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- [00:00]
Marc
AI agents are everywhere, automating tasks and making decisions at machine speed. But agents make mistakes. Just one rogue agent can do big damage before you even notice. Rubrik Agent Cloud is the only platform that helps you monitor agents, set guardrails and rewind mistakes so you can unleash agents, not risk. Accelerate your AI transformation@rubrik.com that's R U B R-I K.com.
- [00:33]
Maron
Did you see the game last night? Of course you did, because you used Instacart to do your grocery restock. Plus you got snacks for the game, all without missing a single play. And that's on multitasking. So we're not saying that Instacart is a hack for game day, but it might be the ultimate play this football season. Enjoy zero dollar delivery fees on your first three orders. Service fees apply for three orders in 14 days. Excludes restaurants. Instacart we're here.
- [01:02]
Athletic FC Podcast Host
The next evolution in football Storytelling Football Manager is back in our lives. Made with the Unity engine for the first time, Football Manager 26 refreshes the managerial experience and sets the stage for you to define your football destiny. Wild Nights with Tommy Svendel, Arsenal and Cherno Samba. Check. Memories of a much better in the game than in real life. Toribo West. Check check. Chances are, if you're listening to this podcast, Football Manager has been part of your life since you were a teenager. Well, FM26 is going to give you the richest matchday experience ever with enhanced player movement and greater on pitch detail, bringing new levels of depth and drama to every single match. In FM26 you can compete at the pinnacle of English football as the Premier League debuts. With fully licensed club badges, kits and official player photos, and with a completely overhauled UI by the genius developers at Sports Interactive, every aspect from training to tactics to transfers belongs to you and your vision. FM26 launches from November 4th across platforms and you can pre purchase right now on Steam or epic to get 10% off and advance access available approximately two weeks before the official street date. So change the game with Football Manager 26 where football belongs to you and your vision. Pre order now.
- [02:14]
Matt Davis Adams
The Athletic FC welcome to the preview from the Athletic fc. It's the show where we get you set for the weekend's Premier League action. This week we're focusing on Aston Villa vs Manchester City as well as some other good looking games. Joining me today we have Tim Spears. Hi Tim.
- [02:37]
Tim Spears
Hello Matt.
- [02:38]
Matt Davis Adams
And Stu James is back with us too. You okay Stu?
- [02:41]
Stu James
Very well thank you Matt.
- [02:42]
Matt Davis Adams
Good stuff. As well as Sunday's Showdown. We'll also take a look over some of the other key games taking place on match day nine in the Premier League. But first, let's get to our feature presentation. Well, after failing to score in their opening four Premier League games and going five without a win, Unai Emery's Aston Villa had won their last five in all competitions until Thursday night when a sloppy performance in the Netherlands seemed to say, go ahead, Eagles. They lost 21 to European football's best named team. Tim, I'm not sure that any of us saw that coming. Too much rotation and maybe a lack of European experience on the night, do you think?
- [03:18]
Tim Spears
Yeah, maybe. It's a bit of a weird one, really. They sort of had the game in the palm of their hands. Wonderlop. Early goal from Ghesan. Yeah, completely in control. And it's not like an Unai Emery team to sort of, I mean, fall apart, really. They were appalling in the second half. They looked rattled, which again, isn't really like them, but like you say, a few changes. It's not a season defining game for them at all. I think they're still seventh in the. In the table. Rested a few. I wouldn't look too much into it. And Sundays, you know, Sunday's by far the bigger game for them.
- [03:48]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, and last Sunday there were plenty of positives for them too. Couple of lovely goals in the win at Spurs. So we ought to be giving, you know, Emery some credit, right, for turning things round. A few people sort of writing him off, third season syndrome and all that, but it appears he's got them back on track.
- [04:03]
Tim Spears
Yeah, it's been a pretty drastic turnaround, actually. Yeah, from looking like. I had a couple of colleagues suggesting they might have been in a relegation battle after the opening sort of few games of the season, but they've turned it around pretty, pretty drastically. A number of players in really good form if you just look through the spine of their team. I think you would say that Pau Torres, Boubacar Kamara and Morgan Rogers have all have all improved since the start of the season, really come into form. Kamara is probably one of the Premier League's most underrated players, to be honest, if you ask any Villa fan. I mean, my Villa mate Pete Will repeatedly raves about him and Torres, who's basically the key to the way that Villa want to play because he can carry or pass the ball through the line so quickly, which is so important to Unai Emery. And yeah, Emery's buildup style, it can be. It can be quite slow at Times and allow teams to get back into shape when Torres isn't playing. And then they struggle to sort of create through the lines up the field from there on. There's a few things that have sort of had to change with Villa and I think one is probably more threats other than Morgan Rogers, who's become a bit of a sort of marked man this season. But you've seen others step up in the last few weeks. Obviously we saw Buen Dia score that incredible goal last weekend at spurs, but also Marlon stepped up. Guessander has stepped up to kind of stretch teams other than just relying on Rodgers and Watkins. So, yeah, they're in much better shape now than a few weeks ago.
- [05:24]
Matt Davis Adams
Tim mentions Rodgers there. Stu. He's definitely looking better, isn't he? Do you think Unai Emery owes Thomas Tuchel a pint for helping facilitate that? And can you imagine either Unai Emery or Thomas Tuchel drinking a pint?
- [05:35]
Stu James
I don't know. Emery might be one of those deceptive drinkers, you know, sort of just suddenly sees the pint off and you're playing catch up from nowhere kind of thing. Yeah, it's interesting. Rogers, I think. Well, form is an interesting word because if you're scoring and assisting again, does that mean automatically that you're back in form? Because sometimes I think you can be doing that, as strange as this might sound, without playing that well. So I watched Rodgers against Tottenham last weekend. His goal was a brilliant goal, exceptional goal. But I thought he was quite loose in a lot of his play. I thought he played far better against Burnley a few weeks before. That was kind of trademark. Rodgers for picking up space, scanning, receiving on the half turn. Played in Marlon for that lovely assist, Lovely goal. I know he had another assist against Fulham too, but that was one of those assists that Krykis. Not exactly Fernando Redondo at Old Trafford all those years ago. You know, it was one of those rather dubious ones. Scored obviously for England against Wales. And in the opening of the Latvia game, I thought he was again quite untidy with his play. This sounds like I'm on in here. I'm not. I'm a big Morgan Rodgers fan. But it's great that he's got the goals and assists that starts to come back into his game after a really difficult start. Right. I mean, some of the stuff there was quite uncomfortable. The Villa fans sarcastically cheering that pass he made towards the end of the Bologna game. He'd had a tough evening and probably Emery should have brought him off before that kind of happened. He's he's certainly playing better. But there's another level for Morgan Rodgers to go to, to get back to doing what. What he looks like at his absolute best. But sure, he'll take confidence from. From the fact he is, you know, doing the things that matter to those players. Registering assists, registering goals. Again, clearly Tuchel rates him really highly and does too. So, yeah, all of that's a good sign for Villa. I just think there's more to come.
- [07:19]
Matt Davis Adams
From him and he'll be playing against his old club on Sunday, of course. Manchester City unbeaten in their last nine games. In all comps, Erling Haaland on A run of 12 consecutive games, scoring for club and country. 18 goals in his last 14 games for City. Tomahawk steaks and raw milk. The secret, apparently. Check out Jordan Campbell's piece on the Athletic for more on that. Tim, no doubt that Haaland is their finest citizen. Can his goals propel Pep' to the title? And what the dickoffs would they do were he to get injured?
