FA Cup magic for Mansfield and VAR is missed at Villa Park – Football Weekly

Summary

---

Football Weekly, The Guardian

Episode: FA Cup magic for Mansfield and VAR is missed at Villa Park

Release Date: February 16, 2026
Host(s): Max Rushden, Barry Glendenning
Guests: John Brewin, Dan Bardell

---

Overview

This episode dives into the latest FA Cup drama – headlined by Mansfield Town's shock win at Burnley and the role (or lack thereof) of VAR in a wild tie at Villa Park. The panel also covers a mud-soaked Wolves win, Scottish Premiership title twists, and some thoroughly entertaining moments (on and off the pitch). Expect classic Football Weekly banter, tongue-in-cheek analysis, and insightful breakdowns across the English and Scottish football landscape.

---

Key Discussion Points

Mansfield's Magic FA Cup Win at Burnley

• Only Real Upset of the Weekend: Mansfield Town’s 2–1 victory over Burnley, the only true “cup magic” this round.
  • “Thank the Lord for Nigel Clough... a great win. Is a Burnley defeat to Mansfield a real ‘cup of dreams’ moment?” – Dan Bardell [02:00]
• Nigel Clough's Absence: Oddity as Clough did not do post-match duties, with listeners left guessing which assistant gave the wine-themed interview.
• Lewis Reed’s Brilliant Free Kick:
  • “Let’s do the gags, shall we? That goal really was a transformer… vicious.” – Dan Bardell [02:16]
  • Hilarity ensues with Lou Reed song puns: “I can’t fit Walk on the Wild Side in…” – Barry Glendenning [03:04]
• Burnley's Rotated Line-up & Fan Disinterest:
  • Nine changes made by Burnley, part of a 100-player rotation trend across this FA Cup round.
  • “If you don’t win and you do that, people will ask that question.” – Barry Glendenning [05:20]
  • Burnley’s defeat marks another low in a dire season, prompting debate on Scott Parker’s future.
  • “Sometimes owners want a human shield… maybe Scott Parker will serve as a well-paid human shield until the end of the season.” – Dan Bardell [07:24]

---

VAR Chaos and Refereeing at Villa Park

• No VAR, No Problem? Or All Problems?
  • Aston Villa 1–3 Newcastle: Refereeing (“child riding without stabilizers”) called into question after numerous errors.
  • “Chris Kavanagh put in one of the most disaster class performances from a referee I think you’ve ever seen.” – Dan Bardell [10:42]
  • Multiple missed decisions; both managers favor VAR’s utility.
• Biggest Error: The handball penalty, wrongly awarded outside the box.
  • “If what VAR did was to say, that’s outside the box, that’s a red card, that’s offside, and it did nothing else… we all wouldn’t have a problem with VAR.” – Barry Glendenning [13:06]
  • Despite errors, Newcastle take advantage as Villa go down to ten; “Chris Kavanagh missed nearly everything.” [09:42]
• Lively Debate: Is VAR ruining referees’ instincts? Or are mistakes part of football’s drama?
  • “It was a hell of an atmosphere at Villa Park… the mistakes are sort of part of it, really.” – Dan Bardell [13:34]

---

Mud, Missed Magic, and Other FA Cup Action

• Grimsby vs Wolves in the Mud:
  • “The pitch is a barely playable bog… all the things you wanted, apart from the result.” – Barry Glendenning [19:19]
  • Descriptions of child mascots freezing as Wolves slug out a one-shot victory.
• Burton vs West Ham:
  • West Ham’s 10 changes and lackadaisical first half questioned (“they strolled around as if visiting Burton was beneath them”) – John Brewin [21:14].
  • Burton denied a “stonewall penalty” in a VAR-less game, echoing the weekend’s theme.
• Birmingham vs Leeds Penalty Shoot-Out:
  • “A really interesting and exciting game… when it went to penalties, I thought they might get through here, which isn’t ideal from a Villa fan perspective.” – Max Rushden [23:54]
  • Leeds keeper’s penalty notes foiled by Birmingham’s retro numbers-less kit: “His water bottle was sort of rendered redundant…” – John Brewin [25:49]

---

Big Clubs, Big Results

• Liverpool 3–0 Brighton:
  • Arne Slot’s full-strength selection pays off; “Szoboszlai comes through with a great goal – that's just what he does.” – Dan Bardell [28:11]
  • “Best players are those that want to play every game… and he is at the moment Liverpool's best player by a significant distance.” – Barry Glendenning [29:24]
• Arsenal 4–0 Wigan:
  • E. Dan’s flashes and Mikel Arteta’s rotation curiosity.
  • “It felt like that hat trick at Spurs would be a lightning rod moment; I don’t know what the opposite is, but that’s what’s happened since…” – Max Rushden [30:06]
• Chelsea, Man City, Sunderland:
  • Routine wins, praise for interim or rarely-seen managers.
  • “Rossinia has pretty much won nearly every game he’s been in charge of at Chelsea… the football is a lot better and more fun under him.” – Max Rushden [34:26]
  • “Marque should be cup tied… if you are tainted by the biggest FA Cup upset of all time, you shouldn’t get a second chance!” – John Brewin [35:18]

---

Scottish Premiership Title Race

• All to Play For Among Hearts, Rangers, Celtic:
  • Hearts top, but “most people are expecting them to fall away now.” – John Brewin [41:30]
  • Celtic’s last-gasp win, wild celebrations: “Julian Araujo jumped into the stands and was completely enveloped, perhaps eaten by Celtic fans.” – John Brewin [41:30]
  • Rangers’ dramatic comeback, unwavering Ibrox atmosphere.
  • “Motherwell deserve a shout – they've taken four points off Hearts, four off Rangers, and three off Celtic already this season.” – John Brewin [42:56]
  • Tyrese John-Jules’ performance and Red Dwarf jokes: “Can probably get five minutes out of Kilmarnock having the nephew of the cat from Red Dwarf in their starting 11.” – Barry Glendenning [43:55]

---

Managerial Moves and Miscellania

• Igor Tudor to Spurs:
  • Left-field interim appointment, widely compared to “firefighters.”
  • “If he beats Arsenal, he’ll be a legend. If they get thumped, the crowd will turn on him quickly.” – John Brewin [50:01]
  • Jokes about turning up at the training ground in a fire truck: “I’ll be incredibly disappointed if he doesn’t turn up in a big red truck, wearing a yellow helmet…” – John Brewin [49:37]
• Thomas Tuchel stays with England:
  • “No secret I’ve loved every minute so far…” – Max relays Tuchel’s statement [51:00]
• Random Moments:
  • Director of Football goes in goal at Weymouth: “Kieran Douglas is replaced by the director of football, Jason Matthews, as he goes in goal at the age of 50.” – [51:44]
  • Barry’s infamous chicken-killing story analyzed for statistics, with plenty of self-mockery.
  • Closing with Muppet Show nostalgia and children's TV recommendations.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Chris Kavanagh put in one of the most disaster class performances from a referee I’ve ever seen.” — Dan Bardell [10:42]
• “Sometimes owners want someone else to be a lightning rod for criticism… maybe Scott Parker will serve as a well-paid human shield.” — Dan Bardell [07:24]
• “Julian Araujo jumped into the stands and was completely enveloped, perhaps eaten by Celtic fans.” — John Brewin [41:30]
• “I’ll be incredibly disappointed if he doesn’t turn up at the training ground in a big red truck, wearing a yellow helmet and pulling a hose behind.” — John Brewin on Igor Tudor [49:37]
• “Can probably get five minutes out of Kilmarnock having a lad who is the nephew of the cat from Red Dwarf in their starting 11.” — Barry Glendenning [43:55]
• “All hail Mansfield. Their win at Burnley... the only thing that kept the magic of the cup alive this weekend.” — Barry Glendenning [00:13]

