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Daily Premier League in English: Episode 88 - Millwall goalie to face sanctions after reckless tackle on Mateta? Manchester United crash out of FA Cup
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Join Michael Thompson and Michał Czarniecki as they discuss the highlights of the FA Cup's Fifth Round Proper, including Jean-Philippe Mateta on the receiving end of a reckless goalie tackle, Anthony Gordon missing out on Carabao Cup final, another dismal day for Manchester United, and more! Tune in and enjoy!
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Transcript
Introduction and Hosts
00:00:44
Mikey
Hello and a very warm welcome on this fine Monday where you are picking up your GSPN Daily English Premier League podcast with myself, Mikey Thompson.
00:00:54
Mikey
And today I'm joined by none other than Mikhail. How are you, sir?
00:00:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hi, hi, hi. thanks for Thanks for having me here. I am feeling down as a Man United fan, but then again, well, it was a foregone conclusion, you know? like we'll talk more We'll talk more about this later.
FA Cup Weekend Highlights
00:01:10
Mikey
Absolutely. And what a fifth round of football we've had. It's an FA Cup weekend and we're going to be looking at the key talking points from this weekend. including all the Premier League and the teams that took
Man United vs Fulham Analysis
00:01:21
Mikey
part.
00:01:21
Mikey
And we're going to start with none other than errorol our favourite team, our our our love, our joy, our hatred at the current minute. ah It is Man United. We go to Old Trafford and we had Fulham who came to join us.
00:01:38
Mikey
And it was the fifth round where... You know, at the minute, for our season, it could have gone any way, this game for me. and
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:01:48
Mikey
And United started the same as they've started every game this season, in my opinion. ah Struggled, conceded at possibly the worst time to concede in a football game, just on half-time.
00:02:02
Mikey
But they did answer back and I do want to highlight just how good ah Bruno Fernandes' goal was. um He took it so well. Your favourite man, De Lowe, down the left-hand side, squeezed a beautiful pass to him and it was a great finish.
00:02:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:02:19
Mikey
um
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:02:21
Mikey
Both teams continued to press and push for the win and they did have chances. However, none of them prevailed and the game went to extra time. um And then once extra time had finished, it was penalties. And for me, penalties are a look of the draw.
Match Outcome and Reactions
00:02:41
Mikey
It's one of those things that come down to the specific moment and whether the goalkeeper guesses the right way and whether the... the the the calibre of penalty is is prolific enough to beat the keeper and it proved today that Fulham were better.
00:02:56
Mikey
Bert Leno proving his is best and and becoming the hero and obviously you've got Lindelof and Zerksi who are the villains in this story.
00:03:06
Mikey
um I'm going to come to your name, Mikhail, and just ask you, what's your what's your overall from this?
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah
00:03:11
Mikey
Can you summarise your feelings coming out this game?
00:03:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah My feelings about this game are that it was a long overdue. Like, ah really, like that elimination of Man United from FA Cup was long overdue, especially after that goal by Harry Maguire to make it 2-1 against Leicester. Yeah, we celebrated, but it was offside. If there had been VAR, we wouldn't have never gone through, and Leicester would have played that tie instead of us against Fulham.
00:03:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, okay, we can't turn back time. And what I did see today from Man United's side was, ah great, let's just say, rejuvenation of their powers, of their will to attack to go for it for the first 15 minutes.
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we witnessed something that, well, Man United fans are super used to. So basically stepping back, stepping down, allowing the opponent to do some tricks with the ball, to to to get out a hold of the possession.
00:04:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
and ah You know, the definition of insanity is doing the same repeating the same action and expecting different results. And unfortunately, this is exactly what fits the defense of Man United.
00:04:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
We step back every single time, and then we are super surprised that we concede. Especially in the way that how you described was one of the most ridiculous ways how to concede goal, really.
00:04:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, it was well-deserved by Fulham to go 1-0 top. ah Second half, it was slightly better, but I will say this. If you waste opportunities, if you have such a bad touch
Criticism and Future Hopes for Man United
00:04:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
the way that, well, none other than Chido Obi Martin had,
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
What else do you expect? I mean, just to just to just looking at the stats of this guy, Ciro Obi-Martin, 5.7, one of the worst ratings of the entire game. Oh my God. he he He only had one shot on target, two shots off target.
00:05:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whenever he would ah even come close to the ball, he would immediately lose it. ah And he was actually no better than Hoyland, who was also dramatic today. he It was a shocking performance.
00:05:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, ah yeah, and Bruno Fernandes came to the rescue again. You know what? I really think that once we think about restructurization of the club of Man United, the guys, the executives at Man United, they should really start investing in buying a cape, Superman cape.
