Arsenal Thrash Wigan

17:38Jan Aage Fjortoft:Wigan didn't have a shot in the second half. Could you talk to me about the importance of keeping that intensity? I saw you consistently having conversations throughout. Yeah, it's easy I think normally to maybe shut a little bit down once you had the feeling that the game has won. But we've seen so many times in football that the game is not done until the end. And therefore trying to communicate, trying to make everyone aware of their roles just keeps everything taken. Also when a game seems to be over. Playing for Arsenal comes with pressures of not just winning every game but performing in every game.

18:12Jan Aage Fjortoft:Eberichie has had by his high standards a bit of a dry spell. good for him to get two assists today as well Yeah, amazing for him we all know what a brilliant player he is and he's also shown it in bigger games than this and you know, it's like a rollercoaster career of a player and also season for a player and there will be ups and downs but the most amazing thing with Epps is that he stays leveled no matter the praise or the criticism and he keeps grinding, he keeps working hard every day he's such a humble guy so he's one of them you want him to do well in every game. How difficult is that for someone like him who has been on the highest of highs last year with scoring the winning goal in an FA Cup final and then a hat-trick in the North London derby?

18:58Jan Aage Fjortoft:It must be difficult to stay level with all that. Yeah, but he's managing to do that. So he makes it look effortless and he's really good at shutting down whatever has been said about him outside the training ground and our changing room. So credit to him. I know it's not easy, but he makes it look easy. Just a word on yourself. I noticed throughout the game the way that you were communicating with teammates, whether it was Marley Salmon when he came on, whether it was just telling players to just... With Gabriel Martinelli, for example, that, look, I spotted your run next time. Can you talk to me about how important it is for you to try and recognise your teammates at different moments?

19:40Jan Aage Fjortoft:Yeah, I think it's those small relations that you try to build them every day. And sometimes on the pitch it's even easier to... You can make it even stronger. So I know when Martinelli makes a run and he doesn't get it, something inside him will be disappointing or disappointed. And that's just making sure, making him aware that I did see it and next time you're going to get it. And then I know he's motivated and the next time he made the run, he got it. And it's also a relationship you're trying to build up as a player and I enjoy that role. Just finally, with all the games to come, this is why you joined Arsenal.

20:15Jan Aage Fjortoft:You must be buzzing, excited for all these challenges that are ahead. Well, you say all the right words. I am buzzing. I'm really excited. I love being here. There's not been any frustrations on my side. It's a privilege to be here. And I really think that we can keep competing in all the tournaments that we are right now because the strength of the squad, the depth of the squad is really big. Christian thanks for your time cheers back to you Alexis thank you

20:44ESPN FC Crew:thanks so much to Archie there and thanks so much to Christian, Kieran what did you make of what Christian had to say, sounds like right

20:50Jan Aage Fjortoft:headspace, yeah I love his professionalism you need those kind of characters in the dressing room, they give you balance they give you calm and they give you commitment, you know you can tell that he feels blessed to be wearing the shirt that will please the manager, the fans, the board. And yes, he might not get as many minutes as he would like. But every time he steps on the pitch, you can tell that he's been training hard. He's been eating right, living right. And he takes nothing for granted. That is a manager's dream. And I'm sure Mikel will love having him in the dressing room.

21:38Danny Elliott:In the terms of the depth chart for their squad, that guy we just listened to is probably in about 23rd position. And listen to how he speaks. He's delighted to be there. He loves it. You can clearly see they all get up. I mean, it's just...

21:55ESPN FC Crew:Everyone's on the same page.

21:57Danny Elliott:Oh, for a coach, it's absolutely fantastic. As I said, a guy who in the depth charts, you can barely see him and he's loving life.

22:04ESPN FC Crew:And you put that down to Arteto?

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23:44ESPN FC Crew:Birmingham City took on Leeds, and it ended up going all the way. Things were going well for Daniel Farquhar and Leeds, as Metshub gave them the lead in the 49th minute, and all they had to do was hold on. But in the 89th minute, Patrick Roberts was able to find an equalizer for Birmingham City. It was a lively extra time as both sides were battling it out. Eventually, they had to go to penalties to separate the two, as Sean Longstaff managed to get the winning penalty as Leeds won 4-2. Well, all right. So, you guys, worth this game?

24:19Jan Aage Fjortoft:Yeah, I'll be honest. When I saw the time of the game and what time we had to get up and saw the fixtures, I wasn't overly excited. But actually, it was a really entertaining game.

24:32ESPN FC Crew:Proper cup tie, as you guys are saying.

24:33Jan Aage Fjortoft:Yeah, I was very impressed with Birmingham's style of play. I thought they approached the game really well. Leads pretty slow in the first half, but they had a reaction. And then all of a sudden, the game just opened up and it just became a slogfest, didn't it? From the start to the finish.

