Arsenal Drop Points & Dyche Sacked

Summary

The Rest Is Football – “Arsenal Drop Points & Dyche Sacked”

Date: February 13, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer (Micah Richards absent due to illness)
Podcast: Goalhanger

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer tackle the latest dramatic events in the Premier League, focusing on the relegation battle—most notably Nottingham Forest’s surprise sacking of Sean Dyche, as well as Arsenal dropping points against an impressive Brentford side. The hosts draw on their deep expertise to analyze managerial merry-go-rounds, shifting form at the foot of the table, title race twists, and off-pitch controversies. The conversation blends sharp football insights with candid personal perspectives and the usual banter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sean Dyche's Sacking at Nottingham Forest

[01:48 – 07:47]

• Immediate Reaction: Alan Shearer expresses surprise at Dyche’s dismissal, given Forest’s relative upturn in form (“...with his experience, with his know-how…and all of those things. I think what they just have to do is consolidate and survive…” – Shearer, [05:02]).
• Managerial Instability: Shearer and Lineker critique Forest’s owner for a lack of managerial vision—highlighting four managers in one season and the negative impact this has on squad cohesion.
  • “He has to take his responsibility for his recruitment of managers. Sometimes you have to say to yourself, am I doing my job right? Clearly he's not.” – Shearer [06:51]
  • “If the players, if they had the balls in a committee meeting and said to him, hang on a minute, mate, you need to decide what fucking style of football you actually want us to play, rather than changing and flip-flopping 14 times. I exaggerate.” – Lineker [07:13]
• Impact of West Ham’s Revival: The hosts see Nuno's resurgence at West Ham as triggering panic sackings among other struggling clubs.

2. Survival Battle and Club Form

[07:47 – 18:00]

• League Positions: Leeds, West Ham, Forest, Burnley, Spurs—including Burnley’s shock turnaround with a win from 2-0 down (Lineker: “Five minutes later, they're winning 3,2.” [16:29]).
• Bravery and Character: Praising Burnley's comeback and Scott's players responding to criticism from their own fans.
• Leeds' Fortitude: Leeds’ ability to grind out results even when outplayed; the impact of Cole Palmer’s miss for Chelsea.
  • “I did on the group chat and I just said Cole Palmer is very good at football. I mean he met. He's so graceful... But he's incredibly quick in his mind.” – Lineker [18:32]
• Predictions: Consensus that the bottom two are 'gone', with Forest and West Ham most likely to fill the third relegation spot.
  • “I've got a feeling Forest might go.” – Lineker [19:49]
  • “Two at the bottom are gone, and I do think it'll be West Ham or Forest.” – Shearer [19:58]
• Crystal Palace & Leeds: Both hosts feel Palace and Leeds have enough to stay up due to squad quality/home form.
  • “I think they'll have enough to get that at home, particularly at home.” – Lineker [19:26]

3. Liverpool and the Champions League Race

[20:14 – 24:32]

• Liverpool’s Record: Celebrating a crucial win, breaking Sunderland’s home unbeaten record.
• Squad Strength and Recruitment: Discussion on Liverpool’s defensive frailties, summer spending, and future signings.
  • “With the money that's being spent, for them not to make the top five would be a disaster for them.” – Shearer [23:00]
• Champions League Spots: Villa praised for late wins and Unai Emery’s smart management, with United, Chelsea, or Liverpool at risk of missing out.

4. The Title Race: Arsenal, City, and Brentford

[26:07 – 33:20]

• Arsenal vs Brentford: Brentford’s pace, power, and directness hailed after pushing Arsenal to the limit.
  • “They've got pace, they've got power, they've got strength, they've got it all... a tough group to get around and through.” – Shearer [26:07]
  • “They were perhaps a bit unlucky not to take all three points.” – Shearer [26:38]
• Key Moments: Martinelli’s missed chance, Thiago’s late opportunity, and top-class defending.
• City’s Form: Manchester City’s pressing game described as “as good as I've seen them for a while,” and the value of experienced players is underlined (Shearer: “They've got players who know what it’s all about.” [31:48]).
  • “I think it's the best I've seen them for a while without the ball. I thought their pressing and their energy and when they lost the ball, their determination to get it back as quick as possible.” – Shearer [27:30]
• England Left-Back Debate: Discussion of O’Reilly and Lewis Hall as options, both impressing for selection.
• Declan Rice’s Engine: Lineker hails Rice’s stamina and vital role:
  • “Declan Rice—but boy does he cover some ground ...this fella could run a marathon.” – Lineker [29:49]
  • “He has been superb, hasn't he? He's been integral to everything that Arsenal have been doing.” – Shearer [30:18]

5. Off-Pitch Controversies: Jim Ratcliffe’s Comments

[11:18 – 14:16]

• Public Backlash: The hosts condemn Ratcliffe’s anti-immigrant interview, highlighting the irony of his residency in Monaco and pointing out the positive impact of immigration on the UK and football.
  • “The guy's a migrant himself, an economic migrant. He lives in Monaco… at least be here and be paying tax and contributing to our society.” – Lineker [12:39]

