Salah in the Spotlight, Thrillingly Tight Title Race Heats Up

27:44There's no other midfield player, a central attacking midfield player that's going to get the goals that he can get. I might raise you one of them in a minute. Morgan Rodgers. Morgan Rodgers. Yeah, that's a good shout. Not quite the same amount of numbers, but no, it's a good shout. It's a good shout. It's a good shout. Yeah. Yeah, it is a good shout. I know what you mean. I know what you mean. He's a little bit more technical. He's a scorer. He's a regular midfield scorer. And I'll tell you right now, and again, I don't want to get ahead of myself. The Villa. I'm thinking of Morgan Rogers. And I'm an England fan, right?

28:15I'm going to enjoy watching England and chatting about England this summer in the World Cup. I'll tell you what. I really would love to see Phil Foden and Morgan Rodgers in a midfield attacking set-up with probably Saka on the right-hand side. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because you've got a goal threat. You've got physicality of Rodgers. You've got creativity of Foden. You've got the wing, the outside wing play of Saka. The left side can be something a little different because Rodgers would have to play over there if you've got Foden in the 10. Rodgers comes in sack. What happens to Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham, my friend?

28:48Bench, bench, bench, bench. Bench, bench. A million percent. Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid? Yes, yeah. I mean, the goal, again, I keep talking about the game ahead before we get to it, but I mean, Rodgers, the way he strikes that ball. Finish me off with City, because I read this week, Rob, that in City's six titles, four of them they've won by being ahead. Two, they've come from being behind in sort of the January, February and come on a massive run Christmas and almost like this is their period where they kick into gear. It's looking scary, Rob. I said a few podcasts ago, if they figure out their defensive side, if they figure that out, then everybody else better watch out.

29:32And I got to say, they did give up chances. Palace should have scored. Yeah, it was a couple of chances, yeah. Hit the ball. Pino. Pino went through. Yeah. I mean, Earl slots that in all day long. I think Musto scores that as well back in the 90s. Wow. So, yeah, well. So they do continue to give up chances, maybe not quite as many, and maybe when Roger comes back, that'll be even less. But they look like scoring all the time. They're so silky in midfield with Shirky. I just, you know, Bernardo Silva's still playing, of course, Shirky's in there, Foden's in there, Reinders played today, Rob. There's so much quality in that area that I think it's a little scary for Arsenal.

30:16If Arsenal start to, like they've done before, draw a few games, City look like there's goals in them now. They look like there's goals in them. They're going to be right there. Man City are going to be right there, and it's worrying for others if they stop conceding. It wasn't that long ago, was it? I'm talking weeks that we were saying City can't do it now. They're giving me out. What is it? They've lost four games. I know you said five games, you can't win a title. Yeah. You know, the form's been so good. The turnaround's been so good. And I stick with that, Rob. I stick with that. But if Arsenal start losing games, right, and then all of a sudden Man City might lose five, maybe six by the end of the season, but they still could win it if Arsenal don't keep them honest and keep up that sort of historic of you don't really win if you're going to lose five games.

31:05We've seen very few win a league title with five losses in a Premier League season. Can I just chuck in a little number here? Because I think a few of our listeners and viewers, Rob, think they were a bit, or me, a bit anti-Man City. I just did a little bit of AI research, Rob, and we should have a little segment on AI research. Because with AI now, if I'm watching a game and I'm thinking, I wonder what they did or what he's done or what money they've spent. I just chucked into AI, by the way, and I chucked into two different platforms. Lowest or the highest net spenders, or net spend of the big six teams in English football over the last five years.

31:47And of the last five years, net spend, Man City at the bottom of that six. So United's and Tottenham's and Arsenal's and Chelsea's, you know, spent more net-wise, so ins and outs, than Man City. So, you know, I think that often in the past, people have said about Man City, yeah, they're always good because they spend so much money. Well, the last five years, they haven't. And if Pep does manage somehow to pull this around, with this lesser expensive assembled squad, that's quite the achievement. That's quite, if he can win this title from here, which is, again, they've four losses and there's a long way to go and I'm not getting too carried away.