- [07:50]
Tim Spears
Lovely. That is lovely. I mean, I. I think they'd still score a lot without him. You know, they're creating a lot. I saw a table the Athletic put out this week about chances created. Only Crystal palace have created more chances than Man City, which is a sentence that, you know, a year ago if someone said he'd be saying that, that is just. That's just crazy. But a huge part of his form is obviously the service that he's been provided with. And you look. Which is where City have really improved since last season. You look at Doku, who's had a really good start to the season. I think he's second in the league for chances created from open play. Oscar Bob is sort of emerging this season, I think. I think he was an underrated miss last year with his injury. Reinders has come in and obviously has a real dynamic element to that midfield and helps stretch the play and will contribute more. I think if we're on a goal and then Foden's really come back into form. You know, these are the key aspects behind sort of Haalands form. But obviously his numbers are just in. Insane. I do think he's. I do think he's like, I don't know, is he underrated or underappreciated? I feel like, you know, you speak to people in, in Germany or who watch the Bundesliga and you hear that like, Harry Kane is the player that everybody's talking about in that country. I don't feel like that here. I just feel like we just Say that he's ridiculous and that he's otherworldly and then we just move on basically. But Christ, I mean he's, he's just glow perfection basically in terms of like a pure thoroughbred goal scoring striker. One of the best finishers we've ever seen in the modern game. And yeah, I think he scored, you mentioned goals in successive games. He scored six successive Premier League games. I think Vardy's record is 11 from the title winning season and he'll have that in his sights now and you wouldn't put it past him to chase it down but it's just ridiculous. I, I, I, I don't think we quite appreciate him enough really. He's like unlike anything we've, We' the Premier League.
- [09:43]
Stu James
I think, I do think Matt, it's interesting watching him last week because he's could have scored three or four and that in no way is me knocking him because I thought he was incredible against Everton. It's, he's obviously an amazing athlete but it's not just that he's strong and fast. He, he runs with such conviction too. When he's attacking the box he's almost unstoppable but he's clever with his movement. That first goal last week when O'Reilly swings it in from the left, beautiful ball. Haaland starts that run quite deep and he's running really hard at first and then he just puts the brakes on and the center backs have obviously carried on running and he ends up in that space. You know, it's easy to think of it as a free header. It's actually his really intelligent movement that leads to that. But I was looking at his number. I think he scored 22 in the Premier League last season in 31. So he missed a few games but it didn't feel like he was at kind of peak Haaland levels. And I just look at him this season and think he's playing with, I don't know, a bit of fire in his belly. Even the way he was pressing the Everton players, it was like absolutely relentless. You know, it must be horrible to play against. When City have got the ball, you're terrified of what his movement might look like. And when you have the ball against City at the back, he's closing you down with such, such purpose and I mean he's absolutely flying at the minute. The Vardy one be fascinating if he, if he could get kind of close to that. And at the moment you do expect him to score every game. You know, whether City are going to create that for him or him just creating it himself, it feels like that will happen.
- [11:10]
Matt Davis Adams
And City more generally. Stu got Marmouch and Turkey returning in midweek. They're only three points behind. Arsenal is this sort of classic City stealth where you think, oh, maybe they're not having such a good season. And then you look at the league table.
- [11:24]
Stu James
Yeah. And I think there's a. There's probably a few factors, Matt, that have played into that. I think the first is they started the season poorly. Right. They lost two of their first three Premier League games against Brighton in Tottenham. And at that point, it sounds a bit crazy, but you could almost be a bit dismissive of them as title contenders. I think also because you had in your mind what had happened last season and that this was seen as quite a transitional time for City. They'd made a number of signings in the summer, players had left. There's a big focus on Liverpool because they're huge spending. And more recently because their form in the league held off so badly with those three straight defeats. And also Arsenal, there's this feeling like, is this Arsenal's year? Because they look so good. And you're right. All the while, then City have kind of gone unnoticed. I think they've won the last three in the Premier League, but even then it's been not so much. City have won their last three. It's probably Haaland keep scoring. So, yeah, they're obviously right in the mix. There was a stat that really surprised me, actually. They've won more points in the Premier League than any other team since the start of April. I was quite so shocked by that when I saw that, which I guess underlines where they are at this moment in time.
- [12:29]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, more on the game shortly, but it's time for Clue one of this week's. Put your shirt on it. I'm making Clue one as hard as possible this week after Oli Kay got it in one last time out. So every week I pick a shirt from my personal stash. My contestants have to guess which player I'm thinking of who wore it. They'll be adjacent to our main match this week. It's the Aston Villa away shirt from 97 98. It's collared light blue top half, claret stripe across the middle and a white lower half made by Reebok. Sponsor is AST Computer. Yes. Their logo is embossed. Here is Clue one. Let me know who you think it is. My nephew Brad is also a pro. Last season played for Eastbourne Borough before leaving this summer past What? Thanks to Wikipedia for that.
- [13:17]
Tim Spears
Clue Nephew Brad.
- [13:19]
Stu James
Okay, I'm going to say Mark Draper.
- [13:21]
Matt Davis Adams
It's not a bad shout out, but it's not right.
- [13:23]
Tim Spears
Would you have an ex Derby players shirt? I'm not sure, but Tommy Johnson does spring to mind, so I'm going to say Tommy Johnson again.
- [13:30]
Matt Davis Adams
Not bad, but not right. Clue two will come next.
- [13:38]
Stu James
Dude, did you order the new iPhone 17 Pro? Got it from Verizon, the best 5G network in America.
- [13:44]
Tim Spears
I never look so good. You look the same.
- [13:46]
Stu James
But with this camera, everything looks better. Especially me.
- [13:48]
Tim Spears
You haven't changed your hair in 15 years.
- [13:51]
T-Mobile Commercial Voices
Selfies check please with Verizon. Get the new iPhone 17 Pro. Designed to be the most powerful iPhone ever. Plus a new iPad and Apple One. No trade in needed. Offer ends November 5th with a new line on Unlimited Ultimate Best 5G Swords. Root Metrics Data United States 2020 25. All rights reserved. Additional terms apply for all offers. See verizon.com for details.
- [14:08]
Marc
AI agents are everywhere, automating tasks and making decisions at machine speed. But agents make mistakes. Just one rogue agent can do big damage before you even notice. Rubrik Agent Cloud is the only platform that helps you monitor agents, set guardrails and rewind mistakes so you can unleash agents, not risk. Accelerate your AI transformation@rubrik.com that's R u b r-I k.com emoji moment from Sadie.
- [14:40]
T-Mobile Commercial Voices
Who writes, I'm not crying. You're crying. This is what I said during my first appointment with my physician at Mochi, because I didn't have to convince him I needed a GLP one. He understood and I felt supported, not judged. I came for the weight loss and stayed for the empathy. Thanks, Sadie. I'm Mayra Amit, founder of Mochi Health. To find your mochi moment, visit joinmochi.com Sadie is a Mochi member, compensated for her story.
- [15:14]
Athletic FC Podcast Host
This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [15:19]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, you might get it on this one, chaps. I played in the Premier League for Everton and West Brom, but I'm most known for my time at Villa and Manchester City.
- [15:28]
Tim Spears
It's Gareth Barry.
- [15:30]
Matt Davis Adams
It is Gareth Barry.
- [15:32]
Stu James
Well done, Mr. Spears.
