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0:00It's the most wonderful time of the year everybody. Welcome to the Football Ramble. Aston Villa won again, and Dominic Alvin-Lewin scored again. It's Monday, 22nd of December. I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Jim Campbell. And I'm the other college.

0:24Hello, everybody. It's nearly Christmas Day, Jim. Yeah. Not far off. Yep, just... Are we three chocolates away? Depending on whether you've eaten one today. Depending on what kind of calendar you have as well, because it only goes up to the 24th, which is a disappointing realisation when you're a child. You think, well hang on, I'm getting mugged off here. Yeah. You're distracted by all the other Christmas loveliness, are you not? Never got over it. We just keep getting less and less. I'm quite surprised they'd stop at the 21st or something these days. That's how it goes, you know what I mean?

0:55I've noticed how small my Mars bars are these days. Shrinkage economy or whatever it is they call that. Advent, it means, you know, just pride It's a bit layered or something, doesn't it? Of course, I'm being a silly sausage. Well, I'm good. Wrapped in bacon. Just want you to acknowledge that. You're being a silly pig in a silly blanket. Something that hasn't shrunk in size is our Patreon gift plug. This is your final reminder to gift a loved one a subscription to the Football Ramble Patreon this Christmas. You've only got a few days left to sort your shopping, but don't worry, we've got you covered.

1:25Click the link in the show notes and you can buy someone a subscription to the Football Ramble Patreon right now. Now, no better gift can be given than that, I would argue. I would fight you all. Stripped to the waist on that point. So do get involved. Granted, it's a challenge to wrap, but that's for you to figure out, isn't it? Exactly. Just a framed picture of me, maybe. Don't know what it is. Yeah. Are you still handing them out? No, you'll have to print one out yourself. Fair enough. I'll sell you one, actually. Google Images, you could rip it off there. Sure. Now, let's start with some Premier League action from the way.

1:58What a weekend, by the way. Oh, my God. we often say that with slightly sarcastic tones but my goodness it genuinely was a great weekend of football turns out if you run these fuckers into the ground they will produce apart from Bruno Fernandes the Iron Man himself has suddenly fallen he still didn't come off though did he visibly injured I'm not coming off they need me I have to do everything around here we've established this indeed we're not going to start there we're going to start with Newcastle United 2 Chelsea 2 one of the games of the season brilliant and what a game of two halves Jim it's like watching a game of FIFA yeah it was just end to end really really good even the first goal was mad because that looked like one of those sort of FIFA glitches where Anthony Gordon is just flying off at a weird angle and then Trevor Chalibur sort of falls over at a strange angle and Walter Marder is just there brilliant it was great Newcastle were brilliant they were in that first half my goodness it was everything that they didn't do against Sunderland.

3:00They showed a little bit more against Fulham in the Carabao Cup win, of course. But it was as if Eddie Howe was saying to them, right, guys, let's give them a little Christmas treat. And my goodness, they flew out the traps and they blew Chelsea away. Oh, absolutely. Everything we've associated Newcastle with under Howe. The intensity, the press was there, physical prowess, it was all there. Everything great about Newcastle was in that first half. Everything of this season of Newcastle was in the second half. That's 13 points dropped from winning positions now. 10 games without a clean sheet so that'll hurt a lot because a lot of the things that they've built themselves upon have been eroded away there I think they can feel aggrieved by a lot of the referee decisions in this game though Nick Voltemada Volta Messi was playing to me it seemed like he the brief of playing more like a proper number 9 was there against Chelsea, you know he likes to drop deep and he got that nickname of course in Germany because he's not or wasn't an out and out sort of number nine if you see what I mean yeah with Wisser coming back from injury finally and obviously started against Fulham he scored and Newcastle fans seem to think oh this is lovely having a sort of a proper number nine perhaps with Volta Mada he's thinking okay a bit of competition here are you saying big man little man up top I'd well that's where I'm heading towards that eventually I was going to get there you know 4-4-2 and all that good stuff but I don't know maybe because of potentially increased competition, I don't know.

4:31But Valdemar was, you know, took those two goals really, really well. The second one in particular was really, really clinical, wasn't it? It was just timed to perfection. He had an opportunity to sort of repeat the trick a little bit later and didn't quite pull it off, but he still wasn't far off it. It was a really, really good display from him. Well, I wanted to make that point because he should have scored the hat-trick. Yeah. That one just before half-time, David, which, easy to say with hindsight, would have probably killed off the game. I think so he probably hasn't got long to wear for a hat-trick as well I think he's like you know feels like it's on the horizon I don't want to be harsh with him because again he's been pretty good since he's come to me I think he's been brilliant and we might get even more of him if they do pair him up with Wisser and it would be nice to see two strikers up front as well you know what I mean he's working for Leeds United yeah exactly a little bit more of them not to get all nostalgic and everything like that but yeah it would be nice to see two up front and I think a lot more will come out of Fuldamada but he seems like a great guy I really want to do well yeah I know what you mean yeah do you know what I mean Newcastle fans will know this place I'd just love to go for a pint in the free trade in with him massively he's just a great guy he's so lovable his little photo with Crouchy little photo his long photo with Crouchy because he was nicknamed Crouchy as well in Germany of course he was that was nice to see but of course they didn't capitalise on that chance and maybe one or two others and so 2-0 kind of flattered Chelsea in that first half second half I don't know what Mareska said to them at half-time, but it obviously worked.

5:58It was a switching system. Yeah. If you look where he said, he said they felt they were a bit absent on one side. So he used the word pockets. He wanted two players in the pockets. And he said this improved for them, basically. And I think Shah was coming out to kind of press and they noticed that. So they wanted to get another man on to basically, in that midfield, to hit that space. And they did so really well. Yeah, Shah seemed to have a strange sort of shoot on sight remit in the second half, which really, really didn't help Newcastle. It seemed to be sort of the opposite tactic of everything they did in the first half.

6:30But as you say, it was a completely... The momentum flipped entirely, didn't it? In quite a dramatic way. And again, I've been so impressed with Chelsea's energy this season. Whenever I've seen them play, obviously, you know, it's very difficult to keep that up for 90 minutes, but they do a pretty good job of it in terms of just how relentlessly they can hound you if they really kind of, you know, when they want to. Push that button, yeah. Their best displays have come when they've shown intensity. absolutely it's when they played this slow turgid trying to hog all the possession they come undone and that's what frustrates Chelsea fans I think they've seen a fair few sideways passes at Stamford Bridge since Mareska's been there and they're thinking well actually as you say when they are intense I mean Newcastle's intensity they couldn't deal with in the first half but Newcastle you know they weren't always going to keep that up for the reasons you say that he's just exhausted and I thought okay 2-0 up they'll go on the raids and so on and blah blah blah but Chelsea just sort of strangled them Enzo Fernandes coming on made a difference with the way he sort of restructured things however when Rhys James pulls out a Beckham-esque free kick like that that is I mean it's a moment of brilliance which does change the momentum swing the momentum their way as well I think I've watched it a hundred times I just love the technique the way he does it it's brilliant because I thought the way they're lined up obviously Palmer stood there which is obviously quite you know I remember you know years and years ago I used to think, well, what's the point in having two stood over?

