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- [00:01]
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- [01:22]
Matt Davis Adams
To this podcast right now is because.
- [01:24]
Tim Spears
You chose it well.
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- [02:22]
Matt Davis Adams
The Athletic FC welcome to the preview from the Athletic F. See, it's the show where we get you set for the weekend's Premier League action. This week, our main focus is the tussle of the top two from last term. It's Liverpool versus Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday. And joining me today, we've got two returning guests. First up is Tim Spears. Tim, absolutely desperate for the transfer window to close, with Jorgen Strand Larsen still a Wolves concern, I presume?
- [02:55]
Tim Spears
No, we need about four new signings, so if we could extend it by a couple of weeks, that'd be great. And just. Just lock him in a room somewhere for the international break and then we'll sign four more, that'd be great.
- [03:05]
Matt Davis Adams
And we got Megan Feringer back with us as well. Megan, how much did you enjoy seeing Luka Modric pose with the Swansea? What was it? Away third shirt?
- [03:13]
Megan Feringer
Yeah, No, I. I love it. I love this whole Swansea lovin. I love Snoop Dogg being down there. Kind of feels like I'm in some sort of fever dream, but it's real and it's amazing.
- [03:23]
Matt Davis Adams
Snoop Dogg and the Mumbles coming together at last. Who would have thought it? But that is not what we're here to talk about. We are here mostly to talk about Liverpool versus Arsenal. Two teams who made perfect starts going head to head on Merseyside. Someone's O has got to go. Unless it's a draw. As well as Sunday's showdown, we'll also take a look at some of the key games taking place on Match day three in the Premier League, including those involving managers at risk already. But first, let's get to our feature presentation. All right, now, listener, you might be aware I love a quiz. Maybe it's a lockdown hangover. Anyway, this is going to be called put your shirt on it. I've got a shirt hanging on my studio office wall. I want you and our panelists to guess whose name is on the back of it. And now, Megan and Tim, hopefully you can see it. It is the Arsenal 200304 home shirt. That's the Nike one round neck, big O2 sponsor in the middle, white sleeves with red trim. Here's your first clue. This player played 18 times for Arsenal against Liverpool, but only won six of them. Anybody care to hazard a guess who's on the back of my shirt?
- [04:31]
Tim Spears
I mean, so vague.
- [04:35]
Matt Davis Adams
Sol Campbell is incorrect.
- [04:36]
Megan Feringer
Megan, my knowledge is going to be so bad I was six. Martin Keown, I don't know.
- [04:42]
Matt Davis Adams
They're both good guesses. I'm really pleased that neither of you got it right first time because that would have killed the feature. Stone dead. We will come back to it. What about this game then? Liverpool winless in six Premier League matches against Arsenal. But Arsenal haven't won a league game at Anfield since September 2012. Mikel Arteta started that game. Lukas Podolski scored in it. Perfect so far. Then Tim for both of them. Some game at St. James's park on Monday. Another late winner for Liverpool this time from then 16 year old Rio Ngamoa as we record on Friday. It's his birthday. Was that victory the sign of champions or the sign of something that is completely unsustainable?
- [05:19]
Tim Spears
I mean it was an incredible match. Very old school. Suppose lies assist. I don't think he's been talked about enough. It's probably going to be my favorite assist of the season. Just such composure just to sort of let it through his legs in. What was it? The 96th minute. So yeah, coming through that sort of hysterical test really and the atmosphere and everything that came with that match. Yes, the sign of champions and not playing well in the second half and still coming through and winning it late on. That's the sign of champions. But not the way they're playing at the moment. I mean they've conceded was it six goals in three matches including the community shield. I mean they really missed Ryan Gravenberg in those first two games. I know he was back against Newcastle when they still conceded too. But I think once he gets back in the rhythm he's going to be really key play for them. But they just look so open by design. I mean you look. You look at the team that Arne Slot's putting out with those really attacking fullbacks and a much more attacking midfield. It's clearly he's. It's clearly something he wants. He wants more of an all encompassing sort of dominance I think from front to back. But it's. It's very strange. I mean they were top scorers by 14 goals last year. It's not like there was much wrong with their attack but they've sort of beefed it up even more while leaving a few gaps at the back. So I'm interested to see if they go in the market for a center back before Monday's deadline. Obviously Mark Gay is now played in Europe for Palace. Does he know. Is he now available having done that? I know Oliver Glasner was very keen for him to play for. For them to get through to the group stage on Thursday night. So yeah, it's normally the best defense that wins a league title and at the moment I don't think what Liverpool are doing is sustaining, but it's bloody good fun to watch.
- [06:54]
Matt Davis Adams
Is it all about the defense as to why they're conceding goals then? Megan Tim mentions there that Graven Birch was back on Monday. But you had Szoboszlai playing in an unfamiliar position because Frimpong's injured already. Another stinker of a game for Konate Kirk as I think it's fair to say. Still betting in. Do you think once they get a bit more familiar with one another and or Gay replaces Konati, they'll get back to being a bit more. A bit more secure at the back?
- [07:18]
Megan Feringer
Yeah, I think there's an element there. I mean these are new faces and you know, I think a lot of people were so excited to see Liverpool bring in new faces, but it is a tax you pay when you bring in new signings is that they have to bet in. They have to integrate with each other and there's two new fullbacks and I mean for Frimpong to get injured so, so early, I mean that is going to throw things off. But I also think like from the front there's new faces. Ekateke was, was leading the line and that is something different when it comes to pressing when it comes to those things. So I don't think defense, oh, it's happening in the back line and that's it. You know, this is a whole system thing. And I do think Slot's kind of changing his system around too. I think last year he played more like a 4, 3, 3. Now it's sort of looking like a 4, 2, 3, 1. Is that kind of making them a little more open in the midfield? So I think there's a lot of little elements going on but I mean ultimately there's, there's small tweaks that I think will get fixed in, in the coming. In the coming games. And like Tim said, they haven't played necessarily well. It's probably like a subpar performance the last two games and yet they've won both. And that is the sign of, of a team with sort of that. That cliche, that chemical makeup of a. Of a champion. So I think they'll, they'll figure it out. I think it's just sort of, you know, teething issues of, of new signings. I do think Tim brings up a really good point Though in, in making sure that they get probably another center back because at the moment I, I do think they look quite weak in that area.
