Arsenal and Man City Play Leapfrog, Rosenior Gets the Axe

7:46Robbie Earle:But there was an understanding that Arsenal needed a little bit more of an attack. Hence they spent all the money.

7:52Robbie Mustoe:They got it. So the feeling is, well, there you go. The squad at day one was basically the squad he wanted. Norwood, Maduake, Jokic, Ezra. I mean, it was everything that he could have wanted.

8:06Robbie Earle:Yeah. And I just, I don't know. I would just want him to push on a little bit more and be a little bit more progressive and be a bit more dominant. I guess it's probably good with dominating games to put teams away. Let me offer you a bit of an offshoot of a question here, Rob. And this is a little bit off piece and I might be way off the mark here. Part of this attacking thrust, if you like, or lack of, Talk to me about the midfield three, right? And Zubemendy and Declan Rice in particular. I think we know what Martin Odegaard does. He's busy. I like him. He joins the play. He gets in between the lines.

8:43Robbie Earle:He's got a bit more creativity in the final third. Declan Rice and Zubemendy. Now, we're saying in the game, Rob, that Zubemendy gets forward as much as Declan Rice. So there's an understanding there that sometimes you go. And I would argue Zubemendy's better. Zubemendy's better at making things happen, scoring goals. I mean, I think the numbers are pretty similar. But are they too similar? Is there a goal-scoring number eight that this midfield three lacks? You know how I feel about that, Rob. I want a playmaker, I want a defensive winner, and I want a goal threat.

9:12Robbie Mustoe:I think, to answer your question, and it's a great question, is they're not as defined in those roles as you would like. When Frank Lampard was an eight, you knew what he was doing.

9:25Robbie Earle:And what he was good at.

9:27Robbie Mustoe:When Phil Foden's playing as a 10, you know what you're getting. And you've got McAlealy or somebody else behind. Or you've got Rodri. And it's a very obvious difference. This isn't. They're hybrid players. Sometimes we see Declan go, he's a brilliant eight. And other times you go, actually he's a six.

9:45Robbie Earle:So they're a bit more similar than an ideal scenario. Both brilliant, by the way. Both really good players. But on days like today... You'd love a midfield goal. There's no goal set, is there? Like you used to do for midfield.

9:55Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, like just making runs beyond the centre forward. That's not either of their games. So, again, if you haven't got that, Rob, and your wide players at the moment aren't really producing that great for you, then it's a little bit... Who's scoring?

10:08Robbie Earle:Yeah, where are the goals going to come from?

10:10Robbie Mustoe:A set piece again today.

10:11Robbie Earle:A set piece, yeah. It's a brilliant stride. But, all that being said, they've got the job done. The top of the table. The three points clear. They put the pressure on Man City.

10:17Robbie Mustoe:And by the time they play City, I think you made the point I've just looked at, they could be six points ahead. Now that, however a good City or however, that does put a little pressure on City. It does. If they go six points ahead. It does. You can't afford a slip at that point. No.

10:32Robbie Earle:And we said on the show today, Rob, that Arsenal slip, maybe conceding a goal. I mean, the year-on, where's the chance? I mean, that was it. It's a brilliant chance. And that's what I'm talking about. It's a brilliant chance. I mean, with four games remaining...

10:42Robbie Mustoe:The whole atmosphere in that place would have been completely changed.

10:45Robbie Earle:And four games remaining, there might be another chance like that where Arsenal 1-0 up or drawing and then they concede a chance like that and next time he scores. So they do it differently. Man City's mess-ups will be different to Arsenal's mess-ups.

10:58Robbie Mustoe:But they've got potential to mess up.

11:00Robbie Earle:I mean, they really have.

11:01Robbie Mustoe:And that's why it's going to be a great race. It'll go down to the last day, Rob.

11:04Robbie Earle:Yeah, great race. I mean, if it goes...

11:06Robbie Mustoe:I think I asked you on air, is there a point where Mikel Arteta might have to let the reins off and go for it if we look like it's going to goal difference, to goal score? Because on that basis, City are going to look like they'll be ahead of them.

11:22Robbie Earle:Yeah, I think that'll be a late one, that. It'll be a late one.

11:24Robbie Mustoe:Like the last game or the penultimate game.

11:27Robbie Earle:If they are similar, it looks like... Because, I mean, Arsenal's last games, Rob. I mean, let's have a look at the Premier League games. They've got Fulham at home. They've got West Ham away. They've got decent games. Burnley at home and Palace away, last game. They're four winnable. Four straight winnable.

