Mark Critchley (3:18)

Sorry. So this person played for City but also played for Swansea in 1995?

Matt Davis Adams (3:22)

This is correct.

Mark Critchley (3:24)

Christ.

Matt Davis Adams (3:25)

Do you have two more rounds of clues you'd be pleased to know?

Mark Critchley (3:28)

Yeah. Yeah, I think I'm going to need them, to be honest. No idea. I don't remember what. And they had Gulf on the front. Like the Gulf, like. Like the Middle east or what was. What is Gulf, essentially?

Matt Davis Adams (3:40)

Yes. I think it was the oil trading arm of that particular area of the world.

Mark Critchley (3:45)

Wow.

Nick Miller (3:45)

Sponsored by an entire geopolitical region.

Mark Critchley (3:47)

Yeah, I thought they would have been a bit more of a powerhouse in 1995 if that was the case.

Matt Davis Adams (3:51)

Forebearers, they were Swansea city in the 90s.

Mark Critchley (3:54)

No, no, no. I've nothing at this stage.

Matt Davis Adams (3:56)

Sorry, Nick, you gonna wait for another clue?

Nick Miller (3:58)

I don't know. Kit Simons played for Manchester City, didn't he? He's Welsh.

Matt Davis Adams (4:01)

It's not a bad guess. I've actually got a match worn Kit Simons Wales shirt which might make an appearance at some point in the season. But I'm pleased neither of you got it on the first clue. More of that to follow. Let's get to the game then. Arsenal have won two of their last four meetings with Manchester City, as many as in their previous 22 beforehand. So it's two teams that were the top two in the top flight before Liverpool barged in, bowed them out of the way. Are Arsenal set for another season in second? Or are they a different beast these days? And what of City? A pale imitation of what they were or lulling us all into a false sense of security? Nick, have you seen enough from Arsenal this season to convince you that they can aim higher than a fourth consecutive runners up place come May?

Nick Miller (4:42)

Yes, but with the caveat that I've been fooled by Arsenal before and been hurt by them before. But I think what might be different this season is if you take the Forest game last weekend as an example. I mean Forest were pretty dreadful, but Arsenal never remotely looked like really even conceding a goal, let alone losing the game. They didn't have a bunch of key players. Declan Rice wasn't playing, Saka wasn't playing. Saliba wasn't playing. Kai Havertz wasn't there, although maybe he wouldn't have gotten the team anyway. But it's just the kind of depth that they have now kind of convinces you that even if they do have a bunch of injuries, even if something isn't going particularly well in a single game, they will have many more options than they have done in the last couple of seasons to dig them out of any holes. And I think one of their problems last season was they just, they just sort of drew too many games that you wouldn't have expected them to draw. And with the squad that they have now, you would think that that would be the sort of. That would be that problem solved. So yeah, I am more convinced but preparing myself to be made a fool of again.

Matt Davis Adams (5:48)

What about City then? Critch cruised to a Derby win last weekend, beat Napoli 2 nil on Thursday. Big men at either end of the field. Enough to get them back into the title mix.

Mark Critchley (5:59)

Well, yeah, I think Haaland at one end, Donna Rimmer at the other one is probably the best single person in world football at putting the ball into the net and neither one's probably the best single person at keeping the ball out of it. And so you think that's got to, that's got to be a positive. I do think about that though and think just how much, I think it's a sign of just how much this City team has changed over the last few years. If you think back to the pre Harland era, this was a team that used to have multiple false nines who were capable of playing in that position. The top goal scorer would be in low double digits if that because the goals were so spread around the team and you'd have a ball playing goalkeeper as well who was probably capable of playing midfield in Edison. And you look at City now and it just feels like such a different team to that one of a few years ago where you know at those two ends of the pitch you have players who have very defined roles who, who are not known for their all round play but a specialist if you like. And I think that is a sign of just how things are slightly different in all four games, Premier League games that they played this season, to me, they've looked more direct. They've looked like they're willing to speed the game up a little bit more. And I was actually trying to find some kind of statistical evidence for this yesterday for this theory that I've got. And I looked at long balls and I was like, they must be playing more long balls. No, it turns out actually they're still playing the fewest long balls of any team in the league. Okay, so maybe I'm wrong there. Had a look at how quick they're attacking, the speed of their attacks. They are actually the third slowest attacks in the league. Everton and Wolves attack slower than them so far in these four games. But I actually do think that's a sign of something changing, because it used to be. I remember looking at those stats in the past, and it used to be that City were way, way, way out on the slowest, and now they're only the third slowest. And so it's not a dramatic change, but I do think you're starting to see things move in a slightly different direction under Guardiola. It is that little bit more quicker. It is that little bit more direct. And that throws up a lot of questions. You know, this is a team that spent 360 million since January. It's still very much a team in transition. It's a team that can get hurt in transition. And I think that's reflected in the results so far. Right, two wins and two defeats. And as impressive as they are, they were against Wolves, as big as the win was on Sunday against United, I think I put more stock in the games against Tottenham and Brighton than those defeats, because I think they spoke to the challenges that City faced this season just in making this transition into changing this playing style a little bit to become more direct and into integrating these players like Johnarumma, like, you know, the many players that they've signed this calendar year into whatever the next version of the City team is.

