Araújo Steals One For Barcelona

20:18Dan Thomas:You think it was maybe a foul or not? Yeah, so, Basi, you know, in England, you will never whistle this. Yes, of course. But from my perspective, the referee today, and usually I'm not doing this, was very poor.

20:33Gab Marcotti:Because he put the standard very low. So each duel here was a foul or a yellow card. So Harry Kane, I think he got 15 free kicks. In England, he would never get two of them. So when he decreases the level, then this should be also a foul. It's not a goal. So if it is opposite, I would say, okay. But if you whistle that way, this is a foul for me. Do you want to see the... Yeah, I saw it. So you see, it's just a little bit two hands. We were talking about it because it's outbalancing him a little bit. Of course. Of course. And this is what I said to the referee after the game. So if your standards are low, okay, then we can do it low.

21:22Gab Marcotti:But you can't mix it a little bit low and a little bit... So on the sides, we're pushing shoulder on shoulder. Well, foul. What does it feel like to get over the line in this game? Yeah, really important. Especially today, the way we won in the second half was really important for us as a team, for the team spirit. Yeah, to develop as a team. Of course, we want to play like in the first half. This was really close to this, what we want to do. But in the second half, we had to suffer. Dortmund was way better in the game, but at the end,

21:54Dan Thomas:they could feel that it's not easy to win against us.

21:57Gab Marcotti:Bastian? You? I would assume that you've got a question. Archie was impressed about your touch in the first half. Oh, no, no, no. Everybody was. We were talking about it one minute. You know which touch we're talking about, right? Yeah, I know. He enjoyed it as well. Would you like to see the touch? Yes, please. Come on. Come on. Roll it in. The man's got to see this. There we go. Da! Oh, that's nice, yeah? He's a big bit Lucio, huh? Could have been a lovely second assist for... Yeah. He's killed him. Is that a no-look pass as well? Did you look the other way? Yeah, I just heard him. I didn't see him, but he was shouting, so I heard him.

22:40Gab Marcotti:Your analysis of what is a 2-1 win in the end. I saw your celebration. In fact, I've not seen you pump your arms like that after a goal. On that many occasions. Well, that proves that sometimes the journalists are not always watching. I've done it loads of times. And it's not played. It's just a feeling to be with the team. And we suffered in the second half, no doubt. But the first half was... In fact, the first half was exemplary. It was a really good first half. And the second half, like any coach that gets the three points, I would say without the character, without the team spirit, you don't win this game.

23:20So we showed that in the second half for sure. We were still dangerous, though. So that's the one thing I take from it is although we suffered, we were still dangerous on the counters. We were still creating moments for us. But for sure, the second half, they earned the right to be in the game. And then, yeah, we'll look back at what we can improve always. but the team spirit helps us to get the three points as well today. Did this guy come into the dressing room and say a few words before the game? No, he came in at half time and that's why it was difficult.

23:50Right, Vincent, for a bit of fun now, if that's okay. Last one, yeah, yeah. Harry Kane, start, bench or sell in a six, an eight or a ten. Which position? No, start in every position. Ah, boring.

24:05Dan Thomas:Great stuff from the team. Bayern Munich just flying at the top of the table. Borussia Dortmund slipping down to fourth after that result. As Leipzig also played today, as did Stuttgart. We did see more Bundesliga action, but what a season. It has been for Bayern Munich. You can see the goal difference as well. A big part of that, of course, goes to Harry Kane and his efforts in front of goal.

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26:01Dan Thomas:And so, yes, it was 2-0. Erling Haaland at the double for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola joked that he was actually short-changed by Haaland today and disappointed that he didn't score 4 or 5 in this game. Don Hutchison is joining us now, who had his eye on this game today. Looks as though City is starting to regain some confidence, Don. I think you're right, Kay. I think you're seeing a Man City side that are in the groove. their bench was strong today. It was a funny game, actually, because I thought Everton played really well for 45 minutes. Beto had two big chances in the game. They could have took the lead.