- [15:33]
Matt Davis Adams
In terms of Premier League appearances, 653. That's nine times more than James Milner, who I guess might catch up with him pretty soon. I feel for Gareth Barry Tim because he's, as I say, most Premier League appearances, you know, great storied career. And yet when I think of him, all I think of is how much Fabio Capello wanted him in the 2010 World cup squad despite the fact that he was obviously injured and that weird kind of tug of war when Liverpool tried to sign.
- [16:03]
Tim Spears
Yeah. Also Izzy is his nephew. Do they share a surname? Because Brad Barry is a fantastic, very memorable name.
- [16:12]
Matt Davis Adams
It really is, isn't it?
- [16:13]
Tim Spears
Yeah. I don't have. Sorry. I don't have many strong opinions on the career of Gareth Barry, to be honest, but I never did. I didn't when he was a player either, really.
- [16:19]
Matt Davis Adams
This is it. Right. And is that, Stu, how you get to make so many appearances? You have to kind of just be Mr. Consistent, not make any headlines and just keep things ticking over.
- [16:29]
Stu James
Yeah, I mean, I watched him a lot, Barry, which obviously means I should have got the answer to that because I mean, he played a bit at as a sort of left side center half and then he evolved into this center midfielder under Martin o'. Neill. He was excellent. I can remember that situation with Liverpool with Benitez. O' Neill was absolutely furious about it because Barry, I think, did an interview. It was with Rob Beasley at News the World. It's all coming back to me now and. And Villa weren't prepared for it and Martin o' Neill certainly wasn't and he was furious about it. And I think that probably actually killed Barry's chances of going to Liverpool. Obviously. He subsequently went on to go to Manchester City and have success there, but Incredible footballer. And it does look like. It does look like Milner will. Milner's coming on a little bit now in terms of not just age, but coming on pitch as a sub. I think he probably will break that record this season, which is. Which is extraordinary really. But yeah, maybe Barry was a little bit underappreciated, but he certainly had a period at Villa where he was playing center midfield, you know, sort of classic 442 in that villa team that got really close to getting into the Champions League and always seemed to just fall away at the end of the season. Where he was, where he was, you know, really superb. But I could have been sitting here for another half an hour and I wouldn't have got the answer to that question. Matt. There we go.
- [17:42]
Matt Davis Adams
Well, if you want to play a lot in the Premier League, you need to be a low key English midfielder, play for Aston Villa and Manchester City and have a haircut that you could set your watch by. Clearly. Right back to our game then, which is Aston Villa against Manchester City. Since their 51 defeat at Arsenal in February, City have kept 12 clean sheets in the Premier League more than anybody else. Tim. We've been talking a lot about Erling Haaland's goals, but the defensive stability as key or certainly a big factor in City returning to form. They lost what Walker Edison, Akanji gained, Donna Rummer and a fit again, John Stones, which is big, I guess.
- [18:17]
Tim Spears
Yeah, I think Donnarum are probably one of the signings of the summer, really. You know, you look at the issues they had with James Trafford for a couple of games, which always struck me as a sort of a strange signing after his problems in the Premier League a couple of years ago. And yeah, they've got a quite a settled backline. If you look at their Premier League lineups. It's mostly been Matthias Nunes at right back, O'Reilly at left back, and then mostly sort of Diaz and Guardiola's are back, two with obviously Stones came in in the week. Great to see him back fit and inform. And they're generally less open, I think, and generally more willing to grind out a game, which is not a quality that we necessarily associate with City with grinding out a game. They normally sort of pass their way out of a game, but Brentford away being the primary example a couple of weeks ago, you know, a side of City that we've sort of rarely seen, sort of hanging on at the end and roll your sleeves up kind of mentality. I also think Nico Gonzalez has maybe gone under the radar a little bit. He's becoming a bit of a key attribute in front of that defense. Obviously a huge problem for City last season was what to do with that Rodri and they never really fixed that issue last year at all for me. But yeah, Nick Gonzalez, in terms of his sort of matte tackles, he wins and jewels, he wins and aerial duels that he wins. He doesn't do a huge amount of the ball, but he doesn't need to because he's got players around him. He'll do that. Guardiola called him incredibly coachable recently, which sort of stuck with me, which is kind of Guardiola's dream for a player really. And I think you can. I think you can see the benefit of that in his sort of recent performances after a few months at the club. So a settled sort of back four or five, and they look, they look much stronger for it. And you know you're not going to mount a title bid without a strong defense. Guardiola knows that. And they're looking pretty solid at the moment.
- [19:54]
Matt Davis Adams
Gonzalez, though, Stuart doubt for this game. Having come off in the Champions League in Midweek. And that is an area of concern for Pep. Right, with no Rodri as well.
- [20:04]
Stu James
Yeah, absolutely. Because he's a natural deputy. And as Tim just said there, he's been playing well. He's been looking more assured, more comfortable. Again, I think he doesn't have. He's tall, he doesn't have Roger's physical presence and he's pretty safe in how he plays. But I think he's probably, you know, been easing himself into that role. It's a big fee that they paid for him and that sort of put him under the spotlight a little bit. Still a young player. It's interesting what you say there about the coachable side. There was Guardiola doing his thing at the end of the game, Everton, you know, with him on the pitch and listening to Nico Gonzalez talking about that, you know, how intense those conversations are and how he's trying to take all of that on board. I think Rodri was talking to him as well. He said after the game. So, yeah, to lose in that. If they do. And it didn't look good in the week, I guess there's two options then probably for the mat. One is John Stones. Does he end up playing in a six role? I mean, in the week it was more of like a hybrid and he was stepping in to receive really well. Look, you know, classic John Stone. So, so good on the ball. So they could do that. And certainly Guardiola has options at center back where he can move things around. As Tim was just saying about what that's looked like. Whether Ake comes in or Vario, there's things he can do there. And then the other one is Kovacic. And Kovacic obviously has come back from Achilles surgery, by the way, Kovacic, we need Kovacic. Does not look like Kovacic anymore. Like, I just can't get my head around this, this transformation, you know, growing his hair sort of thing. It's like, who is that anyway? I think some people are making a bit too much of the fact that he's. He actually played for Croatia the other week. Played 70 minutes against Gibraltar. Okay, it's only Gibraltar, but he had a start there. He came on against Everton, the cameo on Saturday, played 35 minutes the other night. He didn't give the ball away. Literally didn't give the ball away. 100 past completion, I think. I don't think it's impossible that he could go and play against Villa for an hour from the start, something like that. Look, it's far from ideal if Nico Gonzalez is out as well as Rodri, but I think there's ways around this for City.
- [21:57]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, good to stick Rico Lewis in there as well. Seen that before as well, haven't we? Give me a prediction then, Tim. What's the score going to be?
- [22:04]
Tim Spears
Blimey. I mean, it's. I mean, it's hard not to predict a Haaland goal, isn't it, really? You just. I'd like. You'd like to see Villa sort of. Sort of make it a bit hostile for City. You remember when they beat them a couple of years ago when they beat City and Arsenal in consecutive home games? I feel like Villa a little bit. That's sort of making Villa Park a sort of a. Sort of a hostile environment for. For teams to come to on and off the pitch. It must be hard to sort of keep that energy and atmosphere and momentum and excitement going week after week. But yeah, if they can. If Villa can sort of stop the supply line to Harland, that's where they can potentially win it. But feels like a 1 nil either way. This is a very long prediction. You just want a scoreline for Maze. I'm going to say 1 nil to city with you know who scoring.
