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Episode 293: Championship roundup!
99 Plays6 days ago
Southampton – It's that time of the week again where we take a look at the wonderful world of the Championship and catch up on what has been going on!
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Transcript
00:00:14
Zak
Hello and welcome to the Daily Southampton, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. I am your host, Zach Ingo Finch, joined by our usual host, Gregory Elliott. How you doing, bud?
00:00:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, I'm good. I'm looking forward to this. it's It's been such a busy time that we've missed like three game weeks of this in seven days. So I'm excited.
00:00:37
Zak
Yeah, to be clear, if you haven't figured out we're doing today from the title, it's the championship roundup of the last couple of games. So from the 3rd of October right through until the 5th of October.
00:00:51
Zak
And I just thought we'd have a look at some of the games, see what's related to Saints, see how we're doing in the grand scheme of things. And yeah, just have a bit of a chat about Greg. So, go up for that.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Always, mate. Talking football is my favourite thing, especially with you.
00:01:04
Zak
Good.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:06
Zak
but Rightio, so we'll start at the start. So, last Friday, we had the dubbed Hollywood Derby.
00:01:18
Zak
And like all derbies, Greg, it didn't disappoint with a one-all draw. Woo!
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is the game that before the season they were talking about, like, genuinely maybe moving to America, right? So........................
00:01:32
Zak
I don't know if that's actually true, but if so, that's kind of hilarious. Like the idea of anyone from Birmingham or Wrexham flying over to like watch it in like Vegas or something is just absolute bants. But yeah, one all.
00:01:46
Zak
So Wrexham scored early. Birmingham managed to bring it back in the second half. Did you see, it no, you do because I sent it to you. Did you see the video of the co-owner of Birmingham, Greg? Oh,
00:01:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it gave a a proper Delia Smith moment at halftime, right? Let's be
00:02:03
Zak
genuinely like telling everybody that they need to like bring more energy to the crowd and be like, Hey guys, we need to like bring more energy.
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
it
00:02:10
Zak
And it's, and again, it's like the thing we talked about before with the fight and win, except it's just, just a weird place for it.
00:02:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
let that yeah avenue
00:02:20
Zak
And like, sometimes to be fair, I can understand, right. why some people want other people to get behind the team. In English football, those aren't the words you use. You don't sit there as an authority figure or a CEO and be like, hey, guys, just thought we did it.
00:02:35
Zak
We do a round table. We need to get this energy up, right? Increase the synergy. It's just... it
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I kind of, like... In a fair way, I kind of respect it, right? Like, I get it, but also it's always going to be tagged as cringe and immediately put out there for bans, so...
00:02:55
Zak
It's very funny. And arguably, I guess if they scored, did it work?
00:03:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, well... I mean, look. One minute into the second half as well, right? So they bought that energy.
00:03:10
Zak
Yeah. But, you know, classic sort of should have, would have, could have. But it showed that both of them, I don't know, are in the championship now. Good for them.
00:03:20
Zak
So that was...
00:03:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, look.
00:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they're both more or less... I think they're both more or less where we would expect from our predictions at this point of the season, right? They're both kicking on, not struggling, but not thriving.
00:03:33
Zak
Do you know who's in between them, Greg?
00:03:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
is it Is it us? Wow.
00:03:37
Zak
It's us. Wrexham at 18th, last at 17th, Birmingham at 16th.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow.
00:03:44
Zak
Yeah, and I think that's where, like, as positive and wonderful as it was speaking to Nick yesterday, Derby County fan who are still below us, I think that that's what people are worried about and look at realistically, right?
00:03:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but look, it's still way too early to actually give any credence to the table whatsoever, if we're being honest, right?
00:03:58
Zak
But...
00:04:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
When there's... where' What did you say? We're in like 18th or 17th, and we're three points away from third.
00:04:13
Zak
seventeen
00:04:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, sixth. So...
00:04:21
Zak
three wins away from top, but that does assume that Coventry City will end their losing their end their winning slash draw streak, which, you know, doesn't seem to be the case as they're pretty nine games unbeaten now.
00:04:32
Zak
i
00:04:33
Zak
But we'll talk about them later.
00:04:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, I mean, we will talk about them later because I've got some some other gossip about them, so we'll get to that.
00:04:39
Zak
Interesting. Well, let's talk about another club that's got some gossip around it. So Watford, he played pretty playrickck well against us. You know, must be said. Beat Oxford United to one They had a goal in the 45th minute and the 45th minute plus four of added time.