---

Important Timestamps

• Mansfield Magic/Burnley woes: 01:40–07:00
• VAR & Villa-Newcastle Review: 09:04–13:34
• Grimsby-Wolves/Mudbath: 18:43–20:50
• Burton vs West Ham (no-penalty controversy): 21:14–23:13
• Birmingham-Leeds Penalties/Kit farce: 23:14–26:39
• Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea FA Cup round-up: 27:29–36:08
• Scottish Title Race Recap: 40:55–45:36
• Igor Tudor to Spurs: 45:36–50:40

---

Original Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is fast-paced, rich on in-jokes, and swings between sharp pundit commentary and playful riffing — classic Football Weekly. The discussion around VAR and refereeing errors is sharp, with all panelists weighing the entertainment value of chaos against the cold comfort of “correctness.”

The panel’s affection for football’s oddities shines through, especially with stories of frozen mascots, bizarre pitch conditions, and director of footballs donning the gloves. And as ever, it's all packaged in The Guardian’s signature blend of erudition and irreverence.

---

For listeners looking for deep tactical dives or mere football therapy, this episode captures the laughter, frustration, and strange beauty of football in the English and Scottish winter.

Transcript

[Max Rushden]

This is the Guardian.

[Barry Glendenning]

Hello and welcome to the Guardian Football Weekly. All hail Mansfield. Their win at Burnley, the only thing that kept the magic of the cup alive this weekend. Even if it's impossible to be surprised by a Burnley defeat of any kind elsewhere. Was this a great weekend for Var? Some terrible decisions, especially at Villa Park. Have referees regressed because of the technology? Or was it just a bad performance? And still, was it worse or considerably better to have a weekend without anyone drawing lines? And super slow mo replays of non handball handballs. The pitch at Grimsby was good fun, but not fun enough for Wolves to lose. And then basically every Premier League side won. Also today, a brilliant day in the Scottish Premiership title race. Celtic coming back from two goals down at Kilmarnock and Rangers coming from behind to beat Hart. It's tight up there. There's Igor Tudor to Spurs, Thomas Tuchel staying with England, a director of football going in goal. And someone's run the numbers of Barry's chicken killing youth. We'll answer your questions. And that's today's Guardian Football Weekly. On the panel today, Barry Glendenning. Welcome.

[John Brewin]

Hi, Max. Not for the first time. I want to skip straight to the.

[Barry Glendenning]

End like all the listeners. Dan Bardell.

[Max Rushden]

Hello, good morning and welcome.

[Barry Glendenning]

John Bruin.

[Dan Bardell]

Hello, Max.

[Barry Glendenning]

Let's start then at turf Moore. Burnley 1, Mansfield 2. The only real upset of the FA cup fourth round, I think, John. In the last round of the FA cup we said there's a chance that Mansfield Town's name had never been uttered on the podcast before in its history. And now look at them. And without them, this weekend had no magic.

[Dan Bardell]

No, thank the Lord for Nigel Clough who oddly did not do any post match duties. I'm not sure why that was, but I was listening to the car radio on my way back from Birmingham and I heard an interview with someone who sounded just like Nigel Clough and then talked about how he was gonna have a nice bottle of wine after the game. And I thought, that doesn't sound like Nigel Clough. And I think it was. I couldn't even work out who was Gary Crosby or Andy Garner, one of his assistants. But anyway, yeah, a great win is a Burnley defeat to Mansfield. Does that live up to our definition of the cup of dreams as compared to, well, the team that sound a bit like Mansfield, that I'm often accused of the town. I'm often accused of being from Mansfield. When I'm from Macclesfield, I'm. I suppose the bigger question because we are Premier League eyed is what does this do for Scott Parker. It was a pretty empty turf. More the public. Not really up for this one. But let's credit Mansfield. Brilliant result. And of course, the winning goal scored by Lewis Reed. Let's do the gags, shall we? That a perfect day. And that goal really was a transformer and it was hit. It was vicious. So there we go. There's the. There's Esme Lou Reed gags.

[Barry Glendenning]

That's good stuff. Yeah, I. I can't. I mean, I can't fit Walk on the Wild side in. But then I'm. And you won't be surprised to hear John out of Lou Reed songs. Satellite Something love.

[Dan Bardell]

Wonderful song. Great Bowie back in the locals.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyway, Barry, it was a brilliant free kick and look, Mansfield took loads of fat. You know, like for them. And we say this every year, I guess for them this was the cup of dreams. This was brilliant. And they'd had an. Their second really good result in this competition.

[John Brewin]

Yeah, I think it's as far as they've ever gotten the tournament. And again, if you're expecting it to happen, does it still count as a shock? Technically, yes, it's an upset. I wasn't even remotely surprised. Burnley lost, but there should have been out of sight by half time. Ashley Barron's providing his occasional reminder that he's still at Burnley, still exists. He missed a sitter, Jack. Bryn Larsson had one hooked off the line. I think after beating the keeper Loom Trum blazed one over the bar when he should have at least hit the target if not scored. So Burnley did have chances to put Mansfield away before halftime. They didn't take them and paid the price. Burnley fans clearly aren't going to be particularly fussed. Very few of them turned up. Who can blame them? Whether or not this decides Scott Parker's fate doesn't really matter at this stage because their season is pretty much over, isn't it, Bar? The most implausible and unlikely of. Of turnarounds. But hats off to Mansfield. Hats off to Nigel Clough. He's played in an FA cup final. His dad famously never won it and he is unlikely to win it with Mansfield. But he has a better chance of winning it this season than Scott Parker.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yes. And, you know, I. I looked up famous people from Mansfield, Rebecca Aglinton, Richard Bacon and Alvin Stardust. I don't know if any were in attendance. Would be some surprised if Alvin Stardust was.

[Dan Bardell]

Yeah, yeah, I was gonna say, yeah.

[Barry Glendenning]

Since he left this model coil in 2014, Dan Burley made nine changes. I mean, there's a piece by Film and I'll see on the BBC website saying, look, there are 100 changes in this weekend's 14 games. You know, HUL and Ipswich made 10, Oxford made eight. But did Burnley need to make nine changes for this game? Like, should. Should Scott Parker be. I mean, he's under some pressure anyway, but like, like, if you don't win and you do that, people will ask that question.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, and he said that himself after the game that, that people would raise questions because they've been knocked out. And, you know, probably fair, fair enough. And, and probably rightly so, if you look at. If you look at Wolves, they would have made changes as well, but they've got through and it kind of gives their season something. It gives the fans something to kind of dream about, something to look forward to because they know they're going to be in the championship. For Burnley, you know, home tied to Mansfield, you get yourself into the fifth round, it probably would have done the same for them. So I think Burnley fans will have every right to. To feel disappointed. Managers have their reasons for making changes. There's. There's a reason why nearly every club does it, particularly the Premier League teams and sometimes the championship teams as well. You've got to get minutes into people that don't normally play. Other teams have other priorities so they make those changes. But you can't get away from thinking that that would have given the Burnley fans just something this season, a glimmer of hope. And now it kind of feels like that they've got absolutely nothing. And I think Josh Laurent was one of those changes. And Bernie deserved to get knocked out for his celebration in front of the Mansfield fans. A very arrogant and cocky celebration at one nil up. And when I watched Match of the Day and kind of knew what was going to go and end up happening in that, I did chuckle to myself that he did that celebration and eventually he'll have been knocked out. The FA Cup.

