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- [00:01]
Unidentified Carvana Customer
I sold my car in Carvana last night.
- [00:02]
Gary Lineker
Well, that's cool.
- [00:03]
Unidentified Carvana Customer
No, you don't understand. It went perfectly. Real offer down to the penny. They're picking it up tomorrow. Nothing went wrong.
- [00:09]
McDonald's Advertiser / Announcer
So what's the problem?
- [00:11]
Unidentified Carvana Customer
That is the problem. Nothing in my life goes as smoothly. I'm waiting for the catch.
- [00:14]
McDonald's Advertiser / Announcer
Maybe there's no catch.
- [00:16]
Unidentified Carvana Customer
That's exactly what a catch would want me to think.
- [00:18]
Micah Richards
Wow.
- [00:19]
McDonald's Advertiser / Announcer
You need to relax.
- [00:20]
Unidentified Carvana Customer
I need to knock on wood. Do we have wood? Is this table wood?
- [00:22]
McDonald's Advertiser / Announcer
I think it's laminate.
- [00:23]
Unidentified Carvana Customer
Okay. Yeah, that's good. That's close enough.
- [00:25]
McDonald's Advertiser / Announcer
Car selling without a catch. Sell your car today on Carvana. Pick up fees may apply.
- [00:32]
Chevrolet Advertiser / Announcer
Somewhere out there is a Chevy truck and the person who drives it, well, that's a Chevy person. You probably know one. Your buddy, your sister. Ones who always show up, they're the first to rise, the last to leave. They always have that little extra something and maybe you've got it too. Chevrolet together. Let's drive. Visit chevy.com truck to explore the lineup
- [00:59]
Gary Lineker
coming up on today's show. Are they imploding before our very eyes?
- [01:03]
Alan Shearer
For the first time, there's a doubt in my mind they'll actually go and win the title. Now it would really worry me if I was an Arsenal fan in what I've seen yesterday in terms of just everything about their performance was nervous.
- [01:14]
Gary Lineker
What Pep's thinking. Oh, he.
- [01:16]
Micah Richards
He knows it's on. He's actually on the shovel. He's actually on.
- [01:21]
Gary Lineker
But if you said you. You need to put your life on the line, I'd probably. Now go City. Hello and welcome to the rest is football with Micah Richards and me, Gary Lineker, Alan. I've already recorded the second half with Alan earlier on. It is another one of his mate's birthday parties.
- [01:49]
Micah Richards
Micah, he's a socialite, isn't he?
- [01:51]
Gary Lineker
Yeah, he is.
- [01:51]
Micah Richards
Honestly, he's always do. If it's not golf, it's someone's birthday. If it's not someone's birthday, he's got a dinner. If it's not a dinner, he's got some sort of ball. If it's not a ball, he's. He's pissed.
- [02:09]
Gary Lineker
I don't know. Do you think we should suspend him? Give him a two game suspension? He needs a two pod suspension.
- [02:14]
Micah Richards
He didn't turn up to yesterday as well to the big, grand, beautiful opening at Netflix that they put on a fantastic spread for us. Where was he?
- [02:24]
Gary Lineker
Well, he was doing much today. I think in his defense he was working but it was fun. Wasn't it? We went to see the Tyson Fury fight and up Connor, Ben as well. And ringside. Oh, when they hit, I mean, there's a difference. When you ringside, isn't they hear that thud of a punch for those big boys.
- [02:43]
Micah Richards
Honestly, that experience is one of the best of my life. For some reason and I don't know why. When they say you go into boxing, I thought it was going to be inside and I don't, I don't know why. It was freezing.
- [02:56]
Gary Lineker
Hang on a minute, Michael. Where was it?
- [02:58]
Micah Richards
Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
- [02:59]
Gary Lineker
Well. And you thought it was gonna be in time?
- [03:02]
Micah Richards
Something in my mind, I don't know why, I don't know if it was gonna be covered or, or something. So I thought because, you know, you dress sense, don't you? You can, you can be warm or you can try to look cool. And I went down there trying to look cool route, you know, which you did, you did denim shirt on and all that, but you dressed perfect. You had a little jumper and a jacket, looking so smart. And I went for style over substance, didn't I?
- [03:29]
Gary Lineker
There is a way of doing both. There is a way of doing both. You can just.
- [03:32]
Micah Richards
I know, yeah.
- [03:33]
Gary Lineker
You just look at the weather forecast, realize it's out. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It's a football ground. Might be outside, I don't know. But you know, you need warmth, you need energy, you need Fuse. This episode is powered by Fuse Energy. Before we kick off a quick pre match warm up from Fuse one question, four options and two contestants. Today's little question for you lads. Which goalkeeper has the most clean sheets in Champions League history? Is it A, Iker Casillas? B, Gianluigi Buffon? C, Manuel Neuer? Or D, Edwin Van der Zaar?
- [04:22]
Alan Shearer
Manuel Neue. For me, you know what?
- [04:24]
Micah Richards
I'm gonna be different. I'm gonna go buffon.
- [04:26]
Gary Lineker
You're gonna go Buffon. Well, Micah, that was not correct. The answer was one. Manuel Neuer. The best sides don't give things away. It should be the same with your energy. Get more than just lower rates@fuseenergy.com football. Use the COD uppercase when you sign up. Save around 200 pounds on your energy bill and get the chance to ask us your football questions on the pod full terms and conditions@fuse energy.com. well, Micah, let's start talking about the football. And I mean Arsenal. Are they imploding before our very eyes?
- [05:13]
Micah Richards
I would, I would say no because of the Sporting Lisbon result. So they didn't. We had this conversation, didn't we? And I feel like I repeat myself all the time. Arsenal are not creating enough chances. That has been their problem for a while. And this is not reactionary. This is what we've been talking about. I would say for months now, set pieces have been getting them over the line and then when they get a set piece, they grow into the game, they have confidence. That is one aspect of it. And I think you posed the question to me, is that going to be enough? And I've said, well, on paper it shouldn't be enough, but they're getting over the line with the set pieces and you can only go off what they're doing. And they had the massive league. So you say, yes, it's going to be enough. However, yesterday they were very, very poor.