32:22All I'm saying is Palace away is not an easy game. And they're a lot of control. They give a couple of chances, but they look like scoring a lot of goals. And it isn't because they've gone out and bought all the best players. Other teams in the last couple of years have done that and City are still there. So fair play. Yeah, and they host West Ham United next weekend, next Saturday. So you think at home. And it's just, I think the big thing for me, Rob, is like there's been kind of a revitalisation in the football club. Like you say, Phil Foden. It looked like he couldn't quite get his game together.

32:55Now he's bang on top. Haaland, 17 Premier League goals. Yeah, incredible. Pep looks like the fire's back a little bit. A little bit different. I just wonder, Robert, I know he's got a different staff. He's got Pep Linder. He's got Colo Turi and that round. It's interesting Colo Turi did the interview. and whether he's just keeping himself, saving a bit of his energies and managing in a slightly different way that he's more effective. He's a man who's always trying to look at the next thing, finding the next way of affecting his group. Just wonder if maybe he's working with some of that staff to do that.

33:28Maybe. Of course, that's the hardest thing for us to try and figure out is how they're working together, what influence these coaches have on him. But I think you make a great point. I think it's something valid that we have to mention, and you've just mentioned it, about City. They seem to have gone again a little bit, whether it's the Man City 2.0, 3.0, whatever it is. It's starting to look very, very good. And, you know, the squad, and with Ryan Shirky, if he gets a little bit more consistent, he's very flary, very flashy, Tijani Rinders, Rob. If these two players particularly can find a real groove in that midfield, then all of a sudden there's a ton of options again.

34:03And when there's rotation with Man City, you look at the lineup and you're like, well, there's Doku on one side and Foden's still playing and then Ryan is playing. Somebody else comes in, you know, Savinho coming, Rob, and you've got the penalty. Yeah, Savinho, you've got Bob, you've got, you know. Yeah, you've got, so it's, that's one of the best. It's going to keep all so large, they've got to keep getting the goals. Let's go to London Stadium because West Ham 2, Aston Villa 3, actually, I've to mention the great celebration of Billy Bonds and that before the game. As you would expect, West Ham did that immaculately I thought and then got off to a great start mate quickest goal in the Premier League Fernandes gets the first goal from West Ham's point of view puts them ahead and then Astrid Villa come back into the game Mavipanas with the own goal Boeing gets a goal before half time they're two and up and then the Morgan Rodgers show kicks in I raised you your phone with Rodgers clinical technical feet to get his first goal and then what's he call it he's dippy he's dippy He's kind of like hit the ball, gets it up and down over the goalkeeper, away from the goalkeeper.

35:11I mean, an incredible run of form. You talk about return and recharge. I think it was no goals in four, no wins in five. Now, was it 10 in the last 11 wins? I think it's nine, is it? Is it nine wins on a spin? All competitions, Rob? Amazing. All competitions, yeah. Third in the Europa League, third in the Premier League. And I suppose we continue to ask these questions. every week it's like who's in it but i mean at this point rob with 16 games gone on 33 points one behind manchester city three behind arsenal aston villa in a title race well they are right now they are right now because where they are they've earned that with nine wins in all competitions so many and of course in the premier league um i i just you know i just don't think they'll be able to stay keep at that level to be at the top at the end i think a top four finish for Villa would be amazing, brilliant, great work.

36:08And in a time when we've just talked about Pep's ability to go again after a difficult period, Unai Emery showed that he can do that. That's two, I think we all know their experience, they're great managers. Arna Slott would be my immediate thought, well, can he do it again? Can he go again? It's been a difficult period for Liverpool, but I'm sure he'll be given the time. Can he get them back on track? And Aston Villa is the same story. Now, next up, Rob, they've got Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal. so that run is going to take some kind of and of course I think the Champions League is off now for a bit isn't it I think those games are off a little bit now so you know they have got the chance but that's a very difficult run it's a brilliant story Aston Villa Rob I love watching the team play because they're a little different the way that they manoeuvre things through midfield and Morgan Rodgers continues to look like the star man and the goal, the strike I mean with that dip as well Rob with the way the ball travels in the air it travels quite quickly so it's got a lot of power to it as well even though it doesn't look like he puts his foot back and really smashes the ball so another brilliant performance from him you know I didn't see the very details of this game as the window of all the games going on at the same time but the result I mean of course I'm flicking channels I'm looking at highlights afterwards and I'm looking at West Ham because I kind of like what West Ham I like Nuno Espirito Santo Rob I think he's a connector I think he's a good guy for the dressing room.

