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Episode 15 | 6 foot 1 and Redacted image

Episode 15 | 6 foot 1 and Redacted

S1 E15 · Don't Blame The Ref
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24 Plays4 months ago

We break down a big Premier League weekend, starting with Manchester United’s 2–0 win over Spurs — a game that swung on Cristian Romero’s red card, changing the balance completely. We analyse how United took control, Spurs’ struggles after going down to ten men, and the key performances that decided it. Then it’s Wolves vs Chelsea, as Chelsea come away with a 3–1 win, driven by two penalties and improved attacking play. We dig into the big decisions, Wolves’ response, and how the game unfolded.

To wrap up, we zoom out and give our opinions on squad building at Chelsea and Manchester United — what’s working, what still doesn’t make sense, and whether either club is actually building towards something sustainable. Match analysis, wider context, and honest takes — proper post-match football chat.

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Transcript

Introduction

00:00:00
Speaker
you
00:00:36
Speaker
Yo, don't cry, don't beg.

Team Status Updates

00:00:39
Speaker
Welcome to another episode of the Don't Blame the Ref podcast. Representing the red corner, you've got me, Dom. And representing the blue corner, you've got Eman.
00:00:50
Speaker
Yeah, this is a pod where two very happy fans can just talk about our teams in a positive and somehow you know what what we're like. We're going to end up finding the negatives. we can't help ourselves, man. We come from two teams with high standards. So, where whereas we're both in a happy space right now, there's a lot of improvement that can be done. So...
00:01:13
Speaker
we've we've We've become them uncles, man. You know, and you when you tell your kids, back in my day, Chelsea with this. Back in my day, unite with this. That's what we're doing, living in apostle even even the Even though, bro, is like it's like if your child comes home with a B and he's happy about the B, ega egay call you Come on, you B. You can show people a B. Come on, man. you see I'm so drunk, but had a goal in the in the last second of the Champions League final. Are you crazy? like like let's be Let's be honest, man. We've seen greatness at our clubs.
00:01:49
Speaker
Yeah, i don't I don't think you're going to get a 100% happy pod from both of us until we're both competing for titles. It's true. That's actually the truth. Anything less is is not good enough.
00:02:01
Speaker
Yeah, it's

Rivalries and Respect Issues

00:02:03
Speaker
not really going to happen. But yeah, anyway, ah but we're going to start off today with... I think the biggest game out of us two, Spurs versus Manchester United, a replay of the Europa League final, this time two different managers at the home.
00:02:24
Speaker
But surprisingly, i think in our last eight meetings with Tottenham, we haven't been able to beat them since 2022. since twenty twenty two it said that that was the last time we beat them. so oh it's ah They're not even a bogey team. They're top six team, but I've never rated Tottenham. Never, never, ever.
00:02:45
Speaker
Not like that, man. I really don't care for them at all. They've always had good players, but for me, every time we see Tottenham, bro. What's that thing? who I don't know who said it, but...
00:02:56
Speaker
I think it was a United player. They must have, when we were playing Tottenham years ago, they were just like, lads, it's Tottenham. That's the mentality. Tottenham. It must be so sad being a Tottenham fan. Like, you're so insignificant and no one rates you. Like, nobody rates you. Nobody fears you.
00:03:16
Speaker
It's just very sad. Yeah. And don't that Europa League, bro, they better be savouring that. They better be, They've been holding on to that for the next like 10 years, bro. I don't know if they're going to get anything good.
00:03:30
Speaker
It's looking rough. What are they? 4-2 still? right Two seasons in a row? Yeah. Wow. They thought that, bro, they're even 15th now, bro. oh they have They haven't won a game in the Premier League in 2026. Bro, they're down bad, you know. They're actually like, they're near relegation battle. Like, they're proper going... They're having the exact same season they had last

Tactical Analysis

00:03:54
Speaker
season. But anyway, this ain't a Tottenham pod.
00:03:57
Speaker
don't care about them, man, bro. Let's keep on this. But yeah. So moving on into the game, let's... The line-up, we always start off with the line-up, but there's not really much to say. It's just... um Michael Carrick sticking with his trusted XI. There was a bit of a change for this game, though. Instead of Mbemo being the nine, it seemed like it was Konya, which makes sense as a tactical adjustment because the way Konya likes to play, he likes to float between the lines anyway. And if he's playing on the left and he's running to the right, we basically have no left side. So it doesn't make sense. So it it made more sense for it to be this way around. But I could understand in the previous games as to why it was in Wemong because of the threat in behind, the pacing behind. Yeah. But bro, what I'm about to say probably sounds like I'm repeating myself, but it's so refreshing to see
00:04:57
Speaker
a manager have a way of playing, have a certain line-up, he's stuck with that line-up, and then one injury happened, it didn't mean that everything got thrown out the window.
00:05:08
Speaker
No. He just went, all right, cool, I'm just going to adjust this, adjust that, put Kunia through the middle and tell him, yeah, drop off, come in in the middle, do whatever you want, and then in Brembo you're playing left. And like no excuses, just get cracking, lads.
00:05:24
Speaker
Yeah, and it's not the the thing you mentioned a couple of pods ago, the galaxy brain thing where managers try to overcomplicate very simple things. And I think for me, the um not concerned, but the unfair thing in this scenario is because we don't have as many games as we should as Manchester United, a lot of players aren't really getting a fair shot in terms of game time, but when you're winning, no one can complain.
00:05:56
Speaker
You get what I'm saying? When we were losing and we were still rolling out the same team week in, week out, same players, getting 90 minutes, getting 90 minutes, whatever, that's when the complaints start.
00:06:06
Speaker
So, now, I don't think any United fans really crying about the line-ups. Maybe, think we're so used to having a a nine as a shooter, like having your nine score your goals. seeing us play without an actual nine, it's probably weird for a lot of fans.
00:06:23
Speaker
But I don't mind it. I would like, it the only change that I would have made is I would have started Sesko. Because for me, he's screaming to me as a confidence player.
00:06:35
Speaker
And there was a moment when he came on, which we could talk about later, but he screams to me as someone, he needs reps. He needs to feel trusted. He needs to constantly, be involved.
00:06:46
Speaker
And then i think we'll start seeing the best out of him. But for now, Carrick is here to do a job. And it's very obvious that he's just trying to get over the line with that. But yeah, so we talk about the first half in particular.
00:06:59
Speaker
I would say that first 25 minutes was actually tightly contested. Tottenham were better than I thought they were going to be. The way I've seen them over the last couple of games is they're kind of wishy-washy. You never know what you're going to get.
00:07:15
Speaker
Players are hot and cold. You don't know if Jarry Simmons is going to actually be a footballer today or not. You don't know... Their midfield, I i hate their midfields. I don't like any composition. I hate all of them, boy.
00:07:32
Speaker
They're just not really a great team. So i wasn' I wasn't really worried about like the match-ups within our team and their team. Their midfield is just a bunch of runners, basically. I'm not a lot of worried about that.
00:07:47
Speaker
And then when you have Jabby Simmons and Older Bear out wide,
00:07:53
Speaker
It's there's not really much concern for me. So when I'm looking out at the lineup, I'm saying, yeah, we should take it to them. really put our foot down and like show that these last three games haven't been a fluke and we're really here to stamp our authority into the top four.
00:08:09
Speaker
But yeah, yeah um they came up really well. They're well organised. They created some decent chances. i remember there was a chance with a ball being clicked over Conor Gallagher. If that's another midfielder in that position, yeah it's more contact on that and we'll push her goal down. But...
00:08:27
Speaker
we also did start very quickly as well. So it I think, yeah, I thought from my point of view, thought, the red card ruined game.
00:08:40
Speaker
Like up and until end up up up until then, everybody, like people going blow for blow and it was really entertaining. Tottenham were really going for it. United were really going for it. ah and generally I thought it was, i thought it was going to be a high scoring game. um Yeah. So it was a shame to see Romero lose his head and and kind of ruin the spectacle.
00:09:02
Speaker
um But i I'll be honest, I think it was, I left that game being impressed with both teams. Being impressed with Tottenham not crumbling and then getting smashed 3-4-0 and then being impressed with... Because even even with 10 men, I felt like Tottenham in the second half, they were brave. They were brave on the ball. They halfed and puffed. They couldn't really create you know big chances because United were good. So um I just think for Tottenham's level and how they've played up until now, i think it was decent. For United, um they just controlled it. They controlled it. They never lost their heads. They they they they you know defended the transitions relatively to be well and worked hard. So, fair play to them.
00:09:46
Speaker
And I think um this, in comparison to the Fulham game, is a good example of our stack actually having our heads screwed on for the most part. Obviously, the red card completely changes the game, but I felt this way, the same way that i feel about this game, was how I felt about the Fulham game until the mistakes started happening, until Maguire gave away the penalty and all of those things started happening. Yeah, yeah. but yeah ah Outside of that, I just felt up calm. I'm watching the game. I'm just... um oh Yeah, after that red card happened, even speaking about the red card, like we we can't not speak about
00:10:22
Speaker
Romero, yeah. He is... He is an absolute psycho, bro. Like, what, what, what, what was that? What was that? Like, it's, you know what it is, yeah?
00:10:35
Speaker
Don't get me wrong. People, i see people trying to say that, oh, he went for the ball, so how can he get sent off? I think, you know what, yeah? There's certain instances when ah that happen within a football pit, within a game, where like, you don't want to play a goal for a tackle, their foot rolls over the ball and they accidentally clack into someone, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:10:58
Speaker
The ball, yeah, is so close to him that he doesn't need to go in with that much force, you know. He's literally right in front him. He's not like travelling over a long distance. All he had to do was just get contact on the ball and then pull out. That's all he had to do. But he wanted to leave something on Casemiro.
00:11:15
Speaker
And as well as Casemiro has been playing of recent, if Casemiro would have broken his leg off that challenge, I would have flew down to Manchester myself yeah to go get that. That would be crazy.
00:11:27
Speaker
I don't know why he's so...
00:11:31
Speaker
don't why he just does these brain dead things. Like why? Your team's in a good position. it's just And then he's obviously come out with that post criticising the club. But multiple times you've let your team down. Multiple. how how m to How can you criticise your club saying that, oh, how come you go into a game with only 11 players or whatever, like talking about the injuries? And then you yourself, knowing that your team doesn't have a deep squad, go and get someone for three games.
00:12:04
Speaker
That's insane. Because of some bon... Like, come on, like let's be serious. You're an idiot. You're an idiot at that point. But yeah, outside of that,