00:05:40
Mikey
Bye.
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
For Bruno Fernandes. Because he's a superhero. And dear Fulham fans. You want to call our superhero Orat? Fine by me. he he He may be looking as even as a cockroach for all I care.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
The most important thing. Is that he is the one who's putting it all together. He's keeping it up together. And I just cannot wait for Ruben Amorim. To get rid of almost entire squad of Man United. Which is here currently. Replace it with the better players.
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And link up... Blend them up with Bruno Fernandes and hopefully we'll get we willll see a better Man United moving forward.
00:06:17
Mikey
Yeah, ah absolutely.
00:06:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
00:06:18
Mikey
And ah just to pick up on a couple of things you said, United conceded from a corner um and they they use zonal marking, which is something that I really struggle to get on board with.
Tactical Discussion: Zonal Marking
00:06:28
Mikey
I don't fully understand and I'm by no means qualified to make this call, but I don't understand how it's better than man marking because...
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:06:38
Mikey
With man marking, not only do you mark the zone of which your man is covering, but you're also covering the opponents and making their life harder. Whereas you have, um I think it was Maswari on the back post who couldn't react and he looks as though he's defended poorly.
00:06:56
Mikey
But arguably, he hasn't defended poorly.
00:06:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. fully
00:06:59
Mikey
he's He's covered the position of which he's been told to stand in. And it's impossible for him to react to an oncoming footballer. So I find it really difficult to understand why teams choose to do zonal marking, how it benefits you as a defending defensive side.
00:07:15
Mikey
I don't really understand. The goal was a sloppy goal to concede, but I only think it was sloppy on the basis that when you When you mark zonally, you are quite stationary. And if you've got players moving off that offensively, it's very difficult to do anything about it.
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly. And oh my goodness, you know, just just listening to it, like in what kind of state is Man United currently? I mean, ah while you were, you know, saying your part about how Man United's defense was performing, I actually looked sick took a look at the latest quotes from the game. And I've just read a quote from Ruben Amorim that he thinks that we had the best chances in the game.
00:07:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's important to say that with with the substitutions we had our chance to win the game. Mr. Memoriam, I don't know how to put it bluntly to you, sir, but you have to capitalize. You cannot just just look at the stats of those people starting up front.
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look at Eriksen, how he didn't want to touch the ball at all. Look at Bruno Fernandes trying to be the only one to somehow keep it together.
00:08:17
Mikey
keep
00:08:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look at your defense in zonal defense. look at Look at all of that, Mr. Amorim. And please make some reasonable conclusions.
Man United's European Football Challenge
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you know what, Mikey? We have to understand the implications of Man United crashing out of f FA Cup.
00:08:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
f FA Cup was probably one of the easier ways, let's put it that way, to secure some European football next season. Because if somebody wants to tell me that Man Utd have a better chance of claiming the Europa League title this season instead of f fa Cup,
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, sorry. ah FA Cup was the way to go. And now this is out of the way. um In the league, Man United cannot really hope on clinching any European positions from the table. So right now, it's going to be do or die against Real Sociedad in the round of 16 of Europa League.
00:09:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And frankly, Mikey, I don't see that happening. I just don't.
00:09:16
Mikey
Yeah, no, you could be right. I also think that Amarin's got to come out and support his team. He can't come out and slate them ah for going out the competition. And generally, that conversation will probably happen in the changing rooms.
00:09:29
Mikey
and
00:09:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:09:30
Mikey
But somebody who's not having to listen to that anymore is Marcus Rashford, who's happened to make the journey over to Aston Villa and he's quite enjoying himself.
00:09:42
Mikey
Yeah, it was late Friday night kick-off.
00:09:49
Mikey
um and they played at villa park against cardiff on friday night if i'm correct yeah it was a late friday night kickoff and ah Villa won 2-0 smashed it Asensio got 2 and he fires Unai Emery's tied into the FA Cup quarter-finals what is happening that every person that leaves Old Trafford ah that hits a vein of form that is better than we as United fans would ever imagine possible
00:10:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um You know what? One of the late Polish coaches from Polish League, um he he would say that sometimes clubs are like black holes.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And unfortunately, Man United has become a club of a black hole. It's become just like a ah toxic cesspool, really. And this is very, it's very sad for me to say that, but it's true.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
People who leave the club are better off leaving it and joining another group of, of, of, of fresh ideas, of fresh people, of people with fresh ideas, with, with fresh perspectives on football. And all of a sudden they thrive and more power to him, more power to him. I've said that before. I've said it many times and before. I'll say it again, Marcus Rashford.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you for, ah for respecting yourself, really for respecting what kind of a player you are. Um, You know what? just Just talking about the performance of Aston Villa against Cardiff City here for a moment.
