Can I play for you every week?

0:00How's it going to feel when there's no one to support you everybody? Welcome to the Football Ramble! Big win for Liverpool and Mickey with a Bobby Dazzler. It's Wednesday 5th of November. I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Jim Campbell. And I'm Lucian Hunter-Raja.

0:24Hello everybody. What a Wednesday. What a Wednesday. What a Tuesday it was. Which means it's a great Wednesday, Jim. Yeah, set up the Wednesday really, really well. It has. The platform to build from. Indeed it is, Vish. When you see things that happened on football pitches last night, does it not give you a real spring in your step on this Wednesday morning? It does a little bit, although I've damaged my Achilles because of things that happened on the football pitch. So I didn't quite get the right spring, but I limped with glee. You've still got Hakeem Yakimi in mind, clearly. Yeah, a little bit.

0:58Yeah, fair enough. Is there a day of the week you don't like? I've not met a day of the week I don't like. No. Not even weird ones like leap days? No, every day I wake up laughing. Now, thanks to Friend of the Ramble, Toby Austin, for giving us that intro line. If you want to submit an intro line for a future episode, then become a Friend of the Ramble on Patreon. Sign up for just five bucks a month. You'll also get an extended edition of today's Ramble. On last week's Ramble Uncut, I spoke about a terrifying meeting I had with Gordon Strachan where I thought he was going to punch me. Just a little stab with a fist.

1:31But he didn't. Spoilers. But that's the kind of content you can expect to hear. Just you bothering ex-pros, really, isn't it? Bothering, I would say, asking innocent questions, which quickly turned foul when I realised my mistake. Anyway, head to patreon.com forward slash football ramble to get involved now. Gentlemen, we had another Liverpool-Real Madrid fixture in the Champions League. It ended 1-0 to the mighty Reds. it was a good game at Anfield Liverpool back at the races it was, it was they almost kind of lent on you know like stereotypical European evenings as a bit of a adrenaline boost for this particular performance because the crowd got whipped up in their usual way for these kind of evenings the fact that it's Real Madrid as well puts a bit more on it there's that status element to it of being involved in these games and going toe-to-toe with a team like that.

2:30And yeah, I was quietly impressed. I think the way they got back to being a team that attacks in waves is quite important because it's quite hard for other teams to attack you when you're constantly attacking them, which is a credible way of defending, really, keeping the ball and laying one on your opponents. but yeah, I think broadly positive, yeah. Yeah. Alexis McAllister said that it was a good game but it doesn't mean anything after the experience of last season. He's referencing Liverpool finishing top of the league and then being knocked out in the round of 16 by PSG. I get what he's saying, Jim, but that is a very well-convictoring performance, surely, for Liverpool.

3:12This little funny phase they've had. Yeah, I mean, absolutely. There's no benefit to Alexis McAllister to start proclaiming that they're going to to win the Champions League from here though is this I see what you're saying come on you coward and also conversely there's no like it's bad for him actually if he was like god thank god we're not shit anymore he was really worried for the moment there that is just a media training 101 isn't it yeah fair play but I actually thought they defended really well as well they it was a sort of very very good team performance I was really impressed with Canate in particular actually who's had some criticism this season and understandably as well his standards have kind of fallen below what we expect from him but he was particularly good at sort of carrying the ball away from danger very, very confidently.

3:55Well, Jim, he wants to move to Real Madrid. You're right. He's got to show what he's got. Yeah, exactly. Maybe that's it. Can he play you every week until he joins you? Can he play for you every week? Sorry. Yeah. Important to get that detail right. But you're right though. They were much better defensively. Yeah, absolutely. And Conor Bradley had a very, very good game. Oh, superb. Kept Vinicius quiet, although he had a very strange game, generally, Vinicius. He's having a bit of a strange time. Well, Madrid are a bit of a kind of basket case themselves, aren't they, at the moment? They'd won kind of all but one of their games going into this season.

4:29They were hammered by Atleti. Yeah, that's the only game they've lost. They've won every other game. So it was a really interesting match-up because obviously Javi Alonso is still getting his feet under the table. But they look a very different proposition from last season. And they didn't really trouble Liverpool too much. They stood up to them really, really well. They kind of held them at arm's length. those forward players as talented and as good as they are they couldn't really crack the Liverpool nut so to speak and there was a point where Vinicius was marking Van Dijk on a corner and he was actively laughing about what a silly mismatch it was and they just let him go it was mad and Van Dijk gets a header and Thibaut Courtois makes one of like three or four incredible saves and that's really the story of the game isn't it and I'm actually I'm kind of pleased for Liverpool that that's the story of the game because otherwise it might have been about the penalty that wasn't.

5:23I saw a lot of people saying they don't think it was a penalty and I was kind of surprised by that. You thought it was? Well, I just think because it's the way he kind of throws himself at the ball. Even if his arm is tucked in, it makes it a save, does it not? Yeah. It's a tricky one, isn't it? It's very kind of complicated at the moment in terms of what isn't a handball but had they not scored, that's going to be the talking point. when you described it there Vish and I both lent our heads to one side as if to say oh yeah I see what you mean I was trying to get a different perspective in my mind yes did it work no no difficult isn't it to do that but yeah you're right to mention Thibaut 12 of course absolutely superb at one point he was having his personal duel with Dominic Subozlai which was quite enjoyable but yes I mean Real Madrid you have to give Liverpool credit defensively Vish but Real Madrid I mean the way they played and looking a little bit disjointed.

6:19I know Bellingham had a chance with the keeper saving his feet, but as Jim says, they've won 10 out of 11 in La Liga. Okay, the loss was quite spectacular, but let's invoke the, it was a derby, and let's see, still a good side. They've been doing all right in the Champions League. Okay, losing 1-0 at Anfield, that's, I'm happy if my team goes there and loses 1-0. You can do that, But it was very lacklustre. It was as if it was that type of Real Madrid performance where it was almost like, ah, these are on it. Okay, we're going to get through. We'll start trying and come the knockouts. Yeah, I got a sense of that, which is why I'm not really looking too much into it.

