Loading summary
Transcript121 lines
- [00:01]
Salesperson
As a salesperson, the search for the right buyer or buying groups can feel like you're endlessly sifting through leads and hoping they're ready to buy. Thankfully, LinkedIn Sales Navigator is more than just a tool, it's your strategic sales partner. LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a sales intelligence platform that helps professionals effectively prospect and engage high value customers, drive higher revenue and increase sales performance. Sales Navigator helps you target the right buyers, surface key signals such as job changes or which accounts you should prioritize, and shows you hidden allies so you can find those buyers that are most likely to convert. Fueled by LinkedIn's 1 billion-member platform, Sales Navigator gives you the most up to date first party data, enabling you to unlock conversations with the people that matter. Ready to get right to the right conversations? Try LinkedIn Sales Navigator now with a 60 day free trial at LinkedIn.com rates 23 that's LinkedIn.com rates 23 for a 60 day free trial. Terms and conditions apply.
- [01:03]
Aura Advertiser
This podcast is brought to you by Aura. Imagine waking up to find your bank account drained, bills for loans you never took out, a warrant for your arrest. All because someone stole your identity. Hackers aren't waiting. Why are you? That's why we're thrilled to partner with aura. Your personal data is a goldmine for hackers and Aura helps lock it down. Aura monitors the dark Web, blocks data brokers from selling your information. Includes a VPN for private browsing and a password manager to secure your accounts before criminals break in. For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14 day free trial plus a dark web scan to check if your personal information has been leaked. All for free@aura.com safety that's aura.com safety to sign up and start protecting yourself and your loved ones, that's aura.com safety. Terms apply. Check the site for details.
- [01:57]
Podcast Host
ACAST powers the world's best podcasts. Here's a show that we recommend.
- [02:05]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
Remember blowing into a video game cartridge.
- [02:08]
Podcast Host
Or taping songs off the radio?
- [02:10]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
How about Saturday morning cartoons?
- [02:12]
Podcast Host
Hey, AOL chat rooms. Did we just age ourselves?
- [02:16]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Yep. We're Mike fenua and Charles McBee, two.
- [02:19]
Salesperson
Comedians getting nostalgic and asking that nagging question.
- [02:22]
Podcast Host
Are we old? Relive the laughs, the cringes and the nostalgia.
- [02:27]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Are we old? Podcast right here on acast.
- [02:40]
Podcast Host
ACAST helps creators launch, grow and monetize their podcasts everywhere.
- [02:46]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Acast.com.
- [02:52]
Salesperson
The Athletic FC Podcast Network.
- [03:02]
Michael Bailey
Hello, I'm Michael Bailey. Welcome to the Athletic FC Christmas Special where we'll be reviewing the biggest moments from Boxing Day, as well as looking ahead to the next round of Premier League fixtures. With me today are the Athletics football writer Tim Spears, as well as data and tactics writer and editor Duncan Alexander. Duncan, let's kick off with a Boxing Day stat. I'm sure you have one up your sleeve.
- [03:33]
Podcast Host
Well, I've got a few, as you'd expect. But I think we can be glad that once again, Boxing Day 1963 is safe. That no one scored 10 goals in a game that will continue to get mentioned every year for eternity. On a more sort of modern basis, we could say there was three red cards yesterday. Cards obviously part of the Christmas tradition. That's the most since there were four on Boxing Day back in 2013. So a feisty and entertaining day it.
- [03:58]
Michael Bailey
Was, as I'm sure it was across the land.
- [04:01]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Just to say it was lovely to hear those stats from Duncan. It did make me kind of think, what stats do you have on things throughout your life? Cause you seem to have a stat for everything. Like, do you have stats for Christmas presents that people were getting you as well? Like, oh, that's the best present someone's got. Missing the sky electrics in 1988 kind of thing?
- [04:19]
Podcast Host
No, that'd be way too self indulgent. I apply it only to our beloved association football.
- [04:25]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Fair enough.
- [04:29]
Michael Bailey
Let's start, shall we? In West London, where Marco Silva's Fulham came from behind to win at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 45 years, the athletics Chelsea writer Liam Toomey was watching.
- [04:41]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
Are Chelsea in the Premier League title race? Well, on this evidence, you'd have to.
- [04:45]
Michael Bailey
Say that Enzo Maresca is pretty justified in his repeated assertions that they're not.
- [04:51]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
Ready yet to compete with Liverpool at.
- [04:53]
Michael Bailey
The top of the table.
- [04:54]
Podcast Host
SH have been opened up here and they've won it. Fulham have won it, surely. Now through Rodrigo Muniz, the late, Late.
- [05:03]
Salesperson
Show again from Marco Silva's team.
- [05:06]
Michael Bailey
5Th minute of second half stoppage time, defeat to Fulham. A shock defeat to Fulham on Boxing Day leaves them closer to Nottingham Forest in third than it does to the Premier League summit. And while you can't say it was necessarily a deserved defeat, I think it was a very close game.
- [05:25]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
It could have gone either way.
- [05:27]
Michael Bailey
Chelsea were caught up trying to win.