37:32I think players want to play for him. I think he connects with the fans. And at West Ham, it's often difficult to be able to do that. And when I see the scenes and the atmosphere at the London Stadium, when they get those goals, it's like, yeah. So that's quite the turnaround for Villa. I mean, it's quite the story at the moment. This season, to see them where they are and the run that they're having is pretty outstanding. And if they get all the bodies back, it's a deeper squad than we've known for a while, isn't it? I mean, he's got variation up front now with Marlon and Watkins getting amongst goals, looking threatening.

38:05Again, he's got midfield players to diple with the likes of Rodgers. McGinn continues to be important. Tielemans is a million dollars. He's a Rolls-Royce Tielemans. Defensively, they're pretty good and obviously the wingers play a big part. So yeah, it's a decent set-up. I know you just said with West Ham, Rob, the reality is that they're in the bottom three now on 13 points. It feels to me as though between West Ham leads and Forest is going to be the one team to go down with Wolfhampton, Wunders and Burnley. Yeah, I don't know about that. I don't know about that. My guess would be it's going to be between Leeds and West Ham.

38:44I'm just going on what I see at Brentford, the squad that they've got. Yeah, I don't think Brentford will go. You said Forest. Sorry, I meant Forest, Leeds and West Ham. One of those three to go down with the other two. Yeah, I just think it'll be between the two. I think Nottingham Forest have got enough. And the coaches, defence first, suits them. Hudson-Odoi does good work today. I think Forrest will be okay. I think it's going to be between West Ham, again, I think will be all right, and Leeds United. And again, Leeds are fighting like anything at the moment. Yeah, they are. By the way, we're saying this right now.

39:25We all know there's so long to go in the season. So long to go. Yeah, congestion everywhere. Let's go to Samford Bridge, my friend, because what we should be talking about is a pretty routine win. Cole Palmer back in the team, scores a very Cole Palmer-esque goal with his flick in the celebration. Malo Gusto was close to my underappreciated again, mate. He's a player who flakes the game from Chelsea. You know, I was thinking about Gusto, and I was thinking to myself, Rob, he could play in a Liverpool team, he could play in a Man City team, He could play maybe Arsenal slightly different, but this is a guy who could, with the way he plays at full-back, and then Verti and Andy's midfield, good footballer.

40:05But anyway, let's get to the point of Chelsea 2-0 win against Everton, an Everton team that were going well under David Moyes. Should have been a routine win, should have been like maybe a little bit of celebration, clean sheet, two goals. And then Enzo Mareska blows the place up, mate. It was almost Mo Salah-esque in the way that he wanted to get someone out there and talked about him not being supported by his players in the last 48 hours, which kind of pointed to after the Atlanta game or the defeat. I mean, first of all, Rob, what did you make of it? Secondly, which probably is more important, who's this aimed at?

40:51well I think it's aimed at the fans well he actually come out after and said I'm not talking about the fans oh boy which then has me scratching my head well that it can only lead to one conclusion he's talking to the ownership group and the board and the football board well that's again it's hard to know everything with comments like that but I didn't catch a bit about the fans He apparently come out after him and said, and I'm not talking about the fans. The fans are always behind us. Oh, gosh. Well, that changes everything. Because, you know, the sense was that four games without a win, lots of changes to the team, you know, and the fans are starting to complain to Moresco about changing the team all the time and the tactics and the formations.

41:40Yeah, 46 changes, aren't they, or something? Yeah. So if he's saying I'm not supported within the club, that's quite the statement to make, by the way, because that's throwing it into the public realm. I don't know, man. That's, I mean, then you're into the, they've got the two directors of football that football club, haven't they? Yeah, absolutely. You know, we know all about that, the way that they invest in young players and they invested in him, a young manager. I mean, I think it's, you know, I've said a million times, I love the project there. It's very different. I get that. But I think they're building something very special.