Matt Davis Adams (8:43)

All right, it's long been dubbed master versus Apprentice. This one, Guardiola and Arteta Critetta looking to become the first ever manager to go five unbeaten in the league. Against Guardiola, it was a 51 win for his team Against City in February. Does that have any kind of relevance here other than potential beef between Erling Haaland and Miles Lewis? Skellig?

Mark Critchley (9:04)

I don't know. I feel like that game last season, again, City, for basically that whole middle part of last season, had a lot of problems. And while you would say that those problems are still. There's still evidence of those problems to some extent. I don't think they're quite as acute as they were then. That being said, this is a slightly different tangent and a slightly controversial opinion. I thought Arsenal were brilliant at Anfield a few weeks ago. I know they got a lot of criticism for the performance within that game and I can understand why they should have been more ambitious. Absolutely. But they didn't give up a single big chance to Liverpool. I think they limited something like 0.5 xg. It was the most difficult game of the season away to a direct title contender. The champions. Right. They lose in the 83rd. Mid to one of the best free kicks that you'll see all season. They got a lot of criticism. I understand why they got that criticism, but I think that shows the foundation that Arsenal have that they can take into these big games where they can really limit opponents, quality opponents, to. To basically nothing. And you know, I know they didn't come away with any points that day, but they can really nullify top teams and I feel like that was the foundation of a lot of what they do at the Emirates. Right. And it was. It was part of that 51 game last season as well. And with the questions that you have about City and the problems that they have, I really find Arsenal quite compelling favorites for this game, to be honest. They look so solid, I think last last week against Forest. Right. Sorry to bring it up, boys, but very few chances that they gave up again. I think that always stands. Arsenal in good stead in these games against quality sides and direct contenders for the title. And I think that's why you have to fancy them as favorites going into this.

Matt Davis Adams (10:46)

All right, so they're the so solid crew. It's one thing doing that against most teams, but you got to stop Erling Haaland Nick five in his first four games this season. Stretch it out to the last day of last season. 14 games for club and country. 18 times. He scored Victor Yokares at the other end in the tail of the Scandi Strikers. These two going to be the pivotal figures in this game?

Nick Miller (11:07)

Yeah, possibly. I mean, you know, fairly old sort of cliche that if these games are going to be tight, then might rely on taking whatever chances you've got. I wonder whether the way that Arsenal might have some joy is out wide because, you know, they've got so many options there. I don't think Saka's going to be back, but Mado Ake's obviously been playing really Brilliantly out there. They've got Eza and various other options out wide. So, yeah, I mean, Haaland can kind of the old classic thing of he can do absolutely nothing then win you the game in five minutes. And Gokurez isn't, obviously isn't quite at that level yet, but he seems to have started pretty well. He's got a few goals, so it could be up front, but I think maybe the way that Arsenal might win it is on the flanks rather than through the middle.

Matt Davis Adams (11:52)

All right, well, talking of through the middle, Critch control might be a big factor in this match. Zebie Mendy, obviously, tremendous goal from him last weekend. Rodri from Manchester City both going to be looking to dictate things. We've probably still not seen the best of Rodri after his lengthy layoff.

