Here comes the Shirtswapper

0:00With the Discover Cash Back Card, it's payback time when you earn cash back on everyday purchases. Activate and earn 5 % cash back at different categories each quarter on up to$1 ,500 in purchases. That's 5 % cash back at different places each quarter, like grocery stores, on gas, and at restaurants. It pays to Discover. Terms apply. See discover.com slash 5 for details. Guessing is for game shows, not your business. Workday is the enterprise AI platform for HR, finance, and IT. With AI grounded in your context to get work done and done right. It's a new Workday. Think of a toilet as just an everyday object.

0:41Your entire perspective shifts the moment you experience a Kohler smart toilet. Design changes everything, transforming a basic routine into something extraordinary. With standout aesthetics and intuitive controls, these are functional works of art. stunning design that never sacrifices performance. Enjoy customizable features for elevated comfort and convenience. It's more than a fixture. It's a cleaner routine and a more refined space. Experience the difference of Kohler smart toilets. Find more at Kohler.com. This is the story of the one. As a shipping manager, he's running the dock, stocking supplies, and making sure every order goes out on time.

1:23And Grainger helps him stay prepared. From shipping supplies to PPE to hand tools, he counts on Grainger to keep products moving and trucks rolling, so his operation runs smoothly no matter the shift. Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com, or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. Your daily supplement routine doesn't need to be managing a handful of different bottles. Onnit's Total Human brings key research-based vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids together in convenient day and night packs. One all-in-one product designed to make supplementation easier. The day pack supports cognition, focus, and cellular energy production.

2:06At night, the night pack helps you wind down and supports a calm, relaxed state. Less time managing your supplements, more support for your day and night. Shop Total Human now at onnit.com. Hi, it's Mark Bittman from the podcast Food with Mark Bittman and the website The Bittman Project. One of the things that makes Whole Foods Market different is their commitment to quality standards. More than 500 ingredients are banned store-wide to give us peace of mind whether we're browsing through the store or shopping online. And it's been this way since 1980. Their selectivity makes your shopping easier.

2:44Shop Whole Foods Market in-store or online. Thank you.

3:16Pete Donaldson: Welcome, one and all, to the Football Ramble. It's a terrific Tuesday here, Vertusian, I think you'll agree, because it's an England Tuesday.

3:24Marcus Speller: It is, yeah. This might be the first day in a while that we haven't had any Man City news, which is nice, isn't it? It sounds like things have settled down over there, which is good.

3:36Pete Donaldson: Yes, indeed, yeah, yeah. Maybe they've made a full confession. Maybe the investigators have got it all wrapped up in a neat little package. Or maybe they haven't. I'm sure that the court of public opinion, which will be Anfield on Sunday, will decide. But anyway, we've got that to look forward to. But we've also got England to look forward to tonight. They are playing the Czech Republic, or Czechia if you prefer. They beat them, of course, 2-0 last week. Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane got a goal each. Whatever happens against the Czechs, Harry Kane will surely, unless barring a late injury, getting off the team bus, he will get his 125th international cap, equaling the great Peter Shilton's record.

4:23Pete Donaldson: I said this before, when we first started doing this podcast, the likes of Peter Shilton and other greats from other nations, when you saw that under 25, got 150, all this sort of thing, you just think, well, that's just not really achievable because even Beckham, Rooney, Gerrard and co who were mainstays in the England team, they got very, very close. I appreciate that. but Shilton was just there. Harry Kane will get more than 150 international caps, again, barring serious injury. For a player who, lest we forget, started out as slightly, a little bit of a joke figure when he was very, very young.

5:01Pete Donaldson: We remember him going in goal for Spurs at one point. I don't think anybody could have predicted that he would equal Peter Shilton's record. Fish, what is it? What an achievement.

5:10Marcus Speller: Yeah, it's incredible, really. And one of those moments, I feel grateful to be around for it, if you know what I mean, because just the goal-scoring record, as you said, the appearance record that he's going to level tonight. I'd say it was probably a stretch to call him a joke figure because no one really knew if he was actually going to be any good. He wasn't really on anyone's radar. obviously we've spoken about it before about the loan spells across the football league and yeah he went in goal he was a late bloomer and it is a great story not least because of how he's changed his game he's not just a goal scorer he's so integral to what England do in their build up and what Bayern Munich and previously Spurs did in their build up the late bloomer thing is always interesting I feel like as time goes on he gets older and older from when he actually started because he was rubbish until he was 28 really.

