72+ EFL Pod: Inside Hull’s promotion & Spygate drama

20:07Aaron Paul:what does the summer look like for Hull what do Hull need to be ready for with regards to the Premier League what's the owner said in terms of ambition what's the remit yeah I know I think Sergei had a meeting yesterday it's been whirlwind as you'd imagine so we had the game Saturday I stayed overnight with my wife we went to the Bolton Stockport game watched my old team Bolton get promoted which was great on Sunday and then yesterday we had the bus touring home I know Sergei had a meeting with Ajun and Jared and I imagine, I'm not spoke to him on what that was, but putting some plans in place.

20:40I think what's important is that we realise how we've got in this situation in the first place in terms of the core group of players, the core squad members. I'll probably talk about someone like Dylan Phillips now, who's just popped into me, who's played, I think, one game all season. Number two goalkeeper, who's incredible every day in terms of being a sparring partner. Again, I'm using a daft analogy now, but when a boxer's going into the arena, he needs to have planned and prepared properly going into it and you need good sparring partners. who are going to push you, who are going to challenge you.

21:07Dylan's one of them types of examples. So we need to keep, obviously, hold of the core group that's got us there. Of course, the Premier League's a different beast, isn't it? Of course, yeah. And you mentioned Dylan Phillips, I'd imagine, in the dressing room as well. He's the character that brings it all together as well. And they're so important, so important in the dressing room.

21:25Aaron Paul:Who's going to be that sort of Giovanni-like figure for Hull? Someone like that, where they can go and they can, you know, add something, add just a bit of stardust. Have you got that in the building? I think we've talked already about one or two younger players that we've got, but of course you're talking about established Premier League players. There's a few that have played in the Premier League, not too many. We've got work to do, we know that as a club, but these conversations will be happening as I'm sat here right now. The phone's going there, lighting up, as Andy said before. It's constant now and I'm only the assistant, so imagine what Sergei's going through.

21:56But yeah, we've got a lot of work to do. And people say, you're going to go and have a rest now for a couple of weeks and then you're going to get back to work. I don't think you can do one without the other. I think you may be going it's non-stop yeah I think day to day you're not in the office as much obviously now the end of the season's coming doesn't mean to say you're not working away and having these conversations in the background so it's a brilliant situation to be in I'll be honest first time I've got into the Premier League I'm really grateful for the opportunity to be a wonderful club I can't wait for it

22:22Aaron Paul:Fantastic Dean a joy having you on with us thank you so much for coming congratulations to Andy as well what an incredible season for Bromley talk about the underdogs we've got the double underdogs on today haven't we yeah thanks very much it's great to meet you Andy I mean that well done mate listen I'm delighted for you really am. It's a great story isn't it, the whole story. 100%. Brilliant story. 100%. Elsewhere, Middlesbrough, the Wembley curse continues. But what a weird season for the Borough. They start the season with Rob Edwards in charge before he left for Wolves in November. Kim Helberg came in in his first season in English football.

22:52Aaron Paul:Borough, of course, on course of the Automatic's top of the league at one stage until their form tailed off, dropping into the playoffs. Everything that happened with Spygate and ultimately it's defeat at Wembley. Joby, let's just look at the end of the season. What do you make of it? Well, I think these are the situations now that we've all had a little bit of time to digest what happens. There's so much sort of hype surrounding the playoffs anyway, even more so in their case with obviously Spygate this season. I just feel you have to go back to that sort of little stretch where they were out, you know, Hayden Hackney, who's clearly one of the best players in the league, if not the best player.

23:30But we saw that when he came onto the pitch, which not even fit how many games he's missed and to come on and still look pretty much a cut above everybody else. And Morgan Whitaker out for that similar period of time in that run of games where they just couldn't quite find those wins despite dominating games. And that, for me, is where they'd look back on the season and sort of feel that that was the opportunity missed. Then you go and get Tommy Conway injured, who's been a real ever-present, his energy, his enthusiasm throughout this season. And it gives them a different dimension. They're such a good technical team.