7:55But of course, it gives the keeper something to think about. You know, because I can't go one more or the others. I'm not sure who's going to take it. I thought Palmer was going to take it. I thought, well, James is almost like taking a penalty in five a side. You know, the old one step kind of thing. He hardly has a run up at it. It was like a clip. It was like he clipped it. It was like the best of Beckham and the best of Ronald Koeman in one. Do you know what I mean? You can't really get much higher praise than that, do you know? Well, it was. Yeah, no, I'm just enjoying how much kind of energy you've put into that comparison.

8:27Well, just in that, you know, some praise for what a great free kick it was. Yeah, but the way, and I think maybe one thought, oh, could Ramsdale have done a bit better? But when you see it again, the way it kisses the post. It's the curl on it. Yeah, I mean, Ramsdale's covered as much ground as is humanly possible. His positioning was okay. I mean, it was central in the goal. And he charges and then full stretch. Just curls away at the perfect moment. It's the trajectory of it what has completely done him. I think even a taller goalkeeper wouldn't have got to it. Glorious free kick. I risk opening Pandora's box here, but is he on free kick duty for England?

8:59Definitely. In your mind? Definitely. I mean, who else could be, Jim? Yeah, well, I guess you might have someone else if it's not a shot. Well, even that, though. I mean, that's the thing with James. His delivery. You know, he can cross it and so on. Also, as well, I mean, he's one of the best right backs in the world. But in this new... I mean, maybe not in the world with regards to what I'm going to say, but in the centre of midfield as well. He knows what he's doing. He's doing an incredible job there. Yeah. He more than knows what he's doing. Sure, that downplay is. He looks absolutely world-class in that position at the moment.

9:27He's a wonderful footballer and he's so good. People keep making the point and I'm going to make it as well. The fact that he's been injury-free for so long, obviously we hope that lasts. Just what a player he is and it's great that he's getting, well, headlines maybe, he's certainly getting a lot of attention for his performances because the injuries he's had, to come back from that, it's never a mean feat. And to be this good. Yeah, exactly, yeah. This is what happens when he plays, though. When he plays consistently, everybody always raves about him. It's consistent in that sense. It's just been such a shame with his injuries, because I think he's a beautiful player.

10:02He really is. Well, he's certainly putting in the performances now. Bit of controversy in the game. The reason why there was controversy, if you haven't seen this, or even if you have, is because Anthony Gordon should have had a penalty. Oh, my God. I can't believe that was a given conversation. because the explanation they gave about it being you know a side to side challenge and therefore reasonable it's like are you looking at the same clip he just takes him out it's just ridiculous yeah it's I know it was outrageous I mean I've got a high bar for penalties as well I know yeah I was going to say you know and even I was I was incensed for them yeah I'm looking at the tough guy David Cartridge Sunderland fan and he's going yeah no definite Stonewall Belvin I thought they were really badly I think there was two or three other decisions as well I thought Newcastle were really badly done over this game to be honest with the referees so you got so James when he sort of gives Harvey Barnes a little bit of a time.

10:50I thought that wasn't enough. I thought Barnes felt that and kind of went over. It was one of those games where I felt every decision was going against Newcastle. It did feel a bit like that. Even the little 50-50s. It was more that rather than the high-profile incidents. It was just all building up. And I was like, are they actually going to get anything in their favour here? And it was really, really strange. Well, when Gordon wasn't given, I thought they're not getting anything today. Because that was the easiest decision. Because if Chalabar plants his foot down to sort of shield the ball and then Gordon runs into him, which I thought maybe that's what the referee thought had happened and I wasn't too sure when I first saw it I thought I can see how that might not be given but he doesn't get his foot down before he just completely takes him out, there's no two ways about it, he does I couldn't, I honestly when it was given I was on air at the time I was going oh that's a penalty, it's going to be given and we all were, every single one of us it was like how is that not he didn't even go to the monitor and they said it because the reason why I don't think the Harvey Barnes one was or well both of them when James gives him a little tug of the arm and then when he kind of intercepts him or blocks the shot it's kind of a clumsy one but inevitably it would be because it was last ditch I thought to overturn that particularly that one where he puts it out for a corner you really have to watch the replay and it's just margins that's one that takes six minutes yeah exactly and that is the kind of thing where we go was it clear and obvious yeah the Anthony Gordon one yeah you can't have an argument of was it clear of course it was obvious you got it wrong there's a penalty all day bleeding I'm flabbergasted I was going to say players will say that look you can shield the ball and you can shield yes but that was yes that was just a pure but he barges in because again if you're shielding the ball and a player runs into your limb and goes over that's one thing but like the ball's quite close to going out I understand that it's sort of going away from goal but because of the barge Gordon's got no chance to control it whereas otherwise he would I just don't I just don't really see any argument for it not being a penalty yeah Gio Pedro's header to set himself up for the second goal shouldn't go unmentioned because that was absolutely fantastic reminded me of an Andy Cole goal for Manchester United away at Ellen Road once wow when they won 1-0 it was the game where Beckham was in the stands because he had the boot was it the boot was it after that I can't remember there was a falling out between Ferguson and Beckham and Beckham didn't play.

13:19But anyway, it reminded me the way Pedro heads the ball, like controls it brilliantly, sort of heads it up, gets himself into position, then drives. I mean, poor old Thao was all at sea, wasn't he? That's an outrageous thing to happen to you as a defender. Even a very good defender. It hasn't happened much this season because he's been brilliant as well. He has been brilliant, yeah. But from João Pedro's point of view and Chelsea's point of view, it's a brilliant, incredible forward play. Brilliant goal. He's about to go on a run now over Christmas. classic sharp head get him in your fantasy team yeah I was going to say he scored seven real for Christmas yeah I know his fifth goal in the Premier League feels like he scored a lot more than that doesn't it possibly because I'm conflating Club World Cup goals and things like that as well because Chelsea's season has been you know going on forever because it feels like the last one never stopped but yeah I think when you look at that type of quality you know that he's going to have streaks in him isn't he well that's what I mean that's what they need it must be made about their lack of option or options for number nines.

