In short
Ipswich Town’s Premier League home match preview vs Liverpool at Portman Road under Sky lights, focusing on how Town can bounce back after a collapse at Old Trafford and exploit Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities (especially pace and full-backs).
Guests
Mark Heath (host/“Heathy,” described as the “man with the teeth,” substitute-style preview host). Other named participants: AJ and Stu (busy at Gary O’Neill’s press conference), plus Stuart Watson (asked questions in the presser). “Gary O’Neill” is the Town manager being discussed via his press conference.
Key claims
Town’s injury news is positive (Emerson fit; Florentine Luis back). Liverpool are vulnerable on the counter and at the back (Van Dijk not what he once was; concern over Town’s right-back Dara O’Shea vs elite wingers). Town’s attacking/pacing/pressing front four (Fatou, Cissé, Maida, Emerson) can hurt Liverpool.
Notable examples
Old Trafford first-half promise then second-half collapse; Liverpool’s Forest 2-2 with late equaliser (Victor Muñoz, 82nd); Liverpool’s Newcastle draw via 99th-minute penalty; Izak hat-trick at Portman Road for Newcastle; Emerson’s impact when De Lapp came on last week.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOExcitement for the Upcoming Match
0:45 to 1:18
The hosts express their excitement about the Liverpool match and reflect on past performances.
“Both boys at the press conference today, which is unusual.”
Gary O'Neill's Press Conference Insights
1:18 to 1:46
Discussion around key talking points from Gary O'Neill's press conference, including injury news.
“I think there's opportunities to get a Liverpool here.”
Injury Updates and Player Form
1:46 to 3:52
Hosts analyze player injuries and discuss the importance of key players for the upcoming match.
“But I'm just going to go through the comments just to get some early thoughts.”
Zion Fleming's Impact
3:52 to 4:23
The hosts discuss the signing of Zion Fleming and its implications for the team.
Defensive Concerns Ahead of Liverpool
4:23 to 6:05
Discussion on potential defensive vulnerabilities against Liverpool's attacking lineup.
“The window had been shut a few days ago.”
Analyzing Liverpool's Attack
6:05 to 8:03
Hosts break down Liverpool's attacking strength and potential threats in the upcoming match.
“Do you think Alex has ever been more excited about an incoming player than Zion Fleming?”
Predictions and Final Thoughts
8:03 to 13:57
The hosts share their predictions for the match and highlight key players to watch.
“And he's got a big test against Kirkhaz, of course.”
Analyzing Ipswich Town's Lineup Against Liverpool
14:01 to 19:00
Discussing potential player lineups and strategies for the upcoming match against Liverpool.
“on our Caraway website and app, of course.”
Concerns About Defensive Strength
19:01 to 23:07
Highlighting worries regarding Ipswich's defense and specific players' performances.
“And let us know, everybody who's live, watching, listening, your predictions, as we're going to share our predictions very shortly.”
Predicting the Match Outcome
23:08 to 27:53
Sharing predictions for the upcoming match and discussing listener contributions.
“And clearly every week in that position, you're going to be up against the best wingers in the world, fastest wingers in the world.”
Show all 13 chapters
Predictions for the Match
28:00 to 29:54
The hosts discuss their predictions for the upcoming match against Liverpool, sharing various scoreline expectations.
“the programme cover which is brilliant design by Louise Cobbold, who's done a really good job there with the Japan flag in the background.”
Player Performances and Expectations
29:54 to 31:28
The hosts analyze specific players' performances and expectations ahead of the match, including predictions for goalscorers.
“May nightly he should have scored, really.”
Game Preview and Team Analysis
31:28 to 35:06
The hosts preview the match against Liverpool, discussing team vulnerabilities and the potential for Ipswich Town to perform well.
“So, and then, of course, if you've gone for a draw, and we'll find out AJ and Stu's predictions, will one of them predict a defeat?”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:10Ross Halls:Hello everybody, it's me Roscoe and welcome to the latest K-A-Live, the show where we build up to Towns' next game in the Premier League. And it's another big one, it's Liverpool under the lights, live on Sky at Portman Road. And I'm joined by Mark Heath, the gaffer, Heathy. AJ and Stu are busy doing their toppy-types after Gary O 'Neill's press conference. And we need to discuss Liverpool. Heath V, the man with the teeth. How are you?
0:38Mark Heath:I'm good, thanks, mate. Yeah, I am the man with the teeth. I'm off the bench, substitute style, as the boys are hard at work currently. Both boys at the press conference today, which is unusual. Normally it's just one of them that goes. But I am off the bench, looking to score the winning goal in this preview of what is a very exciting game, isn't it? games like this, why they're excited to be in the Premier League. Liverpool at home under the lights, Portman Road, a chance to make another statement, maybe get some more points on the board and really see what this team's all about. See if they can bounce back from what happened at Old Trafford last week, because the first hour or so was pretty positive, wasn't it?
1:12Mark Heath:And then it fell apart. So let's see if they can recover from that and really get stuck into Liverpool tomorrow. And spoiler alert, I think there's opportunities to get a Liverpool here. I think they can be hurt from what I've seen of them so far.
