WORLD CUP CALL IN SHOW! Ep. 4

26:50Yeah, and Kane should have scored and O 'Reilly should have scored. So we can all do what ifs and buts. I think we've really struggled to break down teams. The trust of the players and the confidence of how we're going to play. You think Mexico are going to set up the same way Garner did? I think they're going to be still stay like 10 men behind the ball. but they're going to break with more talent I disagree I think Ghana have got more talent on the break with Semenya on Mexico don't worry me at all going forward I mean who worries you in the Mexico team Matt huh I've been caught I was here I can't remember thanks for calling in Sean enjoy the World Cup mate if you call up you've got to you've got to be prepared you're going to look like a silly Billy ain't you you can't even tell oh no they're more talented going forward who plays for them don't know fucking hell don't know I just what is with the like don't get me wrong I'm obviously very biased towards Southgate especially just because of the Summers he's given me blah blah blah but I understand the theory of Tuchel and I do agree I think Tuchel is more likely to get us over the line than Southgate yeah however I don't I don't And I do have my worries and that, but at the minute, until it goes wrong, I'm going to trust him and back him.

28:14Exactly. People want to bring us down. Yeah, it's like before anything, it's almost like people want to go, see, told you so. Yeah, innit, yeah. But whereas, the way I look at it is, I think we'll get to the semifinals and probably lose. I'd want to be wrong. Yeah. I'd rather be wrong and go, yes, we've won it. Yeah. Instead of us going out and me going, see, told you so. People are fucking mental. We've got another caller, Matthew. Oh, no. Ready for this one And we haven't been prepped on what he's going to say So this could be crazy Alright Matty, welcome to the calling show Where are you calling from mate?

28:48I've got a little sneaky suspicion You might be a little boogier You would be correct Yes sir You can book it You can book that flight back home Alright mate, right Good one Reagan already Right tell us what you want to talk about mate Come on hit me So my point I wanted to bring Was that if you swapped Scotland If you put Scotland in England's group And if you put England in Scotland's group Scotland would pop your group

29:27Sure buddy Sure right then What's your reasoning for that Oh god So I've watched all of Scotland's games and I've watched all of England's games. Yeah, they've been a tough watch, aren't they yours? That's not the point. The point is I don't think yous are good enough. I've watched yous against Croatia. I thought yous were okay in the first half. You were good in the second half. I'll give you that. Yeah, against the top 12 nation. The whole game against... No. No, no, they are. They are literally a top 12 nation. They're not. Croatia aren't that good. No, they are. They're 11th in the world, mate.

30:01going off FIFA rankings that's stupid to go off that argument I think oh right sorry then yeah that's stupid anyway if you're going off FIFA rankings then like it's just pointless because those are so like they're not real they're obviously real but like you can't judge a team off where they're ranked in the world no but it's a good basis of where teams are and whereabouts they are based on how they're qualified and where they play outside of the tournaments isn't it or including the tournaments I mean like for example but the top 10 is pretty like Argentina are first then France then Spain that's a pretty solid top 3 would you not agree with that yeah because they're obviously the best but like if you're going into like how Croatia are 11th like me personally I don't think I think the majority can agree they're not the 11th best team in the world sorry no they've actually gone down 2 so they're 13th they're the 13th best team in the world I still don't even think they're I think they'd be under the 20s well okay we can all we can go back and forth on that but what makes you think you'd get out of our group?

31:00I think the only problem in your group would be Croatia. I think we would beat Ghana and Panama at least 1 or 2-0. So please explain to me how that would be the case when you can only beat Haiti 1-0, who were like one of the worst teams at the tournament. Did you watch that Scotland Haiti game? Yeah. It was one of the worst games at the tournament. I thought Haiti were actually really good, but we just kind of like, we weren't as good as we should be. Yeah, this is kind of the point. You made Haiti look good because you're crap. You made Ghana and Panama look good. No, we beat Panama and Ghana.

31:38We just couldn't score. Ghana, by the way, a far better team than Haiti. They're a better team than you. Haiti are ranked 88th in the world and you beat them 1-0. By the way, luckily, they could have got a draw in the end. That's what I'm saying. I think they were unlucky to not get a point, at least a point against us. We still had the quality over them to beat them. Precisely. So you're telling me, Haiti, we're unlucky not to get a point against you, but you're telling me you top our group with Panama, Ghana and Croatia, who are all better than Haiti. No, I think Haiti are better than both Ghana and...

32:17What? What have you watched? Better than Ghana? I've watched all of the games. I've watched Haiti's game against Brazil and I've watched Ghana's game against each other against Panama and I still think Haiti have a better team better quality than Panama I've got a 60-60 who in the team has got quality Haiti's team

32:40you can just throw me on the bus there because I can't name obviously every single but I think they're just a good old world-run team just give me one just one player for Haiti you think's got really good quality I mean Isidore's probably scored goal of the tournament who can't get in the Sunderland team Garner got Semenyo next that's relevant it doesn't matter if he can't get in the Sunderland team though. He's coming up against Brian Broby who's starting for Netherlands. Yeah, well it does. I'm telling you Ghana have got Semenyo who starts a city. He's done nothing. Semenyo did nothing. Semenyo's not been that.

