Our 26/27 Predictions: Best Signings, Breakout stars & Can Man United WIN the Premier League?! | EP. 419

0:00Chris Stark: Hello and welcome to that Peter Crouch podcast. With me, Peter Crouch, I'm a little bit huskier than normal today. I've got no tourists inside. He's Sid and Chris Stark. Everyone okay? I'm a little bit husky. Apologies for that.

0:12Tom Fordyce: Do you know what? I was saying earlier on to the lads before you got here and obviously we see each other yesterday and I was like, there's no way you could do the pod tomorrow. Honestly, there was no way that we could recall. with his voice yesterday. His bounce back is outrageous, isn't it? It's unlike anyone else. It's unbelievable. We always talk about it. Back stronger. He's always here. You always somehow turn up at this podcast. I hear you in all sorts of states.

0:41Chris Stark: There's some unbelievable evenings I've had and then I've managed to get here. Well, listen, this genuinely wasn't, you know, I'll be honest with you, I haven't lived completely like a monk. this last week but I think it's more of a bug than a self-inflicted issue okay they all say that don't they but no I think it is I think my daughter's had it it's been going round did you have a big weekend or it was reasonable do you know what I thought of Sid's I thought of Sid's with this as well I had my first ever buzz ball have you heard a buzz ball have you heard these yeah yeah yeah I've seen the little balls they're all at unis and stuff aren't they I've never heard of no they're a buzz ball not until today We've got to get Sid's buzz ball.

1:25So I turned up at the... That could be dangerous. We've got to get it done. I turned up at this party I was at with one giant buzz ball, which looked like I was giving myself some sort of tribute, you know, like put this one ball on the table there. But it's like it was a giant buzz ball, about 30 quid the thing cost as well.

1:45Tom Fordyce: Couldn't believe it. So are you saying the days are gone of taking a bottle of champagne or a bottle of wine and you just rock up with a buzz ball and you're the hero. Yeah, honestly, everyone that's on it, it was like a team barbecue thing, you know, the radio lot. Everyone there, they were buzzing about, they were buzzing about this buzz ball, you know, it was, I couldn't believe it.

2:03Chris Stark: Do you know, I had a story the other day, I think it was Scott who was telling me, and he said that his mate or someone he knew was taking his buzz balls to the gym. And he said to his mate before he had done a workout with him, do you want to quick buzz ball before we start? He went, what? He thought they were like an energy drink like collagen balls I've been doing one before the gym every two the last two weeks that's outrageous fuck he must be like I don't have a clue go for it incredible scenes wow buzz ball another thing as well I don't know if the game's gone or not if you watch this on YouTube there's a I mean what would you describe that as that's a cordless mic cordless mic you've gone cordless apparently it goes that there's been a few emails about the quality of microphones yeah but that's been going on for about 10 years now we've just ignored most of them I don't know why for some reason today is this like start of season we've just gone with the better audio experience yeah yeah yeah absolutely

3:07Tom Fordyce: so look enjoy it you two have got one I've gone for the top of the pops seems like it's a good grip yeah good I know where your mind's going good girth well I was going to say that but I didn't want to low at the time

3:21Chris Stark: my six girth is a it's like a fat yeah

3:26Tom Fordyce: inside

3:26Chris Stark: yeah that's all it is

3:28Tom Fordyce: longer good well it's good to all be back together it's great

3:33Chris Stark: it's great to be back together okay lads so after saying all that about our wireless mics we've gone back to the original mics that we've been using for 10 years so the audio experience again will be shit please enjoy listen what we're trying to say here is that we're going to try and not have that knocking that we've had for ages. And then it will just, it'll be fantastic for you. Mate, we're in pre-season mode. As I said, the last couple of podcasts, the feel of these podcasts is very much pre-season. You know, we get back to it when we're fully in the swing of the season. Appreciate it's all, you know, different times and stuff like that, but not long now till the Premier League kicks off.

4:10I actually can't wait. Did you enjoy the Cup games last weekend? No.

4:16Chris Stark: I'll tell you what since enjoyed last weekend. His little boy scored, Harry. I've got to score on the first day of the season.

4:21Tom Fordyce: Yeah, non-league is back. Eastleigh. Eastleigh. He's on loan at Eastleigh. We landed back from Portugal about half three. And as soon as we landed, all the messages and the WhatsApps come through. And then, yeah, scored a little header. So, first one.

4:35Chris Stark: Off to a flyer.

4:36Tom Fordyce: Off to a flyer. They won. They beat Gateshead. So, tough league, that National League. There's about six or seven teams that can win that. But going back to your question, the weekend's football. when has the cup game replaced the first game

4:50Chris Stark: of the season I was totally lost didn't see what was happening I was like I couldn't believe what I was seeing Carabao Cup that's all it is yeah yeah it was yeah first one of that Watford played Crawley scored a last minute goal there good goal good to see that goal yeah it does it sort of shakes things up a little bit doesn't it I'm not sure I'm not sure you're a fan of that game's gone it could be Carabao Cup in August yeah just on the just on the cup one I've got a little present for you guys. So this, I've been sent for us, is the official Community Shield match ball. Is it really? Oh, no.

5:29Yeah, do you want to have a look? Which is going to be this week. I like it.

5:33Tom Fordyce: This week, yeah. That's a belt. Arsenal, Manchester City. Yes, and can I just check, that's in Cardiff, isn't it? I did hear that. Yeah. You're right. Why is it in Cardiff? I think because is it like the weekend has got a gig at Wembley Wembley was booked out that well

5:52Chris Stark: hold on the start of the football season can't accommodate the community shield look at this it's been going on for 100 years because we're weekends playing just double check is it the weekend but yeah so it's at the Millennium Stadium Arsenal gets Man City got a little note that came with the ball cracking ball says dear Starkeepy and Sid we thought you might like a look at the Brands Banker new Community Shield ball being used when shin pads were actually shin pads. Remember who was on the score sheet that day? With 10 minutes remaining, a trademark crouchy header sealed the winning goal and Liverpool lifted the Community Shield once again.