42:12They've had a blip. They've had a couple of weeks where they haven't won games. They've had some disappointing performances, which, you know, when we start to talk about Chelsea, they could push. I think I said it two weeks ago. They could absolutely push Arsenal. And then they go on a terrible little run of not being able to keep the standard up. So maybe with younger players that happens, a few injuries. And he went through, didn't he, Rob? We're talking about the players that he's not been with. He's not our best player, Cole Palmer. We have five games without Moises Caicedo. So Maresca is a little bit of a fiery...

42:41Yeah, he's a terrible one, isn't he? I think he's got a little bit of fire in him. Yeah. The only thing with that, Rob, and you're right, and to point that, you know, maybe that's what managers have to have, but I was thinking about, like, why would he come out and do this? And, you know, he's a smart guy, excellent coach. We've seen some good things. Obviously, it hasn't gone totally according to plan, but they're in a great spot. And it started to get me thinking, Rob, about managers and that big six. And, you know, we saw what it did to Graham Potter. You know, Thomas Frank's had his issues in recent weeks.

43:16Is there something in those big clubs that as you get there and it takes you out of yourself, you lose a little bit of control? You know, I'm sure Mareska, after the fan comments and if it's been aimed at managing, that's not a way to be successful at that football club. But is this what managing a big six club does? Well, I think it's potentially because the scrutiny from the fans expect more, the media expects more, and maybe the board and directors. Don't you have to handle that? Do you remember I always thought when Potts came from Southampton, from Southampton, Middle East to Spurs, he did a brilliant job of that.

43:59He was one of those, well, can he manage a big club? I thought he did a brilliant job of saying enough when he needed to, but holding his tongue when he had to. He used to do interviews, and we used to say, he tells you nothing, Pochettino. And he kind of earned that right. Now he's seen as that kind of manager, now obviously got the national team. I just feel like Mareska looks like he's a bit volatile, like he's going to snap. Well, all right then, let's play this out, right? You're Enzo Mareska. I'm, and this is pure speculation, by the way. This is based on nothing but just a little bit of fun.

44:35If I'm a director of football, if I'm Paul Wynn Stanley, and I say to Moresca, hey, bad result against Atalanta, why did you change four players? Why is he on the bench? You know, we want these players to, when you're a head coach and this whole director of football and a head coach instead of the manager, maybe in some of these clubs, these big clubs, Rob, the directors of football start to get a little bit antsy. You know, they're the ones who put their neck on the block to sign these players and they're going to want the coach to play them in certain games. I mean, the director of football, he shouldn't really get involved with that.

45:04He's hired the coach to go, here's the players I'm going to give you, there you go and you had a say in some of these go and coach them but maybe people again massive speculation it might be some of the ownership might be the owners were in town for a week and started to question him about what he's doing with the team now that shouldn't be enough to start saying publicly you know I've had a very difficult four hours don't I have to be slightly bigger and better how would you deal with that well I'm saying I'm not sure I'd be going publicly out I think there's a way that I can be having a conversation with the ownership or my director of football in another way that's not been public that's not throwing it out there.

45:38So everybody like us is talking about it now after a 2-0 win at home. I don't see where he gains. Well, I don't, yeah. He obviously is super frustrated to say that, to bring it in, particularly if it's not about the fans, Rob. I thought it was more geared to the fans. I believe we heard today that he came out and said, you know, it's not the fans, the fans are behind us. Well, it's only the board. Yeah, it can only be. And it's the higher-ups. and I'm not sure that's a fight you want to take on it does not fight you want to take on you win listen let's wait and see how that plays out and if there's any consequences to that at Chelsea but got the win got the clean sheet got Cole Palmer back on the score sheet so plenty of positives really to take from the result but talking of positives my friend there was a very almost special game I thought today time with Derby It's a proper old Derby rivalry.

46:37I thought it was brilliant set up by John Champion, Lee Dixon, who were at the stadium. We were just saying, this is real, earthy. Two teams live close together. There's hatred between the two. And Sunderland, as they have done most of the season, I just thought didn't disappoint. Yes, I think in these games, I think we always know it's going to be tight, scrappy. I was flicking between games again. and I wanted to watch, I think the Man City game was on at the same time. Yeah, it was, yeah. Because I knew what the Derby was going to be like. I knew what it was going to be like. And it's just massive tackles.