14:16Obviously, De Latt being one of them and injuries and obviously sent off and so on. But Joao Pedro, who probably would be better as a 10, maybe from a slightly withdrawn position. He's a second striker, I think. He absolutely is. He's got a nice shot technique, but I just don't think he's a natural, ruthless finisher. And that is something that Chelsea are badly missing. And it might cost them at the end of the season, they'll say. Indeed, it would. Something I'm going to ask you, though. Alejandro Garnacha, do you think of him in a Chelsea show at the moment? Because there's plenty of effort you can see that he really wants it and you know he's got a bit of quality which is not quite happening for him I don't think he played particularly badly but the decision making when he gets the ball in that danger area what do you think of Garnett?

14:58Can't deny his attitude he's got a lot of hunger and I think he really wants to succeed but the tools just aren't there in his game he's lacking a certain amount of composure and poise in his game when it comes to crucial moments that would take him to the next level as a player it's going to take a lot of coaching I think for him to find that but I mean he's played a lot of football if you look at when he broke into the Manning United team and how often he's played and now he's playing at Chelsea as well we're not talking about a 16 or 17 year old who's just been pushed into the team here he's played a lot of football he's had a chance to learn and I still see him doing things that I'd expect from somebody a lot younger.

15:41Yeah, he's very raw. He feels like he's looking to score even if he's possibly got two or three better options around him. It feels like he's looking to make his name. That's understandable at the start of your career at a new club, isn't it? But I think that's possibly to Chelsea's detriment sometimes. I think he wants to make it about him and there's going to have to be a point where he learns it about the team and the collective and putting in a good shift over 90 minutes and maybe not getting an assist. maybe not getting a goal as well but the team winning and supporting the team when he does I think it's possible he could be a very good player I really really do but right now I'm struggling with him yeah no I think that's fair because I've heard little murmurings and rumours that he's not quite he's not quite settled at Chelsea in terms of with the squad and some of the players there because if you look at Chelsea there's much has been made about not having too many older experienced players and I think they have slightly suffered from that I mean you can read into that Maresca thinks so that's apparently the issue behind the scenes is that the squad's too young and they brought in too many of that and he wanted experience yeah so definitely behind the scenes I mean I think I've made the point before that in some of the rumblings and so on for one or two staff members at Chelsea is it is quite a young squad and off the field you don't have one or two older players like what they used to have with Cesar Azpilicueta for example he would wrangle them and say Right, lads, come on.

17:06Yeah, Dave. Right, lads, come on. Right, we're doing this now. All right, you need to do your off-field duties here because this is what we do as players and a little bit of responsibility and a bit more of a sort of a collective cohesion. And they lack that in some regard. But what I would say, though, with this Chelsea side is on the field, if you look at the way sometimes they celebrate and when they are singing from the same hymn sheet, it's undeniably good. You know, I made the point when Liam De Lappe scored against Barcelona. They all ran to him and they were so pleased for him. It shows you that maybe he's quite a popular figure.

17:40Rhys James as well. Kukurea as well feels like a leader. Yeah, James, Kukurea. I know Enzo gets the armband every now and then, but he doesn't strike me as a leader. My point is that there is a bit of cohesion there and you see it in flashes on the pitch. And when you do, it's quite something. And I think that one or two plays, but I think with Garnaccio going all the way back to him is I don't think he is there yet with the squad. for whatever reason. People might say he's a tricky character or he's a particular type of individual, whatever it is. And I think that was also translating onto the pitch because it's like he's trying to prove it all the time.

18:15And maybe, I'm trying to, you know, read between the lines here but that is, as I say, some of the rumours and chat that I've heard from members of staff and whatnot from Chelsea, that didn't surprise me. I do think the cohesion's there but I think it is when they play in that system where they're on the brick and they're playing quickly in transition and they're not set up to play that way. and that's the big issue I think at some point that's going to come to a head they're not playing a system right now that gets the best out of the current squad skill set that's my opinion on Chelsea and I think until they do that what we saw in the second half was the Chelsea I would want to see as a fan and I think a lot of Chelsea fans want to see as well but instead they're so bothered with hitting 72 75 % possession in a game but that's Maresca yeah exactly and that's the problem and that's why it's still just not fully there for them.

19:05Yeah. Still a good point though. I mean, at a stadium that they've struggled in previously and obviously 2-0 down. Newcastle themselves, I mean, 11th. I mean, it's a funny old season. I mean, six points off Champions League spots, but six points seems quite a lot for them because they're they've not been that good. When you look at, you know, as David mentioned, 13 points drop from leading position, six points off the Champions League spots doesn't actually sound that bad, but you do wonder, and I know Chelsea are a good team, of course they are, but 2-0 up at home at half-time, you really, really need to be winning that game, and of course they can point to the penalty they should have had, and rightly so, but you still have to find solutions when those things don't go your way right, and I do wonder if like, is it going to be the consistency of these sort of results that might ultimately do for Eddie Howe?

19:51Because this sort of thing doesn't seem to be going away, right? Well, because, again, people say it was the same like this last time round but the reason why they find themselves in the same situation is not by design it's not like he's saying right we're just gonna ease our way into this season and we've got you know champions league and whatnot but the second half of the season we're gonna go it may well work out like that but i don't think this is by design from what how's been saying and one or two others it's they found themselves here and i think that they're just trying to work it out obviously the bit of movement in the transfer window didn't help and not having whister till now i'm having whister as They've been badly done to do with injuries as well.

20:30You know, Miley was absolutely brilliant, by the way. Yeah, he was. He filled in a full back. And he kept going at you quite a lot of the time, we should say. He did really, really well. But they're getting hit by, I think they've got five or six out now, you know, and that back line keeps changing. When we think of Newcastle, we think of the past few seasons, we can name their set team every single week. Everybody knows where it is. And right now, they haven't got that. Yeah, true enough. I mean, having said all that about Newcastle United, they didn't have chances to win it. Harvey Barnes with that volley.

20:56Oh, dear. Right. Can we mention Coventry City? We can. Off the back of Chelsea, I feel that's a good enough link to go to Frank Lampard. He's doing bloody well. He is. Doing bloody well with those Sky Blues with Coventry. They're six points clear at the top of the championship at Christmas. But, why are we mentioning Frank Lampard? Because there was a proper melee at the end of their game against Southampton. A decent point, you would say, for Coventry in the end, even though we're used to them winning far more than not. But, of course, they were a man down and so on and so forth. But there was a proper ruckus on the pitch afterwards because apparently the Southampton fans, who had been giving him a bit of grief all game, you know, chanting, you're just a shit Steven Gerrard and so on and so forth.

