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Beyond the Pitch Episode 88: FA Cup Goals Galore!
10 Plays8 days ago
Join Catherine and Alka for a run through of the weekend's FA Cup action, followed by a peek around the leagues that are back following a winter break.
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Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Overview
00:00:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello. Good morning. If it's morning where you are.
00:00:11
Alka
that
00:00:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome to Beyond the Pitch, a daily women's football podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. And Catherine, and today I am joined by Alka.
00:00:20
Alka
Hello, I am X and how are you?
00:00:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
How are you today?
FA Cup Weekend Highlights
00:00:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm really good. It's been a nice weekend kind of FA Cup action that we can talk about.
00:00:29
Alka
very busy yes and very very busy f fa cup action i didn't even realize myself that you can just fit this mini games into weekend ever let alone like what like yeah still yes
00:00:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:00:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's been mad. um yeah There hasn't been like, um not all of the games have televised though, which was which was a shame. It would have been nice to see someone, especially some of the teens from the lower leagues playing each other. It would have been nice to see them.
00:01:03
Alka
definitely definitely I feel like but you gotta love the FA Cup because it's it's just so how does this in any parallel universe ever happen you know what I mean like how am I getting like
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:01:19
Alka
I don't even know, I need to pick it up. How am I getting Manchester United, playing Westborough in like, it's just something that for the lower teams, you're all dreading. And for those higher teams, you're like, yeah, bring, bring me the lowest team you can possibly find.
00:01:32
Alka
But obviously we see, we saw with the men's yesterday, what Tottenham failed to do for most of the match.
00:01:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:39
Alka
Like some of them are just going to give you a run for your money. Like some of these scores I'm looking at and I'm bit like, it should actually be higher.
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did think as well that some of these scores are a bit deceptive. um They don't really reflect the performances.
Challenges in FA Cup Matches
00:01:55
Alka
that is fair yeah no because technically we're talking about women's podcasts so uh we're talking about women's football so actually after women versus bristol city did get cancelled off because of poor bitch so let's
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I did want to also say you're an Arsenal fan aren't you? Should we not mention yesterday the men then?
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
that okay
00:02:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, there were quite a few games ah um called off and yeah, I think that's been across the league, kind of from grassroots up.
00:02:22
Alka
Yeah, i to be fair, I had a game on yesterday, but I've got the luxury of playing on a 3G pitch. So a blast in and disguise at the same time, because everything is always on.
00:02:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:02:32
Alka
Like even during the storm, Armac was on.
00:02:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:36
Alka
Did anyone want to play? No. Did the opposition want to play? No, but you've got to play. ah But ah please go for it.
00:02:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
and So should oh carry on.
00:02:45
Alka
I'll just hand it on forever. Let's let's have a look in some of these games.
00:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I was just going to run through the scores. So we had Manchester United seven West Brom nil. We'll touch on that a bit more in a moment, because that is definitely a deceptive score line. Fulham nil five London city line essays, Exeter one seven Sunderland.
00:03:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Man City 3, Nil Ipswich, ah Newcastle 1-0, Knott's Forest, Charltonham Nil, Wolves 2, The Bees Nil, Rugby 6, Chelsea 4, Charlton Nil, Aston Villa 9, Bristol Rovers Nil.
00:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So can we talk about Manchester United for a sec?
00:03:26
Alka
We can, absolutely.
00:03:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah We'll speak to the women.
00:03:29
Alka
Yep, that is the correct answer, yep.
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll be good. I'll be good. The first thing I wanted to
Player Performances and Match Analysis
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
say is Elatun is back!
00:03:36
Alka
I know, I was so excited to see her and that's what she...
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And she looked so happy and smiley and she scored a banger.
00:03:43
Alka
As she always says, I don't ever expect Elatine to score anything other than like those bar rings from the side, whip it round your foot, back of the net sort of goals.
00:03:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it was so yeah it was so nice to see her back in the fold and um happy smiling and yeah that that was really really nice um yeah for 60 minutes it was one nil west brom defended so well for like 60 minutes and i think it's only when united bought the subson including elatoon that
00:04:03
Alka
Definitely. It was very deceptive, meaning you was what, one, one nil up at half time?
00:04:20
Alka
Yeah.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
they kind of found a new rhythm that West Brom couldn't really get to grips with. It was only when that happened that then they scored like six goals in 18 minutes.