- [05:31]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
A game at 1:1 that they were always in danger of losing and maybe showed a little bit of immaturity that we haven't seen from this team too much this season.
- [05:41]
Michael Bailey
Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea never put Fulham away. They couldn't find a second goal. Marco Silva made some Intelligence substitutions and switched things up a bit out of his 5, 4, 1 low block shape, which had successfully frustrated Chelsea for long spells. They found an equalizer and then they found a winner.
- [06:00]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
And Chelsea have to be careful that.
- [06:02]
Michael Bailey
They don't lose too much momentum at.
- [06:04]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
This stage of the season when the.
- [06:06]
Michael Bailey
Games come thick and fast. But overall, for their own expectations, they're still on track for the Champions League, though this one will leave a sour taste. Chelsea had gone nine games without defeat in the Premier League, but this loss leaves them seven points behind. Table topping Liverpool, who we'll come on to next. Tim. Liam mentioned maturity. Was this performance a bit of a reminder that Chelsea are still a little bit off where they need to be to really challenge?
- [06:34]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Yeah, I've kind of felt like Chelsea had been riding a bit of a wave of positivity and momentum, as Liam was saying, and it probably wasn't a true reflection of exactly where they're at. And it's also felt like they haven't been true proper title contenders. And I guess we saw both of those things against. Against Fulham, really. You know, they have. They have got defensive weaknesses which sort of came to the fore. It also says how far they've come in a short space of time that there's disappointment at this result and at them falling, you know, further behind Liverpool. Also, you know, Fulham are great. Fulham will pick up surprise results all season. You know, they. They held Arsenal, they held Liverpool, they beat Brighton, they've had a great run of form. I know they haven't won there for almost half a century, but I didn't look at that result on that game and think that that was a huge surprise, to be honest.
- [07:20]
Michael Bailey
No, you're right. We're going to speak about Fulham in a minute. I suppose the interesting thing, Duncan, you can kind of be in a title race maybe without actually really looking like you're going to win the thing, which is kind of where I've always felt Chelsea would probably be this year. And I guess we're all desperate for Liverpool to have a challenge at the moment because they're in danger of cutting adrift. Duncan, has the past week indicated teams maybe are starting to figure out how to play against this Chelsea side?
- [07:45]
Podcast Host
Yeah, I think I did a piece the other day about sort of splitting the Premier League so far into four separate sections, and I think people kind of forget that. You look back at season, it's 38 games, but really it's a load of little mini sort of sprints and. And managers have to kind of adapt to other teams and, you know, other opposition managers kind of work out what your team's doing. And I think we maybe, you know, Maresca's had a good couple of months, but maybe we've got to a point where teams have worked them out a little bit and, and Tim's point, I think Fulham are really good. Fulham are, you know, arguably one of the top six teams in the league. You know, they've given all three of the title contenders, if we're going to call them that, a tough time in recent weeks and it's obviously a painful defeat for, for Chelsea losing out to Fulham. Not something that many fans there yesterday probably have ever seen, but I think it's one you can sort of take on the chin. I don't think it's going to derail their, you know, title bid or at least top 4/5 bid.
- [08:38]
Michael Bailey
Chelsea will be looking to get back on track when they head to Portman Road on Monday to face Ipswich Town. While Fulham host Bournemouth. They drew Neil nil to Crystal palace at home on Boxing Day. I mean, Tim, both Fulham and Bournemouth, they're in great spots at 8th and 6th respectively, and should be a decent game. Those two coming up against each other.
- [08:57]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
It's going to be very watchable. And Craven Cottage is sort of, you know, a great place to watch football at the moment. You know, all these sort of clubs that are sort of, I guess, unexpectedly in the higher echelons of the T visited a few of them in recent weeks and there's this real sort of, you know, positivity and belief that they can do something special this season, like a real sort of tangible, feel good factor. You know, at Forest, I was there yesterday. And at Fulham, at Brenford, at Bournemouth, you know, they've all sort of got real trust in their managers and trust in their players and they're kind of riding the crest of a wave unexpectedly because they haven't spent millions and millions and millions like, you know, maybe Newcastle did and sort of expected to climb the table, you know, a couple years ago, you know, that kind of thing. So it's great to see. It's great for the Premier League as well. It's probably the most interesting Premier League in, in quite a few years, I think.
- [09:46]
Michael Bailey
I mean, these two sides do both have a chance of getting into Europe. Do you both want to have a go at who you feel might make it from here?
- [09:53]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Well, Duncan's got. Duncan's got to stick with his guns, I think.
- [09:55]
Podcast Host
Yeah. I did predict Fulham to do very well this season. I mean, I think for both teams, you know, it's testament to how good the managers are and that level of planning and adaptability. And the concern for clubs like Bournemouth and Fulham is, you know, if other big clubs lose managers, for whatever reason, they are very tempting coaches to potentially bring in. And that is a sort of the bane of the, of the middle class of the Premier League, if you like. But you know, as Tim says, I think this is an unusual season. I think there's a real chance for one of these two, maybe both even Forest, to, to finish really high up. And you know, people have kind of forgotten that fifth place could be Champions League spot. So we could end up with some, yeah, some unusual entrance into next season's competition.
