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Beyond the Pitch Episode 96: Manchester is Red and Toone is a Hattrick Hero!
0 Playsin 16 hours
Catherine and Alka run through the headlines from an explosive Manchester derby and the rest of the weekend's WSL action.
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Transcript
Introduction & Podcast Overview
00:00:01
Alka
every club
00:00:05
Alka
global sports podcast network Hello.
00:00:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to be Beyond the Pitch, a daily women's football podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Catherine and I'm joined today by Alka. Hello. um Today we're goingnna we've got loads to talk about. We're going to talk about the WSL action from over the weekend.
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
a lot of talk about the Manchester Derby. Toony!
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to touch on Google, no longer defaulting to men's sports, and also look forward to the League Cup fixtures in the week.
00:00:37
Alka
Uh-huh.
WSL Weekend Review
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So to start off with, let's just run through the scores from the WSL this weekend. We've got Liverpool 2, Brighton 1, Everton 1, Villa 1, Tottenham 1, Leicester 0.
00:00:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal 5, Palace Mill, West Ham Mill, Chelsea 5, and Man City 2, Man United 4. Woohoo! So, which games did you watch over the weekend?
00:01:09
Alka
um I managed to catch the Arsenal Palace. I was following along to the City United. Unfortunately, it I didn't manage to watch that one, but um what a game.
00:01:20
Alka
But were let's not start with City United. Let's start with so with one of the others.
00:01:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:01:27
Alka
One that I was ah didn't have a clue which way it was going was Liverpool Brighton. I thought before that fixture started, it was like a I personally, I thought Brighton would have switched and taken it. By all means they're very, very close tight-knit clubs in terms of results and what they can produce on the pitch. But obviously Liverpool just had the upper hand. They was at home as well. so First, first fixture back from Christmas. um I think that is a big, a big deciding factor in probably both of their positions in the table because they're kind of the neck and neck.
00:02:02
Alka
uh,
Tottenham's Struggles Analyzed
00:02:03
Alka
interchangeable ones. Everything else is kind of a bit more, I could see it, I could understand it, you know, like I didn't, I wouldn't expect it to go other any other way apart from the Manchester Derby, which we'll mention in a bit.
00:02:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I was quite surprised that Spurs struggled so much or seemed to struggle so much.
00:02:20
Alka
Hmm.
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I thought they, I didn't watch the game, but I've caught the highlights and, you know, I was following it online and it sounded like they did struggle quite a bit.
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just wonder about them, whether
00:02:31
Alka
Yeah.
00:02:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
they've kind of plateaued. Cause it seems like they pick up results, but, um, but yeah, I just wonder if they're kind of at a plateau point.
00:02:48
Alka
I can see that.
00:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can talk talk about spurs since Kate's not here.
00:02:51
Alka
ah To be fair, I would argue similar, but then obviously when they had their their cup game as of recently, um I feel like ah one was it like they should be beaten Leicester City of course.
00:02:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:07
Alka
but Sometimes Tottenham surprise you. Right now my mind is dominated with, you know, Tottenham men's because obviously their fictions have been hilarious the last you the last few weeks.
00:03:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:03:18
Alka
But I feel like with the ladies, the same happens. Obviously they've lost some key, key players.
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:23
Alka
and They're still finding their feet, but they've also gained some really key players.
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:29
Alka
But then obviously they've fallen short, some injury. Obviously they've gotten Hailey Razzo and then she got injured for a bit, but you know, wasn't wasn't what they planned. They'd obviously lost both Grace Clinton from Lone and Celine Bizet and then they're trying to create this cover because obviously both of them are now slashing it in United um and so I think they're in a really grey area in terms of how do I kind of get myself back to where I was because they weren they weren't awful at all last season.
00:03:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:03:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, not at all.
00:03:59
Alka
But it's trying to find replacements, which is so hard to replace players like that. um But then at the same time, you it's it's just unpredictable. Sometimes they're here, sometimes they you know give an arsenal a run for their money, sometimes they're you know only beating Leicester City 1-0.
00:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I feel like that's the one thing you can say about spurs both men's and women's teams.
00:04:25
Alka
I'm very consistent with, yeah, his inconsistency.
00:04:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's very consistent very in consistent inconsistency.
00:04:33
Alka
yeah
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I also want to touch on Chelsea and Arsenal both won five
Arsenal's Club-First Approach
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
nil. ah The Renaissance is going really well.
00:04:41
Alka
I'm so excited, I'm so happy that they didn't feel the need to have to
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:48
Alka
throwing in a new manager because of name. That was my biggest fear. It's like, oh, do they want a big name to this club? Do they want to, you know, obviously Casey Stoney was in the mix before Canada. We had obviously Carla Ward as a possibility.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure.
00:05:00
Alka
She's at Island now, which I'm very excited for.
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my god, I'm not.
00:05:03
Alka
um
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wanted her to come to Scotland.
00:05:07
Alka
I mean, I don't don't think that, wait, are you serious? it's
00:05:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I wanted Carla Ward for Scotland.
00:05:15
Alka
No, she's she she's this is her part, especially because now that it's similar following her like obviously a career path of Emma Hayes working so closely, then both of them taking teams, both of them now at international level, obviously different levels of international level, but I think it's really cute.
00:05:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:30
Alka
um But I'm just going back to Renee the fact that...
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:05:35
Alka
does It doesn't matter about name and it's now they're focusing on club, which is a very big thing usually see in football. It's how can we attract publicity money? Who's the biggest name we can get on this?
00:05:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:45
Alka
And so I think this is going to do us a lot of good. Obviously it is only palace and I do say only palace, but we should be winning 5-0 against palace as should Chelsea against West Ham.
00:05:55
Alka
It's top table versus bottom table. But at the same time, well, no, there is now at the same time, full stop.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I mean, I do arm Renee's leg is like looking at it from the outside, not as an Arsenal fan. I saw a lot of Arsenal fans getting quite frustrated with the length of time that it was taking like to announce her.
00:06:17
Alka
yeah Without doubt.
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I actually thought that was quite a good thing because it means that they really ensured that she is the right person for the job and they weren't, wasn't.
00:06:26
Alka
I think the only thing that I would have come from an apprehensive side is if I was Renee and they still weren't offering me that long term contract due to the you know the kind constant constant success, I'd be thinking, right, they don't actually want me.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:06:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that's fair enough unless like she was given all the positive indications behind the scenes and they just didn't say anything publicly or anything for a while.
00:06:44
Alka
Yes.
00:06:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I did think it was good to do their due diligence. I just think that we've we've seen it before where in terms of kind of gone on a run of form, been offered the job and then not actually been the right person long-term.
00:07:00
Alka
you Yes.
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think it's really good that she obviously smashed the interview and like they made sure she is the right person. And that will give her the confidence boost as well. So like I did go up against other managers.
00:07:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wasn't just handed this job.
00:07:15
Alka
Yeah, definitely.
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:07:17
Alka
um continuing Continuing on to this R still conversation, Miss Lea Williamson has had
00:07:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
Beth Mead's Comeback
00:07:25
Alka
her first goal back in a ah long, long time, scoring as she does from headers.
00:07:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know! Woo hoo! I'm gonna clap. Yeah.
00:07:32
Alka
Beautiful. And she celebrated, celebrated good, like Miss Lea Williamson. um I'm excited as well as we, I don't know if it was us talking about this or me and Kate talking about this.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:07:45
Alka
Best Mead.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. ah
00:07:47
Alka
someone mentioned that they were apprehensive about Beth Mead's future with Arsenal because obviously she'd come back from injury, she'd had of such a high, she's plateaued off a bit. I'm hoping that obviously this goal in her system is just her kick up to
00:08:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's an odd one, because again, like looking at it from the outside, I actually i thought that under Jonas, or Jonas, I'm not sure how you pronounce it, but under him anyway, um I always thought she was kind of not used effectively, and Arsenal played in a way that didn't really suit her, didn't allow her to be creative.