24:02players that want to come and link, you know, play in little pockets combined. He's the one that will always try and stretch. And I think missing him on the day was a huge, huge blow for them as well. So a lot to unpack, you know, he's done a brilliant job overall, but I think some clear direction is where they need to go to make sure they go one step further next year.

24:21Aaron Paul:Do they lack an Ollie McBurney in that side? Because again, do they look someone just different, like someone who can change things up, you can throw them in and hope for the best. Exactly that. a little bit of a plan B to what they normally do. And Olly McBurney would have been that, that sort of player. And, you know, just speaking to Dean off air there, you know, the way they got Olly McBurney was genius, in my opinion, to get him into the hole. And that's the difference. The one thing I would say, which I sort of, you know, thought about, it must have been difficult for them, you know, with the way they come into the final, with all what went on with Spygate.

24:57And I just wonder whether they kind of as a group of players probably had a little bit of imposter syndrome and a little bit of embarrassment, not embarrassment, but just felt we don't really deserve to be here with the way it's come about. And that must have been tough for him as a football club and as a group of players for me. Yeah, it's a really interesting one, isn't it? I think you look at the emotional and psychological side of things, that we're all clearly seeing what's out on a pitch on a Saturday or a Tuesday, but so much goes on behind the scenes. And I think getting over that disappointment and also how late that disappointment was against Southampton, the emotional energy that they put into those two legs.

25:33I mean, the first game in particular, you know, up at Middlesbrough, they were brilliant for 45 minutes, you know, should have been clear, you know, two, three, if they'd gone in at three nil, no one even blinks, they were that superior, but they didn't, didn't take the opportunities, which again has been a bit of a theme of their season, then to go lose it so late, you know, at St. Mary's to what was a really fortunate goal with everything that went on, then not knowing that, you know, you are going to be playing and having to get yourself up again with a few days notice. And I probably looked at it a bit simplistically going, well, actually, they've got enough opportunity.

26:05They probably thought they were out. You get yourself ready as best you can, but just trying to find that edge, you know, when there's so much at stake, maybe, you know, and it's through no thought of their own, really, that sort of having to get to that level again, you know, to go and overcome, you know, how in the final was just too much for them.

26:22Aaron Paul:So Middlesbrough set for a 10th successive season in the championship. of course next season they'll be playing Southampton for more reaction to Hull's playoff win head over to the Football Daily feed on BBC Sounds Joby myself and the brilliant former Hull boss Phil Brown who just smiling ear to ear after that final whistle had a good old chat and we had a whole host of interviews featuring the Hull City owner Hull City manager and captain as well as a very disappointed Kim Helberg following that defeat at Wembley

27:205 Live Sports sound.

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28:3572 Plus, the EFL podcast with Aaron Paul and Jody McAnuff.

28:41Aaron Paul:Bolton Wanderers back in the championship for the first time in seven years, beating Stockport 4-1 under the arch in searing 30-degree heat on Sunday lunchtime to seal their place in the second tier. Absolute sculpture of a weekend. Woody, you had problems? Jacket, no jacket, no jacket, jacket? It was hot. It was very hot. I went for the jacket, but I regretted it after about 15 minutes. I was sweating. You've got to be careful of the old patches. I had the patches. I had the blower on me. I had the lot, mate. It was hot. Yeah, good man, good man. Let's hear from the winning coach. Stephen Schumacher lost 4-0 at Wembley to Bolton with his old Plymouth team in the EFL Trophy final a few years back.

29:20Aaron Paul:But this visit was a much better experience. I'm really pleased with that as it was certainly a better experience than the last time I coached here. So it was pressure on the game. There was an intense focus from our players. There was a real calmness about the whole group this time around. And we felt that we got the game plan right. And in the end, certainly in the second half, we showed our quality. And in my opinion, deserved to win the game. So we have to go and enjoy our chance at the championship next year. When you reflect back on your time at this football club, everything that went on at Stoke, coming here, coming to a club that was desperate to get out of this division, but also wanting success for yourself as well.