- [10:38]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Well, fifth place could be Champions League, but also if Chelsea win the Conference League as everyone would expect them to do, wouldn't that open up a place as well? Yeah, so we'll be going down to eighth in the table and then if you look at, I'd say Fulham and Bournemouth are both a pretty decent shout to finish eighth. You know, when you look at sort of inconsistencies of Villa, Man United and Spurs not improving anytime soon, I think the only thing you'd say for Bournemouth is they haven't really got a regular goal scorer. I think Kluivert's their top scorer was six, but he did have three penalties at Wolves one day, which kind of inflates numbers a little bit. And Jimenez is Fulham's top scorer with five, but he's, you know, he went on that run and has gone back to being a little bit inconsistent like. So if they had like a Whissel or a Kunya, I think you'd say both of these teams are really well placed. But they do, they do both lack a regular goal scorer. But I still think they can sort of both be top eight.
- [11:24]
Michael Bailey
Love that. Let's turn our attention to the league leaders then, the athletics. Liverpool writer James Pearce was an Anfield on Boxing Day.
- [11:33]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
Well, it was just about the perfect Boxing day for Arne Slot's Liverpool title rivals Chelsea beaten earlier on in the day. And then Liverpool getting their business done against Leicester City to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand. None of the fireworks that we saw in the emphatic route of Tottenham just a few days earlier, they had to fight hard for it against Rude Van Nistory's side after au's goal had stunned the host. Really, despite dominating possession, they created very little. The decision making was really poor. At times lots of careless mistakes, lots of aimless crosses thrown into the box. But what we've seen time and time again this season is Slot is so adept at making the required changes at half timing matches. That triggers a big second half improvement. And this was another example, of course it helped that Liverpool were back on level terms just before the interval. It was a brilliant goal from Cody Gagpo. I thought he was Liverpool's man of the match here tonight. Second half I just thought Liverpool showed a lot more patience, a lot more composure, worked the ball better, waited for the openings to appear and then and then cut through Leicester. And that was what they did for the second goal with McAllister's low center turned home by Curtis Jones. Great way for him to mark his 100th appearance for the club. And then Salah curling one into the far corner to just put the icing on the cake late on. Liverpool fans around me have just been chanting about them being top of the league and of course they're going to take some shifting at the minute. Seven points clear with a game in hand. And now the focus will turn to that trip down to West Ham. Liverpool will head to the capital full of confidence and momentum firmly behind them.
- [13:11]
Michael Bailey
Liverpool have all sorts of momentum and they look like they can find what they need to Duncan on a slot side head to West Ham next. I just wonder, I mean I guess we're all waiting for them to trip up and maybe a trip to West Ham is the sort of place they might trip up. He says wrinkling his nose maybe.
- [13:28]
Podcast Host
I mean yeah, London Stadium can bring teams, you know, down a little bit I think. But they're strange. Report the moment because their defense has got a bit rubbish. You know, the only team since the start of December not to score against them in the Premier League is Manchester City. And we all know that they're not very good anymore so. So they are letting in goals. I mean obviously three at spurs, three at Newcastle, two against Fulham. But as James said in, in the clip he they're so adept at kind of just not panicking and you know Salah is in just incredible form. I think that was his 250th goal involvement for Liverpool and what was his 250th start which is, you know, elite numbers and just no signs of slowing down really. And, and when you, when you've got that, when you've got Gakpo in the form of his life off the left, you know when you can kind of rotate Jota or play Diaz up front Or Nunes, come on. They kind of know that even if they go a go down that they, they probably will come back. And that, you know, people say, oh, that's the sign of a title winner. Well, yeah, it is because that's what happens when you win titles. It's kind of chicken and egg, isn't it, really? So, yeah, I mean, they're in a great position. It is slightly reminiscent of 201920 when they did sort of just pull away. Yeah. Hopefully we don't have a massive pause for three months that we did that season, but yeah, it's looking, looking very good.
- [14:44]
Michael Bailey
I mean, Gakpo's goal was a wonderful finish. And Tim, I've seen Mohamed Salah's goal a few times. I can't work out how he scores it because he just, he's looking to cross the ball all the way through, yet he then just strokes this shot to a completely different angle and it nestles in the far corner. He's just, he's almost untouchable as a, as a footballer right now.
- [15:04]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Yeah, the powers of deception just takes such a high level of football intelligence to do that. And it's great to see. I think it sort of gets spoken about enough, really. Sort of his resurgence in terms of the numbers that he's producing in at his age, it's almost unthinkable to think that he's going to be a free agent in five, six months time. And yeah, I think that that's the only. That's the only sort of weird. Apart from Duncan mentions the defense in the last month, but it's weird that arguably their three best players could all leave for free this summer. I do find it absolutely bizarre. I think that's one of the things that's got to get sorted out sooner rather than later. But you've got to say it's certainly not. It's certainly not affecting the individual performances of those three players or the dressing room or the fans. To be honest, it's quite remarkable.
