The Preview Show: How Sir Jim Saved Christmas

0:00How do you get to be so lucky everybody? Welcome to the Football Ramble Preview Show. Villa host Arsenal. It's the Thomas Frank Derby. It's Friday for the December. I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Jim Campbell. And I'm Pete Donaldson.

0:24Hello everybody. It's a big Friday. It's a big Friday. Bursting. It's bursting full of goodness. Swollen. Infected. Well, Peter, come on. We've got a little bit of Premier League action to talk about from last night. We've got the games to look forward to this weekend. And the World Cup draw. Fuck. Is happening today. It's happening. Robbie Williams is involved. Okay, right. The village people are involved. The what? Oh, they're a bit magger, aren't they, nowadays? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Oh, dear. Rio Ferdinand. Tax exile. My other people. Gianni Infantini. got anything bad to say about him? World class C word.

1:03Yeah, okay. Clown. Clown. Andrea Bocelli. Oh, yeah. That's hard. He's still doing it. Yeah. And the president, he'll be there surely. I mean, the village people's inclusion basically says that it's a, it's a MAGA rally. Yeah, really. Yeah. Oh, is that right? Yeah. Well, tune in later and find out. But the draw is happening later today. the whole foul jamboree will kick off at what 5pm UK time Rio Ferdinand is hosting the draw we're not talking bollocks I'm sure a lot of people have seen that I'd love to see him read or cue I mean there is a non-zero possibility that Rio Ferdinand is going to award Donald Trump with the FIFA Peace Prize I mean they'll probably have a specific host but you never know that's true that's very true Nicole Scherzinger of course you can still find her yeah she's still kicking a ball Andrea Bocelli is going to perform If he doesn't do Nessun Dorma, then that's out of order.

1:59Maybe it'll be like a medley. Maybe he'll do YMCA. Yeah, exactly. Join the village people for it. Could be, could be. Well, at some point, every country that has qualified and could qualify will find out who they're going to play against in the first round because that's what happened last time round when, if you remember, I think Wales were in that situation. They're in that situation again this time, but in the Qatar World Cup where it'll be, you know, I don't know, Group C will have these three teams and the winner of this playoff. So it could be an array of teams. So it basically tells you, should I work hard or not?

2:32Because I might get to the tournament and get an absolute shoe in. If you want an opening game of your group against France, then win that playoff group. Okay, yeah. Exactly, yeah. Jim and I will be reacting to everything straight after the draw is finished. Live on the Ramble YouTube channel. We're going to be live, Jim. We are. Yeah, chance for us to get cancelled. Absolutely. Not fox and buggers. No. Or loads of them. Or loads of them. Who knows, it's live. It depends how much Jim's had to drink. Yeah, which I am intending for it to be quite a lot. So come join us tonight and hear all about it.

3:06I think we can agree it's going to be eventful. So we will have opinions and things to say, but all the bollocks aside, and there are an enormous amount of bollocks with this, it is the World Cup draw. Yes. I'm not sure we're going to get to the football. I'm not sure we're going to need to, but it's nice to have it there, isn't it? It's lovely to have it there. So yes, a live stream on the Football Rumble YouTube channel straight after the draw has finished. It's scheduled to be 5pm to 7pm UK time. These things, they can go over a little bit. So we can't give you a definitive start. This is a bizarre and FIFA house.

3:39It is a lovely reference, Peter. Hopefully about back of seven, we will go live and we'll be talking about all this nonsense and lovely World Cup stuff. So we will see you there. Right, on to the Premier League. Manchester United 1, West Ham United. won a late goal for West Ham. Got a draw. Manchester United a little bit disappointed, but not bad from West Ham, Peter. It was the battle of Fernandes. Yes. Fernandes. Fernandes. I love how when people were trying to pronounce his name and he just went, just say it Fernandes. I'd rather you got it wrong. Yeah, but what if one had one rule and one had another rule?

4:15Well, each to their own. Each to their own, yeah. I mean, one of them, Bruno, did an amazing, quite lit on sort of scissor front shot kind of, that's just whistle past the pause, which I really wish had gone in. But it was very... There's definite improvement on West Ham's side, isn't there? Yeah, oh, massively. Was it against Liverpool? That was a bit of a... They felt they were playing Liverpool of last season. But still... Even so, though, I mean, the results they've had under Nuno, especially recently, have really... I know they're still, you know, still kind of down there and amongst it. But I think that has really banished the kind of thoughts of relegation from anyone that isn't a kind of West Ham fan, right?

4:55Beginning to that. Because they're still in the relegation zone, but very early days. Sure, but they've only lost one in the last five. Yeah, and the momentum's there, right? Yeah, the thing that West Ham kind of fears most, West Ham fan fears most, is the transfer window. So they're showing that with players like Magasa and Potts and Finanje, they've got three bloody young footballers who look like they've got something about them. And if Nuno wants to get out of this, probably spend a bit more time with them in the starting XI than anyone else. So I think it's, yeah, I'm enjoying watching a team who were terrible at the start of this season.

