Haaland Runs Riot, Frank Faces Boos, Liverpool's Lift

25:42I think that Aston Villa played into their hands a little bit, Rob, given the troubles that Liverpool have had. The troubles Liverpool have had have come from direct play, long balls up, getting them behind, getting those centre-backs, asking questions. And Villa tried to play through, tried to play out from the back. And ultimately, it was the reason why they came unstuck and they conceded a goal. They made mistakes. Martinez passes it to Mo Salah, taps it in. They get caught out playing out for the second goal as well. All I would say, Rob, and I think it's easy, I think the guys in the studio, Lee and Gary, talked about it.

26:14You know, why are they doing it? Why are they playing out from the back? Why Villa? Yeah, why Villa were doing that. The only thing I would say is, again, some of these managers, they believe in a certain way and they're going to stick with it. You know, I think I read a quote of one of the players saying, it's just how we do things. Now, they have been a little bit varied. But all I would say is in the first four minutes, I think it was four minutes, wasn't it? Villa played through Liverpool a lot. Yeah, yeah. He played through that press. and Morgan Rodgers goes through. Rodgers has a shot, doesn't he?

26:42Smashes one. Yeah. Well, that was playing through. So that's why he's doing it. That's why they are doing it. That's why anything is trying to play out. Because if you can play through the press, then the space opens up and you get chances. Now, again, it's all about risk and reward, Rob. And given the mistakes they made, it wasn't worth it. But that's why they do it. If Rodgers scores 1-0, then the game changes. Then they sit back. then they don't play through the and then they then we should say fair play for aston for playing out from the back yeah but this is this is the this yeah we go yeah if you score it's the right thing if you don't score it goes the other way a little bit i just think i just think it's important to say that's why they're doing it yeah yeah and that's how he trains and that's how he works and you know we what he's saying is we should do that better not that we shouldn't do it yeah i just think, you know, we all, and the game in general, Rob, jump on, when they see something don't work, everybody will say, well, why are they doing that?

27:44Yeah. Well, Unai Emery's a pretty smart coach, you know, and so's Andoni Irola. You know, they have their philosophies and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And this time, you know, almost did with Villa playing through Liverpool. Yeah, if Roger scores that goal, Rob, it's different. It's different. I didn't realise Liverpool have conceded in the last seven games, the first goal in the last seven games. So all of a sudden they'd be on the back foot, a little bit of negativity drops in and it could be different. It could be all different. But I just thought it was an important day. Mo getting his 250th goal for Liverpool is obviously a landmark goal, but just important for him to get him scoring.

28:23Gravenberg, him and McAllister back in spots that looked more normal, Rob. Rob, you know, I've been saying for a few weeks, and I know Kerkhez was bought, and I think you made him and said to me, well, we've got to get him through. I just want Robbo back in the team for the moment. I think Kerkhez can sit on the bench and wait his time. I think Virgil's happier with him next to him. It just feels, it just felt a little bit more everything in the right place. And I know that might mean that Kerkhez, you know, when we spent money, is on the bench. It might mean that Vietz is on the bench. It might even mean he's at when he's fit.

28:58might not always start if the other fellow's scoring goals. But if you're winning games, Rob, and their time's going to come, then you sort of bring them into the team as and when. Listen, I don't know the exact numbers, mate, but Hugo Ikotique, when he plays, they win. Yeah. The start, and there were some lucky bits to it. They won a lot of the games at the start with him playing. Izak comes, gets in the team, they start losing. Izak's injured. Ikotique starts up front. They look good again. He closes down well. Well, you know, I just like Iketike a lot. And looking back, you know, I wonder if Richard Hughes and Rob Edwards, the supporting directors at the football club, just think, hmm, we could have used that exact money to strengthen other areas.

