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1:00Hi, I'm Jack Ravici, Kramer, host of The Best One Yet. At T-Boy, we're always talking about small decisions that can have an outsized impact. One of the simplest is staying hydrated. Whether I'm traveling, getting a workout in, or heading into a busy day, I keep Liquid IV on hand. It's clinically demonstrated to hydrate faster than water alone and contains three times the electrolytes of the leading sports drink, plus eight vitamins and nutrients. It's an easy addition to your daily routine and helps support hydration when you need it most. Shop now at liquidiv.com. Liquid IV hydration that goes wherever life takes you.

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3:25After the flood, all the colours came out, everybody. Welcome to the Football Ramble! A late goal for Arsenal and another win for Liverpool. It's Monday, 22nd of September. I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Jim Campbell. And I'm the new future of the RG.

3:48Well, hello, everybody. Good to have you with us at Football Ramble HQ. you and we are five weeks into the season already and a massive thank you to everyone who has joined us so far those returning for another ramble adventure those who have just turned up and those who have been back and forth over the years we we love you all but we do love you in that order okay um now if you're a new listener who's enjoying the show then drop us a five-star review on apple spotify wherever you're listening right now because it helps the show so much and it makes it easier for even more new listeners to join us.

4:23So pause this episode right now. And if you truly believe in us, do tap five stars and then we'll leave you alone. Okay? No more looking out your window, checking to see if we're there. We'll be gone. Vish, did you have a nice weekend? You and Jimmy had a little rendezvous at Arsenal versus Manchester City,

4:39Marcus Speller: didn't you? We did. We did. I think the game was the worst bit. I quite enjoyed it, but we were having a lovely time together. Yeah, I agree. Another win for Liverpool. Weren't even playing. Yeah. Another late win for Liverpool. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Arsenal won, Man City won and it was a point rescued, a point gained. You do have to say, Jim, in the circumstances. I think that's fair and the strange thing about it is that it feels like two points dropped because of the very sort of, I think, unnecessarily conservative approach to the first half in particular. I understand, I think, the theory of starting with Mourinho in a game like that when you've got Rodri in that midfield and obviously they're a very physical side, you're going to have to compete.

5:27And early on it was quite sort of sticky in midfield, wasn't it? And they essentially just were calmer in that situation, got the better out of it with that really brilliantly taken goal. But I think the practice of that made Arsenal quite predictable in the first half. And I think, you know, Marino wins a lot of duels, etc, etc. We hear that about him a lot. But Eze is a strong player. You don't lack for that when he's in the midfield as well. And when he came on in the second half, it made a huge difference. But it was obviously too little, too late, I think. It does seem to me, Vish, with Arteta, again, so far this season, but it's not just this season.

6:01We have a big sample size with him as Arsenal manager, of course, is that it does seem that he's kind of thinking, you know, slow and steady, we'll get through it. And, you know, OK, just stay in the game. Our quality will come through. and once again, I am a neutral here. So there are Arsenal fans I appreciate and a lot of people with similar opinions here but once again, yes, you've got to give them credit for getting that goal at the end but I just feel like, lads, you can do more. Yeah, yeah.

6:33Marcus Speller: There's the practical Arsenal which is the 11 that started the game and then there's the idea of Arsenal that I suppose we have where we think they can be more engaging. And that was the start of the second half because he makes those two substitutions. He brings on Saka and he brings on Eze. Yeah, it was a deeply frustrating watch, even as a neutral, because it felt like they should have taken more risks, even with the team that started, by playing a bit more through the middle. I think the thing that Eze does, which he is exceptionally good at, but other players could have done in that first half is he gets the ball in tight areas and he takes contact, as Jim says.

7:17Marcus Speller: He's not a weak player. And it feels like Arteta has, his midfielders specifically, bracketed in certain ones. And he goes, if he picks from one, he picks from one group, he needs to pick from the other and stuff like that. And occasionally against a team like Man City, he'll pick from, you know, I want two strong midfielders in there as well as Declan Rice. and I think also that because of how City scored and how early City scored suddenly the team the 11 that Arteta put out was not redundant but it was a bit like oh damn, okay now we need to press now we need to protect the deficit yeah, can we go again?

7:53Marcus Speller: can we restart this game and we'll play a better well, you know, I suppose a more engaging midfielder well, that's why you see a double substitution at half time exactly, yeah which is quite rare but you're right though I think to me it's almost he shows them too much respect oh yeah, and I think that was obviously the problem at Anfield as well which is more understandable obviously because it's Anfield and their record there is terrible generally despite them getting a point in the last two seasons there but City at home is very different obviously it's a funny one because despite the fact like I say having watched the game with an Arsenal fan hat on it feels like that's a game Arsenal should have gone out and won other than the goal which is still an extremely low percentage chance essentially they didn't really create much that troubled them other than corners and obviously Donnarumma's punching those away all day.

8:39So a lot of it is down to how City played. They essentially put up a screen after they scored that goal and it's very, very unlike them. Did wonder if they'd sort of cede possession before the game because I think Pep Guardiola's sort of got to a point, hasn't he? And I think Donnarumma maybe kind of encapsulates this where he's a bit older now. So he's just letting himself... He's won his medals. He's letting himself off of... He's made his money. He's letting himself off of overthinking though. It's like, maybe my goalkeeper can just be massive and just punt it long. And maybe that's fine. And maybe I can go to bed an hour earlier.

9:10Just keeping the ball out of the net, that should suffice. Maybe that's enough. And that kind of felt like, my defenders are really good and they're all massive. Maybe I'll just let them kind of take care of this. Let's just get the ball up to Haaland.

9:24Marcus Speller: Yeah, it's almost his privilege, isn't it? It's like when really rich people give you that advice of, you should really make your money work for you. And it's like, what are you talking about? My money just becomes more money. Why don't you just do that? If everybody did that, nobody would be poor. Yeah, and Guardiola's like, yeah, we might just sit back with some of the biggest men who've ever played the game. With the biggest in goal. I found it interesting. I mean, Man City had 32.8%. Don't forget the 0.8. The lowest figure of position any Pep Guardiola team has ever recorded in a top flight match.

10:01He switched to a 5-5-0 formation for the last 15 minutes. Coward.

10:06Marcus Speller: Well, and it was a bit... That felt like he was rage-baiting everyone. I think so, yeah. I think that was done for the comments section. Maybe even himself, Fish. Yeah. In the mirror later, how dare you do that to me? But you saw what Arsenal did, that Etta had last season in the 2-1 game when Stones gets a very late equaliser. Very different, though, because they were down to 10. Well, exactly. That's the point. Man City were not down to 10 because I kind of forgot that. And I was like, oh, well, yeah, of course they're going to play. No, they are 11. And to me, that is, whether it's an admission, I don't know if it would be an admission, or maybe it is, but it's kind of similar to what you were saying there, Jim.