6. Tactical Trends & Old School Football

[33:32 – 34:44]

• Brentford’s Long Throws: Enthusiastic discussion of the return of the long throw and uncomfortable, physical tactics.
  • “It's back to old school. Absolutely. It's back to 20, 30 years ago when we saw those rocket throw-ins.” – Shearer [33:57]

7. Other Notable Topics

[35:23 – 38:55]

• VAR & Red Card Decisions: Foden lucky not to see red; general frustration with inconsistent refereeing.
• Leicester’s Relegation Worries: Lineker discusses Leicester’s points deduction and recent collapse, putting it into perspective by reflecting on the club’s miraculous 2016 title and recent FA Cup win.
  • “If someone had told me a couple of years before that…you're going to win the Premier League…the FA Cup and then you'll go down again, you'll get point reduction…Not only would I have taken it, I'd have snap your bloody hand off.” – Lineker [36:49]
• England National Team: Surprise at Thomas Tuchel's contract extension—hosts debate whether job security will affect his management style.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Forest's Turmoil:
  "Sometimes you have to say to yourself, am I doing my job right? Clearly he's not." – Alan Shearer [06:51]

• On Owner Decision-Making:
  "If the players…said…you need to decide what fucking style of football you actually want us to play, rather than changing and flip-flopping 14 times." – Gary Lineker [07:13]

• On Declan Rice:
  "Declan Rice—but boy does he cover some ground…this fella could run a marathon." – Gary Lineker [29:49]

• On Brentford:
  "They're a tough group…they make it so difficult for you because they've got pace, they've got power, they've got strength, they've got it all." – Alan Shearer [26:07]

• On Liverpool’s High Standards:
  "With the money that's being spent, for them not to make the top five would be a disaster for them." – Alan Shearer [23:00]

• On Old-School Football:
  "It's back to old school…those rocket throw-ins coming in from near the halfway line…so difficult to defend." – Alan Shearer [33:57]

• On Off-Field Hypocrisy:
  "The guy's a migrant himself, an economic migrant. He lives in Monaco…at least be here and be paying tax and contributing." – Gary Lineker [12:39]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sean Dyche Sacked / Forest Panic: [01:48 – 07:47]
• Relegation Scramble: [07:47 – 18:00]
• Liverpool & Champions League Race: [20:14 – 24:32]
• Arsenal Drop Points, City’s Surge: [26:07 – 33:20]
• Jim Ratcliffe’s Controversial Interview: [11:18 – 14:16]
• Long Throw & Tactical Trends: [33:32 – 34:44]
• VAR, Refereeing & Foden’s Lucky Escape: [35:01 – 35:23]
• Leicester’s Decline in Perspective: [35:23 – 36:49]
• England/Tuchel Contract News: [37:13 – 38:54]

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Memorable Banter & Chemistry

• Travel Stories: Light-hearted groaning over cursed midweek motorway journeys returning from Match of the Day [03:01].
• Squad Jokes: Bickering about Liverpool’s transfer policy:
  “Jeremy jacket…” (on new signing) – recurring joke in the 24th minute.
• Well Wishes: Both hosts send best to Micah Richards who is off sick [25:00, 38:59].

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Conclusion

Episode Tone: Direct, insightful, with classic football banter and hard-hitting analysis.

This episode provides sharp insights into managerial woes, relegation tension, and the title chase—seasoned with both nostalgia and contemporary perspective. From Sean Dyche’s abrupt exit and Brentford’s bulldozing prowess, to City’s swagger and ownership controversies, Lineker and Shearer don’t pull their punches, making it a must-listen for fans who want depth, candor, and wit.

Transcript

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[C]

He has to take his responsibility for his recruitment of managers. Sometimes you have to say to yourself, am I doing my job right? Clearly he's not.

[B]

If the players, if they had the balls in a committee meeting and said to him, hang on a minute, mate, you need to decide what fucking style of football you actually want us to play.

[C]

This is all Nuno's fault, by the way, at West Ham, because it's of their resurgence that two or three of the clubs are now starting to panic.

[B]

And thinking, shit, I find that deeply concerning that an owner of a football club can say that sort of thing. Hello and welcome to the Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. We're recording the first half of this episode on Thursday morning yesterday. If you're listening to it on Friday, see how I work that out. Amazing. So I thought, given the fact that Arsenal, obviously top of the table, will save the top of the table chat for the second half later on and start with is what is starting to become a very interesting situation at the bottom of the table. So we'll cover perhaps the the fight to avoid relegation. And there's been a notable twist this morning, Alan, with the sacking the third that Nottingham Forest have made this season And Sean Deitch has gone. What are your initial thoughts on that? Because if you look at the form table of. And probably since the turn of the year I think forests are about ninth.

[C]

Yeah, definitely a surprise. I mean I got. I was traveling home from much of the day. We finished at about 10 past midnight the program and nothing had broke. So yeah, it must. So my phone was flashing whilst traveling home and that was the.

[B]

How was your trip home? Absolute light.