7:02And also, conversely, I don't watch them week in, week out. So I find it hard to pass total judgment on this performance. But I think we have seen it from Real Madrid teams in the past where this is a coasting bit. You know, it's like, you know, they're just, they've walked into the casino that they own. Their name's above the door. They're not rushing to the roulette table, are they? They'll have a drink. Someone's won a few quid. Okay, fine. But the house always wins. Exactly. So, yeah, I wouldn't put too much on it. But I always like watching them, what I do, because when they run it, they're a lot of fun and they're best mates.

7:39And when they're not, it's like they've met for the first time. Yes. Totally. It's that first year of secondary school type thing of like, are you cool? Do I want to be friends with you? There do seem to be some feuds developing, some sort of jealousy-based kind of strange wars of attrition between the players. It's such a soap opera. Yeah, and it's only because it's relevant. If they were wearing any other kit, for example, like Liverpool, you wouldn't say like one of the reasons they struggled is like, oh, I don't think Salah gets on with words. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And also, you know, you mentioned Vinicius as well.

8:10he is 25 going on 35 isn't he he spent so long at Real Madrid and all the things he's had to deal with whether it's like the internal politics or even simply the racism that he's encountered in Spain he wears it like fucking Danny Glover he's already at 25 too old for this shit I want to also mention Connor Bradley as well actually because obviously there was a lot of focus on Trent Alexander-Arnold coming back Did he play? Did he come on? I don't know that he did. I think they booed for something. Right, right, right. But he had a very good game. He does seem to raise it for certain occasions.

8:50And I think that's a great trait in a young player in particular. I watched him on the weekend against Aston Villa. And between getting physically bullied by John McGinn, who's actually quite engaging, and it made me look at him as a fullback who's a bit more like a striker, who can't necessarily or shouldn't dwell on his mistakes or his missteps because he will lose a bit of what makes him good in games, which is taking a couple of risks, having a bit more thrust. And I think if he played within himself, you lose that and the team loses, especially given what fullbacks are asked to do in the modern game anyway, whether that's pushing to set a midfield or be an auxiliary winger.

9:26But yeah, he had a very good game and I can't remember the name of the guy he replaced. But yeah, it's been a lovely time. I mean, the emergence of Conor Bradley did certainly, I was about to say, soften the blow. The blow still seems very raw. No, I would also qualify what I said with, I actually think it's too early for him to be starting for Liverpool full start. Yeah, still, I mean, 22 years old is obviously young, but I understand that there are other players on the pitch. It's a big risk given what Alexander-Arnold actually gave to that team, which we're seeing live at the moment in terms of the lack of, not even a plan B, but just a different way of going about things.

10:03They've totally lost that with losing Alexander-Arnold. It's that extra spark of creativity, isn't it? Yeah, but Bradley's obviously doing a decent job. Well, I mean, it caught the eye when they played Real Madrid previously, when they won 2-0. He was excellent in that game as well, so yeah. Yeah, you've mentioned Trent Alexander-Arnold there. He did come on, got booed, and that was that really, wasn't it? I mean, at the stage of the game he came on, I mean, it was very unlikely if Real Madrid were going to get back into it. what did you make of the booing Jim? I just found it really sad to be honest now obviously a lot was said about this at the time and he was booed when he was still playing for Liverpool so we're sort of I suppose risking kind of covering old ground I think one of the sort of sad things about it is that you know he gave a lot to Liverpool didn't he and these are conversations we've had before and the reaction to it has been very emotional understandably but all of those successes he had are real tangible things that he gave to Liverpool Football Club.

11:03He put his body on the line. People are almost behaving like they've done more for Liverpool than he has by supporting him. He's a traitor and he's let them down and all these things. Obviously, people can react how they want to things and they have their right to boo if they want to boo. They've paid their money and all those different things. But I just think in life, sometimes, people do things that you don't like. Maybe one of your friends moves to another city or something like that and you don't like that because it personally affects you in some way, but it's ultimately not your choice.

11:31And the only thing you can control is how you react to it, right? And I think there will be a lot of people kind of in the future a little bit embarrassed by that. I mean, it's very, very sort of soon after the effect. But I was really surprised by the vitriol of it, actually, because there was a lot of it. I expected there to be kind of some reaction, but I was surprised it was quite so intense. Yeah, I mean, Jamie Karagovich was saying that Liverpool fans, or some Liverpool fans, you're going to say everyone, of course, he said that, as Jim said there, you feel betrayed and the fact that Trent was saying, you know, one day he wants to captain the side and was really kind of talking big and then he then moves to a team who, as Carragher reminded us, has beaten Liverpool twice in Champions League finals.

12:14Now, I think that was slightly unfair of Carragher, if I may, to suggest there's this... I mean, maybe there is... In terms of trying to be the top dog in Europe, you're clearly Liverpool and Real Madrid, certainly in recent years in every year for Madrid's case, other than a strange period in the sort of 1970s or whatever, it's always the case for them. But I still kind of fall on the side of, I think this is all a bit silly and unnecessary. Because I basically agree with Jim's point ultimately. If he'd have gone to a direct rival, I can understand that that's kind of quite a hard one to take.

12:53but very rarely is he going to play against them. Yeah, I mean, I can understand the betrayal talk. Let's remind ourselves, it's all relative, isn't it? Sure. Betrayal in football terms and obviously there's a family and local element to Liverpool Football Club that is felt quite keenly by the players that come through. I mean, obviously Michael Owen got a lot of shit for leaving Liverpool but he's not quite a local lad. No. It would have been very different if Steven Gerrard had got his move to Chelsea or whoever else he was courting himself to. Steve McManaman's the only one, really. Yeah, to a point, but also McManaman wasn't as big a loss.

13:33Bear in mind that McManaman basically went to Real Madrid as a squad player. Well, I think at the time it was undeniable, the fact that Real Madrid were a bigger and better club. That is also very true. It was a very clear step up. Whereas now, I think that Trent going to Real Madrid, different challenge different all the rest of it they are possibly the biggest club in the world Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs and I think maybe people think how can you think that they're bigger and better than us sort of thing but it's mad that it's mad that we're even having a conversation about whether Real Madrid are a bigger club than Liverpool to excuse this this comes back to my point which is all that matters in that is what Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to do if you think Liverpool are bigger than Real Madrid and for that reason he shouldn't go there because you think that it's irrelevant if he wants to go and have another challenge somewhere else he can do that I think part of the issue was that initially there wasn't going to be a transfer fee and they ended up paying something like 8.5 million in the end to get him for the Club World Cup and I saw what a ludicrous sentence by the way I know right I kind of understand the disappointment of that but Real Madrid's strategy at the moment is that they are trying to sign big players on a free and that is annoying but it's do it like that or don't go there and if you have that ambition you're just allowed to have that ambition and it's you know it starts and ends there but if they if Real Madrid really wanted him what they should have done was I don't know like maybe try and poached him from like a really young age like Liverpool did with Sterling or Liverpool did with Javier Lea it's a bit much when they're above the age of 14 yeah but no like a serious point in it I totally understand why Liverpool fans are booing him but I think some of the more over top reaction we see online and certainly some of the boos that come at the ground come from a lot of Liverpool fans cosplaying as fucking died in the world scousers.