26:33And watching Haaland play, he was getting frustrated because he didn't know when Savinho was going to put the ball in or Doku was going to put the ball in. And something must have happened at halftime whether Pep delivered a team talk to tell his wide players and Foden to deliver the ball into Haaland a lot quicker. Or Haaland himself had a word with the players. Second half, they give him so much service. And I think even when he scored his second goal, I think his stats were something like only two touches or two shots in the hour mark. And he scored with both of them. So very efficient. In the end, they run right in the end.

27:03And Pep's sort of right. He could have scored a lot more. It would have been a little bit harsh in Everton. But you're looking at a City side that are flowing. They're playing well. Foden was back to his best dock. He's playing well. Your main man, Harlan, scoring goals. Marmouche came off the bench. Bernardo Silva, Bob. It's a very, very strong man City side that we're watching at the moment.

27:21Dan Thomas:It's an 11th goal this season in the Premier League for Erling Haaland. 11 goals in eight, Stevie.

27:27Gab Marcotti:Yeah, I'm not quite as high on City as Don is, quite frankly. I mean, once the first goal went in, yeah, the game was pretty much done. But I didn't see where the goal was coming from up until then. You know, Savinho had a couple of opportunities. Docky had a couple of opportunities in the first half. But they're not goal scorers. Everton could have been two up at halftime. Yes, Man City were the better side overall. And as I said, the game was done when the first goal went in. But I'm not convinced with this City team at all. I'm sorry. I'm not quite as high on them as Don is. And really, you have to say, what are Man City going to do if something happens to Erling Haaland?

28:13Gab Marcotti:Because there's nobody else on that team who looks as though they know where the goal is. I mean, you take Haaland's goals away, there's nobody got two goals Foden's got one I think Mamoshi's got one Rinder's got one what are they going to do if something happens to Haaland I honestly don't know because you take this guy out of the team and this and we haven't even spoken about him defensively today I mean on the counter particularly in the first half Everton looked as though they were going to create and they were certainly going to create chances Donnarumma's made a super save from Indai Bebo, he should have scored in my opinion.

28:54Gab Marcotti:I know he was stretching. So I'm just not convinced with this Man City team. You take Haaland away, I don't know what you've got. Certainly, I don't know what you've got going forward. And defensively, they're vulnerable. Well, let's just say that for the time being, we're not taking Haaland away. He's there. And he's not going anywhere. And so what I would say, perhaps the most impressive thing about Erling Haaland today happened once a game was essentially over. We're talking about it's the 93rd, 94th minute, something like that. It's 2-0. The game is done. Everton are not coming back. You already scored two goals.

29:30He goes through on goal, misses the opportunity. The ball bounces back to him. He can't quite get the ball settled down to his feet, so he cannot take another shot on goal. And he falls to the ground distraught. I mean, what? Like, it's the most terrible thing that has ever happened. but it's an inside look into the mentality of a player. He's already scored two goals. The game is already won, and yet he's thinking more, more. We talk about players that have that sort of drive, and one of those players that comes to mind from the very recent past is Cristiano Ronaldo. That two is not enough. That three is not enough.

30:08That four is not enough. That I'm here to score goals, and I want to score more. And that reaction to some people may be unreasonable, but I can understand it. that he is so desperate to continue to score goals because I think in part he knows, Stevie, that either he scores or nobody else does. He knows full well what the responsibility is for him in this team, particularly this season.

30:32Gab Marcotti:He's actually one of the best defenders at corners against. Well, yeah. He wins so many headers. So, yeah, absolutely he's the example. But as I said, what are they going to do when he's not there? He's there. He's still there, Stevie. He's still there.

30:47Dan Thomas:So three points for Arsenal, their set-piece machine, making the difference once again in this game, coming away from Craven Cottage with the victory, and this is how things are looking in the table as it stands right now ahead of Liverpool taking on Manchester United tomorrow. Arsenal sitting at the top of the table. Did Arsenal make hard work a bit, Don? Yeah, they did, actually. I actually thought Fulham started the game quite well, but just to continue on Stevie's trend, if life without Haaland is going to bother Man City, what are Arsenal going to do without corners? I mean, what a weapon that is to have.

