Barca Open Their Season in Style

20:59For Liverpool, what are we going to get?

21:02Steve Nicol:We were talking about this before we came on air. One of the issues, and there are many for him to solve, Isaac been a big one, Wirtz still, huge issue. You could argue the biggest issue they have is the full-backs.

21:15Dan Thomas:Full-backs, Milos Kerkhez and Jeremy Fringpont.

21:18Steve Nicol:The full-backs in today's game, the full-backs, of course, every position is always important. but the fullback in the modern game is way more involved, both offensively and defensively, than you always had to defend as a fullback. Of course you did. But never has a fullback had to do as much going forward, whether they're inverting into midfield like a lot of them do, because that's the trend. And then you've got to do the defensive aspect as well. Both those players are struggling big time in both those areas. They're not great going forward, and that's maybe nice, and they're terrible defensively.

21:56Steve Nicol:Now, the only thing I was thinking, and I think Frimpong, I saw him at Wembley about 15 months ago and I swear to God, he could walk under this table. He's not a fullback, right? He can't play fullback. He's too small. He's not physically strong enough to be a fullback. He's just not. And I don't even think he's a winger, so I don't know what the hell he is. And my only saving grace with Kirk is is that it's Areola. and they had him at Bournemouth and he knows what he can do and maybe the player will get a bit of confidence from that. But that's kind of where I'm hanging it at the moment with him.

22:31The problem with Kerkers is he's had a pre-season with him and he stepped on the field today and he was exactly the same player today as he was all of last season. And when I say that, I'm talking about there is no control. There's no composure in anything he does.

22:51and it seems a little harsh that we're bashing on about the two fullbacks because, I'm sorry, the captain, Virgil van Dijk, again, has to take a lot of responsibility for this. You know, the fact that Liverpool, both goals are lost on counterattacks, one that was inside Newcastle's box and the other was on the edge of the box and between there and the ball hitting the back of the net, there's not a challenge or a tackle or anybody doing anything to stop Newcastle getting forward and in my opinion that's down to the centre back, number one and number two, your captain when you're going forward part of your job is to make sure that if the ball's coughed up or the opposition get it either you and all the players around you are in a position where you can defend quickly you can't stand back and let a team just run straight at you.

23:49And Virgil van Dijk on the second goal, not only did he let them run straight at you, he backed off from the halfway line all the way into his own penalty box and never got close to anybody. You have to engage the ball somewhere down the line. And he did neither of those things. So I'm sorry. The two fullbacks struggling big time. But, you know, Virgil van Dijk, in my opinion, today struggled again as well.

24:16Steve Nicol:but he looks as if we saw this last year with him he looks to me and also Kierkegaard he's needed help from day one and he hasn't had it from his captain last year he hung him out of dry several I've lost count how many times he's thrown the arms up at Kierkegaard because he was struggling but Virgil van Dijk looks to me as a player if he was having a Christmas dinner for all the players Kierkegaard would be the last one to be invited and he's the one that's next to him but he looks to me as if Van Dijk knows he's struggling and doesn't want to help him. And the fact that he's dropping off as many times as he does, I think it's an admittance that he's scared for players to run in behind him now.

25:00Steve Nicol:And he never had that before. Because he was a Rolls Royce, he was as quick as the strikers, but if not quicker, stronger than them, he was quicker than them, he'd position himself well and he'd always get there first, pretty much. I think he knows in his own mind now, if he squeezes that a little bit, he'll get done in behind. He used to be, go on then, try and get by me. Now he's like, I'm going to make sure you don't get in behind me. And that's why he keeps dropping off. And now he's got a youngster beside him. We're probably going to have to see a Rojo come in who has had his struggles at Barcelona, but he's experienced.

25:35Steve Nicol:And then, I don't want to be too down because it's the first day of the season. There's been a lot of horrible performances in the Premier League which we'll get to from some of the top teams. But the old problems that he had last year, he's still there. Florian Verts, come on, man, roll your sleeves up, show a bit of grit.

25:54Dan Thomas:Verts and Isak, I know we've got to talk about the defence, but you have to talk about the price tags on these players and what's expected of them. And of course it's just the start of the season.

26:02Steve Nicol:But it's not the price tags, it's Isak looks like he will crumble with the pressure of fans shouting at him, of what the expectations at Liverpool are. Yes, he had a lot of injuries, but he... I'm going to give him a break today, Craig, Isak.

26:18Dan Thomas:Because it was Newcastle. Yes, because of the circumstances and because of the game today, I'm going to give him a break on this. And the only reason I'm doing it is because a guy called Wayne Rooney, who arguably is one of the best forwards England ever produced, has never had a decent game of football at Liverpool ever. because that's the treatment he would get every time he went to Liverpool. And he never once had a good game. Never once had an average game. And actually, on one occasion, Fergie left him at home. So this environment today is the reason I'm giving Gato.

26:57Steve Nicol:And he's had injuries, but he was good in the rest of the... But he wasn't good. He was brilliant in the rest of the games, whether he never... I mean, I think that's a stretch. I understand that, but I'm just talking about this one game today. However, on the verse one, I don't see it. I'm sorry. No, I mean... Yes, the goalie made a good save from him early on, but after that, what did he do? Somebody please tell me. He's going to have to... He's the reverse version of... Who was the lad that was at Liverpool that went to Barcelona? The Brazilian boy. Coutinho. He's the reverse of Coutinho. Coutinho was the standout of Liverpool for a long time.