[C]

One nightmare. I won't swear because as you well know midweek you have. You run the risk of so many junctions and motorways being closed and that's what happened last night. There was like a 15 mile diversion off into the country road somewhere. So instead of it being, I don't know, maybe 2 hour 40 journey, it was more like a 3 hour 40 journey. So instead of getting home at around about half two, quarter three got in about half three, 20 to four which was. Oh, which was a nightmare.

[B]

That is the one thing I definitely don't miss.

[C]

Midweeks are so worse, aren't they? Saturdays are not so bad. They don't often shut the roads on a Saturday night.

[B]

But. And the big differences between traveling on Saturday nights to midweeks when you're coming back from ash the day is there's no big lorries on the road.

[C]

Yeah, that's right.

[B]

And that you know, in midweek there is, there's lots of them and it's. Oh God. Honestly, it just seems to make so much difference with extra hour at that time. I don't, I don't miss that. I remember, I remember when they. We moved up from London to Manchester and I, I moved into. To Barnes which is southwest London because it's quite convenient for, for White City where we used to obviously record the show and a month after buying the house in Barnes the announcement was made that the movie. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. So that traveling side, I obviously love doing the show but the traveling side of it and those journeys back particularly. You're absolutely right. Midweek, it's just, just awful. But anyway, well done how you've got. You've and you're still in your job and Sean Dyche.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, I was, I was surprised I think with his experience with his know how and all of those things. I mean it's been a really poor season up to now for forest but I think what they just have to do is. Is consolidate and survive and then look forward to or try and look forward to next season.

[B]

I think the best chance of that would probably have been with Sean Dych, wouldn't it?

[C]

Me too. I, I totally agree with that. But he's very different. He runs it the way he wants to. So he's decided that he wants a fourth manager in charge this season. There are reports that it's Vito Pereira that he's been speaking to.

[B]

The merry go round continues. The footwear in managers, it's unbelievable, of.

[C]

Course, but I mean, even looking at, looking at Forest last evening, it's clear that obviously their, their problem, or one of their problems is scoring goals. They had 35 shots last night. 35. 35 of which none of them were any good, unfortunately. And that tells the. That tells the. Yeah, that tells a story. And there are, there are reports, and they look as if they're pretty solid, that he gets a players committee in and speaks to the players and finds out how they feel and what have you. And that by all, all accounts, that's what he did last evening. After the game.

[B]

After the game, he brings in the players, probably a couple of them that might not be in the starting lineup. And you know what footballers are like. If you're in the team, you're generally happy with the manager. If you're not, you're not. Now, unless there's, you know, in the big scheme of things, players will also look for an excuse and they, they might blame the manager.

[C]

I mean, it's his, it's his club, he can do what he wants with it.

[B]

But it's not his club.

[C]

Well, it's not, you know, it's a fan.

[B]

You know what I mean? It's the supporters club, it's the fans club. I wonder what they generally, the Forest fans think.

[C]

Well, he has to take his responsibility for his recruitment of managers. I mean, come on, if you're looking at. And you're looking at Nuno and you're looking at Sean Dyche and now you're looking for a fourth manager in this season. I mean, sometimes you have to say to yourself, am I doing my job right? And clearly he's not. So he has to take his share of the blame.

[B]

Also, Alan, the way he's flip flopped from style.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

You know, because obviously Nuno plays in a counter attacking way. Ange plays very much on the front foot. Then he goes back to a style with Sean D. And the players will be going, what? What? Who's coming there? Vita Pereira. He played quite high press at times for Wolves. So, I mean, they're going to change again. I mean, and then you're going to blame the I think that if the players, if they had the balls in a committee meeting and said to him, hang on a minute, mate, you need to decide what style of football you actually want us to play, rather than changing and flip flopping 14 times. I exaggerate.

[C]

This is all Nuno's fault, by the way, at West Ham because it's of their resurgence that two or three of the clubs are now starting to panic and thinking shit because of their form, because of their results, because they were done four or five weeks ago, as we've said many times. But their results of late of giving all the irony. Yeah, no, exactly. Have given all the other clubs the other. What, what is their. Forest, Spurs, Leeds.

[B]

I've got a hero. And actually in front of me got. I mean even Burnley sneaked up. We'll come to that in a minute. With an amazing victory last night. But west ham now are 24 points. Forest are just three points ahead of them. And I think it was. Might have been a bit of a panic because they didn't beat Wolves who were bottom and. But obviously it was because they were. They were just properly got in front of goal. Tottenham. Yeah, Tottenham. We talked. Obviously we had the emergency podcast, didn't we, yesterday we put out on Wednesday. Should say, if you listen to this on Friday about with Thomas Frank losing his job. They're only two points above Forest, so five points above the drop zone. Leeds, I mean that incredible turnaround, brilliant game against Chelsea, Brighton, I don't know where you go, whether out of it. I think Palace, Brighton, probably. All right, Leeds, I think they've got enough, particularly at home.

[C]

Yeah, I would agree with that. Yeah.

[B]

I think it will be one of. One of West Ham, Forest or. Or spurs, in all likelihood.