31:21I thought they struggled. I thought they toiled. It's one of them gays, Kay. Stevie's been there a million times. No one will remember this game if Arsenal win the title. You've got to go to a place like Fulham and you've just got to make sure you secure the win.

31:34Dan Thomas:But isn't a set-piece and being great at set-pieces just what you need when you're facing a team like this today, Fulham, who are defending well?

31:41Gab Marcotti:I mean, it honestly doesn't matter who you're playing. when you have that in your armour then it's just another way that you're going to win the game and sometimes they do rely on it and to win this game today 100 % they relied on it because you didn't create many real chances that you would say well they're definitely going to score or they should score but the truth is and Alex Ferguson said it many moons ago, championships are built on defence and if you're keeping clean sheets and you've got talent on your side, you're going to win games. And it doesn't matter whether it's Saka running past three men and sticking it in the top corner, or Gabriel getting a flick on at the near post for Trossard, if you've got that base and you don't lose goals, then with the talent you have, you're going to win plenty of games, particularly away from home.

32:35Gab Marcotti:And this is a classic away from home victory in a London derby where you're not at your best, but you give nothing away. And you take the opportunity when it comes along.

32:45Dan Thomas:And they won't mind that Jochores is not scoring? Don here? No, I stand by what I said last week. I think Jochores is not built for the Premier League to hit 25-30 goals a season. What he might do is he might link the play better. He might get Saka more goals. He might get Trossard more goals. Listen, everyone wants the numbers. Strikers thrive and Haaland's the best example where they want their numbers up. They want big numbers. They want to hit 25-30 goals a season. But if he's the missing piece in terms of getting everyone else goals and they lift a title, I'm never too down whether you look at someone's numbers.

33:19As in, if Jokeres hits 17 goals and they win nothing, or he hits 20 goals and they win nothing, or he hits 15-16, but they win everything, take the 15-16. Do your bit for the team. Get your numbers up if you can. But the wins are the most important things.

33:34Dan Thomas:Let's take a look at the title odds as it stands right now with how far we are into the Premier League season. Manchester City up there behind Arsenal and Liverpool. Are we going to be seeing more of a title challenge from City now or has Stevie's chat today on the show swayed your decision, Don? No, I think it's a genuine three-horse race. I mean, obviously Stevie's got a huge, you know, what he's saying about Man City and Ellen Harlow, if they lose him, obviously where the goal's going to come from. So those odds would be, you know, slashed in Arsenal and Liverpool's favour. But as Ali said, they've still got him.

34:08you're still banging in goals for fun. I look at the way they're playing. If they hadn't have lost that last-minute goal against Arsenal, you'd be looking at a team that would be five wins on the spin. So they're flowing, they're playing well, they're scoring goals, they're enjoying life, the bench is strong, everyone apart from Rodri's fit. Yeah, I look at Liverpool, massive game tomorrow, and all dependent on what happens in that game, you're looking genuinely, if Liverpool beat Man United, a genuine three-horse race.

34:34Dan Thomas:Three-horse race for you, LA? So far, I still think that it's Liverpool and Arsenal. And just below the Manchester City, I don't think Manchester City can sustain this Haaland dependency and not have enough productivity from people around him. So then I look at right now, which one are the best team? Well, the best team right now is Arsenal. Liverpool has the potential to be the best team but they're not there yet they're not even close to being there yet the scary thing is that they can get significantly better and without being at their very best they're still in the conversation very much in the conversation it's Arsenal and Liverpool till the end Manchester City just below those guys the pressure was on Postacoglu coming into the game for Nottingham Forest against Chelsea Chelsea would put three goals passed Forrest, Josh Achenpong, Pedro Neto and Rhys James to make it 3-0 for Chelsea and take all three points away from Forrest.

35:37Dan Thomas:Ange Postacoglu sacked less than 20 minutes after this loss, absolutely brutal, didn't even get to do his post-match interviews. 18 minutes after the full-time whistle, the club statement was released. Ange Postacoglu failing to win any of his eight matches in charge, just a 39-day tenure, the second shortest managerial spell in Premier League history. However, Don, was it the right decision right now? To be honest, I didn't think it was the right appointment in the first place, off the back of Nuno, his style playing counter-attack in football, and Ange going into Nottingham Forest playing a sort of semi-high line with all that room in behind.