27:33Steve Nicol:He got this huge move to Barcelona and was terrible, basically. Yep. because Messi was there. I think Messi was still there. It was a bigger move than Liverpool, more pressure, all that sort of stuff. And for whatever reason, it never happened for him. Now, if Jan was on, our colleague Jan, he'd probably say, give him a chance, give him a chance. But he's had a full season and a full pre-season. Germany got knocked out of the World Cup pretty early, didn't they? So he was home, washed up, cleaned, dried, feet up, rested as best he can. He never went all the way to the final. He's had some sort of pre-season.

28:10Steve Nicol:And what we saw today was just a complete mirror image of last year. So how long is that going to last? Is it going to last to Christmas where everybody's going, oh, give him a chance, give him a chance? Areola have seen what's happened to Arne Slott. Come in, won the league, did great. Liverpool played really well. For three quarters of the season they won the league. Then it started to fall apart a little bit. Then it really fell apart. And they sacked him. and even we were sitting back saying Liverpool don't normally make a decision like that as hastily as that but they did and in Arreola's mind as much as they say well they're going to back me they're going to back me, he can't have passengers and Liverpool having another struggling season because they might just say do you know what we're not going to compound the error by keeping them, we're going to move on again At the same time right we can talk about Isak and we can talk about Verts, what they didn't do but at the end of the day, Liverpool scored two goals away from home, right?

29:10And I think most managers in the Premier League, if you said to them before every game, well, you're going to get two goals away from home, they would all accept that. So the biggest problem, as much as we're talking about how it's not brilliant going forward, the Achilles heel for Liverpool is defensively. I sat here with you Friday, and you asked me, what would I want? And I told you I want a clean sheet. because if you get a clean sheet, you've always got a chance. And if you've got forwards with the talent that they have, although we haven't seen it, if you keep a clean sheet, then it might come.

29:44You can take time to let it come. But the way this team defends, that is absolutely 100 % their biggest problem defensively. And I include the middle of the pack because if the middle of the pack was better and stronger, it would stop them getting there on maybe 50 % of the occasion. But it's not. So that's where the biggest problem is.

30:07Steve Nicol:We all know Arreola's a really good manager. If you watch the Bournemouth game at City today, which I'm sure we'll probably touch on, which they lost in the end, but they were winning the game with six minutes to go. And it really was Arreola's team, really. And you can see what all the work they've done over the years and why they finished so high in the season last year. Marco Rosa's taken over. But it really is Arreola's team. You can see what he's built. the problem is he's moved up several rungs in the ladder here and the time you get at Bournemouth and the scrutiny you get at Bournemouth is not Liverpool, it's not even close so he's obviously going to get time but he needs some backing they've got to sign the right players to help him figure this thing out and at the moment after what looked like they had a great summer last year in terms of their transfer activity it just seems that they almost have to start all the way over again So, yeah, it was a good point, but bear in mind, it's a Newcastle side that have been pretty much a club that's been in disarray this summer.

31:08Steve Nicol:I thought I was going to see a bit more from Liverpool.

31:10Dan Thomas:Right, it was a very emotional scene today as well at St James' Park, as mentioned, Kevin Keegan, obviously a legend at both clubs, Stevie. I mean, he's absolutely an icon at Liverpool, but at Newcastle, he was a god. I mean, they would get 20 ,000 people turning up for training because of Kevin Keegan. No, I don't know any other club that that happened. So, yeah, and it was thoroughly deserved. And there's no question it was Bill here standing up on your arms. You knew it was going to be with these two sets of fans as well, wouldn't you, Craig? These two sets of fans to give a tribute to Kevin Keegan.

31:49Steve Nicol:Yeah, I think I heard John Champion on the NBC commentary say that Kevin wanted to go back, was hoping to go back to Newcastle to a game one last time because he knew obviously the time was short for him. He never got that chance. Xhaka was at the game as many other ex-players and I'm sure coaches were. Xhaka played in that team, never mind Kevin Keegan as a player, playing at Liverpool and Newcastle and starting at Scunthorpe and then going to Germany and winning what he did. What he did with that Newcastle team was just a mirror image of him as a player. They never got over the line that year because Man United caught them in that infamous year with Kevin Keegan gave that interview.

32:32Steve Nicol:But the football that they played, the team that he built with the Generalists and Rob Lee, Liz Ferdinand, all these guys, the list goes on. People always talk about clubs being sleeping giants. I mean, they were fast asleep and then he came. And that is why you see what you did today. That's how much they love him. Because he transformed that club. Into what it is today, there's no question. You know, I worked with Kevin when ESPN UK was still going. We had the Premier League rights on a Saturday at 5pm, 12pm East Coast here. And I did about 18 months in the studio with him and Ray Stubbs. Stubbs he used to host it.

33:17Steve Nicol:And he never once, never once in all that time, talked about himself. On or off camera as a player. when I'd had Newcastle, I did this, when I was at Hamburg and when I was at Liverpool, I did this. And I won the Ballon d 'Or twice. He never mentioned it. If you asked him, he may have talked about it, but he never sat there and sort of spoke to you about everything he achieved. He just came in, you know, did what he did, and he was Kevin Keegan, you know, and that's why, one of the reasons they hired him in England, because, you know, he was this, such a famous guy, but we knew he'd been ill, you know, recently, and actually when Steve McManaman was over, because he lived close to Steve, we were talking about him during the World Cup and the way Steve was talking, I actually thought he was actually going to be on the mend.

