Wrighty Fears For Arsenal, United Slip Up & Roy’s Advice for Arteta | Stick to Football EP 125

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1:54Gary Neville: Stick to Football is brought to you by Arm Clothing. You know what?

1:59Ian Wright: It hurts, gal. It's a pain that's hurting me. You know, it's like, it's killing me, but I can't feel it. I'm not seeing anything from our team, and even the way we play, I'm just taking the way we play because I want us to get over the line. You've got to look at the facts, though. The facts is April, where we hardly win a football match in April. Are you going to be hostage to the past, are you? You can't be hostage to the past. I'm not going to be hostage to the past.

2:17Paul Scholes: Forget the past. We're a home team. We're ours. Let's get it forward. We press them. It's not Bayern Munich. It's not Reimundered.

2:22Gary Neville: It's Bournemouth. Are you saying you think that they've lost it here in terms of sort of like the way they are mentally right now? you can't just sit there and think you have to beat your rivals at some point and they don't do that this is the moment, this is the best week of their lives this is the week they're going to become legends this is the week they're going to do it Roy win those matches without sometimes scoring a goal I'm talking about just getting a grip of a football match

2:45Paul Scholes: I don't think Declan's got that in him if you're playing in them positions it's got to be easier it has to be, it has different challenges I'm surprised at you Roy

2:54Gary Neville: I'm surprised at you

3:01Gary Neville: You didn't think it was a red card on Monday, did you?

3:03Paul Scholes: The MacIess one? No, no, no. Well, I can see why you gave it, but this idea of violent conduct is harsh. Yeah. But if they'd done it to Keen, we sent off at Everton a couple of months ago, and that was the same type of scenario. It kind of didn't really grab him, but he got a red card for it. Yeah. I thought he just slid his bubble off rather than pull his hair. Do you know what I mean? I think when they call it violent conduct, that sounds a bit bizarre, doesn't it? When you pull somebody's hair, your hair goes back, that never happened, did it? But I'm amazed after the game, United, everyone's angry about descending off.

3:33Paul Scholes: You should be angry about the performance. The first half, especially. Do you know what it is? It's like a distraction descending off. No, you were 2-0 down at the time. Be angry with the first half, or you can turn up for a game so slowly. And Michael concentrated on it, whether it's pressed in it. Of course. Obviously, it's like a distraction for everyone. We're talking about a sending off.

3:49Gary Neville: Look, to be fair, I actually thought it was a sending off. no I can see why you send them off yeah but I think this violent conduct seems a bit strange what do you think right here do you think he was just sending off the question is we know the rule says that you have to send them off but as a it's not the rules it's the law law sorry as a professional though I kept thinking about after the game I kept thinking do you know something like you used to have long hair like longish hair remember right Rude had longish hair I reckon if someone in training pulled their hair they'd be fuming yeah I reckon they'd be on the floor inside five minutes.

4:23Paul Scholes: It's the women's, isn't it? Same for the women's football. The other day with Katie McKay. I saw that, yeah. And it was uproar because she wasn't sent off.

4:28Ian Wright: Yeah, but again, it was one... I think even with that one, it was... Yeah, she wasn't sent off neither. And even with that one, she was pulling the shirt... Yeah, I saw it. And obviously, she's caught the hair as well. But, like, it's page one. You don't pull hair. I'm in my pool. Did he have a grip of his shirt, though, a little bit as well, don't you think? It felt like his shirt and his hair were together a little bit. Yeah, of course. I think that it should be instant sending off I think instant

4:49Gary Neville: sending off I was adamant it was a sending off yeah yeah what about Broby

4:53Ian Wright: with Tottenham he's actually been a sending off the way he pushed him into Romero

4:58Gary Neville: yeah absolutely

4:59Ian Wright: that is more

5:02Gary Neville: so dangerous to be fair some of the decisions you think but that one to me I thought it was definitely the only thing was strange if you're pulling someone back as a defender I played defence for 20 years and pulled and grabbed and you never grab someone... That high? So if he's got... His skulls, he's got like a skinhead like that, I'd say as an example. You can't... You don't grab someone's head. No, you grab his... I've never grabbed someone's head to pull them back, to go like this, ever. He used to do that because of his size, aren't he? He's almost reaching like that. No, if I'm playing...

5:31Gary Neville: He is tall, isn't he? No, if I'm playing against Duncan Ferguson, right, who's got longer hair back in the day... Yeah, you throw your hands up. Yeah, I'd go like that. I wouldn't go like that and grab his head like that.

5:39Ian Wright: It's a bad example. You don't do that to Duncan. and he's a smush very soon.

5:42Gary Neville: I know, but I wouldn't say. I thought it was quite a strange thing to see.

5:47Paul Scholes: It was a good distraction for United to talk about that after the game. I see the manager getting angry. He's going, no, get angry with the team. Starting a game like that against Leeds. How can you start a game with no energy?

5:59Gary Neville: But do you have something, Roy? Look, you're going to say I'm making excuses. Now you know what I'm going to say, don't you? Right. There's two things. One, I do think when they've played one game in like 30 odd days.

6:10Paul Scholes: Whose fault is that? That's their own fault for being so bad last year

6:13Gary Neville: and being out of all the cup competitions. I know, but... That's self-inflicted. It wasn't 30-odd days. No, it was 24 days without a game, but then they had a big period before... I'd say 30-odd. No, but they had a big period... It's no big score. I said, so they had a big period before that where they didn't play for like 12 days or something. So can I ask you... Isn't that better for rest, doesn't it? I think it was too far right. But what's intriguing here,

6:33Paul Scholes: we talk constantly about how many games a player needs to play. He's not played for a month or two. He's played two... Same for teams. Leeds played last Sunday. extra time to hold shebang. So where do you ever go? That's perfect. What's the perfect scenario for how many games you're going to be playing? But the second thing right. But if you've not played. What we obviously say at Old Trafford before a game. Just say you haven't played for that long. Start quick. At least start quick. If you start slowly it's hard. It's hard to get

6:59Gary Neville: going. I think there's two more things. One is I think they definitely probably looked at Chelsea on Sunday and thought we're okay here and a bit complacent. Definitely a bit of that which is wrong. The third thing was when you lose Maguire and Main it just to me highlighted how weak it looked all of a sudden you saw the team and you thought oh Garty and Casemiro there's going to be nothing through midfield you then see the centre backs and you think they're probably going to get Calvert-Loon's going to fancy that a little bit so all of a sudden you're looking at it and thinking but anyway it's strange enough the sending off

7:29Paul Scholes: I think obviously United reacted well to it Man United Leeds didn't know what to do Dexter they were all of a sudden taking too many touches the centre off affected them more than Man United I mean, Leeds confused them. I thought Michael took a bit long to change it, if I'm honest with you.

7:43Gary Neville: To be fair, at half-time, I was amazed that there weren't one or two substitutions. You said Antonio Bruno should have dropped back. I thought Bruno should have dropped back into midfield with Agartha going. He had two right. What did he add? He couldn't get all the football.

7:55Paul Scholes: Why not? Well, the one thing, you're on about football. Do you know what you want to see with a team? I'm on about Liverpool, PSG. The first thing I look for in a football match or a team is energy. So you're on about United with all these... Of course you can have a... But you're home to Leeds on a Monday night. decent atmosphere at least play with energy whatever about lack of quality so if you've no energy and I'm talking about every level of football if I watch software I go I want to see just running around you've got to run Gary it's like Pepa half time against Chelsea the one thing you say about United Man United lads at least at least that quick at least that quick Leeds got it right and they played right into their hands really the keeper kept trying to play out they turn up but you know what Leeds are good at passing forward and do you know what just getting crosses in oh they're aggressive just putting crosses in

8:37Ian Wright: why won't people do just keep crossing No one wants crosses in overtime. No one wants to... The defender doesn't want to chase there. They don't want to get crosses. They don't want to defend crosses. I thought Calvert-Lewin was brilliant. He was a handful.

8:46Paul Scholes: I know he's short in other areas, Calvert-Lewin, but he was a handful. He is a handful. Back to the old days, he was... Even the first goal, he attacked it well, didn't he? He was a handful. He was brilliant, but showed why he's probably not... Of course. Oh, yeah, he's not. He should have finished the game for him, really. Yeah, and he had a couple of chances. It's the same. But he done well then defensively. It's the same. That chance is the one

9:04Ian Wright: that he had with England. They brought him in so they just brought him to... Let me just have a final look and just see. And then that header. You're thinking...

9:12Paul Scholes: Oh, the chance he slid in the first half. Yeah, I was devastated. He bullied both of them.

9:17Ian Wright: Yeah, but he's good at that. He's good at that. But like I said, he's amazing at that but to get to that... Yeah, because if you play in the World Cup and you're bullied people you're getting pulled up all the time. I felt for him in that moment because for him to get himself back to a stage where you get back into the England squad and then get that chance which is, you know, it's a header for him. Honestly, I was gutted for him. Gutted for him.

9:41Paul Scholes: And he missed that. He missed a good header against United. Yeah. I think you... No, he's got a score, don't you? Yeah. I'd maybe forgive the other one where he slayed in to keep him at a really good save but the header.

9:51Gary Neville: Was the header the one where he sort of... You said there was enough pace and it was a bit soft cross. But he'd done all of it like this. Yeah, but it just...

9:56Paul Scholes: That's the hardest one. The hardest one. I know he's a top player

10:00Ian Wright: but when you have to put something on it he had to go like that didn't he right in the corner down and low you just throw your head at it full head he did throw

10:11Gary Neville: his head at it

10:15Paul Scholes: I don't think he had to throw it that much he's done all the action just focus it was quite a soft cross wasn't it it was it was I bet I was going for Everton against Brent for the weekend

10:25Gary Neville: that was a bit soft but he put it in the corner anyway Champions League last night Liverpool Poole are we I mean it's a little bit worrying we've had six teams in the Champions League this season have we yeah and all of them are out apart from Arsenal is it a bit of a concern that all of our teams are out in terms of sort of the quality because when you watch when you watch Real Madrid and you watch PSG you watch Bayern Munich you think is it a bit concerning that you think in terms of the Premier League

10:52Paul Scholes: or do you think it's just a moment in time that well when you're putting and that could be next year it could be six teams when you're putting that many teams in one or two would be found out come quarter fines or semi-fans, aren't they? Even Liverpool, PSG were excellent at it, to be fair. Nice balance to the team, a bit of physicality, a bit of pace. Certainly, I thought Liverpool had a good go, to be fair, but it just obviously came up short.

11:11Ian Wright: I think you're looking too deeply into it.

11:13Paul Scholes: Yeah. I think it is a bit worrying. Why? Because I think them two or three teams are so far ahead of the English teams. It's ridiculous. Even last night, watching PSG against Liverpool, I just thought, technically watching them more... But worrying for who? The Premier League or the clubs themselves for the Premier League? The Premier League, yeah.

11:30Gary Neville: We spend hundreds of millions of pounds more in this league. We know that. We know it's probably more exciting. We know we get more games that are exciting. I think there's definitely an element of that. But in terms of the technical ability of the very top team...

11:41Paul Scholes: Surely PSG and Bayern are spending as much as the top teams. Do you not reckon? I know on average the Premier League has lots of money, but maybe not necessarily with all the... Bayern must be spending big money, big wages. PSG are huge players. Real, obviously, we know what Real Madrid do, so they must be spending silly money. This is probably a stupid question, but PSG and Bayern, do you think they'd come and win our league? They'd be in the mix, definitely. I think they could win it quite easily.

12:12Ian Wright: Yeah, but then... It's a different demand. It's a physical question. It's a hypothetical question, but... The competitive nature of the Premier League.

12:20Paul Scholes: They were on the ropes last night. Liverpool obviously were being... 20 minutes to the second half. Yeah, they were on the ropes, weren't they? But obviously, as you do, they stuck at it and eventually showed their quality.

12:29Ian Wright: I think both of them would struggle with the amount of games they have to play that are so intense. I still think both of them would. As good as the quality is. It did be in the mix, of course. I think that's another thing we have to do. We have to look after our teams a bit better, don't you think? The games. United had no game for three weeks and they couldn't turn up. Sorry, I meant with PSG having no game at the weekend. Having no game. The league just taken. Yeah, the league just took them. Don't you think?

12:54Paul Scholes: Yeah, it must be. Yeah. Having that one weekend, yeah. Look, I think PSG would have still beat them, but I'm just saying... Some for Liverpool, over the two games, I always think when you... So Liverpool didn't score a goal in the two legs. Did they get knocked out last year by PSG? Did they score the one goal? So if you look and they've played them four times, that's one goal. Did they beat them away last year? Yeah, and then PSG won their 1-0. They got how much? But if they've got one goal in the four games against them, yeah, yeah, that's obviously a chance. That's why I'm saying technically, I just thought PSG went miles better.

13:25Ian Wright: Yeah, but you notice it more at... at this stage of the season when it's on the line when things are on the line and the pressure's on the line the quality players come to the fore and you start to see quality football quality play like even that that goal with Dembele I thought it was the difference between the teams the lack of quality well the quality I think that's why when we see

13:45Paul Scholes: he's got a brilliant goal but then he scuffs a lot of chances who's that right? when you see

13:52Ian Wright: Dembele scores a beautiful finish great technique and then But the first half is like, well, some chances.

13:59Gary Neville: But they haven't got a centre-forward, have they? They've just got three or four players that are just brilliantly talented. They've pierced, they're running behind. They're not natural strikers, though, are they? No.