36:16I don't think you can sack a manager after 39 days. I mean, Oliver Glasner, I think, if you look at his start to Crystal Palace life, I think last season didn't win a game or hardly any for the first probably dozen games or just around that sort of mark. And look what he's gone and done, won a couple of trophies. And all of a sudden, Crystal Palace were a different football club. I think the worry now for Nottingham Forest fans of who do they appoint? Mancini's being linked. Sean Dyche. Sean Dyche's being linked. I think that might be a little bit of a lazy link because his assistants, Steve Stone and Ian Woe, or ex-Forest players.

36:52I think if Forest really want to prove they're a big club, go and appoint someone like Rafa Benitez, go and get a top manager. But now it's going to be all on the board in Maranakis who he actually appoints, because now you're looking at a team that are in a world of trouble. No one would have predicted, I don't think at the start of the season, Wolves, West Ham and Forest in the bottom three.

37:12Dan Thomas:And you're looking at a team here, Stevie. In the six months that we've just seen for Maranakis, we've seen public spots, we've seen two managerial sack-ins, we've seen poor results. It is a world away from last season with nothing on Forrest.

37:24Gab Marcotti:Yeah, and it is unfair that you sack a guy after whatever days it was. But the truth is, it probably had to. Because nothing is going to change under Ange. With the type of players that Forrest have, with the squad Forrest have, they are a counter-attacking side. Ange is not a counter-attacking manager. and so as poor a decision as it is to give somebody eight games, I think it's the right decision. It was the wrong decision, as Don said. I don't think anybody's going to disagree with Don that when Andy got the job, we all went, what? Eh? Why? So the question is, is this guy going to have the sense to do what he should have done in the first place?

38:11Gab Marcotti:And that is, go for somebody like Rafa Benitez or Sean Dyche. because the way they coach the game suits the squad of players. But if Maranakis goes for a bigger name just because of the name, like a Mancini, then again, he's going to make a mistake. Right now, Forrest have to think the only thing that matters right now is us staying in the Premier League. Forget Europe. Forget wanting to play fancy football. Forget all that. It's about picking up points now. And you have to appoint the guy who's going to get them back to close to what they were last year. And that is, I agree with Don, Benitez or Sean Deitch.

38:52Dan Thomas:So, Ange's sack in took all the headlines, obviously, after this result. But Chelsea did get the win here today, Don. What did you make of them? I think with a very depleted squad, like their win against Liverpool, it was totally different today. I thought Forrest actually started the game quite well and had chances in the game to put Chelsea away, but they didn't. And then what you have to give Maresca and Chelsea credit for is such a weak inside that can go away to Forrest in a 12.30 kickoff. Potential banana skin off the back of, you know, football and all the games that they've played and international football and the travel that all the players have committed to.

39:30I think you look at it in the end and go very professional performance, a really good win. Another red card, this time for Gusto, which is a worry. but still you can't knock the job that Mareska's doing right here, right now because this group of young players are putting in performances. They're showing a bit of grit. They've shown a bit of character when things are not going against them like today for probably 25, 30 minutes. They stuck in today. They were willing to grind it out and they proved in the end it was a really, really good and away win. It was a fantastic three points. They had to grind and had to work for it but you come away thinking a 3-0 win in a clean sheet away from home.

40:05That's a top result.

40:07Dan Thomas:Danny Welbeck scored either side of a Nick Valtamari backheel goal to give Brighton a 2-1 win over Newcastle. The Magpies' struggles on the road continue. Ah, Don, Newcastle still wait for their first away win of the season. I know, well, at least we scored a goal, because we hadn't scored an away goal. I mean, Brighton's a hard place for Newcastle. Newcastle's results over the years are absolutely horrendous, and I didn't fancy us before the game. It's hard when you watch Newcastle, OK, because they're a different animal at St. James' Park. They're on the front foot. The crowd demand that they're on the front foot.

