Man Utd Dominate Man City, Frank’s Struggles Continue At Spurs & Glasner Feeling Abandoned At Palace

Summary

The Rest Is Football – Episode Summary

Date: January 19, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Overview

In this lively episode, Gary Lineker (reporting from Morocco), Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards break down a dramatic weekend in Premier League football. The Manchester Derby takes center stage as Manchester United stun a lackluster Manchester City. The trio discuss missed opportunities for Arsenal, Brentford’s woes, frustration at Spurs under Thomas Frank, and the turbulence at Crystal Palace with Oliver Glasner feeling abandoned. The episode is filled with sharp tactical insights, witty banter, and heartfelt commentary—offering fans an essential catch-up on the week’s biggest football stories.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Manchester Derby: United Stun City

(02:15 – 13:18)

• United's Dominance and Energy
  • Alan: “I thought Man United were absolutely outstanding from start to finish. The energy, the way they just went out and did exactly what the manager wanted… They created chances. They made Man City look very average.” (04:15)
  • Praise for the tactical shift, especially Mainoo’s return to midfield and Fernandes playing further forward.
• VAR Controversy
  • Alan complains about Dalot not being sent off: “That is a terrible challenge… endangering an opponent, which means a red card. And for [VAR] to sit there and think, no, that was okay, it was just a yellow… honestly.” (04:21)
  • Gary tempers: "In normal time it didn't look anything..." (04:12)
• Tactical Nuances
  • Micah focuses on City’s vulnerability to counters and poor midfield balance: “You had a three on two at Old Trafford where Man United want to play the counter… I was so stressed out about the situation.” (06:52)
  • Critique of City’s setup: Foden taken off at HT, Haaland subbed off late, young defenders exposed.
  • Alan: “There’s an argument that every single Man United player could have been given man of the match.” (11:40)
• Atmosphere and New Manager Effect
  • Micah: "The atmosphere at the stadium was... brilliant. You could feel something special." (12:00)
• Future Implications
  • Gary jokes: “Win that, Carrick at the wheel, give him a five year contract… It is a strange obsession Manchester United have with ex-players.” (13:01)

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2. Arsenal Frustrated at Forest, Title Race Analysis

(13:24 – 18:18)

• Arsenal Miss Opportunity
  • Alan: “They had two or three really big chances but didn’t really take them. I thought Forest in the end deserved a point.” (14:07)
• Strikers Under Scrutiny
  • Micah analyzes Jocherez’s declining confidence: “If a defender in that situation… I can get back because he’s got no confidence and his touch is not going to be right. He needs a couple of games out.” (16:40)
• Goalkeeping Highlights
  • Micah praises "Cell’s save from Saka’s header—brilliant." (18:06)
• Penalty Controversies & Manager Interviews
  • Alan: “What did you think about the penalty decisions…?” (18:24)
  • Micah comments on Sean Dyche’s “very prickly” post-match interview. (18:46)
• Arsenal’s Defensive Solidity
  • Gary: “I think that... will be enough... this season, where no one else really is performing brilliantly.” (16:09)

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3. Brentford, Chelsea, and Tactical Sidenotes

(19:35 – 22:34)

• Brentford’s Missed Chances
  • Alan: “Brentford opened them up. There were really big, big chances…”
• Chelsea’s Openness
  • Alan: “They got the victory… but if Brentford had taken their chances, it might have been a different story.” (19:42)
• Rosenior and Managerial Quirks
  • Gary enjoys “some of [Rosenior’s] slightly David Brent moments… talking about managing—man and age; we are aging men.” (21:01)

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4. Spurs Struggles Under Thomas Frank

(23:13 – 26:47)

• Frank’s Difficulties
  • Micah: “It’s hurting me seeing what’s going on there… they’re like nervous wrecks, the lot of them.” (23:27)
• Lack of Identity
  • Alan: “I don’t see a pattern. I don’t see what they’re trying to do. Are they a sitting team? A repressing team? I don’t know.” (24:20)
• Managerial Hot Seat
  • Micah worries: “[If] he was to get sacked… now bigger teams are looking at him saying he can’t do it at that level.” (25:56)
  • Gary: “It’s a mad, mad world, manager. You know what you get into and if it doesn’t happen, you’re in trouble.” (26:40)

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5. West Ham & Callum Wilson’s Odd Situation

(26:48 – 27:53)

• Alan: “West Ham… there was no effort [at Wolves]. But yesterday… at least they showed a better attitude yesterday.”
• Surreal scenario of Wilson, contract possibly terminated, scoring the winner.

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6. Palace Turmoil: Glasner’s "Abandonment" and Club Model

(27:53 – 31:49)

• Management Crisis
  • Gary: “Oliver Glasner had something of a rant… said he thinks they’ve been deserted, basically.” (27:53)
  • Alan: “Once you come out and start criticizing your bosses in public, you’re on a sticky wicket… I said it on Match of the Day that it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s not in charge for the next game.” (28:40)
  • Breaking News: Palace won’t sack Glasner yet—clear-the-air talks planned. (29:09)
• Club Operation Challenges
  • Alan: “[Palace] have to buy smart and sell big, don’t they? That’s their model.”
  • Micah: “What worries me for Palace, remember when Wigan won the FA Cup then got relegated? If you’re going to break up this whole team, next season could be a real struggle.” (31:49)
  • Gary: “It gives and it taketh away.” (31:49)

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7. Around the Grounds: Sunderland, Liverpool, and More

(31:53 – 37:03)

• Sunderland’s Home Fortitude
  • Alan’s missed Match of the Day Sunderland analysis recounted for comic effect. (32:08)
• Burnley Hold Liverpool: Fans Discontent
  • Gary: “I think their main gripe… the pace of play. They’ve gone from Klopp’s dynamic football… all a little bit pedestrian.” (35:13)
  • Alan: "They look very leggy in midfield… there’s no protection for that back four. They’re way off it.” (36:07)
• Return of Salah
  • Micah: “Salah’s got to start, without doubt… he’ll come back hungry.” (36:17)

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Second Half: Weekend's Other Highlights

(40:06 – 52:56)

8. Everton Upset at Aston Villa

• Dyche Masterclass
  • Alan: “That performance from Everton was a David Moyes masterclass. Wasn’t it?” (42:00)
  • Micah: “Everton are really good at defending the middle of the pitch… Always going to be one of them, if you get a chance, you got to take it.” (41:06)
• Garner Praised
  • Alan: “Garner in midfield, he was brilliant.” (41:31)