Chelsea's Recent Matches

00:12:11
Speaker
I think ah we created a few chances with Mbemo very early on with some good play.
00:12:18
Speaker
um And then obviously our goal comes from a set piece, but this time it was a bit more creative than the usual Arsenal's um storm the gate tactic where they just bum rush the goalkeeper and just flick it off someone's shoulder and it goes in. Like, no, no, no. This one was a bit more inventive. ah No, I really liked I want to see if I can i could do that with my with my team on Saturday. Yeah.
00:12:46
Speaker
yeah and So, Kobe runs to the near post. Bruno passes the ball to him on the floor. Kobe just knocks it back to the edge of the area where Mbremel's waiting. And this is our best finish. I'm like, come on.
00:13:00
Speaker
Most players in that position just smash it here as hard as they could. He passed that into the bottom corner. Like, super intentional. Great finish. That's nine goals in the league for Mbremel.
00:13:13
Speaker
which is pretty good numbers considering it's your first season. So I'm very happy with that. He's a shooter, man. He's a shooter. yeah And there was no doubt in my mind that he was going to, you know, he was going to improve your school your team, man.
00:13:29
Speaker
He's just a shooter. The general play sometimes, you know, may not be... I feel like he's good, the general player, but sometimes it might be a little bit inconsistent, but like he's just he's just a shooter. Give him a chance. He'd always...
00:13:43
Speaker
you know, in all his problems. I'm fine with that as well because, you know, when your, like, general play isn't, like, the cleanest, but you're not doing bonehead stuff. Like, he's not getting into positions and just doing dumb stuff. So, he's just, he's still trying to do the right things, trying to link up, he's trying to run in behind, trying to play one-twos. When he gets opportunity to do, he's trying to cross it. He's making the right decision. Sometimes, yeah, his touch might be a bit janky, he might be a bit, um he might overrun it a bit, but,
00:14:14
Speaker
if you're this devastating in the final third, that's why that's why I think Carrick's having an issue dropping him, just because he knows that On the other hand, his counterpart, even though they don't play in the same position, Sesko, he's not a killer.
00:14:29
Speaker
He's not a killer. yeah That's the one thing he's taken away from this game. He's not a killer, man. He seems... that No offence to He just seems a little bit fragile. But he took that chance in the last game really well. so Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was after missing the the header in the first round. He should have scored that one. He should have He should have scored it too.
00:14:52
Speaker
But it shows it shows some mental fortitude to to go on, to get that second chance and and finish it. So let's yeah let's let's give him a moment. let's see Let's see how he does in the long term.
00:15:02
Speaker
so Yeah, so ah after after that, moving on to the second half, the the the momentum of the game is completely switched. It's Tottenham fighting for their lives and it's just awesome this is the first time This is the first time i get to see what our team looks like trying to beat a low block.
00:15:21
Speaker
Because Fulham didn't play ah play against us with a low block. None of these other teams that we played against were sitting back camping and trying to fight for their lives. And I can say confidently, I'm not worried about that situation anymore.
00:15:35
Speaker
I think we created more than enough chances to get another goal. There were nice little passages in play where maybe the final pass was just a bit off. But I'm looking, I'm saying, ooh, that's like... that's Another day, there was the link-up play between Casemiro and Mbremo.
00:15:53
Speaker
Casemiro tried to backheel it, but the backheel was a bit too hard. like Every single time as well, I'm seeing runs in behind from our players. what With Kunio, Ahmad, Bruno's even um making runs in behind. And then Martinez, Casemiro, Kobe, they're trying to find them. quick clips over the top they're gonna It's going to pay off eventually.
00:16:13
Speaker
We're going to see at least four or five goals like that this season. So, yeah, one thing I do want to mention, though, Sorry, were you going to say something? No, no, go.
00:16:25
Speaker
No, one thing I do want to mention is... Bruno is playing a lot higher up. He's basically a second striker now. like he He has no interest in build-up. But I'm fine with that. I don't need you to be there.
00:16:38
Speaker
That's exactly where you want Bruno Fernandes. You don't want him picking it up from a midfielder, losing his head, dodgy touch, or risking a red card from a dodgy tackle. No, you just want him close to the goal, finishing chances, playing the last ball.
00:16:55
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that's where essentially our our goal comes from. It's Cobiumenu, Casemiro and Dalot just working the ball around on the right-hand side.
00:17:07
Speaker
The ball gets back to Dalot. He didn't even think about just whipped it. Dangerous areas, great cross. people People in our fan base think Dalot is a good crosser. He's not.
00:17:19
Speaker
I thought he's a good crosser, Nah, he's not a good crosser. When I classify someone as a good crosser, yeah it means, for the most part, when you get into a position to put in a good cross, it's at least going into a danger area dangerous area. Even if it's not finding someone on your team, it's in a dangerous area. And you're looking at your strikers and your attackers saying, yo, why is no one there? You don't get that with Bruno.
00:17:47
Speaker
It was a good cross. I'll give him the credit. He was actually very good today. That was Dallal's best game of the season. I'm not even going to lie. He was huge. Perfectly fine. No dumb bonehead things. Linked up play very well. Got a great assist. Ball comes across. And Bruno did something very smart because the ball's coming over to him.
00:18:09
Speaker
It's so fast. He can't really adjust his feet to get the shot So he kind of like, he hits his leg towards the ball. hits him on his thigh. Oh, does he Yeah, he it doesn't get a clean contact on it. And it just gold bottom corner.
00:18:24
Speaker
But that's that's a great finish. At that point, game done. Game done. Collecting our three points. Put three points in the bag. and I'm just like, one more game down.
00:18:36
Speaker
And um it looks like all the other teams around where we are including yourselves, keep picking up points as well. So even though we're not creating the gap, we're still in the mix. We're creating the gap from fifth to sixth.
00:18:50
Speaker
But then after today's result with Liverpool and Man City, we're now five points clear of them. that's the and so I love to hear. We've had a tough run, but we're doing what exactly what we need to do. So me going away from that game, i just want to quickly highlight a few performances. Kobi Menuh, again, a standard Kobi Menuh performance. He's always been capable of so good defensively, good in tight areas, just keeping the ball ticking. you what's right, Jay? Yeah, go ahead.
00:19:23
Speaker
Do you know my idea? I was looking back at um the one of the posts that we did about Kobe Mania and stuff, and I was thinking, you know, that segment we did on Kobe Mania, was thinking, did we go, was we a bit too emotional about that? Like, was we too, we weren't emotional enough.
00:19:44
Speaker
No, we weren't. We were not emotional enough. This guy is a flippin'
00:19:53
Speaker
He was holding bench for that long. This is not even an understatement for me. i think just having Kobe Menuh in our team from the start of the season up until now, I think we pick up at least five more points.
00:20:06
Speaker
One of those games that we drew, we would have won. One of those games we we could have potentially won. Just because of how assured he is on the ball. You know, we have so many moments within games where we're doing like these tight rundles. Like we did one in the first half where it was Bruno, Konya and Kobe. And it's just one touch, one touch, one touch. Imagine Nugate there. Like, what are we going to do? Like, what are we doing, bro?
00:20:30
Speaker
Like, come on. like It's actually so simple. And then even because we're playing with three in midfield, there's so many players around you. You can just bop it, pass, pass, pass, and then keep it moving. A couple months ago, maybe even a year ago, people in our fan base were saying, oh, no one on our team can complete a five-yard pass. Football's a lot more advanced than just, oh, look up, play a pass. Look up, play a pass, bro. Sometimes it's just you have to know where your players are. I need to know that.
00:20:59
Speaker
um to my right, and Bruno's there. To my left, Bruno's there. And I had a quick and I know he's there. But I can't... When you leave it to too much of the players' um own interpretation of what's happening on the pitch, it leads to like hesitation and room for error. No need for that.
00:21:18
Speaker
but then But then what I'll add to it, though, bro, is like, even as you're saying that, feel like not intentionally, but you're also doing mainly disservice a little bit in the sense that there's another level, bro, in the sense that some players, they'll have one look of check their shoulder for the next 50 seconds. They'll know exactly what's around them.
00:21:41
Speaker
They'll have one look around the pitch for the next 50 seconds. They know exactly what what's around them. And whenever the ball comes to them, they know exactly what they want to do with it. And they might not even need to check too many more times. But there are some players that will do the same amount of checks or even do more checks, but they won't collect all that information, process it, and then be able to act on it when the ball gets to their feet. Whereas Kobe, when he gets that ball, his speed of four and his creativity to to find a solution to the problem in front of him,
00:22:12
Speaker
And like, even when there was one where he gets the ball from the left hand, from his left hand side, yeah. And I swear to you, his next action was going to be a pass to the right hand side.
00:22:24
Speaker
Tottenham player comes in, he just does a little shimmy, bap, that guy's on the floor, pass past him, gone. that That's just next, that's a next level. that don't that That kind of player can't compare to Ugarte. It's just night and day.
00:22:41
Speaker
And the thing is as well, I don't want to keep... um like I mentioned it last week with Ugarte. It's not that Ugarte was the issue. It was the opportunity cost of Kobe mainly just not playing. Ugarte was always the first sub. He was always the first player to come on. Kobe wasn't getting enough minutes. It was just it was just a dumb situation. Like you said, there's loads of times within the game where this doesn't go on the stat line. The ball's fizzed into Kobe, good touch, out of his feet, played the pass.
00:23:09
Speaker
your Your teammates are not trusted. I'm telling you. Casemiro, Martinez, Maguire, if they're seeing Ugarte in that position, they're not even giving him the ball. Do you know what we don't see anymore?
00:23:24
Speaker
Do you know what we don't see anymore? Them long hoofs from Casemiro to no one. No. Them blind passing away. Do you know why? Do you know why? Because he's got people around him that he trusts. Who would have thought?
00:23:36
Speaker
And then when Kunio's dropping deeper as well to come and help out as well, now there's four men. do They can just play football. I could just imagine like an Arabic commentator just going, last like two weeks, man. There's music to my ears, man. And another player I just want to talk about is Ahmad.
00:24:04
Speaker
His production level has dipped over the last couple of weeks. But I think his overall game has been very steady. Like, he's not he's not doing bonehead, knucklehead stuff. Like, when he gets the ball, he's losing it. Oh, bad touch. Can't dribble passes, man. No, no, no. no Ahmad, he's working hard defensively. he's when it's time to dribble, he'll dribble. That Fulham game, he was cooking Robinson. Yes, it did beat a goal or an assist, but that's fine. That's that's a solid winger performance.
00:24:37
Speaker
That's a solid winger performance. You're not doing too much, you're not doing too little, but you're involved. He's involved in build-up. When, um on occasion, Embremmo would go out to his side as and them two are linking up, lab do them trying to um run him behind. it's just good football. It's smart football.
00:24:52
Speaker
And I just felt like, Yeah, um we we were we were so comfortable today, man. I just want to highlight them two because them two get stick for no reason. That's what it I like to pick up people who get unnecessary stick.
00:25:04
Speaker
That's what it is. 100%. 100%. you can't be hounding out these sort of players. Look at the ball retention you get from those two. How many times did them man lose the ball? How many times, bro?
00:25:17
Speaker
They don't. They don't lose the ball. It's either a foul, they win a free kick, it's either they swivel out of danger, put in a ah quality ball, or they retain it vi via, um you know, popping it back and and moving it again.
00:25:32
Speaker
that They don't lose the ball, those kind of players. They're too good. Yeah. And then I will say, i did mention as well with Cesc, that I don't think he's a killer.
00:25:44
Speaker
I just... Well, he comes on, he doesn't really get too many opportunities, but then the literally the last kick of the game, ball is looped up to him.
00:25:55
Speaker
He's literally right in front of the goalkeeper, bro, and he just cushioned head right back to the goalkeeper. What could he have done in that scenario? so Because ball wasn't fast towards him, he couldn't like just glance the header. He had to get full power on the header, but...
00:26:14
Speaker
he kind of hesitated for whatever the reason is. People are saying, oh you should have brought it down. But at the same time as well, a bad touch and you don't get a shot. So it's like, he do you know what it is? The better strikers within football just find a way. That's a goal.
00:26:31
Speaker
Them are none. They're not playing around in that situation. that What I will say, what I will say is my opinion on Cesc before he came to United was high potential.
00:26:43
Speaker
high potential striker. um I think he lacks a little bit consistency in his fundamentals in terms of like one minute he can look technically sublime, the next minute he's just kind of all over the place, a bit of Bambi on ice. But...
00:26:58
Speaker
stick with him. Generally, this is this is a player that I would say stick with him. He's got peak physical attributes in the sense that he's for his height, he's tall enough, agile enough. um and he's oh He's ridiculously agile for his for his height. And and The mentality side of things just has to be worked on, whether it's a sports psychologist, the manager talking to him every day and just working on it, working on it, working on it and just kind of moulding him into that killer. Because I'd rather do that than purchase Gilchrist.
00:27:34
Speaker
Yeah. so yeah That was such a Man United signing, but thank God it didn't happen. We you. That's four wins in a row for Man United. so one more year one more win and then we never have to talk about the other brother again. your trim, man.
00:27:54
Speaker
Chelsea versus Wolverhampton Wanderers
00:28:00
Speaker
yeah i could on less lessli me south of london yeah
00:28:07
Speaker
chelsea versus wolverhampton wanderers A team who look like they're definitely getting relegated. like They might as well.