00:11:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I had a feeling that, especially in the first half, Aston Villa wasted a lot of opportunities. And I think in that kind of level... Okay... they should not be wasting as many opportunities as they did.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And that was only the Cardiff side. All right.
Aston Villa's Recent Form
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's not the the most difficult of oppositions. And I saw Oli Watkins. I saw Bailey. I saw Asensio, Rashford, all of them trying, McGinn, all of them trying to somehow find the target, but they failed to do so.
00:11:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And on that kind of level, sure, against Cardiff, they they they They were given a pass. They want to nail. Victory is a victory. One should not judge the victors, right? But we will be talking about what's going to happen in the quarterfinals. We're going to be talking what's going to happen in the future with all of those teams involved in FA Cup.
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I have to tell you, Aston Villa has to capitalize on their chances. Because if they don't, ah If not here domestically, then internationally, more specifically in Europe, in Champions League, somebody will take advantage of Aston Villa wasting their opportunities and their European dream might be cut short.
00:12:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they have to start being more clinical.
00:12:27
Mikey
Yeah, agreed.
00:12:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's all.
00:12:28
Mikey
i mean, in the first half, they had they made seven chances, but they were all saved and by Ethan Horvath.
00:12:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:12:34
Mikey
Don't know how to say his name. and But Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio linked up for the third time this season since both joining in January.
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:12:45
Mikey
and broke the deadlock, they changed it. Villa will be happy that they've got the result, they kept a clean sheet. I agree, i take your point, you've got to be more clinical.
00:12:56
Mikey
and But arguably you could say that you know the stats stand up against them. If you look at how many shots they had, they had 25 shots in total, 10 on target.
00:13:07
Mikey
um car Cardiff had four shots and only one on target. Pugetion was 70-30, 68-32, but you get the point.
00:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh-huh.
00:13:17
Mikey
i think I think the the game was Aston-Builders.
00:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
00:13:20
Mikey
They were in control. it was never really in in in worry. and But i think the biggest thing to take from Villa is that the fact that they've they've lost John Duran and replaced him with two players that have the bit between the teeth and potentially could carry Aston Villa into having a very successful season.
00:13:41
Mikey
they're still well within that zone that I think is the most interesting zone left in the Premier League now and of of making European football there's about six teams that could potentially do it and there's not many points between them so yeah and big chances for Villa and a fair play to them beating Cardiff and getting through to the quarter finals but before we go any further into today let's hear from our ad Bionique
00:13:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:14:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:14:48
Mikey
So we are going to jump into our next section of the FA Cup weekend and we are going to Crystal Palace against Millwall.
Controversial Mateta Challenge
00:14:57
Mikey
ah This game stands out for many reasons, ah but one in particular that we felt that we needed to talk about and it is the Mateta challenge.
00:15:09
Mikey
It's important to acknowledge that Palace won 3-1 um and the The challenges caused a lot of controversy over the internet. and Pundits having their opinions.
00:15:23
Mikey
where Where do you stand on it? i be whyll I'll quickly explain what happened and then and then you can give me your opinion. So the ball's coming through to Marteta.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure.
00:15:30
Mikey
He's going through for the ball. The keeper's come out into no man's land, which is what we'd call that position where he's outside of the box. And he's gone to clear the ball, but he's gone to clear it Head height, let's say, and and he has he's kicked the ball, so he he's played the ball first, um but he's gone through and kicked through ah Mateta and causing him quite a severe injury where he's had to have lots stitches. We said that he's doing well, so that's that's really important ah to our acknowledge.
00:16:03
Mikey
I don't think there was malice or intent in in in in in the situation in in yeah in in the in the contact. i just think that it was reckless and and and he wasn't in control of that situation. and That would be my overarching opinion from that. what what What did you take from the decision?
00:16:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah The decision was absolutely correct. And actually, when I saw that incident for the very first time and that I had to like you just you know keep it on repeat just to understand what happened there, ah i the image that came to my eyes was ah was basically Schumacher and Battiston.
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
1982. Well, of course, I watched it from archives. I wasn't alive at then. I'm 1999, after all. ah So all I could to just ah yeah i could you all i could to do is just to see that tape from 1982. And that was like the World Cup semifinal.
00:17:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the German goalkeeper, he just basically powered through the French forward. And he knocked him out and he broke his jaw. And at the time, there was no VAR, obviously. So the German goalkeeper wasn't sent off.