34:06Steve Nicol:I didn't realise how bad things were. So yeah, it's been a sad time for him, but just ironic really that it was Newcastle and Liverpool to play in their opening match of the season and able to give him the magnificent tribute that he got.

34:21Dan Thomas:Yeah, the tribute that he deserves. We're going to send it back to Alicante now to Dan and the boys because we need to talk about what else went on in La Liga today. I wonder what type of reception Julian Alvarez got, Dan, for Atleti. Well, Kei Murray, shall we find out? Because, as you say, they were in action at home in the Metropolitano. This is the first game there since Julian Alvarez at the World Cup said that he wanted to leave. And what a surprise. Atleti fans didn't exactly roll out the red carpet for him. This was the reception.

34:54He is on the bench for this tie. So not good is what you're saying, Dan. Away from all the soap opera surrounding Julian Alvarez. This was a great game. And it was started off with a lovely goal from Pubil to make it 1-0. Yeah, Pubil as a World Cup winner. Can I tell you where he put this, Luis? Go ahead. May I tell you? Where my grandmother hangs her clothes. Good luck. Yeah, lovely goal there. A couple of penalties in this game for Villarreal. the first here. Clear plenty once again goes in front of him holding there and penalty it was called the AR and Jirán Moreno put it they equalize a for Villarreal.

35:33Yeah you heard the whistles for the penalty there and whistles for the penalty for Julian Alvarez as he's brought on here. Things are working out really well. Yes indeed that of course the big talking point And this though wasn't given originally, Luis. They went to VAR. And in the end, penalty and red card. I think it's really clear. I understand that during the game, no, but you can see it's approved by two hands. And then red card. Second penalty for Villarreal. Simeone wasn't happy at all. Villarreal was playing actually a good game and would deserve to score that second one. Yes, Villarreal in the ascendancy, 2-1.

36:13But in the end, Atleti would get the equalizer and it would be Simeone to make it 2-2. Yes, good movement away from the ball. Good diagonal movement. That ball gets him behind. Well-timed run. And yes, you can come to dinner, buddy. You can come to dinner. Yes. Mommy is going to cook. Get your dinner. Come on down. Let's hear, shall we, from Diego Simeone. The club decided that he didn't come to meet him. The club decided that Julián soon approached and saluted the fans. It was not his decision. Instead, it was the club who decided to separate him and send them to the locker.

36:55Luis, what an absolute mess at your old club. It is sad, to be fair. It is sad. I think that no player deserves a treatment like this one, but I can understand a little bit the feeling of the supporters. when you get involved, when you are vocal about a situation like this one, this is the concept. That's what you can get. People are not happy. People want for you to give 100%, to be loyal to your club. So it is not an ideal situation. I don't know what is going to happen, to be fair, because it's going to be a long, long season for Atletico Madrid, and in particular, of course, for Julián Álvarez.

37:32They will have to take decisions coming on because this could long a lot or not. Maybe an international break is coming on very soon in September. A little break and then comes on and scores a couple of goals and then everyone is happy. Is everyone going to be happy? No. Atletico Madrid and Atletico Madrid fans have to understand that if indeed this club is going to achieve important things this season, Julian Alvarez has to be on the field and being a productive player for this team. Because among all the good players that they have, he stands out. He may just be their elite player. And if indeed that's the case, you need him to be productive.

38:09You need him to be feeling good about himself. You need him to be confident. I'm going to assume that being booed in your home stadium is not conducive nor ideal for you to feel good about yourself nor your situation. Now, he brought it upon himself in saying what he said because he was trying to push the move. But now, if indeed the move is not going to happen, then it's best for Atlético Madrid, the fans, and Julian Alvarez to move forward. and moving forward cannot include him being booed at home. That is not conducive to success for anybody, for the fans, for the club, for Guggenheim, for anybody.

38:44Thank you very much. We thank Luis Garcia. One of the fans came up to him and said, you're my second favourite ever Liverpool player. John Arisa was number one. And a man who had certainly had more drinks than teeth would not accept the fact that I wasn't Conor Gallagher. But I would definitely take that in the future. just a reminder La Liga continues this week it's Real Madrid against Real Sociedad their first home game of the season on Wednesday and then 24 hours later imagine a great reception for the World Cup winners at the camp now Barca against Athletic Club those matches available

39:16Steve Nicol:on the ESPN app lovely thank you hey by the way Stevie was just saying to me off camera you three would make a great back three

39:29I'm not quite sure what that means

39:30Steve Nicol:well you're all kind of level you're all kind of level there which is telling me it's not the tallest back line I've ever seen I'd love to play against any of you at Corners that's for sure I really want to hear more about the Liverpool fullbacks that was fascinating yeah

39:47Dan Thomas:let's not revisit that thank you so much guys thanks for all of you

39:52Steve Nicol:I'm glad you had to hang around anyway Watch out you're hanging around.

40:24and talk to your doctor about Vivgard Hattrulo. Brought to you by Argenics. Shohei Otani's interpreter was fired today. Ipe Mitsuhara ran up gambling debts to a Southern California bookmaking operation. The inside story of the biggest scandal in modern baseball. He was absolutely bananas, the amount of bets he was making. I've never seen him like it.