11:46Robbie Mustoe:I mean, in between that they've got some Champions League business to take care of though. Well that's the big difference as well. That's the big difference with them and Man City. I mean, Man City to their point, and we'll talk about City in a moment, but will have made it to the FA Cup final and will be playing that before the season ends. Yeah, the weekend before isn't it? The weekend before and I don't know if there's a midweek game following in that for City. So it could be that, you know, just from City's point of view, these games that could catch him out.

12:15Robbie Earle:Injured players and returning players. Bakayi Saka came on and looked a threat immediately. He's just different, Robbeny. Quickly, I don't want to spend too much time, but why is he different to Medueke? Why is Medueke out there all that game and never really looked like doing anything? Saka comes on and the first board he gets, he's running at defender and he gets a shot off. He's quite close. He's more positive with what he does. He's given good spots to...

12:42Robbie Mustoe:And he plays with it with a bigger confidence

12:46Robbie Earle:and expression. But there's know-how, Rob. Isn't there know-how to be in a spot when he receives it, he's always... The fans get off their seat because he's in a good... Where it might be wider, say he's wider or something. I think that's partly of it. But Saka almost made something happen immediately. If Saka gets back to his best real quick, and I have to say that he wasn't at his best before he got injured, then that makes a big difference for Arsenal. And all we've just talked about If you've got him running at defenders, creating and scoring goals, that's brilliant for Arsenal to have that.

13:16Robbie Mustoe:On the positive, Saka back. On the negative, Kai Havertz came off, not quite sure, but looked like muscle injury. Ezzer went down, came off. Ezzer looked like he was saying to the manager, I just felt something to look more precaution, but we'll have to gain, have to wait and see. I mean, to lose those two in a time when you haven't got a team that's scoring bundles a goal would be a worry.

13:39Robbie Earle:Yeah, and you've got a Champions League semi-final coming up against Atletico Madrid. They need all the fit bodies, particularly their attacking players. It's great for us, mate. I love today. We'll get to some of the other stories as well. But what a good day of action.

13:52Robbie Mustoe:And you haven't got to have loads of goals to make it dramatic and exciting. Yeah, the intrigue and the jeopardy is what holds you.

14:02Robbie Earle:Yeah, and the nerve, the nervy nature of the Emirates today. I've got tons of Arsenal fans. and I know exactly what they've been, you know. It's almost like, sorry, but this is the way it's going to be. Yeah, it's fun. I'm well done, Arsenal. They've got the job done.

14:14Robbie Mustoe:Got the three points. Quick word, very quick word on Newcastle though, Rob. Go on, man. They've lost again. He's been talked with Eddie Howe and he's supposed to meet with the owners

14:23Robbie Earle:and it just feels like everything's fell out of sync

14:25Robbie Mustoe:a little bit with that football club. And then we saw today, Azula has started again.

14:30Robbie Earle:Same thing. Rively.

14:31Robbie Mustoe:No Whisser. No Volta Marder. And no Alango. You spend$200 million on three players in the summer and they're on your bench when you go to Arsenal. I mean, listen, who picked those players?

14:43Robbie Earle:We always understand it's a mixture of the coach, which would be Eddie Howe, and the sporting directors, but the sporting directors have been a little bit in and out there. There's been a change in that. But that's horrendous. When you spend that amount of money, you lose your iconic striker under Izak and you spend the money on players that don't play.

15:01Robbie Mustoe:That's crazy.

15:02Robbie Earle:So when you talk about a disconnect, this is what we're talking about. and also I noticed that the public investment fund of Saudi are pulling out of Live Golf. I think they're pulling out of some Saudi league teams, pro league teams, as if like, I don't know whether our commitment to sport is going to be long going. Now they're the ones that own Newcastle United and that'll be something else at Eddie Al because it's not as though they've been chomping at the bit to improve the club and to, I mean, I don't know. But the club thought with this investment, that it was going to be going places. And there's financial restrictions that have stopped that.

15:39Robbie Earle:And I just wonder now, do the Saudis continue to have the excitement about making Newcastle United what they wanted to?

15:45Robbie Mustoe:And I know nothing, and I don't admit to having any reason for saying this, I wouldn't be surprised if Eddie and Howard Newcastle put a company in his face. His face a couple of times, just his manner, and it just feels to me like, I don't know if this is going to come to a natural end.

16:05Robbie Earle:Yeah, it might be

16:06Robbie Mustoe:We'll wait and see Shall we move on to a team that always has noise around it? Which one? There's loads of them

16:15Robbie Earle:Let's start with Chelsea Oh crikey It's been a big week

16:21Robbie Mustoe:Chelsea face Brighton As poor a performance as I can remember seeing from a Chelsea team got beat 3-0, could have been 6 Liam the Seniors ended up being his last game in charge the day after the game he was sacked. Where do we...

