Won’t the real Tottenham Hotspur please stand up

0:00Marcus Speller: Pancetta mushroom tortellini. You can eat smart. Still fit in your bikini. I ordered blue apron. I've been happy ever since. They sent pre-portioned meals. I don't make no measurements. Saute the pancetta. Then I add the mushrooms. Large skillet cause you can't have too much room. Garlic pesto. Tomato paste. Calabrian chili. Season to taste. Order blue apron today.

0:30Marcus Speller: 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.

1:07Jim Campbell: You know what's wild? Most people are still overpaying for car insurance just because it's a pain to switch. That's why there's Jerry. Jerry's the only app that compares rates from over 50 insurers in minutes and helps you switch fast with no spam calls or hidden fees. Drivers who save with Jerry could save over$1 ,300 a year Before you renew your car insurance policy, do yourself a favor. Download the Jerry app or head to jerry.ai slash ACAST.

1:34Marcus Speller: What's up? It's Sean Linda from Two Black Guys of Good Credit. If managed supply runs is still on your to-do list, here's your sign to upgrade. Walmart Business has the tech, tools, and services that make it ridiculously easy to stock up for your office or team. Think scheduled deliveries, multi-user accounts, and even IT setup. bonus with a walmart business plus membership you get free shipping spend analytics and two rewards join the smart way to shop at business.walmart.com terms apply with its two juicy

2:05Pete Donaldson: beef patties three slices of melted cheese and tangy big arch sauce the big arch is what happens when you start making a mcdonald's burger and never stop the big arch the most mcdonald's McDonald's burger yet for a limited time. Tell us a story. I know you're not boring, everybody. Welcome to the Football Ramble. A dreadful night for Spurs at Newcastle. We're so close. It's Wednesday, 11th of March. I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Jim Campbell. And I'm Pete Donaldson.

2:46Pete Donaldson: Hello, everybody. Thanks to friend of the Ramble, Stephen Garvey, for giving us that intro line. You become a friend of the Ramble too. And submit an intro line for the future and get an extended edition of today's show that we call Ramble Uncut. If you want all that, become a friend on Patreon. Don't delay. Get involved. Head to patreon.com forward slash football ramble to get involved now. I'm telling everybody to get involved. Get involved. Involvement is the word.

3:11Marcus Speller: Email your MP. Get involved. Have you ever emailed you? Realize universal suffrage. Have you ever emailed an MP? No, because my dad's got a good line in that and I don't want to step on his toes, to be quite frank. I don't want to muddy the waters. Let's talk about that in Ramble on Cup.

3:26Pete Donaldson: Talk about that.

3:27Marcus Speller: We've got a lot to get through. We've got a lot to get through. It was a packed Champions League evening, wasn't it, Marcus?

3:32Pete Donaldson: I mean, we were humming and ah-ring where to start. Sorry, Spurs fans, we're going to start with you. Electric Madrid 5, Tottenham Hotspur 2. The only positive I would say is not the biggest shellacking of the evening. No. So they've avoided that. Very good point. there's something there

3:47Marcus Speller: Solanke's goal was nice

3:48Pete Donaldson: he absolutely leathered it

3:50Jim Campbell: no one's talking about Oblak's mistake well indeed and that is a reminder that you know the phrase Bozo gene has become very popular in football lately and it's a reminder that Atletico are kind of riddled with them themselves so it's a much higher level one would suggest

4:05Marcus Speller: Spurs you could be the new Bozos the King Bozos oh dear

4:10Pete Donaldson: right then Antonin Kinski this is it's horrible it's horrible it's slightly somewhat in feeling reminiscent of Karius of course with Liverpool in that final

4:26Jim Campbell: although again Karius was concussed it was actually a very very different situation it's his first start since October still

4:33Marcus Speller: and Karius is muscular and beautiful whereas this man looks like me so that's the that's the we limit our sympathy

4:42Jim Campbell: for people that look like you exactly

4:43Marcus Speller: It certainly has been my experience, yes, Jim.

4:46Pete Donaldson: Presumably he has an impressive appendage then. Right, okay. Why would you bat that back? Just let him hang out there, like I frequently do. That's how we know. Right. That's how we know. But yeah, young Kinski, 22 years old.

5:00Marcus Speller: I think this is the most disgusting little display from a manager I've seen in a long time.

5:06Pete Donaldson: Unless he thought you were going to go in on him there.

5:09Marcus Speller: I was going to be like, all right, Pete. I mean, like fundamentally, Spurs at this point in the Champions League is mad anyway. And no one blames the boy who falls down the well. You blame the parents for allowing the boy to fall down the well. There's no way Spurs should be in the knockout competition in the Champions League at this point. There should be appropriate signage around as well. There should be appropriate signage. Do not let Spurs, they don't have the squad, they're very injured, and they're very low in confidence, and their manager is insane. Do not allow them to perform in the Champions League knockout rounds against Atlético Madrid away from home.

5:40Marcus Speller: But this Kinski thing was absolutely... I mean, he was really good in his first game back in the day, obviously. He started to revert to mean, obviously, in sort of like the little sort of little letterbox views we've got of his performances ever since. He was poor against Newcastle, this goalkeeper. But people have been clambering for quite a while for Vicario to be dropped.

6:00Jim Campbell: Yeah.

6:01Marcus Speller: And this is who is in, as is understudy, and not playing for Spurs seems to enhance your reputation somewhat because you're not playing for Spurs and not being involved in this whole situation but for me, it's a slip, which people have, they have slips sometimes probably could have done better for the save that comes after potentially wasn't a full stretch for it and then a legitimate proper fuck up so one fuck up for me, on a wet pitch I think it's shocking what that manager did and he shouldn't be the manager anymore I mean I think for a thousand different reasons

6:37Jim Campbell: I think the first one also has to go down as a bad bad error because it's cost them a goal Atletico still have to do a little bit with it but it gives them that option but as you say

6:45Marcus Speller: the first one was a slip though it was a massive slip wasn't it

6:47Jim Campbell: yeah but even so it's a direct mistake that's led to a goal right so I think I mean it's the same mistake Mickey Van Van made for the second one quite yeah I mean they're absolutely riddled with these mistakes I just think you know there has as you say there has been a bit of a clamour for Vicario to be dropped and for Kinski to come in but I know they're not prioritising the Champions League but you know the danger in a game like this is that well it goes exactly this way you know it can absolutely destroy your confidence if you don't approach it properly and to throw an untested goalkeeper into that situation with a back three which hasn't worked for you at any point against a team with this much attacking talent in their stadium when they're not having the type of season you are despite the aforementioned Bozo genes well they're prioritising the Champions League because they can absolutely where they're going out to get this one in the first leg it's so naive from Igor Tudor I'll be surprised if he's still the manager when we finish recording this show and absolutely ridiculous and as you alluded to Pete to sub Kinski off I can sort of I do understand the logic of it because you might look at that and go his head's gone he's in a bad place this could be terrible if we don't take him out of the firing line and Vicario did have to make saves to not acknowledge him when he comes off is absolutely outrageous.

7:59Jim Campbell: Yeah, I mean, that gives Spurs the perfect reason to act as well.