30:01Aaron Paul:How proud are you of everything you've achieved? How do you reflect on it? I think it's honestly the biggest achievement of my career. We won the league. We played with Argyle with a really, really small budget. So it shows how highly I rate this. And the reason that is the case is because of the expectation, because of the pressure, because of, some people may have doubted, because of what happened at Stoke. I felt I'd worked really hard to get into the Championship. I obviously was let go by Stoke, and I made a decision along with my agent. We had a few Championship interviews, but I made a decision with my agent when this opportunity came up, this is the one I really want to take because I think this club has got the scope to get into the Championship and then kick on again.

30:42You just have to look at that fan base today to show how big of a club it is, and if we get the investment in the summer to go and have a crack at the championship, then I can hopefully be in a better position than what I was at at Stoke.

30:52Aaron Paul:How long do you take now before you sit and you actually start, you know, fine-tuning the plans for next year? Well, I'm going to party really hard today. We'll see what the hangover's like tomorrow. We've got some meetings on Tuesday to do with the director of football, so I'll see how they pan out. I'm going to take the wife and the kids for a few days on holiday because it's been a tough season for them. putting up with us putting up with me moaning all the time so we'll go away for a few days we'll get back the weekend and yeah we'll get planning for next year Sharon not sending you on a trip?

31:25No I don't think so no that isn't the plan but I'll see if I can twist David Ray the CEO's arm this evening on our way on

31:32Aaron Paul:and I know you'll be in from Joby Mackenoff no doubt as well you've probably spoken to him out there but right now on 72 plus he wants to know when you're coming back to see us because we miss you I know as soon as possible I've been obviously he's asked me a couple of times and it hasn't quite worked out on the days but I'll definitely get back on because I love going on that show and Joby's one of my really good mates I've seen him this morning in the hotel and I said let's hope this Wembley experience is better than the last one and it certainly was I'm sure we're so pleased for you congratulations thank you good mates yeah we were roommates we were roommates we had a year together at Stevenage and one of those players that listen they were so many up and down you know your career and there's a few that you just instantly clipped with really we were at sort of similar ages similar sort of uh you know kids and you know and we just got on like a house on fire right from the start he was always um you know going to go down this road and again knowing his journey obviously speaking to him on a regular basis he was really gutted with what happened at stoke you know felt like he'd done a good job in terms of having to cut the budget you know trying to get a younger profile in and still trying to compete and felt there was a lot more there to really go in and achieve and that was a bit premature so this was a huge decision for him you know having worked so hard to get to the championship um and stepping down effectively but to a huge club at Bolton and getting up and that expectation has been there from day one yes they've got a good budget they've got a great squad but that brings different pressures you know having to cope with that and um just really relieved to see him I actually bumped into him in the morning at breakfast in the hotel it wasn't planned um We had a few breakfasts together when we were roommates, actually.

33:11And he was in the zone. You just know, you know, again, I was there as a player and did a little bit of coaching and didn't want to spend too much time, you know, sort of chewing his ear off. So just wished him well. And, you know, again, that last visit to Wembley was really in his mind. He felt he got that a little bit wrong, even though it was a different tournament in the Papa John's at the time. That sort of sense of just go and enjoy the day, you know, and it unravelled really quick. So he learned a lot from that. and I'm just over the moon for him. He's a top man and I think he'll go on to be a real top manager.

33:43I haven't felt that losing my job as a manager yet, but even as a coach, your confidence and your self-esteem is really hurt and your family's hurt as well by it. And just listening to him talk, he has learned from his mistakes or learned from his experiences and the Wembley experience before and this time he's learned from that and it's kept him in good stead. I really like him. I'm glad I didn't know you was a roomie of his jokes, but he seems like a real solid guy. And I was really chuffed for him. And I was chuffed for Bolton because I remember the Bolton of old, you know, back in the day when Sam had them and they was a big club.

34:22And I want to see a Bolton back up there. So I was really chuffed for everyone involved at Bolton, particularly the owners who saved them. But yeah, I think they'll do well next year.

34:31Aaron Paul:Absolutely. Let's flip it and look at Stockport beating 4-1. Josh Dacre's Cogley sent off late on for a hair pull. Here's the Stockport manager, Dave Challoner. It's always tough to take. That was always going to be the case if you don't win the game, regardless of what it looks like. So you know that when you get to the playoffs and a playoff final, there will also be your season's on the line with one game. And it wasn't to be for us today. So we have to dust ourselves down and look forward to next season. I see the red card for Josh at the end. Was that frustration just setting in? No, I don't think there's frustration at all.