Squad Building Philosophies

00:28:17
Speaker
Bro, their man sold all their players in January, bro. They threw in the towel. They threw in the towel.
00:28:26
Speaker
I don't know what's going on over there, man. But it might it might be it might be a smart move because if you look at it, what, they're on seven points or eight points, whatever it is, yeah? If you know you're on eight points more than halfway through the season, you can either wait till you get relegated, then you have to sell these men for less or you sell them for peak value in January.
00:28:45
Speaker
So... that was and I never thought about it that way. Do you know what I mean? From a business point of view, it probably makes sense. And they they had some assets they could sell, so...
00:28:56
Speaker
But from a fan point of view, i would be vexed. Oh, my gosh. Imagine, youre you like you're kind of hoping your team is going to bust case and and avoid relegation. And then in January, rather than straight for them, they just go, yep, we're pulling the plug.
00:29:17
Speaker
White flank. Yeah, davidve they've literally conceded to the idea of being relegated. that That's what it is. Madness. That's mad. So, more on Chelsea. I'll be honest. Overall, bro, Chelsea played decent football in the first half. Second half, we were a bit...
00:29:38
Speaker
Wolves gifted us that game, man. Like, I couldn't, for the next 10 minutes, I could talk about all this tactical this, this, that, that we did, that was different. But two pens that that were needless from a Wolves point of view and one good goal that we that we scored. So, ah considering they had a much improved second half, they really just gifted us gifted as that... ah that game And who can you blame They're starting into the game against Chelsea and or their all their strongest players are gone. So ah anyway, um focusing on Chelsea and from Chelsea's point of view...
00:30:18
Speaker
um The line-up was to be expected. Glad it was a midfield three again. And um and good to see Palmer back in the line-up and getting one of the easiest hat-tricks he'll probably get in his whole career. Bro, apparently he scored for Chelsea,
00:30:42
Speaker
so It's a lie. That must be a lie. It must be a lie. It must be. Because because last year he scored two pens. This year he scored three pens. And then he scored nine pens in his peak. So that would have been nine, two, three. So about 14, 15 pens. They're just chatting. They're trying it. But if you this is what this is what pi view pisses me off about football fans here. Look, it's it's a joke. Obviously, haha is funny. But...
00:31:10
Speaker
They're still calling him Penelty Palmer from his first season where he scored nine pens. Last year, he only got two free pens. This year, again, he's got two free pens.
00:31:22
Speaker
Why are you still calling him Pen Palmer? Can we move on to a new joke? Anyway... um Talk me through your line-up as well, because you said you played three in midfield. So wait, was Enzo out on the left then?
00:31:40
Speaker
house So, no, it was it was weird. It was a hybrid sort of thing. Enzo was very much part of a midfield three once what's our first line of press got bypassed.
00:31:54
Speaker
Enzo was part of a midfield three. Yeah. With um Neto. Was it Neto? No, Palmer. It was a weird, weird formation. Santos, Cacero. Santos, Cacero, Enzo in the middle with Enzo on the left-hand side of midfield. Yeah. um And then what you would see is in possession, you'll see Palmer and Enzo in the middle taking up those half spaces. Kukurela bombing up high, then Palmer on the right. And then Neto finding himself on the left, Neto finding himself on the right, Palmer shifting to the left, to the right. So it was very fluid, but for for the most part, Palmer and Enzo in the middle, Neto on the right, with Kukuella pushing up on the left-hand side. um It was refreshing to see, you know, I've i've talked about it already, but just having full backs doing a job that is, um you know, that is matches with their skill set.
00:32:54
Speaker
So just Cucurella, left wide overlapping underlapping and that's where the third goal comes from um this the first pen comes from um jal pedro getting it in the box receiving it deep in the box trying to drift out wide they're worried about the pass out to kukueh like it's just i know it's confirmation bias but It's what is exactly what I've been asking for for these teams that sit back or have to sit back and defend with their lives.
00:33:24
Speaker
You have to overload them in wide areas. You have to. And then you can create the cutbacks or or crosses into the box or low crosses, high crosses. and then create those opportunities. And then you can feed off second balls when they when if mess up a clearance. um yeah ah gusto Gusto did invert a little bit, um but again, it wasn't like he was static, chilling inside the middle, clogging it up. He was in the middle, dropping deep, coming into midfield, going out right, overlapping.
00:33:55
Speaker
And he was doing the fight he was doing it in the right moments. So for example, if Palmer... was out wide on the wing, so not Parmen Neto, he was tucked in in the middle to create that passing lane to Neto.
00:34:09
Speaker
Yeah. If he got it in the middle, bang, he popped it off to Neto. As soon as he's given it to Neto, he's not so staying in the middle, clogging it up. He's making runs in behind on the underlap or on the overlap.
00:34:22
Speaker
So, It's fluid. It's much more fluid. um And it was good to see, but Wolves did make it make it easy for us. So um in terms of individual performances, i don't I don't really think there's anybody I need to quiet home like to highlight. I'll be very honest with just one of those games. um full I feel like this was the first time, not the first time, it's...
00:34:49
Speaker
More example of Chelsea trying to be a more pennetrative penetrative team. There was a lot of examples through the first half in particular where your centre-backs are just fizzing it straight into Palma. They're not doing the whole use U-shaped football thing. It's going to Palma, Palma's spinning, and you're just trying to move the ball vertically ah as quick as possible without really...
00:35:15
Speaker
wasting time in unnecessary positions and even as you were mentioning with Gusto it wasn't just Gusto that was making those underlapping runs or like those runs into like the inside left and right channels it was Pedro was doing it as well that's how the second penalty even came and came about he ran in behind into that area the bo of the ball and then why is he pushing it there?
00:35:42
Speaker
The thing is, it's a foul, isn't it? It's definitely foul. because Because it's an actual push. It's not like... You know when sometimes players put their hands on um the striker's back? different'tly just Yeah, yeah.
00:35:56
Speaker
He pushed them, isn't it? What can you say? It seems weak, but... No, you did done it with aggression. And you know what? I've seen that before on multiple occasions where, not for Chelsea, just in football general, where defenders like, I feel like defenders know that the ref is unlikely to give it. So they're taking risks and like they're full on two hands pushing players in the box. And it's just like, that's a pen That's a foul, though. It's a foul. Whether you think it's enough for penalty or not, it is a foul.
00:36:29
Speaker
So, i'm in this on this occasion, I'm glad the ref gave it, man. Because that was absolutely ridiculous. That's self-destruction at that point, though. You've already been, like, 1-0 down. and then why yeah he's literally The funny thing is, Jao Pedro's going nowhere.
00:36:44
Speaker
He's not, like, in behind. He's going nowhere. You just push him for no reason. Absolutely mad, mad, mad. So, yeah, yeah to summarise the point you were making, yeah, 100%, we are way more direct. There's more runs in behind from full-backs and wingers and, you know, João Pedro in half-space, Palme half-space. People are are moving more in ba behind. There's a lot more central...
00:37:11
Speaker
passes. I'd love to see the stats so I can get that confirmation, but I'm seeing a lot more central passes in an attempt to play centrally. i Not always just trying to pop it to the winger and see what he does. So good.
00:37:26
Speaker
Good first half. Good enough anyway. Second half, I'm not sure if it was energy. I think Wolves... Wolves were definitely more aggressive.
00:37:37
Speaker
um they weren't It's not like they were pressing as high, but in their mid to low block, they were just more aggressive. So they were just, as soon as we came into the half, they were just pressing with more intensity, more... more more gusto. um And then even when the ball went out wide, that was their trigger to really go aggressive with their press. So um it's just what we needed to do to counteract that was continue doing what we did the first half. And what I mean is runs in behind, being more direct, playing trying to play through their middle. Whereas I just think we got into this pattern of just trying to recycle the ball between the defenders and centre mids.
00:38:17
Speaker
And eventually when you do that, any good team with any good pressing structure, they'll eventually catch you out and they'll eventually get you to make a mistake. And that's most that's what led to Wolves' opportunity to you know you know get shots on target and win corners and get win free kicks and things like that. It's because of our own sloppy play um and not being direct enough. So, that yeah, that aspect was really frustrating.
00:38:45
Speaker
And Sanchez was so vexed when they conceded that goal. It was so such a horrible goal to concede. So, i can't blame the guy. He's trying china to chase the golden boot. He was fuming. And i can't blame him. That happened the other game as well. He conceded a goal. Yeah. Palace. Palace. You know what? Palace. Same thing.
00:39:06
Speaker
these men These men are killing him. He's he's trying to get that golden boot, man. That's two clean sheets the defence has cost him. um yeah So, yeah.
00:39:17
Speaker
Good, decent. We'll take it on the chin and we'll we'll we'll um we'll we'll keep