6:28Hope the new ball brings back some great memories. That's from Team Maitre.

6:32Chris Stark: I was just going to say that, like the minute you said it was at the Millennium, that was just a great pre-season for me, that one. Because I was aware of it, one I think recent scored it might have been Shevchenko that scored for Chelsea and because it was his first game and I thought he was going to be unbelievable it didn't really work out for him at Chelsea but his movement was brilliant for the goal and then and then yeah Bellamy went down the left and I headed the winner in and it was right at the Liverpool end like and it was like a sea of red it was amazing dreams it was great dreams this ball's got a lot dimples dimples dimples I like that I'm a fan I like it I like it a lot the old school Mitre can't beat can't beat a Mitre I love Mitre it is a cracker isn't it I mean you know it's one of those where it just feels like they're they're ball specialists yeah do you know what I mean whereas you've got Is it a Delta

7:23Tom Fordyce: is it a Ultra Pro Max it's an Ultimax an Ultimax

7:26Chris Stark: an Ultimax it just feels like Mitre kind of they do balls do you know what I mean whereas you know sometimes like Titleist for instance yeah and their golf yeah you know like they're messing around with too much else yeah I think it's football football heritage it feels like do you know what I mean I saw a fella in the news not too long ago who's got a collection of mitables like the whole his whole place his whole it's like a museum of all of them I had a Minerva I used to get Minervas do you remember them? I do remember that they were quite small and they used to fly yeah me and my dad used to I used to train before school and we had a load of Minervas love it and miters that's brilliant I love that what a great gift nice isn't it we can put up in Chamba 1 bar put up in Chamba 1 bar yeah good to be back in the Chambalhunter by the way great to be back what have you been up to Sid otherwise you've been away I've seen you we was in Portugal

8:16Tom Fordyce: I was on Zoom last week wasn't I so great loved it over 100 kids the camp the football camp it was brilliant the campus you know it really well what a venue that is yeah well I couldn't believe it so I've seen this stuff go up on Instagram message Sid's at one point I don't understand how I've missed out on these holidays so from what I can see you go on holiday which is fun anyway and next thing you're getting trained by Sid's and Rio Rio was there for the week yeah I don't know if kids know how good they're getting this stuff well you know

8:44Chris Stark: we'll shout them out it's football escapes it's their thing and they're yeah it's great for us because you know we get a holiday with the family and of course you know most of my kids do the football camp anyway so I'll probably be there anyway so I'll run round

8:58Tom Fordyce: yeah it was great facility was great I too was there Jordan Henderson was there he was training every morning to be fair to him he was putting in the shift just before he's moved to Chelsea of course yeah which we'll go into, I'm sure, in a bit. Is his arm alright? His arm's really good. Yeah, he had like a little, not a sling, it was just like a protection for the son he was saying. And he had like a little squidgy ball that he was just getting, he said he's lost a lot of weight in his arm. How's his back looking? His back, he was actually bare chested.

9:26Chris Stark: Was he really? Did you notice any wobble on the back? There was no wobble.

9:29Tom Fordyce: Zero wobble there. Yeah, that's what I mean. He'd done a little Q &A for the kids, which was great. Get on this question. One of the kids asked him, you know, like the Q &A with a kid it's always normally who's the best team played against or how much did you earn one of the kids he must have been eight years old how can you improve Chelsea fuck me wow even even no my god

9:52Chris Stark: it's Nick Collins Jr

9:56Tom Fordyce: give a little tash it was brilliant it was so good definitely wasn't a plant no it's not an undercover journal promise you even all the coaches everyone was like oh wow what a question how do you answer that to be fair he just battered it on he was just like look I'm going to train hard every day and obviously hopefully just improve myself improve the team and I'll tell you who else was out there training was Anthony Gordon and he was training actually in the afternoon when it was even hotter and I'm assuming that was to get ready for Barcelona so fair play to the lads for putting a shift in so it was good this is all just going on your holiday they're just out there on the same pitch yeah it was mad great I don't know why I find that that kind of odd to imagine but I did so when Henderson's training is he just is he just setting up cones himself he's got a coach it was like a one on one so there was a lot of hurt to be fair it wasn't like going at it it was just more of a tick over you know it was a long summer and over a few hurdles you know a few shuttles a bit of ball work a few strides that was it

10:58Chris Stark: that place in Portugal obviously it's an elite kind of place and I've seen like Cristiano trained there like the Portugal national team I've trained them myself like with Burnley you know and last time I was there it was like Trent was there there was quite a few people trained on their own and they kind of have the pitch privately it's a good place to train so it's sort of proper site it's not like where I've gone on holiday in the past and they do like we used to go family holidays to France and it'd be sort of dads v kids or England v France you know and it would always get really kind of nasty

11:31Tom Fordyce: and yeah I've done them yeah In like the beaten up tennis court. They put the nets down and it's just like, yeah. I love that though. It's all good, isn't it? Good memories. Yeah.

11:42Chris Stark: Just a bit of admin before we start. I think, Chris, we've got a date for your comedy show. You are going to do five minutes, I believe, isn't it? What's the date there, Gaz? It's the 3rd of September.

11:53Tom Fordyce: It's not just five minutes. It's a hard five.

11:55Chris Stark: What does a hard five mean? That means he doesn't have any breaks. It's a hard five. Yeah. I still don't fully understand how this would work, but essentially, for losing the league, I've got to do stand-up comedy in a stand-up comedy club. I'm looking forward to it. I'm really looking forward to this. I'm sort of dreading it because I think that's a real skill doing stand-up comedy. I think that sure is. It's one thing sitting here and having a laugh on the pod. It's a whole different scenario where loads of people are expecting to laugh. You're trying to make someone laugh. It's horrible. It's a skill, that.