10:44It is more evidence that Manchester City and Pep Guardiola don't see themselves as the team to beat in the Premier League. Now, I think that most people would probably have Man City as the third best team in the league, maybe fourth although I think third feels a bit about right I think Liverpool right now we're going to talk about them in a bit are distinctly the best side in the league and I think Arsenal you know sadly for Arsenal are distinctly the second best team which is no mean feat but still there's certainly a version of them that is the second best but they're sort of flirting with being the third based on how they've approached these bigger games yeah but I think there's a little bit of a gap between first and second and evidently on the basis there's a big gap between second and third and that's what frustrated me as a neutral watching it thinking you can really go at these you know that's why when when they played Real Madrid in that first leg again I take the point it was two outrageously good free kicks so how much you can read into that but they just thought sod it we're going to play the whole game in Real Madrid's half and they just went for them and don't worry about it oh but they've got these players that can break yes so what yeah we're dominating them and I think that what you were saying Vish about the conservative approach a little bit of caution to the wind because guys, you'll be okay.

11:57Okay, fine. There's a chance that Haaland catch them in the break. I understand the early goal does inform the dynamic of the game as well. I think that rattled them as well. It did, or massively rattled them. But you've got to be sterner. You've got to have more confidence and belief because if you're going to win the bloody league, you've got to show mentality monsters to quote Jurgen Klopp. I agree with you, but I think in the second half, they were trying to do that, weren't they? But they just didn't get enough change out of City.

12:22Marcus Speller: They started the second half brilliantly, I thought. Exactly right. like starting fourth gear here. I know, but as you said, Jim, though, you're a goal down and you've only got 45 to do it. And do it a little bit earlier. Easier said than done, I understand. And so the equalising goal is a goal which provides relief. But as you said, it does feel like two points dropped. I mean, bringing on Eze and Saka at halftime showed a little bit of intention. But what did you think of him starting Trossard and Maduweka? I understand Saka's had his injury. Yeah, I mean, I think that's the reason that Madueke starts.

12:57And obviously he's played very well, despite not contributing a goal or an assist. It's obviously not all about that, is it? Well, he had an effort at goal. Yeah, absolutely. He had probably the best chance in the first half. Trossard I have no issue with, actually. Trossard is a very technically sound player. Very, very rarely lets you down. He obviously has made contributions in games recently, so he's earned a spot there. Marino is the one for me that is just, as we've touched on already. Particularly, one of the kind of, you know, the silver linings I suppose is that Ezzer came on and played in that kind of number 10 role yeah that was good to see and everyone's expecting him to be playing kind of off the left a bit more and he probably will do when Odegaard's fit as well but Ezzer was really effective there and that's quite an exciting development but yeah I do I do think that that essentially I think Artes has made a lot of noise about Marino's goal scoring exploits for Spain and how you know he's in a good moment and they're trying to sort of harness that understand that as well he scored a decent amount of goals for Arsenal when he filled in as a striker last season and he got four goals over those two goals for Spain recently.

13:57So there is a way to get goals out of him, but it's not this, is it? That clearly isn't it. And I think it was just a mistake to start him at home. Gabriel Martinelli. Yeah. I mean, obviously scored away in Bilbao against Athletic. Lovely goal. I was there. You were there. Had a lovely time. You saw this one as well. I mean, it's a fantastic goal from his point of view. I mean, pinpoint pass from Eza. So, you know, when we can talk about Arsenal, well, that's why you sign these players, to produce those moments. Because it has to be perfect, the pass. His run has to be perfect because the offside line is so tight.

14:36And to get that down and a brilliantly improvised finish, but it was certainly the right thing to do, evidently. A great goal. And we're going to talk about, on the mailbag tomorrow, this idea of sort of starters and finishes as that's now coming into more sort of football parlance. But Martinelli very much has a role to play in this Arsenal squad. It would certainly appear. Massively. And I think he's had a lot of criticism because sometimes he can be a little predictable. And I think some people are expecting he might leave in the summer, that he was someone who would, if they got the right offer, Arsenal would consider it to kind of balance the books a bit as obviously they're notoriously quite bad at selling.

15:18and he is someone that's on the verge or certainly was on the verge of becoming a bit of a lightning rod and people just being frustrated again with his predictability. I think he's always been a little bit unlucky in terms of the system that Arsenal play and that he has a fullback that inverts whereas obviously Saka has an out with an overlapping fullback and Arsenal play in a way where whoever's on the left doesn't have that so much so he has to do a lot more by himself and he's done really, really well to come on and contribute in those moments and to take those big moments and I think that can only be a positive thing and I'm thrilled for him and yeah, I mean, I guess he's, what's great is that he's another one pushing to start and that's what you want and there are positives to come from this game and obviously, there's a lot of road left to go but yeah.

16:04Well that, and maybe he's found out how to get the ball past Donnarumma, you need to coax him out of the goal and need to kick it really high over him.

16:11Marcus Speller: Yeah, I think Donnarumma messed up there. Do you think so? Yeah, yeah. I appreciate it was, you know, bear in mind that he was never too far away from his defence for most of the game. I thought the covering, like Guardiola was catching up with Martinelli, not necessarily to stop the shot, but put pressure on him and basically cut down his options, really, because Martinelli ideally would have wanted to come on onto his right foot and then maybe place it in the far corner. Or certainly end up having more options for the finish. And Donnarumma makes his mind up. because he rushes out. It's kind of a no-man's role.

16:48Still an incredible finish,

16:49Marcus Speller: but I get your point. It still is, but in the way that you said there, that Martinelli's finish, you almost described it as instinctive. Yeah. It's partly because Donnarumma gives him one option. And if you've got the option to go over him, you're going to take it every single time. He's such a good shot stopper. From Man City's point of view, obviously very close to getting the three points, but just one. Like I said a few minutes ago, to me, this just shows you that I think it's very unlikely, even more so than I did before this game, that Manchester City go on and win the league. Just because to concede a game and concede possession, I know managers can switch things up tactically.

17:31I just, I really thought it was, again, that admission of, you know, we're playing against a better side here. Now people, a lot of people have been saying, oh, but when Jose Mourinho does that back in the day and blah, blah, blah, blah. No, Mourinho's teams would do it differently because lest we forget the whole park the bus thing was when his Chelsea side went to Liverpool to frustrate Liverpool which ultimately would be a huge helping hand to Manchester City in winning the league Chelsea weren't going for the league title that season they said they wanted clowns was that when he was shouting they wanted clowns he left the pitch something like that yeah and and so that also is a phrase that Mourinho coined about other teams oh was it right yeah it's a phrase it's a Portuguese phrase I believe right okay I think it originally came from there so when Mourinho I would cast my mind back to say when is Chelsea so I'd go to Man City and I think Ivanovic gets the winning goal and they go on to win the league and it's a 1-0 but it's a very controlled and very disciplined and very very

18:32calculated 1-0 it's an absolute bastard of a 1-0 exactly whereas this Man City are kind of like okay if we do this we should be okay whereas if Mourinho says oh no if we do this we will be okay and I think that he's talking peak Mourinho by the way so this is why I'm trying to hone in on Man City's tactics here rather than say oh Pep was nearly a genius because again people have been comparing it but as I say those classic Mourinho 1-0s back in the day in peak Mourinho again the word control they knew everything was accounted for whereas this I felt it was slightly informed by the early goal but it was also a case of, right, okay, let's just try and keep them at bay.