00:04:58
Zak
So two second two early, early, early late first half goals. Other than that, they went a goal behind with an own goal. So Watford apparently...
00:05:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, early, late, first half, when did they score? I was slightly trying to do the middle maths on it, I'm like...
00:05:12
Zak
pen You're right, Greg. but forty fifth minute i The and the 49th minute, which is within in the first half because it's added time, right?
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
a
00:05:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:05:25
Zak
Didn't explain that very well. Sorry. Either way, all three goals in the first half. First goal from Oxford United was actually a own goal from Watford.
00:05:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:05:35
Zak
And that's what happens when you try to read numbers out loud without the ability to do that properly.
00:05:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whaaaaa...
00:05:41
Zak
That doesn't help my argument that I've just done. We're leaving this in just because it's funny. Right, so I'll let you give yourself two seconds to calm down, mate.
00:05:51
Zak
One of the things I want to talk about Watford. So obviously the unnamed EFL team that everyone started saying was us, which was really funny. I think some people have actually said it might be Watford.
00:06:03
Zak
And now there's rumours persisting that they might fire their new manager despite being eleven
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
war
00:06:09
Zak
which isn't like Which is like Watford firing a manager water is wet, right? Three wins, three draws, three losses.
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:15
Zak
like Whatever. I don't understand why they why they keep thinking that it's going to work. But hey, at least at least they have a system that they're happy with.
00:06:28
Zak
So it does make you wonder.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:29
Zak
But yeah, that's that's it. like Oxford United struggling as we expected. Still not struggling as much as Wednesday and United. You know, the two Sheffield teams. But alas, currently in the relegation zone, you know, so I guess we'll have to see where they end up, but not really hugely a surprise here.
00:06:48
Zak
So moving on promotion rivals Leicester City beat Swansea with a goal from former Saint Yannick Westergaard in the 85th minute.
00:06:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a header then, isn't it?
00:07:00
Zak
LAUGHTER yeah Yep, so that seems to be the case, but you know they they had, by looks of it, just a solid game. Scored the 13th minute, Swansea equalised with a penalty, and they scored twice in quick succession.
00:07:14
Zak
Yannick Gess-Vestergaard has no assist, so to me, yeah, definitely came off the set piece. Obviously, that means that Leicester are doing pretty well now. they're They're up to third, so of the teams that were demoted, they're probably the one doing...
00:07:25
Zak
the most expected. Again, this might change if that points deduction ever happens, which I don't know where that sits anymore. I guess we just get away with financial crimes now.
00:07:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I don't know. you
00:07:36
Zak
It seems to be the case. yeah
00:07:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
the I mean, the bar has been set, sure. But I mean, Leicester doing a pretty good job of just not losing consistently, right? Like they've been, they had a string of draws and now that win, it's, they're starting, yeah, they're starting to push on.
00:07:53
Zak
Yeah, they've only lost one.
00:07:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, we we knew that they were probably going to do that this season, but you know The reason we all predicted them lower is because we were expecting this this point drop to a to have come in and to have not heard hide nor hair of it at this stage where it's interesting, isn't it?
00:08:11
Zak
Well, just it just means to me I very much doubt it's going to happen. I guess we'll see. but you know And then Swansea. Say some words for them. They're 12th. They've had a bit of weird season so far. Again, sitting similar to Watford. three wars Three draws, three wins, three losses.
00:08:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
i Haven't Swansea finished 12th in the championship every year in the they like the Crystal Palace in the championship?
00:08:27
Zak
Very sort of middle of the table.
00:08:34
Zak
Yeah, from what we can tell.
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
right there They finish 12th every year. That's just that's them. Good.
00:08:38
Zak
So either way,
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
They found their home.
00:08:41
Zak
Bit of a struggle. But moving swiftly on, we'll talk about Preston and Charlton Athletic afterward from our partners at Bionique.
00:09:30
Zak
So we are back. And where we left off, it was Preston 2, Charlton Athletic 0, with former Charlton Athletic man and former Saint Thierry Small scoring the opening goal, the 67th minute for Jefferson scoring another.
00:09:48
Zak
And that kind of put Charlton's game to bed. He was booed by the away fans because obviously he moved from them.
00:09:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:57
Zak
Did... did the whole shush thing, you which I'm like, oh, I don't know how I feel about ex-players being angry at their former clubs for, like, seemingly no reason. I guess it's to prove royalty to their new club, but we'll talk about that much towards the end of the show, because thoses we'll see a big example of that that happened on Sunday.