- [08:38]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, and somebody will be looking to exploit that. Tim will be Victor Jocherez. He opened his Arsenal account last weekend as they beat Leeds 5 nil. That was Saturday evening. So nice, easy game for them. Couple of extra days rest on Liverpool. You were intrigued to see what Yokerez could do. Did he show you what Arsenal have been missing in the last couple of seasons?
- [08:57]
Tim Spears
Last week, I mean, it was a trade knock Yokerez goal. As, as Stu James of this, of this podcast wrote this week, he sort of analyzed the goal, Having watched all 97 of Gyokeres's goals for Sporting in the summer. So he's just, that's just what he does now. He watches every Gyokeres goal and he analyzes it for the Athletic. Yeah, the way he sort of drove in from the left. He's only thinking about scoring and I love his sort of directness and his bullishness and he's like this like lusty desire just to score goals constantly. In fact, we're talking about shirts. He reminds me of my hero, Steve Bull. I am wearing a steeple top, which, you know, I don't live in, by the way. Matt. I know that's what you're thinking and just that sort of. Yeah, not the most technically gifted, but makes the most of everything he's got. And just that, yeah, that desire to score week after week, I mean, God, it's just what Arsenal need. I think there's a slight element of him being a sort of a, maybe a bit of a confidence goal scorer, which is why it's so important to get off the mark. You know, if he'd gone sort of first four or five without scoring that, that could have been something that grew. And the pressure on him is going to be enormous. I think he's almost the most important player in the entire Premier League this season if he scores 20 goals. I think Arsenal suddenly become very, very hard to stop for the title. I think they've got the best defense. I think they've had the best summer recruitment in terms of buying what they needed. They've beat up their squad. EZE is a fantastic ready made edition that fills a gap where they needed it on the left Bowes very, very well. Certainly the way that they've started the season with two victories, two clean sheets, but two very different types of wins. And now of course on Sunday comes what is at the moment probably the ultimate test in the Premier League playing away at Liverpool.
- [10:31]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, I think so. Megan, you'll be relieved and I'm not going to ask you what your favorite Steve Ball goal was. Instead I will say I am very relieved. The fact that Kai Abbots is out. So he's injured, he's having surgery on his knee. They reckon weeks, not months, he'll be out. Saka's not going to play. Erdogan's not going to play either. I mean that's an issue for Arsenal. Right. But also it shows why they've spent so much money in the summer because this has been a fairly long term thing. Right. They had so many injury problems last season.
- [10:56]
Megan Feringer
Yeah, I mean, I think James McNicholas, he had a piece last year sort of analyzing all the injuries that Arsenal have had, how it compared to other people in the, in the Premier League. And I actually did write some of it down. I didn't write it all down because I had explained to my dad the McCarthy meme last night. So I didn't do all my homework. But I think Arsenal had the fourth highest number of injuries in the Premier League last season at 36, whereas like Liverpool had the second lowest behind Nottingham Forest. Arsenal again fourth highest in terms of days lost to injury, which was 1297. Liverpool 765 days. So it's those elements where Arsenal are looking at it going, right, we need to figure this out. And I think they have done really well in making sure that those areas have players that can not only fill those gaps but like Tim said, are ready made to fill those gaps. So we see so many times Premier League clubs just don't learn from the mistakes from last season and I think Arsenal have done just that. I had them tipped as title favorites and I think for me that's kind of why.
- [11:51]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, well, yeah, we'll see if AZA gets the ship this weekend. Speaking of shirts, let's do clue to Tim. 2304 Arsenal home shirt. I want to know whose name is on the back of it. It's hanging in my office as we speak. Clue to my solitary Premier League goal against Liverpool came in a 22 draw in January 2003.
- [12:10]
Tim Spears
Can you, can you tell us why you've got this shirt or does that give away a clue?
- [12:14]
Matt Davis Adams
I just got loads of football shirts now. You sound a bit like my wife there. Is it a viable alternative to a pension? We don't know yet. We'll find out in a few years time. But if it becomes a light hearted, lightweight feature on A podcast then. They've sort of paid for themselves. But yeah. Who scored against Liverpool for arsenal in a 2, 2 draw in January 2003?
- [12:32]
Tim Spears
And it was their only goal against Liverpool for Arsenal ever.
- [12:36]
Matt Davis Adams
Their only Premier League goal. Yes, they did score in another competition against Liverpool.
- [12:41]
Tim Spears
Perez.
- [12:42]
Matt Davis Adams
Megan, how old were you in 2003? Not even born probably.
- [12:46]
Megan Feringer
I was six. I was going on six, going on seven.
- [12:50]
Matt Davis Adams
Oh, fine. You should get this then.
- [12:51]
Megan Feringer
Oh yeah, no, because every, every six year old kid, this is what they do. Trying to rack my brain for names. It's going to be stupid. Ashley Cole.
- [13:00]
Matt Davis Adams
It's not a bad guess because he was part of that team. But it is not correct. There's one more clue to come. We'll do it shortly. But we should probably talk a little bit more about the match. Usually of late, these games have been draws. In fact, the last three of them have 221122. When they meet at Anfield. Is this a kind of statement game then, Tim for Arsenal win here last season. Drew at the E. Hadden, anfield lost at St. James's Park. Only left with a point from visits to Chelsea Forest, even Man United. Of course they've already won at Old Trafford for whatever that's worth these days. But it kind of feels like we're talking about them as title favorites almost. I guess they'll be ramped up if they go and win at Liverpool on Sunday.