40:46Dan Thomas:From 30 for 30 Podcasts, this is The Betrayal of Shohei Otani. Presented by Gusto. New episodes available now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Man City got the Enzo Maresca era underway with a late win over Bournemouth. They actually fell behind in the 26th minute when Marcus Tavania scored the opener for the Cherries. However, late goals from Mark Gerhi and Josko Cavadio gave City the 2-1 win. but the game changer on the day was Ryan Cherky coming on when he did to get the two assists and make the difference for Manchester City and they needed him today

41:28Steve Nicol:yeah I mean I suppose you could put it in a wins a win category I mean they dominated the bulk of the second half but yeah it's I think again there's more questions than answers with the players they've lost with the manager they've lost but Haaland will score goals we know that and Cherky is obviously a game changer whether he'll play from the start where they can find a place for him in a sort of team because he's a bit of a... He's a free spirit. There's no doubt about that. He can do something brilliant, but whether he's going to fit into the shape of a team and do the other side of it remains to be seen.

42:03Steve Nicol:And if I'm Mateo Kovacic, or particularly Niko Gonzalez, and I want to know if my time's up at Man City, I've only got to see that Mark Gay is playing in midfield. And I know as a central midfielder, Niko Gonzalez was£60 million. Mateo Kovacic has played at Real Madrid and all over the place, World Cup finals. You've got a centre-half playing in midfield ahead of you. So he's clearly trying to find the right answers. And this game looked like it was going to get away from him against a well-organised Bournemouth side that we're trying to play on the counter-attack. I'd have to say that by the end of the game, I think you saw a little bit of light for City.

42:45you know all the questions we're talking about I think there's no doubt he doesn't really know he's starting a living yet and the fact that Gay was in the middle was a bit of a head scratcher but I think the fact that with 12 minutes to go the 1-0 down, they don't look like they're going to break through and you're thinking teams that challenge for the title and win the title this is the type of game they win and it didn't feel as though they were going to do that but you know what, 15 minutes later the final whistle, they'd won this game they weren't at their best but yet they dominated and so if he can work out and put the pieces of the puzzle together then there's no reason why they can't challenge because it's about winning and sometimes to win this way so early when there's so many questions galvanises everybody in the same way that if they'd lost this this would have been tough to swallow Bournemouth had a good side particularly after Arsenal Aye, but Bournemouth's a good side but the difference between the performance against Arsenal to the performance today in terms of controlling the game was night and day so I think it wasn't the way they would choose to win the game but I think this is an important win for them

44:00Dan Thomas:Yeah, those first three points, massive for Enzo Moresca especially when they're looking to be the challengers here Let's talk about coming into City then because we do know that they've agreed a full agreement with Lille to sign the 18-year-old Moroccan international Ayub Bouadi and that's going to help rebuild the midfield following Rodri's departure and so that's going to be a big boost to the team after what we saw today, surely.

44:23Steve Nicol:Yeah, but it solves. When you're in a title winning side and a club that's as much success as they've had, as good as this young man is, you can't just pile the whole season on a youngster saying if we sign this guy, this will be the difference. However, it is very exciting. for him and the club. It would take years for somebody to come in and be able to do the things that Rodri did, how he's read the game, how when City were under pressure and a full-back had it, he'd always make himself available and somehow they'd get it into him and he'd find a passer around the corner or he'd get it out to the other side.

44:58Steve Nicol:And you think, how have they got out there? And they got out because he was always putting himself in a position to receive the ball under pressure and get out. that's experience, confidence and talent and that's a lot to ask if you're doing that with a youngster who's maybe coughing the ball up a little bit more so exciting and more options for Renzo Maresca but this will all boil down to the fact that A. this season and it's similar for Liverpool to an extent, A. can they sort the back line out and B. can Haaland score enough goals again? If that's the case they're going to give themselves at least a chance

45:35Dan Thomas:yeah coming down to that meanwhile Spurs have reached a full agreement with Manchester City to sign Omar Mahmoud we've been talking about this a lot so he will be going to Spurs and obviously after what we saw and I know Craig you weren't on the show yesterday you had a few things to say about Spurs yourself today well they don't need

45:55Steve Nicol:any more lightweights and he's a bit of a lightweight him and Savino are lightweights

46:00Dan Thomas:well that was the lads were saying yesterday that they were missing those strong players those fighters They got bullied. They got completely bullied yesterday. Is what they did. So if you're going to bring in players, you've got to bring in some strength in my opinion. And those two, Savino and Mamouche, if there's one thing they don't give you, strength.

46:19Steve Nicol:You know, it's clearly a working... It's going to be a slow road, right? They've spent a lot of money. They've got a good coach. But what I saw yesterday staggered me. Worried me. unfortunately the goalkeeper who did come back from that horrendous game in Madrid is not good enough. Right?

46:44Steve Nicol:Up front, Richarlison is nothing more, and I mean this, he's the most un-Brazilian Brazilian I think I've seen for many a year. He's nothing more than comes on for 10 minutes or 15 minutes here or there as a battering ram, and every now and again he gets the odd couple of goals, and people go, see, he's really good. No, he's not. as a midfielder the thing you hate the most is somebody that wants to fight defenders but can't hold the ball up and then you look at the middle I mean I can't tell you Bergvall's a young player plays for Sweden in the World Cup why you try to roll your foot over the ball when it's a challenge that has to be made he's trying to roll his foot over the ball and be smarty pants the whole thing there the ball into the Charleston how he lost it his challenge then Bergvall the keeper spilling it I think just some, even Sandro Tonali, giving the ball away left, right and centre.