24:51Danny Elliott:And I'm including the extra time. Normally, when you go into extra time, both sides go a little safe. And so you generally don't really get an awful lot of all-out attacking. This is one of the best extra times I've seen in a long time. Both sides, for both 15-minute periods, were going at it. Now, unfortunately, in the final third, they weren't quite as good as they could have been. But as a spectacle, fantastic. Desire and fight, competitive.

25:21Jan Aage Fjortoft:just all the things that you want to see. If Birmingham keep playing like that, they'll definitely go for a playoff push, in my opinion.

25:30ESPN FC Crew:All right, well, as we said, Leeds came out victors in that one. Let's hear from Daniel Farka after the game. What were you thinking when Birmingham City equalised and then almost scored another?

25:40Jan Aage Fjortoft:Yes, it's football. So we had problems in the first half. They were by far the better side in the first half. We changed our set-up then and brought a bit more muscle on the pitch with our leader, East Nampardu won the momentum back in the second half, step by step, went in lead. But it's football. Sometimes there's even a deflected strike in the 90s minute. And then you have to get on with this sucker punch. And we showed again resilience could have perhaps decided the game already in extra time. But if it was not to be, it was always clear that we have to go then for the penalties. Well taken penalties, Lucas Perry in goal was great.

26:11Jan Aage Fjortoft:So overall a good win.

26:15ESPN FC Crew:Jan, what did you make of the game? As the guys said, a proper cup tie.

26:18Danny Elliott:Well, it was like two boxers going out like Rocky Balbao in the first round. When he don't take up his hands, they just go out and knock each other. I mean, unbelievable. And when I see games like this, I don't miss my football because I know how intense it is. I know how tough it is. I know you do that for 120 minutes. And as Steven was saying, I mean, this was entertainment. And I love to see that because I think the FA Cup is a bonus. FA Cup is like the dessert because your daily bread is in the league, in the championship or in the Premier League. Birmingham's so close to get into the playoffs.

26:52Danny Elliott:So the FA Cup, just go for it. And afterwards you think, well, we don't regret it. We should have done more. And for Leeds United, they are not. I mean, you can see their position. West Ham has kind of turned the Premier League around. But I think things like this is good for Leeds. It's good for their self-confidence. Yes, it's another game, but it's also a bit of gain of self-confidence. So that was, again, we used the phrase typical FA Cup game.

27:19ESPN FC Crew:Well, speaking of typical FA Cup games, let's go to a typical FA Cup pitch, shall we? In this one, Wolves visiting Grimsby Town. Oh, brace yourself, boys. Look at this pitch. Wouldn't you love to play on it? Proper football. Proper football. Proper FA Cup football. 60th minute is where we pick things up. Bueno finishing the shot here as it goes off his knee and he grabs the winner for Wolves.

27:44Danny Elliott:Oh, shindling as well.

27:45ESPN FC Crew:Oh, my days.

27:45Danny Elliott:Listen, that pitch was like that the last time I played on it. Look at that pitch.

27:50ESPN FC Crew:It almost looks like playing Gaelic football or Swamp football. Jan, when you see a pitch like that, does it bring back memories? Does it make you want to go back out there and play?

27:59Danny Elliott:Well, it just keeps me remembering when I played in Grimsby. It was exactly the ground that time as well. I mean, you say that we would love to play. We just played on these for the whole 90s. And Stevie played there in the 80s, probably. And that's how the pitches were like. Imagine how good we were, Stevie, on these surfaces. Imagine how good we would be today. I mean, unbelievable. Scary. Stevie, you played on a couple of pitches like that. You try passing and moving. A lot of people go, let's pass and move and move and move. Side to side, yeah. And then they just go, OK, there you go. Get through that.

28:32Danny Elliott:Pass with you. You're passing and moving. Good luck.

28:35ESPN FC Crew:Kieran, thankfully we're of an era where things have since improved very well. We're probably the princesses of football nowadays. But looking at that pitch, would you have a go? I mean, I'm sure you must have played some backyard footy in those conditions.

28:46Jan Aage Fjortoft:No, I mean, I remember a couple of cup ties. We had Bradford away. I remember the pitch there. I played against Leighton Orient away. So I'm not too much of a diva. I've done my fair share of dodgy pitches.

29:02ESPN FC Crew:Kieran's well art. He knows that. He knows that. All right, well, let's have a look at some of the other results from around the fourth round of the FA Cup. There you can see Chelsea with a 4-0 win over Hull City. Stevie Ziverpool managed to get the job done over what can always be a tricky Brighton. But tomorrow is the big one, the giant slayers that have won the hearts of many. Macclesfield Town will be going up against yet another Premier League side. Remember, they took out Crystal Palace, the defending champions of the FA Cup last time around. Now they're going up against Brentford and our Alex Aljo went to Macclesfield to look ahead to this game.