5:34I'm enjoying watching them again, which is really important, I think. Yeah, I mean, we know what Nuno will bring to the table. But we didn't, when he first started at West Ham, it really looked like he didn't really know his best team and he looked very confused. Yeah, but remember, stepping into that situation, Like that would be... They're one of those sides like Fulham. I like Fulham. Well, I'm just saying, you weren't very good at the start of the season either, Marcus. I was. I'm just saying they've got a squad to get out of it. Not a squad to do much more than that, one would suggest. Yeah.

6:08I think Fulham's a better run club though. Yes, well, I agree with that. They're certainly more competitive than a transferman. The cheapest point to score. We've got better toilets. Actually, I don't know. we're a bigger club than you should we have that argument who's a bigger club it's West Ham it's West Ham fine well look it's a decent but especially with gold down late on Magas has certainly enjoyed it I love it he enjoyed that space completely unmarked Diallo's like oh yeah I've got to kind of get on him haven't I but he didn't that's a shame for Diallo because he's obviously scored and he's been pretty good for Manion tidy finish as well very sort of quick reaction yes very much so but that's how it goes at the theatre of cook chairs sometimes, isn't it?

6:51Come on. Seriously. I'll bring the cook chairs in so early. Unbelievable. Man United were booed off at the end, which is a shame for Manchester United because we know that this season they've been a little bit better. They're only, I mean, only a couple of points off the top four, although I suppose, again, all this talk of top four and relegation and so on is all pretty silly at this point in the season. Yeah, I mean, they're also eight, kind of illustrating your point there. they are where they should be but this I mean Ruben Amarim said today we need to win no matter what and they haven't won the game and it was still a bit pedestrian they're such a funny side at the moment because last season we knew what we got from Manchester United at the start of the season like I said there was a bit of a hangover from that Grimsby Town win where they were playing a bit better and so on and you think ah right they're showing signs of now kicking on putting a little strings on but they're patchy and this is the thing the whole idea of well it's Manchester United I mean I think that went out out the window a few seasons ago.

7:50But I look at Man United and I think the attacking talent they got, they should be doing better. Like Cunha and Bumo. Like, think about what they were doing last season. Even Cunha for a side that's not particularly... It's for two sides, really, that are not particularly fancy. I know Brentford have done pretty well. But they were pulling out goals from nowhere, weren't they? It was long ranges and stuff. Both of them massively overperformed their XG and regardless of what you think of that as a model, it does show that they were scoring from essentially chances that not many players can. True, yeah.

8:22Cunha, they can both score world-class goals, no doubt about that, but Cunha in and around the box was very effective and he's just not getting any of that. And again, you look at that Manchester United system and you think it's not getting the best out of those two players that you spent a lot of money. I thought they were good signings because they are good signings. That's not my opinion, it's facts, Jim. No, I thought, as a lot of people did, well okay fair enough that's you know and you've got two players who could maybe play in those positions you know they're versatile forward players but it's it's not really happening again you had a little patch where you know Boomer scored a couple of goals you know in the last few games or whatever it was I I I it just it doesn't hugely surprise me again that they're booed off because it's like when is this going to happen we're in December now yeah and yes there's been little signs of improvement but what is improvement come the end of the season is an 8th place finish like oh well handshakes all round lads I mean I think this makes me think of Jim Ratcliffe a little while ago saying that you know they back him for 3 years etc and I mean there were a lot of comparisons with Amarin to Mikel Arteta right when he first came in because the idea is it's project building they're going to back him for a long time seems generous well it does but at the same time I mean Arteta had two 8th place finishes in a row they're nice right well they were yeah and I know that obviously they finished way below that last season a fake-up win.

9:47But, of course, all of those things. But, I mean, there were times where it just wasn't particularly good. You could tell the players didn't fit the system, that he couldn't play the exact type of football he wanted to because, as I say, he didn't have the players so there were compromises all over the place and gradually it got better and better and you saw more of what is, essentially what his intention was. And it's the same here, isn't it? I think it's going to be like this for the rest of the season at least. I think it'll be really interesting to see if Man United do stick with him whatever happens because that is I feel like we say this every time they change a manager it's like the one thing they haven't tried since Alex Ferguson came in but like really really sticking with him and like giving him almost a free pass to get booed and to draw at home against West Ham when they're not in the best of shapes is something they might just simply have to do to sort of see this project through but the problem is that they don't have the buying power of an Arsenal do they they're just so hamstrung I don't know when you look at and Boomer and Cunha and Sesko coming in it's a pretty good window right yeah well that's it yeah well okay I mean you make a fair point with the Arteta comparison I know people are always very quick to mention Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool at this time as well I think that's a little bit different I mean comparisons are never 100 % no exactly what about that of course you're talking about the general picture and the general sort of feel vibe we're talking about vibes Klopp was way more established of course he was yeah of course and you kind of you knew it was going to get good yeah when you know at some point, I understand it wasn't perhaps immediate, but again, there was a bit of sorting out there.

