It’s time for a commercial break

0:00Carvana is so easy just to click and we've got ourselves a car. See? So many cars. That's a clicktastic inventory. And check out the financing options. Payments to fit our budget. I mean that's... Clickonomics 101. Delivery to our door. Just a hop, skip, and a click away. And bought. No better feeling than when everything just... Clicks. Buy your car today on... Carvana. Delivery fees may apply. Do you want your soccer analysis more direct than an Arsenal set piece? Join me, Max Rushton, and the Guardian's expert soccer journalist for the latest action and news from the Premier League to the Champions League and all the way to the World Cup.

0:40We'll have chat more out of the box than a Dominic Sobber's Life pre-kick, more panellists than Chelsea of players, and unlike VAR, we know where to draw the line. For fine margins, fun debates, and full-blooded tackles, Football Weekly, listen wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on YouTube. Hey, this is Adam Grant, host of Ted's podcast, Rethinking with Adam Grant. Let me share with you why smart finance leaders turn to Bill. They know that clarity isn't just helpful, it's strategic. As the intelligent finance platform, Bill uses AI to automate the busy work for nearly half a million businesses so they can focus on intentional growth.

1:13Eliminate the friction and start scaling with the proven choice. Visit bill.com slash proven to talk with an expert about automating your business finances and get a$250 gift card as a thank you. That's bill.com slash proven. Terms and conditions apply. See offer page for details. Hi, this is Matt from P1 with Matt and Tommy, and this episode is sponsored by eBay. The cars you'll find on eBay are just different.

1:36Pete Donaldson: They come with a story that you can't wait to share. Like this 1973 Dodge Charger on eBay that has been tucked away in an Arizona barn for over 40 years, only 55 ,000 miles, and somehow in great running order. It even has a rare sunroof. Suddenly, a car that was hidden for decades is being delivered in just a few clicks with eBay's secure purchase. All the paperwork handled. There are thousands of cars on eBay, from unique finds like the Pontiac Grand Prix SJ to daily drivers, and now with a new way to buy them. eBay. Things people love. Guys, it's no use putting it off. The best time for an underwear refresh is now.

2:18Tommy John Underwear is designed for a perfect fit that stays put all day. There's zero chafe thanks to four times more stretch than competing brands. And their innovative horizontal quick draw fly is a game changer. With over 30 million pairs sold, there are thousands of men out there more comfortable than you. Don't settle for less. Go to TommyJohn.com today for 25 % off your first order with code COMFORT. That's TommyJohn.com slash COMFORT. TommyJohn. Comfort perfected. If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip-off and Grainger is your trusted partner offering the products you need all in one place from HVAC and plumbing supplies to lighting and more and all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock so your team always gets the win call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done

3:18Pete Donaldson: I was told the streets were paved with gold, everybody. Welcome to the Football Ramble. Mo Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. It's Wednesday, 25th of March. I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Luke Moore. And I'm Pete Donaldson.

3:42Pete Donaldson: Hi guys Whoa What a start Whoa Steady Mo Salah's leaving us Big Al He is Whoa Whoa I'll tell you what I was absolutely delighted That he dropped that news last night Cheers mate I was looking at this running order Right And it was barren It's the post What a start to the show, eh? What a start to the show. Someone assaulted the conversational earth and Mo Salah came along with a delicious crop. I looked at the runner and I was like, I've done too many of these. Too many rambles. I've done so many rambles in my life. It's like eggs. Reproductive eggs. You only have a finite amount. Don't look at me.

4:19Look at Marcus because he has to respond to it. Okay, fine. Marcus.

4:22Pete Donaldson: Do I have to respond to it? What were you doing in the 90s, Dad? It's like that person in the pub who wants to speak about a particular issue. I'm like, no, I don't need, I don't need to pick a side or another. I don't even drink. No, I can't even get my head around this. I like both bands. Can I just say, Marcus, I hope you are, same as me, hoping for a deliciously odd take on Mo Salah from Pete today. Oh, yeah. What do you mean? Great David Raya one yesterday, which you got a lot of support for in the comments on YouTube, by the way. Because I'm bloody right, and Jim is just an absolute coward, in my opinion.

4:52Oh, it sets up the attack, does it now? Pete, you had a big take, you had a hot take on David Raya. Right. Some people endorsed it. And you have called... And I am absolutely high on my own supply. Marcus Paxman to you at the time, and rightly so.

5:04Pete Donaldson: And you have said off mic that Mo Salah is a Chelsea legend. I'm going to do 10 minutes on his hair transplant. Well, you can do. I do need to say thanks to Friend of the Ramble, Hank, for giving us that intro line. Do it then. You should have done it at the top of the show instead of going launching right into Mo Salah. You're a disgrace, Marcus. It is my fault. If you want to submit an intro line for a future episode and get an extended edition of today's show, then become a friend of the Ramble on our Patreon. Just head to patreon.com forward slash football Ramble to get involved. Now, Pete, what can they look forward to to today's edition of Ramble Uncut?

5:37I'm going to do 20 minutes on airline problems I've had. Oh, that should sound quite interesting. I was going to launch an airline disaster there, but I thought better of it because of recent news.

5:48Pete Donaldson: And by the way, it's very presumptuous of Pete to say 20 minutes, but he probably will be up because it'll actually be 10 minutes, but he's accounting for the laughter in between every year. I was going to say, we promise you, it will certainly feel like 20 minutes. It will certainly feel like a disaster. There's loads of good stuff. There's loads of stuff. We've got the robot AI button from Monday's show. We've got the Maradona Sun calling Scott McTominay Jesus. Don't give away all the punchlines. But I'm going to talk about a time I met a certain former politician abroad. And I got marked off.

6:20Pete Donaldson: Peter Mandelson. I know it is. You've told the story before. Were you on the island, Marcus? I'm going to talk about it. You're opening yourself up to that. Are we on the island with Mandelson? I wasn't aware I was talking to you. On a lounger with a celebrated scientist. Right, okay. Is it MPMP? Rubbing cream on his back. Is it MPMP? MPMP? Yeah. Yeah. Have I told you before? I don't know if you've told me before. Okay. Let's check it out. Right, okay. We'll check it out. Check it out. Exactly. We'll check it out. We'll be fine. Yeah. MP, not PM. No. Okay. Okay. I was never on the island. I've always been on this island.

6:52Pete Donaldson: Exactly. Marcus, you've got to say what you like, Pete. Marcus has always been very supportive of this island in particular. He has, yeah. I love this island. I think it's brilliant. Certain parts of it in particular, actually. Where are you going with that? You're more England than you are Scotland. Well, of course, I haven't grown up in Scotland. I gave them a lot of my time. You're more England than you are Wales, then. Yeah, but that's not... This is just getting ridiculous now. We're going to talk about more on this on Uncut, okay? Which parts of Britain do I... Have I ever been voted into or not, or would have a chance?

7:24Pete Donaldson: Certain parts of Kent, maybe.