- [13:38]
Tim Spears
Oh God, yeah. Oh, they'll be, they'll be crowned by everybody if they go and win at Liverpool on Sunday. Like it's, it's a weird one. It's very early in the season and you think, you know, going there and getting a point would be a fantastic result. But these games are massively important. You know, you remember the two. Two they had at Anfield a couple of seasons ago when they were, when they were going for the title and they were two nil up. And then blue blew a two goal lead late on and I remember they'd won quite a few on the spin at the time and that really derailed them. And then I think a few weeks later they got thumped at the Etihad and it was title done. But it started with that Liverpool away game. The. The nil nil at Man City. Away again, another title rival towards the end of the season where they went for a nil nil and they just defended, defended, defended for the whole game. And in hindsight, if they'd gone and won there, which is easier said than done, then they would have won the league that Year. And then of course the 2, 2 at City sort of this time last year, very early in the season, really set the tone for Arsenal's opening weeks with that Trossard red. They had those discipline issues, you know, for a few weeks. They lost a couple of games thereafter. I remember them losing at Bournemouth. So yeah, these, these games do have a massive bearing, win, lose or draw, and can really set the tone for the. For the coming weeks. So I think, I think it's more about the attitude, really. I think. I think they will go there to win, not in a sort of an expansive way, but they're not going to go and play for nil. Nil. It is the toughest match you can ask for right now. But this is it for Arsenal. You know, this is what Arteta was talking about at the end of last season. This is time now. You know, they are a big team who needs to start winning things and needs to sign big players, which they've done. They've got experience of title challenges. You know, it's time to put the big boy pants on and do something special now.
- [15:15]
Matt Davis Adams
And I guess, Megan, we're actually going to find out pretty soon how well equipped they are for a proper title challenge. Just looking at their next Premier League games. So after Liverpool on Sunday, they host Forest, host Man City and go to Newcastle. I mean, if they come out of that with what anything from sort of 9 to 12 points, then you're going, wow. If they come out of that with one point, then you're thinking second again.
- [15:37]
Megan Feringer
Yeah, exactly. And I think this is for me, like quite exciting. I think for everyone else, quite exciting too, because there's all these hypotheticals in the start, like, okay, who's going to do it, who's going to do this? And you can get ahead of yourself, but considering who they have up next, like you say, if they come out of that run of games with a good set of points, I mean, to me that is their test pretty much done. And then they just have to keep that momentum, which again, easier said than done, to keep up that kind of stamina and keep that, keep up the results in that way. But if they come out of that in a good way, I mean, confidence is key, but it's about making sure that those gaps that are needing to be filled with injuries, they can prove that they can fill those. And if they do that, then I think a lot of the other teams around the Premier League are going to be quite nervous.
- [16:22]
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Really? That's great news.
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Tim Spears
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- [18:20]
Matt Davis Adams
Key question for you Tim. I saw a bit of Arna Slot's press conference this morning and he cracked wise about how good it would be for Eddie Howe with Newcastle having signed a new number nine made me wonder who's more likely to draw the loudest sycophantic laughter in a press conference from the assembled journalist, Mikel Arteta or Arne Slot?
- [18:39]
Tim Spears
Blimey, what a question.
- [18:42]
Matt Davis Adams
I mean, you feel like Arteta is kind of he'd deliver the joke with a big smile as if a cue to like hey, laugh at that Please. But Slot, I'm sort of struggling to get a handle on what his personality actually is because he's so sort of level, isn't he, that this felt kind of out of character. But the laughter was very loud and sycophantic, so maybe he wins.
- [19:00]
Tim Spears
Yeah, he is very level, whereas Arteta is just. He's just pure corporate, you know, high performance nonsense. The kind of guy you. You dread getting stuck, like, sat next to in the office or in the office canteens. Oh, God, I've got 10 minutes of Arteta here. That's before Arsenal fans weighed in in the comments. There's absolutely no disrespect to a fine manager, but it's just not the kind of person that you'd want to get. So, yeah, I'm not really sure about his sense of humor either, to be honest. It's. It's a bit lacking for me.
- [19:27]
Matt Davis Adams
I feel like Slot, Megan would be less offended if you didn't laugh at his joke, whereas Arteta would then spend 10 minutes explaining to you why it's actually really clever and fun joke.
- [19:36]
Megan Feringer
Yeah, that. That would be. That'd be the sense that I get from the two of them. Like, Slot would just move on. Like, he'd. The moment he wouldn't see sort of the slightest simmer of a smile on your face, he'd somehow change the conversation very quickly and it'd almost take you a moment to realize that he had tried to crack a joke. Whereas, yeah, Arteta would sit there and like, kind of start to draw it out on a sheet of paper and be like, how did you not connect these dots? And then somehow it's. Somehow it's our fault that we have not done that.
- [20:00]
Tim Spears
I mean, Arteta's definitely sort of hired a comedian to improve his jokes in press conferences for marginal gains so that he comes across as more impressive in press conferences. The players then think he's more of a sort of a better leader and then that's more likely for them to, you know, get three points on a Saturday. This is why they're. This is why they got rid of the. The thing that covers the tunnel this season for intimidation reasons. This is why he plants olive trees at the training ground. This is literally what he does.
- [20:24]
Matt Davis Adams
Nonsense labels his dog win. Etc. We could be here for a while. Yeah, we could be here for a while as well. On. Put your shirt on it or whatever it is we're going to call this feature should return next week. So let's wrap it up. Final clue. I am 8th on Arsenal's all time top scorer list with 120 goals. Any further guesses as to who this person might be would suggest they might be a striker if they got that many goals.
- [20:50]
Tim Spears
Yeah. So a non honorary goal scorer in that squad. Who's. Who's there for many years have to be Berkamp maybe.
- [20:57]
Matt Davis Adams
What do you reckon, Megan? Is Tim right?
- [20:59]
Megan Feringer
I'm going to say Tim's right.
- [21:01]
Matt Davis Adams
Well, you're both right. It was Dennis Bergkamp just Premier League wise. Tim, he totally meant that goal at Newcastle. Right?
- [21:06]
Tim Spears
Yeah, sure. No, yeah. You have to say that. Yeah. That's like saying the tooth fairy doesn't exist. If you deny that now, it's like you just can't. It's fair. I should have said a better one than the tooth fairy because you know, I don't believe in the tooth fairy. Can I just put that out for the record? Really? Yeah.
- [21:20]
Matt Davis Adams
Okay, fine. But we do believe in Dennis Bergkamp. Will that feature return next week? I mean that's one for the production meeting, I suppose. Who's going to win the game more permanently? Megan? Is it going to be another draw? Are we going to get that decisive Arsenal victory that marks them as title certainties?
- [21:34]
Megan Feringer
I think Arsenal. I'm going to go lean towards Arsenal just because Liverpool's defense has been as sort of fragile as it's been and yeah, I'm going to go three two, Arsenal.
- [21:46]
Matt Davis Adams
Three two. That'd be fun. Two two for me. Tim, what about you?