00:17:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think that what we saw at Crystal Palace against Millwall was the closest to that incident. I really think so. And there could be a lot of opinions. I could, for example, I saw Barton ah with his so tweets on X, ah you know, defending the the goalkeeper and also blaming Mateta for being reckless for even trying to get to the ball first.
00:17:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's just say it's kind of ridiculous. So I do not want to take too much time on that. ah But do i what i but but do I do want to say is the goalkeepers will say that the goalkeeper just has to make a decision and he's just going for it because he wants his team not to concede.
00:17:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's obvious. But then again, with more reckless ah challenges like that, the health of the players is endangered.
00:18:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, uh, that challenge was super unnecessary. And, uh, the red card was absolutely fully deserved. And, uh, I really wouldn't be surprised if, um, if middle wall goalkeeper was suspended for just more than one game, because, uh,
00:18:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just unacceptable in today's football. It really, really is. I mean, with so many games already being played, with already so many ah injuries that we've got this season, with with the fact that players are already just being exploited beyond anybody's imagination.
00:18:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And on top of that, we've got... ah let's just say, over-motivated players who want to basically ah you know have the approach of Robbie Keane, that the ball may pass, but the player shall not.
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, maybe back in the day with less games and with more time to somehow recover, maybe it was acceptable, but not anymore today. I'm sorry. So for me, 100% justified, sent off, and ah he needs to cool his head off for at least next at least next three games. That's my opinion.
00:19:16
Mikey
Yeah, I agree. It's interesting when you mentioned the other incident, which I've never seen. I'll admit if I have, I've not known. i' I've seen it. um But it reminded me of a couple of other big big
Impact of Gordon's Sending Off
00:19:28
Mikey
calls. um There was the ni note Nigel de Jong against Xavi Alonso in, I think it was the Euros final, Spain against Holland, or it might have been the World Cup, I can't remember.
00:19:41
Mikey
ah And that was a reckless challenge, but And there was another one, Nani against Real Madrid Old Trafford.
00:19:48
Mikey
and Yeah, who was that on?
00:19:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, yeah, 2013, round of 16 in Champions League.
00:19:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:19:52
Mikey
i can't remember who he challenged it on. I can't think. I can see it happening as well. He stood slanted on someone's chest, but both of those instances, there was no... awareness of what was around them.
00:20:05
Mikey
So they were they were following the line of the ball and and and the contact came after it.
00:20:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:20:09
Mikey
And I think that the the decision for those at the time was quite harsh. But this one, the goalkeeper had full knowledge of what what was in front of him.
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:20:19
Mikey
and I think it was extremely reckless and the decision to be sent off is right. I mean, a man's got 25 stitches in his head and after what has happened. It's easy it's not not okay. and And I think, you know,
00:20:37
Mikey
For Millwall, your job is to to keep your team and and keep it steady and and don't do anything stupid. That would been probably the last words out of the manager's mouth. And then six minutes in, eight minutes in, your keeper's been sent off and you've got an uphill task, which was already a massive challenge.
00:20:55
Mikey
So a fast and speedy recovery from us all here at GSPN for Mateta and the right result for Palace.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:21:03
Mikey
I'd like to move on to another game that was very interesting, and which was Newcastle against Brighton.
Newcastle vs Brighton Recap
00:21:12
Mikey
What a game of football.
00:21:14
Mikey
it saw everything. It had FA Cup drama. It was one all after full time and good old Danny Welbeck was on fire. In 114 minutes, he managed to bag the winner for Brighton, which was fantastic.
00:21:28
Mikey
But the game had um discipline issues, to say the least. ah We've got Gordon with sending off and Lamptitt for Brighton with a sending off ah in regular time.
00:21:42
Mikey
So extra time was played with both teams down to 10 men. But the big news is really coming out of ah Newcastle and the fact that Gordon will miss the Carabao Cup final.
00:21:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, and that will be that is big because ahead of the Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool, a player like Gordon would have been a great, great addition to Eddie Howe's structure.
00:22:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gordon, he's pretty physical. He knows how to ah behave in that kind of situations. He ah he will not be afraid to just barge in. and with his body like into towards his opponent and just just just just throw him off balance just to retrieve the ball.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he does it in such a way that it's just on the edge between it being flat play and and being a foul.
00:22:29
Mikey
Thank you.
00:22:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah but But he knows that he got it to perfection. and And so the fact that he lost his cool In such a situation which which did really did not require from him to to to lose his cool.
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just like another scuffle in football, as always. And yet, because of his conduct, he got sent off. And now Eddie Howe will have a big problem. Because now we understand, after especially after this game, that Newcastle's... Well, not only after this game, but especially after um the Premier League bout between Newcastle and Liverpool at Anfield...