9. Villa's Striker Situation

• Discussion on letting Marlon go before replacements are signed, talk of Tammy Abraham and Oliver Watkins' need for competition. (43:11–43:45)

10. Arsenal's Title Favour – Villa Loss Implications

• Both see a crucial point gained for Arsenal, Micah: “Man City are not the Man City of a couple of seasons ago.” (44:40)

11. Newcastle's Away Day Blues & Recruitment Woes

• Alan: “My, their recruitment hasn’t worked as yet... Volta Mardi, not seen the best of him… Visser, Elanga, really struggling for form and confidence…” (45:33–47:58)
• Lack of cutting edge, substitutions too similar, away form poor.
• Alan: “Unless that improves… and unless they find a way to get the best out of [the new signings]...” (47:58)
• Micah: “Walter Marder’s only scored three in 14 games… is it him adapting to the team or the team adapting to him?” (49:53)

12. Wolves Cling to Survival Hopes

• Both think it's too late for a great escape, but acknowledge recent improvements. (51:40–52:24)

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Notable Quotes

• Alan Shearer on United:
  “I thought Man United were absolutely outstanding from start to finish. The energy…” (04:15)
• Micah Richards on City:
  “You’ve got a three on two at Old Trafford where Man United want to play the counter… I was so stressed out about the situation.” (06:52)
• Gary Lineker on Arsenal’s defense:
  “They don’t concede many. I think that’s why they’ll win it.” (16:09)
• Micah Richards on Thomas Frank:
  “It’s hurting me seeing what’s going on there… a man of his ability tactically would have them playing in some sort of way.” (23:27)
• Alan Shearer on Crystal Palace:
  “Once you come out and start criticizing your bosses… you’re on a sticky wicket.” (28:40)
• Gary Lineker on Liverpool:
  “They’ve gone from Klopp’s dynamic football… all a little bit pedestrian.” (35:13)
• Micah Richards on Salah:
  “Salah’s got to start, without doubt. He’ll come back hungry.” (36:17)

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Memorable Moments

• Micah’s frustration with City tactics—high comedy and genuine analysis. (06:52 – 10:29)
• Alan’s missed Sunderland analysis—recurring running joke. (32:08 – 34:01)
• Micah’s emotional reflection on Thomas Frank’s struggles at Spurs. (23:27 – 25:56)
• Gary’s amusement at managerial “man-age” terminology. (21:01)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Man United vs Man City: 02:15 – 13:18
• Arsenal vs Forest/Title Race: 13:24 – 18:18
• Chelsea & Brentford: 19:35 – 22:34
• Spurs & Thomas Frank: 23:13 – 26:47
• Palace & Glasner: 27:53 – 31:49
• Around the Grounds (Sunderland, Liverpool): 31:53 – 37:03
• Everton Upset Villa: 40:06 – 43:06
• Villa’s Striker Situation: 43:11 – 44:12
• Newcastle’s Away Struggles: 45:33 – 51:35
• Wolves' Survival Hopes: 51:35 – 52:24

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Closing Note

This episode is rich in nuanced tactical discussion, robust opinions, and entertaining banter—making it a must-listen for any football fan seeking insight and laughter from some of the game’s most experienced voices.

Transcript

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[Gary Lineker]

Hello and welcome to the Rest is Football with Michael Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. You chaps are at home. I'm in Rabat in Morocco for the Africa cup of nations final between Morocco and Senegal, which is later tonight. So we're going to do the first half now, discuss all Saturday's games and then we're hoping to jump back on later. But I might chaps, because you know how these things can drag on these events. We might have to leave you to on your own, but I'm sure you know you'll manage. You'll manage absolutely fine. But we'll see. I'll try our best to jump on and let you know what it was like, the experience of being at the game and everything. And if we can't get back on, we'll record it later in the week for you and let you know our experience here in Morocco. But for now, well, fascinating days football yesterday. I think we have to start with the Manchester Derby. It could not have gone much better for Manchester United. Manchester City were fairly awful actually thought. But that was a game we managed to watch before we flew away. But yeah, what was your take on it? Well, let's start with Micah. Do you. Do you need a little rant?

[Micah Richards]

Start with that, Alan. Give. Give United all the praise. Go on, give it to him.

[Gary Lineker]

That's a very good point.

[Micah Richards]

Well, go ahead, Al.

[Alan Shearer]

I thought Man United were absolutely outstanding from start to finish. The energy, the way they just went out and did exactly what the manager wanted. I thought some of their player was superb, their aggression. Yeah, they got lucky with the. With what should have been a red card for Dalot. There's no doubt about it. What on earth the var were thinking. I mean and then they said that it was more of a glancing rather than it was a straight on absolute rubbish. It was.

[Gary Lineker]

I totally get your point, Alan, but the one thing I'll go back to as well, in normal time it didn't look anything. Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

And I get that with the referee.

[Gary Lineker]

But yeah, slow motion.

[Alan Shearer]

But to look at things like that, the referee couldn't see it and I get that and understand that. But that is a terrible challenge. That is an endangering an opponent, which means a red card. And for the two to sit in there and think, no, that was okay, it was just a yellow. I mean honestly. But anyway, that's not their fault. He didn't get sent off and they made the most of it and they were absolutely brilliant. They created chances. They made Man City look very average. They stopped Harland. In fact they stopped everything that Man City were. Are very good at in terms of blocking spaces, stopping balls into the forwards, into into Ford and etc. And they thoroughly deserved it. Should have been. Could have been more so. They were outstanding. That has to be norm for them every week now. Yeah, has to be the norm in terms of the energy.

[Gary Lineker]

While we're on United. I think it does show that if players are given jobs that work for them and a system that works. I mean people say yeah, why, why don't they always try like I think you do as footballers. You always try and give your best but for various reasons, sometimes you Can't. And then confidence saps and stuff like that. And then you get fresh, fresh impetus coming in with the new manager and he brought in, oh, surprise, surprise. Kobbie Mainoo came in and looked very comfortable in midfield and he hasn't started, what, since August or something. So yeah, I think it was a mixture of different things, probably the players and, and also putting Bruno Fernandes slightly more forward. Bruno's absolutely outstanding, I thought. And it just looked more like a fit. You've got, you know, I know he's been away in Africa cup of nations duty, but Ahmad on the right but not playing as a wing back. And I mean players that suit the positions and it, it would. They just look more comfortable in their roles and with that comes an energy and with that comes an enthusiasm and a belief. Yes, you're right, Alan. They've got to keep that, maintain that and they've got every chance to do it. They're not going to be playing too many games because they're not in any cup competitions now and not in European football. So they need to work on that. And they're very close of course to Champions League spots. And so there's, you know, maybe some reasons to be cheerful for the long suffering people are poor fans at Ult Trafford.