40:41They can give anyone a game, including the cities, Liverpool's, Arsenal's. They can give anyone a football match and turn most of them over. The second Newcastle go away from home, the mentality is different. They sort of try and play, but they're stuck between, you know, counter-attacking football and really going after sides. Then you're sort of in no man's land. At the moment, I just don't fancy Newcastle away from home. It's a worry. The flip side is when they are at home, I fancy them against anyone. But, you know, just to have scored one goal all season and no away wins, that is a massive worry.

41:11Dan Thomas:Yeah, big, big game coming up tomorrow at Anfield as Liverpool will take on Manchester United. Liverpool looking to get back to winning ways. Manchester United looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time under Amarim. As we take a look at the tail of the tape, it's not quite the magnitude you'd say when you see where United are right now that maybe this game would usually have. but nobody is picking Manchester United. Every single person has gone up for a Liverpool win here. Including Stevie Nicholl who sometimes gets a little bit tense when his team are in a big game but you've gone for 2-1 here Stevie, why?

41:49Gab Marcotti:100 % Anfield factor. I mean Manchester United. If there was one place that they could choose if somebody gave them a wish they would choose never to go and play Liverpool at Anfield ever again. I mean, it's... They just... From the second they get off the bus to the second they get back on the bus, it's just an absolute nightmare. The atmosphere, usually the opposition are at their best. I mean, just everything about this fixture is just a nightmare for Manchester United. And so that's why I'm going for Liverpool, because of the game being at Anfield. You know, you certainly can't go for Liverpool in terms of form, in terms of defence.

42:32Gab Marcotti:In terms of Mo Salah, I mean, there are so many things that are not quite working right now for Liverpool. But still, it's at Anfield. It's against Manchester United. And Manchester United also you can't rely on. So I think Liverpool take it. I would love if Augie was right and it was 4-1. But I'll take 2-1 right now.

42:54Dan Thomas:Because we've seen some draws between these sides at Anfield when it comes to Liverpool and Manchester United. But, Don, you've got one more than even Stevie with a 3-1 win. I know. I mean, the shock, Mark Ogden going 4-1. I mean, total doom and gloom from Oggy. I just think it's the perfect game for Liverpool. I mean, I know United have been quite stubborn at Anfield in the last couple of years, but Liverpool won a big game. And what I mean by that, if you throw back about a month ago when Arsenal turned up, it was a big game. You know, it was watched around the world. The players have got adrenaline.

43:23There's no need for Arna Sla to deliver any sort of team talk. The players are up for it. The fans are up for it. The intensity is there. As Stevie said, it's a nightmare normally for Man United. So it's a massive test for them not to crumble in this game. And if you want to try and get Florian Vert and Eketike and Isak and Mo Salah all up and running, this is the game to go and do it. And that's when you'll prove, if you turn them over big time, that Liverpool are back.

43:47Dan Thomas:All right. And you will be back, Don, in extra time for us. Make sure to check out Extra Time every single day over on our YouTube channel when the panel answer your questions.

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44:39It's Charles Barkley here with Wayfair. And let me tell you, game day is serious business at my house. If I'm grilling, chilling, and watching hoops, my outdoor setup better be ready to play. That's what Wayfair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas to grills and grill accessories, Wayfair's got it all. And it shows up fast. I'm talking fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game and your outdoor chill game and head to Wayfair.com to get your outdoor space ready for the season.

45:07Dan Thomas:Wayfair, every style, every home. That is all we've got time for on the latest edition of ESPN FC. Stick around though, these guys are, because they'll be answering your questions along with Don Hutchison on Extra Time, which is on the way next. See you there.

45:23Dan Thomas:Welcome into the latest edition of Extra Time with Ale, and Stevie and Don. Some of us have been working all day. Some of us have just strolled in to do the SPL FC today. And Stevie. We don't want to put on their finger, but...

45:41Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

45:43Dan Thomas:Guilty. Guilty. Yeah, fair play, lads. All right. First up, did Postacoglu have a fundamental problem of not understanding how the Premier League works? Anja Spurs was a failure in the EPL and Forrest has been even worse. Don. Failure. I mean, he won Spurs a trophy. I mean, he can latch onto it and credit to him and some of them Spurs players will never forget the ride they had. Yes, the EPL was a failure. I mean, finishing 17th is a disaster and a lot of Spurs managers have been sacked for finishing 5th and 6th. I don't know about the Forrest one, Kay. I just think he has to be given more time.

