Loading summary
Transcript172 lines
- [00:01]
A
As you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM this season. We'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offers for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code TheAthletic. Make your first deposit of at least ten dollars, place bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic. See betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto Rico gambling problem call 1-800- gambler available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text HOPE NY 467-369 in New York, call 1-800- NEXT STEP in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 Massachusetts 1, 800, bets off in Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan, 1-800-981-0023 in Puerto Rico for first bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Don't forget, if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code theathletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a 1500 dollar first bet offer on your first wager.
- [01:15]
B
Comcast Business High 5 Hotline I signed.
- [01:17]
C
My business up for the 5 year price lock guarantee and I can't stop high fiving people.
- [01:22]
B
That's perfectly natural when you sign up for gig speed, Internet and advanced security.
- [01:26]
D
Locked in at a great rate for five years.
- [01:28]
C
Really? That's great news.
- [01:30]
B
Five everybody the Comcast Business five year.
- [01:32]
D
Price Lock guarantee is back, but only.
- [01:34]
C
For a limited time sign up today.
- [01:36]
D
High five ends 92125 for new customers with qualifying bundle.
- [01:39]
A
Current customer eligibility varies by service and area. Guaranteed rate applies to monthly service charge.
- [01:42]
C
Excluding taxes and fees.
- [01:43]
D
Other restrictions apply.
- [01:47]
A
As a small business owner, you don't have the luxury of clocking out early. Your business is on your mind 24 7. So when you're hiring you need a partner that grinds just as hard as you do. That hiring partner is LinkedIn Jobs. When you clock out, LinkedIn clocks in. LinkedIn makes it easy to post your job for free. Share it with your network and get qualified candidates that can manage all in one place. Here's how it works. Post your job LinkedIn's new feature can help you write job descriptions and then quickly get your job in front of the right people with deep candidate insights. Either post your job for free or pay to promote promoted jobs. Get three times more qualified applicants get qualified candidates at the end of the day, the the most important thing to your small business is the quality of candidates. And with LinkedIn you can feel confident that you're getting the best. Based on LinkedIn data, 72% of SMBs using LinkedIn say that LinkedIn helps them find high quality candidates. You can let your network know you're hiring. You can even add a hiring frame to your profile Picture and get two times more qualified candidates. Find out why more than 2.5 million small businesses use LinkedIn for hiring today. Find your next great hire on LinkedIn. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.combaseballshow that's LinkedIn.combaseballshow to post your job for free. Terms and conditions apply.
- [03:09]
B
The Athletic FC this is the preview from the Athletic fc. Every Friday we'll look ahead to the weekend's Premier League action. Today it's all about the start of the season and the big one at Old Trafford. Well, it was a big one 10 years ago at least. It's Manchester United versus Arsenal. And joining me today we have Tim Spears. Hello again.
- [03:35]
D
Hello again Matt.
- [03:36]
B
And Stu James is with us as well. Hi Stu, nice to meet you.
- [03:39]
C
Hello Matt. Lovely to meet you too. Morning Tim.
- [03:41]
D
Thanks to.
- [03:42]
B
Right then, so as well as Amarim and Arteta's attempts at an A start, we're also going to cast a BDI over some of the other fixtures taking place on MD1 in the EPL which starts tonight. How you feeling ahead of the new season, Stu?
- [03:56]
C
Very much excited. I think it's a fascinating season ahead, particularly the title race which is really hard to call. I think, you know, expect City to be better, don't think they'll win the title, but Arsenal in Liverpool, you know, the natural choices for that. Chelsea feel like they've come from nowhere a little bit with their club World cup triumph and lots of other fascinating angles too. You know, Man United in Tottenham, Krikey, they've got to be so much better than last season, surely. Fascinating for me. Looking at the hopometer that we did this week, I can't believe how many fans are optimistic. 15 of the clubs, their fan bases, more than 50% of the fans are are optimistic about the season ahead. And that's football. Right. We're all totally deluded really. I'm sure that will look very different after the first day with some of those clubs.
- [04:42]
B
Yeah, I was going to say we'll check in on the Hope ometer at 1 minute past 5 on Saturday and see how much things have changed. Tim. Should be a good one, shouldn't it? This. I don't think anyone was expecting a one horse title race last season, but at least from that aspect it looks much more open this time around.
- [04:57]
D
Yeah, definitely no optimism here, Stu. So you're in. You're in good company, mate. So yeah, no, I actually think the title race could be. We could be in for one of the closest we've ever seen, I think. I think on paper if you, if you look at those top three, I think they're harder to separate than people might think. And with Chelsea. Yeah. World champions coming upon the rails, we could be in for something special. I think in terms of a three or four horse title race that's how it looks to me. Probably unfold very different but that's how it looks. It's not good use for the rest of the chase impact. I think there's. I think there's a real marked difference between what the top four have done and what the rest have done in terms of additions. You just hope for a bit of unpredictability. I think last season was so fun with all the teams that won trophies towards the end. On the BBC yesterday, they had their list of experts sort of predicting the top four. Everybody predicted the same top four in a different order and most people everywhere are predicting the same bottom three. So you hope that that doesn't end up being the case at the end of the season because it's all. It's all pretty boring otherwise. So you just hope. Yeah. The unprofessional predictability of last season sort of continues because that was great fun.
- [05:57]
B
Sure was. Right then, as we say, it kicks off tonight. Friday, Liverpool versus Bournemouth. The main event of the weekend though taking place at Old Trafford is Manchester United versus Arsenal. It's on Sunday at 4:30 UK time. So then, Tim, more big money signings, another cultural reset, fewer pesky office employees, less elaborate staff lunches. Are Manchester United starting the journey back or have we seen this all before?
- [06:23]
D
Blimey. I mean, we're all making predictions at this time of year. I think they're the hardest team to call of all, actually. I think they've made three really good additions in an area where they obviously needed to address, you know, they only scored, I think 44 last season in the Premier League, which is unacceptable for, you know, a club of their size. So yeah, they obviously needed to do that. You know, Hoyland, Rashford, Sancho, Anthony, none of them were working. Xerxe to an extent. Garnacho's got issues with Amarim. So they desperately needed forward additions and it's great work and it should help fire them up the table in theory. But I remember saying last year, I remember me and Nick Miller at the Athletic having a debate over who'd won the window and we both said Man United and Brighton were probably won the window. So Man United just got this thing where they make great additions on paper and they ended up just not working for whatever reason, whether that's the dressing room dynamic or bad management or just ill fitting recruitment for what they need. So it's really hard to call what you would say is that their first 11 at the moment, eight of them were there last season. The team that finished 15th, the team that Amarim sort of couldn't really get playing despite being there for six months. So you have to ask, you know, will a full preseason with AM have really turned things around or is the team still, you know, built on sand despite their excellent additions up front? Because Anana in goal, Dallow at wing back, a dodgy defense, Casimiro's dm. None of those things really work for me, so I don't know. They've been here before, they've bought well on paper and it's not worked. So cautious optimism. They should be better than last season, but they're miles off the off the sort of top four for me.
- [07:58]
B
All right, Hope ometer sliding down for United fans then. What about Arsenal, Stu? Three consecutive second place finishes for them ahead of this campaign. Last time that happened, they went on to win the title at the fourth attempt and they sealed it coincidentally enough at Old Trafford. Some pretty impressive summer business from them on the face of it. Have they done enough to plug the gaps that were there in their squad, do you think?