29:40Other areas in the team, they could have used that money. I mean, this should have and could have and decisions that they make. I just think Iketike back in, love him as a centre forward. It's about him. He's the nine. He's not trying to play with somebody else. You know, I think he enjoys it. I'm not surprised. When he starts, they often win. I've got another one of my big thoughts, mate. I was on my big thoughts weekend this weekend, with not being this year. So, are Liverpool still in it? You'd have to say yes, but you obviously got a bit of work to do. Lots of work to do. But if we're saying, let's say for now, we think there's three teams in it.

30:21We're going to get to Arsenal in a minute. What we know with that team is, at the moment, they're playing the best team and they've got set pieces, mate. However you look at it, it'll become a game changer for that team. Manchester City, we know that they'll have to be better, defensively better, more control of the game. But at the top end of the pitch, they've got 13 goals that could end up at somewhere near 40 if he continues and stays fit. Liverpool, I sense, Rob, have to have a number of their players playing well. It feels like they need more of the team to be doing well for them to have a chance.

30:56Now, that's not that Mo doesn't have great moments or Virgil, which we saw last season in Gravenberg. But lots of those players were playing at a good level for Liverpool to be on that run and winning. They haven't got the set pieces in the same way. They haven't got the Erling Haaland in the same way. But they've got their style and brand of football that when that goes well and they're playing with that intensity and a bit more control, that's their winning formula. Do you know what I mean? I was trying to sort of pinpoint what each team might need to have if they're going to go and win it. Well, I'll tell you what Liverpool need.

31:33Go on then. Mo Salah to score 25 goals. Right now, the way they're playing, he might score 25, he might concede 25. That's the problem with this team. They're conceding way more goals than we've seen them. I know. They look better in this one, a little bit better. But I think it's more of a team. It feels like a team. Everybody's sort of game picks up a little bit. Zobbis, as we've talked about, I thought Granbert's done well. Robbo's back in, just feels a bit more comfortable, I don't know, a bit more safer. What are you saying, Rob? What are you saying? Like, what do they need to happen to win the title?

32:13Yeah, well, I'm saying, if you look at Arsenal, if you're saying Arsenal are going to win the title and you say, give me two or three reasons, set pieces are going to be one of them. Yeah, defensive is the main one. Defensive is solid. You say Arsenal, you say City, it'll be... Big man. Big man and possession and maybe more control, defensively better. As I'm saying Liverpool, I don't think it's any... There's no big one thing. I think it feels like a number of the players all have to raise their levels to some of the levels we've seen, and that's how they have a chance. I still think if Salah gets you 25 goals, I'm not convinced they win it.

32:49Really? Yeah, well, I mean, I'm not convinced he's going to get 25 goals. You know, I don't think it's going to be the same Mo Salah. I know he scored a couple of goals in recent games and stuff. Nice finishes, both of them. That's going to help him wonderfully. And maybe now he'll go on a run and get a good amount. But you're right. I mean, I know what you mean. So that's one bit that's got to click in. The second bit that's got to click in is that Eketike, and probably Eketike, stay in the team and score 20-plus goals, get a good amount of goals, be the regular goal scorer. I think Gakbo, as we said in the last podcast, Rob, has been doing his work.

33:24The midfield, you've got the midfield from last year. Plus, you've got... Yeah, it looks like Vietz will be benched then, based on that for now. Yeah. And the other thing, so Salah, the striker, and the defensive unit, they can't afford to have the same clean sheet for Liverpool. When was the last time we said that? I don't know. Certainly not many times this season in terms of clean sheets. So, yeah, I know what you mean, Rob. there's quite a lot of things that's got to click into place for them to go on a run to catch up the gap. They've lost four games. Back to our conversation at the start, they've lost four.

33:55Like they can afford to lose one or two. After that, we've never seen it before. So that's why, even though it's so early, there's a seven-point gap, I think, between them and Arsenal. And Arsenal are not losing. Even if they don't score, Rob, from set pieces or their... I mean, I think Havertz is going to be fit soon. Madureka is going to be fit soon. All these players are coming back. They just don't concede any goals. So, yeah, I think it is. The three of them can win it. That's the three that can win it. I mean, just looking at, yeah, I mean, yeah, Chelsea have lost three games already. And you've got Bournemouth.

