To rotate or NOT to rotate? 🔁 Pep’s League and FA Cup DILEMMA | Plus playoff spy DRAMA 🕵 | ESPN FC

0:00 Right enough, Arsenal and West Ham.

0:01 What about some quickies?

0:02 Let's do it.

0:03 Just before we start the quickies,

0:04 our friends at Paninis have sent us the u the official sticker

0:08 collection book for the World Cup with all your all the teams,

0:12 all the players involved.

0:13 You stick your stickers in there and we've

0:15 got a few we've got a package to open.

0:17 Shall we go?

0:18 Let's do it.

0:18 I mean, I'm hoping as you know that I get Ken Mbappe

0:21 or any of the French stars or any of the shiny ones.

0:26 Get a bit of Paraguay.

0:28 Paraguay one channel.

0:30 Oh, nice.

0:34 Kovacic.

0:35 I get

0:37 and the USA badge.

0:38 Look at this.

0:39 All of you Americans, I've got you in the book.

0:42 Yeah, we'll do a trade cuz you got your Arsenal top on.

0:45 Oh my god.

0:45 We'll do a trade.

0:46 Well, yeah, but what do you want with I don't know what you got.

0:48 Okay, I we'll sort that out after the show.

0:50 Let's Manchester City play their game in hand on Wednesday

0:54 against Crystal Palace that we just mentioned, Don.

0:56 That's three days before the FA Cup final at Wembley against Chelsea.

0:59 If you were Pep, what would you do on Wednesday?

1:02 What's the priority for you here?

1:04 Do you play strength, full team,

1:05 full strength against Palace on Wednesday and maybe rotate a bit

1:10 for the FA Cup final or the other way around?

1:12 I it could even be a bit of a hybrid where you Yeah.

1:16 rest one or two players.

1:17 I don't think he will though.

1:18 I think Pep's one of these managers where

1:21 he plays a strong 11 and he treats every competition with respect.

1:25 Um he's played Harland in some FA Cup games early

1:27 on when I thought surely was it exit they beat 10.

1:30 Was it exit they beat 10 and Harland for half?

1:32 Yeah.

1:33 I was like wow could didn't see him playing in that one but he did.

1:35 No I think he'll probably go close to full strength as possible.

1:38 I think

1:39 you got four games in 12 days now.

1:40 Obviously midweek FA Cup final midweek and last game of

1:44 I think on the outside world probably think right you

1:47 need might need to tweak and you might need to rest.

1:50 I think he looks at Pep and he wants to win every single game

1:52 and he'll still believe and he'll still believe

1:54 that there's a twist in the Premier League.

1:56 He'll still believe.

1:57 So I think you'll I think Baron maybe I

2:00 don't know like a Marmush or someone might come in.

2:02 Um maybe a um but I think

2:07 eight or nine of his first teams will start in that game.

2:09 I think he'll go very very strong.

2:10 Let's see what they do.

2:11 Chelsea stopped that terrible run of six losses in a row in the Premier League

2:16 but only to get a draw at Liverpool whose players and managers were booed off.

2:19 by Anfield.

2:20 Don, are they both in crisis or who is more in crisis than the other?

2:25 That's a great question.

2:27 Um, I think Chelsea are more in crisis.

2:29 I mean, they're ninth in the table.

2:30 I know.

2:30 Um, they can't win a game.

2:32 Haven't even got a manager.

2:33 The board's getting criticized left, right,

2:34 and center because of the model and everything they've done.

2:37 Do you know what it it was one of them when I

2:39 was watching the Forest game and Forest turned them over big time.

2:42 Yeah.

2:43 I couldn't help but take my brain to the Liverpool game at the weekend

2:47 and the game obviously the game after and I thought they'll get a draw there.

2:50 It reminded me by a win but they'll go to Anfield in nick point.

2:55 But what does that say about Liverpool and what would you do?

2:58 Would you keep him?

2:59 Do you know the honest the fans are clearly unhappy?

3:01 Yeah.

3:01 The honest conversation that I think FSG um and the board need to have

3:05 with themselves because we're in a summer where

3:07 there's going to be so many managers available.

3:10 Yeah.

3:10 So you cannot lose this window.

3:12 So have the conversation.

3:14 Is there a better manager out there than Slot?

3:16 If there is, change him.

3:18 Yeah.

3:18 Because this season has been it's been awful.

3:21 The football's been terrible.

3:22 Um they've been boring to watch.

3:25 The game against Chelsea was like a testimonial game

3:27 which over the years that's been like elite level game.

3:30 Liverpool Chelsea Champions League semis going for titles.