19:14And I think it's a different vibe, if you like. But I see what you're saying.

19:20Marcus Speller: I thought maybe the only Mourinho-ness about it, because as you've articulated there, they did it differently. The only Mourinho-ness about this was not necessarily being upset that Arsenal had as much of the ball because they trusted the fact that Arsenal needed a bit more creativity that they weren't going to have in that first half, but also that they could do an effective job screening. And I kind of think they did, really. They did, but it's a hell of a gear change, though. Yeah, it is. But then at the same time, I thought what they did with their, what was the stat, 36.8 % of the ball? 32.8 % of the ball.

19:55Marcus Speller: They did a lot with that. You know, it felt like they, you know, obviously they had the goal, which is actually quite a remarkable bit of play, given how quick it was and the number of correct decisions within that. but also like you know Docu had a few breaks even in the second half when they basically took off all their attackers they ended up in various different like overload situations on the left I'm not saying it was flawless but it's probably better this certainly Man City wouldn't have managed to do this last season because last season they were so open they were so all over the place so disorganized which is strange isn't it because I do think they are better than that this season I can't think in any set of circumstances that there would have been a 5-1 yesterday or that City will lose any game in that sort of manner this season.

20:41That feels like maybe a bit of scarring from that, doesn't it? Exactly, that's the recognition of, oh yeah, we're not the team we were. And they're not the team they were. So again, I'm not saying he's stupid. It's an extreme kind of change though, isn't it? Yeah, I'm not saying Guardiola's stupid. He nearly got the result and credit to that because clearly he's thought about this. To me, it's more evidence that the peak Guardiola years at Man City, if there was any doubt that they've gone. They've definitely gone.

21:06Marcus Speller: But we've already seen two different faces of Man City this season. We've seen the really attacking, engaging one, and then what we saw at the Emirates on Sunday. And I don't necessarily think that's a problem, you know. If they can flitter between the two, if they can have that team yesterday playing the way they did yesterday, I think they're going to be okay. No, but what do you mean by okay and not a problem? I think I mean I picked Man City to win the league at the start of the season I'm less confident about that now but it's not but it's not because of Man City it's because of Liverpool well okay okay but see for me there were two sorry just like last year they're playing like that against Arsenal they will almost certainly play like that against Liverpool they play Liverpool on the 9th of November and then the corresponding fixture is in February and they won't play against anyone else like that yeah yeah Yeah, well, maybe in the Champions League they might.

22:03Marcus Speller: In the league, apart from Arsenal and Liverpool, they won't play against anyone else like they did on Sunday. Yeah, I think it is surprising, isn't it? Because obviously they've spent a lot of money, Man City, and they've brought a lot of new players in. And you think, okay, this is a chance for them to go again. Got the surprisingly hench Tajani Rinders in there. We were both struck by, he's a bulky lad in person. but yeah I thought that maybe this is last you know worst case scenario for those of us that don't want to see City sort of tear the league to shreds every season that like last season's a blip they've kind of retooled and it's going to be as it was but it doesn't seem to be that way does it?

22:39in terms of not just performance but in terms of mentality as well which is very interesting yeah that's what I'm thinking but let me stress you know like like I said I still think they're the third best team in the league so when I'm saying I don't think it's a like I'm not poking fun It's just pure observation of, yeah, I think that them winning the title, I really don't think it's going to happen this season. But ultimately, though, I think your summation right at the start was correct. You know, sort of relief of getting the equalising goal for Arsenal. But despite that, scoring in the 93rd minute, when you've got only a few minutes left to get the winner, it did feel a little bit like two points dropped.

23:15Yeah, they got three points from this fixture last season. They need every point they can because Liverpool look like a team capable of getting 90 plus points. We'll come on to them later, obviously. And yeah, it's hard not to do it that way. Yeah, much like Spurs and Bournemouth. Arsenal are now five points behind Liverpool. But it's early days, everybody. Bournemouth can still win the league. We're not tallying that up for ages, are we? We're not doing the table tallying, are we? Come on. All right, coming up after this, Enzo Maresca gets drenched in Manchester.

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24:54One of the simplest is staying hydrated. Whether I'm traveling, getting a workout in, or heading into a busy day, I keep Liquid IV on hand. It's clinically demonstrated to hydrate faster than water alone and contains three times the electrolytes of the leading sports drink. plus eight vitamins and nutrients. It's an easy addition to your daily routine and helps support hydration when you need it most. Shop now at liquidiv.com. Liquid IV hydration that goes wherever life takes you. This message is brought to you by Cologuard. If you recorded songs off the radio for a mixtape, it might be time to screen for colon cancer.

25:27The Cologuard test is non-invasive, requires no special prep or time off, and you start screening right from your home. It's just three simple steps, set up, sample, and ship. If you're 45 or older and at average risk, ask your doctor about the Cologuard test. Available by prescription only. Learn more or request a prescription at Cologuard.com slash podcast. Most of us are one good deal away from finally replacing that worn out rug, fixing up the backyard, or getting the bedroom we actually want. Good news, that deal's almost here. Wayfair's Black Friday in July sale. Get up to 80 % off area rugs and up to 60 % off outdoor and bedroom furniture.

26:06Shop Wayfair's huge selection of styles and find the piece to fit your style, budget, and space. Plus, free shipping. Black Friday in July ends July 27th. Shop today at Wayfair.com. Wayfair, every style, every home.

26:26What is in your office? Jason? Thanks to Friend of the Ramble Jamhands for sending us that clip on Discord. That was Eddie Howe with an incredible admission. that presumably Jason Tindall is in his office. You can become a friend of the Ramble too for just five bucks a month. Search patreon.com forward slash football ramble to get involved. Come on then, Vish. Man United 2, Chelsea 1. That's more like it. 2-1 at the swamp. The Red Devils are back. They are back. Chelsea's still not won at Old Trafford since 2013. Incredible.

27:01Marcus Speller: Yeah. The opportunities they've had to do it. Yeah, it's basically been like feasting season for any team that's come to Old Trafford. They've decided not to partake. Yeah. Rafa Benitez was the last Chelsea manager to win there. What a man. A man still respected at the club. Absolute legend of the club, yes. Big news, though. Back-to-back wins at Old Trafford in the Premier League for Ruben Amarim. The first time he's managed to do that since taking over. The only way is up. Yeah. Fishy. I have very little to say about this game because it would be like analysing an episode of Takeshi's Castle.