7:29Pete Donaldson: Mo Salah is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. They've reached an agreement. Mo, would you please... No, that's disrespectful. No, it's not. Is it not? No, I think you should carry on with that. They said, get the fuck out of here. You're wasting everyone's time. You are guffing up the side of the pitch, please. Get out. No player is bigger than the team. Arliss locked on when this is all your fault. Get out. Get out. Yeah, everyone says we don't be enough managers. Well, someone's got to go. Someone's got to take the form. It would be amazing if you went to Everton. I don't know why.

7:59It would be good. Why have you come off with that? Because it's a bit of fun, isn't it? All right. Or Salah.

8:04Pete Donaldson: Forget about, you know, earning more money than God again. It'd be hilarious if you went to Portsmouth as well. Not as hilarious. I agree with that. Playing in League One with Portsmouth. Well, steady. Not quite yet. Andy Carroll's Dagenham and Redbridge. Now you're talking. Or if he was playing in the Europa League next season with Fulham. Yeah. Again, let's not get ahead of that zone. A little taster into what's coming up in the show. My headline from this piece of news is Mo Sellar quits before he's pushed. What do you think? Is that right? One of the finest players in the history of, I don't think you even need to say the Premier League.

8:36Pete Donaldson: I think you could say the English top flight. I think we could extend this all the way back deep into the 1900s. No, I think it becomes tricky, Marcus, when it's before we actually started watching football. I think you're shaky around it. Even if you say he's one of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League, I think that is a huge accolade in itself. But look, he's reached an agreement that they're allowing us to, because he'd signed a two-year contract extension, if you like. Which seemed like such a good deal when that happened, didn't it? Well, I mean, you know, he's on huge wages.

9:06Pete Donaldson: And it was an interesting one because I think Luke and I, did we have a sort of Harry Kane-style gentleman's bet if he was going to stay or go, if you remember that one? I thought we lost it. No, I don't think you did because I thought he was going to go. I was quite convinced he was going to go. And of course, he signed the contract. and again you know one or two people saying oh he's sort of leaving on a bit of a damp script it won't matter as soon as he says he's going you don't remember this season you remember the trophies you remember the performances the goals everything and of course and that will only become even more illuminated as if it needs to in subsequent seasons and years definitely I think if you know if indeed there needs to be a chat of should he have gone last season or stayed I mean if they'd have let him go last season and he would have walked away and say if I'd gone to Saudi where a Saudi team had bid for him before and whatnot.

9:55Pete Donaldson: Everyone would have gone, oh, but come on, you've got a bit more in the tank. You remember when Eric Cantona suddenly quit football? I remember being gutted. It seems real. I was like, but you've got so much more. And I think with Salah, it was a case of, you know, you've got to stay. And subsequently, at least we know. Maybe he knew. Maybe he knew this is what he was going to. It's not a massive surprise that he negotiated a new contract at the very top of his. Yeah. The contribution he had made. I think the more broad take, given this news broke yesterday, is just to say that if you're talking about the best players in the history of the Premier League, Sadler has to be mentioned.

10:31He's got to be. He's the only player to have won players to play three years, I think. Three separate years. He's won pretty much everything you can win. I think he's literally everything for Liverpool all the time he's available. And at his best, he was a totally unplayable forward. And even if you take it away from the broad stuff and take it down to the individual moments. He's also contributed some absolutely incredible individual moments. Some amazing goals. No point running through them now because this is mostly an audio show. And if you are watching it on YouTube, we haven't got the rights to show you the videos.

11:02So there's no point talking about it. But we could recreate some of them. We could recreate them with our fingers. Go do one now. All right, okay. This is the one. Covid against West Ham. Oh, with a long goal from Trenton. The ball comes in.

11:13Pete Donaldson: And there's the touch. Takes it down almost immediately. Yeah. And then just sort of encourages it into the net. I think that's a lovely way of putting it, Peter. It encourages it. Yeah, it's a shame that people didn't get to see it. He charms it into the net, doesn't he? There'll be a lot of defenders, Premier League level defenders, who'll be watching the BBC retirement, not retirement, but leaving Liverpool piece on the main website. And there's a little goals video, compendium. That's where I sort of cribbed that one from. And they'll be going, why did I let him cut inside? Like, it's just all of the goals are cut inside top left, cut inside top left.

11:50Pete Donaldson: I mean, there was a one against, was it Man City where actually went on the outside and it was the right boots. But I mean, it's always the question with those players. The ultimate what being, Iron Robin. Everyone knew what he was going to do. Just unbeatable doing it. But you know, it's a bit like, alright, here comes, you know, peak Mike Tyson. I know what he's going to do. Yeah, and he's done it. Because I can't really stop it. Just stop letting him hit you in the face and you won't get knocked out. And then even times where he thought he was going to do that, that goal against Watford where he just sort of took it around for a play and slotted it.

12:20He's just got everything. Yeah, one of those against Everton as well. The one I, my personal favourite goal of Mo Salah is the one where he, it's against Chelsea in 2018-19 where he starts off on the right and he does do that thing where he cuts inside but instead of doing that shaped shot where he bends it just inside the far post he absolutely rifles it and I think the goal that it scored in the ground that it's at the camera view the camera anger is so pleasing. He just rockets right in the top bin. And I just think he will... Because he hates Chelsea. He hated them. Yeah, right. Because Jose Mourinho made him cry.

12:54The long queue of players. Yeah. But I think when you look back on Mo Salah in the Premier League, you're not necessarily going to... Your mind's not going to immediately spring to, oh, he was the first player to win three players player of the year awards. They are going to spring to those moments, right? Which is part of what keeps us coming back to football. And I think if you are going to, you know, attribute a player to many, many different amazing moments. I mean, Mo Salah's certainly a great selection because he's brought so much of that to his time at Liverpool. I also felt like his parting statement was a kind of a little reparation job as well after what happened earlier in the year.

13:30Leeds United. Yeah, well, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But he's clearly delivered a statement which is very, very supportive of the fans and grateful for their support and all the rest of it. And I actually quite like... Do you know when Liverpool and Klopp announced that he was leaving? Yeah. Did it in a very similar way, didn't they? I know it was time of the year, knew he was going to be going.

13:53Pete Donaldson: I think it was January. Maybe a bit earlier, yeah. But it was almost owning of the narrative. Yes. No one got whiff of this. No. He just done it himself on his own terms and now what he can do is he can enjoy the rest of the season. Hopefully he can be free of all the kind of uncertainty around him. It might shackles off him a bit. he might feel a bit more better of a contribution I did wonder that I did wonder that go to Real Madrid team up with Trent again that would be lovely and he's still got about three more years at the very peak I'm not sure Real Madrid have seen enough this season to think they might want to take a chance are they short of an attacking winger I don't think so do you reckon if you're going to be agreeing to sort of end your contract there's probably some kind of negotiations that you don't go to a club like that maybe yeah I know they're not they're not going to go there but I mean it might be yeah it might be part of it you are going to leave a year early it's part of the You're not going Barca.

14:41You're not going to the big boys. But you are going to Everton under David Moyes. So you don't have to move house. Enjoy. Good luck to you.