- [22:46]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, not exactly sticking your neck out, but I think I'm with you. And I guess Stu, as with a lot of the games we're going to talk about, you have to add the caveat that City have had a couple of extra days rest.
- [22:57]
Stu James
I'm thinking this with palace, which we'll come on to, but the Thursday Night Football I don't ever think is conducive to good performances. Results on in the Premier League game that follows that. But it's interesting that I remember that game. Leon Bailey scored the winner, I think, didn't he, Tim, in that one? And actually City were. Their midfield was very makeshift that night. John Stones played in there with Rico Lewis and Alvarez, I think it was. So I don't know, maybe there's an omen there for Villa in that sense. That's a department of the team where Villa are strong. One, one, I think my prediction on that one.
- [23:26]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, it's one of four games that kick off at 2 o' clock UK time on Sunday. We'll take a little break, we'll come back, we'll talk about another of those.
- [23:33]
Athletic FC Podcast Host
This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [23:37]
Matt Davis Adams
So this is the part of the show where, with the help of our partners, Betfair, we show you how you can play in league this season. James Mackey is with us this week. A rather relieved James Mackey, if I'm to guess right, given that you're a Liverpool fan.
- [23:52]
James Mackey
Oh, very relieved, Matt. It's not gone the way slot thought he was going to go, is it?
- [23:56]
Matt Davis Adams
It certainly hasn't. Saturday evening kickoff for Liverpool this weekend away at Brentford. But our focus is Sunday at 2 o' clock when there are loads of games. The one that we're looking at specifically is Manchester City's trip to Villa park to take on Aston Villa. Two teams in decent form. Which one do you think? This way. Yeah.
- [24:16]
James Mackey
The Betfair sportsbook has the home side Aston villa as the 114 outsiders to win the game. But they've won their last two home league games against Manchester City and heading to the game in some smart form after five games. Winless start in the Premier League this season. Aston Villa have since won each of their last three games so in some great form and unai emre be really happy that they've turned that around, man. City on the other hand are the 811 favourites to take all three points and then themselves have been back to the City under pep that we know being unbeaten in their last nine, winning seven of those games. With both teams in fine form, it could be a really tight game at Villa park on Sunday and the draw is priced at 9 to 4 for a stalemate. But that hasn't happened since 2022 in this fixture map.
- [24:58]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, interesting one. Obviously City have had a couple of days extra rest but as you say, Villa with a good record against them at Villa Park. Time for a bet builder then. I'm going to go ahead and assume that it includes a certain Norwegian striker who loves scoring goals.
- [25:13]
James Mackey
You'd assume right Matt, for the bet builder this week I've picked out a three legged seven one shot and we'll start with that main man Erling Haaland, who writes his own script at the moment, doesn't he? He's got the golden touch in front of goal this season but has done every season since he joined the Premier League and before. Haaland has scored in each of his last five away Premier League appearances for Manchester City. Overall, for club and country this season he's got 23 goals in just 15 games, which is just absolutely remarkable. And you're getting a price of five to six and I thought that was a really generous price to add him to score anytime. So he's the first leg of the bet builder. The second leg of the bet builder sees us go for under 2.5 goals at 6 to 5 and this is landing in City's last three wins in all competitions, then beating Brentford 1 nil, Everton 2 nil and Villarreal 2 nil on Tuesday evening. So the under 2.5 goals in the game is a runner off the back of their form recently. I just really think this will be a low scoring affair and odds against I think it's a nice boost to the bet build and finally I can't see anything but a City win with the way they're playing at the moment and their price at 8 to 11 to win the game. So overall those three selections come together for a 7 to 1 bet builder. And the beauty of the Harland anytime scorer selection is the bet has safe sub attached to it, meaning that if he hasn't scored in the game and he comes off, the player that replaced him carries on that leg of the bet. It's a great tool for punters to take advantage of this season on enabled markets Max.
- [26:33]
Matt Davis Adams
Sounds good to me James. Appreciate your time as ever. We'll catch up with you again soon.
- [26:36]
James Mackey
Thanks very much Matt.
- [26:37]
Matt Davis Adams
Cheers.
- [26:38]
Athletic FC Podcast Host
This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [26:42]
Matt Davis Adams
So league leaders Arsenal host Oliver Glasner's high flying Crystal Palace Stu Arsenal really impressive dispatching Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night. Only conceded three goals in all comps so far this season. Not faced a single shot on target in either of their last two Premier League matches. The quadruple is on question mark. Sarcasm.
- [27:04]
Stu James
I love the talk of the quadruple. I don't know how you feel about it. It's such a. It's such a media thing like this.
- [27:10]
Tim Spears
Yeah, such. It's such an autumn thing as well. Like every year it comes around.
- [27:14]
Stu James
Yeah, it is. It's bonkers because I could be wrong here but I can't imagine for a minute like coaches, players talk about it but we love it in the media and you know, naturally there's a point when the quadruple is on for several clubs and could come back to bite me. It's never going to bloody happen. No one's ever going to do it I don't believe. But it always makes for a really good line in the media anyway. Look, Arsenal are in a bloody good place as you said Matt there. It's interesting actually. I was at that Arsenal City game in the 11 draw and looking back that feels like a really significant moment. That late Martinelli goal in that game I think Arsenal had lost to Liverpool not long before that and anyway since that City game they've really kicked on. I think his six straight victories.
- [27:53]
Tim Spears
God.
- [27:53]
Stu James
Set pieces, corners feel like penalties, don't they? For Arsenal, it's amazing. Their threat, you know, the. The fans obviously relish and love all that. And the more that people dig it out like Jamie o' Hara Orever, I think it just makes Arsenal supporters enjoy it even more. In a way, they're a formidable team there. They've got amazing depth. They've got the best squad, I'd say, in the Premier League. I'm not talking about individuals, but in terms of the depth they've got, I don't think anyone can compete with that. Multiple goal scorers, they're not heavily dependent on one person. I was looking. I've got 10 different goal scorers in the Premier League, man. City, for example, have got five. So, yeah, goals can come from any area. And defensively, wow, Those stats that they've. I think. Did you say not had a shot on target against them in the last two Premier League games? I think is right, Matt. You know, Raya looks excellent in goal. I actually think their second choice back four would walk into most Premier League teams, probably at least half of them. They look very, very strong. It's obviously still early, but it's hard not to be impressed by. By what Arsenal are doing and, you know, finding ways to win games that perhaps they might have slipped up. Last season, you know, the Fulham game, I looked at that. The performance, first half wasn't very good. And you think, ooh, is this going to be one of those days? And then, you know, Trossard, what. What a player he is to have in your squad. He's probably not in many Arsenal fans first 11, but he's one of those where you think he weighs in with an incredible number of important goals and assists. So at this moment in time, you know, they're the team, I feel.
- [29:18]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah. And they've even got Victor Yokares back up and running. A brace for him in midweek. A positive European result for them then, Tim, but not the same for Crystal Palace. Shock defeat in the Conference League. They lead the Premier League for shots on target and big chances, but they maybe need to start taking a few more of them, which is a strange thing to say given that they scored three times against Bournemouth last week. But then the man who got them all left the pitch with his head in his hands because he hadn't won it by scoring a four.
- [29:47]
Tim Spears
Yeah, it feels like they needed Gyokares to score a couple of utterly dreadful goals. Just. Just to say, I cannot, I Mean, fair enough. Look, you know, right place, right time. But how did he have the nerve to do his celebration after those goals? A sliding tackle and one in off his groin. You can't. That.