8:04Pete Donaldson: Look, I think, you know, even without hindsight, it was quite a bold move to put him in there as a goalkeeper. So immediately, like, okay, Vicaro's not starting. Again, I understand, but he's far more experienced and he's far more used to that back line and the players and so on and so forth. And he's the number one. So to do that, that is, the only thing you could say with Igor Tudor is, Spurs are in such a decline at the moment and there's nothing he's just gone right I'm just going to throw stuff at the wall and see what happens right and then take the shit

8:38Marcus Speller: off the wall really early in the match instead of potentially at half time when you probably could have done something ultimately everyone

8:46Pete Donaldson: ends up covered in shit yes

8:47Marcus Speller: Igatudas has got shit all over his hands

8:49Pete Donaldson: yeah is the substitution that is like what do you do there so I actually have a bit of sympathy with Pete's point of view that he's slipped slips for the first goal. However, you are, you know, trying to kind of understand the next turn of events. That Van der Ven slips as well. So obviously, you know. Danso wasn't even facing the ball

9:12Marcus Speller: for the second goal. He was facing the goal. Whatever happens, quite clearly,

9:17Pete Donaldson: what had been going on, whether it was just Kinski's own mistake matched with Van der Ven's or just his own mistake, it affects him for the third goal. because that really is pretty bad.

9:28Jim Campbell: Am I missing something here or is it not reasonable to expect footballers to be able to stand up? What's going on here?

9:34Marcus Speller: I think it had recently rained. So where they trained and the conditions that they'd sort of experienced training in the actual stadium itself and getting used to the vibe, so to speak, it did change and maybe studs weren't, certain studs were chosen when they should have been.

9:51Pete Donaldson: Whatever one says, Jim, The third goal is the most damning of them all.

9:56Marcus Speller: But it's one mistake in isolation.

9:59Pete Donaldson: Well, look, whatever happens, Peter, it's an absolutely damning mistake. And the way he falls to the ground, and that makes it 3-0 after 15 minutes. And again, you talk about the inexperience of the keeper. He's just come in, blah, blah, blah, blah. The spotlight is shining on him so much. There was suggestions that Christian Romero said, look, take him out now. And Igor Tudor was very clear in the post-match and said, no, it was my decision.

10:23Marcus Speller: One of the few questions he didn't nor comment to.

10:25Pete Donaldson: Yeah. I mean, the only thing I would say to Igor Tudor is he said some better things, I would say, about the situation after the game. He said, you know, Tony, as he referred to Kinski, is a good goalkeeper. He's the right guy. You know, he just come in, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. But I agree with you. When he goes off and the manager doesn't even look at him, that is a very, very poor tournament.

10:44Marcus Speller: And I think if you're a manager who's got a long-standing relationship with that football, you can probably get a bit more rope. but that for me felt like he was just hanging his key.

10:53Pete Donaldson: Do you think he was right to do it? Because if his head has gone completely, which it may well have done, and there may well have been signs of that, then there is an argument to say, do you know what? We've got to think about winning the game. We're not the Antonin Kinski fan club here. We're Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and we've got to win the game or at least stay in the tie. If he honestly thinks the best way of doing that is taking the goalkeeper off, which he clearly did, then obviously it's damning for him. I don't agree with this idea that, oh, that's him done, or that's maybe the last we'll see of him.

11:27Pete Donaldson: He's young enough to come back from this.

11:28Marcus Speller: The problem is that I think the way careers for a goalkeeper is that that can sometimes do for someone's career. All right, but I think he's a great example.

11:38Pete Donaldson: But Karras was in a final, and it was clearly the biggest game any footballer can play, arguably. Kinski is a lot younger. But anyway, that aside, if he feels that's the right decision to make, then fine. if he's just pissed off which you think exactly because he doesn't even look at him if as he walks off and his words after the game were matched up by the actions during the game then I think you can say okay he's actually trying to care for his player there obviously with the team in mind ultimately but if he's just like you're a buffoon mate get off the pitch now I've had enough of you which again you have to have an ounce of sympathy with that even though I think it's very harsh then I'm not sure that's the right thing to do because that really destroys the goalkeeper's confidence.

12:23Pete Donaldson: 17 minutes in. But it puts a real spotlight on it, doesn't it?

12:25Jim Campbell: Yeah. And it doesn't need to be as bad as that.

12:27Pete Donaldson: Well, indeed. Ultimately, it happened and regrettably, it was the story of the game. The only sympathy that Kinsey seemed to get was a couple of his teammates, Gallagher and Polina. Solanke as well. Solanke went down the tunnel with him and he got applause from the Atleti fans. Yeah. That shows you how bad it was.

12:41Jim Campbell: They whistled Tudor's decision. I also thought Mickey van der Ven was extremely lucky not to get a red card. which felt like and obviously this is just speculation but a lot of people are saying the same thing this was in the second half which is that like almost it was the referee feeling sorry for them and if that's true that's outrageous one of the reports absolutely outrageous

12:58Pete Donaldson: well yeah to get a bit of opinion I was reading some of the match reports of it and one reporter literally said that the thing was the referee being leaning which again is poor officiating I mean that is one of the clearest cut red cards you're going to see yeah so very very fortunate there I mean, it's remarkable, isn't it, to think that Spurs got beaten 5-2 and it was a fortuitous kind of evening in one sense, you know, as it panned out.

13:25Marcus Speller: Yeah, it could have been 3-2. It could have been 3-2 away from home if those mistakes hadn't been made.

13:30Jim Campbell: And then you're right in the game then. I mean, honestly, even by the time this game comes around, they'll probably have another manager. That second goal might be enough to make them think, can we stage some sort of massive epic night to get our season back on track? I know it's very difficult to look at positives here, but I mean that has to be the approach they take to it right well it has to be Jim but I mean obviously they're clearly in a terrible

13:53Pete Donaldson: terrible state mentally you're not far off trying to breathe life into a corpse that's really it I mean the only flicker they had Richarlison's chance he could have made it 4-2 even then

14:02Jim Campbell: they go down the other end and that's the point and Antoine Griezmann's touch in that should not be forgotten from this because that was the moment of the match absolute silk

14:10Pete Donaldson: the thing is

14:10Jim Campbell: Spurs did score two goals they made a few chances like that Richarlison one they were both good goals as well yeah well I mean I suppose yeah Solanke's still got to take that chance well and he does I mean look

14:23Pete Donaldson: if it was any other kind of you know if this was not this season and maybe last season or the season before with Spurs you would think to yourself well maybe that second maybe is there a famous night potentially

14:37Marcus Speller: sun on the brick the whole thing yeah I can't I can't see it

14:42Pete Donaldson: and like I say at 5-1 you're thinking well actually 5-2 you know they're probably quite you know you've bitten all your limbs off I mean lest we forget they were 4-0 down chaps so after 20 odd minutes exactly so at that point in the game you offer them 5-2 as I say they're biting off every limb you have to get that result yes of course it could have been you know again Richarlison takes a chance 4-2 maybe maybe slightly different ultimately they lose the game 5-2 and Jim you've said a few times that Igor Tudor might not be in the job come the second leg of this game which is only next week I mean he's the first manager in Spurs history to lose each of his first four games in charge.

15:16Pete Donaldson: Spurs have lost six consecutive games for the first time in their history. This is the lowest point you'd argue, certainly in their modern history, perhaps all of it. You know, there's been a fair few moments in the doldrums with Spurs over the years, but my goodness, and this is mad because we're talking about a side

15:35Jim Campbell: who were in the Champions League knockouts. I mean, he was supposed to come in and steady the ship and he's just set fire to the sails.