15:29And I appreciate the hypocrisy of me as a London-raised Manchester United fan is saying that, but I see it a lot in my fan base where people with more of a distant attachment from the club end up being the most vitriolic because it almost... I know what you mean. I see what you mean. Is their way of being like, no, no, but I also bleed red. I wish it was a different colour so I can make this point a bit clearer. But, you know, I bleed red. But I really, and I really hate them. And because of that, I think it gets whipped up to a point. I actually don't really put much thought into the booing. What I think is totally out of hand is the desecration of the mural.

16:17because I think that's I've got to be careful here but I think that is there is a there is a different kind of nastiness to that I'll leave it at that the difference there though is that's one dickhead isn't it so it's kind of yeah it's one dickhead who could be two no no but who does it and it's cheered on and lauded by many more dickheads. Right, I see. I mean, I was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last night. Harry Kane's mural is in fine shape. And loads of dickheads, I'd imagine. Until I turned up. Jim. By the way, I do think, though, before we do, we're going to move on from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but that idea of fans being upset because there was no transfer fee, that is, to me, the equivalent of people saying, no, no, no, I voted for Brexit for the trade deals.

17:17Right. And getting het up about trade deals. Do you see what I mean? Sure, yeah, yeah. Anyway. But the fishermen. Yes, watch someone think of the fishermen. But look, back to the victory last night. Eketiki up top, Verts off the left. Sabozlai, McAllister and Gravenberts in the midfield. You mentioned earlier Sabozlai and Thibaut Courtois having a sort of personal battle. Yeah. I think I could watch that for hours. Yeah, I know you mean. Okay, so can you say this? On the training ground, get it together. In fact, you know what? Sir Bozlai, you keep playing like that, you'll get a move to have a drink.

17:54Run down your contract. Sorry. No, but look, that Liverpool XI, I'd know that to just cherry-pick one game and, you know, again, we've got a smallish sample size so far this season. but trying to fit Isak in there and and Wurtz has been they've struggled to kind of fit him in and so on and I understand he's a young man early day I'm not going saying he'll never be a good Liverpool player and they'll never crack it or whatever but Eketike hit the ground running at Liverpool and back in the side and that midfield three of Sabozlai McAllister and Gravenboch we know how good it is Wurtz in a you'd say a more comfortable position kind of off the left coming in which I know he has done as well in Europe as well In Europe as well, yeah.

18:41I just think it's a matter of time before this clicks. And they might not have the season that we were expecting them to have in pre-season, but at the same time, it's only just turned November. There's a lot of road to go. They may well turn it around. Arsenal's still going to win the league. Don't worry about it. Thank you. Lovely week for old Jimmy Mee. But yeah, these sound like problems, but none of them are. Yeah. Can they fit Isaac in as well? Oh, poor old Liverpool. Oi, Arsenal've got to clock up a big old advantage, by the way, before it clicks there. Indeed. They're coming for you. Now, what about this?

19:17A former Real Madrid man, Sir David Beckham, as we now know him, received his knighthood at Windsor Castle yesterday. Is he a rat fish? David Beckham. For leaving Man United? For Real Madrid? Sure, yeah. Cool, yeah. Good, good. Harbour that hatred. Oh, in fact, yeah, I hate him. Don't pretend. Why? You turned up at Windsor Castle to boo him yesterday. I mean, I love David Beckham as a Man Utd player. He's a bit of a loser now. Loser? Yeah, come on. He's a knight of the rep. I wouldn't... Can I... I know... Loser's the wrong word. You could have used other words and I would have been sympathetic to that.

19:57I wouldn't say loser. No, I mean like he hawks himself around for various different things that I don't think he truly believes in. Has he been knighted by the Qataris, is what you're saying? Not yet. How many knighthoods can he get? Would you remember... Has anyone been knighted in like four different countries? Because he's the man who could do it. So it was eight years ago. Do you remember his emails got leaked? Yes. And he called the Honours Committee unappreciative cunts. Looks like they found their appreciation. Because they didn't recognise his charity and humanitarian work. And that's all, you know, that's why you do those things.

20:32You give back to get. You know, I mourn the death of Jeremy Beadle. because to me that could have been because that could have been a proper prank he gets him see what I mean he's there in the castle already no one's stopping you mate yeah true there's a vacuum there no one would expect it from you what about Rio Ferdinand's prank yeah he had a little go at it didn't he imagine that he gets down for the night and just a small hand on his shoulder or like Rio Ferdinand has brought his world cup wind ups out of retirement like 20 years later just to mug off David Beckham that'd be funny he was as pleased as punch he got a little bit of K-pop to serenade him So this was really weird, wasn't it?

21:08Yes, Jim. It absolutely was. If you're wondering what we're on about, as he was receiving his knighthood from Charlie, he had... There was sort of like a string quartet alongside it, and they were playing one of the songs from K-pop Demon Hunters. So presumably, you choose the music that you're knighted to. Which is amazing, by the way. But the track was Golden. His nickname was Golden Balls. Oh, okay. Is that right? I assume? Surely the palace or the castle is not choosing that Can we get the can-can with a bit of yabba-dabba-doo at the start? That'd be yours, Jim, wouldn't it? No, I mean, I think I would stick You'd accept a knighthood?