34:34You've got, you know, you've got others up there. Spurs are not going to win the Premier League. So there's three that can do it. I think there's a very heavy favourite in Arsenal. But as Lee Dixon talked about on the show, Rob, you know, until we start getting into March, you know what's their gap is there eight points we had eight they had eight points before and didn't manage to do it a few years ago so there will be a pressure and Lee Dixon's absolutely right you know you don't know how the manager's going to react but if the squad stays relatively fit well they have got a big squad now um you know that that that's some that'll be some title not to win if Arsenal don't win it this year everything is in place for them to win it and And it'll take an incredible run from Liverpool and or Man City to get up there and to pit Arsenal.

35:20But right now you can't rule them out. But I've got to think it's going to be very difficult with Liverpool's four losses. And as you've made the point, Rob, different parts of the team from now on has got to be perfect almost. Let's go to two more, mate, rather than alluding to it. Burnley nil, Arsenal two. eighth corner kick routine gets the goal for Jokeres and then Declan Rice flies forward on a counter attack to get the second it's funny Rob because as I was watching sort of the build up to the game in this game my mind took me back to you remember those days of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal going to Sean Dyche's turf more and it was always like Dyche couldn't wait to get his hands on him and he'd be smashing into him and it'd be long balls up to the big strikers and all that stuff.

36:15And I kind of felt this Arsenal was so much different. And to be fair, the other Arsenal often got results. But just their football, just their composure, just their possession, it was almost like turn up, did the job, got the points. So easy. I thought it was straightforward. I thought it was pretty straightforward. Yeah, so easy. They wanted a third. They might have even pushed for a third. They almost bought 2-0, they thought, job done. They did. They rested, rotated, mate. They made the substitutes, used all subs. I think that's what they can do now. They can put games away, knowing their defensive side of things is so strong.

36:53I think Arteta subs maybe earlier than others might because of that and feels confident he can bring players in. So players get rested. I thought Burnley were not competitive. I mean, it's easy to say, isn't it? Pretty much outclassed. I thought they were a little better in the second half, they didn't manage a shot on target so that speaks to them also speaks again to arsenal yeah didn't allow a shot on target um so yeah just just one thing i noticed robin and uh for that first goal no surprise it was gabriel who assisted yeah first and i and and listen he's probably been doing it all season but i just noticed how we've set pieces against and particularly the throw-ins Gabriel is absolutely free to go and head it everybody else has got a man and he literally sprints to the ball and heads it clear I think he's been doing that all season long and set pieces in corners I think too it's almost like okay everyone's got a man Gabriel you're the best go and just get the timing of the ball or the flight of the ball and go and head it away so I mean again pretty good tactics we used to do it back in the day Rob we used to have John Fashion who was a beast, six foot two monster.

38:07And we were the same with him. He'd have no one to pick up. He would just have to go wherever the ball was. Go and run and head the ball. Go and run and head the ball. We'll deal with other people. And it used to work. One, that Fash was like a beast. Nobody wanted to run into him anyway, but it kind of worked. But it was funny. Somebody brought to my attention that, you know, Arsenal are that good now at set pieces. They score from their own corner and they also score from Burnley's long throw. because it was a long throw from Carl Walker. Headed out by Gabriel, they break away with Jokeres and Chossard and Rice gets a goal.

38:42Rice gets a goal. Yeah, I was pleased for Rice, Rob. I thought he had a brilliant game. Absolutely outstanding. And the only thing that I've said about Declan Rice before is a number eight, should get more goals. I think it's the second Premier League goal. Great header. He had a brilliant game. I mean, he's one of them, again, that can cover all areas. His desire, his hunger throughout the game was brilliant. But the goal for him is important. And I think in that position, if you can add goals for midfield, because Arsenal haven't got a ton of goals for midfield, have they, over the years, really?