27:32It was comical.

27:34Marcus Speller: Incredible conditions Especially when you throw in the wild card of Mark Kukureya Who's Melinda Messenger in this? That's not Takeshi's Castle Was it not? What's that one? Fort Boyard is what you're thinking of They're the same thing aren't they? Yeah all the same Who's Melinda Messenger in this scenario? Aren't they the same thing basically? I don't know Which one's Takeshi's Castle? It's the Japanese one Oh who's Harold Bishop in this? What? Shaky Hand Man You're thinking of Banzai Oh my goodness What's going on? Marcus, your 90s radar's all over the shop To Kishy's Castle was after 90s, wasn't it?

28:13Was it?

28:13Marcus Speller: I don't know It was filmed like it was in the 90s Who's the Philip Schofield at Old Trafford? Is your 90s filing cabinet But awry in your head? That last one was a bit of banter Is Pat Sharp involved? Now you're talking Who had mad cow disease? is what you're asking. Raphael and Fabio and the Twins. Yeah, okay, fine. Yeah, it was ludicrous, really. I thought, you know, Manti and I were aggressive and I thought there was an element of like playground football to how they approached it. They were like, the conditions are so ludicrous, everyone will run after the ball. So you'd never be in the playground, would you?

28:52It'd be wet break.

28:53Marcus Speller: Yeah, exactly. Oh, good point, yeah. I think there is, there's a lot of interesting take-homes from this game. one of which is that I think we're starting to see that Ruben Amrum's beloved system works really well when Man United have got more players yes yeah that is an important point and actually something that he doesn't get enough credit for because he's been hamstrung by only being able to play 11 players yeah that is a fair point so should we talk about the sending off which one yeah the first one the first one Chelsea who of course down to 10 minutes after five minutes. It's one of those ones where in real time you go, yep, that's a red.

29:34Yeah. All right, the vase, put your feet up. I mean, five minutes on the clock. It doesn't help Robert Sanchez's reputation as possibly not quite being the guy, does it? I know it was a bit slippery and rainy, but come on. Yeah. I mean, Brian Abumo goes through and bang. It's as clear as day. And I mean, that great shot of Maresca watching it in the rain. Yeah. Could he maybe not see him in the rain? I don't know. He came out of nowhere. It's like he's hit a deer in his car. Yeah, maybe that's it. I mean, did you think, Vish, when that happened, you thought, oh, we've got a chance of at least a point today?

30:09Marcus Speller: I did. I did. It was also the way that I thought Enzo Mreska totally overreacted. Massively. To the sending off. Right. I thought his subs were ludicrous, not least because if he knew there was a doubt about Cole Palmer, take him off in that first tranche of substitutes when he makes the two, when he obviously brings on the keeper and then takes on Vestaval. And Neto as well. Yeah. Who did a delightfully frustrated scream as he came off. But like, it was, yeah, his overreaction, that's when I was like, obviously United are a man up, so they should win the game. With the Sarbes, so his head's already gone.

30:52Marcus Speller: and then with the Casemiro sending off I was a bit like I didn't realise he was on a second yellow because of how stupid that foul was and then when he gets the yellow I was just like wow this is an absurd thing to have done but because Maresca has already overreacted I was like oh they can't really do much yeah and that's it obviously you know Enzo Maresca doesn't know that Casemiro is going to make such a baffling decision and yeah but he doesn't know how vulnerable absolutely I think that really really hamstrung them it just they sort of gave up any ambition of actually winning the game which I suppose is understandable what Old Trafford when you're down to 10 men after 5 minutes but there's no outlet at all there and that has really come back to bite them and I thought they were actually quite poor down to 10 do you know what though because I know it's a different game but do you remember when they went down to 10 men and they were away at Newcastle United at the end of last season.

31:52Yes. He lost the game 2-0, but they were excellent. They were. And Newcastle were quite pleased to get out of that game with a win. Yeah, that didn't really work for it. They really did. And it was, I can't remember if the goal was deflected or not, but I think it was Brunegui Mouris who scores at the end a long ranger. And so, you know, I know it's a totally different game, but, you know, we have seen Chelsea play well with 10 men and okay, fine. They concede, you know, in the 14th minute long after that. but I do know what you mean. Esteval and Cole Palmer going off early on, I just thought there's no way they're getting anything out of it.

32:26The only thing you would say about Cole Palmer was recently come back with a bit of an injury and then when he was on the bench, you saw him holding an ice pack.

32:33Marcus Speller: But then why didn't he take him off instead of Nessa? Well, yeah, I think he sort of, dare I suggest he sort of panicked. I mean, I don't know. It did seem odd. It seemed as hectic as that passage of play was when Sanchez got set off. it then felt like that with the decisions that Maresca started to make yeah yeah although at the same time I thought I thought that one of the more impressive players on the pitch was Jean-Pedro yeah the way he holds up the ball and like that to me he's been a great signing already yeah that to me was I think I mentioned it on the group that the way he played in that first half got me thinking there was definitely a route back in for Chelsea with you know despite what I just said about the substitutions from what they have left on the field.

33:19Marcus Speller: The issue then is that it takes them until actually Shalabu's goal to have their first shot on target. Yeah. I think also, Jim, with regards to Palma and so on come off, I suppose he's thinking, look, it's unlikely we're going to get something out of this now, even though it's Man United lol. But if Kyle Palmer aggravates that injury, that's really bad. So that's got to be what he was thinking, that groin injury he's had. So I kind of get it. But you're right. I think Pedro Neto coming off. You think, yeah. Neto and Esteval, they're your outlets. Yes. And I think you're right to point out Joe Pedro holding the ball up so well, which is what you kind of need both of those two players for if you're going to get anything.

34:03And I do think he was like, right, we're going to play for a point here. And I thought, actually, Man United defended really well when they were down to 10 as well. I thought they blocked off Chelsea's passing lane so, so well. I mean, I think Rhys James had a really good game and obviously he kind of tried his best to kind of, you know, craft something from out wide. But generally, I thought not much about the game actually changed once Man United had gone down to 10. I thought they managed it really, really well. The conditions obviously are a factor in it as well. Like there may not be another game player like that all season.

34:34Like it's such a sort of contributing factor, the way the ball was sticking, particularly at the start of the second half. Well, Blackburn's game was called off. Yeah, it was like seven minutes left or something, wasn't it? And it did look like, well, maybe that's going to happen. But yeah, I thought actually, you know, credit where it's due, that Man United managed that really well. Robert Sanchez released a statement on Instagram saying, On me today, guys, big sorry for that. Team put a massive effort in the second half but couldn't get there. It does seem a bit too breezy, that, but fair enough.