15:42Marcus Speller: but it's just you know Paratici's legacy continues this is the guy he wanted before Frank came in never played in England

15:48Jim Campbell: never managed in England

15:50Marcus Speller: and so he's got shit on his hands but he's just standing a little bit further away from everybody so he can't smell it quite so much

15:55Pete Donaldson: I mean Igor Tudor has literally turned up the ship he's gone well there's a hole in the ship isn't it there's another one you know like one of these holes is going to work has he affected any sort of change will it balance it out yeah if you have that amount of holes on one side and the other then it'll destabilise the ship

16:10Marcus Speller: it's not going to work You've made one of those stupid sandals with holes in the top. I mean, Spurs is just, and has been for the last five years, just a free hit for a manager. You go there, you start another fire, you make a few more holes, and then you leave with your reputation intact. And you can sort of say, well, that's Spurs, isn't it? It's a manageable, unmanageable side. Leaving your reputation intact? Massively. Massively. How many managers have sort of, from Conte to Mourinho to everyone else? Yeah, Nuno as well. Frank is the great manager who everybody wants at this moment. in time it's just like it's either going to take either a relegation expert or like you've been sort of yapping on about for weeks Marcus Speller a club legend someone with a bit of a legacy to damage at Spurs Jürgen Klinsmann you said you didn't say that but I'm just putting that in your mouth Jürgen Klinsmann next manager over Zoom

16:58Pete Donaldson: for Spurs and someone's controlling him on a screen up and down the touchline could it get worse an AI Jürgen Klinsmann

17:06Marcus Speller: is not going to play three at the back would that be worse

17:08Jim Campbell: would that really be worse It literally can't be worse. I know, Jim. As you say, he's the first manager to lose his first four games. It cannot be worse. I mean, Ryan Mason is reportedly a candidate to replace Tudor as interim manager. Again, like, is that... I wonder if that's just like kind of media mischief, because that is the sort of situation as well, where obviously he's been in there before, but Ryan Mason's a bit more experienced now. He didn't do particularly well at West Brom. He lost it. He got sacked. Yeah, he got sacked because he wasn't doing very well. But the caretaker jobs he's had before at Spurs have been in a very, very different situation to this.

17:41Jim Campbell: They have. This is an absolute catastrophe. And are the players going to respond to him?

17:44Pete Donaldson: No, I don't think they are. And I think if you are going to do media mischief, then don't give me Ryan Mason. Give me Jürgen Klinsmann on an iPad. Yeah, indeed.

17:52Jim Campbell: That's on a segue, which falls over all the time. Correct. Recreating the famous guy.

17:57Pete Donaldson: He's even diving on this. Zoom.

18:00Marcus Speller: Don't celebrate you. One of the lines in Ryan Mason's Wikipedia is that he was district hurdles champion. All right. And it's always stuck in my head. every time I see the word Ryan Mason, I think it's the district hurdles champion. Is that right? Why have they not mentioned him being the district hurdles champion?

18:14Pete Donaldson: That's the kind of thing that could get him some respect. I know.

18:16Marcus Speller: This is why. Lads, you think you can't get over this hurdle, Champions League hurdle. Get a load of this. But let me tell you, I'm really good at climbing over hurdles.

18:25Pete Donaldson: If he leapt from outside the stadium into the stadium, you'd have to respect that.

18:29Marcus Speller: Yeah, yeah.

18:30Pete Donaldson: I feel though that that might be a leap too far,

18:33Jim Campbell: even for the imagination. Yeah. So, looking ahead, there was talk that Tudor could have been sacked if Spurs end up in the relegation zone. That was before this absolute catastrophe, which I imagine will be enough for the board to make a decision. The next game they've got is Liverpool. So, obviously, they're at Anfield. They're highly unlikely to win that, which gives West Ham and Forrest the chance to gain ground on them. And also, Mickey van der Ven is banned for that game because of his latest boneheaded red card. And there is a possibility that both Christian Romero and Giappolini will be unavailable because they had that clash ahead.

19:07Jim Campbell: So concussion protocol could mean they can't play. So Anfield could be an absolute bloodbath.

19:13Pete Donaldson: Yeah, the only positive for Spurs is that West Ham are playing Man City. Yeah, sure. You know, and that's where you are. I said it before, I don't want to labour the point because I've already done it. But where they find themselves right now, you're not going to get a long-term replacement in because there's all talk about Pochettino post-World Cup. And incidentally, Pochettino was at the game last night. I'm sure everybody was aware of that. Spurs fans were on the same plane as him going over, chanting his name and so on and so forth. But he was a guest of Atletico Madrid's. He is reportedly on...

19:44Marcus Speller: He's gone commercial. Unbelievable.

19:46Pete Donaldson: Well, I don't know. But he's reportedly on Real Madrid's shortlist to replace Alvaro Albaloa in the summer. So the last thing that Spurs wanted was for him to be at the game last night. He had to witness that. Apparently he was there to watch Johnny Cardoso as well. Okay. For the USA. Whoever it is, you would think post-World Cup by the looks of these wicked whispers, Pochettino will have options. Presumably doesn't stay on as US men's national team manager. But that's the hope for a lot of Spurs fans. I think it's fair to say. So the idea of getting in a long-term manager, well, who on earth, who decent would take it now anyway?

20:21Pete Donaldson: As I say, I don't want to labour this point because I've said it before and I'm going to say it again. You'll say it in the year's time probably. Well, maybe. The situation is so ludicrous and so damning that you need someone who's a big personality to lift them. That's right now, lift them. That's it. Forget all your tactical approach and all the rest of it. Someone with simple tactics because these players, right, I think have escaped a lot of criticism. I think a lot of these players have been, quite frankly, a disgrace really in the Spurs shirt. And they have to shoulder some of their blame.

20:51Pete Donaldson: I understand if you don't like playing for a certain manager, it's quite difficult and so on and so forth. But a lot of them, at some point in during games, you think if they wrap their hand, you know, it really is quite bad. Well, they're just in their own heads. Fine. Maybe I'm being a touch harsh there. Whatever it is, Jim, but you need somebody to lift the mood and that is why, you know what I'm going to say, that is why Harry bloody Redknapp, obviously let him get Cheltenham out of the way, that is crucial. Absolutely. Because you need him in a good mood.

21:19Marcus Speller: What if he's had a stinker at Cheltenham?

21:21Pete Donaldson: Well, you need to pick me up. Right, okay. And who better than... Dr. Spurs. Than Dr. Spurs. So the reason why I say that, and I understand how ludicrous it is, is because he's a big personality, he's got the old Cockney charm the fans would respond to it I think because when there was little rumours and so on a few of them were saying and that is where they are because they have a better squad of players despite all the injuries than West Ham Forest and Leeds and so they shouldn't be in that mess and so you need someone to just simply lift them so there we are I've said it and I don't want to keep going on about it because it's a very boring point to make but that's where we are

21:53Jim Campbell: whether it's you know Redknapp Hoddle Klinsman Sol Campbell whoever it is to come in and give him a lift right he wants opportunities like it is about you're absolutely right though it's about lifting the players out of the gloom because they're better than this they have to be better than that and it's so clear that so many of these results come from those players being in their own heads and feeling like their boots weigh a ton and we see it all the time don't we? and it's just Tudor was supposed to do that give them a lift, take the pressure off, simplify it he's playing them in a formation that they don't have the squad for alienating them in public and it has been an absolute disaster so I think you're right and it's a panic situation but it does seem like the best option yeah indeed

22:43Pete Donaldson: that's the advice panic something slightly more enjoyable that happened at the stadium last night you see the Atleti fan who was spotted making ham and cheese sandwiches in the stands he was at the front of the tier wasn't he and so he had the wall and he had it all laid out and it, yeah, tell you what, how many queso, por favor, mi amigo. I can't see. Yeah,

23:06Marcus Speller: it was lovely, wasn't it? Lovely. He looked very, he was very well dressed in like all the club garb and stuff. I don't know how you get away with doing that though. I don't know. What,

23:15Pete Donaldson: wearing the club garb?

