Arsenal's Derby Delight, Man City's Celebrations, Liverpool a Little Lucky?

14:23Robbie Mustoe:Let's go to the edge. I've Manchester City played before Spurs and North London derby. Beat Newcastle 2-1 in a really, I thought it was a really good competitive game. City themselves ahead. I thought Newcastle finished the game particularly well, a little unlucky late on. I think it's Harvard-Barnes with a shot that might have given them a point after big travel in Europe where they won convincingly midweek. Big game this for City. You could tell by the reaction of Pep, the reaction of his players, the reaction in the stadium after the game, that this was an important one, mate. And this meant something to this group.

15:03Robbie Mustoe:However Pep plays it down, they certainly ain't given up on this thing yet.

15:08Robbie Earle:Well, I think they're a little surprised they're still in it. and I think, you know, they've had a little run and yeah, I agree with you and many people that commented after, there were the scenes afterwards that they're like, right, we're in this. Like this was, I mean, it was, I mean, I think they're surprised they're in it and I think we should be a little surprised, Rob. I mean, it was scrappy. It was wide open second half. It was end to end. There was some desperation from City. They sat back and there was no possession late on. They kind of hanging on a little bit and it felt like a big win and I think now they're in it now.

15:39I feel like they're, with that result that Arsenal against Wolves,

15:43Robbie Earle:I think, wow, this is a two-point gap. Like, we're really in this. And this was an important one because Newcastle are a good side. I mean, they were away from home, but they played really well. I'll tell you what I took away, though, Rob. You know, like, what I enjoyed in the first half of Man City were the front two. And I know that you really enjoyed Haaland. I'll let you come back on that. But Marmush and Haaland together as a partnership, it was like a four with the two holding players. It's like four, two, two, two. Semenyo, yeah. Yeah, Semenyo and O 'Reilly really tall in there. Yeah, Silva and Roger at the base of it.

16:19Robbie Earle:And then Marmouche. I mean, I looked at, so the first half, right, I'm like, I'm looking at it and I'm like, isn't it nice to see a front two? A proper handful, Rob, proper handful. Haaland making his runs all over the place. Omar Marmouche, dynamic, determined, quick. Not intimidated by his strike partner, by the way. If he wants to go through and shoot, he does. And can you imagine what it must be like for centre-backs, Rob, when all of a sudden you've got two really effective strikers that are busy, that are lively, that are quick, that are aggressive. I just enjoyed Man City with two up front, with Marmush and Haaland.

16:52Robbie Earle:And I'm like, they look so dangerous in the first half. They penetrate so well. There's so much creation there from the players behind it. I really like City in the first half. Not so much in the second half, but one of my takeaways, was those front two. I'd love to see more of that from Pep and Mancet.

17:09Robbie Mustoe:It looked good. It was interesting Rob because as you were talking I was I'd sort of made a note and said maybe after a little bit of time and it's taken a few different ways of getting there but I looked down that spine Rob. Donnarumma, Diaz, Gaye, Rodri and or Silva and then Ipsomeno and O 'Reilly took in as well but then Haaland and Marmouf. It's pretty strong mate.

17:33Robbie Earle:it's pretty strong

17:35Robbie Mustoe:and then I just wanted to go one more place to you let me tell you what the bench looked like Rico Lewis Phil Foden Kuzinov Savinho Nico Gonzalez Cherky Stones and Rinders yeah right at the right time of the season got a bit of form and they looked like they got his full his full group again together yeah

17:59Robbie Earle:and the I know we said it last week like but the but Semenyo and Mark Gahey. I'll tell you what's interesting, Rob. Did you see Mark Gahey's interview after the game? Yeah. Mark Gahey talked about... How much he'd learned and been working with Pep. It was incredible. Someone like that is gold for me, for us. Like, basically saying, I'm about to start again. I'm learning the game again. This is so different. He said, my game has changed totally, completely different at everything. The manager's asking...

18:28Robbie Mustoe:When he plays out, when he's got to run to... opposition to bring them towards the ball to get out. I mean, you can kind of see why some players may find it a bigger challenge than others. You know, Jack Grealish maybe was a good example, but we've seen a number of players going to that football club and take a while. It's interesting that it looks like he obviously believes in Gay, whether because of their shorter numbers back there, but he's pretty much in and it's not any bedding in for him, is there? It's like good age, good understanding. Yeah.