Mark Critchley (12:09)

I don't think so and I think that's to be expected. I think given how long it was, given the severity of the injury, Pep was quite keen to just ease him back in at the start of this season rather than playing at full pelt. And I think that's understandable. He came back during the Club World cup as well and had a bit of a problem then. So it's a gradual process. I do think that once he is back to his absolute best, you'll start to see more of the control that we associate with City. But again, referencing my earlier answer, I do think City are also moving away from that slightly. I agree with Nick completely. I think if there's one place where it's going to be one and there's two players that I'm really looking forward to seeing, it's Jeremy Duku for City and Nonny Maduetke for Arsenal. Because I think in the past couple of weeks they've really stood out as players within these teams that we associate a lot with control. Like you're saying with Rodri, with the Zubamendi types, they're the ones who get on the ball, who run at players, who make things happen, who get into the box and are exciting to watch. Let's face it, because control dominated football isn't always the best view in from a neutral's perspective. So it's those two and I think they both look banging form. Doku creating that first goal on Sunday in the Derby, skidding about four or five different United players. I know maybe it's not that hard nowadays to do that against United, but in any case, and then again last night against Napoli, his goal there was more of the same and brilliant, to be honest. So Both of those players I'm really looking forward to seeing. I think that adds a little bit more spice to this fixture than we used to see and given how, how much we associate both managers with wanting this very control and possession heavy style of play. So I'm looking forward to seeing that.

Matt Davis Adams (13:45)

Right, it sounds like we're favoring Arsenal in this one. What's your. What's your prediction, Nick?

Nick Miller (13:49)

Yeah, I think Arsenal will win two 1.

Matt Davis Adams (13:53)

Critch, something similar.

Mark Critchley (13:55)

I don't think Arsenal concede. I don't think Arsenal concede. So I'm going to go two nil. That's mine.

Matt Davis Adams (14:00)

All right, I'll say two two with a red card.

Mark Critchley (14:03)

Why not?

Matt Davis Adams (14:03)

In other Arsenal news, Tim Lewis set to leave his position as executive vice chair of the Gunners in a significant shakeup of the club's board. He's a longtime associate of owner Stan Kroenke and his shock exit from the role represents a dramatic change in Arsenal's leadership structure. Anything spurs can do, Arsenal can do to a slightly less significant extent, board wise, at least. More on that on Monday's Athletic fc. Right, before we take a break, let's have clue two of. Put your shirt on it. Remember, we're trying to find out who related to Manchester City versus Arsenal wore the Swansea City home shirt in 1995. 96. Here's clue two, chaps. I made 45 appearances against Arsenal scoring five goals. But only two of those appearances against the Gunners came whilst I was at Manchester City. Literal head in hands from Critch Miller going for the more pensive sort of finger on chin.

Nick Miller (15:00)

Sorry, did you say he played 45 times against Arsenal?

Matt Davis Adams (15:03)

It's a lot, isn't it? Must have had a long and storied career, this fella.

Mark Critchley (15:09)

I'm lost. I'm lost. I think this is showing me up horribly for my knowledge of city in the 90s, but no, I'm lost.

Matt Davis Adams (15:17)

Looks like we're gonna go all the way to clue three here, guys.

Mark Critchley (15:20)

I think we could go further.

Matt Davis Adams (15:22)

All right, well, look, I've got.

Nick Miller (15:23)

I've got a sneaking feeling you tell us this guy's name and we still wouldn't get it.

Matt Davis Adams (15:28)

Not so sure about that. Let's see if you get it on clue three. Next up, we'll discuss a pair of red versus blue battles in the Northwest.

Nick Miller (15:36)

This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair.

Matt Davis Adams (15:40)

Right. This is the part of the show where with the help of our partners, Betfair, we show you how you can play in a different league this season. James Mackey is with me to look ahead to Arsenal versus Manchester City. James, you are raring to go ahead of match day five in the Premier League. I think it's safe to say.

Nick Miller (15:57)

Yeah.

James Mackey (15:57)

Honestly, Matt, there's so many good games this weekend and I just feel like this game is going to be an absolute cracker. Look, we've seen both teams haven't really conceded many goals, but when they're coming in the back of wins from the Champions League, wins in the Premier League as well, it's set to be a cracker, isn't it?

Matt Davis Adams (16:14)

Yeah. What are the odds saying? I mean, it's normally a tightly contested affair, this one, with the notable exception of the meeting at the Emirates last season.

James Mackey (16:20)

Well, yeah, it's pep against his protege Mikel and it's always cameras on for that clash. And I almost feel that this is a bit of a six pointer in the title race already. So early on in the season, obviously with both teams losing, City losing twice. So looking through the odds for this game on the Betfair Sportsbook, it's very much favoring the home side, actually. Arsenal to take all three points, odds of 5 to 6 odds on here, which I thought was surprising to see. Arsenal won two of their last four meetings with Manchester City during the other two. That's as much as their previous 22 beforehand. So you can see why the odds compilers have gone five to six for Arsenal to win. On the other hand, Manchester City, they are the outsiders, which has not been the case in this fixture over recent years. They're priced at 13 to 5 in the match odds 90 market and that could be a big price on Sunday. The draw can be back to 11 to 5. Two of the last three meetings have finished in draws between these two teams, so the 11 to 5 could be a juicy price for drawbackers.