39:08Not really, no. No, you're seven, six sevens or so. Yeah. Not really a double-figure type guy, have they? Yeah, he had a good team out of the guard a couple of years ago. So that's good, yeah. He was brilliant. But very, like you said, very, very, very simple. I thought David Ryan, again, like, and not that Burley were pressing much, but he very rarely plays short now, Arsenal. They very rarely play out. It's very much direct long ball. ball, the big man, Jokeres up front, good for him, get another goal. But no risky football from Arsenal now. No risky football. Much more direct. Pick up the second balls.

39:41Yeah, comfortable. Very comfortable. So I've got two lines, Rob, quickly, where I was just thinking about Burnley and when I was writing a little bit about Arsenal, I was thinking, Burnley were the Arsenal of the Championship, weren't they, last season? Do you remember? 30 clean sheets, 16 goals conceded. Incredible ability to not concede goals. Yeah. You know, you see this step up of quality and that's where people say, you know, that gap continues to be a big gap and it's so hard for these promoted teams just to stay in there. So just that was interesting. I suppose the other thing, Rob, is, and I know Lee tipped on it a little bit when they were talking.

40:27Right now, what stops Arsenal?

40:33depth goals mentality pressure or manager because i know lee through in the arteta thing so depth goals mentality pressure or manager and or manager yeah i i think in terms of football side of it yeah i think they i think more unlikely now because the players that they've signed rob but i think defensively they are going to be strong like that that end change and the goalkeeper in the back they've got cover all over that's going to be good they might just not scoring many they might have a period where they don't they struggle to score have open play and the set piece thing can't you know maybe it will continue every single game it seems like but teams are gonna be working harder and harder when they play yeah you think so to stop those pieces so so that and then the other side of it the mental side of it is it's still interesting to me but it's still interesting to me whether you pair the whole team the scot the club the manager in terms of that pressure and expectation rob that that will be another hurdle that i have to climb you know because there will be as lee said in the game in the show there will be games where they lose and they're the wing in the table the media they're going to start writing things you know it's a pressure getting to them again can they get over the line yeah that that is a those two things for me would be the they're not going to start conceding goals you know you know and even if they have a lot of injuries rob i still think they've got cover now so it's like a little goal you know the striker struggles to score for a little while the wingers don't maybe one of them's maybe sack us out a little bit so that that would be the two reasons what do you think yeah i'm the same i just feel that if they lost one game and drew a game and the other two you know one that got six points all of a sudden people would start because everybody wants to start everybody's desperate for for also not to go flying on now so they can go back to the narrative of bottling it and this and that so um i'd like to see them they almost there was a bit there was a bit of a city-like thing about arsenal this weekend in the domination in the composure but that's 10 games in but i just felt like there was like Burnley weren't a real threat because of their football.

42:51And that's how City used to be. Their football used to dictate everything. Can they continue to do that? Or if and when the football's not quite so good and when it's a bit of a tighter day, like you say, set pieces look like that's going to get you out of trouble. But if it doesn't, what then? That's the question. I don't know with this group, Bob, because that's the reason I said I thought Liverpool will win the title because I still, there's about three or four days, which were 14 draws last season, which games that some they should have won more than lost points. It's those days that I wasn't sure about Arsenal.

43:28And at some point, they're going to have a couple of those days. Yeah. Let me end on this last thing, right? And it's something that, you know, I think Gary brought up in the show, Gary Neville brought up in the show when describing Arsenal this season. um he kind of described them as i think the word he used is methodical like remember he said like like i was talking about very methodical in a slightly like you know they're reliant on set pieces they don't yeah yeah there's certain things yeah i mean i'm not sure i agree with that uh there's is there a difference between methodical from efficient you know if you didn't have i think I think there is plenty of creativity in the side.