3:33 It was it was dull.

3:35 Um so you have the conversation.

3:36 Is it Jabonzo to get the best out of Fon and Vertz?

3:39 Yeah,

3:40 maybe that's the way to go.

3:42 Or do you say to Anna Slaughter,

3:44 are you capable and are you confident

3:46 that with Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards in the summer,

3:49 you're going to do a proper rebuild because I'll continue the transition.

3:53 Exactly.

3:53 And and this season might be one of them where you go

3:55 right won the league the the season before u transitional period this year,

4:00 finished in the Champions League, investment in the summer, kick on, go again.

4:04 The trouble with that, give him that last chance.

4:06 That has to be the last chance.

4:07 And the but the trouble with that is if Jabi Alonzo gets a club

4:11 um and the Glasners and the Marco Silvas

4:13 and the and the Pochettinos of this world

4:16 and the yeah all these guys get a job and then

4:18 you you're Liverpool and you go into the first five

4:20 games of next season and slot gets off to a bad

4:23 start you sack him where do you go from there?

4:26 I know.

4:26 So I think the conversation is is there someone better out there?

4:29 If there is then that might be the conversation that might be

4:33 the way to go.

4:35 Yeah.

4:34 Bruno Fernandez won the FWS.

4:36 to the football writer association player of the year

4:39 done ahead of Declan Rice while while Bernie Shaw

4:43 won it in the women's game it's fair you happy

4:46 would you have had Rice first and Bruno second for the

4:49 men sure I mean she's been at the top

4:50 level for years isn't she I mean what a player

4:52 yeah no I I think on Bruno I think he deserves it

4:55 um I've heard a lot of sort of rhetoric where people have latched on to well

4:58 they haven't played that many games so he's played half a season I I don't buy

5:01 that at all I think he's had a season

5:02 where he's trying to break Premier League records

5:04 with his assists um god forbid where Man

5:08 United would be if they had have sold him.

5:11 Absolutely.

5:10 And especially the numbers that he's produced.

5:12 And I think he's matured a lot because I wasn't really

5:14 a fan of his antics probably two or three years ago.

5:17 But I think he's he's convinced a lot of people like myself

5:20 where you start to look at him and go captain material.

5:23 He's starting to act like a captain.

5:24 He's a leader.

5:25 He's not throwing his arms up like he did at Anfield when they

5:27 were getting beat and giving it the all I want to come off.

5:29 It looks like a completely different player.

5:31 So yeah, I I get the argument.

5:33 I get the argument of Rya or Declan Rice.

5:35 Um, I think Bruno deserves it in my opinion.

5:39 I agree.

5:39 I think Rice could have easily won it too.

5:41 I think the thing with Rice, which we've seen before,

5:44 remember the 2018 Balonor where the Liverpool boys had won the champion of 2019,

5:49 but there was a lot of vote splits between Salah van

5:52 Djk and Manet which I think in the end cost them.

5:54 I think what cost rise in this is that a lot of people voted for Rya, right?

6:00 Or Saliba.

6:01 Yeah.

6:01 And I think even some I think voted for Saka to the point

6:05 that that took away some of the votes that could have gone to him, wasn't it?

6:09 Yeah.

6:09 Whereas for Bruno, it was all like nobody else at United could have got.

6:13 That's what that's what does my eding about the Balonor.

6:15 I know.

6:15 I hate the Ball cuz it should it should just be.

6:18 It doesn't matter if you're in a Champions League final.

6:20 Who do you think's the best player this season?

6:22 Right.

6:22 It's him.

6:23 Vote for you.

6:23 I know.

6:23 I know.

6:24 I know.

6:24 I know.

6:24 Uh we are halfway through the Champions League playoffs.

6:26 Jewels semi-finals.

6:28 Are you uh are you awake?

6:29 You fall asleep?

6:30 What's happened?

6:30 No.

6:31 Well, that's the thing.

6:31 I love the playoffs.

6:34 Same.

6:33 But it feels that those semi-finals are very year after

6:36 year seem that the first leg is often a nil draw.

6:38 I' I've played in them.

6:40 They're horrible.

6:41 Is you just don't want to give anything away that first leg?

6:43 Yeah.

6:44 So, you you end up going into them going,

6:45 we know there's a second leg subconsciously.

6:48 Let's not lose this one.

6:49 Would it be better to just have it over one game?

6:50 Maybe

6:52 it'd be a good shot actually, but I mean the second legs are lively.

6:55 Yeah.

6:55 Yeah.

6:56 Always.

6:56 Yeah, I guess you're right.

