Doku delivers; Arsenal dazzle; De Zerbi's decisive Spurs | The 2 Robbies Podcast (FULL) | NBC Sports

0:11 Hello and welcome to the Two Robbies podcast,

0:14 your destination for in-depth discussion and analysis of the Premier League.

0:18 I'm Robbie Mto.

0:19 He's Robbie and here are today's topics.

0:22 Manchester City play out a crazy 3-3 draw at Everton but dropped two big

0:27 points in the title race to Arsenal who raced past Fulham on the weekend.

0:31 Tottenham Hotspur lift themselves out of the relegation

0:33 zone with a massive win 2-1 at Aston Villa

0:36 and Copy Mayu's late winner against Liverpool seals

0:39 Champions League qualification for Michael Carrick and Man United.

0:43 That's what we have coming up in today's episode.

0:46 All right my friend, before we get to the football,

0:48 I've got some big news to share with you.

0:51 So CC Sabathia has a new podcast with us, MLB according to CC.

0:58 From clubhouse stories to unfiltered conversation

1:00 about what's happening around the league.

1:03 New episodes with CC and our buddy Armed

1:05 Pared every Wednesday on all major podcast platforms.

1:11 Robbie, uh, I know we're both trumping at the bit to get into the football,

1:15 but we should just recap a little bit our our derby weekend,

1:19 our Kentucky Derby weekend down in Louisville,

1:21 where we always like to get out the studio,

1:23 get down there, have a few have a few drinks,

1:25 have a few bets, have a little bit of steak in that fancy steakhouse we go to.

1:29 Um, good time, wasn't it this weekend?

1:31 We love Louisville, mate.

1:32 That's that's the headline.

1:33 Love Louisville.

1:34 Love all that he brings.

1:36 Uh, fantastic days racing, coming together with people.

1:40 the celebration of the the cancer day on the Friday when everybody wears pink.

1:44 Yeah.

1:45 Recognition of people who've passed or who actually got over the the disease.

1:50 Um betting on the horses, mate.

1:53 Having a mint Julie, seeing some some famous faces.

1:56 I mean, it's it's a re it is a very special day.

1:59 And I say to all my friends,

2:00 if if you ever get the chance to go, go down and and see this.

2:05 It's it's like one of those magical places, isn't it?

2:07 walk into the raceourse and it's just so clean,

2:10 so magnificent, so manicured in in every detail.

2:14 Yeah.

2:14 And we're lucky, mate.

2:15 We our set is in the most perfect spot.

2:19 Right on the in the paddock there,

2:20 and we we turn around on our set, we see these beautiful horses walking by.

2:25 Sadly, I don't do a very good job on the betting, you know.

2:27 It's not your No, it's getting a bit annoying now.

2:30 I'm not sure what the next theory will be into next year, but no, it is great.

2:33 I know they love us being there and Yeah.

2:35 and and and lots of the guys come to hang out around our set.

2:38 We have a big screen outside there.

2:39 They can watch the games and stuff.

2:40 There's a West Ham fan that was Yeah.

2:43 not not enjoying unhappy as they Yeah.

2:46 We're going down to that.

2:46 And I just have to say, Rob, what a great job.

2:48 And and and I'll give our Becky Loa mention because she not

2:51 only does our show till Tuesday two then she hops off, you know,

2:55 and she she's bang on to it with with the rest of, you know,

2:58 it's an outstanding crew that that do deliver the the race day.

3:02 Um, you know, I was actually one of those watching it on my way back.

3:04 I was heading back home and uh it's a it's it's a great show on the TV.

3:10 Yeah.

3:10 And and also like the team around her and and the the the weekend and stuff.

3:15 I mean, you know, she whilst trying to sort the football out,

3:19 she's trying to prep for it's like 20 interviews

3:23 because it could be any any of the horses.

3:25 Yeah.

3:26 Rebecca's going to interview the the owner or whatever,

3:28 the trainer or the owner.

3:29 And that's 20 different teams of people that she's got to get to know.

3:32 So

3:32 apparently she says keeping us three in in control is

3:35 a lot harder than keeping in control of those 20 people.

3:38 But no, great job.

3:39 Great day.

3:40 Uh if you ever get the chance to go down, get down to the Kentucky Derby.

3:43 Uh will not be disappointed.

3:46 What doesn't doesn't disappoint us, Mr.

3:48 Mosto, is the Premier League because week on week we get bigger stories,

3:53 more drama, more excitement.

3:56 We're going to start off at the Hill Dickinson Everton hosting Manchester City.

4:01 City if they do get under pressure maybe under pressure

4:04 six points behind Arsenal with the two games in hand.

4:08 This is one of those games away at Everton.

4:11 Um it ends up 3-3.

4:12 Rob and any surprises?

4:17 Well, yeah.

4:18 I mean, I think we we we would have expected Man City to go there and win,

4:22 particularly after the first sort of 20,

4:25 30 minutes where it took 10 minutes for them to settle down.

4:28 Then you got the the regular pattern of control,

4:31 um, dominance, camped in the box,

4:34 trying to find ways to break down Everton that are always,

4:37 uh, hard to break down.

4:39 It was And of course forced back into that four that 451.

4:43 I mean the I mean the way this game went Rob is is astonishing really and you

4:49 know you might say pivotal like Arsenal fans

4:51 I'm sure will be absolutely thrilled right now given

4:55 the score line Rob and and what it means

4:57 and what it means is to my understanding is that Arsenal

5:01 three games left if they win win out sorry

5:04 they definitely win out they definitely win the title correct

5:07 and if they win two and draw one and Man City win

5:10 out then it goes down a goal difference so that last minute goal.

5:14 I'm sorry to cut to the chase, Rob, but it's so it's so definitive that last

5:18 goal took goal at the end just

5:20 made the difference between Arsenal without that goal.

5:22 Arsenal can win two, draw one of the last three and win the title,

5:27 assuming that City win out after this one.

5:28 But uh yeah, so if you're in if you're in the Arsenal camp, Rob,

5:32 is it is it are you are you overjoyed or you

5:36 slightly a little bit disappointed that Doku does that brilliant bit

5:40 of magic with a minute to go and all of a sudden

5:42 it slightly changes the the I mean they're in control now.

5:46 Awesome, aren't they?

5:47 Yeah, they are.

5:47 Isn't that what they want?

5:48 Yeah, they got to be delighted with that result.

5:50 They got to be delighted with that.

5:51 And we'll get to Everton in a second and why that result happened.

5:54 Um but it does like and this is what's going to be amazing, right?

5:58 The whole story through the whole season,

5:59 the whole season has been, can Arsenal hold their nerve?

6:02 They had this this 69 point lead, didn't they?

6:05 That they that got written down.

6:06 Their results were poor.

6:07 They got very tight with their performances,

6:09 with their possession, with their attacking play.

6:11 Are they bottlers?

6:12 Well, they got they're back on track and we'll get to their game.

6:16 But now we're going to find out once and for all, Robio.

6:18 We're going to find out once and for all.

6:20 You got three games to win.

6:21 You got three games to win.

6:23 Are they going to play the same way

6:25 in those three games and dominate those games like

6:27 they did in this one that we promise we will get to or will there be nerves?

6:31 Rob, I'll ask you because the narrative now has changed and the expectation

6:35 is back on Arsenal like it was a few few weeks ago.

6:38 Yeah.

6:38 Does that change their mindset?

6:40 Does it tighten them up for the last three games?

6:44 Well, the answer is no.

6:45 And it shouldn't, but human nature will tell you

6:48 that it might and we've seen evidence of that.

6:52 But just not to get too far away

6:54 from that about Ever the Man City in Everton, Rob.

6:58 Yeah.

6:58 I've continually said and and I know Beex and and and couple

7:01 of people have asked like who's favor who's in.

7:03 I I continually said I don't think Man City

7:06 will win f the five of the five games left.

7:09 I felt there's at least a draw in one of those games.

7:12 Now maybe that draws come come early.

7:14 M I still feel Rob and I know when they're going well

7:18 and they're beating teams two and three and four and the football's good.

7:22 I still feel there's a little bit of a a wart about uh Manchester

7:27 City where they're defending and I think at times today Everton showed that up.

7:31 The quick counterattacks in fullback positions when they're pushed forward,

7:34 the little bit of lack of I don't know structure.

7:37 I mean Rodri's not there.

7:38 I know Nikico Gonzalez plays just there's just reasons why

7:42 I feel Man City will concede a few more goals.

7:47 You know, Arsenal's defense we know is is superb

7:49 in the way that the team is set up.

7:51 And because of that, I just feel Rob that they'll they would drop points now.

7:55 They they've dropped two today in the game against Evan.

7:58 They've got four more games to go.

8:00 Will they drop more points?

8:02 Who knows that?

8:02 Possibly not if Pep gets them going in the way that they can.

8:06 But I I I kind of felt like there

8:10 wasn't four straight wins in Manchester City to finish

8:13 the season and this draw now does open the door

8:17 and give the opport opportunity back to to to Arsenal.