[John Brewin]

Yeah.

[Barry Glendenning]

Although he did sit the keeper down quite nicely. I mean, I think you're probably right. You just. When you. I mean, I said that is the thing, isn't it? Beating Mansfield gives him hope, but losing to Mansfield in a season that's going terribly wrong, it's just, can it get worse? And I suppose, John, the question is, you know, do you think Scott Parker deserves to keep his job at Burnley?

[Dan Bardell]

I suppose the question will be, what is the point of getting rid of him at this point in the season? Because as Barry said, the fate is pretty much Sealed. And the other thing is Alan Pace, who is the owner of the club, has come on under a bit of criticism from fans. There's been a bit of a open war there. And do you know what? Sometimes owners like someone else to be a lightning rod for criticism coming their way. And maybe Scott Parker will serve as a probably well paid, well numerated human shield for the ownership until the end of the season. But when Burnley fans look back on this season, another season in which they are going down, the Mansfield loss is obviously one that's going to go against Scott Parker, who has, we all have to say, done a good job at Burnley doing what Scott Parker does. But the doubts will be, of course, of his credentials as a Premier League manager. Though those in the Scott Parker camp would point out that how often has he had the materials to work with to stay up? I mean, maybe you could point to the fact that Gary o' Neill did a very good job in succeeding him at Bournemouth a few years ago and helped establish that club. But yeah, I'm sort of anti sacking managers apart from one instance. And you know, when the fate is sealed for the season, it makes it easier for a new manager to come in to have a clean break in the summer, doesn't it? Rather than, you know, a series of games in the Premier League where they're losing, losing, losing and you, you affect how things affect the psyche of the club going into the season ahead. Because they've already got to be planning for a promotion campaign at this point.

[Barry Glendenning]

To villa park, then Villa 1 Newcastle 3 Malaga Mag says watching the Newcastle Villa games refereeing was like watching a child on its bike for the first time without stabilizers. Adrian, surely we need some sort of video refereeing brought in after the Villa park disaster. One quick check on a replay and they could get 100% of decisions. Correct, says Adrian. We had lots of questions, of course, along those lines. I didn't think you had money for psr, but Chris Kavanagh was a good signing, Dan, but not enough. It's just a joke. He just had a bad game. But still it was. I mean, I don't know which decision was the. It was the handball penalty, wasn't it? They all went in your favor, Dan, but it was a. He had a bad day when he had no var.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah. And annoying from a Villa perspective that you're the right end of so many decisions, yet you still find a way to get a player sent off and get yourself knocked out the cup. I was obviously in the ground and don't think I appreciated at the time how bad some, some of the decisions were. I kind of walked away thinking 11 v 11. I think Villa might have won that because I thought we were on top. Got back, watched the highlights and realized actually we were. We were a little bit fortunate there with a. With a few decisions. And as soon as Villa went down to 10, Newcastle have. Have got the kind of energy and application where they can, they can make that work for them. Villa are a team that notoriously struggle when they come up against 10 men. But in the second half, as soon as Newcastle got one, you just felt that. That they'd go on and win the game. And they did. But Chris Kavanagh put in one of the most disaster class performances from a referee I think you've ever seen. And we've seen some bad performances from officials before. There was a tweet from Match of the Day in the evening saying if anyone missed any of the action, tune into to Match of the Day this evening. Chris Kavanagh missed nearly everything that was in the Villa game. So I'm assuming he tuned into the FA cup edition of Match of the Day.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah. So the big question, Barry, is, does if you have Var and that exists, that probably changes how you referee a football match. So then if, and I don't know how many games in the championship, if any Chris Kavanaugh is doing, but that you're not used to reference between A.

[John Brewin]

Few from now on.

[Dan Bardell]

Yeah, mainly he's at Mansfield next week.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah, but I mean the handball inside the box is the most egregious, isn't it, Baz? Because it's so far in the box.

[John Brewin]

And the thing is he saw the handball. So it's not like Dean handled the ball. Dean, Luca Dean, who should not have been on the pitch because he should have been sent off in the first half. Another challenge that Kavanagh saw but didn't penalize accordingly. So he saw the foul. If he hadn't seen the foul, you'd go, okay, he missed it, fair enough. But he saw it, but thought it was outside the area. And that beggar's belief. And the linesman was nearby, he presumably also sought. I guess they're conditioned to now to have. Well, they think if. Well, I have Var as a safety net, so if I make a big boo boo, it'll bail me out. But obviously Var wasn't there this season or for this round of the Cup. The only thing I'd say is I don't think his were. While his decisions were terrible, I Don't think they were the worst of the weekend. I think the worst of the weekend came in the Burton West Ham game when Burton were denied a clear, absolute stonewall penalty. Penalty when the score was still nil. Nil. And I think if they'd got that penalty and scored it, I'm. I think they'd have won. But we'll get to that game later. For all the bad decisions that went against Newcastle, at least they won the game. So it didn't affect the outcome.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah.

[John Brewin]

Which is not to say, you know, on another day, it could have easily affected the outcome and probably would have, but it was a shocking performance. The only thing I'd say for those who are saying, oh, well, this is. This shows why we need VAR is that was one of 14 games that have been played in this round of the Cup. Most of them were fine as from. From a refereeing perspective. There were a few errors, but we'd have got a few errors as well, I'm sure, if Vara had been on the case.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah. And actually, John, it's a sort of case in point for Var. If what it did was said, that's outside the box, that's a red card and that's offside. And it did nothing else in that game. You go, actually, it wouldn't take very long and we all wouldn't have a problem with Var. You know, I still preferred the football this weekend, even, and I'm a neutral. And Eddie Howe actually said it, it's better for the neutral. It's annoying when you're on the wrong end of decisions, but it sort of showed that, you know, the mistakes are sort of part of it, really.

[Dan Bardell]

There's been this widespread view this was a disappointing weekend, but, you know, it made for a hell of an atmosphere at Villa Park. It really did it really. You know, there were. I was near the Newcastle fan, so their outrage was there. Of course, if you're in the press box, you have the benefit of replay. So you can see the mistakes being repeatedly made. And both managers actually spoke, in fact, in favor of VR Var, in a way. I mean, Eddie Howe obviously hedges everything. He pretty much says anyway, Unite. Emery just said, no, this. You need it to provide assistance to referees. It was. I mean, some of the decision. I mean, the Lucas Dean one, I mean, that's what even. Even. Even Var, you know, on a coffee break or falling asleep after the dinner, you know, which sometimes we think might be going on up at Stockley park, would have given that one straight away, wouldn't they? On Second look, I mean, you know, it was vicious. It was nasty. Nick Greenhalgh I think was the linesman who. Who probably needs to go the optician see his spatial awareness, how that works because he was level with it when it was in you know the handball in the box. Which was as you say the most actually. Yeah. Is that the most egregious decision? I think the Luca Dean one was my favorite bit actually about video replays about this game was Bezo having been sent off decided that he was going to watch the replay of his sending off on the video and on. In the dugout before he. Before he went into the dressing room to just check to see why he had been sent off. Because it was almost as if he'd lost the run of himself and was confused as to why I've been sent off. I mean that was blatant that there is actually a question there of is he sent off for you know, serious foul play in which it's a three match ban or was is it Dogzo? In which case I think it's only a one match ban.