Matt Davis Adams (17:13)

All right. Speaking of juicy prices, you got a bet builder that you like the look of too?

James Mackey (17:18)

Yeah, I really like this bet builder as well, Matt. It's priced at 7 to 1. Three legs in the bet build. And we've got to start with the Arsenal win leg. Arsenal have won their last three Premier League home games by an aggregate score of 9 nil. With Man City winless in four Premier League games against Arsenal. Mikel Arteta could be the first manager to ever go five League games unbeaten against Guardiola. So they're chucked in at 5 to 6 to kick us off the next leg. He's one of one of them. He's just going to boost the odds up and that's Victor Gokarez to have a shot on target. So short price here 3 10, but I think it's a nice boost to the bet. He scored three goals in two home Premier League appearances for Arsenal, having three plus shots in both those games. He seems to be very much at home at the Emirates and it'd be a surprise for me if he was not to get at least one shot on target in the match. And finally, and this is where I think this could be the price of the weekend, Matt. Even though I'm very pro Arsenal for this fixture we're getting 13 to 8 for Erling Haaland to score any time. It's just absolutely jumped off the page to me. I'm not sure what other game this season we're going to get this price on. An absolute goal machine to get on the score sheet. He scored four goals in six Premier League appearances against Arsenal while he has 19 goals in 20 league games in London. And off the back of his amazing start to the season with 12 goals in seven games for both club and country, I think that price could be a gift at 13 8. So overall those three selections come together for a 71 bet builder and the beauty of Gokarez and Haaland selections in the bet that we have Safe Sub attached to them. Safe Sub is a new betfair football product that will keep your player bets in the game all the way to the final whistle. All player based bets placed on SafeSub enabled markets will continue when the player is subbed with the player that replaced them and in this case with a shot on target and anytime goalscorer. Markets we have used for this bet they applied to this. So a lovely boost to have in your bet builder for this game Matt.

Matt Davis Adams (19:06)

Tremendous. James, Enjoy the game. We'll speak to you soon.

Nick Miller (19:09)

This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by betfair.

Matt Davis Adams (19:14)

So the Premier League weekend begins with Saturday's Merseyside Derby. It's an early kickoff for the champs who like leaving it late. This was a game decided by the late Diogo Jota last time they faced one another at Anfield. Nick April's defeat in this fixture was the 14th in 20 visits for David Moyes as manager in the Premier League at Anfield. Is there any reason for Everton to be optimistic that that's going to change this time around? I guess that the principal one would be the fact they didn't have an energy sapping midweek game.

Nick Miller (19:45)

Yeah, and also I suppose there are two things here. One is that Everton do look pretty good Actually they, you know they are still reasonably tight defensively as you'd expect David Moyes teams to be. But they just look more varied in attack. They've obviously got a lot of options. The you know your classic thing of Jack Grealish enjoying his football again which we all like to see a huge amount of players who play with very low socks in that. In that attacking line which doesn't really kind of mean anything from a football perspective but is very good to watch. But yeah, they just. They look a lot more kind of interesting to watch. Apart from maybe the game against Leeds when they. It was the picks. Slightly weird conservative team since then. I think what will be interesting to see if Moyes actually leans into these attacking options a little bit more or plays a kind of stodgy, perhaps unfairly stereotypically David Moyes type performance against Liverpool which obviously hasn't worked out that well for him in the past.

Matt Davis Adams (20:42)

As for Liverpool Critch since the start of last season they've scored 19 goals in the last 10 minutes of games. I've been trying to push the phrase slottage time all week. Had very limited success with it until none other than the British Broadcasting Corporation ran it as a headline on their website on Thursday. You're welcome guys. Is this luck? Is it persistence? Is it superior fitness? Is it sustainable?