14:08Paul Scholes: But again, you look back, they've got a bit of energy ball and they're like, hey.

14:12Gary Neville: What was Arna Slott's... There's a quote after the game, which I watched his interview this morning, and he's talked about, the club has sold eight or ten players to make money to sign five, also very talented players, but we have to sell to buy and we're now losing some players on a free transfer. I just thought last night, I don't know if I'm reading too much into it and whether it's out of context, but this idea that in the summer they'll have to sell to buy and I'm thinking, who could you sell? And by the way, Eketike is a bad one, eh? He's out for eight months. So he's killing us. I mean, that's a shocker, that one for him, for the young lad.

14:46Gary Neville: I mean, that's a bad injury, that one. Time to have that as well when he starts.

14:49Ian Wright: So we're under the pressure when he came there with Isak and then he's starting and he's done brilliantly, for instance. and then gets that one. You're on about the finances now,

14:57Paul Scholes: but don't all clubs, like United surely in the summer, you can't just keep bringing players into your football club. And I'm including, obviously, you can't keep piling players. At some stage, you have to sell players, of course. And United must be in the same boat. Just talk to me,

15:10Gary Neville: who would Liverpool sell to be able to buy, to strengthen what they need? You've got McAllister, who's obviously coming towards the end. You've got Van Dijk, who's coming towards the end. You've got Salah and Robertson leaving. Who would... At least they're freeing up wages. Subozla. Canate. Subozla.

15:23Ian Wright: You sell Subozla? I could do. I'm saying I'm selling, but you're saying who could they sell? Of course I could sell them.

15:27Paul Scholes: But to get, what, 60, 70 million, and who would you bring in for that? Curtis Jones. That's their problem, isn't it? That's your recruitment side of it. Yeah, I just thought it was a bit strange.

15:34Ian Wright: Are you talking about to make money? Because to make money, you're talking, Subozla. You mentioned Curtis Jones. I don't think Curtis Jones, if they're talking about selling to get money, you're not going to get as much as you're going to get for Subozla.

15:44Gary Neville: Do you think, I mean, obviously now he's out of all competitions, apart from the fact it does look like Liverpool are in a good position to get into the Champions League. Will that be enough, you think? It should be. to keep him there and keep the stability yeah

15:55Paul Scholes: you can't be sacking a manager a year after winning the league

15:57Ian Wright: fans sound like there's a lot of yeah they're restless of course they're very restless you know but aren't most fans right

16:03Paul Scholes: I think a lot of depend on the next few weeks won't it

16:06Ian Wright: a lot of depend on the next few weeks would have thought in their eyes

16:09Paul Scholes: yeah of course they finished the season they finished badly they've got United in a couple of weeks so they're big games emotionally for the fans isn't it everything's turned

16:19Ian Wright: on the head for Liverpool you know what I mean with everything what was going on how well they'd done they won the league you know with Salah with Virgil Steyn and obviously Trent Lee but the way they played through it felt like this season it's not even like not even a season and it seems like it's just turned on his head yeah yeah Isak was a strength I wasn't starting him last night just didn't look anywhere ready was it he said that he's got 45 minutes in why didn't he give him the second maybe yeah I know what you mean but you know what in that way though if you bring him on second half and you're getting what you got out of in the first half, what else could you do then?

16:55You're stuck, aren't you? So it might have been better playing for the first half.

16:59Gary Neville: But why wouldn't you just start with a player who can play the full 70, 80 minutes, like Salah or Gatpo? That's my question, yeah, I don't know.

17:07Ian Wright: I thought Salah would have started simply because, not just to appease anyone, but it's the kind of game that you think, he's that player, he's the moment player and we need some moments right now. I think sometimes you've just got to go with that instinct and just play Salah. I would have played Salah.

17:25Gary Neville: It felt like I was watching a team last night in that second half and they did have a right good goal and there was a point where you thought if they get one here, which to be fair... I don't know why that was overturned, by the way. Look, it was a bit soft, but do you know something? Just catch him, doesn't he? Just catch him a little bit. I couldn't believe it was overturned, but it was. But you thought, do you know something? But it felt to me a little bit like a last hurrah. Yeah. Do you know, like a team that are just probably running out of gas, just completely... I don't mean running out of gas in the game.

17:46Gary Neville: It's like a boxer

17:47Ian Wright: who's just throwing his last few because he knows the next one's going to knock me out. Yeah. That's how it felt right.

17:52Gary Neville: It felt to me like I was watching a team that have got that, you know, that sort of, they remember what good looks like, they know what winning a Champions League looks like, but it felt to me like they just, it was like a last push and they couldn't get there. That's how it felt.

18:05Paul Scholes: But that's why we love watching this top-level football. You eventually do get found out. And over the two legs again, Liverpool, good effort last night, but not good enough. A lot of energy there, but the quality just wasn't there. in them last bits and that real proper centre to take a touch and bang it and then when the goal came you kind of put them out of their misery they had a bit of false hope and if we get one back they might do it and then the boys go I switch it over and enter the Barcelona game once they got that goal yeah I did what about the chance Barcelona had in the last few minutes I was kicking the big lad I like my row are you like me you know when you're watching sport at home or even the golf I get so angry with people I know I do I'm kicking chairs at home

18:43Ian Wright: I can't watch

18:43Paul Scholes: people missing headers

18:44Ian Wright: it was five missing pots missing pots in 20 yards

18:48Paul Scholes: how easy is that it's hard are you happy for Rory yeah Bridget no you don't like him absolutely Bridget do you know I watched most of it I really enjoyed it I told Rory on Friday he said to Rory it's over

19:00Ian Wright: it's over on Friday honestly he's starting all that bollocks with me again knowing what the was that Rory it wasn't over on Friday he meant Arsenal on that Rory on front because obviously Friday he just he just went to another level of what he's capable of doing that.

19:16Paul Scholes: I said he'd win it. He'd win it.

19:17Ian Wright: You know what I mean? We all opened it to be one of the, what's it, only four players of that? Back to back.

19:23Paul Scholes: Back to back. But you're on about sport. Amazing. I can imagine golfers, you're on about where Arsenal at the moment is sports like, you know. The golfers' emotional rollercoaster on a course.

19:32Ian Wright: He went through like a whole Premier League season in one round. Is it Justin Rose?

19:39Paul Scholes: Justin Rose. Missed you a few shots. A big, huge moment. He didn't play that well either, did he? Rory. Rory. No, but if Rory played... He was in the trees. All over the place. His scrambling was unbelievable. He plays well. He's winning that back 10 shots.

19:53Gary Neville: Did he go two or three behind Cameron Young at one point early on? It was two, wasn't it? And he was losing shots. And you think to yourself, he's not coming back from that. To come back from that, I think, to be fair, takes something. Yeah, a couple of them made mistakes as well.

20:08Ian Wright: Yeah, of course. And that's what you need.

20:09Gary Neville: He bogeyed three on the trot, didn't he?

20:11Paul Scholes: Kevin Young right

20:12Ian Wright: yes he went from 12 to 9 I think he's got that

20:15Paul Scholes: presence about him though Rory everyone looks as far down if you're playing against Steve's golf and Rory knows he's got them of course he is if I just get my act together I'll do him it's like a soccer team

20:25Ian Wright: it's like Rory he can drive it and that just in itself just intimidates you but then with his short game which has really kicked in because there's times when he used to be putting for par from like 7 feet and that and you know you wouldn't fancy him his short game's unbelievable I know a lot of people talk about his driving because he's smashing that far and that's what they say don't they short game wins it he sunk some putts which were saying okay he dropped went down to nine but he sunk some putts at nine and ten where you're thinking that would be it those putts you miss those and you're starting to lose too much are we going to get

20:58Paul Scholes: another flag off him is it

20:58Ian Wright: we should get another we should get 25 and 26 Ros I actually want one just want to do you just want one honestly we'll get one for your Scolzi Rory can you get one for Scolzi please yes please I got one for Very jealous. I put it in the club shop. He's only like golf. He's got a fucking mustache. I do like golf.

21:14Paul Scholes: I don't play it, but I like watching it.

21:15Ian Wright: I do like watching golf. It's proud of placing the golf shop now.

21:19Gary Neville: Stick to Football is brought to you by Arm Clothing.

21:26Immersing yourself in all things soccer ahead of this summer's World Cup? I'm Alex Abnos, senior sports editor from The Guardian. And whether you're a soccer beginner or you know the game inside and out, we've got you covered. Read, watch and listen as our journalists connect the dots between the games, the cultures, and this political moment. We'll have daily newsletters throughout the tournament, reporters on the ground with all the big teams, and the legendary Football Weekly podcast, The Guardian, bringing you the whole picture on soccer. Search Guardian Soccer for more. Have you ever been stuck on a weight loss plateau, trying everything and anything you can to lose that extra weight and reach peak health?

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22:56Gary Neville: Roy, you just said if you get your act together, you know you're going to win it. Is that what is happening with City and Arsenal right now? Are we seeing a team getting their act together that are just going to go and win it?

23:08Ian Wright: Can you smack them?

23:09Gary Neville: I just saw you sit back ready to go. Money language.

23:13Paul Scholes: You're like me now.

23:17Ian Wright: No, exactly, Gald. We're seeing a stage of the season again, you know, where I haven't said nothing on this. Obviously, after the Bournemouth game, I haven't said too much. It's because you aren't working. No, no, no, but I could have been. You're watching the goal. Could have been. But the thing is, is that I didn't, you know what I mean, I haven't said anything on it, so there's a lot of fake stuff out there, me and Thierry, but honestly, Gal, we're in a position, which we've come to again. We obviously started the season brilliantly. That's not the time to count it. It's obviously after Christmas and now.

23:47Ian Wright: And we've now gone to a place where we are once again faltering at a time where Man City are finding their form. you know I'm not going to go into the mental side of it and that because like we just spoke about Rory and being able to get himself into a place where you're comfortable in the uncomfortable situation like we have been the last three years which we haven't done it and we now find ourselves back there people stopping me in the street Roy saying right are we going to do it right are we going to do it and I said well I don't know what I'm going to call like I'm going to pull on to say yeah we're going to do it because of this we're not we're not playing good football but they're

24:23Paul Scholes: I'm not going to have a position, though, in terms of they've got that little bit of a cushion.

24:26Ian Wright: Yeah, but I don't... No, no, isn't it? A little bit like the golf with Karen Young being three shots clear. What it is? And Rory's almost thinking, or City are thinking, now put this away, which dressing would you rather be in right this moment?

24:37Paul Scholes: Honestly, Man City, Rory? No, I'd still be with Arsenal. I'd still take that gap. No, can I be honest?

24:42Ian Wright: When you look at the... Like, you know what? Watching the games as well, Gal. You know what? It hurts, Gal. It's a pain that's hurting me. It's like, it's killing me, but I can't feel it. But you know what? I mean, I can't feel it because I've put so much, invested so much into the manager, the team, the players and everything. And they've got to a place again and you're just seeing it fall away. You're seeing players making mistakes. It's not falling away yet, Rydy. It is falling away.

25:04Paul Scholes: They're top of the table, man.

25:05Ian Wright: Roy, what I'm trying to say is that from an Arsenal fan's point of view... They're nervous. They're not good, G, but you have to get through that. As the athlete in me... So did you think it was going to be playing sailing?

25:15Paul Scholes: They've been nervous for six months.

25:16Ian Wright: No, no, no, I didn't expect it to be playing sailing, Roy, because it's never playing sailing. because even the team that's got momentum, you have to get it done. But when you are at the top of the league and you've got to beat the teams, I'm not seeing anything from our team. And even the way we play, listen to me saying, like, by any means necessary. It's like, it's like you're frightened. That's a Hail Mary. I'll take anything to win. And we shouldn't be doing that right now. We should be in a place where... There's the players of them. The experience. The way you play. I think I saw, I saw Pep's quote talking about, you know, it doesn't come down to tactics, it comes down to mentality.

25:49Ian Wright: And like we just mentioned, Rory, and being in a place, uncomfortable. We've been in that place. We should know what this is going to take. And then you're watching the boys, you're watching the way we play, which honestly, I don't like the way we play. I'm just taking the way we play because I want us to get over the line. And we're in a position that we've been in three times before. Why should I say to people that come up to me, no, don't worry, have faith. Because we're at the top. Why not say that? Have faith. Because we haven't played any kind of football, Rory, to beat a team in a way where I can say, oh, I remember off the back of that.

26:22Ian Wright: But, righty, when you go back to the games, when you go back to the games,

26:25Paul Scholes: loads of games this season, even at home in big games, Arsenal have got that nervousness about it. But that's part of sport. I think you have to get through that nervousness.

26:33Ian Wright: That's what I'm saying, Roy. We can't get through the nervousness. Scolzi asked a good question. You said you can't get through the top of the tip.

26:38Gary Neville: What I've just heard from you, to be fair, feels to me what every Arsenal fan is feeling. You're talking with that level of emotion as an Arsenal fan. But I want you to go back to Ian Wright, the player, because Ian Wright, the player, did win a title once for the first time. You got over the line. Stick your shoulders up, Ian, you know what I mean? Pull yourself out of your seat. So you have won a title. You've done the same, Roy. You've done the same, Scorsese, where it's bloody tough to get over the line that first time. So take yourself back 25, 30 years. You're a bit sort of what would be apprehensive.