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I do wonder if like, she had a lot of kind of criticism, people saying that she's fallen off since the injury, or she's just fallen off with age. And I just wonder if like, now that they're playing with a lot more freedom, if she will start to be in the mix a lot more with goals and things.
00:08:35
Alka
Mm hmm. I'm hyping. I don't think she's, the thing is, i obviously I understand what you're saying because it's what you've seen, but I genuinely think she came back from injury with such a bite in her.
00:08:47
Alka
And then it kind of did fizzle out a bit, but not due to coming back from injury.
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:51
Alka
I feel like that was the point where it was the inconsistency, uncertainty in the club.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
that
00:08:57
Alka
Obviously we could see it was impacting the players. And so I don't think we could put it down to individual players falling off, um whereas more team dynamic and stuff like that.
00:09:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
at amazing. I did just ah also want to touch on it's a really good weekend for England. Aki Beaver Jones got on the score sheet, Beth Mead as we mentioned, Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo, Toon scoring a hat trick. Although Lester Lost, Ruby Mays put in a really good performance against Spurs. It's a really good weekend for England.
00:09:29
Alka
something vi to keep throwing on our toes I guess.
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I did ah ah did. I was looking out for her at the Manchester Derby, which we'll talk about in a minute, but I didn't spot her there, which was interesting. um The Global Sports Podcast Network is changing the face of football podcasts who dedicated daily content for every Premier League team, women's football, fantasy football, and a daily Premier League wrap-up broadcast in five different languages. This is your one-stop shop for your daily football fix. Find GSPN wherever you find your usual podcasts.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so now let's get to
Manchester Derby Insights
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
the juicy one. Let's talk about Manchester is red.
00:10:07
Alka
I didn't think that'd be coming out of anyone's mouth this weekend. Honestly, time kind of caught up with me. I didn't fully realise that the Manchester Derby had come so quick until I, embarrassingly, saw the school line halfway, not even halfway through.
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:21
Alka
Obviously, you guys had scored two in 20 minutes. All of a sudden, I looked down, I'm like, oh my God, look at the time the Derby started.
00:10:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:10:29
Alka
Straight away, I'd messaged my friend, she's a Manchester City fan, and I was like, what is going on? And then my second thought is, oh my goodness, my Chiara Keating's best not being gold. Because genuinely, I think, just I just love answers as to what is going on with this whole Chiara Keating's goalkeeper situation. Because obviously we've seen it within Manchester City. We've seen it within the ah the Lionesses. She's been called up for the under 20, is it 21 to 23 raids?
00:11:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
23s.
00:11:01
Alka
23 so obviously there's something there but I we I never like to assume we see what assuming happens you know we've seen it with Ellie Roebuck it's just not what we should do but it's you can visibly see that there's something wrong otherwise oh
00:11:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, even as a United fan, I felt so bad for her yesterday.
00:11:20
Alka
the slip-ups that were made
00:11:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
She was almost... And she was almost, she was in tears at one point and kind of like pulled pulled her shirt over her head to hide her face. And I just felt so bad because when like, especially for such a young player and for a goalkeeper, like an outfield player makes a mistake.
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's always people around them to pick it up. A goalkeeper makes a mistake. There's no one else who can help you. It's a goal conceded.
00:11:42
Alka
Yep.
00:11:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just felt so, so bad for her. And I really hope that it doesn't knock her hugely and I really think this is where City were missing Alex Greenwood being that leader because she would be the one who would be turning around to Chiara going and come on you know pick yourself up let's go again and I just didn't feel like City had that kind of
00:11:54
Alka
Definitely.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
leader who was picking someone up. I mean, I think Viv would have been that leader, but she's the other end of the pitch.
00:12:13
Alka
And here.
00:12:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And afterwards, she she was the one who was comforting Kiara post-match as well, which was lovely. um Another point, there was a really cute moment with ah Dom Jansen and Jill Ward having a little hug where I think like Dom had fouled, um, fouled Jill Ward or something and she was just like, oh no, it's you, let me pick up your hand and give you a hug.