1:23Ross Halls:So I'm excited. Yes, it's exciting times. And we're going to be putting this out actually as a podcast because we can't record our normal flagship show because of timings and stuff. But yeah, we're doing a role reverse. Hefe's normally the host with the most. I am taken in charge because this is a live Kauai build-up show. And Hefe, we're going to discuss talking points from Gary O 'Neill's press conference. But I'm just going to go through the comments just to get some early thoughts. Hello from Dubai. Love that. From Rams. This is Graft. 5945 ITFT fan living in Melbourne can't wait for the 5am kickoff on Saturday morning, that's an early one, Kraft, enjoy that though Neil Wilmore looking forward to being back at Portman Road tomorrow Old Trafford was a great time while it lasted, so yeah, I was enjoying myself as well but I didn't get wet it was forecast to rain cats and dogs and that happened in the second half and luckily I was covered, so that's all good so yeah, interesting signs, but Hefe Let's discuss, and we'll go through the comments more in a bit.
2:28Ross Halls:But Gary Neal, done his pre-match press conference of Liverpool at the squanky new Isritown training ground. I'm answering questions from the media, Stuart Watson and AJ included. What's your main talking points? Injury news is the one we always want to know from straight off the bat. And it's all fine in the camp because Emerson's fine. Florentine Louise is back. Of course, we've got a few other players sort of working their way back. but it's all positives from the injury news. Let us know what you saw.
2:56Mark Heath:Well, I mean, that's it really for me, Ross. Press conferences are all kind of, we call them cliche days because they generally are. The only interesting thing for me is generally injury news. And as you say, that was all positive. Emerson's fit, which is big because I think he could play a big role tomorrow. And obviously Luis is back. May see him maybe off the bench. But obviously Azor and Jack Taylor and Philogene still not ready to go. I think he says Philogene was close. But in terms of the rest of the presser, kind of what you expect from a pre-match presser, if we're honest. Manager praises opponents, says that they're going to try and win, believes they can, believes they can hurt them.
3:31Mark Heath:All the kind of things you'd expect to see. And their manager ever says, we're definitely going to win this game. The other team are poor. And we didn't get that. I mean, he did say how much he respects Iriola, didn't he? The job he's done says he's going to be a success at Liverpool. And thinks Liverpool deserve to win their first two games. It's interesting, given they had to come back to get draws. so yeah for me the big one is injury news and Emerson being fit to play I think is massive given I watched the Liverpool Forest game last week and when De Lapp came on he really caused them problems and Emerson you'd say is a similar sort of physique similar kind of athletic kind of potential test for Liverpool there's a wider theme I think around the Liverpool back line which we'll come to at some point but I think Emerson's an important part of that so I've gone early on my starting 11 but I'd be starting Emerson tomorrow I know they've just signed Zion Fleming but I'd be going with Emerson again he's got the hot hand and I think the first half Old Trafford again they look good with him playing and it was it was only after he kind of went off and Tuba came on I thought it was quite a big drop off there so I'd certainly I'd certainly looking forward to seeing Emerson again tomorrow
4:38Ross Halls:Definitely and he did get a lot of questions asked about Zion Fleming a lot of the press pack was asking that and he praised him a lot he's looking forward to working under him
4:47Mark Heath:big surprise that isn't he he'd be praising a 20 million pound new signing who could have seen
4:52Ross Halls:that coming very much so but he wasn't worried was he he said it was gonna be he was like sort of relaxing he's like yeah we're gonna get a deal done and um of course it was a 11 p.m um announcement but um yeah it was a sort of last ditch sort of signing but it was it was pretty confident it was gonna it'll be the new number nine yeah i think on that point the interesting thing was to kind of push him on the not getting a defense um and gary obviously uh playing a
5:19Mark Heath:straight bat and saying he's not he's never going to moan about having signed 14 players you don't get everything you want um but i think it's certainly an argument that they did maybe a little bit um then at the back given the fact we've got dara shay playing that position and just that and the other so um yeah uh the fact that he he i mean he's again he's not going to come out and say no gutted we didn't get a defender and I've been let down, you know, that kind of thing's not going to happen. But interesting that kind of Stu pushed him on that because clearly that's one of the, I guess the, the only minor kind of black marks against the whole, the whole window is potentially not getting a bit more cover in defense.
5:59Yeah.
5:59Ross Halls:That's a question. Rams, he's got very early. The window had been shut a few days ago. It's quite early, but do you expect any additions in January, especially in the good Lord?
6:07Mark Heath:Good Lord Rams. Come on. that is a bit I know that is you know that is a that's everything isn't it with football fans and transfers right that's done who are getting in next but I think it's a bit early for that I mean clearly they will I think from what Ashton said actually over the summer the majority of the work was always going to be done in the summer and while they will clearly I'd imagine look to strengthen again in January I think they've spent the majority of the money now so I wouldn't expect a you know a similar level of business in January.