35:02I think that's an absolute joke of a decision. And again, I get there'll be people in a VAR studio sat there, slowed down and whatever that's not. But that lad's played against his former club in probably one of the biggest games of his career and has been sent off for reaching out when he's not even looking at the player. How can that be the case? It all must be an advocate of everyone growing their hair. That's it, I say. Forget the result. Massive congratulations to Bolton. That is a really, really poor decision. And it's been seen before. I think it's a joke. I get it, listen, I get it, if you turn around and I pull your hair deliberately, I sort of get that.

35:38Cogs isn't even looking at the ball. Forget the score, forget the penalty, I'm more concerned and my duty is to the player. That will not only be something that lives to him for the rest of his career, but he'll get him a three-game ban for next season, the start of next season, which is scandalous. Do you think you were double done by VAR for the first goal as well? Asking the question, do you think we were? I don't think if the boot had been on the other foot that we would have got a free kick or a penalty for that if Adama was running and gone down, I don't think we'd have got a penalty for it yet, because he scored he got disallowed we all knew, I know Steve mentioned it in his pre-match stuff around not wanting to speak about VAR and what that looked like has it played a part in the game?

36:29Of course it has. Has it played a decisive part? No, I'm not going to say that at all. But then moments went against us. That can happen. And when you're putting officials in charge that have never, ever used the VAR before in one of the biggest games of the season, well, the biggest game of the season for League One, I'm not sure it's a sensible choice.

36:48Aaron Paul:So the VAR was Peter Banks, who is a regular on VAR in the Premier League, Champions League, and for international fixtures. On-field referee Josh Smith has done a handful of Premier League games with VAR, but none for the past 18 months or so. Should the Football League be using referees of the more recent record of using VAR, Joby? There's a lot of talk about the fact that VAR's even involved in the playoff finals. But then I look back at the moment during Coventry-Luton where Joe Taylor scores and it's a handball and there's issues there. Like, it has been okay. And I'm not a fan of it, But, you know, it's done its job.

37:27Yeah, listen, overall, do I want to see VR used across the EFL? No, it's a much better experience covering games, watching games, and the emotional feeling you get from football without it. So I wouldn't want it in. For the finals, I do think it's a different conversation. I know there might be, you know, some people out there going, well, hang on a minute, why don't you want it in the regular season? I just feel at Wembley, you know, having been there as a player, you know, covering the games now, There is so much at stake. And I'm with you. We've been there when there's been these huge calls, things that you don't see in real time.

37:58It was interesting. I was on with Michael Skabala and he wasn't a fan of it. He's kind of a lonely opinion. If you don't have it in the league, you shouldn't really then just bring it into a final. Would you want to be on the end of a wrong decision? I thought the goal was rightly ruled out. The first one is an accidental collision, but the only way Sidibe gets in there is because of the contact. And obviously...

38:20Aaron Paul:Yeah, I don't know. You can't just run into someone, trip them up, and then you're through on goal. And the lad who's supposed to be defending Johnston at the time, I mean, what can he do about it? The only reason Sidibe gets a run on goal is because he's tripped the defender, right? Yeah, okay. We don't need VR, are there, Joe? We're not going to have a fight for the end of the season. No, but what I will say is the frustration would be probably in the regular season, and that goal does stand because the referee hasn't seen that the contact is accidental and maybe thinks it's just a natural coming together.

38:58So I absolutely get Dave Challenger's point of view on that. But for me personally, I just think for the finals, we've got the technology, you're at Wembley Stadium. Again, as long as they're light touch and it's major decisions, then I think we have to have them. I completely agree with that, Joe, because as a player and as a manager now, If I lost the final on a decision that was so contentious and I didn't have VAR when I could have had it, I'd be devastated. So I know, and I love Dave Charner, what he's done over the years. I really like him as a gentleman as well. But I think on reflection, he'll probably think, you know, it hasn't gone for me this time probably, but it's so important that VAR is in for a final because you'd hate to go out on a decision of a referee who's had a spit stick and to make a decision and it's the wrong decision.