23:15Marcus Speller: Bringing in so much stuff.

23:17Pete Donaldson: Yeah.

23:18Marcus Speller: Little packets and stuff. Yeah. Because he's getting, he's getting frisked. People are going, why have you brought so much bread and so much cheese and a load of Saran wrap?

23:25Jim Campbell: Every time I've ever been to a game in Spain, there's been a very, very strong smell of weed so I think a bit of ham is probably fine isn't it I don't seem to mind what you take in

23:33Marcus Speller: probably starving

23:34Pete Donaldson: I've got the munchies it's not it's not the top tier at the New Camp Jim no okay they operate very differently there as we all found out it's the same in the Bernabeu was it? yeah oh okay very weedy yeah weedy little men biffed as oh dear unrelated to all of that stuff I just wanted to say did you see the former Spurs defender Carl Walker current Burnley defender by the way he also played for Man City I believe he's announced his retirement from international football

24:03Jim Campbell: with England that's for his own sake isn't it you can tell it's like I need to give up the hope of getting back into the national team it's a World Cup year Jim as I keep reminding everybody

24:14Pete Donaldson: everybody seems to be unaware that it's a World Cup year Peter

24:17Marcus Speller: he said he was he said he was retiring to pursue other interests and then he made a hand motion I think he meant he was going to be a green grocer

24:26Pete Donaldson: 96 England caps Peter why didn't he go for the 100

24:29Marcus Speller: give us an 100

24:30Pete Donaldson: I think he was coming oh and they won't give him it

24:33Marcus Speller: it sounds very much like Tuchel went come on come on Kyle

24:36Pete Donaldson: he was a fine fine player one of the best right backs England have ever had there we are you see right coming up after this oh Newcastle United were so close to a famous victory

24:57Marcus Speller: What's up? It's Sean Linda from Two Black Guys of Good Credit. If managed supply runs is still on your to-do list, here's your sign to upgrade. Walmart Business has the tech, tools, and services that make it ridiculously easy to stock up for your office or team. Think scheduled deliveries, multi-user accounts, and even IT setup. Bonus! With a Walmart Business Plus membership, you get free shipping, spend analytics, and 2 % rewards. Join the smart way to shop at business.walmart.com. Terms apply. Youth mental health is a complex challenge that requires comprehensive solutions. We must strengthen after-school programs.

25:35Marcus Speller: We must make digital literacy tools available in our schools. We must work with mental health professionals to support children. And we must empower mentors, educators, and parents to keep kids happy. Learn more about our commitment to finding lasting solutions at empowerourfuturecoalition.com slash solutions. Paid for by the Coalition to Empower Our Future. 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.

26:14Marcus Speller: 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.

26:34Pete Donaldson: With its two juicy beef patties, three slices of melted cheese, and tangy Big Arch sauce, the Big Arch is what happens when you start making a McDonald's burger and never stop. The Big Arch, the most McDonald's McDonald's burger yet for a limited time.

26:56Marcus Speller: Can he play a colleague through? It's Jacob Murphy Released Murphy 101 Jacob Murphy to win it Oh Just put it in the net

27:06Pete Donaldson: Welcome back to the Football Ramble I'm sure we deserve that one To be honest Newcastle United won Yeah

27:11Marcus Speller: Barcelona won Who got the assist? Jacob Murphy

27:15Pete Donaldson: Did he?

27:15Marcus Speller: Show some respect

27:16Pete Donaldson: Okay

27:16Marcus Speller: Show some fucking respect Show some fucking respect

27:18Pete Donaldson: That's to you the producers Barcelona snatched a draw With The last The last over the game I was injury times

27:26Marcus Speller: injury time

27:27Pete Donaldson: yeah well because the penalty is the only passage of play that a referee can add time on to the end of a game right if a penalty is given then the penalty I think they're already deep into it was the last kick well it was because that is the rule or the law if a penalty is given the penalty will be concluded unlike a corner kick for example often fans get a bit pissed off understandably so you've got a corner and the referee can actually blow in fact the referee can blow

27:51Marcus Speller: and they mean something now these days the corners don't they

27:53Pete Donaldson: they do they never used to but they do now but if a corner as soon as the corner kick is taken a referee can blow I'm sure we've seen one or two incidents overseas where a corner comes in

28:02Jim Campbell: I remember Carlton Cole had like lobbed someone and the ref blew up as the ball was sailing over the goalkeeper's head it was for West Ham

28:11Pete Donaldson: it was outrageous that is disgraceful isn't it once benefited from that in a six-a-side game ourselves we were a man down for most of the game we'd managed to get ourselves back in the game for a credible thrill draw Thought we'd lost it But the referee Had blown up As the ball was sailing On its way Into the corner And a famous draw But anyway Another famous draw

28:33Marcus Speller: Exactly I thought that was relevant

28:34Pete Donaldson: As I often do Hansy Flick Said post-match I'm happy with 1-1 It was not easy I'm sure we'll be much better Next week But the atmosphere here Was fantastic And it made it very tough Newcastle are also So fast I just I love that last bit It's so good Bloody hell

28:50Marcus Speller: Wow I will play a high line In the next leg

28:53Pete Donaldson: but will I play a deeper line?

28:55Marcus Speller: No sir No thank you sir My energetic midfielder needs the protection

29:00Pete Donaldson: But he was right though I mean he should be happy with the one all because my goodness Newcastle were brilliant I really enjoyed them

29:08Marcus Speller: Man for man you know every player played out of their skin at a time of the season where you know I think somebody just discovered this stat that they've you know played more matches than any other team in the top five leagues or something like that There's so much football in those legs and I did not to expect this sort of level of, you know, bluster from this side. I've felt so energised by the whole thing. Like the fans were great. The performance was for the ages. It was, every single last player was brilliant. It was five minutes after the goal, Joe Linton went a bit mad, but you will get that with Joe Linton.

29:43Marcus Speller: But everybody, including Joe Linton, was brilliant for the rest of it.

29:47Pete Donaldson: Brilliant. I thought they were great. And I think I suggested this before. I think Newcastle, before this game, I thought there's something about Newcastle in Europe this season. Their league form, as we know, hasn't been great. And in the Cups, you know, obviously out the FA Cup and the League Cup to Man City. So, you know, sometimes you've got to hold your hands up. Even though I understand the disappointment. But in the Champions League this season, they've been good. And they've been consistently good, one might argue. And, you know, one or two sloppy results. But generally, look, they're there.