00:10:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excited.
00:10:15
Zak
But yeah, like... Charlton doing significantly better than I think you expected and myself, to be honest.
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:23
Zak
a set thirteenth they They also sat into that losses. three three three three wins three chows three lossit
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, I mean, a double-edged sword for me, really. Nice to see Charlton doing well as a club that's, you know, got close ties to. But, I mean, it does mean more met Nathan Jones, doesn't it?
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, swing the roundabouts.
00:10:42
Zak
i just I just really look forward to the Nathan Jones derby because he's i just if he beats us, he's going to be insufferable. and So do we need to make sure we don't?
00:10:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. But also, he is going to get he is gonna get some some abuse from the fans, right?
00:10:56
Zak
i just I just don't know if that many of us care anymore, if I'm totally honest.
00:10:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
know what
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah?
00:11:01
Zak
like I know we we we make a point.
00:11:05
Zak
Yeah? Interesting.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he'll get a frosty reception.
00:11:09
Zak
Interesting. But yeah, obviously not moved to the table hugely, to be perfectly honest. Preston, though, that's like they're they're fourth. So they're doing better than I think we expected so far.
00:11:22
Zak
They're up there with Stoke and QPR. yeah QPR, i think we I predicted to do pretty poorly due to the fact that they they lost their manager to Leicester and they're actually doing all right. So fair play to them.
00:11:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:34
Zak
Moving swiftly on, and then probably moving swiftly on again. Portsmouth beat Middlesbrough. Good for them.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:11:43
Zak
There you go. Did you want to come to a Saints podcast to hear us talk about Portsmouth? Probably not. So I'm just going to move on. They beat Middlesbrough.
00:11:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:11:53
Zak
Good for them. Right, on to the next game, Craig. Millwall beat West Brom 3-0. Now, as a man with baggies ties, how do you feel about that?
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look, it's... I think I predicted Millwall to do quite well this season, and they they really are...
00:12:10
Zak
You did.
00:12:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they're doing alright, aren't they? They're kicking on.
00:12:16
Zak
forward three So, yeah, they're doing slightly better than the average. But, obviously, big thing to note there, Will Smallbone played and started that game before coming off in the 78th minute.
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:29
Zak
Seems to be sort of playing centre-forward role. Not like striker, but like in that sort of attacking midfield centre role. So, obviously, the jack of all trade.
00:12:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah here's the funny thing about Here's the funny thing about that game, Zach, is that if you look at the stats, it was a lot much closer game than the score suggests.
00:12:47
Zak
Yeah.
00:12:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But also, what's baffling for a game that finished 3-0 is that the team who scored 3 has an XG of less than 1. Yeah.
00:12:59
Zak
Yeah. Again, this is why maybe we need to take XG as a garbage stat. Because I feel like if you score three goals from four shots and your XG somehow ends up as but less than one, I don't understand at that point what XG is.
00:13:13
Zak
This is...
00:13:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:13:15
Zak
this is
00:13:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 0.8 XG to West Brom's 0.4, but
00:13:19
Zak
Yeah, we've we've we've seen games like it before.
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
or but
00:13:22
Zak
And I think this is like, but it's one of those things that ultimately the thing that people notice and the thing people care about is the result, right? And it's like when you're like, oh, yeah, but we only lost 5-0, but it was closer than you think. And I'm like, all right, Russell Martin, calm down. Yeah.
00:13:36
Zak
the The ultimate result is we've conceded five and we've we've lost the game. like I think that's where, I think when you get two stats heavy, Astroic becomes a problem, right? And that's what we want our team to be, is a team that just wins.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:49
Zak
So this is a perfect example of, like I guess, that. But that fair play to Millwall, I guess, is what it is.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:13:59
Zak
So a battle towards the top of the table is Bristol City 1, QPR 2. So Bristol City did started off the season a lot better than I think a lot of people predicted them right. Because like obviously with Liam Manning going...
00:14:16
Zak
to Norwich, I thought they would struggle a bit more. And like they had some really good form to start with. And it's kind of kind of dropped slightly, but not not like a lot. like they' They've only i mean you lost two games, right?
00:14:29
Zak
Which is how many we've lost.