- [21:49]
Tim Spears
Yeah, I think those injuries might just cost Arsenal a victory here. It's asking a lot of us. I mean Eze and Madueke both know what they're doing, obviously, but it's asking a lot for them to come in and just do something special. Blimey. Yeah, I'll say. One all. That's an interesting answer, isn't it? One.
- [22:05]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, another draw then. 4:30 Sunday UK time is a kickoff for that one. Next today we'll look ahead to what else is on offer in the Premier League this weekend.
- [22:15]
Tim Spears
This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [22:20]
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 a different league this season. James Mackey is with me to look ahead to Liverpool against Arsenal. You got a vested interest in this one, right, James? Big Liverpool fan.
- [22:35]
James Mackey
Yeah, I really have, Matt. Yeah. Look, this game, it's one of them already. So early on in the season that from a Liverpool fan's point of view, you just want to get out of there and you haven't lost the game. And I know it's saying that pessimistically, Anfield, but you don't want Arsenal to run away with it. City have already dropped points, you're already looking at the league again and I'm really excited for it but very, very nervous as well.
- [22:56]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, so a couple of Desmonds homing away last season. Give me the price on a draw and a win for either side please.
- [23:02]
James Mackey
Yeah so the Betfair Sports that currently has Liverpool as the even money favourites to win the game and I think that comes strongly down to the Anfield effect as the odds would probably be flipped if this game was at the Emirates. But the recent record for Liverpool against Arsenal is not strong at all. Interestingly, Liverpool are winless in six Premier League matches against Arsenal. Their longest winless run against the gunners since going eight without a win back in October 2007 to April 2011 Arsenal are 15. Eight in the Matros 90 market. That looks a fair price to me with how they've started this season, winning both games to nil. However, the Gunners are also winless in their last 12 away games against the Reds since a 20 win back in September 2020 12. And I'll tell you what, Mikel Arteta actually started that game. That's how long ago it was for Arsenal. The draw price is the one that really interests me here. 21 Matt, for the draw on Sunday, the last three Premier League games between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield have all been a draw and the last two games in the Premier League have finished 2:2.
- [24:01]
Matt Davis Adams
All right James, you've got a bet builder for us as well. Let's see how much your latent Liverpool bias has impacted your selections.
- [24:07]
James Mackey
Mata had to sneak a little bit of bites in there. I really did. I wouldn't be a Liverpool fan if I didn't. But I picked out a 171 shot at bet builder with four legs. So with the trend of Liverpool games has continued to be absolute carnage and Interestingly only Liverpool versus spurs with 206 goals have seen more goals in Premier League fixtures than Arsenal v liverpool which is actually 198. So I do think there's going to be goals. As I mentioned earlier to you Matt, I think the draw price of 2 to 1 is just too good not to add into the mix here. So adding two to one for the draw in there, I want to center the bets around Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah. For Gakpo, he's won more fouls than any other player in the Premier League so far this season with seven and he's won two plus fouls in six of his last seven appearances, including two against Arsenal in May. So he's 47 to pick up two or more fouls in the game. And finally to round off the bet build. I couldn't leave Al Mohamed Salah, could I? Salah has either scored or assisted in 16 of his last 18 Premier League appearances, Anfield with 13 goals and seven assists. Also, Salah has netted 11 Premier League goals against Arsenal with only Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney netting more. Against the gunners he's 1011 to either score or assist again. So overall those four selections come together for a 171 bet builder and the beauty of the Gakpo and Salah selections, Matt, is the bets have safesub attached to them. So Save Sub is a new bet fair football product that will keep your player bets in the game all the way to the final whistle. All player bet based bets placed on Save sub enabled markets will continue when the player is subbed with the player that replaced them. In this case the fouls and scoring assists market we've used, we have a lovely boost on that. If Gakpo and Salah go off and the bet hasn't landed yet, that'll run onto the players coming on. So look 17 one big prize but let's see how he gets on.
- [25:48]
Matt Davis Adams
Tremendous stuff. Thank you for that James. Enjoy the game if you can Sunday and we'll speak to you soon.
- [25:53]
Tim Spears
This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [25:57]
Matt Davis Adams
The only other side with a 100% start are Tottenham actual Hotspur. They face Bournemouth on Saturday. Tim, let's start with some transfer talk at the time of recording, which is something that I'll probably end up saying a lot in this podcast because we're so close to the transfer window closing. Spurs set to complete the £60 million signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. They've pinched him from under the noses of Chelsea and what I'm calling a reverse Willian. Do you like that? Is that going to make Thomas Frank feel a bit better about missing out on on Ezra and Morgan Gibbs White?
- [26:29]
Tim Spears
I mean I like, I like them stealing it from Chelsea. I have to say nothing against Chelsea but you know they do just hoover up everyone. So yeah, good for spurs if they get it over the line. It's a bit of a weird one. He's kind of one that was mentioned at the start of the summer that was sort of likely to Leave and it's taken until, yeah, August 29th for something to really materialize. And obviously if spurs had got Gibbs White or Eze or Madison hadn't been injured, you know, this may not even be happening. So he's a really interesting career history. You know, you think of him as a sort of a, as a regular in the Dutch squad, but he's actually played more times for the Dutch than he has for, for sort of PSG and another couple of clubs. You know, PSG to psv, back to PSG on a buyback, couple of loans to RB Leipzig, permanent to Leipzig in January and now spurs in August. It feels like he needs a home and it feels like he's the kind of player that will soup in at spurs where he'll, he'll play every week. It's sort of an all encompassing number 10, 10 goals and 7 assists in 25 last year at Leipzig. You know, the standout player in a struggling team. Very intelligent, creative, agile ball carrier. He's got superstar potential. I think with a bit of love and a permanent home and playing every week at spurs in what's looking like an increasingly good and functional team, then it feels like a very good addition to me. I'm not sure there's anything wrong with it, to be honest. I like it.
- [27:49]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, we'll see how he settles in. Not playing for a team with an acronym, it might be a difficult start for him. Been a good, great start for Thomas Frank, mind you. Megan, how, how impressed with you with how he's set up at the Etihadamine. Spurs always seem to do well there, but he's shown us some tactical flexibility already. Right. And I mean, spurs are gonna have a much better season in the Premier League than they did last term. Right. The floor is so low on that that you can't really fail.