30:18Pete Donaldson: And I don't want to... when the draw was made and you thought, okay, they've got probably the toughest game there in Barcelona. Maybe Arsenal would be the other one, but they've got Barcelona. Next round, it's going to be Atletico Madrid, which again is a tough game. But I honestly thought... Competitive one. But Jim, this is what I mean. And I know they're still alive, but it's a signal that second goal. But I honestly thought Newcastle United and Arsenal as well, there's a genuine little flicker of a chance here you could go all the way. Only because of the way the draw's gone for those teams.

30:52Pete Donaldson: Arsenal are the favourites, aren't they? So you would expect that whichever side of the draw they're in. But with Newcastle, I know people go, oh, come on. But look what happened to Liverpool in 2005. And they seem to, they save their best performances for the Champions League. It seems like, right, we go fifth gear all in and you saw that in this game. If they can get through this tie, my goodness, you know. But it was, I think that's why I was so gutted for them. They're still alive, don't get me wrong. But it's unlikely you're going to get that level and that type of performance away from home when Barcelona are going to be on the front foot.

31:21Marcus Speller: I don't know, man. PSG, when they played at Barcelona early in the season, they had a lot of injuries, but they're a really quick side, or they were a really quick side at that point in time, and they beat them 2-1. I do think that if Eddie Howe was taking a 1-0, a scant 1-0 lead to the Camp Nou, we'd be in a situation where they'd be looking to keep what they hold, basically, and find themselves in a load of trouble that way. I think you have to spin it like that. Well, exactly. So it's just a repeat of this match, isn't it? Everybody needs something. Barcelona aren't going to, you know, Hansi Flick isn't going to change his high line because as I said, you know, such an industrious midfield needs that little bit of protection.

32:00Marcus Speller: And players like Alanga, Osula was pacey as well. Anyone who's got a bit of pace about them, Gordon will be back, you know, not throwing up or whatever the hell was wrong with him yesterday. Yeah, he was on the bench. He was recovering from illness. He did come on though. I think, I'm fancying it, man. I really, really enjoyed it. I really you're going there with Norway goals you need to get something they need to get something and oh man we've got to keep rooting kick

32:25Pete Donaldson: it's just I loved it I absolutely loved that you said that didn't you the distribution of Ramsdale kind of makes a difference

32:31Marcus Speller: but yeah Charlie producer Charlie was saying that we were both we were both purring about Malik Schau's you know assurance and how good he is and then he gives her a penalty in the last minute it's just a tired moment that isn't it as well

32:46Jim Campbell: because I thought actually Newcastle's energy levels throughout were exceptional. They just really kind of snuffed Barcelona out. I thought Lewis Hall was absolutely fantastic. He's got an amazing, amazing performance. Sorry, everybody. Just got to make that point. Really just made Yamal kind of anonymous until the penalty. And it wasn't just that. I mean, his kind of dynamism going forward was on full display as well. Picking long balls out, driving forward, all kinds of brilliant, brilliant moments from Lewis Hall. Joe Linton, as you mentioned, was excellent as well. Tonali as well. That engine room really, really purred last night.

33:21Jim Campbell: And I thought it was really impressive the way, as you alluded to at the beginning of us talking about this game, Pete, was the way that as individuals, they all kind of expressed authority. They all stood up. They were all like really, really snapping into the tackle first and they set the agenda in this game. Didn't let Barcelona into it, really.

33:39Marcus Speller: It was impressive. It was kind of like, you know, this is the last opportunity to get anything out of this season. less really, really work really hard. They have to. They know what the brief is. They know what the brief is and they'll know what the brief is next week and it's really annoying that we've got Chelsea in the weekend as well. I would almost... It's hard, isn't it? You kind of want to play yourself into a bit of form.

34:01Pete Donaldson: Psychologically, I think it wouldn't be a huge surprise if that game that they do, they're just a little bit off the gas. Yeah. I'm not saying how I would say that. I just think they know that there's an enormous tie and there's history beckons at the Nou Camp, which would be a stunning place to get a famous win. But they started with Vultimada and Wisser on the bench, of course. Will Osula was up top. And that quite clearly was because of his pace, the confidence he's got for that beautiful goal against Manchester United. You can see he's raw. his decision making in the final third will improve as he grows you would hope as a footballer and you know gets a bit older but what did you think of that playing him up there I mean presumably you can see I think it was just

34:51Marcus Speller: we just don't have anyone who can operate in the box and he's quick and he's big and he can probably stretch the play a little bit but that's that space that you're going to get behind them yeah I think it was one of those situations where we just don't have I think if there were so many opportunities where there was a ball put into the 18 yard box and we just needed someone who had a bit of a striker's instinct. Where's Callum Wilson when you need him? That's what I mean. I was thinking like the only one that kind of like whistled. But surely whistled your man. Whistled your man, I think. And I would have brought him on at the time that he brought on Gordon and I can't remember.

35:25Marcus Speller: I think he brought on. Yeah, Jacob Murphy. But then Jacob Murphy comes up with an assist, which in a Langes position. I thought the commentary team were like weirdly flat when Barnes scored. It came up with a barnstorming, a barnstorming goal I was like they've just scored against Barcelona at home it's a pre-written line that he wanted to get in I know it's a pre-written line but it just seemed really flat and even Shearer felt a bit flat I couldn't figure out why you know crash barriers weren't erupting in the commentary booth as they were in the stands

35:55Jim Campbell: I know what you mean actually I'd love to see Taylor Payne before the game as well on TNT Sports just in his seat having a little live broadcast that was brilliant having a little speech before but yeah I think Shearer was just nervous in the way that we often are watching our teams in a tight game against a big opponent like this.

36:11Marcus Speller: 70 minutes in, I was like, we're going to get a draw here. I was absolutely done. And you were right.

36:17Pete Donaldson: Do you think you thought the keeper saved it?

36:19Marcus Speller: Yeah, maybe. Because you know what, it's a bit of a Rick

36:22Pete Donaldson: from Garcia, isn't it that? I mean, yeah, at that close range, even though the ball is sort of bad.

36:27Marcus Speller: Barnes is the best finisher at the club at this moment in time and he probably should have done better.

36:31Pete Donaldson: The fact is, it went in, but I think he would have breathed a sigh of relief. But Barnes is, you know, as you say, he's been brilliant this season and now let me have it could be in the next England squad but I think with Barnes and Alanga on the wings and Osula up front I mean I think it kind of worked really I think it gave them a lot of trouble you know what Barcelona are going to do they're going to be they will be on the front foot at home they just have to be be unthinkable unless Newcastle really stop them so again that's the slugfest slugfest well I think Peter because I'm intrigued by this because you know what this is what This is what happens when you get a manager like Hansi Flick.

37:08Pete Donaldson: You know what they're going to do. And it's not like Pep Guardiola were like, well, we know what they're going to do, but they're going to hammer us. Because, you know, when he was, you know, seasons ago at Man City, he was... But there was a lot more going on. With Flick, you know that that is one tactic. He is going to deploy whatever happens. Yeah, if it doesn't work, they're going to keep doing it.

37:26Jim Campbell: They're just going to get even higher, you know. And that's, as Pete's alluded to, that gives them a real chance at the new camp.

37:31Pete Donaldson: Look at the pace they have on the break. I mean, he said it. He said, Alanga, have we... How many performances have we seen of Alanga's? That's about as good as his debut. Yeah. And it was good. Because he understood, he got it, didn't he? He was like, hang on a minute. Well, I just need to outpace people and there's loads of space to run to. Thank you very much. Like, João Poncello was not having, he was having a torrid time against him. There was a few moments, as you mentioned earlier, where the final ball might have been better. But my goodness, Newcastle are alive. I, you know, I do take your point and I'm going to run with that, that if maybe it was a 1-0, they might be too defensive.