29:42ESPN FC Crew:Macclesfield FC is a sixth tier semi-pro squad from the small English town of Macclesfield with a population of about 50 ,000. Managed by John Rooney and whose players often need second jobs.

29:58Jan Aage Fjortoft:Ready, go, run, go, run, run. We're at Stamford Park Primary School in Otringham. I help teach all the PE here from ages from 3 to 11. I work for Chloe Jade Holm, sending off candles and diffusers. So I do that Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I coach on a Monday night, Thursday night, and I take the under-11s on a Sunday morning. So I'm a busy boy, shall we say. In addition to playing in the sixth tier of English football, Macclesfield FC takes part in the FA Cup.

30:33ESPN FC Crew:A draw determined that the Macclesfield side would host Premier League club and defending cup champs Crystal Palace. What were our expectations?

30:45Jan Aage Fjortoft:Zero. Absolutely zero. You're playing against footballers that represent the country. Things like that don't really happen to lads like us.

30:52Danny Elliott:Here comes the ball in from Duffy. And he's got the header on and scores! Mcclesfield 1, Crystal Palace holders of the FA Cup, nil. And Paul Dawson nods them 1-0 up.

31:07Jan Aage Fjortoft:I walked in the half-time, they were bouncing, they were made up to be 1-0 up. So it was just more calm and down, relaxing.

31:14Danny Elliott:It's the wrong side to make the challenge. Partially cleared, Crystal Palace in the muddle.

31:17Jan Aage Fjortoft:The ball got deflected and instincts took over. I just thought, I need to get this on target.

31:23ESPN FC Crew:Buckley, Rickett still trying to get there, Mellor with the shot. And the Bulti-Nickees have scored!

31:28Danny Elliott:The only thing he could have done was flick out a heel. Macclesfield 2, Crystal Palace 0. Unbelievable.

31:38ESPN FC Crew:So some nervy final seconds, but then that whistle blew. Describe that moment. It was incredible.

31:51Danny Elliott:And Macclesfield, 117 positions below them. five divisions below them have created one of, if not the greatest FA Cup shock of all time. What a day. What a day.

32:10Jan Aage Fjortoft:I get really shy and embarrassed and I've never, ever been like that in front of the kids. I'm sure every teacher across the country would say the same, but things like that are literally a reminder of why we do what we do.

32:22ESPN FC Crew:Next up for Macclesfield in the FA Cup. Another Premier League side in Brentford.

32:28Jan Aage Fjortoft:We're not going to overly respect them just because they're in the Premier League. At the end of the day, we're footballers ourselves. We have aspirations and dreams and goals. We know we can do it, so why can we not create history again?

32:47ESPN FC Crew:All right, Macclesfield, who have absolutely captured the hearts of many. and right now it's a massive pleasure to welcome Macclesfield record goal scorer Danny Elliott, who's joining us from his car. Danny, I hope we didn't make you wait too, too long. But I mean, it's a brilliant moment to be living in Macclesfield right now. Just tell us how excited everybody is for what is yet to be another big clash against Brentford.

33:10Danny Elliott:It's crazy. There's such a buzz around the town. You know, it's such a brilliant thing to be a part of. I was really disappointed not to be able to play. I've had quite a bad injury. so my season's been cut short but just to be able to see my mates playing against people that we watch on TV every weekend is really special You know, it's funny Danny of all the questions I'm sure you've been asked since that game this is going to be the most important one Have you bought a beer in the local pub since that win? No, I don't think we have and I don't think we will for a while straight after the game I don't know if you've seen any pictures or videos or anything but we've got a bar at the ground and the chairman said you know the bar's open so all the lads were going behind the bar and still wearing their kits pouring pints and putting their flip flops in their boots and it was a brilliant night you know it's a special football club it's um it's incredible you know it's very different to a lot of other football clubs

34:11ESPN FC Crew:that's the week you celebrate that is amazing what seems what seems

34:18Jan Aage Fjortoft:Was you there Danny at that game?

34:20Danny Elliott:Yeah I was actually there so I was actually in the warm-up I got injured unfortunately and so I was going to play in the game but I was sat on the bench with the boys in the changing room spraying champagne and very much a part of it yeah.

34:34Jan Aage Fjortoft:And Danny obviously you've drawn against Brentford, what's the approach from the manager, from the players? Is there a game plan? Are you just taking it in your stride? How are you approaching this next round?