46:22I go back to Glasner when he got the Crystal Palace job and he's turned that club around, winning a couple of trophies and being now established Premier League side. I just think he deserved a little bit more time.

46:34Dan Thomas:Stevie, what's more annoying, signing a player like Wurtz who doesn't perform or losing a player like Luis Diaz who excels with his new team?

46:45Gab Marcotti:Ooh.

46:50Gab Marcotti:I think it's more annoying when you spend a lot of money on somebody and it's not working. Because then you've got to figure it out. At the end of the day, your attitude has to be... Diaz was great for us, he's now gone, he's playing somewhere else, good luck to you. And forget about it. So the Diaz one shouldn't annoy you. you got to look at what you're dealing with and forget everybody else or anybody else. So it would have to be the Verts one. Do you agree, Ali? Yeah, but I also think that maybe I'm in the minority now. I don't know. I don't know how the scales are tipping now with Florent Verts, but I still think that Florent Verts will work at Liverpool.

47:32Gab Marcotti:Probably fans would think it would be more annoying for Diaz, right? Well, because they're actually paying attention to what Luis Diaz is doing. And I'm sure that Arnaz Slott is not thinking, I wonder what Luis Diaz did today for Bayern Munich. I don't think that's how it works. And in fact, the players in the locker room are not thinking about Luis Diaz either. They're thinking about how do we go about winning the game against Manchester United this weekend? How do we go about getting the best version of ourselves? How do we go about being the best that I can be individual and the best that we can be as a team?

48:05They are not concerned about what Luis Diaz is doing, especially because Ruiz Diaz is in Germany. He's in another league. He's playing for another team in another league. And as we know, people in the Premier League tend to be very insular about the Premier League. He's over there. Over there. Out of sight, out of mind, I think, in all honesty, you should be far more concerned about the players that are available to you.

48:32Dan Thomas:Yeah, worry about yourself, all right? Okay, does Nottingham Forest have more ambition than Manchester United? the owner has sacked Ange but United are giving Amarim three years potentially Don my days that is a great question I mean surely not I mean surely Man United's ambition is to be the very best again I mean they've got to prove it but I understand the question with a bit of tongue in cheek I mean at least they're willing to or at least Maranakis is brave enough if that's the word to sack a manager after eight games 39 days where Amarim seems as though he's hanging on seems like it's the Ten Hag effect where he'll lose a couple of games, be under pressure, win one, then no pressure, then lose a couple.

49:13So it feels like it's inevitable, only a matter of time. But you never know, a result of Anfield might just turn the tide a little bit if he can get one.

49:21Dan Thomas:What do you think, Stevie?

49:25Gab Marcotti:No, and Forest don't have more ambition than United. They don't. As I said, right now...

49:31Dan Thomas:A little cheeky.

49:33Gab Marcotti:Yeah, it's... Yeah. Yeah, no, Forest... Listen, Forrest's ambition right now is staying in the Premier League. I'm pretty sure Man United and Amerim's ambition is not just staying in the Premier League. So, yeah, straight off the bat, no.

49:49Dan Thomas:All right, it's Stevie's Mince Dealer who's in next, actually. Given the success that players who have left Manchester United have had, is it fair to say the issue is not with recruitment, but what they do with the players once they are in the door?

50:05Gab Marcotti:Well you'd have to say it's both, innit? It's got to be both I'm focused on Stevie's men's dealer I'm more interested in

50:16Dan Thomas:He's a busy man, he's a rich man because of Stevie

50:18Gab Marcotti:Very much so Well because when you're recruiting, surely you're recruiting To fill a spot You know, ideally every time you bring somebody in the idea is to make sure that he's better than the one that left or the one he got rid of or the one that's too old. But at the same time, you have to put players in an atmosphere where they're going to succeed. And certainly if you're the coach, you need to put them in a position on the field and the tactics you use with the group of players on the field is so that everybody's successful. So it really is to me, it's a 50-50 thing. Absolutely.

