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PL Midseason Team Of The Year & Most Surprising Teams + NFL Championship Round Preview Ctd.
8 Plays4 months ago
- PL Midseason Team Of The Year
- Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth & Newcastle get their flowers
- NFL Championship Round: Eagles vs. Commanders, Chiefs vs. Bills
Recommended
Transcript
00:00:01
Chino Onwuka
Sorry about that guys, some technical difficulties again. we're just going to pick up where we
Premier League Team of the Season Discussion
00:00:06
Chino Onwuka
left off. We're still talking about our halfway point Premier League team of the season. We were just discussing left backs. I think we all came to a unanimous agreement on Antoine Robinson at Fulham. He's been having an outstanding year. You know, i probably not a lot of people start coming, but I think he's been the standout. Chukwu had just given a shot for Bardial.
00:00:27
Chino Onwuka
I think probably looking at some of the goals he he scored probably earlier in the season, especially since you're talking about FPL, maybe you know he stands out in that position, but I think defensively, City have been in shambles recently, so I think it's tough to to put him in that position. Okay, Ameka, is there anything more you wanted to say on on Robinson?
00:00:48
Emeka
It's a positive podcast. I don't want to slander Vardial. Vardial is absolutely garbage as a defender. This one we can get on the record out there. Absolutely garbage.
00:00:55
Chino Onwuka
a It's 20, 25. There are, there are new positions out there. Just like you had, attacking his footer defies and attacking left back.
00:01:01
Chuku
Oh, God!
00:01:06
Emeka
He was a sender back before he came to the city. I don't know what happened to him.
00:01:08
Chino Onwuka
It's probably his primary job is to score. Other guys got to sort out the defense. It's not his fault, man.
00:01:14
Emeka
Hey, it is what it is.
00:01:15
Chino Onwuka
Come on.
00:01:16
Chuku
Come on, it's like
00:01:17
Emeka
Anyone who saw 3PSG?
00:01:17
Chino Onwuka
He's still their second leading scorer probably, right?
00:01:21
Chino Onwuka
I know Foden started scoring again, but yeah.
00:01:23
Emeka
Nah, phone probably passing it by now.
00:01:25
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
Defensive Contributions in Premier League
00:01:27
Chino Onwuka
All right, now we're going to move on to center backs. I think we're just going to name the the center back pairing. And so and like go we start we'll start with you this time.
00:01:33
Emeka
Yep. The reason why I went with sales over Raya is because, well, I guess I'll start with my easiest pick was Van Dyke, like, man,
00:01:44
Emeka
Southside Liverpool, they've been, they've been, I mean, the best team in the league, Van Dyke has come back to being prime Van Dyke again.
00:01:50
Chino Onwuka
Easy as pair. Easy as pair.
00:01:53
Emeka
For me, for me it was, I thought it was, he's my easiest pick.
00:01:55
Chuku
I thought it was the easiest pick. Yeah, Van Dyke, 100%.
00:01:57
Emeka
He's been, it if you ever watch Liverpool when they're chasing a game, their literal defensive strategy is, everyone goes forward, Van Dyke and whoever is next to him stay back, and they snuff out every counter attack between those two.
00:01:59
Chuku
He has to be on that, in my opinion. He has to be.
00:02:12
Emeka
It's unbelievable to watch. So for me it was the easiest pick.
00:02:15
Chuku
I'm with you, man.
00:02:15
Emeka
Secondly, I wanted to go with Gabrielle just because like I have no arsenal fans Gabrielle's been killing it But I was debating between Gabrielle and his Brazilian twin Murillo because again for us have been doing so well I just like I have to give them flowers then it came down to him if I made fun of Chuka for his bar the old thing because I'm doing the same thing here Gabrielle scored just way too many goals for me to leave him off the team like he's been a
00:02:16
Chuku
Van Dyke, easy.
00:02:41
Emeka
I know we're in our group chat I know no disrespect to Odegard, but I was saying he should be Arsalan's captain. just to his His passion, his defending, his leadership. And I'm very happy that finally it seems like the general public has come around before he used to always be Saliba getting the flowers and Gabrielle's kind of like a tag on. With the goals he's been scoring, I think he's now gotten the respect he deserves.
00:03:03
Emeka
but I really wanted to give him a real low and I just ended up just deciding I was going to split it. So I gave the keeper to sales and I'm going to give the center back to Gabrielle and it feels right to me. It feels right to me. So my pairing is Van Dyke and Gabrielle.
00:03:17
Chino Onwuka
You know what? I'm going to make an adjustment to mine because I i had the same dilemma. It came down to three center backs. I thought, to me, Gabriel is the first time on the team sheet for what he's done offensively, for Arsenal, and defensively as well.
00:03:32
Chino Onwuka
being the heart and soul of the team. I think that's why he's number one and Van Dyke is one of the greatest defenders of all time. So that was easy and Morello has been outstanding. So what I'm going to do because I was actually struggling in the midfield at first, I am now going to take out one of my midfielders to put Murillo in the team, because I think he deserved it.
00:04:00
Chino Onwuka
So I'm going to have three center backs, Gabrielle, Van Dyke, and Murillo as my center backs. So I'm now going with a three, a three, five, three, four, three, actually.
00:04:18
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, three, four, three.
00:04:19
Emeka
You know, I'm already now here. Eat your heart out. Everyone's doing it now.
00:04:21
Chuku
I'm telling you man, see, it was no I'm ruining this crazy work, but okay, I hear it, I hear it. Hey, for me, I'm keeping it simple, man. It's Van Dyke and it has to be Gabriel, man. the What Gabriel has been doing for Arsenal, I should say, on the offensive side and on the defensive side, I mean, everyone's touched on it already. like He has definitely been like,
00:04:46
Chuku
amazing and I just think obviously like shout out to you know Murillo I was actually going to say more shout out to Malenkovic is it like the his partner Malenkovic
00:04:55
Emeka
Yeah, Milankovitch is there, yeah.
00:04:56
Chuku
I can't, I might be pronouncing that name so wrong, but I think he's been amazing, bro.
00:04:58
Emeka
Oh, you got it right.
00:05:00
Chuku
Like, that guy has been, like, again, do those two at Forest, wow. Like, they they ah they really are a really good pairing. Definitely top, easily top five best quarterback pairings in the league at the moment.
00:05:15
Chuku
But I just think, you know, Gabriel just been, wow, like, he has been amazing. And like, i the the goals he scores, the way he can win the ball early in the corner situations and knowing just where to be in certain situations.
00:05:31
Chuku
And on top of that, being a really, really good defender um to to go along with it, I just think I have to put him in my team. And yeah, so for me, Gabrielle Van Dyke, that's my combination.
00:05:42
Chino Onwuka
And the element that Gabriel has added to his game, you know speaking of Van Dijk, one of the things he does is the way he's able to to ping that diagonal ball to just launch an immediate attack is a cheat code that Liverpool has.
00:05:56
Chino Onwuka
Gabriel started doing some some some some breaking the line passes over the last couple of games. I don't know what you guys have noticed.
00:06:01
Emeka
Yeah, I know. I mean, you got some sauce on it.
00:06:02
Chino Onwuka
and third Yeah, they're not expecting it at all. Like every time I'm like, where's he playing this ball? And then he just finds, he's the one of the few guys who's actually playing balls behind the line into space at Arsenal.
00:06:15
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
Contract Extensions and Speculations
00:06:16
Emeka
Yeah, well, it will happen to Gabrielle real quick.
00:06:16
Chino Onwuka
So I don't know how you mean.
00:06:16
Chuku
Yeah.
00:06:18
Emeka
I gotta just point out something if you guys have noticed it too. Oh, I watched it football for, I don't know, 25, 26 plus years. I have never seen a defender better at shepherding the ball out of bounds than Gabrielle.
00:06:29
Emeka
Sometimes he shepherds the ball out of bounds from like 10 yards.
00:06:29
Chino Onwuka
have
00:06:32
Emeka
It's unbelievable. No one can get around him No, he just puts his knee in the ass in there.
00:06:34
Chuku
thank
00:06:36
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:06:37
Chuku
he's He's a big body man, he's a big body that's for sure.
00:06:37
Emeka
No one can get around him. That's the ultimate cheat code I've seen. We get so many goal kicks off that.
00:06:41
Chino Onwuka
no
00:06:43
Emeka
It's unbelievable. I just want to give a quick shout out to Gabriel for that. It's amazing.
00:06:46
Chino Onwuka
I love having six foot three plus center backs with a melanin. is It hits a little bit. It's a little bit different when you get that combination.
00:06:56
Chino Onwuka
Ain't gonna lie.
00:06:57
Emeka
big faggs.
00:06:58
Emeka
Campbell and Turek type things, you know?
00:06:58
Chuku
of
00:07:00
Chuku
ye ma no
00:07:00
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:07:02
Chino Onwuka
But melanin, okay. I don't want to to to talk about this now or when we talk about forest leaders. You know, with this impressive start, what usually happens is they start getting picked apart. Do you think they can hang on to Marillo?
00:07:17
Emeka
You did?
00:07:17
Chuku
I just see Murillo sign an extension.
00:07:20
Chuku
I heard him sign an extension. So in my opinion, i mean I'm pretty sure they're keeping it.
00:07:23
Chino Onwuka
We did.
00:07:25
Chuku
he's i mean I think they answered our question. you know He's sustained. I mean, unless something crazy happens in the next couple of years, I just think, you
00:07:31
Chino Onwuka
Although, it's going to take a lot of money with the extension, but because it's a team like Forest, and maybe he'll play there in one year if they make Champions League, but at some point, some big boys are going to come calling, and it's not about the contract, it's about, okay, thanks for everything, it's time to go.
00:07:35
Emeka
No!
00:07:48
Chino Onwuka
And that's the one situation.
00:07:48
Emeka
That's the key right there you said.
00:07:50
Chino Onwuka
If they put up enough money, yeah, no, I think he'll stay in one year for Champions League, for sure.
00:07:51
Emeka
Make Champions League.
00:07:56
Emeka
Yeah.
00:07:58
Chino Onwuka
The year after that though, I can see something like, Hey, Madrid comes for Saliba. It's happening at some point, boys.
00:08:09
Chino Onwuka
All right. First of all, I don't know if maybe he might be left at the center back, you know, so it won't work.
00:08:14
Emeka
He's left with it.
00:08:15
Chino Onwuka
All right, so there we go. So, but it could be, yeah.
00:08:18
Chuku
He's definitely going to be one to watch. He's definitely going to be one to watch because he's definitely like, he is definitely one of the better center backs in the league. And I mean, this explains why I'm pretty sure it wasn't a point in time that we were like, are still with him.
00:08:31
Chino Onwuka
Yep, yep.
00:08:31
Chuku
That's a point. So I mean, yeah.
00:08:32
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:08:35
Chuku
And I was like, before he was like, like, what do you, like what he is now?
00:08:38
Chino Onwuka
He was already having an amazing season, but yeah.
00:08:40
Chuku
in heaven it means yeah so let's just add it to it but yeah either way he's definitely want to watch and i mean yeah he's he's he's that guy he's he's so yeah interesting
00:08:42
Chino Onwuka
No.
00:08:49
Chino Onwuka
OK. Now, moving on to right back, I think there's there's only one name I considered you know for everything that he brings. you know And this this is Trent Alexander Arnold.