12:27And I don't have any particular style. What I need is jokes, I think.

12:32Chris Stark: we'll get the listeners to fire some jokes over

12:34Tom Fordyce: let's get some the only one I ever think of

12:37Chris Stark: the only one I ever think of is why there's no drugs in the jungle because of paracetamol

12:47Chris Stark: that's good it's just good stuff isn't it that's family friendly depends if there's kids in the audience and then what else do I do do I do the jokes and then is it worth me having a little drum to kind of go I'm sure they'd have them sound effects or do I do I go a different route and sort of dress funny do you know what I mean do I go down the sort of class I don't know it's all the playful that might help you become someone else you know because you might be a bit nervous if you just Chris Stark if you go and pretend to be you know like you say what you know what's her name Lily Savage did be someone else that's what I mean do a totally totally different persona yeah just be someone else or do I try and imagine a famous comedian like Lee Evans or someone like that and just sort of parade up and down the sweaty suit

13:32Tom Fordyce: sweating away fuck me some sweat that's all to play for so am I right in saying this is a secret location comedy club the audience that night won't know Chris is doing it and he needs some content basically so we wouldn't want some he needs some help

13:51Chris Stark: I need jokes alright please write in with some jokes Chris looking forward to it just a few other bits and pieces I know West Ham have banned half and half scarves yeah different views on this across the podcast really I was surprised as well Chris I don't know well anything to say for yourself oh my god are you batting four no not exactly no I just think why have they banned should I read the statement from West Ham this is an official statement right West Ham United would like to remind supporters that half and half scarves and any items displaying the colours or crests of both clubs are permanently banned inside the London Stadium.

14:31This policy applies to all fixtures. Supporters arriving with half and half scars purchased from unofficial sellers will be required to hand them over to security staff at the security checkpoints and these scars will not be returned once surrendered. Fans wishing to purchase a scarf for the game are encouraged to visit the official West Ham United stadium store where a full range of official merch is available ahead of kickoff.

14:53Chris Stark: I like it. The fact is also that West Ham will play Millwall this year. a half and half we always have Scarfaby that can't happen

15:01Tom Fordyce: that can't happen I'd love to see it though do you do you not think that is just going to make people try and get them in there because you can't if they put them under your jacket you're never going to tell well in my experience I think with football the second you ban something it almost makes it more appealing yeah you know it then it might bring me back to that statement yeah you know like it's it's like the do not touch sign on a wall you know it does that bit of your brain where you have to go and do it alright half and half scarves just very quickly

15:33Chris Stark: give us your pro on it this is what I'm trying to think it's not that I'm an advocate it's more just I'm trying to work out what the defence of them would be I think if you are a smaller club let's say and you're playing a game against a big team it's a it's a good memory thing to have you know I get that I remember Portsmouth played AC Milan for Ratton Park it was an iconic game really was may never happen again yeah so I remember seeing the start in 11 of someone had it framed and stuff at the Ports one the fact that Milan came to Fratton Park yeah

16:08Tom Fordyce: no I get that

16:09Chris Stark: is a thing yeah yeah and if you buy one you could say you was there because there's not really many things you can buy I mean obviously there's a match day programme but there's not many things that you can sort of display and you know for those real memorable games and I think if you're a team that really respects the opposition like that, then potentially I would say that's a mitigating circumstance for having a half and a half scarf. Yeah. This just moves quite nicely into half and half calves. I don't know if you've seen this, but there was a guy here. I'm sorry to whoever this is, and I'm sure you are a lovely bloke, but I have no words.

16:50Chris Stark: That's from Ellie Louise Jones. She's writing and she says, so basically this guy has got a tattoo of the Liverpool liver bird on one LFC then I believe he's got Bristol City on his right so he's a Bristol he's half Bristol City and half Liverpool and he's had a tattoo on each calf

17:09Tom Fordyce: I mean if they've played each other before and he's ahead of the curve and he's gone instead of doing a half and half scarf I'm going to go for the half and half calf

17:18Chris Stark: in fair play to him the thing is if he has done that for a gag half and half calf it's very funny I believe he supports both yeah he's from Bristol he supports his local team but he wants to have a little taste of Liverpool so if all clubs adopt the same policy as West Ham right because of social media pressure has this person just given themselves a lifetime ban from potentially both clubs that he supports yes well if they take West Ham's stance he's finished

17:51Tom Fordyce: he's done he's done he's going to have to wear strides in the summer when it's 36 degrees

17:58Chris Stark: can we get to the bottom of who this man is because I'd like to have him on the podcast and ask him if you are the man with Bristol City on your right calf and Liverpool on your left please get in touch because we've never seen half and half calves before I want to get you a half and half calf I've only got a half a calf

18:25Tom Fordyce: his calves have had a divorce it's a half of half two divorces half and half I do love these pre-season podcasts right and in terms of other people that I'd really like us to get on another curveball one for you boys similar to what we were talking about with the buzzballs earlier which are like do you remember going on them holidays to Malia or Kavos them buzzballs are kind of like the fish bowls that you would get over there and you're not really sure what's in it and it sort of sends you send you west for a bit have you seen or did you ever do where you pay a euro and you get a penalty kick against the goalie there and it happens a lot in zante they're going really really big on on tiktok at the moment because the zante goalkeeper is unreal he's he's phenomenal is he if anything i would argue we're not sending our scouts to the right places You know, there are gems in alternative places.

19:22You've got to think, this is a goalkeeper that all night long, every night, has a lot of Brits firing balls at them. He's unreal.