34:51Danny Elliott:You know what, Kieran, I think there's a bit more confidence than there was with the Palace game. You know, obviously, we're playing against top-class players, so nobody's kind of getting ahead of themselves. You know, we know it's going to be a tough game. We're going to require a stroke of luck. But with the Palace game, I think we were good for it. You know, we did really well in the game. You know, it wasn't as if they had 30 shots and we kind of held on for as long as we could. You know, we were really good for the win. And it's funny because we're preparing for Brentford. And, you know, they've obviously got a long throw, which is a big threat.

35:18Danny Elliott:But, I mean, it's a strange analogy to make. But we played against a lot of teams in our league this year that deal with long throws and direct football. So it's something that we're not too... It's not too different to what we've come up against, you know. So I'm sure they're going to bring a lot of quality. But we're just really excited about it. You know, we know it's going to be a night to remember.

35:34ESPN FC Crew:Yeah, we know it's definitely going to be a night to remember. But it still feels like such a big David versus Goliath. matchup as well that we know people talk about the magic of the FA Cup, but the truth is there is no magic. You guys definitely are here for a reason. There's a lot of, I'm sure, blood, sweat and tears behind that. For those of us over on this side of the world of the US, what would you like the public to know about this current crop of Macclesfield players?

36:00Danny Elliott:I think this current crop of Macclesfield players are a very special group. I don't know how much you guys are aware, but we actually lost one of our teammates back in December, Ethan McLeod. He was a 21-year-old striker and he passed away in a car accident after a game that we had. He was driving back home from a game. He drove directly to the game on the team bus as he lived in a different direction and he passed away. That incident is something that we don't prepare for. It's something that was so shocking as a group and it's definitely brought the group closer together. and I think with this FA Cup run he's with us we want to carry on his legacy, spread his name and use him as a driver for our FA Cup run he was a very special person he was loved very much by the group and long may he ever be remembered I was thinking this game in some ways is a good draw for you because it seems to me that Brentford are pretty similar to what Bristol Palace were made of You know, a team that are well organised and they're quite a physical side.

37:06Danny Elliott:Yes, they can play, but that physical side was certainly what they would put up against most Premier League sides. So has it been a similar sort of, not team talk as of yet, but a similar words from the manager about how you go about it? Because it seems to me you can pretty much make sure you do the same things you did against Palace. It'd be a lot easier to just go and do the same thing against Brentford. Yeah, I think that, you know, we're confident in our structure. And, you know, like I say, we're under no illusions. You know, they're going to bring a lot of quality. I think it's almost we've done ourselves no favours, really, because I think in hindsight, Palace probably underestimated us a little bit, whereas I don't think Brentford will.

37:48Danny Elliott:You know, I think they'll take it very, very seriously. Not that Palace didn't, but, you know, I think they'll play a very strong team. But, you know, I do think that our surface comes into play a little bit. You know, being an artificial surface is something that these top players won't play on regularly and won't be used to. So we're just going to try and use everything to our advantage, really, you know, be as organized as we can and cause them problems. And we can and, you know, hopefully find their weaknesses as quickly as possible.

38:13ESPN FC Crew:And Danny, of course, we just saw the quick feature where I think it would surprise many to know that a couple of the lads have part time jobs that, you know, football cannot be their 100 percent career path. So just talk to us about what it's like, I suppose, playing with them and the sacrifices that they've they've had to make.

38:32Danny Elliott:Yeah, I think that the English football pyramid system means that a lot of the players that have been in top academies until they were kind of 16, 17, 18 and have found themselves still enjoying their football, still earning some money from football, but having to go into other work. So we've got school teachers, we've got people that work in factories. One of the lads owns a gym. I've got a property business myself. A lot of the lads have got different things around their football and that's a means of supporting their lifestyle, obviously, away from football. but you know we take football very very seriously and it's brilliant to be able to highlight the talent that's in non-league you know beating Crystal Palace and showing that the gap isn't as big as some people might necessarily think because we are just we are just normal lads and it's brilliant for some of these boys to be able to get the the recognition that they deserve for all their hard work you know because we still have the dedication we still have the motivation and the dreams and goals that a lot of these top players have and dedicate their lives to football They just have a lot of other interests as well, obviously, because that's necessary financially.

39:30Danny Elliott:But it's brilliant for these boys to be able to get the recognition they deserve, I think, because a lot of these players have given a lot of their lives to football.

39:39ESPN FC Crew:Well, I mean, I know that footballers like to tell me that they take everything game by game. But let's say you do manage to be giant slayers again and take down Brentford tomorrow and the draw is made. Who would you fancy a crack at in the next round? Because I have a former Liverpool player beside me. I have a former Arsenal player beside me. And of course, you've played a lot of your games at home. So would you like a big away day maybe at Anfield or the Emirates?