21:47Well, I would turn up and snub it in person Nice You'd turn the sword around Exactly You have it Take that They don't hand you the sword And you've got to take it off him He's an old bat Yeah, exactly He won't be expecting it Big fingers, though Yeah, true It's going to be a struggle You know what they're like, though? They stay young for long, those roars This is true I would think he would pull out moves Your head would be off and I'd cheer I'd go with thong song it just suits a string quartet they're already there inexplicably sounds like that anyway just go for it is this the thong song? I'd go for Dr's Don't Stop the Party yeah of course you would and absolutely you're correct to do that part of the reason this has taken so long is that David Beckham was caught up in a tax avoidance scheme but he was proven innocent, nothing untoward in the end And so just if anyone is wondering why there's no Sir Pete Donaldson, that is how these things happen.

22:39And also, another thing from this is that Posh Spice is now officially Lady Beckham, which I think is fitting. That's nice. Oh, lovely. Lovely, lovely. You see, it all works out in the end. We've just got to trust the powers that be. Coming up after this, Becky Van Der Ven has submitted his claim to win the Push Cash Award.

23:14Welcome back to the Football Ramble, everybody. That was a South African commentator reacting to Orlando Pirates' equaliser against Mamelody Sundowns, which, if you haven't seen that, it is a stunning volley. It's worth that reaction. Oh, it's just a gorgeous volley, isn't it? Absolutely delightful, yeah. It wasn't the only great volley of the weekend. Did you see Inter's Zielinski scored a brilliant volley? Which was a side-footer. A sort of really calm side-footed pass leading to an absolute rocket. Yes. Beautiful stuff. He sort of, yeah, he caressed the ball and in caressing it, as you say, turned it into a rocket.

23:49Often you have to generate a lot of power yourself, but that, oh my goodness. It was that football pong, wasn't it? A little bit. The video game. A little bit. Staying with great goals, we now go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. For Spurs 4, FC Copenhagen. A zero. Mickey Vanderman, ladies and gentlemen. Unbelievable. Oh, my giddy aunt. I was at the game. I know it was a great goal, Jim. I saw it. You saw it. You were there. To paraphrase Richard Keyes. Yeah. Honestly, it was one of those ones. I mean, look, I'm going to describe what everyone else thought while they were watching it. It doesn't matter if you're at the game or watching it on an old black and white TV in the corner of the room.

24:29when he gets the ball and it opens up and he gets over the halfway line you're like there's a real check oh go on go all the way and as he starts gobbling up the yards you're like and it was do not square that ball because the pass was on and I'm thinking I think he's going to square because he's a centre half isn't he the finish though the finish was emphatic honestly I was one of those moments where you've witnessed true brilliance and greatness and you are, what's that quote? You know, if you elevate everybody around you or something, do you know what I mean? Like everyone in the stadium just fell eight feet tall.

25:07Because to witness that, oh my goodness, it was just incredible. In fact, so the previous, prior to last night, I think I would often say that possibly the best goal I've ever seen live, or definitely one of the best, was Mark Van Bommel's beauty for the Netherlands against England. Yes, top corner. At the old White Hart Lane. Yeah. There's something about me being in that part of North London because that's, I would say, but when somebody spoke to a mate who was watching another game, he said, oh, what happened? I said, Vicky Van Der Ven scored the best goal I've ever seen in life. It was just, I think it even, not that you have to compare, but I think it eclipses that one that Son scored against Burnley.

25:49Yeah, I was there for that. And the symmetry is quite cool because he takes it from the same position and he also gets through the same cluster of players on the halfway line. It's that cluster, isn't it? And it's after he gets past that bit, you're like, he can score here. He's in, yeah. He can score a worldie. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The finish was great. The finish was superb. As you said, left foot near post, looks, sees the angle, gets the right shape on it. Also a little bit of Gareth Bale. Yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah. So many touches to take, but all very purposeful. And this, to their credit, is the fun side of Spurs, isn't it?

26:19So they've been criticised last week for being too defensive and not being imaginative enough. Too shite. Yeah, exactly. And they respond to that by going, a man down, and then this happens straight away. Just like, I am marauding down the pitch and I'm going to try and take everyone on and score. And, oh, look, I have. It's amazing. Absolutely brilliant. And then Romero's at it shortly afterwards. Yeah. Well, I mean, it was so funny. They kept catching him on the break, easy peasy. I mean, Polina scores a few minutes later, which I thoroughly enjoyed, of course, to see the great man scoring. but like I mean you would never know never know that Spurs were down to 10 men the only thing that kind of gave it away slightly was they were just going a little bit deeper but devastating on the break and Spurs needed this I think because FC Copenhagen have not been good in the Champions League so far this season I think what is it one point or two points from their opening few games they haven't won a game and at half time it's 1-0 Kolo Mawani has missed a couple of good chances Javi Simmonds is playing great he's pulling all the strings but he should have had two or three assists and you think at 1-0 you could sense a little bit of nervousness of okay, we're on top here but it's the classic I know Villarreal are a better side than Copenhagen but it was only the 1-0 against Bodo Glimpse they had to come back against Monaco so they've not had a great time in the Champions League despite the points tallies decent but let's be honest, the quality of opposition has not been that high, you compare them that was one of the worst games I've seen this season Yeah, right, exactly.

27:48And of course, off the back of that Chelsea loss as well, you're needing something. So if they'd have just played it out and it ends 1-0, or maybe 2-1 or something, whereas this gives so much confidence, how it will translate to the next game, we will find out. Because Van der Ven, I mean, he can do that every week, but he just simply won't by the law of averages. Honestly, that pays. I know he's so paysy, but he was just getting faster and faster. It was just, it was off the scale. Do you remember Lucio? But the Brazilian defender. Yeah, yeah. You like the strides. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So when they showed the comparison, I think Spurs did a side-by-side with the Son goal.

28:25Son takes like three times as many steps as he does. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wonderful stride. The thing you mentioned about Xavi Simons having a good game, he has looked in the league totally devoid of confidence. Yeah. Like a shell of the player that we know to be, you know, one of the most promising midfielders in Europe. and I think the error against Chelsea showed that because in you know a different iteration of Xavi Simons that we've already seen just drops the shoulder and takes it away from goal without touching the ball and in this case you know as he did on the weekend plays it straight back to Van Venn puts him in trouble and Chelsea get the the goal that matters to win that game and here he he still looked like he was kind of like trying to push up a level and then gets that assist of Brennan Johnson and then starts to feel himself a little bit and obviously it's building blocks from there but Colin Mouane that was a lovely touch oh I mean okay he didn't score and he should have scored but my goodness what an assist yeah but at the same time we can't talk about both those two goals without referencing the fact that Kotarski in the Copenhagen goal was trash absolutely dread what are you doing coming out of your box like that shouldn't be being at your near post should you and that as well he's coming from all the way down there the British are coming you know he's Dutch but I take the point yeah but like there's enough forewarning that's why they won that war we're allies yeah now yeah for a bit I don't know what I'm doing here sorry we're going to have to have a chat after this I'm not going to the US for Christmas this year so I don't care just biding your time he'll be in in the next term as well no I don't I sound going to be still around next year are they who knows who knows but look it was a great move of Spurs the only man who came off the pitch at the end of it was thoroughly pissed off was poor old Richarlison.