- [28:13]
Megan Feringer
Yeah, I, I think 17th is, is easily going to be avoided this time around. I would like to apologize because last week I said that history doesn't always repeat itself and I think that we shouldn't put any credence into it. And yeah, spurs definitely made me eat my words because they totally repeated history. So I do apologize for that. But I think Thomas Frank is such a welcomed sort of breath of fresh air in terms of all the dogmatic, stubborn managers we have out there. Like he's willing to just be pragmatic going into a game knowing that this is how you set up. This is where certain players are going to be playing well. This is where certain players aren't really needed. You See that with someone like Brendan Johnson. He scored in his last two Premier League games, but he didn't start when spurs played against psg. And that's because he didn't really suit the style of play that Thomas Frank wanted to do. And that's nothing against that player. He's just being smart in the way he's setting his team up. And it is such a deep contrast to what Ange Postecoglou is doing. But I also think it's why, like Tim says, you can apply the adjective functional to this team because they are functioning the way that they should be, but they're also looking at the sort of challenge ahead of them and adapting to it. And I don't think that there's anything wrong with that. I actually think that should be praised more rather than sort of seen as like something that weaker teams do. If you're a smart manager, you will adapt. It's not a weakness.
- [29:33]
Matt Davis Adams
Reuben Amarim, if you're listening, Megan makes a good point there. What about Bournemouth then, Tim? They took loads of plaudits on night one at Anfield. They didn't get any points. Mind you, they then just about squeezed past your lot. Wolves who only had 10 men last weekend. They're already out of the League cup and there's been a lot of cherry picking going on. Anyway, you forgive Andhony for being anxious.
- [29:54]
Tim Spears
I mean, you say squeezed past Wolves. There was. There wasn't much squeezing needed. It was very, very comfortable, to be honest. I don't know Bournemouth or start slowly. They got got. They got eight from their opening seven last year. Year before they got six from their opening 11 matches. It's just the thing of theirs. It's. There must be. Must be some reason behind it in terms of what they're doing in pre season. It's odd but yeah, they're really good against Liverpool. You know, Semeno sort of looks ready to lead the attack really and probably earn a big move next summer. I think he's sort of in that. In that sort of groove. Beating Wolves. No real achievement at the moment, but yeah, they were pretty comfortable. I mean they lost four of their back, five from last season obviously Kepper and Goal Kirkhaz and the two center backs. So it's going to take some adjusting. But I think the rest team, they've managed to hold together. I think even Nielsen could have a good season this year. After a year of bedding in, I don't see too many issues. In fact, I think. I think they're going to give Spurs a Real good game on Sunday. I see two fairly evenly matched teams. Sorry, on Saturday.
- [30:53]
Matt Davis Adams
Yeah, and actually they've got a decent record. Bournemouth away to spurs of late and they've been beaten in one of their last three such fix fixtures. Right then, second season has started and be on high alert managers of lower to mid table Premier League clubs because Jose Mourinho is available again. We'll talk about Manchester United, one of his former clubs, when we get to our comedy section. But first, two sides with zero points in the league met in the Carabao cup on Tuesday. Wolves came from behind to beat West Ham 32 they host Everton whilst Hammers go to the City grounds on Sunday. Interesting. Megan, about Graham Potter and whether time's running out of him. I mean, West Ham might be a suitable destination for Jose Mourinho. I suppose West Ham though, not prone to sacking managers despite how poor Potter's reign's been so far. And they've just furnished him with a new 42 million pound midfielder in the shape of Matthias Fernandez. But I mean this is a massive game for him. Right on Sunday. He needs something to show some sort of positivity to West Ham supporters that it's not just going to be an absolutely miserable season season for them.
- [31:59]
Megan Feringer
Yeah, I mean this hasn't been really good for Grand Potters at 12 defeats in his last 22 games. I don't really know how it's gotten this, this just terrible. But like watching Bowen clash with all the fans on the weekend, it just felt so emblematic of a team that it just feels like there's, there's just total dysfunction going on and you wonder how they're going to fix it all. I mean, it just feels like, you know, you've got. We were talking about Bournemouth, you know, they have a slow start and yet every season it feels like, okay, fine, they'll do it, they'll manage, get themselves back into a rhythm and they'll be fine. Brenford, Brighton, like, it just feels like they just keep passing West Ham and West Ham just keep kind of dripping slowly, slowly downward. And you wonder at what point gravity is just going to start taking over. And you know, I thought Grand Potter was a really great appointment for them when he went in and it just has not worked at all. And you could kind of see him on the touchline, he just looked like a man slowly losing his soul a little bit and you have to feel a little bit bad for him but at the same time there's just, it's not working whether Whether tactically, the way he's trying to set them up is not working. And I think he has to look at this this weekend and know that if he doesn't get a result out of this. I know West Ham don't maybe necessarily sack as much as other ones, but I mean, at what point do you just say this is kind of ridiculous.
- [33:13]
Tim Spears
If you don't make a change slowly losing his soul. That's, that's, that's deep, that is.
- [33:19]
Megan Feringer
I just. Like it was behind his eyes. I don't know if y' all saw it, but like behind his eyes it just looked. There was an emptiness there and it just didn't. It just had to feel a little bad for him.
- [33:28]
Matt Davis Adams
I felt bad for him because he had that massive blow up, didn't he, when he got the Chelsea job. And then in the load of time that he had it off, whatever he was doing, sitting in the Caribbean, spending his money and it seems like that's already just totally faded away from him. Bless him. Nuno will be in the home dugout on Sunday. He's another person who can wear the weight of the world on his face. And we did a pretty hasty RE record last week and some skillful editing from producer Jay to talk about his pre match comments ahead of the game against Crystal palace, where he said he doesn't speak to the owner much anymore. And it all looked as though it was heading for splitsville between Nuno Espirito Santo and Nottingham Forest. Do you think it's inevitable that he'll be out before the end of the season? Or do you think that they'll be able to. To strike some sort of accord? And maybe Marinakis likes a bit, a bit of spikiness from his employees in this kind of situation.