[Micah Richards]

Can I ask.

[Alan Shearer]

Fire away, Micah, fire away.

[Micah Richards]

Before I go, can I ask you guys a question? Right, if you're going to play against Manchester City, how would you score against them? Just a simple question.

[Alan Shearer]

What?

[Gary Lineker]

Counter.

[Micah Richards]

Exactly. Exactly that counter.

[Gary Lineker]

Big gaps they've got and they're playing.

[Micah Richards]

High man City are going to dominate the ball. We, we all know you don't need to be a rocket science to know that. So when Man United was setting up in the way, you knew exactly what they was trying to do. So when Rodri got caught up field and Bernardo Silva and Rico Lewis, when he goes from right back into center midfield, one person has to stay in the middle of the pitch. The first goal that they conceded, I was so stressed out about the situation. Shirk is taking the free kick and whether it's a good free kick, bad free kick, whatever, we all know, and I've said this from, from day one, offensively he's fantastic. Defensively he's, he's starting to work more. But in them defensive positions, you can't count them at the moment. So I'm looking at Rico Lewis position and I'm not, I'm not having a dig at Rico Lewis because he set up at the edge of the box waiting for the second balls. But there was Fernandez and someone else behind him. So if the ball breaks down, you've got a three on two. You've got a three on two at Old Trafford where Man United want to play the counter attacking football. Can you take responsibility on the pitch to say one of us has to stay? And I knew it was going to be a bad day because Rodri, who's been unbelievable for Man City, had an off day when he's passing the ball back and looking vulnerable on the ball. And United had too much energy, the smothered them. They basically went in a low block but then blocked the middle of the pitch. And then as soon as the ball went out, Alan did it really well. On Match of the Day yesterday it was a two versus one versus Semenu and Doku, so they had nowhere to go. So it was congested in the middle. And then when it went wide, it went out too slow. United could get over. They was running like absolute animals to get back in position so Man City couldn't break them down. And then they just allowed him to go through the middle of the. I was, I was thinking to myself, what, what is. What is going on here? I couldn't believe what I see for a team that is so balanced normally in terms of getting the ball back, knowing their positions, retaining the ball. But then against United, I don't know if the emotion took it out of him or United was just better on the day. But that's one of the poorest I've ever seen Man City in a derby. And I'm talking for 10, 15 years that long.

[Gary Lineker]

Pep had one of his kind of, let's say, intriguing days where he obviously played two youngsters at the back in Alain and Kusinov and then. And then didn't play O'Reilly left back put Akei at left back rather than in the middle where he's at least got a bit of experience in there, which was quite bad. Baffling. He took Phil Foden off at halftime. Now in the first half, I thought Phil Foden was the only look bright spark for City. Didn't always go his way. His corners weren't very good, but he did look busy in there. So it made, you know, the one that he took Harland off with 10 minutes to go and he's two nil down. It was one of those days when I was thinking, he's having one, he's having one today, he's having one.

[Micah Richards]

In terms of the center back partnership, I thought Kusanov and Elaine at Newcastle were Brilliant. And they coped with the atmosphere really well. Obviously, a Manchester derby's a little bit different, but I actually thought Elaine did all right in the first half.

[Gary Lineker]

He's good on the ball. He's very good on the ball.

[Micah Richards]

Good on the ball. And Kusanov, I thought he was good as well. I didn't think the problem was them defending. I thought it was what was in front of them getting exposed to the counter attack.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, which has been the case probably for 18 months. It's got generally a bit better this season, you would think, with Rodri coming back. Although, as you quite rightly said, he had an off day yesterday.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, he had an off day. And neither Rico Gonzalez has been playing in there doing really well. I think what City lacked in the game was energy in midfield. As soon as United broke that first line, then they just couldn't get back.

[Alan Shearer]

Surprised me is that Man United's both fullbacks got booked relatively early. And I'm thinking, here we go, Semenya and Doku, every time they get the ball, I thought, go on, go at them. But they couldn't because they were 2v1 all the time. And that's how United worked. They worked it so well. When the ball went out wide, you know, that's a huge threat because they're very talented players, those two wingers. And if you don't double up and make it very tough, then. Then, or more often not, they get the better of you. But they never went past Shaw or Dalo at all. They were absolutely outstanding. Do you know what? There's an argument other than the goalkeeper for Man United, there's an argument that every single Man United player could have been given man of the match. Because I just thought they were outstanding in every position.

[Micah Richards]

Just on that both fullbacks were booked, weren't they?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, that's what I mean.

[Micah Richards]

Shaw and Dalot, like you said, Doku and Semenya was staying, like, narrow in a form. I was like, get high and wide. Get high and wide early. I was losing my mind in there. I really was losing my mind because I just think United, it was perfect. Like Alan said, they got the decision, new manager, Bounce. The atmosphere at the stadium was. Was. Was brilliant. You could feel that there was, I'd say something special going to happen, but it felt like there was up for it. There was all smiles before. The fans were really positive before. Before the game.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

And then City just didn't turn up.

[Alan Shearer]

I think Wayne said it really well last night in terms of. They've had. They've had big results before when they've been up against it but they've never had big results to. And, and the big performance, do you know what I mean? I think that, that they had the big result and a big performance to match it, both of it. And they've got a nice and easy one Arsenal next week. So let's see how they going against that. But they've set a standard now. They have to get to it.

[Gary Lineker]

Win that Carrick at the wheel, give him a five year contract, job done well, all's well with the world. It is a strange obsession Manchester United have with ex players, isn't it? They need them in the management room. They get the DNA and all this nonsense.

[Alan Shearer]

It'll be fascinating to see what happens if he does really well, you know, in between now and the end of the season.

[Micah Richards]

What, what happens, you know that's going to happen.