6:40Ross Halls:Definitely. Stevie here, afternoon both. He's also asked a question. Do you think Alex has ever been more excited about an incoming player than Zion Fleming? Yeah, he was very happy.
6:50Mark Heath:Friend indeed.
6:52Ross Halls:That's the only reason why he went to the press conference today, because he wanted to see Zion, basically. Normally it's just Stu that goes.
6:57Mark Heath:Yeah, he was super excited to see Zion. He was sending us messages and stuff, wasn't he, that he'd exchanged with Zion. I'm a bit worried about his ratings, Ross, if I'm honest. because I can't see Zian ever getting lower than a nine with Alex doing. And we'll have to keep an eye on that, friends, because we've got any bias creeping in. We've got to play it straight and be objective. And no surprise that Alex is saying that Zian should start tomorrow, of course. So it'll be interesting to see. I haven't actually spoken to him since Alex spoke to Zian or has been speaking to Zian at the presser.
7:28Mark Heath:So I'm hoping that he's remembered Alex. Otherwise, AJ will be absolutely gutted if he gets blanked. Sorry, mate, who are you? He'd be absolutely devastated. So I look forward to an update on that.
7:41Ross Halls:Yeah, I don't think he could ever get over that, especially with a room full of, you know, the regular press he sees and he's always big enough, you know, I wish we'd sign in Zion. And then he like goes, oh yeah, I can't remember you, mate. Who are you? So, yeah, but I'm looking forward to seeing him play for town. And one thing though, another takeaway from the press conference before we move on to Liverpool, he gave a lot of praise for Abdul Fatou. Yes. was asked. And he's got a big test against Kirkhaz, of course. Has he, though? Has he? Yeah, true. But, yeah, he's gave a lot of praise, but he's still got work to do.
8:16Ross Halls:But Gary Newell's been working one-on-one with him.
8:18Mark Heath:That was music to my ears because, obviously, I'm a big fan of Abdul Fatou and I think he started pretty well. Clearly, he made the goal at Old Trafford. I think you'd argue he was probably the most dangerous player at Man United. And also, I was impressed with him against Sunderland. Maybe not so much with the on-the-ball stuff, although he had a couple of lovely moments. He nutmegged the player didn't I remember? But also he's off the ball work, he's really put in a shift as they all are and they need to. So it's really good to hear Gary praise him, I think he said something on the lines of he can be one of the best wingers in the league eventually and clearly he still thinks he's got a lot to work on as a manager would always say but from my point of view I've been really pleased with the first couple of games from Abdul Fatou and I think there's a big opportunity for him in this one which at some point we'll get to because I've mentioned I think the defence of Liverpool, from what I've seen, is vulnerable, particularly to pace.
9:06Mark Heath:And that's something that Fatou has got a lot of. So, yeah, excited about what he can do tomorrow.
9:12Ross Halls:Yeah, and of course, Liverpool, yeah, defensively, may not have been great at the moment, but they've got a very good attacking line-up. Was it like nine figures? You know, a lot of money spent. They've just signed someone for over£100 million in Bradley Bacola, someone from PSG. He potentially could start, maybe on the left. I'm going to bring up the last 11, he feeble. Now look ahead to Liverpool. in the opposition-wise, press conference, done and dusted, as you say, it's a classic cliche. I think Gary Neal, when he sort of, when the live video showed, he was, you know, having a bit of his cup of tea.
9:43Ross Halls:I think he's eighth tea of the day, taking something out of his teeth as well. But yeah, all eyes on Liverpool Heath. And here's the last level against Forrest. Of course, a 2-2 draw. They had to score another late goal to get an equaliser. They had scored a 99th-minute goal against Newcastle, a penalty to get a draw against them on the opening day. and then against Forest, the new signing of Victor Munez, scoring an 82nd-minute equaliser. Missed 11. The attacking line-up is very scary, I have to admit. You know, Alexander Izak is back from his injuries. He's going to be hungry to score. Last time he played at Porn Road, of course, for Newcastle, he scored a hat-trick.
10:19Ross Halls:So, we need to stop that. How are you feeling for Liverpool? But you're saying, you know, we've got a chance to go at them.
10:26Mark Heath:Yeah, I think, as I say, having watched them against Forest, I thought they were very vulnerable on the counter, particularly to pace. I know Liverpool fans aren't particularly happy about the full-backs in particular, both Kirkes and Frimpong, they think aren't really good enough for the level, or good enough for Liverpool. But then if you look at that front four, you know, with Barcola potentially starting tomorrow, that is a scary, scary front four, isn't it? Extremely valuable front four as well. Interesting, I think, in terms of what we're expecting, Barcola's a left winger. I think AJ was wondering whether or not he might play on the right tomorrow but from my understanding anyway, Munoz will be the right winger he scored a tremendous goal against London Forest he looks very, very dangerous and I think from Liverpool friends I've been speaking to they think those two, Munoz and Barcola could be two of the best wingers in the world and obviously you've got Ishak as well who is no stranger to a goal although he hasn't really kind of hit the road or fired his engine really at Liverpool properly, has he, since he signed there.