14:46Pete Donaldson: Didn't enjoy tracking back here. Well, have we got a job for you? How would you sum up his kind of profile, his contribution, his standard at the Premier League markets over the years? Well, I mean, one of the best. There's no doubt about that. I think... It's funny. When I think about some of the great Premier League players, there are some who are not in question because of what they did. And there's other ones that kind of you remember and you go, kind of a misty eyed over and so on. And I think with Salah, I think, I know some people might not like this, but his numbers will always be there because they're so phenomenally good statistically.

15:21Pete Donaldson: He's up there. Because if you gasp back, I mean, the aforementioned Eric Cantona, if you weren't around for Eric Cantona or you maybe don't really remember him, then there are some clips, you're kind of just going on what other people say, really. You could argue the same, maybe a little bit about Dennis Bergkamp, another one of those players. You could even say about Didier Drogba as well. I was going to say Drogba, yeah, I would definitely. But you'd have to really listen to those who saw him play, or those players play, and then you see the banners at Chelsea with Drogba's face on it and a cantonout at Manchester United, and you're going on stories being passed down.

15:59Were there players that symbolise more than just being players? That's Salah Firmino or Mane at three.

16:04Pete Donaldson: Yeah, but I think with Salah, you have all of that, But also as well, you've got the numbers to back it up. And again, I think nowadays numbers are more talked about than perhaps they were. But his third highest scorer in Liverpool's history. I mean, to be called one of Liverpool's greatest ever players, that in itself, that will always translate to one of the best in the Premier League, of course. I think you have to. But that is, to have that as an achievement. And again, a guy who was a good player, don't get me wrong. And I remember when he was playing for Roma, and you know don't watch an awful lot of Serie A but you knew he was he was doing well there and hence they signed him but when they signed him I didn't think it was going to be this good or that good should I say it was it was phenomenal and as you say Pete when he then goes in and Klopp comes along and creates that team it's one of I think probably because Klopp's the figurehead of it one of the more likeable sort of champions and teams for my money anyway in the Premier League they were a joy to watch there were so many wonderful component parts to it but Salah Even among all that, and even that front three you just said there, Peter, you're absolutely right.

17:12Pete Donaldson: Phenomenal as it was, the way it worked together. Even within all that, his individual brilliance shined through as well. He was the best of them. I think I really wanted to make the point about him being one of Liverpool's best ever players because that doesn't come easy, right? If you're going to be a forward player playing for Liverpool, and you're going to be one of their best ever players, you're going to need to win everything because of their history, and you're going to need to have scored a lot of goals. And he's done both those things. It's interesting that he comes to Liverpool and his first season at Liverpool he scores more goals in the first season than his both seasons at Roma put together yeah right where's that come from do you know what I mean exactly usually slightly wide players take a little bit of time to kind of settle but he just hit the ground running didn't he well I mean on read it maybe a slightly more comparable example you know again one of the best in the Premier League you know so many accolades he was kind of converted from a wide player to a centre forward player wasn't he Elnir yeah sort of opposite yeah yeah but yeah look Yeah, it's fair to say he did a get up to speed.

18:10Pete Donaldson: Still off here, Gordon. There you go. A phenomenal player. Mo Salah, one of the best, as we say. We can talk about that. But I was also glad for him that he won that title last season. Yeah. Because again, like, don't get me wrong. Had he not have done that, still a legend, still one of the best and all the rest of it. But I think two Premier League titles, you know, it sounds much more complete than one. Do you know what I mean? like it is that leap up and I think that was fitting and that season being his penultimate season as well that just phenomenal to be able to do that at that age and to do it with such aplomb and be so obviously the best player in the league that season there's often a bit of a chat as there will be this season about oh could it be this player or that player there's usually there's usually a few often you have one sort of who's maybe kind of a forehead above the rest he was head shoulders knees and toes above everybody that season you know in his penultimate season in the Premier League into his 30s just incredible so he will be missed yes this season obviously not quite the same but it's not over yet if he delivers Champions League football to Liverpool this season and an FA Cup and a Champions League well I mean let's chuck that in there he could build an entire house out of Man of the Match kind of bricks you know you give those little awards he could build like an entire he could just live in them he could live in them yeah it would be very warm I imagine because they're quite translucent aren't they yeah so they just radiate a lot of heat radiate a lot of heat you get burned Marcus, are you getting that coverage anywhere else?

19:36I don't think so. No. I don't think so. Is there a reason? You'll have the same. Is there a reason for that? I think so. I think so, yeah.

19:42Pete Donaldson: Yeah, yeah, yeah. There we are. Well, we've still got, you know, sort of a couple of months or more of him left in the Premier League. So it'd be great to see him to score a few more. Not against Fulham, if I may. That's also in his contract. You're not that guy against Fulham if you leave now. I love it. It's a strange one. Totally demob happy now. You see, oh, I'm not even in the best team because they've told so many players, I'm going to fucking shoot on sight yeah tear up yeah I'll have that free kick thanks very much I'm going to start fiddling with the substitute's board to get myself subbed after five minutes yeah yeah yeah you know I'm going to take pissing in the corner I'm taking every free kick and penalty in corner yeah I'm doing everything I'm shooting every time I get the ball let's do that hope he does do that yeah indeed let's do alright coming up after this we take a look at the current state of play in the Premier League

20:38Hey, this is Adam Grant, host of TED's podcast, Rethinking with Adam Grant. Let me share with you why smart finance leaders turn to Bill. They know that clarity isn't just helpful, it's strategic. As the intelligent finance platform, Bill uses AI to automate the busy work for nearly half a million businesses so they can focus on intentional growth. Eliminate the friction and start scaling with the proven choice. Visit bill.com slash proven to talk with an expert about automating your business finances and get a$250 gift card as a thank you. That's bill.com slash proven. Terms and conditions apply.

21:09See offer page for details. Hi friends, Sean Linda from Two Black Guys with Good Credit here. Whether you're running a nonprofit, a school, or a small business, Walmart Business is here to support your mission. They make it easy to order what you need, from tech and cleaning supplies to everyday essentials, all at low prices and with helpful tools like spend, tracking, and tax-exempt purchasing for eligible organizations. Because when your operations are smooth, your impact can be bigger. Visit business.walmart.com to get started.

22:02Visit Wayfair.com or the Wayfair app. Wayfair, every style, every home. Studies show that 100 % of everybody in the world wants to curl up indoors and do nothing because it's so darn cold out there. That's why many people are turning to Bombas, whose pillowy plush slippers and warm merino wool socks have been said to be the most comfortable in the history of feet. Bombas products have been found to boost coziness by up to 1 million percent. Okay, enough fake statistics, but could Bombas socks and slippers really be the cure? Go to bombas.com slash audio and use code audio for 20 % off your first purchase.

22:34That's B-O-M-B-A-S dot com and use code audio.

22:59Who's the guy interviewing him? He sounds like an absolute dickhead. Chippy chop. It was Cheeky Pete. Is it you? Cheeky Pete? Cheeky Pete. Excellent. Cheeky Pete, yeah. Oh, speaking of that, I just wanted to say the welcome back shit. Yeah, welcome back, you shits.