00:12:29
Alka
ah oh
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, I mean, it was a crackers game. I did not expect to win, honestly, as a United fan, but...
00:12:45
Alka
I don't think any a United fan expected that as much as you back your team.
00:12:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh I almost wondered like, because although Chelsea and Arsenal both won by huge margins, it took them a little while, it took them like 10-15 minutes to get going into the games, and I just wonder if like, i I'm not the biggest fan of Mark Skinner, but I just wonder if he kind of got it right, in that he expected City to be that way, and to be sloppy, and to take a few minutes to get going, coming back off the Christmas break.
00:12:56
Alka
yeah
00:13:16
Alka
a Yeah.
00:13:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he was like, come right out the gates, get an early goal. that Straight from kickoff, we had a chance at like 30 seconds in and a just think he got it so right, this game tactically, um especially kind of Celine Bizette was amazing. She was in such a shift defensively as well. And we had such joy along that side. And yeah, it was just, I'm still a bit shell shocked from the game, to be honest.
00:13:51
Alka
I think going back to a bit of Chiara Keaton's or even the match in general, I'm not going to shine more of a light on Gareth Taylor because then at one what what what point do you think, right, I can see this is not working, I need to make that change.
00:13:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes Yes.
00:14:10
Alka
Managers are so, they like to tell you, oh, I do things for the team, you know, I'm you know i'm firm, I put a foot down, but at the same time,
00:14:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
me
00:14:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:22
Alka
Why are you still waiting all that time to make a sub?
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I, yeah, I actually wrote that down. that why didn't he make subs earlier and more of them he made two subs on 77 minutes and 85 minute and you could see by that 77th minute city were very fatigued and frustrated um no i had been saying yeah yeah yeah
00:14:42
Alka
yeah Like we've seen it before in Sonya, not afraid to take off two of the biggest named players on that pitch at 45 minutes. It's okay to do things like that. And andopop and ah yeah on opinion,
00:15:01
Alka
I would have subbed off Kiara Keating's, and I know that's not what everyone does, but if you know that right, I think maybe my attacking can just hold out and push on, or my midfielder a bit settled, I would rather, as in you've just proved the point that he only made two subs.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:15:18
Alka
Why not put someone new and go, obviously that changes the whole dynamic and I understand sometimes it's hard and you can't do that, but correct me if I'm wrong, was Yamashita on the bench?
00:15:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:29
Alka
they've played with It's not like you're bringing your third keeper on because your first keeper wasn't available. there still They're professional footballers. They're used to playing with both keepers. Why not make that change? Obviously it's a bit difficult making a change in defence because obviously I think a few of the defence is injured or not fully fit or would be able to sustain 60, 70, 80 minutes of a game.
00:15:53
Alka
Yeah, I think it's obviously the players have a lot of reflecting to do, but so does Gareth Taylor.
00:15:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I completely agree. I mean, I understand why he didn't take hierarchy off. But in hindsight, i I would have done, I agree. But I think he was probably trying to give us a chance to kind of not redeem herself, but to have those saves and kind of get that confidence back. But I do agree.
00:16:19
Alka
But in a Manchester Derby, you you pick and choose your games. If you're not going to start Chiara Keaton's at the beginning of the season as your number one, you have no obligation to then play her in major games like this.
00:16:31
Alka
Obviously, it could have been gone to down to um like past and experiences. Obviously, she'd carried the team last year, she'd faced already.
00:16:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:39
Alka
And Paul Manchester Derby's, they've done the FA Cup together. Obviously, Yamashiro's not taken, you know, she's not had all those experiences yet. but at the same time you're never going to get experience of doing your opportunity.
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, yeah, i I do completely agree. And I mean, it's... Chiarcating is an interesting one. I think with England, it Serena was asked why she wasn't included and why she was back with
Chiara Keating's Challenges
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
the under 23s. And she said something about she had conversations with Taylor and they wanted her to become sharper and fitter.