38:02Pete Donaldson: How then do you set up? It's more of the same, really.

38:05Marcus Speller: And the match happening at 5.45 might play into Barcelona's hands more than... I don't know, it's a weird time to play football, I think, for a British club. 5.45. 5.45, it's too early.

38:17Jim Campbell: I don't think you need to worry about that. Too early. It's just like at the weekend, isn't it? But in the week, it's fine. And also, they're an hour ahead of us, so it'll be 6.45. Yeah, exactly, for them.

38:26Marcus Speller: But for us, it'll be 5.45. No, no, no, they're an hour ahead. I know they're an hour ahead, but we're dealing on our own body clocks. our circadian rhythm

38:34Pete Donaldson: yeah I am worried for you now now you've put it like that I'm worried about

38:39Marcus Speller: how I'm going to G myself up they've never had a 5.30 kick up in the Premier League have they

38:43Pete Donaldson: so that extra 15 minutes could just throw them off kilter

38:46Jim Campbell: I mean I do think Pete you're right that they should and hopefully will go into this full of confidence they drew at PSG this season and we all know what a good team they are they've shown in this game that they can set that agenda and I know playing away makes a massive massive difference but you know they showed enough that they can really really get at Barcelona and that as Marcus has said that Barcelona are going to play in a particular way it's going to play in a way that suits Newcastle they've got everything they need to go for it they're a strong team they're physically stronger than Barcelona as well that was clear so they've got a really really good chance of getting something out of this

39:22Marcus Speller: they've just got to get through with no injuries at the weekend really yeah

39:26Jim Campbell: and just on Hansi Flick as well I think he's quite bear like seems generally quite positive should he swap names with Yogi Love yeah

39:36Pete Donaldson: good point I'd be up for that I'd be up for that before we move on from you because one thing I was actually quite impressed with is when they went 1-0 up it was late in the game they still pushed forward I actually like that you've got to do that yeah you've got to do that I really like that because I know people say oh but they got pegged back it wasn't because of that because Barcelona were coming forward they were still defending in numbers it just felt they were there

39:55Jim Campbell: for the taking yeah exactly

39:57Pete Donaldson: I actually rated that I didn't think to sit on it I don't think that made that's how he played

40:01Marcus Speller: in the Champions League this season and I don't think

40:03Pete Donaldson: that made a difference I don't think that's why they conceded they conceded because Barcelona they just came forward and was it Olmo who sort of jinxed in the box and ah Tiao he's been really good but anyway one all nicely poised exciting to the next game coming up after this Liverpool lost in Turkey

40:46Marcus Speller: We'll be right back. About our commitment to finding lasting solutions at empowerourfuturecoalition.com slash solutions. Paid for by the Coalition to empower our future. Hi, this is Matt from P1 with Matt and Tommy, and this episode is sponsored by eBay. The cars you'll find on eBay are just different. They come with a story that you can't wait to share. Like this 1973 Dodge Charger on eBay that's been tucked away in an Arizona barn for over 40 years, only 55 ,000 miles, and somehow in great running order. It even has a rare sunroof. Suddenly, a car that was hidden for decades is being delivered in just a few clicks with eBay's secure purchase.

41:27Marcus Speller: All the paperwork handled.

41:28Pete Donaldson: There are thousands of cars on eBay, from unique finds like the Pontiac Grand Prix SJ to daily drivers, and now with a new way to buy them. eBay, things

41:39Marcus Speller: people love. 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, Trust Radius, and Gartner. If you're ready to run the backbone of your business on one unified platform, head to Rippling.com slash Acast Biz and sign up today. That's R-I-P-P-L-I-N-G dot com slash Acast Biz to sign up.

42:25Pete Donaldson: That's right, everybody. Galatasaray won Liverpool 0. Arna Slott's 100th game in charge of Liverpool ended in defeat. Liverpool's second loss in Turkey against Galatasaray this season of course the other stat that I suppose could be celebrated is Mo Salah has now overtaken Jamie Carragher's record for most Liverpool appearances in the Champions League despite all that Was that an appearance?

42:49Marcus Speller: It wasn't Evander Holyfield-esque take his licence away for crying out loud don't let him do this anymore don't let him do that to his legacy

42:58Jim Campbell: yeah yeah it wasn't a night for celebration for Liverpool. No, they lost 1-0, but it was actually, I think if you watch this game, it was actually about 4-0. It was a brilliant game. It was a good game. It was an absolutely fantastic game.

43:10Pete Donaldson: It was a barn-burning 1-0.

43:12Jim Campbell: It was, yeah.

43:12Marcus Speller: You'll get your 4-0 at home.

43:14Jim Campbell: It was very, very kind of topsy-turvy, up and down. I mean, scary flary. It's a manageable scoreline for Liverpool, and I have no doubt that they'll go through. But they were kind of lucky that Galatasaray at a couple of nosebleed moments. And they got through on goal a decent amount of times and then just didn't quite do anything with it. They did score a second goal, didn't they? But it was Baris Yilmaz was offside when he made a run that Andy Robertson had to track, which meant he was interfering with play. Canate made a very, very strange decision. He had a tough evening. He did, yeah. And he kind of got away with one there to a degree in that it was disallowed.

43:53Jim Campbell: So it spares his blushes for quite a calamitous moment. But yeah, he looked like the Canate from earlier on. in the season, which will not be welcome for Liverpool.

44:01Pete Donaldson: I mean, when you said you're confident of the Anfield, I understand history would kind of back that up. But this season, I don't think does. I don't think it's, you know, if Liverpool win 3-0, yeah, fine. But that's what I mean, though, with this Liverpool side. They could go through in this tie, but they could also just fluff this at home. And whatever happens, they're not going to control the game at home. And that's been a huge point about Liverpool this season. They do not control games. it's either a bit of a tepid kind of game and is a moment going to decide it here or there or it turns into the classic cliche a bit of a basketball match that's what it turned into last night and they were on the wrong end of it so that's why I think that Galatasaray will fancy this their tails are up they've got a goal advantage they've got some experience we often say it don't we but some of the top Turkish sides it's always very enjoyable to see the names in there but Victor Ossiman leading the line for them he's good for a goal we know that again you talk about the experience in the team I don't think this is a foregone conclusion at all at Anfield yes indeed they could absolutely hammer them but there's there's something about the criticism of Liverpool this season has remained and despite them maybe not losing the games that they did earlier on in the season and they've been turning them into draws or unconvincing wins it's unconvincing is the word that I think you would sum up their season right now I see what you're saying

45:26Jim Campbell: but Eketi has a moment he could have done better with. They were denied a goal which probably should have stood by the letter of the law because it was officially disallowed because Canate touched the ball last which he didn't. Yeah, well I was surprised that goal wasn't. Yeah, so they were quite unlucky there.

45:42Marcus Speller: The referee looked a little taken aback by the occasion I think.