Mark Critchley (21:06)

I don't think it's luckier to score in the 90th minute than it is in the 27th minute or the 53rd minute or the 68th minute or anything. I think it's the opposite actually. I think you're right. It's psychology. It's stamina. It's concentration. It's been willing and ready to go as late as possible to get the result. But you ask whether it's sustainable as well. And I don't think it is because that is the bigger question. I don't think it will go on forever. It won't last. And I think there's a broader point within Liverpool's performances about just how much they're creating throughout the 90 minutes compared to. Compared to maybe last season. I think there's a question mark over the quality of chances they're creating. You could see that I think in the game against Newcastle 10 man Newcastle where they look quite limited even though they scored three goals and still pulled out the result. I do think they've had a bit of a tougher start to the season than it perhaps seems or it looks on paper. Last week aside, you know those two games I just mentioned and Bournemouth brilliant to start off on opening night as well. You know, that's a difficult. That's a difficult test I think. And then even going to Burnley last week, this early in the season, I think that represents a different challenge early in the season than it might do later. The Merseyside Derby, you would say this weekend is no different for them because it's such, you know, it takes on a special significance where no matter whether Everton are playing well or not, I think it's always a difficult game for Liverpool. So I think that is all part of the mix as well. But no, I think it's to their credit that they've managed to pull out consistently these late wins. I think that says something about this team and its mentality and its psychology, like I'm saying. But I do think that they need to start winning games more convincingly and earlier and creating enough chances to do so if people are still going to fancy them as title favorites this season. Because I do think that even though they beat an Arsenal and that's a huge result and taking those points is massive, I do think there's a few question marks about just whether this team is at the same level as last season.

Matt Davis Adams (23:00)

Well, as mentioned, Mo Salah was the late match winner at Burnley last week. Nick. Like an enthusiastic vinyl collector, he loves a record. Only Steven Gerrard on nine has more Merseyside Derby goals than Salah. I mean there's loads of competition up front for Liverpool these days but he keeps on doing it.

Mark Critchley (23:17)

Do you think we're going to get.

Matt Davis Adams (23:18)

To a point this season where there's some chat about dropping Slash, resting him and he's 33?

Nick Miller (23:23)

Yeah, I mean they're gonna have to at some point. What is quite interesting is that they have obviously spent this huge amount of money but they don't really have a natural alternative for him. They've got lots of players who are kind of pretty comfortable on the left. They don't have another left footed forward really. I mean the closest thing they had to that I suppose before was Harvey Elliott who's not there anymore. But if they do sort of drop slash rest him, which they, you know will probably will have to do at some point, it will be interesting to see how their style of play changes if at all given that it will have to be a Brightfooter on that side. Whether that's, I don't know, Jeremy Fringpong or maybe Chiesa, they've been talking about Ekitike playing out wide as well. So maybe that will be an option there. But it will kind of change the shape of their attack slightly. Obviously he's not going to be kind of rotated for this game, but it will be interesting to see which games slot picks to give him a bit of a breather and sort of change the shape of their attack a little bit.

Matt Davis Adams (24:20)

Feisty fixture this. Talking of records, the Merseyside Derby Premier League gave me the most red cards in the competition's history. Four of them dished out at Goodison back in February. Abdoulaye de Couray, Curtis Jones, Arna Slot and his assistant Sipka Halsoff all saw red. Chris, would you expect a similar level of spice this time around or was that kind of fueled by the last derby at Goodison? Energy and Saturday 12 30s don't tend to be quite as rancorous.

Mark Critchley (24:46)

Perhaps that is true as well. I hadn't considered that as a factor. The kickoff time probably plays into it as well. I certainly think that the drama and emotion of that game last season was a huge contributing factor to the red cards as well. At the end. Probably one of the best games of last season. I don't know as a season that felt sort of, I wouldn't want to say mundane, but it kind of petered out towards the end. Tarkovsky's goal and even though it really only delayed the inevitable and in terms of Liverpool's title, it felt like one of the moments of the season. Last Mersey Derby at Goodison played into that completely. You're right, it does have a history of red cards. I wouldn't bet against one, let's put it like that. I'm trying to think. I was thinking back on some of my favorites. Do you remember Sander Vestervelde and Francis Jeffers having handbags in 1999? I think I remember listening to that on the radio while I was playing PlayStation as an 8 year old in my bedroom. But yeah, a long and fine history of. Yeah, handbags, I suppose, and dirtiness and shthousery and whatever and the stuff. I don't even know if I can say that but the things that we like to see. So hopefully that fine tradition continues tomorrow.

Nick Miller (25:57)

Was it in Merseyside Derby where Grobalar and McManaman had a bit of a.

Mark Critchley (26:01)

Scrap as well as in Liverpool Player on Liverpool Player. Yeah, yeah.

Matt Davis Adams (26:05)

A hand to the jaw.

Nick Miller (26:06)

Yeah.

Matt Davis Adams (26:07)

A wagged finger in the face. Yeah. Good energy. Up for a bit more of that.

Nick Miller (26:11)

In my head that was a Goodison, but I could be wrong.

