The Rest Is Football
Episode: Haaland The Robot, The Rice Is Right & What Next For Wolves?
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards
Date: November 3, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dissects the major talking points from the recent Premier League weekend, including Arsenal's commanding form (and the impact of Declan Rice), Liverpool’s rotation gamble and Carabao Cup exit, Chelsea’s resurgence against Spurs, Manchester City's relentless machine in Erling Haaland, Tottenham’s head-scratching performance, and managerial turmoil at Wolves. The second half features Alan Shearer live from his post-PLP travels, reflecting passionately on Newcastle’s defeat and further analyzing the weekend's standout stories. As always, the trio balances sharp analysis with trademark banter and behind-the-scenes insight.
Key Discussion Points
1. Arsenal Top of the League: The Declan Rice Factor
Timestamps: 06:17 – 13:56
- Arsenal’s Solidity and Growth:
- Gary observes that Arsenal “look solid, they look organized, they look like they're in control of everything and they're incredibly difficult, not only to beat, but to score against.” (06:17)
- Micah praises Arteta’s team-first ethos, highlighting the transformation: “He took his game to a next level... you’re talking about him as probably being one of the best in world football.” (07:24)
- Declan Rice’s Evolution:
- Micah: “He’s a box to box midfielder... I feel as though sometimes he's wasted in a six... he's consistently putting in these performances where we have to start talking about him as one of the best in world football.” (07:46)
- Gary extends Rice’s value to the England setup: “If I were Thomas Tuka... imagine having as your two eights, Bellingham, Rice... the amount of ground that Rice covers and... he advances with the ball... he's got it all.” (08:08)
- Both credit Rice’s mentality, with Micah noting: “His attitude is I'm going to take it on board and I'm going to show everyone exactly what I can do. And that's what he's done.” (09:48)
- Arsenal’s Depth & Arteta’s Tactics:
- Praise for fullbacks like Timber and Ben White—“Amazing how they get in positions like they're playing basically up front at times. It's mental.” – Gary (11:50)
- Both hosts touch on Arsenal’s squad rotation and strong options across the pitch.
- Yokerez’s Progress:
- Concern about his impact in big games: “Yokerez needs to be the difference against the bigger teams, the later stages of the... Champions League. He’s missing a lot of opportunities.” – Micah (13:09)
- Gary defends him: “Doesn’t matter if it was just a tap-in. It’s important for strikers... He's given them something different... but he needs to do it in big games.” (13:56)
2. Liverpool’s Rotation, Carabao Cup Gamble, and Focus on Real Madrid
Timestamps: 15:56 – 20:07
- Squad Rotation & Priorities:
- Liverpool fielded a second-string side and exited the Carabao Cup, prompting debate.
- Micah: “The Carabao cup is the least fancy, extravagant cup we... all know. The manager had a decision to make and I said it was the right decision.” (16:24)
- Back to Basics in the League:
- Both praise the reintroduction of mainstays like Mac Allister and Gravenberch.
- Micah: “The balance was just a lot better.” (17:18)
- Florian Wirtz’s Integration:
- Discussion about easing new big-money signing Wirtz into the lineup:
- Gary: “Take him out the firing line a little bit and then... bring him on... he's a really good player. You don't buy these players for the first three months. You buy them for years ahead.” (18:38)
- Micah: “He’s got to come good and I believe he will.” (19:21)
- Discussion about easing new big-money signing Wirtz into the lineup:
- Looking Ahead:
- Focus turns to the challenge of Real Madrid and Mbappé’s “scintillating form.” (20:09)
3. European Nights & Jude Bellingham
Timestamps: 20:55 – 23:24
- Gary plugs his upcoming Carlo Ancelotti interview and shares Ancelotti’s praise for Bellingham: “Model professional, absolutely brilliant kid, great personality, wonderful talent.” (21:07)
- Banter about wishing England’s stars would enter major tournaments without “noise” or injuries.
- “But World Cups are quite hard to win, you know.” – Gary (22:59)
4. Spurs’ Wobble, Chelsea’s Statement, and Dressing Room Drama
Timestamps: 23:31 – 28:31
- Chelsea’s Dominance and Spurs’ Problems:
- “That’s one of the worst games I’ve seen Spurs play… I didn’t know what I was trying to do... they had no control in the game.” – Micah (25:04)
- Gary: “Big gaps between the back and the front… I’ve never seen that with a Thomas Frank team.” (25:26)
- Kai Caicedo’s Impact:
- Gary: “I thought Kai Soto again was absolutely brilliant... he’s such a talent.” (24:53)
- Fantasy League Banter:
- Micah and Gary exchange notes about fantasy football wild cards and their choices—“I did my wild card. I'm learning about this game.” – Gary (26:15)
- Van De Ven, Jed Spence, and Post-Match Walkout:
- A post-game incident where Spurs players ignored manager directions is debated:
- “If they’re disrespecting the manager like that, it's an absolute disgrace...” – Micah (26:44)
- Both recollect similar moments from their own careers, and urge for context before judgment.
- A post-game incident where Spurs players ignored manager directions is debated:
5. Manchester United’s Marginal Gains
Timestamps: 28:31 – 31:45
- Signs of improvement at United but doubts remain:
- “I just don't like wingers being in that position... But they're still vulnerable.” – Micah (29:22, 29:46)
- Gary: “They’re probably moving in the right direction... their recruitment... looks like it's been pretty good.” (29:57, 30:51)
- Both predict a mid-table finish unless greater consistency is found.