47:12We've played in derbies, Rob, where they're often so tight, so aggressive. Every player does not want to let down the fans. There's an extra three miles of running you're probably going to do, more intense challenges and duels and all that stuff. And that's exactly what we saw, potential red cards, maybe should have been double yellow cards and all that. I know the area, mate. I was at Middlesbrough, which is the smaller of these, the big three in the North East, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Newcastle, in that order. And Middlesbrough and Sunderland, they hate the Geordies. And that's all you ever hear.

47:42I was up there for 12 years, and it was all about hate the Geordies because the Geordies are the fancy pants. They're the big, big club. No, Sunderland's a big, big club. It's more of a rivalry with Sunderland and Newcastle. Middlesbrough, I'm just giving you the flavor of the area. Newcastle are the biggest club and all that stuff and the ones below it would love to get their chance to do some damage and we saw it and the scenes afterwards and the picture and everything else and going back to the Newcastle picture from the FA Cup was brilliant and it's just a shame where a player, Voldemort, the nature of the goal, I mean, he's going to be devastated.

48:19Can you imagine that if you score an own goal in that game? Especially your first derby, new player and all that. Yeah, it was hard. But I have to say, I thought Sunderland deserved it, mate. I mean, I know, and there was talk that obviously Newcastle had come off the Champions League, 2-2 with Leverkusen, sort of latest goal equaliser in that game. Whether they'd had as much time to work on it, I thought energy-wise, Sunderland would just add the edge of it. Did they want it more, Rob? Yeah, they did. Yeah, I think they did, and I said that. And I said, that's, I think, going to be the biggest disappointment to Eddie Howe.

48:55So I listened to Eddie's press and he was talking about how important the game was and how representative of the city and the team and the love for the football club and that his team would be ready. And I didn't think they were. And I've got to be honest, from the moment that they did eventually get the goal, obviously through the own goal, didn't really feel as though Newcastle were going to get anything from the match. Yeah, I think it's credit to Sunderland, the way that Regis Labris has set the team up, Rob. We've talked about it many times, about the structure of the team, the formation, the new players, the physicality, the legs, the energy, the youth in certain areas.

49:31And it's obviously, it's going to be a formula, Rob, but I think you're going to see other teams. You know, if you're a promoted team, you've got to be looking around, like, what's worked? What has worked? And we've seen other teams spend a lot of money, like Sunderland, brings loads of players in, like Sunderland, but still haven't stayed up. So the physicality, the long balls, the long throws, the direct nature, the not playing out from the back, All these little things, when Sunderland stay up, because they're going to stay up, we're going to see that from other teams. That's quite the compliment, really, when you do manage to get up away from it for so long, that other teams might start copying the way that you're staying in the league.

50:09They're all looking for it. They're all looking for the special source. Well, I've gone for it this week, and I felt I needed to, my undappreciated had to come from Sunderland. I've done the manager, I've done Michele, I think I might have done Granit Jacker. and I'm going to go for the Sunderland fans on my under-priciated form of the week. And you'll know that area. We've never had fans. We've never had fans under-priciated. And you'll know, Rob, that area more than most. And for any of our listeners and viewers, there was a documentary that's ran, what, three or four years ago, Sunderland Till I Die.

50:39And the Sunderland team has been through some difficult times, mate. Four seasons ago, they were in League One, you know, and weren't sure where they were going. Well, that documentary, Rob, was right in that time. Yeah, the start was that whole tiered. I thought today, Rob, they played their part. I loved the bit with the Sunderland versus the visitors. They weren't going to name Newcastle. You know, all the housery stuff that we see go on. I thought they did that brilliantly. I mean, those scenes at the end are some of the best scenes that we've had on the Premier League since we've had it from the day.

51:10And I saw a grown woman who's with the Sunderland in tears, mate. In tears. That's what this thing can do. And for that team who've had some dark days, it looks a really bright future now. This manager is somebody you've got to hold on to. This club looks like it's got finances in the right place. A friend of mine named Dave Bruce, who was at MLS, who's gone up to be chief executive of the football club, really understands what the football club means in the community and they're working hard. This is a big club, Rob. This should be a club that looks at Bournemouth, Brentford, the likes of Fulham, and said, we can stay in this league and we can have something to say.