33:07Okay, but the original point you made was how you've got more of a threat. Then you bring up Isidor. I'm saying Ghana have got the likes of Antoine Semenyo. Are you telling me Isidor's better than Semenyo? No, I'm not saying that. I'm saying Isidor's done more at the tournament than Semenyo has. You've been saying Semenyo's done nothing but Scotland have done nothing in any games you've had like four shots on target in three games we beat Haiti 1-0 yeah exactly that's why you've gone out I cannot believe that's your argument that you beat Haiti yeah but I think because I think Haiti are better than Ghana and Panama it doesn't matter who you're playing because you've had like four shots on target I admit that it's how you set up it's how you set up though you've had like four shots on target in three games so regardless of who you're playing you're not creating regardless I still think we'd have better chances of beating them than we would Haiti Panama and Ghana are better defensively than Haiti are?

33:59I don't think so. What? That's just fact. You don't think Ghana are defensively better than Haiti? Yeah, I think Ghana are. Yeah, I don't think Panama are. Panama only lost 1-0 to Croatia. They only lost 2-0 to England. They're not a bad team. Yeah, we only lost 1-0 to Morocco, who have just made it to the under-16. Yeah, but we could have been 4-0 up after 20 minutes because you shit the bed. Yeah, but they wouldn't. You can't go off like, oh, but they could have done this. That's what you've been doing? That's what you've just been doing? You've been saying, oh, Garner should have had a penalty and you should have been down to 10 men.

34:34I've seen Garner should have a penalty. I did not see that. You just... Am I going mad? He just said that. I did not see... I did not even mention Garner against England, so I don't know where you've got that point. Do you know... Okay, do you think Kurosawa were better than Haity? Uh, no. No, but they beat them 5-1 back last year. that's last year that's irrelevant like what's that got to do anything talking about this this tournament and this like these games that have been played over the past few weeks I'm really I'm going about last year because I'm looking at Haity's they lost to Tunisia before the tournament Tunisia have been probably the worst team at the World Cup yeah but they lost to them Haity lost to them Ghana have actually Haity have got players like Belagard right who can't get in the Wolves team he's probably their best player you probably didn't even know he played for them they've got players like this is no disrespect to Heitey look they had a go and they did okay probably as best as they could they are not on the same level as a Ghana or Panama I just disagree I think I've watched I've watched all I hate his games because they're obviously in our group and I thought especially against us I thought they were really good no no no they looked good against you because you are pants I said in all I said in the games like against Morocco and Brazil as well I thought they were decent.

35:54The size of their country and the team that they are, I thought they were overall okay. Yeah, but what you're comparing it to is just your feeling. The facts are, Panama beat better teams than Haiti quite often. That's why they're at the World Cup. That's why they rank so much higher. A year ago, that's so relevant. Yeah, but even if you're bringing it up last week, why do you think Scotland would have created anywhere near enough to have beaten Panama or Ghana when you bet 81-0? Because I just feel like we're overall a better team. If England couldn't break Ghana down, how would Scotland? That's the point.

36:26That's why I don't think you should qualify in our group because I don't think you should be able to... Obviously, if you were in our group, you'd obviously beat Haiti 2-3-0. But I don't think you'd be able to outmatch Brazil or Haiti. You don't think we'd get a point at least against Brazil or Morocco. You don't think we'd get one point.

36:43Definitely not. I think you'd lose to Brazil. I think you'd give Morocco a good game, but I do think they'd... So if we get Brazilian quarters, then you think they'd definitely beat us in nine minutes? yeah yeah I think so haven't you lost I don't know what you've seen from Brazil to think that they've got OAPs in midfield mate we'd run them over in midfield they've just beat Japan in 90 minutes Japan are a decent team yeah but I mean I wouldn't worry about Japan either we should beat Japan like I don't I don't I don't know why that's if you're bringing up when Haiti beat Tunisia last year wasn't last year England wasn't last year well whenever it was Japan beat you yeah no Japan are a good team Brazil are a good team England are a good team England could beat Brazil you could but I don't think you will that's very fair but England would go into the Brazil game as favourites no they would based on what though based on what I've watched all three of your games and you haven't been great in all three of them of Brazil neither of Brazil Brazil looked really really good against you It's easy to look good against Scotland and Haiti.

37:52They were good against Japan. I don't think they were. I don't think they were that good against Japan. I don't know if you watched the game yesterday. Japan did a job on them. In the end, a bit of quality gets them through. It was a tight, tough game. It was a good game, yeah. Brazil were outplayed for large parts of the game against Morocco, who you said we'd probably beat. I said you'd give them a good game. I didn't say you'd beat Morocco. We could all go back and forth because Morocco have just knocked out the Netherlands, who we knocked out in the last major tournament in the semi-final.

38:24So to say England wouldn't get through your group, but I'm more worried about you thinking you'd get through our group because you can only beat Haiti by one. And luckily, by the way, do you think you'd beat Panama and Ghana and Croatia? Croatia would absolutely slap your arses. I think we'd at least get a second. I think we'd at least finish the second. You've just been knocked out in a group because you couldn't score more than one against Haiti, Probably the lowest ranked team At the tournament Do you not think? We're going back on I understand that But you're going back on FIFA ratings Yeah but they They were decent Yeah but unfortunately Yeah but they look decent against you It's not It's not difficult That's a good thing for them We're like ranked what Like 30 something 40 something in the world Yeah but that's why you've gone in As a third seeder And we've gone in as a first As well So you won't get our group anyway Exactly Yeah because your group Is better Your group is worse than ours Like we have Yeah No more than you one of the hardest groups in the whole tournament yeah because you go in as a lower seed rightfully so because you're not good enough we get an easy group because we're the top seed yeah so if I go back to my point if you were in our group would you go into that top seed against Morocco and Brazil we wouldn't be in that that group would never exist yeah it's hypothetically obviously that wouldn't happen it's just that's the whole point hypothetically in that group I think England would have won the group yeah I agree well I disagree well that's not even just because I hate England or anything I just generally think of course it is of course it is you just said You just said we played okay against Croatia.