11:19Yeah, I mean, Klopp promised heavy metal football and Ruben Amarim was talking about how much he hates his kids, not that long into it. It is quite different. Yeah. Well, better news for those associated with Manchester United, particularly if you work there. It's been reported that they will have a Christmas party this year. So Jim has changed his tune. He's changed his tune. with Christmas stuff. What's credit for that, does he? Christmas is on. I haven't cancelled the Christmas party this year. Love me. Good news, everybody. It's going ahead. You do see a lot of, like, Grinch is in a lot of, like, television and stuff.

11:59It's very Grinch-y Christmas. They've sort of really cashed in this Christmas, aren't they, the Seuss Corporation? I thought it'd come into kind of public domain or something. Yeah, it fell out of that. No, all over Aldi is Grinch-y stuff. But he, with his little wispy beard, he does have a bit of a Grinch about it. Yeah. That's an easy photo. I feel he's more Krampus. You know, some cultures... Who's Krampus? Just Google Krampus. I'm familiar with the term. It's really scary. You have a little Google. This is right up your alley, Donaldson. It's really scary, overstates it. No, if you're a child.

12:29Yeah, but I'm not a child. If you're a child. Jim, just think about this, right? If you were sold, if you're good, you get Christmas presents, right? You're thinking, no, your quid's in. However, you know, think about some of the stuff you've done. and if you're not good, then Krampus turns up. I mean, he doesn't do anything to you, to be fair, but rotten potatoes in your shoes is one of them. Oh, I thought he ate you. Rotten potatoes? Yeah, something like that. Basically, I think, Peter, I think it's, you know, there's certain countries. I think this is very much a sort of central and northern European thing, Krampus.

12:59It could be some other cultures as well, but it's definitely some countries. Yeah, Eastern Alpine, Central and Eastern Alpine folkloric tradition. Well, there you go. Just a little bastard, basically. Oh, he's a Christmas bastard. He accompanies, Nick. Yeah. Right, so he's friends. Oh, right. So it doesn't necessarily mean they're friends. He's there to do a job. Right. He's his muscle. Well, again, I don't think they're in agreement. I'm thinking that... Well, I mean, then why is he giving them a lift in the sleigh? I don't know who one said that, did they? I think Santa is enabling this. Well, you...

13:29Out of order. No, I'll tell you what is out of order. You saying that about a man like Saint Nick, okay? You judge a man by his friends, don't you? Yeah, exactly. But they never said they were friends. But anyway, I think the rotten potatoes thing probably comes from countries where you'd have a lot of potatoes knocking around. There's a couple of rotten runs. You've been a little sod. Have them. Got to do something with them. No toys for you. But anyway, let's hope that Sir Jim doesn't take that sort of train of thought and does give the staff there a good old Christmas party. Because if you remember last year, he cancelled it.

13:59There was lots of redundancies around this time as well, or certainly before that. The£100 Christmas bonus that was given to all the staff was reduced to a£40 M &S voucher. Don't get me wrong, I like M &S. That's barely a cardigan these days, does it? I saw a report on this exact story the other day, which had a brilliant typo in it, which essentially said that exact thing, but said that the staff bonus was reduced to a£40 million M &S about church. But that is... I mean, you wouldn't say no, but it's like, can I use it anywhere other than M &S? No, absolutely not. I can't buy a house then, nope.

14:35At first it would be amazing. And then you would go, I can't cash in any of it. No. Okay, you do the weekly shopping there, fine. Well, you're going to have a Christmas party. And something else that Manchester United are rumoured to have also agreed to is launching a basketball team. All right, okay. The head of the... Because they perfected football, haven't they? Well, come on, don't be naughty. Come on, don't you. The head of the Italian Basketball Association, or whatever it's called, he says that Manchester United... He's spinning the ball on his... Exactly, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's exactly what he's doing.

15:06Magic Gianni or something his name is and he was saying that they basically want to create a European Super League for basketball Yes, you can't get it done with football Are they definitely going to play basketball? I'm just going to turn up As soon as the court puts the ball on the floor booting it around How's this court made of grass? It's too big, hang on a minute This is a five-a-side league Yeah, so apparently that's what the Europe NBA is what they're sort of touting around. And he said Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world. Well, they've actually had a basketball team before in the 1980s.

15:41And Real Madrid and Barcelona have basketball teams now. Spain and Italy, it's been... It's actually not as kind of... Because European versions of American sports is cool. They make loads of money and last forever. Yeah, very true. Cool. Well, if it does go ahead, then as you say, Jim, does it set a precedent? Could Arsenal get back into the European Super League? I would hope so. You're not signed up. Yeah, I know. I don't mind that. They have set players, don't they? Playing Fulham. Oh, well. Bit of rivalry going on. Lovely. Might snatch a Europa League spot again. Chance for it if all those teams buggered off.