00:09:01
Chino Onwuka
There might be some other more.
00:09:01
Emeka
ye Yep, yep, yep.
00:09:02
Chino Onwuka
our products But in terms of what he's doing for that team, the team that's, I wouldn't say lapping the Premier League right now, but leading them, one of the key factors to a pretty significant lead for title charge, what he brings for them on the ball.
00:09:12
Emeka
Pretty close to it.
00:09:19
Chino Onwuka
You know, he's he's a he's a son of the land. Yeah, it was TAA for me. i didn't I didn't even consider anybody else.
00:09:27
Chino Onwuka
He's lucky. He's lucky, but his black coat's been injured. That's what I'm going to say.
00:09:28
Chuku
I'm different.
00:09:31
Emeka
Yeah, fair Yeah, I'm pretty much watching us that I'm I'm Trent's like it's there's not really back It's funny literally what he said Ben White's been out and there's not really we say he's been injured I was gonna cheat and I'm curious if Chico's gonna do the cheats what I was gonna do But I just didn't it didn't feel right so Trent and also we forget she Trent deserves it.
00:09:32
Chuku
Hey, I'm different man. Are you the same way? Am I cuz is it challenging?
00:09:55
Emeka
I also give a quick shout out to fellow naija boy, Alina I really wanted to put him in there And it's why, oh really?
00:10:01
Chuku
that' see That's crazy. That's who I went.
00:10:03
Emeka
Wow.
00:10:04
Chuku
That's who I went.
00:10:05
Emeka
I thought you were going to cheat and and put Diallo.
00:10:06
Chuku
Alla Ina was my...
00:10:08
Emeka
I thought you were going to put Diallo and cheat.
00:10:08
Chuku
Who?
00:10:10
Emeka
Diallo.
00:10:10
Chuku
What? Hell no.
00:10:12
Emeka
I mean, hey, right wing back, you can make me argue.
00:10:13
Chuku
Alla Ina, y'all are sleeping, man.
00:10:15
Emeka
He
Key Players in Premier League Teams
00:10:15
Emeka
was my second choice, so I'm going to watch him cook.
00:10:16
Chuku
Alla Ina has been my, in fact, career. Now, you talk about guys that... ah
00:10:23
Chino Onwuka
He seems he's all he's all pro second team all NBA second team ain't no shame in that
00:10:28
Chuku
Hey, you say that, hey, that's for y'all, that's for you, that's for you, man. I know for me, hit my all number one. I don't know why y'all, look, look, I know Trent, look, I get it. Trent, look, we know what Trent is, man. He's an amazing generational talent in terms of passing wise, like creator, we get it, yeah.
00:10:48
Chuku
But when we're talking about a fullback who does it all in terms of on the offensive side can give you something there scoring goals like creating chances and then also come and give you something on the defensive side as well locking down players on that side of the pitch All Aina is very few players in the league this year that I've seen doing what All Aina is doing in that position, man. I'm just like for me, I go before, forget when the lead I'm I'm saying the man had one of the best tournaments in the African Cup of Nations played with one leg in the final, couldn't miss it.
00:11:32
Chuku
he had a p He was literally, I've been a fan of Oleina for like, I will say, ever since I got to actually see him play in...
00:11:40
Chino Onwuka
you You know what else I love about him now? Have you seen him in some of his interviews on some of these podcasts?
00:11:44
Chuku
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
00:11:47
Chino Onwuka
He is such a character, man. I love him.
00:11:49
Chuku
He is!
00:11:49
Chino Onwuka
And what I also love is that these guys be trying to to bait him with certain things, expecting to say something. And I just love his answers. And I also love that a lot of his answers are very pro arsenal.
00:12:00
Chino Onwuka
so And those guys are not expecting it at all because they're all like Man U fans and Tottenham fans. and these like And they're like, oh who's the toughest guy to the Vanderbilt guys? He's like, Saka, easy.
00:12:11
Chuku
He keeps it real, man.
00:12:11
Chino Onwuka
And they're like, what? up you'd like a suck i like So ah what's the toughest team to play against? And he's like, Arsenal, easy. So I throw him some respect there as well.
00:12:18
Chuku
He keeps it real, man.
00:12:20
Chino Onwuka
i mean And he's actually such a character. I don't know if you saw his his posts after the Liverpool game as well. He had them yet the raging.
00:12:28
Chuku
and I didn't see it. I didn't see it.
00:12:32
Chino Onwuka
His forces, they've taken four points off the Liverpool this season. so
00:12:37
Chuku
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:12:38
Chino Onwuka
and turn it out Okay.
00:12:39
Chuku
Hey, man. Like I said, yeah, all ain't enough for me, so go ahead.
00:12:42
Chino Onwuka
All right, sounds like good. So I will go next. So I'm playing three, four, three. So my two midfielders are going to be McAllister as their central midfielder and my attacking midfielder is
00:13:07
Chino Onwuka
Cole Palmer. Those are my midfielders.
00:13:11
Emeka
Interesting.
00:13:11
Chuku
Okay.
00:13:12
Chino Onwuka
I think Cole Palmer as a camera number 10, nothing else needs to be said there. He's been unreal carrying the cho the leader of that young Chelsea team that is surprising people this year and then again just trying to respect that the the the best team in the Premier League this year, Mike Hylister. He can do it all. Want him to play more as a deep line midfielder. Want him to play as an eight. you Want him to be more attacking. He does it all. He's part of what makes that team tick. So those are my by two midfielders.
00:13:45
Emeka
interesting i did not expect i expected kopal i have kopalmer as well i'll go next i had kopalmer as well so i was expecting that but i'm shocked he went with micalister and sort of to me one of the easiest picks i had made was his teammate grabbing botch i thought yeah
00:13:51
Chuku
Yeah, I don't think I'm an uncle plumber, yep.
00:14:00
Chuku
Crap over there!
00:14:01
Chino Onwuka
right
00:14:01
Chuku
No, it was mine! Yo, this guy! Yo, this guy! Okay, okay.
00:14:04
Chino Onwuka
you guys If you guys see my list I had before I switched to the three At the back I have got him back grabbing back in that position But because I'm playing a more defensive system now with three, that's why I went for the more attacking oriented player rather than grabbing back but the other guys I forget about cam the other the three guys I contemplated for the central midfield position when it was a three previously it was between Macalester, Grabenbach and Quesedo as well.
00:14:33
Chuku
This is crazy. What the hell? Look, now it's my three. Casado, Gravenberg, or Gravenberg, and Copalmer.
00:14:43
Emeka
I mean, yeah, we brothers for a reason, because I got the exact same three.
00:14:44
Chuku
That's easy. Easy.
00:14:48
Emeka
My two holding midfielders are Gravenberg and Kaiseido, and my 10 is Cole Palmer.
00:14:49
Chuku
All right.
00:14:51
Emeka
I just feel like it's, it's boring, but those are the picks for me. and I know disrespect to McAllister, but to me, Gravenberg has been, anyone told, if you told me I come into the season and Liverpool's number six would be Gravenberg.
00:15:06
Emeka
I thought that's slot.
00:15:07
Chuku
I would, I'm telling you, I would have been laughing.
00:15:08
Emeka
Slot was on some Dutch, some Dutch Leafs. He was, you know, in Amsterdam or something.
00:15:12
Emeka
I don't know what he did, but he turned Gravenberg from a Liverpool bench squad player into the best six in England, which I am really big props to slot. Big props to slot for that.
00:15:13
Chuku
It's crazy.
00:15:25
Chuku
Yeah, I'm with you.
00:15:26
Chino Onwuka
You know, part but part of the reason why I'm in the house, I think maybe the last couple of games haven't been. Bremenbeck's best. So um think maybe I i i was a little bit more recency biased versus just looking at the season in total. Another thing I will attribute, maybe you want you want to expand more on the players you selected. What I will say is Declanst started the season rough. I think he's been dealing with injury, lack of lack of fitness, and it's affected his form.
00:15:56
Chino Onwuka
Last couple of games, though, I'm seeing the Declan of O come back. So if he keeps this up, he might he might he might leap into contention for this PL team this season.
00:16:09
Emeka
Here I got a knock last game, sadly.
00:16:12
Chino Onwuka
Man, he's been dealing with a knock all season, so hopefully he can.
00:16:15
Emeka
Inshallah.
00:16:16
Chino Onwuka
he a He's you know one of those wide of the rover type players, so hopefully he can Battle through it anyway before before Dubai.
00:16:27
Emeka
Inshallah, Inshallah. well
00:16:30
Chuku
Yeah.
00:16:30
Emeka
Speaking of Dubai's and Inchella, it's a nice segue to my forward, who I think, hopefully, we all have the exact same right wing, because it's player of the season, no contest.
00:16:42
Emeka
It has to be Mo Salah.
00:16:43
Chuku
Ram's a goal. Name is Mo. Yeah, Mo Salah. Mo's definitely. I think he's in everyone's team.
00:16:50
Emeka
Running down the wing, yeah. That was the easiest pick of the season.
00:16:54
Chuku
Easiest pick he can make.
00:16:54
Emeka
like
00:16:55
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, we are almost.
00:16:55
Chuku
here Easiest.
00:16:58
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, not a lot to say there.
00:16:58
Chuku
Easiest.
00:17:00
Chino Onwuka
It feels bad that we're not probably not going to spend too much time talking about him because he's been so good. But I mean, what else is there to say?
00:17:07
Chuku
Yeah.
00:17:07
Emeka
What are you exactly? What does this mean?
00:17:07
Chino Onwuka
Just any time in the box.
00:17:10
Chuku
but I'm curious to know, to hear y'all's left wing and striker because for me, I already know my combination.
00:17:12
Chino Onwuka
you
00:17:21
Chuku
And I think I might surprise some folks with mine, but let me trust y'all and say.
00:17:23
Chino Onwuka
Maybe because you said combination, I might have something similar. Since you said that I might just drop the two boom. Stryker, Alexander Isaac, left wing, Gordon.
00:17:31
Emeka
Yep.
00:17:34
Chino Onwuka
That's all.
00:17:40
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, great. Great.
00:17:44
Chuku
combination, he's just new.
00:17:44
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:17:46
Chuku
He has new.
00:17:47
Chino Onwuka
great yeah
00:17:47
Chuku
It has to be Anthony Gordon and and and Alexander Isaak for me. Easy. Easy. But go ahead. Yeah, yeah.
00:17:55
Chino Onwuka
i maybe maybe um I'm still in Thunder, you know, one way to cheat because maybe until his injury, Saka was having a great season where he deserves to be in the team.
00:17:55
Chuku
Who'd you go?
00:17:55
Emeka
i had gordon
00:18:04
Chino Onwuka
Maybe you cheat and put Saka left wing, but yeah, maybe you got somebody else. Go ahead and make a who you got.
00:18:09
Emeka
Well, initially I had Saka because I'm a homer and I wanted to put him there because it's half of the season He put half of the season and he was after Salah the second best four in the league to me It wasn't even close but you know what spirit of the other thing I'm I left him out even though like you said he did music deserve to me deserve to be on there But I'm trying to be extremely respectful to our audience and not to have Arsenal players fill up this team We only have one which is kind of feels weird. I Agree with Isaac. I wanted to put would Because he's again, Forrest has been flying and he's been balling.
00:18:40
Emeka
They deserve some credit.
00:18:41
Chino Onwuka
i think I think in trying to so account for fours being a surprise, you're now over indexing on fours players.