11:29Mark Heath:But as you say, he's got happy memories of Portman Road. So, yeah, that's clearly going to be a challenge. But if you look at, as I said, the back line, Van Dijk isn't probably what he once was. I don't know a lot about Jacquet, but if you look at, you know, Towns front four, a likely front four tomorrow, Fatou, loads of pace against Kerkhez, Dyson Raider against Frimpong, we know Marder's just going to run and run and run and run and press and press and press you've got CISO, he's got some real pace and creativity and also Emerson, as I say, I thought that when De Laap came on last week he looked very useful against Liverpool in terms of the physical aspect of his game as well I think there's definitely ways that Town can hurt them tomorrow and I can see this being a bit of a back and forth ding dong affair because it does worry me, as I've said frequently, Rossi, Dara O'Shea playing at right back, particularly in this game, if he's coming up against Barcola or even Gakbo, you know, Barcola,£123 million signing from PSG, I think he got 13 goals, 7 assists for them last season.
12:35Mark Heath:People have come for me and said, well, O'Shea, because I've said I don't think he's fast enough. Fast enough, not, someone thought I said fat enough, but fast enough. He's not fast enough friends which is my accent he is fast obviously and he's a very good player but i think he should be playing at centre-back i don't i'm worried about him going up against the best wingers in the world and barcada you know clearly i think he's one of those backpedaling um yeah i just for me that's a that's a that's a real worry i'd much rather him be playing in his right position inside um and we get someone else playing at right back uh that would be my that would be my concern about this one for town.
13:17Mark Heath:Apart from the fact, obviously, Liverpool have got loads of other brilliant players. The midfield, you know, Sabozla is really important to them as well, and McAllister potentially, or probably going up against his countryman in Ezequiel Palacios. So, yeah, danger all across the park for Liverpool, but equally, I think, areas that town can exploit using their pace and their pressing and their kind of non-stop running and physicality maybe up top. Exciting.
13:42Ross Halls:Yes, there's going to be loads of goals in this one, I think, because, yeah, Liverpool can score goals, but they're conceding goals as well. And Towne at the moment are hungry for goals. You think we've scored four goals in the opening two games in the Premier League, which is not a bad start. But yeah, this is going to be a cracker. I think one thing I was, when I was speaking to a Liverpool fan for an Insight video, check that out when that drops on our Caraway website and app, of course. He said Liverpool won't be up for a scrap. So Towne, they really go for it. We've got scrappers on our team, especially in CISO, who's going to really get into it, Palacios, who will start.
14:16Ross Halls:I'm going to get my prediction early doors here for you. Let's bring up your predicted 11 and go through the talking points. Palacios is the big question. Will he come in from now? He came off the bench at May United, but that's probably a tough debut for him to come on there and May United were popping us in the midfield. Another big talking point. He's a right back. Wattara coming in. Talk us through your line-up.
14:40Mark Heath:This is my line-up, right? This is probably, well, It's certainly not going to happen because we know that O'Shea is probably going to play it right back. This is what I would do for a talking point and generally because of my concern about O'Shea at right back. So I would start with Tyra at right back. I know we've yet to see him play it right back, but he's played left back. He's played midfield. From what I've seen of him, you know, he's got the physical tools. He's not physically tall, but he's a little tank. He's got serious speed and athleticism. And you're going to need that in this game.
15:08Mark Heath:as I've already said, my concern about O'Shea and coming up against whoever he comes up against really on that flank, even if Munoz is playing over there, which I think he did last time out, he was on the left, so yeah, that would be one change I would make, I appreciate it's not going to happen, let's be honest but then I would move O'Shea back inside, next to Diop, I know people will say well you haven't got a left footer in there but I would find a way for O'Shea and Diop to play together in in their natural positions, and Davies clearly is going to be the left-back. Placios has to start for me.
15:42Mark Heath:They've brought him over, World Cup winner, all this kind of hype around him. From everything I've heard about him, he could be the key ingredient in this team, and this is the perfect game for him to start making his mark. Lukic, I think, will play next to him. Again, two real quality operators. I'd imagine Lukic will be the deeper of the two, probably playing in front of the front four, and Placios is the back four, and Clash is the one that gets a bit further forward. I'm sure they can work out a way to play together. And then that front four, as I've already said, I think when you look at that front four, that's an exciting, threatening front four, I think, for anyone at this level.
16:18Mark Heath:And for the reasons I've already said, I'd start Emerson. I know Fleming is in form. I think he got four goals already this season for Burnley, but he's only just arrived and he won't have had a lot of time to train and kind of learn the patterns and that kind of stuff that he'll need to know. So I would start Emerson and Fleming, obviously, would be an interesting one to bring off the bench. If they need a winning goal, if they're chasing the game, or indeed if the game is level, I think we'll definitely see him. But I don't think we'll see him from the start.
16:49Ross Halls:I'm looking forward to the Emerson-Van Dijk battle, if he does start. Because, yeah, Van Dijk is not the plow he once was. He's still a very classy plow, still their captain of Liverpool. But last time we played, Liverpool, remember, on the opening day, Which player was it now? Was it Kwanzaa who had to come off? Because De Lapp basically...