8:20 It's one thing probably Rob that I think in terms

8:22 of when when everybody's having the criticisms or the reasons

8:26 why not Arsenal's defensive structure and their defensive prowess

8:31 might also be be one of the differences this season.

8:35 Yeah, I think that's always their I mean, no team is perfect, Rob.

8:38 And I think we know that Arsenal sometimes their weakness has been creating

8:41 enough and scoring enough goals or whatever

8:42 at certain moments against certain teams.

8:44 Um, and Man City is always going to be

8:46 their their defensive side of things a little bit.

8:48 I just thought this was this was a if

8:51 there's an antidote to pep ball and City's football,

8:56 it's physicality, Robbie.

8:58 It's physicality.

9:00 And this was always going to be the hardest

9:01 game for City in the league on the running.

9:03 What do we know about David Moyes?

9:05 David Moyes gets his team fired up.

9:08 The effort, the spirit, the energy,

9:11 the aggression today was what turned that result around.

9:15 I think first half they found it very difficult.

9:18 City fired up and were lively and were creative and popping the ball around.

9:21 Hard to break down, but second half Everton

9:25 super aggressive got in the face of the City players and that and it and it

9:28 and their kind of possession dominance ebbed away second half.

9:32 Now, there was one pivotal pivotal moment

9:35 that you've got to say that changed the game.

9:37 Mark Gayhey, who's been brilliant for this football club,

9:40 and I mean brilliant for Man City.

9:44 Inexplicable mistake.

9:45 Yeah.

9:46 Mistake.

9:46 Um a short back pass and fair play to Tiano Barry Nipson

9:50 and scores and the whole place changed and the whole atmosphere changed.

9:54 Momentum was kind of changing by the way

9:56 because of the aggressive nature of Everton.

9:58 The amount of times Jake O'Brien went through Jeremy Dooku.

10:01 I think he got his yellow card late in the second half,

10:04 but they were super aggressive, Rob.

10:06 And and the City's most I guess maybe

10:08 his tallies man and his most creative player, Ryan Scherky.

10:11 That that wasn't a game for Ryan Sherky, Rob,

10:14 because of the aggressive nature of the Garner

10:16 in midfield and and the and the energy, the the physicality at Everton.

10:21 That's what stopped City today.

10:23 And that's a difficult game for them.

10:25 And physicality won out with that mistake from Gayhee.

10:28 Um and that was the main reason I thought the city dropped points.

10:31 You say that Rob, it's a good point.

10:33 But I look at Brenford who can play with physicality that I'm not

10:38 saying as much but they can bring you a physicality game.

10:41 Bournemouth will can give you problems with a press and it's not

10:45 power press but with a man-to-man high press can cause you problems.

10:48 So while you say while while I I agree with you in saying

10:52 that the physicality caused a problem and this was the hardest game,

10:56 I can argue Brenford um and and Bournemouth are games still

11:00 that that can offer difficulties to Manchester City in the way they play.

11:05 Yeah, I I I and I get that and I and I take that point and yep,

11:09 there's there's parts of that I agree with.

11:11 I just think at Everton with David Moyes it I I just

11:15 think it was and Pep said afterwards about you know it we

11:19 very English game I think he said which is

11:21 which is the fast furious aggressive you know um

11:26 and the referee rightly so let some of that go

11:29 that's what English football is ever played right

11:31 on the edge for me and I just think

11:33 it rattled them it rattled the Bernardo Silvas it rattled

11:36 the Ryan Sheries and I think it that's the reason

11:39 and and why not I mean That's that's English football.

11:42 That's what it takes to win the Premier League.

11:43 And Arsenal fans would say, well, yeah, you know,

11:45 maybe maybe Arsenal aren't quite as silky and as creative

11:48 and and pleasing on the eye as as City.

11:51 Um, but they're very very durable and Miceta has made them such

11:54 and they've made signings to get to be very strong and have

11:57 great cover and then Capierre and Calior and Ben White and Timber

12:01 and everybody else back there apart from the the central two defenders,

12:04 they're geared up to handle that sort of game.

12:06 So, it is a marathon.

12:09 It is a 38 game season, Rob.

12:11 You're going to get all sorts of game scenarios.

12:13 Today was a Everton deserved that result in and and very lucky,

12:18 you know, a couple of brilliant goals from Doku.

12:20 They didn't get points.

12:21 That makes it very different with the with the title race,

12:23 but I just thought Everton was so energized,

12:27 mate, and aggressive that it was it was it was fun to watch.

12:31 Yeah, it's a great com comparison of the two styles of football,

12:36 the two way that managers won there.

12:37 I want to give Doku a mention because we

12:40 talked about him a few weeks ago, didn't we?

12:41 Where Pepin said if he can add goals,

12:43 he can be one of the best wingers and we Well,

12:45 he did two beauties today by the way, mate.

12:47 One with his left foot early on and then the one late that could be

12:51 a a super important goal for for Man City as we go down the track.

12:56 Um yeah, you know, if he can start delivering goals on a more consistent basis,

13:01 I mean, we're talking next step, next level player with with all that, Rob.

13:06 But, um, you know, credit again to David Moyes and his team.

13:09 Um, obviously, he's a little disappointed to to concede that the late goal.

13:13 I'll tell you one thing, Rob, that that is is irking me a little bit and it's

13:17 one of those things where at times you think, well,

13:20 because of who he is and what he's done,

13:22 but Pep Guardiola at the end of every game going

13:26 on the pitch and having conversations with the opposition players.

13:30 Yeah, I didn't I didn't take a look at that.

13:32 He did it again with today with with with um

13:35 Jordan Pikford particularly and he seems to be having,

13:38 you know, a little bit of conflict.

13:39 Now listen, it looks manag well managed

13:42 enough and I'm not sure what's being said.

13:45 The only thing I would say Rob is Pep Guardiola if he wants

13:49 to talk to his own players

13:50 on the pitch absolutely you know that's his prerogative.

13:53 I'm not sure talking to opposition players might

13:55 be you know at times we've been 32 up.

13:58 I've just conceded goal in the last minute.

13:59 I'm not really in the greatest mood to talk to somebody else.

14:02 I'm not sure what where where this started and how it's become,

14:05 but it's just starting to irk me a little bit like, you know,

14:08 and I understand that play players might find it a great compliment that Pep's

14:13 coming over to speak to you and maybe in the day I would,

14:15 but I'm not sure if I'm a player.

14:17 I want the opposition manager sort of coaching me or telling me or whatever.

14:22 That's for my manager to do and it's for him to talk to Mark

14:25 Gay and and Churkey and all his team to make sure they're on side.

14:30 Yeah, I'm I'm giggling, Rob,

14:32 because there's very little that irks you and this is

14:35 it just there's very little that you that gets

14:37 under your skin and and you're like

14:38 and and this is I I don't disagree, by the way.

14:41 Don't disagree, you know,

14:43 as if as if he's got god-given right to speak to anybody he

14:45 wants because he's been a brilliant manager and I'm not I'm not knocking that.

14:50 I'm not knocking what he's done.

14:51 Alex Ferguson never did that, Rob.

14:54 Arson Wenger didn't do that.

14:55 They were brilliant great managers.

14:57 They didn't run on the pitch and start talking to the opposition.

15:02 Oh dear.

15:04 I don't feel Yeah.

15:05 I mean, of all the things, it's normally me that gets like feisty.

15:08 Yeah.

15:08 I just see it again.

15:10 It's just It's just becoming too too common a thing.

15:13 Yeah.

15:13 Yeah.

15:13 It's all the time.

15:14 Yeah.

15:14 It's all the time.

15:15 But, you know, maybe that's the way he rep.

15:17 I mean, when you when the when the camera cuts to him on the sideline,

15:19 he's such an awkwardl looking guy and he's so nervous and he he gets his bottle

15:23 of water and drinks it and he scratches his head a little bit and he god,

15:26 he feels every kick and and and that must uncomfortable because

15:29 that's that's the sort of performance that he he that's he knows

15:34 does upset his team and and he's tilted to silk and possession and skill

15:40 and the antidote sometimes physicality and that's what

15:42 happens in in in English football and I think

15:43 that's that's what he knows can stop his team

15:47 purring and controlling and fair play to David Moyes

15:51 because he knew that and them players Rob

15:52 and some of those are attacking players at Everton

15:54 by the way and they still work I I

15:56 don't think I've seen any manager that gets more work

16:01 roll exactly out of his talented players than David

16:04 Moyes Alex Ferguson's the best example because that man

16:08 that Man United team of of of Beckham

16:10 and Giggs and Skos and everybody else work incredibly

16:13 hard um but David Moyes yeah I gets

16:16 this team and they're they're they're I mean it's quite

16:19 a turnaround and and we of course are giving

16:21 credit to Everton for this performance and and really

16:23 getting into how you stop City and they

16:25 broke and Don Maruma Rob made other good saves

16:30 he went through I mean yeah I mean it is it is back to the to your initial

16:35 response Rob and and defensively that's just the way

16:39 they are they're tilted to attack they can

16:41 be a little bit left exposed defensively

16:43 and that happened today setpiece goal you know, not great.

16:46 I did think they miss Rodri a lot today.

