The Preview Show: The butler on the bus

0:00Owning a home is full of surprises. Some wonderful, some not so much. And when something breaks, it can feel like the whole day unravels. That's why HomeServe exists. For as little as$4.99 a month, you'll always have someone to call. A trusted professional ready to help, bringing peace of mind to four and a half million homeowners nationwide. For plans starting at just$4.99 a month, go to HomeServe.com. That's HomeServe.com. Not available everywhere. Most plans range between$4.99 to$1199 a month your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs. I tell myself, it's not about comparing. But then I start wondering, what can they lift?

0:34Are they adding more weight to their barbell than I am? And suddenly, I'm not training. Then I realize, my journey is not theirs. I've earned every step. So I smile. My smile is the shape resilience takes to keep me moving. To put more smiles out into the world, Colgate has supported female athletes for over 50 years with the Colgate Women's Games, the nation's longest-running indoor track and field series for girls and women. Colgate, your smile is your strength. Thank you for calling the Bombas Comfort Line. Bombas make socks, slippers, tees, and underwear made with the highest quality materials.

1:07Press 1 for comfort, 2 for style, 3 for donation. You chose style. Bombas is styles for whatever you enjoy. You can run in Bombas, lounge in Bombas, dress them up, dress them down, but always give back in Bombas. Because with every item purchased, another is donated. Bombas, comfort worth calling for. Go to bombas.com slash audio and use code audio for 20 % off your first purchase. That's B-O-M-B-A-S dot com and use code audio.

1:53Cologart.com para más información. Pide la prueba de Cologart Plus a tu médico. Para más información en español, visita Cologart.com diagonal prueba. There are moments that reveal who we are and who we're meant to become. For those born to lead, such moments call for a vehicle of equal distinction. Dynamic by design, uncompromising in execution, the Range Rover Sport was engineered for those rare individuals who demand the world and possess the conviction to claim it. When your time to lead arrives, you need a vehicle that rises to meet it. The Range Rover Sport. Exclusive offers available now.

2:27Explore further at RangeRover.com. Most all-in-one HR systems are a patchwork of disconnected and manual tools. Rippling is totally automated. If you promote an employee, Rippling can automatically handle necessary updates. From payroll taxes and provisioning new app permissions to assigning required manager training. That's why Rippling is the number one rated human capital management suite on G2, TrustRadius, and Gartner. If you're ready to run the backbone of your business on one unified platform, head to rippling.com slash AcastBiz and sign up today. That's R-I-P-P-L-I-N-G dot com slash AcastBiz to sign up.

3:09Pete Donaldson: I do feel hungry even though I've had my share, everybody. Welcome to the Football Ramble Preview Show. It's FA Cup semi-finals weekend And it's Friday 24th of April I'm Marcus Speller I'm Pete Donaldson And I'm Derek Cutler

3:33Pete Donaldson: Oh it's Friday Petey It is Fish and chips and savaloys Fish and chips and savaloys Fish and chips and savaloys Gravy gravy gravy Yes What I love about a Friday is getting that message From Pete Donaldson With his battered sausage In hand Gripping tightly Held high It is the site of a celebration Of another week done Another week in the bag And Petey did it again Now Peter, have I got big news for you What? Tickets for our World Cup watch along party For England vs Croatia are now on general sale Whoa Yeah how about that We'll be at 40 foot brewery Black Horse In North London From 5pm On Wednesday 17th of June All in the build up To England Versus Croatia David Come on Are the juices flowing already I'm going to get down early I might just start About 1 o 'clock Find another brewery Let's open Tell me kicking off Me and David Are going to be swimming In one of those big Barrels of beer I was going to say Do you want to do A spoon's breakfast Pete And then we'll Should be cracking yeah Beautiful Yes.

4:44Pete Donaldson: Well, our Patreon subscribers have been gobbling up the tickets left, right and centre. So there are only a handful left. So if you fancy an evening of ice cold pints, exclusive merch, incredible food, giant screens and loads more, you know what to do. Just hit the ticket link in the episode description or head to our socials and find the link there. There was a password on this. It's on general sale now, basically. Anyone can get involved. Is that right, Marcus? So apparently there was a Patreon password That people on the Patreon knew That nobody else knew So they gained access to it Do you know what that was Marcus?

5:19Testes It was cockchair Cockchair Was it actually? It was cockchair No decorum Marcus Is that what you think? It was a real shame Your face just says no decorum I bought a pair of tickets for myself And a couple of friends And I and I because you know there's no guarantee of comps when it's such a hot ticket yeah I was absolutely good to see that right I'll type that into my some people some people have got

5:47Pete Donaldson: Google asked me whether I wanted to save the password on my phone I said no thank you some people would have thought you know I'll just wait for the general sale

5:56what a shame there we are there we are no way to start a show but do come down to our World Cup Watch Along at the 40 Foot Brewery it's not actually is it 40 foot? could be 40 foot you can ask the people there

6:06Pete Donaldson: alright Bring a measuring tape. I know the reason. Bring a trundle wheel. You can ask me. I know the reason. But I'm only going to tell you it on the 17th of June. You've got to come and see me or one of the people who own the brewery. Right, gentlemen, on to the FA Cup semi-finals. Let's start with the all-Premier League affair involving Callum McFarlane's Chelsea versus Daniel Farker's Leeds United. Yes, young Callum will be back in the dugout. The Ryan Mason of West London, if you will, David. He is, yeah. Yeah, yeah. He looks like he's crying all the time. Or is he a man of the bifta? He's got very red eyes Like he's sad He's a Chelsea man Who the fuck's happy there?

6:47Isn't everyone crying there?

6:48Pete Donaldson: Maybe he lives abroad and he gets the red eye in every morning Yeah, possibly, potentially Maybe that's what it is Pete, you were going through I say you were going through someone else Clearly went through his tweets He's quite punchy on social media Or has been in the past I think a few years ago he was a bit of a Twitter a good, you know, deep in COVID kind of like Twitter enthusiast, wasn't he, about football? He was certainly challenging journalists on their opinions. He was challenging journalists on their opinions. This is nothing short. Well, as far as I know, this is not like, ha-ha, he said this about this person.