- [34:20]
Tim Spears
I mean, Nuna's big on happiness. It might sound like a silly thing to say, but you know, he's not just going to stay there for the sake of staying there there. You know, he's. It's not like he's in unknown territory and doing something he's never done before with a football team. He's done exactly the same with Wolves. Sort of top seven, eight finish into Europe, very similar sort of model. So yeah, I don't know. You're right. He does wear it when he's miserable. You can't hide it. But I remember when he left Wolves, I think it was a relief for him to go. He was very happy to leave after a sort of really miserable fourth season. I think he's very happy to leave spurs if he's not. If he's not happy, I can see him walking. Basically. That's. That's the point I'm trying to make because he's, he's. He's got plenty of money from his spurs payoffs and his work in Saudi and I just don't think he needs the hassle. And I think he's. He probably. He's. He missed home a lot when he was with Wolves last time. Family are all back in Portugal. I just wouldn't be if. Look, if there's no relationship there with Edu and there's no relationship there, Marinakis, I'm not sure what's going to sort of keep him around, really. It just sounds like a pretty miserable, toxic situation, so. But equally, I don't see how they. They make that up. God knows where George Mendes is in the middle of all this, which is another factor, because Nuno knows that his best mate can get him a good job anywhere else. Anyway, it's pretty messy and from a forest point of view, Matt, I don't know what you think, but it's hard to see how they kiss and make up because particularly people like Marinakis and Nuno. I mean, crikey, are they just gonna sit the kettle on and have a little chat and like. And hug it out? Absolutely not. No way. So, yeah, it's. It's not good. Not good situation.
- [35:54]
Matt Davis Adams
Cheers, Tim. You've ruined my weekend. It's not even 11 o' clock on Friday morning. I'm going to the game. Megan, it was you who suggested before we hit record, that maybe Marinakis likes a bit of spike and a bit of sort of rancor from his employees. Does that make you think that maybe there is a future for Nuno at Forest then?
- [36:12]
Megan Feringer
I just think, like, you look at Marinakis and he just seems like a man who likes a bit of drama. Like, it's almost like he sort of likes being in the middle of an oven and then asking someone to turn the heat up a little bit and just being like, right, give me more, let's see what I can handle. And I think he likes to fan those flames. But, and Tim makes a good point, this also comes down to Nuno. It's not just whether or not Marinakis gets to say, you're gone or you stay. I think Nuno is more of this man who's very holistic image of life. You know, do I feel happy? Do I have my Zen here? And I don't think he does, personally. Nuno, to go in and make those Comments? I know that he does work a little bit on emotion, but that was also tactical too. I don't think he just goes in and just sort of has this sort of, I don't know, like, therapy session with the journalist. He doesn't really make his press conferences that way. So I do think there was a level of tactical intention there from him, which I really like. I think that's kind of, you know, like going up against the final boss on your Game Boy and saying, let's go, let's have this out. And no, they're not gonna stick the kettle on and have a hug. But maybe they do have a conversation. But at the end of the day, I think it's Maranakis having to choose between Edo and Nuno. And if Nuno feels like he's been slighted, then I think he'll leave. But I think Marinakis likes this. I think he likes a bit of drama. I'm sure there's going to be people who don't agree with that, but I went to an all girls Catholic high school and I think Marinakis would have fit right in with some of the people I went to school with. So.
- [37:35]
Matt Davis Adams
Wow. I'm going to do a deep dive on that at some point later this season, don't worry about that. But let's get a word on Wolves. Why are you there then, Tim? It's your specialist subject, your club of your hearts. Big win, I suppose. I mean, there's a win against West Ham, a big win. He's still in the Carabao Cup. Jorgenstrand Larsen seems as though he's set to stay. The Norwegian Steve Ball, they call him scored twice in midweek, but you've not managed a Premier League goal so far this term. I mean, he absolutely has to stay, doesn't he? I mean, even if you get offered, I don't know, 75 million quid, you're not going to be able to replace those goals this late in the window. And am I being dramatic in saying that he could be the difference between relegation and survival?
- [38:15]
Tim Spears
No. Yeah, it feels like that. I mean, he's got another. How many's he got? He's got 16 now. I think he's got another 290 to get to bully's level. So you causing them. The Norwegian Steel ball is a little bit strong, however. Yeah, you know, he scored two midweek and he's showing. Isaac and Whisa had to do it. You know, he wants to leave, which is a bit cheeky, seen as he only signed on a permanent deal two months ago. But yeah, you're not seeing sort of fans go mad at him because he's done it in the right way. He's sort of asked to go to Newcastle. He's been told no because it's far too late in the window to sign a replacement who can replace, you know, your goals. So yeah, I, I get it. I get why he wants to go. It's a rare chance to go and lead the line at a huge Premier League club. He may not get that opportunity again, but Wolves just cannot afford to let him go. It's, it's very hard, as several clubs have found out this summer, to sign a Premier League striker who's almost guaranteed a certain level of goal. So having lost Kunya and with the players they brought in very unproven, then they need a guaranteed source of end product up front and he offers that. So yeah, it's a weird one because you know, from a financial point of view, you've bought a player for 23 million two months ago and now you're turning down 55, 60 million three appearances later. It's ridiculous. Of course you would take that money, but it's just too late in the window. You know, the money that he will earn Wolves by keeping them in the Premier League far outstrips that. If this was four weeks ago, they could have sold him. But not now.
- [39:48]
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- [41:01]
Megan Feringer
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Tim Spears
We're really doing this, huh?
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Megan Feringer
Thankfully, Carvana makes it easy. Answer a few questions, put in your VIN or license and done. We sold ours in minutes this morning and they'll come pick it up and pay us this afternoon.
- [41:21]
Matt Davis Adams
Bye bye Truckee.
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Megan Feringer
Of course, we kept the favorite.
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Matt Davis Adams
Hello other Truckee.
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Megan Feringer
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- [41:57]
James Mackey
This is.
- [41:57]
Tim Spears
The Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [42:01]
Matt Davis Adams
Elsewhere Manchester United looking for their first win of the season. They take on Burnley on Saturday afternoon. Reminder they had the chance to get a win against League two Grimsby in the cup on Wednesday. They couldn't manage it. Megan, me, you and everybody who listened to the pod last week was thinking of your dad and brother when that and Burmo penalty did not find the back of the net. How are the family this week? And did they even know that Grimsby was a thing before? What was it, Tuesday, Wednesday night?