00:17:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which I get, and she wasn't getting minutes in this senior squad with Hannah Hampton and Mary Earps, you know, that thing. So I get that. And she has been playing for the under 23s and playing well as well.
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But with City, yeah, I just wonder if there's a bit of mismanagement happened happened there.
00:17:30
Alka
Yeah.
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um We can't talk about the Derby and not talk about Illatoon.
00:17:35
Alka
Of course.
00:17:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, amazing. I am so, so happy for her. She's come back after a really, really tough few months injury. Um, obviously her father passing away and she's just come back and she looks like, I mean, she, she's just, yeah, she's just revitalized.
00:17:54
Alka
I'm so glad.
00:17:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
She's come back completely. Just, she was ferocious in front of goal. She was just like, I'm going to take every single chance I can.
00:18:05
Alka
and as it should be. I think we're so used to, oh, editing scores bangers. She does, don't get me wrong. But even like, it takes a player to be able to score bangers, but then also her just being in the right space at the right time, utilising obviously city's misfortune, which obviously helped to solidify that hat trick there. um But at the same time, I love it. She's obviously she's not put up as a striker, but she's playing the role as a striker and that just shows how like versatile she is.
00:18:36
Alka
Ella too has always been a bit of a question mark in my head because it's like she either plays and she plays the best form ever or sometimes I do think okay Ella like
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:18:48
Alka
are you needed on the pitch right now?
00:18:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure.
00:18:50
Alka
Or like are you making an impact? And I'm hoping, hoping, hoping, hoping that I keep seeing this Ella because this is that's the way forward for not only United, and I hate to say this because they are drawn with arsenal of points.
00:19:03
Alka
But even with England, the lionesses, that will definitely get her more game time, which is what she deserves.
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:09
Alka
You know, we've seen Alessia go from an impact player with Tooney to get in her starts, and we're hoping that Tooney can obviously build that up too.
00:19:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I do i think with Tooney, with England and United, I think the complicating factor is Grace Clinton.
00:19:21
Alka
Yes.
00:19:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
How do you fit them both on the pitch at the same time? It worked really well for England last February when they beat, was it Austria 7-2 and Italy 5-1. That worked really well.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, even for United, it's how do you have them both on the pitch? um I also just, before we move on, I know we have to move on, but I did also want to talk Uh, shout out Elizabeth Turland being so unselfish. I mean, there were three or four times she was in a really good position to shoot, but there was someone else kind of in or around the box and she passed to them and just said, no, you take it. She passed to Ella Toon for like what she had pre-assists, a hat trick of assists.
00:20:01
Alka
Yeah.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And people will talk about, oh, she's come to United. They've kind of said you've not been scoring loads and loads of goals. But how unselfish is that? I just yeah, I i feel like she deserves um a shout out.
00:20:11
Alka
Exactly. Fair enough. Stats aren't always, well obviously she's got the assist stats, but goal stats are not always what makes or breaks how well a player's doing on the pitch, so.
00:20:24
Alka
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spend a lot of our time here selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster claim out the clear winner, with 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those mms and ahs. It's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster.
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
Google's Shift in Sports Coverage
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So a major success for the women's game and just women generally, I think Google no longer defaults to men's sports. So if you look up, for example, arsenal results on the weekend, it will bring up an option women's team, men's team.
00:21:07
Alka
I love that, I do. I think, especially for me, because I'm Googling, fix the times, fix the scores all the time, and it's like, oh, right, you've just given me the wrong one, go back into that search bar.
00:21:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:18
Alka
Often or not, it'll just delete the whole thing that I've typed, I've got to retype it again.
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
say Yeah.
00:21:23
Alka
And this will not only make it easier for, obviously, people wanting to search up for the women's game, but also It gets people intrigued a bit. Oh! Right, I'm an Arsenal fan, obviously I've just checked the men's results, right?
00:21:35
Alka
They've just drawn on a weekend. How do the women do? Let me click that.