[C]

Spurs next game is Arsenal, isn't it? So, yeah. Oh, goodness me. That's why they've acted. The Forest have panicked. But I mean west, that's, that's. That's the reason. Why is that? Because West Ham's form, it. It might have been very different, only.

[B]

They were so close to getting three points.

[C]

Yeah, they were. Well, they were two nil. Two nil up at Chelsea. One nil up with a minute to go against Manchester United. So their form has got everyone looking over their shoulder and panicking. There's no doubt about that. Yeah.

[B]

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[C]

Absolutely.

[B]

And it keeps it going for a while. It would have all ended for him as well as getting a haircut. I think it's probably quite good for his social media. He's got something at one point, one and a half million followers or something now. Incredible, but a lot of fun in that sense. Less fun off the pitch. Jim Ratcliffe obviously has come out with some comments. In an interview he did, he said that Britain has been colonized by immigrants who are draining resources from the state. You can't have an economy with 9 million on benefits and huge level of immigrants coming in. The UK has been colonized by immigrants really, hasn't it? I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020. Now it's 70 million. That's 12 million people. Factually, is obviously incorrect. The Office for National Statistics estimates the population of the UK was 67 million in the mid 2020 and 70 million in mid 2024. Owners of football clubs, right, they're generally the billionaires. They often seek to divide dividers. I think it's doing that sort of thing. I mean, the hypocrisy really I find difficult. Obviously Keir Starmer's the Prime Minister has called for him to make an apology. Whether he will or not remains to be seen.

[C]

Where did he do this interview?

[B]

He did it on Sky News and I, you know, I watched it and I mean the hypocrisy really. The guy's a migrant himself, an economic migrant. He lives in Monaco. I mean, you can have a gripe all you like, but at least be here and be paying tax and contributing to our society. And I would say a lot of these, the immigrants, the migrants that do come in contribute enormously. And facts show you that in terms of revenue, paying tax, etc. Whereas, you know, Jim out there, you know, in Monaco is doing everything he can to avoid paying tax, I would suggest. So, yeah, it's. I mean, there's a. And also, you know, you're one of the owners of Manchester United, a club that has a lot of players from overseas. When he's talking about colonized by immigrants, is it okay if you, a white person that you live in abroad and not a brown or black person? I don't know. Only he can answer that question. But lots and lots and lots of my friends that support Manchester United have come on and said similar things to what I'm saying now. I think they're very disappointed in that. I mean, look at the story alone of Ahmed Diallo that has ended up here. So I find that deeply concerning that an owner of a football club can say that sort of thing. And anyway, but we'll move on to the football side of things. But I just wanted to have my two pennies worth on it.

[C]

On the football side of things.

[B]

On the football side, obviously, Michael Carrick on football side, they're doing okay, considering where they were a few weeks ago. They've climbed the T. They're in the Champions League spot as we speak. We did say, didn't we, that so far, even the Fulham game that they've played in. Fulham tend not to play in a particularly low block. This was the first time they played against the team in a low block and had, I think 60% possession and they didn't win this game. So I think that's something that Michael K. Probably needs to work on. And it's. We know it's difficult against teams with a low block, but that was. Generally, they've done better against the good teams.

[C]

Yeah, no, that's right. Absolutely. I thought West Ham did very well. I thought they frustrated Manchester United and then they got the gold suit check and it was. It looked as if they were going to hang on for all three points. But I suppose that's also a good side in terms of the mentality that he's got in there. And because of the form that they're in, that he makes substitutions, he brings Shesco on with. I think it's about 69, 70. Unbelievable finish. It was an. It was such a clever finish. And when it went into the part of the goal that was the. The goalkeeper had no chance with it. Just the way he flicked it around. I mean, it was desperation stakes at that point. It was just get the ball in and hope. And Buemo did that and he got on the end of it. But it was such a. Such a clever finish. It really was. And they get a point. So their run continues, albeit not with three points, but with one. But when you're one nil down in the 96th minute, you'll absolutely take a point. So. And they did. And they'll get out of there and they'll move on and see where they get to.

[B]

Yeah. Who do you think will go down now? Probably the bottom two are gone. A quick word on Burnley, because Tony went. Didn't he, Tony, obviously, my business partner. Tony went to these. Big Burnley fan, as we've said many times on this podcast, travels every year. And he sent a picture with one of his lads at the game saying, please tell me what is the definition of madness before the game. And then there were two nil down. He's. And he's. He's getting very depressed. Sending to us the worst Burnley team I've ever seen. Five minutes later, they're winning 3, 2.

[C]

And then I saw him. He came on the screens in the match of the day studio in the. In the away end with his arms up, cheering, laughing. And I thought, yeah, how football changes. It's crazy, isn't it?

[B]

But, yeah, I think we've got a photo of it. We'll stick it. We'll stick it.

[C]

I was. I was really pleased for Scott because it was a bit. I felt a bit for him after the weekend where he said he felt the crowd turned against him and the. And the players. So for his players to sort of respond like that at Crystal palace, particularly after being two nil down and then to hang on and get the. And get the three points, I was really, really pleased for them because it must. Must be so. You know when you're being beaten and you just get nothing weekend after weekend, and it's like it can. It could be really, really demoralizing, but they've showed great character. And in coming back from 2 nil down to go and win that game, 3, 2. After what they've been through this season.