00:14:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:31
Zak
So you know you need to take them on merit for where they are. QPR, another
00:14:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I mean, if you look at who they've beat, I mean, this is this is the problem with looking at the table this early in the season, right? Because they have beaten, know, apart from an impressive one-all draw with Ipswich, really the teams they've beaten are teams you'd expect them to beat.
00:14:54
Zak
Yeah, see, you're you're doing it again.
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, some else up against Oxford.
00:14:56
Zak
you're You're doing it again. You're saying that there's a group oflight there's a group of teams in this league, mate, that other teams should be expecting to beat.
00:15:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, one of them is...
00:15:04
Zak
And then you're going tell me the next breath, it's the best league in the world.
00:15:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're not going to disagree... One of them was Sheffield Wednesday, so you're not going to disagree with me on that, surely.
00:15:08
Zak
Because no anyone can beat anyone.
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's absolute turmoil in Sheffield.
00:15:16
Zak
Yeah, I mean, yeah, you're right. it should be a three It should be three points for both Sheffield teams, right, for most people at the moment.
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:23
Zak
However, we still only managed to get that win very, very tightly with some help from the refs. So, swings and roundabouts, mate. But, like, again, you can only beat what's in front of you, and so far they've beaten what's in front of them.
00:15:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:15:36
Zak
And QPR surprised me because, you know, after they got, like, demolished by Coventry, they've come back pretty all right. Like, you've got to think about when we came back after our 9-0, and how much we struggled.
00:15:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:15:47
Zak
So like to see to see a team do that well afterwards and remain currently, obviously I know, very early in the season, but currently in the playoff spots is quite impressive. And losing their manager to now Leicester City.
00:15:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's good effort.
00:15:59
Zak
So fair play to them.
00:16:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Crazy. Crazy.
00:16:04
Zak
Indeed. So, mate, the next game, Sheffield Wednesday 0, Coventry City 5. You wanted to say some words about this game, mate, so please tell me...
00:16:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, look, Coventry are just absolutely flying at the moment, right? like You can't knock it. They are just in cruise control. I feel like at some point that's going to end, right? Surely they can't keep on on this spree. It's absolute madness. but I mean, with with a certain manager leaving and even Rangers, there is a vacancy up for grabs and
00:16:43
Zak
Oh, this is what you wanted to say.
00:16:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
did I did see some rumours flying around that that maybe maybe Frankie Boy fancies some Scottish...
00:16:45
Zak
You think it's going
00:16:53
Zak
be... I don't think so. i genuinely think that he obviously probably...
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would be baffled. I would be baffled to take that.
00:17:00
Zak
I also don't think Rangers fans will be happy with that. like A lot of what I've seen, i think they want like another project manager from the Championship again. They seem to be very adamant that they're sick of that.
00:17:13
Zak
And I think that considering the vitriol and the hatred thrown in Russell Martin's way after he's left and during his tenure...
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:17:21
Zak
I think that they are going to need to have some sort of statement manager.
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:17:26
Zak
You know, I wouldn't be surprised if Gerrard goes back. There's been a lot of talk about it There's been a lot rumours about it. You know, he was on Rio Ferdinand's podcast talking about how he's got some unfinished business in management. He'd only go back for the right project and it's...
00:17:38
Zak
A lot of that is like signaling, hey guys, if you fancy bringing old Stevie G back, like I'm around.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:17:46
Zak
I just wouldn't see why when you're part of something that is clearly quite special and, you know, very close to getting play like you know promoted last year with with you know losing narrowly in playoffs.
00:17:57
Zak
like I think that
00:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, there there'd only be one reason and it would be money, right? Like, that's the thing.
00:18:02
Zak
yeah i i did did
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just mental.
00:18:04
Zak
I guess so, but also like if you've if you've had a player with tons of money, I don't think i think it might be harder to tempt next players off with the back of, like if we double your salary, because it's like, don't mean it.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It baffling to me. Yeah.
00:18:16
Zak
But
00:18:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
maybe doing this credit to some of the talking points that should come from this game, right? Because this was also a game that but had a pitch invasion in form of protest.
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's had to be stopped for a bit. So...
00:18:31
Zak
Yeah, sad it's it's difficult, but I can understand. Obviously, it's probably thrown them off a little bit. To they're already goal down that point.
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:18:43
Zak
so But like it's it's not surprising.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah.
00:18:47
Zak
Their owner, we've talked about how he's just completely dismantling the club, didn't pay their players on time again in September, which is just awful.