00:04:29
Alka
insane but also that is what you're always going to get with the FA Cup that is always the give or take it's you have top flight clubs that have got incredible teams just sat on that bench waiting, players on that bench waiting to come on, players who supposedly are meant to be getting that rest or you know don't really need to play this match, for most of these cases you don't need to bring them on. Obviously Ellatune you're going to bring her on because she's coming back from injury, that's the time she's allocated to play, fair enough, but you're not expected to bring on your first team when you play teams like this.
00:05:03
Alka
So you're always going to have your strong legs, they've always got more endurance, they've got a different vision of the game compared to those lower league clubs who are putting out their first team in full force and are evidently going to get fatigued, which is exactly what we just saw in that game.
00:05:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. um And I also I wanted to highlight Maya Latissier. She had another great game. I think since she's been handed to captaincy, she's just and now getting time for England as well.
00:05:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really think that she is going to be a major part of England going forward because her passing is just immense.
00:05:46
Alka
Yes.
00:05:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
It reminds me of Leah Williamson, some of the passes that she picks out. um And I just yeah wanted to talk about her because she is immense at the moment. She's just
00:05:55
Alka
You can even see a change in confidence. I feel like at the end of last season she had quite a few.
00:06:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:02
Alka
silly masses you know whether that's a pass back to the keeper that's not been communicated or a pass across the box that probably shouldn't have been done resulting in big goals being conceded i feel like that is now she's shifted i don't know whether that's because she's got a new keeper behind her whether her because this style of keeper definitely plays with a different style to marry so
00:06:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, absolutely.
00:06:23
Alka
Whether that's just telling the whole backline like this is what we're doing and this is not what we're doing so that it's so clear and mare knows not to you know make that back pass or do anything in that sort of sense I feel like that has brought her game to a whole new level having that switch up as well both physically and mentally.
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. and The one negative that I will take from the game as a United fan is, well, A, it did take us a long time to break them down, um which we did have a strong team on the pitch.
00:06:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
We should have been able to break them down.
00:06:55
Alka
yeah
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then again, that that is and kind of a credit to West Brom because they did defend so well for 60 minutes. But also Grace Clinton was not in the squad due to an injury.
00:07:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I haven't heard anything more about that. And that's really worrying me, not just for United, for England as well.
00:07:14
Alka
yes because England have some massive fictions coming up but I think we just I also am thinking about obviously if you're not in the squad sheet regardless of playing or not it's a concern but hopefully it's just like something small but like they didn't need to waste their time or if it might did it was it out confirmed that it was injury and not illness then I'm hoping that it's just something small and not
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah.
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:40
Alka
Not worth her time being, you know, sat on that bench. So they just decided that I'm not in the squad at all.
00:07:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Especially with two games against Manchester City coming up.
00:07:51
Alka
That is
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
Team Strategies and Player Returns
00:07:53
Alka
incredible.
00:07:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, tough run for United, especially, ah we'll talk about this in a moment, but Vivianne Redemar coming back also.
00:08:00
Alka
Oh my god, yes.
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, she's just iconic, isn't she?
00:08:04
Alka
Let's use a weapon.
00:08:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, one of my favourite tweets was from um someone who I talk to on Twitter sometimes called, oh, X, sorry, ah Jamie, and she said that Miedema is like Lionel Messi and Robin Van Persie with the physicality of Erling Harland.
00:08:23
Alka
do
00:08:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I was just like, yeah, that's pretty much it.
00:08:28
Alka
I'm so excited that she's back and like I'm more excited that she's back.
00:08:34
Alka
I don't know how to explain it but like quicker than before obviously when you come back from the tree it kind of you ease yourself into it you find your feet again I'm so excited that she just said I'm back and look up you be back you know not like I'm back but you know I'm still because she's obviously you can tell she's a very apprehensive player
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:08:55
Alka
and that obviously when she's come back from ACL, obviously that took a while, then she was back outside, lined again for a while because of the same thing, and she didn't fully find her feet until well into the season, obviously playing with Man City, and then she was unstoppable, and then you know she got brought down again. So I'm excited that she just she's come on full smoke, and I'm excited to see her for the next however many games. I know it's going to be hard against everyone else, but Yeah, that's what my highlight probably this return weekend is.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I was so happy to see her. And just as an aside, I think we should point out because people saying that online have actually been given a lot of flack for like one, being happy that an opposing team player is back.
00:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just want to say some things transcend club and country. Like obviously I want United to beat City. I want England to beat the Netherlands in July. However, I am happy to see her back.
00:09:52
Alka
Exactly. you just You've got to celebrate the successes and you know just because you don't support someone like it doesn't mean you're not going to give them their flowers or you're not even going to love individual players.
00:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
sir
00:10:03
Alka
That's just part and parcel of the game.
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Global Sports Podcast Network is changing the face of football podcasts with 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 GSPM wherever you find your usual podcasts.
00:10:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's talk more about Man City. Obviously I think Meet and Mark coming back is the big headline, um but just to kind of give Ipswich some credit, the last time they visited the Jerry Stadium they lost 10-mil, so what an improvement.
00:10:42
Alka
Yeah, I think so too, to be fair. I think that would have been a wicked game. I would have loved to go see that. um Just sidetracking for 0.5 seconds, not to talk about football, but obviously we we saw that miss, Ella Rutherford was obviously playing for a switch and so her girlfriend GK Barry decided to come down and I feel like that is that's my favourite sort of crossover when you have two different people from two different paths that allow that crossover because do you know what she's going to be an in to so many different people who just follow you know grace
00:11:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
hu
00:11:22
Alka
And now seeing right, oh, okay, let me maybe have a look at that game. Obviously, unfortunately, it's such lost 3-0. But 3-0 is not a bad score if you really think about it. And that was all over my social media, obviously, because I follow both. So regardless, it's going to get to me somehow. But I like seeing that sort of interlink with like two public figures.
00:11:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's so cool in as well, like bringing um awareness to the game and also having these kind of couples out loud and proud. I really love that as well.
00:11:59
Alka
definitely but back to ah also their kit was beautiful oh i would actually i would wear that i'm certainly not an Ipswich fan but man city i i definitely haven't too far it's up but i'm not too sure up it's ai it's not appealing to me at least for a verse
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think I've ever been to Ipswich actually. No, I've never been- Wait, where is Ipswich? Is it, like, Norwich-y area?
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
This, yeah, we should know where Ipswich is. um Anyway, whilst you're looking that up, also nice to see some lionesses, Laura been killed brown, Chloe Kelly started!
00:12:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Woo!
00:12:40
Alka
I think that is very key but then at the same time I'm scared that she just started because they weren't sawing their first team.
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
because, yeah, yeah, yeah. Although, yeah, Chloe Kelly did play well. I did notice she linked up with Viv Miedema really well, which might be a tick in her favour with Jarrah Taylor.
00:13:01
Alka
Yes, yes.
00:13:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
If he, if obviously, well, if I picked up on it, I'm sure he did, that they linked up really well. And that could be something that kind of gives them a reason to use Chloe Kelly a bit more.
00:13:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Not just for Viv's goal, but just throughout, you could see that they had like a very easy shorthand where they were just like looking at each other and going, oh, you're going over there.
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, I'll i'll cross to you and that seemed to work really well.
00:13:26
Alka
Yeah.
00:13:30
Alka
I think it was nice, well, I had to put it nicely, like not nicely, but it was nice seeing different people you don't usually see together but on a pitch. We're so used to seeing our standard standard lineups is very, very difficult for a change to be made in WSL.
00:13:50
Alka
And that is technically why I applaud some managers for more than others.
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:54
Alka
I think Sonia does it. in a very sly way, but she does it in a way. And that is what I like to see. I feel like Renee has started to do it as she becomes more confident at Arsenal.
00:14:06
Alka
And obviously it's a shame it takes an FA Cup game to see this happen. But then again, I totally understand why it's happening in this FA Cup game. And i don't I don't like disagree with that at all.
00:14:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:21
Alka
I'm thinking, there's so many players in this city team that are capable of murder.
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:14:30
Alka
How do you then find the right parents to make sure that everyone is highlighted in the perfect way? You can't do that. Mathematically it is impossible and that is where Gareth Taylor is going to struggle.
00:14:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:45
Alka
Obviously we've had Coomsey score her goal that number one wasn't expected you don't think right I'm going to put Laura Coombs on the pitch and she's going to score me or obviously it's perfect that she did and it was beautiful and I loved it for her but how do we then maybe utilise Laura Coombs more? I'm not the biggest Laura Coombs advocate I wouldn't put her in my starting 11th ever hence the reason she started for this FA Cup but how can we then like use who could we have then put on instead but to manipulate this play for maybe against maybe a lower team in WSL you know maybe worst time.