00:21:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:39
Alka
It's so little effort. They're not having to put in extra effort to go look at the draw, even if they're not... Um, even if they're not actively searching for it in the first place, it doesn't mean that they might not stumble across it.
00:21:52
Alka
And then in the future, they might go, well, what? So, right. We've just watched them ends. They've drawn to Villa 2-2. The women have just won 5-0. Maybe, you know, I'll keep, keep tabs on them. Or, Oh, I know that one player, Alessia Russo.
00:22:03
Alka
How's she doing? And that's just an even though that it's the tiniest thing ever, it's an extra step in just pushing the game.
00:22:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's an example of a small thing that could make a massive difference because it's like you no longer have to go through the effort of typing out Man United women's team.
00:22:21
Alka
him
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kick off time.
00:22:23
Alka
but That one gets in, that's a pain that one is, I'll tell you for a fact.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know it's a huge pain and then also like getting I've had it a few times where I've gotten fixtures confused like thought I was looking at the women's team because in my mind at this point I default to the women's team ah um and also you're right it's like for example yesterday Manchester United men's team losing 3-1 to Brighton um at Old Trafford whereas the women's team going and beating City at the Etihad I mean
00:22:37
Alka
Same, yep, majority of the time anyways. Mm-hmm.
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
what a kind of amazing opportunity for fans of the men's team who are kind of really despondent as I know quite a lot of them were yesterday ah coming out and yeah having something to shout about and celebrate and yeah and everyone should know Ellatoon's name at the moment.
00:23:09
Alka
definitely all over that wall mate oh one i and and why why are they just
00:23:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know. um Also wanted to look forward to some League Cup fixtures in the week. We have Chelsea against Durham.
League Cup Fixtures Preview
00:23:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
What, Chelsea getting easy fixtures all the time.
00:23:28
Alka
Too easy, it's not fair. Like the other three that are sat there are interesting, entertaining, top-notch, dub yourself, it's just Chelsea Durham, right, thanks.
00:23:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:23:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, Chelsea do seem to get a lot of luck with
00:23:46
Alka
It's just someone's picking them and someone there has a Chelsea badge underneath that shirt, I'll tell you for a fact.
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
the come
00:23:53
Alka
Well, for real, ah like i we can call a lot of these. Obviously you've got Tottenham West Ham.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:00
Alka
ah That will be interesting, but also we've just seen the way Tottenham have gone with Leicester. So I think Tottenham pull through in terms of cup games.
00:24:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:07
Alka
I think that's their specialty.
00:24:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah.
00:24:09
Alka
And so I'm hoping we see some sort of masterclass. Poor West Ham probably going to get battering two matches in a row. um But obviously we've got Brighton Arsenal, that one's going to scare me because I can't call that, is but Arsenal in form so I'm
00:24:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
As not on form, Brighton insisting on playing out from the back at every single opportunity. I mean, that's just...
00:24:33
Alka
Well, let's capitalise. That's all I'm saying.
00:24:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:35
Alka
We've got to capitalise. And then do you know what? As much as this next fixture is ah hilarious because it's bound to happen. We've got Man United, Man City.
00:24:46
Alka
This is Mr Gareth Taylor's comeback match.
00:24:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh huh.
00:24:50
Alka
Is he going to spot what he's done wrong? Is he going to take charge of that team? Is he going to make those changes that are then going to allow Man City to win this second derby within the same week?
00:25:02
Alka
um
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean.
00:25:03
Alka
It's incredible. Are we gonna see a different keeper starting? Most probably likely.
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, are we going to see another Toony hat trick?
00:25:11
Alka
I don't, as much as I love it, because trust me, i amm I'm always player advocate over team advocate. I don't know why, but this one's gonna be Man City's.
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:20
Alka
I can feel it.
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they will kind of be out for blood a little bit.
00:25:25
Alka
They know what they're doing wrong.
00:25:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:25:27
Alka
They can see it. The players are smart people.
00:25:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they will have woken up.