23:12Pete Donaldson: Yeah. Go on. But it's very important news that we didn't break to our listeners this morning first thing. Right. That you were spotted in the wild by a listener this morning purchasing a can of Monster Energy Drink at 7.20am. Yeah, I mean, if they are going to say that I purchased a can of Energy Drink, a can of monster it's wrong isn't it Peter at 2021 it was actually at 20 and it was a kind of rock star so rock star Peter you could have just denied that yeah you could have just denied that that is factually incorrect that would be taken no further questions yeah when you bought it did you go hey hey I wanna drink a rock star yeah it's an easily achievable dream isn't it really Peter night year calories of of gopping acid isn't it Peter do you like that we've got like loads and loads of listeners around the country policing you it's like it's a little finger Out of Game of Thrones.

24:00Yeah, he's got people everywhere. Varys the Spider as well. He was like that. Marcus is left on you. You wrestle it back, mate. I just thought it's important that our listeners and our viewers know that Peter is living in this way. And we don't have to stage interventions because our listeners are doing it for us. Exactly. That person should have grabbed that can of rockstar, threw it on the floor, stamped it, No! Help yourself! Have some water! Have some respect!

24:25Pete Donaldson: Now, everybody, the final international break of the season normally signals the official start of the running. The running of the running. Running, running, running, running, running, running. Let's get it started. Yeah. Stop us over there. We've got, thank goodness we've got an international break. So long we have to wait. Well, I mean, the way you sort of say it's an in-season kind of international break, it's sort of, they float around, don't they? They're in-season, they're out of season. There's tournaments. I love that they do this in football. But I love that they go, you're reaching fever pitch for what's going to happen in the best league in the world.

25:01Let's have April off. Stop. Commercial break. It's a commercial break. It's edging. It is edging. Excitement edging, isn't it? It's like when you go to one of those places you go to and you're about to have the old happy ending and they say, no, you're going to wait three weeks. Steady. It's not what happens at all. You're dressed like it is what's happening. I'm paying for it. I'm happening.

25:23Pete Donaldson: You can deny it as well. perhaps more difficult too tired live in truth Peter live in your truth but I think look we've got the international break we're looking forward to that of course England aren't playing for a couple of days sadly so we thought we'd take this opportunity to review the current state of play in the Premier League might even give a little prediction or two so let's start with the title race of course Arsenal are currently first 70 points from 31 games they've got a few injuries Eber Etriehezi most notably you might say there's how many of those injuries are real? yeah well oh what do you reckon it's gamesmanship I think so Eze's is some of them are real but because Eze doesn't have to travel far alright that's why I think his is real right I think I've given away what I think it's a bit like me in the kitchen quite late at night going through the cupboards right looking for more you can have a snack but it's in Brazil there's six biscuits representing the Arsenal players right how many am I going to eat right all six how many do I tell my wife I'm going to eat yeah probably Ebereche Eze just one leave one there there you are so it's not always not always as it seems fascinating are these Brazilian snacks?

26:32they were custard creams last night

26:34Pete Donaldson: I know you're talking so I think it's probably a big shame I think no there are I've got to be careful how I say this I suppose yeah I think I've done enough for you yeah this is the closest Arsenal have been to winning the Premier League for a long time yes they don't want anything to risk that they don't want any kind of other kind of inputs that could throw it off course. It'd be a shame to lose a vital player or two. They'd like him to go home and have a lovely rest. And listen to me, listen to me, if you're telling me right now your hamstring is sore, if you are saying that to me right here right now, I'll fill this form out.

27:16I'll fill this form. When am I going to fill this form out? On the 94th minute on the last match we just played. I'm going to find out precisely what's wrong with everybody. As many as six. Ticking a knock, have we? That's what the journalists are thinking. As many as six.

27:29Pete Donaldson: Should we name those players or should we just leave it at that? I don't know which ones are which. Name them and rate and review what you think. All I'm saying is Gabriel played the full 90 in the Carabao Cup final. And he looked physically fine. That's all I'm saying. So I want a noise. And he's an important player, isn't he? I want a noise from you. Okay. Mikel Marino, he's been out for a while, so. I'll give you the noises you need. Just say the player. Mikel Marino. Eberet Chiesi William Saliba

28:01Pete Donaldson: Martin Odegaard Been out for a while Leandro Trossard Best at all last Gabriel

28:18Leandro Trossard probably not injured because he looks like the kind of kid who would do anything for Mike Mikel Arteta. He's like the proper, like, what's the name of the little fella who's really loyal to Voldemort? Who is it? What's his name? Played by Timothy Spall. Yeah, Peter Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew. R2-D2? Yeah. R2-D2, yeah. Just bleeping. Bleeping. Really loyally. Leandro, are you injured? Because every player, it's like the, it's certain players who refuse to play until they're at you 100%. You're never 100%. There's always something going on. True, at this stage of the season. But I also like the fact that Ben White's volunteered to Mikel Arteta to say he's injured.

29:02There you go. You're all right.

29:04Pete Donaldson: You're all right. No, but he needs the match practice. You go and have an argument with someone. He needs the match practice so they're doing him a favour if he gets a minute. But my take on the title race though if you want to. Here we go, I'd love it. Is that, and this is going to be probably a bit unhelpful but I don't think there is a title race now. Oh, there is. There has to be because of what happened in the Carabao Cup. But let me tell you about the Opta supercomputer. Oh, that's back, is it? It's given Arsenal a 97 % chance of winning the league. Peter? Has another supercomputer looked at Opta's history in this competition?

29:37Who watches the Watchmen? Who watches the Watchmen?

29:39Pete Donaldson: Peter, tell him what Paul the Octopus is on. I live forever, technically. They call you... No, he died. They're jellyfish. They call you... What do they call you, Pete the Octopus? It's not going to be good, is it? It doesn't sound good. Sounds like I'm handsy. Because he's tentacles. And wet. And quite underminingly intelligent. Weirdly sharp teeth. Doesn't use them. It's a beak. It's a beak. Sorry. I don't think Arsenal. I think Arsenal will have this nailed. I think if you look at the fact that they lost the Carabao Cup 4 and they were poor, that's fine. Because the reality is they're not playing Man City every single week.

30:22They're playing Bournemouth at home. They're playing Fulham at home. They're playing Burnley at home. They're playing a team like Palace away on the... Palace away on the last day.

30:31Pete Donaldson: They have nothing to play for. Yeah, but Newcastle. Well, it doesn't matter. They love it. So the reason why... They're nine points clear. Yeah, but it's a man that you have a game in hand, right? Now, I know everyone... It's a Chelsea away, isn't it? Everyone is going on assumption that they've won that game. And then the other assumption is they'll then beat Arsenal. And they've repeatedly fucked things up. Well, you're right, because I think... That is the beauty of this season is... Excuse me, sorry. That is the beauty of this season because... You can make the argument for both, but I think you're ultimately right.

31:02Pete Donaldson: I'd be amazed if Arsenal don't go on and win it. But when Bournemouth go to Arsenal this season, yeah, you expect Arsenal to win, but the way they're playing, the way it's going, it's not a given. Nothing is a given. Look at what happened against Everton, for example. Russia blood to the head from Jordan Pickford, and that really hands Arsenal the game. There's many other examples of this throughout the season. The same with Manchester City, I stress. But if Manchester City, the only argument you can really make is they win that game in hand and then they've got Arsenal at home, so suddenly three points and then it's all, you know, huge pressure.