16:20To clarify, I literally was protesting the stadium. Were you actually? I was, yeah. Good man. Were you passing by and you thought, oh, people are scouting, I'm getting involved? Well, anyway, West Ham travelled to Brighton on Sunday. we know that you can win at Brighton now in the league you do have to let in three though you do that's the thing Manchester United travel to Wolves on Monday night there we go can I just make the point now Wolves have got two points this time last season Southampton had five I think surely the talk of are they going to break the derby record is here is it back on surely two points two points you don't want that for Rob Edwards do you?

17:03no absolutely not I don't want it but actually I think all of us want to see someone be worse than that Derby team right just there's a sort of rubbernecking element there is there's nothing personal against whoever the team is but this is like two fatbergs fighting in a sewer isn't it? fucking shitty wet wipes just smashing into each other and that's the noise it makes that's an excellent noise yeah that's a bit harsh on Manchester United you see you've gone too low it's a different type of fatberg the only argument you can win with okay well let me remind you Peter they're four points above your beloved Newcastle United in the table that's absolutely fine okay everything's fine well look that is one of those games though isn't it that if don't try and draw me into your partisan bullshit you are probing for weak spots all over the place today trying to find a little vent you can jam a plasma beam down I just want a bit of a fan channel vibe in here today Man United going to Wolves on a Monday night is primed to kind of Wolves get their first win of the season territory.

18:07But we shall see. Maybe we're being a bit harsh but Rob Edwards certainly has his work cut out for him. So yeah, we wish them well. Yeah, I mean the rebuttal to that would be, have you seen Wolves? It's very true. Like off Hwang Hee Chan's arse. That's how it's going to be. It's going to be a 1-0 win to Wolves. Okay, well that's our prediction at this early stage. Alright, coming up after this, can Aston Villa join the title race.

18:43Did you enjoy, guys? Huh? Yeah, nice, huh? Did you? Me? Did you enjoy? I love my hair. Well, back to Football Ramble, everybody. That's Pep gloating about Manchester City beating Fulham the other night. Yaya Toure, a man who fell out with Pep Guardiola, of course, apparently has been saying some things about Mr. Guardiola. When speaking about Pep recently, he said, I don't see a man, I see a snake. A little bit David Icke. Yeah. Meerkat. Oh, yeah. Pep is more meerkat. Yeah. A very dedicated meerkat who doesn't watch videos of his team anymore. And he's often doing the FTSE 100 and checking all that kind of stuff because he's just comparing the markets.

19:37Not having that. Do you want a fact about Krampus? Yeah. Apparently, if a child is misbehaved, Krampus takes all of their gifts away and gives them a silver branch to represent the child's bad acts. And I think I'd like a silver branch. That's valuable. I don't think it's made of pure silver, though, is it? You don't know what Krampus does. I don't. But I think that that would be financially ruinous for Krampus. Krampus is running at a massive deficit. His whole business plan is out the window. So what were the rotten potatoes? Have I just made that up? I think there's different variations. That's just in Bosnia, apparently.

20:13Oh, I see. Regional variations, everybody. Do check what your local Krampus does. What does your Krampus do? What do you call Krampus where you live? To avoid an unwanted surprise, do check what local Krampuses are doing. Aston Villa against Arsenal, Saturday, 12.30, tomorrow, early afternoon. It is a huge one in the Premier League. It is first versus third. Aston Villa have clawed their way up the table, winning five of their last six. They've been impressive. They've got a great win against Brighton midweek. Jim Campbell, if they win this game of football, it's a huge if, of course, they would move to within three points of Arsenal.

20:55Is it too early to say Aston Villa are on the verge? Well, I mean, you are very much the custodian of the Verge. Yeah. So I would leave that to you. Well, I'll let you know. Does this age matter? Well, it could do. I mean, I'll let you know tomorrow afternoon, shall I? Yes. But it's a huge game. It is. And it's a test for Arsenal because Aston Villa are a hugely informed team. And they've played Chelsea and Sunderland recently and not been able to beat either. And obviously, they are also two very, very informed teams. So it's going to be a real fascinating encounter, this. I think early kickoff as well.

21:28Unai Emery has kind of had Mikel Arteta's number on a few occasions, so it's going to be an interesting sort of tactical battle as well. They've been very successful Villa in the past with having that kind of, kind of almost like that midfield square and that kind of mid block. You're calling it a midfield square? A lot of people call it a midfield box. Sure. You know, I like the fact you're going square. Same thing, isn't it? Yeah, you just prefer the 2D rather than the 3D. Yeah, why not? I mean, it may well be different this time. I'm sure it is. I'm sure they'll kind of, you know, mix the tactics up.