- [42:31]
Megan Feringer
Not really, no. My dad did text me and he was like, is that near you? And I was like, kind of. It's up north. Like, sure. But yeah, it was like I said last night, I spent quite a lot of time trying to explain the McCarthy meme to my dad because everyone's talked to like, oh, can it get any worse?
- [42:49]
Tim Spears
It can.
- [42:50]
Megan Feringer
I had to explain that to my dad, like with me trying to do a McCarthy voice, which was just an extraordinary hour over the phone.
- [42:56]
Matt Davis Adams
But can we hear it please?
- [42:58]
Megan Feringer
Absolutely not. That is. That is fairing. That is. That is going to be like Pharynga Secrets. But it's just, it's just one of those where I don't know if it's funny anymore, like watching this sort of total downfall, but also just the. The constant obsession with watching it happen, almost as if we're not ready for it. But, I mean, this is. This was extraordinary the last week, and I think, you know, I'm talking to my brother and my dad about it, and both of them are just in such sort of, like, wallowing pits of despair. It sort of reminded me exactly of how Reuben Amara must feel at the same time, you know, seeing him playing with this little magnetic board. It's so bizarre, to be honest. But then there's moments against Arsenal where they looked okay and there were sort of bright lights that it felt like you could sort of, you know, stick your hand on too tangibly and say, right, we can move out of here. And then you're just sort of stuck in the same tunnel, really, with this team.
- [43:53]
Matt Davis Adams
As a child of the 90s, I would have to say it is still pretty funny watching Manchester United slide like this. What I'm less amused by, Tim, is this Kobbie Mainu situation. He's asked to go out on loan. United have said no to that. Doesn't seem to fit Amarim's system. I mean, this is a guy who started the European Championship for England. It's odd to me that they can't find a way to get him in, but it's kind of symptomatic of. Of what's been going wrong at United and for Amarim. Right. It seems like people who've been at the club for a long time come through the academy, your Rashfords, you Garnachos. And now your main news just can't seem to find a place. And. And given how terrible United have been, I don't really get why not.
- [44:31]
Tim Spears
Yeah, you can add, you know, McTominay to that list. I think it's probably the sort of worst offender from United's point of view, because, you know, he goes to look what he's doing in Syria and Napoli. It's crazy. Yeah, it's really disappointing, especially for, you know, for a club that has such proud traditions of bringing through young players and local players, you know, they've got that astonishing record, haven't they, going back decades, of somebody that's come through the U setup being named in their squad for a league match every single match for decades and decades on end. So, yeah, I don't know. Amarim doesn't fancy him. I don't. I don't. I don't understand why, especially when you look at a Midfield, two of Casimiro and Fernandez. Is it. Is it me? He seems to be the only, the only person who thinks that that can work as a midfield, like, it's bonkers. But if you got Ahmed Diallo at right wing back as well, it's just. It's so open, it's never going to work. And also you, you, you're wasting your best player and your captain from last season by putting him in a role that doesn't suit him as well. So I don't know. This is what happens at United. This 10 hag made crazy decisions toward the end. This sort of scrambled mind. Mind. It's smart from Mainoo to ask for a loan because he's seen from several examples in the past few years that he's going to outlast the manager if he's just there for another few months. So, you know, he doesn't want to leave Man United, but he does want to play football. He knows he'll outlast Amarim, so he'll come back in January or next summer. To a manager who isn't stuck ridiculously, stubbornly to one formation, it's a ridiculous situation where someone as talented as him, the same with Garnacho and the same with Rashford to an extent, can't work in this team. There's some kind of infectious viral disease at Manchester United that just means that good footballers and good signings end up being absolute disasters. And so do managers, as you say. Though it is as a child of the 90s. It's also quite funny.
- [46:21]
Megan Feringer
I think it's quite sad when you think about those players who are like, coming through, or even young players looking at where they should go, and then they look at somewhere like United and it's like, oh, I know for a fact that they're going to prioritize, like Tim said, this sort of dream skate of the new manager of these new players, instead of trying to figure out how you use, like, young players and bring them up. If you're a new player coming into Manchester United's Academy and you're 14 and you're looking at what's happening above you, like, why wouldn't you leave? Why wouldn't you think, like, okay, where, where's the faith in people like me to turn a system into something that I can function in? Instead of like, they're not even trying to tell Kobe, Manu, like, oh, here you try to function in this system, it's just like, nope, you don't fit the system. We don't want you anymore. I can't see how that is enticing to you in any capacity.
- [47:06]
Matt Davis Adams
Put yourself in Scott Parker's shoes, Tim. They're probably quite expensive because he likes to look good on the touchline, doesn't he? He's rubbing his hands together at this, isn't he? Burnley got a point when they got relegated from the Premier League last time. They got a point at Old Trafford. He's got one there before with Fulham too. I mean, it's almost the ideal away day for a newly promoted team, isn't it? At the moment?
- [47:25]
Tim Spears
Yeah, absolutely. No, no. Zero pressure on them to go and get a result. Result. But you know that that crowd is ready to turn. You know that those players are nervous and they can prey on that and they've. And you know, they've got a sort of a. A system that's well suited to. To sort of play in there in the current climate. I think in terms of, you know, they'll defend well for the most part and they'll counter attack at pace and they've got players who can. Who can hurt United. Players like Jaden Anthony, maybe Mark said was off the bench, which I'd be pretty hopeful if I was a Burnley fan making that short trip that you can get a result there, which is just insane when you think about it. But that's just the way United are right now.
- [48:05]
Matt Davis Adams
Well, it's Stamford Bridge, the venue for the game that kicks off Match day three, Saturday lunchtime. Chelsea hosting Fulham in the third part of their London derby quadrilogy to start the season. It was back on Boxing Day, Tim, that Fulham won this fixture two 1. Their first league victory at the Bridge in 45 years. Chelsea got an advantage here. They haven't played since Friday. Friday. Fulham are in Carabao cup action on Wednesday. I know that obviously it's heavily rotated team but manager's still got a plan for the games etc. So are you marking this down as a home victory or is it going to be another upset?