19:31Tom Fordyce: So we need to find out what nationality he's from, because he doesn't necessarily need to be from, I'm going to say Greece. Zantia's in Greece, isn't it? I think so. What game was it where a keeper got subbed on at the end for the penalty shootout? Was it a national game or was it a cup game? Was it Chelsea maybe or something? I can't remember the game. he could be that guy he could be that guy yeah my dream boys is to get you two taking shots against this anti-goalkeeper at some point he must come over here at some time yeah yeah we'll do it it's a real common thing I guarantee you we'll go to his own patch but there'll be people who are listening to this right now that have taken shots fair play if you score you get a bottle of something I think it is some cheap bottle of shite but it's but it's not really about that you just you just want to celebrate with your mates don't you yeah yeah okay

20:17Chris Stark: right lads new season we got a few signings just to wrap through I'm going to ask you some questions about him Morgan Rogers that's the Villa to Chelsea a lot of money 117 million great player I like him most expensive British footballer ever mad mad money

20:34Tom Fordyce: and out of nowhere as well this wasn't even leaked or straight away

20:39Chris Stark: also you know we had him on the podcast speaks well doesn't he like him as a lad love him as a player consistency levels maybe need to go a bit a bit more when he gets to Chelsea big mates for Cole Palmer how do you see that link up?

20:59Tom Fordyce: I really like it first of all I'm really surprised that Villa let him go but then I don't know with the financial restraints whether they had to sell because they got rid of

21:09Chris Stark: Tielemans as well yeah and they're in

21:10Tom Fordyce: they're in Champions League yeah they're in the Champions League Villa two key players for them massive players in terms of him getting Chelsea I really like it and in terms of their midfield that's arguably got to be the best midfield in the league Placedo Enzo Morgan Rodgers Cole Palmer Cole Palmer yeah and I just think what they're doing at Chelsea is fascinating looking ahead to this season how they're going to be and the character of it as well I'm really really liking I'm assuming you spoke to Jordan about that yes he was really looking forward to it actually really really looking forward to it and again it seems as though Chelsea have done like a 180 haven't they they've gone for youth for the last two or three years they've all now got more experience I think I think they're going to be a really interesting one this season Chelsea because they're going to be expected now to do really well especially with getting them guys in there in terms of Welbeck and Henderson to really sort of patrol that dressing room we've been dressing rooms where we've had lads that just nip things in the bud straight away I think there's a a little bit of that leaking into that Chelsea dressing room.

22:17Tom Fordyce: I felt like there was something

22:18Chris Stark: in there with Chelsea. Like, there was a few, you know, when Enzo was coming out and saying he wants to, you know, he didn't say he wants to leave, but you know, there was a few mumblings and things getting said and stories coming out. And yeah, I think those two players will really help. Does it, from a manager's point of view, does that help protect you a little bit as well? So, to avoid the churn of managers, if you've got a couple of experienced heads, almost as buffers between you and the players, it's a dream. does that keep you sort of that bit of distance doesn't get you drawn into any of the pettiness you know what it's a type of player Xavi was obviously a player with Xavi Lonzo he's the type of player that would be that link between a manager and a because he was he was just class act really was and yeah he would be that kind of link he'd be able to go speak to the manager and and the players all respected him as well and is that what you're buying when you when you get a Henderson you're actually you're obviously the the footballing ability to one side but you are buying almost an immediate what would be in another club a legend you know one of the ones that's been there for a long long bit of time you're almost transferring that position come on respect

23:27Tom Fordyce: straight away he'll be like a second lieutenant really just straight away just sort of the respect from the lads with Morgan Rodgers I think he's got an outstanding coach as well one of the best in Europe that's actually got a point to prove as well at Chelsea so I don't want to say the dark horses but because they spent a lot of money but they could be they could after what happened last season they have to challenge does this change that narrative of it being a project you know this was the word that kept getting used for the last couple of seasons it's like they're going to come good this is the five year this is the project and people were rightly going well no it should be now's the time if you're going to be

24:08Chris Stark: I've spent enough money for it to be now I would say yeah you know and it was disappointing yeah Right, so I think they'll improve this year. I've seen them get in the top four, certainly. Elliot Anderson, he was, well, sorry, Britain's most expensive player for about five minutes. 116 million. Love him as a footballer, though. I thought he was brilliant in the World Cup. This money is huge. It's mad, isn't it? It is mad. Do you know why I knew the money was huge now in football? I know I am not, you know, there's players before me that were a bit angry about, you know. But like the way I've seen it now is looking at their Instagram over their holidays this year.

24:49Chris Stark: Have you seen some of these holidays?

24:53Chris Stark: I was fucking, Cobby Mainu done me. Cobby Mainu was the one that done me. It was the roller up to the jet. And then it was the boat. Everyone seems to be on these fucking massive Bezos boats.

25:07Tom Fordyce: Boats and yachts. Boats, yachts and jets.

25:10Chris Stark: Bezos, Bezos boats. do you know what I mean listen

25:13Tom Fordyce: big dogs

25:14Chris Stark: you know big dogs obviously Harland you know was on a was on did they play golf off them I was a little bit there's a few ones I was a little bit oh okay

25:25Tom Fordyce: I don't think you're going to see him earlier I don't know

25:28Chris Stark: I mean with regards to the game's gone I don't think so no because it sounds bitter yeah I'm all for a boat I think it's great a boat trip's one of my favourite things to do yeah

25:42Tom Fordyce: I don't think you're going to see Elliot Anderson eating golf balls off a boat I think you're a bit more low key no how well did he do in the World Cup whilst this move was going on because it was the wheels were in motion as whilst he was playing he still just kept his head down but then we're re-benchmarking the money again now that is the new 100 million isn't it that was the mad you know when Jack Grealish made that move I felt like that set a minimum value then for all players that are real big signings to go well I'm at least I need to be that level to be seen as the biggest player we're now at the what's that 116 117 we're now at 120 million now for a player