21:55But they're a really, really tough proposition and Aston Villa they don't concede a huge amount of goals I know they conceded three the other night but that kind of buckled the trend a little bit so it'd be interesting to see what sort of team Arsenal put out as well I'm hoping that William Saliba will be available Christian Mosquera went off the other night so I don't think he'll be available if Saliba isn't which means you probably shift Timber into the back four and then you have Ben White playing on the right he played very well the other night but you know first 90 minutes in a while so that might be something to factor in is Odegaard going to play he played 90 the other night as well don't know it's an exciting thing about Arsenal at the moment that you don't know who's going to play but yeah the volume of injuries at the moment means that actually I think they've done really well for that not to be an issue and it not to be a conversation but I do wonder if sooner or later that will catch up just the you know the sort of inconsistent options I'm sure you'll find out over a very congested Christmas period I mean culturally Marcus it has to be said that this is like Aston Villa long range missiles Arsenal you know trench warfare free kicks hand grenades it's culturally going to be very different yeah I mean yeah you're right Villa did score goals inside the box against Brighton again book the trend yeah true yeah that game was a bit of an odd one wasn't it with Olly Watkins though now you have to say back in form that's come at the wrong time he's been Arsenal's crampus on many occasions silver bloody branches all over the game yeah you were thinking to yourself that's the last thing Arsenal needed to see him finishing with aplomb.

23:25I mean, there was a period where Arsenal were stopping teams having shots at all. If they could do that again, that would be ideal. That would be ideal. You do have to defend less deep, I imagine, with Villa because they do hit them from long. I mean, you said, obviously, there was that stat, wasn't there, that if Villa carry on like this, they'll be on for the record for scoring the most amount of goals outside the box in a Premier League season. So it is something in that. You know, they're not shy of shooting from range. Well, they've got a lot of players who are very good at it. Well, indeed, yeah.

23:51So with Arsenal, yeah, how do they you know because again there was I mean Arsenal's defence see they've got the injuries but I mean it has been for a large part of this season already has been airtight so stay on your line Rhea yeah well yeah he won't though he won't I certainly can't he loves a little foray up the pitch yeah he's better at it than Nick Pope but there is a there is a man behind me where like you hear his blood pressure before you hear him sit down behind you and David Rhea He's taken years off of his life. Sounds like he could do a podcast for me. Do you think he'll go for Martin Odegaard in midfield?

24:30How did he get on against Brentwood? He was very good. Yeah, he was kind of exactly what you want from Odegaard in terms of just kind of very all action, kind of kept things ticking in midfield. He was sort of dropping deeper than I expected him to do this season. But, you know, obviously his game will be adjusted over time, I think. Yeah, and Eze came on for Martinelli, obviously, on the left side. is that I mean that's really probably what it's going to be despite I think when everybody is fit when in air quotes that will probably be the chosen 11 or that you know that configuration of those two players I mean because Eze it's lovely seeing him in the middle and doing his thing but obviously one can't forget what Odegaard has consistently done in a national show in that position and Eze drifts inside anyway so there is an element of of kind of hoping that you can get the best out of all of them at the same time, which I'm sure, you know, they'll be trying to configure and make work.

25:26Yeah. I mean, as well, as I started on the left quite a few times at the beginning of the season and he was fairly effective. Definitely more so in the middle, but it's early days in terms of him playing there. It is early days indeed. Arsenal, we spoke about their signings of the Ecuadorian twins, the Quintero twins. One is described as a left-footed right winger. The other is a right-footed attacking midfielder. They're only 16. one can tell the truth one supports Arsenal one supports Spurs so it's unlikely that we're going to see them any time soon but I just thought I love that the fact that Arsenal is like get more attackers get more I've never seen these lads play but if they are not jinky quick creative players then I don't you know and hopefully one of them has a well they both have different haircuts they just have the same haircut why is that unhelpful because it would be confusing they're thinking of the opposition that's true I mean they're not able to join for a couple of years is no so it's going to be a while before we see that good boys yes indeed they get a golden brunch Ecuadorian crampers he's probably quite extreme I would imagine yeah I guess so maybe well anyway so yeah first versus third a good game to start Saturday off I would I would I think everyone will agree because Villa have taken one more point than Arsenal in the last nine games they've been really really good this is a tough away game yes indeed it'd be interesting if Emi Martinez has recovered in time yeah for it I mean presumably probably Arsenal would prefer it if he hasn't yeah probably not obviously he's a fantastic goalkeeper playing like the leader of the league is just very much yeah especially the team he played for yes exactly and there's always there's been a sort of surprising amount of needle between Arsenal fans and Martinez in the past I've not really quite understood why that is because he won the FA Cup while there and you know did very well for us but it's Emi Martinez well you're right you're right good point there we are alright coming up after this it's the Thomas Frank Dalby.