- [06:09]
Gary Lineker
Nothing did they. No creativity whatsoever. Didn't seem to be any belief, weren't even very good defensively. And generally they've been able to be guaranteed that they were pretty strong defensively. So, I mean, it was the first time yesterday, and particularly following City's performance against Chelsea in the second half, when I thought, they're absolutely brilliant. And you just thought to yourself, blimey, for the first time I've thought to myself, I actually don't. I'm really not sure else I'm going to do it. And I've been convinced for months now that. And I know you've not. You've kept saying, it's not over, it's not over. And I've just. I didn't really see this. I spoke to Alan about this. I got his take on Arsenal because obviously he hadn't seen the City game and, and, and he said, you know, it's for the first time, I think they might miss out on this. So, I mean, the next week's game, I mean, it is a monster. It really is now, isn't it?
- [07:14]
Micah Richards
Yeah. I was sort of having this conversation on air today when I was doing. I was obviously Chelsea game.
- [07:22]
Gary Lineker
Yeah, I was watching with Sturge.
- [07:25]
Micah Richards
And it's all about your mindset, isn't it, really? And you look at each of the fixtures, some would argue Arsenal's a better, someone argue Man City's a better. But if you look at the points in which Man City dropped Forest and the West Ham game, so you can pick from all them fixtures and think, oh, we'll get three points there, they might draw. But you just never know. This running up to the end of the season is like no other when you're in that battle. And I just remember when I was in that sort of Fight for the League going back in 2012 and the game is never or the games are never how you anticipate them to be, you know. So that's where the psychological battle comes in. And because Man City have waited this long and it now looks like they've got the confidence back then a lot of people would say you'd have to go with Man City. But if you're Arsenal saying what's. There's still six points clear.
- [08:28]
Gary Lineker
Yeah.
- [08:28]
Micah Richards
And you're allowed a little bit of a hiccup. They've got players coming back. Saka, they need to come back. Havertz is now back. Now back. Mourinho's I think the only one who's struggling a little bit. They've got it. They should be thinking in that camp they've got enough to get over the line. But it's about the men, the mentality and the mental thinking towards the end. And Man City have that because they've done it and Arsenal haven't done that yet. So that is why there are so many questions.
- [09:00]
Gary Lineker
I mean it's fascinating. I mean I must say the whole psychological aspect of it. The fact, as you quite rightly said, that City have been consistently done it over years, you know, not, not always triumphantly. They missed out Liverpool one year, didn't they? But by and large they know how to win down the stretch a little bit like Sir Alex Ferguson's teams did in the day and they know how to do that. And once you've done it two or three times you've got, you've, you've got that inner belief. We, well, we know how to, we know how to do this. Arsenal are fighting themselves. I mean and some of this, I mean I'm, I'm slightly loathe to be too critical of, you know, the, the methods but Arteta's slight verge towards cringe worthy, dare I say things in trying things. What was it with the pens when they're all carrying the, the biros around and, and then they're playing tick tock film big screens at training. And I'm just thinking you're doing things differently. Don't do things differently players just what it's like if you, you don't change things when you know when it's, if you're in contention, you've just got to be calm. Calm. This is what we always do. The training's a normal thing. This is what we do. And then all of a sudden you're doing things a little bit differently. You are drawing attention to yourselves. And everyone's going to. Well, surely they don't do that normally. So you are showing the world that the pressure is getting to you, to. Because you're looking to do something. If you do do something differently, do it in house, keep it quiet, make sure nobody's videoing it. That would be my one bit of advice towards you, you know, and it's. And it must be difficult because obviously the. I think, I suppose with all these things, though, when, if. If they were winning, no one would say anything. But the trouble is if you draw attention to yourselves and then you don't win, then it can become more of an issue.
- [11:01]
Micah Richards
Just an alternate view, though. Is Arteta doing that to take the pressure off? Maybe put the player.
- [11:09]
Gary Lineker
Put the pressure onto him rather than the players? Possibly, possibly.
- [11:13]
Micah Richards
In which case, fair enough, Arteta. I remember when Sam Allardyce took over at Leeds. Do you remember when he was trying to keep them up, Keep them up. And he said, he's a better manager than Pep Guardiola. And at the time I was thinking, well, actually, with what the tools that he's had and the results, you know, he's had over the course of his career, he's thinking, okay. And I listened to an interview afterwards and he said he was doing that to take all the pressure off the players, put the pressure on. And maybe that's what Arteta's doing. But when you've got a fan base and you've got a team who have not won the Premier League in 22 years, for all the rest of the other fan bases, they're going to lump in, aren't they? They're going to lump in and they're going to take the mick. But, yeah, doing that, I would be on your side of the fence and you just bring in that unwanted attention for no reason. And I remember a couple years ago when they did documentary and he was doing similar sort of things and he was playing music, I think stadium noise or whatever it was through the speakers. And actually I thought that would go against Arsenal, but it worked in the end because everyone was saying Arsenal is such a relatable club and all that sort of thing. So maybe he's trying to bring a little bit of that back. However, performances on the field, they've not been good enough.
- [12:41]
Gary Lineker
They've not backed it up.
- [12:42]
Micah Richards
They've not backed it up. And that is the problem.
- [12:44]
Gary Lineker
What can they do? I mean, I think it's fair to say they've been a bit unlucky with injuries lately, but we all said, didn't we earlier on, they've increased the squad, it's much stronger and they can cope with that. And when you look at the starting 11, there's a lot of good players out there, but I think, you know, this is some. They're fighting with their own minds now. I think that's probably the issue. They've been. Everyone's been a bit cautious. You know, Alan. Alan's saying, as you'll see in the second half, that, you know, every. No one's really taking the responsibility to make the difference themselves. And at some point you need to do that.