21:38And Lampard, at the end of the game, he takes a few steps from the centre circle, roughly where he is, towards the Southampton, you know, one of the main ends there where they're all chanting at him. And he sort of sarcastically applauds and thumbs up. He's like, yeah, yeah, nice one, lads. Excellent sort of thing. He's not waving middle fingers. and so on and so forth. He's acknowledging what they've done. It's a bit like, yeah, yeah, brilliant, good one sort of thing. And then I forget who it was. Was it maybe Howard Bellis comes in or somebody comes in and is basically trying to sort of shut him up, go, no, you leave the fans alone.

22:13And Lampard actually then kind of walks off and he's still kind of waving and doing that routine. And then another Southampton player comes in and then the Coventry defending him and it all just goes off. I think it's fair if a manager or a player replies of course of course it is yeah I don't get this idea especially if you've been if they've essentially just been lobbing low hanging fruit at you for the whole game yeah exactly you can pick up a manky pear and chuck it back yeah if he went over there and he was middle fingers and all this sort of stuff and so on well even if he did that as well I don't care he's been getting called a shit Steven Gerrard what a fucking insult that is do you know what I mean I'd rightly kick off it's the typical soft fan the minute somebody chirps up yeah yeah yeah after you've been given it for 89 minutes and somebody says something back.

22:57It's like, oh, Stuart, Stuart, Stuart. It's like, shut up. Yeah. Reminds me of those Arsenal fans at the Etihad that time. No, but it is. But the Southampton players getting involved, you know, trying to stop him. So I suppose for them, they feel like they're trying to defend their fans or whatever it may be and so on. But it really was like, to see it on what was happening live, I thought this is, it was proper melee, wasn't it? And Lampard after the game. he couldn't get the grin off of his face while it was happening that is the best thing about it yeah I just I don't mind it it's the classic case if you're going to give it you've got to expect at some point you're going to have to take it it's just Southampton fans if it was Leeds fans I think he'd take it more seriously it's just Southampton fans and you don't expect it from Frank Lampard do you that's the most kind of incongruous thing about it but that's it because he handles himself so well normally I think especially in the media and stuff but then he said I'm quite an emotionally led guy oh, you know, this is why I'm here and whatnot.

23:57By the way, though, are you saying that Ellen Road, if they were going, yeah, shit, Stephen, he's going, yeah, no, I just am, guys. You would have given it back a bit, but I think you know what you said about the smile on his face. It would have been a bit more subtle, baby. Yeah, exactly. What do I expect? I've heard your criticism and I'll try to do better. Fuck off. Oh, dear. Anyway, very enjoyable. But Coventry City, surely, surely, without jinxing it for them, and don't worry, whatever I say Coventry City fans, it won't have any effect on what will happen in the future, but surely, Dave, we're going to see them in the Premier League.

24:24Yeah, yeah. Who knows? Maybe they get Giocares back on loan. Hey!

24:31Lovely way to go into the break. Coming up after this, England's number 10 only scores worldies.

24:48When we do it, you shout Megs. Yeah, but what is a Meg? What is it? What does it mean? Well, it doesn't matter, does it? Yeah, it matters a lot. He says it's a small punt. I'm a tunnel. What is the megs? What is the megs? I don't know. What is it? Well, you just shout megs are nuts. But what does it mean? Do you shout, oh, small tunnel when you push it through someone's legs? Well, back to the football ramble, everybody. Keys and Gray explaining what the term nutmegs means to Rude Hula. And to Diego Drogba, who was there. Well, sort of explaining it. Yeah. I think they go on and have a go. but anyway thanks to friend of the Ramble Ashley for sending us that clip always good to hear what Keyes and Gray are up to over there thank God they're on hand to explain such things they really are what would you do without them man oh dear well you can become a friend of the Ramble too of course just like Ashley is search patreon.com forward slash football Ramble or click that join button on YouTube to get involved right then Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 1 Villa have won 10 games in a row David how about that they tweeted after the game that Man United fan could have had two haircuts bit of banter but Aston Villa though they cannot stop winning yeah 10 games in a row playing pretty much 3 games a week you do wonder about these teams who have only got 1 game a week you know why they can't do it were they playing again when Morgan Rogers is on that kind of form though oh he's tasty that first first goal in particular absolutely gorgeous just drifts in and wafts it into the top corner it's like they're having There's a lot of competition between them about who can score the best banger from distance, isn't it?

26:26Yeah, it's such a brilliant, entertaining facet of this Villa team that they're so good at those type of goals. And they actually remind me a little bit, because obviously a lot of people are talking about, are they in a title race now? And I think you have to kind of look at that and go, I mean, sure, yeah, I think so. I mean, there's a long way to go, but they do remind me of Arsenal in 22-23, where because it was unexpected, the wind is in the sails and they look really confident. They're enjoying it as well. The stats were actually quite even in this game, but it never really felt like Villa were in danger.

26:56Even when Cunha got that equalised, you think, I don't think United are going to be able to live with Villa here. And that was how it panned out. Fine, but Cunha should have equalised. Yeah. Mr. Sitter. Absolute sitter with the header. So, okay, look, we'll give Villa the benefit of the doubt here. Look, they've won the game. The reason why I don't think, all joking aside, I don't think they'll go the distance with Arsenal and Manchester City. if you go through the spine of the Arsenal side and their best players and who they can bring in and the same with Man City Villages don't have that I would love it if they could I think anybody you'd have to be a Birmingham City fan or you know or the like to not want that to happen because they're it's brilliant and one of the things one of my favourite things this season has been seeing Unai Emery rip his jacket off in celebration and throw it in the air I mean he's superb it's like a wrestling manager isn't it with a little gimmicky move totally yeah I can't get enough of it but Morgan Rogers immediately obviously the chat turns to kind of you know where he might you know is he in pole position they were talking about a match of the day for number 10 for England and so on how highly do you rate Morgan Rogers we know he's got quality but I mean he's really coming to his own are you sure just isn't used that in the England discussions hey look Chappers was asking Wayne Rooney this on match of the day too alright okay I'll give you I'll give you it Extremely highly He's probably In top three players In the Premier League Right now on Fulham Absolutely Him and Harry Wilson Who's the other one Yeah he is And he's absolutely Got a role in that team And it's interesting That Chelsea and Villa Play each other For Christmas Because it might be Palmer versus Rogers For that spot So it could be A little showdown for that Yeah let's forget Bellingham altogether Yeah Well I mean it's Rogers To lose isn't it He's the incumbent Just in case Mark Bellingham Is listening to this I was only joking and Judy's the number 10 I can't believe me alone and I love Job as well who got sent off on the weekend wrongly I assume it was disgraceful yeah yeah but look yeah Rogers was great Cunha scored a nice goal and much was made about Manchester United pressing Villa man to man and so on and that goal came from that and we really really should have scored another one but talking of players and obviously managers we were with Lampard giving it back Cunha clearly he'd got a bit of treatment from those Villa fans.