00:18:50
Emeka
Am I? What what deserves it?
00:18:52
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, because you think about it, fours is third, and you have two, and you're thinking about putting three players in there. Meanwhile, also a second, and you only have one.
00:19:00
Emeka
I have one. I have one, Forrest.
00:19:02
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, exactly. school
00:19:03
Emeka
I have one arsenal. It's fair.
00:19:06
Chuku
No, I don't ask two for us.
00:19:06
Emeka
Sometimes it works like that.
00:19:07
Chino Onwuka
Oh, you have two fours, okay, okay.
00:19:08
Emeka
Yeah.
00:19:09
Chuku
I have Inna and... Only Inna and...
00:19:14
Emeka
No, you only have one.
00:19:14
Chino Onwuka
No, we have more.
00:19:15
Chuku
Wait, I don't have one.
00:19:15
Emeka
You only have one.
00:19:16
Chino Onwuka
We have more.
00:19:16
Emeka
I'm looking at, I i have every one of those.
00:19:17
Chuku
Oh, wait.
00:19:18
Emeka
I read them out at the end, but like, i yeah I get what you're saying, but I feel like Forest is more top heavy than other teams. Like Arsenal's theoretical 10th best player is by far better than Forest's 10th best player.
00:19:31
Emeka
But for his top five or six or so, I've been outperforming to the such extents. That's where they are right now But regardless, I went to izak because come on He's I maybe he's recently biased too because he's coming off the hard stretch of his career nine straight games when he's scoring dribbling everybody You know, so he's not with izak's goals. It's just a dribbling. It's so nice to see a tall Physical striker with elite dribbling like that. So I agree with all you guys izak was there and I had Gordon there for the longest time and until it hit me all of a sudden.
00:20:02
Emeka
How am I forgetting this guy? So my left wing is Brian and Bremel. I gotta give Brentford some love here because that...
00:20:08
Chuku
Even a left winger what what's going on here?
00:20:11
Emeka
What you mean? He plays on the wing? He plays on the wing?
00:20:15
Chuku
It plays right wing bro, what are we doing?
00:20:17
Chuku
I'm I'm I if I pull the numbers right now majority of his games is not even close It's not even close
00:20:17
Emeka
wee wee.
00:20:19
Emeka
Hey man, it's fluid.
00:20:21
Chino Onwuka
It is where they need
00:20:24
Emeka
Exactly, it's fluid. It's fluid. yeah It's fluid, my guy. I don't know what you want me to do. Can you guys see the cutting from the left? a I actually want to hear this.
00:20:34
Chuku
Bruh, again, if I pull up the numbers, this is ridiculous.
00:20:37
Emeka
You can pull up what numbers you want.
00:20:38
Chuku
Nah, I can't let this slide. If I pull up the numbers, majority of the time the game's playing right wing.
00:20:40
Emeka
It's my team of the year. And we put it in. We put it in on the wing. We put it in on the wing.
00:20:46
Chuku
Oh man.
00:20:46
Emeka
It's full. It's forward.
00:20:47
Chuku
Alright man, alright man.
00:20:48
Chino Onwuka
Okay, okay.
00:20:48
Emeka
It's forward.
00:20:50
Chino Onwuka
There you have it. I think, I mean, there's pretty much a lot of general consensus on on the players who are considering for these positions, a lot of agreement there. So that is that is our team of the season so far. It'll be interesting to see if how similar hope or how close that comes to be being the team, who's in, who's out, who stays by the end of the season.
00:21:16
Chino Onwuka
Okay, so now what we're gonna do is, I think as we we hinted at before, we're gonna talk about some teams that are really surprised at this season.
00:21:30
Chino Onwuka
I think we mentioned this before, the Premier League this year, it's always tough, but this is the this is the this is the toughest it's ever been.
00:21:30
Emeka
Okay. Okay. Okay.
00:21:39
Chino Onwuka
Apart from Southampton, you know I don't think there's any game where you're like, okay, this is, You might think we should win, but it's not like, oh, this is going to be light work. It's which can give you a game. Lester can give you a game. You know, uncle Vardy is still there. So, but three teams in particular, you know, two teams in particular have sort of come out of nowhere.
00:22:06
Chino Onwuka
to stand out and and one team has been really, really hard up late. So, you know, Mike, I'm gonna give you the floor to, you know, list of the three teams that, you know, we have sort of picked out as teams you wanted to discuss and and highlight because I don't think we've done so yet on the part this this year.
00:22:23
Emeka
Yeah, I know, you know, we're all Arsenal fans, it was very easy for us to spend 80 minutes talking about Arsenal, but andm also also easy for negativity and to talk crap about the currently 13th place negative five goal difference menu.
00:22:38
Emeka
and the currently 15th place Tottenham Hotspurrs but we're a positive podcast too and we want to celebrate the teams that have been surprising and and we just spent the last however many minutes is talking about fitting them into our team of the year.
Nottingham Forest's Unexpected Ascent
00:22:50
Emeka
It's no surprise that the number one most surprising team has to be Tottenham Forest. You could have given me 13 picks to tell you the team that's currently third in the league and I don't think I even know 13 out of chosen Forest.
00:23:03
Emeka
Big shout out to Nuno Espirito Santos, who somehow wasn't good enough for Tottenham, but is good enough to leave Nottingham Forest top four. And in a different sport, but in a world where everyone complains that everyone plays the same way, you know, the NBA won't shoot so many threes and soccer, everyone's playing pep possession of football. Big shout out to Nottingham Forest playing good old fashioned English counter-attacking football.
00:23:31
Emeka
They have a big man up front. They got two pacey wingers. They are solid defense and they just sit back and hit you on the break. And it's just meat and potatoes football. I'm curious how it's going to play out in the second half of the season as more teams are prepared for them and don't try and push up as forward as possible. But for the time being, it's incredible to watch. I thoroughly, you know, it's tough because as Arnie slots,
00:23:57
Emeka
Put it out patently but truthfully, they're not really an underdog story because they have a billionaire owner and they've spent outrageous amounts of money the last four or five years.
00:24:07
Chino Onwuka
That's what I wanted to really, you know, I think you really touched on a lot of things, you know. I think we've talked about, you know, The Keeper, we've talked about Murillo, we've mentioned Milankovitch, we've talked about Aina. I want to give a shout out to what you might call some, some primarily cast-offs who they have revitalized, and that's two players in particular, Alanga and former Wonder Kid, Cho,
00:24:35
Chino Onwuka
you know Hudson O'Doy, who it is lovely to see those guys at their best in full flowing form, living up to their potential as previous Reclamation Project.
00:24:47
Chino Onwuka
So I just wanted to shout them out as well. But yeah, the thing with Forest is one, they are historically a huge club, Champions League winners.
00:24:59
Emeka
Two time Champions League winners.
00:25:00
Chino Onwuka
know They had a club there, you know one of the greatest managers of all time. And they've got a billionaire owner who's willing to splash the cash. So as long as they can keep their players, we'll see how long they can do that for, and build on it, they're another team that can be, will be, are already a problem in the prep.
00:25:23
Chino Onwuka
If they can continue to to build on that, which which with some which is sometimes the toughest part, which is sometimes the toughest part.
00:25:26
Emeka
That's a big if.
00:25:30
Emeka
Exactly, it's a big if.
00:25:33
Chino Onwuka
And so,
00:25:33
Emeka
Big, big if.
00:25:35
Chino Onwuka
And so, you know, you also touched on it, will teams adjust to them, you know, in the second half of the season? Because sometimes what you start seeing with these teams that, you know, maybe play counter-attacking football, teams start seeing them more of a threat, is teams start giving them more of the ball. And then are they able to, when that when that is flipped, can they break down defenses when defenses are now doing what they do to to other teams?
00:26:01
Emeka
That's the that's the question right there. That's going to be what determines whether they finish in the Champions League spots or not is now the teams and are on down of the scouting report. Everyone knows give them the ball and see if those guys can break them down. Let's see if they can pull it off. It's going to be a lot relying on Gibbs White and Cho and Nalanga and all those guys to be instead of just hitting guys on the break. Can you do it in the controlled environment? They luckily for them, they have a target man up front.
00:26:30
Emeka
And that's always beneficial for these type of games. Cause you can just ping balls to him and he can make something happen. You know, unless he's playing man sitting in the champion in the running last year, all of a sudden you can't, he doesn't know what he's doing then. But a day to day basis, Chris would deadly in front of the goal. So yeah, I, I could not say enough about forest. Like it's unbelievable how good they have done. Like outside of Lester, that one year, this is the best under overperformance I've ever seen. Like you could have got, I checked it recently. They were.
00:27:01
Emeka
decent favorites to finish in the relegation spots and now they're comfortably third. I never, whoever would have seen this coming. Unbelievable. So big shout out to Nuno for this because what a performance he's done.
00:27:13
Chuku
That's the thing that scares me though, because, I mean, if I if i was a, you know, a Forest fan, I guess, like, the worry becomes like, Chris Wood is finishing at a ridiculous rate. Like, like one thing I think people don't and seem to understand, and like, I mean, the best I can put it, like, the guy is literally like,
00:27:40
Chuku
over scoring his XG like he is putting away like any chance he' he's getting is going at the back of the net he's playing with such supreme confidence that like I guess the question has to be can this be sustainable all season long because at some point you got to believe like look as much as you know he's been clinical as as clinical as he's been There's just no way, like a striker just doesn't finish all the chances they get. There's just no way. It doesn't happen. And like, I mean, look, it's great, you know, like I said, Chris Wood has been, you know, has been, has been good. And I mean, ah ah you got to think even people in the forest camp, you know, realize this because
00:28:26
Chuku
Just the other day, we those reports that we all know and we've seen and talked about, them trying to go or thinking about putting a record transfer fee you know for for another forward, CUNIA.
00:28:40
Chuku
right so like I mean, I gotta believe part of that is like, you know they believe the Chris Wood run is not sustainable and you gotta to have other bodies to, to no other one you these employers to come in and you know and and and provide different looks or a different different type of play to their system. that stresses So, I mean, look, I think they're, I mean, I i definitely believe they're here to stay. As far as guaranteed top four, I don't know if I'm ready to say that just yet, but definitely, in my opinion, guaranteed top six. No way they're not finishing top six this year, from what I've seen. And you know if they finish top four, that's album been an amazing feat you know on their part. But again, the only question I got for them is just how
00:29:33
Chuku
how long can this this ride go with with the way, you know, they're finishing their chances, especially Chris Wood. Because man, like, if you saw, the with the one that stands out to me was it was his gold against Liverpool. That finish was, it's like, man, that was a ridiculous finish. Like, and the way they just, he was able to put that away. Like, I mean, I gotta think, you know,
00:30:03
Chuku
I mean, obviously a lot of it is form, a lot of it is, you know, playing with confidence. A lot of it is is definitely, you know, he has the talent, but, you know, man, sometimes, you know, luck is always on your side sometimes, you know, a little bit of luck is is never, you know,
00:30:20
Chuku
that You can't fault that. It is what it is. But at some point, the questions I've got to be asked, like again, is this truly sustainable? And I guess we'll find out in the coming weeks. But nothing in the forest has definitely been you know an interesting thing to watch. One thing I will say, though, that you can definitely you know count on when it comes to the forest, though, this year and this season,
00:30:46
Chuku
their defense is legit like i don't know like i want that part for me is there's no questions about that like marlo lookovitch allahna only questionable position maybe is their is their love back but even then the love back the love backs have been pretty decent i mean you got Moreno and you got the the the what i don't call him a reject but their the Liverpool boy Nico defense is legit. Williams like I don't they have been pretty solid know. That part, for me, there's no question about that. but that setback pairing like i said earlier in the in the in the pod in the pod they are by far easily a top five best setback pairing in the league
00:31:28
Chuku
All Aina easily a top three right back in the league. And I mean, that, they can never hang their hats on, no questions. The midfield, Yates has been no decent, Morgan gives whites on and off. Yeah, it's definitely a talented player. um you know The revival of Cho and Elanga.