00:25:28
Alka
They are smart.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
They will have woken up now.
00:25:31
Alka
Yep, they do know what they'll just stay awake from from yesterday.
00:25:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah.
00:25:33
Alka
They won't go to sleep.
00:25:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
One thing that I would say though, um I also just wanted to brag a little bit because I got to go to my first press conference.
00:25:41
Alka
Ooh.
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah three I got to go to Mark Skinner's press conference. I even asked a question.
00:25:46
Alka
Oh, did you ask my question?
00:25:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh wi What was that?
00:25:50
Alka
When's he leaving?
00:25:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, funnily enough, I didn't. And, you know, he he was, he was a very, he was very nice and kind of chatty, so I'm not gonna rag on him.
00:25:54
Alka
Oh, come on.
00:26:02
Alka
yeah
00:26:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um no, I asked about coming into massive games like the Derby at the Etihad about the importance of the captain. ah My literacy has had such a brilliant season.
00:26:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just asked about kind of
00:26:13
Alka
She has.
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um what what is her her role what does her role mean coming into a massive game like this um but yeah anyway i got to go to the press conference he said that united are going to rotate a lot uh between the two games which i think makes sense just given that it's quite a short turnaround um chloe kelly is an interesting one because she wasn't in the squad for city amidst rumors
00:26:35
Alka
Yeah, definitely. I've seen too many rumors.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
that she's coming to United. I mean, yeah.
00:26:45
Alka
I don't think that'll happen. I think she's more likely to go international. I can see Chloe Kelly in PSG, you know? I can see Chloe Kelly.
00:26:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
They could use her at the moment.
00:26:55
Alka
Oh yeah, they really could.
00:26:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:57
Alka
But I can't see a Chloe Kelly at United. She just wouldn't do that.
00:27:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I don't. No, I would love it, but I just don't know that she would get the minutes that she's needing because Celine Bizette, I mean, we're quite stacked in that one area.
00:27:11
Alka
yeah
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i I'm just not sure. I feel like if she comes, then she's going to be starting every game because that will be her light insistence. Like she's he's not going to come to United.
00:27:22
Alka
Yes. To sit on the benches, otherwise she'd stay at safety.
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, especially with such a big rival, she would only come to United, I think, if she's guaranteed like starting at least half an hour every game or at least the first half of every game. um But yeah, I do wonder what Gareth Taylor is going to do. I think for Kiara's own sake, I think she has to have a rest.
00:27:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I really do hope she comes back from this though because she is such a good goalkeeper we saw that we saw that last year and I just hated looking at how upset she was yesterday even as a United fan and like in the second half um the United fans were all right behind her and they were taunting her a huge amount obviously they couldn't see her face like the ah cameraman was was focusing in on her and they couldn't see that but
00:27:55
Alka
Yeah.
00:28:04
Alka
in
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I really hope she comes back, but I do think she should have a rest. I wonder how many minutes Miedemeyer's going to get? um Because she played for quite a long time.
00:28:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
As we said, Gareth Taylor didn't make that many subs until quite late on.
00:28:26
Alka
Yep.
00:28:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I do wonder how many minutes she's going to get, um because obviously I think they might want to prioritise the league. april cup
00:28:36
Alka
I, yeah.
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
um especially because the race for that kind of third Champions League spot is really going to come down to the between the Manchester clubs as it seems.
00:28:41
Alka
Yes.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah.
00:28:49
Alka
which is exciting. Obviously, they've also got their own Champions League fixtures coming up soon, so they want to make sure that they've got no knocks, no uncertainties.
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly.
00:28:58
Alka
um But it's exciting, especially having, you know, basically a chance to replay a match, um which we don't get very often anymore.
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:07
Alka
So yeah, it's definitely a heavy, heavy week in terms of football and what to keep an eye out of.
00:29:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. um Yeah, so I think that's all we have time for today, ah but thank you everyone for joining us. ah We'll see you tomorrow and for the next episode of Beyond the Pitch.
00:29:31
Alka
Bye!