35:00I like big sorry for that. Yeah, that's quite good. I mean, I don't, as a football fan, I don't personally need a player to come out and say sorry for something. No, also, he makes... But if he decides to do that, that's fair.

35:12Marcus Speller: Yeah, also he does make quite a few mistakes, so he shouldn't make a habit of apologising. because he'll need to do that pretty regularly. I see. Oh, you're talking about a world champion there. Yeah, but also, I feel like Robert Sanchez is the keeper that Pete thinks David Rea is. You know, like Pete's weird thing of not rating David Rea because he thinks he's... Well, he's going off the Virgil van Dijk now, so... Yeah. Don't worry, don't worry. People will respond to that. Who's next? Perhaps that fraught Diego Maradona. We'll see. Well, yeah, before the game, as you already mentioned about Amarim and his tactics.

35:46Amorim said, not even the Pope will make me change my mind. Which suggests that the Pope's been in touch, doesn't it? Like a coded message. There's a rumour. Leave me alone. There's a rumour that he might get in touch. So he's kind of staving it off early on. I'm incredible, really. I think, you know, Luke said last week on the pod that it's done under Amorim at Manchester United. I tend to agree. You'll get the odd result like this, obviously. the whole game is shaped by that early red card. But of course, you know, in that 12-month period from November last year to November this year, it's a£12.7 million payout if they sack him before that.

36:29So as big Lukey Moore and others have pointed out, let's just wait until come November. We'll see what the lie of the land is. Now then, Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 in the Merseyside derby. Liverpool kept their 100 % record this season. And of course, for David Moyes, it's now 23 trips to Anfield without a win. He hates that ground, let's be honest. Now, this was a fascinating one because Liverpool started so well. And considering what they've done this season, winning games is always a good thing. And they've been the best team in the league, you would say, by not having done amazingly well. Not too dissimilar to the start of last season when they were kind of just kind of plodding their way through it.

37:11but this certainly in that first half was not a plod it was a flipping sprint it was it was high octane stuff and it felt like Arna Slott said to them right lads we've let teams back into it in the second half of games you know Bournemouth okay they won the game Newcastle again down to 10 minutes they won the game fair enough Atletico Madrid fair enough they won the game there's a pattern emerging here and he thinks right let's just let's just have it let's show everybody that we are the best team in the land and for 45 minutes It looked like they did. But then in the second half, they took the foot off the gas.

37:46And I didn't think they were in any danger, really, of conceding that second goal, Vish. But the fact is that Everton score a second one, they weren't hanging on. That would be, I think, not quite right to say. But when you're only one goal up, you're always suspect to conceding another. And again, the first half and the second half, very, very different. And I thought that I was going to be more convinced by Liverpool in that second half and I wasn't. Similar pattern to what's been going on this season so far.

38:14Marcus Speller: Yeah, you've watched Liverpool a lot this season and you end up thinking there's no way that you should be more than a goal ahead at any given moment, really. And as you say, the first half was just, they were so good. Ryan Gravenberg is, I don't want to say, I hate using the word underrated so I'll try and find a different one but I feel like maybe he's the kind of player because Liverpool initially tried to not get rid of him but find someone else to play that defensive midfielder role, he's still regarded as a bit of a fill-in. But the way he is able to, I suppose, do his job screening the defence and also pop up with a goal like that.

38:49Marcus Speller: Of supreme quality. And do everything in between, which I suppose includes the assist to Eketike for the second. He's one of the players of the season so far. He's such a complete modern player. Because as you say, when you think of the more defensive attributes that he has, finishing like that, such a great, great goal. It's such a good finish. that you forget how brilliant the ball is from Salah as well. Incredible ball. Yeah, totally. Yeah, because if it was another team and someone puts that ball and you say, oh, it was a good one, but it was always going to be difficult to take and that's why it went three feet over the bar.

39:21Marcus Speller: Yeah. Whereas that one, I mean, it shows you. But I think the spotlight's not often on Gravenberg because of all the other players that are around them. I mean, Isaac and Wirtz were on the bench for crying out loud. Yeah. It shows you what they have. But I think also it's just like, whatever Liverpool do with their front three, even when they tweak it in game that midfield three now just looks so settled doesn't it? Despite the fact that they were being overrun a little bit in the second half but him McAllister as well who isn't really regarded as a defensive player but he doesn't really tackle, he nips doesn't he?

39:57Yeah, but that's it, they can do everything and even then

40:00Marcus Speller: Soboslai and McAllister they get within 30-25 yards of goal they'll have a ping you know so you're right I thought it was interesting the starting line up that Slott went for with this game because I think it was almost he was aware of the opposition and how Everton have looked a bit better under Moyes this season and have been shown a little bit more attack and prowess which I think is why he probably went with Verts on the bench just to start feel them out a bit yeah yeah exactly you play that midfield you're far more likely you're going to win the game and control it. But I think, yeah, first half, Liverpool, very, very good.

40:40Ekotiki's goal, lovely move. They were so dominant in that first half. It's outrageous that they have him and Isaac. Yeah. Outrageous. I know, I know. Something should be done about it. Yeah, I mean, and how much money did the two of them cost? I mean, they took over 200 million quid's worth of talent. Honestly, they're both so much fun to watch. But with Liverpool, though, in that second half, it didn't feel like sometimes under Klopp you would see Liverpool especially particularly when they were playing a really really good side I'm thinking of when they played Man City was it the quarter final of the Champions League they blitz them in the first half they go three goals up and they go right contain we're happy with this and they play that again it's not hanging on let's hope they don't do anything it is that like we were speaking earlier almost like Mourinho approach of getting your banks getting your lines get in your trenches and we do not concede ground and we keep them at arm's length and it's a very, very professional and controlled performance.

41:37Didn't feel like that. And also, when we were talking about how are Liverpool going to knit this together, you know, where does Verts come in? He's done okay. He's not hit the ground running per se, but he's feeling out the league and he's a young player. Played in a few positions as well. Yeah, exactly. Had him out wide a few times. Yeah, and how's Slott going to sort of start to knit this together? How is the dynamic going to flow? Again, in that second half, it wasn't like they were creating and missing loads of chances. But they're clinical, aren't they? They are clinical. There's no doubt about that.

42:05But that's the point is if you are slot, you're thinking to yourself, there's work to do here. Now, in the current set of events and the current climate, what they're doing now will be good enough to win the league. It will be. Yeah. But there is more to come from this Liverpool side. There is. Particularly Arsenal and maybe one or two others, but realistically, I would say probably just Arsenal. They've got a hope that Liverpool don't find that extra gear because if they do I think it's inevitable that they will I think it'll be similar to last season you know once they've kind of you know calibrated everybody and you know they get a run going and whatnot I think there'll be a lot more to come from them I actually think people are underrating them a little bit already because they didn't really look in danger at any point of losing this game based on the evidence they're starting to kind of hit that kind of stride and what I would put to you really is like has anyone really apart from Newcastle in that kind of quite chaotic game looked like beating them?