39:49After that Croatia game, pretty much everyone universally agreed that was probably the best performance so far at the tournament for one of the big nations. For the first game, we had to play a top... Huh? Look at how you played against Ghana and Panama. Yeah, we topped the group. We topped the group with seven points, mate. And now we've got DR Congo. What are you lot doing? You're just ignoring your bad performances and going, well, we've got the new teams now. I'm not ignoring it, but it's not about performances. It's not about performances. It's about results in tournament football. It doesn't matter how you play.

40:16It's about results. You think England drawing no-no with Ghana is a good result? In terms of the group, yeah, it was a good result. Am I happy with it? Should we beat Ghana? Yes. But bottom line is, it's helped us top the group. And if we can play crap on the 2-0-0-0. The majority of England fans are coming out of that game disgusted and annoyed because of how bad you were. Yeah, because we have high standards. You came out losing against Morocco happy. There's a different standard. High standards. You shouldn't be coming out of a game against no-no against Ghana going, oh, well, it doesn't matter because we're going to top the group anyway.

40:45Why? You have to look at that. What was England's goal in the group stage? What was the goal? None, you do a no-no. What was the goal of the group stage for England? Sorry, the top of the group, yeah. Yeah, what have we done? It's like, you look at the standard of your group, that's the whole point. Your group is not amazing. Oh my God. You can play against Croatia, who aren't that good in Panama and Ghana. Well, yeah. Where do you think England are going to end up then? I think you've got what Congo tomorrow I think you beat them and then I think it's either Mexico I think you get knocked out to Mexico in the next round oh man were you called back in after we beat them happily yeah happily go on against Mexico yeah yeah alright good man enjoy the World Cup mate and boogie on home buddy yeah yeah good one the bottom line is yes it's like saying oh well Arsenal fans were annoyed at some of the performances and the way they played but they won the league the goal of the Premier League season for Arsenal was to win the league no matter how they did it they achieved it that's how you play like I just I don't we're saying that we play crap we won 2-0 he's trying to tell me how to do it about him two clean sheets you can't name one player oh man I'm a fan of it Isidore apparently is the next coming of Christ that is Scotland fans do make me laugh.

42:13He's so down on his... Raging. He's so down on his luck because of his own team. He's just like, England can't be good. At least they went though. You know what I mean? Well, yeah. At least the Bostonians liked you. Hey, lads. Bye-bye. Who have we got next? Hello, my friend. Welcome to The Calling Show. Who am I talking to? Because it says Pono. Is that your name? That's my name, mate. Pono. How are you going, Tommy? I'm good, mate. How are you? Good, thanks, mate. You calling from down under? Yeah, mate. Enjoying the World Cup in a good time zone. Yeah. Oh, is it good for you, like, down there?

42:55Yeah, it's pretty good. Wake up at, like, 7am and get all three games before midday. Where are you calling from in Australia? Gold Coast, mate. Sunshine State. Oh, good man. Right, you've got me and Callum. What do you want to talk to us about, my friend? Mate, I just want to start and say I was a bit sceptical when the World Cup started Thought, you know, heaps extra teams These minos are going to suck But it's been good Really enjoyed Cape Verde and stuff Doing their thing The only problem is Now we're at the knockout stage They fucked it Why's that? Well, today I watched Morocco and Netherlands And did either of those teams really deserve to go out When there's 28 teams left?

43:39I know what you mean I think, do you know what it is? It's the third place shit. It's killing it. And also, I think too many of the groups are like, they're unbalanced. So like you've got one group, it's like Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia, Qatar. Yeah. Then obviously Brazil and Morocco are in the same group. It's like, so naturally you're going to get these, like Netherlands, Japan in the same, I just feel like. No Jeopardy aren't lying in any group. I do really agree with you. I was sceptical as well. and I think it's been a lot better than I thought because these minnows have done better than I expected.

44:14I'd even say your boys have done a lot better than I thought. I thought Australia have done really well. But I think in order for it to be successful and we get these clashes, realistically you'd want Morocco-Netherlands in the quarters, wouldn't you? Or something like that. I think in order to avoid that, the only way to do it is actually extend it further and only the top two go through. So you'd have to have 64 teams and only the top two go through. We couldn't do it now then where top two go through unless third places go through. No, because it wouldn't have them had to do without. Oh, yeah, of course.

44:46I think you've just got to take the teams that come first in each group, seed them 1-12, all the teams that come second, seed them 13-24, all the eight third place teams, they're 25-32 and then you do like a college basketball bracket. One versus 32, two versus 31. Yeah, but the issue with that is the issue with that is only eight third place teams go through. so naturally you're still going to get teams who finish first and second play each other like last night with Morocco and the Netherlands and because of just sometimes how the draw is so for example you've got like next to our group you've got like Argentina and Portugal but the rest of those groups are like Austria, Algeria, Ghana so we're going to get, obviously we've been quite lucky with our side of the draw but then the likes of Netherlands are on the same side of Germany and Morocco though, so...