27:09Gary Neville: You want to win your first title. You're a desperate, emotional football player. You're not an Arsenal fan. what were you doing back then that could help the Arsenal players now what is the sort of message that you would give them right now that would help them

27:21Ian Wright: well I think well it's a good question because you're acting

27:25Gary Neville: you're emotional you're acting because I'm a fan

27:26Ian Wright: at the moment I've got to go way back to be a fan become a coach

27:29Gary Neville: become a player you know something

27:31Ian Wright: I'm saying it's the belief in yourself because I believe that however we're playing now and however the manager wants you to play once you get on there you have to take a certain responsibility for yourself because it's failing right now Stop doing your face. Are you doing that face on purpose? No. That's how he looks. He was like that. I was listening and thinking. But like, you've got to, when you go onto the pitch, you have to, there's a certain time where you have to say, right, okay, I know he wants that, but I've got to try this. But you're asking, Gary, you're asking right all these questions.

27:58Paul Scholes: Emotions is part of your reaction. But you're not looking at the facts. You're on about Arsenal having a dodge. You spelled it. They've only dropped a few points in the last five or six games. At the critical time. I know. April, they have bad Aprils, aren't they?

28:10Ian Wright: Honestly, look at our April. You've got to look at the facts, though. The fact is April, Roy, we hardly win a football match in April. Are you going to be hostage to the past? You can't be hostage to the past. Forget the past. Yeah, but what I'm talking about is like when people ask me, right, are we going to do it? Do you know what? Can I give you some advice?

28:25Paul Scholes: Can I give you some advice? Can I give you some advice? You know when people say, what's going on? We're going to win it. You say, we're going to win it. You'll never see these people again. The people walking on the street from London, you're never going to see them again. Just go, we're going to win it. Just lie to them. Just lie to them. I'm not going to lie to them because that's why they're... I'm saying you're going to like Trump. I have that belief, fake it to make it something. No, I'm not going to fake it. Right. Because we've... No, you're not... Of course, emotions are apparently in, but look at the facts.

28:48Paul Scholes: They're in a great position. They've won the most games. They've scored the most goals. Sorry, guys. Just because I said, in title run-ins, there's always going to be a nervousness about you. Yeah. Winning all... And that's when you look at the players around you. Sometimes the match winners who will then step up and do what they do. Or scores you. But with this Arsenal team, I'm struggling to see... The only thing I'd say about the Bournemouth game for all these stuff we're trying out there you've got to use a bit of common sense and they didn't there was nervous tension and again remember Arsenal on the back of it got a difficult European game when you go and play Lisbon and all these games they're tough games at this stage of the competition you know they're not easy games and you know something you're just off for the little bit I know you're at home you're thinking come on suss the game up I don't think this is on the manager of the fans as players you go win it ugly there's a nervous tension we've got a big target man the last few years Arsene don't have a big target man they're decent they're not mentally decent well get up to the big man and I always say let's be nervous up there let's not be nervous on the edge of a box with little players

29:45Ian Wright: so you're saying just get it forward

29:47Paul Scholes: and play for nothing well obviously get the balance right of course but there's times where you go Bournemouth at the start of the season we've seen all Bournemouth stats and again they haven't played for two or three weeks you're saying Man United didn't play for three weeks Gary Bournemouth didn't play for three weeks but they were on their front foot there you go they were unbelievable they were really they were really fit and strong They obviously trained properly when they were off. Whatever. So if your team's pressing you, like we've often played, teams are pressing me and I come to you, I go, just miss me out now.

30:14Paul Scholes: Don't be giving it to me. It's just not happening today.

30:17Ian Wright: I don't believe that Arsenal, under this manager, you can do that. You can say... But you don't listen to the manager.

30:22Paul Scholes: This is where the players get hold of. That's his point, though. Don't forget the manager. Take other managers out. Forget the manager. Why do you listen to the manager sometimes? He's not won the league yet. Either, sometimes the players go, let's take control of his situation. We're talking about a current player.

30:33Ian Wright: No, current players would not like the manager like that. All right, well, that's right. I've said my bit. I'm sorry.

30:41Paul Scholes: My experience has come for nothing as a player, as a manager.

30:43Ian Wright: I'm listening to what you're saying. I'm just saying I don't think that it would happen on Mikel for these guys to totally ignore what he wants. You've seen him. He manages every single second.

30:51Paul Scholes: You sit here a lot of times. You say, George Graham used to give out you and something. You go, you know, I'll do that bit. I'll score the winner. Don't worry. That's when I was playing. Of course, you don't always listen to the manager. You smell what's going on in a football match. We thought we'd be able to do this. But you know what? Today, the game's not panned out that way. Everyone's got a plan before the game, but you saw sure it was a game going.

31:08Ian Wright: Can I be honest, Roy, I think the fans, when we were doing it, they believed in what was in that dressing room. What are you worried about the fans for? Because at the moment, I am a fan, Roy. This is why it hurts. Gary said don't be a fan. Be a proper professional ex-player. He asked you if you were in that dressing room. I just told you what I would have done. I would have gone and been myself. I would have been that person who does what I wanted to do when I'm in the last third. I don't know if the players have got... I don't think they've got the capability or the balls to do that with this manager.

31:39Ian Wright: They haven't got to do it because why hasn't anyone done it yet? How come they've won so many games, by the way? How come they've got the best record? There are no mugs. So why doesn't it happen at this stage?

31:48Paul Scholes: They were never playing the best football. But if you look at the last six matches, if you want to keep living in the past.

31:55Ian Wright: Yeah, but you have to because you have to call on something. That's what they're not doing at the moment. They're not calling on the fact that we've been through that.

32:00Paul Scholes: Rory McIlroy was sitting here not long ago and he was saying sometimes on the course, his legs go and his head was spinning and the other day he had that experience so I think them experience I've had the last three will stand them in good stead well I hope so well that would give over the last six games I think they're a point less than what City have got it's not as if they've come off the rails in the last three or four games yeah but you're not as invested as I am I know but I'm looking at the facts look at the facts look at the league table look at the league table someone get us a copy of the league table we've got 500 bottles of Heineken but we can't get the league table

32:32Ian Wright: So the last three seasons is still the facts of what we've done up here. Would you like the lead table? In the glasses. Would you like the lead table?

32:44Ian Wright: But like, I hear you, Roy, but can you just, can you, can you, can you like, just from my point of view, how I'm feeling right now because this is the best squad that we've assembled up to this point to do it. Everybody, like Gary's saying at the start of the season, Arsenal's the best squad it's the best 11 players the thing is we've talked we were nervous when we were going for titles we used to be nervous when we were 10 points

33:08Gary Neville: that's the point I'm going to ask you so if we just for a minute put yourself in that situation what situation? you've lost titles and you've won titles from this position you've won and lost titles from this position but you're now Mikel Arteta you're going into that dressing room this week how do you play it? what are you saying? what are you doing before this game with Manchester City?

33:25Paul Scholes: keep doing what you've been doing all season

33:26Gary Neville: just simple messages

33:28Ian Wright: What we were doing early on in the season I'd love us to go back and do Well if only part of the season

33:34Paul Scholes: doesn't count then So on one hand you're happy to look at the past saying two years ago obviously April's not a good month but no you're saying you can't look at it that was the start of the season

33:43Ian Wright: So what parts do you want to look back and not look back? The last three seasons we obviously have a problem looking back on the earlier part of the season because at every juncture when it's come to the point of finishing it off But hopefully they'll learn from it You look back they've not learned from it because the start of the season is not where the pressure is. But sometimes they're one on the back of tough European games.

34:03Paul Scholes: There's different challenges coming their way. They end up up to Mikel Of course, that's what it's fair to do.

34:07Ian Wright: And Andrea Berta to put the team together, put the squad together. And the players. But they've now got the same frailties. Whatever the teams they've put together. You're right, but what the manager does,

34:15Paul Scholes: if, again, I put myself in Rice's position, for example, and the manager will have instructions about playing through the, playing out from the back and blah, blah, blah. So the game starts and what we would do, we've done it all. That's not happening. We're not feeling, we're on the back of a European game we're playing somebody who's not playing our way it's an early kick off or yeah put it this way if you're a Bournemouth put yourself a Bournemouth's shoes you'll go down nice and fresh and we'll try and puncture them and we know Bournemouth's stats even though they'd only won nine games before the game against Arsenal when they're pressing they're decent and if they're winning they can pick you up right that's one of their strengths so if you're Bournemouth you're pressing and Arsenal are going long for the first 10 or 15 minutes I'm hoping to vote 90 minutes I think the Bournemouth's going I thought we were going to be able to pin them in and go no we're running back to our own goal so you flip it back and Bournemouth you're going no we're the ones pressing you today we're not going to do what they're right on so that's where the experience comes even Rice when the keepers in the first few minutes I saw the keeper putting his foot in the ball and was kind of going backwards with it you'd be like cut that crap out we're the home team we're Arsenal we're talking about Leeds starting quickly let's get it forward we press them and then when the game settles down we'd pick them off because Bournemouth won't be able to press for no team can press for 90 minutes and we'd bide our time to pick them off we're Arsenal and we're top of the team.

35:22Paul Scholes: It's not Bayern Munich, it's not Ream Madrid, it's Bournemouth, who'd only won nine games and all the other Bayern teams have won seven or eight. Yeah, and they beat us. Because they invited the pressure, because if you're Bournemouth going, there's nervous tension here, and we can pick him off instead of going, I don't want to press him easily. Our manager, I don't think our players... Let's forget the manager,

35:38Ian Wright: the players... Yeah, but we can't forget the manager because this manager is on you for every single second of the team. Do you not think our

35:43Paul Scholes: manager was on us? Yeah, of course he is. But you know, I'm not listening to the manager today.

35:46Ian Wright: And that's what I'm saying. It's a different calibre of player who just say, we're going to do this because Tony Adams would say, 10 minutes, everybody back. Or he'd say, right, he'll go like that for 10 minutes. So I know that he's doing that.

35:56Paul Scholes: That's just common sense, isn't it?

35:57Ian Wright: But I don't believe that the way that the players are in this dressing room, Arsenal dressing room, they've got that confidence to just say, I'm not listening to what he's saying.

36:05Gary Neville: So you're talking very, very, I would say, quite negatively about what you think you're going to experience.

36:11Ian Wright: As a fan, I would feel about the situation right now.

36:13Gary Neville: Yeah, but you're talking like you've got very little faith in them coming out of this in the next few weeks. Are you saying you think that they've lost it here in terms of sort of like the way they are mentally right now?

36:25Ian Wright: Yeah, I think that in this moment, you know, and obviously no one's more positive about Arsenal than me to the point where I'm on here and Roy says, you've never said anything about that.

36:33Gary Neville: I've never seen you as deflated. No, because it feels...

36:38Ian Wright: No, because it feels, again, like the Bournemouth loss. When I watch that one, you're saying about when you're watching it, you get angry. I couldn't see it. I was like, I could feel it coming and I could feel it coming before. So you're thinking, this is something that's happening. So what, is it my fault that I feel like that? It's not my fault. But the players should feel that, right? Well, this is what I want.

36:54Paul Scholes: This is what I'm hoping. This is what the experience should come in. You saw the game, what you feel. Going to the Man City, you're on about Pep and what the managers does. I guarantee you, when City were playing Chelsea on Sunday and they were dominating the game, obviously, and you're saying, what can I manage with? I guarantee Pep's at a half-time. Is that running behind? It's not running forward You don't need to be A tactical genius To suss out What's going on again They were more direct After half time Of course they were Because he saw that Get them behind them Because that's what champions do They find out A way to win a game We're not champions

37:26Ian Wright: We're not champions We're trying to be champions

37:28Gary Neville: To be fair There always has to be A first time For every team Doesn't there And look To be fair If I'm thinking about it Now in terms of going back There were times Definitely towards the end You said that we were nervous We were telling him You've just said it That is natural That's going to happen by the way even if you've actually been there before. But I have to think about the fact they've got to try and normalise this situation and put it into perspective. And I do remember our manager used to say one thing, if you could get given one game every year where you had to beat a team to win the league, would you accept it?

37:54Gary Neville: And he would say you'd snap your hand off to be in a position to win one game to win the league. So my mindset this week, if I was Arteta, would be thinking, guys, if at the start of the season I'd have said you could basically go and win a football match to win the league, which is what Sunday is, by the way. If you win on Sunday, you win the league. Fact. that is something you would accept. I can say that when you do it. No, no, no. Hear me outright it. That is something. If you got offered it at the start of the season, would you take a game, one football match to win the league every single year?

38:22Gary Neville: You would say yes. But Gary, they don't have to win on Sunday. No, no, I get that. My point is, if they do win... I'd choose an easier game, though, wouldn't you? No, my point is... Oh, fucking sit away. So my point is, if they draw on Sunday, there's a good chance to win the league. But my point is, if they win on Sunday, you win the league and you think, all of a sudden it becomes a positive thinking rather than actually if we get beat on Sunday. I think at the moment the Arsenal fan base is representative of you. They're thinking if we get beat on Sunday, City go to Burnley on the Wednesday, I'm doing the game, they'll level with us, we're dead.

38:48Gary Neville: That's what they're thinking. What are you thinking?

38:50Ian Wright: That's how I'm thinking.

38:52Gary Neville: Right, if you look at my interviews in the last three years when I've been in this position doing the podcast about Arsenal, I've been willing them to step up and win this fucking match every year, this Manchester City game that comes around at the end of the season and say, lads, are you at some point going to step up and do it? Will Todd at Old Trafford Overmars at Old Trafford You've got to do something Different to win a league You can't just sit there And think You have to beat your rivals At some point Exactly And they don't do that So this is the moment This is the best week Of their lives This is the week They're going to become legends This is the week They're going to do it So this is what you want Said in the dressing room I'm not saying that Arteta goes in with that Level of animation That I've just done But say guys Is this not Guys Is this not the game That you've been waiting for All your lives When you started playing football At the age of five It feels like

39:36Ian Wright: this is what they need because it just needs someone to shake them out.