[B]

Yeah, they really have. Paris, do you think they could be dragged into or do you think they've got enough? I think it's important that I know he didn't. They didn't win the game. But the fact that Strand Larson got a couple of goals will be, you know, because we all know that really helps if you. Especially when you go into a new club and. And he scored more. He scored more in one game there than he did twice as many goals he scored for Wolves this season.

[C]

Yeah, well, they. On palace, they're on 32 points on these two wins.

[B]

I only think they need to. Probably only one win in palace will have enough.

[C]

Yeah, I think they'll have enough. They'll have two. They've got too.

[B]

And I think they've got enough good players even though they've lost his skipper.

[C]

Yeah, I agree with that. Palace will be fine. Yeah.

[B]

Leeds.

[C]

Yeah, it's. I mean what a. What a great response. 2 nil down to come back to 2 all. I mean albeit Cole Palmer missed an absolute sitter in the last minute, didn't he for Chelsea?

[B]

I mean he went. Put his foot through it rather than letting hit his foot. But I mean his face, he's fake. Couldn't believe. I think he thought he just scored. I think he. And it just.

[C]

Especially the four. Actually the form and the two. Two games. What's that? Four goals and then you've got. You've got a chance from a yard and a half out. You'd. You wouldn't want it to fall to anyone else other than him.

[B]

So I, I did on the group chat and I just said Cole Palmer is very good at football. I mean he met. He's so graceful. I mean you look at him, you think, you know, he's a spindy little fella and he. And, and he kind of glides across the ground and you think he's. Is he quick? I don't know, but he's deceptively quick. But he's incredibly quick in his mind.

[C]

Okay, I was just going to say that. Quick in his head. Absolutely. Yeah. He's. Yeah, he just so glides along. Doesn't he say, oh, he was the.

[B]

Best player on the pitch by a mile? I mean he really.

[C]

It won't be the last absolute sir. He miss misses in his career, that's for sure.

[B]

Yeah, you gotta be there to miss him out.

[C]

Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. But Leeds, I think, I mean they.

[B]

Were totally outplayed leads completely. I mean if you how they got. But. But that's what you've got to do sometimes. You dig in, you dig in a couple of long balls and they get a couple of scruffy goals.

[C]

Yeah. So they probably need two wins as well. They're on 30 points points, maybe three to be certain. But I think they'll have enough to get that at all, particularly at home.

[B]

So who do you think will go then Al, if you. If you had to. I mean it's horrible. I always hate these debates in many ways but they are of interest and it's. It seems it's always horrible predicting someone to go down. But I've got a feeling Forest might go.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. I just think there's the lack of finishing at the moment. I mean it's mad when you consider how good they were last season.

[C]

Yeah. I mean Chris Wood, the form that he was in obviously hasn't played this a lot this season injury. But yeah, the two, the two at the bottom are gone and I do think it'll be West Ham or Forest. Yeah. Because West Ham got a bit of a tough run of fixtures coming up as well. So yeah, I think it'll. West Ham or Forest.

[B]

Yeah, I would agree. I think it'd be one of one or two other important win for Liverpool and that obviously they broke Sunderland's record because they were the only team that were beaten at home in the Premier League this season which is remarkable in itself and a big win probably for slot because they're only two points now or fifth. They would have been four points if they had. If it remained nil. Nil. But so it was. It was a big one and actually.

[C]

I thought they played really well. I thought they were really together. They were tough particularly with issues they've. They've got in that right back position. I mean they, they, they were. They had to stick together last night and I thought Canate and Van Dyke were brilliant against Brobie. I thought the way how physical he is, how tough it is to go there.

[B]

Did you do analysis on that? No.

[C]

Danny did it on and I, I.

[B]

Thought I didn't stay up firm last night. I should have done when I realized you weren't going to get home to last three. Four o' clock in the morning. I was switching between the games because obviously they're all online.

[C]

Danny Murphy did the analysis on Florian Verts and how good he thought he was. But I thought at the end of his analysis I had to give an honorable mention I think to. To those two Canati and Van Dyke because it hasn't. Haven't probably been enough for of. Of those performances this season from. From those two. But I thought they were brilliant and stood up to the fight really really well as did the whole Liverpool team. Actually because, you know, going there is going to be tough. But that, that I thought was a big win for them. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. The race for Champions League sports. I think it's. It's likely that England Premier League looks that way. I think so. It does look that way. Who do you think might miss out? I think it. Do you think it might. It's the top. I mean Villa. Big win for them actually. Tyrone Mings late on, wasn't it?

[C]

I think it'll be the. I'll just look at the league up there. I don't know. It's. Liverpool are sat in six at the minute on there. Yeah.

[B]

Well you've got, I think Villa five points clear of Manchester United, who are fourth. Chelsea a further point back, then two points back to Liverpool.

[C]

So two of those three isn't Man United. Chelsea.

[B]

You would think so. Unless Villa fall away.