- [30:04]
Matt Davis Adams
I actually wrote in the script the lowest quality brace in Champions League history. And then I thought, Arsenal fans just always come at you if you say anything even mildly negative about them, so we can share that burden if you.
- [30:14]
Tim Spears
Like that, but fine. But if ever there was a. There was a handshakes and then a jog, back to the center circle moment, then. Then that's it. I'm sorry, you can't. You can't wheel off doing your doing you. But that's. That's the thing. They're all trademarked these days, whatever kind of goal they score. You know, cold Palmer, obviously, Ronaldo started it with his Sioux nonsense. Like, they have to do it after every goal. It just grinds my gears, Matt, you.
- [30:36]
Stu James
Know, you sound like me, Tim Old. I love that. All of that one just said there, the goal, the celebration should be equal to the goal. Marco Tardelli can do what he did.
- [30:44]
Tim Spears
Right.
- [30:44]
Stu James
You know what I mean? I mean, even. Even my lad watching it, and he's 14, he was watching it, saying, I hope he gets another. This could be the worst hat trick in history kind of thing with Victoria Korea.
- [30:54]
Tim Spears
But you want to leave room for, like, raw emotions, you know, if kyokerez scores a 30 yarder to win the Champions League Final, like, you can't just do that celebration. You got. You got to absolutely lose your mind. Yeah. Tardelli's another great reference for the kids after your Redondo one earlier. Stu.
- [31:08]
Stu James
Yeah, sorry. I am going back in time here anyway.
- [31:12]
Tim Spears
Yeah, no, Palace. Yeah. I don't know how they fixed that problem, really. Yeah, they've created the most chances in the league, but I think they're like 13th for the conversion of those chances. And obviously a huge onus on Mateta, who will deliver a certain amount of goals this season. I think you can. You can sort of guarantee that. But other than him and Katia, it must be really hard for him because he needs starts and many minutes to sort of get to the rhythm that he needs, I think to find his literal rhythm in the box and to sniff out those chances and get in the right positions. But he's just. I know he scored a couple of goals off the bench, but he does seem to lack conviction a bit. When, Whenever, most of the times I've seen him for palace, so. Yeah, I'm not quite sure how you Fix that. But, but palace are obviously far exceeding expectations in the league this season. They've got a huge period over the next few weeks. I think we spoke before, Matt about their small squad and how it will impact them this season. And it can be that small squad can be a strength in terms of having the cohesion and consistency in selection and organization. But obviously fatigue is going to be a factor and I'm looking at their fixtures before the international break. It's Arsenal away Sunday. Then the following Wednesday it's Liverpool away in the Carabao Cup. Then it's Brentford at home, which is a tough game. Then it's AZ at home the following Thursday and then it's Bryant at home the following Sunday. So it's sort of a big derby. So that's all before the next international break and that's really going to sort of push, push their squad to the, to the limits, I think.
- [32:37]
Stu James
I think you're spot on there, Tim. That's. And I know from speaking of people at palace in the summer, that was their concern. Their first 11 is so good as they proved they can go toe to toe with anyone in the league. And actually I'd love to see palace full tilt against Arsenal. I mean that would be a terrific game. But as I said, I just feel that Thursday night it takes so much out of teams. They don't have anything. I've been talking about the depth Arsenal have got. Palace don't have that. They've probably got like 14, 15 really strong players. And then beyond that that I think it becomes, it becomes difficult for them. So it'd be very interesting how they respond obviously to the, the defeat, which isn't the end of the world last night. And it was interesting to hear Glasner come out saying it will keep us humble. But also physically, Matt, you know, and psychologically on the back of that Thursday night game, what does that look like for, for palace against Arsenal?
- [33:26]
Tim Spears
I mean, case in point, on Thursday night, I think it's the young defender, JD Canvo is the one who made the mistake for the goal. You know, he's, he's there. He was their big defensive addition in the summer. Born A. Sosa. We haven't seen a minute of him in the Premier League yet. The wing back they brought in from, I think. Did he come from. Was it Ajax?
- [33:40]
Stu James
Ajax, yeah.
- [33:41]
Tim Spears
Uche. We've not seen much of really. So yeah, that's the, that's the sort of bigger picture. But I do, I do think they'll give Arsenal a hell of a game. On Sunday.
- [33:49]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, small squad, all good till it comes to February and then it collapses, said this Nottingham Forest fan. Speaking of celebrations, Stu, how likely are we to see a really respectfully muted one from Eberici as a in this game?
- [34:04]
Stu James
Well, yeah, I do think he would respond like that. Eze is interesting. I think he's, he's settled in brilliantly at Arsenal. He looks like he's been there for ages. Looks like a complete natural fit. I still think we're waiting for that liftoff moment. Yeah, I was at Port Vale for his goal. I mean I don't really think that's anything to shout about. And I was there moment when I saw as I score at Port Vale. But you know he's provided some lovely assists. It was his ball for Martinelli in that man City game. You know, really perfectly flighted through ball had another assist in the week before, I think the first Victor Yoclo's goal and obviously he scored an England shirt the other day. But I think he's capable of scoring superb goals and I think that, that, that little bit is still to come. Arsenal but everything is so, so promising. As I say, it just looks like a natural fit there.
- [34:45]
Matt Davis Adams
Elsewhere, another one of those divisive 8pm kickoffs on a Saturday night. This one's in West London. Liverpool will hope they're over their recent wobble defeat against Manchester United last weekend, their fourth in a row. They put on a five star show in Frankfurt on Wednesday. They didn't play Mo Salah in that game, Stu drop, slash, rested. Is there less cause to bring him back if you score five goals without him?
- [35:11]
Stu James
Hang on. Divisive these 8pm kickoffs in what way, Matt? I mean, I'm coming back from champ.
- [35:16]
Matt Davis Adams
I did hear somebody say they like them.
- [35:18]
Stu James
Well, yeah, I mean I come back from, you know, generally watching dreadful championship football and my wife's annoyed that we've been out all day and then, you know, we'll sit down and put on another game. More football? Yeah, more football. You know, Salah in the week it was a little bit uncomfortable to be honest, Matt. I felt there was like an air of desperation about how he played when he came on. And you know, I'm thinking in particular that moment in the 89th, 90th minute when he's played a brilliant one too and Florian Vertz is there waiting in the middle for his first Liverpool goal and you're thinking, surely you've got to square it Salah. And he chooses to shoot and then you could see Wirtz's reaction which was understandably one of frustration. Actually there was another moment right at the death I think it was a 92nd, 93rd minute and again Salah sort of put his hand up afterwards but chose to shoot when he could have passed. And I guess that's the kind of thing that you do when you're six games without a goal. I mean James Pearce made a Liverpool correspondent made a really good point in his. In his report in the week. I felt when he said, you know, he reflected on the fact that Salah hasn't started either of these Champions League games but actually resting him against Galatasaray, you could use the word rest then was very different to not not playing in from the start against Eintracht Frankfurt when slot really needed a victory. So that felt quite telling that message that was sending. I think at the same time we've got to be careful that you know Salah has been an incredible phenomenal player for Liverpool and recently too he was amazing last season so it feels really premature to write him off. I think the sort of conversation around him changes purely because of his age. You know with someone else you might be saying is this just a dip in form but because Salah Ton 33 in June were like, like oh is he, is he just not the same player now? Is he sort of tailed off? Is he at that point where things don't start to happen in the same way because of his age? I still think it's too soon to say that because it isn't that long ago he was flying in a Liverpool shirt but to answer your question at this moment in time he doesn't get in Liverpool's 11 for me based on the form he's in obviously as is picked up this groin issue in the week. I mean does Chiesa start ahead of Salah now? That's kind of where we're at with things. So yeah a difficult time for him. His most difficult time in the Liverpool shirt. But you know I still wouldn't be surprised if he came back to form and was scoring soon.