39:40Gary Neville: But then, right, there's one more thing. Mikel has to put the right players on the pitch on Sunday because the biggest thing the manager can do is tell his players he believes in them is to go and pick an attacking team. Is to go and pick Madweke, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli and say, right, guys, go out there. Of course you've got to get in your shape. Of course you've got to be good at set pieces. But I tell you what, when we get the ball, you believe. You watched Turkey last Sunday. There's no evidence to show he's going to do that, though, is there? No, no. I think Mikel maybe gets to that point where he believes in him on Sunday by the message he sends.

40:08Gary Neville: But thinking about Cherki last Sunday, Cherki's become a little bit of an ambassador for confidence because we say about Arsenal looking tense, Cherki's kicking it up, doing little flick-ups and things. He looks like the most relaxed player in the world and he's going for his first title. Cherki's going for his first title in this country.

40:22Ian Wright: Yeah, but remember we're talking about Man City's side that people were writing off for some reason early on in the season because Arsenal were doing well. When you know that at some stage they're coming back. Of course, Cherki's built his confidence and trying to catch Arsenal and getting closer. And now they're getting really close. And then we play them on Sunday and they have all the momentum and we don't. I don't want to sit here with the doom and gloom, but the fact is, it's how I feel. There's a few of them. I do haven't won the league either. Pepa, as long as I'm wrong. But they've got Justin Rube, where they can.

40:54Gary Neville: Right, Kusinov, O 'Reilly, Cherky, Semenyo, Geyi. The City have got half a team that haven't won a league in this country. Yeah, but look at the players you just named. I know but they've got players who haven't won the league but they don't look I know they've got people around them and it helps and I've said this for a long time and it's easier coming from behind thank you but Ian when we first came into the team in that first season people said oh we won the league with kids let's be clear we did not win the league with kids that season we won the league with a group of six or seven unbelievable experienced players and a manager who knew how to get over the line so we were helped my biggest fear for Arsenal is who is in that dressing room and in that coaching staff right now that has been there before that's the big question none of them so none of them have been there before.

41:34Gary Neville: So my point is, none of them have been there before. Mikel last week had obviously sort of the big... Gabby's been there before, hasn't he? Who? Gabby. Gabriel Hines. Yeah, Gabriel Hines. Maybe Gabriel Jesus has been there. He's not playing, does he? He's had staff as well. But maybe Gabriel Hines is the person who has more of an influence this week. Maybe, you know, Mikel...

41:53Ian Wright: He's going to need something like that, Gab, because we're into the fourth season and you know, as much as, you know, I want to be the positive guy like I normally am.

42:01Gary Neville: Do you not think this is Declan's moment? Declan's? No, no. Right, hear me out. I do think Declan Rice is someone, when he went to Arsenal for£100 million, I was gutted. I think he's a Manchester United player. He's the player, Harry Kane, Declan Rice, that Manchester United would have always signed back in the day. You don't let Declan Rice go to any other club. He is a player who will win you the league, right? To me on Sunday, he is the player I am looking at. This is not me putting pressure on him, by the way. This is me expecting that this is the Roy Keane moment, the Gerrard moment. He's too nice.

42:31Who?

42:32Ian Wright: Declan? Yeah. Declan, nice as two.

42:34Gary Neville: He's too nice. But I think he's good at in him, Roy. Look, do you not think he has? I think he has, Roy.

42:41Paul Scholes: Look, I think all I ever hear is he's a really nice guy and he's a good guy and all this. But on the pitch, though.

42:47Ian Wright: No, but on the pitch, his performances are always... He's a force on the pitch. I'm an 8-9, Roy.

42:51Paul Scholes: What more can he do? I'm with Roy. Do you want to let me finish? I'm with Roy. I'm not sure. Declan's on the pitch. I know he's a good player, but I don't think he gets a grip of people. He's best for everyone. I mean falling out with people, challenging the lads in the dressing room. You remember Bormut, you're criticising the manager at Arteta. Listen, after 50 odd minutes, he made three substitutes against Bormut. He didn't sit on his hands till about the last 10 minutes. He did make changes. That's where he'd come down, eventually he'd come down to the players. And I want Rice to challenge people.

43:14Paul Scholes: So you see with Bormut, there's other games where it's not going, I don't see Declan Rice pulling up anybody. You're on a boat. Look, his performances are fine, don't get me wrong,

43:23Gary Neville: but that's not enough. But he's a force, and I'm looking at him and thinking, that he's the one player that I think could grip a game, get a grip of it from a sack in any defensive point of view, be up and down like you wouldn't believe, and can be a difference maker.

43:38Paul Scholes: But he does get up and down.

43:40Gary Neville: But on Sunday, for me, that is where I'd like to see him. I'd like to see him grip this game by the scruff of the neck, as you would back in the day, Roy, as other players like Patrick Vieira would. These players who I think...

43:48Paul Scholes: Did he do it against Bournemouth? Let's focus on the last game where everyone's a bit nervous. Did he get a grip of his teammates? No. Or did he smash anybody?

43:55Gary Neville: No.

43:55Paul Scholes: Did he smash Bournemouth players? We're all having a lovely day at Arsenal. you don't say you're not coming to our ground they're having enough if you're going to win I tell you what you're going to make you up for it Yeah but he's not the only one

44:02Ian Wright: who should be doing that

44:03Paul Scholes: Of course he's an experienced international footballer I get it right there's other lads but Neves brought Royce up I think Gary's sounding like he's expecting him to be a match winner I don't see that in him Declan Declan When I say match I don't see like a De Bruyne doing something brilliant taking the game or a Christian I'm talking about Roy would help us win matches

44:24Gary Neville: Roy by the scruff of the neck Roy would win his match without sometimes scoring a goal I'm talking about just getting a grip of a football match I don't think Declan's got that in him I don't know I think I've got some faith in him yeah I do too no look I think he's a brilliant player

44:38Ian Wright: I'm just not sure I know you're also on that side of it but like I do think

44:42Paul Scholes: I'd love to know what he's like in the dressing room does he fall out does he challenge people is he best pals with everybody I'm always worried when people are best pals with everybody that's not what the game's about sweet boy stuff you've got to challenge each other fall out with people because you're going

44:55Ian Wright: into a period where it does need that situation where you know what he was out of order to me but I needed that at that time

45:01Paul Scholes: you know the goalkeeper the other ball again after a few minutes he's got his foot in the ball and he's going backwards straight away one of your players goes listen good dad what are you doing and then he's trying to flick balls with the outside of his foot he's a big moment so is there any player going back to that goalkeeper listen you keep that up and I tell you there'll be trouble at half time and all that does

45:20Ian Wright: is it gives the other team impetus

45:21Paul Scholes: and do you know what it does right it gives you a chance to put a marker down where ball players are going you're angry today you're setting a mark up for the other team

45:29Gary Neville: I do think that's important to be fair because I actually think sometimes your messaging as a communication between your own team sends a message to the other team I think we would times we would shout at each other or we'd demand from each other or you'd say give me the ball just so that the opposition opponent thinks that you're confident and things like that you would try and do things like just quickly on his mate who's playing alongside him right Zubimendi I want to hear from you two on this one really there was a really strange situation after the goal that Bournemouth scored where all his teammates were coming up to him almost like it was some form of counselling session almost.

45:57Ian Wright: Honestly, it was one of those, because we know the calibre of player and how good he's been, but we've seen recently, especially I'll go back to the United game and giving away that. But like, he's had a confidence loss, like I've not seen a long time in a player of that calibre. Total. He's won Euro, he's got great experience. Honestly, yeah, he's got great experience. Listen, the thing is, I think it's only Zoboslai. I think Zubosla is the only person who's played more minutes than Zubomendi. And Zubomendi's coming into the Premier League, and I feel like as good as he is and the level he's at, yes, but he's bereft of confidence now.

46:34And we've got...

46:35Ian Wright: Listen, Christian Norgard, whatever you say about him, he's played 34 games for Brentford last season. The captain. I told you he would have played more minutes. He's played 50... He's still the same style of player. No, no, no, but what I'm saying is... Go on. Go on. Go on. In respect to him, he's played 56 minutes, so why have you bought a player that you believe his minutes don't justify in playing? But you've got a player who's playing, whose confidence is gone, and you've not put this guy in, who is experienced playing in the midfield in the Premier League. I don't think it changes with no idea.

47:07Yeah, but it's not a case of changes. When you talk about style of football and negativity and they don't play great football, it comes from your two central midfield players sometimes. I know that mixed up Scorsi. Oh, yeah, you've got to try something, but it's not going to make him a great football team all of a sudden.

47:20Ian Wright: he's got that player for a reason what's the reason he's got him for because at least I'm going to fry him in because this guy's even if it's two games Roy I'm not saying he shouldn't do I'm just saying if he does come in he's not going to make you a great football team all of a sudden this might make him a bit more solid he might do they are quite solid anyway aren't they they're a solid team it's the other way

47:42Paul Scholes: they weren't solid against Bournemouth or in the cup game against City a few weeks ago we're talking about a player who's capable of playing

47:48Ian Wright: against the higher ends of the Premier League, the lower ends. He's playing all those games with them. He knows how to play in that midfield. He should have at least, for me, got a couple of games. Possibly then to stop you playing good football because they can't get the ball into Oldergaard. They can't get it into our versus. They can't get it into our versus. Yeah, but our game is going wide continually anyway. You know when City done the 4-2-4, they'll probably do that again on Sunday, especially if we're not going to do that. Like Roy said, just get it up there because Pep they're not expecting it get it up there get Martinelli chasing it get Nani whoever it is well it doesn't look like the trust is straightforward to me central midfield players especially I'm not giving me any stake no I'm not going to give him any stake but I'd forget about trusting him I'd just do it anyway

48:34Paul Scholes: yeah remember Man City played Arsenal a few years ago at City and they kept the keeper Arsenal press remember they kept hitting Haaland they wanted to do that let's hit the big man and that's Man City Pep did it this year of course Liverpool I don't know. Liverpool and Donovan. Donovan. Donovan. Donovan getting caught. You saw Pep shot on. Just fucking idiot. Just get it out.

48:54Gary Neville: Stick to football is brought to you by Arm Clothing.

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49:38No affiliation with Novo Nordisk, Inc., the only U.S. source of FDA-approved semaglutide. Not available in all 50 U.S. states. Immersing yourself in all things soccer ahead of this summer's World Cup? I'm Alex Abnos, senior sports editor from The Guardian. Whether you're a soccer beginner or you know the game inside and out, we've got you covered. From one of the fastest-growing soccer newsrooms, The Guardian brings you in-depth World Cup coverage that gets into the winners and losers on and off the pitch. Read, watch and listen as our journalists connect the dots between the games, the cultures and this political moment.

50:10We'll have daily newsletters throughout the tournament, a global perspective and a squad of Americans, including me, on the ground with the U.S. national team. Plus, if you want to test your soccer knowledge, try On The Ball. It's a game in the Guardian app and it's really, really fun. And if you're into stuff like this...

50:25Ian Wright: Well, I think the problem is if you give footballers an inch, they will take a mile. Is it too much when it's this close? It's a bit much. It's a bit too real. Maybe you could just talk with a slight delay. Be sure to listen to our Football Weekly podcast for on-the-move expert analysis. The Guardian, bringing you the whole picture on soccer. Search Guardian Soccer for more.

50:46Gary Neville: We've talked a lot in the last half an hour about the mentality of Arsenal. We brought today a sports psychologist. Yeah, me. No, somebody else. Dan, over you come. Dan, come in. Dan Abrahams, in you come. Oh, you brought your book with you, Dan. I don't. Give him a chair. Where's his chair? Promote your book.

51:02Paul Scholes: We'll go for it. Jeez.

51:03Gary Neville: Thanks. Everyone else. Dan, we thought it would be a good idea this week. Obviously, a lot of talk, a lot of the narrative is around sort of Arsenal and the title race, the mentality, the nervousness, the anxiousness. Just talk to us firstly a little bit about who you've worked with in the past. You've worked with some fantastic managers and players. Yeah, I've been blessed to work in high-performance sport for about 30 years. I was originally a professional golfer. Not a good one. Didn't win any money. That's why I'm a psychologist now. Moved on, got all my qualifications, and I've spent 20 years.

51:33I've worked at six Premier League clubs, spent three years at AFC Bournemouth, spent two years with Arna Slott at Feyenoord. Just listening to you guys, got some interesting stories from that one in terms of dealing with pressure and not dealing so well with pressure. England, golf, Aston Martin, Formula One, a whole array of sports people. So it's been really interesting listening to what you've been saying.

51:55Gary Neville: Yeah, Dan, just to start with, because I've talked sometimes about heavy legs, players getting sort of stiff and rigid in big moments of pressure in football matches towards the end of a season. What is that that's happening? Just psychologically or sort of scientifically, explain to us what is that? Because it's a real thing. We've all experienced it as players. Yeah, two words, performance anxiety. Performance anxiety. It's just classic performance anxiety. And it hits your body first. So the heavy legs, you know, you feel heavy, you feel sticky. You feel slow, you feel lethargic. Your anticipation slows.