- [08:21]
C
Well, I certainly think they've plugged the biggest gap of all, which was at centre forward. I know they've made other additions too and people like Martin Zuberman. These should be excellent addition in midfield. I think Norgaard's a really good signing. Probably won't be in the starting 11 that much, but he's a leader. Ideal player to bring on in games on the flanks. Obviously Maduecki's come in. There's also the hugely Exciting young talent of Max Dalman, who you can count as a new addition to, in a way. How much he'll play, I don't know, but I do think we'll see him feature early in the season. But really, it all comes back to finding that number nine. Finding someone who could be the game changer. A kind of missing piece in the jigsaw, really. And I have to say, having watched Victor Jor play 12 games for Swansea City, I never thought I'd say he would be the missing piece in the jigsaw at Arsenal. But wow, how his career has kicked on. Incredible record at Sporting Lisbon. 97 goals, 102 games. For reasons I can't really explain, I decided to sit down and watch all those goals this week. You know, in the penalty area, he's just razor sharp, taking goals of every description in that area. Also, his power. And I think that is a really big thing, that he will come to the Premier League and cope physically with what he'll come up against. One thing that fascinated me, I'm going to ask you both a question now, because I was watching all these goals and I was thinking, oh, my God, how many penalties did you score the last two seasons? Do either of you know how many penalties he scored out of those 97 goals for Sporting Lisbon? Have a. Have a guess.
- [09:53]
B
I feel like last season it was something ridiculous, like 20, wasn't it?
- [09:56]
C
Yeah. So it's 27 across those two seasons, which.
- [09:59]
D
Look, that's what I was going to say.
- [10:00]
C
Sorry, Tim, I should have given that. I knew. I knew you'd have it at the end of your fingertips. But look, that's not. Not taking anything away from his goal scoring record. But it was incredible to watch the. The frequency with which he. Which he took and scored pens, almost Kane, like in how emphatic he takes them. But, yeah, broader point. They were crying out for a center forward that really let them down last season playing Havertz there worked to a point, then Havertz gets the injury. So, yeah, I'm fascinated to see whether he ends up being that kind of difference maker at the top of the pitch.
- [10:31]
B
All right, so Mikel Arteta, then Tim, he's got to sort out who's going to take the pens out of Saka and Yokerez, by the sounds of it. People saying it's Premier League or bust for him this time around. He's been in situ for a while. He's won the FA Cup. They got to the Champions League semis last season. Does he have to go that one step further to be in position for 26, 27?
- [10:52]
D
I don't think so. Because the competition's so fierce at the top. You can't say you have to beat this Liverpool team or this man City team or he's not the man for Arsenal. But I do think they get into the sort of trophy or bust stage. I think Arteta sort of surprisingly, I don't know how much this was picked up, but he sort of said that himself in May. Remember, he was asked about links with Rodrigo at the time and he was kind of saying, look, this is where we're at now. We've been links with Rodrigo.
- [11:19]
C
Want to win major trophies, you have.
- [11:21]
B
To be the best in the market.
- [11:22]
C
Because you need the teams that win.
- [11:25]
B
Have the best players always.
- [11:28]
C
At this level.
- [11:29]
D
So once you get to that level and once you got to the level he's brought them up to, you have to win a major trophy. And you look at them since they've become a force, which is sort of what, sort of three years ago, eight English clubs have won a trophy in that time, obviously City, Liverpool, United, Palace, Newcastle, West Ham, Chelsea and Spurs. That's a lot of clubs that won a trophy and Arsenal haven't. So I do think they need to tick that box and become winners because they'll get a tag for being sort of serial runners up. And football's all about winning. It's not about finishing second every year and qualifying for Champions League. But look, I think they've had a great summer. He asked for firepower. He said they couldn't rely on the sort of squad and players that they've had before. So, you know, the recruitment team and the board have responded. They've given him what he wanted. That means he sort of runs out of excuses if they don't sort of achieve what they need to this season. So, yeah, they've got the number nine. I think Zubamendi is a huge party upgrade and will help them at both ends of the pitch and they're well equipped when the inevitable sort of injuries come. So I do think they're well placed to sort of end that trophy drought this season. And I do think they'll be close in the Premier League as well.
- [12:33]
B
All right, well, we'll see what kind of major trophy counts as a major trophy, I guess. Now the Athletic have asked several of our writers, including both the chaps, to goes into their metaphorical crystal balls and have their say on how the season will play out. Stu, you've got Amarim down as the manager Most under pressure. So how long has he got to turn it around and, and how beneficial for him is it going to be that he doesn't have to juggle Europe and the Premier League this season? You know, we saw that with Antonio Conte, didn't we, a number of years ago? If you've got the three weeks on the training ground, surely, surely that's going to help him.
- [13:05]
C
Yeah, the good days are coming. That's what he said at the end of last season after beating Villa on the final day. I was at Old Trafford for that match. He gave a really impressive speech, actually. I always think he is a really good talker. Obviously he needs to be a really good manager, Matt. Fundamentally, that's the most important thing. But during that speech, he apologized to supporters. He said it had been a disastrous season. I mean, it is astonishing when you look back at the stats. They won seven out of 27 Premier League games under him last season. You know, you could easily say he was fortunate not to really go during that period of time. And obviously came out in January. Remarkable quote where he said, I think this is maybe the worst Man United team in history. I do really admire his honesty, but as I think I wrote in the piece and to. To bring Mick McCarthy into it. Tim, it can't go on like this, Reuben. It can. He has to deliver results now, Matt, and the Europe side of it is really interesting. I have two or several schools of thought on this, really. Yes, he's fundamentally a coach and this will give him the opportunity now to work on the training ground day in, day out and get across all his ideas, as he should have done during pre season anyway, obviously. But without that distraction of European football, which makes it so hard, I think, to get into any quality coaching work. But the other side of it is he's now going to have difficulties, I think, keeping everyone in the squad happy. You know, those games in Europe can be really useful for the fringe players. And so that will be. That will be a challenge for them. I think they have a tough start, a really tough start. We're talking about, obviously, the opening day. Beyond that, they also play Chelsea and Man City in the first five games. They play Liverpool two by the middle of October. So he's gonna have to hit the ground running really Now, I don't think, to answer your question, how long has he got? I don't think if they get off to a terrible start in those first five games, he's going to lose his job. But in my mind, by the end of the year, you know we're talking end of December here, not end of the season. There would have to be signs evidence of significant improvement at United. They've spent big this summer. Who knows if they'll end up doing any more business. But I think he has to at that period of time, you know, and when I say significant improvement, they were 15th last season. I'm not talking being 11th or 12th, I'm talking being around six, seventh in the table. So I think he's got to deliver. The fans have been incredibly patient. It would be interesting to see how long that lasts if they get off to a poll start.
- [15:30]
B
So, like Arsenal, Tim, United have strengthened in attack. We've spoken a bit about jokers already and how Stu didn't see this coming when he was underwhelming at Swansea. Just wonder who you think who is more likely to have a bigger impact quicker out of Jocherez or one of United's new attackers? Cunha and Burmo and Shesco, obviously. Cunha and Imberma already Premier League ready.