7:18Pete Donaldson: No, no, no, there's no scandal here. He's very, very into his football, obviously, because he works in it. But his opinions don't feel like that. I mean, maybe they fit the Chelsea coach brief, but they did feel a little bit like you know a teenager in his bedroom kind of opinion he's washed and he's like Zidane's like well if you've actually watched him you'll know that he's not that type of player which I quite enjoy because he's now managing a Premier League side in an Everton semi-final you think that's why he's crying he's stressed out he's like I've got to stop the socials so they've had the LinkedIn manager and now they've got the Twitter manager yes is that how you identify a Chelsea post-lifters a grok boy is next yeah maybe maybe or maybe we might have a MySpace manager with the fringe and everything Tom from MySpace he's next in the dugout what happened to that guy?

8:08he sold out he was lauded as being one of those billionaires who just fucked off and had a nice life but I believe now he's back being problematic why does he come back? just go away if you make your money I'd love to just go away and just never see anyone again

8:23Pete Donaldson: it appears David that nothing is ever enough for these people they just can't get enough Anyway, Chelsea, yes, against Leeds. I mean, this is a real... another roll of the dice, shall we say. Smashing into the other dices you've thrown recently. I don't know how many dice they've got less. I think they've just got the one. Clearly, they've made this decision with Liam Rosini because he was going nowhere. It was reported that one Chelsea player nicknamed him the supply teacher. I've no doubt he had a lot of nicknames. Report against Fernandes. He's getting rewards. Hugo Vianna's interested in him for Man City.

9:01Is that right? He'll have his offers. There's your reward. He'll have his offers.

9:05Pete Donaldson: Bad behaviour gets rewarded these days, it would appear. But David, this is an FA Cup semi-fine. Lest we forget that there is a Europa League spot up for grabs for the winner of the FA Cup. Or even the FA Cup finalists, should Manchester City go on to win it, because they will qualify for the Champions League. It seems unlikely that Chelsea are going to do that in the Premier League as well. Chelsea need this Massively so Look there's still plenty to play for and they have to finish the season on a high after what's happened and they can do you know I'm not going to say that an FA Cup final win would you know completely wash all how much of a disaster this season has been from an overall view but yes they absolutely have to go for this it's a great trophy as well It's a great trophy It is It's the oldest trophy It is the oldest trophy but for Leeds United United, Peter, they are having a lovely old time this season, let's be clear.

10:02Pete Donaldson: I mean, they've reached the 40-point mark with four games to go this season. I really didn't see this happening at all. I don't think a lot of people did. Fair play to Farga, honestly. Fair fucks to Farga. Exactly, as he would definitely want you to say it. What I love about this is that everybody seems to hate a back three at the moment. If you're a big team and you go for a back three, what the hell are you doing? You've just conceded everything. whereas Leeds United I don't know they've switched it up but it all goes back to that little tactical change he made I'm sure there's a lot more going on at the club and it's not simply just that and they have just made 40 points it's not a success story they have it is a success story from where they were yes I completely agree so back down there didn't you you saw Daniel Farker turning up with his sausage in hand I love the fact that at Leeds United under Daniel Farker back three is not a dirty term.

10:57No. Are you a fan of a back three? You've always been beating this back three drum. And I'm a bit worried you've been turned by a fundamentalist, a back three fundamentalist.

11:06Pete Donaldson: No, no, no. I just think that, you know, I'm trying to find reasons why Leeds kind of had their uptick. And when he did make that tactical change, it did make a difference. But you have to give them credit because as you mentioned earlier there, you didn't see this coming. And I don't think many people did. And the way they started the season, nothing was really, you know, You saw them probably just sort of drifting towards relegation. Maybe they might get sort of, I don't know, 30 points or something like that. But here they are with four games left, unbeaten in their last five. They're going well.

11:40Pete Donaldson: The feeling is good. And Sean Longstaff is scoring late volleys. I mean, yeah, again, I didn't see that coming. But he's done well there. A nice little move for Sean Longstaff. I think him, I don't know where his brother's gone, but I think he deserved another crack at it. Like a, I don't know, like a Bournemouth or a Fulham or something. Yeah, or a Leeds United. Or a Leeds United, which is where he ended up. It's a lovely spot for him. But when you say you're surprised at how well he's done at Leeds, why were you surprised? I mean, because at Newcastle... He just kind of got lost in the mix a little bit, didn't he?

12:11A little bit. We went down Jack Colbach Boulevard a little bit.

12:16Pete Donaldson: Okay. Try to bring David in there. Don't bring him up. Don't talk about Jack Colbach. I mean, with long staff, obviously, playing for a Champions League club is one thing. Going in as an experienced Premier League operator, Leeds United is another. Yeah, but he's experienced it in a side where Steve Bruce is playing him because he's Steve Bruce and he's English and he deals with players as he deals with players. And I think he probably wouldn't have got the chances at any other club because Newcastle United were on their uppers a little bit. So he's an experienced Premier League operator only by virtue of the fact that Newcastle just managed to stay in the league for three seasons in a row.

12:56Pete Donaldson: Well, nice to have a mention for Steve Bruce there. Yes, David. Yeah, I was going to say, funnily enough, I think it was actually the Leeds-Chelsea game at Elm Derrude earlier in the season where things actually began to change. A way at the Etihad, you saw something there when they lost 3-2 and they were probably 2-0 down and they lost out with a last-minute Man City goal. Yeah, but I think it was the Chelsea game where they really kicked on. And I think that performance was just pure energy. And they were really, really good. And I think something clicked there with the changing system and then the wing backs brushing on as well.

13:28And they were like, oh, this actually does work. Man United and Wolves, those two games together, we just launched them, really.

13:35Pete Donaldson: Yeah. And also as well, some good individual players. I mean, at the back, you know, like Struik and Rodden and so on. They've stepped up Aronson in midfield as well. There's some proper players in there. Goodmanson as well. One of my favourite players of the season. Oh, good. Yeah, honestly, I keep mentioning him every time I'm on, but I think he's been absolutely fantastic. And Tanaka's been good. And your boy DCL as well. Dominic Calvert-Lewin. England's Dominic Calvert-Lewin, yeah. Well, at the moment, if you think about the form, you think about the general feeling, I'm tempted to say, I fancy Leeds for this.

14:08I think I said before, when the draw was made, I quite fancy Leeds for this as well. And Chelsea's situation has not really changed anything. McFarlane will come in, a bit of fresh ideas, kind of get the Rosinha gloom away. But I think Leeds are in this.