40:04Danny Elliott:You know, this is something that has been a nonstop discussion in the changing rooms, as you can imagine. Who we might potentially play. And, you know, in the last couple of rounds, when we've drawn Brentford and we've drawn Crystal Palace, obviously everyone's really excited. But, you know, the dream is one of those historically biggest English clubs, biggest clubs in the country away. You know, you want to play in front of 60 ,000, 70 ,000 people. And, you know, it's probably benefited us playing Palace at home rather than at Selhurst Park. But, you know, if we were to beat Brentford, I think that big away day would be what everybody deserves, you know.

40:38Jan Aage Fjortoft:Well, I've got to say, Danny, I can go on record and say tomorrow, I am a Macclesfield fan.

40:44ESPN FC Crew:We are all Macclesfield tomorrow.

40:45Jan Aage Fjortoft:We're rooting for you, man.

40:47ESPN FC Crew:Until you draw Arsenal and have to go to the Emirates and then Kieran will be cheering against you.

40:52Danny Elliott:Thank you very much, guys. I'll let the lads know, definitely.

40:55ESPN FC Crew:Danny, Elia, thank you so much for joining us. We wish all you guys all the best tomorrow. You at least have three new fans here that will be cheering you on.

41:03Jan Aage Fjortoft:Cheers, Danny. My pleasure. Thank you, Danny. Top man.

41:06ESPN FC Crew:All right. Well, the big one for Danny and Macclesfield is tomorrow. Less than 24 hours away now as they go up against Premier League side Brentford. That's 2.30 p.m. Eastern time, but join us 30 minutes before for the pre-show on ESPN+. And then, of course, we will be talking all about that result. We lose our draw for Macclesfield on ESPN FC tomorrow. Plus, we will definitely know who either team gets as the draw will take place. More reaction to that on tomorrow's show.

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43:29ESPN FC Crew:All right. Well, Harry Kane, once again, I suppose a stat that would surprise nobody, but he has finally reached 500 goals with club and country. We know he racked up over 200 goals at his time at Spurs. And then at Bayern Munich, he has just been an absolute machine for England as well. So we have to bring in our Jan Agafjortov in this one. Jan, I mean, it's Harry Kane's world and we're all just living in it.

43:57Danny Elliott:Well, yeah, absolutely. I mean, he is the best ambassador UK I've had in Germany since Kevin Keegan, I guess, who is 75 today, hasn't he? It was yesterday. Happy birthday to Kevin Keegan. He's been fantastic both on and off the pitch. The Germans love him. And why is there not to love? I mean, he is a fantastic goal getter. He is a team player. He's a great number 10. He can be an eight. He can be a six. It can be anything you want. So now we've got 500 goals in all the clubs there's been there. I can see him living there for the rest of his football life. He has the time of his life and they love him.

44:34Danny Elliott:Let's see if he can take Lewandowski's record in one season in the Bundesliga. But we'll see how long it will take till they get signed. He has got one and a half or one and three months left of his contract. He had a clause in January that made him maybe had a chance to leave. Of course he won't leave. Why should you leave? He's winning titles. They love him and he score goals. What's more in life?

44:59ESPN FC Crew:Kieran, never a doubt that he was going to reach this milestone.

45:02Jan Aage Fjortoft:Not at all. Not at all. I was lucky enough to grace the picture of him a couple of times.

45:10Jan Aage Fjortoft:Longevity, consistency and just a unique, unique goal scorer. He can score all types of goals. We've seen him do it for well over a decade now. He's one of the greats. He's one of the greats and very happy for him, to be honest. He just keeps his head down. He keeps himself to himself and he just loves to score goals. He's just an incredible player. You take him to Arsenal, despite where he was playing his trade in North London? I've been unlucky enough to play against him as well in the North London derbies. I think he's given me enough pain at times. Answer the question.

45:52ESPN FC Crew:That's a resounding yes. How do I take him at Arsenal? Come on. Come on. For a C word. For a C word. That would be your 20-plus goal as season striker. Easily, easily. All right. Well, I'm sure as much as we have loved watching Harry Kane score goals in the Bundesliga this season, Jan talked about the love affair that he does have with the Bayern Munich faithful and the fans. And remember, yesterday was Valentine's Day. And we got to see Harry Kane with this Valentine. It says, I can't stop thinking about you. Now, the funny thing is Stevie Nichols saw this and thought that Harry had come up with this himself.

46:27Danny Elliott:No, I didn't know there was something coming on the screen. And I thought that Harry had been all romantic to his wife. I got the complete wrong end of it.

46:38ESPN FC Crew:And you thought that he used that for his wife and wrote it to his mistress.

46:42Danny Elliott:Yeah, that's what Stevie did back in the day. See, he was writing a Valentine card to himself or to his wife and showing it on TV. Black, white, it was that time. and you didn't see the pink.

46:53ESPN FC Crew:Were there cameras in that time? I don't know if there were cameras in that time.

46:57Danny Elliott:I think confused is a way to describe what I was... Confused? What I was going through.