19:06Robbie Earle:I mean, we see him do his defensive work and we're like, yeah, there's Mark Gay. He's really, really good. But I think there's obviously a lot more to it. I thought that was really interesting of how Pep works and how detailed he is and blueprint and everything else. So that was interesting. Another player I want to mention, Rob, and he's my underappreciated, maybe an easy one, Nico O 'Reilly. I was surprised actually when I asked Zika producer, because I thought we had him before, but we didn't. Nico O 'Reilly has been brilliant for Man City as a left fullback. And we saw him live, Rob, first weekend of the season.

19:37Robbie Earle:And I was struck at his physicality. Yeah, his physicality, his ability. And now, of course, he's playing on the left side of that midfield, really tucking in from the left, as we talked about. And he's different, Rob, because, you know, we know that Phil Foden's got an eye for a goal, right? You know, as a midfield player, you know, City love a goal-scoring midfield player. Foden's done that before. Yeah, he got it. And Nick O 'Reilly got two goals in here. And he's popping up. He's doing something different, Rob. You know, I always talk about a midfield blend of midfield, you know, of a midfield three.

20:08Robbie Earle:You want to have a holding player who wins the ball. You want to have a creative type. You want to have a goal threat. And I just think he pops up in the box. He's a different sort of player. That's what he was doing. Good size, isn't he? Good size when he was getting there. And he's quick. He's got decent feet. He's a good decision maker. So, you know, he, with the other players that's come into the team in January and the ones that have been there for a long time,

20:28Robbie Mustoe:And he's adding to this team.

20:30Robbie Earle:So I wanted to give him a little shout-out. Nico O 'Reilly is still a very young player. He's got a great chance, by the way, of starting for England in the World Cup at left-back. It's a great shout. Lewis Hall and O 'Reilly.

20:45Robbie Mustoe:Possibly could both go. It's a great shout because I think one of the things we always do with City is talk about the money and the spend and what they've done. He's another one who's come through the academy. Did a bit of reading up on him yesterday because, again, like you, I'm a bit intrigued He actually was a midfield player coming to their academy. Yeah, I heard that. He came into the team because they were positioned and they hadn't got any strength on. But he's probably more natural to what we saw yesterday in the goals, as you say, the aerial threat. He's one of those, Rob, where I think Pep's going to love him the more he sees him and he's going to be a permanent position because of his height, because of his ability to play in different roles.

21:22Robbie Mustoe:Or, you know, if he wants to play the full-backs higher, he can always drop in. He's got versatility. And as you say, I'd be very surprised if he's not in the England squad come this summer. And final thing on him, Robby, I mean, he has defended. Like, he can defend.

21:40Robbie Earle:It's nice to have a player that can do a little bit of a goal to balance off a little bit and help Roger at times, I think, defensively. So, no, it's quite the change, mate. And with those two up front and with O 'Reilly in midfield, getting the box of scoring goals, with Ribbon Diaz back alongside Marge, They ignore... I mean, they still... I can't say that I trust them defensively. They still look a lot vulnerable. Yeah, I've got to put my thing...

22:03Robbie Mustoe:Have City got that City run still in them? I still don't think they do, mate. I still... The history will tell you that this time of season, they could go on a 12-game unbeaten run.

22:16Robbie Earle:Yeah, but that's when they've had a back... Yeah, they've had in the past. Apparently, it's 2019, wasn't it?

22:21Robbie Mustoe:They won the last 14 Premier League games to beat Liverpool. Yeah, yeah. So it is time of the season. I just don't quite think this group is quite there yet. Now, whether it will take that, whether other teams are going to drop points, we're going to have to wait and see. A couple of things just for me off the back of it. I thought it was, and I think the scene, it led to the scenes that we saw and the kind of reaction in some of the words that Pep's talked about. I thought it was a different kind of win. I thought it wasn't the 3-1, 4-1 in control. It was like, you have to dig in a little bit.

22:55Robbie Mustoe:City that I thought was a nice side to them. And to that point, I'm going to point to a man who was very close to getting my undappreciated form of the week. It's going to go to a special player who I'll name in a few moments' time. But Erlen Haaland, my friend, basically gets told he doesn't touch the ball. He just scores goals. He's got 22 of them at the moment that makes him the top scorer in the league. But he's kind of often not particularly appreciated. I think people respect him. and they know he's a goalscorer, but everybody tells you how he's not a great footballer. Well, whether he's football or not, I thought his heart and his application in this Newcastle game, mate, was outstanding.

