Arsenal Lose Foot In Title Race! Spurs Looking At Relegation.

16:40Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, open play.

16:41Robbie Earle:Yeah, I mean, I thought Jokeres, by the way, in this, did all right. Lee Dixon made brilliant points in commentary, Rob, saying that, of course, another Premier League winner, Lee Dixon, says everybody do their job. And, you know, Jokeres, I thought he did his job. Did his same job. Held up quite well, took his penalty well, played all right, had a few chances. But some of the other players, Rob, I just don't get it. They have got worse from way back when. From way back when. Their football, their ability to possess a ball, again, you can run our podcast back for weeks now where we've said things like, oh, possession's not great or their penetration's not great or their creativity's not great.

17:23Robbie Earle:I'll shout out my son, Elliot. I spoke to him on the phone and he was talking about Arsenal and he looked up some open goal XG stats. Arsenal's open goal, open play, sorry, open play. So you know what that means. It's like expected goals, anything other than set pieces. They are, in a league table sense, they're sixth right now. And Elliot said that they haven't been higher than sixth for the last three or four seasons. I mean, if you're going to be a Premier League champion, Rob, which basically means that they're set pieces, which we kind of know, but it's interesting to get the numbers behind it.

17:58Robbie Earle:They're sixth. And they haven't been higher than sixth for like three or four or five years for a while. That's got to change. and I think the disappointing thing is, yes, we've enjoyed Arsenal's defensive strength, but this attacking dial that I talk about all the time, you've got to turn it up. You've got to try and...

18:17Robbie Mustoe:The big problem, Rob, is that many will say, oh, we didn't have Odegaard, we didn't have Saka. They weren't playing particularly well when they were fit, mate. It wasn't that big a difference.

18:27Robbie Earle:They haven't been playing well. Why aren't they playing well, Rob? Why is it then? I'll ask you, why are they not... They can't string four or five passes together in the attacking field. They can't dominate a game. They couldn't dominate possession.

18:38Robbie Mustoe:You have to say that the enormity of what is available is affecting their play. I've said their nerves is affecting their football.

18:50Robbie Earle:Yeah.

18:50Robbie Mustoe:I don't know what quite went on, and it's one of those, Rob. Do you know where you picked some up? We were watching games, and there were 32 minutes on the clock. Zubamendi tried to play a ball into Jokeres, who wanted it early. Jokeres had a bit of a go at Zubamendi. Zubamendi kind of went in his shell, was walking all over the pitch. Honestly, if you get 32 minutes in the game, go and have a look at it. And somebody else has said to me, if you look just before the Jokeres penalty, there's a shot. And I went and looked at it, and I can't quite find a time code of all the Arsenal players going up to Zubamendi and, like, hugging him, saying, come on, and giving him...

19:27Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, like, again, I don't know what it is. I don't know if it's something individual, something where he doesn't feel he's being appreciated, whatever. But it points to the thing of why are we seeing what we're seeing from international footballers who, you know, know they've not won a title, but they've been second in a number of times. We've seen the great football, you know. And you talk about Lee Dixon, it will forever stick with me when he says, let's wait till April. Let's wait till April because that's when we'll find out. and maybe this is us finding out.

19:59Robbie Earle:This is an incredibly interesting test for Mikel Arteta and this is down to him to find a way to relax those players, to relax the players to go and play. Again, back to Man City, and I know they're chasing, right? It's always easier to chase than to be chased, but the manager's job now with his light bulbs or his string or whatever, his pickpocket guy at the dinner table or whatever it is, he's got to find a way to relax the team and to play a little bit and to be a little bit more, take a few more risks going forward. I mean, Rob, a lot of people have been saying this, to be fair, for quite a few weeks and months on Arsenal, and I've been a bit more, well, they're solid.

20:42Robbie Earle:It's the way that they are. It's not the way they're doing it, and they've got to get over the line. But now it's making me, you know, like, wow. You know, are they going to get over the line? I'm going to give you a snorio, Rob, and it's a bit, you know,

20:55Robbie Mustoe:throwing out there, it's a bit pub conversation. Let me just put you in a situation. Pep Guardiola has the Arsenal squad, six points clear. Mikel Arteta has the Man City squad, six points behind.

21:12Robbie Earle:I don't know, Rob, it's too difficult. It's too difficult.

21:15Robbie Mustoe:Well, I'm trying to say, okay, let me just, would Pep be able to go into Arsenal's dressing room? Right now? And yeah, based on what you're seeing, and find a way to get the players to play. Because we're saying that's what is required. Their football's not good. Could he get their football? I would agree. That would be my point. I think Pep could go there. So the question is, for me is, can Mikel Arteta do the same, get them over the line?