16:49 Given what we just spoke about the last 10 minutes, Rob,

16:51 the physicality of Everton, I think uh Nic Gonzalez is okay.

16:55 I mean, he's such a different player to Rodri

16:57 who could have controlled things a lot more.

17:00 He gives back the physicality.

17:02 Um but no, we we now have an amazing race.

17:04 I mean, it's been a great race anyway,

17:06 but that that that result now is such a I mean,

17:09 I think Are we in the weekend, Rob?

17:10 I can't wait for the weekend.

17:11 Yeah, next weekend.

17:12 Yeah.

17:12 Yeah.

17:13 To see how Arsenal react.

17:14 Um they got West Ham United at home, isn't it?

17:17 Is at home West Ham, isn't it?

17:19 I think

17:19 West West Ham are at home to Arsenal.

17:22 Oh, are they?

17:22 Right.

17:22 So, it's away for Arsenal.

17:24 Okay.

17:24 Yeah.

17:24 At at the Hammers.

17:25 Yeah.

17:26 Okay.

17:26 All right.

17:26 So, yeah.

17:27 Wow.

17:27 So, big advantage for Arsenal and City.

17:30 They just they just slip up at a a crucial time.

17:33 Amazing.

17:35 Okay.

17:35 Let's move it on to Arsenal, mate,

17:36 because let's get to the Gunners who now sit in prime position

17:40 with a little bit of a gap that they would have wanted for.

17:43 Um, Arsenal win win a game 3-0, Rob.

17:47 Uh, the first time they were they've been 3-0 up at Halime all season.

17:51 One of my researchers um gave me that information at the weekend.

17:56 It was against most things we've seen when

17:59 Arsenal have got a lead and they went forward.

18:01 They had intensity, played with energy, looked like they were enjoying it,

18:05 maybe dropped off things a little bit, made some subs in the second half,

18:08 maybe didn't get a couple more goals

18:10 that they would have liked, but I'm sure Rob,

18:13 if you'd have asked Michel Artetto or the Arsenal fans before the game,

18:17 you got a three-0 win coming up for them, everybody be taking it.

18:21 Yeah, brilliant.

18:22 I mean, everything that you'd want to see if you're an Arsenal fan.

18:25 They saw it, ticked every single box, Rob.

18:27 I think there was a few eyebrows raised at the lineup

18:30 and I look at the left side of the team.

18:32 Califuri comes back in.

18:33 I just love Califuri, Rob.

18:35 I think I've said this before on the on the pod.

18:37 He'd been out the side a little bit and Keapia has done really well,

18:40 but Califuriori's ability to get forward and to pop up in different

18:43 spots and and he plays that attacking role on the left hand side.

18:45 I thought he was outstanding for for coming back into the side.

18:48 Miles Lewis Skelly Robio got him down.

18:50 I tell you what, he very close to my underappreciated performance of the week.

18:54 Very close.

18:55 He Yeah, absolutely.

18:56 I mean, he looked like he was I'm I and we've seen him many times,

18:59 but this game he looked like he was excited to play in midfield.

19:03 He was excited to get on the ball.

19:04 He was excited to try and make an impact and become a starting player.

19:08 Every player wants to be a starting player and he's not been one of those.

19:11 I thought he was excellent in midfield.

19:12 Again, this is the left side of the team.

19:13 Leandro Trasard, Neander Trasard, you know,

19:16 came came up um trumps where he's had a bit of a quiet period

19:19 where there's not been much production for that for that side of the field.

19:22 So the left side of the pitch was I when I saw the lineup,

19:26 how how are they how are they looking and fair play

19:28 to them as pros to the manager for picking this team and it

19:31 was a it was a very positive front foot get the ball

19:36 forward score a goal keep attacking like they didn't do against Newcastle.

19:40 So I and and Jockz and Saka Rob I I said on the show

19:44 yeah that that Arsenal's these last few games they got to win them.

19:48 They need the creative spark of Pako Saka at his best on that right

19:52 hand side and he absolutely showed it in the time that he was on.

19:55 Um and that's that's what they've missed.

19:57 Every champion team needs a star player.

20:00 I've talked about this a little bit Robin Sack is their closest to a

20:03 world class star.

20:04 He's their salar in some ways you know guy who's yeah maybe without

20:08 the number of goals but you look for him in those big moments

20:11 and he and he produced Robin in the big moments.

20:13 Brilliant.

20:13 It's really interesting Rob because you know great call actually you

20:16 know you said the if he doesn't sizzle they don't win

20:19 the title kind of thing I don't know if he was here

20:21 he heard you or somebody told him from Kentucky Robin must have

20:24 said he didn't off get about his business scores one creates

20:28 a great goal and was a threat done so well basically they

20:31 could drag him off at half time but I'm interested Rob

20:34 in in in uh a couple of things on this one um

20:37 the sacker situation uh and we know he picked up a bit

20:41 of an injury and he was out I think it was since March or something.

20:44 He didn't play in the internationals and whatever.

20:46 But I also read a couple of things, Rob.

20:47 And again, whether I'm reading into something more there was a little bit

20:51 of a sense that Mike Teta was saying he's a bit mentally fatigued,

20:56 exhausted, and I got a sense, and I've started to look back at games,

21:00 you know, when when Saka is fit, he play he he played him,

21:03 he he was playing him in League Cup games,

21:05 and all the European games, and every, you know, every game he plays.

21:09 And I wonder if part of the period when he was out and you

21:12 know whether he was rehabbing it all or it was a little bit

21:15 of a like a break like go away for a couple of weeks

21:19 refresh come back and and why I point go to that point Rob is

21:24 do you know back in the day and we've

21:25 talked about it a few times with Pep Pep's done

21:28 that with players I do you remember like KDB

21:30 a couple of times it's like off you go for off

21:32 you go so Alex Ferguson used to have a period

21:35 anyway where he said gig gigs off for two

21:37 or three weeks or I Wonder if there's a learning

21:40 for Michel Artetta that like with a month to go,

21:42 I need my star man in tiptop form.

21:47 Off you go for a couple of weeks.

21:48 I know you got a bit of an injury.

21:49 Go and have a bit of warm weather something.

21:51 Keep yourself fit and ticking over and then come back.

21:54 It's a great show by the way and and if this and it's hard to know,

21:57 isn't it Rob behind the scenes what's happened

21:59 and what days he's had off compared to everybody else.

22:02 But the idea that that he has got to be

22:05 in tip-top shape for the last month makes a lot of sense.

22:07 I think there definitely was a period before his injury

22:10 and and afterwards where he didn't look himself and I remember saying

22:13 Rob we said about it like he's just lost a little

22:15 bit of sparkle a little bit fat as the team was flat

22:18 but but but but the team needs him the team needs him

22:20 to be sparkling to be skillful to be creative to produce end

22:24 product and if yeah if you if you if you've noticed that Robin

22:28 there's something in it where you know we see him the camera

22:31 goes into his face he looks I thought he looked happy and excited

22:36 about the game in the tunnel when he when he comes out

22:39 and his first moves and the little the little cut back to create

22:42 the first goal for Yakarez and and the way that he played.

22:44 Yeah.

22:45 And and if that's if you're right there, Rob,

22:48 and and most of what you say there is

22:49 kind of true that that Arteta has sort of tried

22:52 to to to sort of produce a program that brings

22:54 him in a brilliant state right now, then that's genius.

22:57 That's really great management if he's done that.

22:59 And if if if Saka now plays the last three games

23:02 for Arsenal in that sort of form and scores more goals,

23:04 creates more goals and is a difference maker,

23:07 then that's that's that's a round of applause and well done for the manager

23:10 and the club to get their star player in the right in the right situation.

23:14 So I think he's a story, Rob, but I think um Victor Yokarez is a story as well.

23:18 There's still, you know, some out there that think he's done an excellent job

23:21 and he's got 20 odd goals in all comps, has he now?

23:24 21 in all comps.

23:24 Yeah.

23:25 Yeah.

23:25 Um mate and Yeah.

23:29 So it it's it's amazing, Rob.

23:31 And and we we'll never we'll never

23:33 profess to know everything what's going to happen.

23:35 And we've been proven right sometimes, wrong other times.

23:38 Arsenal have looked good.

23:39 We've loved them.

23:40 Then they go off and we're like, well, what's going on?

23:42 Are they lack do they lack stars?

23:43 Do they lack creativity?

23:45 What's happened?

23:45 And then this was a really great bounceback, Rob.

23:48 This is a really great bounce back that that when

23:50 people were starting to talk about the bottle and everything else.

23:54 That's the way I I'd love to see Arsenal.

23:55 I love to see him like that.

23:57 Front foot attacking nothing else than to dominate.

24:00 And by the way, Fulham, yeah, we're poor,

24:02 but there's plenty of podcasts we've talked about

24:05 how the how awkward they can be and they

24:08 can they can keep the ball and they can they can make it difficult for you.

24:10 I think they're missing a couple of their star players.

24:12 Sandberg wasn't at midfield, Alex.

24:15 So, they weren't a full strength, but even so, you know,

24:17 they weren't allowed to be, were they?