39:51It would be devastating.

39:53Aaron Paul:Not to count here back in League One after 11 years away after dismantling Salford City 3-0. Here's head coach Martin Patterson. I thought we were excellent. We respected the game, respected the opponents, no end. I think they had one little scare early second half. My memory's a little bit blurred with the occasion. But we played the game, not the occasion. And I thought we were excellent. and I thought, you know, against a team that have put a lot of pieces on the board in terms of attacking threats and spent a lot of money to bring them in, even in January, and I just thought we were in a good control of the game.

40:29But I think when we missed out on the top three, it hurt me because I thought if we'd have had people fit, I thought we could have done it. But Cudder doesn't exist in football. So the playoff campaign, I made sure that I worked these players structurally and defensively. And off the back of that, off the back of the framework, the freedom and the quality shone. And I was delighted with the players.

40:51Aaron Paul:There you go. There was the Notts County head coach, Martin Patterson. Woody, you were there sweating at Wembley. Sweating. Yeah. Tell us, what did you make of it as a contest? Well, the big players turned up for Notts County. Jodie Jones was excellent. I mean, early doors, he was running at them. He was doing some real Jodie Jones stuff. And then they dropped off. And they was in a world of pain when they dropped off, when they was fearing him, because then he was running the show. Jatter, everyone said he hasn't scored in five. Is he having a little bit of a lull? He hasn't scored against Salford.

41:30He got put through, finished it calmly. And defensively, you know, they were solid defensively. They give up nothing. And I heard Carl's interview after. He was pretty honest. But I felt he was a bit harsh on himself a little bit as well on his team because I thought they were faultless, Notts County. They give up nothing. So, you know, the real big players for Notts County turned up on the day and they delivered. And it was a really good performance, particularly for a Wembley final because they normally are tight affairs. But they really did play some good stuff.

42:02Aaron Paul:Joby, to non-league and back, what a journey for Notts County. Yeah, and huge football club, isn't it? With a fantastic fan base. Again, we saw that at Wembley. But I just want to dive back into Jodie Downs, who was very much a match-winning performance. All the injuries he's had, the perseverance having to come back from those disappointments. and maybe at parts earlier in the season, not quite at the level we know he can get to, but what a brilliant performance. I mean, the assist for Jata was sensational and then obviously wants to go and really make that input towards the end of the game and gets himself on the score sheet.

42:42So again, that is what I'm talking about, about players just grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and going, I'm the one who's going to make an impact. Everyone now will talk about that final as the one that Jodie Jones stood up and almost sort of dragged him over the line when it really, really mattered. He's class. He's brilliant. He's a level above, clearly, you know, but he's had his injury worries. And the other one is Jata, and I just really want to touch on it. We've done a bit of McBurney, you know, spoke a bit of Michael Cheek. Even when those players are not scoring, they give the opposition so much of a problem.

43:13Those defenders have to be worrying about it. It creates space for other players and just a real physical threat. And like you say, when it really matters, stick the ball in the back of the net. So, fire a leader for Notts County and, you know, well done, Martin. I've got to just tell you a little story about Jody. He terrorised us this year and I had a bit of banter with him on the pitch. I almost said to him, can't you have a day off? You're terrorising us. In the midst of that game, at the end, you know, all the celebrations, he'd run right over to me. He said, I can't wait to play against your team again next year and terrorise you again.

43:44I mean, I've got sleepless nights about this boy and he's such a good player, but, you know, real quality performance by him and I was glad for him because he has had his fair share of injuries and he stepped up yesterday and he was excellent.

43:56Aaron Paul:Absolutely. On the flip side, let's hear from the Salford head coach, Carl Robinson. I feel like we've let people down today. I don't think we've let people down for the last 10 months, whatever it was. I think we've been nothing short of magnificent. And today, we just had too many that didn't turn up and in certain aspects people didn't, you can use so many excuses, we were beaten by the better team. And that's as honest as it could be. I'm absolutely on the floor, my players are on the floor. We know we've underachieved on the day, but we've overachieved throughout the course of the season.