[C]

I don't think they would Will. I don't think they will. I think they have enough. I think they'll have enough to get into the top five. Villa, I think he's a really clever, brilliant manager. Unai Emery. I think he'll, he'll, he'll. And that'll be a great success for them if they were to get into the top five. They're having a great season. They've managed to find a way of winning that game last evening. So. Without playing particularly well, but they managed to win.

[B]

Yeah, it will be. I, I would go with it. I think it'll be two. Either United, Chelsea or Liverpool will miss out. I think Slot said it. It would be a real concern if we didn't make the Champions League and would put him under enormous pressure.

[C]

Yeah, I get. I understand that with what's being spent at Liverpool. I mean, I know they had the issues at the beginning of the season, guys, didn't they? For obvious reasons. But with. With the money that's being spent for them not to make the top five would be a disaster for them.

[B]

He said something, didn't he, in one of his press conferences, interviews, Arnie Slots. And we. We don't have the big squad. But hang on a minute. You've spent an absolute fortune in the summer. How is. Is that. I mean, should they in hindsight have built a bigger squad without spending so much money on superstars? Well, the gay thing did fall like break down at the last seconds.

[C]

Yeah. They did have the young boy that came in, didn't they? And then he got injured at the beginning of the season. But they've. They've left themselves really light defensively in that. In that position. So that, that, that was an error.

[B]

Are you surprised they didn't cover themselves for that in the window?

[C]

They have brought in Jeremy Jacques jacket.

[B]

Jeremy jacket.

[C]

Jeremy jacket.

[B]

That's what we're gonna call.

[C]

He's not until. Till next season. So.

[B]

70 million.

[C]

Yeah. A lot of money. Yeah. They went. The Chelsea were in for him as well, I think as well, wouldn't they? So they managed to get it just.

[B]

Got injured as well.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah, I think it was a shoulder injury, but yeah, I think so. Yeah. But there's, there's no doubt that the money that they spent in the summer would be. It would be.

[B]

Do you think he got injured putting his jacket on? Stop.

[C]

Sorry, I haven't had a lot of sleep. That's no good. Come on.

[B]

I can't help it. It's just.

[C]

The answer to your question is it would be a disaster if Liverpool get. Didn't get Champions League football for them. Yeah.

[B]

All right, we'll jack it in now and come back after the break. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace. What's worse than missing a penalty? A brand without a solid website. Squarespace makes it EAS for you and customers with new mobile pay links. Customers can pay for your products or services via text, email, social or QR code fast and hassle free. Go to squarespace.comfootball for a free trial and when you're ready to Launch, use code Football All Uppercase to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Welcome back to the rest. Is football still just Alan Shearer, myself, Gary Lineker. Micah is not very well at all. Get well soon. Big mix. Get well soon. Don't like to hear that. Hopefully be back on the podcast on Monday. Well, we've just watched the Arsenal game I and. And then it was four points. So it's close the gap. We didn't talk about Manchester City in the first half deliberately because Arsenal were playing tonight. So we wanted to do an overall view of the title race. I mean, I thought it was a. A very competitive game. I thought Brentford were tremendous. It was an excellent second half. But Arsenal got ahead and unusually for them, they conceded. But they're hard to defend against Brentford.

[C]

Yeah, I thought Brentford were brilliant. They make it so difficult for you because they've got pace, they've got power, they've got strength, they've got. They've got it all, you know, and, and that. They're a. They're a tough. They're a tough group to get around and get Through. I thought they were really, really, really good tonight, Brentford. And they were. I thought they were perhaps a bit unlucky not to take all three points. So it was a very, very good second half and Brentford pushed them all the way and made it very, very difficult for Arsenal, didn't they?

[B]

They could have sneaked it at the end.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Chance for Thiago. Stayed it over the bar.

[C]

Yeah. Arsenal had a chance as well though, didn't they? Martinelli should have hit it first time. Don't know why he wanted to take a touch for. But it could have went either way towards the last couple of minutes here.

[B]

It was a really good stay from.

[C]

I don't know why I took a touch though. I know I don't need to take a touch.

[B]

I know. And if you do take a touch, you've got to get it out of your feet. He got it in the bit of the middle. So yeah, it was a great chance.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean I don't think it's time for Arsenal to panic. That's a tough fixture at the moment, Brentford, but it just makes it a little bit more interesting which is as neutrals, which we are, especially as Mike is not on. We are. And you know, four points is. It's different. I think Arsenal play Wolves at home next, don't they? So, you know. But City were impressive as well, weren't they?

[C]

Oh, yeah. I thought man. City were particularly first off. Gary. I did that game and I think it's the best I've seen them for a while without the ball. I thought their pressing and their energy and when they lost the ball, their determination to get it back as quick as possible. That was as good as I've seen them for a while in doing that. And yeah, particularly first off, they were brilliant. They. They played. They played really, really well. Could have scored more. Nicar O'Reilly got a great goal started right from in the.

[B]

Isn't he.

[C]

It was brilliant the way they pressed. Won the ball back and near their own 18 yard box and then played some. Some great football to get out. Little pass and move, give and go. And then he. He played the ball into Semenya. He gets it back and it was just a great finish and a great team goal. So, yeah, brilliant for Manchester City.