24:18 They weren't.

24:19 That was that was top top class from Arsenal.

24:21 And I and I, you know,

24:22 I'm neutral in all this, but if if I'd love to see him continue the same way,

24:27 go and win it, play like that.

24:29 Um because that was good.

24:30 That was great to watch.

24:31 Little Mansion as well.

24:33 Again, I know you picked this up on a couple

24:35 of weeks ago about Declan Rice playing in the six, mate.

24:38 Playing more in the six.

24:39 Now again we saw it with um

24:43 as a one side and and and Lewis Kelly the other this time but

24:49 Declan Rice in a six is better than Zuba Mendy in a six.

24:55 Correct.

24:55 Well I would say so I think yeah I think he's passing

25:00 I think every now and then he can drive with it.

25:02 I think he he's a bit sharper.

25:04 You know that first pass that sets things off.

25:06 I think he does it with a little bit more intensity than Zuba Mandi.

25:09 I think Zuba Mandi is very good at yeah, you know, continuity,

25:13 but I just feel to the point where I'm saying

25:17 I I'm getting the sense that Rice is a six, mate.

25:20 You know, we we've always

25:23 kind of touched on it a little bit and we're saying which one

25:25 is he and I think you were saying even if Zuba Mendy plays,

25:28 you'd rather Zuba Mendy ahead of Rice and Rice be the holding one.

25:32 Yeah.

25:32 I I and more to that point, Rob, about Rice being better as a six.

25:38 Yeah.

25:37 And and this this isn't disrespectful,

25:40 but I don't think Rice is a very good eight.

25:43 So, no, no matter what, I I don't think he produces enough uh end product, Rob.

25:48 Not enough through balls.

25:49 Not enough.

25:50 I mean, there's moments we scored goals and we like,

25:52 what a player he is, but it's it's a little bit

25:55 few and far between, you know, between Zub Mendy and Rice and Odigard.

25:59 We said this in a couple of shows ago, Rob,

26:00 where did they're all a little bit They're all a little bit in midfield.

26:04 There's no real goal score, is it?

26:07 Yeah.

26:08 So, when when Rice plays a six, I mean, Rice's got to be in a team.

26:11 End of story.

26:11 It's got to be a team, but somebody else in the left eight is interesting to me.

26:16 Zubamey did it in the in the European

26:18 game against Athlete where he he poked the through

26:20 ball to Joz who goes down for the penalty and Lewis Skellyy did it this time.

26:25 Yeah, it's not about um for me it's more about having somebody

26:29 different as an eight than than Rice being a better six.

26:32 I I just think there's better eights there that that in in the balance

26:36 of the midfield three is going to be

26:38 a little bit better to create more opportunities.

26:41 Um I don't know that's that's going to interesting one for the manager now.

26:44 Rob, what do you think he does like Zuma?

26:46 It's interesting because do you remember when I'm thinking of the mix when

26:49 uh Eddie how did it with Tanali and stuck Tali deeper instead of Bruno

26:54 and put do you remember and that mix just changed it up a little

26:57 bit and and they started to control and he looked better from there.

27:00 I just wonder if that's something maybe in time, you know, or the leftsided

27:06 creative force.

27:07 Is that one they they might go and look for?

27:09 Yeah, it might might be.

27:10 Just thinking about just think about the European game, Rob.

27:11 Thursday, isn't it?

27:12 Sorry, this week.

27:13 Sorry.

27:13 Is it um Tuesday or Wednesday?

27:17 Yeah.

27:16 Um what do you think?

27:17 1-1 the Emirates semi-final.

27:19 I think based off what's happened over the last three days, mate,

27:23 I think they're in right good form to to get this done.

27:26 Yeah, I think with that defense that they've got,

27:29 if they can get a first goal in the game, they're in total control then.

27:33 Um, yeah, you I just feel like it's got

27:37 to feel like it it's on now for them, mate.

27:40 Yeah, I I always my favorite Arsenal is is is more creative Arsenal.

27:46 Um, we know what they're like defensively, Rob.

27:48 They're magnificent defensively, but that last game against Fulham,

27:52 it was the perfect kind of prep preparation really.

27:55 managed to rest some players and they and they found their attacking mojo and I

28:00 I think of course this stadium will be absolutely rocking.

28:03 I think it'd be a good night for them.

28:04 I fancy them to go through.

28:05 Yeah.

28:06 And get to the um Champions League final

28:08 and they can can put that away then can't

28:10 they then till till the end of May

28:12 and then really concentrate on those three big games

28:14 coming up to to win a first title in over 20 years.

28:17 You know what a great end to this season this could be mate.

28:20 Could be.

28:21 Yeah.

28:21 special and the Arsenal the long-suffering Arsenal fans are

28:25 you know are probably very quietly confident and excited

28:28 but they've been there before Rob a few weeks

28:30 ago when you had the big league so let's

28:32 let's leave it there but well done Arsenal

28:33 that was that was really good against yeah really good

28:36 let's go to Villa Park mate where there was

28:37 a huge game for Aston Villa who you know second

28:40 leg of the Europa League semi-final against Forest to come

28:43 wondered whether their eyes would be on that kind

28:45 of feel that it was against Tottenham Hotspur uh

28:49 who won for the first time last weekend against Wolves

28:52 and we're looking to go backto- back wins for the first

28:54 time since the first two games of the season.

28:57 That's the last time they went back to back.

28:59 Robert Roberto Deserby gets it done again, mate.

29:02 His team win 2-1, they go back to back.

29:04 They jump out the bottom three and as Dererby said,

29:08 he feels they can win all the games they've got left this season.

29:11 Well, it was five, wasn't it?

29:13 One, two.

29:14 Yeah.

29:14 On you go.

29:15 I mean, I couldn't believe it, Rob.

29:16 I was in the studio with Tim and my first

29:18 words when we got back in the studio was

29:20 at Halime, who's that?

29:22 Who's that team in yellow?

29:24 Who's that?

29:24 I mean, it is so incredibly different.

29:27 I mean, the the organization,

29:28 the work ethic without the ball first off was off the charts.

29:31 And I I I do think we've been saying this for a little

29:34 while with with Tudtor in charge that Gallagh's got to play.

29:38 Palin's got to play.

29:39 You know, Rashard is your guy.

29:41 Rasharison's going to be the guy.

29:42 He's your top goal scorer.

29:44 and it and and he's it's you know even even deserve taken a little bit

29:47 of time for Charlotte to play sure he wants to play as a central striker.

29:50 The injuries of course maybe have tilted that um

29:53 selection but I I just couldn't believe how

29:58 just fired up they were Rob and the the the running

30:00 power and the energy and the effort.

30:02 I know it sounds so simple but I I I guarantee it it really is.

30:06 If you can get players working their socks off it changes everything.

30:10 The pressing, the way that they won the ball back.

30:12 I mean Villa were were a nice target for them.

30:14 Villa seven of the 10 outfield Rob not

30:17 playing to Thursday and they got another Thursday game.

30:19 So that of course bleeds into it.

30:22 But the the energy from the team and also

30:24 Rob we had a little interview afterwards by the way.

30:26 Kevin Dano came on.

30:27 We did a little two-way in studio and because of what I saw,

30:31 I asked him about um how much because we when we interviewed uh Roberto Derby,

30:36 by the way, and and that's for people who want to see that.

30:38 It's a few weeks ago,

30:39 but look back on our on our podcast and you'll see an interview with him.

30:43 And he basically said, "Listen, I've only got seven games or whatever it was.

30:46 I ain't going to do too much tactically with the team,

30:49 but when I watched the team play, Rob, yesterday and I watched the fullbacks."

30:54 Yeah.

30:54 Oh, there it is.

30:55 that that's that's what he's done before.

30:56 They they run inside and a central midfield player runs to the outside.

31:00 So, one of them will get comfortable possession and it

31:02 and it's a really understand easy and understandable interchange of positions.

31:06 So, he's starting.

31:07 I think what probably what he's seen Rob is like, wow,

31:10 I I I have got to do a little bit more to try and help this team.

31:13 and with the the the pressing and a little bit of man-to-man without

31:16 the ball and that little bit of movement and the way that they play,

31:19 the way that the team's set up and the spirit that Bentle gives you and gives

31:23 you and and my underappreciated performer and I

31:26 go straight to him right now was Connor Gallagher.

31:28 Connor Gallagher is my underappreciated perform of the weekend because

31:31 the last guy played him and I could not believe it.

31:34 I play I remember him playing was the first game or second

31:36 game played him as a right winger in a 442 Cona.

31:40 I mean, we know what Connor Gallagher is like.

31:43 Roberto Dererby after the game has said

31:44 that when Connor Gallagher is playing his normal self.

31:47 We have 12 players like an extra man.

31:49 Yeah.

31:50 Like an extra man because he's closing down in his energy is first off,

31:54 it's amazing engine that he's got and it's infectious.

31:57 It's infectious.

31:58 I mean, you play on a team with him

31:59 doing that and other people do the same thing.