23:37Robbie Mustoe:He was running the front of the pitch that you'd expect. He was getting back and defending and headed away like any centre-back you've seen. He assists for the O 'Reilly second goal. He's running down. I think he had 40-odd touches of the ball, which is apparently the most he's ever had in a Premier League game. He's got seven assists already this season. So he's not just about the goals, he's helping out others. And it's sort of reaction at the end when he was hugging, I think, with Donnarum and then he went down to the ground and he was kind of, it was almost like, here's a guy who, why does this mean so much to him?

24:14Robbie Mustoe:He wants another title. He's hungry, Rob. He's wins Golden Boots. He's got titles. He's been part of the travel. but he's one and part of the group that I think believe this is this something still on for us and I just thought he deserves a mention when we only talk about the goals and we only talk about oh he's had seven touches and he scored so many goals and he isn't a great footballer I thought he was so so committed to the cause I agree I agree I mean the times he ran back and had

24:42Robbie Earle:balls in out of dangerous areas but again I revert back to my first my first answer having And having Omar Mamoosh around him, buzzing around, taking defenders' eyes, I think really helped him. And I really strongly feel that, that working as a two, you know, I don't know. I think when you've got two spare centre-backs, Rob, or you've got one market and one spare, he's probably like, well, I can't run. But when you've got another striker up there that's putting defenders apart, yeah, he was lively. He was lively. He's in great fettle right now and assisting. Yeah, good shout, good shout. And it was good.

25:15Robbie Earle:Newcastle I thought

25:16Robbie Mustoe:was much better

25:17Robbie Earle:in the second half they stretched Man City they of course had that trip Carabag wasn't it on Wednesday yeah

25:27Robbie Mustoe:6-1 in the Champions League

25:28Robbie Earle:kind of knockout stage so the travel was not easy but they looked strong they came into the game really strong in the second half and just couldn't quite break Man City down who never looked convincing to me when they are trying to grind it through a little bit but they managed to do it and that's a big win it's a big three points you saw the celebration there, of course, this is going to be a fun race, mate, Arsenal.

25:49Robbie Mustoe:I think right to the wide. I mean, that game they play, I think it's April 19th. It could well be title-desider.

25:59Robbie Earle:I mean, Arsenal, if it's still that sort of point, they could put City away a little bit if they can win.

26:05Robbie Mustoe:But that's a big if. It's a way from home for Arsenal. And there's plenty of time between now and then for a few slip-ups as well, mate. I think there's a couple of twists and turns to go in this one. I don't think it's done by any means. Okay, mate, let's move it to City ground. Nottingham Forest, Vito Pereira back in charge. He got Sino Willen in Europe this weekend. He had some good noises coming from the players in terms. And to be fair, Rob, what I saw of this game this morning, Forest with a better team. Forest with a better team. And Liverpool's smashing grab late on with the McAllister.

26:40Robbie Mustoe:Has one disallowed off his elbow, gets another. from inside the six-yard box. I mean, a great win for Liverpool. You know, resilient and all the stuff you'd want to put to it. But Nottingham Forrest should have seen them off, to be honest. I thought Liverpool were really sloppy and really poor giving the ball away.

27:00Robbie Earle:Well, Forrest were up for it. And they got a new manager. And they got that confidence from the European win. And this guy is going to play as attacking players. Sean Dyche didn't. I mean, he played Dominguez, didn't he? He's a wide player. This is more attack-minded. It's on the front foot. The fans are going to enjoy that more. They were excellent in the first half. All my notes, all I'm writing down is all about Forrest, Forrest, Forrest.

27:21Robbie Mustoe:Great energy, great width.

27:23Robbie Earle:They did everything but score. And Igor Jesus, I know he's a young forward up there, and I know he's done well in European competition. He's got very few goals in the Premier League. Obviously, they're missing Chris Wood. If they had a better striker up there, they've got a really good foundation. Sangaro's a player, by the way. Sangaro alongside him. Sangaro tried well, didn't he?

27:40Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, in midfield. Well, they both did him and Anderson. Excellent.

27:45Robbie Earle:And Murillo. I'm a big, big fan of Murillo. He could go and play.

27:50Robbie Mustoe:Somebody might take a little look at him, I think. I'd be surprised.

27:54Robbie Earle:So goals continue to be a big issue for Nottingham Forest. The biggest concern, the biggest worry. Luka, the new kid, I'd rather start him. I would start him up front. The new player they brought in in January, late. But they were so, so good. And to concede late. I mean, Liverpool came back in the second half. I mean, Liverpool first half, because it wasn't just Forest football. It was their pressing and their counter-pressing.