[B]

Yeah. While we're on the subject over e. I mean England. It's got to be close, isn't he. I mean he can play left back. I mean essentially he's, he's. He's a midfield player as he shows. But what a. I mean he's a very, very good footballer. He's incredibly intelligent with the ball. He knows what he's doing. He's the type of fullback that can drift. Drift into midfield like so many do nowadays. So I think it's, you know, probably. But him and Lewis back at the moment, I mean. Yeah, left backstroke midfielder and I think given the fact that he can play both gives him a advantage in terms of certainly getting into the squad.

[C]

Squad anyway. Yeah, yeah. I think, I think at the minute it would be Lewis hall for me because he's having a really good season for Newcastle. Really, really talented player. But yeah, good for England to have to have those two playing so well.

[B]

And Harlan back the score sheet but a bit of a niggle apparently. I mean Pep said this morning it was a bit. He said I'm feeling something 3 nil up makes sense to bring him off, doesn't it? With the amount of fixtures.

[C]

Yeah, he got whacked, didn't he? I think it was Anderson that hit him when he played that ball for the O'Reilly goal. He. It was really good hold up play but then he got. He got a crunch and tackle and then went off at. At half time. I guess just to be. Just to be safe rather than sorry.

[B]

Yeah, totally agree. Who impressed you in the Arsenal game? Who impressed me individual wise?

[C]

I'm not sure there were. That. That were brilliant.

[B]

I'll tell you something. I noticed was a couple of things that. I mean we've talked about it many, many times. Declan Rice but boy does he cover some ground. And then right at the end he gets. The boy wins it and then he's charging down and you just think crikey, this fella could run a marathon.

[C]

Yeah. I mean to, to get to. To get to that and the way he did after doing so much running anyway. Yeah, he's. He's a very, very talented lad, isn't he? He's having a great season.

[B]

Favorite for football of the year at the moment I would say.

[C]

Probably. Yeah. Probably. Yeah. Yeah I would. I wouldn't argue with that. He has been superb, hasn't he? Yeah, he's been. He's been integral to everything that Arsenal have been doing and they have been impressive. But he, he for me has probably been the standout. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, I would agree. And Gabrielle at the back, he's Cor blimey, what an uncompromising defender.

[C]

Tough game for him tonight though against Thiago. I tell you, he's a. He's a real handful who he backs in and he's so quick when he gets in. In behind and when. When you. You know, you've been in the game. When you played against him, by the way.

[B]

Yeah, what a sign. I mean, yeah, I know he's second only to Harland, isn't he, in the goal scoring chart, but he's injured.

[C]

Last year, wasn't he the.

[B]

That's right.

[C]

I guess when they. When they recruited him, he had a serious injuries out for a while, but he. Yeah, he's a real handful of years. He's, you know. You've been in a game.

[B]

Yeah. Good midweek for City, though, because, I mean, it's the first time in a while I've seen Pep genuinely enthused and seemed. I mean, I know the three up at half time, so it makes it a bit more comfortable. But he looked like he got a real happy energy, which I haven't seen for a little while.

[C]

Yeah, it's amazing, the fine margins. I mean, with a couple of minutes to go at. At Anfield being beaten y. And then all of a sudden they won that game and they're winning 3 nil with ease and they look really impressive and now they're only. They're only four points behind. So, yeah, it's been a. It's been a great week for Man City. Yeah.

[B]

And they've been there and done it. Alan. Which is worth its weight in gold, isn't it?

[C]

That's the thing with the. With the experience. Yeah. And, yeah, they've. And they've got players as you, who. Who know what it's all about, who've been around the block, who have faced this before.

[B]

Some of them, some of them. Not all of them, but, you know, one or two of them are coming back. Diaz is back, isn't he? Which will make a difference. Gaze settled in so quickly. Semeno settled in really quickly, which is not always the case, is it, in the January window when you buy players. But, you know, they've looked like they've been there forever.

[C]

Yeah, they've really settled in well, being really good signings. But I guess, you know, know, we'll. We'll say this, I think three or four times with twists and turns in between now and the end of the season. He'll have a poor result and Arsenal will have a good result and it'll be backwards and forwards and still a good lead. Yeah, absolutely. Of course it is, yeah. I mean, it's disappointed that there will be. Is not taking three points tonight, Arsenal.

[B]

But they could have taken none.

[C]

Yep. And that. That was a bloody Tough game for them there tonight. So four points could have been better. But I wouldn't be too disappointed or getting too nervy if I was Arsenal. No, but although that's easier said than done because all, all the noise and we'll all be talking about it and everyone and Man City will be trying to put as much pressure on as as possible. And that's what happens, you know, when, when City play first they get their result. There's no doubt that the other, the other Arsenal players and the staff would have watched the game last night and looked at Man City and read everything today and then that puts a little tiny bit more pressure on you. But you've got to handle that if you're going to win the league.

[B]

Absolutely. The two of them meet as well.

[C]

Don't.