45:38But it is just look at draw, isn't it, though? It is look at draw, but then that's the issue with the third place, in my opinion. I don't think third places should ever get you qualified in a group of four. Yeah, I agree with you. Ridiculous. Yeah, I think it's also, we missed the point that there was 32 teams in the last World Cup. Those eight teams that came last in all of the groups are now going through. Yeah. We're rewarding mediocrity. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Precisely. It's a bit like, I just don't understand how a team can win one game and qualify. Well, not one big sample now, aren't you? If you see them all, though, I do think you avoid the situation where, like, the top teams, and, I mean, if we look at the rankings, there's maybe eight to ten top, top teams before there's a drop-off.

46:21If you see them all, your Morocco's are not meeting the good teams early and having to knock them out. I think how our group, how USA has ended up with Bosnia, when we've come second and ended up with Egypt, meanwhile poor Brazil and Japan have got each other and Netherlands and Morocco have got each other and they already had how has Morocco gone got seven points come second and then had to knock out the Netherlands? Really? What are we doing here? Like you said you've got Egypt from finishing second with four points but then also the same point it becomes for example the likes if you did seed it the way you're explaining then you lot teams like you never have a chance to get to the quarterfinals At least this way, you have got a slight chance of progressing further.

47:10You also have to keep the fairness involved. You can't just constantly rank it where the top nations always get easy draws. Because then where do you end that? You say that, but Germany just lost this morning. True. No, yeah. I mean, I wouldn't rank Germany as one of the top nations. I know they are by name. Sure, I shouldn't beat them. But then based on the rankings, yeah, you are right. They probably would have had an easy draw. I don't know. I think there's... I agree with the preface of what you're saying. I just think in general, what I'd do is the next one, do 64 teams and just the top two go through in each.

47:45It wouldn't be as bad as you think. There's like no point in qualifying. That's one in three countries in the world. Oh, good maths. Quick maths. But then also, there are a lot of decent teams who aren't here, like Italy, Denmark. Why don't we just invite everyone? Yeah, that is what it's getting through. Just get them all in. But the problem is that I'm just trying to be realistic. They're never going to take it back to 32 teams because of the money and because this has been quite a success. But in terms of it being competitive and sporting integrity, I think the only real way to get round it is to increase it to 64 and only the top two from each group go through and then you get around to 32.

48:22But then like you're saying, we're looking at it from like top nations perspective and not like Australia's then. Australia would still have a good chance going through because they'd have an easier group because there'd be like another shitter in their group. Yeah, true. And by the way, Australia come second. All right. So they'd be all right. No disrespect, please. What do you think about the Aussies? Do you think you can get the job done against the Egyptians or are you worried? Can we get it done? For sure. I do think probably in the second game, we let ourselves down a little bit with team selections, probably played for the draw at halftime with the goal to bring on the Erin Kunders and get a winner.

48:58That obviously backfired pretty quickly when we conceded. and I think we maybe missed the selection course a second time against Paraguay. We had Iroquinda up top who's five foot nothing. Yeah. What are you going to whip the ball into a watch? Yeah. Yeah. So I think we've learned. I think it's most importantly, it's a young team. This is developmental. I mean, the goal is in four years that we actually can compete. Yeah. I'd like to see some of our good players, the Chikatis and Geordie bosses go to England in top flights. But can we beat Egypt? 100 % And we're one Messy red card Away from getting RGs after that So who knows Do you think It's going to be Do you think It's going to be A similar set up To how you did Against Turkey Probably That's got to be The game plan Because that was A really good performance On the break You really Let them have the ball See if the Egyptians Can break you down And then try and Hit them on the break I'm going to say They've got pace Haven't they Aussies Yeah you're Athletic man You're athletic All over the pitch I think that could be A good game I'll be honest, I think the Egyptians will have too much fear going forward.

50:03Potentially, but we've probably got the pace and the legs to outrun most teams, I would say. We can play in the heat. And I think the important thing is Tony Popovich, while he's made a couple of selection blunders in my eyes, this is a bloke that knows how to win tournaments. There's only ever been one Australian team to win our Asian Champions League, and he was the coach. So he knows tournament football. He knows what it takes. He's already made big decisions. I think he can do it. So can we get him? 100%. I mean, I wouldn't put my house on it. All right. Well, I'll be cheering you on anyway, mate.

50:36I think it was a favorite against Argentina and all. Yeah, Jesus. Yeah, so good luck, mate, and enjoy the rest of the World Cup. Thanks for phoning in. Wow, that was a... I bet he was gorgeous, him. That was a weird... What? What? Sorry? You know this is life. Yeah, of course. Do it. Who've we got? Then start. Hello, my friend. Who am I talking to? Hello, my name's George. George, gorgeous George in the building. You are live on The Calling Show with me and Callum. What do you want to talk about, mate? I think football will be better when Ronaldo and Messi both retire. Ooh, explain your reasons why.

51:16At the moment, there's obviously a bunch of Messi fans and Ronaldo fans and they go at each other online constantly. If you remove all of them, everyone else is just chill with each other. There's no other third place argument. So I think once them to retire, everyone will just be civil with each other. I think you're living in cuckoo land if you think football fans are going to be civil over who their favourite players are. If they don't exist, people would just have the same arguments about Haaland and Mbappe. But they don't because Haaland's had an off season and Mbappe's had an off season.