26:19Chris Stark: but it feels like there's so much emphasis now on central midfielders yeah you look at Tonali Elliot Anderson Guimaraas Guimaraas you know before that it was Caicedo Enzo Fernandes Tielemans as well Tielemans you know what I mean Declan Rice yeah all central midfield players all 100 million

26:37Tom Fordyce: can I just say something as well going back on that camp really quickly you get them all into positions or into groups who here wants to be a striker no one really they all want to be they all want to be they all want to be a midfield player or attacking midfield player no strikers I couldn't believe it and then when I when I said to someone oh like it was as though I've asked him to gain goal because he said do you want to go as a striker are you in striker's the new goal no what a shout could not believe it unreal you're putting the last one picked and striker. Yeah. And it was like, unreal.

27:15Tom Fordyce: Is that the way

27:17Chris Stark: the game's going?

27:17Tom Fordyce: Mate, that is it. Wow. That is it. Hence why we've had a window of transfers of midfield players. I can only assume that I think the modern day striker is not what it was. It's wingers, isn't it? It's more flair players, inverted wingers, attacking midfield players, Morgan Rodgers, players like these. like who's left now as a real out and out striker Harry Kane when you ask people who their favourite players are I would say a lot of kids would say Harry Kane Harland Mbappe yeah well they don't want to play there is it just they don't identify with these like big yeah crazy honestly I was blown away yeah

27:56Chris Stark: interesting well listen Tonali I think that's a good sign as well I like him he's a good player I think that's what you need in there is a bit of energy as well yeah I know it's difficult for Newcastle as well to send off their players there's no way Eddie Howe could have stayed in that environment and all those players like Isak's gone Tonali Gerrard is like big players they're losing was he the one that booked that table in Weatherspoons once I was right Tonali yeah yeah yeah great I hope they do that again he had a table he had a table at Weatherspoons he didn't know what it was the lad said he said where shall I go for dinner and then he said to him go over to the Weatherspoons that was it and he went

28:34Tom Fordyce: so he's booked a table at class but there'll be a few in London he's gone there hasn't he he needs to check out the Albarone doesn't he

28:42Chris Stark: get yourself down the Albarone that's it Mateus Fernandes West Ham to Tottenham another good signing spent a lot of money Spurs quite efficient weren't they

28:49Tom Fordyce: it was always going to happen I think with Deserby if they stayed up he was always going to have that remit where we're going to go for it and I actually think at some point they will go bang because that's what he does you've worked with him since I remember seeing him at Brighton top level top level really but the only thing with him is he's nuts in a great way players love him but I think it could be hard for working upstairs because you don't know what you're going to get from him in terms of you feel like he could walk the next day like he's so not fast he's got high standards but at some point Spurs will just go whether it's going to be the start of the season the back end of the season maybe into next season but at some point they'll be they'll be back to where they should be

29:33Chris Stark: yeah okay well Mateus Fernandes I think it's a good sign as well I've always liked him really good player Andy Gordon to Barcelona was an interesting one you know lovely figure of 69 million yeah

29:44Tom Fordyce: I wonder if he's after that

29:46Chris Stark: I'm sure that'll you know maybe partial fantastic fantastic I'm just sending a message for the transfer fee why why is it that I'll give you 70 million I'll go no thanks I'd like a 69 it's that much money at that point you can have a laugh it's the A it's the A before as well I'd like a 69 please yeah how he's not achieved 70 million at that point suggests a clear intention on you know podcasts like this talking about it yeah yeah big fan alright listen there's plenty of other people that have moved for a lot of money and stuff like that but we're just going to get into the predictions if you don't mind give me a name who wins the Premier League this is basically this here now at the end of the season we'll look back at this and laugh at how fucking wrong we were this is the bit the pre-season that always bites us in the arse every season well it's difficult because we're too busy getting pissed during pre-season and we haven't watched any of the games although I did go to Liverpool Wrexham in Yankee Stadium yes and spotted a few things that I'd noticed there

30:55Tom Fordyce: alright okay well they wouldn't be one for me Liverpool not to win it I can't see past Arsenal. I know I get a bit of stick in this pod of me not batting for Arsenal enough but I just think for what he'd done last season the players that they've recruited is it Dynasty or Dynasty? Potato, potato. Yeah, okay. Of what Arteta's trying to create I think they just edge it. I think they just edge it for me.

31:23Chris Stark: Obviously we've got Jamie here you know on sound there and he's an Arsenal fan but he's really pleased. He didn't trust the process at any point well he still wants Artes I think he actually didn't want to win the Premier League and rather Artes go that was a shout that was a shout at some stage that was a shout you know under no there was not one minute of the season did he trust any process yeah yeah he delivered yeah

31:47Tom Fordyce: built the Champions League final I think they're the ones for me they're the ones that are top of the perch to be knocked down

31:54Chris Stark: I'm going to agree with you on that I'm going to go with Arsenal as well yeah I'm going to go with whoever wins the Community Shield Love you. Oh. So you're leaning towards the City one as well? I don't know. I actually do think Arsenal will win this season, but sort of intrigued as to who challenges around that because I think, I don't think United would look bad this season, you know, and it's, it's not the worst idea to kind of write them in in the conversation. It's a great shout.