- [37:35]
Matt Davis Adams
Loads of options Tim for Arnold slot but is Ekatike the one that's nailed on to start in this game? I know that he hasn't been in the Premier League but he's been there their brightest attacker so far, hasn't he?
- [37:46]
Tim Spears
Yeah, I was actually really surprised that he'd taken him out the team sort of for the previous two Premier League games he scored five in his first nine and really hit the ground running and then yeah was basically dropped for Dropped For Isaac at the team for the previous two before scoring the Champions League in midweek. It's a really unusual situation. You know, you spend £80 million on a striker, he makes a great start, five goals in nine and then he's dropped. I can't recall that ever happening really. You know, a huge, big money, high profile signing coming in, starting really well and then he's sort of pushed aside for the more expensive big money signing. And that isn't, that's going to be a. It's going to be a recurring theme throughout the season, I think, how slot keeps Ekitike and Isak happy and hungry. That's assuming he can't find a way to start them both. It doesn't look like a sort of a natural fit to me in terms of how they, how they sort of form the rest of their attack around those players. So yeah, it's a funny one with Liverpool. I don't think their performances have actually dipped too much. I know there's, you know, all this sort of crisis talk after the four defeats before midweek, but watching the Man United game, I didn't see a huge amount of drop off in their performance. It was just the sort of big moments going against them. You know, hitting the woodwork three times. You know, that Gakpo header near the end, they could have won that game quite easily really. And the statistics suggested that they probably should have done. There's a lot of conundrums for Arnestart. It's a huge test of his managerial ability and his man management in particular because there'll be pressure on him. You know, we, we talk on these podcasts endlessly about Chelsea and the amount of money they spend and how that's got to deliver results. And Liverpool have just had the most expensive transfer window in history. That's certainly in the Premier League. I don't know if that's the case for Worldwide, but I assume it must be. But no one's ever spent more than their 450 million, so there will be pressure on, on slot to get instant results on that, especially coming from a, from a title winning team. And the Ekatike Isaac conundrum is right at the heart of that for me. It's very interesting. Yeah.
- [39:41]
Matt Davis Adams
And this will be a tough game for them, you'd assume. Brentford turned over West Ham on Monday, Stu. Keith Andrews I think kept the receipts after that opening day defeat at Forest. And now he'd like his flowers, please.
- [39:51]
Stu James
I don't know why anyone wrote them off, Matt. I mean it was Obvious they were going to do well under Keith Andrews this season. It's almost like you've looked back at my predictions. I thought they'd really struggle and I mean the reasons for that fairly obvious, I think. You know, they lost their top scorer in Boomer. They lost their frontline striker, so they lost their captain, Norgaard. They lost a goalkeeper, Fleck, and then lost a coach, Thomas Frank. You know, it's pretty difficult of that. And added to that. Yeah, I'll be honest, there's. For me, I was thinking, is Keith Andrews right to take Brentford forward? And it's still too early to say whether he is, but he's made a far better start than I imagined. I mean they're not like, you know, they haven't had a Sunderland start to the season kind of thing. They're not in the top six or anything like that. But they've managed to get some good results. Hugo Thiago is scoring goals. I mean, I don't know how much they count when you score them against West Ham at this moment in time, but the defeat of Forest feels like a long time to go now.
- [40:43]
Matt Davis Adams
And he works Tim for a stable club who know how to do recruitment properly. Not the kind of lavish spending that we've seen with Liverpool, but you look at the players that they've brought in and players that they're able to get fit now and thinking goal like Kelleher is a. An upgrade. Right on Flecken and. And they just seem to have far more hits than they do misses in the transfer market.
- [41:04]
Tim Spears
Yeah, I think, I think you both turned it up really well. Really. And Henderson been. Been probably the biggest surprise of anyone. For me, I, you know, there was good evidence to suggest that he could no longer sort of cut it in the Premier League. You know, you see some of his performances for England over the previous couple of years and I just, I didn't think he had it to keep up with the pace, to be honest. But he's massively exceeding my expectations and looks really hungry to prove a point wrong, to be honest. And he's certainly doing that at the moment. They've got a really nice balance in midfield. Yes, you mentions Thiago. I think they signed him for a lot of money last year. I think it's around 30 million. A lot of money for Brentford certainly. And missed most of last season. Didn't score a goal last season through injury. So for him to sort of hit the ground running this year with far. I think five in eight is great. He does remind me of Isaac a little bit, the way that he shoots from unusual positions. He's strong and he's quick. Yeah. If they can keep him in form, then I don't see them dropping towards the bottom three. And I think they're what, five points clear of relegation already after eight matches? I don't think any of them could have asked for any more than that, to be honest.
- [42:08]
Stu James
That's true about Thiago. Was it that left footed shot Tim against United? Yeah, he hit and I just thought, where's that come from? Who would choose to do that in that situation? A really unusual decision, really, but a brilliant decision. So yeah, fair play to Brentford and Keith Andrews. Dude, did you order the new iPhone 17 Pro? Got it from Verizon, the best 5G network in America.
- [42:33]
Tim Spears
I never look so good. You look the same.
- [42:35]
Stu James
But with this camera everything looks better. Especially me.
- [42:38]
Tim Spears
You haven't changed your hair in 15 years.
- [42:40]
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Maron
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- [44:06]
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This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [44:10]
Matt Davis Adams
Reuben Amrums finally won back to back premier league games. But oh, here come the Seagulls. United have lost six of their last seven league games against Brighton. They're going to make it three in a row in terms of win then Stu here or are Brighton going to do what Brighton usually do against United.
- [44:29]
Stu James
Yeah, it's an amazing record that I saw. Laurie Whitwell, our United correspondent, had a line in his piece saying that in the last four seasons, no team has a better record against United home and away than Brighton. Yeah, they're like almost baby steps with United, aren't they, at this moment? It's obviously a brilliant win at Liverpool, but there is that feeling that the game against Brighton will tell us far more about what shape they're in. You know, can they go and win? It seems bizarre, I'm saying this coming from someone who watched United completely dominate football for so long, but can Man U win three league games on the trot? Oda Franck, I even know his name. He'll probably be booking in an appointment with the. With the barber then, won't he? You know, and this whole Carlos Valderrama haircut he's got. Waiting for United to win five successive matches. If they were to get a win against Brighton. I think that would feel really significant in the context of the fact that United haven't shown any semblance of consistency for what feels like years. So it would feel like such a positive step, especially under Reeman Amarin as well, if they could go and do that now. But you know, that's no given. Brighton have been playing well. This would be a really tough game for United.
- [45:34]
Matt Davis Adams
Got to try and stop Danny Welbeck, Tim. Something that's proved too difficult for many this season.