- [15:54]
D
Yeah, but it's never easy to throw a new forward line together. You know, the three of them will need quite a few games to get on each other's wavelengths and Amari will need to sort them out positionally and how they combine with the wing backs and how they combine with Bruno Fernandes. So there's a. So, you know, you wouldn't expect a sort of a brand new front line to sort of hit the ground running. I think Jokerz is better placed to do that with the service he'll inevitably get at Arsenal. He's a fascinating player. He's one of the most interesting to sort of watch this season and also to judge how well he's going to do. Because the Portuguese League, obviously his goal record is amazing, but the Portuguese League, if you look at sort of beyond the top three and four, it gets to championship standard quite quickly. And if you look at the sort of Opta, sort of power rankings, they would judge the sort of bottom end of the Portuguese League to be League two standard. So, yes, the goal record's amazing and it's obviously not going to replicate that in the Premier League. But his international record's good, his Champions League record's good. He obviously scored those goals against Man City, So I think 20 goals is a realistic target for him. And Arsenal haven't had that from a striker since Aubameyang, So that makes him a game changer if he can do that. My only concern with Arsenal is they seem to find a way to mess things up every year, whether that's viral, like injuries or some bad recruitment or something seem seems to go wrong. So it's kind of hard to predict that they've sort of nailed it and they'll definitely win the league this year. But you can't argue with what they've done in the transfer market and I think in Zubamendi and Gyokeres they bought exactly what they needed to and they're padded out the squad. Like I said earlier, there's sort of no excuses for Arteta really. It's time to deliver now after quite a few years of building up to where they've got to now. They've got great foundations and you kind of hope for them that this summer's the one that sort of gets them over the line.
- [17:30]
B
It's a nice balanced transfer business it feels like for Arsenal then Stu United. 200 million quid splash lashed out on forwards, but have their issues in midfield gone unresolved? And are we going to see those writ large on Sunday given that they're going to be facing Zuba, Vendy, Rice and Nerdegaard?
- [17:46]
C
Yeah, this is like how I pick my fantasy football team, Matt. You just front, load everything right, put all your money there, don't worry about anything else. All out attack. It's really interesting issue and a big area of concern on the face of it. Connor o' Neill wrote a really fascinating piece for the Athletic the other day talking about the way United play, the importance of the center backs and build ups, the significance of the number nine, what Amrun expects from that player, and as part of that piece as well, he also addressed the midfield and obviously the formation that we know. Amren's really wedded to this 3, 4, 2, 1. It places huge strain on those two central midfielders. So there's the capacity and we saw this a lot last season for sure for those two players to get overrun. Bruno Fernandes has been amazing for United States for a number of years now. He's almost carried the team at times through these difficult periods. I still don't think though, he's a natural fit for that position. I'd arguably say he's better a little bit further forward. He could be one of the tens and then who'd you play alongside him? You know, I find it difficult to believe that Casemiro is the answer there. I don't even think the other options United have are good enough to play that role. Hence obviously their interest in signing Carlos Beliba, which doesn't look like it will happen because Brighton are adamant they're going to hold on to him for another season. So that area of the pitch for me is a real worry and, you know, you think they're going to come up against on on Sunday, Tim's talked about the quality of, you know, Martin Zubamenda. You've got Rice, you've got Erdogaard. That would be a real challenge for United, I think. And I also think there are other areas the team. Tim touched on this earlier. I don't think it's just midfield, it's a concern. I'm surprised they haven't replaced the goalkeeper. I think Onana is still a worry and also defensively too, they'll miss Lisandro Martinez and yeah, I think there's still a lot of areas of that United squad team that need improving. So while I said I think they can't have got the capacity to do a lot better this season, they're a long way off, a long way off Top four territory.
- [19:42]
B
All right. It's a fascinating game in prospect on Sunday. Now, Tim, the reason I've been given this gig this season, I think is because I'm not afraid to ask the difficult questions and just spring them on people. Two well groomed managers, I think, in Reuben Amari and Mikel Arteta. Just wondering if I had to push you to say who spends longer in front of the mirror and who spends more money on their personal grooming you go for. Because I kind of feel like Amarim's trying to make it look like, oh, yeah, yeah, I just got out of bed kind of look. But actually that takes a while to perfect. Whereas Arteta, quick spray of the hairspray, get everything set in place, not one of those is moving for the entire season and you're good to go. Is that how you see it?
- [20:19]
D
It's not a quick spray though, is it? I think that takes a while. Do you know, I was watching an episode, I watched an episode of Thunderbirds the other day. For some reason it popped up on my YouTube and I did think of Michael Arteta in that sort of vibe. So I don't know. That's a fascinating question. You'd have to ask the Athletics, Sam Lee or Charlie Eccleshare because they both bear a striking resemblance to Ruben Amarim in many ways. Probably Arteta, I think, takes longer. It's a great question. We need to get you into more press conferences, Matt, because these are the kind of questions that managers just love.
- [20:50]
C
You know, just to come in on this, Matt, I mean, I was reading the Q and A that Laurie Whitwell did the other day, our Man United reporter. And someone asked Laurie in the Q and A, how much do you spend on your hair Each month? Month? 70 pound was the answer for all those wondering. And this really astonished me. He said he has his hair cut three times a month. I mean, I, I couldn't believe that. Three times a month.
- [21:14]
B
I mean, that's quite common in the world of football. I feel like it's great. But mainly sort of younger players. Yeah, I would say, I mean, oh, oh, to, to have that much hair, to have it cut three times a month. Look, this is a kind of deep dive and, and analytical quality that you can expect in this podcast throughout the season. I'm. Go on then, Stu. Tell me who's going to win the game on Sunday.
- [21:33]
C
I go for Arsenal. 2 1.
- [21:35]
D
Tim, 32 Arsenal.
- [21:36]
B
All right, one all draw all day for me, as we'll hear shortly. As we've mentioned then, the Athletics annual hopeometer asking readers to gauge how optimistic they feel about their respective clubs is back. Manchester United fans feeling more hopeful than those on the red side of North London, albeit it's tight. 86% to 84%, their fifth and seventh in the table, respectively. Next, when you get into the side sitting bottom, this is the Athletic FC.
- [22:04]
D
Podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [22:07]
B
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. Alex Boyes is with me to look ahead to Manchester United versus Arsenal. Alex, welcome. How you feeling ahead of the return of the Premier League and ahead of the return of your boys to the Premier League League.
- [22:25]
D
That's right.
- [22:26]
E
Well, welcome back to you too as well, Mike. It's so exciting, isn't it? Match day one is here. The buzz around the Betfair offices probably been replicated other at the Athletic as well. And you know, now we know what we're up to on weekends. You know, I don't know about you, but it's always tough to fill those Saturday afternoons in the summer. And I'm not sure my partner will sort of forgive me for saying that, but she knew, she knew what she was getting into, didn't she, Matt?
- [22:45]
B
And is she happy as you are that Leeds United are back amongst the the top flight contenders this season?
- [22:51]
E
Ah, she is. It means a much happier household. She won't see me very much on Monday, so I've got the day off work to do the full tour of Leeds before going to Elham Road on Monday night against Everton. So, yeah, very much can't wait for that. But a big game on Sunday, before.
- [23:04]
B
We get to that, actually, there surely is. And we have a new charity Bet Builder segment this season. Talk us through how this is going to work, if you would, please, Alex.
- [23:13]
E
Yeah, this is really exciting. All the proceeds are for Cancer Research UK as well, which is brilliant charity and essentially we're going to put up three legs in a bet builder every week between us. And those selections are going to comprise of my selection, your selection, and then the punter selection, which is basically what is the most popular pick going into the game from the Vetfair punters from the Vetfair Sportsbook. And we'll wrap that up into a nice bet builder and hopefully win some decent money for Cancer Research UK this season. So if you want, Matt, you could just kick us off with your first leg.