[Gary Lineker]

Well he'll get the job if he does really well to now at the end of the season. And I mean Michael Carrick I think he's a very intelligent. I mean I think he did a reasonable job at Middlesbrough for a while with and it's very difficult in that league if you've not got the players. So who knows, who knows. But he could not, could not get off to a better start than that really. So you thought to yourselves at that point Arsenal probably go on and win at Forest and stretch their lead to nine points which be curtailed if again we're doing this on Sunday morning before Villa play. But Arsenal couldn't get over the line at Forest. Missed opportunity. Well they certainly missed a couple of opportunities, that's for sure.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, definitely. I think when you've seen what happened in the early game and you think right, this is our opportunity. They had the chances, they had two or three really big chances but didn't really take them. I thought Forest in the end deserved a point. I think Sean Dyche will be absolutely delighted with, with the effort and everything else that his team gave him. But they just didn't do enough. Arsenal has. They didn't. Yokarez I thought was disappointing, didn't offer enough. There was a time in the first half where he was 1v1 with Murillo. I think it was made a mistake and he went through and I think go on, get across him. Knock the ball across him and make him follow you. Make him follow you.

[Gary Lineker]

But he just couldn't get away from it. So you won on one.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, he couldn't. He looked very leggy. He didn't look yeah, he looked. I was. I was really surprised at how. How we let the defender control the situation rather than the other way around. But I suppose from their point of view, they've extended the lead over City, see what happens with Aston Villa. But I think it's probably a point gained rather than two, two more dropped, if you know what I mean.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. In the grand st. Scale of things, I probably agree. I'll. But I think if they would have won that game then, then it's over.

[Gary Lineker]

So I think it's a missed opportunity because mentally as well, you think, oh, we didn't really take advantage. I mean, I've got an interesting graphic here of games since Premier League games. This is since they last scored. Martinelli 13 games, Madweki 13, Saka 8, Marino 7, Eze 6, Gyokerez 5. TR and Jesus 3 each. So it's. They're not quite firing on all cylinders at the moment, but they've still got a comfortable lead. And the reason that I said when we did our roundup or a halfway season review that I thought Arsenal would win the league is because they don't concede money.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

And I think that. That this season, where no one else really is performing brilliantly, I think that will be enough. And I do think they'll come together and they will have spells where they start banging goals in. Always going to get spells, particularly this time of year. I think just after that winter madness around Christmas, when you play so many games where it gets a little bit.

[Micah Richards]

Staid, I think they need to play Jesus now.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. I wouldn't disagree.

[Micah Richards]

I think Arteta's stuck with jokers. Whether he's struggling for confidence, whether to adapt to the league. I know he's played championship, we know that. But the Premier League's a different beast. All the clips I watched of Jocherez last season, and I remember saying it when he first signed, don't expect him to be a world beater, but what he did have was running in behind aggressively and. But now it looks like he's not doing the same thing. And that worries me. Maybe he needs a couple of games out the team, get his confidence back and then come in again. But just that moment, what you guys are talking about, if I'm a defender in that situation there, I'm thinking I can get back here. I can get back because he's got no confidence and his touch is not going to be right. And even when he goes through, I don't fancy him to score. I don't know. He scored the Other week, but there's not been a big moment for him where he scored an unbelievable goal. That's given that confidence to say, okay, I'm going to go get another goal, another goal, another goal. So maybe just taking him out the firing line for a little bit and then introducing him back might be the best thing for the team.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, I wouldn't disagree. They did have one or two really, really good chances though, didn't they?

[Alan Shearer]

Martinelli had a great chance, didn't he, first off? Yeah, yeah. Pushed it back. Big, big miss.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Didn't he?

[Micah Richards]

What about cells? Cell save, though, from Saka's header.

[Gary Lineker]

Brilliant.

[Alan Shearer]

Header. Brilliant.

[Gary Lineker]

It was.

[Micah Richards]

You know that I'm a goalkeeper now. You're not playing goal now, you know, for. That's what we say up here.

[Alan Shearer]

What did you think about the penalty decisions that both managers felt as if. Arteta felt as if he should have been given one for handball. Shaun Dyche felt as if he should have been given one when the sort of timber was pulling. Who was it? Was it Hudson Odoy, maybe?

[Micah Richards]

Oh, yeah. I thought you said it right on Match of the Day, but did you. Just before we go into that, did you see Shaun Dyke's interview?

[Alan Shearer]

Yes.

[Micah Richards]

I thought, oh, it was very prickly. That's the right word. So Lindsay Hipgrave asked him, you know, the results earlier on in the day, did that put more pressure on you? And I thought he would have just said, well, maybe a little bit. We've got to focus on what we. He was like, no, we can't control that. I was just thinking, oh, that was a little bit hit back there, thinking, all right. And I don't know if it was wrong or right. It was just uncomfortable to watch at the time, you know? And then Martin Keel trying to give him a little bit of a compliment of what? The way he played, the subs that he made and all this sort of stuff, tactical stuff. And he sort of looked at him like I was thinking, ooh, it was a bit uncomfortable.

[Gary Lineker]

That was good start for Liam Rosena. A victory over for Brentford. Brentford. Mr. Chelsea and the rest.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I mean, Chelsea were wide open at times, yet they got the victory. Absolutely. Three big points. But I tell you what, if Brentford had a taken, taken their chances, it might have been a different story. Right throughout the game. It's. Brentford opened them up. They were really, really. There were really big, big chances as well for them on the. On the turnover of losing the ball. Yeah, that's something they're going to have to work on. And I guess they will and they have done. But big three points and I know they won. But Brentford will be kicking. I think that'll be. They'll look at that and Keith Andrews will say, we've. We've missed a big opportunity there.

[Gary Lineker]

You're pulling a bit of a face there, Michael.

[Micah Richards]

Did you just say turnover? Al, Honestly, All the terminology now turn over.

[Gary Lineker]

Talking of terminology, I'm quite enjoying Liam Rosenya, I think we're calling him like his dad wants him to be called. Quite enjoying some of his slightly David Brent moments. Did you see the stuff about talking about managing? Manage is man and age and we are aging men.

[Alan Shearer]

Really. I didn't see that.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, I think Arteta does similar sort of things inside the dressing room over a period. I've seen you do something with a light bulb and it was a little bit like war. If you're a player, you'd be going, what.

[Micah Richards]

Have you seen the documentary when Arteta put speakers out there for atmosphere?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, all that amuses me. All that kind of stuff that they think it might make a difference. But he's, you know, he's had a. He's had the start he needed to have, basically, which is a winning one. Even if they did have a few issues going the other way that they got away with.

[Micah Richards]

Well, you. You watched this game and we didn't have this. Did it do anything tactically that was different?