47:39Steve Nicol:Then you've got Benton Carr, I was talking to Stevie about this. The Uruguayan international, he's played for Juventus, and God knows who else, and yet, whether he starts or comes on, if I was playing the midfield with him, I'd get him by the scruff of the neck and say, I don't want you to go more than 10 or 15 yards here and there. You can control the game from there. He runs about like a headless chicken. and so they've got new signings at the back two new centre-halves played so they don't know each other Van de Ven wasn't available there are there are so many questions so I don't know I sent it Stevie I don't know whether De Zerbe went in there and rattled a few it was so bad or whether they were in there and went listen it's a work in progress I don't know which way he would have gone yesterday but I was staggered by how bad he looked

48:30Dan Thomas:because they're going to come up in extra time. I know that we've got more to say about them. So let's move on now. I'm kind of done with him. He looked show-shocked. He did. Just a little spoiler alert. We will be talking more Spurs a little later in extra time. If you want to see what the boys have got to say, check out our YouTube channel. That's where you will find them answering your questions every single day.

48:51Dan Thomas:Brighton against Aston Villa. Aston Villa losing a lot of players this summer. It showed. Eighth minute. Victor Lindelof.

49:00Steve Nicol:It's not his fault is it? No. Is it Pau Torres who gave it away? Yep. Yeah, I mean he's done what he can. There's nothing you can do about that.

49:11Dan Thomas:And then comes Maxim Kuyper to make it 2-0.

49:14Steve Nicol:We were talking about this earlier again, we seemed to be talking a lot before we came on here. I think it was, and I stand corrected, I think it was Newcastle away. I think it was last year the first game. Might have been the season before they got Wall.

49:26Dan Thomas:It might have been the season before, I looked it up and it was 0-0 last season.

49:28Steve Nicol:They got walloped by 5 or 6 at Newcastle. Oh my goodness. And came back.

49:35Dan Thomas:Jack Inchelwood. The two.

49:43I don't even think that's a foul. He's messed it up and he's going down thinking he might get one.

49:51Dan Thomas:38th minute, Gomez loses the ball. Heads to kick out at Ruta. No call on the field, but after a VAR review, he'd be sent off, Joel Gomez.

50:01Steve Nicol:He just launches the foot up. There you go. I don't get Unai Emery being nice to him on the way off here, by the way. Yeah.

50:12Dan Thomas:So, 4-0. It was start for Unai Emery. And now, one more game in the Premier League coming off Monday. Fulham against Chelsea. Chelsea, a big favourite heading into this one. so be sure to be with us on tomorrow's show and we will be looking back on Fulham against Chelsea we'll be talking all about it and no doubt a lot more of what we've seen and the repercussions from some of these results over the weekend PSG at their season opener today and we got to see a little bit of Ferran Torres in the PSG kit but first it was Wren who were making it count for them Simanski here, 1-0 Fantastic strike with the left peg, outside of the left peg as well.

50:56Cuts across it, doesn't it? Yeah. The keeper's got no chance.

51:00Dan Thomas:38 minutes. A little back heel to Frankowski. He crosses it to Esteban Lepol.

51:08Steve Nicol:Yeah, it's a good ball, great, even better finish.

51:11Dan Thomas:A rent 2-0 up. Ferran Torres brought on for Dembele, making his PSG debut. 71st minute, Fabian Ruiz with the ball over, Ferran Torres with the goal. Yeah, good first touch. Yeah, it's a little lucky. Probably should have gone wider to keep it, but in the end, it goes in the net. Same connection again. Torres there again. That's a proper goal, isn't it?

51:33Steve Nicol:I suppose if you've scored the winner in the World Cup final, you get a wee bit confidence about you. Buster Olney here for La Quinta by Wyndham. Cooler weather, changing leaves, and scenic road trips are even better when your best friend comes along. At La Quinta by Wyndham, many locations are pet-friendly, So there's no need to leave your furry travel companion behind. Whether you're hiking a new trail, exploring a charming small town, or simply enjoying a relaxing fall weekend, everyone in the family is welcome. And earn win and rewards points with every qualified stay. Tonight, La Quinta, tomorrow you shine.

52:05Book your next trip at LaQuinta.com. Terms and conditions apply. Oh, oh, oh, O 'Reilly. Check engine, ABS, or maintenance light on. Take the guesswork out of your warning lights with O 'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE certified master technicians. And if you need help, we can recommend a shop for you. Ask for O 'Reilly Veriscan today. Oh, oh, oh, O 'Reilly. Auto Parts.

52:43Dan Thomas:on the latest edition of ESPN FC yes it is but extra time is on the way for you stick around these two will be answering your questions

52:51Steve Nicol:what about those three smug guys in Spain well one smug guy and two of those

52:59Dan Thomas:extra time's next

53:00Steve Nicol:yeah

53:04Dan Thomas:those smug guys in Spain you're alright You've just got back to the other day.