- [15:48]
Michael Bailey
Okay, well, after the break, we'll reflect on Manchester United's defeat at Molyneux. Tim is smiling. And talk about Newcastle's return to form, most recently beating Aston Villa.
- [16:04]
Salesperson
When I started podcasting, it felt like I had to figure everything out myself. Booking guests, figuring out rundowns, editing the show and publishing it. It seemed like the list of to dos got bigger and bigger. And when you're starting off with something new, it seems like that just happens. Finding the right tool that not only helps you out, but simplifies everything can be such a game changer and for millions of businesses, that tool is Shopify. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Get started with your own design studio. With hundreds of ready to use templates, Shopify helps you build a beautiful online store to match your brand style style accelerate your content creation. Shopify is packed with helpful AI tools that write product descriptions, page headlines and even enhance your product photography. Get the word out like you have a marketing team behind you. Easily create email and social media campaigns wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling. And best yet, Shopify is your commerce expert with world class expertise in everything from managing inventory to international shipping to processing returns and beyond. If you're ready to sell, you're ready for Shopify. Turn your big business idea into a With Shopify on your side, sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com TheAthletic Go to shopify.com TheAthLetic shopify.com TheAthLETic this podcast.
- [17:38]
Aura Advertiser
Is brought to you by Aura. By the time you hear about a data breach, your information has already been exposed for months. On average, companies take 277 days to report a breach. That's nine months where hackers have access to your personal data. That's why we're thrilled to partner with Aura. Aura is an all in one digital safety solution that monitors the dark web for your phone number, email and Social Security number, sending real time alerts if your info is found. It also includes a vpn, password manager and data broker removal to help keep you safe for a limited time. Aura is offering a 14 day free trial plus a dark web scan to check if your personal information has been leaked. All for free@aura.com safety that's aura.com safety to sign up and protect your loved ones. That's a u r a.com safety terms apply. Check the site for details.
- [18:37]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
And the yellow card for Bruno Fernandes is his second second of the game.
- [18:42]
Michael Bailey
Was a little bit late to it was the manner of the way he.
- [18:45]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
Went in which I think made the.
- [18:47]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Referee reach that pocket so quickly. Has it gone straight in or was there a touch? Kunya's claiming it is anything beyond Cunha in this form and they're a way.
- [19:02]
Podcast Host
Here to wrap it up.
- [19:07]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Put away from Cun's unselfish pass.
- [19:12]
Michael Bailey
Yes. Wolves to Manchester United nil. Back to back wins under new Boss Vita Pereira. Tim. Wolves are now out of the relegation zone as well. This is Turning Point territory, isn't it?
- [19:24]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
It's an alleluia, Michael. It's a Christmas miracle is what it is. Yeah. Didn't really see any of this coming. Yeah, I mean, it's the same team, it's the same players, it's the same system. They just look completely transformed, as are their supporters who started smiling again. Yeah. Consecutive clean sheets. Wolves have only kept two clean sheets in the league since January, by the way. They're a home to Sheffield United last season and at home to Southampton this season. So basically the two. The two worst teams they could have played at home scoring goals just hasn't been a problem. They're still on track to score like 60 this season, which would smash their Premier League record. And I think only the top seven teams in the Premier League managed to score 60 last year. So scoring goes not. Not been an issue. And obviously Kunya, a big part of that and such a talismanic figure. But yeah, the brittle defense and complete lack of confidence and discipline, all those things just been eradicated in the last two games. You know, they did just need a new voice. It was pretty clear that they were no longer sort of listening to Gary O'Neill's instructions as he basically admitted himself after his last game. So, yeah, Vito Pereira's come in with a real sort of air of confidence and self assurance and. And positive messages and sort of giving them that belief. It's. It's the pure epitome of a new manager bounce. You know, I don't expect this to be Wolves now for the rest of season, necessarily. They just needed that confidence and that belief that someone with a bit of a sort of different set of attributes to Gary O'Neill could bring in. So, yeah, we've discussed. We've discussed, Michael, haven't we, that Pereira's got a history of being explosive and falling out with players, which is never going to happen at Christmas. So that might come. Wolves and I are trouble by any means, but if you look at the bottom four, obviously at the moment, they look by far the best bet to stay up.
- [21:08]
Michael Bailey
And a bit of momentum goes a long way at the bottom end of the table. I mean, Matthias Kunha, I thought he was sensational on Boxing Day. Do we have any idea when and how and what he might have to face in terms of absences through his impending FA charge?
- [21:24]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
It's unprecedented. There's never been a suspension for removing someone's glasses before, so we don't know how long he will get. But yeah, I'm amazed and stunned and very grateful that he has not been banned yet. I don't understand it. I think the evidence is probably quite clear. I don't imagine wolves are trying to kick the can down the road as much as they can, but still, I don't. I guess everybody's just off for Christmas and for some reason he's managed to play two games and played a vital role in both. We've got Bristol City away in the cup coming up, so he can be suspended for that. That's fine.