6:07Pete Donaldson: Yes, that's right. But, you know, he, what I say is a bit of a joke figure. What I mean is he was that guy who, he'd come up through the ranks at Spurs and people knew who he was. He sort of looked quite unglamorous and at a time when Spurs sort of beginning to sort of flash the cash a little bit at certain players and it was like, oh, well, he's full of energy. He'll try hard. You know, he's one of our own. Give him a scruff, you know, give him, ruffle his hair a bit. Go on, Harry, run out there and do your stuff. And then, of course, the performance started happening. He was a one-season wonder and a two-season wonder.

6:41Pete Donaldson: And what is he now, a 15-season wonder or something? I mean, I was in the stadium. I was at Wembley Stadium when he scored his first England goal. And I promise you, Vish, I had on heart. You turned the person to your right and said... He was my brother. And I said, you can say that you saw his first England goal.

6:56Marcus Speller: Did you really?

6:57Pete Donaldson: Genuinely.

6:58Marcus Speller: That's nice.

6:59Pete Donaldson: That is lovely, isn't it? I say that did you say that

7:02Marcus Speller: did you miss out the bit of that you turned to your brother and said you can say you saw his first England goal and his last

7:12Pete Donaldson: I said that when Ricky Lambert headed in against Scotland I think that was his first international goal forgive me it's not I always said no I genuinely did that I did say that and sometimes hope wins everybody it absolutely does well Harry Kane will be front and centre for England tonight of course England will be without Alex Scott and Esri Konza Esri Konza is more of a precautionary pulling out of the squad of course Alex Scott got that injury he was nursing an injury if you like but then the England doctors and Alex Scott said yes he can play against Croatia he did and Bournemouth are not too happy about this because he could be out for up to 8 weeks which is a bit of a sickener for him we spoke about this yesterday of course But having put himself in, having gone to another level, I know Bournemouth fans will say, what are you talking about?

8:05Pete Donaldson: He's been playing this brilliant. That's why he's been in the England squad. I get that. But when you put a performance in for England as well, I think you do go to another level. For them not to be seen in the Premier League now for a fair few weeks is a bit of a disappointment, especially when they've got European games coming up, Bournemouth as well. My question to you then, Vish, is who will start next to presumably Elliot Anderson, who's obviously a starter and a mainstay in this England side. Who will Thomas Tuchel go for in there?

8:33Marcus Speller: Well, given a lot of the noises that I've heard from Bournemouth it might be the head of Thomas Tuchel.

8:40Pete Donaldson: On a plate.

8:41Marcus Speller: Yeah, just on a spike. How dare you damage our beautiful boy? Yeah, I suppose to answer your actual question, probably Miles Lewis-Skelly. It felt like he wants to push him in there and work out a few different options. We spoke about that last week, didn't we, about finding the right combinations and certainly different combinations of midfielders. You're right when you say that it's a sickener for Alex Scott, even in the context of these last two weeks, because not only did he play very well for the 70 minutes he was on against Croatia, but it's the first time that Thomas Tuchel's given a compliment that isn't backhanded or that doesn't have an edge to it.

9:25Pete Donaldson: to a sort of newish player who's an Eric Kane

9:27Marcus Speller: yeah 100 % considering how he clipping wings is a bit harsh but how he tries to keep people grounded he was very effusive about Alex Scott and talking about the kind of player he is and all the good things he does and how comfortable he looked at that level and yeah I would it is the nature of football not just international breaks so people get injured and if he wasn't going to get injured on it England he might have got injured on the weekend you don't know especially with these kind of muscle injuries but it is a sickener for Bournemouth because I think one of the reports said given the timeline he could miss as many as 10 games and he's basically played every minute of the Premier League campaign so far a Premier League campaign where they still haven't won a game

10:17Pete Donaldson: and they're 17 but a European campaign in which they have

10:21Marcus Speller: true true

10:22Pete Donaldson: Let's not do them dirty.

10:25Marcus Speller: We're not doing them dirty. They're dirty with anger.

10:30Pete Donaldson: Yes. I don't know what you mean, but I sort of do at the same time.