00:31:52
Chuku
Definitely been, you know, want to watch. guess my only question, again, is just can they sustain this offensively? But we'll find out, you know, we'll so we'll see what they got the rest of the season. But the defense, my days, definitely underrated, won the best in the league, and that's not going it that's not changing anytime soon.
00:32:11
Chuku
So that he can hang the hats on and, and Sells is in my opinion, a top five goalkeeper in the league. Like he, at least his, at least he's played that way so far. And if it continues, he's just going to solidify himself as one of the better keepers in the league. So the defense without a doubt top tier. So I'll leave it at that.
00:32:35
Chino Onwuka
Okay, now moving on to the next team you wanted to discuss that is AFC Bournemouth.
Bournemouth's Tactical Rise
00:32:43
Chino Onwuka
I think they're another team who have been very very surprising. They're currently challenging for European places in seventh position right now ahead of Aston Villa and you know probably when you and vid you know you know you talked about the style of play that Forest play you know old school British you know when you envision a
00:33:07
Chino Onwuka
and up-and-coming new low-reach team, you know, Bournemouth is more what you think about, you know, their coach Iriola, he comes from that Basque region, where Ateta also comes from, where Alonso comes from, and he plays more of that possession style football, but with a lot of solidity as well. So they have been really surprising and impressive for me. They're a team that is tough to play against because they will always give you a game, you know, and to me,
00:33:35
Chino Onwuka
I think, you know, considering some of the injuries they've had to some of the key signings they've had, especially up front, you know, Evan Nilsson, you know, started off injured and he's gone down injured again. I think he's probably done for the year. You know, Unal, the other guy they, they got, I think he's done for the year and you know, still they've, you know, they just have a really solid team. You know, the, the, the standout name for me, you know, is, you know,
00:33:59
Chino Onwuka
you always think about attacking players. You know, Semenyo, I think he's such a a solid all-around winger, can play on both flags. You know, Justin Clyvert, you know, he's a former wonder kid with with ah ah a big name you know attached to him, the son of of the OG. Some of you youngins might not know Patrick Clyvert, but that's that's his son, you know. And he he's a good winger and, you know, he's done what he's needed to do in converting.
00:34:27
Chino Onwuka
All those penalties, so he's been good, you know. Juventus, what are you doing? How do you let a 19-year-old wonder kid center back go like that? when What you're known for in Italy is center backs, but he's not a born myth. You know, let me make sure I pronounce his name right. If you guys want to help me out.
00:34:50
Emeka
brought cook
00:34:53
Chino Onwuka
Hudson, huge sin. I'm sorry, bro, if I'm pronouncing your name by young buck. Even doing an amazing job. He's beginning to to really flourish in that center back team, you know so many players Lewis cook who's been there for a while from back when I Was a Newcastle coach again back when he was there He's been there the whole time Kirk has so yeah, you know shout out shout out for method
00:35:14
Emeka
bro, I cook.
00:35:21
Chino Onwuka
How long is Ariola gonna stay there?
00:35:21
Emeka
Yeah.
00:35:24
Chino Onwuka
he's a team that He's a coach that big teams are gonna...
00:35:27
Chuku
He's gone.
00:35:28
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:35:28
Chuku
No, trust me, he's gone. I don't see him staying there longer than the next season. next season like I think it won't shock me by the end of this year, he's gone or most likely the season after but either way there's no way yeah by 2027 he's still gonna be coaching this team not a chance not a chance he is definitely a coach a manager that he's on his way up and yeah a big team whatever it be a bigger team whether it be Spurs whether it be you know
00:36:04
Chuku
somewhere else will be calling and he's going to answer that call. He's a and um and and he's been amazing manager. And funny enough, like what I was saying about Forrest and like their defense beings, you know, what they hang their hats on. I find Borthmann to be the opposite.
00:36:25
Chuku
their offense is like, is legit. Like they play like true attacking football that Kirk has a love back. Wow. Like he is an inch.
00:36:37
Chuku
He's definitely made his case so for it to be a top 10, let back in the league attacking wise. He is amazing. And they've got some, they've got some
00:36:47
Chino Onwuka
I can see him, I can see Liverpool going for him real soon and there's already been lots of whispers on that, but yeah.
00:36:53
Chuku
I mean, my United has been a lot of whispers on that, like, apparently, like, so, yeah, a lot of top teams are going after that Kirkyos guy. So, yeah, he's he's probably gonna be out of there in the next, you know, season or two.
00:37:06
Chuku
And, the Guinean, wasn't the, the, the winger.
00:37:11
Emeka
Semenyo.
00:37:12
Chino Onwuka
go
00:37:12
Chuku
It's a menu. Wow. Like, talent, bro. That guy is a talent. can play legit both wings, been, I mean, obviously it so you slow down, slow down a little bit, but like, I feel like every game I watch him, even when he's not scoring goals, he's always creating something, like he's creating chances, he's doing, he's he's doing things, you know, like, I just, um'm I'm a big fan of his game. And of course, you know, we talked about, we touched on Clyvert,
00:37:43
Chuku
like the Calvary junior, he's, you know, make having, you know, one of his best seasons in the EPL by none. And then even their signing that they they replaced, you know, that they got the summer to replace Solanke. Evan Nilsson, he's been, you know, I thought he's definitely shown me a thing or two in some games that like has me like, yo, this guy, this guy, there's something there, there's something there. Wait, where did they get it from?
00:38:13
Chuku
Porto? Where did the guy have Vanilson from?
00:38:15
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, Porto.
00:38:16
Chuku
port It was Porto, eh? Okay, wow, yeah.
00:38:17
Chino Onwuka
And he also was signed to replace Nunez, and then now he's at Bournemouth. But he just to have foot surgery, so he's going to be out for a while.
00:38:24
Chuku
Interesting.
00:38:28
Emeka
Yeah, he broke his foot.
00:38:28
Chuku
but yeah When I seen him, he was, yeah, yeah well he looked good. So, I mean, yeah, I definitely think Bartlett, like, the their offense is legit.
00:38:39
Chuku
I'm not as sold as under defense. to be quite honest like I definitely feel like they're a little bit way open in the back and that's probably ah you know One of the reasons why, you know, they have not reached as high. I mean, they're still having a good year, still having a good season for their standards. But yeah, if there's one thing, it will shock me if they end up, you know, going, jumping down a little bit towards the end of the season. But, you know, their offense is definitely fun to watch. And yeah, they've definitely got some players there that like, I think, you know,
00:39:15
Chuku
At some point, you know, other bigger teams are going to be calling and it'll be tough for them to keep a hold of ah ah a lot of these players. But, you know, we'll see what happens.
00:39:27
Chuku
I forget, there's one, there's a kid there that they signed a couple of years ago. I forget his name that he's been, all right, I'll get back to you on that one, but I just can't remember the name.
00:39:38
Chino Onwuka
Is it the an English midfielder?
00:39:40
Chuku
English with foot. Yes. What's the...
00:39:42
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. so
00:39:44
Chuku
Scott. Someone say Scott?
00:39:45
Chino Onwuka
yeah yeah yeah Alex, sorry, Alex, scott yeah.
00:39:48
Chuku
Alex It's Alex Scott. Man. I know he's been hurt a lot. But man, the times I've seen that kid play, man, I... There is a baller there. There is a baller.
00:39:58
Chuku
I mean, I can't wait for him to put like put things together. You know, put everything together. Because I can't remember where they from. I know it's the lower divisions, right? I can't remember the team.
00:40:08
Chino Onwuka
yeah yeah
00:40:08
Chuku
well Either way, man, i see I see the vision. I see the vision. and yeah i mean Obviously, injuries have been a plague and we've not had a chance to see ah a long stretch.
00:40:22
Chuku
but There's going to be a year where we're going to remember that name, Alex Scott. And, you know, he's definitely going to be one to watch in the in the coming, coming years here, coming, coming months to years.
00:40:32
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, yeah.
00:40:35
Chuku
yeah, I've no botherment that, like I said, they're, they're very, they're a fun team to watch. And, um, manager, you know, I love the way he sets up the team. Definitely, you know, they tries to play, you know, beautiful, attacking football.
00:40:49
Chuku
And, it's clearly shows cause. There's no worth might be scoring goals. So they know what they're doing. And I definitely think he's going to be that areola is going to be a manager to to to to watch and I just can't see him. I can't see him there too long. Like at some point if I'm if so I well, God forbid, but if I was ever a Spurs manager, I'm sorry a Spurs fan.
00:41:15
Chuku
I know that's the guy that I'll be looking forward to get to come in to replace Anj ASAP. aesop so you know we'll see what happens. But yeah, he's definitely going to be a manager in high demand. And you know yeah, they're a good team.
00:41:36
Chino Onwuka
Am I got anything to add?
00:41:39
Emeka
Uh, not really. You guys nailed a lot of it. It's just, it's funny how, I mean, it's how we, the football way football works is that we're saying, Oh, Arielle is going to go to a bigger team and the teams we're linking them with our teams that are comfortably below. Warm up. Obviously there's a exterior circumstances with that, but it's just one of those fascinates me how football is. It's just so entrenched. The big teams are the big teams because no matter what happens to them.
00:42:02
Emeka
they still get guys it's just the money they have the poll history all that kind of stuff but no they've fantastic ariola it's funny when they fired gary o'neill and signed into inquests like oh teams don't give managers chances we still were supporting english managers we don't blah blah blah and He went to wolves and was there flying and aerial was struggling last year and quickly out things change in sports just Next season later Gary O'Neill is fired and Bournemouth are flying. It's just you know, just goes to show how fast things move in the sport and it's funny because uh next weekend Bournemouth, I mean in two days time Saturday Bournemouth hosts Norton and Forest So that's gonna be very interesting game between two High performers in the league duking it out, you know, like it's uh
00:42:50
Emeka
In contrast to Forrest, who, again, like I said, they're not really a Cinderella team. Like, yeah, they're overachieving, but they've spent ridiculous amounts of money. I gotta get credit to Bournemouth. Bournemouth played a stadium smaller than, like,
00:43:04
Emeka
league one team stadiums they are not like they have to be punching their weight up here like this is incredible so big shout out to Bournemouth man like if you're a Bournemouth fan this this doesn't doesn't make sense to you like I remember when Eddie Howell brought them up was their first ever season in the Premier League and now they're an entrenched Premier League team so big shout out to them I hope they can I hope, I really do hope that Ariola stays.
00:43:29
Emeka
I know we're all looking into ah to bigger and better teams, but it's something nice about when a team, you know, you you come up and yeah.