28:18Robbie Mustoe:They get the ball away attacking. How and why can that be? Liverpool ain't certainly Champions League football at this stage. How can they be going to the playground? I know they've got a new manager, but still struggling to make sure they're going to be in the league. How's that mentality work? That's a bad look on the spot then. Bad luck. Mate.

28:40Robbie Earle:The first half was a really bad luck. The team didn't look like it had any drive, any desire. I mean, they lost...

28:47Robbie Mustoe:I mean, Solon Virts did get injured, didn't he, in the warm-up? And Curtis Jones came into the team, whether that slightly changed things. I mean, it also shows how maybe much Virts helps to knit things together a little bit more now. I know how he was missed.

29:01Robbie Earle:I mean, their football, their possession, their build-up plan in the first half was shocking.

29:05Robbie Mustoe:probably the worst

29:06Robbie Earle:I've seen it

29:06Robbie Mustoe:for a very long time

29:09Robbie Earle:and part of that is Forrest part of that is Forrest's press and they were high energy and it made it difficult but if you're Liverpool Rob yeah there's teams that can offer some puff and puff and pressing you've got to be better to keep the possession of the ball better than what they were I mean they were Liverpool were better in the second half in terms of their possession they kept the ball a little bit more but didn't really look too much like scoring and then they get the late goal. I mean, dare I say, they barely deserved it, Rob. And they'll get out of there with the three points. Yeah, absolutely.

29:43Robbie Earle:But I almost feel like, wow, that was...

29:46Robbie Mustoe:The draw would have been probably the fairiest result. Yeah, yeah.

29:52Robbie Earle:I mean, Forrest had chances first half as well, mate. But in fairness, but I mean, they did have decent chances. It's easy to tilt towards Forrest because they've played so well. But Liverpool did have chances as well. But probably like, the draw might have been a fair result. But I just think that's worrying for me, Rob, that is at this stage of the season, with what they're trying to go for, there's going to be a proper race for this top four or five spots. Somebody's going to miss out, by the way.

30:16Robbie Mustoe:I know they are. One of the big boys, probably Man U, Chelsea or Liverpool, are not going to be having Champions League football next season.

30:23Robbie Earle:Yeah. And wow, you know, look at some of the other results. I mean, they are trying to blow it. You know, we'll get to Chelsea, Villa blew it, and Liverpool look like they're blowing it as well. That's going to be an interesting race towards the end there.

30:36Robbie Mustoe:That's the game. It's a top four race. Let's go with Chelsea, mate, because 1-0 up after four minutes, Joe Pedro. You're kind of looking at that one thing, you know, against a Burnley team that have struggled to put a real run of results together. I'm thinking that, oh, that's a three or four. This is a Chelsea go-to-town day. Wasn't the way. He had possession, but it was sideways, backwards, no penetration. I think they had two shots on target in the whole game, Rob, despite having as much ball as they want. It was like old Chelsea in that kind of, oh, pass it slowly, pass it here. You know, maybe mentally, oh, we won the look after four minutes against Burnley.

31:19Robbie Mustoe:We haven't got to worry. Well, they did because in the end, Profana gets a red card. They give away a goal from a set piece. and we're slightly fortunate that I think it was John Bryn Larson.

31:31Robbie Earle:Bryn Larson.

31:32Robbie Mustoe:Bryn Larson has another header from the corner kick from Ward Prowse. It could have given him a defeat. Can I hear the similar thing? Obviously, the senior's not happy. Can I hear the similar thing that we've heard under Mureska and one or two others? And while it's okay to see the problem and admit to the problem, we're going to start dealing with the problems, aren't we?

31:57Robbie Earle:Yeah, I mean, watching the first 20 minutes of this game, Rob, it's insane to think they're not going to win this game. How did Chelsea not get three points from this match? So in control. And I agree. I mean, I wasn't... Of course, they're a huge possession team, right? And that brings its own challenges because when you want to do slow build-up, they look like Man City, you know. Teams get behind it. Just get behind the ball. Okay, break us down. Then it's not always easy. but I thought they were so dominant. They get the early goal. I'm like, this is so, it's crazy how they keep shooting themselves in the foot.

32:32Robbie Earle:What did he say? Burning or burning points away or something he talked about.

32:36Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, burning points away the last two, four games, four points.

32:39Robbie Earle:So many points dropped from winning the positions. And totally avoidable. Yeah.

32:44Robbie Mustoe:19 from winning positions. 17 at home, Rob. That's crazy. At home, they're not 17 points different to where they are chucking away.