16:37Robbie Earle:You tell me where to start.

16:39Robbie Mustoe:Let's start with Liam and the original appointment and how he conducted himself. How, you know, was he... I'm going to stop you.

16:50Robbie Earle:Was he always doomed to fail you? I'm not interested in Liam Senior. It's not about him. It's nothing to do with him. Of course it is. No, it's not.

16:59Robbie Mustoe:They gave him the job, Rob.

17:00Robbie Earle:Yeah, it's day. It's day. is those who picked him. He wasn't ready for this.

17:05Robbie Mustoe:He wasn't ready for this job.

17:07Robbie Earle:Yeah, but he didn't have to say yes. Well, he's going to say yes. He's not going to turn it down.

17:10Robbie Mustoe:So that's what I'm saying.

17:11Robbie Earle:You can't say it isn't him. Well, I'm not going to... He wasn't ready for this position. And when he got it, we were like, wow, who? Where? And then you think Blue Co, they know him. Oh, wow, maybe, okay. Well, maybe he's a star talent that they're... Paul Wynn Stanley and Lawrence Stewart, the main sporting directors, are like, this guy's really good. And I know this is a huge jump, but let's do it. Let's go for it. And then, of course, we've given the benefit of the doubt, Rob. And we spoke to him, interviewed him. Nice guy, smart, intelligent, really knows what he's talking about. But it was way too big for him.

17:51Robbie Earle:And it's not until he gets fired, I suppose, that the last results were pretty bad. So I go back to who picked him? Who picked the last guy? Who fell out with Mareska, Rob? who was winning things with the club. I said on the show on Tuesday, Rob, this job, this club is so fragile. We've had experienced managers that have won things in Tuchel and Pochettino. You have younger coaches in Potter and Maresca and now Rossinia. Maresca was winning things. He said the wrong thing or something fell out and he goes. There's so many ways that a manager can lose his job at Chelsea. You tell me the unicorn guy that's out there that's going to do everything.

18:29Robbie Mustoe:So based on that, why would anybody take the Chelsea job? Yeah. Why would anybody, and they're out there now, they're taking their time, they're looking around, they'll wait till the World Cup. Based on what you're saying, Graham Potter goes in there, as you said, great reputation at Brighton, job no good. Right. Pochettino goes in there, great reputation, what he did at Southampton, what he did at Tottenham, he's out. And Zamoraska gets promoted with Leicester, it seems a young manager who's worked under Pep, wins a Club World Cup, out. Right.

18:59Robbie Earle:So the job there is a head coach. So let me explain this. So with a bunch of young superstar, maybe ego-driven players, I think they need a really strong, experienced manager. That guy comes in, Rob, and he's going to be like, this is good, these are really great, but what about this? And we probably need that. Well, no, no, no. Well, no, no, no. And there's a disconnect. So where's the right guy? An experienced manager, yeah. An experienced manager that might do well with these young players is probably going to say, we could do with an experienced centre-back. We could do with some know-how, some plug-and-play players into the Premier League to push this team to challenge for stuff.

19:36Robbie Earle:And then they're going to be like, well, no, no, no. That goes against the model. So the model is the model, and the expectation is way up there. So the model is flawed. Yes. The model is flawed.

19:48Robbie Mustoe:And you were one of those who said initially, I want to see this go to play it in. But it looks like it's flawed, based on what we've seen, evidence.

19:56Robbie Earle:And also on the back of that, when these young players, when it doesn't go very well, right? Hmm. Actually, I wouldn't mind living in Madrid. And I didn't like the manager. I thought the last manager in Cucuraya.

20:08Robbie Mustoe:It's a tough, it's a toxic kind of...

20:12Robbie Earle:Right, so when you've got that potential for toxicity, word of the day, then you might need an Ancelotti, say. No, no. But then he would probably fall out because he wants to, you know, like Pochettino did. I'm just saying, it's an impossible job to meet their expectations with the way that they want to do it with the younger players and not fall out with them. So something has to change.

20:38Robbie Mustoe:The project has to change a little bit. But when you look at it, so Andoli Iriola, let's just say, if he's a target. Great coach.

20:47Robbie Earle:He's a great coach.

20:48Robbie Mustoe:He's gone into Bournemouth with a structure, with great recruitment, and done wonderful things at a football club. He goes to Chelsea and it's an S show, and I won't say that word, with three or four technical directors who are telling him one thing. I can't buy experienced players. I don't get this one. I don't get that one. Here are your kids. Here's your Enzos who want to get away when things aren't happening. Here's your Ganachos who, since he's a superstar, who doesn't do his basic jobs in the team. And only Iriola. is either not going to take that job or is going to take that job on circumstances that he has an element of control.