- [23:43]
D
All right.
- [23:43]
B
Well, we're full of optimism ahead of the new season, looking forward to a goal laden Premier League campaign. Therefore, my pick is for there to be under two and a half goals in Sunday's game at Old Trafford. There's some logic behind it though, Alex. It's landed in each of Man United's last two home league games last season. So, yeah, that's my pick for this week. As slightly negative as it is, I.
- [24:05]
E
Know, but I do think those match day one opening games, they are a bit cagey. I think these two managers as well, they can't really afford to lose this one. I know that sounds a bit dramatic already, but they've got to get off on that front foot, haven't they? And I've gone for the draw. They played 211 draws last season, these two, they had three games, one in the FA cup as well as the two league games. So the under 2.5 brings nil, nil and 11 into play for us. So I've gone for the draw and then the punter selection that we're putting in there is Victor Gokarez to have a shot on target. The new man, the star man, he scored what, 68 goals in 66 league games in his time at Sporting. And he arrives here with a huge weight on his shoulders, doesn't he, to lead the line for Arsenal. He's got that number 14 shirt, he's the punter's pick going into this one. And if we roll those three selections into our charity bet builder, we're getting odds of around 6 to 1. So our 50 pound charity stake will return us 350 pound for Cancer Research UK which will be a great start to our season, wouldn't it? And don't forget this is great because we're protected by our brand new safe sub at betfeather season. So if our player picks, which in this case is Victor Gyokeres is subbed off, our bet is not over yet. The oncoming player takes the mantle. So if Kai Havertz for example who came on and scored in the last friendly comes on for Gukares, then we'll have to cheer for the German if Gokarez hasn't done so already. So safe subs available All Premier League all Champions League games from the group stage as well this season, plus plenty of other competitions. There are selected markets and T's and C's apply but head to the sportsbook for full details. But that's really exciting I think for our opening weekend to have that in place for us as well.
- [25:38]
B
Magnificent. Let's hope we can get off to a winning start. Many thanks Alex. We'll speak to you again next week.
- [25:43]
D
This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [25:48]
B
Back then to the Athletics Hope O Meter and the fan bases that are feeling the most gloomy about this season are Newcastle United's just 19% of supporters feeling optimistic. I'm amazed at this Tim. I mean I know the narrative has been that they've lost the transfer window already, but they did actually win a trophy last season and qualified for the Champions League. I mean the big issue obviously is Isaac and and who's going to play up front for them this weekend. Anthony Elanga did do it for Forest toward the end of last season, but that's the big issue to resolve, right?
- [26:18]
D
I mean they didn't sign anyone last summer and they had the best season in their, well, arguably the best season ever since, you know, they won a trophy. I think that survey was probably taken in the midst of the Isaac meltdown. I think if you'd done it a sort of a week or so later they signed Malik Dior, they're getting Ramsey from Villa Liverpool. Haven't come back in with another Isak Beard as far as we're all aware. I think Anthony Langa is a really good addition for them by the way, which has sort of maybe gone unnoticed a little bit this summer. As much as a 55 million pound signing can go unnoticed. I think he's perfect for their style of attack and really offers the competition that they didn't have last year. I guess Newcastle fans are also concerned that there's not enough of that competition now that they're back in the Champions League. But it could have been worse for them. You know, they haven't lost any first team as again, if you go back a year. They lost Elliot Anderson and Minto to Brighton. They haven't lost Eddie. How they've kept on to Bruno Guimarae. So I thought they'd be more interesting this summer. Ditto Sandro Tonali. I think those two with Joe Linton's one of the best midfields in the league, but they've kept them together. Livermento stayed. I think he was another one that people were looking, might, might move on in the summer. He was linked with Manchester City. So if Isaacs does stay, which looks more likely by the day, and they get a couple more additions in, they'll be sort of looking up again. They could do with a defender. I think Botman is injury prone and Fabian share and Burn. I'm not, not hugely convinced by them certainly in sort of Champions League terms. And they obviously need a striker with Callum Wilson gone. But you know, the annoying thing about previewing Everybody's season on August 15th is the transfer winner's still got two weeks left. And I think, I think a lot of change for a lot of clubs that we're talking about and you'd put Newcastle in that bracket. I know they haven't got much wriggle room with their finances, but you'd expect a couple of additions and if Isaac stays, then yeah, things will be much.
- [28:00]
C
More positive of just coming in on that matter moment. On what Tim said there, I agree. I mean, someone, a sporting director said to me the other day, as he put it, if Newcastle drop the anchor now, the squad would look really good. Obviously that's meaning that Isaac will end up staying and I do still think that's a possibility. And if he stays, I believe that how will be able to reintegrate him. No, it's a World cup year. I think if he ended up being at the club when that window closes, he'll wear a Newcastle shirt again. And this isn't for me, like, I mean, I was amazed how optimistic Brentford fans are. They weren't high in the survey, but for me, I look at them, they've lost their goalkeeper, right, their captain and they've lost their top scorer and they've also lost the head coach, you know. So for me, you know, Newcastle, unfortunately, they've been rejected by a lot of players this summer and that's created a very negative narrative. And the Isaac situation is Just a bombshell, you know, so I get all of that. But the team that performed brilliantly last season, that's still there and they have made a couple of additions, as Tim said. So maybe it's not as bad as it all seems. I certainly don't think there's any possibility they let Isaac go without having what they believe is a really top replacement.
- [29:11]
B
Well, if you want to hear more on what's been a tumultuous transfer window so far for the tune Army, I'd heartily recommend having a listen to Tuesday's episode of the Athletic FC Eddie Houseside heading to Villa park in the early kickoff on Saturday. Stu Villa have also had a bit of an uncertain summer. They've still got Ollie Watkins, though. Opportunity for him to become the main man again. I mean, if indeed he ever wasn't, what turn the clock back 12 months ago was him and John Duran kind of scrapping it out, wasn't it? But he quickly saw him off. Expecting another decent season from Watkins?
- [29:43]
C
I am, yeah. I did think he might well move this summer. Matt, you know, he was unhappy at times last season. The second half last season was a difficult one for him. You know, if you think back to those, those PSG games, he was left out of the starting lineup for both and he was really unhappy about that. And he made it clear he was unhappy about that. He came out and said that he was fuming and he. He let that be known to Unai Emery. There was interest from United this summer. Part of me wondered if Newcastle might come in, but I think Villa are pretty strong in their message that they're not going to let him go, which is understandable. He's scored double figures in the Premier league the last five seasons. You look at his stats last season, 24 goals and assists. There's only two strikers, Haaland and Isaac, who had a better that. So yeah, he'll be leading the line for Villa. It has been a bit of a frustrating summer for them. Kind of dominated by PSR and the UEFA financial regulations too, which are obviously curtailing what they can do. But again, you know, they've kept together a really good squad. I think he's one of those people, ollie Watkins, he's 29 now. He should be in his absolute prime. I think, you know, Villa fans can hang their hat on him. They know they've got a number nine who is guaranteed to probably score them, you know, 15 goals next season season.