Managerial Challenges

00:39:23
Speaker
it moving. Hopefully we can... Hopefully we can raise the energy levels for Leeds because Leeds do play with ah a next level energy. They've got a bit more to fight for. They're on a good run as well, to be fair. They're on a good run.
00:39:38
Speaker
Was there anyone in particular from the team who stood out in terms of... good performances or anything like that. Yeah, Chelsea. ah People, i think Chelsea fans underrate Santos. He's a tidy player.
00:39:56
Speaker
I like him, man. He's a tidy player, tidy player. And you if you if you go back and watch his highlights, the one touch passes in behind the one touch passes to to visit into Enzo or Palmer or Jao Pedro through the middle I love it I love seeing stuff like that um because it's such thing that those passes cause danger and and then he knows when to recycle it and move on um I'm not too sure where the negativity in the Chelsea fan base came from towards Santos. Maybe because he comes from Strasbourg and he's part of this Blue Co model and he's their purchase. So maybe fans are a lot less patient with him.
00:40:39
Speaker
But yeah, it is the moment, I just feel like Chelsea fans are ready to jump on everybody and anybody. So Santos, big big him up. um I think he was probably our most consistent performer on the day.
00:40:53
Speaker
If I'm, yeah. Yeah, I think that's fair to say. um Yeah. um Yeah. And in general play, Palmer was more intense in general play. Still not back to his best, but um really good for Nick. That's another That's another hat-trick. Even though it doesn't matter how you get them, you have to score the pens.
00:41:14
Speaker
i'll give i I would like to say though, I miss Palmer. Oh my God. Like I was watching some highlights. so I was just like, oh my days.
00:41:24
Speaker
Even I've forgotten how good this guy is. I've forgotten how good he is. I miss him. I miss him. I feel like we're all forgetting how sick this guy is. Oh, it's such a shame he's going through these injury problems. Fingers crossed he can, I don't know what the solution is, but he needs a rest. He needs a proper rest. Yeah, save himself for Old Trafford, man. You're going to... You're going to have a big job to do. Don't waste your energy at Chelsea too much. Just a final point I do want to make is just on the manager,
00:42:07
Speaker
I think he's going to get a lot stick, mate. Every bad result is going to be dramatic. It's going to be a dramatic reaction from fans. It's going to be a dramatic reaction from the media. There's going to be less patience for mistakes. um So I think he's in a really tough spot, even though he's won seven out of nine, losing only to Arsenal. And even those Arsenal performances, he got absolutely killed for. um And yeah he's he's got a tough job on his hands and I think he's he's doing okay with the cards that he's been dealt um I see a lot of smiling faces in the Chelsea players which is so important um and near the end of Mureska's tenure we were not seeing those smiling faces as much so um he's doing something where in that regard long may it continue
00:43:08
Speaker
Cool. So we are going to now do a different segment. um We're going to add, you know, a little bit.
00:43:19
Speaker
We're going to spend some time in the pod just discussing different topic every week. um So the topic for this week, we should probably give a name to this section. i don't know.
00:43:30
Speaker
i don't know. We'll think on it. We'll think on it. Yeah, we'll think on it. But for now, we are going to talk about squad building. in see How do you build your squad? how How do you think your club should build their squad? And what is missing in your current squad that you think your team needs?
00:43:56
Speaker
Jesus. Well, for me in particular, just that over the topic of general squad building, it's you have to pick an identity as a team. That's the first thing you have to do.
00:44:13
Speaker
So you know which type of players fit what your club want to do. There's no point in just signing a mis mismatch of different profiles, players whose technical levels vary so much.
00:44:26
Speaker
And then when it comes to the technical level and the physical level vary so much. And then when it comes to implementing the system, now some players can do it, some can't.
00:44:37
Speaker
the Overall, the system ends up looking stupid. That is Manchester United over the last six years, I think, at least. we've We've just signed a mismatch of,
00:44:52
Speaker
Whoever, tall players, short players, some with tech, some without tech, big money, big wages. And at the end of the day, it's just leading to our team suffering. But that's um just...
00:45:05
Speaker
no continuity and where in the direction of what the club's going, where the club's going. So that's what would say our issue was. So um I don't know if you have a general opinion on squad building yourself. So for me, i would slightly disagree in the, you know, building for playing style sort of thing.
00:45:30
Speaker
So for me,
00:45:34
Speaker
I prefer you pick players that can play multiple systems. So you need that player to be good enough to do multiple things throughout a 38-game season.
00:45:46
Speaker
You cannot go through a 38-game season without asking multiple people to do different jobs. It's impossible because you might play a three at the back, you might play a 4-4-2, you might play a 4-2-3-1 and you might need the players to do something slightly different.
00:45:59
Speaker
If you haven't given me good enough players that can actually do that, I don't want them and we shouldn't have them at Manchester United or Chelsea. So if I want to go to a three at the back for a game, I need players that can play three at the back.
00:46:15
Speaker
Kehi, Chelsea Academy, he can play in a three, he can play in a two. Achenpong, he can play full back, he can play centre back. Kaiseido, he could be an eight, he can be a centre mid.
00:46:28
Speaker
Rhys James, he could do wing back, he could do full back, he could do midfield. Do you get what mean? yeah So you need to be able to have this, for me, you should have the skill set to do multiple jobs.
00:46:40
Speaker
If you are one type of player that gives me one characteristic, that might be even, if that one characteristic is in world, it might even be world-class, but I um i don't think that's good squad building.
00:46:51
Speaker
Like Enzo could be considered a world-class box crasher, but for me, he is so weak, out of possession, I wouldn't have signed him. Yeah, especially for the money that you lot paid. Exactly, exactly. i think that's the biggest thing when it comes to squad building. It's the opportunity cost.
00:47:10
Speaker
So because you've spent 100 and whatever on Enzo, you've missed out on other players or other aspects of your team that could be approved on. And for me, there you go my biggest issue with squad building is...
00:47:25
Speaker
buying talent that is only squad player level, spending big money on squad player level talents. That is like, we've mentioned him already, Manuel Garte. Like you said earlier, if you're only good at one thing, and is even if it's to a high level, you're still only limited in how much you can actually help out with the team. What he could do,
00:47:49
Speaker
was told told to me that it's of a high level. He's an amazing ball winner. He's good at plugging holes, all these things. He's not even good at doing that. So now we've gone and spent 50 million on a player that we're looking to replace within two years.
00:48:04
Speaker
That's a waste of money. Mad. Who's going to be dumb enough to buy him? That's stupid. That was an agent buy anyway, man. That was an agent Of course, of course. like and And that's the first, if I was in charge, that was the first thing I'm going to get rid of is those stupid agent favors, commission purchases.
00:48:22
Speaker
I don't want it. I don't want Any club that indulges in that sort of behavior, you're not trying to win. You're not trying to build to win. yeah you're doing youre You're too busy doing um house of car structures house of cards and like, as if you're working in politics or government.
00:48:41
Speaker
What the heck? Yeah, I 100% agree. So let's get specific now, yeah? So looking at the current United defence, you've got Mino... What's his name again? Lenny Uro. That's a Yeri Mino, bro. Ain't that Colombian weather? Yeah.
00:49:07
Speaker
Bro, he hasn't played in so long, I forgot. um So, you've got that, brother, whatever his name is. um Yugate, sorry, De Ligt, Maguire, matt Martinez, Shaw.
00:49:21
Speaker
um Who else is the backup left-back? Dalo. Dalo. Dalo. Malassia is still there. Malassia. And who's the backup right-back? You haven't got one. ah Madhuari. Madhuari. Madhuari. Okay, cool. So, in the summer, what would you what what what would what would you do to that squad and what characteristics do you want? to that i was Just to that defence.
00:49:44
Speaker
Yeah, like you said, making it specific to our case. So, for me, personally, you I'm not giving Harry Maguire a new contract. That's the first thing that's happening. Harry Maguire, you're gone.
00:49:56
Speaker
Mm-hmm. Also as well, i'm though both left backs need to be gone. That's another two changes I'm making.
00:50:09
Speaker
And... What? umm Dogu and Shaw. Oh, you know, I even forgot about Dogu. He's a left winger in my head. He's like... I was thinking Melassia. I was thinking of Melassia. No. Melassia and Shaw need to be gone. Melassia needs to be gone. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:50:27
Speaker
um And then for me, right back, oof.
00:50:33
Speaker
See, this guy, he... ah If I'm being harsh, I'm also, if there's an offer on the table, I'm selling Delo. that Those are the outs that i would do.
00:50:44
Speaker
Bear in mind, that's why he's in Dupont and always... Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So for me, we're looking to go into the Champions League next season, right? I don't want to go into a Champions League competition with the same players who are prone to making errors that they've been making the whole time they've been at Man United.
00:51:03
Speaker