[Barry Glendenning]

I think the official said dogs though. But it was more dangerous play I think and actually dan up all the decisions. That was the worst decision of the game him flying out like that. It's madness.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah. Reminiscent of Emmy Martinez on the. On the last day of last season at Old Trafford. I just couldn't. I sit in the hole 10 couldn't but couldn't believe. He kind of looked down and he was already gone before. Before it. Before it developed. Yeah. I don't know what was going through his brain. He's quite a. Quite a composed goalkeeper and calm goalkeeper generally but completely lost his mind and obviously that. That's kind of killed Villa's FA cup run from that moment. Even though they're. They're a goal ahead. It was always going to be very difficult being down to 10 for of time and when your goalkeeper goes goes off you have to have. It feels like you have to have more of a rejig. Although I guess. I guess you don't because you're still just. Just losing a man and. And someone goes off. I'm going to sound bitter and you know I've got nothing against Newcastle at all. I think Newcastle and Villa are in the same boat in. In a lot of ways financially and with the restrictions. I did think that that result maybe masked over a few things for them because I think in the first half when it was 11, 11v11 I can. Because I can't get away from this season thinking that their football's a little bit basic and that, you know, their strength was always their physicality and the way they pressed more the more physical side of the game. And because the Premier League's gone more that way generally I feel like their strength's almost been negated. They're so. They're. When their formation, you know, the four, three, three. Nowadays you've got fullbacks inverting like Villa play with a left winger who plays as a left hand. For Newcastle, everyone is kind of doing the job that that position stereotypically dictates. And I just think if that had V11, I think Villa would have got through relatively comfortably. I think they'd have gone on and got the second goal. Obviously the first one shouldn't have stood. But I do think it masks some deficiencies in Newcastle's kind of makeup this season that they got through.

[Barry Glendenning]

Worth mentioning, Sandro Tonali's second goal. Because it's such a. It's such a brilliant ball stage ball strike, isn't it? Absolutely. Loved it. But if. Have you got any other thoughts on this? John? I know you were there too.

[Dan Bardell]

Dan makes a good point actually about the first half. Volta Marder, I thought struggled a bit in that and there's been a few doubts about him. He did get his goal and. And listen Villa in the second half essentially was saying come and break us down. And I think actually there. Volta Marder did show that he's more than just the big man with some lovely touches. And he's very, very good to watch when he's in that form. What a player that I do like very much. Harvey Barnes didn't have the best day. Anthony Gordon a little bit off. But Tonali, a guy of whom there's a few questions being asked of his future and there's been, you know, it's the question I think Eddie Howells asked him almost every week. You know what. What's his status? Came through. No Bruno Gumarez of course for a significant amount of time. And so someone's got to step up and it looks like Tonali is going to be the man. Good win that for Newcastle. I think things. It hasn't been the best season really for them. And you know what? It's their only chance of silverware. And after last year when he enjoyed it so much, winning at Wembley, you know, going back to Wembley again would be make the season better, make it memorable. And that's what we're in it for. Right. Memories.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah, we are. And we'll start part Two at Grimsby. If any of us can remember what happened there. Welcome to part two of the Guardian Football Weekly. Pedro just writes mud. I mean, the result wasn't what we wanted, Barry and I. Sort of shame on Grimsby for not scoring a Ronnie Radford in that mud. Yes, there was one Wolves player looked like he'd done tough mudder by half time. You know, the ball just rolling out and stopping in the. Like just off the side of the pitch. It had all the things you wanted, apart from the result.

[John Brewin]

Yeah, it was very nicely set up for an upset. A bad Premier League team arriving at Blondale Park West. Windy, freezing cold. The pitch is a barely playable bog. The mascots who accompanied the players out the pitch looked like they would rather be anywhere else. One of them was crying he was so cold. A couple of them were wearing gloves. One had. I don't know if it was ear defenders or they were woolies. So I'm guessing just ear muffs to keep the cold out rather than the noise. So it was. The conditions could not have been more perfect for. For an upset. At one stage, I think one of the Grimsby players was shepherding the ball out of play for a throw in and it just sort of stuck on the line. Eventually trundled out of play. But yeah, the mod to fair play to Wolves. I mean, it was not a good game. It was a fun occasion, but it was not a good game. I think both sides had one shot on target and Wolves happened to score theirs. Santi Bueno need in a shroud. Gomez Cross. That was Wolves only shot on target. I think Gomez hit the bar as well. But yeah, it was unfortunate. It could not have been set up better for Grimsby and they weren't able to take advantage. But they gave a decent account of themselves.

[Barry Glendenning]

They did. And look, they've had a. They've had, you know, they beat Man United in the carabao when it was absolutely pelting, you know, sort of Reuben Amarin's nadir of many nadirs. I guess if you can have more than one nadir before you write in. What about Burton West Ham? Actually, Baz, you did the minute by minute of this one as well, didn't you? How sad were you when there was an extra half hour to cover of this one?

[John Brewin]

I was devastated. I won't lie. I was really devastated and I was really annoyed with West Ham because they made, I think it was 10 changes. Mavropanis was the only player from the last game to. To be picked. They left Jared Bowen, Thomas Suchek and Matthias Fernandez, they had the weekend off. They didn't even travel, weren't in the squad. And the players who did go out. So bear in mind, these are players who can't get in the West Ham team. They strolled around in the first half as if visiting Burton and playing this team of League One strugglers was beneath them. And that annoyed me. I'm not sure why, because, you know, I don't really care about Burton or West Ham, but, yeah, I was annoyed by that. And then eventually they brought on Crescencio Somerville. He provided one of very few moments of quality in the game and. And that was enough to win it for West Ham. Freddie Potts was sent off as well for a, yeah, late, nasty lunge. Couldn't really have any complaints. But Burton, they had loads of corners, loads of free kicks. They, they in Therese Shade, they had a long throw merchant, but they weren't able to do anything with all these crosses from corners. Open play, long throws, free kicks, couldn't. West Ham were just heading everything away. But as I already said, Burton should have had a penalty in the first half when it was nil. Nil. I have no idea how it wasn't. It was one of those. I can't remember who was on cold calm as well. It wasn't enough for the barge, like, but it was.

[Barry Glendenning]

I mean, it wasn't even a soft barge. It was like the guy takes on his chest, doesn't he?

[John Brewin]

He blindsided Jake Beasley and absolutely clattered into him and flattened him. And I. I don't understand why it wasn't given. So Burton are entitled to feel a bit aggrieved, but they could have done more, I think.

[Dan Bardell]

Yeah.