10:35Marcus Speller: They're obviously furious. Although it's funny, though, because in a couple of the reports, certainly one from the Telegraph, they were like, Bournemouth are livid. They're not going to complain about it, though. They think it's a waste of time. Okay, cool.

10:48Pete Donaldson: Yeah. Keep your open letter to yourself, Lance. Yeah. Yeah, and they're not a big club like your Manchester United, are they, Vish? No one's going to listen.

10:56Marcus Speller: No, I can understand why they're a bit scared. If they want a template, we can send them one. I'll go for the Arsenal template. Bournemouth, if I were you, if you don't want him there, withdraw him.

11:06Pete Donaldson: Yes. Bring him back. Bring him back. Yeah, Thomas Tuchel said he was very sad about Alex Scott's injury. So it shows you how much he cares for the young, handsome go-getter. so hopefully he will be back for the next international break next month because that's all I care about everybody that's all I care about but yes Miles O'Scally will probably replace him in that midfield and on yesterday's show we spoke about how Roy Keane said Jude Bellingham could become one of the best midfielders of all time of all time which is quite the compliment considering who plays in midfield so I think there was a chat about did he say midfield or one of the best players of all time I think one of the best players of all time is quite a stretch, considering Messi and Ronaldo are still playing.

11:52Pete Donaldson: More on Messi later. However, best midfielder of all time narrows it down ever so slightly. But still, but still, Vish, that would be quite the achievement, considering the names that leap to mind when you talk about the best midfielders of all time. What did you think of old Roy Keane's comments?

12:09Marcus Speller: I like the narrowing down of it. Best player of all time, that's mad. Midfielder of all time, that's where all the best players play, really. when you look throughout history.

12:19Pete Donaldson: We're not counting wingers.

12:20Marcus Speller: No, fair. Yeah, I mean, you can see what he's saying. Like, he's... How old is Bellingham now? Like, 23, 22?

12:29Pete Donaldson: Yeah, I think so, yeah. Like, legitimately, there's...

12:33Marcus Speller: I don't think it's unreasonable to say that. I also don't think it needs to be said. He is playing for Real Madrid, playing, you know, was a central figure for a team that got to the semi-final of the World Cup. like he's probably already in that bracket in terms of current players so current players but

12:51Pete Donaldson: of all time I mean I think I think Keane but all time would be all time would be like winning stuff wouldn't it well yeah I mean he's already won the Champions League of course and look I I think we might read too much into Roy Keane's comments I think Jude Bellingham he's already one of the best midfielders in the world and honestly just seeing him in an England cup I'm just like oh there's Jude there he is because it wasn't that long ago of course where there was chat about would it be Morgan Rodgers or Jude Bellingham look Morgan Rodgers is a fine player don't get me wrong but I said to Luke he's not the best

13:22Marcus Speller: player of all time is he

13:23Pete Donaldson: and I don't think he's on for that but I don't think that's some criticism at all of Morgan Rodgers and his brilliant ability but I said to Luke I think Tuchel's managed Bellingham pretty well and if you think about the performance he gets out of England if he gets out of Bellingham for England it's all there to see that attacking front four for England is very very good indeed now I know Saka who previously you know he's been England player of the year before and I think he probably was the in terms of performances probably it was him and Kane that were kind of the stand-up ones I think Gordon's now put himself in that bracket you know obviously Bellingham's in there as well that front four is locked in how do you feel about the depth behind it though because obviously with Kane there's a lot of conversation about that in the corridors of power at the FA and with Tuchel himself do you go for Jude Bellingham as a false nine or whatever etc and so on behind Bellingham you've got I think a bit of strength and depth there obviously Morgan Rodgers himself can come in and do a great job might even give Morgan Gibbs White a go if he felt that way inclined on the wings though I feel that the type of player that Tuchel likes a pacey winger Rashford would be on the left but because of Gordon's performances I feel like there's a little bit of a gap now between the two and then with Saka the other side I mean are you thinking in future England squads do you bring in Foden again do you bring in Cole Palmer again what are your thoughts on the sort of the depth particularly in the wide areas