53:08Steve Nicol:Whenever he's on the road, he turns... Well, he's always smug, isn't he, Thomas? But he's like this sort of smug... Because he has to listen to his, hang around and listen to his, and he doesn't like we're talking about fullbacks and stuff, because he doesn't understand, does he? No, not clue. It's clueless to him. He just likes... He likes bullet points. The only thing he understands, bullet points. He doesn't like... And he's just... I don't know. He's... He was smugger, if that's the word. His first lie was that he was listening. Yeah. I'm about to listen to you talking about full bags. Oh, sorry.

53:42He was listening over the first time.

53:44Steve Nicol:He'll be back soon. Don't worry. OK. He wants to dress up, but you can take him shopping, will you? I mean, the T-shirt's all right, but he can't pull it off. He can't.

53:55Dan Thomas:OK, does Barca really need a number nine? PSG has done it twice without one.

54:01Steve Nicol:Done what twice? The Champions League. The Champions League. Yeah. Well, they've got one. Gonzalo Ramos, so they had one. He's gone to Milan, I believe. They had one. He didn't play all the time, but I don't actually think they have one. Am I right in saying that? Bassa? No. So PSG did have one. He was used sparingly. Didn't use him. No, because Dembele's form was, as it was, Ballon d 'Or winner. They don't actually, I don't believe, they don't actually have one. so if he gets to that point where something else is not working, they don't have a go-to.

54:36Dan Thomas:Anthony Gordon.

54:38Steve Nicol:By the way, his Scouse accent has softened a lot, isn't it? Yeah, but he's trying to be dead sensible, though. But it's a bit of Newcastle, isn't it? Once being in a new place wears off, then we'll get the real Anthony Gordon, the way he speaks. He was trying so hard today.

54:54Dan Thomas:But Anthony Gordon was saying, yeah, in the interview today, I'll play there, I've told them, they know it, if they need me, I'll play there.

54:59Steve Nicol:I mean, he wasn't quite talking Steve McLaren, when he came back. No, he wasn't.

55:03Dan Thomas:In fact, even Marcus Rashford went a bit slow and you could hear him, you know, speaking slowly. But I think he did all right today. No, he didn't. Yeah.

55:11Steve Nicol:He speaks Spanish as well, does he not?

55:12Dan Thomas:Yeah, well, he spoke Spanish in his presentation, didn't he?

55:16Steve Nicol:But, yeah. Fair point, fair point.

55:18Dan Thomas:Brilliant. He said in a month he's going to be doing some of his interviews in Spanish. It's not good to us, is it?

55:24Steve Nicol:Good to both of these boys will be all right. Not good to us.

55:27Dan Thomas:While Madrid made hard work of Espanol yesterday, Barca continue to be very dynamic and in control in their games. What can Mourinho do differently to Ancelotti, Alonso and Abelhoa to stop the seemingly well-awed machine from winning a third league title in a row?

55:41Steve Nicol:Do you know what? I thought the first 10 or 15 minutes, I thought, oh, that's a little different. They're closing down, they're working hard, they're winning the ball back higher and earlier. And I thought, oh, this is a little different because previously, and Laker mentioned this, didn't last long, did it? They were too easy to play against for the last couple of years. Because they basically, Real Madrid this is, they basically let teams play. In the first 15 minutes, Bellingham and Mbappe, and by the way Bellingham looks as if he's continuing from the World Cup, he's got his chest puffed out.

56:14Steve Nicol:But they were running and winning it back and I thought, oh this is it, and then I think they thought, this is hard work. Let's just go back to what we were doing before, which is setting off. And they went back into their shell of what they were before. And it took... It was an uninspiring performance. Epce? Espy? Espy. Espy, who signed from Levante, gets the winner. But it never looked like coming, to be honest. So there's a lot of work to be done there. And again, the middle of the park is... Gula played some nice passes, but I don't know if he's going to be the answer. I don't think Val Verdi's the answer in the middle either.

56:54Steve Nicol:He's just a worker, isn't he? In that position. I can see Alexander-Arnold getting some game time in there. I don't see him getting much at full-back, which is a problem for him. But I think Alexander-Arnold's actually a better passer with Valde Goula. You know what, right now, in a transfer window, I would take Alexander-Arnold back in a heartbeat. To Liverpool? To Liverpool. in a heartbeat. Not because defensively is he any better, but he can keep the ball. He don't lose the ball. Whereas today, what we saw from Liverpool's two full-backs, they cannot keep the ball to save their life. Whether they're passing it or crossing it, they never seem to find a red jersey.

57:44And for all the problems he has from a defensive point of view, I would take him back in that heartbeat.

57:51Steve Nicol:It's good to see Vini Jr's changed, isn't it? He's now a six year deal. Diving around in the second half.

57:56Dan Thomas:Mourinho was asked about it. Mourinho now obviously on the same side as Vini. He was saying that, you know, it's not fair. Should have been a red card. And then he gets it too much. He gets kicked and kicked and kicked. And he didn't like what he saw basically. Saying it was bullying.

58:12Steve Nicol:What are we talking about?

58:15Dan Thomas:Well, we'll be back on for Real Madrid on Wednesday. Real Madrid against Real Madrid Wednesday. Real Madrid against Sociedad? Yes. So we'll get to see.

58:22Steve Nicol:At home?

58:22Dan Thomas:At home.