00:18:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:18:55
Zak
like you know and like You don't really know where it's going to go. And the fact that, to be honest, they've even managed to win a game and draw three is is baffling Again, the fact they are still the better team in Sheffield is an absolute credit to the players, you know, more than anything else.
00:19:14
Zak
And the the new manager that came in that took on a project that was falling apart at the seams, that the seams stapled together, right, with some loose bits of paper, right?
00:19:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
what
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Nice.
00:19:24
Zak
It's awful. But also don't take away from the fact that we might say, oh you should expect to win, but you... most teams don't expect to win in margins of five, six, seven.
00:19:34
Zak
And Coventry have started to do that.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
night
00:19:36
Zak
And like, I think that's why when you get a lot of the the anger in our fan base that we're we're barely being able to score a goal and they're turning and looking at say like Coventry City, a team that if you said Coventry, it doesn't spring incredible footballing city to mind, right? Like just the reality of the situation, but they are they are doing really, really well and they need to be treated as a as a ruthless team in the championship.
00:19:59
Zak
And,
00:20:00
Zak
And, you know, 5-0. Like, man, I don't remember our last... Was our last five-goal game the Huddersfield game? Where we won, like, 5-3? Was that the last one that we actually had?
00:20:11
Zak
Because that's the last one I remember.
00:20:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe. Or Swansea on Boxing Day. Was that after that Huddersfield game?
00:20:17
Zak
might have been, yeah, tell a lie.
00:20:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, we've had quite a few where we conceded five.
00:20:20
Zak
You know, the Russell...
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not even too many to list.
00:20:23
Zak
Yeah, yeah lot of a lot of the Premier League games.
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:20:28
Zak
But yeah, like I think that you know you can't you can't take it away from commentary, but fair play to Sheffield Wednesday for, like I guess, trying. I'm surprised there's anyone there, if I'm totally honest.
00:20:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's it.
00:20:38
Zak
Right, so moving on to talk about somehow the worst team in Sheffield. But we'll do that after we take an ad break and you can listen to a word from our wonderful partners at Zencastr.
00:20:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time to let's run our delivery platform. And Zencaster came up the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone, and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:21:17
Zak
And we are back. So i alluded to the fact that Sheffield United, still not doing too hot, Greg. After their one win, when Chris Wilder came back and everyone was like, we're so back, they have proceeded to lose all of their games and lost 1-0 to Hull.
00:21:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:35
Zak
Smaller scoreline than what Hull beat us with. But either way, Sheffield United, absolute horror start to the season, right?
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that they lost to us. They lost the whole. Like, if you listen to our fan base, that's a disgrace. So...
00:21:50
Zak
Because if you're fair, pretty sure you also had Hull going down. Yeah, they're just really struggling, right?
00:21:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:56
Zak
Like, you know, former St. Danny Ings played that game. He came on as a substitute. didn't really do them a lot. I don't know what's... i I think that just the whole... If they even managed to not get relegated at this point, I think that it's going to be seen as successful, surely.
00:22:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, yeah, it's a big turnaround when it needs to come.
00:22:15
Zak
Just then re completely reset because like... I don't understand. Like their management went full like death corn, right? And slapped the big red button, fired the manager, didn't really have a plan, brought in the former manager of Hull City, who I guess he might even be seen as like some sort of double agent for the damage that he did.
00:22:35
Zak
I don't think any of it was intentionally. I think maybe the occasion was a bit too big for Ruben Seles. Who knows? It seems like he didn't have the dressing room at any point.
00:22:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, like like we talked before, right?
00:22:46
Zak
are now paying the, you know,
00:22:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
po bit of a poison chalice. when When a manager is fired like that, like Chris Wilder was, it's it's difficult. It's not an easy position to go and fill for anyone.
00:22:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And, you know, not just that. they I don't think they don think that a lot of the Blades fans was talking to said it wasn't a great window. Lost, you know, quite a few players. Key elements, so...
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
It shouldn't really be a surprise. I mean, they're losing by less goals than they were now. So, that's something.
00:23:15
Zak
Yeah, that's defensively more sound than, you know, and it it kind of, you're right, it's a poison chalice. Maybe it's happened early enough in the season that they can salvage things now because it just reminds me of like, you know, us having, getting rid of Russell Martin like over for Christmas or whatever.
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:23:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:23:32
Zak
And then by that point, bringing in Ivan Juric who we were all like, okay, let's see how this goes.