29:16He enjoyed celebrating that goal. Yeah, he did. He did. He did a little dance, didn't he? He did. Right in front of them. Yeah. Which again, you have to take that as a fan, don't you? It's annoying, but you simply do. But I did enjoy that Cunha seemed to really get on board with the shooting from distance competition. Oh, he will do. I know that's the strength of his anyway, isn't it? But that was a real kind of facet of the game, actually. He's a brilliant player in those situations. But again, I just think the real story for me of this game was that Villa midfield. I think John McGee Mara, UET Elements were fantastic in particular, along with obviously Morgan Rodgers.

29:49And Anah as well. Yeah, Anah. Anah has been a great sign. He doesn't really get heralded that much. No. I think he's been excellent considering he's rescued from Everton. Yeah, absolutely. And I just think it makes them so solid and it gives them that platform. They're so good at kind of winning the ball and transitioning quickly. And yeah, I really, really enjoyed the performance. When you've got that solid base, I think it means just your creative and attacking players can do anything because they know they've got that. and they all know each other's duties really, really well. They all know who's going, they all know who's staying and there's a great balance there, I think.

30:21Yeah, but Man United played their part though in this game and we'll feel aggrieved that they didn't maybe get a point. You know, I mean, you didn't seem too convinced. People were saying that their performance, bearing in mind, you know, they've been a bit sloppy this season and we won't bother going on about last season because it's all in the past now. But I certainly felt watching it that I thought, Man United there's this was a better performance ultimately I don't know people getting excited after the Bournemouth game you've just considered four goals and then people's getting excited here as well and like I don't get it is the bar really that low for Man United right now like honestly I think this kind of sums everything up for them right now a defeat at Villa a draw with Bournemouth is seen as this improvement it's really really strange to me the bar is on the floor I thought they were really I thought in parts I thought they were really poor okay what did you think Jim Man Utd?

31:16so Villa hadn't beaten Man United since November 2022 so Man United it seems weird to call Man United a bogey team for someone like given the fortunes of the two teams in recent seasons there had been a little bit of that so I think I imagine that some Villa fans in particular would have looked at this with a little bit of trepidation because Man United still seemed to have that old kind of hex over them that they had over a lot of teams. And I felt watching this, like I say, that actually there was never really any danger that Man United were going to get back into this game in a significant way.

31:50It always felt like their chances would be a bit more speculative and a little bit more hit and hope and that there was a little less kind of purpose to them. And yeah, I just, I never really felt like they were going to... Other than that Kuni one. Other than that Kuni one, of course. But that's the problem, isn't it? They've got it in them to miss those chances and they do that quite consistently. Surely though, the most pessimistic Villa fan saw Manu Agade on that Man United team sheet and thought, all right, we're winning the day. I mean, Man United are, what, they're seventh. They're only three points off the top four.

32:24I mean, three points behind Chelsea. It's surprising, isn't it? I think because when they lose and when they play badly, it's still a big thing because of the size of the club. But do you not feel that this season there has been and maybe again I still think there's a little bit of a hangover from Grimsby Town when you go all the way back there I'm not saying Manchester United are in the top four best teams in the country I don't think that I think the reason why they're only three points off the top four is because of Liverpool playing the way they have this season and maybe Chelsea's slight inconsistencies but I do think that they've improved yeah but what was their improvement where did they finish last season how bad were they last season they were in a relegation fight essentially up until at the end.

33:08They were in a European final. And we saw what happened there. They wasted an absolutely brilliant opportunity. There's been improvement but again the bar is on the floor so the most minor improvements I think are magnified a bit more. They're not very good. They can't defend. There's only one man midfield, Bruno, and now he's injured. I don't know how long he's going to have fought. And Sesco is absolutely appalling up front as well. So he's another striker who's going on the shit pile. Another one off to Coventry. I can imagine him and Gioca is up front together. Nice to see Darren Fletcher's son Jack come on yeah that was nice something nice for Majesty Noyes why not and young Shane Lacey as well there's a lot of excitement about him he managed to pop a shot off Heaven as well yeah I think actually Aidan Heaven had a bit of criticism recently didn't he I thought he started the game pretty well actually looked quite assured and they trusted him in the middle of that defence which is a big responsibility given that he's only 19 I thought he handled it well yeah apparently Ruben Amarim is confiding in him in Heaven yeah Heaven knows he's miserable now Jim thank you it's my Christmas as well yeah could we main who missed the game through injury we think yeah was that just we don't want your brother turning up can you just say you're injured well he needs to get fit because he might have a chance to get on the team now if Bruno's injured so if Bruno's out for a month or so then Mino's got a really really good chance and there's no excuses for Amorim not to play him because he has made it very clear that Fernandes is his competition and that's why he doesn't play yeah the timing is potentially terrible for Maino isn't it because it might be that they don't sanction a loan because of that, if this injury kind of covers a lot of January.

34:42I tell you what, he must, again, there are so many examples he can look to who have left Man Utd. I've got a good seat. I mean, look, even on the opposition, Viktor Lindelof left Man Utd not that long ago. Colby, there is a lot of life outside of Manchester United. Even Maswell, he's proven that. He's left Manchester. He's gone to Morocco for the AFCON and he got an assist in the first game, didn't he? It's just, honestly, that's a stretch. There'll be Man United fans listening and a fair play if you listen to the Football Ramble. He must be masochistic. They're probably thinking, that is a stretch.

35:20What's that? He still plays for them. Come on. Well, okay. No, but I just think that when you just put another team jersey on, you'll find all of your quality rises to the surface.

35:35I don't know which is why I think Luke Shaw still got a place on the plane next summer but speaking of AFCON did you see that Morocco obviously beat Comoros 2-0 in the opening game of the tournament Masarau as I say got an assist for Brahim Diaz yes Brahim Diaz he switched allegiances not that long ago because he has got one cap for Spain and I believe he's got one goal as well but one parent of his is Moroccan so he's chosen to represent Morocco and he got the whole tournament underway with a goal, but it was all about El Calbi's overhead kick with that second. Already people are going, that's the goal of the tournament.