31:38Pete Donaldson: But are Manchester City going to win their remaining games? Are they going to win eight games in a row? Well, I think that that's a big achievement at any point in any team's history. I understand that, you know, there'll be favourites in every game and there's maybe bar the Arsenal one. I don't think they are going to win eight games, all eight games. I don't think Arsenal are going to win all eight games, but Arsenal don't need to. So it's absolutely intriguing. One of the best events in Europe. They'll get there. I think they'll get there. But it's whether they can score or not. But one thing I would say, though, is the great, I know you know the man personally, Adam Cleary, on his Football Tactics channel on YouTube.

32:17Pete Donaldson: yes good okay I do think so I don't know I think he's the best one of all the tactics guys and he was pointing out what happened in the final and Manchester City the way they just had four players essentially cutting off the passing lanes they let the back now obviously with Kepa in goal that's a better tactic because Raya's distribution is better but he was suggesting is that a template on how to really make Arsenal look really really blunt obviously if you're Manchester City with that midfield you've got more of a chance of doing it. So, you know, trying to make the argument for Manchester City is more difficult than Arsenal.

32:54Pete Donaldson: I don't think it is done. I suspect strongly, though, that Arsenal will go in and win. Well, I understand. I'm not going to go against the Opta supercomputer too much. I rightly so, but I think a lot, I appreciate all that information. That's really kind of interesting, but I feel that part of the narrative around this is essentially being led by Arsenal adjacent to people, pundits, or fans who are essentially just nervous that Arsenal haven't won the Premier League for a long time and have also come second and come so close repeatedly, right? That's all well and good. I understand the emotion of that and I totally get it.

33:30I listen to the Arsenal show we do and they say stuff like that and I can't really bring myself to believe whatever. I totally understand that. But the situation is as it is. The hard facts are that Arsenal we're going to be in April by the time the Premier League comes back and Arsenal will have a nine-point advantage, despite having played one extra game. And the games they've got left, I mean, I think if Man City don't beat Chelsea, I might have this maths wrong, so bear with me, but I think if Man City don't beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are quite unpredictable, but they are capable on their day.

34:02They might have busted their flush with Rossini, maybe. There's early signs. But they are capable. If Man City don't get a win there, bear in mind they've been pegged back by fucking Spurs this season, not that long ago that I think Arsenal only need to win three more games and they've got Bournemouth at home Fulham at home Burnley at home Why did you mention Fulham? Well they'll beat Fulham at home so it's it's it's not quite done I know what you mean It's not quite done but you can see it from here Rory producer Rory who coincidentally is an Arsenal fan said this is going to be boring chat if you don't make predictions so the prediction is Arsenal win the league and it'll be fairly easy I don't know if it's going to be a race honestly I don't think it will be I think it'll be a little bit of a race I think Arsenal with three points

34:45Pete Donaldson: Oh you think it's going to go down there Yeah it's going to go I think they might get a draw at the Etihad Game in hand and then Man City win the win the their fixture to make it a bit cagey but they're still high and they're still home and horsed for me How many points Luke if Pete's laid the gauntlet down there I wouldn't be surprised if it's five or six Yeah Yeah What about you? Four Okay He likes to go in the middle doesn't he Lucky Pierre A little bit Tony Blair Right What about the other end of the table the relegation battle. Yeah, those teams are terrible. Yeah, they're not going to win the league.

35:16I can predict, confidently, three of those are going to get relegated. They're going to lose the league by a good 40 points, I think. Hang on. More than that. More than that.

35:23Pete Donaldson: Which three, Luke Moore, then? Right. Here we go. Bottom of the league, to top, to 18th, yeah? Yeah. 20th. Yeah. Spurs. Oh, come on. I think Wolves and Burnley will be relegated, obviously. All right. And then, it's a fact. it's as much as a fact as you can get not a fact yet but it will be look everyone projecting it's gone boom oh crap boom crap well that's not true hang on you haven't predicted Leeds to go down boom he ran into that all tough and then he was like yeah so those two so anyway here we go this is the real chat I've not predicted Leeds to go down yet but I might might do to me here we go it's obviously one of the three teams Forest Spurs or West Ham now I find so Leeds aren't in it for you I don't think so I agree with you I agree with you I find it really really tough to predict Spurs to be relegated I know what you mean it's just hard to get into the mental headspace yeah but but they I mean but I saw with my own eyes them against Forest it was terrible right and I think I think obviously the thing that's happened to Igor Tudor and his family is terrible and that's really unfortunate to say the least and far more important than football and it's obviously going to it's going to essentially mean that he's no longer going to be the manager of Spurs.

36:43I don't think it's right to talk about how that could be a good thing or a bad thing for Spurs because life and death is far more important than this stuff. But it does mean, factually, they're going to have a new manager. Probably, right? They almost certainly are going to have one, right?

36:54Pete Donaldson: I think that's a fair... Yeah, so then it comes down to a lot of unknowns. I mean, because the link yesterday with Roberto De Zerbe, who's shown that he can have success in the Premier League, is that he wants to take the job if they stay in the league. And they're almost getting themselves into a position now. where no manager, in fact, they probably are in a position now where no manager worth their salt is going to take this job now. No. Because the risks are far too high and the rewards are bullshit. There's no reward, really. It's a big Sam kind of level of job now, isn't it? It feels, well, the problem is if you take Spurs now and you keep them in the Premier League, your reward is basically just to carry on as you were.

37:30The risk is you're the first manager for like 40 years to relegate one of the biggest clubs in the country. And that is, there's no amount of money that's going to save that for you reputationally really for a long time. And I find it fascinating how, I mean, the particular one that made me think about this is Glenn Hoddle. Like Glenn Hoddle yesterday or the day before was saying about how this is what he's doing. That's what he's doing. He's not married for 20 years. I know, I know. But 20 actual years. But look, it's got to the point of could it be worse. And you're talking about Redknapp. I know, that's what I mean, it's ludicrous.

38:00Redknapp's 80 years old. Yeah. He's the last two times.

38:03Pete Donaldson: Old men leaders are all the rage these days. They are, they are. But he's relegated QPR. He's relegated Birmingham. This is not someone who's got an amazing job. He's Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon. He's so good that we need to get him to do one more job. Danny Glover was about 35 in that maybe, by the way. The first one? Yeah, I think so. Oh, right. I don't know how old he was then. But having settled that, it's really difficult to get yourself out of the mindset that says, oh, they'll be just about fine. But that defeat to Forest at home was bad. I mean, it was really, it was as bad as it gets.