44:10I mean, the backers never could be described as that. I'm not sure Trossard's that type of player. I understand when you might say a Jokeres, the way that he plays, is kind of scodgy. Defensively, they're very strong. I don't know if I'd describe them as methodical. What do you think, Rob? Is that something that – is that a fair – It could – listen, it could be just use of words, people having a different interpretation of use of words. But it's used – I thought you're used in a slightly negative, like I wish they were a bit more flamboyant or a bit more, I mean, the open... Well, everybody's always said, like, you know, one of the criticisms early in the season was he doesn't let them off the reins.

44:46They're not allowed to play as free. And there's a little bit more restriction. But I wouldn't agree with that, to be honest. I don't think that's right. I think when they're playing their football, their build-up robs as good as anybody's in the league. I would say the best build-up when they're on the game. So, listen, if that's all you've got to worry about, methodical, they'll be methodical all the way to the title to win it. If that's what it takes, mate, that's what it takes this time around. But, no, definitely favourites. And, you know, I suppose we're all looking for signs of why they won't.

45:20At the moment, you've got to say why they will. OK, let's go to some other results from this weekend, mate. Fulham 3, Wolves 0, that had very big consequences for Vito Pereira. 24 hours after the game, the manager was sacked and just signed a three-year contract, I believe, on September the 18th that is 45 days away, which is very similar to the Gary O 'Neill situation. When he was the last Wolves manager and he was also sacked. No wins in the Premier League this season. It's the second season they've now gone to the 10 Premier League games without a win. I suppose no real surprise he went, Rob.

46:03all the eyes on who might be coming in and would you believe Gary O 'Neill's one of the favourites to come back and take the job again? You know, I feel sorry for Vito Pereira because when you've got two points from your opening 9-10 games then this is what's going to happen. It's not his fault. It's not his fault. Again, the football club decided to sell the two best players in Ryan Aitnuri to Man City and Tez Cunha to Manchester United. They had a struggle last year to stay in the division. Pereira comes in, does a really good job, gets them playing lovely football, and they find a way out of it, no problem.

46:38They sell two more of their best players. The players that have come in have been nowhere near what you might expect. You know, what chance have you got? What chance have you got? I mean, if somebody comes in and keeps up Wolves, I mean... You must have to do what he did last time around, didn't you? Yeah, but with worse players, Rob. With worse players, like, you know, at some point, the manager, you know, it almost becomes an impossible job when you're not given the right, the tools and the players to enable you to be competitive and to win games. I feel that's the case at Wolves. Might be wrong.

47:10Somebody else comes in, mate, and keeps this football club in the division with that squad. Then I hold my hands up like, wow, you know, what do I know about football? But my sense is telling me could be Pereira, could be anybody managing that group right now without the quality that they need, how are they going to be competitive and win games and stay up? and he's going, yeah. Well, I did a little bit of research on a few blogs and that. There's a few Wolves fans talking about some of his selections, his tactics, Rob. And they showed Gomez and Andre, the two midfield boys, the Brazilian boys who I like.

47:42Yeah, I like. They're in the line-up, not playing, sometimes changing. He's gone from a three at the back to a four, then went back to the three yesterday against Fulham. So there's been lots of change, no real structure. He's got to try and do something to win a game. Yeah, obviously he's just trying to get things going. But you're right, the ownership as well has to take their share of the blame on this one. And it's going to be a gamble for somebody, isn't it? I mean, there'll be plenty of people wanting the job, Rob, because it's a Premier League job. And plenty who believe Brendan Rodgers' name's got mentioned.

48:15He's out of business now with Celtic. Angie's name's Kate coming in from Gary O 'Neill. I've seen Rob Edwards, the middle manager now, was at Luton. And he's well-liked. I think he's an ex-Wolves player. He'd been at the club for a certain time. So there's plenty of names and people in the frame. Yeah, there will be. But, I mean, it'll be a short-term thing. There are eight points. They're eight points adrift, I believe. Eight points to safety. That's an incredible difference for somebody to come in and keep them in the division. Unless it's somebody that they're going to be okay within the championship.