47:02ESPN FC Crew:Okay.

47:03Danny Elliott:Yes.

47:04ESPN FC Crew:You're not romantic.

47:05Danny Elliott:Oh, no. I'm a lot of things, but that's not one of them.

47:08ESPN FC Crew:That's not one of them.

47:09Danny Elliott:That's not one of them.

47:10ESPN FC Crew:How many years have you been married now?

47:12Danny Elliott:Ooh, 40.

47:14ESPN FC Crew:At least for the 50.

47:17Danny Elliott:I might think about it.

47:18ESPN FC Crew:Will you hold up something to our camera?

47:20Danny Elliott:I might not reach that.

47:21ESPN FC Crew:Don't say that. You will.

47:23Jan Aage Fjortoft:I'm in Norwegian. He's still a romantic. He's a romantic at heart.

47:27ESPN FC Crew:If anybody's heard Stevie Nichols sing in these halls of ESPN,

47:31Danny Elliott:you know he's serenading people at home. Not.

47:34ESPN FC Crew:All right. Well, don't go anywhere after the show because we will be back answering your questions on Extra Time. Kieran's here, Stevie's here, and Jan will be back as well. All right. Well, don't forget, there's more La Liga action coming your way on Monday. Girona hosting Barcelona in an all-Catalan clash. Make sure to join us as coverage begins at 2pm Eastern time on ESPN2. Can Barcelona go back to the top of the La Liga table? We will find out in 24 hours.

48:04Danny Elliott:You do realize if you're second, you'll know it.

48:07ESPN FC Crew:Stop it. It's Manchester United Women and Just... They're still new. Don't go anywhere because we will be back with extra time. And I'll yell at Stevie some more.

48:23ESPN FC Crew:All right, welcome into Extra Time. Alexis alongside Stevie, Kieran, and Yana Gafiorosov is still with us. And Stevie, I was saying that Manchester United women only got promoted a few seasons ago, so they're still in the mix. So to be second ahead of six-time-in-a-row champions, Chelsea is a big feat for the gal then.

48:41Jan Aage Fjortoft:Yes, Stevie.

48:42ESPN FC Crew:Thank you, thank you, thank you. And guess what? The girls have won five in a row. The girls have won five in a row. You see, when you need a job done well, Just get a woman to do it. All right. Let's get to the questions, shall we? Everybody knows. First question from Big Al. Yesterday's FA Cup match at Villa Park is not an example of why VAR should remain. It shows that the referees are too reliant on it. Chris Cavanaugh was like a fish out of water. Same with his assistant. Too afraid to make a decision. This is the damage VAR caused. Jan, do you agree?

49:17Danny Elliott:Well, first of all, when VAR came, and I still think the principle of that we have a tool that makes more fair is good. Well, we have discussed this so much. You need to go quicker. You need to have football people understand what football is all about. But when VAR came, they said, well, at least we're going to strengthen the referees. And then we saw yesterday, I mean, no strength. They were absolutely dying to get someone else to make a decision for them. And then VRR has a function as we hoped it would be. I mean, yesterday was terrible. We've had scandals with VR. We have had scandals without VR.

49:56Danny Elliott:But wow, the referees need to start refereeing. I mean, if VR takes your confidence away, then do something else, please.

50:08Jan Aage Fjortoft:It's a difficult one with VR. It's just always a difficult one.

50:12ESPN FC Crew:But you feel reps have become too reliant on it.

50:14Jan Aage Fjortoft:I mean, but that's just human nature, right? If you've got, you know, a washing machine that's invented, and then all of a sudden it gets taken away, and you've got to wash your own clothes again, it's going to be a shock, right? So it's just, I think it's one of them where, yes, I don't think it should be brought in. Why don't you buy a new washing machine?

50:37ESPN FC Crew:Stevie, not all of us have deep pockets like you.

50:41Danny Elliott:I think the problem... I've got a crazy idea. Why are you washing machines? I meant the invention of a washing machine.

50:48Jan Aage Fjortoft:Yeah, a better one at that. I think ultimately the problem is that VAR has other issues. I think goal line technology should be there and the offside should definitely be there in all games. But for other things it's causing too many issues and that's why people don't like it. But yeah, I think it's very difficult for, in my opinion, it's very difficult for referees to be used to VAR week in, week out, and then all of a sudden, there's no VAR. I think that's just a very difficult job you're giving the referees.

51:19Danny Elliott:There are different ways to look...

51:21Jan Aage Fjortoft:Sorry, now go on, Stevie.