- [30:53]
B
All right, well, elsewhere the side that top the hope Ometer are the world champions. Chelsea 98% of their fans feeling positive about this season. They start against Crystal palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Surprised that Chelsea supporters are feeling so good about things and where are you on a title challenge for them? Are they going to be close this time or is the Club World cup going to catch up with them? Their keeper who is suspect and the fact that, that their main defender you would argue is going to miss the entirety of the season.
- [31:23]
C
Yeah, it's a weird one in it. Chelsea I don't think go back to the turn of the year. I guess no one would have seen 98% of Chelsea fans feeling like, yeah, the glass was this full kind of thing. Anyway, they had an amazing end to last season, the never ending season. I think they won 14 of the last 16 games including, you know, obviously that unexpected Club World cup triumph. Made some good signings. Joe Pedro, you know, really hit the ground running. Excellent in the Club World cup. Been good in pre season two. Can they get Cole Palmer back to playing how he was in the first half of last season? He's looked good in pre season. Really exciting in terms of the young Brazilian Esteba, what he brings to the team. Him and Palmer were really good against Leverkusen the other day in the preseason game. So you know, an awful lot to be upbeat about there. Yes, Caldwell's injuries a blow. You know, I was looking at that thinking okay, you could do with a left sided center half. I know he's not left footed but he plays left sided center half a lot. Mark Gerhe who was obviously at Chelsea would feel like an ideal replacement. I mentioned that to someone the other day and they said to me they've got more than enough replacements in that squad as it is, which is true. Depth clearly not a problem. The one thing you might say I guess is do they have the experience? It's still a very young team, young squad and that for me would just mean I see them is definitely, you know, strong top four candidates. I'd expect Chelsea to be top four but I don't see them as title contenders yet.
- [32:45]
B
Yeah, fascinating season. I was at both those pre season games against Leverkusen and AC Milan and Chelsea look good but Leverkusen were terrible and AC Milan had a player sent off after about 20 minutes. So difficult to know how much you can read into that Comcast business high five hotline.
- [33:05]
D
I signed my business up for the.
- [33:06]
C
Five year price lock guarantee and I can't stop high fiving people.
- [33:11]
D
That's perfectly natural when you sign up.
- [33:12]
B
For gig speed, Internet and advanced security locked in at a great rate for five years.
- [33:16]
A
Really?
- [33:17]
C
That's great news. High five everybody.
- [33:18]
B
The Comcast business 5 year price lock.
- [33:21]
D
Guarantee is back, but only for a limited time.
- [33:23]
C
Sign up today ends 92125 for new.
- [33:26]
D
Customers with qualifying bundles.
- [33:27]
C
Current customer eligibility varies by service and area.
- [33:29]
A
Guaranteed rate applies to monthly service charge.
- [33:31]
C
Excluding taxes and fees.
- [33:32]
D
Other restrictions apply. This is Car Tracks with Turtle Wax.
- [33:38]
C
Your car says a lot about you.
- [33:40]
D
So if we asked your car what.
- [33:42]
B
It would say about what would it say?
- [33:44]
D
Listen, you dropped one of those tiny cheeseburgers under the seat like last week and now we're both dry heaving at the stench. Do us a favor, grab some Turtle Wax and let's get to work. This has been Car Tracks with Turtle Wax. You are how you car.
- [34:03]
A
This is Rose. Rose's flight is delayed again at the end.
- [34:08]
C
At this point she has walked the.
- [34:09]
A
Entire terminal twice and has memorized every.
- [34:12]
D
News headline on the airport tv. All she really wants to do is take off.
- [34:19]
A
Good thing Rose has a library of.
- [34:21]
D
Free ebooks with Prime.
- [34:23]
A
Suddenly she's chasing bad guys, kissing hot.
- [34:25]
D
Vampires, solving murders, you know, living her best life. Free ebooks library. It's on Prime Foreign.
- [34:38]
B
This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair. As I say, Tim, it's the community Shield winners Crystal palace on Sunday to kick off the campaign for Chelsea. I can't work out whether palace are happy or sad. I'm not sure if I'm allowed an opinion on this as a Forest fan now that we are mortal enemies. But no trophies for ages. Then two come along at once. But also they've been bumped down to the Conference League and it looks like Guy's going maybe as a two. Where are Crystal Palace? Another team really difficult to predict this season, I'd suggest, I think that.
- [35:11]
D
I think they're at the high point of their existence for a lot of fans who are just trying to make the most of it and enjoy it while it lasts. I mean, it's been a hell of a few months. Admin Summer it's such a shame, you know, that their first time in Europe ever is sort of hugely overshadowed. I was at the cup final and and it was one of the most joyous sporting occasions I've ever been to in my whole life. The purity of their celebrations was you could just feel it. You couldn't help but get involved in it. It just meant everything to them. And the videos that went viral afterwards of fans just sobbing their hearts out. So to go from that to being disappointed with where they're at. I bet palace fans probably wish, you know, the rules had been changed a year ago and you know, the cup winners just go straight into the Conference League and that's just the thing, you know, and then they wouldn't have cared. Then they just go and enjoy their summer knowing that they're in Europe. But it will feel like a disappointment. And yeah, you look at the lists, as I'm sure you have extensively, Matt. You look at the teams that are in the Europa League compared to the teams that are in the Conference League. Again, as you know from, from covering Chelsea last season, it's, you know, it's the equivalent to sort of, you know, Liverpool and Swansea kind of thing. Sorry, Stu. So there's a big difference. I had to do it, mate. So again, like many clubs, the next two weeks sort of defines them. Nobody's gone yet. You mentioned Eze and Gray. They haven't gone yet. They brought in Borna Sosa from Ajax. I think it's a really smart addition at wing back. But again, like Newcastle, if they do somehow manage to keep their team together, you know, Mateta and Eze and Sar and Kamada and their wing backs are such an attacking threat. I'm expecting a really big season from Adam Wharton. He was sort of hampered a little bit. He had that groin problem last year that hampered the start of his season. He was playing with it and then he either had surgery or recuperation and sort of dented his season a little bit. But honestly, you know, as you guys know, he's one of the most gifted sort of talented footballers that England has. He can run any game on his own and I'm really looking forward to watching him do that this season. I think, you know, a run in the Conference League which you'd expect them to go very deep in that and sort of mid table again. Again, you'd expect that from them. I think that'd be a fantastic season for them and I think it's definitely within their, within their grasp to do that.
- [37:12]
B
Yeah. Could be another memorable campaign for them. We shall see. Maybe not quite so fun for the promot sides. Thursday's episode of the Athletic FC podcast was focused on whether or not the three that have come up can avoid going straight back down again. Burnley's first test is a trip to Spurs. Spurs. Tim, obviously a club that you know pretty well. How do you think Thomas Frank's going to adapt to the step up in the size of the club if not most recent league placing? What impact will the midweek super cup defeat have. And what did you make of his analogy about the operation being a success but the patient dying? I'm still trying to get my head around that.