48:52You know, that might be the appointment. I thought, well, it has to be, doesn't it? I'm going to have a go. And we're pretty confident you've got experience in me, which is back to your Rob Edwards, obviously managing my old team, Middlesbrough right now doing okay. But somebody that's going to have to be okay with managing in the championship because, I mean, I just cannot see how they're going to be anywhere near staying in the division. But I guess there's a long way to go, mate, and somebody will take it, you're right. Yeah, I mean, he had a run, didn't he? He was his six straight wins at one point during the season when he came in, which kind of took them from relegation right into a point of safety.

49:25So, somebody's going to have to do something similar and more, you'd think, if Wolves are going to... With a worse squad. Yeah. Good luck. You know, fair play to Fulham again. They got the business done. Session 9. Wilson Muscare with a goal. Agpadu with a sending off, didn't have a goal-scoring opportunity on young Josh King, I think, was going through. So, yeah, real bad day for Wolves. And just think about, Robert, I kind of was contrasting, you know, almost the cult figure that became Pereira that was going for drinks in the pub with the fans. And how quickly that turns. A few weeks ago, we seemed arguing with fans, hadn't been pulled away.

50:01And this game, it's incredible, isn't it? Incredible. Yeah. But let's see how Wolves go on, whether they'll get somebody in place before the next game, next weekend. We'll have to wait and see. A team that did make a change, Nassau and Forest, they ended up drawing 2-2 with Manchester United. getting themselves 1-0 up and then getting a late equaliser then going 2-1 down getting a late equaliser by a lovely volley that got them a share of the points didn't see too much of this game mate but it would seem that there was a bit of controversy over the corner kick that Casemiro scored on whether the ball was out or not no it wasn't out was it surely VAR can get involved in that and have a look at it and quickly clear that up It wasn't, you know, they don't defend the set piece well, in fairness, but then get back Gibbs and White and Savona, the full-back with a goal.

50:56And Ahmad came up with a decent finish, and United tried to push for what would have been four straight wins. But three wins and a draw, I suppose, you know, is a bit of consistency. That's the way it's going to be, Rob, isn't it? Unless you feel differently. They aren't that good. They're going to be better up front. They're going to get more goals. They're going to be a better team. I think it looks a little better. but there's still weaknesses in the side in different spots and they're going to show themselves now and again. Two goals conceded in this game and they're going to win some. But, you know, I hope the United fans don't think they're going to be really, really challenging for the top four because I don't see it.

51:32I just don't see it. There's too many bits in the side. They've got to make some more improvements. They've made improvements. I know there's a plan. I read about Jake and Wilcox talking about a plan they've got for all areas of the team and that's great, but that's going to take time. Yeah. Yeah, listen, I would think top eight, Rob, should be the target for them. Absolutely, yeah. And if that gets you to be the European football, then that's great. And if not, then you concentrate on the next season and building on what they've got. Recruitment. Listen, you know, consistency, not getting beat, having a little run of games is important now.

52:03It's better. I'm going to go to London Stadium, mate. West Ham 3, Newcastle 1. A really important three points for Nuno and his team. Things haven't quite gone as he would like. and must have been happy when he conceded. I think Bowen shoots at one end, hits the post. Less than 30 seconds later, Murphy goes up the other end and puts Newcastle 1-0 up. And then Pacitor with a good strike. I thought Kipa should have done better. 0-goal by Bottman just before half-time. And then Thomas Suchek does what he does late on. Bungles one over line to give a little bit of comfort to Nuno. And again, Rob, just watching the game, I've seen Nuno, when they conceded the first goal and he's gritting his teeth and he can't believe his luck, but we've hit the post one end, they score.