Matt Davis Adams (26:13)

Anyway, let us know please. Listener right, next today we are going to look ahead to Chelsea Strip to Old Trafford.

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Mark Critchley (29:26)

Bye bye, Truckee.

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Matt Davis Adams (29:43)

This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair. Let's wrap up. Put your shirt on it. The chaps have been fairly baffled thus far. Here's clue three. So this is somebody who wore the Swansea City 9596 shirt in that season, but also played for Manchester City. That's what we know so far. Here's clue three. My current team start the weekend appointing a place above Swansea in the championship table. The team I'm most associated with are going to be discussed next on this podcast.

Nick Miller (30:20)

This is getting into sort of embarrassing territory now.

Matt Davis Adams (30:23)

See the cogs WHIRRING okay, so we're.

Mark Critchley (30:25)

Discussing Manchester United and Chelsea next.

Nick Miller (30:27)

Hang on, hang on a minute, hang on a minute. So very heavily associated with Chelsea. Right, hang on. I think you've been slightly sneaky here. Is it Frank Lampard?

Matt Davis Adams (30:38)

It is Frank Lampard, a Swansea. Yes. Who played 11 games, scored one goal for Swansea in 95, 96. He played 38 times, scored eight goals for Man City in 2014-15. Shall we hear a little bit of how his debut went?

Nick Miller (30:54)

Frank Lampard's boy is going off to a great applause.

Mark Critchley (30:59)

The lad has really put himself about to some effect.

Nick Miller (31:03)

Gets a pat on the back and.

Matt Davis Adams (31:05)

Everybody says, well done, son.

James Mackey (31:07)

You've done well on your first taste of league football.

Matt Davis Adams (31:11)

I mean, it's slightly laboured feature, isn't it?

Mark Critchley (31:13)

But, you know, it's nice to have.

Matt Davis Adams (31:14)

A bit of fun on a Friday. Frank Lampard played for Man City. Always worth reminding yourself of that every once in a while. Where were we? Manchester United? Chelsea. High time we got to rubbernecking on those hapless Red Devils of Old Trafford and their beleaguered Manager Reuben Amarin. But wait, Ruben, here come Chelsea, a team who've not won at Old Trafford since Fergie time. Is this the week that Rubens Reds get back on track? Then? I wonder, Critch, how much pressure would another defeat put the poor Portuguese pedagogue under? A pedagogue, by the way, is a teacher, especially a strict or pedantic one. Thanks to Google and their Synonyms feature for helping me out with that one.

Mark Critchley (31:50)

How much pressure would it put this pedagogue under? Quite a bit, I think. It's fair to say. It's been. I've been describing it as a noisy weeks this week after the defeat at the Derby. Partly because, let's be honest, this was the first week that United have had where other major clubs were in European competition. Grimsby Town were in the Carabao cup third round and they're now in the fourth round. But Manchester United didn't have a game this week. They had a free midweek. And to be fair, that's what Reuben Amrum has been saying that he would quite like. He's been saying he needs time on the training pitch to drill his plays into this system, which has had nearly 10 months now and is yet to really give a solid foundation and something for United fans to believe in. I don't know how much difference one week will make. Perhaps, perhaps a season of three midweeks would, but it's a real question mark at the minute just how much time he's got. I think perhaps not, if not internally, then certainly externally. Fans. I think the reaction to the game on Sunday felt different in the sense that I think people are starting to get a bit frustrated by just how nothing seems to change. And that is Reuben Amarim's prerogative. He doesn't want to change things. He doesn't feel he has to. He has at times actually suggested that he might. I know he's been beating us over the head with this thing that he won't change his system, he won't change his system. But if you analyze the words that he's saying, he says he will change it if he wants to at some point. It's just what needs to happen in order for him to want to change the system. 31 points in 31 games. Apparently that's still not enough. He has suggested that he might just wake up, get out of bed one day and decide that it doesn't fit with his idea of football anymore and therefore he will change. But again, what needs to happen for that is quite unclear. I Feel like if United don't get a positive result in this game against Chelsea on Saturday, then they'll go into another big empty week where the pressure will ramp up that little bit more. Then you've got Brentford away, Sunderland at home after that, and then into the October international break and those two games, with all due respect, and I don't even know if you can really say this anymore based on the results over the past 10 months, but you would expect United on paper to win those games. If Amarin then didn't win those games and then goes into an international break, I think yes, then it will get very noisy, but I don't think we're at that point yet. Jim Ratcliffe flew into Carrington yesterday by helicopter for talks with Reuben Amram. As we reported on the Athletic, we're told that those were long planned, pre planned, but absolutely United's form and the issues that Amarin's been facing will have come up in those conversations. So he needs to start winning games. That's absolutely clear. You don't need me on this podcast to tell you that. And it needs to really start happening from Saturday onwards.