32:52Robbie Earle:I mean, that's obviously a shocking stat, but on the other side of it, look how good they could be if they stopped making mistakes. That's almost a random mistake. It's a big point, actually, isn't it? Yeah. They could be part of the title race. Of course. I mean, Fafana, gosh, I've studied him and I've enjoyed him. Yeah, I've made a lot of mistakes recently. 25. 25.

33:14Robbie Mustoe:I'm not having the age term. I'm not having him, Rob. I'm not having him. I know. I've said that like that. I'm not having him. Irresponsible. lunging in, you're on a yellow card. You're not 21. You're not 2021 coming into the team. He's a 25-year-old international footballer. Yeah.

33:31Robbie Earle:Come on. I mean, it's too many now, Rob. There are players, there are so many players getting sent off and then it changes momentum. And you still think, well, you know, Burnley, they should be able to see it out. And then, of course, they don't market the set piece. I mean, Leroy Senior did kind of, he looked fired up a little bit. I kind of liked him.

33:46Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, he said that we had a player

33:48Robbie Earle:missed his assignment. He said he wasn't going to name them.

33:51Robbie Mustoe:in public, but there was somebody who didn't do their job picking up. I've looked at it a few times. I can't kind of say if it was Towson or Santos or one of those who he brought on, Acheon Pong.

34:02Robbie Earle:Yeah, Acheon Pong came on. Yeah, but I mean, I have liked his words. I think he's a smart guy. I just hope, like you said at the start, Rob, if he doesn't improve this, like turn dominance into regular three points with no drama, They should have been a no drama to win, and yet they dropped points again. So the fans will, as we know at Chelsea, will turn pretty quickly and start creating that quiet, funny atmosphere if they don't start turning these around and getting more regular three-point wins than they could. Because this – you know, you see Joe Pedro score, Robert. I'm like, he could go on.

34:41Robbie Earle:If you watch him, he looks – he could go on to be a very, very good,

34:45Robbie Mustoe:regular scorer, top scorer in the league.

34:48Robbie Earle:He's got that in him. We've seen other players. They've got players that look like they're going to be top players.

34:53Robbie Mustoe:There was another one that was like, OK, all right, pretty good.

34:56Robbie Earle:And Kukurea's done well. All these young players are growing, improving. So the signs are really good. I like the manager. But they're making these mistakes and these errors, are holding them back, and they've got to.

35:08Robbie Mustoe:They continue, Rob. And I think he said, actually, youth is one thing, accountability is another. I thought it was a really good line. Like, come on, you might be 22 now, but you've got 70 games. You've been to this. We've got to take the next step with this group. The other thing, Rob, just on Chelsea, just before we move, look at their next six games. Somebody said to me, they've got a bit of a tough runner. They've got Arsenal at home, Villa away, Newcastle at home, Everton away, Man City home, Man United away. Their next six games. So that's a shakeout. that's going to tell us where best team are now with Liam Messina are they challenging for Champions League spot or are they just looking to get a European maybe Europa League

35:54Robbie Earle:I mean the ones Liverpool we just talked about Chelsea Man United playing tomorrow we're not going to cover that on this podcast they're the three and that's a big three and they want it and Chelsea want it they all want it whoever doesn't make it I think probably I think there's probably less like bad reaction if it's Man United that don't do it I feel like if Liverpool don't do it

36:14Robbie Mustoe:They got sixth and didn't quite make it. I think it would still be seen as a good run. I'm sure United financially would want it. For the other two, I don't think it would be unacceptable.

36:27Robbie Earle:Yeah, well, yeah, certainly for Liverpool. When Slott said it himself, they don't finish there, it's unacceptable. So it's an interesting race. And I just couldn't believe what I was seeing at the end of the game.

36:37Robbie Mustoe:And the red cards, mate, I know we think, what is it, six red cards now? It's a problem to the club. it's a problem that players are getting themselves sent off, whether it's doing silly things, being on second yellows, whether it's, you know, not controlling yourself.

36:53Robbie Earle:Have you ever had any of your, I'm just thinking back, right, through our careers, right?

36:58Robbie Mustoe:Yeah.

36:59Robbie Earle:I can never remember a prolonged disciplinary issue that we ever had at our clubs or, I mean, you're Wimbledon, you used to kick lumps at people. I do. I mean, different times, I get it, and I know different files.