36:09Beautiful, absolutely. The way he positions himself, he's got, I know in any kind of overhead kick situation, you've got a split second to think about it, of course, because why on earth? Yeah, you're not doing it by accident. It's not like a regular volley where you may see it and you think, okay, I've got time to study myself. Whereas an overhead kick, it's very very quick but that one in particular it reminded me not in terms of the position where it happened or the part of the goal it was scored in but in terms of the quick shuffle of the feet and thinking it reminded me of that classic Trevor Sinclair one for QPR from the edge of the box yeah I mean Sinclair's is like for people of a certain age that is the gold standard but in terms of as I say it's he's got absolutely no right to take that on do you know what I mean like it's the agility level is really really high it's a stunningly good goal so yeah but good to see our combination is underway and we well to be honest we want more overhead kicks the bar has been set very high Scott McTominay has ushered them in it's like everyone's shooting from the halfway line we've seen these sort of trends emerge yeah that's true I think it's because footballers themselves are only watching football on Instagram maybe must be it gentlemen let's talk about Spurs 1 Liverpool 2 this is a strange game what bloody hell happened there Spurs ended the game with nine men and nearly snatched a point this game was awful the quality of this game was so awful you mentioned the Europa League final earlier I didn't think you were going to start there that's what makes it even what were they doing we know how good these players are we've seen them do it before they were so sluggish Why was the ending so mad?

37:59Yeah. Like, everyone just lost their shit. Were they just thinking of other things? Were they, like, thinking of Christmas or something like that? What happened? Oh, my goodness. You know what it's like? It's the last week before Christmas, isn't it? You turn up, you think, this is going to be a little bit like the last day of school. Maybe we'll play a board game. Like, is this the footballing equivalent of that? No, because even the moment of quality in the game was when Isaac, you know, lovely move, he slipped in and he scored. And then it looks like he's broken his leg. Is that? The chat, you think, flipping it, it was such a hectic game.

38:30And it's, oh, dearie me, well, where should we start? Well, let's start with Xavi Simmonds, who set the tone really, didn't he? Who at least did something. For the neutral, at least added some entertainment into this baffling slugfest. Did you not feel so? That was, it was just clumsy, wasn't it? That's not a red, that's not a red. Do you not think it was? Well, of course it isn't. Why is that? Because I don't watch football through still images of slow motion. so do you think it's not a red because that's not a challenge he's gone for he's tried to sort of run around him and the legs have got tangled do you think that's what it is yeah it's not a red I have it's outrageous that we're giving reds for that I have an ounce of sympathy for that view but it is only an ounce because like you see his ripped sock and the you know obviously he's gone in there with the stars it's accidental and extremely clumsy isn't it but I have to say I didn't think it was a red at first I kind of having seen more debate on it and people talking about how that can actually be really dangerous on that part of your leg.

39:28I kind of, you know. Oh, like, I'm not denying. I mean, I'm not denying. But you can say that about lots of parts of the body. You're thinking of intention because that's what Xavi Simmons was saying to the referee. As the referee is about, by the way, the whole way they announced VAR, how much is it like headmaster in front of the whole school? I love it. It is like, Xavi Simmons looked like he was a little schoolboy just waiting. And he just, oh, his face was going, but it wasn't intentional. It wasn't intentional. And you can see is pleading. It's like lamb to the slaughters, isn't it? He stood there and the referee obviously makes his decision.

40:00The reason I have an ounce of sympathy with what David is saying is because, again, if you're trying to run around the back of a player or whatever he was trying to do, he was quite clearly not doing that. And it's not like he's gone in to win the ball and he's a bit like the penalty that sometimes is given if the defender is almost he's been turned inside out by the player and the defender's actually facing another way and as the player goes past him, the back leg kind of accidentally clips him. You think, was that intentional? Should that be given? But I think the whole, was it intentional or was it not in this age of VAR is kind of out the window now.

40:32All it takes is the player in front of him to slow down ever so slightly or change his trajectory, which way he's running, and then they can collide. And I literally think that's what's happened. If he was wanting to be aggressive, he could have tackled another way. He wasn't wanting to be aggressive. Yeah, like I said, and the way it was handled after as well. Again, we're getting to see it's slowed down and these still images and everything like that. I can make anything look like that with a still image. Of course, I can make any challenge look like that. But you can't deny that he's put his studs on the back of his calf.

41:00I'm not denying that. I just don't think the intention, I just can't think, I don't think he can give a red for that. Does the intention matter if you've essentially gone in and done something reckless and dangerous though? I just think it's clumsy. I really do. I think if that was happening, it's absolutely clumsy. I think, you know, going back to what you said about the tone of the game in general, where you look at that and think Simons is thinking have I got enough for mum? Maybe I need to get another present for mum. Oh shit. Oh no. Do you think Cristiano Romero should have been given a second?

41:29The sequence of events there obviously is Romero's first booking is brilliant because it just doesn't need to happen because he's complaining to the ref. And I think I do understand if you're a defender in his position and the striker puts two hands on you you're going to chip off about that. But he does it in a way where he gets a booking. The sequence of events that leads to Romero's second are so, so strange, though, because obviously they're down on the floor together. He gives Canate a kick, absolutely does, right in front of the referee. He couldn't have had a clearer view. And then I can only really describe this as Canate acknowledges that the kick has happened, looks at the referee, and then plays a little ukulele.

42:11What was that about? Yeah, I saw that. That's a bit of Christmas spirit. A bit of air ukulele. to show the referee look I've been fouled here I think Canati's done well because he's basically thinking if you don't make a meal of something or you don't highlight it sometimes it's not given certainly in the past anyway I don't want to dive so what can I do I'm already on the floor I've got no option I'll do the air ukulele and I think that's maybe a new thing that we're going to see in football all you really need to say is Christian Romero is next to me and I was going Romero's probably done something get him off get him off Romero though felt quite aggrieved when Hugo Eketique headed that goal in he felt he was pushed.

42:46I mean, the still image you see when they're in the air, he's properly arched back. Careful. Oh, the still image, yeah? Yeah, no, no. It's quite funny. Speller watching through still images. There we go. No, it was quite amusing to see just how much of, you know, how theatrical he was when he felt Eckert take his hands on his back. Did you think that was a foul, David? Maybe. You've changed it, you know. I see why the defender would want that. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, I do as well. But then surely, though, David, in the spirit of you know old school football and a pre-var agent and all that kind of stuff surely you're glad that that was given as a goal are you not?

43:26Yeah okay you just seem like you're on the back foot all of a sudden no no no I'm on the back foot okay but I mean yeah look a decision has to be made I don't think it's funny I understand the defenders you know being aggrieved by that but can you call that a foul? because yeah it's more like a he's put his hands out to almost sort of restrict where Romero can go. When you're in the air though, it completely, it does completely restrict where you can go, doesn't it? It didn't feel like a push. No. More like a fend off. If he did that to the goalkeeper and said the defender, what happens then? Oh, well, yeah, but that's...