00:23:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
that Newcastle is clearly the team that have got their imperfections at defense. ah This is no longer the team that would line up with just five defenders at the back and just try to keep Arsenal forwards off. that that like This illusion is gone.
00:23:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because they're going to have to come up against Cody Gakpo, against Salah, against Soboslai, against Gravenberg.
00:23:31
Mikey
yes
00:23:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
All of those guys who have who are at peak of their creativity when it comes to offensive football. And really, they have to sort themselves out.
00:23:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really, Eddie Howe has got to think of a good, good game game plan without Gordon and with ah Burn and Cher not being as solid as they were just a month ago.
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, that's going to be an interesting final. Lack of Gordon. But then again, if you have a problem with keeping your ah head cool, You you just just have to stop. You just have to stop at some point. like Just like we mentioned, ah the case of Millwall goalkeeper.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah. And and and with Lamptey, it wasn't... If I remember correctly, that was not due to the... his ah aggressive behavior or something like that. He was just like, he just committed another foul, which was worthy of a, of a second booking.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it wasn't that bad as, as, as Gordon one, but, but, but still ah this today, nowadays football has become pretty aggressive. And there are more and more tackles, there are more and more ah injuries because of the fact that the players just, stay they they do not calculate as much as they used to.
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just just to go back slightly to that to Crystal Palace game, that that that the game that we mentioned just a couple minutes ago, it was pretty aggressive too. So this could be another line of defense that the overall, the atmosphere of the game was pretty aggressive. It was like, it was pretty brutal.
00:25:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like there were like at least 20 fouls or 20 something fouls on the pitch, ah plus those which weren't caught by the referee. So yeah. and and And then same thing with, with the Newcastle Brighton. I mean, like they just want to get to that finish line so bad that just like Jose Mourinho said, you cannot be good guys for 90 minutes.
00:25:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
You have to be, let let me Let me just say bad guys. He used another word, starting with a C, but I can't say it because, come on, we we are a PG show. Yeah.
00:25:31
Mikey
ah Certainly are. And Eddie Harry's got a couple of big decisions to make. um he He's already been questioned whether he's going to appeal the sending off for Gordon ahead of the Carabao Cup final.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:25:43
Mikey
um I think it would be wise or silly not to. Although if if you look at it and and and he feels that it's not worthy of an appeal, ah they're not often overturned appeals.
00:25:57
Mikey
Very rare ah for that to happen.
00:25:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Hmm.
00:25:59
Mikey
And I don't know what the logistics are of happening how that happens and how quickly it can happen. um But another big decision that was discussed, excuse me, that I thought about was um Alexander Isaac, or Issac, should I say, ah starting.
00:26:17
Mikey
We didn't expect him to be to be playing. And it was a question mark. Two reasons. He scored a penalty, put them 1-0 up. but Later in the game, he appeared to be injured or close to injury. He seems to be OK, but it was, in my opinion, quite risky ahead of what is Newcastle's biggest game for a long, long time um ah for their club to play their best player ah and and risk him not being available for the... um
00:26:52
Mikey
For the Carabao Cup final. and i don't I don't know, maybe you could take your hat off to Eddie Howe and think, you know, he's going for it. and But also, there there has to be some form of conservation towards a massive game for the football club.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:27:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, it could be. like like It really could be the case. But but but then again, ah but on the other hand, ah when you look at Newcastle, they're really dying for trophies right now. They want to put something in their trophy cabinet. and and They do not want to be mocked for eternity for the lack of trophies or for the fact that they would come to the final, but then they would just ah blow it off at the final hurdle.
00:27:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that could be another motivation. It's just like... Even when we just look at the at the Premier League table, like just to just to to just to put that information out there, it's obvious. But right now, Newcastle, they are sixth with 27 games already ah played with 44 points. And, well, in comparison, in they if they wanted to be second, they would need to somehow get to those 55, 56 points and the hope that Arsenal would start losing some games in the Premier League. So let's face it.
00:28:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
No chance for Newcastle to get some trophies there. ah So the only chance for Eddie Howe's side to pick up a trophy which is so longed at St. James Park, at St. James Park, is is f FA Cup.
00:28:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's the reason. that's the That's the reason why they're going 100% on. ah Because, yeah, like you said, that there could be something to preserve. Like, Isak, like, we have to ah keep him safe. we He cannot pick up an injury at this critical moment of the season.
00:28:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that again, ah looking at Man City, for example, or or looking at Chelsea, it's not like those teams are super solid. They could be dropping points of their own.