- [21:53]
Podcast Host
We've always known there was a huge loophole in the Premier League that if you grab someone's glasses just before Christmas and you know it, top form and no one could do anything about it. And here we are.
- [22:03]
Michael Bailey
As for Manchester United, Duncan's four losses in their last five Premier League games, they're 14th in the table and they've also conceded two Olympicos, which is a goal straight from a corner in. In two games. Why are they. Well, I mean, I could ask you why they're so susceptible to conceding those goals or from set pieces in general, but it's a bit like, where do you start with them at the moment?
- [22:24]
Podcast Host
Yeah, it's quite bad, isn't it? I mean, I think they're kind of a combination of. They're quite unlucky at the moment and also not very good and put those two things together and you get runs of results like this. I mean, Amarim is the first United manager to lose as many as five of his first 10 games in charge in all competitions since a guy called Walter Crickma. Good manager in January 1932. Yeah. Good tactician. But anyway, yeah, it's not been the start. I think it's interesting that they played Wolves and as Tim said, that Pereira has been able to make a big difference quite quickly. I don't think that was going to happen at United because they are just. They're a big work in progress and it's not like they were just players slightly out of form. It's, you know, they've had to take on a whole new formation as well and I don't think that's worked so far or the players haven't adapted to it, it's fair to say. And when you're that susceptible to. To set pieces, yeah, you're going to be in big trouble. And I mean, we are living through the sort of peak era of the. In swinging corner. I mean, players have sort of perfected it to A level that's almost, you know, they're almost as good as penalty, some of them just arcing in. But neither Manchester United goalkeepers particularly dominant in the box. I mean, you know, you think back to a keeper like Peter Schmeichel and he had probably barged 14 players out the way to, to grab that. But I don't think modern keepers really do that anymore. And if you look at the amount of people that are in penalty areas and six yard boxes in particular corners, it's, you know, I think the phrase is a crowd scene. But it's like it's almost, it's made the Olympico more profitable I think, because just there's so many people there that it's actually hard to, for a keeper or defender to get a good run and clear the ball. I would imagine there might be more of them to come.
- [24:02]
Michael Bailey
Duncan, could you give me a sentence on where the term Olympico comes from?
- [24:06]
Podcast Host
Yes, it's from an Olympic game in the Olympics back between Uruguay and Argentina back a long time ago. And yeah, a player did this back when it was presumably harder to do and someone came up with a fairly obvious but very well, long lasting nickname.
- [24:23]
Michael Bailey
So, yeah, love that. Brilliant work. Thank you.
- [24:25]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
You'd love to have something like that named after you, wouldn't you? That's, that's, that's why if you take the glasses off a man's face, it's called a Kunya.
- [24:33]
Michael Bailey
Touche. Also, Tim, where do you stand on rescinded red cards? Do they still count as a red card?
- [24:39]
Podcast Host
Can I interject here because this is one of my biggest bugbears in football. Red cards are not rescinded. The red card happened and it stays on a player's record. What's rescinded is the suspension. Often, you know, so like, you know, Bruno Fernandes has been sent off three times this season. One of those, the ban was overturned, but the red card remains on the player's record. So we need to start some sort of campaign for commentators to, to stop saying that phrase because it's wrong.
- [25:04]
Michael Bailey
I wish I'd asked you that while I was covering the game up more than you. Well, in that case, I mean, on Bruno Fernandes, that's three, as we now know, red cards this season for the Manchester United captain. And I don't know, is that just careless? Is that. How would you best describe something like that and what it means for the way that Fernandez is leading this squad of players?
- [25:24]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
I mean there was a case for saying it was, it was harsh at Molyneux. But I thought, you know, he gave the ref a decision to make. Fernandez is not the kind of captain that I would be choosing for my team. Personally. I thought that at the time. I thought it was a bit of a strange decision from Ten Hag. He has a habit of sort of losing his head when the chips are down. He's an inspirational footballer, but not necessarily sort of an inspirational leader. I don't think there's problems with leadership all throughout that squad. And I definitely have some sympathy for Amarim. I mean, he's been brought in to change things, but this is the worst time of year to change things because there's the least amount of time on the training ground. It's not you don't want to change formation at this time of year, but that's what he's been brought in to do. So the guy needs a full preseason. And I'm sure things will be better for Man United next season if they can get recruitment. Right. But you can just see the smile draining from his face week after week. He came in with such positivity, poor guy. I think it's going to be a painful few months before what's going to be, you know, a huge a building job in the summer.
- [26:20]
Michael Bailey
Well, next up for Manchester United are Newcastle United. They beat Aston Villa 30 on Boxing Day. Let's check in with the athletics. Newcastle writer Chris Woff, who was watching at St. James's park, what a transformative.
- [26:33]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Festive period this has been for Newcastle United. It's been four successive victories in all competitions. It's lifted them into the Carabao cup semi finals and now up to fifth place in the Premier League, having been.
- [26:43]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
12Th before this run.