32:21Tom Fordyce: It's a great shout. I think there's pros and cons on all of them. I'm not sure on City, Pep, how are they going to deal with that after that I know Marescu's gone in Rodri looks like he might want to try and shift a move if they lose him that's a big one Liverpool again got a great manager in how's that going to work I still see gaps that need to be filled with that squad it's tough

32:46Chris Stark: I'm not sure yeah okay well you've sat on the fence and we've gone Arsenal no no no go on I'll go slightly different then I think Arsenal's the right shout I'll switch it up and I'll go Man United to win the league why not why not no no no

33:02Tom Fordyce: no no I like it

33:03Chris Stark: listen I like it I like it I don't like it I don't want them to win the league but I think they have improved is it different and now Carrick's got the job though full time well we'll see well we'll see we'll see I don't think it will be and also as long as you've got enough teams at the top that can take points of each other anything's to play for do you know what I mean I don't think there's an out and out interesting season this one there's no like I don't know I think Arsenal are the best team in the league who top four in order

33:35Tom Fordyce: oh okay top four in order I am I'm going to go Arsenal I'm going to go Man United yeah second and then where do you put Chelsea and City and then I'm going to go City then Chelsea yeah I agree with that okay and what's your thoughts on Liverpool Pete from what you saw

33:56Chris Stark: yeah yeah I mean there's a lot of players missing they've played a lot of the youngsters Koumash looks sharp Trey Naoni looks like a good player not a lot of others played Sabozlai played but I know they played another friend I think they gave up a two goal lead I'm not sure I think the manager's great I just don't know if the squads I mean losing the players they've lost in the last couple of seasons has hurt them had they been replaced I'm not so sure it'd be interesting to see if Isak and Eketika are going to come back. I mean, I know Isak's core against Monaco. It'd be interesting to see how they go, but I don't think they can win the league this year.

34:37No. Yeah. What do you think of the reaction to Mo in Turkey as well? I mean, I've seen all sorts with that. I saw at one point, I think there was a government minister or some sort of a royal or something in Turkey just giving him land was just like, here's some land as a kind of sign of our appreciation.

34:56Tom Fordyce: Roll it back to when Liz was going to go to Turkey wasn't it? Yeah. It got a bit political.

35:01Chris Stark: Red Liz on the pod. Yeah. Actually listen they've gone all out to get him and they've got their man and we'll see how it goes. But I mean it's like superstar being treated like a deity out there. It's incredible really. That's a big sign for them isn't it? Yeah. Top four I'm going to go Arsenal to win it City second Man United Chelsea. So I'm going to go Fruity. Cool. just to switch it up a little bit. I sort of see Arsenal, but I'll go real curveball here. I'm going to go Man United, Arsenal, City, Chelsea. So no Liverpool in the top four? Yeah, I think sadly not. At this stage of thinking. I get it.

35:49I'm the same.

35:50Chris Stark: I think he's a great manager in charge. I think a couple of windows, they'll be challenging him.

35:57Tom Fordyce: don't judge pre-season by the way look at Chelsea they won the Super Cup or whatever it was the Club World Cup last season and then had the worst season that they've had in recent history so there you go

36:07Chris Stark: give us a golden boot and how many goals

36:10Tom Fordyce: even though we've said Arsenal to win you can't look past Haaland Haaland you can't look past Haaland Haaland gets another 30 are we going to go are we going to go are you going to go high 20s 30 really

36:23Chris Stark: yeah

36:24Tom Fordyce: jeez I was reading about Fernandes this been a mad season for him in assists like it's he'll break some record this season with that yeah okay I'm going to go hard and I'm going to go for like 24 25 mid 20s 27

36:41Chris Stark: oh give us a golden glove Raya

36:44Tom Fordyce: yeah okay lovely this is a season

36:47Chris Stark: which big money summer signing doesn't work out oh that's good

36:51Tom Fordyce: well I wasn't I mean I get it I'm not sure on the Somerville one going out to Saudi look I get why he's gone 100 % is it going to work out Jordan Henderson said the first session he'd be done rondos the boxes he knew that it went for him really so eh yeah different maybe different personalities different players but I hope it works out for him listen fair play I'm sure the contract

37:16Chris Stark: worked out

37:16Tom Fordyce: for you baby

37:19Chris Stark: breakout star I'm going to because I went to this game and the player that looked he's a right winger forget his name now actually I think he was 16 right looked good for Liverpool but Cheney Dione I think he's had this issue I think he could break out this season he was like a player very good

37:41Tom Fordyce: nice I've got two I'm going to go for one but I've got two one of them believe it or not everyone knows him but I don't know I was talking about him is Marcus Rashford he's back up Man United whether he stays here or not I don't know I'd love him to have a good season I really really would and for everyone to be talking about him next season because I really rate him as a player

38:02Chris Stark: I don't know if you saw him on a boat recently if you saw that I love a boat yeah good summer as well yeah but he looks like to me he looks like a star he should be yeah doing starry things yeah

38:15Tom Fordyce: yeah one player I'm going to go for is Joe Rodoni for Coventry oh nice left footed player I really like him they've been promoted normally get one they got some good players

38:30Chris Stark: Coventry yeah they had a one could surprise a few I think it could be yeah but they've got that real excitement you know being back in it it's going to have that FA Cup to every game that bit the season's so fun when you go up like that I just don't know I just don't know if anyone can stay I'm looking at the other teams there we'll come on to that we've got that one down there

38:51Tom Fordyce: yeah so sorry I'm going to go for Joe so not Marcus Rashford Joe Rodoni I know you know him a bit but Max Dowman surely he's going to be starting more games this season that properly establishes him

39:02Chris Stark: well I think he'd be frustrated if he wasn't starting games

39:04Tom Fordyce: he's had a great pre-season by the way I think he's got two man of matches already really just saying I don't know how you're going to go for but you've mentioned him but yeah so then what's the deal with him internationally as well then when will he start coming into the fold there well I don't think it'll be too long

39:21Chris Stark: if he's starting for Arsenal

39:23Tom Fordyce: I heard a whisper that if there was an injury to any of them attacking players he would have come out he was next in line yeah was he in part of that selection he was yeah was he part of that first selection before they narrowed it down do you know what I mean yeah like the big before we did that announcement one here yeah yeah so yeah hopefully this season is his one really I guess this season will be the proper platform as to whether he's the next 117, 118 million player or is it this time do you reckon?