14:24Pete Donaldson: Leeds will be annoyed. Well, not annoyed. They would have rather had Liam Rosinha in the opposite dugout, quite obviously, because the doom and gloom would have been there. Now, I mean, I don't know what Callum McFarlane's going to do. We've seen him in the Chelsea dugout, you know, at Manchester City, and, you know, they got a draw there, a very credible draw, and they lost to Fulham. I like to remind myself. It's a very small sample size. He's a chap who, I wonder if he's got real ambitions to manage the Chelsea first team in the future. I mean, the fact is, you know, he wasn't an assistant to Liam Rosinia, but we don't know that much about McFarlane and his ambitions.

15:04Pete Donaldson: Okay, fair enough. But he's not Liam Rosinia. And I think that's the crucial thing for this semi-final. And that's clearly what the owners were thinking. I don't have any, there is no credit to the owners for this. The fact is they let it drift this long. that Rosinia was appointed, blah, blah, blah. We can talk about that until the cows come home. I think the fact is, once again, Liam Rosinia's not there. We're expecting some sort of reaction from Chelsea. I think it might be a personality thing. So I don't think his football is going to be too radically different from what Chelsea have been playing under Rosinia.

15:34It's going to be our personality. It's quite clear a lot of the players didn't really gel with Rosinia. He didn't really hit it off. And I think McFarlane's different personality might actually...

15:43Pete Donaldson: He'll sort of get out of the way and almost be like, lads, you know what you're doing. Genuinely that. I think we've seen it Manning Aya this season, how Carrick's just personality and just the way he operates has changed things as well. And yes, there's been a tactical tweak there, 100%. But it's about personality. Players thrive upon atmosphere and mood, I think. Something that some Chelsea supporting pundits have been saying this week, Peter, is why didn't they give it to John Terry? Right, yeah. I mean, I think he would be very keen on that because he's in the set-up of the under-21s, isn't he?

16:15Pete Donaldson: Well, he reacted to the sacking on TikTok, of course, which is the place to go. And in a piece to camera, he said, I'm not sure what Callum's backroom staff is going to look like. He's not going to have a backroom staff. Well, he will do. He's not getting a frontroom staff. He's not getting any staff. He's not even getting a long staff. He can have a bifter and like it. There we go. That's not what John said. Right. Well. His eyes seem to say. That's not what John said. He implies a lot of stuff, JT, doesn't he? well he went on to say I've not had a call I've not had a message I will be continuing my role in the academy we've got a couple of big games coming up I don't care I've not had a call but you know I've loads on so you know even if I did get a call I might not even answer it I don't know are you going to call me no don't call me oh dear you don't want him anywhere near football at this point in his career but clearly David a number of Chelsea fans you could understand why because you know captain leader legend and so forth sentiment man But what do you think of the idea of giving it to John Terry for the end?

17:16Pete Donaldson: Give it Tezza to the end of the season. No, he's got some big games coming up. Yeah, true. No, in all seriousness, I actually do understand why fans would want him in. Of course, the sentiment there. He's one of the biggest legends there. And right now, if you look at that performance during the week as well, they were absolutely shocking against Brighton. They just threw it in. So I guess the feeling is JT comes in, he goes, oh, let's be having it, and then that'll work. but this game is a chance for Leeds United to reach their first FA Cup final since 1973 Chelsea of course have been far more familiar with FA Cup finals in recent times so a huge one at Wembley I'm really looking forward to that game I'm really looking forward to it too on Al Tanaka do you see Comedity City are in for him of course they are already making moves old Lampard what I like about that move is Al in Japanese is blue is it blue Tanaka blue Tanaka sky blue Tanaka I'm with you totally with you near the marketing department I know I know I love it Coventry already got the heads in the game I like it Matty Longstaff is at Montreal in Major League Soccer Thank you producers There we are Good luck Now we're talking of Blues The other semi-final is between Manchester City and Southampton Southampton's third FA Cup semi-final since 2018 Impressive They haven't reached the final since 2003 and haven't won it for a long old time as well They're the form team in Europe.

18:40Pete Donaldson: Well, one might argue. Are they actually, Peter? Can you officially call them the form team in Europe? Yeah, fuck it. People are going to criticise them on YouTube anyway. What does Pete know about football? Yeah, the form team in the world. Yeah, we are. Yeah. Next to Colo Colo of Japan. Chile. Yeah, that was my point. I thought there was a Japanese side there. Southampton, I'm beaten in their last 20 matches. That goes into your point. I think people are writing off... Pepple. A Peppa writing things off I think people are writing off Anybody who Manchester City play So far this season I think Southampton Your little grin Southampton have shown In previous rounds It's fair to say That they very much know How to set up against The Premier League side They were excellent at Craven Cottage Very good value for the win We saw what they did to Arsenal Manchester City They will dominate the ball And I think Southampton Will be totally fine with that How do you plan for that?

19:38Pete Donaldson: this sort of match though. But they know how to plan. Well, Southampton or Bad City. How do Southampton plan for a match where you don't necessarily know which team Pep are going to put out? But it'll be... I mean, I've got the provisional team that everyone, you know, that Pep Guardiola has released. James Trafford, a drawing of Pelé, Pep's right testicle, Peter Biegri, one of those metal-free training ground men. And Steve Lomas. And Steve Lomas. They're the ones who are going to be, you know, in the frame to play because everybody else is going to be on the bench obviously but I remember didn't they play like Sheffield United not that long ago and they had like a full 11 on the bench and they still were absolutely fine well I mean yeah so you're saying Man City have a very big squad I think they'll be absolutely fine okay David yeah I think they'll be fine as well I don't think they're going to smash Southampton or anything like that but Southampton's looking at coming up focus very much on the league City you could say the same for as well so it'll be interesting to see how it went I would say that both teams kind of have bigger things on the agenda.

20:40Pete Donaldson: Well, but I think Southampton have done that very, very well. I mean, they're obviously fourth in the championship at the moment, going for promotion, as you say, very much in the mix. And yet they've balanced that with a very, very impressive FA Cup run. I mean, to get to the semi-final is very good. But to knock out, you know, okay, a championship side knocking out a mid-table Premier League side, that is a huge achievement. We've seen it before. But beating the side who are top of the league, or should I say were top of the league, who are currently in a Champions League semi-final as well.