43:59I know, I know. I don't necessarily agree with the sentiment of that, but I understand what you mean. I think it's one of those ones and football is littered with these things. You're happy if it's given for your team and you're disgusted if it's given against your team. That is, unfortunately, there is a big area of football where that happens I absolutely think if it had been disallowed it wouldn't necessarily have been that controversial obviously the away fans would disagree but it's one of those it's one of those yeah it's one of those decisions where I think thank goodness I'm not a referee but to be fair though we're always saying that we want you know things to go in favour of the attackers and we're always wanting Spurs to concede broadly so I think we're in agreement it's a win-win yeah some people might be in agreement with that Isak obviously opened the scoring absolute sickener of an injury for him it's such a shame because it was that felt like the Isak of I say of old of last season so yeah really really sad for him but at the end of the game you've mentioned there I mean Richarlison scores perhaps one of the most unnecessary sort of holding of the net a lot of things you rarely see happened in this game because Eka Tiki just boots the ball into the net it was like I mean even if he was trying to hold the ball away so they couldn't run back to the centre so just Eckertig is down on the floor and Richarlison steadies himself and thinks you know what I'm going to leave one on it it was so unnecessary in games that are lost Richarlison is Pele he's the best player in the world it's astonishing what he's capable of but I mean we sort of said this at the start when the game finishes you think well Spurs have lost another home game yeah But they're down to nine and they were in it.

45:43Yeah. They really looked for a second like they might even get an equaliser. Yeah, so you think, well Spurs, because of being clumsy, being tempestuous, whatever you want to say, they ultimately lose the game because of that. They've not been outclassed by a significantly better side. I think on their day, Liverpool are significantly better, but this season, that's not the case. So you kind of go, well, all right. But then you give them credit for rallying at the end of the game, but it ultimately comes to nothing. Meanwhile, you forget, what on earth is going on with Liverpool? Okay, they won the game, but they're 2-0 up against ultimately nine men as it would transpire, ten men for a large part of the game, and they just get over the line.

46:24I think people are thinking that Liverpool have turned a corner. Well, okay, in terms of not losing games, they've shown a bit more, and I understand they're fifth in the table and they're same points as Chelsea. They've got 11 points from 15, though. Yeah. like that's a decent for a team that's in crisis yes that is apparently not good they are still winning games they're doing things other clubs Manning Aiton for instance are meant to be playing better right now they're not ragging up points are they they are turning a corner but they've not turned a corner because the performances have been very unconvincing I completely agree but during this process of trying to turn the corner they are winning games yeah and I think that's impressive it depends what you expect from their season at this point and I think actually what they need to do is just start getting the winning habit back right and being a bit tighter at the back, which they have been.

47:14Yeah, I mean, I don't think anyone's expecting them to mount a title bid from here. But it is progress. I don't think anybody expected them to be floundering at the end of the game. It was quite. But I think that's the thing. They're still very, very vulnerable. Against Brighton at home, Herzl was right. He said we should have got something, maybe even won it, and they lost 2-0. Brighton lost 2-0. They've got Wolves next, so they can just sweep around that corner. It's at Anfield, that game, isn't it? It is. So, chance for Wolves to win their first game of the season. That would be hilarious. But I don't think it's going to happen.

47:44All right, coming up after this, Dominic Cavett-Lewin is two goals closer to the 2026 World Cup.

48:00Leeds United 4, Crystal Palace 1. Oh, bloody Nora. The topics are all being met. They are, Jim. I think that this has really given West Ham a lot of food for thought, hasn't it? But Leeds United, there they are. They're six points above the relegation zone. If Fulham can beat Forest tonight, then they will stay a point above Forest. But either or, they're still in the mix. I mean, it's amazing what a little tactical tweak can do to a team, David. Because when they did that against Man City, okay, they lost that game. but that run they've been on since then it's been mightily impressive I think Fark listen I mean look fans are a funny bunch and I've let that but he has listened to what the fans kind of wanted they've done they've gone that way they've been a lot better they've very much woken up I mean we were writing Daniel Fark's obituary yeah no one wants to do that we all want the best for lovely Daniel yes but like yeah I mean four of these goals are from set pieces ultimately I know it seems silly to call a free kick like that a set piece but it ultimately is and they have really become very difficult to play against and that's exactly what you need to be in a situation that Leeds find themselves in especially when you play at Elm Road as well you've got to rely upon that you've got to draw upon that it's one of the best if not the best atmosphere in the home atmosphere in the premiership you've got to draw upon that and make that place intimidating to go to and we've already seen a few teams are feeling it now but it's not just that I think a lot of people are expecting Forrest to get themselves out of that underdutch.

49:37I don't think too many people would think Fulham would be going down or maybe in a relegation scrap, but you've still got to win. But I think that's generally right now, that's what we're thinking. And then you've got Bournemouth above them. I don't think people would have them down. So really, if you really want to kind of strip it back, I think from what I've gathered, a lot of people are thinking, you know, Wolves, I don't think you can have much of an argument there. Burnley, again, even though it was an impressive point, ultimately, I think people would have Wolves and Burnley both for relegation at this early stage of the season.

50:06If you then say, okay, let's take Leeds and West Ham, right? Think about, you mentioned Ellen Road there. Every time Leeds United have a game in the Premier League now, particularly at home, the fans cannot wait for it. They don't want to break. They cannot wait for it. Particularly at home. They're like, who is it? Don't care. Arsenal, not bothered. They're up for it, right? The difference in atmosphere there to the London Stadium where West Ham's ply their trade. It's night and day. West Ham fans are going, oh, bloody hell, what's going to happen this week? It's so different. And so that 12th man or whatever you want to call it, but the vibe around Leeds is so high at the moment.

50:47And they're scoring goals. And that man, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, is among them. Now, again, I think Leeds fans probably roll their eyes when you start talking about Leeds United and you immediately start talking about Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He's their most high profile player. And he was a guy when they brought him in. And I thought he was worth a gamble. You wanted him at Fulham, didn't you? You were saying that all last summer. I did. I was, you know, I had a very rare chat with one of the bigwigs at Fulham and I said, have you thought about it? When asked about Fulham transfers and so on, I did mention him.

51:16We all know it's Hugh Grant. In the jacuzzi. Did they sign any of your recommendations just out of interest? Not yet. Alright. No, it was talking about the striker position and I saying, look, Calvert-Lewin's won. And there was chat and they confirmed that they were looking at him. But ultimately, I don't think Marcus Silva was that interested or whatever. But anyway, all that bollocks aside, Calvert-Lewin, you know there's a player there. If, if, if, if. Well, Leeds have got him going because he's physical. We know about his aerial prowess. Yes, he's finishing the first goal. He got a little bit fortunate and his finishing needs to be, that can be improved upon a little bit.