39:58Chris Stark: Yeah. I think this is time.

40:00Tom Fordyce: Are you going to go Max Downman? Yeah. Good shout. So the next one what is this? This is like a crouchy special crouchy special

40:06Chris Stark: something mental that might happen.

40:08Tom Fordyce: I think there's going to be and I'm not sure if that one was last season you I think you are you playing in the game that I'm going to talk about the Wigan game I think there's going to be like a 7-3 a 6-4 10 goal thriller do you? yeah I do I genuinely do yeah I don't know I think it's going to be just think it's one of them seasons where I think it's going to be a real like who's going to be the top four throw the balls up I think it's hard to pick but I think it's going to be an outrageous scoreline and it's going to be like a 10 goal swing

40:43Chris Stark: right so I'm going to I was actually with the owner of York City the other day and I'm just going to throw York City FA Cup run into the Vicks nice

40:54Tom Fordyce: we love the FA Cup that's great why not we love the FA Cup why not what's the deal with this season in terms of the rules that were in the World Cup like for example is the covering of your mouth still yeah

41:07Chris Stark: is that going to go ahead and put in the corner can it no no great so we haven't got to do all that people have got their own rules

41:15Tom Fordyce: good knowledge I was going to say if that mouth thing happens I foresee a situation where a game is called off because of too many red cards and I don't know what the limit is well it's a grade in them now isn't it yeah I think there's so many of these sort of niche other rules that are happening yep well we need a bit of a refresher on those actually because I'm not sure what's coming in this I think we do yeah

41:39Chris Stark: it'd be interesting to see the new rules what are the new rules entirely

41:42Tom Fordyce: well there's one new rule straight away in the championship it's a 16 playoff yeah or 14 yeah so it goes down to 8th fucking hell yeah so it's like non-league should get that up there I mean we're not I mean

41:57Chris Stark: imagine finishing 8th and getting in the Premier League that's outrageous isn't it seriously

42:01Tom Fordyce: that is outrageous

42:02Chris Stark: can you actually

42:03Tom Fordyce: I mean it was mad when the team is sick that's mid-table

42:05Chris Stark: I'm calling that mid-table

42:07Tom Fordyce: it's a mid-table team in the Prem unreal it is mad that is the new rule in the Championship this season

42:14Chris Stark: bullshit yeah

42:16Tom Fordyce: but what's good just called bullshit straight off the bat no VAR on the Championship Championship again. That's good. Could this season be the death of VAR in the Premier League? Could this be the one that tips it over back into life? Do we really need to have a look at this? I don't know. I think we're too far in. Are we? Do you reckon? Can't go back. I can't see it going. I can't. A bit of a kind of outrageous prediction. That's what it is. I think, I don't want to upset them because I really like the club. I think Bournemouth could be in a bit of bother this season. I think from sort of European fodder to potentially a bit of a trickier season well losing in Rio is massive isn't it

42:55Chris Stark: playing in Europe as well and kind of coping we did a few injuries last year as well I know they were brilliant last year it was amazing but they're losing the managers big and then also playing in Europe and coming back that's hard you know when you play on Thursday Sunday it's a drain on it's a horrible one isn't it that schedule as well is not

43:11Tom Fordyce: I didn't like it having to be proven wrong on that and I guess the other just curveball prediction will be a ref's going to get caught out when they've got a talk to the whole stadium we're going to get a major voice break at some point it sounds like they go through puberty or something like that do you reckon like how I sound today yeah people are going to do something like that end up becoming a song you know it'll be that sort of thing someone's going to go wrong with that microphone or it's going to be accidentally left on and they're going to say something like someone's going to get caught out hot mic'd hot mic'd that's it that's the word

43:44Chris Stark: okay alright should do a championship prediction I'm going to go what about this for a prediction Savantin are starting at minus four points they are I'm going to go with them to win the league

43:55Tom Fordyce: that's that's a good shout I watched them

43:57Chris Stark: I watched them a few times last year they were very good the way that they finished they deserved to go up I mean you don't if you cheat we're playing the Spies this weekend I think what they're going to I think what they're going to are you going to go with your binoculars this is it I mean they're going to get it they're going to get it aren't they it's the whole I think they'll come back stronger yeah it's what we're about on this podcast

44:23Tom Fordyce: someone said to me just really really quickly someone said to me on Google Maps they've got the name of the fella who's at the Dunn the Spy tagged right next to Middlesbrough's training ground I don't know if that's true or not his name has been tagged there he's on Google yeah really yeah has that all been settled now Is that all good? Or was the manager... I think he's been hired. I think that lad's hired.

44:49Chris Stark: He was an intern, wasn't he?

44:50Tom Fordyce: Yeah. He's been kept. I still think there's a charge maybe hanging over him, the manager. I don't think he's been... I think you're right. I think the manager stuff

44:57Chris Stark: isn't cleared up just yet. No. Sometimes it brings you together again. Yeah. So you're saying Southampton... I'm saying Southampton gets promoted. I don't know if they'll win it.