6. Wolves: The Managerial Merry-Go-Round
Timestamps: 31:45 – 34:21
- Vitor Pereira’s Sacking:
- “What chance have you got?... Comes, they sell their best two players... then don't really buy anybody else and then... things start to go wrong.” – Gary (31:45)
- Micah highlights impact on squad morale after transfers, especially mentioning unsettled players like Strand Larsen.
- Commentary on the ‘Merry-Go-Round’:
- “Managers now... which club are you at at the moment? It’s a mad way to make a living...” – Gary (33:31)
- Humorous speculation about managers repeatedly returning to former clubs.
7. Newcastle’s “Rotten” Performance & West Ham’s Improvement
Timestamps: 37:43 – 45:47
- Alan Shearer joins from his car, candid and frustrated after Newcastle’s loss to West Ham.
- “They were lazy, lethargic; they had no energy. Other than Murphy… there was not one player... that could say, I did all right today.” (39:03)
- “Newcastle were hopeless.” – Alan (39:24)
- Micah, with comic timing, admits to holding back on the banter to spare Alan’s feelings.
- Alan praises West Ham and highlights young Freddie Potts: “He got man of the match, player of the match. He was brilliant.” (42:12)
- Discussion of Newcastle’s away struggles:
- “That doesn't stop you running around… what made Newcastle successful… I’m not seeing that away from home.” – Alan (43:12)
- Gary: “Important to get back to basics.” (44:40)
8. Manchester City and the “Robot” Haaland
Timestamps: 46:05 – 49:34
- Dominance against Bournemouth:
- Lineker: “To play a high line against Erling Haaland... is very, very brave.” (46:32)
- Micah: “It's just phenomenal. He really is... Three times he went through, didn’t he?” (46:56)
- Supporting Cast:
- O’Reilly, Philip, and Croupy praised for their contributions; Foden’s resurgence highlighted.
- Pep Guardiola’s focus on maximizing Haaland’s strengths: “Now they are playing massively to what he needs and what he wants…” – Alan (48:35)
- Banter about player names and in-jokes:
- “You're a creepy groupy.” – Gary to Micah (49:06)
9. Title Race Forecast & Arsenal’s Superiority
Timestamps: 50:39 – 53:31
- Alan: “I don’t see really weaknesses yet in Arsenal... Liverpool got their win... City, I'm not sure about. Defensively, they're giving chances away. Haaland’s always going to score... but I just don’t see really weaknesses yet in Arsenal.” (52:13)
- Gary and Micah joke about Sunderland momentarily entering the title conversation, much to Alan’s despair.
10. Managerial Roundabout Continues: Southampton & Wolves
Timestamps: 53:31 – 55:49
- Brief news: Southampton part with Will Still—debunking some myths about his Football Manager reputation.
- All reflect on the job insecurity and cyclical nature of football management:
- “You just almost certain to get the sack at some point. I mean, it's such a tough... Must drive you mad.” – Gary (54:23)
- Alan: “You know the rules, don't you?... at some stage, you're probably right: you're probably going to get sacked one day.” (54:59)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Declan Rice:
- “Declan Rice’s attitude is I’m going to take it on board and I’m going to show everyone exactly what I can do.” – Micah Richards (09:48)
- On Newcastle’s loss:
- “They were rotten... There was not one player that could come off that pitch and say, I did all right today.” – Alan Shearer (39:03)
- The Haaland Phenomenon:
- “It's just phenomenal. He really is…” – Micah Richards (47:24)
- “Now they are playing massively to what he needs and what he wants… He is absolutely loving it and destroying teams.” – Alan Shearer (48:35)
- Fantasy League Fun:
- “I did my wild card. I’m learning about this game...” – Gary Lineker (26:15)
- Managerial Merry-Go-Round:
- “Which club are you at at the moment? It's a mad way to make a living.” – Gary Lineker (33:31)
- On Football’s Influence on Mood:
- “It's mad, isn't it... how much your team's performances affect your mood. You just think, come on. It's just... why does it?” – Gary Lineker (40:59-41:31)
- Arsenal’s challenge to the rest:
- “It’d be hard to go against Arsenal, wouldn’t it?” – Gary Lineker (12:46)
Additional Observations
- Strong banter between Gary, Micah, and Alan—especially in Alan’s post-Newcastle-misery rant. The chemistry makes the analysis relatable and entertaining.
- Unique behind-the-scenes insight, e.g., Gary’s upcoming interview with Carlo Ancelotti and revelations about players'/managers’ mindsets.
- Fantasy football jokes and recurring references to “Match of the Day” processes deepen the sense of insider camaraderie.
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- Arsenal & Declan Rice: 06:17–13:56
- Liverpool Rotation: 15:56–20:07
- European Chat & Bellingham: 20:55–23:24
- Spurs v Chelsea Drama: 23:31–28:31
- Man United Analysis: 28:31–31:45
- Wolves/Career Uncertainty: 31:45–34:21, 53:31–55:49
- Alan’s Newcastle Rant/West Ham Praise: 37:43–45:47
- Man City & Haaland: 46:05–49:34
- Title Race Reflection: 50:39–53:31
Conclusion
Packed with analysis, personality, and Premier League expertise, this episode captures the highs and lows of the football weekend, with sharp takes on Arsenal’s title credentials, Liverpool’s strategic decisions, and the rollercoaster that is football management. Alan’s raw post-match emotion is a highlight, as always, and the infamous “Haaland the Robot” discussion further cements the Norwegian’s status as a phenomenon. The chemistry between Gary, Micah, and Alan makes this a must-listen for fans who want more than just headlines.