00:43:35
Chino Onwuka
but i yeahp I'm with you. I hope these guys, even looking at force, I hope these guys stay. I hope these guys become names for their teams because, you know, I think that's one thing football has lost a lot. I was, was just, spending some time on the nineties football page and back then, you know, looking across the different leagues across a different country, he still had stars that played for, you know, not always the best teams in the league, but like, you know, you would have somebody like,
00:44:04
Chino Onwuka
Roy Mackay stay at a certain team for a long period of time and he's a star. know You'd have big strikers.
00:44:11
Emeka
Paolo Dicarnio, I know
00:44:13
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, you'd have big strikers at Everton, at Blackburn. You'd have, a who was the one striker that stayed at, I believe it was Middlesbrough for the longest time.
00:44:24
Chino Onwuka
I used to score a lot of goals. You have to you don't have that as much.
00:44:26
Emeka
Viduka?
00:44:28
Chino Onwuka
Sorry?
00:44:29
Emeka
Viduka?
00:44:30
Chino Onwuka
Dooku was at Leeds. No, there was one guy, who
00:44:31
Emeka
As Lee is here. I know.
00:44:34
Chino Onwuka
but Southampton, Southampton not Sunderland, sorry, and he was just there forever. and He would just get 20 goals a season and then they drop down to the championship and he would get 20 goals a season there. You know, when someone else is talking, I'll go Google it, but yeah, and we don't really have that as much anymore. So, you know, and the second you have a decent season had a mid-table team, a big team snatches snatches you up. So, you know, I hope i hope that starts to to change a little bit going forward.
00:45:02
Emeka
Yeah, I hope so too. I hope so too.
00:45:04
Chino Onwuka
And so with that, I think we spent a lot of time on these, but we there was one more team we wanted to talk about, and it's unfortunate we might have to rush through this a little bit. So to keep it nice and concise, Emeka will have you sort of lead this discussion, because Shuku and I can can run a little bit long sometimes. So the other team, it's not really an overall achievement. Probably, I think, the team that maybe we This is the range we expected them to finish in, but they had a poor start, but now they're really putting it on, and they're a team that everyone fears, and that is Newcastle. So Mecha will let you cook on this one.
00:45:42
Emeka
I mean, who we're, did I'll give you a short and simple. We're a week late on this one because, you know, another overachieving teams, more move, give them a nice, healthy four one smacking at home. But prior to that, they were the hottest team in the country. They had eight straight wins or nine straight wins.
00:45:58
Emeka
hottest forward in the country. like it's not really over I agree it's not really an overachievement. This is where I expect it to be. But I just want to give flowers to a team that you know I give credit to. that They started off the season slow. People had the nerve to actually be chatting about firing anyhow, which I could not believe. And they just turned it around in December. They went to Old Trafford and beat Man U. They went to White Hart Lane and beat ta them and then they went to Emirates and they beat Arsenal, all in a row. So when you do that, you know, we got to give you some, some flowers there. yeah Again, they just got smacked by Bournemouth. So we're a week, a little week late on that. But hey, credit to Newcastle, man. Like, I'm glad that they're doing better than what it was. Like, I like when teams are good in the Premier League. I'm selfish like that. It's the league I watch the most.
00:46:44
Emeka
I want all the good players to come to England. I wanted to watch good games all the time. And I'm happy that Newcastle are doing well. I just hope that they don't do too well in about 10 days time or so when we play them in the semifinal. all these positive words I'm saying come don't come to pass. But again, flowers are flowers are doing it anyhow. And the boys are doing a great job. And yeah good part comes to the Newcastle.
00:47:10
Chino Onwuka
hope on that game.
00:47:13
Emeka
and Where there's delusion, there's hope.
00:47:13
Chino Onwuka
guess Yeah. Yeah. Uh, one thing I want to say about Newcastle, you know, we've talked about their, their, their fours. I just want to give a shout out to their midfield, such a complete midfield.
00:47:24
Chino Onwuka
You have Joel Linton, who's one of the most in, has had one of the most interesting career arcs in football in the most recent times. from a striker who didn't really score goals to a combative midfielder Bruno Guemaras, you know, we've we've talked about him on on on this part before, you know, somebody that would look amazingly into a couple of top teams in the world, you know, we I think at least Newcastle, they have the financial gravitas to keep the vultures away. Anton Ali, you know, he he had a nice break.
00:47:59
Chino Onwuka
from his gambling situation and he's just come in and he's he's pushed on.
00:48:03
Emeka
ice break
00:48:03
Chino Onwuka
you know i think i think I think maybe that time off allowed him to to settle into into the league, the physicality, you know an Italian in in the prime.
00:48:10
Emeka
Nice break.
00:48:12
Chino Onwuka
We don't really see that ever. So yeah, that midfield is just very, very complete and can play any type of football that you want to play.
00:48:18
Emeka
You just reminded me when you give me a shout out. I gotta give a quick shout out to England's future full back pair.
00:48:28
Emeka
I'm gonna put up put a stake in that Newcastle have two guys who I believe in the next four or five years Should be starting for England Lewis Hall and liver mental Both Chelsea rejects.
00:48:36
Chuku
Lewis Hall.
00:48:39
Emeka
Well, somehow Chelsea has these guys from their Academy and sold them both I don't know.
00:48:40
Chuku
Holy.
00:48:44
Emeka
Hey, that's how they generate money. I guess Amazing Lewis Hall. I've always liked he struggled last year and has come into his own this year He is fantastic and liver mental
00:48:55
Chuku
This year, Lewis Hall.
00:48:58
Emeka
and Anyone who played football manager knows Liver Mentos been a wonder kid from time. Again, burst through with Chelsea. Got some big name, got hype. It just got injury towards ACL. Didn't work out. I'm really happy that he's recovered and is now back to back to his best. And truthfully, England, I don't want to see Saka. I left back ever again. Play Lewis Hall. You got someone there now.
00:49:21
Chino Onwuka
No, that is that is that that is fine.
00:49:21
Chuku
Amen. Wait, what? Look, all I gotta say is man, that left sided, left side of Newcastle with that Lewis his Hall and and those is our Anthony Gordon, like they're they're solidified.
00:49:38
Chuku
They are solidified. that That is not even a question. And then, all right.
00:49:41
Chino Onwuka
Okay, you're beautiful, Chikku. We said you're just gonna keep it short. And if I don't stop you there, you might go on for another five minutes. So oh we can spend more time talking about Newcastle, knowing more episodes. We just have a lot to cover today. So just keeping it on on football and prem.
00:50:04
Chino Onwuka
Today, we're going to now discuss our Game of the Week before we move on to NFL and NBA. Oh, and we got Champions League to potentially discuss as well. So before we go to the Game of the Week, actually, was a really fun two days ah of Champions League games. You know, there's some some teams here that we're not going to discuss, and that's because you're not playing in the Champions League.
00:50:30
Chino Onwuka
so I mean, Thursdays, who does that? Who plays on Thursdays? But anyway, I digress. I don't know what you guys want to discuss. There's a lot of things to discuss.
Champions League New Format and Impacts
00:50:42
Chino Onwuka
The table so far, there's some big teams you know at the bottom who are in jeopardy of either not making it to the next round or we'll have to play in the playoffs. But we have two crazy games. We have Barcelona, Benfica, and we had Man City PSG.
00:50:59
Chino Onwuka
You know, so, so many things to talk about. I'm just going to throw it out there. Champions League. Game week seven. What are your thoughts? What stood out to y'all?
00:51:11
Emeka
I don't need to convince you channel know because like me, you're a fellow football manager addict. But to all the people who you were at the beginning of the season questioning whether this new format was better. This is what we were talking about. This new format is so much better. It's not even close to me. In typical years, the last game week of the Champions League is useless for of the eight groups. Seven of them have been resolved. There's maybe one Europa League over the second or third or something like that.
00:51:40
Emeka
but for the most part most groups are teams are playing their bench players in the last week of the season of the Champions League group stage in this new league format it is everyone is going to be except Liverpool everyone's going to be playing guys next week because You always have something to play for, whether it's finishing top eight, you know positioning and seeding lies in the next 16, or even qualifying.
Manchester City's Challenges
00:52:02
Emeka
Could you imagine thinking Man City would be on the ropes to qualify for the next round and in the Champions League? Who would ever would have thought that? I don't want to go too much in. I just want to say the reason why I scoffed at my brother mentioning Guardio is because I happened to watch that PSG City game.
00:52:19
Emeka
Mad City, if you guys don't buy midfielders in the next week or so, it's going to be a long season. I went early in the podcast last year, we talked about, you know, Ballon d'Or and how Roger deserves it. I want to just say right now from the bottom of my chest, give Roger every Ballon d'Or from the last five years, retroactively, because who would have thought one man alone held together this team? It's unbelievable to watch right now.
00:52:47
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. No. Yeah. I think it's been really interesting. A couple of things she's talking about. Okay. that Let let it at me, you know, go through the different talking points you had. I do love this Champions League format. The only thing I don't like about it is there is, which is probably intentional. There is so much of a safety net for big teams that struggle. So much of a safety net because, you know, in the previous seasons, if a team teams like Real Madrid, City, PSG had have the same form in in in the previous format. They would either be out or looking at dropping down into Europa. With this, they still have a chance of making it through the playoffs where you know once you go into you know knockout style games, anything can happen. And as an Arsenal fan, I just know that we're gonna somehow draw one of those teams in the next round.
00:53:47
Emeka
We're not to cut you off.
00:53:48
Chino Onwuka
Talking about
00:53:48
Emeka
But that that's really the point people are are missing though. like I get what you're saying about the safety net. People don't realize it's seeded. So yeah, you might sneak in at the 20th team. That means you're going to play someone good in the next round.
00:54:01
Emeka
That's the punishment.
00:54:01
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then you know just talking about the Man City PSG game, you know just looking at Man City's transfer business, all the defenders they're signing. you know People have said said that all these signings is a sign that you know they're not being punished, but Looking at the players that they're signing, a part of me is, do they know that there's some transfer ban coming? And so they're just signing, apart from Marmush, the type of players who they can sign now ahead of time and who would be willing to maybe
00:54:33
Chino Onwuka
way through some sort of punishment because they're making such a big jump. That's a good thing because the positions that they really do need right now are really in essential to central Sorry. You know, Gundogan is aging. De Bruyne is aging. You know, Bernard Silva, you know, he plays most people, but, you know, he hasn't wanted to be there for a long time. and Honestly, these guys have really, the last five years, they've just been going balls to the wall and it's time for a little bit of a refresh. Some of the guys they've brought in to try to do that haven't worked out the 50 million. You know what? There's so many tangents I could go on. Let me just stay on focus. So they do need to refresh and refuel. I love the PSG team. There's so many players that I like.
PSG and Bayern Munich in Champions League
00:55:26
Chino Onwuka
They're such a young, youthful team, you know,
00:55:29
Chino Onwuka
Who's Vandemille? I know he's not the most mature footballer, but I just love watching him play. Barcola, he is he was good, but I didn't think he'd be this good this quick. you know Every Arsenal's fans, number one player on their wish list. you know I know they just spent seven email on on KK.