6:57 I I think I I I think it's very much standard where

7:00 you can look at these games and go nil nil bit boring.

7:03 Second legs will not be

7:04 because then there's a there's drama on it.

7:06 There's jeopardy.

7:07 Yeah.

7:07 So Hull and Milwall first where I had an in at Hull.

7:13 The second leg will be I think on Monday night again in a few hours as we record

7:17 this in London in you know at a new den

7:21 for Milward to try to make it to the final.

7:23 I mean if Milwall come up Jules I'll I'll be unsackable.

7:26 I know I'll have played for about 30% of the Premier League teams.

7:29 You can't get rid of me.

7:31 All your clubs are there and we wish Midwell and her city obviously the best.

7:35 The other semi-final is between Middlesbrough and Southampton was nil nil uh

7:40 at the Riverside on Saturday and then that second leg is on Tuesday night.

7:45 And that's our next question because we can talk

7:47 about Middlesbrough v Southampton and that first leg where

7:49 Midsboro played really really well just couldn't score which

7:52 is a bit of a story of the season really

7:55 uh since Hellburg arrived.

7:57 But the big story here is this spike isn't it?

8:00 Incredible.

8:02 Just before you gave us your view on it, Don,

8:04 the story, if you've missed it, if you lived on a rock,

8:07 was that Middlesbrough caught a Southampton staff member spying

8:12 on their training before the semi-final first leg on Saturday.

8:17 The floor is yours now.

8:19 What do you make of it?

8:19 Well, since then, I mean,

8:20 do you remember when Leeds done it and Ba Ba actually paid the fine?

8:24 So, he he held his hands up and he actually paid the money the fine,

8:27 which is incredible cuz that's just like that's typical Belsa.

8:30 But the fallout from it,

8:32 I think from what I've read is Southampton have blamed like an intern.

8:35 Yeah.

8:35 Saying that they knew nothing about

8:36 that sort of intern has got the money

8:37 to start getting drones and cameras and all sorts.

8:40 I don't buy that a second.

8:42 Me neither.

8:43 Me neither.

8:44 The other fallout which I was reading or hearing

8:46 on the radio as I was coming in today.

8:49 A lot of other championship teams now are studying

8:52 their CCTV to find out if Southampton have done this before.

8:57 Yeah.

8:57 So it's it's incredible.

8:58 Do you really believe I know we don't

9:00 know so we're only speculating but would you

9:03 think that somebody does this without the manager

9:07 knowledge or the club know it's not possible right no I don't think

9:09 because that's the defense they're saying like we knew

9:11 nothing about this he did this on his own

9:13 but then you but then you sort of do because

9:15 let's say I'm the intern and I take it upon myself

9:18 to go and do it and I go and get

9:19 the footage I've still got to give it to someone senior exactly

9:22 at the club but someone's gone oh we'll have that then we'll have a little

9:26 bit of a look at that that because he could be just the guy

9:29 just just do a be Elsa

9:31 but then what what should be the the

9:33 I don't know that's the thing because you

9:34 can't dock them points because you're in the playoffs

9:37 so you ban the manager or again you have to prove

9:41 that that's what I'm saying I think it's probably a monetary fine yeah just

9:45 is that enough though that's the thing

9:46 I don't know I

9:47 if Southampton knock out Middlesborough and then go and get promoted

9:51 it's it's unbelievably messy I am not crazy isn't it

9:54 it's one of these where you have

9:55 that conversation and You go what's the punishment?

10:00 Yeah.

9:59 And you're like, it's unprecedented.

10:02 Apart from the BLA one, when he went he went, I done it.

10:05 There's the fine.

10:06 Even in other leagues, Don, I promise you,

10:08 I don't remember a case where something like that happened somewhere else.

10:12 It's it's it's crazy.

10:15 Probably a monetary fine and

10:17 give the money to charity.

10:19 Just just just find the football club.

10:21 I don't think you find the manager.

10:23 Yeah.

10:23 Yeah, cuz the manager might say nothing to do with me.

10:25 Even though I've probably watched the tape, you can't find the kid.

10:28 You ain't got any money.

10:30 True, man.

10:31 That's very true.

10:31 It's It's incredible.

10:33 It is crazy.

10:33 Here in the Premier League as well,

10:34 Bournemouth are still chasing top five, which would be incredible for them.

10:38 They're currently six after they win at Fulham this weekend.

10:41 Yeah.

10:41 Well, it's funny because six might be

10:43 enough to get you Champions League football.

10:44 Villa Villa have got to win the Europa League and finish fifth.

10:47 That's the That's the That's the scenario.

10:50 Um, so

10:50 this is where they are right now.