[B]

In April, Brentford could, could conceivably get European football, couldn't they? It's not beyond the realms of pot looking at them. They're, you know, they're so tough to play against.

[C]

Yeah, we've said it a few times, haven't we? About 1 considering the start they had, 2 considering the players that they sold. So yeah, it'll put, put all that together. He's doing, he's doing a magnificent job and I guess very much like Sunderland, any team going to stadium alike knows they're in for a game. But any team going to Brentford is just the way they play, the way they, they make you.

[B]

Bit old school, aren't they?

[C]

Comfortable. Yeah, they all make it really, really uncomfortable for you because of the, the players that they've got. I mean the long throw is, is so tough to defend. It's back to old school. Absolutely. It's back to 20, 30 years ago when, when we saw those rocket of throw ins coming in from near the halfway line. Remember I think it was Dave Chaloner, wasn't it? I used to have that Tramir when I remember playing against. Just so difficult to defend because you.

[B]

Can'T push up because you can't be offside. So it's, it's actually harder when it's.

[C]

Coming in from that angle as well when it's coming in from right opposite the six yard box. To come in as that far and you've got that height and strength that Brentford have and the way they move around and the way they pin you in the box, it's just difficult to defend.

[B]

Yeah, it's come back into fashion. I'm looking forward to seeing Manchester City pep play that way. That would. Yeah, quick line of Foden because he Came back, looked like he's playing with a smile on his face and he, he was quite impactful, particularly in the first half. But he was lucky not to get a red card, wasn't he?

[C]

Yeah, he was actually. Yeah, he was. He was. I thought it, it should have been, should have been a red card. I thought he got away with it. There were many refs that would look at that old VR and, and tell the referee. I get the referee missing it but there have been many. Var sat there thinking, I'm going to tell the ref to go up the screen because yeah, that's. It should have been a red card. I think.

[B]

Yeah, I think you. One or two other topics just before we go. I, I've not really talked much about Leicester this season. My team. Alan, I've left you to Newcastle and you've had a few Go on then days.

[C]

Get it off your chest.

[B]

I'm. I mean you got six point reduction which it's been coming for some time. It's, you know, waiting for it.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

But it's come and it came at a time where you're mid table and I thought, well, it's not too bad. We'll, you know, we'll be all right. And then you play a couple of you lose and then at home you're 3 nil up after an hour against Southampton you think, oh, we'll be able to put us clear. And then you lose the game. Four, three. I mean it's, it's a tough time. I mean I was talking to all the lads, obviously three of my boys support Leicester and we were all saying that, you know, it's a bit down about it but at the same time, 10 years ago, I was just about to say 10 years ago almost to the day, we were top of the league and went on to win the, the Premier League. If someone had told me a couple of years before that, when we were in League one, three years before that, that, you know, in the next decade you're going to win the Premier League, you're going to win the FA cup and then you'll go down again, you'll get point reduction, you might even end up in League one.

[C]

Would you take it?

[B]

Not only would I have taken it, I'd have snap your bloody hand off. But I'm afraid at the moment, yeah, the club's not very well run. It's gotten a bit of a pickle and it's quite worrying where we'll go. But hopefully you can not be relegated and we'll soldier on and one Other point, Thomas Tuchel, new contract. Do you see that coming?

[C]

No, I didn't see that. I mean, yeah, it is because he was first of all hired to come in and win the World Cup. That's what his contract, I guess was, was up until after that. And we all knew, we all knew. I guess the FA have been put.

[B]

Under pressure a lot of times. You've said, well, one of the good things about Thomas Tuchel is that he hasn't got to worry about what players will think beyond the World cup. So he can do exactly what he wants, you know, and he won't worry about upsetting anyone. Does that now change?

[C]

I don't think so. I think he's of that personality. He's a very, very forward thinking manager. He knows what he wants and how to get it. I don't think he would be affected by that of who he leaves out or who he affect. Not. I think he'll be fully focused on one thing and that one thing is to get England to win the World cup, as tough as it's going to be. But I guess what the FAA have done is that they've looked at big clubs who are currently without a manager and if he does well and if he wins it, then there's no doubt that he'll have his pick of huge clubs around the world, one of those being Manchester United. So I guess that's one of the reasons why they've made their move and tried to secure, secure him.

[B]

Yeah. And also, even if they went close and performed admirably and didn't quite manage it, the next competition is obviously the Euros and that is in the uk, so which will be a, you know, a real chance to win a tournament. We shall see lots of talented players and he's got lots of big decisions to make in terms of the squad looking ahead at the World Cup. We're doing a Netflix thing around that, you know. Yeah, looking forward to it. Forgot about that. Yeah, we do exciting times ahead.

[C]

Yeah, looking forward to it. Yeah.

[B]

Okay. Well, before we go, we wish Big Meeks a speedy recovery.

[C]

Get well soon, Big Meeks soon.

[B]

Yeah. But for now, goodbye for me.

[C]

Goodbye for me. Have a great weekend.

[B]

You saw the game winning play once but have to replay it three times on the way back to the hotel because someone fun moments don't end at the buzzer. Life's a trip. Make the most of it at Best Western, Book direct and [e-mail].