00:28:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
They could get some injuries as well. Like and anything could happen. So I think it's a wise move from Eddie Howe to focus on that pick-up. It's their only chance to pick up a trophy this season.
00:28:57
Mikey
Wow, writing in them off. Well, two weeks today, the stage is set.
Podcast Promotion and FA Cup Quarterfinals Draw
00:29:01
Mikey
They will be Wembley playing Liverpool on the 16th of March.
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:29:06
Mikey
And what a platform ah for them to do that on. And talking about platforms that are good to set the right tone. Have a listen to why we choose Zencastr as our chosen podcasting platform.
00:29:52
Mikey
Absolutely. Make sure you do that. and And we're going into our final section there where we're going to wrap up the weekend with our own personal views and highlights from what we've seen. And then we're going to quick discussion on the quarterfinals, which is now drawn and live and ready for everyone to see and With regard to my personal highlight, I would like to say i feel like the f FA Cup has to have a passion in it and it's all about the David and Goliath analogy for me.
00:30:24
Mikey
That underdog taking the game to the bigger man, the bigger team.
00:30:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:30:29
Mikey
and And for that, I'm going to go for Plymouth Argyle. and You know, they they they've ruined Liverpool. um of of hopes of getting a treble maybe this season and and they they took the game to City and I really enjoyed it it was a backs against the wall job for them they did get beat and beat comfortably in the end but I promise you as a game there was nothing comfortable about it they went 1-0 up And took the game to City and and and unfortunately for them, I said, if they can get to half-time at they will have a chance. And it wasn't to be.
00:31:09
Mikey
They conceded on the stroke of half-time or just before. And then, yes, City went on to win, which is fantastic for Man City and probably the expected result. But what I wanted to acknowledge was...
00:31:21
Mikey
A team that is significantly struggling and in in league form, going to you know a formidable Man City side, which we know isn't at the minute, but you you understand my point, the calibre of team is is significantly different. and That's what it's all about for me.
00:31:38
Mikey
and Not just setting up to go by and enjoy the the process of playing at the Etihad, but actually taking the game to them. So, yeah, that's my um highlight from the weekend.
00:31:49
Mikey
How about you, Mikhail? What are you spotting that you want to talk about?
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, the the highlight that I would like to talk about is the fact that Mateus Cunha had a great chance of becoming the nightmare for Bournemouth fans and for Bournemouth players out there.
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he just lost his cool and he got sent off. Damn, we've heard that story before. So, yeah, so that would be my highlight. But just before elaborating on that, yes, I'm sorry, Newcastle fans.
00:32:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. You still have a fighting chance against Liverpool, Carabao Cup final. Exactly. i like For some reason, I just like i forgot about it. like It was just like my my brain kind of blanked for some reason.
00:32:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry. So coming back now to Burm of Wolves.
00:32:31
Mikey
yeah
00:32:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah. and the reason the Another reason why I wanted to highlight this game as my pick of the weekend was because when we were doing the forecast Friday with Tom from Daily Weston, we predicted that this would be one of the games which would be resolved after penalty shootout.
00:32:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And lo and behold...
00:32:51
Mikey
but
00:32:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bournemouth beat Wolves only by penalties after drawing by one goal apiece. Mateusz Kuna scoring the 16th minute, and cancelling out the the goal of Evan Nilsson at the 30th minute.
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was such a jubilation from Bournemouth fans ah to to to see them taking the lead ah to somehow get the revenge for a Wolves costing the Bournemouth side, the Ilya Zabani, after he had been sent off.
00:33:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then Mateusz Kunja scored again. That was a beautiful ah strike, by the way. and was from outside the box. So, wow. Kudos to Kunja. So, like I said, he could have become a hero, but then he received the red card.
00:33:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that might have been one of the reasons why Wolves... One of the reasons why they eventually lost that penalty shootout.
00:33:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kluivert in that game was plus awesome. Quattara, as always. ah I mean... To be honest, I've become a little bit a little bit of a fan of of Justin Cliver in those last weeks because i really think that he just encapsulates what the modern football should really be about. It's about speed. It's about accuracy. It's about...
00:34:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
good technique while counterattacking. It's no longer positional football. Sorry, Pep Guardiola, you said it yourself. So yeah, that was that is my pick of of of the weekend.
00:34:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And well, kudos to Bournemouth. Best of luck to them in the quarterfinals. And yeah, um and as far as Cunha goes, you have to wait for another fixture against Bournemouth to get your revenge this time.
00:34:31
Mikey
it it was in it it was It was a great game. It had everything in it. I just think the timing of that, allowing your emotions to get in front of you as he did, there's no argument it was a sending off.