00:55:52
Chino Onwuka
he's Barcola should be the first name on the team sheet for them. And then my two boys in the midfield, Zaire Emery, you know, Dutina as well. And the guy who should be playing for Arsenal, clubbed football, ball but he's not PSG, Ja. Ja, Ja, Ja, Ja. I kept telling you all about him. I don't think you all, I think you all knew he was good, but
00:56:22
Chino Onwuka
Y'all didn't think John Neves would be this good this quick. He's been one of their best players, does everything in the midfield. He's been so good. you know They've got Mendez, Hakeemie at the back. Marquinhos, who's been there forever for a long time and done a room out. I just when like so many players in their team. you know If I were to play as a neutral club, you know in video games, you know that's the team app that I would use. so Yeah, they're a young team. you know They moved away from signing big stars and trying to to to not only time players, but focus more on French players as well. I forgot to mention Desiree Douay, another young baller. So yeah like yeah, I love the team and you know it's growing pains right now, but those guys can definitely, maybe they don't they won't get challenged enough.
00:57:15
Chino Onwuka
in in in the uh, or maybe it just gives them more time to express themselves, but you know that is a young team that has a lot of potential.
00:57:25
Emeka
You got something to add, Chico?
00:57:29
Chuku
Man, my biggest, I mean, I'm just gonna switch it up here, but my biggest surprise for me though, has to be the fact that Miami many kind of as good as I thought they would be, man.
00:57:41
Chuku
I just, I've been disappointed. I've been very disappointed with all the the star talent they got going on. I'm just shocked at where they they're they're currently sitting at in the in the table and champion in champs league, man.
00:57:54
Chino Onwuka
So let let's let's let's dive into that, because you you talk about, no and this is still on YouTube, view you talk about their their their star talent.
00:57:54
Chuku
Yeah. all
00:58:03
Chino Onwuka
When you look at it, it's Harry Kane, yeah? But a lot of those guys, and we talk about that that this this the status of the Boonish League sometimes, but a lot of those guys are names, but not really Performing like they were in their in their primes when you think about it because who would you say apart from hurricane?
00:58:24
Chino Onwuka
Who would you say their other star clears?
00:58:26
Chuku
Well, I mean, ah ah people have been talking about Alise. Alise was supposed to be coming in, like he's supposed to be, you know, this new talent they brought in, right?
00:58:30
Chino Onwuka
Yes, yes, yes Yeah household name Yeah
00:58:36
Chuku
Then he still got, you know, household names like Leroy Sane, right? as Also, that's a household name. I mean, he still got the Wonder Kid who was supposed to be taking that next step for them in Musiala, right?
00:58:51
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
00:58:51
Chuku
Uh, you, you still got the Canadian superstar.
00:58:51
Chino Onwuka
Let's go. Yeah.
00:58:54
Chuku
I left back offensive Davis, you know, like the guys, I mean, you still got guys like image.
00:58:57
Chino Onwuka
Mm hmm.
00:59:00
Chino Onwuka
Okay. Very, very well. I'd probably say anymore, you know, you're Sami, Nadri, Coleman, and Coleman has, you know, had an uptick in form as well.
00:59:01
Chuku
toris
00:59:08
Chino Onwuka
But, you know, some of those guys are maybe ready for new challenges, I would say.
00:59:13
Chuku
Sure. Either way, all I'm saying is the team is has talent. is't no You can't tell me otherwise.
00:59:19
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, yeah, you're right.
00:59:20
Chuku
At least on paper.
00:59:21
Chino Onwuka
You're right.
00:59:22
Chuku
On paper.
00:59:22
Chino Onwuka
You're right.
00:59:22
Chuku
We got talent.
00:59:23
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:59:24
Chuku
So anyway, the point I guess I'm just trying to say is like i'm just for for all the names, i mean to your point, I definitely get it. A lot of them happen to be household names who, you at least in this tournament, have definitely been underperforming.
00:59:39
Chuku
you know I'm just shocked, personally speaking. I mean, in general, Byron tend to do decently in these competitions, or in this competition.
00:59:52
Chuku
So for them to be, you know, yeah, I thought, okay, there we go.
00:59:52
Emeka
That's putting it nice and conservatively. Bayern didn't drop a point in a group stage for like eight years, something like that. it was like They were the best group stage team. Yeah, I'm agreeing with you.
01:00:02
Chuku
There we go.
01:00:04
Emeka
so yeah but yeah I can answer that for you guys because this is something I've been banking the drum for a minute now.
01:00:04
Chuku
No, I agree. I'm saying, no, back, you know, talking shit, like I said, like all I'm saying is, What's changed that all of a sudden, you know, they're here losing, was it the final they lost to?
01:00:21
Chuku
Please let me know.
01:00:23
Emeka
to again, I remember I read the podcast, I brought this up and I'm going to bring it up again and I'm quizzed to back me up. Manuel Newyear has played six games in the Champions League this year. Do any of you want to guess how many saves he's made?
01:00:37
Chuku
Six games. i Wait, wait, hold on. This is a trick question. So he's played six games in the Champions League. Are you asking how many seeds he's made in the Champions League?
01:00:46
Emeka
Exactly.
01:00:48
Chuku
Clearly must be bad. So I'm gonna guess three.
01:00:52
Emeka
Chino.
01:00:54
Chino Onwuka
Man, i you you just told me.
01:00:57
Emeka
Chico was close.
01:00:58
Chino Onwuka
Just tell us.
01:00:59
Emeka
He's made four saves in six games in the Champions League.
01:01:02
Chino Onwuka
Oh man.
01:01:04
Emeka
Do you know how how how bad you have to do to make four?
01:01:04
Chuku
Yeah, that's pretty equal.
01:01:07
Chino Onwuka
Maybe they've been dominating games so much they've barely been shot, had shot together.
01:01:11
Emeka
My brother, they lost three nil to Fire Nord. They lost three nil to Fire Nord last game. He could make some saves. He could make some saves. New Year is washed.
01:01:20
Chuku
Meanwhile, they're number one in the league. But you say Washington is number one in the league.
01:01:23
Emeka
Yeah and like Chino said it's is the Premier is the Bundesliga. I mean I don't want I hate doing the league thing because it is what it is but it's let's be real here. It's the Bundesliga like no disrespect to any German listener out there.
01:01:37
Emeka
I don't want to disrespect your league. I want to disrespect your league. The Bundesliga It's getting close to to Uber Eats level. I'm going to throw it out there.
01:01:47
Chuku
Oh, wow.
01:01:47
Emeka
It's getting to close to the Uber, the League One Uber Eats level. It really is.
01:01:52
Emeka
Leverkusen, fantastic.
01:01:52
Chuku
Leverkusen is eighth in the Champions League.
01:01:55
Chuku
or What's going on here, bro?
01:01:55
Emeka
Yeah, I got Leverkusen, fantastic. Bayern, fantastic. Dortmund, Ify, every other team off this year, even Red Bull.
01:02:04
Chino Onwuka
Don't forget to subscribe to the coach.
01:02:06
Emeka
Exactly. Even Red Bull, who usually needs to be something, never been doing anything this year. And after that, it drops off drastically.
01:02:14
Chuku
all right
01:02:16
Emeka
But again, to your point, though, I i want to defend company because I really like company and I like when Black people get coaching opportunities. I you say i don't i don't know if they're good or not. I really don't know if they're good or not.
01:02:29
Chino Onwuka
He's a young coach.
01:02:29
Emeka
they seem
01:02:29
Chino Onwuka
with He's a young coach. And I think that's probably maybe a willing to choose pointers to, you know, they have all these players. Why are they so? Because even in the Bundesliga, like what saves them is, is, is sometimes their talent is just, just overwhelms the other team.
01:02:44
Chino Onwuka
And they've had a couple of world runners.
01:02:44
Emeka
Oh, And good for him.
01:02:46
Chino Onwuka
But company is, he's a young coach who, I guess this, that, that league gives him time to to grow and learn. That's what I'll say.
01:02:57
Emeka
Honestly, lucky he's lucky that it's the case, because every time they play a good team, a team that, like you said, you literally summed it up perfectly.
01:03:00
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:03:05
Emeka
For a lot of teams, Bayern can just overwhelm them with talent, and they get a lot of wins doing that. But anytime a company has a game where you can't just rely on, I'm going to roll the boys out there and they're going to smack them. If they actually have some tactics involved, they get i mean they don't get smacked all the time. Usually it's some is boring draws. But in the Champions League, they've catch some smacking sometimes, which is and shocking. And every time I watch them play, I keep harping on this horn. New Year is watched. And I can't believe I'm reading reports, he's just trying to sign them in a contract extension.
01:03:37
Emeka
Ridiculous. They should be trying to buy a replacement because this my brother, were leave the football before the football leaves you. That's my man, Jerry Carragher said, and he needs to leave football.
01:03:47
Chino Onwuka
There's one of those guys where where he's gonna be there and then once he retires He's gonna move up into the board him him and molar those got those guys aren't going anywhere Those guys aren't going anywhere.
01:04:00
Chino Onwuka
Those guys will not be the kind Kaiser chief at some point in 20 years Yeah so True
01:04:05
Emeka
But Mueller's on the bench. He's took gracefully taken a step back and he's not a squad player. New Year still starts every game. And that's costing them points.
01:04:16
Chino Onwuka
Should you do any thoughts on the on the format of the the new CL format itself?
01:04:22
Chuku
I mean, I think you guys have touched on there a lot. a lot I think as a, you know, Joseph, just a football fan. I just think, yeah, like the general format of it. I mean, what sold me was the fact that, well, two things. One, we get to see more, you know, entertaining matches on a, on a, on a weekend, week out basis, rather than have the confines of only playing you know, certain teams in in in your one group. The fact that you can have so many different, you know, match selections and everyone just based on that one table definitely makes it, you know, I think more appealing for the, you know, the general football fans to watch. And then also to the point that, again, my brother brought up,
01:05:16
Chuku
The fact that every game counts, it matters in terms of the table. So like now you're not going to have cases where you know someone's already secured top spots or secured qualifications and in their mini table and they're resting players to go and you know towards the end of the last game weeks. Now I think we're going to be seeing more teams having to play you know their guys in order to finish and you know finish well when it comes to the last game week. So I just think overall and this is good for the games, good for the sports, it's good for entertainment.
01:05:55
Chuku
And this is what we pay to see. This is what is what we come come to see. So I just think it can only be you know positive reviews from here.
01:06:07
Chuku
And hopefully it's something that continues. And I'm glad that they made this change. And yeah.
01:06:14
Chino Onwuka
One thing one thing that's gonna be crazy is next week every team is going to be playing at the same time. I don't know if people who are new to this format realize that. It's just like you see doing normal leagues and, you know, World Cup and previously Champions League.
01:06:29
Chino Onwuka
But because it's just one big group, every single team is going to be playing at the same time on game week eight. So that's going to be super interesting.
01:06:38
Chuku
That would be hard to watch.
01:06:40
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. OK. All right. So now we're just going to quickly do our Premier League game of the week.
Chelsea vs. Man City Preview
01:06:49
Chino Onwuka
and So I think that will have to be, I mean, we talked about Forest.
01:06:56
Chino Onwuka
We talked about Forest, Bournemouth a little bit. That's going to be a really big game, but I think the biggest game this weekend in the pram, should always point that out, is going to be Chelsea Man City, which is a spicy game.
01:07:10
Emeka
Blue, blue.
01:07:10
Chino Onwuka
So Blue versus Blue.
01:07:16
Chino Onwuka
Oh, corruption versus corruption.
01:07:19
Emeka
He was the oral.
01:07:20
Chino Onwuka
Okay. I didn't say that.