32:01 So he has been underappreciated and and maybe he and maybe

32:05 the Spurs fans would say well yeah but we we expected

32:08 a bit more of him early days even with the previous

32:10 Thomas Frank being the manager and stuff and I get that

32:13 but it just in recent weeks I think

32:14 he's been like overlooked where he shouldn't have

32:16 been and if you know this play you know what he can do and when you

32:20 want a team to work hard and to win and to pressurize and be aggressive

32:23 and physical like Everton were with Man City

32:25 today Rob he's got to be in your team.

32:27 So I just want to give him a shout out.

32:28 I mean, it's not an amazing show.

32:30 I mean, but I just think, you know,

32:31 an important player gets a brilliant goal along

32:34 with his um pressing and and hustling of Villa made.

32:39 I just thought he he really set the tone for Spurs's victory.

32:43 Yeah, it's a good show.

32:44 $46 million I think they paid for him, Rob.

32:46 And and Spurs haven't really seen the best of him.

32:48 And I always feel with with with Connor Gallagher, Rob,

32:50 when we saw the real best of him at Palace,

32:54 like it was a well structured Palace team with his ability to go and be dynamic.

32:58 And I'm telling you,

32:59 he can run past center forwards and cause defenses problems.

33:02 And he's a good finisher, Rob.

33:03 When he gets there, he's a decent finisher.

33:05 Do you know what I mean?

33:06 He's technically good off both sides.

33:08 You see some people get in the box.

33:09 It don't you don't you never really think they're going to score,

33:11 they're going to hit the goalkeeper, but I think it's a great shout.

33:14 I think he brings dynism.

33:16 brings a bit of energy, brings intensity.

33:19 As you said, it's infectious.

33:21 If you see him closing down, he's next to you, you're going to run as well.

33:24 And I think Spurs have needed a bit of that.

33:27 Um, I agree totally with you in terms of Spurs with and without the ball.

33:30 I thought so much better.

33:33 So much better.

33:35 Uh, better quality when they had the ball looked like a threat.

33:37 I know it wasn't.

33:38 It was maybe Villa on a good day on in a good occasion,

33:41 but still had to take care of business, Rob.

33:43 It's a team that

33:45 haven't won all year till till they go to to to Wol Bmpton last week.

33:48 So, um, fair play to him.

33:50 What I would say now though, Rob, is that's a reference point.

33:54 I think that's a level I think you know with with games to play.

33:58 It's not done yet.

33:59 It absolutely isn't done yet.

34:01 It's not done yet.

34:01 It's only one point, Rob.

34:02 But if you look ahead like the weekend again, can't wait for the weekend.

34:06 Um, West Ham play Arsenal.

34:09 Arsenal.

34:10 Yeah.

34:10 Difficults.

34:11 And remember now it's Tottenham are one game ahead.

34:14 Correct.

34:14 A one point ahead.

34:14 Sorry.

34:15 And they play leads at home.

34:16 Leads.

34:17 If they can beat Leads at home at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

34:21 Yeah.

34:21 This weekend.

34:22 And

34:22 West Ham are likely to lose.

34:24 They're likely to lose, aren't they?

34:25 They're likely to lose.

34:28 Yeah.

34:27 Then that's a four point gap with two games remaining.

34:31 Chelsea and Everton are the last two games, mate.

34:34 I can guarantee you one thing that have been around London

34:37 for the Chelsea game is a game that they they will find scrap.

34:41 They'll find form if if they were if they were relegate

34:44 themselves to if they can hurt Spurs and then it could come

34:47 down to Everton what we've seen today depending on where they are

34:51 this Everton team who who you are going to fight and scrap

34:55 but but if they beat Leads which is wable

35:00 that's four points Rob that means the West Ham got to win their last

35:02 two games of the season if they lose against Arsenal correct which is different

35:05 and they've got Newcastle and Leads

35:07 yeah and their goal difference is a lot worse

35:09 if it comes down if it goes to the same.

35:11 So I it was a it was a huge a huge day for Tottenburg

35:17 quite frankly mate and and and I'm not I'm not biased any way

35:21 but I would like to see deserby I'd like I want to see more of his football I

35:25 want to see more of his coaching I want

35:27 to see him with you know prop group of players

35:29 better group of players some of these star players come back

35:32 from injury Madison's and the kusfkis and the kudus all these really

35:35 good players they've got Romero if he stays or goes I

35:38 don't know um but yeah I I'd love to see deserve more.

35:42 I've always liked him at Brighton and um

35:45 he's he's really doing the doing the business now.

35:47 They're just little things, Rob, that you look around and you know,

35:50 you see him after the game and see with the players and you see that

35:54 Yeah.

35:54 little with him pumping his arm and you know,

35:56 you never saw that connection with TUDA.

35:58 Well, is they're different, Rob?

35:59 They're different.

36:00 Did you see the the Derby press conference before the game?

36:02 I watched the press conference, right?

36:03 And Derby is basically he's on the front foot first question.

36:06 Yeah.

36:06 Says, "You know what?

36:07 I'm fed up of all the stories, all the negatives,

36:10 and everybody's crying about injuries and everything else.

36:13 And I tell you what he's done, Rob.

36:15 He explained that he's been given them confidence.

36:17 He's been and he explained to the press, you know,

36:19 we've got a guy that was 80 million pounds in Colami.

36:22 We've got the Brazilian striker in Richson.

36:24 We've got plenty of good players.

36:26 The difference is I feel like he's gone into that club,

36:29 Rob, and he is like, he's been positive arm around the shoulders.

36:33 We're a good team.

36:34 And what did Eagle Tudtor do?

36:36 He went into that dressing room with like a people.

36:39 Yeah.

36:39 And put them further down.

36:41 Yeah.

36:41 You you've got to be this and you got to be stronger.

36:43 Cowering and you were scared to play

36:45 and I mean it's incredible different of approach

36:49 and you know we thought that it might cost him the le the league status

36:53 bringing in ego but the difference

36:55 in terms of man management and everything else

36:57 with Roberto Derby is is astonishing and um

37:00 yeah the Spurs fans are hoping it'll continue.

37:03 Let's just quick line on Aston Villa mate.

37:04 Uh things just not going quite to form as they would like.

37:08 They're one nil down in the Europa League now.

37:10 They've got the home game against Forest to come on Thursday.

37:14 We know this is Unai Emy's competition.

37:16 We know his record that he's done here.

37:19 Would they still be favorites?

37:20 I know um actually Morgan Gibbs White's got a bit of a head injury, hasn't he?

37:25 That they've said they're hoping that he'll be fit to play,

37:27 but obviously he's he'd be a huge los if for ar.

37:31 Is is Villa was Villa's attention so much on this game that we

37:35 can kind of almost allow that performance and and wait for Thursday?

37:39 Really difficult and I know the Villa fans

37:40 are were upset and disappointed, but let's face it,

37:44 that's the big game and I I didn't have a problem with him changing that many.

37:49 I know the Villa fans are very current.

37:51 They watched the game.

37:52 Yeah,

37:53 it was not good.

37:54 But the big boys will come back

37:55 and John McGin's influence will come back on Thursday.

37:58 They're at home.

37:59 Rob, this is this is this is historical work here.

38:02 This is they're trying to get to a Europa League final where they'll

38:04 be favored to win it if they get past forest one nil down.

38:07 Of course, Villa at home, the energy will be saved.

38:09 The fans will be up for it.

38:11 You know, if if he if he does if it does get through, Rob,

38:14 and they win the Europa League and they I think they're going to finish.

38:17 They should be finished top, shouldn't they?

38:19 Yeah.

38:19 Then that that's that's an astonishing season.

38:21 It's very hard for a team like Aston Villa to to compete at the at that Europa

38:26 League every single week and continue to be strong in the Premier League.

38:29 And I think he's going to do it.

38:30 I think they're going to

38:31 We've also I think also to clubs like that, Rob,

38:33 and you know, Newcastle are a great example.

38:35 Crystal Palace a great to win a piece of silverware.

38:38 We saw West Ham, sorry, do it as well.

38:40 Yeah.

38:40 For silverware for that for a football club like like Villa.

38:43 It's been a long time since they they've won, you know,

38:46 a domestic cup or obviously back from those European

38:49 days back in the 70s and 80s.

38:51 Um it can mean so much to to a club, you know,

38:54 and winning that trophy and then being in the Champions League proper a couple

38:58 of ways would be would be incredible and and another feather in the cap.

39:03 Yeah.

39:04 And I Yeah, we'll see.

39:05 We'll see if they do it.

39:06 They got a game on.

39:07 I mean, Forest,

39:08 you know, Forest are in great great form right now.

39:11 Um, but that that that scar on his head, Morgan Gibbs White.

39:14 Yeah.

39:15 Wow.

39:15 I mean, that was like a big big I hope they're all right.

39:21 That Yeah, that was that was nasty.

39:23 Yeah.

39:23 Well, I think VTO Perez said they hope

39:25 that he he's going to be available Thursday,

39:27 but we'll have to see how that one goes.

39:30 Okay, mate.

39:30 Let's just switch it to supposedly one of the biggest games of the season.

39:34 The two biggest clubs, Manchester United facing Liverpool.