21:31Robbie Earle:Love his football, right? Yeah. Love his tactics. Love his style. Yeah. Attack first, direct football. What's going to trip him up, maybe, is the players. Who?

21:42Robbie Mustoe:No. And doing it in a row. No, no. It's too good for that.

21:45Robbie Earle:Is there going to be enough respect from those young, when things don't go well, do they need more of a... So based on that, anyone who goes in,

21:52Robbie Mustoe:this group are going to find it. Is he this? Is he that? They're going to find a failure. They're going to find the flaw and go, oh, Mourinho's too old. This one's too young.

22:01Robbie Earle:I mean, who's done best?

22:02Robbie Mustoe:Maresca.

22:03Robbie Earle:Yeah. So why did he fall out? Why was he frustrated? Yeah. Because he would argue. Because it's all very well everybody... There's an argument between him,

22:10Robbie Mustoe:apparently the medical staff, the data people and all that. Too many people having a say in things and trying to maybe...

22:18Robbie Earle:At some point, Rob, and we should move on, but should the head coach at Chelsea be somebody that's more autonomy, more trusted, and he's, and everybody, I said this before about coaches, the directors are there for him. He's not there for them, making them pleased, making them happy. Get somebody in that's respected, the players will respect, and just allow him more. So that would have been Maresca, all right Enzo, you've won a couple of things,

22:47Robbie Mustoe:Okay, would you? All right, okay, maybe. Okay, the medical? That relationship with the manager's got to be stronger than the sporting director's manager with the ownership. Because once they can keep going to the ownership, well, Moresca's this, Moresca's that, all of a sudden, they don't care. They'll keep their job and the manager will go. And these long contracts for coaches.

23:08Robbie Earle:I mean, the senior was like, was it five and a half year contract or something? And basically, it's about eight games. I always think it's about eight games. Eight bad results. Any team in this Premier League like that. He was five straight without a goal.

23:22Robbie Mustoe:Where does he go? Where does he have to go? Back abroad, maybe?

23:26Robbie Earle:Maybe.

23:27Robbie Mustoe:He was slightly ridiculed in the UK, which I didn't like. I don't like all that. The way he is, his personality.

23:34Robbie Earle:He's the way that he is. I don't care about any of that, really. It's about the football and the results. I think the football's a little slow. I think he was choreographing every blimmin' move to try and do it. And I think the expectations to win with those, I mean, it's just...

23:48Robbie Mustoe:He lost the dressing room. It's an odd match.

23:50Robbie Earle:Yeah, I mean, they totally, which I hate, by the way. I hate that. Those players are capable of much better than they showed at Brighton.

23:58Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, they shouldn't get away with things. Yeah, they shouldn't. OK, my friend, let's move it to Wolverhampton Wanderers hosting Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham Hotspur under Berto De Zerbi. Lost their first game at Sunderland. drew their second game against Brighton with a late equaliser. Canna, not much has gone their way.

24:19Robbie Earle:Yeah, you made a good point there about all the stuff that's gone wrong.

24:23Robbie Mustoe:Something went well today.

24:26Robbie Earle:Yeah, I mean, it wasn't pretty, ugly, didn't play well, did they?

24:29Robbie Mustoe:Didn't play as well as they played last week when they drew.

24:31Robbie Earle:Yeah, you expect a bit more, Rob, of the players that are out there. You just expect a bit more and it's just like, it's head-scratching to me. You know, we think these, I mean, Spencer's played for England. Van der Ven's one of the best centre-backs. You know, Danzo's a good player. Podro's got quality. Bentico's been around a little bit. National team player. Conor Gallagher's played for Africa and Madrid. Yves Pesuma. I mean, the players. $18 million player. I mean, like, and yet they look average and no better than Wolverhampton Wanderers. But they get the job done. Gael Purnini sticks his toe out and knocks it in.

25:07Robbie Earle:And they win the game. And I still, I'm not giving up on Spurs. I think a lot of people have given on them. But it's as you were. We'll get into West Ham United. But they got the job done, Rob. And I've said before that a win for Tottenham might change everything. It might.

25:20Robbie Mustoe:The win at least changes now. They're not now the team that haven't won a game in 2026.

25:26Robbie Earle:I'm still a little unsure. You're not convinced, are you? No, they can win two more. And a draw, maybe.

25:35Robbie Mustoe:Maybe get seven more points.

25:37Robbie Earle:I'm not convinced. We watched Villa. Not very good. Villa away Sunday. Point.

25:43Robbie Mustoe:Villa might need to... They've got Europa League semi-final. So I'll say one point there.