51:50None of them two are in the running for Ballon d 'Or this season. What? They're not in the running for the Ballon d 'Or this season. Mbappe's definitely in the running for the Ballon d 'Or, mate. I think Dembele would get it over him. Kane's going to get it anyway. Mbappe's got 30 goals and assists in 31 games in La Liga. I only watch Premier League, if I'm honest.

52:16He's currently been one of the players of the tournament in the World Cup. If he leads France to a World Cup, he is definitely in the running for the Ballon d 'Or. what over Dan Belli who's just won the Champions League as well yeah because he's France's main man over your over said player who you're saying he's over him in the Ballon d 'Or and also hasn't Haaland scored how many goals has Haaland scored this season for Man City oh 20s he's late 20s I'd imagine Haaland scored 27 goals in the Premier League this season what are you on about here's another the argument isn't really just about that.

52:53It's more just worth the fact that like Messi fans and Ronaldo fans really dislike each other. These aren't real people. Yeah, you need to get offline, mate. Not everyone is that like... It's two robots arguing. Yeah, it's not real people. It's people who live in the back arse of nowhere with nothing else to talk about. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun debate and well, it's not a debate in my opinion but it's fun to talk about but the same would have happened back in the early 2000s with Shevchenko and Henri and stuff but obviously there wasn't social media then. social media elevates everything oh 100 % I do think social media has ruined this debate and I agree with you I don't think it's a debate at all anymore but it's just I think once them to retire I think also you'll be looking at teams like Portugal and teams like Argentina more as a team rather than one player plus a team I don't that's always going to be the way though because when you get these superstars as much as France are an amazing team Mbappe's their main man people look at him as the superstar Norway, people look at Haaland as the superstar.

53:54England, people look at Kane or Bellingham. You're always going to get this. And also, I'd actually say when them two retire, it'll actually elevate debates more because there will be more of a debate. There is more of a debate between Mbappe and Haaland or Kane and Mbappe. So football will be better? Why does that? I don't think not having two of the best players of all time in football makes football better. I feel like them two are in a debate of their own. Obviously, they're in a world of their own. But once they retire, the debate opens up to, rather than one or two players, it's going to be three, four, five players.

54:33But why does that make the sport of football better? Not having the likes of a Messi or Ronaldo? It's better to have a 25 % split of the fans than a 50-50. Is it, though? because I think like as soon as they go won't the debate just be Yamal or Mbappe or like we only see these boys now in World Cup no one's debating these two we don't watch them Saudi League we don't watch them anymore anyway they're basically retired apart from this yeah isn't it fun isn't it fun to have these Ronaldo and Messi arguably the two greatest players of all time still doing it at this age it's a good talking point if we didn't have these two this World Cup it wouldn't I think it wouldn't be as good I agree with that I don't know I think it would still be as good because other players like you said obviously Mbappe are on top form Keynes is on top form so like you've got other talking points it's just I feel like these two there yeah but those talking points still exist and on top of that you've got the best player of all time Messi who's performing at a level we didn't expect I think you've been very harsh very harsh George very harsh so when so when they both retire who do you think is going to take the mantle?

55:46what best player the best two players yeah best well yeah who do you think the debate is going to be between well again it's obviously I'm a I'm a Premier League scoundrel that's all I've watched like I don't watch any of us but I would probably have to say from World Cup or knowing players probably yeah Jamal Mbappe just Barcelona Real Madrid again but how do you think England are going to get on at the World Cup then ah see I know you're going to ask me this and if we make it to the final I think we'll win it but if not I think we'll get kicked out in the quarters well there we have it you've heard it here first thanks for calling in George enjoy the World Cup mate quarters that's not crazy yeah but who's it going to be then Brazil or Norway maybe Brazil yeah a few people are saying quarters I don't think they're much to worry about me Brazil are good they're alright I'd be more worried about Mexico generally I think if we get through Mexico I think we'll do it You'd be more worried About Mexico Than Brazil Look at Brazil's midfields man They got absolutely Arsehole by Japan At middle at par Yeah but they still won They've got Vinny They've got Vinny And ultimately I'm going to write it back Or it's going to be Chalabro Don't get me wrong Brazil can be got I think their fullback support Obviously Casimiro's Past it Pacotars It feels awful They've still got Bruno G Yeah but Going into it again Rice, Anderson Bruno G's better than them two You think Bruno he's definitely on a level he's on that level at least better than him I'd I think Bruno G's better than Rice yeah no no Tom I'd take Bruno G no Tom 100 % Bruno G Bruno mate yeah I would I'd take Bruno G I'd give you Bruno Rice Spellium like over Anderson but not over Rice I don't know especially going forward Bruno G offers you a lot more going forward than Rice more than Anderson though but I think Rice will do more off the ball defensively than Bruno G but Bruno G still does that dirty work off the ball I think most managers in world football would tech Bruno G over Rice but why has nobody gone for him then?

57:57they are this summer they're trying to they've just paid £120 million for Anderson they've paid£100 million for Rice so? Bruno's not no he's not that Arsenal are going for Bruno G if you're ranking them individually if you put all Brazilian and English midfielders in like one pile also you're talking about Anderson and Rice are at selling clubs, teams you can pinch players off. You don't think Newcastle are? Not as much, no. At the time, you've got to remember, before this summer, Newcastle have been a Champions League team. It's harder to take their players away from them unless you're a massive club like Barcelona, like Liverpool, who pay ridiculous amounts of money for their players.