21:43Robbie Earle:And is he going to change, Rob? Is he going to keep grinding away, right? Grinding, grinding. Grind at City next weekend. and by the way, we'll talk about that matchup in a second, but is he going to change? Because to your question, Pep would go into Arsenal and they'd be front foot. The full-back's going to be going forward. Declan Rice would be getting in the box more. I see Arsenal's midfield three flitting around in midfield too much and not breaking the lines, getting forward, adding and helping out Jokeres as a goal option. The wide players, Rob, the wide players of Arsenal are doing nothing at the moment.

22:20Robbie Earle:Why? Why? If your wide players are on fire, it changes everything. And Arsenal's wide players haven't been on fire for months. For months. And Saka's had moments. He hasn't been himself. He's out right now. And it's showing. The left side, Trossard's in and out. Your wide players are so important to open everything else up. And if they're being pinned down by fullbacks, not playing well, then it's going to hurt the team bad.

22:47Robbie Mustoe:Probably know the answer to this, but there's a 16-year-old in there who's pretty good in the wide plays, who plays with a bit of freedom.

22:56Robbie Earle:Could he stop? Yeah. Well, I mean, I...

23:00Robbie Mustoe:Is it too big? Is it too much? Have we got to be careful in terms of what that might do to him? I don't know.

23:07Robbie Earle:I think it's an interesting decision. I think it could be one of them that could make a big difference. Because he'd lift the plays as well, wouldn't he?

23:15Robbie Mustoe:He'd lift the plays as well.

23:16Robbie Earle:And he'll give the team what they need. They need some quality. They're lacking attacking quality, Rob. They just look pretty average. And he would bring that. Now, you know, ideally, he's so young and you want to play him off the bench and bring him into games. But I don't think... I mean, I don't think he'll start next weekend, the game against Man City. But, I mean, after that, quite possibly, that's what they need. They need a little bit of silk. They need Odegaard. It's a funny midfield, Rob, isn't it? because when Ezer plays, he's more of a goal threat, right? But he's less busy to get the team playing, right?

23:52Robbie Earle:When Odegaard plays, they're a bit busier to get silky and to get playing, but less of a goal threat. I mean, when we watched them, Rob, like two years ago, we were live there. Was it two years ago? I remember on the sideline saying on our show there, I can't believe our good Arsenal are. We were there.

24:10Robbie Mustoe:The football. The football. Yeah.

24:12Robbie Earle:God, it steadily kind of got a little bit more stodgy.

24:18Robbie Mustoe:It's got slower, hasn't it? It's got slower.

24:20Robbie Earle:Slower and less progressive and creative. And the open goal XG is a pretty damning, that's pretty damning when you're only sixth place in the Premier League table in terms of creating goals or opportunity through open play.

24:34Robbie Mustoe:Listen, mate, we give that a good go. Let's just look forward to next one day. Manchester City, Arsenal, around 30 a.m. Eastern Time on big NBC. I mean, huge, huge game. I mean, title decided.

24:50Robbie Earle:Rob, just let me, before we, I got my underappreciated, I forgot. Oh, sorry, yeah. Arsenal game. Drop that in before we go, yeah.

24:56Robbie Mustoe:We should also actually give Bournemouth a little bit of credit, by the way.

24:59Robbie Earle:Yeah, it was a Bournemouth play, and it was Bournemouth. I mean, I can't tell you how much I enjoy watching Bournemouth, what I think of here at Ola, and the way that they play. From the first whistle, by the way, They looked a better team, more relaxed in their football. Alex Scott is my guy. Alex Scott is my underappreciated performer. He's probably gone from a one to watch to now. He's kind of really doing it every single week, Rob. I think he admits himself in his interview afterwards, and I agree, his attacking numbers aren't as good maybe as what they should be because he's a better player than, I think, what's he got, like three or four?

25:37Robbie Earle:He's got three or four goals or something. He hasn't got many.

25:39Robbie Mustoe:He's got really nice though, mate. Just took that moment. Yeah, he's got four goals.

25:42Robbie Earle:Yeah, he's got four goals, one assist. But he's a midfield player that can run forward, get into the box. He can do everything. You know, I thought it was going to be like a number 10, but he's playing as a six and an eight all in the same kind of role. So I think he's an excellent player that could absolutely play at a high level.