37:13Robbie Mustoe:But it was almost like at that time then, Rob, you read the room. You knew if you could get away with one sometime in the first 10 minutes, you'd take a challenge. And then we didn't have a terrible record. People understood the rules and knew where you could go. This Chelsea team seemed like reckless to it. I mean, I played 600 games in teams that we used to get a foot in. I got sent off once. because there's times when I'm on a yellow I've got to be careful and I'd love to go and have another

37:43Robbie Earle:It's a little easier now Rob, I think the yellow cards have given out a little easier

37:47Robbie Mustoe:It's a different climate and I do get that but there is still a point Rob where the catch goes on when you're on a yellow I'd love to go and have a yellow I can't do it because I've got a yellow, I don't think some of these Chelsea players have got that mindset I think they see the ball and think I'm just going in there and then don't realise what the consequences are

38:06Robbie Earle:selfish mate that's what it is a selfish there's a couple of times where i was so fired up with a player i'm playing against i really want to leave but you um you know you can't can you no you're

38:17Robbie Mustoe:gonna let your team down probably lose the game you're gonna miss a couple of games and all that a lot of people down the fans that travel i know yeah yeah it's a good shout but you know that's another thing that liam has seen as a young coach i think he's got to address he's got to address

38:32Robbie Earle:with this group because it's hurting them. Rob, just thinking about it, we were in Arsenal the same a few years ago. Yeah, they had a spell

38:39Robbie Mustoe:on the Arteta, didn't they? Yeah, it was at the beginning of last year.

38:43Robbie Earle:Yeah, all these silly red cars were kicking the ball away and all that stuff. Yeah, yeah.

38:48Robbie Mustoe:So, yeah, you know, coaching and strategy and playing, but also emotional control and game management and game understanding is still an important part of successful teams, you know, keeping 11 players on. Let's go to Villa Park, mate, where Ashton Villa got a 1-1 duel with Leeds. Leeds got a beautiful stack free kick. I don't know if you saw it. Emi Martinez was sort of thinking the ball's coming in for a cross. Free kick from Stack, and he's bent one in. He's done it a couple of times, Stack. He's obviously... I like Stack. I like Leeds. A few Leeds fans, I think, bought him for about£15 million or something pounds or dollars, but he looks like an all-round quality player.

39:33Robbie Mustoe:And his goal was a difference up until Villa threw on Tammy Abrahams, who scored sort of thigh the ball from a set piece into the back of the net. But I must admit, I kept a good eye on this game. I don't know if it's a light lead. I don't know if it's a thing. They're hitting a quietly incredible job, and he's got his five. It was a bit of a 5-4-1, but he shut down the middle of the pitch. And he made sure, you know, all those, you know, the Rodgers and the Buendias and people who were trying to get in the hole, he stopped them and said, you can have it wide. And if you're going to cross it, we've got good people who can challenge you in the area and we're going to have bodies around the central areas of pitch.

40:15Robbie Mustoe:Really well set up. I thought they'd done a really good job, made it really difficult for Villa. And the Tabby Abraham's goal in the end was enough to get Villa a point, but obviously disappointment that they didn't get all three and keep themselves a little bit more of a gap in that race for Champions League spot.

40:30Robbie Earle:Yeah, I think this is, I think Leeds United, very much like Sun and Rob, but all three promoted teams basically bought new teams. And it's really hard to kind of predict how that's going to go. Obviously, two of them have done really, really well, all these new players and Burnie, not so much. So another great point for them. What's that put them on now, Rob? I feel like when they're into the 31 points,

40:54Robbie Mustoe:you can see it. You can see the light. Yeah, for the 30s, yeah. There's a light not far away, isn't there? Yeah.

40:59Robbie Earle:And also for Villa, right? And they're stumbling. They're stumbling. They've won one in five. They're still six points clear, Rob, in third place.

41:05Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, it's incredible.

41:07Robbie Earle:I mean, how did that work out then? I mean, six points clear, they asked in Villa. So when you talk about this one,

41:13Robbie Mustoe:I was listening to a radio debate and a few people talking about Villa and, you know, initially saying, oh, well, they could have been part of this title race and that. and I kind of like looked at it in my head. To me, Rob, we were never really in the title race. I think Jose called them the little horse. Of course, because of the points and where they were in the league. But when I look at the group, when I look at the squad, when I look at the depth, when I look where they are, to me, they're not a title team. They're not reaching when they're titles.

41:43Robbie Earle:Which makes it more remarkable, Rob. That's okay.