- [13:17]
Micah Richards
I think, I think I would. I would go against that a little bit just because I think that's an easy thing to say. When Man City played a couple of games ago and they played West Ham and the drawing to Forest and the narrative then was, or Man City are not like old. You know, previous seasons they would have steamrolled them teams. Now we're saying Man City I think you are going to drop points with throughout the season. We all know that that's what happens. It's a long season, 38 games. It's how then you respond to that. And that is what Arsenal have got to do. It's easy in our pointing fingers saying they've not got enough characters. They had enough characters to get to this point. So it's now then, okay, this is a test and if they don't win it, I think people can. Are right to have that view. But you can't say that up to now because there's still six points clear. And if Man City were to drop points, then everyone's gonna say, oh well, you know. Well, the narrative would be, well, Man City didn't do enough to, you know, it's not because Arsenal deserved it. If you win the league over 38 games, you deserve.
- [14:31]
Gary Lineker
You'll get all the power.
- [14:33]
Micah Richards
The narrative to be, oh, Man City are not like Man City evolved. Yes, Arsenal could have took more responsibility if they'd won that game yesterday. 12 points clear. That would. And that's what a lot of people are talking about. Well, you could. They could have taken the pressure off themselves, but they didn't. But I don't think the narrative then should be switched to they don't have enough characters. Maybe they don't have enough people have won big trophies before within the League. I think that's a fair argument. But if you look through this, Havertz won the Champions League, Jesus has won the Premier League, Moreno's won the the Euro. So they have got winners within that squad.
- [15:11]
Gary Lineker
No, I totally agree with you. And obviously with all these things, it's. It's always easy after the event to say that where they've got it wrong and why they've got it wrong. But I mean, I must say, for the. For the neutral, which I'm definitely neutral, I think it's. It makes it fascinating and. And really interesting towards City. City, I thought, first half thought Chelsea played really well, I thought. But second half, City, I mean, he adjusted things slightly and I probably gave them a bit of a. Probably a bit of a kick up the backside at halftime, maybe. I don't know. But they were terrific in the second half. City, weren't they played some great stuff.
- [15:50]
Micah Richards
It looked like Man City were nervous in the first half. Yeah, Rodri was misplacing passes and the rhythm of the game wasn't what we expect from. Especially because of Arsenal's result. You think they're going to the game, you know, out the races, high energy and it just wasn't that. And then the second half, it was amazing. That's what we expect from Man City. I felt a little bit sorry for Chelsea because they had a plan. It looked like the plan was working. The game opened up a little bit. And then in games, it's all about moments, isn't it? And Chelsea don't defend in the key moment and then don't score when they're on top. And then Man City were always going to take the opportunity once it come because they just have quality players and no players had to win. You know what I mean?
- [16:42]
Gary Lineker
I'm starting to look at them now and thinking, you know, they've got few new signings that have clicked pretty quickly. Semenya probably didn't have his best game, but he's still effective. Mark Gay's been terrific at the back. Kusanov is growing into a really, really good defender. He's still young. O'Reilly is different because he's obviously come through. You've Cherke, I think, is so talented. So talented as well. So you can see that, you know, there's a new sort of team developing a little bit under Pep Guardiola. It'll be interesting to see how long Pep stays with them for. You never know with Pep.
- [17:19]
Micah Richards
Yeah, I think it was what's nice to see with City. I think all the players are playing in their proper positions. I think the Haaland Semenu partnership, it was working to a certain degree because it was getting over the line in some games. But when Semenyo is wide and when Doku is wide and when Shirk is allowed to get, like you mentioned, in that number 10 position, where he can just create and then Haaland's making the runs, I think the balance of the team is just better.
- [17:46]
Gary Lineker
I agree.
- [17:47]
Micah Richards
And it suited them. And that's why he stuck with the same team. I think they've been brilliant.
- [17:52]
Gary Lineker
I wouldn't disagree with that. I wonder what Pep's thinking.
- [17:56]
Micah Richards
Oh, he. He knows it's on because you can always tell with Pep in the interviews after every time he knows something's wrong, he plays everything down, you know, that's
- [18:08]
Gary Lineker
just another game, you know, which is six points behind. Oh, it was nine. It was nine.
- [18:17]
Micah Richards
Honestly, I love it. And I love that he's got that. And I know I jokingly said in the last pod, like, the treble's on for City, but it is actually on the treble. He's actually on. After all the talk about Arsenal winning football is such a mad sport where it could just change in a couple of weeks or a couple of months. It's amazing.
- [18:40]
Gary Lineker
It's one of the joys. And also one of the most awful things about football is the way it changes depending on which side you're on at the time, obviously. So who's your money on?
- [18:51]
Micah Richards
I always said, yeah, I'll make my decision on the last day of the season. Where's that fence? Where's that fence?
- [19:02]
Gary Lineker
Creosote, Mr. Careerso.
- [19:05]
Micah Richards
I have been the same all the way through. I've been consistent saying it depends what happens in the Man City against Arsenal game. If Man City win that game, and I've said it, roll the tapes, go back weeks and months. If Man City win that game, I believe they'll win the League. And that's exactly where I'm staying because I. I just feel when they had a little bit of a sniff, when they open the door a little bit, if you give them a chance, Man City will take it. And if the beat Arsenal, I believe that's them winning the League. Yes.
- [19:40]
Gary Lineker
Yeah. It will be very damaging.
- [19:41]
Micah Richards
What about you? Are you. Are you changing at all a little, A little bit or not?