00:15:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:29
Alka
I think it's all about getting to know your own players and even though this sounds hypocritical, they are the obviously the managers managers of their own team. I'm so certain that so many managers don't fully know the depth of their own team, which actually just sounds outrageous coming out of my mouth, but ah I'm convinced.
00:15:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I think, yeah, as you highlighted, it I agree with you. I think Manchester United, you could say the same about, um especially with some of the youth coming out of United at the moment, I think there's kind of just an impulsive or kind of just automatic, let's send them out on loan, and that's pretty much it. um Yeah, I think with because that has also been leveled as a criticism quite a bit at Serena with England. I think international football boysy is quite different because I was thinking about this the other day that they don't get the number of games where they can kind of change it up that much. And they literally like every game for England is a massive game.
00:16:40
Alka
Every game for England makes it seem like it's the Euro title, whether it's a friendly, whether it's not.
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. the end
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:16:47
Alka
And I think it's just because we struggle. So ah you mentioned it last time, we've not actually got an awful track record, but just because we we end up just picking such hard teams, whether it's a friendly, whether it's groups fit group stages, knockout, like anything, it's just, it's stressful.
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Yeah. And like, on form, people panicking about the group stages of the Euros, on form, we're actually the best team in that group.
00:17:14
Alka
But then again, on form is the big question mark.
00:17:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, like, no, I mean, on form, as in going by 2024 form, France and the Netherlands both been more inconsistent, both lost more games, both struggled more.
00:17:25
Alka
Yes.
00:17:30
Alka
ah they
00:17:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
But people, yeah, panic about us.
00:17:33
Alka
I think it's exciting to see. I also hope that these games can highlight different players. Obviously, you know, we've got Jess Park and her call up for England numerous times now. Maybe this is when she's highlighted in this sense.
00:17:47
Alka
um
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Jess Park has has gotten quite a few minutes for England.
00:17:48
Alka
it
00:17:51
Alka
Yes.
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would be really excited to see... ah Sorry, we're going completely off on a tangent now. But it it is interesting because England have big games coming up. Jess knows whether she retains a place because she started a couple of games that I wouldn't have expected her to start for England, with Lauren Hemp being out.
00:18:04
Alka
yeah
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I do wonder if she'll like retain her place.
00:18:14
Alka
Yes, definitely. I think we can also like to see, like, obviously the works of, even Ayumi Majon, she had a good call up. She's obviously been more consistent in a space in the squad, but I feel like she hasn't got the time she's deserved on the pitch.
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:34
Alka
And that is due to the fact that she does play in a position that is, you know, we've already got amazing players and then we've also got amazing players that can back up the players. So it's, it's a bit congested.
00:18:45
Alka
But at the same time, when, when she's on that pitch for Chelsea and she's on that score sheet, um it's, you know, it's giving Serena more of a reason.
00:18:56
Alka
Whereas like the players who might have not scored or might
00:18:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
International League Updates
00:19:01
Alka
not be making that same play as Iggy,
00:19:04
Alka
you know, maybe take, you know, looking at them as a step back, maybe not withdrawing them from the squad, but maybe just not starting them or playing them for less time than you think.
00:19:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, it'll be interesting to see how we approach the Nations League um coming up. Whilst we're talking about Aggies, should we go back to the FA Cup? Let's talk about Chelsea and Charlton.
00:19:24
Alka
Yes.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, so Aggie was on the score sheet. Neve Charles was on the score sheet alongside Myra Ramirez and Canard. I, one thing that I put in bold about this game was it feels like Neve Charles is back by, I know she's been back for a while, but she's fully back.
00:19:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
She's like back being Neve Charles again.
00:19:47
Alka
Yeah, and I think Neve Tells just plays in such a beautiful way that you don't you don't actually see how many plays that these days.
00:19:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm. Yeah, and I think Chelsea have really missed her kind of, she's very good at like starting an attack very sneakily.
00:20:04
Alka
and home
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I think Chelsea have really missed that.