45:45Jim Campbell: He was making strange decisions. Galatasaray can't have any fans at Anfield as well which is going to make a big difference and I agree that they were very, very good. Osserman was good. I thought Noah Lang was fantastic. he's a particularly kind of interesting player and as you said they've got good players in there Devinson Sanchez obviously picked up suspension as well so they're going to be missing him I think Liverpool won't necessarily have to be at their best to get past this tie at Anfield

46:09Pete Donaldson: yeah and I think that's probably what will happen is Liverpool will be fairly unconvincing won't control the game but they've clearly got enough to go through I mean you read the names off in that team it's like bloody hell you know this is the type of draw in a knockout stage of a Champions League in previous seasons, it would just be a lovely old job. I think they will go through but I don't think it will be pretty, I don't think it will be convincing but we shall see.

46:33Marcus Speller: Their main problem in that match is that they just overcooked everything, they just sort of held on the ball for too long where they should have just taken a few more shots but I do think Liverpool will hose them at home if they just go for goal a bit more, I think they'll beat them tiredly Well, tiredly I mean that might be how it turns out

46:53Pete Donaldson: that could well be it but like I say the unconvincing nature and the lack of control Liverpool having games and clearly not getting the best out of attacking talent they're giving up chances aren't they in a way that's not ideal it is not unfathomable to think that Slott won't be there beyond the summer I'm kind of 50-50 on that if I'm honest because I know that they're a club who don't often have knee-jerky reactions don't often sack managers willy-nilly I'd be surprised honestly I think it would have to be a lot worse than it is for Slot to go

47:23Jim Campbell: I think Jabby Alonso being the specter at the face can we have a word for Mario Lamina's strapping which was the same colour as half of the Galatasaray kit and put in a quite aesthetically pleasing pattern as well to the point where it looked like part of the kit, I think more of this

47:40Pete Donaldson: I agree with you, I think definitely more of that, would you like more of this Jim, Liverpool fans have been accusing Joe Hart of influencing the FA Cup draw after they were drawn to play Manchester City in the quarter-finals. Some mad Liverpool fans on X. Let's be clear about that.

47:57Jim Campbell: Why would Joe Hart

47:58Pete Donaldson: give them possibly the hardest draw they could get? Why would he do that on purpose? The claim centre around Joe Hart appearing to very briefly glance down into the bucket before picking out the balls. He was looking away while actually drawing the ball but apparently some are saying there was a glance.

48:15Marcus Speller: Well, he's got incredible posture. He's very tall so you have to sometimes look down. It's like an amateur guitarist. You've got to look at your chord shapes.

48:24Pete Donaldson: You've got to look at what your hands are doing. And as I often say, if you are going to fix the draw, the professionals, you won't need to look because it will be the warm ball. The balls will be heated.

48:34Marcus Speller: Who's the keeper with the... Oh, Rob Green. Rob Green, there's a thing like that. You've got to watch out for him doing the draw because his little finger can be getting up to all sorts. That's true. The rest of the hand doesn't look like it's involved. Yeah, he should be banned from doing the draw. He should be banned from doing the draw. He should, yeah.

48:46Pete Donaldson: Why? because of your little finger because you put your body

48:50Marcus Speller: on the line for England

48:51Pete Donaldson: exactly we are going to discriminate against little fingers because of that America goal oh come on we've had enough goalkeeping error chat today let's talk about some goals though Atalanta 1 Bayern Munich 6 Harry Kane didn't even play in this game no but Michael Alise did 15 goals and 26 assists in 37 matches for Bayern across all competitions

49:10Marcus Speller: they're a one man team Marcus Luis Diaz

49:12Pete Donaldson: 20 goals and 17 assists in 36 games a season but of course King Kane has more than all of those slugs 45 goals and 5 assists in 37 games didn't need him though

49:23Marcus Speller: his crisps are on sale in the co-op near my house though so Harry Kane's got his own crisps now yeah they're really like B-jams like level kind of like proper what's his brother's name Charlie Charlie Kane's he's not done well with the branding for it no sketches and some naff crisps

49:39Jim Campbell: I mean crisps are a big part of my life and I didn't even know that existed oh you know

49:44Marcus Speller: I've not afraid is a crisp sandwich and I tell you what this fixture was a crisp sandwich of Gauls delicious

49:50Jim Campbell: I think crisp sandwiches

49:51Pete Donaldson: are ghastly the consistency is awful I agree

49:53Jim Campbell: it's a waste of both things for me I don't even want

49:56Pete Donaldson: to be in this room more on this show's over but Kane yeah Harry Kane was on the bench Jamal Musiala's back as well so bad luck

50:06Jim Campbell: everyone yeah

50:07Pete Donaldson: oh by the way we've just been told that Kane's crisps are called Insane Kane Insane Kane I agree with you the packaging the PR of Arab Emirates. I'm insane.

50:17Marcus Speller: I've pushed over a cupboard. That's what I think of the most insane thing Harry Kane would do.

50:23Pete Donaldson: Well, breaking Robert Lewandowski's scoring record in his second season in Germany would be quite insane.

50:27Marcus Speller: I jumped in the pool with my shirt on. Oh, Harry. You are insane. Why is your impression

50:32Jim Campbell: of Harry Kane, a man whose voice is quite easy to do, Alan Bennett? Can't do it.

50:36Marcus Speller: That's offensive. To those with a speech impediment.

50:39Pete Donaldson: Yeah. Did you know that outside his house in Germany, Harry Kane looked at me and he went, Oh, there's a lady in a van. I wonder if she's going to the Arthel barn. Is she a Bayern fan or is she more of a Munich 1860 type of last?

50:55Marcus Speller: Can we release a new Claremont Crisps, brother of mine? Oh, I live in a big house.

51:01Pete Donaldson: Oh, dear. But a great move for Bayern, though. Brother, I've used all the toilet rolls. By the way, right, this has been obviously overshadowed because an English team's not involved and Spurs got a shit lacking. Losing 6-1 at home in the first lane.

51:13Jim Campbell: Also, a lot has been made in Italy of Atalanta being the last representative of Serie A in the Champions League. I certainly are the last one. This is going to be a seismic crisis moment.

51:25Marcus Speller: Give them to 13th place, Newcastle.

51:27Pete Donaldson: What a last stand for Serie A, eh? What a last stand that is. Unbelievable. Italia, no. Serie A. You fucked at home. I remember when you were top of the shop. This is piss poor. This is piss poor.

51:38Marcus Speller: You need a Paul Gascoigne. Well, he's throttling an ostrich on Channel 4.

51:44Jim Campbell: God, the 90s was brilliant. It was brilliant. When you say things like that. I laughed every second of it.

51:51Pete Donaldson: Other than the penalty shootout losses. Now, let's move on from poor old Atalanta because I want to talk about something that happened elsewhere to a German side. And this happened in Germany. It was FC Köln. The stadium announcer, FC Köln, is a man we know now, Michael Trippel. And apparently wasn't happy with the referee's decisions in their game last Saturday night. Triple advisor, advising the referee.

52:15Marcus Speller: There you go, Peter.

52:16Pete Donaldson: Well, that's it. At various points during their two undefeat against Bruce Dortmund, he expressed his discontent over the PA system. To near 50 ,000 people. Nice. And I'm pretty sure he meant to do that. I don't think he's, you know, his bottom turned, flicked the switch and he was like... But the first comment was in response to a VAR intervention resulting in a red card for Jemai Simpson-Poozie on loan from Man City. And old Michael described the refereeing decision as Widerlicht, which means disgusting. Then at full time after the officials failed to spot a handball in the Dortmund penalty area, he said, I'll probably get into serious trouble, but I have to get this off my chest.