- [19:45]
Gary Lineker
I've been telling everyone that I know I'm no Arsenal. Be fine. They'll be fine. They're not gonna, you know, they're not going to choke. They're not, you know, they'll be all right. And City are not quite. But since he's changed, like you said, back to the three at the top and the way Arsenal are stuttering, have lost their form at the moment. And you know how important momentum is in, in not just football, in all sport, momentum is so important and all the momentum now is with City. So if, if you said, I, I think it's like so tough to call now, but if you said you, you need to put your life on the line, which I'd hate to have to do under these circumstances, I'd probably now go City because I think, I think they'll, I think they will win next week.
- [20:29]
Micah Richards
But you never ask you because I think, I think it's, it's very important for the, the viewers and, and the listeners is how, how do you deal with pressure in this moment? You've been a great player and I know I take the mick out of you and we talk about not, not see, not seeing your videos and all that. You are the great Gary Lineker without, you know, blowing smoke up your ass
- [20:49]
Gary Lineker
and well, I think you just have. Most pleasurable. It was too. Thank you.
- [20:56]
Micah Richards
How do you deal with, with that pressure then? And I know, I know you will say, well, I don't really feel pressure, but can I, can I, can I take me in the mind of, of, of someone like you, the caliber of player like. Because me, before you go, I, I was, I was shitting myself all the way through. I didn't think he was going to do it. I was thinking, United are just going to win it back in 2012 and then it's going to be one of those seasons where Fergie's going to win again and we're just annoying, noisy neighbors. I knew we had the team to do it, but me, my role within that, I didn't quite know if I could get it over, like. So talk me through that pressure side of things.
- [21:37]
Gary Lineker
Well, let me first stipulate something quite important. I never won a fucking league title. Right.
- [21:43]
Micah Richards
It doesn't matter though.
- [21:43]
Gary Lineker
That's different.
- [21:44]
Micah Richards
I dealt with high pressure situations.
- [21:47]
Gary Lineker
That is a different question. Correct? Yeah. I just wanted to make that clear before everyone else goes, yeah, you never want anything. So I did win. I won a few things and I think this is genuinely what I believe and it's easier said than done, but it's something that I did. You've got to revel in the situation. You've got to enjoy the pressure. Where do you want to be? In the middle of the table? You're fighting for the glory. This is it. And if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. But by God, enjoy it. It's like amazing, like buzz of going out into big Games, world cups, league title deciders, FA cup finals. It's like, wow, this is. That's what you dream about. So don't be scared. I mean, it's easy to say and we're all different, we handle things in different way, but don't be scared of it when it arrives. That's what you've dreamed about. So that, I mean, and that's what. If I were the coach, that's the, that's what I'd be saying to them all the time. You're doing amazing, you're flying, you're six points top of the league. Arsenal players, you are six points top of the league. You've done that because you're so good. This is going to be the title charge. Let's relish it. I love, I love that, but I
- [23:01]
Micah Richards
love that because that was, I mean, not the Braveheart speech and all that.
- [23:04]
Gary Lineker
Hardly.
- [23:06]
Micah Richards
Are you saying that because of the position that you playing, though? So when we talk about, and there's been some on, on social media the last couple of weeks, in terms of which position has the most pressure, do you think the striker has the most pressure? Or do you think it's because you was a top goal scorer that you didn't have that much pressure? Because if I'm a defender, I'm talking about me, I'm going into a game thinking, don't make a mistake, don't be out position, don't get sent off, you know, all those sort of things. So is yours a different type of pressure being, being a forward player?
- [23:43]
Gary Lineker
Well, I can't speak of for a defender, so I don't know. But I think it probably, I think as a striker, as a forward, if you're not glass half full, then you're never going to be a good striker because you've got to believe, right, you've got to be positive, you've got to believe you're going to score the goals. That's absolutely imperative. So I think firstly, the top strikers will always be half full and like full of optimism and belief. So defenders, by nature, they want to stop things, forwards want to make things happen. So we're both different. So I, I suspect there is a different mindset between players. But I also play with players that, you know, I know that they real leaders, like, let me say Terry Butcher. I'm thinking of defenders Terry Butcher. DEZ Walker was a quiet man, but I don't think they were ever scared about Stuart Pierce. You know, Stuart, my goodness me, was he scared of any. No, he would have, like, like Relished these situations. And I think sometimes, you know, I look at Arsenal and they've got leaders at the back. Gabriel's a proper leader, Saliba's a top class. You know, they're the players, I think, that have got to say, right, come on, come on, let's make this happen. This is amazing. With six points clear at the top of the Premier League, we're on the verge of being in the semi finals of the Champions League. You've got to go positive rather than look back and go, oh, we're a little bit this and we're a little bit that. That's what I believe. Now, it is easier said than done. It's easy for us as well, because we're looking from the outside. But I've been, you know, I've played in lots of big games, as have you, Micah. And the thing is, with football, you're 11 human beings that start the game. There's 11 human beings that finish the game. And they're all different in their personalities. So you can say one thing to one player and it's different to another player. I mean, that's, that's why I went into management. I don't think I could have helped. It's a lot easier on telly. It's a lot easier, but I think it's a great title race and I think talking to mental things, it takes me on to one other game I want to discuss before we go. I know you, you were at Chelsea. Didn't say it, but I watched it. But it wasn't really about the performance. It's about the result for Tottenham Hotspur and I mean, Forest have got another point. West Ham, really good performance on Friday night. Played really well, won easily against. I know it's bottom club Wolves, but I mean, spurs are two points off, two points below the safety net and they're in trouble. I mean, it was, it was, it wasn't a very good game. There wasn't much in it. I'm not sure which team were better than the other. The goal was, was very fortuitous. Tottenham, there wasn't much created in the game. You. Now, if you're going to be in a nervous situation, I think Tottenham's is probably more nervous than Arsenals in a, in a strange way. But they were hoping obviously for a bounce from Deserbi coming in, but didn't really happen.