21:09Pete Donaldson: The way they did it was fantastic. Now, you might say, well, they don't have the home advantage. Well, they didn't have the home advantage against Fulham as well. I think, look, obviously Man City are our favourites for this game. But I think this might be a little bit more interesting than some people may suggest. Southampton, they are a well-drilled side. And again, they have previous experience in this competition of playing Premier League sides. The dynamic of the game, yes. Man City will control the ball probably in a way that they've not played against this season. Man City are better at controlling the ball than Arsenal.

21:42Pete Donaldson: They're a bit more incisive, you might say. But that's the way Southampton has set up. So they already know the plan. So I think this might not be as straightforward as people think. I certainly hope that as well. I mean, going back to your point, Peter, I think Pep Guardiola said he's going to make some changes for this game after his players look tired against Burnley. where they, I didn't say labour to a 1-0 win, that's not quite true, but they... They got the job done, which is more than what Arsenal are doing at this moment in time. We're going to talk about them in a bit against your beloved Newcastle United.

22:13I'm just saying that they're getting the job done at a really important time. And you've got to remember with Pep Guardiola presumably leaving at the end of the season, they are in a situation where it's going to be the penultimate game of the season. And those images stay in the memories for fans. So I think he's thinking about his legacy. and I think he's going out on a trouble.

22:34Pete Donaldson: If he could go out on a domestic trouble, that would be something else. Incredible. But even if he did, as Pete once called it, the dickhead double, I think that would be probably enough as well. We shall see. It was reported earlier this season that the Football Association have commissioned a record label to create an FA Cup anthem. A little bit like we have the Champions League anthem. We've now got a Europa League anthem. Do we need an FA Cup anthem, Peter? David's shaking his head. Is it going to be a song about the FA Cup itself? I assumed it was going to be... It's got two handles. It sometimes has bits of ribbon off it.

23:11Pete Donaldson: Yeah. It's not going to sound like it's from the 60s, which I would like, personally. I just hate to think what they're going to come up with. It'll be Robbie Williams. Something Robbie Williams related, I reckon. Yeah. What's wrong with Childish Gambino? It'll be called the... It'll be a presumably half-time performance in the final. it'll be called something like The Passion of the FA Cup oh nice okay it'll be written by ChatGPT and recorded by whatever Robbie Willink there we are everybody's happy nice alright coming up after this Tottenham's fight for survival goes on this episode is sponsored by Delete Me Delete Me makes it easy quick and safe to remove your personal data online at a time when surveillance and data breaches are common enough to make everyone vulnerable.

24:05These days we reveal a lot about ourselves online but having your address, phone number and family members names displayed on the internet can have real consequences. Malicious actors can use personal data to target political rivals, civil servants and even outspoken citizens who post online. Now because I appear on lots of different podcasts I, of course, have an active online presence. So I need to be proactive when it comes to online privacy. So I use DeleteMe. DeleteMe removes your data from hundreds of data broker websites so you can protect your personal privacy or the privacy of your business from doxing attacks before sensitive information can be exploited.

24:42Take control of your data and keep your private life private by signing up for DeleteMe. And DeleteMe is now at a special discount for our listeners. Get 20 % off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeliteme.com slash ramble and use promo code ramble at the checkout. The only way to get 20 % off is to go to joindeliteme.com slash ramble and enter ramble at the checkout. That's joindeliteme.com slash ramble code ramble.

25:12It never happens at a good time. The pipe bursts at midnight. The heater quits on the coldest night. Suddenly, you're overwhelmed. That's when HomeServe is here. For$4.99 a month, you're never alone. Just call their 24-7 hotline and a local pro is on the way. Trusted by millions, HomeServe delivers peace of mind when you need it most. For plans starting at just$4.99 a month, go to homeserve.com. That's homeserve.com. Not available everywhere. Most plans range between$4.99 to$1 ,199 a month your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs. As a woman entrepreneur, you know that every connection counts, whether it's with your customers, your team, or your community.

25:50Spectrum Business is here to help you build those connections stronger and faster. Imagine running your business with fast, reliable, fiber-powered internet so you can stay connected to customers, employees, and vendors without having to worry. We know flexibility matters. That's why select Spectrum Business packages come with a three-year price guarantee so you can focus on running your business. Plus, enjoy savings on internet, phone, TV, and mobile services when you can bundle. With Spectrum Business, you get more than just internet. You get support with 100 % U.S.-based customer service. Real people who understand small business, ready 24-7 to help you stay up and running.

26:32Join millions of business owners like you across America who trust Spectrum Business for reliability, speed, and support. Visit spectrum.com slash business today to get started. Restrictions apply. Services not available in all areas. Immersing yourself in all things soccer ahead of this summer's World Cup? I'm Alex Abnos, senior sports editor from The Guardian. Whether you're a soccer beginner or you know the game inside and out, we've got you covered. From one of the fastest-growing soccer newsrooms, The Guardian brings you in-depth World Cup coverage that gets into the winners and losers on and off the pitch.

27:07Read, watch, and listen as our journalists connect the dots between the games, the cultures, and this political moment. We'll have daily newsletters throughout the tournament, a global perspective, and a squad of Americans, including me, on the ground with the U.S. national team. Plus, if you want to test your soccer knowledge, try On The Ball. It's a game in the Guardian app, and it's really, really fun. And if you're into stuff like this...

27:27Pete Donaldson: Well, I think the problem is, if you give footballers an inch, they will take a mile. Is it too much when it's this close? It's a bit much. It's a bit too real. Maybe you could just talk with a slight delay. Be sure to listen to our Football Weekly podcast for on-the-move expert analysis. The Guardian, bringing you the whole picture on soccer. Search Guardian Soccer for more.

27:52Pete Donaldson: You know I talk about managing success rate. I've got a 0 % sex rate. Sex rate? It's that as well. Welcome back to the Football Animal, everybody. A bit of Jonathan Pearce there talking about things perhaps he shouldn't do. Right, Tottenham Hotspur versus, or should I say Wolves versus Tottenham Hotspur, it's at Molyneux the dictionary definition of a must win game for Tottenham David yeah absolutely and then with Wolves already condemned obviously give them a bit of extra encouragement Spurs that is yeah every game is must win for them now like every everything is on the line for them but this one in particular because if you look at their fixtures Wolves away Villa away Leeds at home Chelsea away Everton at home on paper this is the easiest one now the Leeds game at home that's going to be very important as well but Aston Villa are away right now yeah they can win the game but I mean probably unlikely so this game against Wolves it is absolutely with West Ham playing Everton at home you're thinking if you're Spurs there's a little chance here with only two points between them that they could at least pull level or maybe leap from them they might thrive on their away games as well I just think there's a lot of pressure inside Tottenham and Spurs Stadium sometimes for them and you can clearly see the players feel that as well.