58:23Steve Nicol:So let's see if there's any, because they were pretty, I mean, they were pretty bad at home last year. They got jeered a lot, didn't they? Whistled a lot. Got outplayed a lot by teams that were, you know, literally in the bottom six. Let's see. And we've talked about this for a while. There's going to be some sparks, isn't there, with Mourinho? We know that's coming. but it'll be interesting to see starting in the home game whether there's a change in emphasis about how they play

58:50Dan Thomas:Craig, did Villagers have the worst first half in Premier League history conceded four goals, scored none and got a red card sure they didn't start off well last year either but with no Rodgers, Tielemans, Dini Watkins and Martinez are they destined for a huge drop off

59:07Steve Nicol:I have one to answer because they've got such a good coach I didn't see the the Villa game because I was watching the City game which was on at the same time but I saw the scoreline and we've seen what happened, they were all over the place. What I would say is generally a manager that figures things out pretty quickly and I think he's proven that at Villa. Whether they're going to be strong enough to have as good a season as they did last year, I don't know Stevie, are they? I doubt it. You can't keep, you can't keep... You just can't keep pulling diamonds with the hat. You can't do it. And when you go and sell, you basically sell the spine of your team.

59:46You sell Konsa, you sell Tielemans and you sell Rodgers. Tielemans probably not so much. But Konsa and Rodgers were a huge, huge part of the success of Villa had. They're talking about Martinez going as well. And just because you get a lot of money, doesn't mean that you can just go and get somebody else to do the same job. It doesn't work that way. So, yeah, unfortunately it's going to take time to work out. The problem is, how long? In terms of then getting back into Europe or even getting close to the top four again, it'll depend how long it takes for Nye Emery, because I'm with you. He'll figure it out, but it depends how far behind they are.

1:00:28Steve Nicol:I'm maybe a little surprised in a sense, I don't know, I'm kind of on the fence with this, I'm maybe a little surprised that he didn't do something similar to Eddie Howe. I don't think Eddie Howe wasn't sacked, was he? No. He just went, oh, do you know what? He can see what's going on. And I kind of wondered if Unai Emery was at that position where he's built Villa back into what they are. They've been a bit of a force in Europe. They went back in the Champions League. They won the Europa League last year. And then you sell all your best players, as Stevie said, whether he thought, do you know what, now's the time to go for a new challenge.

1:01:05Steve Nicol:because it's just going to be more difficult year in, year out. But for whatever reason, he's decided to stay.

1:01:13Dan Thomas:It's around. Parole, would you change your Premier League predictions of Spurs after the opening weekend?

1:01:19Steve Nicol:I haven't done one. I'm out this year.

1:01:21Dan Thomas:Well, why was it you didn't do your predictions again?

1:01:23Steve Nicol:Because Mike Rodriguez, one of the producers, asked me to do it when I was on my way back from holiday and I hadn't seen anything. Not a single... Not a... Nothing. Not a track, nothing. Switched off. So I just said no, so I haven't done one. I'm all right with that, because I can laugh at everybody else's. Where did you have them, Stevie? Can you remember? I can't remember. But I think I maybe had them in six. I might have put Spurs. In the top six? Yes. I probably would have done it.

1:01:49Dan Thomas:Would you change it after seeing the first game, or is that too knee-jerk? No.

1:01:58That's a tough one, because... It's not like we can turn around and say that everybody else who we think is up there fighting for it has been particularly great. It just so happens that they were particularly bad. So it probably is a bit early to change it. But I tell you what, if you're a sports fan you've got to be worried what you saw.

1:02:19Steve Nicol:If you'd have watched that game and you didn't know, you'd have still thought Igor Tudor was in challenge, wouldn't you? Remember it was all unravelling last year and it was horrible, horrendous. And De Zerbi came in and we all know he's good, he's good at Brighton, he was good when he was managing in Ukraine, he was good in Marseille for a period, they were up alongside PSG for a chunk of the season. But you'd have looked at that team and went, it looks like Tudor still in charge, it was that honestly. In all fairness though, and we never did this in the show, Keith Andrews at Brentford They signed St Gary who played in the World Cup They've still got Igor up front They're a really good little side aren't they?

1:03:06They're a big strong physical team They can play some good football That first goal was fantastic If that had been City or Liverpool you'd have seen that goal about a thousand times I'll tell you what they can play as well

1:03:21Steve Nicol:We're so busy hammering Tottenham, we never really got to. No, we didn't. Keith Andrews' team, which, you know, to go better than what they were last year and go again is never easy, but they look as if they could.

1:03:34Dan Thomas:Stevie, what do you tell your team in the locker room after such a letdown in a performance like Manchester United and Spurs?

1:03:44It's really a situational thing, you know. You know, you've just asked us, is it too early to change the thing after one game? I kind of think, unless there's been a pattern that you think has developed over the course of the pre-season where you've kind of smelt this, then there comes a time when you have to put the hammer down. But if your pre-season's been good and you're going into the game with confidence, I think it's a little early to start putting people up against the wall. I think you use it as a wake-up call and, you know, quietly make sure that the people that you think let you down the most, just give them a wake-up by a little word in their ear and tell them that you're not as safe here as you think you might be.

1:04:39and not just you but what we did today is not acceptable here. So I think it's a little early to get the hammer out but very close.