14:57Marcus Speller: I mean I feel like on paper there is depth but they all do very different things don't they so you mentioned Gordon and Rashford there. Gordon is a better player than Rashford and rightly starting ahead of him for England. But if Gordon was injured, Rashford could come in and do a similar-ish job. Certainly won't. You know, would keep to that side, would run at defenders and would also help England keep the structure of the rest of their team, essentially. But then, yeah, on the other side, Saka, if he's injured, then it's Madiweke as we saw during the World Cup. but then actually the two options you gave there Cole Palmer and Phil Foden play that role very differently and also you wouldn't necessarily want them to do it in Saka's way

15:43Pete Donaldson: I know what you mean if indeed they did some people might say what you're talking about they'd be more central you're just kind of thinking after that he's so young but Max Daumann maybe would perhaps maybe in a couple of years time for the Euros he might be ready

16:03Marcus Speller: yeah that's definitely that's definitely one also you know you look at the left side Rio and Gamora as well he's another one in that in that bracket who is you know to challenge Gordon in a couple of years time when he gets a bit more game time at club level and stuff like that and develops naturally as a young player so it is an interesting one which is why I think the the onus is on Tuchel to you know of do what he did with you know whether it's starting um miles lewiskelly or starting alex scott in this international break is you know you think of the midfield combos as well but out wide is obviously just important because you know for example rashford is not going to track back in the way that gordon is um likewise madueke and um and saka so and at the same time you've got what i suppose the point i'm trying to make is one of the reasons that alex scott did really well against Croatia is because he was pretty comfortable playing with all the players that he was playing with and against

17:03Pete Donaldson: and the players he was playing against

17:05Marcus Speller: yeah very comfortable playing the players that he was against

17:08Pete Donaldson: if I just look like 75 % worth of a sprint they just can't catch me

17:12Marcus Speller: what I did think was really good and it speaks a lot to his character as a footballer and also probably as a human being as well I love the way he gave off his seat for Modric I thought it was a touch of class you don't see it very often but I thought it was lovely.

17:28Pete Donaldson: It was very lovely.

17:30Marcus Speller: Yeah. Didn't have to do it, but did. Well done.

17:32Pete Donaldson: Exactly, yeah. And I respect your elders. Absolutely, yeah.

17:39Marcus Speller: This episode of the Football Ramble is sponsored by BetterHelp. If you've thought about trying therapy with our long-term partner, BetterHelp, insurance options may now be available nationwide, with an average co-pay for eligible members of just$23 per session. October 10th is World Mental Health Day, and while we ourselves might know this, our mental health isn't always paying attention to the calendar. Anxiety, stress and personal issues don't wait around for the big day. So taking care of our mental health is a regular part of life and that includes everyday life. Therapy doesn't have to be for the big things.

18:11It can be a place where you can work out why something doesn't feel quite right in a relationship, why a situation at work is having an outsized impact on your general well-being or a place to reassess your wants and needs. If you've been waiting to start therapy, BetterHelp works with more than 125 health plan networks. And eligible members have an average core pay of just$23 per session with insurance. Don't have insurance or live outside the US? You can still get 10 % off your first month. Visit betterhelp.com slash ramble to explore your payment options. That's betterhelp.com slash ramble.

18:45With the Discover Cash Back Card, it's payback time when you earn cash back on everyday purchases. activate and earn 5 % cash back at different categories each quarter on up to$1 ,500 in purchases. That's 5 % cash back at different places each quarter, like grocery stores, on gas, and at restaurants. It pays to Discover. Terms apply. See discover.com slash five for details. This is the story of the one. As a shipping manager, he's running the dock, stocking supplies, and making sure every order goes out on time. And Grainger helps him stay prepared. From shipping supplies to PPE to hand tools, he counts on Grainger to keep products moving and trucks rolling, so his operation runs smoothly no matter the shift.

19:30Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com, or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. Your daily supplement routine doesn't need to be managing a handful of different bottles. Onnit's Total Human brings key research-based vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids together in convenient day and night packs. One all-in-one product designed to make supplementation easier. The day pack supports cognition, focus, and cellular energy production. At night, the night pack helps you wind down and supports a calm, relaxed state. Less time managing your supplements, more support for your day and night.

20:10Shop Total Human now at onnit.com

20:19Pete Donaldson: Well tonight against Czech Republic, England will surely be looking for a victory and you'd think they would get it. And that would put them in a reasonably good position in the group. I mean, again, second place, might I remind everybody of how the Nations League responded to popular opinion and expanded the knockout tournament to include quarterfinals. And those quarterfinals are two-legged affairs. Oh, yes. So second place is enough to go through to them. So England, again, you would really fancy England to finish second in the group. But I do need to remind everybody how it works because England, if they want to top the group, will need to beat Spain, but better them on a head-to-head record.