So Maguire, cool, he's great now. Our fans are so sentimental. People are oh, if you just ask for lower wages, I'll keep him. I don't want to keep him because I'm expecting our next manager to want to play higher up in the pitch, to want to be more front foot. I don't want to see Mbappe running past Maguire, bro.
00:51:23
Speaker
see don't i don't want I don't want to see, obviously, not even just Champions League football, but if you want to be the team that imposes themselves, look at Arsenal, bro. Saliba, Gabriel, don't matter, bro. 1v1, it's a tough day. Even Liverpool, they haven't been great this season, but Van Dijk, Kanate, pick which one you want to challenge, bro. It's not an easy day. We have to move on with the times. And with our left-back situation, sure, it's a World Cup year, it's a contract year.
00:51:52
Speaker
I don't have any faith in that guy. Get him gone. You've been there long enough, bro. Malasio, he's playing under 21s. You can't keep turning up for the last six months of your contract, fam. No, no thanks. I've been fooled me once. All of that. Yeah, all of that. That's it. And then Dalot, bro, I've seen your highest, but you the the best version of you isn't that great for me to say, keep him around.
00:52:22
Speaker
He's a good backup option, but if someone comes to me with 40, 50 million, I'll be a fool not to take it, bro. For who? For Dalot. ah
00:52:38
Speaker
Don't laugh that hard. Don't laugh that hard. I think we could ship him for like, I think we could ship him for like 40 mil. I think so. Nah, f*** off. Yeah,
00:52:54
Speaker
and Yeah, put timestamp. Put a timestamp. ah set we be for But for Bro, hold on, hold on. No, you're kidding me. Man's been talking. Man said this guy has one brain cell and now man's saying full email for one brain cell. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Bro, listen, that's that's the way football bull works, bro. That's the way football works.
00:53:20
Speaker
This guy is mad. But yeah. Listen, wait, wait, wait. Your chat on Dallow, yeah, has put his price tag down at least 50%. Just you alone, man. I don't care, man. Someone else will buy him, bro. Someone will trust him. Maybe Ameren can do us a favour in his next job. and what yeah he mentioned He'll be managing, flipping Lincoln bro. I'm going to sign Dallow, bro. Oh, dude. Remortgage the club and sign him.
00:53:49
Speaker
So, Kourou, what characteristics do you want to see in a fullback? um Athletic. Athletic. Technical. That's it. Those are the two things. Even though that's basically the the long and short of football, if you have both of those two profiles, you'll be at old. That applies to a new position.
00:54:08
Speaker
So let me let me let me do this for you. Let me do this for you. yeah I'm going to name five skills, yeah? You've got prioritise three of those. Yeah? So cool. Speed, strength, crossing,
00:54:25
Speaker
dribbling, 1v1 defending. Speed, strength, crossing, dribbling, defending. defending
00:54:35
Speaker
I might add... Wait, wait, wait. Speed, strength... Actually, forget strength. I'm going to put PNP in one. Let's put PNP one. cool, cool, cool. So PNP... Yeah. PNP, yeah. Aerial duels, 1v1 defending, dribbling, crossing.
00:54:56
Speaker
So PNP, 1v1 defending and crossing. Those are the three. if you could add another one of like even just IQ like if you could add another one because that means he knows when to make the rounds forward he knows when to overlap when to underline so you'll go PMP 1v1 defended and jubilin um crossing.
00:55:23
Speaker
Crossing. Crossing instead of dribbling. You don't need a fullback at dribbles. We 6.5 monster in the attack. Alright,
00:55:36
Speaker
cool. So let's read less's less's read let's do that same thing for your centre-back. you've more You've got P&P, aerial duels,
00:55:50
Speaker
1v1 defending, passing, because that seems to be super important now for centre-backs. Passing. And let's go with... What else can I do?
00:56:03
Speaker
I've already got mine, bro. I've already got mine. Yeah, go. PNP, Ariel, Jules passing, bro. that's enough yeah that's too that's perfect that's it man not a good 1v1 defender then not a good one you ever defended it PNP will save you a lot time, bro. It's true. Let's be honest. Let's be honest. As long you're not a bonehead, as long not a bonehead, you're actually okay, bro. You know who's made a living of PNP?
00:56:35
Speaker
the The left-seller back at Tottenham. What's his name? Van de Ven. That guy is so moody. That guy is so moody. guy is so moody. That guy is so moody. That's what I'm talking about. But his speed is ridiculous. Alright, cool.
00:56:50
Speaker
That's what I need. So only we've only done defence, yeah? Cool. So let me just... Wait, alert let's flip to you now, your defence. Let's do a team by team, innit? So cool. you're So cool. fullbacks Full-backs, Chelsea were good. Like, left... Sorry, right-back only. Right-back, we're good. Rhys-James, Gusto... Right-back, Gusto, Rhys-James, yeah.
00:57:13
Speaker
Yeah, Gusto, Rhys-James and Echengbong as an optional, yeah? Centre-backs... I do not think Chelsea's centre-backs are as bad as people want to believe they are.
00:57:26
Speaker
um I think they lack, they don't win as much aerial duels as they should, again especially against big, big strong players. So I think that's our biggest problem, aerial duels.
00:57:39
Speaker
um And then left-back, I think Kukurela is tenacious, but at 200k a week and 60 million price tag, I need him gone. Yeah, because there's an opportunity cost there.
00:57:52
Speaker
Really? There's an opportunity cost there, bro. I don't think... I think you can get a faster version of Cucurella. and a taller version. I want eight. i I'm tired of players that five foot five.
00:58:06
Speaker
Don't bring anybody to me that's fair that's five foot seven. Don't. And that's my first rule of squad building. I do not want, if you're going have five foot seven player, I'm only going to have two.
00:58:17
Speaker
Everybody else And the thing have to be teched out. Teched out. David Silva, Bernardo. you get what I'm saying? Do you get what I'm saying?
00:58:28
Speaker
If it's not that, don't bring me any... i don't want a single defender that's below 5'11". Don't bring me any defender that's below Impossible. So I need...
00:58:39
Speaker
I need a taller fullback, faster fullback. Yeah. Because there's so many times that we've lost aerial jewels because of Kukuela. We have got counted quickly because Kukuela just doesn't have to speed the speed to recover. yeah um Chelsea fans see it, but they don't want to accept it.
00:58:56
Speaker
Anyway. um So cool. What I would do is, we've got this Saar guy in. What I would do is make our centre-backs option would be Achempong, Saar, Chalabar and Kowal.
00:59:16
Speaker
Sorry, Achempong, Saar, Chalabar, Kowal. And... I think they want to get rid of Fafana regardless because he's on 200k a week and he's injury prone.
00:59:28
Speaker
So I think he is gone within the next. I think he's gone this summer, to be honest with you. If they can get an offering, if so if they someone could buy him, i think they'll sell him 100%. How much are you looking? Because you guys paid the 80 million for him. We we paid 80. He's about four four ways is it three years, three and a half, probably four years in in the summer.
00:59:49
Speaker
yeah they'll Yeah, you'll be lucky to get 50 for him. You'll be lucky. they'll They'll probably get around 40. So cool. If they do sell Fofana, then I need...
01:00:07
Speaker
So we've got Badia Shile, we've got Tussin. I'm ready to move on from Tussin and Badia Shile. expeditiously as quickly as possible. You've been picking up about this, Shilet, though. I thought you said you was good. Yeah, but what I said is he's good. He's got good fundamentals, but my man's head is all over the place. His head is gone.
01:00:26
Speaker
Like, every time he plays, he's just... His head is hot. He can't handle the pressure. he's got i think he's got performance anxiety. Like, you need like yeah, he needs to sort out he needs to sort that out somewhere else. Like, all the best, my brother.
01:00:39
Speaker
um and he'll go somewhere else and if he sorts out but we're still talking about football as well
01:00:49
Speaker
man's freezing he's freezing on stage bro he's freezing cool so if we if we do get rid of Tussin and Badrashile then I would bring in Chelsea just need a centre-back that can just win every aerial duel.
01:01:07
Speaker
I swear to you. You just need that one. I've a guy to sell you, bro. Big HM. Bring him to the... No, I'm joking.
01:01:17
Speaker
I don't want that guy. But, yeah, yeah the prior the priority in terms of characteristics will be PNP, aerial jaw, 1v1 defender. I don't even need a guy. I don't even need a guy that passing.
01:01:29
Speaker
I don't need all that passing nonsense, guys. Honestly. Yeah. Because I've got that. I've got that. Chalipa can pass. But Chalipa can pass. Sar can pass. Who's the other one? Kowal can pass.
01:01:41
Speaker
I do not need another centre-back that can pass. What I need is a Brexit 6-3 athletic win-your-header 1v1 guy. And then when he wins the ball back, just set it to somebody else. That's all I need, bro.
01:01:57
Speaker
Yeah? That's all Chelsea needs right now. So, in the left-back area...
01:02:04
Speaker
i would I know I just said sell Kukuella, but I would sell Hato before I sell Kukuella. Yeah, of course you would. Of course you would, bro. So I would sell Hato, but I know neither of those players are leaving this summer. But for me, I would get a full-back that's at least 5'11", fast mobile, 1v1 defending, and can cross a little bit.
01:02:29
Speaker
That's it. fast, fast is 5-11 a part of it? Yeah, I think that's a bit of a 5-11 and good cross. That's it. That's all I need.
01:02:41
Speaker
And that would put our defence, if we get those two things, that would put upgrade our defence a lot. If we can get Lewis Hall, if he's available, I don't think he's available. I don't think he likes us anymore.
01:02:53
Speaker