[Alan Shearer]

I thought what they did really well is defend set pieces and defend long throws. I thought they did that really, really well. They looked in good shape for that. But there was a lot of information being passed onto the pitch in terms of papers to players to do this and switch and do that. And I thought way it really well on a match of the day where Fernandez was taking up Cucarella's space and Cucarella was. And. And that hence them being really wide open when they lost the ball in the middle. But I think the way they defended set pieces was the biggest thing. And the wind obviously, which is the most important thing. But improvements will have to be. They can't be that open again and hope to get away with it.

[Gary Lineker]

It looked like Cole Palmer kind of struggling with his groin again at the end.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, he didn't look happy. Didn't. He didn't. Yeah, I know he's different anyway, but even when he penalty away, he didn't. I don't know. He didn't look happy yesterday on the pitch.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, apparently at the end of the game it's. It was the same groin that's causing him problems. So it might be getting to him a little bit, which understandably so, because there's nothing worse than playing with the niggle. But obviously there's a World cup coming up as well, so massively important that that gets sorted out at some point. Hugely important game down at the. Well, not necessarily at the bottom for spurs, but Spurs, West Ham in terms of the two managers and obviously West Ham winning away. Callum Wilson, who scored, obviously he's talking about terminating his contract, but it's a vital goal for them, gives them some sort of hope, I think.

[Micah Richards]

You know, just on. On that before you go into West Ham and I know we'll speak about spurs, you know, because we've spent good times with Thomas Frank. Yeah, it's hurting me seeing what's going on there.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Because, you know, he's a good guy.

[Micah Richards]

And yeah, he's such a top guy. The way he speaks about football, what he did at Brentford, he's got his big opportunity and it's just when you watch them, they're like nervous wrecks, the lot of them. Even when they score a goal, you think, let's get some control now. Just defend, just defend. And then all the things with, you know, having the Arsenal cup and then the stuff with the fans, players coming on Instagram, it's just. I really feel for him, but I don't know what's happened. I can't tell you normally something I can say how spurs are going to play, where they're going to improve, what they need with spurs at the moment, I just don't know what it is. Everything's just very bitty, which I thought a man of his ability tactically would have them playing in some sort of way now, which is disheartening to see, you know.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I'd agree. I mean, I just. I don't see a pattern. I don't see it. I don't see what they're trying to do. I don't know whether they're a sitting team and they want to hit you on the break. I don't see the repressing team and it's like. I don't know. Know. And I guess that's how the spurs fans feel as well. And when you look at their team yesterday, they've got Van de Ven and Romero, they've got their goalkeeper, they've got Poro, they've got the two midfielders in gray and in Conor Gallagher, a new signing. And then forwards wise, the players that are out on the pitch should be doing a lot More and a lot better. I know they've got Madison out, Kulasevski out. Solanke's just coming back. Back. But this, you still should be seeing a lot more than what you're getting from. From Tottenham. And I. I totally agree with you, Mike. And he looks really tired and he looks really as if it's really hurting him.

[Gary Lineker]

It's probably the first real spell in his career where he's. He's been massively under the cosh because it's obviously it's gone. It went really well for him at Brentford, by and large. Yeah, it's. It's tough times for Thomas. I think it surprised us a little bit it. That they've. They've struggled this much.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, massively.

[Gary Lineker]

It's just a question of whether they stick with him now because, I mean, you look at spurs in recent years and they've had so many top managers and big names and they all leave the club and they generally have a real gripe with the football club when they leave. I know it's always the coach that gets to blame. And the fact we, you know, we know Thomas Frank reasonably well, obviously it affect. It doesn't affect your judgment on people, but it. It makes you think a little bit. Bit, I suspect.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. But the problem is, Gaz, is now, if he was to get sacked in the next couple of weeks, now bigger teams are looking at him saying he can't do it at that level. And it's just that, that opportunity that he's not taking the question mark that everyone was asking when Man United needed a manager, when Chelsea were sort of looking for a manager, spurs are looking for a manager, everyone. The question mark was, can he do it at this level? Level. And now he's been given that, although not in the. The perfect circumstances now it looks like it's too much for him. But I don't think it is by the evidence that I've seen him coach before, you know, so it's. It's a strange one.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. And it's also not very much time. Six months. I mean, I know it's a mad, mad world, manager. You know what you get into and if it doesn't happen, you're in trouble.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

But on the other hand, by the way, West Ham, I got stuck into West Ham when they played at Wolves a couple of weeks ago and they were awful, and rightly so, because there was no effort, there was no fight, there was nothing. But yesterday, to be fair to them, they're still not a very good team. But at Least they showed a better attitude yesterday. And it's a really strange situation with Callum Wilson. They signed two center forwards at West Ham for nearly 50 million quid on a huge gamble to try and keep them in the lead league. And then I listened to the manager, Nuno say it might be his time to find somewhere else or whatever, but then you turn to him in the last two minutes, he scores the winning goal and gets you through three huge points. Yeah, really strange. But you'd have to say, where's that fight being? Where's that? Why can't that happen every week? At least if you're gonna. If you. You've just got to go out and roll your sleeves up. And they did that yesterday. It was a massive improvement on what I saw it. It Wolves, but that doesn't mean they're a good team. They're not, but at least they're. They're willing to have a scrap and a fight. And we got on the better side of it yesterday.

[Gary Lineker]

While we're on the subject of coaches, Oliver Glasner had something of a rant at the end of the game, didn't he? Said he thinks they've been deserted, basically. And obviously he's talking about the upper echelons of the football club. I found it slightly baffling in the sense that also this week, I mean, he was complaining basically about selling the captain day before a game and also essay in the some. And I thought, yeah, well, I can understand you gripe on that, but you also came out this week publicly and said that you told the chairman that you were leaving your job at the end of the season. And I thought, well, hang on a minute. It did seem slightly hypocritical in some ways.

[Alan Shearer]

He's done an amazing job.

[Gary Lineker]

He has an absolutely brilliant job.

[Alan Shearer]

He's given the palace fans something they've never had before. The wins at Wembley, both of them, them in the Community Shield and of course in the FA Cup. And he'll. He'll always be remembered for that. But I mean, we've seen it with Amaram and Mareska in recent weeks that once you come out and start criticizing your bosses for whatever reason in public, you're on a sticky wicket. Yeah, I've said it. I said it on Match of the Day that I wouldn't surprise him if he's not in. In charge for the next game.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, funny you should say that, though, Alan. That news has just broken and it's. It's not the news that you would think, okay, Crystal palace have decided not to sack Oliver Glasner. Following his bombshell press conference comments before and after Eagles lost to Sunderland on Saturday, the club are determined that Glasner will see out the remaining months of his contract and the FA cup winner will hold clear the air talks with owner Steve Parish this morning. So I mean if that's true, I'm.