25:59Robbie Mustoe:When you think of all that they've lost, Rob, and then, you know, Semenyo halfway through is on 10 goals for him as well. It's an incredible job this guy's done. It's a recruitment. Recruitment and the manager.

26:11Robbie Earle:Yeah, you're right there.

26:13Robbie Mustoe:I think Alex got a good shout because he's one of those that, you know, not on everybody's lips, but he's a good quality. Really good player. Really good footballer. Premier League player. Let's move it forward to the game, mate, at the weekend because I suppose as much as anything, I sense this is about the point you were making. does Arteta go for this or does Arteta go for the draw? It kind of feels to me, Rob, do you remember like the Steven Gerrard slip time at Chelsea-Liverpool when Liverpool had to make sure they didn't lose that day and Stevie slipped and they get the goal and the rest, as they say, is history.

26:54Robbie Mustoe:Is Mikel Arteta a manager who can let the reins go and let his team have a go at City?

27:04Robbie Earle:before I answer that question, how big is this game, Rob? I mean, is this the title decider?

27:13Robbie Mustoe:It feels like title decider, really.

27:15Robbie Earle:It kind of does.

27:17Robbie Mustoe:Yeah. I mean, if Arsenal don't lose, if Arsenal don't lose, they're in good shape. Yeah, really good shape. If Arsenal lose and City win, I've got to say, it's all with, because they've got Burnley to play and then they can crack on. Yeah.

27:36Robbie Earle:I just think it's that big. And we're at Tampa, our FanFest, mate. I couldn't be more excited about it, to be out there with fans, to feel the atmosphere. It's said on Big NBC, Rob, isn't it? Did I read this on Big NBC? 11.30 Eastern Time on NBC. The biggest game of the season. Tell your mates, tell your neighbours, tell anybody who doesn't watch Premier League, they've got to tune in for that game because it's going to be an amazing game. Anyway, back to your question. No. Arteta's not going to change anything, Rob. He's going to go with the same... At this point, this game, it does call out for...

28:15Robbie Earle:You're not going to do anything crazy in this game. He's got a strong defence. Incapier will be back, I would think. I'm not sure whether Timber's going to be OK on the other side there.

28:25Robbie Mustoe:I think he's the one easy as well. I don't know.

28:27Robbie Earle:Yeah, I think he's out. But Ben White didn't have a great game but but he's experienced um so i expect a a well-organized play on a counter team um so there so i don't yeah no no i expect nothing different from arsenal it's just whether city's football can be as good as it was today yeah i find a way through i honestly how poor hindered

28:48Robbie Mustoe:so rob champions league game sporting by the way midweek for arsenal city get a free week now having done their job against Chelsea?

28:58Robbie Earle:I refer you back to my answer given about 10 minutes ago, Rob, that Arsenal have got to make changes for the Champions League game. They've got to prioritise and make sure, as best as they can, that the players that he wants are in as good a condition as possible. For Sunday's game.

29:16Robbie Mustoe:So you're saying Sunday's game is... Absolutely.

29:20Robbie Earle:Absolutely. You know, this is the big one. the big title, the big game the big challenger, being your best fettle, have your best players who you want in as good a condition as possible, you know it can't be perfect, can't rest everybody but it's really important I mean, it couldn't be playing City at a worse time, it couldn't be the creativity, the confidence that being said, Arsenal have got to believe in their defensive strength, they've got to believe in some flair they've

29:52Robbie Mustoe:They've got set pieces they've got to believe in.

29:55Robbie Earle:It's gone a little quiet on the set pieces. But that's, I think, the approach, mate. What do you think? Anything different to that?

30:02Robbie Mustoe:No, because I think he will be who he is and the reason why he is where he is. I think I said to you the other week when Rebecca asked me, until those red and white ribbons are on, mate, on the 24th of May, I still can't totally go with Mikel. I'm still not totally believing that he can get it done. And that will be whether they do it, you know, once they've done it, okay, he's over the line, now he's stepped over. But until that happens, they've still got to, for me, there's still a doubt.

30:40Robbie Earle:I'll tell you what, mate. You know, Arsenal could have put this away. Yeah, yeah.

30:45Robbie Mustoe:They could have been enjoying this time.

30:47Robbie Earle:They could have put this away. And the longer they've left City in it,

30:52Robbie Mustoe:they've allowed City to get better until,

30:55Robbie Earle:oh, like smell blood and all that, all these terms have been used. And all of a sudden now City are playing the best they've looked all season, really, I think. And now Arsenal got to go there. So I still...