30:15Yes. I mean, he has a couple of chances. Even Brendan Johnson was happy. Ah, I got my goal. Yeah, exactly. First goal for him in the Champions League, of course. Straight mix night for him, but... Half red, I thought. Yeah, yeah. He's unlucky. He's definitely unlucky. Yeah, he's unlucky. I can understand why he's red. I understand the way, you know, as he slides in, his studs are showing and it kind of continues. But if he'd have managed to pull out or whip his foot away. I think he thinks it's gone. Maybe. I think he's thinking, oh, he's beyond me. So he doesn't try to do that. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

30:51I mean, he catches. Yeah, if you do that, you'll, yeah. Like, I appreciate he can't convince the referee otherwise once he's seen it and given the red card. But he ran off pretty quickly, did he not? I thought there'd be a bit more protestation, but it was almost like he's like, I got my first goal. I got to get her. I'll just get off here, yeah. Yeah, true enough, yeah. But yeah, Richarlison and then the penalty miss and you just thought, oh dear, poor old Richie. But that was that. So yeah, so a very good win for Spurs. Thomas Frank was very pleased. He got his apology from Jed Spence and Mickey van der Ven.

31:24Apparently on the Monday he said that they both came into his office unprompted and said, I want to say sorry for the situation. And this is referencing that when they walked past him. They pied him off after the Chelsea game, yeah. So I mean, but did van der Ven go through like nine Copenhagen players and be like, look, I'm really sorry about that. Yeah, maybe. Didn't mean to ghost past you so easily yeah well after the match Frank also said well he can keep walking past me if he's this angry after a game if he delivers this you know so fair enough so yeah I think that gives them a really much needed boost yeah I mean because their home form has been you know not what they would have wanted so far and it's important obviously to create a connection between the fans and the new manager right so this is exactly what they needed in terms of putting that right yeah and look are they away to PSG next in the Champions League so they've got a big match on the weekend haven't they They have a big match.

32:11Certainly they're away to PSG soon in the Champions League. So after four games, yeah, two wins, two draws. Might have wanted maybe a couple more points. But look, they're seventh. They're in the automatic spots. I think, you know, I think all in all, not a bad position considering it's Frank's first stint in the Champions League as a manager as well. And obviously what happened last season. So not too shabby, not too shabby. Now, former Spurs manager Ange Postacoglu who is of course being linked to a move back to Celtic. By Snoop Dogg. I think it's really important to include that detail. Well, old Snoop has told the Celtic board he wants to invest in the club and bring back Ange.

32:53Is he going to... I thought he'd already stumped up a bit of cash. He was talking about that burger van. Yeah, but apparently the burger van hasn't materialised. Yeah, funnily enough. Well, anyway, Snoop Dogg said, you've got to give Martin O 'Neill big respect. He's coming back when we need him. I think you've got to give... We? What? he's been a fan of them for years apparently yeah I know but still it's Snoop Dogg saying we about Celtic yeah I know what you mean and with we in need next to each other usually Snoop says something quite different but anyway he says I think you need to bring Ange back the club are going to do what they're going to do but the fans would love to see him back so there we are he's got the backing I mean that is true like there is a there is a lot of support for Ange coming back I mean they love fucking returning to ex-managers don't they if it's not Lennon it's O 'Neal it's Rogers yeah there is a pattern there I don't think they loved when Rogers came back they were a bit like okay but certainly there is a groundswell for in part because I suppose he gave them an identity didn't they that's true or didn't he you know they were quite very engaging very fun and then neither of those things at the moment true enough well can they catch the magnificent Gorgie boys yes we all hope that they can't Jim I think it would be fucking annoying if they do they will they're going to if they do that they can cancel the fringe Fish are Liverpool going to catch Arsenal?

34:16for the sake of my prediction hopefully not no I don't think so I think Man City are more of a chance of catching Arsenal thinking of your prediction are you? yeah but also Arsenal won the league as Jim was saying before we got on air yeah already wrapped up came in drunk from the celebrations last night well let's talk about Arsenal I'll have my own parade Slavia Prague 0 Arsenal 3 Arsenal yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this season they haven't conceded a goal in any competition since September oh well done it's all about defence isn't it Jim you know the other team are allowed to score that's part of why we watch it well if you don't let them then they're not yeah what good is that it's really good actually imagine if you're in a play and you just don't let anyone else do other lines that's more of a collaborative effort yeah it's more of a selfish improviser if I'm watching this at 5.45 you've never seen a play have you Well, films are plays in a way, aren't they?

35:10The cast are fighting each other. Give me that line. Anchorman is a play, is it not? I suppose it is. But Jim, Arsenal, easy peasy. Perfect in the Champions League. I might even add lemon squeezy. Go on, there you go. Yeah, it was, there were impressive elements to it because Pierre Hincappier started his first game at left back. Last game he started, he played as a centre-back. Christian Norgard came in because Zubamendi was suspended as well. And yeah, they got it done. and obviously Mikel Moreno started up front and before the game I was thinking we're at a situation again where Arsenal don't ever recognise striker.

35:45Moreno was really good there last season but the playing style has changed slightly. They press a bit harder. Does Trossard make a bit more sense in that role because he buzzes around? But who am I to doubt Mikel Moreno when he steps into that striker's position and just seems to really casually score goals? First one was lovely because he's obviously the favourite for it. He's in a lot of space but he's kind of in mid-air as he hits it. which is a lovely finish. The second one, I love it because it makes football seem really simple because it's essentially sort of like just winning a midfield flick on but he's turned it into a goal.