29:11So when they're playing away, I think that might be a bit more of a confidence boost for them.

29:15Pete Donaldson: Well, talking of confidence and whatnot, Spurs have put out a job advert seeking a new psychologist to work with their players. Is the other one burnt out? It's kind of absolutely done. Is that just to the end of the season? Is that an interim position? Yeah, just get one of those apps that we're advertising on the football ramble all the time. You reckon? Yeah. Does that do the job? I can't remember the name of them now. Do the reads for them. Completely forget them almost instantly. But yeah, just do those by the hour things. where you just ring some up and go, we need to score some goals, please.

29:45Right. We're not scoring enough goals, please. Just call Tim Sherwood. Just call Tim Sherwood. Yeah. Surely that's what you do here.

29:51Pete Donaldson: Maybe. Peter, Wolverhampton Wanderers. Will they do that thing where the pressure is off and they're already down and then they suddenly start playing free-frame football and they beat Spurs 3-0 or something like that? Yeah, roll back the years. To the 70s and they're doing things like banana shots. Do you remember what we called curling shots? Banana shots. I do. The, I think this stinks of, I think it was when Newcastle went down and they beat them 5-1 in the last game of the season. Yeah. They beat Spurs 5-1, I think. Yeah, I just feel like it might be one of those matches. And if it is one of those matches, they're done.

30:29They are tossed if they can't. Like you say, it's a must win for the, I mean, we said this in the last two matches as well. Yeah. With West Ham playing a really, really good event side at this moment in time, this is a non-negotiable, then you win this match. Yeah. It doesn't matter how they do it, they just need to get the ball.

30:47Pete Donaldson: Well, you go back to that Brighton game, like if they'd have just got the three points there. I mean, De Zerbe said after the game, he said, I don't like people, you know, crying unnecessarily. I don't like to see sad footballers or sad coaching staff, all that kind of stuff. You know, I think the way De Zerbe is speaking and the way that the figure he cuts, it's very different to Igor Tudor. right for example that seems like a mad appointment now De Zerbe I feel like if anyone's going to keep him up it's him and I I'm sort of he's desperately trying to I think he is saying the right things and I think again that he's if I was a Spurs fan I would have a little bit of hope in him Kevin Brintz-Boatang spoke of working with Roberto De Zerbe recently and he said this guy he takes off his pants he rips off his shirt he tackles you if he sees you are a little bit tired in the morning, he's like, are you awake?

31:39Pete Donaldson: So he's very much, you know, we know what you get with the Serby. Yeah, he takes off his pants. Yeah. But I wonder if, I think, you know, with his coaching pedigree and his tactical approach and so on and so forth, he's the reason why I think Spurs might stay up. Yeah, I completely agree. So many Spurs fans that you speak to a lot will resign to it. and that's partly due to, you know, preparation, it's the hope that kills you and all that kind of stuff. Obviously partly with what's gone on before. I just, I wonder if they'll regret not getting him in sooner. I mean, I think they've probably already got that regret, if you see what I mean.

32:19Pete Donaldson: But there's something about De Zerbe, I think, oh yeah, he knows not wearing any trousers. Yes, indeed, Peter. Well, I mean, what do you think? I think that Kevin Prince Borteng probably heard, had a similar experience from every manager he's ever been managed by because everybody upsets It's a lot of managers. But I think this was an appointment for next season. It's just a real shame that they're in this situation at the bottom of the... heading into the relegation zone into the business end of the season. It's a real shame because I thought, if anyone's going to get a tune out of some of these players...

32:53But it was an appointment for next season. And I think it may be a little bit too little too late.

32:58Pete Donaldson: Well, he's got to get the better of Rob Edwards, David, who is on for another season in the Championship. yeah I was going to say he's somebody else who's looking for next season as well I mean could be two teams looking ahead to next season so it's it's a strange one I mean I agree with you I think Tottenham are very lucky to actually get Deserbi in at this stage of the season they're really lucky you don't really get that calibre of coach available and it was interesting his comments after the Brighton game as well from what you said as well he said if anybody's sad I'll send them home so you can clearly see that he's come in and he's noticed the mood, the atmosphere is really, really low.

33:38And it's there in the way that the players are playing as well. And just their passes, their awareness of each other as well. It's just not fully there. They're just not sure right now. They're so scared. So you can clearly see what he's trying to do there. It's just going to be interesting to see if there actually will be results on the pitch and if they can just alleviate that sort of gloom. What is there?

34:01Pete Donaldson: I mean, if they don't beat Wolves, then the confidence I mean any confidence that Deservey may well have tried to inject in them will be gone it's such a huge game there might be some Wolves players playing for a move as well oh I think that's definitely whether they will or not David is a different that's not how modern football works to get a move you need to down tools and not actually turn up to do your job it's difficult in a World Cup year though isn't it because you're like well a lot of moves happen after the World Cup and you don't want to play too hard unless you put yourself out of contention for the national team it's spicy isn't it it's a good business end yeah I think this is a game that we'll all have eyes on for stated reasons but as I say if Spurs do not win this game my goodness they really are in trouble.

34:50Pete Donaldson: Gentlemen talking of managers and the managerial merry-go-round and all that kind of stuff former Spurs manager Jose Mourinho is being linked with a return to Real Madrid of course he is And where's this come from, Peter? Well, it was accelerated by the fact that Kylian Mbappe liked a post linking Mourinho to the job. Get on that, Petey. What do you reckon, old boy? And Callum McFarlane's commented. He's liked it as well. He's liked it as well. Yeah, assistant, question mark. Liked his own post. Yeah, well, it keeps him out of the Newcastle contention, so I'm quite happy about that. So, yeah, more power to his elbow, arm and wrist.