58:31It's not that easy just to pinch their players. But you don't think, so if you put them all in the list, you actually, you think Bruno Gimoresh gets taken first before like Rice, Jude, Anderson? No, not Jude. All right, Rice and Anderson. You think, if you can't get any of these, boys definitely Anderson yeah he's better than Anderson what about Rice though I think I'd edge it Bruno yeah you don't believe that you don't believe that no you're committed to it now so you keep going you don't believe that why would I why would I why you do not think that he's better on the half term he's better at breaking lines he's better in the final third than Declan Rice I'll give you Rice is more athletic he's better at recovering the ball but in Rice is a bit deeper anyway though especially at Arsenal than what Bruno is at Newcastle no but Rice has been playing the eight for Arsenal most of the season and it's the systems as well that they're playing in.

59:13You're encouraged to not shoot on... I'd rather have Rice in our system for England, but in a team like a top nation, like a Spain or a France, they'd take Bruno G. I'd take Rice in every conversation ever against Bruno. I really would. I've just explained to you things he's a lot better at. I get that, but I don't mean I agree with you. You know what I mean? I think Rice is better at the core aspects of football better than Bruno is. What are those core aspects? I think his passing range is miles better. No, it's not. That's just false. They've got set pieces, which is a big part. He's miles better than that.

59:47He's obviously a lot taller. He's even set pieces. Bruno takes a good set piece. I probably would give you Rice for that, but yeah, he's more physical. I think he's quicker. Yeah, that's physical. He's more athletic and physical. I'll give you that. I think his passing range is better than Bruno. He's not. That is absolutely false. Technical wise, Bruno G is better than Declan Rice. I don't know if I... He breaks lines better. He controls games better. But yeah, it's the type of systems though Newcastle are going to play more offensive he is the system yeah but you can break you can obviously break lines a lot easier when you're playing for Newcastle than you can when you're for Arsenal what?

1:00:20you're playing against like compact so do Newcastle get that? not as much as Arsenal and he's playing with worse players and doesn't have as much as the ball as Arsenal so it's a lot easier to break so it's easier to break lines for Arsenal because you have the ball more but you've got to be able to pass it to somebody exactly and Bruno does it better but if I've got no one to aim at because all systems able to go out wide all the time. Oh, right, he doesn't have Odegaard in front of him. Odegaard's shit, so I don't care. That doesn't change the fact he can't break the lines as well as Bruno G does.

1:00:50You cannot say, you watch both and tell me that Bruno G doesn't break lines better than Jack and Rice. I'm not disagreeing with that. I'm saying that it's easier for Bruno G when teams are playing against Newcastle than it is for Rice when teams are playing against Arsenal. You don't watch Newcastle then? That's not true. A lot of teams go to James here and sit behind the ball. I don't watch him then. That's true. You obviously don't. It's not on the level as Arsenal. It's not the same level. I probably, I don't disagree with that, but Declan Rice isn't asked to do that because he can't do it.

1:01:18You don't think Rice could break lines if he's asked to do it? He's never been able to do it, so why doesn't he do it? Declan Rice is a gung-ho, athletic, get around the pitch, win the ball back and give it to the better, more technical player. That are wide for them. It's not always wide. He's got Erdogan in front of him. Zubimendi at the start of the season was the one breaking lines. not Rice they brought Zubimendi in to break lines this is one aspect even if you want to and I agree with you it's a key aspect of being a central midfielder though isn't it but it's not the only one I didn't say it's the only one and the all round game Rice is better than Bruno is I don't know I'd prefer Bruno in my team I get what you're saying on half turn yeah he's better and if he can break lines that's two aspects that's a full thing Rice is miles better defensively than he is as well not miles better he's better Bruno does a really good job defensively wins the ball back he wins that ball back so well wins the ball back really well he's a rat he's at it but he's just he doesn't have the athleticism of Rice I'll give you that anyway so do you think Bruno's won at best midfielders in Prem then yeah behind who erm let me think of the Premier League midfielders Bruno Fernandes yeah Bruno Fernandes er I'd put him like on the same level as a Rice who else is there in the mid er Caicedo who else in the Premier League I think Tenal is Newcastle's best midfielder he's not again you won't find one Newcastle fan who says Tonali's better than Bruno?

1:02:39I'm not that bothered. I'm saying what I think. I'm not that bothered what Newcastle fans think. Yeah, but they watch him more than you. I know they do. I don't mean if they agree with them all. No, I'm not saying you do, but do you not think they'd have a better understanding? Yeah, of course they do, but just off what I've seen, I think Tonali's better than him. Since Bruno was out of the team, Tonali was shocking. And as soon as he came back in, they started winning games again. Bruno's the boy. Right, let's get the next caller in. Right, last one. Hello, Tyler. Welcome to The Calling Show.

1:03:07mate. Hello, Tom. Um, I just wanted to talk about how I think that the world cup has, it was now the third biggest competition in world football. Oh my God. Go on, man. I'll indulge you. What's the, what's the top two? Well, just before you get into it, the biggest or the best. A mix of both. Right. Well, the World Cup by definition is the biggest sporting event in the world. So you're off to a bad start. Yes, I understand that. But it also has to include the qualities of the teams and the players. So I think the Champions League and Premier League take over that now with this new format of more teams.