43:05It looks like it's going to take a lot to beat them and especially based on this performance where I think they're starting to look a bit more solid in their foundations and a little more secure. I think they are actually managing games pretty well at this point. But if you see teams going to Anfield and scoring a goal or two and are still in it with five minutes or ten minutes to go and yes, I understand what you mean they don't look like winning scoring a last minute winner is good, obviously but it's not ideal because as we've seen with Guardiola in particular at Man City and the other top teams what they want is total control you want dominance you don't want to rely on these last minute goals you don't want to physically exert yourself in that way because you've got an awfully long season and you're going to be fighting on all fronts

43:53Marcus Speller: but they weirdly do have a squad that allows them to rely on those last minute things. Well, this is what I'm trying to sort of, yeah, get my head around. I know exactly what you mean, and I totally agree with you. There's no bad way of winning a game, but there is a questionable way of winning a game that, as you articulated, speaks to something that you're not able to keep up. It gives opposition confidence. We saw that with Man City last season. When suddenly there's a few chinks in the army, teams will go and play Liverpool and go, right, we can maybe get something here. I'm trying to help Arsenal fans out.

44:25No, sure.

44:26Marcus Speller: But it's like, it feels like already this season, Liverpool are doing what they did last season, but they're doing so with, I suppose, like an extra superpower. And that superpower seems to be, no matter how late it gets, they will score. If that game was even, you know, up until the 90th minute, they're not there thinking, or, you know, you're not watching the game thinking, God, Everton might nick one here. you're waiting for Liverpool to nick it. Fair. And I suppose, yeah, like with Manchester United under Alex Ferguson, particularly in that Champions League campaign, it's like, well, they always score, don't they?

45:01Yeah. And then, yes, that breeds its own sort of psychological approach. Maybe Everton were thinking, OK, don't get the equaliser until like the last minute of injury. I'll tell you something, though. Jack Grealish, who's had a good start to his career at Everton.

45:15Marcus Speller: And was really good in that game because it was kind of, it's what we'd spoken about with the move there. He's a big player. He can take on that responsibility of being their marquee player and that's exactly what he did in their biggest game of the season. Yeah, and the goal as well, it comes again from him floating one into the back post. Beautiful touch. Lovely take from Njai as well. Yeah, lovely set up. He was having a really good season. And a beautiful finish from Gabe, wasn't it? I mean, a great Everton goal. He had a rehearsal of that in the first half. He did. He completely fluffed it.

45:44Marcus Speller: Yeah, I think that one was, yeah, it was where the ball went. It wasn't like slightly under his feet or anything. It was a brilliant goal, but not enough. but Grealish was fuming with the referee after the game he got shown a yellow card which he didn't realise at the time did he? Yeah Adorably Yeah so this was really silly I think Keenan Dewsbury Hall was booked for taking a quick free kick wasn't he? So apparently the reason for that is because Jack Grealish was considered injured at the time play couldn't resume without the referee's permission so when Keenan Dewsbury Hall took it that counts as an infringement I just think it's ludicrous to apply that rule there the referee has his own discretion and it's really silly to do that.

46:23Jack Grealish agrees with Jack. He did. You're with Jack on that one. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. In the context of that, I think it's fine. Actually, it can only ever be a good thing. On the field, yes. Now, Mo Salah is up for the Ballon d 'Or tonight along with his Liverpool teammates, Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz and Alexis McAllister. Ronaldinho is giving the award. So if that's not worth winning, I don't know what is. Lovely. Real Madrid won't be attending for a second year. running. Well, they do have a game against Levante 24 hours later. You've got to ask yourself, why have they got a game 24 hours later?

47:00Because I'm quite sure if they were confident one of their guys was going to win it. They, the all-powerful, all-knowing Real Madrid, would be a bit like, well, that's a piss take.

47:07Marcus Speller: Also, it's really hard for teams like Real Madrid to, you know, travel, isn't it? Is it difficult for, yeah. When is our private jet taking off? Oh, actually, so, you know, He'll only give us eight hours before the Levante game. So who's your money on for the Ballon d 'Or? What about Victor Jokeres, the Arsenal man? I'd be very surprised if Victor Jokeres wins it. It's probably going to be Ousmane Dembele, isn't it? I mean, yeah, the big money. Come on, surely. Surely it's Scott McTominay's year. He's an outside bet. I love the fact that, you know, he's already got the Serie A Player of the Year award.

47:42That's in the bag. All right, that's safe. But again, with the Ballon d 'Or, I know that awards, you know, it's a funny old thing and people, the individual awards that are given out in football, people have their criticism of that. But to me, and I understand this is dangerously close to most improved player. I don't mean that. But I think it should be judged on which player was the most important in their setting, if you see what I mean. That's why I think he is a bit of an outside bet. But I think Vettinia would be a great... a great recipient of it. I'm sure it'll go to some Saudi prince we've never heard of.

48:21But yeah, either of those would be good. I mean, there's a fair Paris Saint-Germain presence in there. An ex-Paris Saint-Germain presence because Donnarum is in there as well.

48:30Marcus Speller: And Brunardine is presenting the award. Well, exactly. Now, before we go for a break, the world of football was devastated to learn of the passing of former Liverpool and Chelsea women's manager, Matt Beard, over the weekend at the age of 47. He was an icon and a champion of the women's game and he was loved by so many players, journalists and fans who knew him. Chloe and Rachel will be paying tribute to him on Upfront this week, but from all of us here at the Football Ramble, our deepest condolences to Matt Beard's family and friends at this time. All right, let's go for a break.

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51:13Gentlemen Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Leeds United 3 Great win for the Leeds Vish

51:19Marcus Speller: Yeah Yeah And also Such a bad reflection on Wolves That I spoke to a couple of Mates who support Leeds United And they were already touting this As a six pointer And for promoted clubs Looking at who they might claw in Wolves are very high on everyone's list Apparently But they're even higher now Yes Yeah, I mean, they really gave him the old 1-2-3, didn't they, in the first half, Jim? They did. That's one of those games where you're a fan of a newly promoted side. You're used to seeing your team express themselves in the championship and all the rest of it. When you come up to the Premier League and you see a game like this, you're like, oh, what a Saturday afternoon that was.

51:58Yeah, absolutely. And three quite different goals as well, which will be kind of ideal. Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Your man, Dominic Calvert-Lewin. My man. as anyone who's ever had an England cap is. Fashion and England's man. Indeed, indeed. Yeah, I'm sort of shocked by how bad Wolves are, actually. They've not got a single point. I think only six teams have lost their first five games in Premier League history. That is damning, isn't it? It is. I'm surprised that Pereira isn't able to sort of craft something better out of the players he's got. I know they've been very unlucky with essentially losing all of their best players apart from Stran Larsson.