25:49Robbie Earle:Leeds at home, that's the one they've got to win. That's the must-win of them. Leeds at home, I think it's a win. That's four points. Chelsea away? Chelsea beat them. Who knows? If there's one team that Chelsea fans want to see get down,

26:05Robbie Mustoe:I'll take a zero from them. No, you're right. Zero points there. Everton at home last game of the season.

26:10Robbie Earle:And it might be they have to win to stay up. That'd be seven points, Rob, if they do get that. We could get them 31, 41.

26:17Robbie Mustoe:That means you're basing on Leeds not getting another point

26:22Robbie Earle:or Boris not winning one more game.

26:25Robbie Mustoe:Yeah. And West Ham's the one, isn't it?

26:27Robbie Earle:West Ham, they've got to get more than five because that would put them on 41. But that's not good enough for a goal difference. So they'd have to win two in four, West Ham.

26:38Robbie Mustoe:I just see goals in West Ham. I see a little bit more structure. I mean, based off, let's also remember today, Solanke comes off with an injury. Javi Simmons comes off with an injury. Two of their key players at the top end of the pitch who you'd hope to make things happen. I don't know. It just feels to me as like, you know, there was a point, wasn't there? It was a five-minute spell where Spurs scored. Everton equalised against West Ham. Because West Ham were winning. West Ham were winning. But Everton scored and then got a point, so West Ham went down. So all of a sudden, Tottenham came out the bottom three on the live table.

27:13Robbie Mustoe:I think it was for four or five minutes, wasn't it? For four or five minutes, and then Callum Wilson scores, or we'll go back in again.

27:17Robbie Earle:Love it. I mean, it's torture for the fans. You'll love it if you don't.

27:20Robbie Mustoe:I love it. The problem for Spurs, and listen, it's out there like everybody, it's nothing people don't know. Apart from Spurs fans, most neutrals want Tottenham to go down. To see a big club, it's like most neutrals want to go down. Why?

27:36Robbie Earle:Why do I want to?

27:36Robbie Mustoe:Well, because I think people feel...

27:38Robbie Earle:It's not good for the league, is it?

27:41Robbie Mustoe:Well, I don't know if it isn't good for the league. I think it's good for the league to show to every team in there, you just never know. Spurs are one of those teams who believe we will never go down. We'll be OK.

27:53Robbie Earle:Because we're Spurs. And the rise of the mid-table magic teams.

27:58Robbie Mustoe:And those who have to work harder, Rob. The Marco Silvers, who doesn't have as much money. There's nowhere near as much money. They've got to stay, you know, keep the team to stay in the league.

28:08Robbie Earle:They won the Europa League last season, Tottenham Hotspur.

28:11Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, they've got to be a big team.

28:12Robbie Earle:And they spent, for this season,$314 million on new players to be in the bottom three. But West Ham United, Rob, 2-1 against Everton. Suchek, I'm going to go straight to it. Underappreciated performer, Thomas Suchek.

28:28Robbie Mustoe:I mean, he scores the goal. before, he clears two

28:33Robbie Earle:shots off the line. I mean, what a diamond of a player. Was seen to be excess to what they require at West Ham United. You almost feel like he should have

28:43Robbie Mustoe:been gone four years ago. We're pass-through check now. Really?

28:47Robbie Earle:Yeah, you need people like that. And he stepped up today. I mean, that's amazing. He's a big tall guy. He's good in the air. Gets his goal. And then he's diligent enough to be on that goal line. Gets his head in the middle of one of them. He clears one with his foot the second time to save two goals, scores one. He's got to get a mention from me. And we just checked, Rob, didn't we? Because you're like, I think I've had him. I think I've done him already. Yeah, I thought I had him. Because he's that type of player, but we haven't this season. And he's got to get a mention. Underappreciated. Absolute brilliant.

29:13Robbie Earle:I mean, if he didn't do his thing today, Rob, they lose that game, they're in trouble. They're in the bottom three and they're in trouble.

29:18Robbie Mustoe:I remember that West Ham team that we've seen with the Pack of Tars and all those great, fancy, lovely footballers, but you can't dig in like this guy. and actually aren't as effective in both boxes as this guy. You know, he doesn't have to do his defense. These guys never get the headlines. They're always there. It's a brilliant show.

29:39Robbie Earle:I'm sure the West Ham fans love him as well, by the way. What he's done over a long period of time.

29:43Robbie Mustoe:And Nuno will love him as well, by the way. He's one of them you can rely on, mate. You know what you're going to get.

29:48Robbie Earle:So I want next weekend to come like tomorrow because this little race down there between these two now, I mean, I don't know. It feels like those two. It does, but they keep winning. And Forrest...