44:34But unfortunately, football moments matter. And on this big moment today, we just weren't here. Congratulations on counting. I apologise to all Salford fans. I really do from the bottom of my heart. And the club will be better, stronger than ever next year. right now you have to let this hurt and you know what I feel sick honestly you can see some more players walking past it it hurts because I want to care for them and how much I really associate with the fans they give everything to you and we just let ourselves down at the most horrific moment on the biggest stage of all

45:09Aaron Paul:It was a star-studded line-up in the crowd wasn't it Toby yesterday seeing the class of 92 Jill Scott involved there as well but they come up short. Where did it go wrong? Well, I think they'll be asking that question and they have done over the last few years. Just can't quite get over this final hurdle, can they, and get promoted from League Two, having had such a good run to that point. One thing you do learn from these, though, he'll be looking around that dressing room. You know, I did it as a senior player and later went on to be captain, but who are the ones that are going to use that to drive you on?

45:42Who's got that real look in their eye? Of course, disappointment, but right, I'm going to put that right next season. And then on the flip side, there will be some that think, maybe it's not to be, or maybe my future lies elsewhere. You learn a lot about people in these disappointments. And there's no reason why once they figure that out, they can't go and get the job done next season because they were so close.

46:02Aaron Paul:Woody, did you say hello to any of the Class of 92? No, I didn't. Or did any of the Class of 92 come and say hello to you? I don't think they know I am, to be honest. To be fair... I need to get some tips, mate. You know what I mean? Well, do you know what? When we played up there, in fairness to Paul Scholes, he was really complimentary of myself and my team. So, you know, joking aside, he was excellent. I want to touch on that, though, because it must be like a bit of a pressure cauldron for the management team, you know, the players, you know, and I know they know that the class of 92 are the owners and all of that.

46:39But when you get to a big game like that at Wembley where those guys have shone, it must have some effect on you as a group. You either want to really impress them, really have your moment. It can't not be a bit of pressure for them, a little bit of added pressure. And I just feel that that might have just spooked one or two of them on the day. It might have just been that too much for them. But, you know, they will come back again next year. They will look at where it's gone wrong. and one thing that I do think has probably hurt them a little bit, which hasn't been mentioned, is the FA Cup run.

47:14You know, they went and played Man City, got to the fourth round and it does take your focus off the league and they missed out by a few points and they might look back at that and think, we had a great day and we got to Man City, but that might have cost us because it certainly cost me a couple of years ago when we got to Newcastle. It takes your focus off as a football club. Yeah, I think it shows, doesn't it, the difference. And this is why the EFL is brilliant, that we cover it. We love it. You know, we've been involved in it. But when you look at some of the promotions across the divisions and maybe that lack of expectation, you know, and I mean this respectfully about Hull, none of us saw them being where they were this season and being a club that went and got promoted.

47:52You, what you're up against, Woody, in your league. Absolutely. I don't think that level of expectation, it would be from inside. I know that you have your ambitions and your targets inside, but that external expectation, that pressure when you are, Salford and that demand for them to go up, you know, and that does have a negative impact at times on the players and that's what they've got to be looking at. Can we get this group that can deal with that? It's a different sort of beast you're working with when you're at Salford and you've got all that pressure on you. And again, when you're looking at attracting that next level of player, they are factors because they're going to have to pick of all the other teams in that league or maybe some from the league above, you know, and it might be that that class of 92 thing gets them over the line because they want to be part of this story but then they're up against some some big clubs with we've other you know um good facilities so i just think there's stuff behind the scenes that still needs bringing up but there's no doubt you know with the ambition of everyone there they will get there uh what is everyone up

48:50Aaron Paul:to this this summer uh job's pumping up the lilo maybe an inflatable yeah yes i had my my i was gonna say one of my boys but he's now 13 i cannot believe i've got a teenager yeah his birthday was Sunday so we had the pleasure of coming to Wembley and then yesterday we had a bunch of 13 year olds with the old water pistols and the water bombs and the paddling pools, it was nice actually, we had a nice day so I'm ahead of you on that, I'm already got it out mate, bit flops it out Do you still whip the old paddling pool out for Freddie? Do you know what, I'm actually going up to see Freddie, I've been sitting for a little while and yeah, he might want me to get the paddling pool back out for him I know one thing, he's going to take me to golf and he's going to whip me to golf No, they've got a swimming pool.