- [26:45]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Four straight wins. The first time they've achieved that since September, October 2023. The last of which was that famous 4:1 demolition of Paris Saint Germain. First time they've won three straight Premier League matches since then as well. There's been 11 goals scored in those Premier League games. Three clean sheets. Newcastle are really purring now. It's certainly a far more positive outlook on Tyneside than it was not so long ago. But a massive, massive win and a massive, massive run for Newcastle United. That was very 5 live, by the way. I really liked that.
- [27:14]
Michael Bailey
And you can hear the excitement in Chris Swarth's voice, which I just love. I mean, Duncan, Newcastle are going to go to Old Trafford and quite fancy this.
- [27:21]
Podcast Host
Yeah, I think, as Chris said in the clip, I think they did have a bit of a gloomy autumn and it did look like they'd really sort of regressed, but I think he's kind of worked out how to play Sandro Tonali as a six and that's obviously freed up Bruno Grimarison and, you know, if you could guarantee Isaac was fit for a whole season, it's got to be the best forward in the Premier League right now, a sense forward. So, yeah, I think they can go to Old Trafford, you know, historically a place back in the. Back in United, at Manchester United's pump where they, they struggled with a lot of confidence because I think they're perfectly set up to take advantage of all the flaws that we've seen in, in United's play.
- [28:00]
Michael Bailey
They do seem to have been a bit streaky in the last couple of years. Tim. Newcastle sort of coming good or tripping over themselves a bit. You get to make a prediction on this one if you want to.
- [28:08]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Blimey. If you have to predict based on form, you got to predict a handsome away win, to be honest. I mean, Newcastle scoring a lot of goals and keeping clean sheets, you know, they're in the run they've had. They've beat Leicester, Ipswich, Brentford at home, which is sort of a banker, and then Villa where they were, you know, helped by a bit of a controversial red card. But yeah, as Duncan says, the confidence that they've gleaned from that, they've sort of rocketed from 12th to fifth in the table. They're in the semi final of the Carabao Cup. So, yeah, it's the worst time, it's the worst time to play Newcastle. So it's bad luck for Man United and you'd have to predict a Newcastle win.
- [28:40]
Podcast Host
I think, yeah, would concur. And I'm gonna go three, one. I'm that precise.
- [28:52]
Aura Advertiser
This podcast is brought to you by Aura. Imagine waking up to find your bank account drained, bills for loans you never took out, a warrant for your arrest, all because someone stole your identity. Hackers aren't waiting. Why are you? That's why we're thrilled to partner with Aura. Your personal data is a goldmine for hackers, and Aura helps lock it down. AURA monitors the dark web, blocks data brokers from selling your information. Includes a VPN for private browsing and a password manager to secure your accounts before criminals break in. For a limited time, Aura is offering our listeners a 14 day free trial plus a dark web scan to check if your personal information has been leaked. All for free@aura.com safety. That's Aura.com safety to sign up and start protecting, protecting yourself and your loved ones. That's a U R a dot com. Safety terms apply. Check the site for details.
- [29:50]
Michael Bailey
Nottingham Forests have moved into checks script. Third position at the time of recording and a point behind Chelsea after beating Tottenham 10 thanks to Anthony Elanga's 28th minute winner. Tim, you're at the City ground covering this one. How did Nuno Espirito Santo get won over his former club and did he enjoy it?
- [30:11]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
It's hard to tell if he enjoyed it, but no, yeah, the whole, the whole place went mental at full time, like players were carrying each other off the pitch. No one wanted to leave. The fans just did not want to go at all. They were singing Free from Desire for many minutes after the full time whistle. Yeah, it was just, yeah, it was a great place to be. It was very much like watching wolves circa 2018, but a slightly more extreme version in that Forest are so physical. You see it a bit on the cv but to see it in person, they're just flying into challenges everywhere. Any kind of slightly weak pass that spurs played or slightly underhit pass, they were all over it and then they really break with gusto. Yeah, Nuno's trying to repeat a lot of what he did with Wolves and successfully. So it's the same sort of messages and keeping it simple and game by game, stay humble and compete and do your tasks. It's all exactly the same stuff again, but Forest are much more physical, you know, with Yates and Anderson and Morello they really sort of crash into players to the extent that. And they're so committed. They're definitely the most committed team I've seen all season. There's a huge buy in from the players to, to what Nuno's asking them to do. You know, spurs, spurs have like 70% possession but they could barely even get across in sometimes because you just get one or two or three Forest players just charging down the ball every opportunity. So it was quite intoxicating really and, and the, you know, massively buy into it, into this sort of full throttle, no holds barred, sort of commitment and yeah, seven, seven clean sheets. There was just a red wall that spurs found impossible to play through. And yeah, seven clean sheets, which is the joint most in the league so far and a great foundation on which to sort of, you know, build for the second half of the season because like I said, they are, they are, they must be. And again, the same was true of Wolves a few years ago under Nuno. They must be horrible to play against. Probably one of the hardest team in the league. To play against. And that's one of the reasons why they're doing so well.