00:34:42
Mikey
it was it was It was...
00:34:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:34:45
Mikey
Yeah, it's a straightforward decision, but your side are going into a penalty shootout. You want your in-form striker to be on the pitch taking a penalty.
00:34:55
Mikey
You don't want him walking down the dugout angry. And I think, yeah, I think they've let themselves down there a little bit ah personally.
00:34:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
absolutely
00:35:04
Mikey
But we'll see how that affects because they would have gone through if they'd have won the penalties, perhaps, ah which Bournemouth did. And they are going to play Man City. um But they've got a home fixture in that one.
00:35:20
Mikey
How do you see that game played out?
00:35:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, Bournemouth Man City. I just cannot wait for Kluivert to show Pep Guardiola. to not Not to eat Pep Guardiola's words because he was kind of praising that kind of style.
00:35:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would say to show him in practice what modern football is all about. I cannot wait for this bout. It will be one of the most interesting bouts when it comes to this FA Cup quarterfinals.
00:35:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm really looking forward to it. Man City, yes. I cannot write them off. and The second you start writing off Pep Guardiola's team in England, ah you could be in trouble. You really could be in trouble. You don't have to, but you could.
00:35:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think this is exactly what Newcastle did when they went to the Emirates in the Premier League, ah right after Man City had lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League in the first leg.
00:36:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle thought that Man City would be in some, you know, off form, that they would be disgruntled. And then Omar Mamouche appeared and all of a sudden he scored a hat-trick in that game.
00:36:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And overall, Man City won 4-0 against Newcastle, if I remember correctly, that is. ah Yeah, is as so so wow. I just cannot wait. i really just cannot wait ah for that fixture to happen.
00:36:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And yeah, fingers crossed to be a cracker of a game.
00:36:39
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. i think I think we have to say, well, from my point of view, City are now the favourites to go on ah to probably win the the FA Cup. and Right behind, though, I would argue, Aston Villa, um who who would also be, in my opinion, in contention as they go to Preston in the quarterfinals.
00:37:03
Mikey
And I think... Probably a straightforward result for me. i't don't i don't see any hiccups there, apart from FA Cup glory um for Preston. But yeah, I can can't see anything past Asensio Rashford getting another link up ah to see them through that game quite comfortably.
00:37:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, right. I agree. Aston Villa, they actually got a very lucky draw. So kudos to them. And then, well, we will see. Actually, i actually have one technical question. Like, do we already know which ties will go will ah compete against which other ties in the semifinal? Or is it going to be drawn?
00:37:43
Mikey
That's a really good question. I think they're always drawn in the FA Cup.
00:37:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay so so Okay, so we do not know and the the the basically the road to Wembley for any of those teams just yet.
00:37:53
Mikey
Yeah.
00:37:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, all right. Yeah, but because then again, if you have... Because here's another argument that I would like to bring up to this discussion. Because... let's If we look at the teams which are left in contention for the f FA Cup, yes, as far as Newcastle go, as far as Newcastle went, um they're already out.
00:38:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yes, i did bring I did mention that they wanted to win the trophy as much as they... as much as they owe want, and as as much as much as they can. ah But then again, let's look at the league positions of those off some of those teams, right?
00:38:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
For example, we look at Aston Villa. Aston Villa, they're ah currently 10th in the Premier League, but those are only 42 points. All they have to do is just to start winning up a little bit more, and then they might end up in those European positions. They still have got the Champions League.
00:38:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Some other teams, for example, we can look at Bournemouth or Brighton or Forest. Those teams, they do not have to focus on f FA Cup that much because their position is far better in the Premier League table, if you know what um'm if you know what I mean.
00:39:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
That I have a feeling that here, that that that would be the calculations galore. at least in in some of those aspects. So we will go we're just going to have to see how Aston na Villa does in the Champions League.
00:39:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going have to see how Bournemouth, Brighton and the Forest do and and in the Premier League, what their position at the table is, because we have to remember one important thing. The winner of the FA Cup has a European spot.
00:39:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah regardless of whatever position they and they they finish in the Premier League. So, um for example, I could see the likes of Crystal Palace, for example, fighting until the very last minute to clinch the trophy, because that would be a a like a great chance for them to show in europe um to to show themselves in Europe next season.
00:39:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Aston Villa, Bournemouth, I'm not so certain that they really, really crave that f FA Cup victory. Of course, from the prestige perspective, of course, but we're just simply talking about cold calculations.
00:40:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Brighton Forest, we really do not know. We really don't know how it's going to pan out. So it's all circumstantial. So we're just going to have to wait and see.