But if Newcastle are looking shaky, I'll drop a Luke Shaw replacement, bro. that has got manchester united written all over it that bro that has got united you're right 60 mil bid 50 to 60 mil bid to newcastle i think they accept it bro listen when that newcastle thing implodes on its own because tonali was already shoving himself to arsenal bro oh that was crazy our deadline day um why are you on deadline day You thought you could get a cheeky league title, bro? Nah, bro. Listen, I'm going to go under the table, slide Lewis Hall. How much are you getting paid in Newcastle? You want 100k?
01:03:36
Speaker
Come on, man. If Lewis Hall ends up at United, I'm crashing out, bro. I am crashing out. That's who I would get. If you're asking me, we haven't spoken about players in particular, but I would get Lewis Hall. I really like I think he's top.
01:03:51
Speaker
I mean, he's top. Alright, moving on to, look, goalkeeper, I'm alright with Sanchez, even though people... Yeah, I'm fine with the men's. don't care. People don't like Sanchez as well. no, no. Do not come back from long. Use your retentic. Stay over there.
01:04:06
Speaker
Because if you land back here, you will never work in this town again. Don't even think about it, bro. Yo, I've got a friend from Trasbonspor in um Turkey. um It's a nice place. so He's describing it to me. It's a lovely place. Donny better stay there.
01:04:22
Speaker
Donny better stay there. Let me see. um So cool. Into midfield now. For me, Chelsea, very simple. Go and get me a six foot one midfielder with legs.
01:04:37
Speaker
Legs. Just, I need to see him galloping. yeah yeah Galloping across the pitch. That's all I need, bro. What type of player are you talking about? Like a box to box or like a sitting...
01:04:54
Speaker
Bro, redacted. You know what type of player I'm talking about. Redacted. Yeah? I don't need anything else but six one legs. ah Go get me on Nona. going to sound crazy, but like you mean 6'1 and likely to get stopped by the police. like that profile
01:05:19
Speaker
Just off the bat. just Just because he's walking in Chelsea. Just because he's walking in Chelsea. Nice car. Nice car in Chelsea. My bull. What are doing? Expected pullovers, you know. Expected pullover 5.1. my days.
01:05:41
Speaker
oh my days Go and get me Onana. Go and see what's... When Villa drop out the top four this year, go and see what they're saying because their man need bread.
01:05:52
Speaker
I promise you their man need bread. For who? 55-60 Onana at Villa. You'll take him, yeah? I'll take him. Legs. What? Have you seen the legs on my man? And he can pop a little. He can do ah a little one-touch, two-touch pass as well. I don't need nothing extravagant.
01:06:07
Speaker
I just need someone with legs. I'm tired of these undersized midfielders. Why do we keep buying midfielders below 5'10"? Why? there anyone who you would get rid of to fund i like to to fund that? would get rid of Enzo?
01:06:24
Speaker
In my opinion, in my opinion, yeah. Mm-hmm.
01:06:30
Speaker
I'd only keep Enzo if you are going to a midfield three permanently. If they're sticking with this 4-2-3-1, do not keep Enzo. I don't want to hear it. I don't want to.
01:06:40
Speaker
I don't want to see it. Yeah? If Real Madrid comes knocking with 90 to 100 million, yeah, thank you very much. Have a good day.
01:06:51
Speaker
That's me, boy. And then... Yeah, and then I'll go see... then yep then ill Then I'll go see to... Then I'll say to the Madrid, oh, what are you saying for Tushimeni? You want him? wouldn't touch him, boy. Nah.
01:07:07
Speaker
Bro, one thing you need to remember about Real Madrid is, for whatever reason, because of the shirt, a lot of men look dead. in the Like, not dead, but like, I feel like when a man leaves Real Madrid...
01:07:21
Speaker
people start to appreciate how good that person really is. So what I speak about is like, Ozil, obviously he was crazy at Madrid, but even in the Prem, he only got his proper ratings till he came to Arsenal. Everyone's like, this guy's a chance-creating machine.
01:07:40
Speaker
bun Do you get what you got I'm saying? Like certain Di Maria, When I saw Di Maria at United, don't get me wrong, I watched Madrid quite a bit, so I knew Di Maria was crazy. But when I saw him at United, up close, every game, i was like, wow, this guy is crazy.
01:07:56
Speaker
This guy is actually mad. I'm so upset that the way that ended Trasmo, but he's pe it peak. is He's peak. He's different. So my point is that um mean I think Tuchemane is a lot better than...
01:08:10
Speaker
what then how is real madrid um but he fits the profile yeah he can move he's got his six foot one and he can pass a bit that's all bro and he can whack the ball when he needs to an honor can whack the ball when he needs to that's what i need so for your midfield what would you do so for me uncle casman oh yeah yeah yeah that's ah that's literally i was just about to get to I'm going straight like we've we've invested in our attack. We've invested in our defence. That midfield, man, we have to sort it out.
01:08:46
Speaker
We have to sort it out. I know there's three names who are like the hot topics, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Belayba. Listen, get me ah six who can receive the ball off the centre-backs, off the goalkeeper, part And who's also athletic. So for me, the person who I would go for is Balaba. Even though he's he can play box-to-box as well, I'm happy with Balaba doing that role because I've seen him do it to a good enough standard, standard right? and I'm not too hot on Adam Wharton for that in this current Premier League because...
01:09:24
Speaker
For me, it's a lot hype right now. I think if you wait a bit, you could probably get him for cheaper. I wouldn't spend like 90 to 100 million on that profile. i wouldn't any Anyone that pays 100 million for Elliot Anderson? Like, no no disrespect, but... No, not even Adam Watton.
01:09:41
Speaker
ah so Oh, Adam Watton. Okay. yeah Yeah. Even Elliot Anderson as well. Like, he's good, isn't But... Nah. The numbers aren't making sense. It's not making sense. It's not making sense. Even the label, I'm getting a bit itchy, like, thinking about the numbers that are going to come with us with bars. But at least he's got crazy PNP, at least. that's what I'm saying. Whereas the other two, nah. But for me, i love Watton.
01:10:09
Speaker
I love Watton. That left foot, one touch pass? Hey! That feeds family, bro. who That left foot, one touch pass? good, but like He's teched out, though. He's teched out. He's your Carrick. He's teched out.
01:10:26
Speaker
I don't like the numbers. if I don't like the numbers we're being quoted at all, but I'm i'm thinking we have to spend like 250 mil on our midfield this summer.
01:10:38
Speaker
We have to do it. And what the is whatever do whatever we spend on one, they're going to make us spend exactly the same on another. So just pick your two and just do it. that That's it. Yeah, yeah. Just do it. Don't even waste time in the in the window. just Just grab him. So you're looking for the six that holds and can receive it. um In the other midfielder, what you kind of looking into? Someone to partner that person?
01:11:03
Speaker
Because you've got Maynard as well. Yeah, i'm I'm actually looking for an Elliot Anderson. As much as um he's not... as good as people are making out, I've enough for me to say, like, that's the profile. That's the... Like, he's comfy on the ball. He can dribble. He's got decent-ish passing range.
01:11:25
Speaker
I haven't seen him in the attacking third too much, though. That's the one thing that concerns me. I don't want to spend that much money on someone who isn't really going to offer anything on the offensive end. But he's just good in the central areas. But, yeah, like, my issue is, like...
01:11:40
Speaker
people think because I've rolled out for Kobe Manu so much, it means I want him to be a starter for the rest of his time at Manchester United. It's never that. The guys who were ahead of him were not playing better than him.
01:11:51
Speaker
Were not performing to a low level that warranted him not starting. that's That was my issue. So if we go get a Anderson or... I'm not too well-versed on...
01:12:05
Speaker
other midfielders within the league. But just some someone of that profile who just can't see on the ball. PNP got it. Like, they got it. You know what mean? They're not going to get So, here's my question to you.
01:12:17
Speaker
Here's my question to yeah. Fernandes is staying, regardless of what you think, yeah. He's staying. No, I'm fine with that. I told you, I'm i'm not talking about my man. Then, yeah, facts, especially after this last game. um So, if you now go get Baleba,
01:12:34
Speaker
and you've got Manu, and then you bring in an Elliot Anderson mould. So what you're saying, it's Elliot Anderson, Belaybo and Fernandes? Yeah. Over Manu? Depends on form, depends on the opposition, all of that. We're going to have more than enough games next season. for i want i want to have I want to have the issue that Man City have. Where's Rinders, bro?
01:13:01
Speaker
by the blizzy. Turkey's coming off the bench. You're right. You're right. Yeah, I was going to say it's too many big, big players for one position, but you're right. You're right. Yeah. Yeah.
01:13:14
Speaker
That's the only way you're going to compete. Like, if you have one injury, you've already got another man in the same level that's going to come in and pop. Come man. Come on, yeah, that's what I need. But yeah, um you so you've said yours, so should we move on to attack?
01:13:27
Speaker
Yeah, let's go. Attack. Let's do your wingers and striker. Yeah. So, let's start. So, looking at Chelsea.
01:13:39
Speaker
yeah let me see a whole new wingers set. LAUGHTER
01:13:45
Speaker
Four new wingers, bro. Oh my days. You know, you know women, they go to the nail shop. They don't get one nail done. They get the whole set. They get the whole, both hands done. Like, bro, I need a new set.
01:14:02
Speaker
ah but above but for for the second summer in a row I need a new set can you believe that so considering considering we've got Quenda coming in that kind of makes it easier for us guy yeah And to me, he looks like the creator type.
01:14:20
Speaker
So he doesn't look like a goal scorer. And I like that because Esteval is actually a goal scorer type. As teched out as he is, he loves shooting. He doesn't really