20:59Pete Donaldson: So if England were to beat Spain 2-1, that wouldn't be enough because you go on points against each other first on the head-to-head. well if it's 3-3 then it goes to uh it's a goal difference sorry to almost like an aggregate score i i suppose now england did manage this in their first ever ua for nations league campaign of course spain weren't world champions or even european champions at the time so it's a it's a tall order for england to go to spain and win uh 4-3 or 3-2 would do it and then it goes to goal

21:27Marcus Speller: difference i think again just don't 3-0 just make it easy do it 3-0 win by more than one goal

21:33Pete Donaldson: boys out in Spain and put the games tonight and against Croatia at home to bed and we'll top the group so not a problem at all but yeah England looking good for it though Vish are you I mean of course you won't be watching the match tonight because you'll be in Luxembourg watching Luxembourg versus Bulgaria is this because you are a traitor or is this because you're so comfortable with England you just think do you know what I don't need to watch them I need to watch some of the little guys to see how they're getting on.

22:05Marcus Speller: Yeah, think of it as this is more... It's almost like our ambassadorial role as England fans to go to places like Luxembourg and tell them that it doesn't have to be like this. Have you thought about getting a Jude Bellingham?

22:21Pete Donaldson: Have you thought... Well, we had Brian Madger. I don't want to talk about him. You know... Had.

22:27Marcus Speller: Had Brian Madger, yes.

22:29Pete Donaldson: Well done. Yes, you don't want to make them too good. OK, you've got to be in that sweet spot.

22:33Marcus Speller: OK, just, you know, you can be a tax haven if you want, but you've got to get better at football. If we're going to put our money in your country, siphon a little bit off the top and, you know, build an academy or something. An academy. Yeah.

22:48Pete Donaldson: Yeah. OK, well, you're talking about tax havens and siphoning money off the top. So we must move on, of course. Right. Tonight, Scotland versus Slovenia. Scotland will go second in their group with a win tonight. They'll be desperate to get back to UEFA Nations League Group A, or League A, should I say, their upper bracket. They're in the second tier, having been relegated last time out. They ran out 2-0 winners against a very poor North Macedonia side, but Scotland were excellent in that game. They failed to beat Slovenia away from home when, on another day, I think they probably would have won.

23:22Pete Donaldson: They created the chances to do so. Tonight, though, Mr Pocagnoli has a chance to win his first game at Hamden after a disappointing evening against the Swiss. Are we going to see a Scotland victory, Vish? And are we going to see an Oli McBurney goal for the first time this season?

23:39Marcus Speller: Well, he definitely should have scored in that first game against Slovenia. He actually did really well. He ran onto the ball, a couple of good touches past the defender, sprawled him out and then thought, there's Jan Oblak. I can definitely round him. of all the people to pick

23:55Pete Donaldson: Mind you, I have a bit of sympathy because he's probably sizing up going it's tough to get a shot past him, do you know what? I need an open net, right, I'll go past him and I'll find out he saved it

24:04Marcus Speller: I think someone who was more attuned to scoring goals regularly would have A, put it through his legs or B, tried to loft it over him, it was such a nothing to get in that position and not get a shot away, I know he worked the keeper by trying to get around him it felt like it felt like a decision he made because he was too late deciding what to do when there was a shot on and it's such a small window but yeah I mean through the legs would have worked really well but again it is Oblak yeah it would have been nice for him to score as you said Scotland were very good against Slovenia it wasn't the only time that Oblak was tested as well I can definitely see them winning this