00:23:36
Zak
Oh, terribly. It wasn't like, even if Ivan Juric had more time, yeah, Maybe if he had more time, we could have got a win or more, like another win.
00:23:48
Zak
don't think so, because we got rid of him after we were demoted.
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:23:52
Zak
So who knows? But like hopefully... they've done the right thing and it was just a bit of a moment of madness and they managed to stay in the league.
00:24:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:24:02
Zak
But you're right. I think it's also what happens if a team is expecting promotion, doesn't get it. And then the players that were there to hopefully then again, and go and play in the premier league again, don't get that opportunity. And like, we should basically make it a lesson of caution.
00:24:20
Zak
Uh, However, they do have this weird thing for Chris Wilder, right? So maybe that's more what it's to do with. Like, all the players are like, bring back Chris, we miss him.
00:24:31
Zak
But alas, hole one, Sheffield United, nil. We've got two more games to cover, Greg. The next one won't be as exciting. Blackburn won, Stoke won.
00:24:42
Zak
Stoke's, you know, quick fire start to the season.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a good point for Blackburn, to be honest.
00:24:47
Zak
Yeah, that's kind of where I'm at. You know, both both teams sort of differing ends of the table at the moment. Stoke, obviously, we saw play really well against us.
00:24:57
Zak
And, you know, currently fifth in the playoff spots. Blackburn just skirting above the relegation zone. So win-loss, win-loss, loss-draw.
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. But I mean, look, if we're but if we're based not on anything, with the amount of rain we had on Friday night, just a miracle that the game made it through to 90 minutes.
00:25:05
Zak
So...
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So big up the groundsman, right? It's not...
00:25:14
Zak
Big up the groundsman. You managed to finally drain the pitch. But yeah, no like it must be it must have been good for them to get that point.
00:25:25
Zak
It's simple as that. Whereas it's probably felt like points lock dropped to Stoke.
00:25:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
We haven't... We didn't talk about that on the podcast because it it sort of with came in one of the busy weeks where we didn't have it. But but what are your thoughts on that decision to fully replay that game that finished at 79 minutes?
00:25:44
Zak
I can understand why Blackburn fans are annoyed. i also i also understand that realistically, if the rain was going to be that bad and it was that forecast and they thought it was going to be that much of a problem, they should have maybe called it off.
00:25:57
Zak
It is also Blackburn's sc ground that caused the problem. right So theoretically, like if if you know no other...
00:26:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:26:05
Zak
i don't know if it's just because of the rain specifically there... and we can't predict the weather and this or the other, but what you can do is that, you know, none of the other games in the championship were called off for rain because they were all being able to drain their pitches properly.
00:26:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:26:18
Zak
So I think that the fact they were unable to finish the game, yeah there's no winner in that scenario, right? If they said, we keep the score and then we play the whole game again, that's, you know, going to be seen as unfair.
00:26:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:26:33
Zak
And if the reverse takes place as well,
00:26:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was a red card as well that sort of throws caution to the wind, like playing the game 11-on-11 after a man got sent off early in the game for Ipswich.
00:26:44
Zak
that ultimately where I'm at is like, okay, it was forced to stop.
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:49
Zak
It was unable to be completed.
00:26:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, and if you've seen the videos of the referee doing that check-up with the ball, it was unable to be completed.
00:26:52
Zak
not
00:26:56
Zak
Yeah.
00:26:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
He went to bounce it and it just went splat.
00:26:59
Zak
So, so, you know, it's,
00:27:03
Zak
but and and it's And it's one of those things as frustrating as it is for Blackburn.
00:27:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:27:06
Zak
I get that. It's it's your ground that's caused the problem. And arguably, if you want to push, put it up. It's the referees that cause the problem by allowing the game to take place.
00:27:17
Zak
If the game took place, you know, what were able to do? I'm just kind of a bit baffled. Like, OK, well, I guess the fairest thing to do at that point is just to pretend it didn't happen and play the whole thing again.
00:27:28
Zak
as opposed to trying like, you'd need to basically rewrite rules for that to make sense.
00:27:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:33
Zak
And those rules would need to be agreed by all clubs.
00:27:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
just I saw some wild shouts like, you just play 11 minutes behind closed doors with the same players on the bit. I'm like, well, okay.
00:27:42
Zak
yeah
00:27:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But...
00:27:43
Zak
again, the problem is that if that's the current rules that are in place that all clubs have agreed to, that's the current rules that in place that all clubs have agreed to. If there aren't rules in place for this scenario, they should look to create rules so the next time it it won't be a problem.