31:07Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, the problem for me is, from Arsenal's point of view, is that there's certain teams you'd say, eight games, that's going to be too many. well now it's seven games it's going to be too many we've seen City do this in the past done it in the past yeah they've done it even more than this actually we all can remember City teams have done it against Liverpool and the likes yeah

31:27Robbie Earle:that being said mate I still you know who are we going for right now

31:30Robbie Mustoe:yeah I'm still I'm still in the red and white camp I am

31:33Robbie Earle:I think I am

31:34Robbie Mustoe:I'm still in the red and white camp those points

31:36Robbie Earle:those points on the table six points yeah the way that Arsenal could go there and stink up the place next weekend at the Etihad whatever, just to get, just not lose. Yeah, not lose.

31:47Robbie Mustoe:I thought Gary made a really great point when we were talking to him. And he said, you know, in his sort of experience, Arsenal can almost come out of this bad period and come again. There's enough games. It's not two games left. There's enough games to sort of, I've had that little bad patch, maybe, you know, winning the Champions League, get themselves going, beat Man City, and then they still can, you know, go on to it. I kind of think as an Arsenal player or fan, you've got to believe in that, really.

32:19Robbie Earle:Yeah, and I do think that that is the most likely outcome, just. I do. Not much percentage, but I do think that's the most likely outcome. Anything different, that's why this weekend is so amazingly big because we could very well see a Man City free-flowing, Semenyo, Shirky, I mean, all the talent, Doku. Don't, don't.

32:43Robbie Mustoe:If any Arsenal fans ain't going to sleep all week, mate. Let them have some sleep. They've got to be at their very best defensively.

32:49Robbie Earle:They're going to get pulled and stretched around all over, mate. They're going to get asked so many questions. It's whether Arsenal can answer all those questions.

32:55Robbie Mustoe:Absolutely. Don't forget Man City Arsenal next Sunday, April 19th, 11.30am Eastern Time on Big NBC. Let me tell you what's big, my friend. Everything's big. The possibility of Tottenham Hotspur playing in the Championship next season is big.

33:14Robbie Earle:Oh, boy.

33:16Robbie Mustoe:Sunderland 1, Tottenham 0. Roberto deserved his first game in charge. Michele with a deflected shot that goes in against the Spurs team. We're looking for the bump, the difference, the deserved style. We did a great interview with him, didn't we? It was great to have him on. He talked about mentality, talked about not being given his whole self, talking about giving the players a few things to do with the ball, without the ball, but, you know, you'll see the full Deserby next season. Do we see enough, Rob? Is there any hope for Spurs fans? I mean, they're rooted in the bottom three now. Sorry to disappoint, but can we start with Sunderland?

33:58Robbie Earle:Can I quickly start with Sunderland?

34:00Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, sorry.

34:01Robbie Earle:I just, again, was really impressed with Sunderland. Really, really impressed. They're a good team.

34:07Robbie Mustoe:Well, I couldn't love them anymore. You know that. I know, I know. They're so strong defensively.

34:12Robbie Earle:They have such a good shape without the ball. Brian Broby, Diara and Sadiki, three outstanding young midfield players, the powerhouse of this team. And Broby, the big striker up front, who I know that you love, he roughed up Christian Romero, by the way. He bullied them, didn't he? He bullied them a little bit, which you've never seen with those two centre-backs. I just thought they were too good for Spurs, Rob. All right? That being said, they were too good for Spurs. Okay, Tottenham. Wow, okay. So first off, I kind of liked most of his team selection, right? I think that's the back four that should play.

34:48Robbie Earle:And we'll see how Romero is that to come off, didn't he, with a bad knock? Archie Gray's a good player, played really well. Surprised he came off a little later on, not sure why. Midfield players was good. I think Gallagher was good alongside him. I just would have been surprised that Pallina didn't play. He came on, but I would have thought Pallina in this situation. Again, I don't know how his condition is. and De Zerbe did say that he's having to look at people's condition. Bergvau struggled. Lucas Bergvau struggled in the number 10. And Kula Mwani, Solanke, Richarlison. That's kind of a good front three.

35:18Robbie Earle:I mean, with Simmons, you know, whenever he's ready or whatever, because I still like him because they need a creative.

35:25Robbie Mustoe:I'm a little surprised with him whether it's fitness or not ready.

35:28Robbie Earle:So I thought it was back to basics for De Zerbe.

35:31Robbie Mustoe:Yeah.