50:59Dan Thomas:All right, with so many contenders struggling in LA, are Bayern Munich now the favourites to win the Champions League?

51:08You know, Stevie was posing the concern about Manchester City and their dependency on Erling Haaland. So one can ask the same question and pose the same concern about Bayern Munich. What happens if Harry Kane goes down? there just isn't an answer for that problem, and it has not been addressed. They also have or are short in numbers in the midfield and are short in numbers in wide areas, in defending areas outside back. Now, the good news for Bayern Munich and those that may look at Bayern Munich as a favorite to win Champions League is that Jamal Musiala is going to come back. Alphonso Davies is going to come back.

51:57There are players that are yet to come back to this team and could potentially make this team stronger, but it still goes down to Harry Kane has to be available. If he's not, then those chances that people may be talking about completely disappear because he is so critical to everything that they do in the attack.

52:18Dan Thomas:Who's your favourite for the Champions League right now, Don? I honestly think, Kay, I think you're looking at a batch of about six teams, seven teams. Three from England can win it, without a shadow of a doubt. Arsenal, I would imagine, the form they're in, Liverpool and Man City, Bayern's in that conversation, Real, Barca and PSG. I'd be stunned if anyone outside of those teams that I mentioned could win it. I mean, go back to last season, the Champions League, PSG were awful for the first probably three or four games and only just struggled to sort of get by and then went on and won the competition.

52:51So that could be a Man City or that could be an Arsenal or Liverpool if Bayern come on strong, if Real Madrid, Barca get back together, they can come on strong. What are Real Madrid 15 times winners? I'd never write them out. As soon as that Champions League music comes on, that seems to be a telltale sign that they will excel in the competition. So, with that sitting on the fence, I think those teams that I mentioned, I'd be absolutely stunned if anyone apart from those teams win it.

53:15Dan Thomas:Let me stick with you, Don. Next question. Has Granit Xhaka been one of the best signings in the Premier League this season? Yeah, it's been amazing. him and Diara I spoke to a friend of mine Liam Resinha who is the manager at Strasbourg and his dad Leroy who I know really well and he said they've got a real player in Diara you know I know we're talking about Xhaka but the pair of them bring so much experience and Granit Xhaka knows the game he's experienced he's always been a player with loads of quality he's turning himself into a real leader he's fit he's like a sort of Jordan Henderson figure that when he played for Liverpool how he's like reliant and he was consistent and I think he's a signing that the Sunderland fans can sort of gravitate to thinking well he's going to be like a solid 7.5, 8 out of 10 every single week.

54:05He's consistent, he plays well, he never lets the team down, he leads by example. So as signings go, even though they signed quite a few Sunderland Diara will be amazing for them because he's got everything. But at the minute Xhaka just looks the perfect signing for Sunderland.

54:19Dan Thomas:Why are you laughing? Did you talk to somebody's cousin's dad, nephew? He's only the manager of Strasbourg who managed the ARA, so I think he knows him pretty well. But the question was about Xhaka anyway. I know, I was just so excited about the ARA. Don't let him off the hook now. Don't let him off the hook, K. He gets enough, Rob. Don, actually, speaking of which, is it real that you got a tweet saying that I bully you, me and Dan? Yeah. How has anybody come to that conclusion? I put it to bed straight away. So someone just sort of said, I really don't like Kay. I really don't like Dan. They bully you.

54:57They've bullied you from day one. I really hate Craig because he made you cry on the show. And I'm thinking, none of this has ever happened. The only thing with Craig is I can only imagine that show came on when I lost my voice. I couldn't actually speak. It probably looked like I was crying. But I put it to bed straight away. I went, no. I said, the reason why Kay and Dan give us so much banter is because it comes from a good place. and they feel as though they can get the best of us and the worst of us, which to me is like a brilliant presenter. So, no, I quashed it pretty quickly.

55:27Dan Thomas:Thanks, Don. Well.

55:29Gab Marcotti:Really? Leave him alone. Just leave him alone. If you only, Don, if you only saw her passing out shot sheets with the anger and disdain that she does it on a date, yeah, take that. Take that. No, no. It's like Hansi Flick with the shot sheets. It's one of them.