00:40:10
Mikey
Yeah, i agreed. I mean, I would like to disagree with you in in in a little bit of of a way, just because I think surely these teams go into it like think they don't they don't tactically look at a game and think, you know, we're not going to play our best squad because we're not that bothered about the competition. I think we look at each game as an individual entity and I think there has to be some tactical decision into into the build-up of fixtures.
00:40:35
Mikey
and But when he when it's like it is currently, I think as an as If I was an Aston Villa fan, I'd want them to win as many games as it possibly can, go as far into each competition as they can.
00:40:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Hmm. Hmm.
00:40:46
Mikey
And I'd see that as more successful ah than missing out on Europe. We actually spoke about this the other week. How do you distinguish between you know a good run in the Champions League or your league table performance? Because they were having an impact. you know The midweek games and the weekend games, I fully take on board that point of view.
00:41:05
Mikey
But when when you're a team like that, I would say it's very difficult to... to to say which competition is more important than the other. um Whereas when you're a Man City, and we're talking about a Man City, they know that ah out of the Premier League, out of the Champions League, all their eggs go into FA Cup for it not to be a completely complete disaster this season. has to be.
00:41:30
Mikey
um So I would look at that slightly differently.
00:41:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
00:41:34
Mikey
You've also alluded to Brighton who are going to play Forest or Ipswich depending on the result of tonight's fixture and which again has a potential to be a fantastic season for Nottingham Forest if they happen to get into the quarter's finals.
00:41:50
Mikey
And then just to finish off we've got Fulham Crystal Palace which is the all Premier League and round including Bournemouth and the other games to be fair it shows just how how strong the Premier League is I guess when it comes to these competitions and how difficult it is for those smaller clubs to make make a ah great success in that
00:42:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Just to make one quick point due to what you said there about like this approach of of teams towards f FA Cup. um Yes, i have to admit that, yeah, there are also other circumstances, right?
00:42:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then again, how do you read how can we possibly read the the words of of of Unai Emery, who, when asked whether Aston Villa are contenders for the e FA Cup, he said no.
00:42:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how are we supposed to understand that? Because for me, if if an Unai Emery says that they are not contenders for the FA Cup, then that I guess the answer is simple. They're focusing on Champions League and on the Premier League because they think that they this is where their fight is, right?
00:42:50
Mikey
was.
00:42:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then again, somebody else could argue that, okay, that maybe Unai Emery said that during a press conference, but then he decided to throw Marco Asensio and Rashford and Teeleman and McGinn.
00:43:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So those are basically starting lineup, almost. Not to mention Emiliano Martinez in goal. So, yeah, it could be the case of mind games.
00:43:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah. The second I say mind games, I just recall Rafa Benitez versus Sir Alex Ferguson. Beautiful times. Sorry, digress.
00:43:19
Mikey
it was
00:43:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I digress. Yeah, but but you don't understand my point, right?
00:43:23
Mikey
ah I know, fully to your point, I also think that that adds to the disillusion because I think Eddie Howe would have probably said the same. you know Last week, we were arguing that he was ah saving players in the Premier League um for the Carabao Cup, which is which is in like three weeks' time.
00:43:39
Mikey
and Nobody could quite understand the logic behind it, but He then plays, you know, Isaac plays today. and And I just think, I think what what managers say and what they do are two very different things. I think think they have to do a certain thing ah that's right for the fans and for the players.
00:43:58
Mikey
um And then what they what they actually do, so what the teams they play at the time, I don't know. I think as ah as a manager personally, I would go as far as I can in all competitions. It's crazy for him to say, i didn't know he said that, that that that it's not a priority.
00:44:13
Mikey
But if he said, yeah, it is a priority and they went out at the weekend... this weekend, it would be all eyes on him and, you know, it's a failure. Whereas he's already said that it's not. So he's kind of reducing the flack that he could get if if the result didn't go their way.
00:44:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Could be.
00:44:30
Mikey
It's all mind games. You're 100% right. It's a beautiful thing. And that's why we love the game.
00:44:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Arsenal, well, used to be a good used to be a big club. I'm sorry.
00:44:41
Mikey
that
00:44:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just the first thing that comes to mind.
00:44:43
Mikey
And on that note, we are going to end this fifth round roundup for you here at the GSPN Daily Podcast.
00:44:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:44:52
Mikey
It's been an absolute pleasure speaking with you, Mikhail. Until next time, from me and you, it is goodbye from me.
00:45:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And goodbye from California. Thank you, guys. And just remember to subscribe, remember to like. The more you guys are out there, the more excited we are to make more content. it Is that right, Mikey?
00:45:09
Mikey
Absolutely. Speak soon.