52:28your awareness becomes less, you're not seeing the 360 or the 180, your decision-making slows and your technical coordination goes. And that's just performance anxiety. And it makes really good players look quite average. And average players look very, very poor, you know, over a long period of time or in the moment. So you have to be able to deal with performance anxiety. And it doesn't matter how much skill you've got on your feet, it can absolutely kill anybody. What is that? When I say that, performance anxiety,

52:56Gary Neville: is that happening most when you've not lived through that experience before and you don't know how to cope with it? This is the bizarre thing about performance anxiety. I mean, you were talking about the golf at the weekend. I mean, I grew up at a time when Justin Rose was a couple of years younger than me, so we were playing in some amateur tournaments together. He's a fantastic performer under pressure. He's won the US Open, he's won countless times around the world, but you never know when this is going to hit you. And I felt, and I hope Justin doesn't mind me saying this, because he admitted afterwards he didn't commit to a few shots.

53:2510th and 11th. 10th, 11th hole. Classic performance. He left it, the ball out right. You know, so I'm answering you like this, Gary, because it doesn't matter who you are. You may have achieved it before. It doesn't mean you're going to achieve it now. Is there a trigger to know when it's coming and when it's happening? Yeah. Thoughts, emotions, feelings. OK. I have this term. When I walk into a football organisation, a football team, I bring in this thing. It's a bit of fun, but it's also serious. Ants. Ants are the biggest killers in football. Ants are the biggest killers in sport. ANTs being the A stands for automatic, as in they happen to you.

54:00N stands for negative, T stands for thoughts. OK, and the way this works, OK, right, there's 8 billion people. It's like being at school, right? There's 8 billion people on planet Earth. And there's something, there's a lot of geopolitical divide right now, but there's something we all have in common. And that's that we all experience thoughts, emotions, feelings. That's common throughout humanity, right? We have thoughts, emotions, feelings. You strip back psychology. we think, we emote, we have emotions and we feel. These happen to us under pressure when there's high importance. So it's really, really important to us and there's high uncertainty.

54:38We don't know how we're going to play. We don't know how the opposition are going to play. We don't know what's going to happen. High importance, high uncertainty skews those thoughts, emotions, feelings towards the negative. So at the moment you could argue the players that you're talking about in this context are experiencing a lot of ants and it's ants the thoughts emotions feelings the negative ones that are impacting uh these players physically their awareness their anticipation their decision making their ability to execute tactically their ability to execute

55:06Ian Wright: technically so what do they do what what you know just asking for a friend or asking for a couple of friends what do you do in that moment because it's if especially if it's happened to you i don't three times before or something? Yeah. What's your mouth? It was four. It will be four, yeah. But do you understand what I'm saying? What do you do when you're right in the belly of it, Lenny? And this is the challenge, because when you're in the belly of it, it makes it more unpredictable. There's people like me coming along and we say, you've got to do this from the first day of pre-season. You know, this is what we did at Farnold back in September 2022.

55:42My remit was, hey, we've got a good team. We could win the Dutch over Divisie. That's what Arna said. And we want to have a good crack at the Europa. league so from the first day of pre-season we're putting the frameworks the approaches the systems in place you know within the organization to create a shared language ideally you have a shared language we created high performance mindset and low performance mindset and we made the language around the building final training ground is called 1908 year it was established around 1908 it became all about we compete in high performance mindset if we want to be ix away from home for the first time in 17 years to make sure you talked about winning one critical game we knew it was going to be Ajax in April away from home and so everything led to that so we had the shared language of when we go play Ajax it's got to be HPM high performance mindset what is that because

56:32Gary Neville: to be fair that's if you said to a football player we were all football players and a psychologist sits in front of us yeah and we've had psychologists present to us in the past where I've thought that's just gimmicky it's a bit fucking don't want that it's bullshit yeah and then you have obviously sometimes psychologists put things in and think oh that makes sense that helps me what is that in language if you say high performance mindset to Arsenal's players now they're just going to go What do you mean? What do you mean by that? What is that in reality in terms of execution? I'll give you the surface and I'll give you the deep dive.

56:59Can I give you the deep dive as well? Yeah, give us the deep dive. Okay. The surface level is simply think about you at your best, okay? Memory, imagination, perception. There's three things you house with you all the time. Memory is in you at your best. Success leaves clues, that old adage, okay? And you get players to start thinking about themselves at their best. I'm going to part that, come back to that. Imagination, think about you in your dream game. We're going to go and play Manchester City on Saturday. What does your dream performance look like? And you start talking with players. You get players talking with each other so we can have that player-led changing room talking with each other to break that down.

57:31That's the surface level stuff in terms of HPM. High performance mindset is basically you at your best. However, here's the deeper dive, okay? This is what I wrote about in my book. So let's go back to performance anxiety. there are three mental skills happening on the pitch every single second that influence performance. Performance is just actions, technical, tactical, physical actions. There are three mental skills that are constantly influencing actions. Attention, intensity, intent. Attention, intensity, intent. When you break this down to first principles, to me, this is an absolute truism.

58:05Number one, attention, a focus of attention. When players are experiencing performance anxiety, and I know you gents didn't necessarily succumb to performance anxiety, but when you do, your attention turns inwards onto the feeling of anxiety. And that's where players become distracted because football is a game of, you've got to read the game, you've got to see the cues, you've got to anticipate quickly. When your attention goes inwards rather than outwards onto, where's my teammates, where's the ball, where's the space, where's the opposition, then everything slows down. So you can guarantee at the moment, when you talk about players succumbing to anxiety, and not performing to their best.

58:42They're focused of attention, they're distracted, okay? They're not seeing things correctly. The intensity piece, not physical intensity, but mental intensity. In football, you've got to play with alertness and readiness. Alertness, you've got to be alert to the danger, ready to deal with it. You've got to be alert to the opportunities, ready to exploit the opportunities. Anxiety kills that mental intensity. And then the final word, this is the word we don't talk about enough, although we use this word. and Roy I've heard you use this word a lot in you know post games intent intent is a mental skill although it has a physical presence and intent is energy forward it's aggressiveness assertiveness intent is that that's a high intent energy forward I don't care what's going to happen I am executing my actions with conviction positive purposeful proactive and so intent can supersede all of

59:36Ian Wright: those then if you've got the intent that you're saying. That's a great point yeah I think it can you can enter that way now.

59:43Gary Neville: Is that just taking that into Sunday I said before I think Mikel's got to pick a team that tells his players it looks like he's got the intent to win the match is that where you're because that's the biggest message that Mikel can send his players isn't it he believes in them and trusts them yeah is that what you're talking about here? You don't want to we need to differentiate although they are linked between tactics and intent because you can set up defensively but play with intent. This is what people get wrong a lot. But if you set up offensively, you can be delivering that message of intent, absolutely.

1:00:16But with low intent, these are the three biggest killers in football for me. Hesitancy, inhibition and passiveness. And that's where you're seeing players slightly slower in the challenge, slightly weaker in the challenge, slightly slower to find space, cover space, slightly slower to see things. and you guys know better than me, this is almost imperceptible at the highest level of the game. You can hardly see it. Players slightly hiding. They're just a little bit scared to get on the ball and this comes back to why we experience anxiety. What if I make a mistake? What if it's me? That's going to linger for the rest of my career.

1:00:52Gary Neville: I did see a sports psychologist during my career and actually he referred to it slightly differently than you in terms of these negative thoughts. He said you've got a positive parrot on one shoulder and you've got a negative parrot on the other. As soon as the negative parrot speaks, shut it up with that positive parrot on this shoulder. Fucking you were laughing. By the way, I should have said at the start of this section there's a guy in here who doesn't believe in any of this shit. I'm a bad ache.

1:01:14Paul Scholes: Barry, I'm jealous you had only two parrots.

1:01:16Gary Neville: I don't know, 20 years. Basically, you have this negative and positive parrot on your shoulder and you tell yourself a negative thought. As soon as that goes in, shut it up straight away with that one. And that was one of my mechanisms in terms of if a negative thought did come into bed, which it sometimes did. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah, and I think there's two schools of thought here, actually. You know, one school of thought is you fight against it, OK? But then there's a psychological phenomenon. You're going to love this, Paul, especially. It's called ironic processing theory. Ironic processing theory is the classic don't think of a pink elephant.

1:01:47You think about it, right? So when you fight against the voice that's coming, when you fight against the thoughts that are emerging inside of you,

1:01:54Gary Neville: actually it heightens those thoughts. It was more for me a case of, have I got a negative thought? It was more a case of actually saying, I'm going to be OK, rather than sort of say, I'm going to be OK, everything's fine. You know what I mean? Of course I'm going to have a bad day. Of course I'm going to have a bad day. Of course I'm going to give a goal away. Of course I'm going to lose a football match. It's perspective, really. Final question to you. We've just asked mainly Roy and Ian before. You're in the Arsenal dressing room leading up to this game this week. What is the one thing that Arsenal could do collectively as a group before this game on Sunday that would potentially help them get over the line?

1:02:31Gary Neville: And what would be the individual players? Because I think individual players, when they go home at night, irrespective of what's happened during the day, if they're basically sort of beating themselves up here in the evening when they go home and they're watching Sky Sports sort of promo the game and they're becoming overwhelmed by it, you've gone too far. And I've been there in a title running where every sort of advert you see, every fan you walk into in the street is asking you about a title running and it becomes a bit much and you want to get away from that. So how do the players individually deal with this for Arsenal mainly?

1:02:58Gary Neville: Because the City players have been there before, the managers have been there before. And how do they deal with it as a collective? The simplest, most stripped-out version of this, I come back to get every player in the room, get the main coaching staff in the room, play some highlights and footage from the best games of the season, put some action-based words in front of them, strip this back to three action-based words. This is what we're going to do against Manchester City. And we are going to love every second of doing this. We're going to do this together and we are going to do this with intent.

1:03:25We're going to be outstanding at this. And you know what? If the scoreboard doesn't fit what we want at the end of it, so what? We go again next week and we go again and we go again and we go again with those words. And that's where you have to align every player, you know. And then it's my job to do the nitty gritty. If somebody's still lying awake at night, then I've just got to help them improve a little bit on that one. but we come back to the same simple shared messages that we can embody on the pitch no matter who we play, where we play, when we play.

1:03:53Gary Neville: If you enjoyed that little section with Dan, he does have a book out, if you haven't already seen, and it's called Compete, Developing a Mental Playbook for Performance Under Pressure in Sport. Dan, thank you so much. Well done. Thank you so much. Dan, well done. Stick to Football is brought to you by Arm Clothing. What we're going to do here now, we normally do Super 6 at this point in the show, but we're actually going to do a title prediction for points for the rest of the season. It's Ian and Roy, and that'll be interesting watching you two this morning. And then we'll do Super 6. It needs a power now.

1:04:23Gary Neville: According to you, right, you won't get another point. And me and Scolzi. But we'll then do Super 6. We are doing Super 6 as well, of course. Of course we are, girl. Of course. But we just thought, let's do a title prediction.

1:04:37Ian Wright: All right, then.

1:04:38Gary Neville: Right, Scolzi. This is our supercomputer, isn't it? This is what? This is our supercomputer. Scolzi, me and you will go first. And we've got the big game on Sunday. Is it me or is it just you? It's me and you. I mean, I think it's going to be a draw on Sunday and I think it'll be 1-1. What do you think? I think City will win easily. Why do you have to say easily, though, Scolsy? Just comfortable. Unless they get someone sent out of us, I'm stupid. I don't think it's going to be easy.

1:05:05Ian Wright: I don't think it's going to be... So, Scolsy, what score do you think it will be Sunday?

1:05:10Gary Neville: 2-3. 2-3-0?

1:05:13Ian Wright: Yeah. you're not giving us a goal wow

1:05:17Gary Neville: wow I mean he can't Scoles and he can't lose 2-3-0 on Sunday if he goes 2-3 I told you where are you going mate where are you going with let's go 2-2 no I mean I think a draw but to be fair he's so confident and he is very good to be fair doing this

1:05:32Ian Wright: he is good

1:05:34Gary Neville: we'll go for 2-0 City but I think it's a draw but I do think Scoles he's more confident go 2-1 then if you think they're going to score 2-1 2-1 City 2-1 City

1:05:43Paul Scholes: 2-1 City 2-1 2-1 he's gone

1:05:46Ian Wright: I think draw away

1:05:48Paul Scholes: does that give you a boost there absolutely

1:05:50Ian Wright: what he said I wish he was in there that's interesting

1:05:53Paul Scholes: but again that's just something you're supposed to do with day in day out isn't it it's that culture and environment you build at your club

1:05:57Ian Wright: you can actually convince yourself to be positive and go out and do positive things you know the fans it's a big word isn't it but if you're getting bogged down by supporters you can still get beat yeah but then you get bogged down by support of course the supporters are going to say what they said they've been going through it for the last few years but then you've got a manager on the line he's managing every second you feel it

1:06:15Gary Neville: the lessons of that to be fair are sort of for everybody in everyday life of having the intent to be positive and do things even if it doesn't happen do it again the next day we could all be more Gary Neville what's the score? we've got 1-1

1:06:27Paul Scholes: we've got 1-1 1-1

1:06:29Ian Wright: come on Arsenal

1:06:31Paul Scholes: you're a knob so what's going on here then?

1:06:35Ian Wright: what's this side then? Newcastle Arsenal hang on so you've done it's Arsenal's games in that City's games.