51:59is in his sharpness, should I say. But he's there. And even again, when they went away to Brentford, they go a goal down. That is the type of game where you think, do you know what we could really do with a point? He gets his chance, boom, and they get out of there with a point. And his confidence is high because of these moments, right? Totally. And the rest of the team are thinking, well, you're the Premier League guy. Do you know what I mean? You're used to this league. Bloody hell, he's performing. And him having another striker up there with him has made a difference. But great for Ampadu to get among the goals, David, because he's a crucial player for Leeds United.

52:28Yeah, absolutely. You'd consider him part of the spine of that team. If they had to stay up then they need him to be senior, experienced and transmit that to the rest of the team as well. So yeah, he was really good and look, there's a lot for Leeds to build upon and they'll take anything right now but they actually are building something decent and I tell you what, I looked at them and I thought they're going to have to get rid of Fark to actually stay up but I'm happy to be proved wrong. They're playing really well with Fark there. But he's playing to their strengths though, isn't he? Absolutely.

52:55Like being physical, being as Jim says hard to be all that kind of whatever you want to call it slightly old fashioned stuff because I think again maybe could it be leveled at a far maybe trying to be sort of slightly not in a kind of Vincent company Burnley way but slightly too idealistic maybe or something Far too much so yeah absolutely whereas now there's a real good kind of whirring presence about them the wing backs are pushing on more their pinning teams back as well I just think there's a lot to really like about them and they'll look at it and go and I think they had a pretty weak summer I know we're talking about Cal Valuna I'd be looking at January if I'm Leeds and saying right we need to get two or three in here to maintain this momentum and make sure that we do stay in this league I loved it right at the end of the game when they thought they were going to get a penalty and the referee was like no it's just outside the box and Stag goes not a problem that is an absolute sickener as a Crystal Palace fan isn't it I know Devenia just hit the I know he scored the penalty it could have been three he really hits the ball like he is getting some serious traction behind that to get a free kick that close I know this sounds a bit odd but when the free kick is that close it's more impressive actually if it doesn't go in the top corner if it stays lower because to get it up and over is seriously impressive obviously it looks better if it goes in the top corner but beautiful free kick to win the game go on then Calvert-Lewin next summer Jim what you say you tell me mate you're the cheerleader cheerleader here I I expect that this is more likely to be a purple patch than the start of like a 20-goal season that demands his inclusion on the plane.

54:27But what if it isn't just about? I mean, if he scores 20 goals, I imagine he'll be in with a shout. Okay. I mean, again, it depends who's in front of him, doesn't it? Because Ollie Watkins is the obvious deputy to Harry Kane, but he's not having a great season. I suspect there's more to come from Watkins. Okay. But yeah, I'd be surprised if Galvert-Lewin is there in reality. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry to piss on your chips, but there's only so much room on the plane. No, that's fine. That's fine. I don't know how big this bloody plan is, Bella, honestly. Just keep adding people to it. It's a whole fleet.

54:57That's what it is. What's he got in the luggage haul? Essentially, at the start of the season, if you back enough English players, some of them will come good. That's true. Then you can look like Nostradamus. Yeah, maybe. That's exactly it. But do pay attention to Harry Kane because I think he's going to be on the plane. Want to watch. Yeah. Now, Jim, all of this Premier League chutney aside, it's Arsenal who are top at Christmas. Yes. They've done it before. This is an important date to be top at. It's not arbitrary at all. No, but being top at Pancake Day is another really important one. Don't talk to me about Shark Week.

55:33If you're top at Shark Week, you're probably going to be all right. I want to remind you of something, though, something that you and every single Arsenal fan need to be reminded of. That no medals are handed out at Christmas, okay? Yeah, I'm quite used to that. Quite used to there being no medals. I wish they were, though, for your sake. but anyway yeah Arsenal obviously beat Everton 1-0 that man Victor Jukic scored the penalty that's how you take a pen yeah it was a nice Jürgen Strain Larsson that's how you take a pen yeah it was a nice hype for Pickford but it had enough power in it that it didn't really matter did it which was impressive to see but yeah I mean it's a funny game this I think Everton were unlucky not to have a penalty themselves I think I think there was a kick on Saliba on Tieno Barry where I couldn't believe actually that that wasn't given The only reason why I thought it wasn't given, and it wasn't the reason presented for it not being given, was that Barry kicks the ball and he's not in control of it.

56:30I think anywhere else on the pitch it's a free kick. Well, I do as well. I thought it was a penalty, but maybe he's not in control of it. Whatever. David, what do you reckon of that one? I'm going to agree with Jim. I just think, like I said, if it was another place on the pitch, then it would have been given as a free kick. He properly boots him as well. Didn't they say there wasn't enough contact? Something like that. How much bleed contact do you need? through so maybe I don't know but whatever the reason it was volleyed him 20 yards and it's okay fair enough they got away with it ultimately they did yeah and I mean it was one of those games where if you're really anxious watching it there's been a lot said after the game like oh Arsenal kind of got away with one a little bit there but they hit the post twice Everton didn't really create anything so I think it's important to get back to winning ways on the road I do think there are better attacking options within this squad I think the really interesting thing and you sort of touched on it earlier by mentioning Jokka is potentially getting a loan back to Coventry is that The most attacking football this season, and also the best attacking football, has come with Mikel Moreno up front.

57:24And I suppose, obviously, you need to play to Jokere's strength, and you need to sort of play a style that's slightly different to get those out. And you see it with the early long balls that happen quite a lot that don't necessarily go anywhere. But yeah, at the moment, he's turning 50-50s into 20-80s in favour of defenders. And that's a problem. That is a problem. But he got his goal. He did. and Arsenal are top at Christmas fifth time of course they've been top at Christmas haven't won the league on any of the previous four occasions again get back to me in Shark Week mate yeah that's true that's true yeah well I'll give you to May Day how about that alright fair enough maybe we'll see where we are then actually that feels like I'm jinxing myself wait till the end of the season okay wait till the last day of the season you traditionalist bastard one thing we know though is that Wolves are incredibly unlikely to stay up there 16 points adrift from safety.

58:19But we will be talking about Wolves tomorrow on the Mailbag, so do join us again for that. Sorry, Wolves fans, we thought we'd give you a day off today, but tomorrow... We're giving them a warning, at least. Yes, exactly. We are going to get stuck into your football club and those who have been running it, perhaps. There we are, everybody. Thanks for listening to the Football Ramble, part of the ACAST Creator Network. We say we're back tomorrow for the Mailbag, so do get your chops around that lot. Thank you, David. Thank you, my man. Thank you, Jim Campbell. Thank you. And thank you, Victor Jocheresh.

58:56The Football Ramble is a Stack Production and part of the Acast Creator Network.