36:18It makes me think if you play a centre-back at centre-forward, will they just tackle it in? If you play a goalkeeper up there, will they just goal kick it in? Is it that easy? It was just a lovely goal that is again down to some quite shit goalkeeping. Yeah, I'm glad you said that. But yeah, they were really sort of controlled and professional yesterday. And I'm very pleased that Declan Rice didn't get a card as well because he would have missed the buying game had that been the case. So that was important as well. An eighth clean sheet in a row for Arsenal, which equals a club record for consecutive shutouts, which was set in the 1903-04 season.

36:53And I think that may have been... Just before XG was born. Yes, exactly. This Arsenal team have become the first English side to win their first four games in this competition, so Champions League slash European Cup, without conceding since Leeds United in 1969 slash 1970. So it's all looking very, very good for old Arsenal. I mean, to the point of, Jim, they even brought a 15-year-old on. Yeah, and a 17-year-old in Andre Herrim and Anous as well. But the reasons for that are the reason I made that little noise, which is the injuries all concentrated in the forward areas are really racking up now.

37:29There's seven players missing. Trossard went off yesterday. I don't know how serious that is, so maybe he won't count among that seven. and some of these players are due back soon-ish but there is a problem in the immediate short term and they've equaled the record, haven't they? So, I mean, it is all set up for Granit Xhaka to get a goal at the weekend and spoil that party. Yeah, I mean, we should say that Max Dalman, I'm sure everyone saw this, became the youngest player ever to appear in the Champions League. 15 years and 308 days old. It's been like an amazing touch pretty soon after coming on.

38:03Yeah, he was incredibly involved as well. And as well, to come into this Arsenal side as well, which is the best Arsenal side we've seen for... A long time. A long time, yeah. I understand the side that pushed Man City, was it two or three seasons ago, was very, very good. I still feel this side, even though it's early days... This looks like the best side Arsenal have had under Arteta. Yeah. Without a doubt, yeah, yeah. So for him to come in there, I mean, it's an enormous achievement. You can't... You run out of superlatives to talk about a 15-year-old crossing that white line in a professional capacity.

38:36Even if he was playing in League Two or something, it would be an enormous achievement. He's also been making matchday squads when more players are fit as well. Yeah, I mean, it's stunning stuff, but all that aside, he's in the side, he's in the team to come into this Arsenal team where everyone is buzzing. There's so much confidence around him and there's so much steel behind him in terms of the defence. And the players look for him as well. He's absolutely there on merit. Yeah, yeah, yeah. which is crazy. I mean, the crucial, you mentioned Arsenal's injuries. They cannot get an injury to Gabriel.

39:10No. Well, you say that, but... The most important player is Declan Rice. Okay, Rice as well. Rice ahead of Gabriel. Yeah, because with Gabriel, you've got the option of Mosquera. Hincapie played as a centre-back, as I said before, did very well there. Calafiore can play there. I think Rice is the only player, even when everyone's fit, that you can't really replace. Yeah, true enough. They're doing it without Odegaard at the moment. obviously as a fresh to the team still so we don't necessarily know or rather he's not necessarily implanted himself in the way that they play but Rice does things that no other player in that squad can do and does them every week now he's one of the best football players in the world there's no doubt about it I think you mentioned that and a few other pundits have mentioned his status in European football at the moment I don't disagree with that at all but he's so so integral to everything they do and I'm going to borrow a page out of your book everything England hope to do next summer yes yes speaking of England players Connor Gallagher what a goal that was for it lovely are you watching Thomas Tuchel a bit of Crystal Palace era Connor Gallagher shifting it banging it top corner lovely he could keep Jude Bellingham out of the England team in due course sure But Declan Rice, yeah.

40:32Magnificent. And mad to think that a few years ago when he was still playing for West Ham, people thought his natural position would be to go to centre-half. Yeah. Quite a long time ago now, I think. Still, that was the chat. And now, look at him, everybody. Look at him go. So Arsenal, they're second in the Champions League behind Bayern Munich, of course. It's not even on goal differences, it's on goals scored. Bayern have got 14 of the buggers. Arsenal of course 11 but haven't conceded so both on 12 points because Bayern got a very impressive victory against PSG in Paris last night Luis Diaz had a very eventful first half got a couple of goals and then got sent off the imperfect hat-trick the Balotelli hat-trick as Vish called it earlier they are clearly I would say by some distance the best team in Europe right now they've won every game haven't they when Vincent Kompany went there Jim you said I tell you what I trust this guy it's remarkable isn't it it really is when your face fits you know it's the old it's like that former Barcelona players when they make a manager but something happens when they go back to the club Frank Reichardt is the ultimate example I think Vincent Kompany is going to have a more fruitful managerial career than Reichardt did despite Reichardt having won the Champions League but yeah he showed what he wanted to do at Burnley difficult circumstances of course when he gets the Bayern job he was what like the 6th or 7th on the list or something even after Glasner I think, wasn't it?

41:59Yeah, and everyone thought, this guy, of course, he's going to win the league, but my goodness. It's the panache, isn't it? And that forward three of Diaz, Kane and Alise is really something. I mean, I know Diaz has had some teething problems where he might have missed a few chances that you might otherwise expect him to score at the beginning, but I think he's very quickly shown his worth. It's like, it reminds me of the Sadio Mane move, but it's worked. It felt like it was a really good fit and it just has been. And Alise as well is, I mean potentially if he kind of hits the heights that I think he's capable of he might be a future Ballon d 'Or winner I think he's that good I don't disagree with that and I think the player who's challenging him for that in Europe right now Mickey van der Ven is Harry Kane Harry Kane has been the best player in Europe this start of the season he is so he's doing all the things that we've seen him do in the Premier League but with with a bit more swagger.

42:57Yeah. Almost like with an Andrea Pirlo touch. A little bit. Yeah, there's a bit of like this. When Kane was doing it in the Premier League, he was doing it with a lot of industry. And now you can't see that industry because there's a bit of a strut in the way he does it. I know this sounds utterly ridiculous and ludicrous, what I'm about to say, but I think what he's been doing in this last year, like it's almost like a touch underrated. Yeah, massively. The amount of goals is insane. And it's not just goals that he's bringing to that team either. Yeah, I'm glad that wasn't insane. No, I think him and Erling Haaland are just streets above anyone else.