45:06Tom Fordyce: I mean, I can't look past West Ham. You've got to say West Ham. I can't look past West Ham. They've got the strongest squad, the strongest players. They've probably got the best player in that league how they've retained Owen is phenomenal unbelievable what do you reckon has happened there do you think that is I think sometimes

45:21Chris Stark: you're a legend at a football club and it's hard especially at a club like West Ham as well there is something special there is a connection between fans and players and if you are one of them I think it is a special thing and I always think about with Mark Noble or players like when they come back there and you're like you've got a seat there for life it is a special thing I know I moved around loads but I would have loved to have been one of those players where you're just like this is my club you know home and I know he's had other clubs but he is it feels like he is Mr West Ham

45:54Tom Fordyce: and he must love it he must love it they're like you know his life there where he lives family training ground the travel he must just go Joe well I'm fine with this maybe give it next season and then we'll see

46:06Chris Stark: because I find it very hard to believe that there's no clubs that have come in for him it must have it must have been

46:11Tom Fordyce: yeah

46:11Chris Stark: has to have been right there's a few predictions there lads we'll see how we end up at the end of the season I'm sure it'll be laughable let's get into some fat backs right Hulk T99 Rog no idea what that means but he just simply wrote my back and he's in a pair of speedos what looks like he's dodging a wave he's got a pair of budgie smugglers on for me that's a really athletic back that's strong that's showing off isn't it look

46:41Tom Fordyce: strong legs strong back strong shoulders strong arms good ass I don't think

46:51Tom Fordyce: good glutes it's a good ass you can't deny it it's not you can't deny it listen well I think actually wearing speedos right buddy smugglers says you've got a good physique yeah

47:04Chris Stark: well it's an unbelievable it's unbelievable confidence isn't it level of confidence obviously whoever took this picture was a fan of the back enough that they wanted to capture it in all its glory. The only thing wrong is the pose. He looks like he's a little bit scared of the water.

47:20Tom Fordyce: You got a picture of his front? Oh, he sent it in. Great. It looks like a picture in Wandsworth Prison, if you ask me, like in his cell.

47:29Chris Stark: It does look a bit strange, that. I don't know.

47:33Tom Fordyce: Is that the same person, legit? Okay. Well, look, he's solid from the front. Can we have the front? I thought you said you're going to review him on the back and then I'll pay up for me too

47:46Chris Stark: alright guys give us the front please look cracking back here we did say send him pictures of you back I've had a couple on DM as well it's annoying I haven't got my phone right now but there was one fellow messaging and you'll know who you are because obviously you listen he was showing how much weight he's lost over five years and his back's gone from A to B love it fair play to you has his back really improved Yeah, genuinely back strong though. It's just brilliant. And thanks for sending that in. Okay, this is from Matt Sheet. He said this has to be this year's forfeit, especially after the Fat Back episode.

48:22Chris Stark: Wasn't a whole episode on Fat Backs, by the way. He just called it the Back Fat episode. We were inundated with videos of this video. Oh my God. He's basically made to compete in a bodybuilding show because he finished Potomac's Fantasy League. I mean, he actually looks well.

48:38Tom Fordyce: he actually does look look at the two next to him they are ripped

48:42Chris Stark: unreal how embarrassing is this have you said have you seen a comment on the right still came third well there was only three people oh there's only three people

48:57Chris Stark: this is outrageous he's doing the full poses and everything look at that pose would that work

49:03Tom Fordyce: I wouldn't like to do that lads

49:05Chris Stark: I would not like to do that It's got City written all over it, that one. No chance. I do not. I do not want to do that. Okay, so Chris has brought this to my attention, right? Okay. So what's his name, Chris, this guy? Ben Cipolla? Yeah, I think so. We need to get a pronunciation thing on it. He's got loads of tunes he's done for players. This particular one we've been sending, this is about Morgan Rogers. Okay. Let's see what you think.

49:36boys black pool was a joy but then he settled at the riverside his time that that began to shine i guess it was paradise

50:01Tom Fordyce: he's 117 million

50:09Chris Stark: Oh my God.

50:12Tom Fordyce: Morgan Rogers with me. So good. Morgan Rogers, Morgan Rogers, Morgan Rogers, Chelsea. He's good, isn't he? Love it. He's good. Can I show you another? We need him on. What I like about him is he's sort of beach club vibes as well. I imagine us having a little beach bar, a Chumba One bar, you know, in Spain or something like that. And just this guy in the corner just banging these out. He's got so many players. I'll do a quick bit of Jordan Henderson. Yeah, I'd love a bit of Jordan Henderson.

51:03Surgeons had to operate Quickly so he could play

51:10Tom Fordyce: For England in a car The advertising board was high He jumped and slipped Fell on his wrist And cried

51:28Chris Stark: It's an outbreak Nothing but an arm break And this song was too late

51:39Tom Fordyce: He's great, isn't he? Really good. Do you know where he would be really good? At a wedding. Yeah. Where, you know, like, where the... Because the girls wouldn't have a clue. Yeah. But the lads would be like... Unreal. I almost want us to, like, get him into a wedding. Do you know what I mean? Like, we do it for someone's wedding. Book him. I like it. See if he can get away with it. he did one about Jed Spence I don't know if you guys saw it when you were in America but he did a song about Jed Spence which went quite big over here but I think he so was we should get him in here I'd like to have a minute

52:10Chris Stark: that'd be great then did you have a song? I've got a tune for you do you want my phone? Spotify Spotify please I can't believe it's on Spotify it's a proper tune Spotify no it's a proper tune what do you want

52:22Tom Fordyce: if you're feeling like YouTube or like you know you just rang down Spotify

52:26Chris Stark: it's called Peter Crouch stop it is it new? It's been around for a little bit. Did you write it? No, it's a wrap-up. It's M24. Unbelievable. Get on this. You're going to love it. Nice banger. Right, so, cheer on Daily. I don't know if it's Grim Daily or Grime Daily. Yeah, Grime Daily. Yeah. M24. Tune. Get on this.

52:51Great.

52:54So I want to say thank you to,

52:58Chris Stark: you know, M24 himself. Yeah, nice. Big fan. Big fan of that tune. So I really appreciate the shout out. It's even called Peter Crouch. It's the name of the song. I'm a big fan of it. What a way to see us out.

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