35:27Pete Donaldson: Well, Alvaro Arbeloa responded to this by saying, with regard to Mbappe, I don't care if he likes Mourinho, Julia Roberts or whoever. Julia Roberts again. I was getting dragged in. Yeah, I was about to say, why is Julia Roberts? It's the Pep Guardiola effect, isn't it? It is, yeah. I know. She didn't ask for this. She's a Manchester United fan and that's it. Right. She may well have been to the Burn of Bound. Could have said Anne Hathaway though, if you know what I mean. But everybody goes to Julia Roberts. Is Hathaway, is she? She's into football. Arsenal. She likes Arsenal. Arsenal. Maybe Roberts was at the Burn of Bound, we don't know.

35:56Pete Donaldson: Yeah. Maybe she was there. Maybe she was. Yes, indeed. Well, I think I can speak on behalf of everybody by saying it would be brilliant if Mourinho went back to Real Madrid. It would be. Because again, what's good for the Ramble is never good. What's good for Real Madrid. Now, elsewhere in the fight for Premier League survival, West Ham host Everton playing at the same time as Spurs. Tricky in the David Moyes derby. Nottingham Forest, though, they travel to Sunderland tonight. A bit of Friday night football, David. How are you feeling about this one? Yeah, Friday night game in Sunderland. Why not?

36:29Why not? Yeah. I'm scared of Gibbs White at the moment. Looking very, very, very good. So, yeah, yeah. Everyone talks about Elliot Anderson, like he's like the case. Fucking one Gibbs White. He's just having a lovely time. Yeah.

36:42Pete Donaldson: Well, Anderson being linked to a lot of teams, Man City in particular. Yeah. And I mean, a lot of teams like high. I worry about that. I worry about the Calvin Phillips effect. Are you still kicking a ball, Where's he? Leeds? I can't remember where he went. Goodness knows. But he was in the, as soon as he was established, very much so in the England midfield, next to Declan Rice. Yeah. He was having a good time for his club. Man City came along and that was the end of that. I worry about Elliot Anderson if he goes there. Because some players find it hard to step up and I think Elliot Anderson is one of those players where he's having a lovely time at Nottingham Forest.

37:10Really? But he's not the key man for them. Right now. Is Mongim's right?

37:14Pete Donaldson: Well it is right now. Mongim's right. And Gibbs White's not allowed to leave because Maranakis is just constantly lumen over him. Watching his social media activity so he doesn't like any certain posts linking with him over where. He hasn't got a phone. Well, Maranacus has officially given up his control at Nottingham Forest so they can play in the Champions League next season if they win the Europa League. Yeah. His shares are in a blind trust. Oh, are they? And he's no longer a person with significant control. The person who is in charge is Evan, Marin and a man called Kiss. Just these three men.

37:51Pete Donaldson: Yeah. Well, I mean, that is to avoid UEFA's multi-club rules, of course. It doesn't make a mockery of it all, does it, really? Not in the slightest. Not in the slightest, yeah. But when you said he put his shares in a blind trust, that is correct. You're not taking the piss. He has done that, yeah. So, yeah, he's no longer a person with significant control. And he's been replaced by three new directors, as you mentioned earlier, with those funny names, Peter. I just wanted to clarify that, because what you said sounded like you were taking the piss. Now, what Pete said there was... No, but it was genuinely true.

38:20Pete Donaldson: That's what's happened. So Morgan Gives' light is free to go wherever he pleases. Yeah, I bet he is. one can tell only one of the directors can tell the truth the other one can only lie and the other one's got a gun

38:35Pete Donaldson: so Forrest yeah away to Sunderland this evening I mean Forrest five points clear of the relegation zone I mean you know it is a chance I mean if they win that game you know up to 39 points you'd fancy them to survive but again David you know Sunderland slightly better form of late and lest we forget like a lot of other teams in the Premier League at the moment they are in contention for European football next season yeah I think a few things have to go there I've got a real feeling this will just be both teams going I should just course that little draw and that draw would suit both maybe I mean there were some rumours yesterday flying around on the old rumour mill saying that if Sunderland didn't achieve European football then LeBris' job is in trouble and I thought to myself how the bar can change so very quickly that's madness right surely we know even in a national week and then rubbish like that's coming out absolutely incredible yeah he's done a fantastic job he'll be backed more in the summer and I imagine the push for Europe like the proper push for Europe I reckon next season will be some expectations I mean it's a very good year but look we're always wanting to progress here and they should be looking at conference league or anything like that so alright ok dance music intensifies absolutely Peter Right, coming up after this, can Newcastle United stop Arsenal again?

40:25and dishes fresh. Plus, get an additional$100 off select laundry pairs. The season's best lineup is here at Lowe's. Valid through May 6th while supplies last. Selection varies by location. Mulch offer excludes Alaska and Hawaii. See an associate or lowes.com for details. Most all-in-one HR systems are a patchwork of disconnected and manual tools. Rippling is totally automated. If you promote an employee, Rippling can automatically handle necessary updates from payroll taxes and provisioning new app permissions to assigning required manager training. That's why Rippling is the number one rated human capital management suite on G2, TrustRadius, and Gartner.

41:07If you're ready to run the backbone of your business on one unified platform, head to rippling.com slash AcastBiz and sign up today. That's R-I-P-P-L-I-N-G dot com slash AcastBiz to sign up. You're a pro at running your life, at committing to your workout, at showing up every day. At Bombas, we're pros too. Pros at making socks. Our sport assortment has specialized socks for whatever sport you're committed to. Running, hiking, golf, Pilates, and so much more. Made with sweat-wicking yarns, blister-fighting details, and targeted arch support. Bombas Sport is pro-level socks from the pros of socks.

41:44For another pro, you. Go to bombas.com slash audio and use code audio for 20 % off your first purchase. That's bombas.com and use code audio.

41:57Pete Donaldson: Welcome back to the Football Ramble, everybody. Right, it's time to talk about the title race and whatever Newcastle are racing for. They are playing tomorrow at 5.30pm, but it is a chance for Arsenal to regain top spot after Manchester City took it off them on goals scored. Same points, same goal difference, nearly the same amount of goals scored, but not enough, not parity enough for Arsenal to be top on alphabetical order. So, Arsenal, a win here and a convincing win at that, suddenly the mood shifts. It needs to be convincing. These goal difference, it's the big subject right now. I mean, we spoke about it midweek, of course, we spoke about it yesterday on the pod, that that Manchester City victory against Burnley, there was something unconvincing about it, only because they won by the solitary goal.