10:51 Exactly.

10:51 So Liverpool are not getting away from them and Villa had

10:54 a another poor performance off the back of a great semi-final against Forest.

10:58 So that was a little bit understandable.

10:59 But Bournemouth, Brighton, they're all sort of chasing that fifth or sixth.

11:04 Brenford another one.

11:05 Um Bournemouth have been the story with Ola.

11:07 I mean to lose a goalkeeper

11:10 half well majority of your back four

11:13 to find players like Rayan and Krooppy who probably

11:15 Barcelona are checking out the minute fine young player.

11:18 Iraola's improved um the majority of players that he's worked under.

11:22 They're a great story.

11:24 Limited budget data analysis.

11:27 Um it'd be amazing story if they got Champions League football.

11:30 I agree.

11:30 I mean it' be be phenomenal and it would put

11:32 if his stock if his stock's not high enough put some

11:36 serious teams into the conversation where he has to be

11:39 a manager that we've got to interview or check out because

11:43 like the job that he's done has been incredible.

11:45 So they've got City at home and they go away

11:48 at Forest for the last the last two games of

11:51 So they're going to have to win them both which is a little

11:53 bit I mean I say unlikely I mean they could turn City over

11:56 but I mean the chances are probably not.

11:59 So you probably are looking at the top five

12:01 as it stands that's going to get Champions League football.

12:04 to be in the conversations.

12:05 I know it's

12:06 you know what I feel a little bit I know he's announced that he was leaving out

12:10 of contract but if he takes them into Champion

12:12 would would he not want to be there

12:14 for when they champion league and by the way

12:17 they or you can say yeah what a job I've done my stock well

12:22 and my stock is highest it's probably ever going to be

12:24 yeah yeah true I mean unless the club can

12:26 kick on but I mean their stadium holds what

12:28 12 and a half yeah in the Champions League which is a shame for them because

12:31 they could probably feel 40 50 easily

12:33 in the Champions League if they play you know like

12:36 Bayern or PhD or Real Madrid or you know whatever but what a story this

12:39 I know Tottenham host leads in a few hours on Monday night we

12:43 mentioned that already earlier Don leads are safe for now after West

12:47 Ham's loss against Arsenal Spurs have a great chance I know

12:53 you don't think that Spurs can can bottle this no be Spurs

12:56 no I I just can't see I mean listen my predictions

12:58 have been way off in the last week I I honestly

13:01 honestly I thought there's not a chance that Spurs go to Villa

13:04 leaves would go down like four weeks ago, five weeks ago.

13:07 I had Brenford going down with Keith Andrews.

13:10 That's how my predictions have gone this week this season.

13:12 They've been terrible.

13:13 But for Spurs to go back to back wins, listen, I've been there, Jules,

13:16 when you're in the bottom three and you're there for a reason

13:19 because you've got no consistency and you can't win games,

13:22 you can't score, and you're just all over the place.

13:24 I've been there myself and very rarely where when you're in the bottom

13:27 three do you ever go back to back wins.

13:30 Ever.

13:30 Like that's why you're there.

13:32 And they've got a scrappy win against Wolves.

13:34 terrible performance but they won.

13:35 Then to go and beat Villa with a really good performance, great win.

13:39 I think with momentum and West Ham losing against Arsenal,

13:42 I think Spurs beat Leads tonight.

13:44 Yeah, I agree.

13:44 I don't think that leads will be on the beach or anything like that.

13:46 I just think Spurs have got it where and people

13:48 might say the home record only two wins this season.

13:50 I think you you park that you you you bin it and you more

13:53 or less say to your players tonight if you're the Jerby, win tonight, lads,

13:57 every chance we're going to be safe.

13:59 It puts too much pressure on because their goal

14:00 difference is better than West Ham at the same time.

14:02 So it's almost like if you win they're five points clear.

14:05 Yeah.

14:05 So the chances are it's going to be done.

14:07 Aston Villa dropped more points after the draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

14:11 We mentioned that a little bit.

14:12 They could not miss out on Champions League and top five finish.

14:14 Don, could they?

14:15 No, I I don't think they will because I think

14:17 they'll beat Fryberg in the final of the Europa League.

14:19 That's obviously one avenue, but they're in the league.

14:21 They're four points clear of Bournemouth.

14:23 I mean, I think they've got enough.

14:25 Four points with two games to go.

14:27 Exactly.

14:27 It should be.

14:27 And as we said, Bournemouth play Man City.

14:30 Yeah.

14:30 Um, but they're going to need one more win to secure it.