41:45Robbie Mustoe:In third or fourth, ahead of one of the big boys that we've just talked about might miss out. it's kind of success as well. Excellent. It's excellent. You look at that as success. And, you know, if Chelsea, Liverpool or Man United are sitting out of those spots and Villa are in, that's a massive step up for Aston Villa. Yeah, brilliant.

42:05Robbie Earle:Really, I mean, this isn't a great result and this isn't a pro, but it's just like overlooking the league table right now. Aston Villa six point clear in third place. Like when you go through their team, it's not a brilliant, brilliant team. So far, it's excellent. I think some people think that they might wobble Villa. when you think about Villa they might be the one they might be the one and let this bigger one to come in but I mean that's a nice gap with like he's a nice gap

42:28Robbie Mustoe:with that manager and a decent group of players who look committed to it could do with Ollie Watkins getting back sharp again he looks like

42:36Robbie Earle:he's just dropping off at the wrong time for him personally Abraham's good isn't he tell me Abraham's back where he wants to be great bit of business great bit of business yeah Noseley comes in and can affect him so

42:46Robbie Mustoe:yeah a bit of work for Unai and Villa to do but find themselves in a great place in third in the Premier League at the moment. OK, let's just run through some other results. I'm going to start at the GTEC. Brentford, Mill, Brighton, two, for a couple of reasons. Brighton getting back to where we like to see them. Gomez getting the first goal, Danny Welbrecht getting the second. That gives them a 2-0 win against Brentford, which is not easy. The job that Keith Andrews has done. I've got to go to my unappreciated performer of the week, mate. And it's a bit of Premier League history, in fact. Oh.

43:22Robbie Mustoe:Premier League royalty. Yeah, I get where you're going. My appreciate it goes to Sir James Milner. 40-year-old footballer still playing in the Premier League, which is incredible. He's got 654 games, 56 goals, 87 assists. He's had a 23-year career. He started at Leeds at 16 years of age, must he? which I believe was the season before when I retired. I retired 2001. Apparently, he started two or three weeks after you retired.

43:56Robbie Earle:Yeah, John Champin. Oh, no, my last... John Champin looked into it, and I think I played at Everton. I had a thigh injury at Everton, which ended up being my last Premier League minutes. I think he might have started the week after or something.

44:07Robbie Mustoe:The week after, yeah. So, basically, you passed the baton on to James Millen. Yeah, not old. Robbie Muscle passed it on to James Millen. I mean, what a career, mate. Started at Leeds as a 16-year-old, went to Newcastle, Villa, Man City, two titles there, Liverpool, one title there. He's at Brighton now. The manager's talked just about the role model he is to the rest of the dressing room, his fitness, how he looks after himself, he doesn't drink. Just in a time, mate, when we see people in and out of the game, people can't, I mean, 23 years of playing at this level of football. And the highest level, Rob.

44:45Robbie Earle:And the highest level. When all there is to win at different clubs. I mean, it's amazing.

44:52Robbie Mustoe:And being respected at all those clubs as well. Never left one. He probably goes back and gets a round of applause at every one of those clubs, which is something different. And just in a time when, you know, players, you know, maybe want to take the easier routes or we see players, I don't know, I see Jadon Sancho and I look at all that talent he's got and I'm like, what kind of career is he going to have? He is a guy, Rob, who's made the absolute most of what he's got. And I couldn't be more pleased for him. And obviously, he's still going as things are. So who knows where he's going to end up in terms of Premier League games.

45:24Robbie Mustoe:But I thought I had to give my own depreciate to Sir James Milner.

45:28Robbie Earle:You know what? I love it so much. And it really is what this little thing we do every week is all about. Underappreciate it. And James Milner, for all that stuff we just talked about, he was never he was underappreciated literally underappreciated for his effect to all these football clubs all these managers great managers great clubs used him and all the trophies he said he won I mean we should rename it it should be the Milner Award it should be a Milner Award that's underappreciated because he typifies and he's a record breaker with these appearances and the trophies and stuff so very good shout mate and I thought you might put him out because that's that's the soft Earl

46:04Robbie Mustoe:the romantic Earl yeah good shout

46:07Robbie Earle:well done James Milner legend absolute ledge let's go to

46:11Robbie Mustoe:Sellersport Crystal Palace a few clouds circling over that club at the moment with Europe and a bit of final rest with Oliver Glasner and obviously him going at the end of the season but they got a win been a while since that happened but a 1-0 win against Wolves Eric Gessand gets the goal after Henderson has made a save didn't he from

46:35Robbie Mustoe:Wolves penalty in the I think it was in the second half. He came up with a good save, Henderson, that kept here 0-0, and Gesson come on late and got the winner. So good points for Crystal Palace, which were well needed. Sunderland 1, Fulham 3. Raul Jimenez with a goal and a penalty. I think he's 13-13 in penalties now, Jimenez. Two goals for him. He continues to do a good job. Wobbe gets the third while Le Fay scored a penalty for Sunderland. But we know how difficult it is to go to Stadium of Light for them going up there. Marco Silva is another one, isn't he? Look, Marco Silva, mate, continues to be another one under the radar.