- [26:41]
Micah Richards
But did you see anything, any, any, any, any changes or any tactical tweaks? Because I saw this started with. Was it column one, Richardson and Solanke?
- [26:53]
Gary Lineker
Was it yeah, well, they played, you know, those three. So that, I mean, that's. That's a. A positive start. And you could see there was an energy and you could see that the players were trying their nuts off. Right. There's no lack of effort there. They were, you know, they were running, they were trying and. But they look like they're completely bereft of any kind of confidence. It's been sucked out of them. And, you know, they. They weren't terrible. I mean, it wasn't a great game. You know, Romero got like, collided with his. With his own goalkeeper and he's injured and he's going off in tears because he cares. And the players do. I don't believe they don't care. I just think that they're instilled by fear at the moment. The fear of, like, going down and. And the absolute. I mean, for a club like spurs to go down, that would be a humiliation.
- [27:43]
Micah Richards
They can't go down, can they, guys?
- [27:45]
Gary Lineker
I mean, of course they can. There's only, what, six games left, is it? Have they got six games left?
- [27:50]
Micah Richards
Let me get their fixtures up. Brighton home.
- [27:53]
Gary Lineker
Yeah, difficult. Brighton form.
- [27:55]
Micah Richards
Wolves away.
- [27:56]
Gary Lineker
That's one they've got to win.
- [27:58]
Micah Richards
Villa away.
- [27:59]
Gary Lineker
Tough.
- [28:00]
Micah Richards
Leeds home.
- [28:02]
Gary Lineker
Leads are fighting for their lives as well. That's a massive game, that, isn't it? Leeds game. I mean, it's. It's not easy for any of these teams now and they're all fighting and. But West Ham look like they've got a bit of. Bit of form and belief and momentum and we talked about that. Leeds is kind of drawing their way to safety, almost Forest, you know, they're. They're fighting as well. I mean, I worried. I'm really, as a former spurs man, obviously, it's like. That'd be dreadful. Dreadful, really.
- [28:32]
Micah Richards
Well, two of your teams play on the last day. Spurs and Everton. Yeah, on the last day of the season.
- [28:38]
Gary Lineker
Yeah. I'm not sure that means I can influence anything.
- [28:43]
Alan Shearer
Yeah.
- [28:44]
Gary Lineker
Spurs and Everton might be going for a European spot at that point. They're in a good position for that.
- [28:48]
Micah Richards
I just can't believe what.
- [28:50]
Gary Lineker
I can't either. I mean, obviously the catalogue of injuries is huge and. But it's just. I mean, I never. I. I mean, the clues were there. Last season they finished 17th.
- [29:01]
Micah Richards
Postecoglou said that was down to. I don't know, he was.
- [29:04]
Gary Lineker
Maybe injuries in the cup competition.
- [29:07]
Micah Richards
Yeah. And the cup competition.
- [29:08]
Gary Lineker
Yeah. Well, it's easy to say that, isn't it?
- [29:10]
Micah Richards
But I didn't. I didn't expect this with that squad. Yes, but they've still got enough quality.
- [29:17]
Gary Lineker
Yeah.
- [29:17]
Micah Richards
To be doing better than they are. I mean, I'm a big admirer of Deserbi. I love the way he plays football. Getting bright and Europe wasn't it for the first time in their history. I believe it was energetic, exciting. But has he got enough time to. To turn it around for what spurs needs?
- [29:40]
Gary Lineker
I don't know. We shall. We shall find out in the the coming weeks. But it's going to be a tense time for. For the Tottenham faithful. Okay, Mike, I've done the second half already, so I'm going to watch the golf now.
- [29:53]
Micah Richards
You itchy to go out?
- [29:56]
Gary Lineker
Rory, and he's just had a double bogey. He's had a shocker. But anyway, you never know, he might turn it round. Remember 12 months ago?
- [30:02]
Micah Richards
Oh, yeah, I watched that. Do you remember?
- [30:04]
Gary Lineker
Yeah, I know.
- [30:04]
Micah Richards
Yes, I'm gonna watch it now.
- [30:06]
Gary Lineker
I'm gonna put it on, get it on the telly. All right. Nice one. I'll be back shortly with Alan. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace. All right, here's a quick off pitch tip for anyone thinking of getting their brand online. Squarespace is a game. The AI enhanced website builder helps you create a personalized website in just a few steps. And a custom domain has your site looking professional from day one. 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.
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Gary Lineker
It is an honor to share.
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McDonald's Advertiser / Announcer
No, it's our honor.
- [31:04]
Gary Lineker
It is our larger honor.
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Micah Richards
No, really, stop.
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McDonald's Advertiser / Announcer
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- [31:13]
Gary Lineker
Ba da ba ba ba and participate
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Unidentified Carvana Customer
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- [31:44]
Gary Lineker
Welcome back to the Rest is football with. Well, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. Let's look at one or two of the Saturday games. Alan, as we know, you were doing Match of the Day. Firstly. How. How was that? Who were you with? Or. Damn. Seen it this morning.
- [31:58]
Alan Shearer
Yeah, yeah, because you and big mixer at the box and eggs. So I saw you at the box and. Yeah. How hard is it at the boxing when you sit in ringside and you realize these guys are taking those punches, man.
- [32:08]
Gary Lineker
Oh, the thud. They landed a blow.
- [32:14]
Alan Shearer
Those guys are made of granite, man. They are just rock hard.
- [32:17]
Gary Lineker
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Netflix looked after us really well. Brilliant. Yeah, really, really well. It was. It was a fun night.
- [32:24]
Alan Shearer
Yeah, I was on. I was on Match Today. Me, Danny Murphy and Kelly. Kate's presenting. It's a bit of a long day. There's only four games and. And Friday night's gamers as well, so. But yeah, it was a good. It was a good deal around.