52:32And that's difficult for any team. but they are drowning at the moment. I mean, Vita Pereira only agreed a new contract with Wolves, what, four days ago, was it?

52:42Marcus Speller: What do they do? Is there like a quota of, you know, signing photos that need to be done? Because there's no reason for Pereira to be signing this contract. It's an odd one, yeah. Strand Larson, who was on loan, he signed this summer, has already signed a new contract again. What is going on? Well, yeah. Strand Larson, though, Newcastle was sniffing around for big money. so you know they want to be and he is crucial if they are to stay up they need him like I said at the time he is bordering on priceless because of the situation that Wolves were already in Vita Pereira signing a new contract they'll have their reasons it strikes you as slightly odd but there must be something within it that has this situation in mind well I mean we were discussing the other day on the mailbag weren't we hardest managers in the Premier League and Vita Pereira was heavily mentioned in that.

53:34Maybe he's just strong-armed them. Yeah, maybe. Maybe he has. But look, Wolves are struggling. There's no doubt about that. And where do you go? I think it's a real... It's really troubling when the transfer window closes and you start the season in such a way and you think, oh, bloody hell. We can't get reinforcements. You know, the next window is January. are we still going to have the same manager by then the players you know the body language and all the rest of it they were well beaten yeah they're very easy to play against yeah I know in the second half they sort of rallied a bit I mean that's the least I'd expect

54:17as you said

54:21obviously they're already in a relegation scrap yeah well you look at them and they're the favourites for it the clear favourites we're not even picking up a point I don't think you'd even need to say early days with this. Yeah, of course. It's at the point though all they need is a result even if it's a point. They need something on the board to just build from there because this is sort of a crisis at this point, right? So I know it seems very early to say that but they are staring relegation in the face this early on with not getting a single point up to now. So they just have to I suppose they have to address the gravity of the situation and put some intensity into their play.

54:55That seems to be what's lacking. And I'm sure Vitor Pereira badly wants a pint and he can't have one, can he? until he's got points. Yeah, and he said, first the points. So a draw's not even good enough. So poor old Vita, he'll be gasping for an ale, no doubt. But great for Leeds, though. It's the type of win that really, really gets you going. And coming to Calvert-Lewin, he's probably their most high-profile player, one would say. For him to score that and a trademark header and a difficult one to take, give him all the credit in the world, it gets, it's that word, Jim, confidence. Absolutely.

55:30gets it going. And again, as well, not just for him, but throughout the team, because again, goals are usually the problem when you're a promoted side. You know, you can keep it tight at the back and all that good stuff. But if you're not scoring, you're not going to win games. When they get him in, yes, we know the injury problems. Yes, we know that he's not had the best time of it in the last few years and so on and so forth. But the fact is, that whole Leeds team, they'll all know him. He's a bigger name than all of them, you'd say. He's got more Premier League experience than the majority, if not all, as I'm rifling through the Leeds players in my head.

56:04But you understand what I mean. Yeah. He's a focal point in a number of ways. If you see him score and you go, ah. Yeah, we belong here. We've got a chance here. Absolutely. Because if he's fluffing his lines, and obviously had a terrible start to his time at Leeds, I know he's not been there that long, but the game against Sheffield Wednesday was a real disaster. You're thinking, bloody hell, mate, we're going to need you. But when Anton Stackfish is whipping in free kicks like that, talking about confidence, I mean, that's when you really start to go, here you go, boys. Well, the important thing is that...

56:32Marcus Speller: Messi-esque! Yeah, that's not a bad shout. I suppose that's the point with Calvert-Lewin. I don't think you can... You're not going to be able to rely on him to stay fit for all games. And so the other encouraging thing from it is the fact that the goals came from elsewhere as well. Yeah. You know, even Okafor's goal was the product of quite a nice move and, you know, a decent finish for him. You need people taking those chances, don't you? Yeah. Whether it's from set pieces or in open play, you don't necessarily need to leave up to one man. Is that Stack's Declan Rice moment in the Premier League?

57:04Obviously, Rice was in the Champions League. Is he going to be... I mean, if he makes commentators make noises like this...

57:15Marcus Speller: That's really good, because that speaks to a commentator who would have covered Leeds a lot, would have done his research on Stack and not known he had that in him. Yes. Did it to anyone else look too easy to go on that side? I know what you... He had a lot to do, but it seemed like the only place where he could get, that was the clearest shot at goal. I don't know. I think the fact that if you're going to go that side, you absolutely have to stuff it in that corner. And he does, but I feel like in front of him, there could have been more obstructions because it was fairly close to the box. Yeah.

57:54Marcus Speller: I don't know. I just thought like, when I saw, it was, it didn't, it's still a very impressive goal. Did you not hear that noise? Yeah, sorry. I don't think, I think he needs to hear it again. Hands on stack. Ah! Yeah, it is like, ah! Yeah. Yes! It's like turning to the person next to you, being like, fuck it up, did you see that? It's glorious stuff. Yeah, a beautiful goal. So, great win for Leeds. And I mean, Leeds, I think, you know, Farh has not had the best of times in the Premier League. It's safe to say, previously. after five games seven points same as Manchester City same as Everton who we've been talking about incredibly same as Man United wow so you know mind there you go but you know all I'm saying Leeds fans you're two points off Champions League places I mean like come the end of the come the end of the season they take that they take that me old son you know what they should go all in financially chase that Champions League and they should all shave their heads yeah some of them could go bleach blonde yeah I think that's a really sound idea actually now or never what's the worst that could happen nothing in history suggests it's happened before no precedent at the club absolutely right so yeah well done to Leeds sorry West Ham but we do have time to talk about you and we're going to West Ham United 1, Crystal Palace 2 at the time of recording Graham Potter is still West Ham manager but he is on the brink.

59:21This feels very Curse of the Ramble, doesn't it? It really does. He's on the brink. I mean, let's briefly talk about the game. Jean-Philippe Mateta, of course, scored a header. I mean, that goal was the seventh goal West Ham have conceded from a corner this season. They are so weak at corners. They did score one, though. All five foot nine of Jarrod Bowens going, right, I'll have to head this in, will I? All right, fine. I'll do that. That is true. That is true. But defending corners. Yeah. So weak.

59:46Marcus Speller: Seventh concession from a corner. Five games into the season. I mean it is appalling and it has to it has to you know be at the manager's door that yeah 100 % yeah because that's how you set up it's a mini game within a game you can practice that on the training ground you should be doing it and whatever they're doing they're doing wrong it's appalling do you think it's it's harder to defend corners at the London Stadium because all other Premier League grounds are quite tight to the corners and people need to get creative about how they run up but you can just fucking use the long jump maybe You can do a whole circuit if you want.