24:46Pete Donaldson: I think there's a bit of excitement I think with Scotland bubbling up and Switzerland burst the bubble But that game is so determined by, or the outcome is so influenced by the sending off early on. And it's such a shame when you get that. And then, of course, the free kick goes straight in and Switzerland are a good side. We know that, you know, they're a better side than Scotland. So that kind of deflated it a little bit. But that win in North Macedonia, I think, got them going again. But I still think they're still in that sort of post-Steve Clarke, you know, moment where they're thinking, okay there's a bit of can we play a bit more attacking football is this going to be better than the previous version can we kick on I still think there's a little bit of excitement there with that and I think tonight is the chance to go and do that Scotland win 3-0 tonight oh I'll tell you what wonderful way to end the international break what they don't want is obviously also like a stodgy draw or something if they can if they can get in Thomas Tuchel and England slipstream after that 7-0 victory against Croatia and I know they're often inspired by England Scotland they won't admit it something we can all agree that I think that the Bonny Scots will be jumping and pumping because like I say I think Pocignoli there's still a little bit of the honeymoon period there despite that loss against Switzerland because it was quite conditional or circumstantial should I say

26:09Marcus Speller: Yeah and there's definitely a sense that with some of the players that he's using that he wants to elicit a more attacking style of play really like even the way that Andy Robertson has more of a licence to go forward

26:24Pete Donaldson: well and shoot by the looks of things after the well yeah

26:27Marcus Speller: that stuff matters doesn't it and you know Billy Gilmore is more integral certainly everything good comes through him which is no bad thing I mean you look at that midfield three and it does work with Gilmore McGinn and Ferguson and there's no reason why it shouldn't but even someone like Robbie Ure who played in the first game he's quite an exciting player and I think you kind of when you try and change the style of play obviously that is the most important thing but the small wins in the you know in the short term are just giving exciting players a go so I think when you do that you kind of underline your willing as well so someone like him Ganondoke players Ganondoke was a wing back

27:11Pete Donaldson: putting him as a wing back was interesting because he sees he sees what Ganondoke can bring and he's thinking okay Again, against North Macedonia, you've got to be on the front foot. The fact is, he did it, though. Because with the back three, obviously remember what happened when Clark tried that more recently.

27:28Marcus Speller: But it's a sliding back three, isn't it, with Ganondowek? So you can basically go to a four at the back instead of a three with that left wing back coming in, and then you basically have a right winger.

27:38Pete Donaldson: Which is what you would want, because you don't want Robertson being further ahead more often than Ganondowek, of course. You're absolutely right. So I think they've got a system to work with there and some players. So yeah, I'm expecting big things. And of course, if Scotland and Slovenia, if it all kicks off and we feel like this is a bit of a derby match, we call it the Scoslow Derby.

28:01Marcus Speller: Yeah, yeah, we could, yeah.

28:03Pete Donaldson: So there's something for the advertisers.

28:05Marcus Speller: I'm trying to think of what other... What would that be? I suddenly started thinking of Scott Mid. Oh yeah, nice to hear the name. The chain of shops in Scotland. but that would only come about if Scotland played Middlesbrough and that seems unlikely at this point, doesn't it?

28:20Pete Donaldson: At this point, it certainly does.

28:21Marcus Speller: Unless they get promoted from their nation's group and they end up in the Championship.

28:26Pete Donaldson: Well, UEFA will have had one hell of a bunch if that's what they come up with from that. Northern Ireland drew with Georgia 0-0 last night. Northern Ireland finished the international break, top of Group B2. Georgia, on the other hand, remained rock bottom. so I it will go down as two points drop this for Northern Ireland because Isaac Price has a penalty save from Georgie Mamadashvili late on in the game, McGuinness had a great chance but he's brilliantly saved from the goalkeeper but it's a very presentable chance again sort of late on they hit the bar and they were coming close but it has to go down as a very good international break for Northern Ireland, I mean they haven't conceded incredibly and they beat ukraine three nil away from home they beat georgia in georgia it's the home form really actually the the two draws but to be top of that group bearing in mind it's a very young team that o 'neill's got here and you know northern ireland it's a limited squad but they you know over the years in more recently under o 'neill they've certainly made the most of it you would say so i'm sort of reluctant to kind of hone in i get the fact that they would have been a bit disappointed they didn't beat Georgia last night.

29:41Pete Donaldson: But it's been a brilliant window for them. Window. Break. It's not an international window, it's an international break. Sorry.

29:47Marcus Speller: The great international window of Hudson 2026 slash 7. Yeah, they were they have had a good break. Very cool to see someone like Ethan Galbraith, formerly of Manchester United, running things and flexing and looking very at ease and comfortable with the responsibility of being their playmaker that game against Georgia you're absolutely right they should have won that thoroughly entertaining game at points some of the worst football I've seen this season and and also the last 20 25 minutes were basically like two boxes out on their feet yeah trying to swing haymakers and neither of them connecting it was like the blood and guts of it was it felt so unnecessary I know it's a start of October chill out

30:37Pete Donaldson: you've got

30:38Marcus Speller: You've got another seven months to be doing this.