43:31Yeah. As forward players. But I also think with Kane, and this is kind of a chicken and egg thing, but because we, as part of the English media, we are, well, we do end up hyping a lot of English players because we see them week in, week out, and English media is quite prominent across the world, whatever. But then because of that, the reaction the other way is to be like, oh yeah but you know you always go on about these players but this in this particular situation we're not bullshitting here Harry Kane has been the best player in Europe this season indeed coming up after this a pie and a journalist have a fight on X

44:17gentlemen before we talk about tonight's Champions League games let's have a little Wolves manager update Oh, this is brilliant. Probably not if you're a Wolves fan. Top of the league Arsenal fan. I really like seeing those clowns. Have you seen where they live down there? Wolverhampton is not a nice place. Apparently they're below deck seeing their songs. They've only got one foot. This is mad. So in terms of sort of managerial merry-go-round drama, this single appointment, the way it's shaping up, is like a sort of prestige drama. with the most incredible ensemble cast in terms of the drama of it.

44:56So you've got Gary O 'Neill. No, he's pulled out the race. Exactly. Gary O 'Neill turning it down. Former manager who also at this stage of last season hadn't got a single win with him. All of their best players have gone since then and he's gone, you know what? Actually, maybe I don't think I'm the guy for that. You've got former caretaker manager, Rob Edwards, which is just enjoyable to start with. Brother Brendi, hot off of a tumultuous exit from Celtic there's no way not welcome back at the club it's that bad you know Eric Ten Hag which would be sensational none of them seem to want that right even though when you look at Ten Hag's career like it's essentially until Leverkusen it's all been success because he won those two cups at United you have to count that and then his ego is unable to resist the idea of getting back into the Premier League now that long balls and throw-ins are back in fashion Big Sam has thrown his own hat into the ring.

45:53This is magnificent. Yeah. It's like Mamma Mia. It really is. I mean, you're absolutely right, Jim. Let's clear out all those other possible candidates because realistically they're not possible, are they? But Sam Allardyce has refused to rule it out. It's glorious, Jim. It really is. He said, I suppose the amount of times I've said I might retire, I can never say never because of the amount of times I've actually bounced back. So I think that possibly... Continue to bounce back. And I'm bouncing back. Needless to say. Am I ready for a new appointment bounce? So he said, I think that possibly Wolves is one of my childhood favourite clubs that I started watching.

46:32Possibly. I suppose. Who could possibly know? Possibly and suppose. Possibly one of my favourites. Oh, dear. And then he said, but you know, who knows? Presumably you would, Sam. But anyway, I think I've heard they're looking for a younger coach anyway, so not too sure my time will ever come round again. but I sit and wait you never know I'm not actively searching if it happens it happens if it doesn't it doesn't if you're in sunny Dubai like me you often think why would you bother because you're in Dubai that's why you'd bother yeah I'd love to see him there you have to come on for a bit he's been away for long enough that we can convince ourselves that that's the case it's like Mourinho isn't it you think you want him back and then he's back and he's just horrible oh fuck imagine if Mourinho was available.

47:19He'd absolutely come. No, he wouldn't. It's because he doesn't want a relegation. Yeah, but like, him and Mendes are pretty close, aren't they? Yeah, but they're not... There's no way Mendes is strong-arming Mourinho into going now. Someone made the good point about how the pattern of Wolves managers has been like, Mendes appointment, non-Mendes appointment, Mendes appointment, non-Mendes appointment. Yeah, where are we now? So we've gone... Non-Mendes. So we're non-Mendes. But yeah, so I wonder what... If there is a reactionary appointment, is it Allardyce? And I'm meeting this more than halfway because it's more fun to talk about Allardyce than Ted Hart.

47:55He fancies it. But do you remember the early Bolton thing of just getting the big names in and knowing how to work with them? Yeah. I don't know. I think you've got a January transfer window that's not that far away. Mendes is basically pulling the, you know, he has provided Wolves with a lot of options and if they go to him and be like look even if it's only on loan who are the best players in your stable that we could get bear in mind that there is a World Cup coming up are there any players that you might need to get game time no I honestly think if I was a Wolves fan I'd be thinking I mean the only thing is it has too much time passed has the sun in Dubai yeah what's good for the Ramble yeah okay it's that isn't it really but clearly Allardyce fancies this because otherwise why would he start sort of dangling the character why would he say he's not sure if he fancies it why would he announce on national radio that he wants the job has anyone heard from Harry Redknapp is what I'm saying get them all back Ten Hag is a funny one isn't it as well they can say who they want to yeah but he's not going to go there but those links aren't going away right you don't know that because he's in a really strange situation now isn't he post Leverkusen because it was such a disaster.

49:12That's my prediction. He's not going to go there. Because you'll go to Celtic? No, because I think rules right now are in such a bad state. That is true. Why would you go then? For the payout. To be honest, he's got his United payout and his Labour Cousin payout. It would be scandalous if he just goes there and makes no effort. Absolutely scandalous. Imagine triple-diffing compensation. That's class. Well, no, but the payout often... Gary O 'Neill's still getting paid by rules. Well, I mean, often... Oh, wow. If we're paying you, just come back. Obviously, all these contracts have different clauses.

49:45There's a lot of small print. Because often you lose your compensation. When you take a job. Exactly, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I don't know what the contract was for Bayer Leverkusen, but that is another reason why I don't think he's going to take the job there. He's a fucking accumulator. Yeah, I'll do that, that, and that. Dearie, man. Anyway, so yeah, good luck to you, Wolves. and I genuinely, despite all that, feel sorry for the Wolves fans because, my goodness, it's been an awful time for them. Yeah, and in a similar vein and feeling bad for the Wolves fan, anyone watching this and thinking that was genuine analysis of Wolves options, no, it's purely what we want to have.

50:25Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think people forget that about this show. It's not about what you want, it's about what we want. We love you for listening. Yeah. Tonight, Newcastle United host Athletic Club or Bilbao, as they prefer to be called, Jim. Yeah, exactly. Tonight at 8pm. Or Real Saucy-a-Mum, as we mentioned earlier this season. Dan Byrne has said Newcastle must be more ugly like Arsenal. Rude. Lovely. The result of the weekend was surprising, wasn't it? Obviously, they lost to West Ham. They rested players in the Carabao Cup, presumably to keep them fresh for West Ham, and then lost that game. There's another game coming along now, so perhaps the schedule is kind of testing them a little bit already.