1:00:23Marcus Speller: Really wind up and whip it in. It's impossible to defend. It was odd when the Palace corner kick taker just chucked a javelin just before he did it. It was a bit off, but yeah. All I'm going to say is that West Ham, I don't know whether Potter will still be there on the 4th of October, but that's when they go to Arsenal. Gabriel hat-trigger headers that day. I made the mistake. They are going to bully the shit out of them on that. Potentially, yeah. Although West Ham do like bloodying noses of their bigger London rivals. Jim, come on. Sure. Just trying not to jinx anything. West Ham are hitting themselves.

1:01:00Marcus Speller: They are. Of their London rivals. What, Chelsea and Spurs? Fair enough. Yeah, they don't like it at the moment, do they? I was gutted to know that Fulham don't play them until December. I thought, oh, they'll have a time to regroup then. It's a shock if they get anything at the moment, isn't it? Being serious about it. And it is... I really feel for those fans, partly because I made the mistake of reading David Sullivan's Wikipedia entry this weekend. Just grot. Just appalling grot. Just awful. Just every word of it is horrendous. They deserve so much better than him sat there watching his little telly, probably watching Midsummer Murders, or more grot.

1:01:39That's way too wholesome for that topic. But look, I think with... The writing's on the War for Potter, because of the results and we know all that but when the broadcasters keep panning around to the to the owners of the club you know you know what's going on a word for Tyrant Mitchell's winner on his wrong fullback volume out on his wrong foot very pleasing goal really nice do you know what I don't want to overdo it Vish here we go Zinedine Zidane-esque I thought you were going to tout him for England yeah no he's already been touted for England hasn't he he's played he's been in the squad

1:02:12Marcus Speller: yeah why are Crystal Palace still good? Oliver Glasner that is the genuine answer isn't it? yeah they keep losing players they almost lost Mark Gay and you wondered about his focus maybe this or the other why are they still really good? I think Gay is the type of character that he will always be focused and I think that's why he's such good leadership material yeah it's not specific to him my point is that But I don't get how they can be still so functional. How Glasner, despite himself wanting to leave because he felt like they weren't matching his own ambitions, they just keep thriving under the river.

1:02:57What you're seeing is Crystal Palace are a team who know how to play over the back three. That's what you're looking at. Surely you simply cannot fathom it. He's thinking, but they can do it.

1:03:08Marcus Speller: Is everyone else seeing this? Not only that. Ruben, are you seeing this? Not only that, but the reason he's doing that is because when he came to the club, that was the best system for those group of players. There you go. So he's actually out-amoring him. I know what you mean. Maybe the Pope talked him into it. On two different fronts, yeah. Maybe the Pope told him, he said, you've got Munoz, right? Give him the right flank, the whole of the right flank himself. He'll do that. He's Cafu. He's Cafu. There you go. Yeah, exactly. But that's what I mean, though, Vish, is that, well, you've got Adam Morton in there, Will Hughes.

1:03:39you've got your two wing backs the Ket Mateta you know really Eza is the only one that's gone I know they didn't have Saar for this game who's been brilliant which is why they only won 2-1 by the way but they know what they're doing they're well drilled

1:03:54Marcus Speller: they're in such a good place at the moment and it's really refreshing to see I feel like Palace fans they're not just thinking of like God we could be we could finish here we could you know get into this European competition or win this win this cup obviously they already won the FA Cup last year but they're also just like enjoying everything right now yes and it must be such a great place to be yeah but why didn't ss stay that's what i'm gonna say yeah um now uh west ham yes uh as i say potter is very much on the brink may well be today he might have another match or two i don't know um they've started identifying alternatives nuno is the obvious one.

1:04:36Why would you go there if you're Nuno? But if you're a West Ham fan, surely you'd want him. Yeah, and also Premier League money is often why these players, or why these managers rather take these jobs, right? True. Gary O 'Neal. I mean, I could see Gary O 'Neal interim to the end of the season, something like that. But for the Rambles' sake, Slav and Billich. Yes. I mean, you haven't just thrown that into the mix, have you? That's a legitimate rumour that's doing the rounds. I'm surprised Sean Dyche isn't in there, rumour-wise, because I think he would fix this yeah I think yeah again to the end of the season indeed but then this is the problem with West Ham I feel so sorry for those fans because you think okay fine get Daishin or even maybe Gary O 'Neill because you think about the job he did was it Bournemouth when he helped them and then they kept him on and then it didn't go so well and obviously you kind of go okay to the end of the season then kind of you know get away from the relegation zone and all the rest of it and now what?

1:05:32Marcus Speller: They're back in the cycle with when they originally got Moyes because they yeah he kept them up and then they didn't sign him on and then they went back to him and then eventually I think basically the third time it ended up working yeah but yeah it's depressing West Ham travel to Everton next so if Potter's still in charge Moyes could see him off Marcus before we go oh yeah got some action from the Discord type 1 Pat said this on the Football Ramble Discord on Saturday on our trip to Croatia I asked my better half if we could attend the massively important fourth division west football match between HNK Zadar and slogan Revinca.

1:06:09Fourth division west in Croatia. This man is a football pervert. After all, it was second against fourth. She asked if I would be bringing my prized Marcus Speller FSA award thrusting t-shirt. Here we go. I couldn't disappoint her. Unwavering enthusiasm. And we have an image of him at this huge, huge clash in Croatia wearing a picture of you pretending to shag an award.

1:06:32Marcus Speller: Well, look, I... Did we sell these? No, no, he made it himself. He went home to get it. Is he selling them? I hope he's making a few quid off of my thrusting. Lord knows I've tried, but I failed to make any money from it myself. I mean, this is... Speak to David Sullivan. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I'll monetise them gruff. Yeah, that t-shirt can't end up in Sullivan terms. It's me, the sandy little gremlin. I'm here to ruin your life. That's going to be West Ham's Awaken next season It's difficult for me to talk about Somebody who's put an image of me Particularly that image of me On a t-shirt I'm flattered, I thank the man But Vish, what do you think?

1:07:18Marcus Speller: I mean, I think it's despicable, isn't it? It's glorious Not my actions, what his actions are Of making that t-shirt Taking it on tour The trophy is just behind Jim's head right now oh yeah yeah yeah yeah so if you've not enjoyed this podcast you're wrong

1:07:38well look God bless you I hope you had a lovely time in Croatia and I hope that t-shirt opened a lot of doors for you because I hear I'm massive there everywhere I go much like West Ham thank you very much for listening to the Football Amble Park the ACAST Creator Network we'll be back tomorrow with the mailbag where we're discussing Aston Villa the importance of substitutes and what we'd steal from a football club do not miss it And please remember to leave us a five-star review wherever you're listening. It helps us enormously. And we'd bloody love you for it. There we are. Thank you very much, Vish.

1:08:08Thank you. Thank you, Jim. Thank you. And thank you, Type One Pat, you flipping legend.

1:08:21The Football Ramble is a Stack Production and part of the Acast Creator Network.

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