01:07:22
Emeka
Chelsea, ethical now, my man.
01:07:22
Chino Onwuka
Well, let's keep it to the floor.
01:07:23
Emeka
Ethical American billionaires.
01:07:24
Chino Onwuka
Let's keep it to the floor.
01:07:26
Emeka
so Ethical American billionaires.
01:07:28
Chino Onwuka
I'm sorry, guys. We'll we'll cut that out.
01:07:33
Chino Onwuka
All guys. what do you What are your thoughts on the game?
01:07:38
Emeka
I'm I'm I've been uh you go.
01:07:38
Chino Onwuka
I'll go on. Okay.
01:07:40
Emeka
Yeah, you can go a whole message home
01:07:42
Chino Onwuka
i i I think this is probably one of the first times that I will actually predict a first, you actually, first of all, remind who's at home.
01:07:42
Chuku
Thank you.
01:07:52
Chino Onwuka
Okay. Man City's at home. I was going to say I could actually see a, a, a Chelsea win. And the reason is I think Chelsea's midfield is going to bully City's midfield.
01:08:07
Emeka
Yep, yep.
01:08:07
Chino Onwuka
And if they can catch them in transition,
01:08:10
Chino Onwuka
As long as Jackson can put his chances away, I see that as a big, big threat to City. If City score first, then I think they just find a way to strangle the game, but I just think with ah with with the flaws we've seen in the in the Man City squad recently, you know I see that as a danger. But because Man City's at home, I will go for a 2-2 draw.
01:08:36
Emeka
It's funny you mentioned the whole if Citi scored first thing. Citi scored 2-0 against PSG, didn't help them out. 2-0 up against Brentford, didn't help them out. 1-0 up against Man U, didn't help them out either.
01:08:50
Emeka
Citi, I'm a broken record saying this and I'm going to be a broken record to the end of the season.
01:08:52
Chino Onwuka
Curve truth truth
01:08:56
Emeka
I hate that Arsenal aren't winning the league this year because I can feel like I'm the smartest man in the world because I called this. Man City were always due for a regression. Like you said, they've been playing They're the only team, they're my real Madrid to me, are the only teams who, even though I have no time for it, have a right to complain about the amount of games they play every season.
01:09:16
Emeka
Because these are the two teams that play every game, literally every game available they've been playing for the last five years.
01:09:22
Chino Onwuka
And that, and at least like. Rumored you, they can go on. Okay. That we're, we're, they're putting out the set day or something like that. Hey, hey, no, no take on the set but like let's be real.
01:09:31
Emeka
Alavarez.
01:09:34
Chino Onwuka
So they have those games where they can be in second gear city. Okay. You play champions league next game. You have to go to, you have to go to Brentford, you know, on a winter day and and try and win.
01:09:46
Chino Onwuka
So yeah.
01:09:47
Emeka
Like... this i i want to everybody in you know listen to this if you don't watch a manityity game just watch it because i'm feel like and for fair enough they get a lot of residual it's man city yeah when we i when they smacked up ipswich i saw lot people like man is man city
01:10:09
Emeka
Watch Man City play even in games when they are winning. they have no midfield. I'm telling you, give Rodriguez the last five Ballon d'Or's retroactively because should it shouldn't and I get it. Listen, there's reasons why I'm exaggerating. Like you know, I mentioned, KD B, Guna Guna and Bernardo Silva are all washed right now. They all have no legs and they play. Two of those guys have no legs and Kovacic too. I like Kovacic but Even in his prime, he didn't have legs like that. Now he's 30 something years old. You can cut through this Man City midfield easily. They get bullied. PSG will just get the ball and just ping it over and gather to chase after it. I don't get why they spent all this money on Marmouche. I argue, I get why, because besides, we joked about Vardio's are second best scorer because they have no one else can score a goal. So I honestly, I do get it. They need to spend money on some midfielders. This team,
01:11:04
Emeka
This team is well it's crazy to see. like it's man Poor Pep out here getting divorced lu and watching this team. He got yeah he got divorced at a concert extension just so that Man City can lose every game every week. It's love of the game type stuff. That's love of the game right there. But for predictions.
01:11:23
Emeka
I really want to pick Chelsea. like I really want to pick Chelsea. I can't pick Chelsea because and i say we if you watch Chelsea the last couple of weeks, it hasn't been pretty. They spent all these months saying they weren't title challengers. Turns out they weren't lying. They're not title challengers at all. Now they're going to fight for top four. So I'm going to copy my mention. I'm going to say a 2-2.
01:11:44
Emeka
Yeah, two, two, I'll say three, but two, two or three, three draw is going to be a high scoring draw. Neither of these teams can defend. City going to get a goal. Chelsea going to get a goal. I'm going to predict a cold Palmer penalty in the 80 plus minutes to tie the game up.
01:11:58
Emeka
And as you get the cold Palmer in front of the Etihad fans, and they all say, why did Pep sell them? But it should be fun getting the watch at least. What are you thinking, Chuku?
01:12:06
Chuku
yeah i agree man i mean i want to say chelsea win but then like i just come ahead just tells me like both of these teams the defenses are not great on massively being home i just i just ah ah look one thing i'll tell you is if you're a betting man one guarantee parlay both teams scoring i guarantee the hits both teams are going to score this game and i just think
01:12:38
Chuku
For the sake of but think of time, I'm just gonna just tell you, like my head's just telling me it's gonna be a draw. So I'm gonna go one, one, one, one, draw, my CD and Chelsea.
01:12:50
Chino Onwuka
Okay one one draw it is we are all picking draws maybe one thing we should start doing going forward is just I think like we see you know in some of these Sports broadcast they sort of keep a running tally of you know results of some of our predictions, so Maybe maybe we'll start doing that in the future and see who Who's who's the Nostradamus of the
NFL Championship Rounds Excitement
01:13:15
Chino Onwuka
pod? Okay?
01:13:17
Chino Onwuka
so um we are going to wrap up with another big nfo weekend nfo sunday with the championship rounds we've got philly versus the cinderella washington commanders in the nfc and the matchup another matchup everyone's been waiting for cheese versus bills what is this round four round three round four so round four so
01:13:42
Emeka
Now four, baby.
01:13:47
Chino Onwuka
just because of time, maybe we might touch on some of the, the previous games a little bit. You know, I think probably the the biggest topic of discussion might be, you know, Bill's versus Ravens. What does it mean for Lamar, et cetera, et cetera. But, you know, we'll probably maybe touch on that a little bit. So I'm gonna have something to say, but let's just focus on the storylines around these games and our predictions as well. So I'll start with you, Chuku.
01:14:17
Chuku
Hmm so We just just be clear we're just talking about like the the two games right and I mean for the two games, I mean As an Eagles fans man, I'm down I'm having I'm having nightmares man thinking about this.
01:14:35
Chuku
This is Jaden, Jaden fella, bro. Like, especially with my quarterback not feeling and looking the best at the moment, coming back from injury, playing hurt, like, it's just, I mean, look, I'm still confident that we're still the talented, mortality of the team. And with Sykwan, with Baekwon, Barkley, all things are possible. But with the way this quarterback Jaden Daniels is playing, man, like, man,
01:15:04
Chuku
It's scaring me a little bit, it's scaring me a little bit, but...
01:15:07
Chino Onwuka
That's interesting because I think Philly's going to wipe the commanders.
01:15:12
Chuku
Really?
01:15:13
Chino Onwuka
but with Really but they're going to come up against a veteran experienced Philly squad and they're just going to get punched in the mouth a little bit.
01:15:13
Chuku
I mean, I... Really? Okay. Okay.
01:15:23
Chino Onwuka
And it's not because they're not good. I just think, you know, experience tells and it might just be a little tough for them to recover or the juice might run out a little bit out of that.
01:15:34
Chuku
I wish I had that confidence. I wish I had that confidence because, man, we we we we did draw tie to this season season the season play.
01:15:46
Chuku
We know they won at their home. We won at our home. I mean, what the one thing we'll say that we got going for us is that we're playing at home. So that does play.
01:15:54
Chino Onwuka
When you guys played at home, what was the score due?
01:15:58
Chuku
Oh, I don't have the exact, I can't remember exactly what it was, but I know we won.
01:16:00
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
01:16:03
Chuku
the I'm pretty sure was a close game.
01:16:03
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:16:05
Chuku
I don't think we beat them. I don't recall. I don't think we beat them like comfortably Yeah, so there you I mean that's still a close game my book so I mean either way I mean I still got us to win don't get me wrong.
01:16:08
Emeka
was twenty six eighteen
01:16:13
Chino Onwuka
Eight moments. I'm predicting a seven point filly win.
01:16:26
Chuku
I still got us to win, but I just I If someone told me that I was in that game, I'm not going to act as if it was is a shock because the way Jaylen Dyer has been playing, they are a true wild card team. and they they the That quarterback play, it scares me a little bit. It scares me a little bit just because if I knew going to the game, we had a fully healthy Jaylen Hurts, all systems go type thing.
01:16:53
Chuku
Because remember, Jalen Hurst, this is his first year playing under in in this off offensive system. So like having to learn the playbook again and be concise and and and effective in it. I'm proud of the guy. I'm i'm glad you know he's able to do this. And like it's not it's not easy what he's doing. But like I said, Jalen Daniels, man, he's He's got that youth, he's playing with that, you know, with that sense of just, you know, house money, just whatever. He's just playing with that supreme confidence. And I mean, you know, we should win this game, but man, all I know is I'm just hoping our defense can can can do something for us. So regardless with Bae Kwon, like I said, all things are possible.
01:17:49
Chuku
and I expect Barkley to have have a crazy game, put the team on his back, type performance. And you know hopefully if if we can hit our passing game can just like get us get something going, get AJ Brown know going again. like i you know we should We are capable of blowing this team out, but again, we've got to figure out what's going on in the passing game. so Either way, I guess to summarize, I think we should have enough to beat them. And yeah, we should have enough to beat them. Now, as far as the rematch of the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City, I mean, that game, I'm just telling you all right now, man, I'm not even
01:18:47
Chuku
I'm not even like, you know, gonna even like try and even tell myself anything different. It's gonna be Mahomes again. my life like who every single but the Every single time this happens is the same storyline. I don't see it being any different. I'm just sorry. I just think Mahomes just has his number. It's one of those things where like, you know,
01:19:11
Chuku
It's like Jordan when he plays, whenever he plays the Knicks or whenever he plays, you know, all these teams seemss in the in the East, like he has his number. They just have, like Mahomes is Jordan. He just has these quarterbacks numbers. And I just don't, I just don't see any way Josh Allen and the Bills come out of this with the W. I just don't see it. And I could bet my whole house. My home's back again in the Super Bowl. And that's just my thoughts. I don't i just i do not see any chance of the Bills winning this game. And um be um I'll be glad to be proven wrong, because I'm tired of seeing my home's get into the Super Bowl as often as he has. but
01:20:02
Chuku
Man, like, you're asking a lot. You're asking a lot, especially with the way some of these refs be calling games from my homes. You're asking a lot from the from jo from Josh to to to to go and beat this Kansas City team. And unfortunately, I just
Eagles' Strong Season and Super Bowl Predictions
01:20:20
Chuku
don't see it happening. So, yeah, Kansas City, Eagles, Super Bowl. And yeah, that's my prediction.
01:20:30
Chino Onwuka
Michael, what do you think?