38:37West Ham have shown something Nottingham Forest have shown something they've both won games in their last kind of six in the form table I appreciate Leeds haven't but I think Leeds will have enough so to me

38:47Pete Donaldson: here we go come on you both this is what I mean Peter you kick the door open I'll have some relegation chat I'll predict the bottom three well you've done two you've done the easy two yeah right now you've got the travelator I think it might be Spurs you know I think I look at their games and I think I don't fancy you to beat anyone I just do not fancy you to beat anyone now the only caveat to that is if someone does come in and as soon as someone comes in the first game ban their winning game I think if they win one they'll be fine yeah but it's just it's whenever they can win one it is just going behind in every match and not being able to climb out of it is the issue the forest thing was terrible for that wasn't it but do you still think that with West Ham's terrible goal difference compared to everyone else well I I just think West Ham have got a bit about them the eye test to me Marcus do you feel the same about West Ham Well, I mean, look, as we often do, on the Premier League table, we look at the last six games because that's often what teams do and they're perhaps the most relevant thing.

39:44Were they good at Craven Cottage when they won? They won. Were they good? Were they good?

39:48Pete Donaldson: Yeah, I think they certainly restricted Fulham. They were very disciplined, I think. Yeah, the goal was a bit of a calamitous one from Bert Leno, but they pounced on it and they got out of there with a 1-0 win. Fulham, it was a very poor performance from Fulham. I know Fulham can do that at home against a lesser side. But West Ham in that game, and particularly in the Manchester City game, you saw how disciplined they were. There's something there, as you say. They've got a terrible record against Man City overall as well. But they were so disciplined. And that's the thing. The last six games, West Ham have drawn three and won one.

40:25Pete Donaldson: They've only lost two. Spurs have lost five. Five of their last six. And that's the difference. It's the reason why I think, and I said this on Monday, I'll say it again. It's the reason why I think Leeds will get out of it. Leeds have drawn four of the last six haven't won one but a point a precious point just picking them up picking them up exactly and I think to me I think that win for Forest I think Spurs and West Ham are the two I know there's only a few points a couple of points in it I think you're right as crazy as it sounds I think it might be Spurs and the other thing right now you've got to say that the other thing the other thing is the vibes yep totally if you I know for of all the clubs down there you know Spurs are the biggest club probably but Leeds, Forest, West Ham they're big clubs enormous clubs and how many negative things are coming out of the club not many so take Leeds that's one of the reasons as I said it throughout the season they love it particularly the home games everyone's up for it everybody wants it they're on it West Ham you saw again the crowd at Man City how Nuno has managed to turn it round and a lot of that was under him as well no bad briefings no bad off the record stuff is coming out of those other than Spurs yeah in January with Nuno you thought surely they're going to get rid of this guy well he's turned it around now and they're on the march Forrest with that win is huge Spurs they every single fan who went to that game maybe even some who even didn't go to that game put so much effort in to getting those vibes up as you say and they had the videos and everything and what did it account for?

41:57Pete Donaldson: an embarrassing home defeat and a damning home defeat against Forrest so going on that yeah I think I think West Ham and Spurs are the two I'm looking at and you have to say Spurs you've got to put it all in the round totally because you've got to go the stuff coming out the club behind the scenes is historically poor on the pitch they look terrible I mean they capitulate against Forest in a way like the thing about the context of the Forest game is that you know the fan groups they're getting players and players people at the club to do these big kind of motivational videos they put out a Christian Romero video beforehand and it all goes to absolute shit they've got an opportunity here now as sad as it is and I don't mean this in a disrespectful way they've got an opportunity here now to part ways with Tudor in a respectful kind of I'm sorry this has happened to you kind of way but it's actually beneficial for us as well and they've got two or three weeks to get someone in now and go we can work this out they have to do it now they won't do it and there you go and there you go because it's Wednesday they'll fudge it they'll fudge it they will have done it by now they might I understand how much work can they do constructive work can they do for the next two and a half weeks with a manager whose father just passed away, it isn't present and no one else will do it.

43:06Pete Donaldson: So the only thing they might be doing is just giving him a little bit of time because I think to sack him the day after that news broke about. But I don't think it's a sacking. I don't think it has to be a sacking. Well, whatever it is. But he may not want to go. If he digs his heels in, then there's, you know, it is a sacking, isn't it? But I also think, just to add very briefly onto Spurs, the pressure they're under now is enormous and it's more than the others. Forrest fans know what it is to go up and go down. Same with Leeds United.

43:32Pete Donaldson: a little bit different to Forest and Leeds in that bracket. West Ham fans have been saying all season, we're crap. We're rubbish. They've known that. Suddenly, oh, hang on. There's a chance. And I tell you what, when those fans were coming out of Craven Cottage laughing, going, oh, a little bit of a robbery, but you know, we'll take it. There was a good feeling, and that good feeling's not ever supposed to be. And I also think the candidates for the Spurs job are, I honestly don't think it's so much of a stretch to say, Hoddle, Sherwood, Redknapp. I don't know if any of those players will know who those people are properly.

44:02Pete Donaldson: Yeah, but I mean, that's why I'm saying, that's why I think Redknapp of the three, clearly... They won't know who he is, Marcus. Get Heung-Min Son in, in the dugout. A doddery old man. Yeah. They ain't gonna know who he is. Giving you like Tuesdays off. Well, you've got Tuesdays off now. How did he, well, not in Champions League anymore. How did he go at Cheltenham? Because if he had a few winnings, there's a bit of a spring in his state. I'm just saying that Redknapp is the kind of guy who can get people up for it. Is he still? And I understand people are going, are you mad? Spurs get people up for it relegation yes that's where they are get people up in the dock to deliver the right you've got to remember that when Redknapp was fired for I'm ignoring that when Redknapp was fired from to deliver a not guilty verdict not believable thank you alright when Redknapp was fired from Spurs their latest signing Sousa was like five years old yeah it's like it's a long time ago I think it was like 2012 or something yeah well who do you think would step in then let's have a prediction that's part of the reason why I think they're absolutely in a dire state and it's the reason why I think they should turn to red now so we think Spurs let's move on alright coming up after this the race for Europe is hotting up

45:20I'm done with subscriptions streaming fitness razors vitamins I've got subscriptions for everything in my life they lock you in and half the time I can't figure out how to unsubscribe. That's why I'm so excited about the new Blue Apron. Now you can get delicious meals delivered with no subscription needed, including new pre-made options. Keep the flavor. Ditch the subscription. Get 20 % off your first two orders with code APRON20. Terms and conditions apply. Visit blueapron.com slash terms for more. Guys, it's no use putting it off. The best time for an underwear refresh is now. Tommy John underwear is designed for a perfect fit that stays put all day.

46:00There's zero chafe thanks to four times more stretch than competing brands. And their innovative horizontal quick draw fly is a game changer. With over 30 million pairs sold, there are thousands of men out there more comfortable than you. Don't settle for less. Go to TommyJohn.com today for 25 % off your first order with code COMFORT. That's TommyJohn.com slash COMFORT. Tommy John. Comfort perfected. Reddit is where people go for real human advice. When you advertise on Reddit, your brand shows up alongside the most trusted recommendations on the Internet. It's authentic, brand safe and highly effective across your entire funnel.

46:39Ready to show up where people trust what they read? New advertisers spend$500 and get$500 in ad credit. Terms apply. Start your test today at business.reddit.com slash podcasts. Valid for new Reddit ad accounts only. Only valid once per business. Additional terms apply. See business.reddit.com for more information.