27:33Spurs host Brentford tomorrow at 3pm. Tottenham are one point worse off than they were at this stage last season. And we remember what happened last season. It's not boding well. It's not. They've also, they've won three Premier League games at home in 2025 which is obviously absolutely damning and they've only got two opportunities to add to that which is this game and Liverpool visiting on the 20th of December and that is they have to arrest that they have to arrest that slump they have to get something at home it's crazy because it's like a way we said it before the pressure's off but at home it's becoming quite toxic yeah exactly that's it isn't it well I mean Luke's mentioned that many times you're right that what he hears is they're ready to go aren't they the fans and it's like they're so shite at home I mean, I know rightly always point at that Europa League win, but the hangover from those home losses and those home performances, particularly towards the end of the season, where it was, like I say, it was disrespectful to those fans just how bad it was.

28:37You know, I understand that, you know, if you're not playing well, you can lose it. The complete and utter lack of intensity. Now, that's all in the past now, but with those fans, they're still quite jaded from that. I mean, when you're seeing two holding midfielders, you're like, we're not doing anything today. Yeah, but I mean, two holding midfielders is fine, depending on the occasion, though. I mean, I suppose, yeah, against Brentford, you'd want more of an attacking... Against most teams, though. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, when you're Spurs at home, you should be setting the agenda for a fair game.

29:07Who should you be worried about at home? Fulham. I mean, they shat themselves the first five minutes of that game. No, you're right, though. They should be trying to play on the front foot. In fact, that's what Fulham often do. Now, Spurs are a better team than Fulham. We know that. They're a better squad of players. But Fulham often try, as a number of sides, a lot of sides do in the league, you think, right, we're at home. We'll try and set the agenda. Now, quite clearly, if very much a superior team turns up, it's fair to say maybe they didn't do that against Man City because they were 5-1 down.

29:40But that's what you've got to do. You've got to assert yourselves. And I think with Spurs, when Frank went there, I thought, ah, this is the pragmatism they need. Well, I think... Can we have the pragmatism in the week rather than five minutes before they go on the field? You're not playing. You're playing. You're going to be playing there. What? But you've already submitted the team sheet. Have I? Have I? That's against the rules, Thomas. All right, fine. You're all back in. Yeah, I just... They needed a little bit of pragmatism after what happened last season. But he's clearly not got going.

30:14It's a mixed bag. they were in a false position in the league for a while. They haven't won in their last five games. Huge pressure here. Because this is a side who Brentford have just carried it on from Frank, haven't they? I think they've done pretty well. I mean, they've lost seven games this season, quite a lot of games, that is. But they've also won six. So they're a side who hate a draw. Yes. A bit like Spurs last season. But they know what they're doing. it's just they have a limited squad, but they are really making the most of it. And Keith Andrews as well has done a really good job so far this season because they were the side that a lot of people were worried about.

30:55But that sort of the Brentford way and the Brentford feeling and whatever you want to call it has carried on post-Frank, which has been really, really impressive. And I'm sure a lot of Brentford fans have found quite a lot of cheer in that for want of a better word. With Spurs, they're going to look at this and go, we fancy a bit of this. Absolutely, they will. you know that they've got forwards that can score goals you've got Jordy Henderson pulling the strings who's been playing well and Thomas Frank is just I think this would be the last fixture he wants maybe the away fixture but you know what I mean it's kind of like they really need something well they seem more comfortable away from home at the moment I don't know that's the problem I mean I suppose the flip side of that is when they do get a win the players will go bananas which will be something to build on depending on the manner of the victory though I would go as far to say there will be relief because you know three points is three points but I think performances are very important for Spurs because you can you know they'll always be able to scrape results here and there because they've got a squad of players that can do that and they're clearly not you know one of the worst teams in the league but they've got to go and prove that and Brentford at home and then Slavia Prague two winnable fixtures we shouldn't be making excuses for them really I think yeah they've been alright in Europe I think haven't they in their home run better against PSG still lost the game again that could happen but again their start to the Champions League has been the fixtures have been quite fortuitous really so all things considered I think they've done alright obviously I know it's the Champions League but you know you think about Bodo Glimp to Wayne just scraping a result there and people say oh it's a tough place to go yeah fine anyway without getting bogged down in too many of the weeds of this so the onus is on Tottenham Hotspur here I think that will suit Brentford absolutely fine if Spurs don't win this game and it's another poor performance oof the atmosphere is going to be really bad I mean it's another Fulham because that's the thing that kind of turned everyone against Frank a little bit I think well it's been reported in Italy that Vicara is considering leaving Spurs after being booed by his own fans that could just be paper talk he's just been nominated for save of the month as he Premier League save of the month it's quite easy speculation to make that it is very easy speculation to make I suppose but that's what it's been reported in Italy so we shall see if there's any truth of that over the coming months but they need something and they cannot start slowly against Brentford.