[Alan Shearer]

Not giving them 6 months salary then yeah, that's a real difficult one for. I mean even I don't know, I'm just using Brennan Johnson as an example like. So the manager come out and said, well he told the chairman that he wants to leave the football club in October, yet he's signing, he wants to sign players in January and he's not going to be there in five months Time. Time just. It's a. Yeah, that's, that's true.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, it's very unusual.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. Crystal palace or the model of the football club that they, they have to buy smart and sell big, don't they? That's their model. That's who and what they are going forward because of the rules of the financial rules in, in football. It's, it makes it very difficult for the likes of them. So they have, they have to sell, don't they?

[Micah Richards]

Don't you just think the, the wider point though is like what the fans have to go through? The palace fans, they've had an incredible moment in winning the FA Cup. They played attractive football. We spoke about Eze, we spoke about Munoz before, we've talked about Gay before and even the likes of Richards at the back and Mateta up front, a really good spine and you have that team and you think okay, essay might go, you know, and Gabe at some stage will go, but you've got a good spine to work with for the future. And then six months later you've got a manager coming out talking about the owners are not backing him, but the manager's not signed his contract. What worries me now for palace, do you remember when Wigan won the FA cup against Man City all them years ago? Yeah, I know they got relegated in that year but if you're going to break up this whole team team like next season could be a real struggle for them. So I don't understand in as they've got to a place where they've got real stability. Parish is no mug. He's your mate Gaz. He knows exactly what he was doing. But then how has it gone from one extreme all the way to, to the other, you know, which is disappointing to see.

[Gary Lineker]

It's football, football, football. He gives it gives and it taketh away.

[Alan Shearer]

Just before we move on we have to mention Sunderland or you know.

[Micah Richards]

Well, hold on. Before you go, listen to how the new Sunderland fan. I don't know if you see Match of the Day Gaz, but apparently he's got some fantastic analysis ready for us.

[Alan Shearer]

I did. I had it. It was. Honestly, Mike, it was the best piece of analysis you've ever seen.

[Micah Richards]

Well, you can talk us through it now, can't you?

[Alan Shearer]

What?

[Gary Lineker]

Why, what happened? Did it get dropped?

[Alan Shearer]

Let's talk about their home record. Unbeaten at home this season. Sunderland. I mean that is impressive.

[Micah Richards]

So what happened guys? Since you didn't watch it it Sunderland obviously playing palace and Sunderland won the game. So normally on Match of the Day you go with a team who's won, you'd give them analysis as how they won the game, etc. Etc.

[Gary Lineker]

You trying to tell me how Match of the day were.

[Micah Richards]

Etc. Etc. I think you might have forgot by now.

[Gary Lineker]

Free reminder. Thanks. Been seven months. What's the show called?

[Micah Richards]

So then Al comes out and says, oh, I had some fantastic analysis for Sunderland. Oh, it was going to be absolutely amazing. But we've got to talk about basically the big news and that was Glasner.

[Gary Lineker]

Ah, so you dropped the analysis.

[Micah Richards]

So now it's a perfect opportunity for you to talk about Sunderland.

[Alan Shearer]

I'll go on. As I got to Manchester yesterday at 10am and we still. Just before midnight we were on. We were on air. They did offer me the opportunity to go and do the BBC iPlayer and put some analysis on it.

[Gary Lineker]

You're kidding. I can imagine your answer to that.

[Alan Shearer]

Politely declined that.

[Micah Richards]

That offer.

[Alan Shearer]

That is true though, Micah. Honestly. Because. Honestly, that is because I thought I'm gonna. I'm gonna have to leave Newcastle really early because Man United, Man City. I'll get caught in the traffic. I'll be late year. So I left Newcastle at just after 7am So I was in Salford at 10am There was. There was so. And then just before midnight they said, do you want to do some analysis on Sunday? You can imagine my reply.

[Gary Lineker]

For the iplayer. Not for the action, no, just to.

[Alan Shearer]

See if it can to put out. Because Rich did say, right, I'm taking charge here. The biggest story I know, Sunderland have got a great record and they've won it home and blah blah, blah blah blah. The big story here is Glasner and what he said. And of course I understood that but so I said, okay, I'm gonna say I had some fascinating analysis on Sunderland. But anyway, just after midnight I got on the car and came back home and I thought no, I can't be asked to do that analysis. After how many hours?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, I was like, oh my God, fantastic stuff. In fact, the three clubs that were promoted last season all got results, didn't they? And interestingly Burnley got a point at Anfield which was somewhat surprising. In fact, I think Liverpool have failed to beat the three promoted clubs in the games this season. So. But you know, well done Burnley. But you know, they're not happy at Liverpool. They're not happy the fans. I've seen a lot of rants, a lot of proper Scouse rants on social media this morning.

[Alan Shearer]

12 unbeaten though. But it feels very, it still feels very flat though, doesn't it? A very underwhelming 12 games unbeaten.

[Gary Lineker]

I think their main gripe, it seems to me the fans main gripe seems to be the pace of play. They've gone from Klopp's dynamic football. I mean a few months ago no one was complaining when they, you know they, they were brilliant last season, won the league. But I think at the moment they're saying it's all a little bit pedestrian.

[Alan Shearer]

This looks so slow in midfield and they got very leggy. I mean, you know the energy that Liverpool had last year and other than Isak, I think all of their signings, Kirke Rimpong, Vert, Ekatike, they're all playing yesterday. So. And I said it last night, they're miles off it there. I know the. I mean I don't know how many shots they had. Something like 11 or 12 shots. Ridiculous. A number of touches in the box. But their finishing was poor. But they look, they look very leggy in midfield and there's no protection for that back four. They're way off here.

[Micah Richards]

At least Vertz is scoring though.

[Gary Lineker]

He's starting to look the player that we thought well knew he was.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. What happens now though? Salah's back now. How are they going to. Are they. What is he.

[Micah Richards]

He's got. Salah's got start. I don't, I don't. I know he's played Frimpong wide right, hasn't he? But Salah's got to start without doubt just. Is he. He'll come back hungry. He did really well at AFCON as well.