Squad Changes and Player Moves

01:14:30
Speaker
like to... And Quinda played both sides.
01:14:32
Speaker
Yes, because this year he's mostly played on the left-hand side. um And I've only watched one game, so I can't say this for definite, note but he looks relatively comfortable enough to play on the left. And actually, i feel like in this day and age, players have have forgotten how to take people on when they're on their left side of the pitch. mean? If you're left foot here on your left-hand side, i feel like they they've forgotten how to take people on. And then if you're on right-hand side,
01:15:02
Speaker
It's almost like players feel like they have to be on the opposite side to successfully take plays. No, because you know what it is? It's not glamorous. It's not glamorous playing on your stronger foot, on your stronger side, because essentially what you have to do get half a yard, whip it.
01:15:14
Speaker
That's it. No, no. But this is off this is what I'm saying about Quenda and players of old, like... um Bale he'll play left hand side he's whipping you on the inside he's whipping you on the outside he's gone I know I know but that's not the standard bro you have to look at Mark Albright and Dwight McDermott standard bro what's his name Matty Jarvis them Dunnies bro that's a job they whip it
01:15:49
Speaker
I said Jarvis. Hey, pick up Jarvis. So, point it is, Quenda will be there. Palmer will be there. Esteval will be there. That's three already.
01:16:02
Speaker
I personally want to move to a midfield three, so i don't already I don't want that many. I don't want i don't want to talk about eight a attackers. So, Jao Pedro will be there. We need to get rid of the lap.
01:16:13
Speaker
That's my biggest priority. 35 million Everton. 40 million, not an enforced. How are you just going to put your trash in someone else's house? answer okay been You took out your bin and just left it and threw in your neighbour's garden, bro. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey, deal with that. Deal with that. Deal with that. You might take it.
01:16:32
Speaker
Because I've had enough. I personally would then want a striker. I need the hold up, windheaders, wash kind of striker. I need Aussie men, but not with Aussie men's attitude.
01:16:51
Speaker
and that's what i need my bro i need that guy that op fast jumpers high i need that um some samu guy from um that went you want him really bro physically he's op yeah physically he's all i need all i need is running in behind and winning headers that's all i need bro That's all I need. Don't get real. Football is Football is simple. Win headers. Win your second balls.
01:17:25
Speaker
Keep it up. Slam it into the top corner, bro. I've already got the techie techie guys out here. Chow Pedro, jump in, jinky me jinky. No. Get in the box and head it, my boy.
01:17:38
Speaker
It doesn't have to be this Samuel guy, but that's the profile I want. I was trying to think what players fit that profile that you're talking about. There was a young 18-year-old that's like but gone to
01:17:57
Speaker
He was playing in the French League. He was starting in the French League at 18. he's He's gone to Saudi. Mad. 30 mil. Crazy. Took the money. Fares. Yeah, fairs. Anyway, um looking at the wingers now.
01:18:12
Speaker
So, if Gwendo's a creative, Palmer is the shooter estiva a shooter, a shooter, I would ideally want Neto gone. I really want Neto to be gone this summer. um No offence, bro, but I think you're tired of us and we're tired of you.
01:18:28
Speaker
um Then Gittins is staying, regardless of what I think. I i personally think he needs a loan to play every single week, um but that's just not going happen.
01:18:41
Speaker
So if Gittins is staying, I would like Garnaccio to be shipped first class to Napoli. as quickly possible. I don't know Napoli would still want him, bro. Man dubs them. He dubs them in that January window, bro.
01:18:56
Speaker
Once we give them that 25 million euros, 25 million euros offer, just, yo, cut price, come and take that. Hey, hold on. Is he on the obligation to buy from us or did you sign him from us?
01:19:10
Speaker
Full signing, bro. Your obligation. Full signing. Thank God I was worried for a second. I was worried. What, you thought was an avalanche? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I wasn't sure. They want to be blindsided.
01:19:24
Speaker
I'll have to double check that, but I'm pretty sure we signed him fully. Keep that guy away, bro. So what I need, I don't think we've got enough speed.
01:19:37
Speaker
in attack. I don't think... Gittens is ridiculously quick, but he is psychologically not there that he doesn't play to the intensity he needs to play and utilise that speed. And it's so frustrating. So I need somebody that's going to attack with speed, play with speed, hopefully can hit off both left and right foot um so that they can be more dangerous. Now, in terms of who would fit that profile, I haven't got a name for you at all. I don't think I've got a name. Semenyo, ideally, would have been my pick. yeah
01:20:14
Speaker
But that just wasn't going to happen once City got involved. And... Yeah, I just don't. In the league currently, I don't think there's an option um that would fit that profile from the top of my head.
01:20:30
Speaker
And then a abroad, I think it's it's a tough profile to to find. um Maybe, maybe not. I'm not a scout, so I just need someone with speed, hit off both left and right.
01:20:42
Speaker
And yeah, just don't be selfish. Hopefully, i would prioritise another creator. I would prioritise another creator rather than a goal-getter because I've got Palmer, I've got Esteval. They're goal-getters naturally.
01:20:57
Speaker
I need another creator as well as Quenda. um But yeah, that's it. What about you? heard that. So for me, thinking about outgoings...
01:21:10
Speaker
I think Xerxes is okay, man. You've done your time. yeah're not you no You're not... the You never make it You will never make it. thin You're supposed to be in indeed in the in the dinner in the lunch area of making dinners for the real footballers.
01:21:29
Speaker
ah You should be cutting the grass, making it clean for the real footballers. He's not primetime Premier League. He's one of those guys that you just see on that YouTube clips every now and again, bro. yeah He's not... Yeah. yeah it so It's all right, bro. I'll take 20 mil for him, bro. Whoever wants him, just come. you'll be You'll be lucky to get 20 mil, bro. You'll take a loan with an option to buy at 15 million euros.
01:21:55
Speaker
disgusting, man. Zerxie, you can go. was even out of options. I think the rest of them, fine, we're keeping.
01:22:07
Speaker
Yeah, fine, we're keeping the rest of them. Yeah, you've got decent attackers. We need a left winger. I don't know. you You need a striker first, no?
01:22:18
Speaker
Nah, I think we need the left winger, man. like because Only because... we've got players who can do that role. Konya can play up top.
01:22:29
Speaker
As we can see, Mbemol can do a decent-ish enough job. But that left wing thing, I want two threats on either side, bro. I want them to... You can't isolate one wing and say, oh, let's just stop them. let's just well We had that for years when it was Rashford and Luke Shaw.
01:22:46
Speaker
All they had to was stop our left-hand side and we had nothing. Nah, get me... I don't even know. Who are the left with the wing of Marcus? I think it's mad.
01:22:59
Speaker
You've got to go and find a gem out France or something. Just someone like come on i think like three a Yeah, I think Ahmad is more the creative type.
01:23:10
Speaker
on that side. He's not really shooter. He's not the guy who first thought cut and shoot. No, no, no. He wants to get on the outside, put in the rules that link up with whoever the midfielders are in this area. yeah but that left So does that mean I need a shooter on my left?