- [32:05]
Podcast Host
And let's not forget the only team to beat Liverpool so far. Christmas. Often the time, isn't it, when family members will make sweeping statements about football. And I think this was a perfect game for the possession doesn't actually count for anything because as you say, Tim, spurs dominated that nearly 400 passes more than Forest. But Forest had more XG and more points because they, they did what they needed to do.
- [32:26]
Michael Bailey
I mean at this point in the season, Duncan, we must have a handle on how genuine Champions League hopes are for Forest going into next season.
- [32:35]
Podcast Host
Yeah, I mean, well, firstly they're on 34 points which is pretty much enough to keep you up every season. So get, get that bunting out for starters. You're safe. But yeah, I mean I think they probably, I think this season maybe low 70s points will get you in the Champions League. So they're basically halfway there. So keep it up for the second half of the season and I think they could come unstuck. It is a, it's a sort of all or nothing sort of approach as Tim alluded to. But they are very good at it. And I mean I don't know what business they're planning in January, but if they can kind of. I do think if, if the defense got any injuries that could scupper them quite quickly. But it's a great chance. And you know, I'm not sure if none of us have played in the European cup before. They don't like to mention it, but it would be a lovely story if they were in it next season, wouldn't it?
- [33:24]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Just you mentioned at the top, Michael, about teams playing Chelsea for the second time and sussing them out. I think there will be a case for that with Forest in terms of like teams that go to Citigram with a low block that, that was again just remembering Wolves or Denuna was exactly the same thing. They're a pragmatic back foot sort of team who like to counter but when they're faced with a low block it's. It becomes difficult to play through them. Gibbs White could be someone who can unlock a defense, but other than that that might be a slight weakness. But yeah, we'll see.
- [33:51]
Podcast Host
And we should point out just given what we said a minute ago about Manchester United, you know, Elanga who they sold is just so good, so quick and so like both in with his feet and his. And his brain and yeah, you wonder why United sold him and didn't you know, sell certain others.
- [34:08]
Michael Bailey
Yeah. Equally though, can a player thrive at Man United at the moment? But anyway, that's one for a different, different podcast, Tim. As for spurs again, another side where it's really difficult to pin down what they're doing and what the plan is over the second half of the season. They host Wolves next as well.
- [34:23]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Yeah, I didn't feel like this defeat was sort of indicative of the wider debate that we constantly have about Antepostecoglou's principles and philosophy and tactics. It was, you know, it was game state. I wrote down just before the first goal that spurs need to score the first goal here because the pattern was already set in terms of Forrest being happy to defend and being hard to play through. And you knew if Forrest scored the first goal, they would just double down on that. And that's exactly what happened. And then spurs just didn't have any. Any options from the bench, really. I mean, Timo Verne is their only sort of front three option to come on. And we know what Postacogli thinks of his performances recently. He was sort of thrown on as a token gesture with about eight minutes to go. So, yeah, they get allowances at the moment in terms of the. The amount of injuries they've got, which is pretty horrendous. You know, Richarlison and Ode Bear would have made a difference yesterday. They're obviously missing Van Deven and Romero. They're missing Vicario Dragozin went off injured at the City ground. They're only available senior center half, so they'll be sweating on him for Wolves because Ben Davis is also out. Jed Spence picked up a second yellow at the end of the game, so he's suspended. So it doesn't get any easier. I think January's. Of all the Premier League clubs, January is the most important month for Spurs. They just, they need bodies. And how this wasn't done, how and why this wasn't during the summer, I don't know. But yeah, they're still paying for the mistakes they made in the summer transfer window, you know, postecoglou. Yes, to blame for a few things, but not for everything.
- [35:57]
Michael Bailey
So Boxing Day's early kickoff saw Manchester City drop points again, this time drawing one one at home to Everton, making it just one win in their last 13 games. Let's hear from the athletics tactics writer Tom Harris, who was watching at the Etihat 1 1.
- [36:14]
Tom Harris
It finishes here at the Etihad Stadium as Everton become the latest team to take points from Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. City Started well. They penned Everton back in a really aggressive opening 15 minutes. It was clearly all out attack from the off from City who looked to get ahead early and avoid the kind of games that Chelsea and Arsenal Arsenal faced against Everton in recent weeks. But City did take the lead early on. Bernardo Silva slid in and managed to get a deflection off Jared Branthwaite after a nice run from Jeremy Doku. And to be honest, the game plan looked to be going well as City then reverted to a more controlled approach, dominated possession with the lead and looked like they were coasting towards half time with that lead intact. But it was Everton's first touch in the ball box of the whole game. Illiman and die with a really nice finish in the second half. Erling Haaland missed a penalty just a fourth time he's done so in a City shirt. He scored 18 from the spot while he's been at the club.
- [37:10]
Michael Bailey
And Haaland has his penalty saved.
- [37:13]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
But the head is in, but the flag is up.
- [37:17]
Tom Harris
There were a few chances in the second half as they came out flying once again. Kovacic fired just wide from the edge of the box. There were some half chances as Everton dropped deeper in. City turned up the pressure but they could not find a way through. There'll be questions asked about Pep Guardiola. The build up was a bit slow and ponderous at times. There was again deficiencies defending those transitions and you know, while there was luck going against them, this was a Guardiola in his post match press conference who didn't seem to have many more answers other than we go again. So we'll see what happens in January. Maybe some new faces can pick things up for City.