49:35They've got a swimming pool. I was trying to pretend he hasn't there. Got that Newcastle contract,

49:40Aaron Paul:that six-year Newcastle deal, Woody's side is done in well. No, that's definitely not me wasting on the pool. I don't even have got a hot tub. But yeah, I'm going to go up and see Fred. I'm literally going up there tomorrow. We're going to have a couple of rounds of golf and a bit of time where we haven't really been sort of getting together as much just lately because we've been so busy of our own schedules and it's really sort of been tricky. But yeah, I'm looking forward to having a bit of time with him and these Littlins as well, my grandchildren. And what's the plan for you guys pre-season?

50:07Aaron Paul:Are you going anywhere, going anywhere local, going abroad? Yeah, we go to Portugal. We've been the last three years with Bromley. We go to Penina and it works brilliantly for us. It's a real oldie, worldie hotel. They look after us brilliantly. And the training pitch is fabulous, which we have to ourselves. It's all on site. and we can really get some good work done there. So it's a really good trip for us and we get some really good work and I think it's really served us well the last couple of years. Stinks of a pre-season trip for 72 plus that, mate, doesn't it? If we could just find ourselves a little...

50:44I would love you two to come out there. Let me tell you, I would love it. As long as we ain't doing the running, it's all good. Oh, absolutely no chance. We'll definitely have the star football match that the lads love. And let me tell you, the focal point is me in this. They just wait for me to slip over on one moment and they're all up out of their seats. So that'll be the focal point again. The star football match they'll be waiting for. Jobes, I'm down if you are. A hundred percent. Again, just leave the running. I've had enough pre-season running in my time, Woody. If you drop me out of that, yeah, no bleak tests or laps for me, please, mate.

51:17Aaron Paul:They're a finger to pass for us, mate. Don't worry about that. Happy days. Jobes, it also is the end of the season when it comes to fantasy. congratulations to Superdons 1988 for winning our fantasy league 3 ,624 points and that is it for 72 plus this season thank you as ever to all of our incredible co-hosts Joby because they they bring so much knowledge expertise they bring the love they bring the sweets they bring the you know the the laughs it's it's what we it's what we we need and and we're so lucky to have such a great squad yeah man and again thanks for all the listeners as well but it's such an enjoyable pod to do i think hopefully what comes across is is the relationships i think to have an andy woodman sat in the studio with us you know we've had dean hold i mean that just goes for all the managers current players director of footballs you know just across all parts of the game to really try and help give that insight we've got our opinions obviously although you didn't actually answer you got the question bounced back at you in that last interview by channel and you didn't answer it did you um but like we love getting into it but it's only as good as the people we get on the show and we've had such such good people so uh yeah roll on next season already come on absolutely and thank you to the guys who put this uh this pod together um nathan jack matt all all the producers we've had who have dropped in and done bits on the live shows as well um thank you as ever uh to you for listening.

52:48Aaron Paul:Of course, it doesn't stop over the summer. Remember, you can get all the latest when it comes to your EFL club on the BBC Sounds app. Just search your club's name and make sure to hit subscribe so you get notified whenever a new interview or new podcast becomes available. We will be back next season. We will catch you then. Five Live Sports. BBC Women's Football Weekly. The latest news, insights and analysis from across the women's game. Dame Serena Vigman, welcome to the including Dame in your title now. You know how much an honour that is. And it's a remarkable team! And it's remarkable women!

53:25We want to play in a way that they can show their skills, so that's what we're trying to do. Win the World Cup. It's a dream. Listen. With the BBC Sounds app.

53:38There's a rare type of Ebola spreading in Central Africa, and it has no vaccine. The WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern in the U.S. has restricted entry for people coming from some African countries. What does this deadly outbreak tell us about how prepared or not we are for an international health crisis? For more, check out the global story on BBC.com or wherever you listen.