30:41Pete Donaldson: Well, Olihan talked about how his squad were a bit fatigued and tired, and I thought, well, more power to them. If that's them tied, as you say, it was intriguing to watch that last 20, 24.

30:51Marcus Speller: Yeah, and Georgia as well. Jeez. They're not what they were. They're a lot slower, a lot sluggish. It really is Kavaric, Scalio or bust with them.

31:04Pete Donaldson: Yeah.

31:05Marcus Speller: But they, and like yesterday, they just couldn't really get the ball to him. Although a few times, as soon as he turns one man, you're done for. And there was a chance in the second half he had where, I can't remember who he spins, but he spins them basically deep in his half and comes through and has that shot. And, you know, it was a bit of a warning. But yeah, Northern Ireland, it wasn't that bad a penalty, was it, from Price?

31:34Pete Donaldson: Yeah, Mamadash Vili goes so early And makes a brilliant save And he knows what he's going to do, doesn't he?

31:38Marcus Speller: He knows exactly where it's going So he almost, he cocks his fist back into the save To like punch it out

31:43Pete Donaldson: It was a brilliant save, of course Any penalty save you've got to give credit But he made it look a worse penalty Because he goes early But it's disappointing for Price Who obviously has been among the goals But sometimes they just don't go in But yeah, I mean a victory would have been incredible if they'd have managed that. But, of course, they didn't. Right, Vish, let's leave the kingdom and Europe all together and let's go to South America. Tonight, Lionel Messi will make his farewell appearance for Argentina against the mighty Benin. You can see what they've done with that. Let's make sure...

32:22Marcus Speller: And fair play to them. Fair play to them.

32:25Pete Donaldson: Yeah, let's make sure that old Messi gets at least a couple of goals on his farewell. I don't know how Benin were picked. I'm sure maybe we can find that in due course.

32:36Marcus Speller: Maybe someone actually tried to pick Ben and Jerry's.

32:42Pete Donaldson: And why would they have picked Ben and Jerry's?

32:45Marcus Speller: Easier to play two people than a team.

32:47Pete Donaldson: Party time, I suppose. I see what you're thinking. Well, yeah, Benin are the team in Lionel Messi's crosshairs tonight. The captain, Steve Mooney, who's currently at Augsburg, is injured for the game, which is a great shame. But he bought his own plane ticket to the match so he could watch. Love that. Absolutely. If you've been in play, when are you playing Argentina? Never.

33:14Marcus Speller: Yeah. And this is the last time to see Messi play for Argentina. Oh, my goodness. He reverses his retirement in a couple of years' time. But, yeah, it is obviously a historic moment. and yeah, I totally understand that. The details of it though are great. It's like, oh, I know I can't play, but I'm coming along. It's like, well, we're only paying for people who are going to play. Well, I'll get my own ticket then.

33:41Pete Donaldson: Yeah.

33:41Marcus Speller: It's like, okay, great.

33:42Pete Donaldson: Cheers. It's brilliant. Well, one of the Billion players was interviewed coming out of a shop the other day and was asked about how they're going to approach the game. And he just said, we're not going to mark Messi. We're just going to enjoy. This could be an absolute cricket score.

33:56Marcus Speller: yeah it's also just going to be what's the earliest time that someone's asked for someone's shirt they might do it as they're walking out yeah I think

34:04Pete Donaldson: Argentina the Argentina FA need to realise this and they need to have a bow I mean how big has the Benin squad they need to have a Messi shirt for every single player in that Benin squad

34:14Marcus Speller: and one for the captain up in the stands as well

34:15Pete Donaldson: absolutely yeah you can just imagine the manager after the game he's like right lads don't swap the shirts you know let's not get into any of that he's straight down there But Lionel Messi will finish playing international football tonight, which I would say is a mad thing. But as you say, Vish, we have experienced this sensation before, but I think he really means it this time. He needs to score 22 goals to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's international goal-scoring record. Now, with Ronaldo not playing for Portugal at the moment and perhaps may never play for Portugal again, although we shall see, do Benin kind of do a bit of a nudge nudge week week and lose this game 22-0 all of the goals from Mr Messi because that would be very funny.