51:24Danny Elliott:Watch your clothes. There are different ways to look at it, right? The other way to look at it is there are generations of players and fans who week after week would go to games and come home and wonder how is it possible that they lost a game because the referee had so many bad decisions. I mean there's generations and all of a sudden we get an opportunity to get things right And yes, we don't get them all right. But let's be honest, percentage-wise, it's got to be like 80-20, right? Yeah. So think over the course of since VAR came in, the amount of results that actually have been the correct results because of VAR.

52:13Danny Elliott:Whereas in the previous years, in the past, particularly my and Jan's era, Games that were lost because one individual was so poor that it cost you the game. So that's the other way to look at it.

52:29ESPN FC Crew:Jan?

52:30Danny Elliott:No, I think that when we were told that we're going to have something called VAR, we were very concrete what we're going to be used to. It was going to be big decisions being false. I mean, now we find ourselves discussing for four and a half minutes If it's an offside with a guy, is he disturbing the goalkeeper? Things like that. Move on. Move on. We need to get that out of the way. Big decisions like technology, that's for all there to see. Even offside is difficult sometimes. But the big thing with red cars, gold no goals, outside the box, inside the box, if you can't see, then it's not a big decision.

53:10Danny Elliott:If you can't say that it's yes or no, get on going. But the problem now, if you see the rules, if you see the handball rules, if you see the rule book of football, it's done by lawyers and people who don't get it. And we have to sort this out because now it's going to be terrible. And now people, yesterday they missed VAR. And at the weekend, they missed the time when we didn't have VAR. And this will make it more or more like a parody. So they have to do something now. these people who every week can say, yeah, we're going to fix it. We're going to fix it.

53:44ESPN FC Crew:All right. Well, the VAR debate is going to continue, best believe. So let me move on to the next question. From a former player's perspective, what is the emotional and psychological adjustment if you're an Atletico de Madrid player after beating Barca 4-0 in the Copa del Rey semis to then losing 3-0 in the league just a few days later? Is it complacency, emotional fatigue, or what? Kieran?

54:08Jan Aage Fjortoft:ever went from a big win to a humbling yeah i mean i'm sure i'm sure diego simeone is going to be alarmed with with that that result today but also the performance but maybe they're on a high after beating barcelona 4-0 that could be the case um fatigue uh mentally and physically complacency i'm not so sure i'm not so sure it's complacency but i think it's more emotional emotional fatigue maybe. It's not every day that you go and hammer Barcelona 4-0 in a semi-final of Copa del Rey. I think it could be emotional fatigue.

54:46ESPN FC Crew:Stevie, what do you think it is? We've been looking at Atleti all season long, even in La Liga and just trying to figure out which Atleti are you.

54:52Danny Elliott:There's a reason why Atleti are always third. And it's absolutely in my opinion, it's down to mentality. The fact that you can be so good and then the next time you step in the field be so bad tells you that there's a mentality problem. You know the best teams and the best players get it and understand that at the end of the day it's about having standards for the basics and your desire to actually run around and do the things that need to be done and then when you do that all the ability that you have will come flushing out. They don't have that.

55:34ESPN FC Crew:Alright, well the next question is for Stevie. Stevie, when everyone is fit, who gets benched in picking the best midfield three? Maka, well not our Steve McManaman, I'm assuming Alexis McAllister, Wirtz, Gravenberg or Staboslai?

55:50Danny Elliott:Well, it ain't Staboslai.

55:52ESPN FC Crew:No, no. Starting all day, every day.

55:56Danny Elliott:This is an impossible question to answer. I mean, a few weeks ago, I know you would have dropped. Because it really depends on who you're playing against. 100%. You know, regardless of where you are in the league, if you're playing against a side that you clearly are better than, then you go reverse. But if this is tight and it's going to be tough and you're going to have to be alert from the first to the last, and you can't afford to make mistakes. You have to make sure of every opportunity and every challenge and second balls.

56:32Jan Aage Fjortoft:All right, Champions League final against... Yeah. Champions League final against... Barcelona. PSG.

56:38ESPN FC Crew:Or PSG. Ooh.

56:39Jan Aage Fjortoft:Champions League final, here you go.

56:41Danny Elliott:I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to drop Salah and play Verts wide up front.

56:49ESPN FC Crew:Jan, I'm going to let you in on this one. Who would you drop? Just answering the question, yes. Or who would your midfield three be?

56:55Danny Elliott:I agree with the great analysis of Stevie because it depends on him. If you ask me for the Champions League final, I would certainly go for the most, the people who can win the game for me. That means that I will have Wirtz and Soboslae there 100%. And then depends how I'll do it with that number six in there. I think I put Gravenbeek on the bench.

57:20ESPN FC Crew:I love that. Jan has never wavered in his support for Wirtz. never once he said let him cook he said let my boy cook

57:31Danny Elliott:this would be the first name on his team sheet absolutely exactly exactly well the next question

57:38ESPN FC Crew:is for you jan jan who is the most dangerous footballer that you have ever played against

57:43Danny Elliott:or with in terms of define dangerous in terms of killing me or scoring goals

57:51ESPN FC Crew:Oh, well, probably either.