33:17Bloody Nora. So, again... Come on, fans, get behind your team. Yes, exactly. So, I think a lot of people, I think it's probably just as well for them that it's at three o 'clock on a Saturday. Yeah. Because if that was a televised game, a lot of people would be tuning in thinking, oh, it's going to happen. Ooh. You know, that's what the Brentford fans should do all game. Every time. Every time Spurs touch the ball. Ooh. yeah exactly Leeds United host Liverpool Saturday 5.30 that is televised I feel like this game should be on Monday night and in 1995 I see Tony Yeboah should score an absolute screamer of a volley because Thistle Hotel should be oh absolutely regardless of the fact that that isn't going to be the case Elland Road is going to be so up for this and I'm really excited about this game they love playing Liverpool they love playing Man United they love playing Newcastle they love playing the 90s size they do yeah and I mean And they'll be so full of vim and vigour after the result they've got against Chelsea.

34:17And obviously, the kind of headspace that Liverpool are in. This is not a good time to be playing Leeds United, especially at Ellen Road. The last couple of performances have been a lot better for them. And against Chelsea, they were brilliant. I understand Chelsea, the intensity of those games against Barcelona and then against Arsenal. Difficult to carry that in to the next game. but my goodness, Leeds were great value for the win and really needed that. And they, and a lot of their fans will want to shut up people like us and a lot of other people around the country going, well, you know, the bottom three is probably sick.

34:51We think it's, you know, Wolves fans, I think, forgive everybody for thinking that. Burnley might have a right to be a little bit pissed off, but, you know, they've lost five of the last five and Leeds were the other side. But with that victory off the back of four losses, and again, that loss against Man City was a tough one to take because I think they deserved something out of it. that's them turning around going right up yours everybody we're going for this a Liverpool side which we all know about this this has got potential to be a very very interesting game former Everton man Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be interested interested in a goal yeah to me he's not really the type to use that sort of stuff as fuel no is he he's on a different plane than everyone else I think how would you I don't know how you would sort of aloof quite aloof yeah I don't know if he's yeah he's not like the archetypal you know kind of he's not Jamie Vardy is he?

35:44no he's not Jamie Vardy no but whatever he's doing it seems to be beginning to work in these last couple of fixtures because he's among the goals again I also think this is one of those kind of little stretches of fixtures that you look at on paper and go oh bloody oh Man City and then Chelsea and then Liverpool and that's like that's difficult but given the manner of their defeat against Man City and the result they got against Chelsea they'll be relishing this you know they'll be ready for this level and up for it. A lot of players at that level, if you're signing players from a championship kind of position, want to be playing these kind of fixtures.

36:17And they are stepping into the club, so therefore they do raise their game. And it can be quite galling, I think, for fan bases to see teams, your team kind of raising itself for matches like Liverpool. But they're there to be got at Liverpool, especially away from home. Well, and also now, I mean, you would expect Farker to probably stick with a 3-5-2, wouldn't you? I mean, that's another thing. with setting up against Leeds. Now, one might say, well, will Liverpool care too much about what Leeds are doing? Last season, obviously Leeds weren't in the league, but last season, no, they wouldn't have done.

36:49They'd have just been solely focused on what they're doing. Whereas Slott has to look at this and he has to go, right, hang on. They've started to get a bit of joy with that little switch that he's made and the wing-backs have been causing problems. They're looking pretty solid in the centre of the pitch. Pete, you were talking about how effective Ampadu was, rightly so. get Tanaka on the ball from the edge of the box thank you very much more of that please so there's food for thought for them you know I think that I think the days of Sabozalai playing right back are surely gone I think that's been well documented if I was slot I'd be like surely you're going to get Joe Gomez in there at some point you know he seemed to be fairly steady against West Ham and the question is does he play Mo Salah yeah I mean bringing him in a very intimidating atmosphere where you know they're going to be snapping into every tackle.

37:41He's rested though, isn't he? I mean, it depends on whether he trusts him to sort of do the defensive work that will absolutely be required in a game like this. He's starting to feel more and more like a quite handy sort of substitute though, isn't he, really? It's kind of like, bring him on. Oh, I've got something to think about then, haven't you? Yeah, I mean, out of just pure respect for what he's done. Especially when you're winged back to Nacan. And what he's capable of, I suppose so. I mean, I, you know I mean against Sunderland they've said Graven Birch and McAllister playing their roles Sabozlai was more kind of on that right side of attack if I remember correctly which I prefer Sabozlai in the centre but then he's trying to get Wurz and Gakbo in there I I I I mean the conversation with Graven Birch McAllister and Sabozlai I mean I suppose I'm harking back to last season it's such a solid midfield if I'm a Liverpool fan that's probably what I really want to see I know they've spent an absolute fortune on players in front of them but you know sometimes you look at other clubs notably Manchester City sometimes your players take a while to bed in and even if that is a whole season then so be it they've not signed Verts for two seasons have they?