1:04:08it well it brings in lower quality and I mean some of the groups these games were just awful I don't I don't you said that World Cup's not as good because Champions League's better because of quality and then you've just said about bringing lesser teams in which is what the Champions League's done yeah but the thing is right when you progress through the Champions League you have far better teams in those last same as the World Cup when you get further on You play teams like Spain and Argentina and France, Brazil. No, no. No, yeah, yeah. Teams like that compared to what they used to be like, Germany and everything like that aren't as good as they are now.

1:04:51So Italian teams are mouthworse. Yeah, we could say the exact same thing about Juventus. No, not particularly. No, yes, particularly. They're nowhere near as good as they were back in the day. No, because, no. Yes, that's a good argument, but yes. No, because the drop-off of Germany are more sincere than the drop-off of a team like Juventus. I mean, we're on about one of the top five countries in world football getting knocked out yesterday to Paraguay. Whereas you don't see a top five team like your Paris, your Madrid, your Liverpool. You don't see anyone like that dropping off. Didn't Juventus get knocked out the other year by Lyon?

1:05:35Chelsea just finished 10th Yeah No you've got a good point but I just think The The time spent With the teams obviously you can't control that But I think The tactics that go into it I think it's much harder In the sense of You are playing the best of the best in the Champions League Right what What players by the way I do half agree with the fact I do think the Champions League by definition is probably the best of the best because it doesn't matter what country you're from if you are one of the best players in the world you're going to be playing for one of the top teams so they'll naturally play against each other I get that but the World Cup is the biggest and the most prestigious tournament that everyone wants to win in any spot but my question to you would be if it's such a diluted tournament and the Champions League get the best of the best what top players aren't in the World Cup this year?

1:06:35What top, top players are missing out that you think, oh God, you'd get this in the Champions League but we haven't got it in the World Cup? No, no, there aren't any players that aren't in it. My point is the top of the top, such as Haaland, for example, at Norway, he's in one of the best teams outside the World Cup and you're going to see talent like him, probably the best striker in the world right now, par to Harry Kane, you're going to see him play with other amazing players against another amazing team. Whereas right now, I don't think they're going to progress past the next stage. You could use an example like Anderson at Forest, for example.

1:07:15He plays for a lesser side, but he's obviously one of the best midfielders. Yeah, but he's not one of the best midfielders in the world, is he? He's gone for£120 million. Yeah, but I don't think he's that priced out, in my opinion. I mean, Yeah, but the facts are, that team you just said, who Haaland plays for, one of the best teams, and Haaland plays, and they play against one of the best teams, that team has just spent£120 million on this player to start for them. So surely, by your definition, he's one of the best midfielders in the world? Well, he's playing for them now, so he's going to play in the Champions League, isn't he?

1:07:50Yeah, but you're missing the point. But before this, they weren't in the Champions League, but he is at the World Cup.

1:07:59Yeah, but the differences between that is you're going to find breakout players through one season at a club that a top team is then going to sign. Whereas in the World Cup, you can't change nationalities. No, no, that's what makes it harder. You have to obviously develop your players through a system, through the FA and the younger teams coming through. It's obviously a lot more difficult. you can't just go and spend 100 million on a centre forward to make you better it makes it more that's what it's like the essence of sport and integrity isn't it the world cup and competition that's what it's all about it's our country against your country who can develop the players better instead of oh we've got the most money so we're just going to go and get the best players and win this tournament do you not think there's more prestige and more honor to the world cup yeah i I was going to say that the prestige side of it, I completely understand.

1:08:56My point is, to be the best of the best, you don't have that many games through the World Cup, whereas at a club level, when you play at a team like City or Liverpool or someone like that, you are playing two games a week, possibly three sometimes, where you have to show your peak ability every week to win the best troopers. How often are they playing at the World Cup? Sorry. well they're playing twice a week every three days about innit but yeah but my point is you're not doing that over the consistency of eight months yeah but you're doing it after a nine month season of playing all them games yeah but you have a period off where they had about two weeks mate yeah but exactly the Arsenal players had about a week yeah but that see that's exactly my point though you don't see Declan Rice playing his best for England as he's just ran through God knows how many games through the Champions League and the Premier League and he's won the Premier League through doing that playing at his best and he's got to the Champions League final.

1:10:08Forget the Champions League for a minute because I kind of get your point. I still think the World Cup is by definition the biggest tournament in the world in any sport. I don't understand your point about the Premier League because that gets... Your arguments falter at every point when comparing the Premier League to the World Cup because we don't have all the best players in the Premier League. No. With the Premier League point, it's based on... From top to bottom, you have... Like, for teams at the bottom of the table, you have to fight every week to get out of relegation and from the top...

1:10:47Like you're battling every week to win games and you're doing that over a long period. That's why I thought over the course of eight, nine months, doing that consistently is harder than doing it at the World Cup. Right. So I think what you're trying to get at is obviously it's really, no matter who you play, it's a tough game. And almost anyone can beat anyone. How did Cape Verde get on against Spain, the current European champions? yeah I understand that but these are these are Paraguay Paraguay have just knocked out Germany these are one of the games this is my point that's the essence of a knockout competition the Champions League is that you're banging on about it's a knockout competition yeah but with the Champions League it's completely different when you're going toe to toe with like two of the best teams did you watch the Morocco-Neverlands game it's unbelievable Japan and Brazil I was actually asleep So Brazil-Japan is a great game.