55:48Dan Thomas:They wouldn't even have the shot sheets all nicely put in order if it wasn't for them. Not today, Kane. Not today. Somebody else did that today. But then I told you all the order.

55:58Gab Marcotti:They only knew the truth. I eat all Stevie's chocolate. Behind the smile. Everybody thinks that Dan is the problem.

56:11Dan Thomas:Guys, when a new signing comes in for big money, how quickly in training do the players know if he's the real deal? Also, have you been in a situation where players on the team do not rate a new arrival and it created tension? Yes, Ali? Well, you know right away. You do a 5v2 and you know right away. There are certain players that you just see them touch the ball a couple of times and you go, oh, that's different. Conversely, there are other players that you sign for big money and you see them in the same drill, in the same 5v2, take a couple of touches and you go, oh, oh, we're in trouble. And you're hoping, you're hoping that maybe he's not a big training session guy.

56:58And then let's go and see him out actually when we do 11v11 or maybe an actual regular game action. and the first couple of touches he takes, you go, oh, no, he's bad. He's not good. And, yes, it does create tension because coaches, when you make a big signing, they feel the pressure that this guy's got to be on the field because there is money invested in this player. You are now emotionally, physically, and financially invested in that guy. You brought him. That's your guy. And he doesn't fit, and he surrenders. How do you go about making that decision to get him off the field? Yeah, it creates a lot of tension.

57:40Gab Marcotti:There's always the exception to the rule. No. We had a guy who should remain nameless who was brought down. He was playing in Scotland and he had a two-week trial. And for two weeks, every day in training, he was arguably as good as anybody else in training. And he signed the contract. And then disappeared. I think he came on his sub once. Wasn't Scottish, he wasn't British, he was from Europe. But for two weeks was great. Passed it, ran around.

58:18Dan Thomas:Everybody was like, this guy can play.

58:22Gab Marcotti:And then he signed a contract. And then it was one of them.

58:27Dan Thomas:What year are we looking at, Stevie? It was one of them. What year are we looking at, Stevie?

58:33Gab Marcotti:Don's trying to guess.

58:37Gab Marcotti:91, 92. Oh, my day. So I was there. Yeah. I'll tell you after. Are you sure it wasn't Don?

58:45Dan Thomas:I know when he first said it, I was like, I hope he's not talking about Don.

58:48Gab Marcotti:I'll remind you after Don.

58:50Dan Thomas:Don, have you ever had a situation like this? Yeah, and I guess the guys will laugh straight away because the first thing you say when you see someone as bad, you go, how much?

59:01Gab Marcotti:How much did he cost? Who's saying that? Honestly, it's just a typical line. I'll tell you one, and I will mention his name. And I only say this because he was absolutely like a legend at his football club. But we got him at like 38, 39 when I was at Everton. It was Mark Hughes. And he was hopeless in training. It was like hilarious how bad he was in training because he was obviously getting older. And he's obviously been this legendary player for Bayern and Man United and all the clubs that he played for. but like from Monday to Friday Stevie's probably had loads of the guys at Liverpool who were just like bad trainers my word on a Saturday when he played for us Mark Hughes he was an animal he was a different beast but it was actually quite funny like how sort of bad he was in training and I honestly say that with all due respect because I love him and we all loved him but it was just we got the guy like when he was coming off the tail end of his career but an animal on a Saturday yeah Sparky he was like that his whole career everybody that ever played with him from Man United all the way through.

1:00:01Gab Marcotti:Every single person that played with him says the same. Monday to Friday, you're like scratching your head. And on a Saturday, Man of the March. Different beast. Different beast. Paul McGrath. Paul McGrath was another one. Chef United. Paul McGrath, he had his problems, but he couldn't physically train on a Monday, Tuesday. Didn't train Monday, didn't train Tuesday. He had Wednesday off. He didn't train Thursday. He had a cup of tea on a Friday. Man of the match Saturday

1:00:30Dan Thomas:Love it, nice question Okay, good stuff guys, that's all we've got time for in the latest edition of Extra Time I'm off to bully these lot now I'll give you a break today Don

1:00:54Good energy in Good energy out

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