39:37 That's big whether they're going for titles or not.

39:40 finished with United three, Liverpool 2.

39:42 Um, a great game, a bit of two and fro.

39:45 Manchester United two and nil up.

39:46 Liverpool come back to 2-2.

39:48 Kobe Mayo comes comes up with a winner

39:50 on the week that he signs a long-term contract.

39:55 Um, let's let's start with Manchester United in Michael Carrick.

39:58 Uh, two-0 up obviously let the game let Liverpool back into his game

40:02 into the second half and then managed to get his point.

40:04 I think that's 10 wins in 14 Rob now.

40:06 10 wins, two draws, two losses.

40:09 another case for him in terms of being the right man for for the job.

40:14 Um, what did you take from from the big game?

40:18 I liked it a lot actually, Rob.

40:19 I liked it a lot.

40:20 I thought they were they were really really good.

40:23 Um, second half was two horrific mistakes.

40:27 Yeah.

40:27 Yeah.

40:28 That gave Liverpool energy and the two goals and made

40:30 it difficult for Manchester United to come back and they

40:33 obviously they did with the copy really nicely taken

40:36 kind of half fod on the edge of the box.

40:37 But I was just really impressed with them

40:39 and I think the more you look at Manchester United

40:41 they they are a long way from being where

40:43 they want to be in terms of performance levels.

40:45 Yeah.

40:45 Um though this was better.

40:47 I of course I watched the Brenford game last weekend where they

40:50 had to basically basically admit Michael

40:52 Carrick Rob that they were getting outplayed

40:54 a little bit and he brought another defender on to make it five

40:56 at the back and again so he's getting the job done in different ways.

41:00 I thought it was excellent.

41:01 I thought it was really really good.

41:03 um you know the the substitution that was made later on for it

41:06 was Patrick Dorg who came on Rob for Inmo that's what it's 2-2

41:11 it's like you know and things are working for him you know we we

41:14 often say that like his changes are kind of working out um whether it's

41:18 defensive ones or attacking ones and Mayu the whole the whole Mayu I thought

41:22 that was one of the best games I've seen him play because I've said

41:26 brings someone else to his game he's really

41:28 good at knitting it together really really good

41:30 bit bit better defensively maybe um or be

41:33 a bit more creative in assisting the scoring.

41:35 So, I thought he had an excellent game.

41:37 Kobe Mayu Casemiro did his thing next to him.

41:40 Um yeah, I thought it was really really good.

41:42 I mean, against the Liverpool team, Rob, that lots of injuries.

41:45 It's nowhere near what they were last year.

41:48 Uh and and the the problems can continue at Liverpool in terms

41:52 of the manager and whether he's the right guy or not.

41:54 But just yeah, focus on on Man United, Rob, I'll throw it back to you.

41:58 Right.

41:58 I think we were similar in terms of Michael Carrick where

42:02 I remember saying a strong third and you got to give it to him.

42:05 He's on his way.

42:06 He's on his way to a strong third.

42:08 We know that and I is is available.

42:12 Yeah.

42:11 And they are sixth place by the way right now.

42:14 Um we'll probably just briefly we briefly touch them a little later.

42:18 Sorry.

42:18 Bournemouth.

42:19 Yeah.

42:21 Yeah.

42:21 They might they might qualify for the Champions League which is astonishing.

42:23 Incredible.

42:23 Yeah.

42:24 Um, so I I mean if it's between those two, it's a it's a tight call and I think

42:28 that that will be decided at the end of the season.

42:30 I think it will be decided pretty quickly.

42:32 How you feel?

42:33 Anything differently on on as tight call if it's Carrick?

42:37 I think Carrick gets gets the nod.

42:40 I just think because he's in there because

42:42 of the momentum because of what he's done.

42:44 I mean the Ola thing still carries a little level of the Thomas

42:48 Frank the G Graham Potter moving to the big club work.

42:52 What what I would say and I think we've talked about this I if if

42:56 an elite category A top level guy becomes

43:00 available I think that's a that's a different situation.

43:04 I think you have to look at that somebody who

43:06 you know has gone deep in Champions League has won

43:09 titles that I think that's a different situation but there

43:12 isn't that many of them around Rob to be honest.

43:15 Um so I think he's he's in pole position but I

43:18 quite like that the the the word coming out is they're

43:22 still open to you know looking at all the right people

43:24 and that I think that's the right way to go about it.

43:27 Um, but the the more he continues to go, the more I mean, it was interesting.

43:31 I just looked at I was looking at Liverpool

43:33 and Liverpool won the league last year with 84 points.

43:38 Man United were 15th in the league with 42 points.

43:43 So, man, Liverpool doubled Manchester United's

43:45 points total last season, spent 600 million.

43:49 And as you said, I I I I agreed in and and I thought for the first half

43:53 it was as inciting as as I've seen Liverpool

43:57 as seen Manchester United play that front four of Burma,

44:00 Kuna, Zo and and Bruno Fernandez can cause all kinds of problems.

44:06 You start to get the midfield structure right and and and then

44:11 then then you you've got a you've got um a decent a decent look.

44:15 And yeah, I thought they were they were particularly good.

44:18 Kobe Mayo as you said I saw his getting foots in on balls.

44:22 I think there is a time now and then

44:24 Robbie's got to understand his positioning a little bit

44:26 and and play a little bit deeper and just be

44:28 you know have the game in front of him which he

44:31 kind of did for his goal but once or twice

44:33 he does go ahead of the ball gets himself

44:35 ahead of the ball and if Casemiro's gone ahead

44:37 of the ball it will cause causes him a bit problem

44:40 that in the future Rob I think that's good like obviously he wants

44:43 to do that now if he plays with a Rodgery or or a different type

44:47 yeah if he's got the right

44:48 then that's probably an advantage and it's probably we'll be getting

44:51 the best of some of his little quick feet and they

44:54 and he's probably a little frustrated that Casemiro isn't as maybe

44:58 yeah he goes for himself now he goes for himself so at times they they do

45:01 get because he did get a bit open I thought certainly

45:04 in the second half when Liverpool came back into it but then

45:07 I thought United grabbed control again and got on top and got

45:10 the goal and deserved win for Liverpool mate and I got

45:14 to say I was um a little bit shocked in Liverpool and I

45:17 and I get that there's no Eat there's no Echo Salah Maybe

45:22 you you're talking to third choice goalkeeper with Mad Philly as well.

45:27 I thought Rob they were I thought they were soft.

45:32 I thought they lacked a bit of fight and physicality.

45:35 I didn't think their mentality would look looked right.

45:38 I I don't know.

45:39 It just I I didn't like I didn't like the look of Liverpool at all.

45:43 No, I hear you.

45:44 I mean, I think there's there's one thing when

45:46 you do have to think about the players out there,

45:49 but the other side of it is who's ever out there,

45:52 you want a little bit more fight than that in this Manchester United.

45:57 Yeah.

45:57 And and and by the way,

45:58 for for 20 minutes when they did play in the second half,

46:00 they sort of look like a team again.

46:03 Yeah.

46:04 Yeah.

46:04 Well, they got See, so so that's an example, right?

46:07 The two goals come quite quickly.

46:09 They're then energized and then they play with more more intensity,

46:13 more desperation, more desire before those goals go in.

46:16 I agree it was a little bit wishy-washy like you

46:19 know we're we feel sorry for ourselves a little bit.

46:22 We're in a decent spot in the league.

46:24 We're probably going to be okay in the Champions League,

46:25 but you know, we haven't got these amount of players.

46:27 We haven't got these star players, but you can still be a little bit more

46:31 determined than the way they were until the second half.

46:33 that that's what I'm I'm sure that's what I think the couple of things

46:36 that the Liverpool fans driving back from the studio

46:39 Robin had the radio on and some

46:41 Liverpool fans come on and sort of say he's got to go this is

46:43 not what we want it's too slow tactically he's not great and he's not

46:48 and I and I and I get the slow football bit I think that's what I mean all

46:51 fairness we did praise him for that last year

46:54 that he calmed the team down and it helped out

46:57 and he made nice changes and they won the title um so I I you still got to give

47:02 him a ton of credit for what he did last year and there has been a ton of change

47:06 and but but the the the fight or the the way that the team

47:10 plays whoever's out there is a bit of a concern for me.

47:14 I think he I think he deserves to continue.

47:16 I think there's going to be a lot of changes.

47:18 He said in his interview afterwards, Rob,

47:19 when he was he sort of said, "I know what we need.

47:21 Not going to tell you, but I know what we need." And that's going to be players.

47:25 He needs players in different spots.

47:26 Rob, the bench is a weak bench.

47:28 You got Curt Jones playing at right back.

47:29 By the way, Jeremy Fing pong like you know what is he director at that club?

47:38 Well, I don't know what he is.

47:39 He's he meant to be a winger.

47:41 Didn't he didn't look like a date?

47:42 He's not trusted as a fullback.

47:43 Chris Jones instead of him.

47:45 You know, there's there's been a lot of talk about Rob Edwards and

47:48 Oh, he's the um Richard Hughes, isn't it?