1:06:43Gary Neville: OK. Home against Newcastle-Schools. I think they're winning that, do you? I think it'll be a draw. So this is Arsenal home to Newcastle? No, we're beating Newcastle. You say, go on, I think it's a draw, but go on. I'm happy to score, we all win. You think they're going to blow up? Hang on, you think they're going to blow up? You think they're probably going to lose? They have blown up. You think they have blown up?

1:07:03Paul Scholes: They're top of the table.

1:07:05Gary Neville: Yeah, we'll do that.

1:07:08Paul Scholes: I'm going 2-1 Arsenal on that one. 2-1 Arsenal. Are you going first again then?

1:07:12Ian Wright: You go first again. You go first. Sorry.

1:07:16Paul Scholes: I was going to say it's 2-1. You can have the next two, Roy. Oh, poor Newcastle have been, by the way.

1:07:22Ian Wright: Yeah, they have been poor. Neither is all of them. Everybody wants to beat us.

1:07:27Paul Scholes: If Arsenal get through to the semis, them semi-final games could take a little bit out of Arsenal in the Champions League game.

1:07:33Ian Wright: 2-0. Is it an R5 kickoff again?

1:07:36Paul Scholes: No idea. Okay, sure. Makes it a bit easier, doesn't it? a bit better atmosphere go on then

1:07:41Ian Wright: I'm going to go 2-0 to Arsenal you know this is all

1:07:46Gary Neville: sorry the Arsenal Newcastle game is a 5-13 on Saturday I'm doing that game yeah it is it's a bit easy though

1:07:52Paul Scholes: a bit lively I think they're winning that game they're winning that game they're winning that game they're winning that game they're winning that game it's sticky warm day it's horrible it's sunny remember all travel it's sunny in the morning horrible Fulham wow this is us yep

1:08:06Paul Scholes: Arsenal beat Fulham surely

1:08:09Ian Wright: did Fulham

1:08:09Paul Scholes: get a draw there last year yeah Fulham

1:08:11Ian Wright: caused his problems last year right

1:08:16Paul Scholes: they've got Fulham at home

1:08:17Gary Neville: if I'm trying to cheer you if you don't beat Fulham at home you're struggling

1:08:20Ian Wright: yeah but what so if we hadn't played Bournemouth you'd say that you'd say that yeah 2-1 no but you before the Bournemouth game would you say if you don't beat Bournemouth at home you're struggling would you say that probably thank you

1:08:31Gary Neville: scores it they beat Fulham 2-0 2-0 a couple more a couple more West Ham that's a tough one that's a tough one

1:08:41Ian Wright: that is a tough one I'll draw

1:08:42Gary Neville: I think that's a draw

1:08:45Ian Wright: I'll take the draw that's the one they draw that's one one

1:08:47Paul Scholes: lads what's the date of the Champions League semi-finals that'll affect that that can take something out of Arsenal

1:08:53Gary Neville: that's a killer of a game that one where West Ham at right now you know I'm fancy no I'm just saying

1:08:57Paul Scholes: the clashes if it's on the back of the Champions League semi-final game I just think it could take its toll

1:09:03Gary Neville: what's the record West Ham yeah yeah Yeah. So they'll be playing Atletico Madrid on the 5th of May.

1:09:11Ian Wright: I'm going to go with us beating them.

1:09:13Gary Neville: The first leg's on the 28th of April, straight after Newcastle before Fulham. So they've got 28th of April and they've got the 5th of May. That's a good...

1:09:22Paul Scholes: Arsenal play Atletico on December to get...

1:09:23Gary Neville: Yeah.

1:09:24Ian Wright: It's not bad, is it? It's not bad. It's not bad at all.

1:09:28Gary Neville: Go on, what are you doing again?

1:09:29Ian Wright: I think we're going to beat West Ham. Yeah, idea.

1:09:31Gary Neville: And the score is...

1:09:33Ian Wright: 3-1.

1:09:34Gary Neville: Yeah, well done. I'm not sure about that. Well, anyway.

1:09:35Ian Wright: Well, that's... Yeah, but Gary, it's my thing. I know, I know.

1:09:39Gary Neville: Well done. I'm sorry. Burnley at home. Get mixed up now. Change it. We'll watch the 3-0 Burnley at home. No, don't you worry. Ben, 3-0 at home, Ben. Yep, 3-0. All right. Yeah, you go first again.

1:09:51Ian Wright: I thought you said we got the next two. You can do City first. I don't want to do City first. I wanted the next two. Oh, yeah. OK, we can do this one. Right. You can do the same. Right. Do the same. Two and a half. Really nervous. Two and a half. Really nervous.

1:10:05Gary Neville: Right, and then... I'm coming across, though. Palace. Palace way. Palace way last game, that's a win. Palace could be... They'll be like... Palace in Europe. The Ian Wright down. Palace in Europe still.

1:10:17Paul Scholes: The Tessels play.

1:10:18Gary Neville: 2-1 to Arsenal. To Arsenal winning that. Guys, you've got Arsenal in the last four fucking... They could win it to Palace. No, no, no, no. Just assume that Arsenal... Yeah, Palace, yeah. I think I'll fuck up at Palace.

1:10:31Ian Wright: What are you saying? At home. is there a way no horrible palace it's a way isn't it it's a way yeah I know but it's that game to win 2-0 it's that game to win the league he's at palace I've gone very positive on Arsenal good shut your fucking parrot up shut your parrot up

1:10:48Gary Neville: shut your parrot up yeah right okay City you're on Roy you're first put the ones in put the top ones in yeah we got that alright you've got to change them City are we at palace two results each can we not have two results yeah That should be 1-2, shouldn't it? I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, right? OK. But let's just assume that Arsenal scores are always on the left, all right? OK.

1:11:14Ian Wright: 3-0.

1:11:14Gary Neville: No, Arsenal scores aren't on the left. City scores on the left on that one.

1:11:19Ian Wright: He'll sort it out.

1:11:20Gary Neville: Don't worry, I've got to recall. I'll do it all in post. I made up my Sanks-Berley.

1:11:23Paul Scholes: No, we give them 2-0, because if they go 2-0 up, they might start Koston and Weston. In City?

1:11:28Ian Wright: Yeah. No, if they go 2-0 up, then Shirky starts doing his keepy-up. 3-0 3-0

1:11:34Gary Neville: is that Burnley that one yeah

1:11:36Ian Wright: no no the other side Ian

1:11:37Gary Neville: yeah Jesus Christ

1:11:38Ian Wright: Ian and Ray yeah they're winning

1:11:40Gary Neville: at Burnley's goals I'll go 2-0 2-0 yeah they're winning 2-0 I've done this without speaking so far go on you can do the Everton one

1:11:49Paul Scholes: Everton away could be a tricky one I'll get the hard one you do Burnley at home that could be a hard one is it us yeah that's tough Everton away draw that I think it's a draw 2-2 that's a tough one if City would win if City would be there but City there'd be no stopping that's like a go and win the league City you know what I mean

1:12:08Ian Wright: City 2-1 2-1 City I don't even say 2-0 City because I like Kusinov and Gehi they look pretty good yeah

1:12:18Paul Scholes: you're worried about City aren't you

1:12:19Ian Wright: I'm so scared of City

1:12:23Paul Scholes: every City game

1:12:25Gary Neville: looks like a win doesn't it it does that's the problem I'll tell you now Ian in my opinion for Arsenal to win the league they have to do something on Sunday against the team that are going to win it or else they can't expect anybody else to do it

1:12:41Ian Wright: a draw

1:12:42Gary Neville: they've got to go on Sunday and do something

1:12:44Ian Wright: like I said if we can get a draw we're still in the league yeah

1:12:47Gary Neville: got to do something but it's going to take

1:12:50Ian Wright: a special performance

1:12:52Gary Neville: Joe it's one thing that you should have said an address for him if we can't be expected to beat them how can we expect other teams to do us a favour and beat them exactly exactly so they've got to go on Sunday and do something

1:13:02Paul Scholes: that United dressing room must have been amazing your parrots out today good positivity though you've all just said wait a minute though

1:13:12Gary Neville: come on year ago oh it's us 4-0 Brentford yeah 3-0 4-0 oh chance

1:13:18Ian Wright: but not that many

1:13:19Gary Neville: Brentford could get

1:13:20Paul Scholes: in the Champions League

1:13:21Gary Neville: we used to 3-1 6th

1:13:22Paul Scholes: Bournemouth 4-0 oh that's a tough one

1:13:26Gary Neville: that's a tough one

1:13:27Paul Scholes: Bournemouth away Bournemouth Bournemouth a bang average that's a tough one Bournemouth are happy they're tough wow it's your goal

1:13:36Gary Neville: that's goalsy 3-1 do you think City win 3-1 there yeah

1:13:40Paul Scholes: they're on a run

1:13:42Gary Neville: Howard said draw but 3-1 I don't fucking know Bournemouth are yeah

1:13:46Ian Wright: it's fun this isn't it you know Bournemouth have always been good I've always liked Bournemouth but like since they beat us the other day I've gone off them but like I think they'll make it difficult for City I said he would win too You think City are beating? 1-0? 2-1, 1-0? It's going to be tight. I don't think Bournemouth are rolling over.

1:14:08Paul Scholes: 2-1. We've got a bit of 2-1. A lot of 2-1s there.

1:14:11Ian Wright: They've won every game.

1:14:13Paul Scholes: We've got them off every game.

1:14:14Gary Neville: We've got City winning the last two games. Palace at home is 3-0 and Villa at home is probably 3-0. I have 3-1. Villa will score. Yeah, Villa 3-1 then. They're comfortable victories.

1:14:27Paul Scholes: It might have a European, do we? Willoughby in that European final Palace at home City 2-0 against Palace I think 2-0 against Villa Villa might be in poverty

1:14:44Gary Neville: Can you work out the points, Rusben?

1:14:46Paul Scholes: You down now? Yeah, of course I can Do you want a bit of time? Do you want to go away for five minutes and come back? Yeah, we'll do some six Yeah, and make an announcement Yes, exactly

1:14:56Gary Neville: yes how many points has he got please for City and for Arsenal come on Pat

1:15:03Paul Scholes: and goal difference Pat

1:15:06Gary Neville: Arsenal come back and a fight will difference and then what's it

1:15:09Ian Wright: we think they'll get

1:15:11Gary Neville: 83 points Arsenal 83 fucking hell dignified 86 points okay

1:15:25City

1:15:26Paul Scholes: What the fuck am I doing down here?

1:15:29Ian Wright: City.

1:15:33Gary Neville: We think City will get 83 points. Wow. Tied. And what does Ian and Roy think they'll get?

1:15:46Paul Scholes: 83. 83. Wow. Gold difference. Wow. No, 86, did you say, or 83? Oh, Jesus, Gary.

1:15:55Gary Neville: Wow. How many people are on your shoulders, bro? Can you hear or not? No, so basically, Ian and Roy think that Arsenal are going to win the league and we think it's going to be a tie. You can't tie the league. You can't tie the league. We think it's going to be a goal difference. Right, quick, Pat, goal difference. We'll come back to you on the goal difference point. So there you go. Tighten goal difference. But what, on this basis, if we think our results are correct, Sunday is the game where if Arsenal do get a draw or win, we accept they win the league don't they? No not really If they win on Sunday Of course they win Yeah Not draw You said win or draw Well it's tight You've just got Arsenal winning the league we've got it as a draw Nice one

1:16:39Ian Wright: I'm glad we got them winning the league Well done You can't expect me to feel any different Yeah

1:16:48Gary Neville: The Super 6 jackpot has been won Mark from Hertfordshire managed to get all six scores at the weekend and he's now £250 ,000 pounds richer, which is unbelievable. There's another quarter of a million pounds up for grabs this weekend and you could be the next winner. It's completely free to play and we know it's possible. Don't forget to join the Stick to Football Mini League using the code S6-STF. S6-STF. 18 plus TNCs apply.

1:17:20Gary Neville: So, by the way, we've got a gentleman here today on Super 6 who won a quarter of a million quid. Wow. Mark Harris. Mark, in you come. He's an Arsenal fan. Arsenal, come and lift Ian, please, will you?

1:17:33Ian Wright: See, with winning stuff, I'm so happy. At least my Arsenal winning stuff. Well done, Mark.

1:17:38Gary Neville: Here we go. Thank you, mate. Mark, we get this wrong every single week.

1:17:43Paul Scholes: Right. Right?

1:17:43Gary Neville: We're useless.

1:17:44Paul Scholes: Well done, Mark. Well done, Mark. Invest it wisely. Well done, Mark.

1:17:48Gary Neville: So I'm going to ask you what you're going to do with the money soon, Mark. It was quicker. So these were Mark's six correct results. Bring it round, Carl. All right. Brentford against Everton. He had 2-2. Last minute. Last minute, man. Yeah. Wow.

1:18:01Ian Wright: Which one came in last for you? Yes, I've done it.

1:18:04Gary Neville: Look at this one.

1:18:05Ian Wright: Mateta's 90 plus 4 minutes. Crystal Palace beating Newcastle 2-1.

1:18:09Gary Neville: The last game was Chelsea City, obviously. That's a big one, isn't it? That's a big one there, though, isn't it? 90 plus 4 minutes. waiting on the last game.

1:18:14Ian Wright: City 3-0 was a beauty. That was the only time I knew the results. I was away in Madrid

1:18:20Paul Scholes: with my sons. So I didn't know any of the results. I'm on a syndicate at work and they put, Mark, you're going to be first place if your score is coming at 3-0 for the Man City game. That's all I know. So I didn't know any of the other results that come in at all. Wow.