47:05Pete Donaldson: Right then, European football next season. Oh, I tell you what, there's a lot of teams in the mix. England, of course. The admin here. England are currently top of the UEFA coefficient, meaning it's probable that we will have five Champions League spaces for English teams. Well, it's basically almost definite now, isn't it? Yeah, almost definite. Yum, yum. If Liverpool or Arsenal were to win the Champions League and finish in the top five, the sixth place team would then also qualify for the Champions League. I think we all knew that. I'm comfortable with that amount of detail. Yes, exactly. Anymore, I start to get a bit, you know, itchy.

47:40No, Pete, you'll do it in this section. I've done the other bit. You can do this bit.

47:43Pete Donaldson: Yeah, and then in Uncut, you're going to do some long division for us. So, here we go. if Aston Villa finish in 6th place or above and won the Europa League in that situation with Liverpool or Arsenal winning the Champions League 7th could be enough for a Champions League spot which is mad Aston Villa are favourites for the Europa League and Arsenal are favourites for the Champions League as well yes so 7 teams in the Champions League is wild it is it's a disgrace quite frankly it is an utter disgrace it would be I think that's unlikely to be honest the champions I think yeah well so basically Brent as things down Brentford could be a Champions League club yeah well I mean I'm into that side of things yeah well Spurs were until the other week they could finish 30 points off the top and be in the Champions League I mean I mean no disrespect to Brentford they've done amazing but it's a weird situation we need a European Super League don't we we need a European Super League we've got one just call it something else yeah so up to 11 English teams could qualify for Europe if English teams win all three European competitions this season again Again, Palace to be...

48:49Our favourite for the Conference League. Yeah, right. So all the favourites for the European competitions are English teams.

48:53Pete Donaldson: So I don't think all the English teams will. I don't think you will have three English winners. No, I don't either. But it would be a mistake to have more than half of the Premier League in Europe. Again, it would be a disgrace, Peter, quite frankly. However, so what we know is that five teams will most likely qualify for the Champions League. Two teams will qualify for the Europa League, one via winning the FA Cup. And one team will qualify for the Europa Conference League. And that will go into league position, of course, because Man City won the League Cup. So they won't need that competition unless they get their admin horrendously wrong.

49:22Pete Donaldson: Which we've seen happen. Which we have seen happen. Although having been in the Champions League that many times, I think they'll... I think Crystal Palace might win the Conference League. Right. Qualify on paper for the Europa League, but somehow end up in League Two. Because of some unanswered email. Pice deduction, yeah. Is that what it is? Yeah. So there's a lot of teams to consider here. Let's talk about who we think will qualify for the Champions League spots. I'll open the bidding with Michael Carrick's Manchester United. Yeah, I think that's probably fair. Pretty safe, yeah. I think that's pretty safe.

49:51What a job he's done. Brilliant job. You look at the, there's a lot to be said for someone who can just quietly go about their business at a club that size that draws so many headlines. I'd say the same thing about Sonny Lamons as well, the goalkeeper. When was the last time we talked about the Maynotter goalkeeping issue? Months ago. We used to talk about every single week. Everyone did because it was so ridiculous and because the club is so big and draws in all this gravity and Lamons has done such a good job at like just keeping it down by doing a competent job. And Carrick's kind of been the same.

50:21Yeah, they'll lose the occasional game. They'll fall short. Obviously lost to St. James' Park, didn't they? And they'll get away with a couple of performances as was talked about. But ultimately, they're in the box seat now. And it's weird to say this, but it does genuinely feel like, you know, for the first time in ages, Man United are just going about their business.

50:41Pete Donaldson: Well, Luke, you think about the players they signed last summer when they didn't have any European football. And those players, like one or two of them, Newcastle United were looking at. And Man United just were like, yeah, but we're Man United, and obviously we can pay a bit more. And players still went there. If they get into European competition... It's a gamble that's paid off. Well, indeed, if they get into Champions League, which we think they will, you know, the vibes are good, and so on, who else might they sign? You know, they could really do something next season. I don't think necessarily they would challenge, but, you know, we'll see what Carrick's chops are like.

51:11Pete Donaldson: But the other damning thing for poor old Ruben Amirim is not only Manchester United, in the unlikely position, unlikely when Amarim was in charge, on the verge of getting a Champions League spot. And Komi Maido and Harry Maguire in the England squad. Yeah, I know, right? Imagine saying to Amarim, this is what's going to happen. But we have Steve Holland to thank for that. Well, partly. And a massive England squad as well. Yeah. And he's picked 450 players. Right, you know, you've got to be in there. You've got to be in the conversation. The only thing that might undermine Man United is that they do concede quite a lot more goals than other teams.

51:44Pete Donaldson: They're scoring, mate. I mean, the thing is, I suppose, I've said that, so do Liverpool, really, but I don't know if Liverpool will make it. But again, the feeling is good at Manchester United, and, you know, they're six points above Liverpool who are in fifth. Yeah, that's right. You know, so I think that's a pretty safe bet. What about Aston Villa, then, who not had the best time of late in the Premier League? They won their last game, but that was off the back of three straight losses. They've been good this season. They've looked better in the last couple of matches, I think. Well, last match they won, of course, yeah, particularly.

52:15Pete Donaldson: I mean, they do have the Europa League route to glory, Peter, which Uriah Emery is very familiar with. What do you think are their... Nailed on Champions League, then. Do you think? I think they're pretty secure. I actually think they're pretty secure in their birth in the league compared to what everyone else has got to deal with. Obviously, they have got the Europa League to contend with, but also to succeed in. One way or the other. One way or the other, they get in the Champions League. For me, Clive. Yeah, I mean, I suppose if you think about it, they've taken three points from a possible 12 in the Premier League, and they are still five points above Liverpool in fifth.

52:46Pete Donaldson: It shows you. It's a rare record, doesn't it? It lasts for ages. They seem to go through weird periods where they lose the plot for three or four games, Aston Villa, and then they get it back again. And then John McGinn comes back. I haven't looked at whether it corresponds with that or not, but I remember being absolutely baffled at how bad they started the season. And then they went on an amazing run. Well, they were in the title race for a bit. They just kept winning. They were on the verge according to you. And then they went, you were saying they're on the verge you were opening shows by saying they're on the verge around December time let's check the record please sitting on the Hardings let's check I was trying to speak hands hard for the record and then obviously they've been for another little wobble recently which they are showing signs of getting out of now what's interesting to me is that they are the best team in the Europa League they're playing Bologna next year they've already beaten in the group phase yeah although Bologna are a formidable opponent yeah not bad But the way that Villa came out of that slump at the start of the season was by beating Bologna.

53:46They gave them a platform and they went on to do really well after that. So, yeah, I think they might have just about enough.

53:53Pete Donaldson: But do you feel the tricky thing for Villa, though, might be it's like, you know, obviously if you win the Europa League, you get that Champions League spot and you get the trophy, you know, which would be glorious for Aston Villa. They won a trophy for a little bit, a major one. So I think it might be sort of caught in between the two competitions a little bit. We'll pan out. But I mean, look, I'll tell you something, as I mentioned before, all the other teams around Villa are wanting them to win the Europa League because it would really help them out. And I think the overall kind of takeaway on this type of conversation around the European spots is that it is, aside from Arsenal-Man City, and I think probably you give Man Utd a pass as well because they've been okay.