- [37:50]
D
I1 yeah, my. My dad's a doctor. I don't think he was. I think he was too impressed with that. There's no. No success involved there. So, yeah, no, I was really impressed with them in midweek, just the fact that they had a plan. You know, he had a match plan. He said he'd been thinking about it since the Bayern Munich friendly, of how they were going to take it on and went 3, 5, 2 and whatever. Very different to last season where, you know, if you. If you believe what Eric Dyer says, you know, postecoglou didn't do tactics and just had one plan for the season which obviously unraveled in the league, certainly. So, yeah, the frank thing's really interesting to me. I don't know if you guys remember last season, he was linked to the Man United job and he did a few interviews around that time and he said he wasn't sure he'd like it and not because of Man United and the way they are, but he was sort of. He was happy at Brentford in his life, he was happy. He's happy with this work life balance, I think he was talking about, and happy with his family life and at Man United. He might not be able to still have those things and be able to keep on top of that. And happiness is the most important thing to him, which you don't really hear managers talk about that and going to Spurs. I mean, the guy's been a manager for 12 years. He's been at Bromby and Brentford to go to Tottenham, that's a huge leap. He also said recently how everything was seamless at Brentford in terms of sort of recruitment and they were all on the same page. He won't be having that at Tottenham. You know, he'll be dealing with all sorts in terms of, like, personalities, egos, different people making decisions sort of above his head that he would have expected to have made at Brentford. He'll have less control. There'll be egos in the dressing room and then the expectations at spurs, you know, just at spurs, full stop, but certainly on the back of finally ending their trophy drought and him being the man to replace the man who delivered that. So I really hope it works out for him, but there'll be an adjustment period for sure. He's got a great young team. It won't be hard for him to improve on 17th, but he'll need a bit. I think he'll need a bit of time and need a bit of patience and I just hope he gets that at spurs because, yeah, it'll be very different to what he's used to. Yeah.
- [39:42]
B
And Burnley at home to start with either the ideal fixture or an absolutely classic spurs banana ski. We shall see. It is a bumper opening weekend stretches from Friday to Monday when Leeds host Everton in the Dominic Calvert Lewin Classico. It's Sunderland versus West Ham United as the Stadium of Light hosts top flight football for the first time since 2017. Stuart wasn't surprised to see West Ham in the relegation zone of the Athletics Hope O meter at the Hammersit third bottom in said table. You can understand why, can't you? And there's lots of pressure on Graham Potter to start positively because he didn't massively improve on what Julian Lopetegui was offering in terms of points and results.
- [40:24]
C
Agree with all of that, Matt. Yeah, that's where we would have anticipated West Ham fans would see their optimism gauge at this point. I just feel like the club's drifting, not drifting towards the bottom three in the table and a threat of relegation, but it's drifting into kind of nothingness, really. Yeah. I was there on the opening day last season actually, when they played Villa and it had a different vibe then. I'm not saying everyone was thinking this is going to be a terrific season, but they'd spent a fair bit in the summer and there was. There was a kind of. Yeah, definitely a little bit of anticipation about what they were going to see and it was actually quite flat. They lost to Villa that day. I feel like that set the tone for what followed, really. I guess the good news is Jarrod Bowen is still there. You know, West Ham without Jarrod Bowen is kind of unthinkable, really. They've signed the Leicester goalkeeper Matt Samanson as well, which I really good addition. They haven't done a lot else that makes you think, yeah, West Ham are going to kick on this season. So in my mind that puts a lot on Potter and I think there was a lot on him. Anyway, as you said, results weren't that impressive after he took over. I think Graham is like a. He's. He's a builder, he needs time. So him coming in during the season, and you could perhaps draw comparison here with Ruben Amren as well. It's not ideal. You know, he wants to work with players day in, day out on the training ground. Now, he would have had that time during preseason. So I think the very least you'd hope to see now is a West Ham team playing his way, playing with a clear identity. Now that needs to happen for West Ham. It also needs to happen for Graham Potter I think too. I think he's an outstanding coach. He obviously had a difficult time at Chelsea then a long time out the game and as you said, it hasn't started brilliantly for him at West Ham. So yeah, really interesting to see, to see how they do this season. But a lot of our older, more experienced players have gone. It feels like a transitional time and I think an awful lot will depend on, on the usual suspects. And by that I mean Jared Bowen.
- [42:17]
B
Really lots of comparisons. Tim, I think with Everton and West Ham. Transitional season. They're always having a transitional season, aren't they? They brought in a manager midway through the campaign last time around as well, albeit David Moyes. They knew what they were getting from him and vice versa. What have you made of, of their summer? Ahead of the game at Elham Road on Monday night, Jack Grealish feels like quite a nice fit club wise. Not sure about him and David Moyes but yeah, interested to see how that one works.
- [42:44]
D
I think he's a good fit city wise. I've had some great nights out in Liverpool over the years. There was a bar there that only sold tequila. I had a great night there. It was like 200 flavors of tequila. So yeah, Jack's probably been already. But yeah, I think like, you know, Moyes has probably mellowed out a little bit over the years and Grealish has probably grown up a bit over the years. So I think there's, there's a bit of middle ground there and he, and he works damn hard on the pitch. One of the most exciting signings of the, of the summer actually. If he gets that kind of main character role that he did at Villa then, then you could see him roll back the years. You know, I think he's motivated as well in the World cup year. He's got every chance of sneaking back into that England squad. And Everton, yeah, they're, it's hard to call again but you know, we, we talk about the middle, the middle pack of the Premier League, some of them dealing with Europe this season for the first time and maybe not strengthen their squads as much as, as we would have expected. Everton are one of those that have got a chance to really sort of leapfrog a few places up, up the table. Maybe sneaky push for the top half. You know, you look at, at Grealish obviously being a great addition. Adding that to Ilaman and Gyo. That was great last year. One of the sort of underrated players of the season. Jewsbury hall looks like a really good addition to me. Had a cracking debut against Roma last weekend and Friendly. They're still looking at bringing in Tyler Dibling who obviously hugely talented player. Still got McNeil, Carlos Alcarez has come in and then you got this sort of solid base of Tarkowski and Branthwaite. It's a better back two than my most Premier League teams can offer. Certainly the ones that they'll be competing with. And Pickford obviously in goal, they do have an issue with a goal scorer. I mean Tierno Barry's come in from Villarreal. I think he scored 11 last season in La Liga. It's sort of him or better up front. I don't think there's a huge amount to choose between them, which is a slight concern and obviously the new stadium dynamic, we'll see how that plays out. But if you look at the strength of the team and the squad compared to Fulham and Brentford, who are the teams they're looking to catch, I think Everton have got a stronger hand, to be honest, and we should see that them have a pretty decent season. Hopefully.
- [44:45]
A
As you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM this season we'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offers for our listeners each week. If you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code TheAthletic. Make your first deposit of at least ten dollars. Place your first bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic. See betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem call 1-800- gambler available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text HOPE NY 467369 in New York, call 1-800- NEXT STEP in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 in Massachusetts, 1, 800, bets off in Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan, 1, 800-981-0023 in Puerto Rico first bet offer for New customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Don't forget if you haven't signed up for BEDMGM yet, use bonus code the Athletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus a up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager.
- [45:58]
D
Thanks for selling your car to Carvana. Here's your check.
- [46:01]
B
Whoa.
- [46:01]
D
When did I get here? What do you mean?
- [46:03]
A
I swear it was just moments ago that I accepted a great offer from Carvana online.
- [46:07]
D
I must have time traveled to the future. It was just moments ago.
- [46:10]
B
We do same day pickup.
- [46:11]
D
Here's your check for that great offer.
- [46:13]
A
It is the future. It's.
- [46:16]
D
It's the present and just the convenience of Carvana. Sorry to blow your mind. Mind, it's all good.
- [46:20]
A
Happens all the time. Sell your car the convenient way to Carvana. Pickup times may vary and fees may apply.
- [46:28]
C
Trying to plan a trip and already.