35:32Robbie Earle:I thought early on they looked organised, they looked focused, They looked excited. They looked like they were working really hard. It was ugly, but it was solid. And for me, that was an improvement over the previous manager. The team selection was better. The shape looked better. The excitement of the players looked better. The sad reality is, Robbie Earl, that with the amount of good players that are not available, this team now is average. It's average. And some of them are better today. Some of them are better. when they haven't got their better three or four, five players to come into the team, Tottenham.

36:07Robbie Earle:How can that be, bro?

36:08Robbie Mustoe:You were talking about a promoted team that have just come out of the championship and spent money and bought players. You're talking about the back four he should play. Talking about Gallagher, they played a lot of money for. Archie Gray's been a little star for them, but it was great. You're talking about Solanke and Richarlison you've paid$73 and$83 million for. But you're telling me that Sunderland are better?

36:32Robbie Earle:Yeah, well, they were on this day. You talk about a midfield, Rob. I'd rather have Diara, Siddiqui and Gareth Xhaka.

36:38Robbie Mustoe:Yeah. There you go. I'm not disagreeing with you, but that can't be right then, can it? Because you're saying, well, if the Madisons and the Kulisaskis and all that, I get that. Yeah, exactly. There's quite a lot, Rob. There's quite a lot of good players. But still, the base of Spurs without them should be good enough to get a point. Well, why isn't it then? I agree.

36:56Robbie Earle:I agree, Rob. Why isn't it? Now, this is a performance, right? They're well-organised. they've got a good coach. There's every reason to get behind a new manager. So I'm not saying there's a big bump, but there's no reason to not try a leg. Why, with a motivated team, with a good shape, with fresh ideas from the manager, why do they look average, bang average, against Sunderland then? It's got to be the players. They're as good as what people think they are. Maybe Richarlison's not a 70, 80 million dollar guy. Maybe Solanke's is a Bournemouth or is an average striker. I mean, is this where we're going?

37:30Robbie Mustoe:We're looking at recruitment then, isn't it? Yeah, we're looking at recruitment. And this big six tag and all the rest, and Europa League winners, is actually these teams like Sunderland who could get promoted. Because the problem that Tottenham have, Rob, is based on what you're saying, there aren't many teams that are going to be worse than Spurs if that's a team that has to wait between now and the end of the season.

37:54Robbie Earle:Well, we've seen it all too long. We haven't won a game in 2026, Rob. with that even you know if you bring if there's three or four really good players that don't have to elevate a team they're week in week out it takes them over the line of winning most weeks and not losing most weeks let me get to the point then if if some of these players are some madison

38:15Robbie Mustoe:you know is in the gym now and whether he's been close obviously he was a big injury um kudos i think kudos is another one yeah kudoseskis they've had a bit of thing gone back so but based on Rob, that we don't see those guys this season. There's six more games to go. Based on what you're saying, Spurs are going to be in the championship.

38:39Robbie Earle:Well, it's going to be incredibly tight, Rob. And Richarlison, again, I'll go back to Richarlison, can get goals for you. Solanke, you know, in the past has had little runs of goals. Anybody else, I don't know. Koulamouani, looks average. Looks average, Rob. Xavi Simmonds.

38:59Robbie Mustoe:You know, I think Simmonds can create.

39:01Robbie Earle:Now, with their remaining home games, there's some winnable ones there for Tottenham. I still think they're going to do it. But their two-point gap, though, isn't there? I mean, they haven't won a game. I mean, this is absolutely crazy. And, you know, I feel like, you know, Deservey said, Rob, to us, like he said, I'm going to give him just a few ideas, a few principles. Actually, Roberto, you've probably got to do more.

39:22Robbie Mustoe:I think you've got to try and, yeah,

39:25Robbie Earle:because setting them up basically with a good shape, good organisation, good motivation, better mentality in some ways with a new project, if you like, that didn't seem much. All I would say, mate, Sunland away is a hard first game. The atmosphere, the team, the physicality, they don't take any risks at the back. They've got good players in midfield. That's a hard first game.

39:46Robbie Mustoe:Okay. What about home to Brighton next week? It wouldn't get much easier.

39:51Robbie Earle:No, because Brighton knock it around. Yeah, and Brighton's a team that they used to be at.

39:54Robbie Mustoe:They didn't leave it in a great way, so they might want to put one over on him. I think every week we can see something. It all of a sudden feels more real to me, Rob, I would say. I think we've all been asked for it. Kind of feeling a bit like... I've got to be honest, if I was Desirby, I'd be a little bit worried.

