i think if Liverpool could win to cut it to three, that would be huge. You'd be in a really good position then in terms of being behind Arsenal. But I think Arsenal just need to be clever about this game.
Speaker: And I think this could be a 1-1. I don't think it's going to be an incredible game of football. I think it could be similar to what we saw last year. Maybe a little bit better. At least there'll be a goal for each team I'm predicting and maybe a little bit better in terms of what we see out there on the pitch. But yeah, I think it's going to be a draw. I think both teams are going to want it, but going to be cautious at the same time. And Liverpool especially do not want to end up nine points behind Arsenal this early.
Speaker: Yeah, I think you've made some really good points, especially not wanting to end up nine points behind them at this stage of the season. Kind of... They always say titles aren't won in November, but they can be lost. And I'm not saying Liverpool are going to win a title by any stretch, but you're nine points behind the team that won it last year, I think you're in a really, really horrible place to try and do anything from that end. So I think a draw...
Speaker: is probably on the cards but I am just going to back Liverpool. I am but just going to say 2-1 Liverpool. My biggest worry is finding somewhere in Nottingham that's going to show us this match or if we have to go to the airport early to watch it or something is the biggest worry I have.
Speaker: I think the midfield battle, as I said, is going to be the winning and losing. Gravenberg was so poor last night against Chelsea. So, so poor. Couldn't get a single thing right. He's going to need to be a difference maker.
Speaker: Arsenal's bench a bit strong. is so I think the bench could be another big impact. You've mentioned there if if everyone is back on fire and then having Rio to come off the bench could be a massive difference in Liverpool in the last 10-15 minutes as well. so We'll just have to wait and see. I'm going to back Liverpool because they always do. Liverpool. I look forward to writing about this with absolutely no bias and I won't do a full article on Mikel Arteta and how shitty he is after.
Speaker: I don't think ah even Liverpool fans might not want to read negativity about Arsenal if they do get a win. So um be nice to Mikel. He's doing his best. He has his title. He he gets pickpockets in for team meetings. He's a great guy. I know.
Speaker: Unbelievable. So yeah, that's that's our predictions for the big matchup this weekend. Obviously, Shane said, and as we said in the intro, we'll be in Nottingham at the time. So... obviously going to see j cole over there once again because he was so good the first time um but yeah i think ah we'll we'll find a spot we'll get this game even if we have to watch it in in a corner or somewhere on our phone plugged into some kind of a socket we'll be able to watch it and We're going to move on to our final portion of this week's episode, and that is our game. We've been going back and forth, giving each other kind of some fun games and some that cause us to think a little bit and try and figure out some things surrounding the NBA, NFL and Premier League. So I had a game last week, which I gave to Shane and Michael played Bart as well because it was NBA related. But Shane is bringing the game this week. So Shane, what have you got for me?
Speaker: so I have an easier one for you this week. So there's no real quiz question or something that. I just want you... the blind rank these 10 primary centre-backs and we'll see how your list ends up at the end. So and I'm going to give you 10 centre-backs in order you pick a spot from and we will see how you get, how you finish up at the end.
Speaker: Okay. i um was I could end up like picking someone like one and getting somebody unreal at the end. That's my biggest fear. And then yeah the worst part is if you're you end up with like you get to the end and you throw out Ledley King, and I'm like, oh man, have to put him at one now. And also, they do all they're all current from our family center box.
Speaker: Okay, let's do it. ready So with the first up is Lissandro Martinez. Oh lordy. This is already tough. I certainly think there's 10 centre-backs better than him in the Premier League, but I think you're going to give me some stinkers, so I'll put him at six, I think, is a safe spot.
Speaker: Okay. ah Number two is Nathan Collins. Oh, Collins. He's better than Lissandro. He's the Ireland captain. i always have to back him. I'm putting him at five.
Speaker: okay Next up is Van Hecke from Spurs, formerly of Brighton, obviously. Well, he was really good last in their last game, and he looked great for them and in the last few weeks. i thought he was good at Brighton.
Speaker: He's a bit erratic, but he has that potential. I wish I'd put Collins at four and now so i can put him at five.