17:10Mark Heath:Yeah, two years ago, yeah.
17:12Ross Halls:Yeah.
17:12Mark Heath:Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Read the full transcript
17:14Ross Halls:Yeah, Halfton had to take them off because they just couldn't cope with it. And of course, Liverpool went on to win that game. But this feels very different, Peefe. This is, we'd say, when the fixtures come out, you go, oh, Mainline is away, Liverpool, three hits. But going into this one, you know, Town could really get an opportunity to win this or even, you know, get something from it, especially with the start we've had and Liverpool's situation at the moment?
17:37Mark Heath:Yeah, look, I think there's loads to be positive about from the first two games. Obviously, they won the first game, which was the ultimate reason to be positive. But I think even at Man United, that first half, they went 1-0 up, great goal. They could have been 2-3-0 up. And CeCe had that breakaway. Davies had an even better chance, actually, to score after he had scored. Fatou was absolutely ripping Liverpool apart. Liverpool, Man United, excuse me, I've jumped ahead. so yeah that was super positive clearly the slip from Nunes ends up with Man United equalising and that's just a reminder of just how good teams are at this level because that was not an easy goal still Fernandes had some work to do and he absolutely did it with aplomb I was thinking watching that first half you know they're not just maybe they're not just going to try and survive in this league they might actually be able to thrive you know they've got a bit of a swagger about them as well and with the quality of players they've brought in I feel really, really positive about this is not, you know, kind of the David against Goliath that it maybe was two years ago in that first game of the season when it was mostly the guys who'd come up from the Vanda brothers, you know.
18:42This feels like, I think Liverpool still be favourites,
18:45Mark Heath:but this feels like a game that Tal can go into with high hope, genuine hopes of getting something and maybe even a win. What famous result that would be under the lights at Portman Road without getting too giddy. There are reasons, I think, to be positive about this game.
19:04Ross Halls:Yes. And let us know, everybody who's live, watching, listening, your predictions, as we're going to share our predictions very shortly. Shabby McNally, don't wish to be naive, although fancy ourselves chances to be anyone in top of the league, which I think we will just go at it when we play teams who are up there and we know they've got unbelievable quality. I think we'll just go for it. Maybe teams lower league, maybe near us. I want to say more organised, but we'll just make sure we do a job on them because we've got to pick up results. Don't we have to get home? Home is so important. And, yeah, it's just going to be – I'm still worried, though, for their front four.
19:46Ross Halls:I'm not getting carried away at all. I think they'll still give us a lot of problems. And, yeah, I still have a feeling we've got a rick in us. So we don't want to get too –
19:56Mark Heath:Let me ask you this, Rossi. Are you worried about Dara O'Shea at right back? Because you look at the side and how they're strengthened over the summer, and they've got these amazing attacking players and creative players and players with physicality and steel. But you still look at that defence, and they've got three of the four players who were there last time out in the Premier League in terms of O'Shea and Greaves and Davis. And I haven't been overly impressed either with Diop thus far. He was good in pre-season, but I think he's looked a bit wobbly in the actual kind of serious action, a bit clunky and a bit flat-footed.
20:31Mark Heath:So that is my area of concern. And it was interesting to hear O 'Neill say, you know, he said something along the lines of, you don't get many clean sheets in the Premier League. It's vital that you can score goals. And clearly we both think there's going to be goals in this.
20:45Ross Halls:But is O'Shea a concern for you? Away from home?
20:50Mark Heath:Yeah.
20:50Ross Halls:At home, I don't know. I just feel, because we're going to be the team who's going to try to dominate the ball at home, away from Armadou or Wari, against the top of teams, like when we go to Man City, when we go to Anfield and stuff like that, and of course Old Trafford. So yeah, long term, I don't want him to be playing right back, but at the moment, just as we are, but I'm liking your choice of Watara, give him a go right back at home, because I'd rather see. You want your captain, who is a natural centre-half, to be the natural right centre-half. Of course, he's got to play, hasn't he?
21:23Mark Heath:and he's not going to say, I'm not going to play it right back if that's where anyone wants him to play. But for me, he should be playing in, he's a captain, he should be playing in the position he wants to play in or he's best at playing. So that's why I put him there. I see we had a comment, Johnny Duncan off Facebook saying he'd play Furlong over Wattaro right back. I mean, that's another option. I don't know, having not seen Furlong play in the Premier League for a long time, I don't know if he's, you know, going to come in and do a job against Barcola, for example. I think he'll be solid.
21:50Ross Halls:Yeah, I mean, he is solid,
21:52Mark Heath:but is he going to be an improvement over O'Shea in that position? I don't know. So, yeah, for me, all the kind of concern about town and how they're going to do it is looking more towards the back of the side than the front, because I think they've got loads more creativity, loads more goals in them than they did last time out in the Premier League. It's just really being able to keep teams out as well, and teams like Liverpool. I know you say, hopefully, they're going to dominate position at home, but I'd be surprised if they do that against Liverpool.