[Barry Glendenning]

Birmingham took leads to penalties. Dan, I don't know how you feel about talking about Birmingham City. It does remind me of that rivalry of someone calling Paul Hawkesby on Talk Sport. It was like, you know. You know, and he was a. He was a Villa fan and he was driving and he got a chip windscreen and his family with him in the pissing rain, winter's night. And the guy comes up to fix the car with auto windscreens and he refused to have his. He refused to have his windscreen done by somebody work for Auto Winston because they sponsored Birmingham City. Any. This was quite a good game, I thought. Birmingham, Leeds. I don't know what you made of it.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah. First half, I would say not much happened. But in. In the second half, an extra time, it was a really, really good cup toy. It was an open cup tie that I think could have gone either way. I thought Birmingham gave a, gave a good account of themselves really. And when it went to penalties, I thought they might get, they might get through here. Which isn't ideal from a, from a Villa fan perspective. But I thought they did really, really well. I thought that the deliveries from set pieces, I mean I know most teams delivery from set pieces is good. They caused Leeds real, real problems. So I actually thought there was a lot for Birmingham to take heart from there. They've still got a chance of getting in the, in the playoffs and trying to go up this season as well. So they looked in a good place to me. The pitch wasn't great. It wasn't as bad as the, as the Grimsby game, but I didn't think the pitch was great. But Leeds get through and at the moment Daniel Farker just seems to generally be finding a way to be doing a really, really good job there. From the moment he came under serious pressure. He's just kind of rode every storm that's come his way and I don't expect them down. And now the Leeds fans can start dreaming of, dreaming of Wembley and, and having, having a cup run which I think they'd all enjoy as well. So yeah, leads have, have got through. But I thought it was a, I actually thought it was a really, really interesting game and really, really exciting game end to end.

[Dan Bardell]

Can just say I, I, I really enjoy the Villa the Blues rivalry. It's for its utter utter pettiness. I don't know if you saw this footage. I think it was in last year when a, a Birmingham fan was laid to rest and at the funeral.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yes, I did. Yeah.

[Dan Bardell]

The congregation were asked to sing and they did sing on the Villa together and it was a very, it was a very poignant moment. I felt wonderful.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah. It's amazing what football can do, isn't it? You know.

[Dan Bardell]

Brings us all together, doesn't it? Yeah.

[John Brewin]

I thought Paul Robinson on Match of the Day made a very interesting about this. So this went to penalties. Leeds won. The Leeds keeper had the players names and numbers on his bottle and where, which side of the goal they kicked to. But Paul Robinson made the point that the Birmingham players, they were wearing some retro kit. Very nice one actually. Blue with a white stripe down the middle. But they didn't have numbers on their shorts. So working in the assumption that, that the Leeds goalkeeper would not have a clue what their names were or most of them, his water bottle was sort of rendered redundant because he wouldn't be able to see the back of their shirts. As they walked up I just could sort of imagine player walking up to places ball the keeper just going. Would you mind turning around?

[Barry Glendenning]

What's your name please?

[Dan Bardell]

Yeah.

[Barry Glendenning]

Lucas. Unless Lucas Perry has an encyclopedic knowledge of all Midlands football. It's just his, it's his little skill. He knows everyone there. I did like their kit. Yeah. Celebrating a 150 years of existence. And he made a brilliant save actually Lucas Perry from Adam Stansfield in the first half and Birmingham hit the second. Yeah sorry. Jay Stansfield and Birmingham. I'll do that again. He made a brilliant save Lucas Perry from. From Jay Stansfield in the first half and then Birmingham hit the post in the. In injury time in before extra time and there was an amazing block just after that. But Leeds are through some of the big guns. Liverpool 3, Brighton nil. And we mentioned lots of changes. John and Liverpool didn't make lots of changes. I don't know if Arna Slot has PTSD from losing to Plymouth last season but the FA cup could be some salvation for them this year.

[Max Rushden]

Yes.

[Dan Bardell]

So we though the mysterious Calvin Ramsey did come on at the end which was. Which was interesting. Yeah, that's a good win. Right. And that's more the story I suppose that we're interested in. Fabian Herzla's future becomes a little bit more uncertain. A lot of discussion over whether they'd be pulled into a relegation bottle which I don't see but you know I might be wrong because they're in such bad form. Yeah. I think Arne slot decided. Yes. Let's. Let's keep up the, the good vibes with it with a team selection and you know again that man Dominic Zobizlai comes through with a great goal. That's just what he does.

[Barry Glendenning]

Oh, it was so nice, wasn't it?

[Max Rushden]

Yeah.

[Dan Bardell]

And you know I've seen some comparisons to Steven Gerrard this you know about like how he's Steven Jarrod used to do this, you know, put himself play in other positions for the team and do that. Now Steve Gerard is possibly the greatest Liverpool player of all time, give or take. You know, Kenny Dalgleish or whatever. SOB's got a bit of a way to go. But he has been brilliant this season and without whom Liverpool's disappointment would be yet greater. So let's credit him. He's one of those players, you know, you know the best players. And I thought this about Morgan Rogers at the week. The best players are those that want to play every game. You know, the real top, top players. As we'd call them or Harry Redknapp. Would they just want to play every game? I always remember Rooney and Ronaldo in FA cup games. Say Burton or Exeter or ever would want to play. You can't drop them. Messi was like that, you know a Copperdale rally game to play. You know some third division team he'd want to play. And Szoboszlai is one of those as well, isn't it? It's like you're not playing. You'd obviously the disappointment on the face would be no, no I want to play. And that's. That's what you need, isn't it? From the best players. And he is at the moment Liverpool's best player by a significant distance.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah I can see like just on that goal itself. It had a Gerrard like quality, didn't it? Kind of.

[Dan Bardell]

Yeah, yeah.

[Barry Glendenning]

Just ah bang bang done. Inevitable brilliant goal. You all knew it was going to happen and it did. And you know like coming from right back as well. Yeah. Having a very good season for Brighton. Well they played Brentford on Saturday. Feels like a big game for Hertz. Brentford are quite good.

[Dan Bardell]

Although.

[Barry Glendenning]

Although they will be coming off the back of that humiliating defeat to Mfield John, won't they? Arsenal beat Wigan 4 0. They were 40 up after 27 minutes and that was that. But look two beautiful assists for E Dan who has not had a really great time at Arsenal apart from that hat trick against Spurs. I think people who love football would love him to do well.

[Max Rushden]

Yeah, you kind of felt like that hat trick at spurs would be a lightning rod moment and I don't know what the opposite of a lightning rod moment is but that's what it's been since then. We really not really done to too much in an Arsenal shirt since. Good player. You know I still would think he's going to be going to the World Cup. I'd be surprised if he if he didn't make the squad. But that does feel like there's been something a little bit funny going on. Although I think Arteta has got a bit of a punch on for. They're trying to take someone out for a bit and almost get them angry and then unleash them back it back into the lineup from nowhere and they do well. I think he's done that a few did it with Trossard a point coming his last season or this season where he didn't pick him for a bit and then he put him in and he got loads of goals and did really well as he often does in An Arsenal shirt and quadruple's still on for Arsenal, so there's gonna be plenty of games for them to rotate. Plenty of games for everyone to play. So just a routine win for them really, wasn't it? Gabriel? Jesus keeps scoring when he plays. I feel like since he's come back from injury, maybe been forgotten about just before he came back doing better this season than he was before the injury. The injury seems to have. Seems to have done something to him, in my opinion.