- [45:38]
Tim Spears
Yeah, absolutely. Just seems to. You know, you hear about the line about getting better with age. I think that mostly. That mostly refers to like, you know, players like someone like Giggs who sort of regressed into a defensive midfield role kind of thing and they're like vintage and using their experience. Whereas Welbeck actually seems to be like a better striker and like a better finisher with age. He's added a calmness in front of goal which. Which I don't think we really saw from him when he was younger. And I'm seeing talk about him potentially getting an England call up or should. Should be in the conversation. You can't really argue with that, to be honest. There aren't many goal scoring English strikers in the Premier League right now. In fact, there's hardly any to be honest. If you look at Watkins only scoring once this season, Solanki's out injured at the moment. I mean, who else is there really? You look at the last squad that England, the Tuchel picks with England, I don't think there was a natural backup Striker behind Kane. I might be wrong on that, but I think sort of Bowen and Rashford were in there, but they tend to do their best work out wide. You wouldn't really call them backup strikers. So who else is there? I mean, Ivan, Tony's out in Saudi, seemingly not. Tuchel's not really interested in him. Calvert Lewin is trying to get his career back on track. He's been in the England squad before, but it's hard to, it's hard to see him sort of making it for the World cup next summer. So especially if they're Talking about taking 26 man squads over there, you know, an intelligent striker such as Welbeck who can hold the ball up and pop up with a goal and is seemingly a really good dressing room influence, that's a really sort of strong case for him making what would be an incredibly unlikely comeback. He's not played for England since 2018, but yeah, I mean he wouldn't kind of. I wouldn't want him as like my backup to Kane in case Kane got injured. And then you start in Welbeck in the World cup. That was just big. I don't know, it might be a step too far for me. But as a, as someone off the bench and someone in the squad, I mean Tuchel's proved with Henderson, you know, he'll, he'll, he'll take older players if he thinks they're going to add value. So yeah, and a sort of an incredible career renaissance for Welbeck and definitely.
- [47:33]
Matt Davis Adams
One of the most likable players in the Premier League. Speaking of Brighton, he said tangentially, on Sunday we'll be bringing you a special episode of the Athletic FC with Strasbourg head coach Liam Rosenhe who used to play for Brighton. In conversation with IO Akimaroleri and Karl Anker, the panel discussed Strasbourg's incredible start to the season, Racini's management style working in a multi club ownership model and the importance of representation, diversity and role models. So check that out when it drops on Sunday. Elsewhere in the Premier League this weekend, spurs head to the dick on Sunday after a nil nil draw in Monaco in midweek. Not really a fixture that Thomas Frank will want. This Tim, is it? His attack struggling to click. They do boast the best away record in the league this season, but again it's that European double away day week kind of thing. Not great. Last week against Villa. Not particularly impressive in midweek. Everton might smell blood.
- [48:32]
Tim Spears
Yeah, maybe. Although those two games you mentioned were both at home and yeah, they do seem to look better on the road at the moment I guess trying to think what that is really. I guess, I guess they've perhaps they've just got players who are better suited to away games. You know they've got, they've got good runners. Could have been the sort of most effective dribbler in the league really. Certainly one of. Yeah, they've got this issue spurs at the moment there's a huge talking point over whether they should play two sort of defensive minded midfielders or not in Palina and Bentancourt and Frank does sort of persist with playing them home and away and obviously if you're going to play them both at home then you've taken a sort of creative player out of the mix in a sort of a defensive midfield double pivot obviously away from home that's less of an issue and then you've got kudos and Xavi Simmons and Bergval to sort of run off them and counter attacking wing backs. I don't know. Every time we sort of talk about spurs at the moment we're sort of saying what's wrong with them but they're. They did pretty well really. Like I said they got the best away record, they're pretty high up in the Premier League table and yet we mostly just seem to sort of criticize what they're not doing at the moment. It's a really strange one but. But performances don't quite reflect results.
- [49:35]
Matt Davis Adams
Maybe that's why your classic both teams could do with a win here, isn't it Stu? Everton just one in their last six already out of the League Cup. Not loads for them to get excited about.
- [49:46]
Stu James
No. And that Evans start kind of surprised me because it didn't feel like that. I don't know, maybe I've allowed all the positivity around Grealish to sort of cloud my judgment around results and actually when you think of that one win it's quite a fortunate win. That mat against palace palace should have been out of sight. You know we were talking earlier about all the chances they create and Mateta scoring some but missing some. He missed a couple of sitters in that game and chances to double their lead which would have probably killed it and Grealish goes and steals it right to death. So yeah I do feel they've got some really good creative players there. Not just Grealish. I like Dewsbury Hall, I like Endai, I think Ilman and Jai is a really good player. The glaring thing that they're missing Everton is a number nine, you know that that's A real problem for them, you know, I don't think Beto is the answer. He had a. An opportunity last weekend. Another old reference, Tim. A bit, you know, Gaza Euro 96, sliding in, and he was there, but he was not there. And I feel that's better. Everton need to upgrade in that department, I think. Otherwise they're not going to get the most out of all this creativity they've got behind.
- [50:48]
James Mackey
Right, let's go.
- [50:49]
Matt Davis Adams
Rapid fire through the rest of the games to finish off Leeds against West Ham on Friday night. Tim, who's made the worst move? Postecoglou to Forest or Nuno to West Ham?
- [50:59]
Tim Spears
Well, one of them's still in a job and one of them isn't. So I guess. I guess you'd probably have to say Postcogli. Did he spend much on his house? He got a house just before he got sacked, didn't he?
- [51:07]
Matt Davis Adams
An apartment, as he put it. I would imagine it was rented. And I would have thought that the payoff that he got would have more than covered any early leaving.
- [51:16]
Tim Spears
Okay, good answer. I think Nuno already had a place in London, so it was no. No real problem for him to be down there. I don't know why I'm talking about houses and properties so much, but I would probably say in a way Nuno will be. Will be laughing because, you know, of what's happened at Forest since he. Since he left. But. Yeah, what has he walked into at West Ham? They looked utterly dreadful the other night against Brentford. It's one of the worst Premier League performances that you'll see. I think it was the scoreline really flattered them, and that's a worry because Nuno has a track record of sort of turning up and at least making a team hard to beat. But after, you know, being there for a few weeks, you think he'd have made slightly more of an impact than he has, which worries me. That makes me think that there's a problem with the dressing room that he can't sort of get hold of because he's. He's very good at commanding the respect of a group. We've seen that before, Wolves and Forests and a few other clubs. But we've also found in his career that the higher up he goes, the less control he has over a dressing room. I think that's been a recurring theme. We certainly saw that Spurs a little bit at Valencia. So if there's a sort of an ego issue in that West Ham dressing room and a real lack of team spirit and cohesion, then Nuno's in trouble there because that's what his management sort of revolves around, is creating that cohesion on and off the pitch. But if they're not listening to him, they're going to be in a bit of trouble because they are dreadful.
- [52:39]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, Leeds would have been a better job for him, I think. And that one might be coming up before too long. Three o' clock on Saturday, Stu. Chelsea against Sunderland. I'll be at Stamford Bridge for this one and I am excited because I get to see Estevao Willian again. Is he the most exciting young player in the Premier League currently?
- [52:56]
Stu James
There's a strong argument for it. Matt is. Is one of those. When he gets the ball, it makes you think something's going to happen. There might be nothing at the end of it, but there might be something spectacular too. And yeah, he's a real entertainer. So. I saw him play earlier in the season at the Benfica game. When he came on straight away, he felt the atmosphere changed inside Stamford Bridge that evening. But you know, what an intriguing game that is. Sunderland have been so, so impressive in terms of how they've started this Premier League season. We always say that a team that wins the playoffs is really hard for them. They don't have time to prepare. Well, you know, they've disproved that theory.