- [37:51]
Salesperson
But.
- [37:51]
Tom Harris
But this felt like a good chance for them to get going with three winnable games after their defeat to Aston Villa on the weekend. But as it stands, City are very much back to square one.
- [38:06]
Michael Bailey
I feel like this is a bit like when a favorite for a tennis match is like down and then just sort of bins off the set so they can come back next year. I feel like that we're sort of in that sort of a season of Manchester City now. I don't know if anyone has any thoughts on what exactly this, this, this is at the moment for Pep and City.
- [38:23]
Podcast Host
Yeah, I mean it does feel like that. It just, I mean it feels like Groundhog Day as well. Like every, I mean Tom we heard from there, he's written his match piece from that game and talked about a moment where City could have broke against Everton towards the End and played a safe pass. And that does seem to have become the sort of default approach of the last few years under Guardian. I mean, even, you know, once again take the lead and then kind of sit back. And that's not, not really what Guardiola teams used to do. But ever since they sort of brought Haaland in a couple of years ago, they've slowly become more functional and sort of reached a point where if stuff goes wrong, they can't really get out of it. Obviously they want to get back in the Champions League. That's fairly important for a club like Manchester City. But to do that they're going to have to start winning football games again. Tricky.
- [39:08]
Michael Bailey
Tricky indeed. Arsenal have the chance to move above Nottingham Forest and Chelsea if they beat Ipswich on Friday evening. After that they'll be heading to Brentford on New Year's Day. Picayo Saka has been ruled out for an extended period with a hamstring injury, which is clearly a massive blow for Mikel Arteta. What do you think, Tim, that Arsenal will do without him? And also what that kind of means for January as well?
- [39:31]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
I mean, yeah, it might mean a dip into the market. I mean they've done that before. I think they bought Trossard in January a couple of years ago but obviously they signed Sterling in the summer who's made, you know, next to no impact and will doubtless be on decent wages. And I think he's injured again at the moment, so I know they've scored, was it eight goals in the last two games, but you do feel like their sort of front five or six players are well short of what Liverpool can provide right now. Whether they can rectify that in January, I'm not sure. They've obviously been overly reliant on Sakura, I think. I'm not sure January is the time you can go out and replace someone like him in the short term one for Arteta to ponder. It's been interesting their approach in the last couple of games because they've gone back to sort of the handbrake off, dare I say, approach of a couple of years ago, which of course when they came so close to win the title and that's something that he looked to move away from and to engineer more control. So it will be interesting to see if he continues with that approach. And if they do, then that maybe makes the over reliance on Saka less relevant because obviously if they're playing a more open game then they have got players like Martinelle and Trossard who can step up with a bit more space.
- [40:41]
Michael Bailey
And with that I reckon we're done. A big thank you to Duncan, Tim, our team of writers plus Jay and the production team. We'll see you again on Friday the 3rd of January. Until then, enjoy the final football of 2024.
- [40:56]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
You've been listening to the Athletic FC podcast.
- [40:59]
Podcast Host
The producers were Guy Clark, Mike Stavroot and Jay Beal. The executive producer was Aidy Moorhead.
- [41:04]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
To listen to other great athletes Athletic Podcast for free Search for the Athletic on Apple, Spotify and all the usual places.
- [41:10]
Podcast Host
The Athletic FC Podcast is an athletic media company production.
- [41:20]
Aura Advertiser
This podcast is brought to you by Aura. By the time you hear about a data breach, your information has already been exposed for months. On average, companies take 277 days to report a breach. That's nine months where hackers have access to your personal data. That's why we're thrilled to partner with Aura. Aura is an all in one digital safety solution that monitors the dark web for your phone number, email and Social Security number, sending real time alerts if your info is found. It also includes a vpn, password manager and data broker removal to help keep you safe for a limited time. Aura is offering a 14 day free trial plus a dark web scan to check if your personal information has been leaked. All for free@aura.com safety that's aura.com safety to sign up and protect your loved ones. That's a u r a.com safety terms apply. Check the site for details.
- [42:15]
Podcast Host
ACAST powers the world's best podcasts. Here's a show that we recommend.
- [42:23]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
Remember blowing into a video game cartridge.
- [42:25]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Or taping songs off the radio? How about Saturday morning cartoons?
- [42:29]
Podcast Host
Hey AOL chat rooms. Did we just age ourselves? Yep, we're Mike Finoya and Charles McBee.
- [42:36]
Salesperson
Two comedians getting nostalgic and asking that nagging question.
- [42:40]
Podcast Host
Are we old? Relive the laughs, the cringes and the nostalgia.
- [42:45]
Nostalgic Comedian 1
Are we old?
- [42:45]
Nostalgic Comedian 2
Podcast right here on Acast.
- [42:58]
Podcast Host
Acast helps creators launch, grow and monetize their podcasts everywhere.
- [43:04]
Michael Bailey
Acast.com.