52:59Pete Donaldson: In the 95th minute, there was a clear handball in the Dortmund penalty area and nobody even looked at it. So again, knows what he's doing.

53:06Marcus Speller: The club's getting fined, you're getting fired. I mean, it's a really...

53:09Jim Campbell: I hope he doesn't get fired because he's been doing this job with them for about 35 years or something like that. And he said afterwards, I want to make it clear, I'm not a professional journalist or broadcaster. I am just a fan with a microphone. He just had enough. He's taught himself out of a job. Is he coming up for retirement? Is he going out with a bang? Yeah, maybe that's it. And another thing. Sod my bonus.

53:32Marcus Speller: I remember there was the bloke at Hartlepool back in the 90s. He said, I think it equalized or maybe scored a winner. in the last couple of minutes. He said, I hope you've enjoyed the 88 minutes of entertainment at Harlepool. That's as spicy as it ever gets, really. But yeah, I mean.

53:52Pete Donaldson: Yeah, apparently the sporting director of FC Kohl was asked about this and he said, we will certainly discuss this afterwards.

53:59Jim Campbell: Although everyone at Kohl is a bit mad. Their manager is Lukas Krasniak, who we've mentioned a few times, who wears their kit in the dugout or their shirt, certainly.

54:09Pete Donaldson: Presumably the away top of them.

54:10Jim Campbell: Yeah, it's the way whichever one they're not wearing. Okay, nice. To not confuse his own team, presumably.

54:18Marcus Speller: It's a great town, Cologne. I do very much enjoy it. I think the madness is all down to that massive cathedral they've got in the middle. Because when darkness descends, I don't know if there's bats or birds just fly around it and stuff, and it gives the city a real sort of like, what is going on kind of vibe.

54:38Pete Donaldson: Yeah, but it's presumably a very sweet-smelling place. why oh Cologne yeah nice good

54:43Marcus Speller: yeah probably is

54:45Pete Donaldson: Vindelich Schrecklich let's end the show with something even more mad another Serie A has been disgracing itself right over in Brazil of course I'm sure a lot of people saw this the news broke here on well it came to light on Monday a huge fight broke out among players during the Mineiro Championship final between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro leading to 23 players receiving red cards. Now, when we often talk about brawls in football, it's usually just a bit of pushing and shoving. And some shouting and pointing.

55:21Jim Campbell: This was a brawl. This was a Royal Rumble. Proper fists being thrown. And I like it, Jim. Yeah. So do you remember Lianko used to play for Southampton? All right. He currently plays for, let's go, Mineiro. He was punched by seven different players.

55:37Marcus Speller: Was that the guy who had the big old egg on his head? he had a big old egg I'm guessing it's gotta be him I'm guessing did they all hit him in the same spot to make that big egg

55:44Jim Campbell: I'm not even sure that was that guy because I think that guy was the guy who was punched that was bad properly by Hulk yeah

55:51Pete Donaldson: you are gonna get that

55:52Jim Campbell: to be fair

55:53Pete Donaldson: big Hulk was involved there was one player who went at him and I was like come on what are you doing I'll tell you what though surely he's thinking to himself if we go down Adama Traore get yourself down there get yourself down there

56:06Jim Campbell: I think it's this has been overlooked a lot but this was the final. This ended in Cruzeiro winning the state title.

56:15Pete Donaldson: The state titles are,

56:17Jim Campbell: it depends the size of the club. In recent years, they've not really been a big thing. What I'm saying though is it's not just like a regular league game. No, it's not regular. This is a big occasion.

56:26Pete Donaldson: Sure. Yeah, it is.

56:28Jim Campbell: It's on the way to the national championship.

56:31Pete Donaldson: It's a bit community shieldy, I would say, but clearly keenly contested.

56:37Marcus Speller: Like the community shield?

56:38Pete Donaldson: most years well you might a bit more of this imagine starting that with like 10 suspensions we have to go all the way to Kevin Keegan getting punched to see that kind of behaviour in a community shield or a charity shield as it perhaps was then but yeah like it was yeah but I mean yeah I mean Hulk appeared to be fly kicked by a Cruzeiro player twice because I think once you've gone in once and you're like oh he's not I've got to go again because otherwise you've got to run but it all started

57:01Jim Campbell: it was bad

57:01Pete Donaldson: it genuinely was a disgrace

57:03Jim Campbell: it was awful and it started basically with a coming together with a player and the goalkeeper and then the goalkeeper just completely lost it and started essentially attacking the forward. Yeah, but even then though when the subs come round it escalates very, very quickly. It escalates in the way like South Park does. Yeah, yes.

57:22Pete Donaldson: Yeah, it was. It was a bit like that. Yeah. Anyway. Strong. Hulk. Poor old Hulk. You know, he's been a... I've not done... Oh, I've been fly kicked twice. Yeah, but he got his than me. I mean, he was spotted punching a player on the back of the head. Yeah. I mean, he's taken a lot. He's 39. Yeah.

57:38Marcus Speller: but his love interests aren't.

57:40Pete Donaldson: You said he's got old man strength. He was already Hulk. He looks like he's already Hulk. And he's got old man strength.

57:49Marcus Speller: He's got like blastoes kind of like.

57:51Pete Donaldson: I love that. You've got to admire though the gall of the player who went for Hulk because there's a lot of other options. Yeah, exactly. You wouldn't start with him, would you? I'm going for the big dog.

58:02Jim Campbell: Is it like, you know, first day in prison?

58:03Pete Donaldson: Yeah, I'm going for the daddy. Go for the biggest dog in the yard. Must be. Get your reputation. Well, Hulk did later issue an apology saying, it's regrettable. I've never seen violence like that in any football game. A coach was pleading with players to stop fighting and then immediately... Oh, stop. No, no, no, Peter. It's the voice again.

58:19Marcus Speller: Stop it.

58:20Pete Donaldson: Let me finish the sentence because he was doing that and then immediately turned around and kicked a man on the ground.

58:29Pete Donaldson: He's like, we don't want to see this. Yes, we do. It's a proper angel and devil on the shoulder. You're kicking a man. You couldn't be kicking a man. Stop it, everybody. My foot's getting tired. That is the quintessential if you can't beat him, join him. Like, it's just, you're like, come on, I'll sod it. There's an easy target. I'm having one. So, come on. Brazilian football, well done.

58:51Marcus Speller: Well done. You've done all of the things that, because you always think that these things will break out, but they never do.

58:55Pete Donaldson: Yeah. But they did. What was the voice on that guy's shoulder saying as he looked at the man on the floor? Do you think all he heard was, do it? And he did. Repeatedly. Thanks for listening to the Football Ramble by the Acast Creator Network. Friends of the Ramble, don't go anywhere. Keep listening for Ramble Uncut. And if you're not a friend of the Ramble, head over to patreon.com forward slash football ramble to sign up now. There we are, everybody. Thank you, Jim. Thank you. Thank you, PT. Do it. And thank you, Brazil.

59:29Marcus Speller: The Football Ramble is a Stack Production and part of the Acast Creator Network.

1:00:01Marcus Speller: Thank you. Com slash solutions paid for by the coalition to empower our future with its

1:00:10Pete Donaldson: two juicy beef patties, three slices of melted cheese and tangy big arch sauce. The big arch is what happens when you start making a McDonald's burger and

1:00:20Jim Campbell: never stop the big arch, the most McDonald's McDonald's burger yet for a limited time.