51:05And I don't know, perhaps Byrne is talking about tightening up a bit and kind of reacting to that. But it was surprising. I think he means more kind of dogged and determined, really, because they've got that in them. But their league form has not been good this season so far by their own standards. In the Cups, they've been good, as you said. They're through in the League Cup to the quarterfinals. And in the Champions League, they've done pretty well. I know they lost to Barcelona in the opening round, but I don't think that's... Fair enough. Yeah, exactly. And Rashford pulls out, in particular, are one worldy.

51:39So six points from three games. I don't think that's too shabby at all. They'll be heavy favourites for this. I think they'll be favourites. It's not about heavy favourites though. I mean, I thought Bill Bauer, no, I mean, they're not, they're not going brilliantly in La Liga. They're 11th. But yeah, I think Newcastle would be targeting this as a win. I don't think there's any doubt about that. And I think that those Champions League nights at St. James' Park, as we've seen in recent seasons, are something that the whole city just, and that's a huge huge weapon isn't it we've seen it already a few times this season the 12th man factor is very much at play totally and I saw Arsenal play Athletic Club in Bilbao they were okay at home I think Newcastle will put them away quite handily oh okay well despite that West Ham loss despite that West Ham loss which I think will irk them yes I think if there's anything you know this season with how things are going that's going to give you a bit of a kick up the arse it's that well maybe Dan Byrne could take a leaf out of Mickey Van Der Ven's book.

52:39I'd love to see that. That would be even fewer strides, wouldn't it? Yeah. It would be longer to get up there. But I mean, that would go for anybody, so that's not a dig at Dan Byrne. No. But yeah, he would have to be holding them all off. Like five defenders just trying to get around him. Just picking the goalkeeper and moving him out. Now, former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has emerged as one of the frontrunners to take over. at Sheffield Wednesday. He's like a Grim Reaper, isn't he? I mean, if you're a Sheffield Wednesday fan, what do you make of that? You know what you're getting, but...

53:15There's a ceiling on how much fun you're ever going to have again. This is the problem with this whole thing, is it's been so dire there. They're in administration. Chan Siri is a dreadful operator. They can't wait to see the back of him completely. So they need a takeover. They need money. and then Mike Ashley comes along and is like, oh yeah, I'll stump that up. What do you do? This isn't even the end of it, is it? Because they've got two more charges relating to failing to pay their players to come, which are likely to lead to more points. I mean, they'll get renegade. Which I suppose, you're right, doesn't matter, but they also can't sign a player for any money until the summer of 2027.

53:54Yeah, that feels extremely harsh. Yeah, it does. Especially in the kind of reality of the modern landscape of football where these absolute clowns like Chanzeary can come in completely within the framework set up by the footballing authorities and then decimate a club and then the club pay for it after they go. It seems really, really over the top. Yes, totally. Does this seem over the top to you, Jim, that journalist Alan Nixon is attempting to file legal proceedings against a Sheffield Wednesday pie account on X? That is certainly one of the ways in which I would characterize it, yes. Yes, so he is a journalist, Alan Nixon, and he's been getting into a fight with this.

54:31The South Stand Pies account on X, said, understand Alan Nixon is being paid up to£1 ,000 a time by Sheffield Wednesday Football Club to distribute spin on what's going on at Wednesday. It's been going on for the last four months. Which, if true, is pretty scandalous. It really is. Alan Nixon wasn't happy about the accusation, was he? No. He went off at the pie on Twitter. He seemed to have some idea of who the pie was, but the pie insisted I'm not the person you think I am he also said I had three followers before you started interacting with me and one of them was an oven this actually worked out really well for this pie one of them was an oven which is probably ominous if you're a pie because you become a pie in an oven it's more a person character building a waiter is ominous yeah cutlery but are they thinking that's what I've been built for so I want to be yeah you might be right you don't want to be just thrown in the bin you'd be like come on yeah eat me come on eat me yeah exactly don't pie me off exactly and that's that story done with can I say if football journalists are going to argue with pies on the internet it is our duty to report on it yeah I think that's fair that is fair Manchester City host Borussia Dortmund tonight big one Harland Brace Erling Harland Derby.

56:00You don't want to be on the other end of that, do you? No, you don't. He talked to Jules Breach about why he did the robot celebration. Our very own Jules Breach. Did you enjoy the robot celebration or do you think that that should just be left to Peter Crouch? I watched it with my wife and she was like, oh, he's doing that really badly. And I was like, I think that's the point. And she was like, well, why does he bother doing it then? And I was like, it's a bit funny and endearing. Yeah, because I mean... My wife's the worst, sorry.

56:28But yeah, I quite liked it. I'm team your wife. Chelsea travel to Azerbaijan to play Karabag, which is a trip they'll be happy to get out. What in the conference league is that? I don't know if they pulled that off. It's a little freebie from last season because they won it. Hey, Arsenal have got a Kaira out in January. That's what it is, bring your own Karabag. Could be. It could well be. Karabag for life. there we are everybody thanks for listening to the Football Ramble part of the Acast Creator Network friends of the Ramble don't go anywhere keep listening for Ramble Uncut and if you're not a friend of the Ramble head over to patreon.com forward slash football ramble to sign up now there we are thank you very much Vish God bless pies thank you very much Jim thank you couldn't agree more up the pies

57:23what was the last pie you had? I've not had a pie in a while, actually. Good question. Pie season, isn't it? Got to get on that. Oh, yeah, I'd love that. I've got my treat to myself is, you know those mini pork pies? Yeah. Put them in the microwave for 15 seconds. And what is the oil in them that melts? Is it like liquor? I think it's just gum. Jelly stuff. Yeah, the jelly thing. So that melts a bit. Pig gum. and then because you know a little one you can hold in like two fingers and then you squirt sriracha sauce on it so it's like a little iced gem type thing and then you like eat it whole and it's gorgeous calls himself a foodie he does no I don't your Instagram account does it's just photos of food yeah exactly honestly a little mini pork pie in the microwave 15 seconds sriracha probably more of a gouty than a foodie then yeah I love looking at your Instagram account.

58:23It makes me laugh. It really does. There's more food. It's brilliant. The Football Ramble is a Stack production and part of the Acast Creator Network.