22:24Ross Halls:Yeah, very true.
22:25Mark Heath:So, we'll see.
22:26Ross Halls:We'll see. But good question, actually. I'll comment here from Ron Powles. I think Sunderland target O'Shea with overloads and spec. Others will too. Of our analysts are clearly going to see that as our weak spot with a player out of position, which is, yeah, they're true. They'll look at, you know, he's out of position. He's not a natural light, but although he has played there, of course, you know, for Ireland as well. But, yeah, it's a position I'm a bit like, I don't know if I like that or not. But once again, O'Shea is a solid player as well. He is solid, yeah.
22:55Mark Heath:I don't want this to come off as if I'm slagging him off. You know, I think he's a good player and he should be playing, but I just don't think he should be playing at right back. We saw a couple of times in the first half against Sunderland, he was burned by Angulo, wasn't he, for pace? And clearly every week in that position, you're going to be up against the best wingers in the world, fastest wingers in the world. That for me is an area of concern. I don't want to kind of harp on about it because I feel like I'm going on about a lot now. But, you know, that is something that worries me. And if it was me, and clearly Gary Neon knows a lot more than I do, and that's why he's doing the job that he does, I'd be looking to get O'Shea and the op back inside.
23:33Definitely.
23:34Ross Halls:Well, let's bring up some predictions, Anhiefi, and I'm going to ask your predictions. I'm going to bring up the leaderboard, though, at early doors. We're getting very close to maybe losing our jobs because AI is still top of the table with seven points. on second with four points, Stu with three points and yourself and AJ, a joint bottom with two points. Yeah. How are you feeling about that early leaderboard?
23:59Mark Heath:I was too positive, wasn't I, Old Trafford? I thought they might.
24:03Ross Halls:I mean, I still back my...
24:06Mark Heath:It still didn't feel like a 5-2 game to me. They obviously started really well. They could have been two or three up. They could have got something, damn it. but in the end hold on I've got my team's call coming in just bear with me I'll kill that off this is more important ignore that a lot more important I don't know who that was anyway I'll leave a message if it was important yeah so obviously I was I was I was stunned by being too positive I think you were as well I think you went for a draw at Old Trafford as well yeah not looking good though as you say I went too early
24:38Ross Halls:with Lee Davis first goal scorer though I should have done it I may not I did it for the opening day yeah oh someone at the door now oh she my missus she's got keys but I swear she never actually if she knows I'm home she just always rings the doorbell so I can open the door but I did say to her I'm doing a live show so she could she could open the door with her keys okay anyway
24:59Mark Heath:hopefully
25:01Ross Halls:yes PV prediction what are you going for I think there's going to be goals in this
25:08Mark Heath:for the aforementioned reasons I think both teams can hurt each other against defence. So I'm going to say 2-2. I'm going to continue to be positive because I do still think there's lots to be positive about. I'll say Ipswich get a point here in a good game against Liverpool. And Liverpool clearly would make three 2-2 draws in a row for them. So I'm saying 2-2 and I'm going to pick my boy Fatou. I think he might have quite the impact on the game tomorrow up against Kerkhez. If they can get him isolated, which clearly that's what he wants to be, um he's got the beating of anyone and he can make things happen and under the lights you know live on sky sports he wants to he'll want to shine um so yeah i'm gonna say tutu and abdul fattah would
25:53Ross Halls:be my pick i like it let's bring up some more predictions um and i'll share you mine um actually chris bennett if you're still watching live and will there be a pod today this will be the pod so um if you want to stop watching and you want to listen to this that's not what you're the journey Chris can't. Anyone else can still be watching. But yeah, it will be the pods for today and tomorrow. So yeah, check it out. George Huggins gone for a 3-2. Zion Fleming, 95th minute winner. George, George, George. That would be incredible. What a debut that would be. Shevink Manali gone for a 2-1 town win.
26:30Ross Halls:Love that positivity there. Johnny Duncan, 3-1 itch, which, as I say, played furlong over Watara. Experienced, you know, the rest house. Rob here I've said his last name wrong apparently Hughes Rob Hughes Rob Hughes My heart says we'll get a draw and I'll be happy with that but my head says we'll just lose 2-1 Stevie's gone for the same prediction as you he's gone for a Desmond 2-2 which I was thinking of that
27:05Mark Heath:Before you give yours do you want me to do AI? because I've literally just asked AI to get the AI prediction. Shall I give you? I'm a bit gussed, to be honest, because AI thinks exactly the same as me. 2-2, it says. I think Liverpool's shaky start could continue. Town has shown they can score.
27:29Mark Heath:Liverpool clearly have the greater individual quality, but Portman Road under the lights could make this much closer than the bookmakers expect. and the first goal scorer has gone for Dyson Mider
27:40Ross Halls:he's got the place to cause Liverpool problems in transition
27:43Mark Heath:and I fancy him to be the town player most likely to exploit Liverpool's defence there we go so 2-2 Dyson Mider it's saying
27:52Ross Halls:to be fair let me quickly find the comments someone did mention, yeah it was Rob again tomorrow's the day for Moida to get off the mark and he's going to be the cover the programme cover which is brilliant design by Louise Cobbold, who's done a really good job there with the Japan flag in the background. So I'm looking forward to picking it up tomorrow. Let's go and bring up some more predictions. We'll score first. 2-1 us if we don't. 1-1. Nigel gone 2-1 to Liverpool because that's how he's done the prediction. The two at the end there, which is sad, Nigel. Shane's gone 3-1 town. Go on, Shane.