40:15Robbie Earle:Particularly the other teams, Rob.

40:16Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, they're all picking up points.

40:18Robbie Earle:Forest playing against Aston Villa, Champions League team, and they got a point.

40:22Robbie Mustoe:West Ham United, fair play to West Ham.

40:24Robbie Earle:united pull it out when they need it that's the that's the biggest concern as well i think you're right when you see like rebecca said on the show tottenham hotspur in the bottom three is like what yeah what what is going on yeah i mean it's absolutely crazy but two seasons ago rob in 2024 they were fifth place in the premier league yeah and there's not many players have changed it's just these injuries that son a human son left kane wasn't there was he when they finished fifth he wasn't there when they finished fifth and they haven't lost a ton of i mean it's like what you You just have to say, maybe injured players, bad selection with managers.

40:57Robbie Mustoe:Yeah. Thomas Frank. Yeah.

41:01Robbie Earle:Oh, what a mess. What a mess it is. And, you know, I don't know. We'll see what he can do. But they need a jolt. And maybe Son and Away is a difficult game. And 1-0 is narrow. I thought there was signs, Rob. Yeah, I thought first off it looked a little bit better.

41:20Robbie Mustoe:It did. second half that Sunderland looked like they had a little bit more, which was a little bit worrying. OK, mate, let's get to some of the remaining results. Liverpool got a 2-0 win to Fulham. There was a little bit of pressure on the slot after going out to Champions League as well, but goals for Ria Engamo with a lovely first goal for him, first goal at Anfield, and Mo Salah still reminding us that the old boys got it. Obviously, Andy Robertson played as well after it's been announced that he's going to be leaving at the end of the season. It was kind of a decent result for Liverpool, just what slot needed kind of thing.

41:57Robbie Mustoe:Clean sheet, couple of goals.

41:59Robbie Earle:Yeah, I think so, Rob. I think it quietens the noise a little bit. There's starting to get a lot of noise around Arnaz slot, and rightfully so. It's been a difficult season. This was much better, Rob. Much more energy, much more front foot, much more what you'd expect in Liverpool at Anfield dominating the game, playing the game in the opponent's half. Fulham stretched, hanging on a little bit at times. And Fulham, as we've seen so many times, can go and play and embarrass teams a little bit. This was much better. And I've got to say, Rob, Rio Ingamoa, his energy on the left-hand side is infectious for the team.

42:33Robbie Earle:It really is.

42:34Robbie Mustoe:That was the downwind thing I was trying to think of. Like, Ingamoa, he lifted the front line, didn't he?

42:39Robbie Earle:Lifts everything. I think if you're playing, we all know that, Rob. It's so infectious watching a player, playing with a player. if he's having a great game and the fans are cheering absolutely everybody sort of gets a little bit motivated with it so I think that was a big difference and he's quality

42:53Robbie Mustoe:he's quality

42:54Robbie Earle:he looks dangerous he looks dangerous he can be able to play every single game he can start every single game but I tell you what that's quite the find you add that into that the return of Alexander Izak I know he's had a difficult time but we know enough about him that he's quality and I think he looks pretty lively and Arnest Lott said he's had a good physical preparation to come back. He's fit and stronger than he was when he first joined the club. Florian Wirtz continues to frustrate me. I don't know whether he's a really great player, whether he's just flits around and doesn't do too much, but the numbers say that he does create opportunities and he was busy again in the game.

43:32Robbie Earle:So there was more... I don't know. I can't tell the Liverpool fans what to think, but I would suspect that they're a little more encouraged about what they saw in this game, I know. It's only one game, and it's only Fulham. There's been a lot of negative, bad performances, bad reaction, bad criticism. But this was a little better. And for me, I've said it before, and I'll say it again now, there's enough mitigating circumstances this year that would tilt me into trusting him to give him another go, another preseason, maybe some more signings, because it has been a bit of a rebuild. that there's been an incredible amount of change to this Champions that I don't think we've ever seen before, Rob.

44:17Robbie Earle:To take a sledgehammer to the team, it seemed like, really. I mean, some of it, of course, was forced upon them and unfortunate.

44:24Robbie Mustoe:With the injuries, yeah. Yeah, and stuff. How do you see them in PSG's second leg? Obviously, they were 2-0 down from the first leg, and then the Derby against Everton. Do you see them getting through Champions League?