38:48So that's what I would be wanting to see especially in a game like this you want three really tough operators in the centre of the pitch to match up leads so that's what I would be thinking personally does Isak start? For me absolutely not I think I know he scored against West Ham but like to me I would much rather Rekka Tike than if I was a Liverpool fan oh 100 % and do you know it's funny isn't it how we go on about him because whenever he comes and he seems to sort of do something whether it's score a goal or make a block on the line but Chiesa he seems to be the only one of the few Liverpool players that does have a bit of intensity and stuff and also like I wonder if he starts I know he's not one of the best four players which is why he's not starting and people might look at that and say that's really easy to say oh start Chiesi come on there's more quality in there but I don't think it's the most ridiculous quality isn't showing itself is it we were talking about this recently on the show no Fiedrinho Chiesi he's not some tin pot player no let's be forget he won the Euros you know Liverpool have had in recent memory tin pot forwards so I mean you're going back a while there but fine but I yeah I think this game for a number of reasons is very interesting and now the Liverpool starting 11 or the selection of particular players is a talking point.

40:05And so when that team sheet comes out, you know, all eyes are on it and then what's going to subsequently happen and this is what Liverpool really don't want. But it's where they are. It's been reported that, funnily enough, Real Madrid are no longer interested in signing Ibrahim Canate. The piece on that... They should sign Mark Gay, it'd be hilarious. The piece on that says, the top of the piece says, Real Madrid is no longer pursuing a transfer. Here's why the Spanish giant is cool on a deal. I mean, you could just have a picture of some eyes underneath that. Well, we watched him. Yeah, he's not that good at the moment.

40:37He's fallen off a bit, hasn't he? Yeah, he really has. Poor old Canate. Now, Mr Tanaka, the Leeds United hero of the Chelsea game. His primary school teacher travelled from Japan to Ellen Road to watch his former student play in that game against Chelsea and, of course, scored that goal. What a lovely story that is. It is. Come on, Peter. Yeah, but then you remember Kawasaki's basically where the airport is. So he could walk to the airport, couldn't he? Do you mean what? You're saying it's not that hard of a journey. Is there a direct flight from Kawasaki to Leeds? There'll be one to London. Get the G &R up.

41:17That's your takeaway from this story. I'm just saying the friary school teacher. Oh, I'm here to Japan. Absolutely. I think that's the worst take you've ever had on this show. that is well I look forward to seeing it repeated in the comments to be fair we don't know how well like the primary school teacher knew him you know maybe he didn't teach him for that long maybe he's maybe he's horrible maybe he heard him what? he's here he feels like a threat that's weird he threw a chalk rubber at me yeah maybe he's well I mean there's a lovely picture of him on X and he's holding up a t-shirt of a photo which has been printed onto the t-shirt presumably of him when he was a teacher looks like he's wearing a Germany shirt right and the young Tanaka who's also wearing some sort of football shirt I can't quite see what that is so why did he not put the t-shirt on though it's confusing because it was flipping freezing put it over your clothes no he's got he's no he's holding it up so to the like he's just signed for lease yeah exactly by wearing it I've regret why did I bring a poster way more portable why did I bring this sad little pathetic story to the table of Mr.

42:28Japan over there. Get a picture out on your phone. If anyone's going to talk about Japan, it's going to be me. Thank you. All right. Good. Apparently, it's really easy to get. Do you know what? If you're going to go to Japan, don't even book a hotel. You can be there and back in a day. You can go to Tanaka's teacher's house. In 13 hours. Easy. You can go to Tanaka's teacher's house. Nice and easy. Fine. You can't fly over Russia anymore, so does it elongate the journey a little bit? Okay. But straight off Hanada, walk to Tanaka's house, hang out with his teacher. Yeah, to be fair, this primary school teacher should really have a season ticket to Ellen Row because he can get there every Saturday for these games piss take December's in term what's he doing what is he doing and what are we doing everybody right don't pull on that thread right everybody we're nearly the end of the show it's about time for me to remind everybody that my biddy aunt is happening this afternoon it's Jim versus Pete I don't like that I've been pulled after a strong performance against Luke the first time I've been pulled into this nonsense what do you mean this game situation I used to be able to opt out yeah I used to be able to opt out of it I don't like it no you did that for too long but the fans want you in they've been impressed with your performances even though you got beaten by Luke last time convincingly I'm the Chiesa you are the Federico Chiesa of this I thought you you went down swinging right you know it was very Spurs last season but one of the more intense performances and I think people they want to see you They want to see you play this game.

43:57And it's Jim Campbell. It is. It's me. Who's going to be playing for you. It will be available to listen later today, everybody. Make sure to subscribe to the Football Ramble in your podcast app so that you never miss an episode. There we are, gentlemen. Right. Thank you very much for listening to the Football Ramble, part of the ACAST Creator Network. Remember to join us on YouTube this evening, following the World Cup draw for our full reaction to all that blooming nonsense. It's going to be great. Right. Until my biddy aunt. Thank you, Peter. That's the name of the balls as they go around. There you go.

44:29Thank you, Jim. Thank you both. Thank you, Rio Fernand.

44:42The Football Ramble is a Stack Production and part of the Acast Creator Network.