47:50 The Yeah, Richard Hughes.

47:51 Yeah.

47:52 Came from They were the They're the dream team, you know.

47:55 Um I think there'd be a little bit of like okay let's let's you

47:59 know with the with again not enough for me not enough for me I

48:03 think he's one of them Rob you know he's he's a he's a good

48:06 game one good game in 10 like one good game and then 10 quiet ones

48:11 we used to call them luxury players mate don't we a luxury player

48:14 maybe and Alexander Isak we all knew that he was he

48:17 was a bit fragile a groin injury so this is all

48:20 down on on the directors of football and the decisions

48:22 to bring in certain players and that has not gone very well.

48:25 Midas Kquez has been hasn't been amazing.

48:28 Um, you know, it it's not a good look at the moment.

48:31 I I still like the three.

48:32 Not that the play not that Gravenber

48:34 and Mcaster are anywhere near the same level, but Slobers L come again.

48:39 That M three can come again.

48:40 Gapo does his I think GO's pretty consistent.

48:44 But Vertz and Slobers liars his two false

48:46 nines in the game didn't really work out.

48:47 Frank Pong never on the right hand side.

48:49 So they got a ton of work to do.

48:51 get your best players back and you got to replace

48:53 Mo Salah Robov somehow and you got to bring

48:55 in so there's a lot of work there and I

48:58 just think you can't blame everything on the manager.

49:02 Some of that stuff is director level

49:04 and transfers that haven't worked out very well.

49:07 No, I the first six months of next season is going to be really important, mate.

49:10 If he doesn't get things going, then I think

49:13 we could be looking maybe at a change.

49:16 Um let's move it to Stamford Bridge, my friend.

49:19 Uh Chelsea hosting Nottingham Forest.

49:21 Forest still in a little bit of of relegation trouble coming into this game.

49:25 Chelsea, what was it?

49:26 Five straight defeats in in the league.

49:29 Um that cost Liam Msiah his job.

49:32 Um manager out things stayed the same if not got worse.

49:37 Chelsea won Nottingham Forest three, my friend.

49:41 Um only thing I would say is I wasn't that shocked.

49:45 I'm not that shocked about this Chelsea team, Rob.

49:47 I got I got to say and and and I'll jump off to the start

49:50 on this that there are there are certain players

49:54 and and certain personalities in that Chelsea team I wouldn't

49:57 want around me mate I wouldn't want around

49:59 me and and we keep hearing about this potential

50:03 potential is only digging if it's realized and some

50:06 of these players will get managers sacks will

50:08 move other clubs and and you know what they

50:10 aren't going to put in what's required this is

50:13 a talented football team that yeah has got

50:16 some issues and need some some areas of strengthening

50:19 which a talented group of footballers Rob who

50:21 basically when they decide when they're up for it

50:24 they play and when they're not they don't

50:26 they don't they don't do even the basics properly.

50:29 Yeah.

50:30 And and you've got those senior players

50:32 that have been there done it all champion

50:33 players that can slap them around a little

50:35 bit and and and tell them what's what.

50:37 Um we know about that.

50:38 Um this whole project is based on young players young managers.

50:41 It's like a project an experiment if you like.

50:43 And I think it's pretty clear now, Rob, that this is really off the rails.

50:46 Like this is this is kind of like reflect in the summer

50:51 with all our 15,000 sporting directors

50:54 and everyone they've got and like what guys, what's let's let's rethink this.

50:58 Let's sit down and talk about it because because you know, you bring in young

51:04 maybe egotistical young players, Rob,

51:06 that think they're brilliant and when things aren't going well,

51:08 they're not they're not going to roll their sleeves up.

51:10 It's not a likable team, Rob.

51:11 No, it isn't not a likable team.

51:13 There is some talent there and under Enzo Moresca

51:16 with his his clever kind of tactics and rotations.

51:20 Um it looked pretty good and they've become a team

51:23 Rob which I think a few have where there's an obsession

51:26 with possession right and and the team is worked

51:32 on with the previous manager with Mcfarland now I think Moresca did

51:36 but there was end product Rob this is

51:38 a possession without penetration team and they haven't scored

51:42 a goal for for like what was it five

51:44 games wasn't it they get late on yeah lovely

51:48 but when you look at them play Rob it's It's not surprising.

51:51 There's no there's no um intent to to to put balls in the end for end product.

51:58 It's all about possessing and keeping the ball and this is what we do.

52:01 Yeah.

52:02 Okay.

52:02 And the team is tilted for that.

52:04 It's not tilted to to to to penetrate and to make

52:07 through balls and to get balls into the box.

52:09 So I that's got to change.

52:12 That's got to change.

52:13 this this slow safe possession football has got to have more dribbling wingers

52:19 or through balls cross into the box um and and when you watch them play

52:23 it's like yeah I'm not surprised they haven't scored many goals they never put

52:25 it in the box they never put it in the box so really really cool

52:29 I also just think moving forward Rob and listen you

52:32 know McFarland's in till now the end of the season they

52:34 got the FA Cup that might salvage a little bit

52:38 of something from the season they're ninth in the Premier League mate

52:41 they're one point above Sunderland I think in in the league

52:44 I it's incredible and to to my point where

52:48 this football club have got a really important decision to make in terms of who

52:51 comes into this this this club and by the way the guy who comes

52:55 in a little bit like Liam Msin maybe try to you don't have to be

52:58 the player's best mate in fact it's better if you're not the player's best mate

53:03 I think you need a hard ass in there

53:04 you need a hard somebody who's got respect who gets fear

53:09 who tell a player what to do and if the player

53:10 doesn't do it he's going to be out the team

53:12 and he knows is going to be out of the team and away from it.

53:15 They need a a a strong personality to make the most of this dress

53:20 or else this thing's going to going to going to go badly quick.

53:24 Yeah.

53:24 And they got to get some they got to get some experienced players, Rob.

53:26 They need some plug and play.

53:27 They need some experienced guys in there to help the younger ones.

53:30 But these are younger ones.

53:31 They think they're they think they've made it.

53:33 They think they're really great.

53:35 So, it's a diff now.

53:36 You got so many of those in the dressing room.

53:38 You're absolutely right.

53:39 you know, Liam Rena, who's a young,

53:42 progressive, smart, arm around the shoulder guy, is not cutting it.

53:46 You got to have a respect, a guy that they look up to like, wow,

53:49 this guy, we got to listen to what he says.

53:51 And and even then, I don't know whether some of them would.

53:53 So, very difficult situation now.

53:55 And you know what?

53:56 I'll finish on this with Chelsea, Rob.

53:58 You know, fans, and I I didn't say this last time,

54:02 but like fans, particularly a club like Chelsea, they've seen it all.

54:07 Yeah.

54:07 And they know they know they know when something

54:10 smells wrong and this don't look right and these players

54:13 and this manager and these owners they can sniff it

54:16 and they and and a lot of the fans are like it.

54:18 You know they there's a big group there that can they pull

54:21 their thoughts and the and the overriding sort of feeling of the fans

54:24 comes through and they're not they're not often wrong and they

54:27 they they were they were unsure about this project from the start.

54:30 They're protesting the ownership right now.

54:32 The owners have got to have a little

54:33 sit down and a little rethink and that's okay.

54:36 Take a moment.

54:37 Take a moment and think about a new direction for the club.

54:41 Yeah, absolutely.

54:42 Um, actually mate, before we move on, I I I've got to go

54:46 to my underappreciated performer of of the week

54:49 and I'm going for manager this time, mate.

54:52 And it's Veto Pereira, our old friend.

54:54 Remember him at Wolves, having a drink with the with the Wolves fans?

54:56 Well, he's doing more than having a drink with the Forest fans.

55:00 I think he's unbeaten in 10.

55:02 I'm going to just give you the last seven Premier League results.

55:06 of Nottingham for a team that's supposed to be in in all kinds of trouble.

55:08 2-2 with Manchester City, no nil with Fulham, beat Spurs 3-0,

55:12 drew 1-1 with Villa, beat Burnley 4-1,

55:15 beat Sunderland 5-nil, and just beat Chelsea 3-1.

55:19 That's a team in trouble.

55:20 This guy has gone in this football club, mate.

55:22 and and in a season when you know the big stories

55:25 has been Man City and Arsenal at the top of the league

55:28 and you know the Man United stories and the the Liverpool stories

55:32 and and the Spurs story and the leads will they stay up.

55:36 This guy never gets a mention for what he's done and how he's done it

55:39 and and it looks to me and I

55:41 know points and everybody's going they're pretty much safe.

55:44 One more result and they're pretty much safe.

55:46 They don't have the look or feel about a relegated team.

55:49 And if this guy had have had 10 more games, they'd be mid-table and safe.

55:54 He goes into a football club, he brings spirit,

55:56 he makes players better, and he brings a group together, mate.

55:59 He brings everything that Chelsea haven't got,

56:02 this guy has brought to Nottingham Forest.

56:04 Yeah, it's good shout, Robin.

56:05 And his his personality, you see him after the game to the fans and he does

56:10 the whole cheering thing and then he's like he he feels it.