44:35Robbie Earle:No, no. PSG, too good. Too good. PSG and Bayern Munich are the two teams. I watched the Champions League and those two teams are coming through with amazing attacks. Amazing attacks. And, you know, Liverpool are in a period of transition, rebuilding a little bit. And I don't think they're ready. We know there's been some remarkable nights at Anfield in the Champions League. But this is one game too many. I just don't see it. But Arnaud's still under pressure, Rob. He's still, if he does go out, he's still got to finish the season strongly to keep the fans behind him.

45:08Robbie Mustoe:It's five places now in those Champions League spots. Should be okay in that. Should be okay based on Chelsea result as well not going well for them. Brentford, two Everton, two teams trying to get to push to Europe when maybe at the start of the season that would have been a bit more lofty ambitions than both of them would have thought. Obviously, great jobs being done by Keith Andrews and David Moyes. Thiago gets his 20th goal of the season. What a season it's been for him. He gets a brace. Beto gets one. and then Drewsby Hall with the late equaliser for Everton. I thought it was a pretty even game, actually, and the duel was probably about the right result.

45:49Robbie Earle:Yeah, two teams, Rob. Again, their fans have got to be delighted with how it's going. You often get many teams or clubs that are really happy with the way they're going. These two are just really good stories, aren't they? One, probably the least experienced manager against the most experienced manager, isn't it, with Moyes and Keith Andrews. And again, the Bs are Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton. The recruitment just keeps them going great. You know, they sell players, but their recruitment is so good that all the players they sign come into the first team look really good and are capable of performing and winning games in the Premier League.

46:25Robbie Earle:Everton's turnaround has been remarkable. David Moyes, I mean, talk about underappreciated manager probably for decades, possibly what he's doing now. He's showing everybody, again, what a good manager he is and the way that he does it, Rob, is probably pretty unique. But no, good result, two good teams, good game of football. Yeah, happy days.

46:43Robbie Mustoe:Forrest won, Villa won. Forrest continues to keep getting points. Every time I see Forrest, Rob, Murillo with the own goal and Niko Williams with the goal against a Villa team, obviously, who are in Europe as well. But every time I see Forrest, I kind of feel like they look like they're going to be OK. Reasonably well set up, the manager knows what they're doing. They're still sort of down there and that could be an issue. But I kind of, I don't know. When I see them, they don't look like they've got the look of a team that are destined to go down.

47:15Robbie Earle:Well, the only team that does is Tottenham, isn't it? Tottenham Hotspur. They look like a team that's destined to go down. And it's, you know, I agree. You know, the next game we're going to talk about is West Ham United. They win 4-0 at Wolves, Rob. Nathapunas gets a couple of goals. Castellanos gets a couple of goals. And, you know, as often at this time of the season, the teams that really need it are finding it. They're finding ways to win. They're finding ways to score goals. they're super motivated. The London Stadium is absolutely buzzing when those goals go in. I mean, those two teams are fighting.

47:42Robbie Earle:And yeah, I wouldn't say either of them are going to go down. But who's going to go down? Somebody's going to go down. Somebody's got to go down. And when you look at this weekend and you look at the fettle these teams are in, Tottenham look absolutely nailed on. But because it's Tottenham Hotspur,

47:59Robbie Mustoe:we think differently. And feel different about it, yeah. Let me tell you who you should feel a little bit different about. And I'm going to go to my undappreciated performer of the week. And he plays for West Ham United. And he's their captain. He missed a penalty recently in the FA Cup game that stopped him getting through to the semifinal. Continues to take his responsibilities. Jared Bowie, my friend. He's eight goals, eight assists. Signed from Hull City in the championship. I couldn't love any more, mate. A star player. So when you think of West Ham, there's a couple of players that come to mind, and he's right up there, certainly in the top three.

48:37Robbie Mustoe:I couldn't love any more a star player who gives it his all, who runs back, who tracks back, who works hard, who has a feeling, you know, is looking to assist, is looking to score, is always looking for the best of his team. And he's an England international, and whether he makes a squad or not, he may just miss out. But, you know, often good players in good teams, and I've played in a couple of teams where you've had a couple of players who they're talent so much they don't feel like, well, I'll do a bit of the work, but there's others who can do my work. Jarrod Bowen is the first with his sleeves rolled up.

49:12Robbie Mustoe:He'll do his work, then he'll score your goal, then he'll cross your ball, then he'll play and assist. And I couldn't love that combination of player any more than what I see from Jarrod Bowen. And one of the reasons why I don't think West Ham will go down is because Jarrod Bowen won't allow this football club to go down.