00:20:07
Alka
I think it's because you always, I think one thing is I would put your child as a defender, right? And so obviously the professional game, you're more likely to assume this, but in any other game, you're less likely to see, you're less i teach likely to think anyways that, oh, she's a defender, there's no way she's going to, you know, take that ball up herself, drive up the pitch, get as deep as like, you know,
00:20:32
Alka
near to the near to the front line, I'd be so real. And then make Lynn cut play from there, you're expecting her to maybe, okay, fine, drive up a little bit, pass to a midfielder. And so as an attacker, as a defender, which usually it would be as an attacker coming from New Charles's point of view,
00:20:48
Alka
You're kind of going to let her. You kind of stand there and think, oh, what's she doing?
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:20:53
Alka
Oh, OK, fine. And then by the time she's gone, it's too late to do anything. And you've now got a defender going up and against the defender. So then it's perfect because you need Charles understands what she thinks.
00:21:04
Alka
what what would What would I do in this situation? That's what they're going to do. Right. Let me let me you know send them to the shops and. put that attack in. And I think that is just one of my favourite parts about seeing these centre backs, these four backs. I love it when I see Emily Fox do it. I love it. Emily Fox is wicked at that. But that is like, umm I'm the number one advocate for stuff like that.
00:21:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. ah We should also mention Lauren James is back.
00:21:32
Alka
Finally, to be fair, it was cute. Same weekend. Well, same weekend this year as her brother, you know, we've got good returns.
00:21:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And also the same weekend as Viv Miedema and Ella Thun.
00:21:45
Alka
that is it's a big weekend it definitely is it's a good sign especially because obviously the season's starting again so we get to see we get to see fall strong teams back in definitely
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:21:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm so excited for the second half of the season to kick off.
00:22:00
Alka
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spend a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zenkaster came out the CLAIRE winner, with 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those mm's and ah's. It's super easy to start the 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 Zenkaster.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, so for our last topic of today, I thought we would go around the world a little bit. You know, I love doing that. I love traveling without leaving my bedroom.
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So not all leagues are back. Obviously, the WSL isn't back. France are back. Italy are back. And Spain are back. um So let's just run through. PSG with Merry-Ups. Drew with Flurry. Merps had a good game.
00:22:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Leon are still leading the league by five points. um I think, yeah, they are probably going to run away with it, as Leon like to do.
00:23:05
Alka
definitely that is domination that is crazy um by all means it's Barcelona so I'm not shocked in any sense but the consistency is it's also going to take over the Champions League I'll tell you that for a bit
00:23:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But good to see ah Mary Ups having a good run as well.
00:23:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Barcelona have played two league games and won both 6-0.
00:23:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah but it's also like i don't like it when you see huge score lines and like total domination yeah
00:23:36
Alka
And yeah, I think I'd rather it be like neck and neck, like, you know, 95 minute, some sort of winner, but then at the same time, if you're a footballer, you know, slightly, I feel like the players get slightly bored.
00:23:48
Alka
Right, without being vain, it some it does get to that where it's like, right, we're winning numerous, but by not numerous goals, games, games.
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:57
Alka
And then that then will create the manager to think, right, who can we play instead? You know, should we start a different team, which is obviously a positive for those players, but then it's negative for those normal starting players.
00:24:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also a note with them, Kira Walsh seems to be starting on the bench for most games and coming on as a sub.
00:24:09
Alka
done I really hope I really don't think so.
00:24:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal?
00:24:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:22
Alka
i yeah I don't think so. I Kyra Walsh came at a perfect time due to Alexia's you know downfall.
00:24:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:24:31
Alka
you know like Because of her injury, Kyra managed to get that space and that space be hers. No one else can ever say I took a space with Alexia Pateas.
00:24:41
Alka
Obviously it wasn't physically taken because she had no choice. But I feel like we're kind of seeing
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I return.
00:24:47
Alka
the actual year like what was meant what would have happened in any other situation if Alexia obviously wasn't out and it's understandable will that then you know spark her fire to then go maybe seek a different club maybe in the summer or something I'm probably probably yes but no Arsenal no January sorry
00:24:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I have to admit, I agree. Sorry, Arsenal. ah Everyone, Italy, the team that I quite like, Fiorentina, are on a losing streak. They lost to Coma, 2-0 in the league.
00:25:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Roma are doing really well. Juventus are still leading the league. Again, it looks like they're going to run away with it.
00:25:26
Alka
Yes.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Netherlands, my second favourite country in Europe. I love the Orange Lionesses as well. We've talked about Vivme de Mar. I just love them. They're just so nice.
00:25:40
Alka
Yeah, I also love their kit.