[Dan Bardell]

This is the podcast where all roads lead to Aston Villa. But I believe it was against Aston Villa in the game Villa won that led to Eze shunted out of the team by Mikel Arteta. He didn't like the fact he didn't press hard enough. He made an error in possession or something like that. That's. That's the word that I've received. Another player who has had the Arteta cold shoulder. Miles Lewis Skelly. I felt a bit sorry for him because he was supposed to play midfield to show that, remember that was the player that he was as a young player, as a youth team player. A bit like Trent Alexander Arnold though a bit further on in his development. He came in in the fullback to get him into the team. Unfortunately, Califuri gets an injury in the warm up. Louis Skelly has to play left back, which he did a perfectly reasonable job. But we didn't get to see MLS as he would like to be in midfield. And that was disappointing for me because I'd like to see this because there's a lot of Ray reviews there. He did pick up what I often think with him is his customary booking for a fairly nasty challenge which would show your caution at playing him at left back. But yeah, injuries that Califuri one. We'll have to look at that for Arsenal. They pick that up and you could see Michel Artis are not happy. But yeah, over at 27 minutes they made a sub Wigan and actually did very well after that. And yeah, it was Graham Barrow, wasn't it? He's 71 legend on his sixth spell as caretaker manager. Tony Parks.

[Barry Glendenning]

He's six. I only had four as, but he has six. Is it all right?

[Dan Bardell]

Or maybe six. But he is the man that always comes to the rescue, doesn't he? Yeah. And he, he was sat in the gantry for the first half and then came down for the second half in which they were much improved. Yeah, not. Not great for Wigan. They have other problems, don't they? And they're fighting a relegation battle to drop down to the to escape. Dropping Bounce to League two. I wish them the best. It's not been a happy few years for them.

[Barry Glendenning]

Maybe the opposite of a lightning rod is a power cut of a game. You know that, that's what it does. We haven't looked, we, the, the Arsenal drew with Brentford in the Premier League after, you know, on Thursday night. So we didn't cover it Barry last week because it hadn't happened. But that is actually quite a significant in the, in the title race.

[John Brewin]

Well, it could be two points dropped. We know how good Brenford are. It could have been three points dropped. So their lead is now what, four points? They've got Wolves midweek one. You would presume they'll win that. Yeah, I, I, I guess Arsenal fans will, will see it as two points dropped. I think it could have been worse. They could have lost that game. Brenford were very good.

[Barry Glendenning]

Oh, this is one I've just discovered. They are playing Wolves midweek. So they are. I was like, what are you talking about, Barry? Oh, it is a fixture. I should never doubt you.

[John Brewin]

Oh, you, you often have reason to doubt me. Don't worry about that.

[Barry Glendenning]

What else happened? Liam Rossini, Derby dan. Chelsea won 4 nil at Hull. A hat trick for Neto. Liam de Lapp set up a couple but had a fun moment where he thought he'd score but the ball hadn't gone in the goal. Do you have any strong views on this football match, Liam?

[Max Rushden]

Rossinia has pretty much won nearly every game that he's, that he's been in charge of and I was speaking to my brother in law at the weekend who's a, who's a Chelsea fan and he was just saying that the, the football is a lot better and more fun under him than it, than it was under Enzo Maresca and he's very impressed with how he's handled himself so far. Now obviously there's the memes and the gifs and whatever about Rossini, but he has walked in there with the minimum of fuss and actually improved them. So I think credit to him. They'll obviously be one of the favourites to win the cup and Rossini's got a bit of history with the FA cup, playing in that final against Arsenal for Hull, I think. Yeah, Chelsea have got a decent chance of a trophy now with the FA cup and Rossini is doing a good job, that's all. I'd say.

[Barry Glendenning]

Another one of the favorites, Man City. They beat Sal for 2 nil. So an improvement on last season for the class of 92, I think lost eight nil last time. Mark Gay settled it completely with about nine minutes to go.

[John Brewin]

I. I'm not happy about that.

[Barry Glendenning]

What?

[John Brewin]

I think Marque should be cup tied. I. I know the rules are the rules, but if you are tainted by direct association with what has been labeled the biggest FA cup upset of all time, you should not be given a second chance where you can potentially go on to win the FA cup in the same season. It's not right.

[Max Rushden]

Didn't we have a conversation a few weeks ago about the Carabao cup and how he wasn't allowed to play in that and it was ridiculous.

[Barry Glendenning]

And then this one Semenu is engaged which felt.

[Max Rushden]

That felt ludicrous. But then this feels ludicrous the other way around. You should be allowed to play the Carabiner Cup.

[John Brewin]

The FA cup is. Is. Should be sacrosant. Sacrosant even. No, it doesn't. I don't like it.

[Barry Glendenning]

Fair enough. Yeah. I think once you play, you've played and that's it, you're cup tied. Otherwise what is being cup tied? Fulham 1, 21 at Stoke. Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin had a great game and then messed up at the end. And a couple of good saves from Henri Le Conte in the Fulham goal. I didn't expect to see him there.

[John Brewin]

Do you have a tennis rack?

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah, he did, of course.

[Dan Bardell]

Was he doing those sort of camp poses that he used to do at Wimbledon? Do you remember when he was.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah, yeah, he was all the hits. I'm not sure who it was actually, but I just heard lecont. I got excited. Barry, the dream is still alive for your mob. Won 1 nil at Oxford. A penalty Oxford haven't scored at home since Boxing Day.

[John Brewin]

Yes, this was not a good game of football. Sunderland won 1 nil courtesy of a penalty that the Oxford player Moso very stupid challenge that he on Dennis Serkin that he didn't need to make. Serkan was at the the right at the left side of the penalty area facing away from goals, surrounded by Oxford players. And PSOKO decides. I know I'll chop you down about chop is a bit. Bit of a stretch. The Oxford United coach thought it shouldn't have been a penalty. I think it was. But into the fifth round, Sunderland goal friend of mine who's is a bonafide in Mackam said to me on Saturday night that he would rather Oxford beat Sunderland than Sunderland be Oxford and get Newcastle in the next round. So make of that what you will in the championship.

[Barry Glendenning]

FA cup ties, Wrexham Be Ipswich Norris beat West Brom. Southampton beat Leicester. Oliver Skip did score an overhead kick for Leicester, which is not some words I ever thought I'd put in a sentence, but well done to him. It was a sort of.

[John Brewin]

If you have. What. What's the overhead kick Spectrum is in the Dean's Dank.

[Barry Glendenning]

The Sinclair spectrum.

[John Brewin]

Oh, then of course it's the Sinclair spectrum.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah.

[John Brewin]

What am I talking.

[Barry Glendenning]

Thanks for listening. Thanks for listening to me, Barry. For the last decade, it's.

[John Brewin]

This one's very low on the Sinclair Spectrum. I wouldn't even give it a two.

[Barry Glendenning]

No. And if you were. If someone told you Oliver Skip would score her overhead kick, this is the overhead kick you'd expect. But it's an overhead kick all the same. Do you have high hopes, John, for.

[Dan Bardell]

Mactown down against Brentford in 4G, we trust? I think you know, the. The pitch. It certainly was a problem for Crystal Palace. We'll have to see if it is for Brentford. Brentford are a team in slightly better form than Crystal Palace. Listen, it's been. It's been brilliant, whatever happens, you know, I just hope that it doesn't. It's not a humiliation or anything like that. It's that the town and the club shows it off for what it's been, which is, you know, it's brought real attention to the football culture of the town, I think, including to maybe a few people in the town. Written a piece today, I was in Saturday's paper about growing up in the town and the football culture of there, which is when you there. When you grow up there, you grow up within distance of a lot of big clubs and other attractions. And Mark had to compete for that attention. And I've just really enjoyed them getting that attention and it's been great. And do you know what? I was a little regretful that they got a Monday tie because I think the Saturday 12:30 or the 5:30 will be a bit more. Feels a bit more romantic, doesn't it? It feels a bit after the rest of the FA Cups being played, but it's nice to have the draw at Moss Rose and all the rest of it. But, yeah, I won't be there. I'll be watching it with my fellow exiled Maxonians. And you know what? I don't think it's really fair that I am there because there's a lot of people that want to be there that probably deserve to be there more than I do. You know, that go more often than I do. And. And so, yeah, listen, I'll be watching and hoping, but you know. Come on, Mac.