1:18:38Ian Wright: Look at that one as well. Look at Sunderland. 1-0. oh yeah even look at Vila 1-1 it looks so easy when you see it done yeah

1:18:47Paul Scholes: 31's a big one I like that city's brilliant yeah but even if that penalty Palace got wasn't it it was a silly penalty apparently so yeah haven't seen it I haven't seen it mate it's just a little shove

1:18:56Gary Neville: so Mark what are you going to do with the money it's going to be the mortgage first you know what I mean get that sorted out I've got a hefty mortgage so yeah if I can break that down then it's obviously going to be holidays look after my children

1:19:07Paul Scholes: nice

1:19:08Gary Neville: good brilliant well done nice fantastic

1:19:10Paul Scholes: lots of bike accessories. So, yeah. Nice job, mate. Really happy for you,

1:19:14Gary Neville: Matt. Well done. Thank you.

1:19:16Paul Scholes: Thank you.

1:19:18Ian Wright: Awesome.

1:19:18Gary Neville: Do win stuff.

1:19:19Ian Wright: Come on. Yeah, we do. We deserve that. Matt, God bless you and the family.

1:19:24Gary Neville: Come around here, mate. We need some help. Come on. Come around here. Stay with us for a couple of minutes. We just need it. You're on our team today. Yeah. We've got a Super 6 winner here on our team. We look into it properly. You know what? It's all guesswork. I'm not doing it. What use you have. A lot of people study it, don't they? Yeah.

1:19:42Paul Scholes: So what usually happens is I put down the result and then I usually run it through my children afterwards. I just say to boys, have a look at that, see what you think. And I forgot to do that because we were flying out to Madrid and I forgot to do it. So I just put this down. I bet they would have changed something. They would have changed everything. Yeah, they don't believe anything I do. Brilliant. We've done badly, lads. We did. Let's go. Right, last week's scores. Gary and Jamie, eight. We must have got two or something. You're on 113. But again, we got mixed up with a couple of... Roy, Jill and Ian, you got four.

1:20:14Oh, poor Jill. I know. 110.

1:20:17Ian Wright: No, we're not there.

1:20:19Gary Neville: So, ooh, here we go. Here we go. We're back in front. We're back in front.

1:20:23Ian Wright: We're first. Leeds-Wolves. Leeds. Saturday, 3pm. You first or we first? We slip up at home to Wolves.

1:20:30Paul Scholes: When I say slip up a draw after meeting United.

1:20:32Ian Wright: No, no.

1:20:33Paul Scholes: At home, they'll run them.

1:20:34Ian Wright: They're beating Wolves.

1:20:36Paul Scholes: 2-0, will we?

1:20:38Ian Wright: Yeah. Yeah. 2-0? Leeds are winning at half.

1:20:41Gary Neville: I was going to say, no, Wolves, maybe have a goal in.

1:20:43Ian Wright: 3-0,

1:20:45Gary Neville: 3-0 Wolves, Leeds. He said Wolves, you have to put it in, he said Wolves.

1:20:49Ian Wright: 3-0 Leeds. He's listening to voices still.

1:20:52Gary Neville: Okay, this is a big one, Tottenham, Brighton. You're not even listening to it. I told you, I told you, I asked him, I asked him, I asked him. Tottenham and Brighton, come on Mark. 2-1, 2-1 Brighton.

1:21:02Ian Wright: You think Tottenham, you think Brighton are winning? Yeah, I think so. You think Brighton are winning? I think Spurs are going to win. But you're an Arsenal fan. I've just got to watch that a little bit.

1:21:11Gary Neville: Yeah, you've got to watch that. You've got to watch that. 2-2. 2-2. 2-2. I've got to watch that a little bit. That's a little bit. You can't say Arsenal. Tottenham can win, can you?

1:21:18Paul Scholes: No, not even in our blood, man. So you think Spurs are winning this all day? It's an emotional Tottenham fan. No, no, it's not. It's an emotional Tottenham fan. You think Legion beat Man United tonight. There's a funny old result. Ex-Bright manager.

1:21:30Ian Wright: I think it's going to be like one of those. It's a free 2-1. 2-1 it's a free 2-1 yeah go for it then actually you can't 3-1 3-1 3-1 I'll go here Chelsea Manchester United game this now man you in it no no no no no you fancy Chelsea please

1:21:49Paul Scholes: you can have the others 2-1 I think Chelsea will do United do you think so

1:21:53Gary Neville: Vick she won it straight intense is Maguire suspended

1:21:55Paul Scholes: is he back

1:21:56Gary Neville: no the problem they've got is I think it's both centre-halves are Hartley-Martinez and Maguire wow that is a problem It's not been decided yet, has it? Has it been decided? He's going to miss another game for kicking somehow. Is he?

1:22:07Ian Wright: He should do as well. I think I'm going to draw. What do you think, Mark? Yeah. I think 2-1 United. You're going United?

1:22:15Gary Neville: Yep. We think draw. Hang on a minute.

1:22:19Ian Wright: You've got a fella who's won it there.

1:22:21Gary Neville: He won it. I'm not sure United are going to win. I think they'll draw, though. Big scoring, three at all. We're going to go for a draw. We're going to go 3-3. No chance. 3-3.

1:22:37Ian Wright: Wow, I love it, gals. Brilliant. Is that your parrot? No chance. Is that your parrot?

1:22:45Gary Neville: Everton, Liverpool. Oh, there's interesting. It's your goal.

1:22:48Paul Scholes: 1-0.

1:22:49Ian Wright: 1-1.

1:22:50Paul Scholes: Yeah, we'll go 1-1. I know, but we'll be sitting on the fence either now.

1:22:53Ian Wright: We'll go 1-1.

1:22:54Gary Neville: We've got three draws on the bounce there.

1:22:56Ian Wright: We can't go draw. No Liverpool. Liverpool season's done isn't it yeah but this is the game that can give the yeah go on then 2-2 see I would have I would have gone Liverpool to win no that's fine Villa Sunderland Sunday 2pm

1:23:13Paul Scholes: Sunderland to be Villa you don't think Villa I think I might be 1-0 as well I'm back in your time I'm back in your time I'm back in your time we'll go yours go on Matt

1:23:22Ian Wright: we're doing too much actually we're we're being really like negative and fency.

1:23:30Gary Neville: No intent.

1:23:34Ian Wright: We should go for one of them. If you think Villa, I think Sunderland. No, Sunderland, we have a monster. Sunderland beat Villa. Yeah, but it might be. No, they're not home. Who did Villa play tonight? Thursday.

1:23:45Paul Scholes: And they're, and they're already 2-1 up, aren't they? Surely Villa home would have changed.

1:23:51Ian Wright: What do you want to do? 2-1 Villa. We've got 2-1 Villa. Sunderland, I went for you, Sunderland. You went, Sunderland,

1:23:56Gary Neville: to be fair. I went for you. It's a draw, don't you? 1-1. Yeah. I'll go 1-1. 1-1. Might want to be wrong. What are the draws? Look at that. There's a draw.

1:24:04Paul Scholes: That never happened. Where's your intent here?

1:24:08Gary Neville: We've not got a draw now. We went for a score. You went for a win, didn't you? Go on, then. It's a two win. Was it three? What was it? You said? 3-1. 3-1? 3-1, I think. 3-1.

1:24:17Ian Wright: 1-1. We've gone 1-1, yeah. Come on, Arsenal, please. Lovely. Gary, there was a shirt down there, by the way, for... Just in case you didn't realise. Super 6, wouldn't you say? Which one is it? What's this? City was the last team and then obviously Mark's an Arsenal fan. So why'd you give him a City shirt? There you go. That's a Super 6 City shirt. I don't know why you've been given that, Mark. Thank you.

1:24:41Gary Neville: But this, I don't know why Super 6 have given you that, but I can understand why they've given you this.

1:24:46Ian Wright: Have the choice, have the choice.

1:24:47Gary Neville: There you go.

1:24:48Ian Wright: Put the City one down. He doesn't want the City one. He does want the City one. Do you want the City one, Mark? Not really.

1:24:56Gary Neville: Why would he? I tell you what, go and get a pen and get Roy Keane to sign the City one. That'll become a unique object. Yeah, that would be, wouldn't it? I need to wash my pants. There you go. The Arsenal Super 6 shirt.

1:25:10Ian Wright: There you go.

1:25:11Gary Neville: Thank you very much. Well done, mate. Thank you. Well done, Mark. You got to sign your Arsenal shirt. You sign it. We'll sign it. We'll sign it. Go on.

1:25:27Gary Neville: Do you want to chat about Tottenham or do you want to do a couple of questions? Whatever you want, Gell. What do we think on Tottenham? Do you think Spurs are staying up? You think? You keep saying that. Tell me why. Tell Spurs fans why they're staying up. Emotional. He's too emotional. He's too emotional. Glenn Hoddle. Roy, why are they staying up? What gives you... OK, then.

1:25:45Paul Scholes: Do you know what?

1:25:45Gary Neville: The logic is I think they get enough points. OK. I'm going to give you an actual... So, Roy, who is going down then if they're staying up? Because Leeds are not going down now. and I think Forrest and West Ham yeah why are you saying Forrest and West Ham are fine no I'm not what I'm saying are you saying Forrest and West Ham won the long run yeah one of them we'll go down instead and who do you think is going down out of those two

1:26:06Paul Scholes: well Forrest are a European game them European games can be a distraction for Forrest if they get through against Porto again different challenges demands

1:26:15Gary Neville: shall I take you through the fixtures of Forrest and West Ham huge game Forrest and Burnley yeah do that

1:26:21Paul Scholes: shall I take you through the fixtures of Forrest and West Ham

1:26:23Gary Neville: Forrest play Burnley at home. I think if they'd be Burnley, obviously they'd be Burnley. Sunderland away. Chelsea away. Newcastle at home. Man United away. And Bournemouth at home. Who was that? Forrest? That's Forrest. I think they'll get some. Forrest's got tough games. I think they'll get at least, they'll get six points. Tottenham's games are tough though, aren't they? Tottenham's games, do you want me to give you those? They're all tough. Brighton at home, I think it becomes a must win. They'll win. Wolves away. They'll win. They should win that. Villa away. No, draw.

1:26:53Paul Scholes: Leeds at home, big one. Draw, or win. Chelsea away. Leeds have the cup semi-final on that time, you see, lads. You're not thinking. Chelsea away. Who?

1:27:02Gary Neville: You've got Chelsea away, Tottenham, and then they've got Everton at home. And then West Ham's games, Palace away, Everton home, Brentford away, Arsenal home, Newcastle away, Leeds home. Oh, West Ham. No, West Ham's a tough one.

1:27:15Paul Scholes: West Ham, that sounds tough. Remember, as far as European football, Leeds have the distraction. it's when teams are playing in other competitions West Ham got a little bit of momentum especially after that

1:27:24Gary Neville: Jamie Carragher's quote from Monday Tottenham look like they're going down the other teams have something going for them you look at the fixtures you think that's a good game for Tottenham but they're awful Tottenham's a good game for them Wolves are bottom of the league do you think Tottenham will go there and win no chance I thought Leeds were in trouble before the other night

1:27:42Paul Scholes: did it say no chance

1:27:44Ian Wright: our friend from Liverpool

1:27:46Paul Scholes: Leeds are like Real Madrid against United I just think

1:27:50Ian Wright: that, you know...

1:27:50Gary Neville: But, Roy, when I look at Forest, West Ham and Leeds, they look like they've got some form of pattern of what they're doing. I get it.

1:27:57Paul Scholes: I can't see anything I get it. There's no logic to it. I get all that, of course. But sometimes football is a mad game. It's not... These three teams, you've got logically they're in the form, they've got something about them, they're more of a goal threat. Again, Spurs lack of confidence, lack of a bit of fight, midfielder problem, they're not creating anything, but I still think they'll get it. I just can't imagine the fixtures coming out next year and in the championship. I just can't see it. If you're West Ham,

1:28:27Ian Wright: if you're any of those teams down there, would you rather be playing Tottenham or West Ham right now? At the moment. Oh, you'd want to play sports?

1:28:34Paul Scholes: You'd want to play against Spurs. I agree, I agree. I think that says something. Of course, but sport isn't as simple as that, is it? We do predictions every week. You go, well, they're about to beat them and something happens. I think if they get a win, they'd be Brighton. He's the ex-Brighton manager. sometimes there's a twist in that sense. And again, everyone's thinking they're not going to win. But a lot of averages, you're thinking they're going to win, they have to win the odd game, don't they? Brighton are going to win for that reason. Of course. And obviously, Spurs don't win right now.

1:29:03Paul Scholes: I think if they don't win on Zapribe, Brighton.

1:29:06Ian Wright: They're struggling.

1:29:07Paul Scholes: They don't look like winning. I think when the season's over and if Spurs are in the bottom three, I'll still be thinking they won't go down. They'll officially go. But that's the same. They'll be all right.