42:47Pete Donaldson: And Haaland and Guardiola were at pains to say, look, we got the job done. What are you talking about? Are you asking us about goal? and we've got the job done we're top of the league this is a fascinating one as Declan Rice said Peter it's not done yet it's not done yet it's not done yet but God he'll like that he was a big fan of that wasn't he yeah which is again mind games yeah he needs to win something big before he completely cracks up at the end of the season but Newcastle United yes they have been a thorn in Arsenal's side in recent years they knocked them out in the league cup last season on the way to go there's been a number of incidents of course Gabriel scored a late winner at St James' Park earlier this season that game had a bit of controversy in it and so on and so forth do you see this as a game Peter where Newcastle can find some of that old form and get under the skin of Arsenal in their push for European football next season or do you think Newcastle are just a bit too shot to bits to do anything I think you when you're sort of going back to oh should we go for that should we think about that 1-0 Andy Carroll header back in the deep and distant past and you know they've won 1 in 17 in the Emirates.

43:52It's not been great at Arsenal. And if Newcastle are going to get anything out of it, they have to be at their shit-housing best. Bruno Gimreich is obviously back, which is good. But have they got that in them? Well, no, I don't think they have. And more importantly, I think Joel Linton seeing out of suspension may throw the yellow card market into this rear, I think. Okay. So no, I think he'll probably go with Willio Soler up top again. and just do what he did against Bournemouth in that awful performance. So yeah, I think Arsenal will come out tidy winners, but how tidy goal difference-wise is going to be the most important thing.

44:35Pete Donaldson: Yeah, because Newcastle are currently 14th in the league. They're just sort of drifting now, aren't they? That's incredible that they've drifted out there. The way they're playing, though, do you not think that if they hadn't put a couple of points on the board, they would have been down where Spurs were in the way they're performing at this moment. They can't buy goals. We've been understandably and rightly critical of Chelsea on the pitch this season. Chelsea, another side who were playing Champions League knockout football, like Newcastle United up until recently. I know Spurs were as well.

45:06Pete Donaldson: Chelsea are still in contention very much for European places. They've still got a lot to play for. Hardly a disaster, is it? Yeah, sure. And I know that Chelsea have been European champions in recent seasons, whereas obviously Newcastle haven't got anywhere near that. But like, I just, you know, there are reasons why people are now questioning Eddie Howe. I haven't gone down tools. Not down enough. But that's what I mean. This could be, I think this is a fixture that Arsenal should really, if they start like they did against Man City, they could really put one on Newcastle. Yeah. And really demoralise them.

45:43With the caveat that Newcastle players do have that kind of stepping stone club mentality where they do raise their game against the Man City's the historical big you know four Man United's and teams like that but right now

45:54Pete Donaldson: they look down on their luck they're awful and they've been awful all season and there's only been I think there's been two, three performances that you could probably hang your hat on and sort of say they've been decent this season the rest have been atrocious it's funny there's been the odd purple patch here and there but from a consistent basis there's been nothing there and it's that amount of money spent I mean I think Howe's probably a bit gutted that you know players like Elanga, Wissa even Volta Mala to a lesser extent though he's not been playing them in the right positions and with the right people around him he couldn't have foreseen how poorly they've played when they've started their Newcastle careers do you think no matter what he's done yes I think so I think he should walk he's never going to walk but I think he should definitely you agree with that oh 100 % yeah I thought a while ago to be honest I thought they actually would have looked at things with the Champions League and said we need to be progressing onto the next stage of the club but I mean it's going to be interesting for them in terms of what type of manager they do hire obviously who's sold the Gordon rumours won't go away the Bruno Grimera rumours just constantly won't go away That's been out for like five years though hasn't it?

47:02And then the lack of Champions League football as well is going to and we already know they're under a bit of PSR strife as well so it's going to be interesting to see how they change the furniture over the summer because a lot of things have to change I think from previous years I think you were talking about Fabregas taking the Chelsea job yesterday, I think it was, might preclude him from taking the Arsenal job in two years' time when that's available. I think Fabregas would, I think that's probably a roundabout, the sort of pool they should be sort of fishing in. What do you, Chelsea? Like a slightly not quite tested manager in the Premier League, etc., etc.

47:37I think that's the sort of manager they'll be able to get, I think. But fundamentally, the Saudis just seem disinterested with the project. They haven't been able to get where they need to get to. They're obviously distracted by losing huge amounts of income from the oil situation. The most important thing is, though, Willy Osula is almost playing like prime Amiobi at this moment in time. Very frustrating, but he can score a goal here and there. He can, yes. And Nigeria want him, apparently. He's been on the bench a few times with Denmark, but Nigeria want a little late stage, a bit of Amiobi action for him.

48:11Of course they do.

48:12Pete Donaldson: It's all coming into place. Wow, it's a huge game there. As I say, if Arsenal win that, particularly if they win it convincingly, the confidence will be back at the Emirates if they lose it, though. My word. Doom and gloom. Right, let's end today's pod with something which we can all get behind. We're going to talk about the World Cup and FIFA. FIFA say they have no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer's World Cup, according to sources, because this switch was proposed by US President Donald Trump's special envoy. What's his name? Paolo Zamboli. I wonder where his family came from. Michelangelo Italiano is his name.

48:59I mean, let's face it, this guy called ice on his ex-wife. This guy is the worst of the worst. He's all of the Epstein files. He's the worst. And because it's...

49:08Pete Donaldson: Fine, fine. but can you separate that Iran to the football nation can you separate the man from the art from the suggestion well yeah I mean certainly I mean certainly an interesting proposal I don't know how he expects it to work but everyone in Italy is just going oh sod off yeah our FIFA are sort of finding their kind of teeth a little bit you know stomping around taking you know income off you know major US cities how demeaning would it be to the great nation of Italy. Such a highly decorated country when it comes. Won lots of international trophies. They've given us some of the greatest players that we've seen and all the rest of it.

49:49Pete Donaldson: For them, if this was offered, I don't think they'd take it. I'm quite surprised that it hasn't been forced through. Because they'll be looking at it and going, Trump and his envoy, they'll probably say, everybody fucking hates us anyway. Should we just go and do this as well? How bad? Italy wouldn't accept this, would they? I don't think so. No way. No, I don't. because it would be so demeaning and every game they play, no, I don't know. It's just too proud a nation. I don't know. Well, if Iran, it's not about, it's about if Iran get taken out of the conversation, a team has to come in. So who's the next best team?