Matt Davis Adams (34:37)

Chelsea wise then, Nick, they haven't won Old Trafford, as we say, since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson. I feel like in every game since then we've said, have they ever had a better chance to end this record than today? Also feels like a game that always finishes one all. So should we just settle on that now? Say Alejandro Garnacho gets a booking for Descent to howls of raucous derision and it's a fairly low quality game and. Yeah, finishes 1 1.

Nick Miller (35:02)

Yeah, why not? That is mad that they. They haven't. I mean, they've won the league in that time and they haven't. But no wonder, twice in that time and they haven't managed to beat United at Old Trafford, which is extraordinary. Yeah, I don't. I can't. I still. Chelsea are such a sort of strange team. I still quite. Can't quite get a handle on them. I can't quite figure out if they're actually good. They remain, even though they have this kind of churn of players and spend so much money on. Spend so much money and recoup so much money. You still kind of think they could do with another 50 million quid spent on this player. Well, the obvious one being at the moment being a center forward or if you listen to Enzo Maresca, another central defender, apparently. But yeah, I still. Maybe this is my problem than anyone else's. I still can't quite get a handle on whether they're actually any good. Winning the World Club World cup would suggest that they are quite good, but then you sometimes watch them and remain slightly unconvinced. So not that necessarily winning at Old Trafford will convince any. Well, convince me that they are actually good. But yeah, an odd.

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Matt Davis Adams (38:00)

This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair. Brazilian forwards might be key here. Critch I guess if Matthias Kunya is fit enough to play. But Joao Pedro's looked pretty good so far, right? 2 goals, 3 assists already this season. He's got a good record against United too, and he's going to have an extended period leading the line, right? As Nick says, Chelsea might need another centre forward because they're not going to have Liam delap for a long time, so it's Pedro up front for the foreseeable.

Mark Critchley (38:26)

Yeah, but I don't think Chelsea fans will be too dismayed at that. I think that he's made an impressive start from the moment that he came into the squad during the Club World Cup. It was an immediate impact. And I remember speaking to people around this summer trying to rate what deal they felt was one of the better deals done. Joao Pedro's name came up quite a few times within the industry as one that talented player at a club that was for a reasonable fee, but, you know, not. Not an unreasonable fee. And so I think, you know, the prospect of him leading the line for, for weeks, months, however long the lap's going to be out for ultimately, I don't think Chelsea fans will be too dissatisfied with that. Mattias Cunha. I would be surprised if he plays tomorrow. We'll see what Amarim says later today at his press conference for an update on that. He was saying last week that if you ask Kunya himself, he'd say he'd play and he would have played the Derby on Sunday. But I think United have to be a little bit careful with him. He's been one of the brighter spots at the start of the season and has made an impact. You can see his ability is clear. I think the interesting question from that perspective is that if he isn't fit and if Mason Mount's not returned either, what does that mean for who plays in the left hand side of those number 10 roles? And will it be Bruno Fernandes? I'm almost sick of asking the question, but it feels like there's a bit of momentum in the groundswell behind this idea that Bruno in that central midfield spot just isn't really working from. United's been at fault for a couple of goals now. It's taken him out of his natural position. It's taken United's best player and sort of compromising him slightly. So I think that is a question. But Amarim has the opportunity to move into that number 10 if he wants. Given that Cunha and possibly Mount likely going to be out of this game, we'll see if he does it or not. I'm not expecting him to though, to be honest.

Matt Davis Adams (40:12)

Creech mentions Mason Mount there, Nick. And we've spoken about Joao Pedro as well. Just wonder where you think those two rank in the pantheon of current Premier League footballers whom you have to address by both their names at all times. Little bit below Solly March and Dan Byrne.

Mark Critchley (40:26)

You can't call Joao Pedro is his name though. It's like one of those berserkers like Luis Enrique or whatever, as far as I understand it, isn't it? That was what I was working on anyway. But maybe I'm wrong.

Matt Davis Adams (40:35)

I mean, I've definitely been going with Joao Pedro when I'm doing Chelsea commentary because of having Pedro Neto there just confuses matters too much for me.

Mark Critchley (40:41)

True. Yes.