01:23:29
Speaker
Probably. they Probably. Probably, innit? You've got creators. man have got creators. Do you know who i do want? Who? I know every United fan is going to kiss their teeth when I this, bro.
01:23:42
Speaker
Oh, no. There's a number 14 playing for Barcelona right now. Listen. But, bro, in this current set-up, it would make sense, man. That's what I'm saying. It would make sense.
01:23:59
Speaker
Just Rashford making inside channels runs, trying to get him behind, linking up with whoever. And obviously Rashford lost his motivation. People aren't really trying to hear, oh, bring Rashford back, bring Rashford back. But I would rather bring Rashford back than spend 90 mil on Rafael Liao. the op Opportunity cost, right? You know what mean? i would rather do that because then i' would spend ah up that other money on another striker. That's what I would do personally. Yeah.
01:24:29
Speaker
and we don't need that 30 mil from Barcelona. We don't need it. We actually don't. But they're probably going to pay it now. But yeah, no no no winger that we're going to get is going to be more productive than what Rashford does, to be fair. So that me, first option would be Rashford. Second option,
01:24:51
Speaker
Man, we need the Sadio Mane type, like that sort of thing, but they don't exist like that. Like, human son, like them man, that are just like shooters, bro, but they just, they don't exist. Like, imagine, imagine we would spent the money on, obviously, um he had a bad game today, Semenyo, and everyone's like turning their nose up at him, but that's the type of player I would have got.
01:25:13
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think the solution our academies have got to go create bruv. There's probably cause probably... To be fair we've got we've got a couple you know in a couple of years one of them could could be there there's a guy called um mavuma mcqueen he's he's a shooter he's he's not really a creative type i wanted to create a type but he's a shooter playing um under 21 football at 17. so like he's he's physically there for under 21 football playing against other men so um
01:25:47
Speaker
Yeah, think our academies have got to like give someone give what give someone a chance in the academy and just see where it takes you. Yeah, we normally produce one. It seems like Shea Lacey is the next one. So we're going to see what he does. But he's right-sided. I forgot about Shea Lacey. But ba i think I think he's good enough to play both sides, man. Or maybe you put Mbremio on the right or and then Shea Lacey. No, that doesn't make sense. Mbremio on the left and Shea Lacey on the right.
01:26:18
Speaker
Yeah, like, once we get... Next season, he'll get a lot more minutes and then we'll actually see, like, what he' what his level is. But, um yeah, and then in terms of striker, I don't know, bro. I don't know. I want to kill him, man, but I don't know if any of them exist anymore, man. I really i can't see it. I can't see him I mean, wait realistically, if you do get a striker, it's going to be, like, a backup.
01:26:41
Speaker
So what sort of profile do you want for a backup?
01:26:46
Speaker
That's the thing, that you don't really want to go young with two two strikers. So, you want someone who's relatively in their prime now-ish? but ideally Ideally, a Mateto. Yeah.
01:27:00
Speaker
Without his knee issues. Yeah. So if if it comes to the summer, and obviously he tried to do the move, but he failed his medical. So he didn't he didn't make the move this January. If it comes to the summer and he's there for a cheap, might as well, innit?
01:27:17
Speaker
Might as well just grab him. There's no harm in it. Because what, 16 goals...
01:27:23
Speaker
last year, he's on eight now. So he was on par to match his 16 goals. Hey, that's good for a second fiddle. And he's missing bare chances. He's missing bare chances. He should be on at least 12 or 13 by now. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:27:41
Speaker
So that's where would go with it. That's our squad building pod. ah That section went on a bit longer than we thought, but sometimes when there's a good topic, it's a good topic. So hopefully you guys appreciate yeah To wrap it up, don't blame the ref moment. of There's quite a few this weekend. I'm not even going late. There's quite a few. There's quite a few.
01:28:07
Speaker
Yeah. I'll just say Liverpool, her the blood of my enemies. The blood of my enemies. Listen, yeah?

Liverpool's Referee Controversies

01:28:17
Speaker
Don't blame the ref.
01:28:20
Speaker
Every single time, it's the best fault. Every time they lose a big game, it's the best fault. They've always got to blame the ref. Because even in that first goal, they're complaining, complaining, complaining. the salop flew engolfing You Dias? red day he's covering sort of rest call give a red card luia his right there stop it that version of salo is not pacing post louis d in that situation that guy you mean we no Ruben Diaz, sorry. weop Yeah, you said Lua. But yeah. What was saying?
01:28:51
Speaker
Even you said Lua. Oh, man. Listen, the Premier League think I can't see them, you know. Seven minutes at the done and we're playing until the 145th minute. They think I can't see them. They're trying to lick it. They're trying it. And then eating that last goal. That Cherokee goal.
01:29:10
Speaker
Bro, what football coming to, bro? Did Subozdai get sent off? Subozdai got sent for that, right? Yeah, got sent off. And now he's missing the next game of some foolishness, bro. is Come on, man. For me, if if I was aware, if would have just said they both pulled each other, yeah go away, whatever, leave. cancel each other out.
01:29:28
Speaker
The game's done. They lost anyway. but now Now my man is going to miss the next game for no reason, bro. Liverpool, hold it. and i and i' and i And I mean this. I am so passionate about this.
01:29:41
Speaker
Hold it. Hold it. So, what is your don't blame the ref moment?
01:29:50
Speaker
Christian Augustus um
01:29:57
Speaker
Romero, yeah. I can't even think of another name. But that guy... you are a fuck you're a boneheaded fuck it should even be ah for the amount of times that you've done something similar to that level it should be it should be a net I feel like you know what yeah think if you get three red cards in a season your sentence should get doubled you should make six games you should make six games have you got three this season I don't know. I don't know if he has, but feel like my head, in my head, in my head, that same tackle, at least three or four different times. He's been something up for one other time. Yeah, he done it against Chelsea. Similar tackle as well. He wins the ball, but he leaves his stud up and it's a red, bro. Get him out before you really hurt someone, bro. That's what I'm talking about. I don't need to see that kind of football.
01:30:47
Speaker
Did you see the post-match with, um what's his name? With the manager, Tottenham manager. No, didn't see and it. And he basically says, oh, if you check um his career, he hasn't actually got that many red cards. um And then the reporter goes, well, since he's joined the Prem, he's got the most red cards out of anyone. he's And then the manager was like, really?
01:31:12
Speaker
Like, really? Oh, I didn't know that. Welp. whope Anyway, get that bozo out of the Premier League, man. Send them to Athletico so you can do his fuckball with the guys named DePoo and all them guys, bro. All them bad.
01:31:29
Speaker
them bad. Honestly. All right, Good episode. Thank you guys for tuning in. um Yeah. Don't blame the ref. Yeah. Peace.
01:31:41
Speaker
Peace.