56:14 He really does feel it.

56:15 And if you're a fan, you love that.

56:16 You love him to be so engaged.

56:18 He did a great job at Wolves until they continue to sell

56:20 the Matteas Kunas and the um eight nuries and some more good players.

56:25 We don't know where his ceiling is, Rob.

56:27 And not in Forest, they will grow again.

56:29 They will bring in more players and he he can he

56:31 can take his football and go with it even more next season.

56:34 I'm fascinated to see where it goes because he's he's a talented coach.

56:37 And by the way, they're one game away from a Europe Europa League final.

56:41 Yeah, they're one up.

56:42 By the way, they they would say they're in the box seat.

56:45 They score they score first up at Villa and and anything's possible.

56:49 Yeah.

56:50 Yeah.

56:50 Fair play to Marinis.

56:51 He's he's a flamboyant owner as well.

56:54 Yeah.

56:55 Yeah.

56:55 Bit of crazy.

56:55 And he goes through managers like nobody's business.

56:57 But but but you keep get a good one.

57:00 Yeah.

57:00 He's got a good one.

57:01 All right mate, we've got to quickly get through the other results.

57:04 Brenford 3 West Ham nil.

57:05 Uh really bad day for Nuno and his team.

57:08 Mavanas with the own goal.

57:10 Thiago with a penalty and Damscod with the third goal.

57:14 Uh means that West Ham have Arsenal next week.

57:17 Uh Sunday 11:30 a.m.

57:18 on USA Network.

57:21 Um quick thought on on West Ham for next week, mate.

57:24 Ken, it's difficult.

57:27 Difficult.

57:28 The league's difficult.

57:29 Brenford good.

57:29 I I couldn't believe how well they played against Manchester United.

57:32 They're a good team.

57:32 They got attacking players in threats in all areas.

57:35 It was a bad day for West Ham United.

57:37 They'll feel they can recover and they can go again.

57:39 But that's a blow and the the Spurs result

57:41 of course it's like an absolute nightmare weekend for West

57:44 Ham United and the fans now will be double worried

57:47 that this is this is not going to end well.

57:49 So they're they're right up against it.

57:51 One big London club's going down to the championship.

57:53 It very much looks like doesn't it

57:55 the moment pressurees all on West Ham Bournemouth three Crystal Palace

57:59 as you say Bournemouth continue to go from strength to strength.

58:02 Lurma with the the own goal of Evan Nilson head of Krooppy and Ryan.

58:07 Those two youngsters continue to to bring the numbers in the goals, mate.

58:11 And this job's done is incredible.

58:14 And that's why I can't I keep it keeps coming back to my mind,

58:17 Rob, about how they're doing.

58:19 And I know, you know, this wasn't about this one season.

58:21 This is more than one season.

58:23 It's with different players in different

58:24 lots of different players in different spots.

58:26 They're sixth.

58:27 And if Aston Villa win the Europa League Yeah.

58:31 very very possible and finish fifth.

58:34 It has to be that weird little Yeah.

58:37 sixth place qualifies for the Champions League.

58:40 Bournemouth and Bournemouth are in that sixth place right now.

58:42 That's crazy.

58:43 And you just still Rob have to to note

58:46 that the players they lost defensively last season,

58:48 their best center backs and then they lose their best forward in January

58:52 to Mano club by 10 Premier League goals and still continue to do this.

58:57 Yeah.

58:57 Yeah.

58:58 Well, that I always think that's a real sign of a manager.

59:01 A manager can have a really good season, right, with a group of players,

59:04 but when that group keeps changing and they keep having good seasons,

59:07 then he's got to be doing something, right?

59:08 Yeah.

59:09 There's something he's doing right.

59:10 So, wow.

59:10 Well, it's just amazing.

59:13 Yeah.

59:13 Newcastle three, Brighton one.

59:14 Um he was out of for Newcastle against him for Brighton,

59:17 but uh Osula came up with the goals again.

59:19 B Dan Burn with a header.

59:21 Harvey Barnes came on late with a hinch getting a consolation for Brighton.

59:25 needed for Eddie how this one, wasn't it?

59:27 It was seemed like everything was going wrong for Eddie in Newcastle.

59:30 Yeah, I'd look at this game, Rob.

59:31 And um it was it looked a lot different actually.

59:33 It looked good energy from they got the energy back up again.

59:36 Slightly different shape if I if I if I remember rightly much better.

59:40 So, it needed that Eddie How.

59:41 And there's been talk that

59:42 a big old meeting, isn't it, with the um the Saudi owners and stuff.

59:46 The senses that Eddie's going to continue to next year, which I hope he does.

59:49 I'm big big fan of Eddie how and let's see what they can do next year.

59:52 Yeah.

59:54 Wolves won, Sunderland won.

59:55 Mckelli with the first Bueno um getting equalizer for Wolves

1:00:00 and then recorded during that game for Dan Ballard.

1:00:04 Hair pulling Robbie must become is becoming the new thing three straight games.

1:00:09 Yeah, I mean I think um we should never allow hair pulling, right?

1:00:13 Should never be allowed.

1:00:15 I do think the threeame ban is a bit excessive.

1:00:19 Feels a bit heavy, don't it?

1:00:20 Yeah.

1:00:20 I don't think change a category.

1:00:22 I mean it's violent conduct which is three games.

1:00:24 It does seem like sometimes when there's been a couple Rob

1:00:28 I mean I guess a hair pull is a hair pull

1:00:30 if it's not much like you know aggression in it

1:00:33 but it does feel a bit three games seems a little bit

1:00:37 a lot don't you get that if if you go you know attempt to break

1:00:40 somebody's leg you get the three games

1:00:41 then you see for you know pulling somebody's but he went yeah but he went

1:00:46 he went and it was done last one lead three

1:00:49 Burnley one oak le and um with the goal balls.

1:00:55 Um, lead's pretty much safe, mate.

1:00:59 Yeah, well done.

1:01:00 43 points.

1:01:01 I mean, mathematic, but but absolutely well done.

1:01:06 Daniel Farer, pressure on him at the start of the season.

1:01:08 Friend of mine's a big leagues fan.

1:01:09 Says I don't know where the goal is going to come from.

1:01:11 They make signings of Nairoaf.

1:01:14 That's one of the signings of the season alongside Dominic Cavalu.

1:01:16 One of the signers of the season with Anton Stack,

1:01:18 one of the signs of the season season and and Gabrielle Goodmanson.

1:01:22 It's not well it is difficult but we all know what makes good teams

1:01:27 from the Championship is buying Premier League players or Premier League ready

1:01:31 players that step up and are like oh actually this is all right and and they've

1:01:35 done it great great transfer work Burnley not

1:01:38 great transfer work and by the way Rob I I I said on the show

1:01:41 that both of these teams last year both

1:01:43 finished at the top of the championship 100 points correct

1:01:47 and they both spent around about 140 $150 million Yeah.

1:01:52 And they got both got good managers.

1:01:54 So it's very obvious like the who had the better window,

1:02:00 how you spend your money.

1:02:00 Yeah.

1:02:01 It might be easier for leads to get better players than Burnley.

1:02:04 Bigger name and that possibly.

1:02:06 So that there's the difference right there.

1:02:07 I don't I don't know whether Scott Parker's much worse a manager than Daniel F.

1:02:11 Um but that's a big difference there from from who

1:02:14 they bought in with that money that they both spent.

1:02:16 Yeah, absolutely.

1:02:18 Uh listen, two bits of business, mate.

1:02:19 We have to congratulate Country City in Ipsswitch

1:02:22 Town who will return back to the Premier League.

1:02:24 We'll have to wait and see who comes out of the playoffs.

1:02:27 And just want to send our best wishes to Alex Ferguson.

1:02:29 He was taken the hospital, wasn't he, before the big game.

1:02:32 Uh reports are that he's he's in decent health and and and he's on the men,

1:02:36 but best wishes to to the great absolutely

1:02:38 one of the greatest the Premier League has ever seen.

1:02:41 So mate, on a weekend when it's advantage back to the gunners,

1:02:44 Arsenal played three and got three.

1:02:47 Do got two, but a draw had to do.

1:02:50 Uh, United beat big rivals Liverpool.

1:02:52 Surely Michael Carrick must be given a job after this.

1:02:55 And it's back-to- back wins for Spurs

1:02:57 that drops a hammers into the bottom three.

1:02:59 We'll be back next weekend that Sunday,

1:03:01 May the 10th for match week 36 when Man City host Brenford,

1:03:05 Arsenal travel to West Ham and Tottenham play leads in a huge game for Spurs.

1:03:10 But for now, I'm He's Mussy together with two Robbies.

1:03:12 Thanks for watching, listening.

1:03:13 Be safe, stay healthy.

1:03:15 It's a good night from me and it's good night from him.

1:03:19 Good night.

1:03:29 Hi there.

1:03:29 I'm Rebecca Lo, studio host of NBC's coverage of the Premier League.

1:03:33 Don't forget to hit subscribe to watch more videos all season long.

1:03:37 And for even more Premier League content,

1:03:39 from original series to live matches, head over to Peacock.