54:32Every other team from Villa through to Everton, as we sit here now, It's just quite unpredictable. Yeah. And I think, you know, it wouldn't be a massive surprise to me if Everton just did it.

54:44Pete Donaldson: Well, I mean, that would be extraordinary. Because I just feel like they've been, they've been so overall solid. I know that like they've struggled a little bit to nail down that home form in their first season, this new stadium. And I think they lost, obviously, like they lost at home to Bournemouth and they lost at home to United. You know, but I think the last three or four games, I think they've actually been pretty good. And I wonder if they can do something. I mean, they're only three points off it. And you never know what you're going to get with Liverpool. You never know what you're going to get with Chelsea.

55:15Brentford have never been there before.

55:16Pete Donaldson: Chelsea feels particularly bad at the moment. It feels that they're slumping at the wrong time. Yes. And it feels like this. Because I think Rossellini's been found out. Well, I think so. And I think there seems to be a little bit of a downward spiral. And Enzo Fernandes saying, or the chat was the rumour. Oh, actually, I wouldn't mind Real Madrid. Well, you know, we'll kind of assume that, mate. But I wouldn't mind it myself. but I think Chelsea are out of form at the wrong time here. And so I would be worried for them. Liverpool, I think they'll cough and splutter their way over the line, Liverpool.

55:51Pete Donaldson: I think they probably will finish fifth. Brentford have had a remarkable season, and my goodness, it would be incredible if they managed it. But I think Brentford will, in terms of European football, I don't quite think that they'll get there. Certainly not Champions League. could be Europa Conference League though for Brentford something like that which would be a huge boost Everton the ones I agree with you Luke they're not scoring too many goals but they hardly concede defensively they're very very good and again Moyes and Co they can see it and I mean if they were to finish above Liverpool I'd get that final challenging spot my goodness I think they've also got games when they play Brentford next which is a really interesting one and they've been better away from home they've got the Merseyside derby Liverpool there for the take in the Everton probably they've got like West Ham they've played Palace they've played Sunderland and they've played Spurs But they know what they're doing in Everton.

56:35It's pretty compelling stuff, isn't it? Yeah, but they know what they're doing.

56:37Pete Donaldson: What are they doing? They're doing bits. Doing bits and pieces. Would you extend it past Everton? Fulham, Brighton. I think Brighton are going to steal a charge. They're behind Arsenal. They're the informed team. Well, yeah. And they missed out. Last season, it was only down to two results that weren't even their results last season that they didn't get into. Some kind of European competition. They've kind of ghosted in there. Yeah, well, with Welbeck's goals. I think it'll be too far for them. I think it'll be too far. I think it'll be a great last hurrah for Welbs. Yeah. I mean, I'll say I don't think Fulham will do it either.

57:07Pete Donaldson: But again, no. For any of those sides, I would say... It's one of the great English football traditions, Marcus. At the end of the season, you pull up the results for Fulham and you point out the ones that if they just won those, which they should have won, they'd be in the Champions League. Yeah, but you can say they're any mid-table side. No, but Fulham always do it. They always lose stupid games. But with that, though, you never think about the ones where, oh, we were actually quite lucky to win that one. No, I know, but the profile of games they lose at home to West Ham, for example, at home to Everton.

57:33you know

57:33Pete Donaldson: well Everton as we saw but home to West Ham I hold my hands up yeah hey Lofstock home to Arsenal pathetic yeah it was pathetic to be fair I'll tell you what not coming back and scoring five against Man City pathetic it was pathetic basic fluid dynamics when Burley went 1-0 up I was like oh here we go I messaged you all didn't I at half time saying England Algeria 2010 vibes here it felt like the last game of the season with nothing to play for I don't listen to the pundits when they say there's a pointless fixture they're battling relegation and we're trying to get into Europe yeah turn it round 3-1 Josh King with his first I was pleased for him actually First official goal Big smile on his face Oh what a lovely play Look occasionally Those jobbing full of midfielders Will want their move to West Ham They'll want their move to Spurs They'll want their move to Society has moved to Spurs They're not going to go Championship I hope they both go down No argument for your beloved New Chelsea United No I think they are They've been turgid all season I don't think they'll Necessarily get there I think Brighton's my pick for Wild Card Is it a little outside one?

58:32Pete Donaldson: like that okay interesting well should we rap I think so go over here in the style of who Vanilla Rice I'm glad you you met me halfway do it do it well actually Mohammed Al-Fayed former Fulham owner of course yeah all round dreadful human being yeah yeah I probably won't do it in the style of him actually you always used to rap in the style of Mohammed Al-Fayed before we knew about the charges before I knew about the charges I didn't do that as well by the way did it on the show definitely Al Fayed Al Fayed he used to it all the time Al Fayed he used to it all the time now you two are in there he tricked us he sucked us in like David Rear I think we'll leave it there everybody thank you very much for listening to the Football Ramble part of the Acast Creator Network friends of the Ramble don't go anywhere keep listening for Ramble Uncut and if you're not a friend of the Ramble head over to patreon.com forward slash football ramble to sign up now thank you Luke thank you very much thank you Pete goodbye everyone and thank you Premier League yeah Yeah, we've done very well this season.

1:00:01Wayfair's app when you spot it. A brand new patio set. Next thing you know, Wayfair delivers it right to your patio and sets it up. Oh, you need a new grill too? All right, Wayfair's got you covered. With Wayfair's room of choice delivery and fast experts set up on qualifying orders, life gets a little easier. Visit Wayfair.com or the Wayfair app. Wayfair, every style, every home. When it comes to managing money, forget the hype and look at the results. Bill has a trillion dollars of secure payments powering our BillPay tools. Instead of just moving money, Bill is powering the financial operations of nearly half a million customers.

1:00:38So stop the guesswork and start scaling with the proven choice. Ready to talk with an expert? Visit Bill.com slash proven to get started and grab a$250 gift card as a thank you. Terms and conditions apply. See offer page for details. Guys, it's no use putting it off. The best time for an underwear refresh is now. Tommy John underwear is designed for a perfect fit that stays put all day. There's zero chafe thanks to four times more stretch than competing brands. And their innovative horizontal quick-draw fly is a game-changer. With over 30 million pairs sold, there are thousands of men out there more comfortable than you.

1:01:15Don't settle for less. Go to TommyJohn.com today for 25 % off your first order with code COMFORT. That's TommyJohn.com slash COMFORT. Tommy John, comfort perfected. This is Robert Mace from The Athletic Football Show. Men's Warehouse is here to make you look and feel good no matter the occasion. From formal to casual, dressed down to dressed up, their in-store experts will help you find the right outfit for that thing you got on the calendar, and their on-site tailors will make sure the fit is perfect for your body. Suits, tuxes, sport coats, jeans, shorts, chinos, t-shirts, polos, loafers, sneakers, sandals, underwear.

1:01:51Get ready to look and feel good for anything from head to toe by visiting Men's Warehouse today. Men's Warehouse. Love the way you look.