52:53By half-time, he's got a smile on his face because they 2-1 up. The own goal from Botman gives them a lead. And at the end, mate, those scenes of him hugging, the fans jumping and dancing and the players obviously brought by him. It's just like, jeez, this Premier League is incredible. and the toll it must take on managers, this is what you go through. That was 90 minutes. You've got another blooming 30, 28 of those to get through. Yeah, I mean, the team looked better there, didn't it? You had Bamber Saka back, right back. He's a good defender. I thought they defended quite well, actually. The set pieces were much better.

53:34I thought they looked a bit more determined. Yeah, it was more of a standard look inside. Left-back playing a left-back, a right-footed player playing a right-back. I think when you look at Somerville, Pakita and Gerard Bowen, Rob, they are going to create and score, I think, enough goals. They've just got to be, as a team, better defensively. Callum Wilson was struggled, Rob. Callum Wilson was struggled. Got dragged off by his manager. But no, you're right. And I just... Only one player I wanted to mention, Rob, in this game. And I know a guy is a controversial figure and he's been in all sorts of problems, been cleared of the betting scandal.

54:16Lucas Pacquett's the Brazilian, Rob. And, you know, we see him one week, back to your point, Rob, about football, how it changes so quick. We're kissing his badge. Remember the game? He's kissing the players in front of the fans. And then the next, you know, last week you hear that he wants out at the football club. But what a player. What a talented player. What a performance in this game at home when the club needs him. We spoke with Graham Potter, Rob, didn't we? And we had a good 10-minute chat. Maybe the most important thing that I took from him was about Pakita. And he said, he's so great.

54:51His levels are so different. He can be absolutely top-class, world-class, and then awful for the team in other situations. This was more like the good Pakita. And he's just got the quality and the talent. His shot was a good shot. It dipped at the end, made it difficult for Pope. He probably should have done better. but he's always involved you know if West Ham are going to do okay this season I still think even with his tendencies to be sometimes poor without possession his quality passing linking up, assisting he's a quality player Him and Bowen are going to be key Him and Bowen are going to be key and it's funny Rob because you say that and I remember we saw a little bit of training in the summer and the thing that I was blown away with, how competitive he was.

55:40You know, sometimes Brazilians without much ability, you think like they're in and out. He was flying into tackles. He was getting people going. He backs into people. He was, you know, he's fiery little so-and-so and I think you need a little bit of that beyond having the ability. But I'm going to go off in a different direction, my friend, because I want to call my underappreciated player of the week and I want to give the award this week to a young man called Freddie Potts. who's the son of Stevie Potts, who we probably both played against. It was his first ever Premier League start today, mate.

56:12And he's not Pacitar, and he's not Brazilian, and he's not a superstar. But I'll tell you what, they didn't half need him today. He's one of their own, come through the academy, 22 years of age. I've seen him three or four times now, Rob. He's brave in possession. He has the ball wherever. He'll play forward. He's nice and neat and tidy. He's got a little bit of bite in him if the tackle's there. He looked today like when one or two of his more experienced, older teammates were, you know, not sure about the situation. He looked like, give me the ball. Let me get on it. Confident. He scored as well.

56:47He scored, didn't he? He scored a goal that was just disallowed. I think it was Suchek who maybe got off. And it's a nod to him, Rob, because like you say, for all your pack of tours and your Callum Wilsers and your players, your big players who are on big money, your academy that brings them through. And this West Ham Academy, and I just wanted to go through very quick eight players who come through their academy, mate. And I'm going to start with Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Michael Carey, Mark Noble, Joe Cole, Paul Ince and Tony Cotty. That's in recent times. And that's not forgetting the great Bobby Moores, Jeffers, Billy Bonds, Martin Peters, Trevor Brookings.