1:29:18Gary Neville: They'll get out of it. OK I'm going to move it on Cole Palmer if Cole Palmer selected the World Cup he'll have played four summer tournaments in a row do we think that players are playing too much he's had a lot of rest though he's had a few injuries hasn't he yeah he struggled last week

1:29:33Paul Scholes: bloody hell he had last week hasn't he again his form has his form has he got back up to speed has he had his very best no not yet and is he getting them injuries because he has played three summers do you know what all these Parmers and Fordans their timing could be wrong their form in terms of going to the World Cup and one or two obviously they will miss they're not even making the squad the lad at Villa as well has gone a bit quiet hasn't it Morgan I did this

1:29:55Gary Neville: in 95 I played in the Unbroke Cup in 96 played in the Euro 96 in 97 played in Le Tournois

1:30:02Ian Wright: and in 98

1:30:04Gary Neville: I played in the World Cup at the start of the 98 99 season when we won the treble I had to have two weeks off during the season I was absolutely done it's only a right back is that

1:30:14Paul Scholes: he's a proper footballer is that physical or mental a bit of everything both I think I was just shot to pieces. But can I ask you something? Truth. I know a full-back. Is there less? No, I'm serious, obviously. Fucking hell. Let me finish. Same with the goalkeepers or the centre-half. If you're playing in them positions, it's got to be easier. Oh, Roy. No, it has to be. There's different challenges for different players. I'm surprised at you, Roy.

1:30:35Gary Neville: I'm surprised at you.

1:30:36Paul Scholes: So wait a minute. So get out. You're playing at the goalkeeper. Look at the clear of his eyes. I reckon if you've done all the stats of football, it's the most players you carry on the longest as a full-back. You do physically. The defenders. No.

1:30:45Ian Wright: You actually feel players actually go back towards the thing.

1:30:48Gary Neville: Centre backs and goalkeepers and centre forwards are carrying on more now. And even midfield players are sitting in there till the 40s. Yeah, maybe the sit midfielder can get away with it.

1:30:54Paul Scholes: Yeah, but I think full-back's in turn.

1:30:56Gary Neville: I think, Roy, now... Nothing's in front of you. Roy, you can't... I don't think... Look, there's a great living example in the last probably 12 months. If you look at Kyle, who's played unbelievable football for the last seven or eight years, the minute that you just start to physically just struggle... Yeah, but that's because he was like lightning quick. I know, but the minute you start... But what age is he now, though? But the minute... 35, is he? 34, 35? But the minute you start to lose that edge as a full-back now, you're dead. All them lads that can play quick in the wide areas, you've got to go forward.

1:31:23Gary Neville: You've got to go forward. You've got to go forward. You've got to go forward. I think that was the same at the end. I'm sorry. I might have used the wrong term saying it's easier, but I don't know. I don't know. But also, Roy, if you think about my mentality as a football player, the sort of way in which I was, I was intense. Yeah, you were intense. I was intense. So the idea that four summers playing every game, I never felt comfortable playing a football match or relaxed or... If we were 3-4-0 up with 10 minutes to go, 15 minutes to go, Old Trafford, I'd be like... But other than that, I'm thinking...

1:31:52Gary Neville: I was the same, though.

1:31:53Paul Scholes: Yeah, I was the same. We were all the same. But some players look more relaxed than me. Some did. I was saying people are like, right, it is laid-back guys. But I bet you they were intense. You're trying to go back to Arsenal and be nervous. Man City would be nervous on Sunday. It's how you deal with it. Because teams have won trophies before. but when you've won trophies before that makes you more nervous because you know what's at stake right he just talked to me talked to me about Ben White

1:32:20Gary Neville: what about him just talked to me about him I like Ben White so I'll be really honest with you I thought two or three years ago I thought he had a brilliant partnership where he used to play those little passes to Saka but when I watched him recently and I don't know if it's since the World Cup thing where obviously that issue happened and injuries but when I watch him now I just think even the goal the goal at the weekend the one that got playing on the outside. I thought, he'd have seen that a couple of years ago. Is he going to play Sunday? That would be a worry for me. I think that's the one worry I think for me.

1:32:51Gary Neville: Timber's been a big miss, hasn't he? Timber's a massive miss, yeah.

1:32:55Ian Wright: You know what, it's either him or Mastira will play there, but you do worry for him because the injuries that he's had, you could see that he's not as quick and as sharp as he was.

1:33:05Paul Scholes: He looks a bit stiff, doesn't he?

1:33:06Ian Wright: Yeah, he just looks like, you know, when you're running. He isn't actually a right-backer, is he? Well, he was a centre-back, wasn't he? He was a centre-half.

1:33:14Gary Neville: He was a centre-half. But he played there quite a bit, to be fair, and got good at it for a period. Yeah, he did for a period. When that's not your position...

1:33:20Ian Wright: Yeah, when you look at how he runs especially, it's not like... I'm watching him trying to get back the other day and you can see he's really labouring to get back there.

1:33:28Gary Neville: Would you go mascara on something?

1:33:30Ian Wright: I probably would go with mascara because you're going to need that... You're going to need the quick agility kind of person, even though he's a centre-half. As we said, though, before, that's what happens with pressure, doesn't it? Your legs go a little bit heavy-legged. That's what happens. you know but like you know we're going to need to find something

1:33:44Gary Neville: a write back who has been the signing of the season

1:33:52Ian Wright: people also you know what Semenyo is probably I know it's not a long time ago January but I think Eka TK if Liverpool would have done well I thought he'd done brilliantly I was so unlucky with him and his injury but when you look at it I'd probably say Granit Xhaka Granit Xhaka has been brilliant for Sunderland. Yeah, brilliant. I think Sermeniel's been brilliant, though. I think Sermeniel's probably... No, no, no. I'd say for me and for Sunderland and how important it was for Sunderland to stay on and go with Granit. Xhaka. Yeah, go with Granit. Excellent. He's been magnificent for them.

1:34:24Gary Neville: His experience and decision.

1:34:25Ian Wright: Nice one, yeah. He's the kind of, yeah.

1:34:27Gary Neville: Okay. We're going to see Andy Robertson leave Liverpool and where does he rank in the all-time best Premier League left-backs? Joseph Smith his assists are a joke by the way on the quiet I mean Trent always used to get the headlines on the assists but his assists for basically someone who Joseph Smith I watched him play at Hull against Manchester City before he went obviously to Liverpool many years ago and he got a right doing in that game and I thought when he went to Liverpool that is not going to happen he has been unbelievable I remember

1:34:57Ian Wright: I remember watching him and I remember saying to Sharon Lineker about honestly left back at Hull because you know when you watch when you watch a team and you watch a team like Hull and one player does start you've seen him doing things that if he was in a better team you think wow he's so good the way he's passing it inside going following it getting playing he's balls inside you're thinking wow he's good bam Liverpool sign him Was he great defensively though? We just

1:35:22Paul Scholes: defensively I think he did a very good job I agree Excellent job I thought he'd be a bit of a weakness defensively Yeah I did So what he's done I'm trying to think of better left backs than him

1:35:32Gary Neville: Well you're actually called Dennis Erwin, Stuart Pearce you've got those types you've obviously got

1:35:36Paul Scholes: He deserves to be mentioned, yeah.

1:35:38Gary Neville: Gallas played Leatherback for quite a while, didn't he? No, you can't count Gallas. Fucking hell.

1:35:43Ian Wright: You can't say Gallas. He's a centre-half. Patrice? Patrice Everett.

1:35:46Gary Neville: Patrice. Where would you put him? Top five. He's in the top five. Top three?

1:35:54Ian Wright: It's Ashley Cole.

1:35:55Gary Neville: Hold on. Ashley Cole.

1:35:57Ian Wright: Cool your jets.

1:35:58Gary Neville: Cool your jets. Because you're going too fast.

1:36:01Ian Wright: Slow down. You're moving too fast. Hang on.

1:36:04Gary Neville: Okay, we'll give him top five. top five Premier League left backs attack-wise defensively

1:36:09Ian Wright: no just because I've it's part of the game he was a good defender Roy yeah

1:36:14Gary Neville: Roy for three or four five years he was a good defender Roy he was tenacious he'd get to the ball I'm having that who have you seen him get done by like obviously last 12-18 months different because he's had to drop off a bit

1:36:23Ian Wright: I'm putting him in the top three

1:36:26Gary Neville: by the way there was a rumour that he was going to go to Tottenham as soon as he's actually that's a good move for Tottenham experience maybe a good in the championship wow okay Okay, what's the one thing that everyone loves but you hate? It's a hard question, isn't it?

1:36:45Paul Scholes: That's a good question.

1:36:46Gary Neville: What's the one thing that everyone loves that you hate? Do you know what I was thinking straight with? I don't hate it, though. Paddle, I was thinking. Everyone loves paddle.

1:36:55Ian Wright: Paddle?

1:36:56Gary Neville: Everyone loves paddle.

1:36:57Ian Wright: Sure, yeah. Paddle's a good shout.

1:36:59Gary Neville: But I don't hate it, so I think that's... Have you played it? Eh? Have you played it? Yeah, I've played it, yeah. I've never played it. Yeah.

1:37:05Paul Scholes: I hate it.

1:37:07Ian Wright: I watched it and the point went on forever. It felt like, how do you get a point? You have to hit it out of the place?

1:37:16Paul Scholes: You know, it's getting my nerves in football. Everyone after a match is doing a lap of honour. Like every league game. Everyone walking on the pitch clapping. Bizarre.

1:37:25Ian Wright: You like the shaking hands at the start as well.

1:37:27Paul Scholes: But do you think everyone loves that? I mean, is that something everyone loves? Well, the clubs seem to do, yeah. You know about everyone on the planet? They don't. All the clubs do it and they're walking on the pitch. It's bizarre. Especially if you've been beaten. Wow.

1:37:39Gary Neville: Everyone loves but you hate. Tough question, man. People.

1:37:49Gary Neville: People, there we go.

1:37:53Ian Wright: Get another one, girl. Get another one. Paddle, let's just say paddle.

1:37:58Gary Neville: What's the one thing that has annoyed you this week?

1:38:03Gary Neville: what's the one thing that annoyed me this week?

1:38:06Ian Wright: It's not the one thing that's annoyed me. I just get asked every day. About Arsenal?

1:38:10Paul Scholes: Yeah.

1:38:12Ian Wright: Arsenal fan. It's weird, isn't it? We get asked,

1:38:15Paul Scholes: but United, wherever you go,

1:38:16Ian Wright: what are you like? The back.

1:38:18Paul Scholes: People ask you, you're not walking.

1:38:19Ian Wright: You know what, Roy? This is where you can see where the neutral wouldn't want Arsenal because me as an Arsenal fan, knowing, like, on a daily basis, whatever I'm doing, someone will ask me something so you can see where the neutral... No, A lot of neutrals would want ourselves to like, I think. Because it's coming every single day. It's coming every single minute. That's been tough this week.

1:38:40Gary Neville: I'm going through Manchester Airport yesterday morning because I just flew to Jeeva for the day and back. It's very difficult. Yeah, it's painful. Travelling is hard, isn't it? And the amount of things that just get said to me just loosely. It's just like words, sometimes nice words, and sometimes never you prick. I've been a lot better with banking settings. you're right mate good morning it's half six horse test half six in the morning you know what tell me what though

1:39:07Ian Wright: you know what not being that mean to me a lot honestly and I'm not joking is come on you Spurs out the car windows I'm not hearing that at the moment I used to hear that all the time walking from the car good reason good reason I'm sorry

1:39:20Gary Neville: I did an Arsenal game what was the Arsenal game a couple of weeks ago oh my god righty cup final did you do the cup final yeah I did the cup final but a league game it was before that and there's a guy who's wound his window down do you know the underneath bit where you drive out oh my god he was abusing me he was fucking having a go at me and I just oh my god

1:39:40Ian Wright: did you say anything back

1:39:42Gary Neville: I did yeah was it his car yeah it was his car yeah and he just and honestly I was fuming

1:39:47Ian Wright: I got one from a Chelsea fan the other day and he was just shouting at me through the window and I was just looking like just kept looking

1:39:52Gary Neville: and I can't smile at them though absolutely hammering me

1:39:55Ian Wright: about my team about what was going on you shit you shit

1:39:59Gary Neville: Shit car.

1:40:01Ian Wright: You got used to it. You called my car shit. So when he said that, that's when I got to the place where... Yeah, that's when I got to the place of just being calm. Because, like, he was just going on about us. I wasn't doing anything. Then when he said shit, I just started smiling. He said, you're shit car.

1:40:21Ian Wright: You'd have to smile, obviously. You'd cry, wouldn't you?

1:40:23Gary Neville: Yeah. That's the end of the show. What a beautiful ending. You shit car. Shit car. You still can't call it a mini.

1:40:34Ian Wright: Well done.

1:40:45Immersing yourself in all things soccer ahead of this summer's World Cup? I'm Alex Abnos, senior sports editor from The Guardian. Whether you're a soccer beginner or you know the game inside and out, we've got you covered. From one of the fastest growing soccer newsrooms, The Guardian brings you in-depth World Cup coverage that gets into the winners and losers on and off the pitch. Read, watch, and listen as our journalists connect the dots between the games, the cultures, and this political moment. We'll have daily newsletters throughout the tournament, a global perspective, and a squad of Americans, including me, on the ground with the U.S.

1:41:16national team. Plus, if you want to test your soccer knowledge, try On The Ball. It's a game in the Guardian app, and it's really, really fun. And if you're into stuff like this...

1:41:24Ian Wright: Well, I think the problem is if you give footballers an inch, they will take a mile. Is it too much when it's this close? It's a bit much. It's a bit too real. Maybe you could just talk with a slight delay. Be sure to listen to our Football Weekly podcast for on-the-move expert analysis. The Guardian, bringing you the whole picture on soccer. Search Guardian Soccer for more. If you work in university maintenance, Granger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip-off and Granger is your trusted partner. offering the products you need all in one place from HVAC and plumbing supplies to lighting and more and all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock so your team always gets the win.

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