- [32:39]
Gary Lineker
But the thing is, Alan, as we very well know, because I've done it many, many times myself on Master Saturday. Oh, yeah. There's something else to watch when the games. When the game, you know, because it finishes down about normally and then you've got that long period where, yeah, you do a bit of analysis and work your plans out. But when they. When the golf's on, was it on in the studio?
- [33:01]
Alan Shearer
We had.
- [33:01]
Gary Lineker
We had joined the show.
- [33:03]
Alan Shearer
Yeah, we had. So during the day, we had the early game on Arsenal on there on one big screen, then that finished and then on another big screen, then we had the. We had a. And tree on at the Grand National. And then on another big screen, we had the football on. And then another screen when the golf started, the live coverage, we had the. We had the golf on. Didn't know where to look. And then, of course, you go into the studio and it's just starting to hot up, isn't it? About half past ten.
- [33:28]
Gary Lineker
Yeah.
- [33:28]
Alan Shearer
And we're going on there when we're going on live. And Rory was having such a tough day and Cam Young and they're all coming back at him. And in the end when we were talking, we had to turn it off because we were just getting too distracted by the first. The first one. We said we got to turn that off whilst we're talking because you're looking at the. You're looking at the golf word. You're trying to concentrate and talk about the football. So, yeah, it's pretty tough when that. When the Masters weekend is on Sunday
- [33:55]
Gary Lineker
night, we'll be watching that. Oh yeah. Amazing. What did you make of Arsenal's performance? I mean I, I, I worry for them a little bit and their supporters and because blimey they just so they didn't seem to create anything. Yeah, I mean obviously you're doing much of the day so.
- [34:14]
Alan Shearer
Yeah. For the first time after the yesterday's game with Arsenal, there's a doubt in my mind they'll actually go and win the title now because I was always pretty confident that they'll, they will find a way and they'll have enough. But yet, but it, it would really worry me if I was an Arsenal fan in what I've seen yesterday in terms of the just everything about their performance was nervous. There was, there was, there were edgy. The fans were nervous. There were, they didn't hardly create anything. Bournemouth's press, I'm not having that because they played in Europe on the Tuesday. They look tired. No, the, it would, it's a real concern if you're for an Arsenal fan what you watched yesterday because there was too many players prepared to pass it in the hope that someone else would do something special. Madaweki. I thought Trossard. I thought there was no creativity in, in, in the midfield and from out wide. Yeah, it was a really worrying performance for, for Arsenal and it would, it would only give belief to Manchester City that they've, they've, they've got a grid. I know, I know they've got their, the game against Chelsea but it would, it would really, really worry me that, that performance. Yeah.
- [35:30]
Gary Lineker
I think when you look at them, the one thing they've always been isn't they haven't conceded any many goals at all and they've relied on that defense almost but even that's not quite as solid as, as it looked. Everything seems a bit edgy. Whether, you know, I don't know what, what does it. Obviously they've had a few injuries and probably their two most creative players in Odegaard and Saka.
- [35:55]
Alan Shearer
I've got to say though, guys, I thought, I thought Bournemouth played the game brilliantly. The way they pressed, the way they agreed the, they went after Arsenal in a, in a way that not many have gone to the Emirates and done this season. They, they were brave. Bournemouth, they went, they were prepared to go 1v1 in every position and, and back their ability and they were super and Arsenal couldn' they couldn't handle what Bournemouth chucked at them yesterday and that, that would be the concerning thing. And you're right, normally they've been tight but they just Couldn't handle the press. And when Bournemouth won the ball, the number of times they got through Arsenal with ease. I mean, everything about their performance yesterday, Arsenal was poor. There was, as I said, they didn't create much. They didn't look tight at the back. They had nothing in, really in forward positions. And the best team won in Bournemouth were that, yeah, okay, you're going up against a really, really good team, great manager. You can perhaps get away with Southampton because of the number of changes that he made. But then you go really strong in the Champions League against, against Sporting didn't play that well, but you get the win and you think, right, okay, it's time to kick on now and take that belief and confidence into the game against Bournemouth. Because I, I really felt if they had a won yesterday, I thought that was almost done.
- [37:13]
Gary Lineker
Yeah, it pretty much that as well. I thought that if they drop points, that gives City a little bit of belief, probably.
- [37:20]
Alan Shearer
Yeah.
- [37:21]
Gary Lineker
And now, of course, it's. It's conceivable that it's in City's hands, really, because it's in both teams hands, I should say, because if City win their two games in hand, the three points behind their play. I know at the moment Arsenal's goal difference is better, but it's not significantly better. So that would probably turn around as well. So. And we know that City have a history of basically winning every game down the straight. It might not be the City of, Of. Of that period, but the nerves will creep in. I, I'm absolutely with you, Alan. I think it's the first time that I've actually seriously thought maybe they won't do it.
- [37:55]
Alan Shearer
I know what they're going through and I feel what they're going through because I've been there myself.
- [38:00]
Gary Lineker
What do they have to do?
- [38:01]
Alan Shearer
You've got. Somehow show some, some. You've gotta. You've got to get your big players, your leaders, your big characters. You've gotta. Those guys, you gotta come out fighting and punching and scrapping and not literally, but you know, in me, the ball. Because what would worry me more than anything yesterday was there were players who were prepared to get the ball and pass it backwards, give it to someone else, as if to say, well, can you go and do something special? Because I'm a little bit nervous, you know, and that. That's what the performance, it screamed out yesterday for me is, is that. Would. That. That's a concerning thing. So the big players have to put in big performances and somehow go and get the, the. The result next against City because they've got you as I said always say you've got, there's a play, you've got the chance of the right to reply and they've got to go and do that and a win or a point at Manchester City then, then I think that would do them the world of good. But it's not easy. They're under huge pressure. I've been there myself. You've got to somehow find a performance and find a way.
- [39:04]
Gary Lineker
It's going to be a great watch over the next few weeks will be.