47:21Robbie Earle:Yeah, and probably underappreciated. You know, again, like, you know, he has little runs and it comes under the radar a little bit. That's a great result. I mean, that's a tough place to go. I think Sunderland are probably going to run out a little bit of steam, Rob, given what they've done.

47:34Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, and being almost safe, maybe the mentality just changes a little bit, which is acceptable, I suppose, or understandable even when they're in their run that they're in. Went to London Stadium, it was West Ham nil, Bournemouth nil, first game of the weekend. But it was a point of peace, West Ham obviously looking to try and get three to forage back into the race. Bournemouth, bit of an inconsistent time at the moment. Montau were two points from safety. West Ham now 18th in the Premier League, but still very much part of it. And they do look better, West Ham, don't they? It does look a little bit more...

48:12Robbie Mustoe:I kind of think that there's more hope. They didn't look like a relegation team to me, which I thought is a compliment to Nuno and his team.

48:20Robbie Earle:Yeah, I just like... They've still got it on for me to get out of it. There's two-point gap right now. It's just the eye test, Rob, right? When we watch Forrest against Liverpool, I'm like, they should never be down there, Forrest. They should never be down there. With that support, you know, I kind of like their chances. I like the manager, Vito Pereira. I think he's going to bring energy and he's going to get them on the front foot. They have a style. I think they've got enough to get out of it. I mean, then you look up the table. I'm looking at Tottenham Hotspur, 29 points.

48:51Robbie Mustoe:Yeah.

48:52Robbie Earle:I mean, if they don't find a way to find a little bit of form, going from 29 to 36, 38.

49:00Robbie Mustoe:Yeah, yeah. It could be a long tackle.

49:02Robbie Earle:All that being said, I still think West Ham United, I mean, I think a couple of months ago, I still believe they could get out of it, but the teams are ahead of them. Leeds have found a little bit of form. They're on 31 points. Again, Forrest, I think, are going to get better. So I would still, I think right now, I would still favour West Ham, Rob, to go down. West Ham to go down. Who do you think, right? I know it's in two points. It's tight. It's tight. But they all look like they could go on a bit of a run, apart from Tottenham. I mean, could Tottenham slide down the next couple of weeks? In the next couple of weeks, they could end up being in the bottom three.

49:41Robbie Mustoe:Yeah. I quite like West Ham. I've got to be honest, I quite like what I'm seeing of them lately. Who don't you like? Who don't you like? Yeah. I probably like Spurs least of all, what I'm seeing down there, with injuries and things. If they lost two or three on the bounce, let's say, and it started to get toxic there.

50:01Robbie Earle:And you've got the guy in that's meant to be the guy that's going to get you out of the stuff. I mean, you're going to replace him again.

50:06Robbie Mustoe:I worry for Forrest, his goal scorer. Yeah. Regular goal scorer who can get me five, six, seven goals between now and the end of the season. It gets us out of trouble. The rest of the team looks pretty good, but that's a worry as well. So, you know, West Ham do look like they've got, you know, People like Tati and Suchek and Bowie.

50:27Robbie Earle:Yeah, Wilson.

50:28Robbie Mustoe:But we'll see, mate. That's what the season's all about. Top end and bottom end. We could be going down to the last game of the season before we sort things out.

50:36Robbie Earle:All right, mate. That's it for this weekend,

50:38Robbie Mustoe:when the North London remains red, as the Gunners get four goals and three points in the big match at Tottenham. Don't forget a small amount of Everton being Manchester United tomorrow from the Hill Dickinson Stadium. That's 3pm Eastern Time on the USA Network. And we'll be back next weekend. And we're back in the studios with the Winter Olympics all done. That's match week 28. When Arsenal host Chelsea in another huge London derby. But for now, I'm Earl Hughes Musty together with two Robbies. Thanks for watching and listening. Be safe. Stay healthy. It's a good night from me. And it's a good night from him.

51:12Robbie Mustoe:Good night. Good night.

51:18We'll be right back.