29:59Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, Forrest need one more win. They do. They do. And I'm going to go to Forrest, mate, because Nottingham Forrest went to the Stadium of Light where everybody struggles, where the team that has been one of the surprises of the season

30:11Robbie Earle:and Nottingham Forrest score five and Sunderland score zero, my friend. How does that happen? Well, I'll tell you how it happens. Nottingham Forrest were sharp as you know what. Real sharp, real hungry. Sunderland had a bad day at the office. They did an awful job of marking its set pieces. The basic stuff that you'd normally assume with the Reggie Sabreece team, it didn't happen. I mean, Trey Hulme gets a ball in the back of his head, an own goal, which is a bit fluky. Robin Roofs tries to play a ball out. I mean, I think it was around the half-hour mark. And all of a sudden, Chris Wood knocks it in nicely, by the way.

30:44Robbie Earle:Chris Wood's finished, by the way.

30:45Robbie Mustoe:Chris Wood's back in, yeah. I mean, lovely little delay to finish there.

30:49Robbie Earle:And the game kind of went away very quickly from Sunderland. So, I mean, I'm going into the game saying, oh I love the Brees and Sonnen what a story and say to him a lie this is a difficult game for Nottingham Forest but fair play to Vito Pereira and this Nottingham Forest team and Chris Wood Robb right explain to everybody how and he ain't it but he's still fresh off his injury he gets his goal why else does he help this team well he's a focal point for the midfield and I'll get to that in a

31:20Robbie Mustoe:So if you play a ball up to Chris Wood, he generally holds it in and brings in one of his teammates. Or if a defender's getting there, they're not clearing it with distance, mate, because he challenges and he puts his body on the line and he backs into people. He's technically better than people think. He got 20 goals last season. One of them, I think, needs service. So he needs to be played through. He needs crosses in the box. But if you do that, you'll be in the right place. I watch Beto and Thierno Barry at times, and they're not in the right place when somebody crosses. Like, oh, no, you've got to get near.

31:56Robbie Earle:Chris Woods is always in those spots, man. Yeah, yeah. Also, it frees up Igor Jesus, who scored a really good goal. I think he's more of a 10 than a 9, so Wood does the 9 bit. I mean, they've lost Callum Hudson-Odoi, I think, for the season. But Gibbs-White. Gibbs-White played well on the left-hand side. Hutchinson on the right-hand side. I have to stop you there. I have to stop you there, because when we talk about undepreciated performance of the week,

32:18Robbie Mustoe:He's got three names, Morgan, Gibbs and White. And he's been playing at an incredible level. Huge kudos to Beto Pereira because he's got him going again. He scored, I think it's 11 Premier League goals now he's scored.

32:33Robbie Earle:No, he's got... He had 12 going into this game, didn't he? He had 12. 14 Premier League goals. 13 now. 13. Scored one. Oh, two from... He got a couple, didn't he? Did he?

32:45Robbie Mustoe:Or did he just get one?

32:46Robbie Earle:I've got Hume, own goal, Wood, Gibbs, White, Jey Zusson, Emerson.

32:49Robbie Mustoe:I'm thinking about the hat-trick that he got the other day. But anyway, he scored a lot of goals.

32:54Robbie Earle:Maybe the best outside of strikers, I think, in the league.

32:58Robbie Mustoe:I mean, he looked like he was on the outside of things for England. If he continues his form, he's just going to force his way onto the plane. He's a great connector between midfield and the attacking line. He can play in wide positions, Rob, and drift in field and be a threat. He can play in the 10. He works. He's a two-way player.

33:18Robbie Earle:There was talk that people like Man City were looking at him.

33:20Robbie Mustoe:Well, Tottenham nearly got him.

33:21Robbie Earle:And Spurs nearly signed him and the owner grabbed hold him.

33:24Robbie Mustoe:What a great move that is. But he's one of those, Rob, who's not at a fashionable club. He's not a big headline guy. He hasn't done well. He played a huge part, if not even before he's staying in the Premier League.

33:38Robbie Earle:Yeah, I mean, a critical bit of business to keep him in the club. I mean, he goes to Spurs. I mean, he's a sort of player, Rob. I think you could chuck him into most teams and he'd be absolutely fine. He's such a good footballer. Good footballer.

33:51Robbie Mustoe:Good all-round.

33:51Robbie Earle:Good attitude, good work ethic. Yeah, good. I like it. I like that shout as well. So, Forrest, wow.