[Alan Shearer]

So then what happens with Vert? You play Vert, Salah, Ekitike and another one on the left hand side.

[Micah Richards]

So maybe Wirtz off the left. But coming in Ekitike is going to play and Salah have to play Salah. I think they've actually missed him at times. Wirt's high left. I think they'd probably we form play him more than Gakpo Szabozlai, Graben Birch and Mac Allister in midfield. That's probably what they go I think.

[Gary Lineker]

Anyway, well we'll see over the next few weeks but it's going to be very interesting few weeks now that Mo's back after what happened. Although they did seem to leave amicably before he went to afcon. So anyway let's take a break there and hopefully I'll join you. I sense probably not because knowing these particularly I think if Morocco win I think it really kick off here. It'll go absolutely bonkers.

[Micah Richards]

We've already done 40 minutes, you only need Al to rant about Newcastle for five minutes and we're good to go at the end.

[Gary Lineker]

I'd like him just to do a little bit of analysis about Sunderland, a little bit of extra okay chaps, let's take a break there. This episode is brought to you by Hotels.com make your next trip work for you. Hotels.com just rolled out a game changing feature called Save your Way and it's as simple as it sounds. When you book a trip as a Hotels.com member, you decide Guide how to use your savings. Choose to take the instant savings now or bank the savings as rewards for later. It's your call. Envision converting discounts on this week's stay into rewards for a luxurious beach getaway next year. No complicated math, no blackout dates. Just you choosing how to make your travels work harder for you. [e-mail] Save your way is available to loyalty members in the US and UK. Pay on hotels with member prices. Other terms apply. See site for details. This episode is brought to you by whoop. January is full of noise about doing more, but in football you learn quickly that more effort isn't always the answer.

[Alan Shearer]

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[Micah Richards]

Or you've traveled late, slept badly, and you're still telling yourself you're good to go. Your body's got a different opinion.

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[Alan Shearer]

Hello and welcome back to the Rest is football without the old man. Me and Micah Richards. Gary's at the AFCON final in Morocco so we'll get some sense spoken in this half. Micah. Right. We've got to start with Everton winning at Aston Villa, haven't we?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. I mean the afternoon wasn't great, was it?

[Alan Shearer]

No.

[Micah Richards]

The first game. Newcastle or Wolves? Newcastle was an absolute bore. I was buzzing for Wolves a little bit. Just in terms of. I thought it could have been three or four nil. Maybe not with Newcastle's away four, but we'll come on to that. And then you go into Villa g game against Everton. Morgan Rogers. You're thinking Watkins.

[Alan Shearer]

I know.

[Micah Richards]

Tacos being outstanding. Ghana's been brilliant as well. Jack going back to Villa. I thought he was going to get absolute fireworks. And we got nothing. Oh honestly, I just. You know that was a perfect example of proper coaching. So it was really boring for us viewers and fans. Fans. But we. I did the FA cup game. Spurs Villa. And a lot of their play comes down. Down the middle of the pitch and then they go wide where they need to.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

But Everton are really good at defending the middle of the pitch. So it was just like okay, you go and then get to a certain thing and then pass wasn't right. Defending was really good. Everton shape was good and it was always going to be one of them. If you get a chance, you got to take it. Because Villa was in the ascendancy. But in terms of the. The afternoon it was. It wasn't great.

[Alan Shearer]

How good was he? Garner and midfielder. He was brilliant, wasn't he?

[Micah Richards]

But I think he's been a really good player for a while now. Good season again in terms of injuries and then changing the team and then not knowing what his best position is. Although he played a little bit deeper. He can play a little bit bit further forward too and have really good effect in that way as well. But in terms of the game, I thought he was the. The best player on the pitch along with Tarkovski.

[Alan Shearer]

We've praised Unai Emery and rightly so, so many times this year for Villa's performances. But that performance from Everton was a David Moyes masterclass. Wasn't.

[Gary Lineker]

Was.

[Alan Shearer]

Wasn't it? It had his. It had his stamp all over it, didn't it? How organized they were, how everyone understood what they were doing and where they were pointing Villa to go. It was. It was a brilliant performance and so well coached.

[Micah Richards]

You know what? You know, there's another one who we had at the Oros, didn't we? He comes to the flat, really nice guy. And I remember having a little chat with him and he said he can't wait to go back in. And it didn't say he's learned or he's gonna improve anything, but he just maybe adapt to the modern and day, you know, in terms of the players and stuff like that. So to see him doing really well because when he went back there, it's a tough job. Everton from where they were and now he's doing amazing things at that club. Especially with not a massive squad as well. You know, Barry up front, you know about the strikers and not really a lot of confidence between him and Beto, but for him to get that goal, it must have been a great feeling for him.

[Alan Shearer]

What about the decision to let Marlon go for V.I. villa before they've got anyone in.

[Micah Richards]

That's one thing where. And we mentioned on the pod the other day, didn't we, with Roma and Marlon and he's gone and scored today.

[Alan Shearer]

Which he scored.

[Micah Richards]

He's gone and scored. He scored. While the game was going on. I was checking the. The fixtures and Tammy Abraham coming in has been reported. I think that's really good, especially for Watkins. Simple play, play similar style, can hold at the ball, running behind and all that sort of thing. But I just think it was quite strange to do it now.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. Before they get someone in.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I think Watkins has always played his best football when he's had someone chasing him down. Do you remember when John Duran was there and he was scoring Worldy after Worldie. Then he was on the bench and then just this season he was on the bench for a game and then I think it was against Chelsea. Come on. And scored two. He seems to want to go on a pitch and prove a point and they needed a little bit of freshness up top today and they just didn't have it.

[Alan Shearer]

So we spoke in the first half with. With all. When all three was together before Gary went off to the game. It's been a good weekend for Arsenal, hasn't it?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, it has. But I still maintain the fact that if they would have won that I think it would have been season over. Seven points with the. What, how many games? There's 16 games left. Yeah, it's. It's not. It's not a lot of points to grasp. However. Man City and not the man City of a couple of seasons ago.

[Alan Shearer]

No.

[Micah Richards]

For them to be creating the amount of chances they have, I think they're getting xg of 2 or 3 in games and only scoring 1. The form of Haaland doesn't really worry me because you know he'll just end up scoring three or four in a game. But in terms of defensively they're too open. So if Arsenal was to look at that and think okay, we're going to be be stable at the back and get them clean sheets. We only need to nick a goal here and there that could see us through. So all in all it's probably a point game for Arsenal this weekend for sure with With Villa losing as well.