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
people
00:25:43
Alka
I do have an Evelyn's kit.
00:25:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:25:44
Alka
So
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. Oh, I was in Skipol airport and I saw the Netherlands kits and I was like, Oh, I really want to buy one.
00:25:53
Alka
I have to, I have to. Honestly, it's my favourite colour, it's my favourite.
00:25:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you have a player on the back?
00:25:59
Alka
No, because I got it as part of a, you know, I don't know what it it's called, but foundies do a deal where obviously because all the shirts are coming to their end because they get, everyone gets new shirts.
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
m Yes.
00:26:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes
00:26:11
Alka
They do like three or four or five for the price of three or three for the price of one or whatever that maths was. And that's what I got it within.
00:26:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, excellent. ah Well, their league is back next weekend. ah The game I'm interested in is Addo vs Utrecht. Utrecht are third and they are one of these teams who are kind of um like pushing into the top teams.
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
they're quite new compared to the others, ah compared to like PSV and FC 20. And um yeah, they're really pushing into those top spaces, which we love to see.
00:26:46
Alka
Yeah.
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
However, they beat Addo 4-3 earlier in the season. However, Addo have a new coach, and they have their top scorer back, Lob Kaloonin, who scored like, she's been out since I think October but and she's still one of the league's top scorers.
00:27:08
Alka
That is insane.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
like she's got five goals in three games or something so even though she's only played three games out of like 10 she's still in the like second or third on the list for top scorers in the league which is just insane um so i'm excited to see her back um so Utrecht had a warm weather camp in Spain i love these clubs or going for warm weather camps and where Manchester United were
00:27:32
Alka
That is where everyone wants to be. I would like to be in a warm weather camp, thank you. so we I see everywhere.
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Snowy, icy, Manchester.
00:27:42
Alka
Yeah.
00:27:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:27:44
Alka
I mean, I call it, it's hilarious.
00:27:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm just thinking of like all these United players watching Chelsea be out in the Algarve and yeah, even like mid uh sorry Addo but mid-table Netherlands teams being out in Turkey for warm weather camps and just being like hmm uh anyway yeah you tracked one 10-0 against a Spanish team I think the Spanish team were in the second or maybe even third division though um and Addo beat a team second place in the Turkish league
00:27:56
Alka
yeah
00:28:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Have you seen, by the way, Ado becoming my favourite Netherlands team? I first watched them, they played a friendly against Crystal Palace. Their mascot is a stork.
00:28:32
Alka
oh Oh, I mean, I wouldn't want to wear that costume.
00:28:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know!
00:28:36
Alka
I'll take that for a fact.
00:28:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's like, I love the, wait, I'm going to, I'll send you a picture after the podcast. It's on our, our X account. Um, I put a picture of the store cup, but I just love that the mascot is a stork and they've got like a big, in the stadium, they've got a big thing on the seats of like a stork.
00:28:57
Alka
but It's definitely working for them apparently.
00:28:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Over in Scotland, Rangers beat Queens Park 14 nil. Hmm.
00:29:07
Alka
Yeah, what a sad game that would have been.
00:29:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, ah Glasgow City, as they like to do, are running away with the
Scottish League Highlights
00:29:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
league. ah They beat my Scottish team, Aberdeen, 6-1. Come on the Dons. Hibbs won 5-0, Celtic won 1-0. Yeah, the Scottish league is is back up and running, so ah you can watch those games on BBC Alba, um and iPlayer quite often, over in Saudi, which you can watch on Dazone Women's Football, the YouTube channel, and Dazone Women's Football, just the app.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I put the notifications on the YouTube channel so I can see when games are going in live, and then quite often it's Saturday games during the day, because obviously there's a time difference, so I just click those and quite often watch those, which is quite interesting.
00:29:58
Alka
yeah yeah
00:30:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Al Shabab beat bottom, Altaraji 7-0, Altaraji have played 10 games in the league, 0 points.
00:30:13
Alka
It's all about character building, isn't it really?
00:30:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
but yeah yeah but Let's focus on the character building, sorry Altaraji. I think that's all we have time for today, is there anything in particular that you wanted to talk about that we haven't covered?
00:30:28
Alka
Now I think you've wrapped up perfectly
00:30:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent. Well, thank you for joining us. We look forward to welcoming you to the next episode.
Conclusion and Listener Appreciation
00:30:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Goodbye for me.
00:30:38
Alka
from me