33:57Robbie Mustoe:Yeah. I mean, isn't it amazing how, like, this time when it's supposed to be a bit tight and nervy and everything,

34:05Robbie Earle:you get teams like five goals. Yeah. And four the other leagues. We can give our opinion and make our predictions, but sometimes this game, you just never know. I mean, Sunderland, I think it might be the worst. I think 4-0 at half-time, by the way, was one of the biggest half-time in Premier League history or something. Somewhere like that, which is crazy to me. Or Sunderland. There's some big stack coming off the back of that. But well done. Well done, 9-0 Forest. Now they're on 39 points, Rob. I mean, just as well, really, when West Ham won as well. But like you said, to get to 40 or just over that should be OK.

34:37Robbie Earle:But there's four games left. They can't switch off just yet.

34:41Robbie Mustoe:brilliant job Pereira's done with them

34:44Robbie Earle:and I can feel that they'll be okay they'll be okay with that group of players

34:49Robbie Mustoe:let's go to Anfield mate spotlight continues to fall on on the slot I think things seem to be eased as though there's a trend towards it he will be there next season and he'll be the start of a new revolution Alexander Isaac started today and scored Mo Salah was part of things great to see Andy Robertson

35:09Robbie Earle:scored a goal in one of his last games

35:12Robbie Mustoe:what a servant he's been and what was it Munoz got one back for Munoz got one back for Palace

35:22Robbie Earle:and then Viet scored a really nice goal

35:24Robbie Mustoe:just to give us a reminder of his quality I mean

35:28Robbie Earle:looking forward to the future Rob

35:30Robbie Mustoe:these acts and the Viet and the people what they're going to have to do to step into the shoes and the gaps of the great players that moved on, it's showed the consistency. It's a top six club when you pay that money. It's not about, oh, you play one week and two weeks we don't see you. You've kind of got to be giving those top performances week in, week out.

35:52Robbie Earle:And of course it is up to the head coach, the manager, to try and get those performances. For me, there's some understanding that it's been difficult for Florian Wurtz. He hasn't really been consistent enough or effective enough so far. Alexander Azak. I mean, it's an important game for those two players, Rob. Goals, confidence, the fans see that. It's at Anfield. There's a sense that next year they're going to be better. There's work to do in the market. I think when you look back at the season for Liverpool and the team they had last year, it's very different to this year's. And it was so much better last year's.

36:23Robbie Earle:The players that they had, it's just a better team of 11 players most weeks. So that's going to be added to, I think, in the summer window. But it's good news for them. Good to see Robertson score. Salah, though, looked like he's got some kind of injury problem. He came off.

36:38Robbie Mustoe:It might be.

36:39Robbie Earle:Yeah, we'll see how bad that is. But, no, it does ease the pressure on Slott. Yeah, I hope he gets to drop that final day as well,

36:47Robbie Mustoe:who want to see Mo Salah. Yeah, I hope he gets back. Yeah.

36:51Robbie Earle:But Slott, just finally on that. There's still a lot of Liverpool fans that don't want to see him gag. Yeah?

36:55Robbie Mustoe:Sure, yeah.

36:57Robbie Earle:He gets the benefit from the fans. I'm talking about from the fans.

37:00Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, I think he gets, like, till Christmas. and people will take a view then. If they're not where they should be by customers, I think it's like, well...

37:09Robbie Earle:And where they should be is difficult sometimes because you look at the players that he's got available. What are they going to do in the summer market? How is Izak looking? How is Wurtz looking? Kirk has it left back? There's lots of parts of the team that needs to be improved. I'm not sure it's all his fault why this team isn't as good. Some of these players aren't playing.

37:26Robbie Mustoe:A lot of players that woke up as well and not much rest in the summer.

37:30Robbie Earle:but yeah good win we'll see the revolution that Arnestot starts at Liverpool

37:37Robbie Mustoe:Bournemouth two leads two Junior Kruppi Kruppi continues to get goals he'll he might be the next one to go

37:46Robbie Earle:by the way Junior Kruppi

37:47Robbie Mustoe:yeah they talk about people looking at him his numbers are good

37:52Robbie Earle:for a young kid the only thing

37:53Robbie Mustoe:I'll say with Bournemouth they'll find another they will there'll be another one Ryan scores another Brazilian who they brought in I mean, it's incredible. It is incredible. It's not easy to go into the Premier League

38:04Robbie Earle:and score goals as a young player. It's not. That's not normal. And play at the level.

38:08Robbie Mustoe:And a nice moment for Longstaff to come on as a substitute and get the equaliser and great teams around that one because you just feel with the 40 points that Leeds have got now in Daniel Falkett, who was very, very close to my appreciate performer of the week. Between now and the end of the season, Daniel, don't you worry, my friend, and there'll be one in the post.