50:27Certainly, isn't it? True. I mean, it was always Denmark, wasn't it? Yeah. I say always that one time.

50:31Pete Donaldson: Names in a hat. You have to do it somehow, don't you? Names in a hat. That's a decent way to do it. Oh no, Greenland. fuck Cuba shit the mind boggles elsewhere in World Cup happenings have you seen that Boston's World Cup host committee have announced it will be providing a bus service to and from the Gillette Stadium during the World Cup they will charge passengers a mere$95 per seat there will be no concessionary prices for children, adults over 60, or for passengers with accessibility needs. So I'm just glad that it's good, sensible stuff that we're hearing from the US ahead of this World Cup and in anticipation of it.

51:24Pete Donaldson: $95 per seat. That's not in the stadium. That's for the bus. Absolute scum. Parasites. Scum, honestly. Fuck them. Damn right, David. As a man who's just come back from Las Vegas to see WrestleMania. Yeah, you can say what you want now. I've spent, I've spent, yeah, exactly, yeah. I've kept pretty quiet up till now. I've kept pretty quiet. I mean, everything's expensive. Did you buy the Tomahawk that went around on social media? Oh, yeah, it was like $250 or something, yeah, with WrestleMania written on the Tomahawk steak. You didn't get that? It did look nice, no. All right. What did you get? I think I mainly, you know, like, I was eating, like, drinking a lot of Modellos with tomato juice and all that.

52:03And the mango slices with spices on. Oh, man. Absolutely love Modelo. Mexican sweets, man, in the US. But yeah, I mean, just everything's just bloody expensive, isn't it? $95 per seat. But then you'll get some prick going, oh, but we earn higher wages. And it's like,

52:20Pete Donaldson: you don't have any time off? Shut up. You get people saying it's a luxury thing, therefore you can charge what you want. So if you don't want to pay it, then don't pay it. Yeah, you literally can't get there otherwise. It's a luxury thing. That's what a lot of people are saying. It's not a luxury thing, Of course it's not. I understand you have to charge a price for a seat in the stadium and all the rest of it. I mean, the host city, but the prices of tickets we've talked about, it's obscene and you're right, they are parasital, if that's a word, bastards. But the host cities argue that they are attempting to claw back revenue to offset the expenses they have taken on for the World Cup.

52:55Pete Donaldson: But FIFA has forecast that$11 billion in revenue from the tournament taking in all income from ticketing, broadcasting deals and in-sponsorship and parking fees. so I understand that's not going to go straight into the pockets of each host cities but it's fair to say it's a money spinner and this is a country that has the infrastructure and the stadia as well, it's not like in other countries where it has been controversial obviously all the business in Qatar but even before that with South Africa and Brazil for example people say well why are you spending all this when there's so many problems and what not and this is going to go on and on and on this chat but$95 for a pissing bus seat to the stadium I don't know how you justify that you can't justify it wait no there is no justification it's pure exploitation across the board it always is that's what everything is when it comes to football fans it's some of the most exploited people around and that's literally what it is two bottles of Corona $30 plus tip and they're warm and they're warm there was a last did you see the last from New Jersey she was on TikTok doing a little video about talking about fans who reckon that they can walk from their hotel to the stadium in New Jersey.

54:03And she was like, you can't, there's no roads, it's all swampland. Is that right? If you want to swim through a swamp, you can get to the stadium, but you're going to have to drive or get a bus. That's the only way you can get to the stadiums in New Jersey. Is that what they're going to do?

54:18Pete Donaldson: So if you can walk to some of the stadiums, the local authorities, let's flood the area. So they have to get on the old$95 bus. Yeah, nice. That's almost, it's like by design. Bastards. Funny that. absolute bastards do the Southampton striker look up in the air just asking the question why are you bringing Matt Letizia into this already full of knobheads and horrible weather conspiracy theories and weathers right I'm moving on don't go to the World Cup come to 40 Foot Brewery yes in North London for our England in the swamp of North London exactly yeah yeah yeah the swamp of Walthamstow you will be welcomed we won't charge you 95 quid for a bus seat well hang on David we haven't run sorry I have a plan for that sorry there might be plans for that let's say how the night goes yeah exactly it is 95 pounds a pint standard riffle but what a point what a point it is though right everybody we've come to the end of the show I have enough time to tell you that Jack's Encyclopedia will be available to listen to later today make sure to subscribe to the Football Ramble in your podcast app so you do not miss it it is me Marcus C Speller against that guy David Cartlidge in Jack's Encyclopedia it promises to be a classic there we are everybody thank you for listening to the Football Ramble part of the Acast Creator Network do join us for Jack's later until then thank you Peter goodbye thank you David thank you and no thank you FIFA the Football Ramble is a stack production and part of the Acast Creative Network.

56:37There are moments that reveal who we are and who we're meant to become. For those born to lead, such moments call for a vehicle of equal distinction. Dynamic by design, uncompromising in execution, the Range Rover Sport was engineered for those rare individuals who demand the world and possess the conviction to claim it. When your time to lead arrives, you need a vehicle that rises to meet it. The Range Rover Sport. Exclusive offers available now. Explore further at RangeRover.com. Introducing Home Care Plus, a new subscription service from Lowe's that helps make life easier by giving members a hand with home maintenance.

57:16Let Lowe's tackle the tasks you keep meaning to do, like electric dryer vent cleaning, replacing hard-to-reach light bulbs, and more. Subscribe to Home Care Plus for just$99 a year and consider your to-do list done. Members get more at Lowe's. Available in select zip codes only. Cancel anytime. Non-refundable fee. Product purchase required. Terms and service restrictions apply. Details at lowes.com slash terms. Subject to change. Immersing yourself in all things soccer ahead of this summer's World Cup? I'm Alex Abnos, senior sports editor from The Guardian. And whether you're a soccer beginner or you know the game inside and out, we've got you covered.

57:48Read, watch, and listen as our journalists connect the dots between the games, the cultures, and this political moment. We'll have daily newsletters throughout the tournament, reporters on the ground with all the big teams, and the legendary Football Weekly podcast, The Guardian, bringing you the whole picture on soccer. Search Guardian Soccer for more.