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the rules are full replay, so that's what they stuck to.
00:28:02
Zak
There you go.
00:28:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:28:02
Zak
The rules of the the the rules the rules being full replay mean that. They've stuck to the rules. i don't really understand why it's so controversial.
00:28:09
Zak
I just think it's frustrating. if it was If it was us, I would equally feel as a abrupt like as affronted and annoyed. right However, there's not really a huge amount you can do about it.
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
it is, why isn't it? No.
00:28:19
Zak
Right, so Greg, going into our last game of of this championship week. a Another derby, Ipswich 3, Norwich 1. First time Ipswich have beaten Norwich in like a hot minute, right?
00:28:31
Zak
I think it's now like 16 years.
00:28:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
a really long time, yeah. Crazy.
00:28:34
Zak
So yeah, three three goals. Ipswich reminding everybody why they were, you know, Premier League club last year. Norwich reminding everybody why sometimes changing a manager to a manager that got somebody to the playoffs isn't the best of ideas.
00:28:51
Zak
Liam Manning have a bit of a struggled start to Norwich, right? They're sitting 19th. They've won, you know, they've not won a lot. And I think Norwich fans are kind of wondering why they've they've changed things up.
00:29:03
Zak
And obviously part of that... is that they had a former Norwich player playing for Ipswich who, you know, made a big sort of deal out of it, right?
00:29:15
Zak
Have you heard about this, Greg? Yeah.
00:29:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
A little bit. I didn't see a huge amount, but yes, I did see.
00:29:21
Zak
Yeah, so so he didn't he didn't start the game. He came on later towards the end and then sort of like at one point like picked up the at the end afterwards, gave a bit of afters Ipswich fans, like fly the Ipswich flag and this and the other. And all of the tweets and stuff that saw were just like, man, what did Norwich do to this guy?
00:29:40
Zak
like for Who hurt him so much? But I think this is where it's an example of, as much as it was frustrating that the South Coast derby was 0-0 and boring, like if we'd lost three one after a long period, it would have felt a lot worse, right?
00:29:55
Zak
And I think you're seeing that with Norwich fans now, is that you know if Liam Manning had the same thing...
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we'd have won three one and Bizzuno would run at the Pompey fans waving a Saints flag, I'd have taken that in the other end of spectrum, right?
00:30:05
Zak
Yeah. This is true, but also also that's very different from playing for Norwich last year, leaving, doing a big promo video about how you're going to cross the boundary and then going on in the derby and like you know making a big song and dance of it.
00:30:21
Zak
Whereas, like, Bozunu, whilst on loan from another club, played for Portsmouth, right?
00:30:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:26
Zak
So he was he wasn't a Saints player at the time or wasn't a full-on Pompey player.
00:30:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look,
00:30:31
Zak
He was loan.
00:30:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
look there are there are lots of personalities in football, right?
00:30:32
Zak
So...
00:30:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And some people some people love to play the bad guy. And I respect it. You need that.
00:30:42
Zak
Some people like to be a heel.
00:30:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:43
Zak
There are some people that like to play the heel.
00:30:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:45
Zak
And then there are people like Danny Osvaldo, where I'm like, oh no, I just believe that guy's like that. You don't quit football to be a musician for a little bit and then go back to football and unless you've got like and you know that that's sort of like mental mentality where you're like, yeah, I can just do that.
00:30:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:31:02
Zak
I can rock up and like fight the referee and punch Jose Fon. It's not problem. I'm going to drink Coca-Cola secretly out of a water bottle get and get in argument about the fact that can do that. And then I'm going to score a wonder goal against Man City.
00:31:14
Zak
And you're all going to say it's the best goal you've ever seen in this year of football. And you're going to reluctantly vote for it while I throw my toys out of the pram and go to your vendors.
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
think
00:31:23
Zak
You're right, Greg. There are definitely personalities like that in football.
00:31:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:27
Zak
We have had them. Obviously,
00:31:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I'm here for it. It keeps it entertaining. It keeps it fresh. And look, we're going to need as much entertainment and freshness as we can as we trudge into this international break.
00:31:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'll respect it.
00:31:41
Zak
Why are you reminding me of the international break, mate? So yeah, that's where we're at. That's the that's the games for last week. Obviously, I've loft left out the Southampton Derby game. We know the result of that.