- [39:07]
Alan Shearer
Yeah. Yeah.
- [39:07]
Gary Lineker
So Liverpool, I mean if every team needed some kind of result it was I think Liverpool at the moment possibly Arnie Slot.
- [39:15]
Alan Shearer
Yeah it just. It didn't matter how they won the game, they just had to win it. It would have helped with Young Rio and Gamoa scoring more Salah scorn and it was. Yeah, I mean they weren't, they weren't great Liverpool but they just didn't have to be. They just had to get that win and try and build some belief and confidence up and I guess the clean sheet will do them the world of good. They know going in to choose this game against PSG that they'll probably have to suffer a little bit at times. But I think the big story to come out of, come out of Liverpool's win the the goal of, of Young Rio Ngamo and his performance and whether it'll start on. On Tuesday evening or not. But he's more than made a case to the manager to say I have to start because I said last night I thought he brought an energy and a freshness and everything else and I thought he was absolutely outstanding.
- [40:03]
Gary Lineker
It's only two games he started and I thought he was the best player on the pitch in both those games. I have to say only Wayne Rooney and CES Fabregas have started a Premier League game and scored at a younger age than rio and Gamar. 17 years and 225 days and he
- [40:22]
Alan Shearer
played a part in Morsala's goal as well. You know the way he went down that left hand side and he just played with the freedom and he, he. I thought he was excellent running with the ball and it was really interesting listening to AR slots comments. After the game someone asked him about him starting and putting pressure and all of those things and he just said well he's one for the future and he's one for now and he's ready to start on a more regular basis. So I sort of looked at that and thought well is he sending A message out for Tuesday evening then. I mean it'd be a big call to leave him in there but because Ekatiki was on the. Was on the bench, Isak was on the bench. So yeah, it'll be interesting to see the team selection on Tuesday night. But he certainly put a brilliant case forward to start.
- [41:07]
Gary Lineker
Well, I would say I think he has to start. I would say I'd be very surprised if not. I mean he's in the two times he has started it's been their best play looks. You know that fearlessness of you. Yes, absolutely incredible ability. I think the Liverpool fans have actually been calling out for him to. To start for quite some time now and you can understand with a young player if there's a slight reluctance and you don't want to give them too much too soon but when they're ready, they're ready. And we've seen that in world football in recent times, haven't we with you know, people like Lamin in particular and even Max Dalman on sneaking in there at Arsenal as well. But I don't see how you can't stop it. It's not like Liverpool have absol got a nailed down left sided top. Gagpo hasn't been brilliant this season.
- [41:56]
Micah Richards
No.
- [41:56]
Gary Lineker
And obviously you know at times they might have played Ekatike there and they've moved things around so. But he looks a natural for that position. He really does.
- [42:06]
Alan Shearer
Couldn't agree more. I think the. I totally get and understand when managers trying to protect young players and what is ahead of them and all of those things and trying not to. To heap too much pressure on them. But you know, you're right when there's a. When he started him as he did yesterday and he performs like that. Why would you then. I don't know. I. I would. I would definitely leave him in there. He's as he. As I said he's. You can imagine the confidence and all of that that came with him yesterday and carry that forward and they're going to. They're going to need all, all of that and more by the way on. On Tuesday. So I mean you're talking about a. A different level of opponent who have. Who's seen it all and done it all. But he's fresh and he's raw and why not. Why not leave him in.
- [42:54]
Gary Lineker
What's that old adage? If you're good enough, you're old.
- [42:58]
Alan Shearer
Yeah, absolutely.
- [42:59]
Gary Lineker
Yeah. It definitely doesn't work the other way around. If you're too old, you're too old. Simple as that so no, it's great to see really exciting young talent. I was pleased for Mo Salah as well. He's obviously had a tough season, we know that. And he was left out, wasn't he? Last midweek against psg.
- [43:15]
Alan Shearer
Yeah.
- [43:16]
Gary Lineker
Suspect he, he'll play. Yeah, he will play on the right hand side and it will be lovely to see him, you know he's. We know he's leaving now at the end of the season. Be good to see him go out in, in most style really scoring a
- [43:28]
Alan Shearer
few goals because it's been a really tough season for him and for Liverpool. I think in many ways he is a great of Liverpool. He's a great of the Premier League and you're right it would be a tough watch for him to struggle in the last few games. So I, I really hope for his sake and for Liverpool's sake that that he can go out and score and score a right few goals in between now and and the end of their season.
- [43:51]
Gary Lineker
It's his goal for Liverpool so he reached 250 non penalty goals and assists. That's a combination obviously in the Premier League. 157 goals, 93 assists. Becoming the fifth player to do that after Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Andrew Cole and myself. Yes, yes. Where are you on that list? You're. Well you're third on that list actually with 268. Eight Ryan Giggs, 269. Andy Cole just just below you on 259.
- [44:24]
Alan Shearer
So good company to be in.
- [44:25]
Gary Lineker
Yeah. Are you saying that about Mo or not?
- [44:29]
Alan Shearer
Myself
- [44:32]
Gary Lineker
so I mean now obviously not only have they got to focus on the Champions League Liverpool, but they've also got to focus on, on if they don't win the Champions League, getting back in the Champions League. And I think that that gave them just a little bit of a gap. Now I think they're four points above Chelsea. Liverpool currently fifth I think two points behind Aston Villa. But Villa have obviously got that game coming up later.
- [44:54]
Alan Shearer
So it's a big win for Liverpool. Big week ahead as we said Tuesday psg. And then they've got Everton next weekend. Everton and Everton having a brilliant season. So it's a really, really big few days for Liverpool again let's mention actually
- [45:10]
Gary Lineker
because they came from behind in that game, didn't they? And and their opponents, Brentford, they're the two teams I think who have probably punched above their weight this season. Yeah, none of us expected it. Particularly when you consider, you know, Brentford losing players, changing manager, Everton of course when David Moyes took over Just around the relegation zone, just above.