57:53Danny Elliott:Because I will start with the first one. I played against that top Arsenal back four, but they were really a back five because Martin Keon used to play. I still meet him at the grounds now in the Premier League. And every time I know he's there, I put my shin pads on because anything can happen. When I played against Tony Adams, I love playing against Tony Adams because it was a battle. It was like, he was there. It was me against him. Keon, you had never an idea where he came from. Martin Keon never know who he came from anyway. So that was a tough guy. In terms of dangerous, in terms of creating things, I would say at the middle school when I played with Juninho, he's the most magician I've played with.

58:39Jan Aage Fjortoft:Very cool.

58:40ESPN FC Crew:Keon, what do you think of the Arsenal back four? What you had to say?

58:43Jan Aage Fjortoft:What do I think of the back four? Oh, it was brilliant. I mean, they were amazing, but yeah. Yeah, they weren't scared to kick him, they. Nope. Let's put it that way. Nope.

58:51ESPN FC Crew:That wouldn't fly these days, though. All right, final question. Why do Spurs fans want a coach who understands the club's DNA when that DNA is apparently not winning much for a long time? Kieran, did you send in this question?

59:06Jan Aage Fjortoft:Definitely not me. Shots fired. Stevie a mince dealer. Wow.

59:11ESPN FC Crew:Kieran, are you sure you didn't send in this question? because Spurs have said that they want someone the first fans say they want someone that will understand the club the DNA much like how Man United have said that they wanted managers that understand the Manchester United way but he's pointing out Stevie's mince dealer that what is the Spurs DNA if not winning nothing for a long time well I mean winning aside you know if I go

59:35Jan Aage Fjortoft:back to when I used to play in North London derbies at Wyatt Harlane it was always they did have a certain style, you know, under Harry Redknapp, you know, even Pochettino, and they've just come away from that. They've just come away from that. They don't know, you know, I don't know if it's the move into the stadium, but at the moment, they've just lost all form of identity and DNA, and without that, you're definitely not going to have success. So, you know, at least when I was playing against them, during that time, they were up there, you know, they were up there. They were in and around, maybe not challenging for the title, but they were always a very difficult team to play against.

1:00:24Jan Aage Fjortoft:And now, you know, it's a place to go and pick up three points at the moment. It's really... Oh, yeah. But it is, honestly, it's gotten that bad. And so that's why the fans are crying out for someone that understands the history and the fabric of the club. So three points next to North London Derby because that's around the corner.

1:00:44ESPN FC Crew:Exactly. Kieran's next to us. Just give us the three points.

1:00:48Danny Elliott:I just want to remind Kieran on Sunday. I'm going to be there in one week. He's first against Arsenal. But there are two red flags in football. First of all, it's when a manager wants to say that he's a part of a project. Project. You have to win football games. And secondly, it's when they talk about DNA of a club. I worked quite often with Peter Schmeichel. If I got one pound every time he speaks about the DNA of Manchester United, I would be a millionaire just in pound this season. The Manchester DNA, the Manchester DNA. So just be aware of that DNA thing.

1:01:23ESPN FC Crew:Oh, my days. I mean, remember Ange won us trophy with Spurs?

1:01:28Danny Elliott:Exactly.

1:01:29ESPN FC Crew:A European trophy, much to my dismay. But we'll leave it at that. Stevie, did you want to throw in two cents?

1:01:36Danny Elliott:No, I think Kieran should have stopped after he opened with winning a side. That's about as low as it gets.

1:01:45ESPN FC Crew:Yeah, pretty much. Winning a side. I love how Kieran was firing shots today. I love a feisty Kieran. That's brilliant, man. Well, feisty Kieran, I think will be back tomorrow, right, Kieran?

1:01:56Jan Aage Fjortoft:Yes, I'm back tomorrow.

1:01:57ESPN FC Crew:He'll be back tomorrow.

1:01:59Jan Aage Fjortoft:Macclesfield, of course.

1:01:59ESPN FC Crew:Oh, yeah. We'll see if Macclesfield get the better of Brentford and who they can draw in the next round if they do on ESPN FC. Make sure to join us then on ESPN+.

1:02:13ESPN FC Crew:From 30 for 30 podcasts.

1:02:23Jan Aage Fjortoft:Brian Pata, senior defensive lineman from Miami, gunned down.

1:02:28Danny Elliott:The key to this case, it's Brian. A hour before he died, he was on the phone arguing with somebody.

1:02:35Jan Aage Fjortoft:This might be a hit. You want the truth. They just want a conviction. You can place him to arrest. We had a killer amongst us. Murder at the U. Listen now.