14:32 But I think if you're Villa, I I think the season at the top class manager inry

14:38 and he's so passionate and he's so easy to to relate to.

14:41 I think he's he's an amazing manager.

14:44 Um, I think they'll get Champions League football.

14:46 I'm pretty much certain they'll get it within top five.

14:50 Yeah.

14:49 But I'm I'm I'm sort of I'm really confident they beat Fryberg.

14:53 They play Liverpool and City in the league.

14:55 So that's where so that's where that's where Villa

14:58 fans are panicking because they're looking at the fixtures

15:00 because you you go Liverpool City, oh what if we lost both of them.

15:04 Yeah.

15:03 I mean Liverpool would have to put a performance in for a start.

15:06 True.

15:06 Villa Park especially.

15:07 Yeah.

15:08 Exactly.

15:08 Yeah.

15:08 So it's like Yeah.

15:10 I I I think they'll get it done mate.

15:12 Yeah.

15:12 A new twist in the Scottish Premier League jewels.

15:14 I watched Hearts on what was it?

15:16 Saturday night and seen off Rangers and the tense old firm.

15:20 I mean what a season.

15:20 I know.

15:21 We have to say again and we said that you

15:22 know often when you're on the show as well.

15:24 It's been an incredible season in the Scottish Premiership.

15:27 Really hearts haven't won the league since 1960.

15:31 Uh I mean nobody outside of Celtic and Rangers have won it since

15:34 Sir Alex and Abin obviously in 85 I think it was or' 86.

15:39 I mean I think it's a great thing if they win the leagueing.

15:40 I think it livens Celtic and Rangers up.

15:43 Absolutely.

15:43 Because as much as houses of credit and the way they invested

15:48 the money and the arrival of Tony Bloom in the summer great,

15:52 it's also because Rangers and Celtic have been chaotic for years.

15:56 Absolutely.

15:57 And it's almost like right there's a new contender here.

16:00 We can't just rely on one of us being just better than the other.

16:04 So the standards in Scotland need to improve.

16:07 And we saw house dropping point against Motherwell

16:09 who mother are good footballing sides.

16:10 Really good footballing sides.

16:11 There's a game in there's a game week in midweek and then next weekend which

16:15 will be the last one of the season is Celtic against heart at Celtic Park.

16:19 So if you have no plans on Sunday I know there's

16:21 a lot of football that we say to you you should watch.

16:24 Yeah, but this is it.

16:24 This is the end.

16:25 This is what exciting for everybody.

16:27 It's just like you got one game on the line.

16:29 Winner takes all.

16:30 Exactly.

16:30 It should be like that.

16:31 It will be like a like a league final if you want between hearts and Celtic.

16:35 Celtic and heart.

16:36 So yeah, make sure make sure you watch this if you can.

16:40 Um, and then the FA Cup finals coming up.

16:42 Yeah, we know the lineup for the women's FA Cup final are Wembley on the 29th,

16:49 I think it is, or something like that, or the 30th.

16:52 Brighton beat Liverpool 3-2 in the first semi-final, coming back from 2-0 down.

16:56 Brighton, by the way,

16:57 on top of the stadium that they're going to build for the women's team,

17:00 only for the women's team, uh, having a really good season.

17:03 Great momentum for them.

17:05 Amazing achievement to reach the EA Cup final.

17:07 And then the other semi-final was Chelsea against City.

17:11 Yeah.

17:10 Again, I think the fourth or fifth time that they face

17:13 each other this season and again City came back from behind

17:17 in extra time to win three to Bernie show that we

17:20 mentioned player of the year again with the decisive goal,

17:23 incredible performance, incredible game I think great great publicity

17:27 for the women's game and then so we be we'll

17:30 have Brighton against Man City in the FA

17:31 Cup final and City potentially in for the double.

17:34 Don't remember Rodale heartbreaking draw against

17:37 York which prevented them from going

17:39 uh for automatic promotion from the National League to League Two.

17:43 Well, they're still going going to go up.

17:45 I love it.

17:45 I I love these stories when you see a team go

17:47 back into the football league and it feels like for Rodale,

17:51 it just feels like karma doesn't feel and and the the drama of the game when

17:56 they're 2-0 down and Boring Wood going up and you think what a story that is.

18:00 Let's lean on the Boring Wood story.

18:01 What a story that is them coming into the football league

18:04 and then they come back and win on pens and it's just like

18:07 it's 97th minute equalizer to get to the

18:10 and then if Rodale stay up it might be one

18:12 of them where it's like a Rexom where that was

18:14 a season you remember coming from the National League back

18:17 into the football league and then sort of building from there.

18:19 What a story.