Speaker: Lordy. I'm going to have to... I'm going to have to slot Van Hecke in. i think there's there's better defenders than him out there. I'm putting him in seven. Okay.
Speaker: William Saliba. Yeah, all right. Here we go. We've got a big dog now. I reckon you're going me someone at least better than him, but he's up there. He's one of the best in the Premier League. I think he's better than Gabriel for his impact, I think, at times. So I'm putting Saliba at number two.
Speaker: So you have two, five, six and seven years so far. Next up is Virgil van Dijk.
Speaker: Okay. Maybe a few years ago he'd be at one. On current form, he's not number one in the Premier League and he's not better than Saliba. So I'm putting him at three because he is one of the elite guys. But I do think that I can get someone better at number one.
Speaker: next up is Jeremy Jacquet for his start at Liverpool where you put him in oh ok very good he's been good so far and I do think him and Van Hecke are on similar levels martinez and obviously he has the World Cup so he has it longevity wise I think Jacquet will be good for the future so I'm happy to stick him in at 8 thanks cool ok I have 4 left I'm going to give you the option of where I throw him out so On my list there, number one, two, three and four. So do you want number one, two, three or four next?
Speaker: Okay, give me... Are they random? They're not your opinion. Yeah, no, they're just random. It's just like the way they're listed is he's for next up, next up, next up, next up. So one, two, three or four. Who do you want next? I'll take number three, please.
Speaker: Ezwi Hansa. Okay, okay. See, I'm in a bit of trouble here because a lot of the guys you're giving me are good and I don't know if you're actually going to give me any bad players.
Speaker: I feel like he has to go at four in between Collins and Van Dijk is a good spot for him, so he's four. Perfect. Just go Berniol. Okay.
Speaker: Now, he is a very good player. He's a very good player and he's better than the players i have. at lower levels. But I have no choice but to put him in at nine because he's not better than Saliba or Van Dijk. So, yeah, he's going to at nine. And your last two.
Speaker: So, one is going number one, one is going number ten. So, they are both good centre-backs. I didn't really put any sinkers in here. I just want you to live on the edge of your thinking there's a sinker calming nerves.
Speaker: So, you have Gabriel, obviously, and the other one is Luka Vyskovic for Brighton. So, i presume it's Gabriel at one and Vyskovic at ten. Yeah, i'll put gab I'm happy actually with that. Gabriel is going to slot in there at 1 and Voscovic in at 10 because obviously I think Voscovic is probably better than 1 or 2 guys but I'm actually happy with how that worked out. I probably would have Guardiol higher but everything else I'm pretty happy. So, Gabriel Saliba, Van Dijk, Consa, Collins, Lissandro Martinez, Van Hecke, Jeremy Jacque, Guardiol and Voscovic. Yeah, pretty good. I'm happy with that. Worked out nicely for me.
Speaker: Next week I might do pick your 10 worst centre-backs in the league and I'll just have Maguire, Shaw, have any jump. Just list every United, every current United player. Even if they're not centre-backs, have Xerxes on there.
Speaker: Yeah, so I'll bring a game for Shane next week and we'll have a bit of crack once again. and So, yeah, I think <unk>s i'm I'm thinking already some things that I could bring. Maybe it's time for NFL because we haven't done that yet. So I think it's time for NFL next week. Get your NFL hat on. I'm going to give you some NFL questions next week and we'll have a bit of crack. So yeah that is another episode wrapped up.
Speaker: Shane, I'll throw it to you to close it out. Yeah, so just first of all, a big thanks to Michael again for coming on but Given the time, I know i abuse him the whole way through the episode, but it is it is it is a pleasure to have him on board.
Speaker: Thank you all for listening again. Just please hit that subscribe button, the like, whatever. Rate us Spotify. I don't know works. And follow our TikTok, which is blowing up. We got one with, I think it's 12,000 views now, one of them. is absolutely wild to think the 12 000 people have watched us talk absolute nonsense um but you seem to enjoy it so we'll be back next week again thank you so much and just hit that subscribe button row to 1000 i'll set a more realistic target this week see you next week don't know why i did that all my days what am i talking about just yapping