38:31Robbie Earle:Yeah, I mean, just quickly on Andoni or Olo, Rob, because he has announced he's going to be leaving the club. I think Athletic Club, of course, where he was legendary as a player, I think they're on the verge of appointing somebody else as an ex-head coach. So maybe that's not where he'll end up. I mean, I'm such a huge fan of what he's done, Rob.

38:50Robbie Mustoe:Is he big enough for Madrid?

38:54Robbie Earle:Not just yet, I don't know. I mean, when you're talking about earlier on for Chelsea, I think that's I wouldn't mind seeing that is there enough respect in that just for him do you think?

39:08Robbie Mustoe:I think he'll earn respect with his coaching

39:09Robbie Earle:I think there's different ways you can get respect

39:12Robbie Mustoe:and if you're such a good coach and you're going to make players better and we're going to win games haven't we heard this before?

39:18Robbie Earle:Graham Potter from one of those teams the jump up he looks a little bit more

39:23Robbie Mustoe:I don't want to be rude to Graham Potter but more comfortable in his own skin I think he knows who he is and he knows how he wants to work. I mean, he might decide. He might be wondering, that ain't for me. And I don't blame him.

39:37Robbie Earle:I wouldn't blame him for saying that. It's not for me, that club.

39:40Robbie Mustoe:But we'll have to wait and see. So that was 2-2.

39:44Robbie Earle:And the final game here, Fulham won, Aston Villa nil. I mean, Fulham. Yeah, I mean, another one, Marcus Silver couldn't love him anymore, could you? I mean, it's a consistent club. They never go off the rails for very long. I think they had a bit of a dodgy spell maybe two months ago.

40:01Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, and you just worry a little bit. Oh, are they dropping?

40:04Robbie Earle:But they're so efficient. That's the most efficient football club in the league.

40:08Robbie Mustoe:No relegation worries.

40:09Robbie Earle:There's very few players that come in, very few that go out. The only thing I would say, Rob, I think we spoke about it, is the team is ageing.

40:16Robbie Mustoe:Yeah.

40:16Robbie Earle:And a lot of the players are around 29, 30 years of age. Marco Silva might be like... His contract's up at this summer, isn't he? Maybe. It's a big job, isn't it? time because he's probably not got a tremendous faith in their recruitment side because they haven't

40:29Robbie Mustoe:done much and you've

40:30Robbie Earle:got to replace these guys. You're going to lose

40:32Robbie Mustoe:Harry Wilson who's on a three, possibly team-like.

40:35Robbie Earle:Raul Jimenez who's been a regular scorer is 34, nearly 35 I

40:39Robbie Mustoe:believe. Bassi and Anderson. There's a lot of

40:41Robbie Earle:30-year-olds. So, you know, Wobie's up there as well. So, I don't know how much more. Maybe they're going to surprise us. Maybe the recruitment department are going to liven up and they're going to bring in because that's what it's all about.

40:53Robbie Mustoe:By the way, you've got a great manager, and there'll be others who will take Marco Silva if Fulham allow him to leave.

41:00Robbie Earle:Do you think he'll go?

41:02Robbie Mustoe:I think he's ambitious, and I think... But what I do think, I think he'll give Fulham the chance. How much are you going to spend? Maybe. You know, what kind of things. Can I... Because it's a great club to manage. Great part of London. You know, looks like you're allowed to get to think. And I'm sure he's got the respect now from the directors.

41:22Robbie Earle:to say, all right, he's safe. Almost like change from head coach to manager. Be the manager of Fulham. Absolutely. You've earned that now, hasn't you? Yeah, I think he's earned it.

41:31Robbie Mustoe:What he's done.

41:32Robbie Earle:But I don't know whether he'll want a new challenge in his career.

41:35Robbie Mustoe:Session on goal was enough to win the game against Villa. But you kind of feel like Villa were disappointing. I kind of feel like their head was on Europa League in that semi-final against Forest. Listen, mate, that is it for this weekend. So Arsenal got the job done, but it was a little nervy at the end. And Mitzvahel Man City head to a Wembley FA Cup final now, having beat Southampton. Let's not forget they won the League Cup final in March. And Spurs finally got a Premier League win in the calendar year. But they stay rooted to the bottom three in 18th place. We'll be back next weekend. That's Sunday, May 3rd to book at Match Week 35.

42:11Robbie Mustoe:Arsenal play Fulham. City go to Everton and Manchester United and Liverpool is always a big game. But for now, I'm Earl. He's must be together with the two Robbies. Be safe, stay healthy.

42:23Robbie Earle:It's a good night from me.

42:24Robbie Mustoe:And it's goodnight from him.

42:26Robbie Earle:Goodnight.