28:27Ross Halls:Love that positivity. Rams has gone 2-2. Emerson and Fatahou just score the goals. I do like that indeed. Nikolai Webb, one away from America. Good to see you, Nikolai. 2-1. It's a win against Liverpool. Love that. Booth, that's a big scoreline. Don't think you're taking this seriously, predictions. 8-5.
28:49Mark Heath:Patrick.
28:51Ross Halls:I saw a 6-4 once.
28:53Mark Heath:I can't see an 8-5. I saw a 6-4 once when I was a kid. Who was that? That was Derby Chelsea. Chelsea 6, Derby 4. But I've never seen an 8-5. I can't see it in the Premier League.
29:03Ross Halls:No. I know there was a 9-0 once. No, it's okay on that. No, definitely not. Lee's gone 3-1 loss. Sorry, defence will be costly. Oh, Lee. I don't like that. George has gone pen and 95th minute. Van Dijk sending off.
29:18Mark Heath:Love that.
29:18Ross Halls:Can you imagine the drama?
29:20Mark Heath:Imagine the drama. I don't actually want that because deadlines are very tight tomorrow. It'd be a nightmare if that happened.
29:24Ross Halls:Yeah.
29:25Mark Heath:But yeah, probably from a scenes and a limbs point of view, that would be great, wouldn't it?
29:30Ross Halls:That would be amazing. Johnny Duncan. think Keefe is a bias towards Fatou as Alex is with Fleming. No, no, no, I'm not quite as biased. It's different.
29:42Mark Heath:Alex is football friends with Zian Fleming. Dutch friends. I'm just someone who admires Abdul Fatou and has done for a little while. I'm pleased with the way he started.
29:52Ross Halls:I like that. David Hunt 1-1, late 90-minute penalty conceded by Isaac. So, I like that. Oh, mistype meant nil-nil. solid point that's a gear shift
30:05Mark Heath:from 8-5 to 0-0 yeah yeah
30:09Ross Halls:mistype okay yeah okay I've built this suspense up for my prediction yeah I want to go for a draw as well I think we can get something out of this I'm not that confident for a win that would be amazing the scenes out full time will be incredible but I want to go 1-1 and I was going to go for a rogue first goalscorer or the only goalscorer for town but I don't fancy that I want to get the bonus points because I was going to go Palacios just out of nowhere just on his first start for town at Portland Road Portland Road debut he doesn't score so that would be a surprise that would be a surprise I was like nah that's too rogue too early in the predictions maybe later on especially if I needed to get some points but Julio and Ciso he's got a score surely soon he's also my predicted top goalscorer so he needs to score soon because I to build that tally up.
31:02Ross Halls:And he's been close the last few games. May nightly he should have scored, really. He should have scored, yeah. And I think he's going to have a moment in this one. Maybe he's scored an absolute screamer. So, Julian Ciso to score first. I think, you know what? Maybe Liverpool take the lead. And then maybe it will be like late drama in Ciso. Or maybe just like you score on the hour mark and it will just be one of those tense endings. So, yeah, I'm going to go for a 1-1. And that would be a good point, I'll say. It'd be a great point, yeah. So, and then, of course, if you've gone for a draw, and we'll find out AJ and Stu's predictions, will one of them predict a defeat?
31:37Ross Halls:Will they be negative Nazis? Or are they going to predict a potentially win? I'll see. In a way, if you want to play the predictions, one of them will have to maybe predict a defeat, just in case... AJ will predict a defeat.
31:49Mark Heath:That's my prediction. That's my prediction of his prediction. He'll predict a defeat.
31:53Ross Halls:Yeah, which is fair. I like that. Clarksville, Tennessee, from Harley Grand. Penny, I think. Clarkville, Tennessee, love that. I think they're a gettable 3-1-inch, which Fleming Brace in CISO opens his account. Love that, indeed. Harps 2-2 after going two up. Third in a row for Liverpool, as you said. Let's not hope that happens.
32:18Mark Heath:That'd be bad. Yeah, pretty much.
32:20Ross Halls:He's gone really in-depth with his prediction here. I like this. 2-1 to Liverpool. Ezek scores after a rebound or Sherpin after five minutes. Maybe they'll make it 1-1, just fall off the break. And then Gapho beats O'Shea and Diop on pace on the 65th minute to score the winner.
32:36Mark Heath:That is a precise prediction.
32:38Ross Halls:I'll get it in a minute. Done your working. Done your working.
32:42Mark Heath:Yeah, yeah.