- [53:29]
Matt Davis Adams
Newcastle v Fulham Tim struggling to find something interesting to say about this game. If I'm totally honest, two of the Premier League's big underperformers.
- [53:37]
Tim Spears
Well, it's because you. Because you hate Fulham. You did this last time I spoke about Fulham. You're like, I've got nothing to say about them.
- [53:43]
Matt Davis Adams
Well, 14th versus 15th. Tee it up for me.
- [53:45]
Tim Spears
But it's like, you know, you were saying earlier how you can't say anything because Arsenal fans will be all over you. It's like you're really trying to push the limits of the very generally nice Fulham fans who wouldn't say boot or goose. You're just trying to really rile something from deep within them.
- [53:59]
Matt Davis Adams
Hugh Grant and Richard Olser Osman coming after me.
- [54:01]
Tim Spears
Yeah, they're coming after you with pitchforks. Can you imagine? Yeah. What is it? Has nothing much to say about this game, really. Obviously watching Voltimado would be. He's the kind of player that you would turn on a game to watch, you know, in terms of his sort of unique characteristics physically, creativity. It's hilarious because he's one of the signings of the summer. But Newcastle didn't want to sign him for most of the summer. They went through about five other strikers and then stumbled upon him. But yeah, no, he's great. He's. He's a reason to turn on. There you go, man.
- [54:26]
Stu James
He's good fun to watch, isn't he? I mean there was a stat in the week that I think he only touched the ball once in that Champions League game in Benfica's penalty area. But he did a brilliant flick about 40 yards out that led to the third goal. Really clever little flick linking beautifully with Gordon to set up Barnes a goal he scored against Brighton last weekend. You know it's. He's a bit Peter Crouch like I think someone said this week. But he's. He's faster than Crouching Crouch. He didn't argue with that.
- [54:49]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, him and Anthony Gordon really rocking the 70s. Scandi tennis player look to good effect. Wolves v Burnley Tim Vitor Pereira said it was a must win game. Why on earth did he say that?
- [55:01]
Tim Spears
Well, it is really. It's just speaking facts but he's just.
- [55:05]
Matt Davis Adams
Setting himself up for failure, isn't he?
- [55:06]
Tim Spears
I think he's doing that anyway. We're not winning a game since what, March? I think so yeah, he does need a win. You want to give these the big sell. Wolves and Burnley are the two teams who've created the fewest chances in the league. It's a proper relegation sort of six point. I'm gutted Dice is gone. To be honest. That's exactly what Wolves need right now. I am resigned to the fact that Wolves are not good enough and they've made some dreadful sign ins and there's no one to drag Wolves out of it. They haven't got Kunya, they haven't got Neto Strand Larson's their sort of most valuable player but he relies purely on service. He's like Harland but like a BTEC Harland basically. So yeah, we're, we're banging trouble. We need like a survival specialist who hates wokeness and. But Dice is gone. So I'll take Pulis or Allardyce at this point which is saying something because they both managed them lot down the road. So yeah, let's just end this now. Matter just. It's not great, is it? Sorry.
- [55:58]
Stu James
Yeah, they're too busy doing commercials, aren't they? Them too.
- [56:01]
Tim Spears
Yeah.
- [56:02]
Matt Davis Adams
Well, speaking of ditch first Premier League game, famous Forest boss Stew is at Bournemouth. If any of his last Premier League game in charge of Everton started with a win against Porto in the Europa League. This is a different kettle of fish there.
- [56:16]
Stu James
Right.
- [56:16]
Matt Davis Adams
Forest are hopeless against Bournemouth. Haven't beaten them in a decade and yet Again, we're talking about a team that played on Thursday going to a team that didn't play midweek.
- [56:25]
Stu James
Yeah, but those, that, that means it's got classic forest 1 nil written all over it. Now you've said all that in my, my Matt.
- [56:30]
Matt Davis Adams
Great.
- [56:30]
Stu James
Those, those, those stats are there, are there to change, aren't they? It's interesting, like last night, I mean that Morgan Gibbs White quote, I can finally breathe tonight. I mean that was quite dramatic for him to come out and sort of say that after. But clearly it was a really, it was a huge win for Forest. They've been in dreadful form. You don't need me to tell you that. And the whole Ange postecoglou. I can't call it an era, can I? I think Paul Taylor called it an error in his report. Also though, what came through when I was reading Tell's report this morning and you know he's listing some of the players and you know he's talking about the threat of Hudson Odoi and Dan Indoi on the flanks, the industry of Igor Jesus up front, quality of Elliot Anderson, Gibbs White, Douglas Louise. Bloody hell. There's really good players there. You know, massively underachieving this season, but a tough game because as we've spoken about on here before, Bournemouth have been absolutely brilliant this season. Yeah, a really difficult game for Forest, but it honestly wouldn't surprise me, football being football, if they went there and got a result.
- [57:27]
Matt Davis Adams
Let's hope so. Right, loads of great games to look forward to this weekend then. That's what we're going to leave it for today. My thanks to Tim, to Stu, to producer Jay and to you you for listening. If you enjoyed the show, leave us a nice review. Apple Podcast, Spotify, wherever you get your pods, enjoy the weekend's football. We'll catch up with you soon.
- [57:44]
Athletic FC Podcast Host
You've been listening to the Athletic FC podcast. The producer is Jay Beal and the presenter was Matt Davis Adams Executive producers are Abby Patterson and Adie Moorhead. To listen to other great athletic podcasts for free, including our dedicated club shows, search for the Athletic on Apple, Spotify and all the usual play places. The Athletic FC podcast is an athletic media company production and proudly sponsored by.
- [58:07]
Stu James
Betfair.
- [58:20]
Marc
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- [58:51]
Tim Spears
Got donuts.
- [58:52]
T-Mobile Commercial Voices
Jeff Bridges, why are you still living above our garage?
- [58:55]
Tim Spears
Well, I dig the mattress and I want to be in a T mobile commerc like you teach me. So Dana.
- [59:02]
T-Mobile Commercial Voices
Oh no, I'm not really prepared. I couldn't possibly at T Mob. We'll get the new iPhone 17 Pro on them. It's designed to be the most powerful iPhone yet and has the ultimate pro camera system.
- [59:14]
Tim Spears
Wow, impressive. Let me try. T mobile is the best place to get iPhone 17 Pro because they've got the best network. Nice.
- [59:21]
T-Mobile Commercial Voices
Jeffrey, you heard them.
- [59:23]
Tim Spears
T mobile is the best place to get the new new iPhone 17 Pro.
- [59:26]
Matt Davis Adams
On us with eligible traded in any condition.
- [59:30]
Stu James
So what are we having for launch?
- [59:32]
T-Mobile Commercial Voices
Dude, my work here is done.
- [59:34]
Tim Spears
The 24 month credit is on experience beyond for well qualified customers. Plus tax and $35 device connection charge credit send and balance due if you pay off earlier. Cancel Finance agreement. IPhone 17 Pro 256 gigs $1099.99 and new line minimum $100 plus a month plan with auto pay plus taxes and fees required. Best mobile network in the US based.
- [59:47]
Athletic FC Podcast Host
On analysis by Ooklab Speed Test Intelligence.
- [59:48]
Tim Spears
Data 1H 2025 visit t mobile.com skip.
- [59:50]
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