57:27You know, those brilliant, brilliant old players. Yeah, I know. And this academy has continued to help this football club. And I thought today young Freddie Potts was outstanding. For a young guy in his first Premier League start in such a big game where, you know, it could have been one of them where you make sure you go close to someone so you can't have the ball and you're not always accessible. I thought he was excellent throughout the game. I thought he gave a lesson to some of the more experienced players in the team. It's a good shout. And it's exactly what they need. It's what West Ham United need.

58:01In the centre of midfield, they've had a problem. Guido Rodriguez and players they've sold. Edson Alvarez left the football club. I think he went out on loan or was released. No, it's been a problem there. Sucek and Ward Prowse and stuff that can't run around so much. They need young legs. And Freddie Potts, he's had a couple of looks, hasn't he? Yeah, he's got the bench a couple of times. I just wonder if he can hold down a regular place now. Yeah, different. Like it, like it. Young player. West Ham Academy is amazing. West Ham Academy. Let's go to Crystal Palace. No surprise. Crystal Palace win 2-0.

58:34JP Mateta gets one. Collins with an own goal from a long throw in. Crystal Palace continues to do Crystal Palace things, mate. You know, just quickly, real quick. You know when we go through these games and stuff and look at the goal scorers? Brentford was a case in point last year, wasn't it? Remember we sort of said, every time we see a scoreline, Whistler scores and then Burma scores. Right now, that player is JP Mateta. Every time we look at Palace, they win and they score some goals. He's scoring. Now, does that mean that he's going to be the next player that's going to be in demand, Rob?

59:02Is he going to be leaving the football club next summer? He's a regular scorer. You mentioned him a few weeks ago, didn't you? And you said, like, why has nobody ever looked at him? He's a regular scorer. He doesn't quite look the part yet. I mean, it's a really great header, by the way. From distance, mate, he puts a lot of power on his neck muscles to get it past the goalkeeper. It's a really smart finish. Yeah, he always scores. Yeah, he does always score. But it's a good win for Palace. Good three points off the back of the League Cup win as well against Liverpool midweek, Brentford. Obviously, want to pick things up.

59:36And then we go Brighton three, Leeds nil. No surprise, the goal's here. Every time Brighton scores, it's January Wellbeck, isn't it? We'll pick with one. And Gomez, who got a couple, I think, in the cup. I think he got two. Yeah, Diego Gomez. Yeah, Diego Gomez gets a couple as well. Just feel that Leeds are starting to slip, mate, a little bit. Maybe, yeah, a little bit. I mean, it's difficult, isn't it? It's going to be that. I say it every single year. You get a boost at the beginning, and then October and November starts, and it gets colder, and the games start to get thick and fast, and it's a slog.

1:00:06Winter is an absolute slog. It's going to be a slog for Burnley. It's going to be a slog for Leeds United. Sunderland, that play tomorrow, don't they, 3 o 'clock Eastern time on USA Network on the Monday game, they look like they're well clear of it. But for the other two, particularly the promoted teams, it is going to be a slog this winter, and you've just got to get your head down and pick up as many points as you can. Absolutely. Well, what was it? Burnley and Leeds are just sitting above the line now and West Ham have got them in the sight. So all of a sudden in the next week or two... Yeah, 16th and 17th they are.

1:00:40Yeah, things could change. But, you know, listen, while Sunderland have shown them away, we'll see how they go against Everton, as you say. But Burnley and Leeds, just got to hang in there, keep going. We don't know what Wolves are going to do. We don't know what the likes of Forrest and West Ham are going to do. Try and do their best to stay in the league. Listen, mate, that's it for this weekend, when Arsenal have made it 13 wins from 15 games all this season. And it was a set of pieces again that came good and gave them a six-point lead at the top of the table. We'll be back next weekend. That's Sunday, November 5th.

1:01:13We're going to look back at a busy weekend that sees Spurs host Manchester United on Saturday, and Manchester City facing Liverpool on a big game on Sunday. But for now, I'm out. He's Musty, together with the 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. Good night.