- [48:40]
Tim Spears
No, I think so, yeah. Well, it's hard to tell with Chelsea. They've had sort of two very different games to start the season. I went to that gaming, it's palace on the opening weekend and they really labored to a nil, nil draw. I think they've no shots on target from like the third minute to like right at the end. And then they go and trance West Ham. And the front line looks absolutely sumptuous. As long as Esteban starts, that'd be my only sort of vested interest in this game. I want him to start every match this season. He looks tremendously exciting. All action, you know. Not. Not well. He does things that other players don't even dream of doing. You know. So imaginative and creative with what he does on the ball. But he's also sort of full throttle. He was dropping in two footed. Two footed challenges against palace as well. So sort of all action kind of player that can really define their team I think this season. Season. And the complete antithesis to what we got under Maresca for so such long spells last year when it was so dull and so laboring and so one paced. He's the complete opposite. So yeah, no looking forward to watching more of Chelsea in the next few weeks. But can't really say the same for Fulham who are just meh. You know. Still haven't really signed anyone. I know they're looking to get a couple of deals done over the line before Monday. And Josh King's come into their team. The new Josh King and made a real impact in midfield. But otherwise yeah, Fulham are just exactly the same as last season but sort of of not in a good way. You know. I think they're one of those where if you stand still you go backwards. It's hard to see them getting anywhere near the top half I think with having the same team as last year. So yeah, Chelsea often find it pretty easy against Fulham and it's hard to make a case for it being any different this weekend.
- [50:10]
Matt Davis Adams
Elsewhere this weekend. Black Cats against Bees at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland entertaining Brentford. The late kickoff on Saturday sees Leeds United host Newcastle United in the. Wow. Those are big cities to only have one football club Classico Sunday Man City go to Brighton Villa. Face Crystal palace in one of.
- [50:26]
Tim Spears
Wait what?
- [50:27]
Matt Davis Adams
7Pm on a Sunday? No thanks. Kind of kickoffs Leeds v Newcastle. Feels like fun to me. Tim. And Newcastle look set to have a new striker on board. He is Nick Voltamada from Stuttgarts. You can read Chris Wa's piece on him. And the deal for the lowdown on that. That's up on the Athletic now. Yeah. Leeds Newcastle tough one to predict. Home form going to be massive for Leeds this season. Newcastle big, big injury absentees given what happened on Monday night. And a suspension of course in Anthony Gordon.
- [50:58]
Tim Spears
Yeah. You say fun. I'm not sure really. I think it'd be fun in the stands. It'll be. It'll be noisy. It'll be gray atmosphere. But I think for both of these teams you'd be worried about goals at the moment. I mean Leeds. Leeds have very much got like a championship forward line so with Perot James and Nonto another signed Aquafor from Milan and Calvert Lewin but that you know we must be seeing whether they can actually improve that forward line didn't score. Arsenal needed a really dodgy penalty scoring against Everton. I couldn't see them scoring that night up until that point. And Newcastle. Yeah with no Gordon and if the new boy is not signed in time to start then I don't know. This feels quite. This feels quite low scoring from two sort of shot shy goal shy teams to me but it'll sound great so you know that's all that matters really.
- [51:43]
Matt Davis Adams
And like we were saying earlier Megan we're fully problem similar ish for Newcastle like lots of plaudits in defeat on Monday night but they lost the game drew nil nil against Villa in the opening weekend. If you get into three games without a win and you're a team that qualified for the Champions League last season, then you're starting to wonder what kind of a campaign it's going to be for them.
- [52:02]
Megan Feringer
Yeah, I think too, I mean that that game against Liverpool that they lost it. Yeah but they also lost other players as well. You had Joelinton who's going off with injury and it feels like there was all this amazing feel good factor after winning your first major trophy in so long and now all this kind rottenness is around and it just feels just kind of unlucky. It doesn't feel fair really to me. But I think that's why it's so important that they go to Leeds and they win.
- [52:27]
Matt Davis Adams
All right, well that is the late kickoff on Saturday. Six games Saturday, four on Sunday. Loads of really intriguing matches to look forward to. That's where we're going to leave things for today though. If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a nice review. Apple Podcast, Spotify Wherever you get your pods, we would surely appreciate it. My thanks to to Tim, to Megan, to producer Jay and to you for listening. Enjoy the football. We'll catch up with you again soon. You've been listening to the Athletic FC Podcast. The producer was Jay Beal and the.
- [52:55]
Tim Spears
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.
- [53:05]
Matt Davis Adams
Search for the Athletic on Apple, Spotify.
- [53:07]
Tim Spears
And all the usual places.
- [53:09]
Matt Davis Adams
The Athletic FC Podcast Podcast is an.
- [53:11]
Tim Spears
Athletic media company production and proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [53:28]
Megan Feringer
Group.
- [53:28]
Matt Davis Adams
Health insurance can challenge company budgets with large and unpredictable rate increases. Now, a new form of employer coverage called an ICHR IRA or Ichra can help Ichras make health plan expenses more predictable and affordable by tapping into a.
- [53:43]
Ad
Much larger risk pool.
- [53:44]
Matt Davis Adams
That means businesses know what to expect and what to budget. If you're tired of expensive surprises, plan on something predictable. Plan on an Ichra. Learn more@ambetterhealth.com ICRA business software is expensive, and when you buy software from a lot of different companies, it's not only expensive, it gets confusing. Slow to use, hard to integrate.
- [54:06]
Tim Spears
Great.
- [54:06]
Matt Davis Adams
Odoo solves that because all Odoo software is connected on a single affordable platform. Save money without missing out on the features you need. Odoo has no hidden costs and no limit on features or data. Odoo has over 60 apps available for any needs your business might have, all at no additional charge. Everything from websites and sales to inventory and accounting all linked in talking to each other. Check out Odoo at o d o o.com that's o d o o.com Summer's.
- [54:35]
Megan Feringer
Here, but if you grind your teeth at night, the damage doesn't. Take a vacation. Protect your smile with Remy, the custom night guard that costs up to 80% less than the dentist. Just take your impressions at home with their step by step kit. Send it back and get your dental grade night guard delivered to your door. No waiting rooms, no surprise bills, just sunny savings and professional protection backed by a 45 night perfect fit guarantee. Go to shopremy.com and use code summer to get up to 50% off off. That's shopremi. Com and use code summer for 50% off.