00:31:53
Zak
Yay.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we did we covered it. Twice. Twice.
00:31:55
Zak
covered it We covered We covered it. We liked it so much, we covered it twice. and That's a lie.
00:32:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:01
Zak
No, we just wanted to put it all into perspective from somebody whose team has been the worst team ever and also has gone down after being the worst team ever and knows how difficult it is to get yourself back into a winning position.
00:32:15
Zak
So we just have to wait and see, I guess, and hope that after the international break, we come back with a bit of... Pizazz, right?
00:32:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:26
Zak
Like, that's that's where I'm at. They've got a couple of Saints away on international duty, not a lot. we We're taking up a lot of the Irish squad at this point.
00:32:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think it was seven.
00:32:35
Zak
yeah
00:32:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
think that was what saw.
00:32:37
Zak
Yeah, I think some of those are under-21s, like Jay Robinson, Kwasi, and No, he's like under-19s, I think.
00:32:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was J. Robinson under 21? I mean, under 21's internationals. Right, not into under 21 R teams.
00:32:49
Zak
No, sorry. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You've got Azaz, Bazunu, Manning all going away with the Irish team.
00:33:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:00
Zak
You have Shea Charles away with Northern Ireland.
00:33:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:04
Zak
Quashie with the German under-21s. Jay Robinson with, I want to say, the under-21s or maybe under-18s.
00:33:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:12
Zak
And then...
00:33:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Under-19s, yeah.
00:33:13
Zak
and then
00:33:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rorschlev with Denmark.
00:33:16
Zak
Walsh Lev with Denmark, that's the one I completely forgot about because he played like two or three games for us and then disappeared off the face of the earth.
00:33:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:22
Zak
And we're kind of all right with that, I guess, for the time being until we see what happens.
00:33:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. tell you what, mate. That gives us something to watch in the international break, and just maybe at some point next week, we'll see how they go on.
00:33:32
Zak
Maybe. but yeah Maybe we'll talk about that. Is that some foreshadowing there, Greg?
00:33:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
It might be.
00:33:37
Zak
Sorry to the people that don't like international football. Greg's one of them. i think he's made that abundantly clear. But, you know, we'll we'll we'll cover some bits and pieces we're still going to about during the international break.
00:33:50
Zak
But once again, thank you to all you
00:33:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll be here every day. or Don't say we'll be about. we are going to be back and we've got stuff to talk about.
00:33:56
Zak
We'll be about, we're here every single day. we always have been, we're on an episode like 293 or something now in less than year. I think we just think we're just over for about a year old now, Greg, I've realized the other day.
00:34:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's crazy.
00:34:09
Zak
Probably, yeah it's kind of mad.
00:34:11
Zak
but So yes, we will be here.
00:34:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, you're right, because we started at the start of last season, so we must be... it
00:34:16
Zak
We will be here every day of the week of working days, Monday to Friday, just to be clear.
00:34:26
Zak
with some sort of football and Saints. Hopefully more Saints related than just loosely football, but please give us, you know, give us five minutes or so and give us a break.
00:34:39
Zak
It's hard to find stuff out during the international break.
00:34:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
i've got
00:34:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got some good stuff lined up Don't worry.
00:34:44
Zak
Perfect.
00:34:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got we've got some some cracking episodes coming up for sure.
00:34:49
Zak
Excellent. That's what we like to hear. Remember, if you do like international football, GSPN world Road to World Cup, which is hosted by Nick Britton and Ken Davis, who we've had both on the show.
00:35:01
Zak
They're going through some the sum of the sort of crazy stuff that happens with specific teams that will be in the world cup that most of us don't know anything about. So go check that out if you fancy it.
00:35:13
Zak
Once again, thank you to all of our wonderful listeners. You are the people that drive this podcast without it, without you, we would not have it. And we really enjoy doing this.
00:35:23
Zak
So, yep. Anything else? Oh, social medias. We're on Facebook X, the everything app, YouTube. TikTok, Instagram, Blue Sky, all of them.
00:35:37
Zak
And then last of all, a wonderful more thank you to you, Greg, my co-host, for sitting and chatting Championship Footwork with me, mate. Appreciate it.
00:35:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love it. Best League in the World. I love chatting about it. Let's do it more.
00:35:47
Zak
Indeed. So after this like five-minute outro, which Greg's going be absolutely thrilled to edit, I will bid you farewell and have a wonderful morning, afternoon, or evening.
00:35:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bye.