[Alan Shearer]

Trying to sweep over this one. But let's get on to Wolves Newcastle and should we.

[Micah Richards]

It's my turn to interrogate you.

[Alan Shearer]

It's definitely not the game of the weekend, that's for sure.

[Micah Richards]

The bike is all yours. What's. What's going on with Newcastle Al Away from home? Away from home.

[Alan Shearer]

I mean I don't know. My. Their recruitment hasn't worked as yet. Certainly in the summer. I mean they spent. They spent a lot of money in the summer and the only one that at the minute on a regular basis who is performing for Newcastle is Malik Chow. And when. When you look at Volta Mardi not seen the best of him anywhere near the best of him yet. Yet can only get better. Visser exactly the same. Elanga really really struggling for form and for confidence. Looks. Looks really bereft of any belief in himself. And I know Jacob Ramsey wasn't sort of involved but that's a lot of money on four players. And the four players have yet to hit the height that you would hope. But away from home has been a huge problem for Newcastle. It was very similar at Sunderland. I mean the only. The their only efforts on target take him in the 86th or the 87th minute which was a huge concern. I think the difference is at home you can't get away. The fans have got that drive and they push you and push you and push you and demand that you give everything to the last minute and a weird. Perhaps a little bit different and they're not getting that. That force or that push from. From fans and they're failing to get any anywhere near the heights that they have been at home. Which is a massive concern. And unless that improves and unless they find a Way to get the best out of the. Particularly the two forwards. I mean, I was going mad today. You know, remember when we spoke about Man United when all those balls were going into the box, it was. Maybe there wasn't so many today, but there were two or three really good ones. And think, come on, have some, some movement. Someone attack that ball, you know, in and around the six yard box. And even when Whisa came on, I was thinking, come on, you might do something different to what Volta Marder did. But he didn't sort of do anything. It was very seamy, you know, it wasn't working after 60 or 65 minutes and then the changes come on, like for like. And that didn't change anything either. And they didn't do enough, anywhere near enough in the final third to win that game today. So I thought a draw was a fair result and it was a. It was a very lackluster and a poor performance again from Newcastle, which obviously is concerning.

[Micah Richards]

You mentioned concern. I was just about to ask you that. Eddie Howe said after the game, they controlled the game but didn't have the cutting edge. Is the problem just the final bit or is it just your way for all together? Because it looked to me like he got some good positions and all that sort of thing. And then just that final bit at least you creating the chances is what I'm saying.

[Alan Shearer]

Say, well, are we. I mean, when you say you're creating the chances, I mean if you're putting the balls in but no one's sort of getting on the end of them. I mean, Volta Marder had one in the first half with a header, which he should have done better, but there were two or three balls that went in where I'm screaming, come on, make the movement, get in the six yard box. Otherwise what's the point of putting balls in the box? And I mentioned those away games, I mean, Man United, so many balls going in there, no one was getting on the end of them. They battered Man United in the second half, terms of possession and chances and all of that. And they couldn't find a way through Sunderland. They hardly created anything, didn't deserve anything from the game. Burnley, all right, they won the game, but they left it really, really late to find a way to win the game. And today the first effort on target was in the 86th or 87th minute. So clearly they're struggling to get or find a way to adapt to change, you know, because. And we can't keep going on about Esac. But Isak won Newcastle so many Games with his brilliance last year. Whereas at the minute we haven't found a way to get the best out of the two forwards that were signed to replace them. And yeah the recruitment has been a. Has been an issue at the minute. I mean whether they come good. I hope they do. But at the minute I think maybe four of the five players are really struggling for to find a way to get into games as well as they should should do.

[Micah Richards]

Walter Marder's only scored three in 14 games. I believe he's not scored his last seven. I mean you've talked about that and you've talked about the. What can he do to to get that right then Is it him adapting to the team or the team adapting to him because he's going to play. You spent a lot of money on him. He's good player. Very technically good. He could hold up the ball can link it. But it's just finding that balance is it?

[Alan Shearer]

But I think also when we think of Newcastle at their very best. Remember last year Newcastle weren't the best when they went after teams and they pressed and they made it really tough for the opposition to play and settle down. And. And then when they had the ball they played the ball through and balls in behind. It's difficult to do that now. Because Valtimar is not that player. He's not going to be a player that runs in behind. That's not his game. That's not his skill set. He brings something very very different. Different. Visser I thought who might be that player to be the. I don't know. Maybe the fox in the box or running behind when When Newcastle have had that ball. There's been a couple of occasions where he's got those scruffy goals. But no. Both of them haven't. Haven't done enough as as yet to justify what Newcastle paired for them. I think it's a bit of both maker. It's a bit of both of our Newcastle going to get the best out of of him and the them. Whereas I think certainly he has to improve his movement in and around the box volta. But then also the balls up to him I think have to be have to be better. And players running off him and beyond him have to be better. So plenty work to be done for Newcastle to improve.

[Micah Richards]

And just lastly on Wolves 5 unbeaten in all comps. That is.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

Could they get out of it?

[Gary Lineker]

No.

[Alan Shearer]

Sorry John. I'm. Do you. I don't think so. I mean. Yeah. Yeah. They've shown improvements in the last four or five games. But They've left it too late again. Thought Mane was a bit of a threat and there is an improvement in them. But not enough to see them get out of the relegation battle. No. Do you think so?

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, I think they've left it too late. And Middlesbrough Midsburgh are doing all right in the championship now. It looks like they're gonna get promoted if. It does seem like a strange decision if Middlesbrough come up and he. He goes down, but he's at the club that he loves. It's weird, wasn't it?

[Alan Shearer]

Strange one, isn't it? Yeah, yeah, it's. It's a tough. It's a tough one. He's taken over there. I mean, it's tough start, but then they have showed improvements, but not enough for to get out of trouble this season.

[Micah Richards]

Anyway, who needs Gary Lurker, eh? Who. Who needs him?

[Alan Shearer]

I was just going to say the same thing. It's a much, much better show without you.

[Micah Richards]

It's at this smoother, more intellectual, bigger opinions, deeper analysis. Oh, my unis links.

[Alan Shearer]

Well, there you go. Anyway, that'll do us for the rest of football. So from me, goodbye. Have a great week.

[Micah Richards]

From me, big beast, have a great weekend.