- [46:30]
B
Need a vacation from it?
- [46:31]
C
EF Ultimate Break makes group travel easy and affordable for anyone 18 to 35. Everything's handled from accommodation to daily breakfasts to an expert. Tour director will show you the local secrets. Go island hopping in Greece, eat your way through Tokyo or take your pick from over 120 trips perfectly planned for.
- [46:48]
B
Your kind of adventure and with flexible interest free payments.
- [46:51]
C
You can book now and pay overtime.
- [46:53]
B
Just head to Efub Co Travel, fill out your info and get $100 off your first trip. This is the Athletic FC podcast proudly sponsored by Betfair. Now you can go back and listen to Monday's episode of the Athletic FC to find out whether Liverpool are still the team to beat this. On Friday night they host Bournemouth. Bournemouth who lost Kepa, Milos Kirkz, Dean Heisen, Ilia Zabanyi and Dango Watara could be next. David Ornstein of the Athletic reporting that Brentford had agreed a club record 37 million pound deal for the summer. Nice for Brentford to kind of flip the script a bit Tim, because they're one of the teams that have had talent plundered just like Bournemouth. Are we expecting therefore, as you mentioned earlier, the gap to grow between the top and some of the mid table sides? It's almost like those, those big 6ish clubs were quite affronted by the fact that some teams had the temerity to challenge them last season.
- [47:53]
D
Yeah, I think so. And they all got their business done early. If you look at City and Liverpool, Arsenal as well, Chelsea obviously with the club World cup window they sort of felt they had to make those additions early. But yeah, it Feels like the rest of the league are sort of having to play catch up, you know, further down the food chain. And you look at Villa and Newcastle, obviously hamstrung by psr, not strengthening a huge amount. Villa have arguably got a weaker squad at the moment. Definitely concern for them. Forest and palace going to have a real challenge to sort of combine Europe. And then Fulham. No additions. It does look like the top four have sort of stretched out from the rest of the pack. It's hard to see anyone else piercing into that, that top four. So. Yeah, which makes it slightly less predictable this season.
- [48:34]
B
You feeling the same, Stu? What about the likes of Forest? Who Tim mentions one goal in seven preseason games for them. Nuno saying he's very worried for Fulham. No business whatsoever. Brighton taking a chance on a couple of players. Is this likely to be a season where the traditionally strong get stronger?
- [48:52]
C
Yeah, I think so. Their transfer activity has been really interesting. Matt. You know, when I was sort of analyzing who Newcastle missed out on and you think, you know, there were these suggestions that Newcastle was sort of shopping in the wrong supermarket. And then you look and see the top clubs were all kind of. Of taking the best players from, you know, that. That kind of layer beneath the top six really. It's been a curious window in that respect. A lot of domestic signings and obviously naturally that's led to those teams losing their best players. And then it puts huge pressure on them to go and do what Brighton are brilliant at and go and find in a replacement, you know, who's the next. Joao Pedro, I think. You know, for. For Brentford. Really, really tough. So, you know, the coach is a big part of that too. Of course I think it would be difficult for Keith Andrews. A lot of people are probably writing him off. You know, hopefully he proves a lot of us wrong. I feel sorry for Bournemouth. I really do. You know, what a fantastic season last season. You know, they've lost virtually their entire defense. When I looked at the supporters who feel most pessimistic about the season ahead, you know, it all made sense to me really. I know Tim, bless him. Your Wolves team is one of those. And you know, a lot of these clubs like Fulham haven't been active in the transfer market, you know, and if you do stand still like that, you kind of fear for them in a way that probably gives hope. Well, not probably. It definitely gives hope to the three promoted teams who typically we've been writing off, you know, for good reason the last two seasons. They've obviously gone straight back down again. Yeah, it's interesting, the old optimism, pessimism. When I looked In Ipswich fans, 89% of them were optimistic last season at this time. Well, they won four games all season, so who knows what it would look like, I guess. But yeah, it's hard to see anything other than those top four pulling away from the rest of the league. And that's not really a good thing, is it?
- [50:46]
B
No, you wouldn't have thought so. Expect Manchester City to be in and around that top four. They go to Wolves in Saturday's late game. Tim, this is your specialist subject. What's the mood like in Wolverhampton and also in your house as regard Wolves this season. The Exhale said it all.
- [51:06]
D
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I could just leave it as a sound effect, really. We knew Kunya was going to go in the summer and he went nice and early, which was Great. Went on June 1st and then a nori followed a few days later. So 100 million in the bank before the club World Cup. Wolfsfan sort of expecting that that's going to be invested pretty quickly. They weren't surprising sales, you know, but they dragged their heels and they've probably bought inferior replacements, I think. I mean, Kunya's replacement, John Arias is an absolutely fascinating player and I think he'll be a lot of fun, but in terms of end product, his career history sort of suggests that he won't. He won't replace the fantastic numbers that Kunya put up last season, which is a slight concern. They've signed David Muller Wolf at left back, who's.
- [51:50]
B
What a name that is. By the way.
- [51:51]
D
Got the best name imaginable. Yeah. John De Wolfe's one of my favorite Wolves players ever. So we've finally found a natural successor and he's got a Wolf's tattoo too, so I'm very optimistic about him and getting a shirt with his name on the back. So, yeah, I think Wolves will probably stay up. I think the spine that they've got. Any of the promoted teams would love those players. You know, Jose Sar in goal, a dependable, experienced goalkeeper. Emmanuel Agbadoo at the back, who's sort of one of the standout signings of the last January window, had a great second half of the season. They've still got Jomez and Andre in midfield, really dynamic, tough tackling, Brazilian central midfield partnership. And they've got a striker who scored 14 goals last year in Jurgenstrand Larsen who not many clubs in the bottom half of the table will be able to match. My concern with Wolves is like Stu mentioned about West Ham, they're just going nowhere. You know, they're circling the drain. Have been for a few years now. They've gone from 10th to 13th to 14th to 16th. So they will, they will drop at one point. They will drop because the owners don't seem to be aiming any higher than 16th, to be honest. So once you lose that ambition and once you lose that sort of appetite for chasing European football, knowing how much money it would take them to spend it, then, yeah, they're circling the drain. I don't think they'll go down this year. But it's not. It's not nice. It's not nice being on August 15th and just not interested or excited about the new season, really. It's been about 10 years since wolves fans have sort of felt this way, this sort of, you know, pre foeson days back in the Championship. It's been a hell of a ride since then. But it does feel like it's sort of meandering end at the this point.
- [53:26]
B
Still, good news about the manager liking pints, I guess, in terms of ambition, optimism. I mean, are these words that we could be putting a question mark next to when it comes to Manchester City? I wonder. Stu, Plenty of new faces, both players and coaches. But Pep, I mean, he looks tired. Is he still up for this? Can he turn it round? Is this going to be PEP's Manchester City mark three that goes on and crushes it and wins the league convincingly, as we've seen in recent times? Or is it this project kind of stuttering towards a pretty unsatisfactory finish?