49:30Robbie Earle:Well, that's quite the endorsement, Rob. And I agree. I agree with what he is. Just one thing, though, you're talking there, Rob. Can it be the case that being that two-way, right, and that can it hurt a player's reputation and standing? If he was a little bit more, if he kept more energy for his attacking side of things and he was a little more selfish in his attacking play and he didn't run back at times. Just to make... Do you know what I'm trying to say, Rob?

50:04Robbie Mustoe:I hear your point.

50:05Robbie Earle:Does his game, his general attacking performance, get a little bit... Is a little bit less... Is not as effective because he does so much work going back the other way?

50:15Robbie Mustoe:Maybe so, maybe not. I'll tell you the two things I would say. I'd say every fan would have him in their team because he's the incredible mix. And the other thing is, I think as a player, he would feel unfulfilled not doing the work. I think he wants to do the work and he wants to do the other stuff as well. I think that's who he is. Which is great. And that's what I like about him. Which is great. He's an absolute manager's dream. Yeah, he's a manager's dream. So, yeah. That's a good show. I appreciate the form of the week. Jared Byne, West Ham captain, involved with a couple of goals in the 4-0 win against Wolves at the weekend.

50:51Robbie Mustoe:Just wrapping up, mate. Palace 2, Newcastle 1. Azula with the first goal for Newcastle. A lot of strangers Sula started, mate, Valtemar and Wieser on the bench. That's what I...

51:01Robbie Earle:Sorry, mate. What is going on there, Ron? What is going on? Two strikers brought in with the money spent, exact same to replace Alexander Izak, and then they're not starting. That is...

51:15Robbie Mustoe:There's all sorts, it feels, is going on, you know, mixed messages, managers saying one thing, staff saying the other. That's never good. Mateta comes on, gets a couple of goals, to Strandlawn's header and a penalty kick. Brilliant, yeah. Palace, who wasn't the strongest Palace team, to be honest, because I think they've got their eyes on Europe, but just heaps a little bit of pressure on Eddie Howe now. And, like, you know, there's a few noises starting to come out of, say, James' Park. And, you know, he won the League Cup. You know, the statue will be there at some point. I mean, I think he was given freedom of the city and all that.

51:50Robbie Mustoe:But, you know, things turn quickly in football.

51:54Robbie Earle:Yeah, not for me. Not for me, mate. This guy, he's not the problem. He's not going to be the problem at Newcastle United. The players that are signed, obviously, two players that are brought in. I don't know, in the days of sporting directors, who has most influence? I don't know. Maybe Eddie Howe wanted these guys. Maybe he didn't. I don't know. He's not playing them, which is remarkable to me. But it won't be because of him. The way that the team is, some of the players performing, the recruitment that's happened they've dropped off and ultimately it always goes back to the manager but you know Eddie Howe is is such a such a good manager in all aspects of of the job sometimes the manager is the guy just imagine this Rob that he gets fired right somebody else goes in are they going to get more out of this squad than Eddie Howe I mean I don't know maybe they're going to rally everybody and the emotion it's going to have to be a certain type of person

52:52Robbie Mustoe:certain personality.

52:54Robbie Earle:Yeah, I don't know who's going to do better than Eddie Howe. Yeah, I think it's going to do better than him.

52:57Robbie Mustoe:I'd agree, but we'll have to wait and see how that one all plays out. And one more result for us from Turf Moor Burnley, Nail Brighton to Max Vifer with a couple of goals from right back for Brighton, getting all three points.

53:09Robbie Earle:Yeah, playing well. Playing well there, Brighton. Finishing well. Finishing strong.

53:12Robbie Mustoe:Three straight wins for Herzl and his team. Yeah, finishing in decent style. Let's make that it for another dramatic week. I mean, we are all set up for some final in this Premier League. It feels like there's a big shift at the top of the table. Arsenal lose at home and City win away. And the gap's cut to six points with a massive game now set up for next Sunday. Also, Spurs there rooted to the bottom three with De Zerbe failing to get that new manager bump or failing to get the first win for Tottenham in 2026. We'll be back next weekend, that Sunday, April 19th, to recap Match Week 33. in that huge game as Man City take on Arsenal.

53:52Robbie Mustoe:And we're going to be in Tampa for the FanFest, so look out for that. And we're hoping to do a live edition of the Two Robbies podcast from our set. But for now, I'm Earl. He's Mustard together with the Two Robbies. Thanks for watching and listening. Be safe, stay healthy. We'll see you in Tampa. It's a good night from me.

54:08Robbie Earle:And it's a good night from him. Good night. Good night.

54:19Bye.