32:42Ross Halls:Yeah. I like that. Max here, a predicted line-up. So I'll just flash up what Hefe is predicting. There you go, in all its glory. Do you want to just say it in all its glory, Hefe, as we wrap up? Well, again, yeah, yeah.
32:55Mark Heath:I want to say predicted, this is what I would like to see. This is not what is going to happen, because we know O'Shea is probably going to play it right back. But in my world, and for the reasons I've already discussed, we've got Sherpa, Uttara, O'Shea, Deok Davis, Palacios and Lukic in midfield with the front four that we've seen thus far this season, Fatou and Cissé, Maida and Emerson, who I really like as a front four, full of pace, full of running, full of pressing, full of energy. And I think they can really get out of Liverpool tomorrow. so yeah there's another question there Harp's just saying is Emerson fit yes he is that was at the press conference he had a little knee problem that's where he came off Old Trafford but apparently that settled down pretty quickly and he's good to go tomorrow which I think is fantastic news
33:38Ross Halls:yes indeed I'm looking forward to this hefe of course follow our coverage as standard on Kings of Anglia on the app and website any other business my friend as we wrap up this latest build up live show thanks everyone for listening as well if you're listening on a podcast feed. David here. Hi, guys, from Dublin. Kind of a bit late, Dave. Make sure to watch all of it back later. Yeah, absolutely. If anything else.
34:04Mark Heath:Yeah, well, David, let me know what Dublin's like because Dublin's one of the many places on my list that I need to go. I've yet to do it. I've been a few times. Love it. Have you? Is it good? You recommend it?
34:12Ross Halls:Mm-hmm.
34:13Mark Heath:Excellent. Okay. Any other business? I'm just really excited about the game. I think it's a good opportunity to get right back on the horse after being a little bit humbled in the way they kind of fell apart at Old Trafford, a chance to show resilience. And as I say, looking at the teams, the vulnerabilities, I can see, I generally can see Town getting Liverpool in this game and getting something out of them. The pace, you know, up top, physicality of Emerson, I think they can really get something from them. It's just whether or not they can keep them out enough, given the reverse concerns at the other end of the pitch with that unbelievable front forward of Liverpool against Town's defence.
34:53Mark Heath:So I think it's going to be a good game. It's going to be an entertaining game. I'm really hopeful that Town can get a result in terms of getting a point out of it. A win would be staggering, you know, fantastic. But if they get a point out of Liverpool and then, you know, they've already got four points on the board after three games, I think that would be great. So, yeah, I'm just, I'm looking forward to it. I'm really hoping the boys perform. Clearly a big occasion. And this is what it's all about, isn't it, Ross? This is why we want to be in the Premier League, these sort of games. Live on Sky, under the lights at Portman Road, Liverpool, the visitors.
35:25Mark Heath:Fantastic. Really looking forward to it.
35:28Ross Halls:Yes, I am indeed. Looking forward to getting those snappy snaps, taking pictures of some of these world-class superstars and Liverpool players, of course. So, yeah. Yes, of course. Of course. Fatirou down the wing. Love that. Looking forward to getting Fleming as well, getting a few pictures of him for AJ's phone, for his wallpaper, for his front screen. Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah, looking forward to catching up with AJ to see how he was with Flemming. Was he a bit, did he get a bit over the top about it? Apparently he dropped the F-bomb in his press conference. Did he? Did he? What, when you saw AJ?
36:03Ross Halls:Yeah, basically, oh, no.
36:06Mark Heath:That, why not? Yeah, not you again.
36:08Ross Halls:Pretty much.
36:09Mark Heath:I hope AJ didn't embarrass himself at the press, I've got to be honest.
36:12Ross Halls:I bet he brought a gift or something. I bet that's what, you know. here's a Stroopwafel
36:17Mark Heath:all the way pretty much because we're both from Holland that kind of stuff
36:21Ross Halls:yeah okay cool I'm excited I'm buzzing looking forward to it Tom man well thanks everyone for watching and listening of course we'll be back to react to it all next week on the flagship show but if you are going to the game enjoy it under likes of course live on Sky but if not follow our coverage on kingswanger.com me AJ and Stuby there to bring you tight tights and the video verdicts and all that stuff Metal Jase always just watching but he always says thanks guys nice so Metal Jase love you mate love that and Stevie thanks both thanks everyone for watching and we'll see you next time bye for now
37:19Thank you.
37:50Thank you.
38:14Thank you.
From the publisher
Ross Halls is joined by Mark Heath for a live look ahead to Town’s big home clash with Liverpool tomorrow night.
The boys reflect on Gary O’Neil’s presser, plus have a look at Liverpool, how they might line up and their strengths and weaknesses. Then it’s onto Town, who Mark would field as his starting XI and why he thinks the Blues can really hurt Liverpool in this one.
We finish with our predictions against the might of AI.
Kings of Anglia is sponsored Molecular! Get 10% OFF with promo code KOA10 at https://www.molecular-uk.com/
Subscribe on our website to watch the video version of the podcast -
https://www.kingsofanglia.com/subscribe/
You can shop the KOA range here - (kings-of-anglia.myspreadshop.co.uk)