1:04:50Steve Nicol:What would worry me and I can't believe for a minute Carrick hasn't said to his players listen, I don't want him to be thinking this is Hull City, this is easy. This is Hull City who everybody thinks are going to probably get relegated. It's their cup final their first day back in the Premier League for I don't know how many years. They were almost in the third tier of English football just over a year ago. They just scraped up in the bottom of the championship. They came up last year. They are going to throw the kitchen sink at this. They're at home and this is their big day. Don't let it be.

1:05:22Steve Nicol:You have to match them on everything because they're going to run and fight and scrap. You have to imagine that's a conversation that he's had in the dressing room. And yet they come out, the United players that is, and we're still outrun and outfall with a whole set of team that probably won't get relegated. So, yeah. It's illegal, but I worry.

1:05:49Dan Thomas:Jan Agafiatov was annoying Michael Carrick after the game as well, saying there was no passion in the first half.

1:05:55Steve Nicol:Yeah, he took a bit of a hump to Jan. It's great to see. I love that. Well, not having a hump to Jan.

1:06:02Dan Thomas:Not having a hump, but Jan just getting in there with the questions that he wants to ask.

1:06:06Steve Nicol:You know, particularly in the UK, right, the UK broadcasters, they're not... Generally, a reporter's questions, not all the time, but most of the time, is like, she's rolling it out, the red carpet for a soft answer. So, you know... He did take the hump, though. I mean, he really took the hump high. You know, I mean, you have to be... And this is what you always... When the things are going by, you always find everybody out. and Carrick has not had a bad thing happen to him yet since he went to Man United. And then he saw Jan. And then he meets Jan, who gives him a tough question because Jan's not going to give people dollies like a lot of them do.

1:06:50And he didn't react well to it. No. You know, he sort of just bit straight back. Instead of being a little calmer and saying, look, this is not what we wanted. But he didn't do that.

1:07:01Dan Thomas:He told Jan it was ridiculous to say there was no passion in the first half. and he said to Jan, you were a player yourself, come on.

1:07:08Steve Nicol:Yeah. After just being out, you know, out fought and out worked by all the things. He could have said, I know they would start quickly, but they really did surprise us or, you know, just something like that. Well, he could have even said he just threw more fuel on the fire. He didn't like the word passion and he could have just, you're right, he threw more fuel on it because Jan came back at him, but he could have said, I mean, he could easily have said, look, I wouldn't say, he could easily have said something like, look, I wouldn't say it was a lack of passion but there was a lot I wasn't happy with.

1:07:38Steve Nicol:And that's it. Can you stop? A lot in that first half whatever it was there's a lot of I wouldn't say passion you know what I mean? That's what you say and button it. So anyway we're all perfect aren't we? That is. Button it. No it isn't. Look look she's a bit soft in this one. Michael Carrick Michael Carrick I'm just twigged. Oh my dear poor Michael and he's from my neck of the woods as well. Well that's good to know because there's nothing better than seeing somebody that can be irked. Keep going back for more.

1:08:11Dan Thomas:So one thing we did see this weekend is Erling Haaland has had his locks chopped and it reminded us of Stevie and we want to know who did it better.

1:08:20Steve Nicol:Well, actually... He's got more than I have. Yeah, but actually what happened was Erling Haaland went in and asked for that. What you have to understand, he went in for his normal haircut and came out like that. because he couldn't tell him. He forgot what number was the higher and lower, a number two or a number five.

1:08:38Dan Thomas:I love that instead of just having the hairdressers like, OK, I think he's got this wrong, I'll decide this for him, just following exactly what you said was the best bit. But, yeah. Oh, I'm too far off, actually, Stevie. Yeah. If you haven't seen Haaland... I punched him in the mouth. Haaland rings Pep Guardiola, he rings Jack Grealish, he rings Zlatan. Do you know what gets me with that? They show them his new hair and it's brilliant.

1:09:00Steve Nicol:Do you know what gets me with the picture on the right of Halland? The picture with Stevie with the short hair. You know what gets me in that picture? It's not the hair. It's in what we call in Scotland the glick it look on his face. He does look a bit stupid.

1:09:18He looks as if he doesn't understand the English language. I want to find a ponytail, but I think I'd rather he's stuck with a ponytail than that.

1:09:26Dan Thomas:Yeah, well, he can grow it back. He looks like a wee boy that's been dragged into the hairdresser and they've just said, get it all up. Yeah, he did it at home by the looks of it, but he has FaceTimed some big names in the game and got their reaction. Hold on. That's his own age.

1:09:41Steve Nicol:Oh, right.

1:09:41Dan Thomas:Yeah.

1:09:42Steve Nicol:It's a haircut.

1:09:42Dan Thomas:Yeah, it's a haircut. But yeah, we're so used to seeing him for a long time.

1:09:45Steve Nicol:He was brilliant during the World Cup with all his, apparently, I don't see it, with all his interaction in the social media. I think he's the type of guy, and Fjortov will know more than us about it. he doesn't take himself too seriously no exactly you know he does his job scores lots of goals blah blah blah but he doesn't take himself too seriously so there's too many like that these days that do it

1:10:09Dan Thomas:yes we'll see if we can convince Jan to shave off his lovely

1:10:12Steve Nicol:Norwegian life I tell you what I'd love to see Michael Carrick shave Jans off so would I

1:10:18Dan Thomas:alright thank you so much for sending in your questions make sure to join us tomorrow on ESPN FC we'll be looking back on Fulham against Chelsea

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