[Barry Glendenning]

Come on back. All right, that'll do for part two. Part three will begin with fitbar Corner.

[John Brewin]

Knock knock.

[Dan Bardell]

Ooh, who's there? A Boost Mobile expert here to deliver and set up Your all new iPhone 17 Pro, designed to be the most powerful iPhone ever. You call that a knock knock joke? This isn't a joke. Boost Mobile really sends experts to deliver and set up your phone at home or work.

[John Brewin]

Okay.

[Dan Bardell]

It's just that when people say knock knock, there's usually a joke to go with it. Like I said, this isn't a joke. So the knock knock was just you knocking? Yeah, that's how doors work. Get the new iPhone 17 Pro delivered and set up by an expert wherever you are. Are delivery available for select devices [e-mail] terms apply.

[Barry Glendenning]

Welcome to Part three of the Guardian Football Weekly. So the top of the Scottish Premiership looks like this. Hearts have 57 points from 27 games. Rangers 55 from 27 and Celtic 54 from 26. And the Celtic game was before the Rangers game yesterday. Rangers Hearts game yesterday. So. So they were 2 nil down to Kilmarnock, but they beat them in the 97th minute. Jimin says after that, Celtic winner. What's the longest a player has ever gone missing into the stands celebrating a goal? Yes, Barry, it was Julian Araujo like jumped into the stands and basically was completely enveloped and perhaps eaten by some Celtic fans. We don't know.

[John Brewin]

Yeah, I'm not sure if he ever emerged. I presume he got a yellow card either brandished to his face or in absentia. A wonderful moment for him and for Celtic. Not such a wonderful moment for Rangers and Hearts who played afterwards. I must confess I didn't see the Celtic game but I saw most of the Rangers Hearts game. Really good, really good game of football. Rangers probably deserve. Well, they did deserve to win but they had to come from behind twice. And Yusuf Kermiti, who they paid £8 million for from Everton in in the summer, hasn't been popular around Ibrohi but he has made a couple of very notable contributions and his hat trick here was was a huge one and put Hearts to the sword. So there is very much a three way title race in Scotland. Hearts are still top but I think most people are kind of expecting them to fall away now. But they have two home games coming up, Falkirk and Aberdeen. During that period of time Celtic and Rangers have to play each other so I think it's a bit early to write off. Hearts range was doing Very well. Under Danny Roll. Celtic should have kept Martin o' Neill instead of giving the gig to Wilfred. What's called. I've forgotten his name. Yeah, that showbiz baby. Motherwell deserve a shout out because I was checking today, Motherwell have taken four points off Hearts, four points off Rangers and three off Celtic already this season. So they're really doing their bit to ensure that this goes to the wire. So tip of the hat to Motherwell. They don't get many on Football Weekly, but they deserve one.

[Dan Bardell]

I think I was going to say Araujo was doing a post match interview and really loving life. And Martin o' Neill walks past, I don't know if you've seen this clip and just says, why don't you ask him about his first half performance to the, to the interviews, which he wasn't very happy with, I suppose. The, the, the, the thing. I enjoyed it for Kilmarnock, who did a lot of the damage for them.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yes.

[Dan Bardell]

Was Tyrese John Jules. Yes.

[Barry Glendenning]

Richard says can probably get five minutes out of Kilmarnock having a lad who is the nephew you of the cat from Red Dwarf in their starting 11, if nothing else. Sorry to steal your thunder, John.

[Dan Bardell]

Yeah, he had a great game. Yeah. I mean, I suppose that celebration, it reminded me of. Remember Paul Gascoigne for Lazio in the Rome Derby where he scores and then run sort of.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dan Bardell]

Runs into the crowd and is enveloped. It was very much an Italian style celebration. Was it? You could see that at the, you know, the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. That's the type of celebration you do. But yeah, great scenes, great league. It's the best league in the world, isn't it?

[Barry Glendenning]

I mean, should Tyrese John Jules. Not that you were talking about his celebration, should he celebrate like a cat, like the cat from Red Dwarf. Kilmarnock be forced to have other, other. Other Red Dwarf characters, you know?

[Dan Bardell]

Yeah. Would the goalie have G written on his forehead? Yeah.

[Barry Glendenning]

This means, means nothing to any of our. If we have any younger listeners like, what are you talking about? And yeah, I mean, the noise at Rangers was sort of ludicrous. That pace of that game was something else.

[Dan Bardell]

I love that bouncy, bouncy celebration that they do. They do, you know, you know, the Rangers fans do it. I was one game where they did it and it was the 2008 UEFA cup final. Fairly notorious game. But that was at the City of Manchester Stadium. When they do that bounce, the whole place rattled. And I thought this place was only built six Years ago. It might go. It's. It's a, it's a hell of a. It's a hell of a sight. I, I like to watch that one.

[Barry Glendenning]

Let's talk about Tottenham Hotspur, Dan. Igor Tudor, as we all expected, has agreed a deal to become Tottenham interim head coach until the end of the season. Nikki Bandini's written a good piece in the paper about how often he's going to been parachuted in to save teams. You know, this is a sort of Allardio style that he has has. He likes to play three at the back, he likes his teams to run a lot, but he has no Premier League experience. And I did wonder, Dan, I'm not a big DNA man, but I just wondered if they needed someone who wreaked of Spurs DNA in that big gaming chair in the dugout ahead of the North London Derby next Sunday.

[Max Rushden]

Maybe that's what the people who make the decisions that spurs have been trying to avoid get away from that spurs DNA. Maybe Spurs DNA is actually the, the last thing you need. Yeah, right now it's, it's, it's an appointment that's like so far left field. If you'd have gone through the odds of next Tottenham manager, I don't think you'd have found him anywhere. It's almost like the Tottenham hierarchy of thought. Let's just go as left field as possible and maybe people will think that we know what, what we're doing because it is, it is, it is. So left field. He's got that experience mainly, mainly in Italy of being a firefighter. But, but you're right, there's a difference between doing it in Serie A and doing it in the Premier League. Look, I think Tottenham will be okay regardless. I think he's got a relationship with a few of the players. He's worked with a few of them before. Juve, maybe that's played a tiny little part, but it is going to be absolutely fascinating seeing how he gets on because I would never ever have expected them to make him as the appointment of the next manager. It's going to be really interesting. And look what a first game for him to have as well.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah. Arsenal at home, then Fulham away Palace at home. Liverpool away. Forest at home.