35:02Marcus Speller: This sounds a lot like the Benin managers team talk he only needs 22 to beat him over there and we know we're here for one reason even your captain's in the stands with an Argentina shirt on that he bought with his own money. Let's go and make him proud Messi

35:22Pete Donaldson: I tell you what, Ryan if Messi scores like 5 or 6 tonight do you think the Argentine FA go alright Benin, let's make this into a 3 game series, shall we? you know, he's like getting 6s and 7s

35:38Marcus Speller: I'd love to I'd love to be a good enough hacker to go into Ronaldo's phone and put his goal alerts on

35:48Pete Donaldson: hey, well let's it's a job for you just pinging off

35:51Marcus Speller: 30 times in the middle of the night another one what

35:54Pete Donaldson: right I'm going down there this is ridiculous oh dear oh dearie me well anyway let's see how they get on but my money's on Argentina call me old fashioned right Vish you've got to go now because you've got to go to the airport because you and Petey are out of Luxembourg

36:10Marcus Speller: I do I've got all my it's only an overnight stay but I've got all the essentials I've got sunglasses because it's going to be warm I'm charging my vape it's all good stuff really so

36:21Pete Donaldson: is there anything is there anything you're particularly looking forward to other than seeing Bulgaria try to break their duct against Luxembourg in the Nations League is there anything you're particularly looking forward to going to Luxembourg to see that

36:37Marcus Speller: apparently it's a beautiful city free transport

36:42Pete Donaldson: free public transport when you're just sort of like Grand Theft Auto style sort of elbow a bloke off a motorbike I can go, well, this is free, so I'll have a go now.

36:49Marcus Speller: Okay, we've got to change some travel plans then. I was going to say, you're going to have to leave an hour earlier for the game.

36:56Pete Donaldson: So free public transport just to avoid any doubt there.

37:00Marcus Speller: Yeah, yeah. It's quite a safe place. I mean, by all accounts.

37:04Pete Donaldson: Well, it won't be for the next couple of days.

37:07Marcus Speller: Yeah, by all accounts, what crime does happen there happens at levels well beyond our affluence, let's say. But yeah, no, I'm looking forward to it. We've scouted a few places for us to have some nice time in the sun.

37:19Pete Donaldson: Lovely.

37:19Marcus Speller: Nice time in the sun? Yeah, it's like 25 degrees.

37:22Pete Donaldson: Is it really? No coastline, though. No flames, too. But there is a river, though. So if you want a body of water, that's where you need to be looking at. If you do see some marzipan, get it for your old pal Speller.

37:37Marcus Speller: Will do, absolutely.

37:38Pete Donaldson: There we are. All right. Well, thank you very much for listening to The Football Ramble, everybody, part of the ACAST Creative Network. Luke and I will be back with Jim tomorrow To react to England's game tonight Against Czechia of course There we are, bon voyage Vish We look forward to all the updates from Luxembourg Lots of love everybody Have a good one, we'll see you tomorrow

38:15With the Discover Cash Back Card, it's payback time when you earn cash back on everyday purchases. Activate and earn 5 % cash back at different categories each quarter on up to$1 ,500 in purchases. That's 5 % cash back at different places each quarter, like grocery stores, on gas, and at restaurants. It pays to Discover. Terms apply. See discover.com slash 5 for details. This is the story of the one. As a shipping manager, he's running the dock, stocking supplies, and making sure every order goes out on time. And Grainger helps him stay prepared. From shipping supplies to PPE to hand tools, he counts on Grainger to keep products moving and trucks rolling.

38:56So his operation runs smoothly, no matter the shift. Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com, or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. guessing is for game shows not your business workday is the enterprise ai platform for hr finance and it with ai grounded in your context to get work done and done right it's a new workday think of a toilet as just an everyday object your entire perspective shifts the moment you experience a kohler smart toilet design changes everything transforming a basic routine into something extraordinary. With standout aesthetics and intuitive controls, these are functional works of art.

39:42Stunning design that never sacrifices performance. Enjoy customizable features for elevated comfort and convenience. It's more than a fixture. It's a cleaner routine and a more refined space. Experience the difference of Kohler smart toilets. Find more at Kohler.com.