Nick Miller (40:42)

I think Mason Mount is right up there. Ralph Fox is always the historic one as the real kind of gold standard of that one.

Mark Critchley (40:51)

Matty Cash as well. Did we mention him?

Matt Davis Adams (40:53)

Nice. Yeah. Just for Joao Pedro. Complete athletes. It's Joao Pedro Junquera de Jesus to his mum presumably briefly. Then Newcastle United traveled to Bournemouth off the back of that defeat on Tyneside on Thursday. Nick, this feels like a nailed on Bournemouth win to me based on what we've been talking about and the fact that Newcastle have expended so much energy and Bournemouth are decent. Right. Three wins on the spin in the Premier League.

Nick Miller (41:18)

Really good. Yeah. I almost took it personally because. Because possibly without giving Andonia Rollo enough credit I was like well they've lost most of their defence over the summer. That surely means they're going to be relegated. And then it turns out they're actually really good and their new left back is. I mean let's not say better than Milos Kirkes but Trifair looks pretty good as you say. I'd be pretty surprised if Bournemouth don't win this one given Newcastle that's looked alright in spells this season but it feels like they're still a team slightly coming together. Not quite sure what their favourite forward line looks like. So yeah Bournemouth win big game for.

Matt Davis Adams (42:00)

Newcastle this it feels to me. Critic It's a fairly underwhelming start to the season for them. Beat Wolves last weekend but that's it thus far they've got a banana skinny looking league cup tie against Bradford then Arsenal to come next in the league defeat here and it looks like a pretty poor start to the season doesn't it?

Mark Critchley (42:17)

I think going by the results you'd have to say so as well. And that would also come on the back of the context of a summer which was frustrating off the pitch and within the transfer market for the. For a lot of supporters. I have a little bit some sympathy for the supporters in that. You know and the club itself. When you lose a player of Alexander Isaac's importance and it's that protracted throughout the summer then it's going to make things difficult and I think. But there is a question mark over whether you know perhaps if they'd done that deal a bit earlier would they been able to plan better? Would that make them have an easier start essentially and more prepared for what was to come? I think that is an open question. But look I think one of the biggest question marks over Newcastle coming into this season was that yes, they qualified for the Champions League last year, but that was when they didn't have European football to really contend with and they didn't have that rotation. We saw that the first year they qualified for the Champions League under Eddie Howe as well. How they managed the two competitions is going to be really critical really to how they perform I think. And in that sense, yes, this week is a big test coming off that quite energy sapping game against Barcelona.

Matt Davis Adams (43:24)

Sure. Right, quick fire yes or no on the remaining games. Nick, you're at first. Brighton against Spurs. Is this the game with the biggest? Both these managers definitely play Padel Energy in the Premier League this season.

Nick Miller (43:38)

Yeah. Yes, absolutely.

Matt Davis Adams (43:40)

Aston Villa going to Sunderland Critch are.

Mark Critchley (43:42)

Sunderland the favourites for Given that Aston Villa can't seem to score a goal.

Matt Davis Adams (43:46)

You'D have to say yes Nick Wolves welcome Leeds to Molyneux. Is that a relegation six pointer?

Nick Miller (43:50)

Yes and I'd say based on the evidence so far that Leeds have a better chance of staying up.

Matt Davis Adams (43:55)

Okay. Nuno Espirito Santos sacked by Forest after defeat against Crystal Palace. Grits Will Graham Potter lose his job if West Ham lose at home to Crystal palace on Saturday?

Mark Critchley (44:05)

It's just a straight yes or no, is it? It's just a straight yes or no. This is speculation rather than information as ever. Most leg with me but I'm going to say yes.

Matt Davis Adams (44:14)

And finally Nick Burnley play Forest. Should we just not spoil a nice show by having you and I fret on air?

Nick Miller (44:20)

Yes, yes, definitely.

Matt Davis Adams (44:21)

Good stuff. Well that might not be one of them, but there are loads of great games to look forward to this weekend and that's where we're going to leave things for today. If you have enjoyed the show, please leave us a nice review. Apple Podcast, Spotify, wherever you get your pods, we would surely appreciate it. Many thanks to Critch2 Nick2 producer JK co producer Guy and you for listening mostly. Enjoy the football this weekend. We'll catch up with you again soon. You've been listening to the Athletic FC podcast. The producer is Jay Beal and the.

Nick Miller (44:50)

Presenter was Matt Davis Adams.

Matt Davis Adams (44:52)

Executive producers are Abby Patterson and Adie Moorhead.

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Mark Critchley (45:22)

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