[Dan Bardell]

Igor Tudor is one of those names that I remember always being linked with a transfer to Manchester United in that sort of early transfer, hubbub days and he never arrived. It's the Ferryman, isn't it, that Nikki wrote about, you know, is the name of the, of these people that do that. I remember Swansea appointed. Was it Guida Lin? He was one of those, you know, you look at some Italian managers and you see. And Tudor's obviously not Italian, but you'd look down the list of clubs they've had and it is a very, very long list and it appears to be that's who they've appointed now. Fabio Paratici, I think, was the director of football, a guy who had to take time out of football for legal reasons, shall we say? He was coming back and he'd left Spurs, I think, not long ago with a bit of a kiss off to the club. And yet this appears a decision, the type of decision that he would make. And, and, and he had his Uve connections as well. So it's a very, very interesting call. It's a bit of a Hail Mary. I suspect that when, when Thomas Frank. I. I don't know the answer to this. When Thomas Frank was sacked, was this the plan? Was this the plot? Was this the guy they had in mind? In which case, as Dan says, it is very out of left field. But how, how have they alighted on that beyond the involvement of people that are connected to Juventus? I mean, you know, it's very odd. I mean, Parisic is at Fiore in senior. I think now it's a, It's a weird one and it's one that Tottenham are gonna have to explain. Vinai, of course, is the guy who runs the show in terms of being, you know, head of football or whatever. Yeah, they're gonna have to explain it. But what the thing is, though, with manager, with. I've said this before, we never really hear from the hierarchy of clubs to explain why this happened. I think Brighton. Brighton's Paul Barber is about the only person that you ever hear from that will actually explain why these decisions are made. Lead. I think Tottenham fans deserve an explanation because if they, if they get gubbed in the North London derby, it's already too late for an explanation, isn't it?

[Barry Glendenning]

When?

[Dan Bardell]

Well, yeah. When?

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a terrible. It's a terrible first game for him. Maybe they just. Maybe they just heard Tim Sherwood basically saying he could do it. And I was worried that he would turn up if they didn't just get someone in. No, I'm.

[Max Rushden]

He.

[Barry Glendenning]

I'm sure he'd have done a marvelous job. Yes, but Barry.

[John Brewin]

No, I, I've just. I've read and heard so many people describe Igor as a firefighter that I will be incredibly disappointed if he doesn't turn up at the training ground in a big red truck, wearing a yellow helmet and pulling a hose behind. I I have no idea whether he'll be decent or not.

[Barry Glendenning]

No, I don't think anyone does.

[John Brewin]

James Horn Castle wrote in the Athletics. He said he's saved clubs in worse positions with worse players and less time available and James is one of two James's who have forgotten more about Italian football than I will ever know. So if he beats Arsenal he'd be a legend and if he if they get thumped the crowd will turn on him very quickly. I think he managed Marseille reasonably well in the face of extreme fan hostility. So the denizens of of the Tottenham Hotspur stadium don't much on on those Marseille ultras. So he'll probably be all right from that perspective.

[Max Rushden]

He said one year at Marseille was like three years at a normal club. So I'm assuming one game at spurs will be like 10 years.

[Barry Glendenning]

While we're on spurs shout out for an old school football result in the WSL Aston Villa 3 Tottenham Hotspurs 7 I watched the highlights more free flowing football in 1 Spurs women's performance in the entire season under Thomas Frank do listen to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly on all things women's football. Thomas Tuchel's extended as England manager through to Euro 2028. He said it was no secret to anyone that I've loved every minute so far and he's very happy and proud to continue in his role. We will of course talk about that in the next international break, the Euros in 2028 hosted by England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. So yeah, we've got plenty of things to do before that happens. Bit of any other business. Weymouth FC tweeting in the 81st minute not often you say this but Kieran Douglas is replaced by the director of football, Jason Matthew Matthews as he goes in goes in goal at the age of 50. They were 1 nil down at the time. I should have found out the final score but well done to that Director of football Joel was trying to work out which Premier League side would be safest to bring on their sporting director. Mark Noble at West Ham could do a job Edu probably at Forest maybe.

[Dan Bardell]

Jason Wilcox running the wing could probably.

[John Brewin]

Still of course one imagine said you would do a better job on the pitch than he's doing Office.

[Dan Bardell]

Comparatici do it for both clubs jobs, you know. Can he do it for Fiorentina and Tottenham at the same time?

[Barry Glendenning]

Why not? Offering says when Barry's doing his running as he imagined being chased by the ghosts of hundreds of chickens. And Michael says last week Barry claimed that his chicken kill count was in the high hundreds after spending a couple of weeks on his friend's farm as a youth. If we use 800 as the magic number and we allow him two days off in that time, that would mean a daily count of 66.662 chickens. How does this tally with Barry's claim that he isn't a bloodthirsty murderer?

[John Brewin]

As I. I tried to explain last week, there is a process for, you know, the chicken that is on your plate at Sunday Trust.

[Barry Glendenning]

The process says Joel.

[John Brewin]

It gets there is a process by which it gets there. And that process, sadly, involves the mass slaughter of chickens. And for anyone who hasn't ever been on a chicken for arm, there are tens of thousands of them, if not more. You. You don't just go in and select one and. And you know, sorry, mate, and off you go. It's. It's a. A mass call. I, I shouldn't really have brought it up.

[Barry Glendenning]

No, no, maybe you shouldn't, but I don't know. I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the eye. And I understand the hypocrisy. I, I do.

[John Brewin]

I firmly believe that unless you're prepared to. To kill whatever is on your plate, you, you know, at least once, look it in the eye.

[Barry Glendenning]

Right.

[John Brewin]

Then you shouldn't eat it.

[Barry Glendenning]

Barry's movie reviews. Just watched The Muppet Show. 50th anniversary special. Loved every second of it. Utterly faultless. Kids will love it. A bit of blue for the dads and Sabrina Carpenter leaning right into it. Perfection, says Barry. So, look, this is yin and yang. On one day you're just ringing the necks of chickens. On the other day you're watching The Muppet Show. 50th anniversary special. Special and loving every second. What a man.

[John Brewin]

Like breadth.

[Barry Glendenning]

Yeah.

[John Brewin]

When Sabrina Carpenter was singing, she was accompanied by a backing chorus of chickens.

[Barry Glendenning]

Is that right?

[John Brewin]

All of whose heads remained intact.

[Barry Glendenning]

Right. I see you stood there watching it with a meat cleave. All these kids around in the cinema and they're you. Who's. Daddy, who's that man with the meat cleaver?

[John Brewin]

No, I, I think any. Anyone out there with. With young kids, if they haven't seen them up at. Sure. You got to get them into it. It really brought me back. It's class. Brilliant TV show.

[Dan Bardell]

Yeah.

[Barry Glendenning]

They might be a bit young, but I'll try it on Ian, see how he goes, see if I can get him off. Mighty pups give me a rest. Thanks, everybody. That'll do for today. Thank you, Dan.

[Max Rushden]

Thank you, Max.

[Barry Glendenning]

Cheers, John.

[Dan Bardell]

Thank you.

[Barry Glendenning]

Thanks, Barry.

[John Brewin]

Thank you.

[Barry Glendenning]

Football Weekly is produced by Joel Grove. Our executive producer is Danielle Stevens will be back on Wednesday. Wednesday.

[Max Rushden]

This is the Guardian.

[Ayo Akemwalere]

This is Ayo Akemwalere from the Athletic FC podcast. Buying a car should be exciting, not exhausting. And if you're looking for a gleaming SUV to replace your old banger or you're taking the plunge and going electric, the good news is you can buy your car completely online on Autotrader.

[Dan Bardell]

Really?

[Ayo Akemwalere]

Just go to autotrader.com and get picky. Search through dealer listings for the make, model, color and the features that matter to you. Then just drop in your info and you'll see all the cars that fit your budget. Really? Once you've found the car of your dreams, you can have it delivered to your driveway or you can pick it up at the dealership. So buy your next car entirely online on autotrader. Head to autotrader.com or search the Autotrader appliance.