- [45:35]
Alan Shearer
Both managers have a really credible shout of being manager of the season.
- [45:39]
Gary Lineker
Season.
- [45:39]
Alan Shearer
I mean if, if they were to get into sixth or it would be an unbelievable achievement from Everton or from, from Brentford. Because you just said it. No one, no one could predict what those two clubs are doing. They're having a brilliant season. Two, two managers who, who will without doubt deserve a shout when, when the manager of the year comes in because of what's, what they're doing and, and the football they're playing.
- [46:07]
Gary Lineker
Where are they? 7th and 8th at the moment. Just a point, just a point behind Chelsea as it stood on Sunday morning. Obviously we, we don't know the result yet of the Chelsea City game.
- [46:18]
Alan Shearer
Yes.
- [46:19]
Gary Lineker
When we're talking. So remarkable achievements.
- [46:22]
Alan Shearer
Really incredible and absolutely outstanding. Yeah, both of them. I mean it helps when you've got, in Brentford's case helps when you've got a center forward who's 21 league goals this season. One behind Ireland, one behind Holland and again, no one, no one would have predicted that at, at all. So yeah, he's what a, what a week or what a two weeks he's had. He's made his Brazil debut. I know he scored for Brazil in the second game. He got another two at the weekend. He's got 21. He's one behind Harland. I mean, bloody hell, what a season he's having. And he's. What I like about him, it's not just his goals. You know, he does a lot of running, bringing hold up play, bringing people into the game. He's a huge part of what Brentford have, have done, done this this season. So the recruitment's been very good, hasn't it?
- [47:11]
Gary Lineker
Yeah, really has, yeah. Did you see the clip a couple of weeks ago, you know, when Ancelotti made the squad? Announced the squad, I should say. Oh yeah, I did, yeah. All his family were watching it. It was Beautiful, wasn't it?
- [47:25]
Alan Shearer
Outstanding.
- [47:25]
Gary Lineker
24, your first call up for your country and in Brazil that's a big deal, isn't it?
- [47:29]
Alan Shearer
So, yeah, and then he's just, he's just got his, he's just made his debut and then scored in the second game. So I mean, I mean as I said, what a, what a two weeks when. What a season for him. He's been outstanding.
- [47:39]
Gary Lineker
West Ham are making a bit of a run for it and aren't they? I mean, terrific result for them, I thought. I mean he's, he's turned things around there, Nuna, hasn't he? It wasn't Easy for him right at the start. But he's. He's clearly knows what he's doing. Doesn't. He's did a good job at Walls. He did a really good job in. At Forest where I mean I thought that was ridiculous that the bill fell out and over the. And he didn't persist with him. I mean ultimately he could send for us down, could he? I mean, which would be spurs too. Well, exactly.
- [48:10]
Alan Shearer
So, yeah, because I know I've said it a few times now, but there was a time when I thought they were done West Ham. But to be fair to him and, and the players, he's getting some big performances out of some players in that West Ham team now. He's giving them belief, he's given them confidence and he's. He's making sure he's heaping huge pressure on the likes of Forest, Leeds and. And in particular Spurs. And again, we don't know what's going to happen with spurs this afternoon at. At Sunderland, but he's putting huge pressure on those clubs.
- [48:40]
Gary Lineker
West Ham look, I think the most likely to get out, I would say
- [48:43]
Alan Shearer
they've got the form, they've got the performance. Yeah, absolutely.
- [48:47]
Gary Lineker
And they've got a certain Jared Byrne. I think, you know, he's been at West Ham a long time now, hasn't he? He's been involved in 9 goals in the last 10 Premier League games. 2 goals and 7 assists. Only Bruno's had Premier League in 20, 26 W them B. And you'll probably feature this summer, won't he with England as well in the squad. I think he's. He's one of those that can fill in in a variety of different positions. He'll probably make the squad very good for the. I should mention this even though the rest is football fantasy team going well, isn't it? It's going really well. Two goals from Avanos. He was. He was brought in as did bowen who had three assists. So 3,000 in the world.
- [49:32]
Alan Shearer
Wow.
- [49:32]
Gary Lineker
When there's I think about 12 million players, which is pretty good. And, and this would be interesting. I think we're now 20th. 20th in the rest is football league.
- [49:43]
Alan Shearer
How many's in it? How many odd thousand. Really? And we're 20.
- [49:47]
Gary Lineker
Yeah, 40 odd thousand. It's not bad, is it? I mean I know being 20th normally means you're in the relegation zone but. But under these circumstances very different.
- [49:56]
Alan Shearer
What can we win at same time?
- [49:57]
Micah Richards
Top.
- [49:57]
Gary Lineker
We signed Topper herself at the moment. Let me give a shout out to the guy in front that's Ben Smith is in the lead. He's 60 points ahead of us. So we need something special over the last few weeks but brilliant. It would be quite a special for the rest of people to win the rest of or maybe being runner up. Maybe be runner up would be would be even better. So that's brilliant. Harry's in charge of all.
- [50:24]
Alan Shearer
Does a lot of it.
- [50:24]
Gary Lineker
Yeah, he does it all, dear. Okay, Al, now this is obviously I might see you later even though this is the second half because you've got
- [50:36]
Alan Shearer
I've got a friend's a friend's birthday lunch and drinks.
- [50:39]
Gary Lineker
So you seem to have a lot
- [50:40]
Alan Shearer
of friends birthdays on Sundays. Yeah, yeah. So I'll have the. I'll have the football on in the background and the golf and I'm hopefully in a fit state later on to talk to you guys.
- [50:53]
Gary Lineker
Okay, well. Okay, let's call it a day there. And that's it for this episode. Goodbye from me.
- [51:00]
Alan Shearer
Goodbye from me.
- [51:12]
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