01:20:33
Emeka
Yeah, I really wish it was Eagles Lions because I'm with you, Chanel. I think it's going to be, comfortable is a strong word because I, you know, Jugo has a very valid concern about Jalen Hurts lack of passing and I keep thinking he's going to get resolved quickly, but he still struggles. I mean, he got, he struggles so much, my man.
01:20:57
Emeka
AJ Brown out here giving authors placements on books, trying to read books on the side to calm them down because he ain't getting the ball. But ah I just feel like we watched and got away with the Detroit game because Detroit, their defense is garbage, first of all, and then they gifted them 17 points by turnovers and everything like that. The Eagles are just going to run the ball. And can they stop Saquon Barkley? I don't know. I mean, they they did pretty well against Bucky Irving and they did pretty well against But I would say they didn't do well at all against Gibbs. And for some reason, Detroit stopped giving Gibbs the ball. And there's one thing I can know about Philly is they're going to give Saquon the ball. So it wouldn't be, it wouldn't shock me if we see another 200 yard performance of Saquon that runs all over them. They control the clock. Jayden doesn't get that many possessions. And like you said, he's a rookie. And even though I asked him to say this because he's the calmest rookie I've ever seen ever.
01:21:55
Emeka
ever. Like it's unbelievable just how calm and collected he is. That being said, ah man, it's, it's, it's hard for me to see them losing this game. And for all the, you know, slander my man, Nick Sirianni gets. Chuku, you're an Eagles fans. I'm curious if you know the answer to this question. I like giving people pop quizzes. When was the last time that Philadelphia Eagles lost the game that Jalen Hurts both started and finished? Do you know?
01:22:24
Chuku
He started the game and finished that game.
01:22:29
Emeka
and finish because the Washington they lost, he he got hurt if he actually forgot.
01:22:31
Chuku
Yeah, that's what you're saying. this ah ah Like this season?
01:22:34
Emeka
This season, yeah, this season what was the last time Philadelphia lost a game, hurt, started, and finished.
01:22:35
Chuku
Is that what you're saying?
01:22:41
Chuku
I couldn't tell you, man. I couldn't tell you.
01:22:44
Emeka
And that's exactly my point. Week four, September 29th, that's how long the Eagles have won 13 straight games when Jalen Hurts has started and started.
01:22:50
Chuku
That's a lot about it, okay?
01:22:55
Emeka
The Eagles, for some reason, Don't get the respect of a elite team theyre an elite team. Washington aren't elite to me. i
01:23:04
Chino Onwuka
And i I think the reason why I don't get that respect is because a lot of people tie a weakness to just a quarterback.
01:23:05
Emeka
yeah
01:23:12
Chino Onwuka
And since that, his breakout year, Jaylen Hertz has regressed a little bit, maybe for multiple reasons, youll offensive coordinator changes. So again, I mentioned, I think Phil Duff is the most talented team.
01:23:27
Chino Onwuka
in the league where even with maybe not the best performances at quarterback, they are still so dominant. And I think maybe that's why people don't give them that respect that they they deserve, honestly.
01:23:41
Emeka
And straight up, I mean that's literally you nailed it is because hurts doesn't break towards the yards passing at all this year doesn't matter because they have the best running back in the league and I would argue the if not the best the second best defense in the league and they have great weapons they stacked and
01:23:57
Chuku
Second best defense in the league.
01:23:58
Emeka
I gotta give Kansas City, man. you Listen, to I gotta give Kansas City. But again, worst worst case, I can easily hear they have the best defense in the league. i' not It's not as close. My point is, they're stacked. And i I'm pretty, hey, I've been wrong before on Jayden. Wasn't wrong about Rookie of the Year. For everyone who doesn't know, I picked the preseason with Rookie of the Year, so I'm a believer.
01:24:19
Emeka
I think this is one step too far. And if he pulls this off, more power to him. But I think Philly are going to get comfortable again. It's like 7 to 10 point win. I just think Philly has got too much for them. And eventually you have to imagine Jana starts looking like a rookie. And and you know what? I've had a lot of hot takes this year. I could easily cop out like my brother and just say, yeah, as the Chiefs, they're going to win whatever. I'm going to give a hot take right now.
01:24:48
Emeka
The Buffalo Bills are going to beat the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. My man Josh Allen is gonna is exercise, thank you, I'm waiting for the music.
01:24:59
Emeka
My man Josh Allen is gonna exercise these demons.
01:25:01
Chuku
Oh my...
01:25:03
Emeka
It's his time. the the There's just so much negative karma about the Chiefs. There's just all the the the flopping, the controversies. You know, everyone just expects them to be in there.
01:25:15
Emeka
and I have to imagine, at some point, my man, the jar the Bills have to beat like they have to beat the Chiefs. Michael Jordan at some point ended up beating the Pistons. LeBron James beat the Celtics. At some time, you have to exercise these demons. Not that Josh Allen is Michael Jordan or LeBron James. But hey man, he's pretty darn close. The Bills are built for playoff football. They don't turn the ball over.
01:25:42
Emeka
They run the ball well. They can get fourth downs. They are just a solid team. Yeah, they're going to be underdogs and it's going to be tough, but something my spirit is just telling me.
01:25:53
Emeka
Teams don't three-peat. NFL is like, even the Patriots, the big evil New England Patriots, never three-peat it. And it's for a reason. It's hard to play late year after year after year after year. And I'm just gonna, i mean I mean, I'm trying to speak it to existence because I've been riding this bandwagon of anybody but the Chiefs. In my spirit, it just tells me, I really think that the Bills do it. And know in in ah and they're gonna be a close game. Something's gonna happen. It's gonna be a controversial flag or something. The Bills are gonna do it.
01:26:24
Chino Onwuka
America, let's be real. The only the the real reason why you don't, anybody but the Chiefs is you probably don't realize it because you're more important than most, but you don't want anybody touching the Patriots legacy.
01:26:26
Chuku
Just you are cooking.
01:26:37
Chino Onwuka
Let's, let's keep it a buck.
01:26:40
Emeka
Let me look this might be some parts of that but come on Not really not really Frogman is one of my favorite players of all time for the record and I have like I like the chief
01:26:40
Chino Onwuka
i know That is the underlying reason for why you feel that way. Because If any other fraud man would be your favorite player of all time and you would want him to win just because I know you and I know, I know, I know. So that contradiction of, oh, you don't know is just cause they, they, they, they tell me close to that Patriots legacy. And that is why.
01:27:09
Chino Onwuka
A lot of people like me, if it's not certain teams, then we will default to the Chiefs because it's like, oh, at least then that makes the Patriots and Brady not look, nothing's going to touch their legacy, but at least maybe there's some other names you can mention with them.
01:27:28
Chino Onwuka
It's a little bit petty, but hey, it is what it is.
01:27:31
Emeka
you Literally just said at the end of the thing there. No one's gonna touch the Patriots legacy and you only go for Homer I'm gonna go for Homer imagine if Michael Jordan beat LeBron James in NBA Finals How would those go to Bates go?
01:27:33
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:27:41
Emeka
Cuz last time I checked Tom Brady beat my hatch my homes in the Super Bowl So I ain't friend. I hate fret nothing. I love frog man. Love frog man. Let someone else win I love Steph Curry when he wasn't the when the Warriors winning everything I Let someone else win.
01:27:56
Emeka
I love LeBron when he wasn't the Heat. Let someone else win. I'm always big on, let someone else win. That's how I am.
01:28:04
Chino Onwuka
I think the thing with with my homes is, I don't know, it's it's at this point, like same thing with the Ravens, but whoever wins, I'll be happy.
01:28:16
Chino Onwuka
I just want to see a great gig because I love both those quarterbacks, the two best quarterbacks in the league, different beasts, different beasts but the same animal.
01:28:24
Emeka
oh oh Hold on now. Hold on now. Hold on now.
01:28:31
Chino Onwuka
you know, I'll say, yes, yes, yes, Lamar, but, you know, my favorite player in the league, but the two best quarterbacks, not the two best players.
01:28:35
Emeka
That's it. Hold on now. That's not the same. Hold on now. Hold on now.
01:28:44
Chino Onwuka
And I know, I know, but I just think a quarterback, like I still put, even with as great as Lamar is, just looking at everything, it's I still put Mahomes first, Josh second, Lamar third.
01:28:57
Chino Onwuka
Even though Lamar's my favorite player, even though I think Lamar's MVP this year, that's you know maybe one day we'll do a quarterback ranking show. that That's how I see it, Jill Bourke.
01:29:05
Emeka
I just don't get how Josh is above Lamar for the record. I just don't understand it. but
01:29:10
Chino Onwuka
Well, if you just look at it this year, like you know when I talk about Lamar being MVP, I talk about he has more yards passing, he has more yards rushing. But if you look at those two teams, which team has more weapons offensively?
01:29:25
Emeka
The bills easily.
01:29:27
Chino Onwuka
What?
01:29:28
Emeka
sorry Oh the Raven my apo apologies that was i I meant to say Raven's that's I'm sorry.
01:29:32
Chino Onwuka
Okay, yes.
01:29:35
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
01:29:35
Emeka
I thought he said we see has less weapons. Honestly. I heard you like that.
01:29:37
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:29:38
Emeka
yeah great
01:29:39
Chino Onwuka
And so coming into the season, you know, we I just, I thought those were gonna struggle, honestly. and what they've been able to do this year has surprised me and the reason for that is Josh Allen.
01:29:54
Chino Onwuka
So so that that is just why he's he's become a more... of he's crazy and he's beginning to mature and get a bit more refined which is scary for the week.
01:29:58
Emeka
Yeah
01:30:05
Chino Onwuka
In terms of my predictions, I'll start with, I already mentioned the Philly game, you know, a lot of the points that Mecca made, I think it's going to be a a a a victory where, you know, the score might say something, but, you know, if you look at the flow of the game, there'll be something where, you know, there's only one clear winner.
01:30:22
Chino Onwuka
you know, Philly will will will dominate the trenches on both sides of the ball, it might be more of a possession game, might not be a sexy game, you know, Philly will try and and grind it out and that's how they'll theyll win and smother the flames with the commandeers. This Bill's Chiefs game, I don't know, man, I don't know because my heart says the Bills, I think, like Emeka said, like you won't forget about the whole, I just think like,
01:30:52
Chino Onwuka
The bills have been through so much the last couple of years, from 13 seconds to the whole DeMar situation and this heartbreak and you know overtime losing to change that. I want them to win it just because of what that team's been through, what the city's been through, because just the service, I just think Chiefs will just find a way to win. Probably yeah either a field goal to win the game or a situation where Bills need to drive late in the game to win it and they just fall short so I think ah ah head over heart I think Chiefs edge it but I would be not be disappointed if Bills won the game and I keep saying it I want the AFC team to win the championship so
01:31:42
Chino Onwuka
There you have it. Those are predictions for the championship series. Sunday should be a great day of football. So let's see what happens. And so with that, we're just going to wrap up this episode. As usual, we have more to talk about, but we're just going to make you guys wait just a little bit. Let those topics marinate a bit. You know, we might talk a little bit.
01:32:04
Chino Onwuka
of NBA. There's been a whole lot of drama with the with the Jimmy Butler situation. So, you know, what would you do, you know, in that situation? What would you handle? How would you handle it? Whose side are you on? Think about that. And let's discuss it next week on another episode of The Love of the Game.