- [54:02]
C
Well, everything we know about him, you can only imagine. Matt is going to be hugely motivated this season to come back and prove people wrong. Because I think a lot of people do think that it's come to an end for City. It's strange, you know, I was predicting the winners of the title and I'm not saying City can't do it, but I'm thinking this is between Liverpool and Arsenal, you know, and 12 months ago, I would never have thought like that. So I didn't see City falling off a cliff in the way they did last season. And by the way, that was so spectacular when it happened. It was. It was bonkers. You know, you look back at it, they won one game out of 13 from the end of October to the end of December, lost nine of those matches. And. And it, for a little period, it became normal for City to lose. Now this was like, I'm old enough to remember this time, you know, when City were playing under Joe royal in the 90s kind of thing and the whole City Iter stuff. So fascinating whether they can bounce back. They've done a fair bit of business and it's easy to overlook that she did quite a bit in January too, and I think that was pretty astute. That gives players time to bed in people like Mahmouche, for example, rather than someone coming in now and thinking, how will they adapt to the Premier League? They've had that period to bed in. There are a few unknowns. I'm not sure how the club World cup will impact on them. I actually felt, obviously for Chelsea, it could go the other way now. It should give them loads of confidence and belief. For City, it was more that I felt that was the last thing they needed at the end of a very long season. And it obviously didn't go well for them out there, too. So then you have a shortened preseason. Rodri not being back in time for the start of the season is a massive blow as well. But there are a couple of fascinating signings. The one that stands out for me is Ren Shirke, who I loved watching in France. Spectacular player, unbelievable technique. You know, both seat as well. The weird thing is I don't see him as a Pep Guardiola player. If there was a criticism leveled at him in France, it was his work rate off the ball. You know, what he does out of possession, which sometimes wouldn't be much. And obviously we've already seen clips on social media, you know, of people putting out a training session. I saw one where Guardiola was telling him, you know, you can't react like that when you lose the ball. So, really intrigued how he does. He is a brilliant playmaker and obviously this is his, really, City's first season for ages without Kevin De Bruyne there too. So, yeah, there feels like so many variables there. What we have to remember is, as bad as they were last season, they still finished third. So, you know, if City can get their act together, there's no reason why they can't be part of that title race, too. And, you know, to come back to what I said at the start, I think Guardiola will be absolutely, hugely motivated, incentivized to do that.
- [56:53]
B
All right, well, as we say, they start at Molyneux in Saturday's late kickoff. Let's finish then. In the only way that any preview show about the whole season can do, which is to predict who's going to win the league and who's going to go down, we'll start with title winners. Stu who are you going for?
- [57:08]
C
Yeah, I'll go for Liverpool. I'll keep this answer brief because I think they've recruited brilliantly in this window and they were very, very good last season. So I think they've got stronger wolves.
- [57:18]
B
For you then Tim.
- [57:20]
D
I actually think man City. Stu's made me doubt myself a little bit. But yeah, I feel like they had a disastrous season last season. They're still only 13 points off. I think they'll claw those points back with the signings they've made. I think Marmouche is going to have a great season. I think Oscar Bob's going to have a breakthrough season. He obviously injured last year. Expect more from Foden Reinders looks like a fantastic addition. They've got the best manager in the league and the best striker in the league and that counts for a lot. Yeah, I think Liverpool will have a period of adapting with their new signing and yeah, this could be City's year.
- [57:52]
B
In terms of relegation then Stu, which two teams are going to join?
- [57:54]
C
Burnley? Yeah, exactly. I've got Burnley down nailed on to finish bottom unfortunately. Sorry about that Burnley fans. I should say Wolves really after that Swansea. Barbs from the team earlier.
- [58:03]
B
Do it.
- [58:04]
C
I'm not going to do that. I'm not going down that path. I do think it'd be a tough season. I think Tim thinks that but I don't think they'll go down. So what am I saying? And I've obviously done this table and now I'm trying to remember which tells me that I didn't do it with any conviction when I predicted it at the time. I think Sunderland with will will struggle. I've got a sneaky feeling Leeds will stay up and the other one I had right. And this isn't journalist talking now. This is just real bitterness. Brentford because they beat us in the playoff final. They knocked us out the playoffs year before. My son refuses to have any Brentford players in his fantasy football. So yeah, I think that feeding into what has been a hugely difficult summer for Brentford. But as we said about Brighton earlier they have got the capacity to find solutions when we don't see them. So maybe they would do that. But I do think it's really hard. Hard for all the reasons we mentioned. Spine of the team gone and also the head coach.
- [58:54]
D
All right.
- [58:55]
B
It wouldn't be a great look Tim, would it if all three promoted teams go down again for what would that be the third successive season? Is that what you're thinking? Or do you think that somebody else is going to drop down like your West Ham's, your Brentford, your Wolves, whoever.
- [59:08]
D
I just think it's hard to. It's hard to make a case for Burnley because, you know, they, they came up on the back of their defensive record, which they're just not going to replicate. You know, they've lost key players at the back as well. Sunderland, and I mean, Sunderland only scored, I think, 54 or 56 goals last year, which is basically half of leeds who scored 95. So to ask Sunderland, you know, to stay up, I think it's, I think it's almost, almost impossible, to be honest. Leeds will have the best chance, but I think the same as Stu, that Brenford will go, but with no hint of malice and for. With very different sort of reasons, really.
- [59:41]
B
All right, well, look, we shall see. We can speculate all we want, but until the first ball is kicked, nobody really knows what's going to happen. And that is tonight. Enjoy the if you're off to a game, wherever it is this weekend, that's where we'll leave things for this week, though. My thanks to Stu, to Tim and to producer Jay for putting it all together again. We'll be back with another preview next week. For now, though, from all of us, it's goodbye. You've been listening to the Athletic FC Podcast. The producer was J. Beal and the.
- [60:09]
D
Presenter was Matt Davis Adams.
- [60:11]
B
Executive producers are Abby Patterson and Adie Moorhead.
- [60:14]
C
To listen to other great athletic podcasts for free, including our dedicated club shows.
- [60:18]
B
Search for the Athletic on Apple, Spotify and all the usual places.
- [60:23]
C
The Athletic FC Podcast is an Athletic Media Company production and proudly sponsored by Betfair.
- [60:39]
A
This is Rose.
- [60:40]
D
Rose's flight is delayed again.
- [60:44]
C
At this point, she has walked the.
- [60:45]
A
Entire terminal and has memorized every news.
- [60:48]
D
Headline on the airport tv. All she really wants to do is take off.
- [60:55]
A
Good thing Rose has a library of free ebooks with Prime. Suddenly she's chasing bad guys, kissing hot vampires, solving murders.
- [61:04]
D
You know, living her best life. Free Ebooks Library it's on Prime.
- [61:09]
A
A Real Lemonade Pet Insurance Review by.
- [61:11]
B
Madison H. You know, I thought it.
- [61:13]
D
Was a little ridiculous to get pet.
- [61:14]
B
Insurance, but I really didn't want to.
- [61:16]
D
Not take my little kitten to the.
- [61:17]
C
Vet because of money.
- [61:19]
D
In the last eight months, I've taken.
- [61:20]
C
Him in six times because of ear.
- [61:22]
D
Infections and saved literally hundreds of dollars. You may even need to get surgery, and I couldn't consider it without Lemonade's help. I recommend lemonade to all my friends constantly and now I'm recommending it to.
- [61:34]
A
You check it out@lemonade.com pet.
- [61:40]
D
If you're.
- [61:41]
B
Alignment in charge of keeping the lights on Granger and understands that you go to great lengths and sometimes heights to.
- [61:48]
A
Ensure the power is always flowing.
- [61:50]
D
Which is why you can count on.
- [61:51]
B
Grainger for professional grade products and next day delivery. So you have everything you need to get the job done. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.