1:11:49Two really good nations going at it. I don't know what... I'm struggling to understand your point. You think Brentford against Brighton is better than Morocco-Netherlands? No, no. So what are you on about... It's different points for different competitions. That was what I was getting at with the Champions League. You also can't compare the Premier League to the World Cup. but it's a completely different tournament and set up. Yeah. It's like comparing tennis with paddle. I wouldn't go that far. Basically, you're talking about a nine-month season where you play every team twice, once at home, once away, to a six-week tournament in a foreign nation under conditions you rarely play in, playing against teams you barely ever play against or see or come up against on one-off games.

1:12:44with managers who barely have time with their players, with extra time and penalties at risk as well. It's not even the same. It's almost a different sport. Yeah, but this is my point of why I think the World Cup is lower. As the managers don't have the time, they don't have anything to... They don't have the time to build cohesion in the squad. They don't have time to... That's bullshit. That's bullshit. Southgate did that. Southgate built a lot of cohesion and togetherness with England. Yeah, but that's over the course of a very, very long period. Yeah, yeah. And some teams in the Premier League don't build that over seasons.

1:13:24Yeah, but my point, do you not want to see the likes of Germany and teams like that progress further? No, I want to see whoever's the best team on the day go through. Germany is shit, by the way. You're acting like Germany a lot. Oh, my God. They've gone out because they're shit, and they're playing against a team who's done a job on them. the same way. Okay, what do you think about the FA Cup then? Because Southampton beat Arsenal. Oh, we can't have that happening. Well, no, I'm not saying it can't happen. I'm just saying... But isn't that the essence of sport? What's the point? What's the point of letting these teams qualify then if we're just going to say we might as well just do an eight-team tournament and it's just the top eight nations in the world.

1:14:03Let's not worry about Paraguay. Surely, it's actually brilliant that Paraguay have beaten Germany. Yeah, no, no. You are right. Is that not... Is that not... of sport like I don't like I don't want to watch Bayern Munich batter Atalanta in the Champions League it's boring yeah I know I know I understand that but the point the main point I was getting at is I would rather see the best of the best play in the Champions League and like I just think it's unfair on world class players like the likes of Haaland that are playing he's playing in a good team who are going to have a good chance of going far in this tournament.

1:14:45By the way, his team... By the way, his team went out in the round of 16 in the Champions League. That's not true. Yeah. But you're not moaning going, oh, they should have gone further. Well, they should have because they are... Yeah, and unfortunately... But they're not, though, are they? They're clearly not. If they've finished... If they've got knocked out in the round of 16 in the Champions League and didn't win the domestic title, they're not one of the best teams in the world are they they've failed Norway will probably go further in the World Cup than Man City did in the Champions League I don't think so I disagree but anyway your original point was the World Cup, the Champions League and the Premier League are a bigger competition than the World Cup that's just not true yeah well my phrasing is completely wrong Go on then, do you want to rephrase it?

1:15:42Do you want to rephrase it as you think they're better competitions? Yes, yes. But are you just saying, you think the Premier League's better just competitive-wise? Or a better watch, or what? Definitely not a better watch. I think competitive-wise... But haven't we just disproven that, though? Because Paraguay have just knocked out Germany, one of the big nations. but Burnley aren't going to beat Arsenal, are they? Yeah, but upsets do happen in the Premier League. I mean, Leicester won the Premier League. Yeah, well, that's a bit of a one in a million. Yeah, exactly, but one in a million can happen in the Premier League.

1:16:23And they can happen in tournaments as well. Greece won the Euros. Denmark have won it. Uruguay have won World Cup. I said upsets do happen in tournaments as well. Even the Champions League, the two times Chelsea have won it, they were terrible in the league. Greece won a Euros in 2004 like it can happen you might see it this year a Morocco or a Norway might surprise you mate they might go all the way I just think you like Norway too much to be honest I actually don't I just think I'm trying to understand your point right let's finish it off how do you think England are going to get on as I hold the World Cup I think that England are I think they're going to get knocked out by Argentina.

1:17:06What, in the semis? Yeah. I think you might be right there. Right, thanks for calling in, mate. Enjoy the rest of the World Cup. Try and cheer up a bit, mate. It's a good competition. Christ, it's fun. I'm not saying I don't enjoy it. Well, fucking smile a bit more. All right, mate. Enjoy. I can kind of get his point about the Champions League because he's nine times out of ten the best of the best. And obviously people like, if Bale was still playing, Wales are near a day, so you're missing out on some top players. Yeah, but... It's very rare. Surely every football fan ever had said what's best competition at World Cup.

1:17:40Yeah, and the world doesn't stand still for the Premier League this day like it does for a World Cup quarterfinal. But anyway, let us know in the comments what you think. But before we finish, we need to figure out the beers and just tell me I'm right. So what was your guess? Fran Sweden. Fran Sweden. Is it the same as you? Yeah, I'm sticking with that. Yeah, unfortunately you got it. Bang on. Yeah! Give me some skin. The first one of the season. Record the league. Yeah, buddy. You call them both? Cronenberg, what? You call them both then? Yeah. Good shout, man. Booyah! See? Seasoned alcoholic, baby.

1:18:22That's giving me the taste. That victory has given me a taste. Of England winning the World Cup. Woo! It's coming out! We'll see you next week! Come on!