51:54Well, first off, mate, it's a good shout. And I think as being former players, we can speak to this because the impact that your home fans have on you is enormous and is underappreciated by maybe general fans of the Premier League and the US about what it's like to play at home in the Premier League with English fans that demand so much, particularly in the North East or the Northern clubs. Maybe that's unfair. I'm sure most of the fans are the same, but it really is a big help. Back on the football club, Rob, I mean, it is astonishing, thinking back to Son Until I Die, the documentary series, of what an absolute mess they were with...

52:33I mean, I don't want to use horrible words about the people that were running the place now. There was a really good article, I think in the Athletic, that's where the most, the big long form good stuff about, about Southern Football Club. And it was probably about your mate and how they are bringing in some of the best in class for all parts of the club. They're trying to get really good people in all the executive, the director parts of the club to try and do this thing. Right. Like you said, the Brightons and the Bournemouths and the, and the Brentfords have. So that with those supporters you talk about, with that, that earning capacity of that, was it 40, is it 40 ,000?

53:0649 ,000. 49 ,000. Is it$49 ,000? That's a good revenue. That's a potential to do great things. But you've got to get the good people in all the main positions. Of course, probably the biggest is the head coach in Regis Labris. Yeah, and they look like they've got a smart guy there, mate. Look like they've got a smart one. And the owners sound like they know what they're doing. Yeah, yeah. Brilliant day for Sunderland. Couldn't happen to a better club. And they're a big club, Rob. We throw that term around big clubs. Sunderland is a big club. Nearly 50 ,000 is big. It's a big football club. Let's move to Nottingham Forest, at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

53:47Goals from Hudson-Odoi, a couple of them from Hudson-Odoi, a lovely shot from Sangara. A 3-0 win for Sean Dyche and his team. Against the Tottenham team, you're never quite sure. Have a couple of decent results, beat Brentford and one midweek in the Champions League. I didn't see much of this game, Rob, but it's one of those results that doesn't surprise me. Well, it did surprise me a little bit. You know, after watching Spurs where you think, ah, that's a little bit better. We talked about them, you know, good shape to the side. Let's see some more continuity in terms of that. I mean, yeah, again, in the window with the games going on, I'm like, what, really, Forrest?

54:25And it's another tough one to take for Thomas Frank. And it's going to, you know, a step backwards or forwards, two steps backwards. It's just a shocker. I mean, not enough Forrest are a funny team. they can sometimes surprise you with some of their results, but 3-0. Callum Hudson-Odoi is a dangerous player, isn't he? He's a dangerous player. He's done well, yeah. Yeah, I mean, I would expect to see him in the team a lot more. It hasn't always started when we've had them. Yeah. It's just, I think it's quite a shocking scoreline, Rob, for me, given Spurs' troubles and inconsistencies, and the manager that feels like he has to find a little bit of success and continued performance level, that's a drop-off.

55:07And that's not going to go down well. And that puts you back on the back foot. That brings the anxieties in the next time they play at home. You know, the expectation will be high again. So it's a shocker. It's a brilliant one for Sean Dyche and for Nottingham Forest. But that's quite the result for Tottenham. Not good. Not good at all. And they host Liverpool next Saturday, 12.30 game from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. We'll do a preview on that just before we finish wrapping up. But let's get to a couple of other games. One we've just seen, Brentford 1, Leeds 1. Late goal from Jordan Henderson puts Brentford ahead.

55:41And then Dominic Calvert-Lewin, it's becoming a little bit of a sorry, five goals, Rob. A very Calvert-Lewin finish. Just crossed the ball. Just crossed the ball. Centre for his head in the ball. He got the 1-1 point. Kind of a point that I think both deserved. I mean, Brentford, I don't feel will be any trouble. I think Keith Andrews has got this thing locked down. Leeds, Rob, is showing a little bit of fighting resilience. Yeah, I've liked Leeds. I mean, I know we all know winning games in the Premier League is very difficult, but I've liked Leeds generally. You know, I have a friend who's a Leeds fan, and I said to him, Dominic Cavallon, he's the guy.

56:17He's got to work for you. If Dominic Cavallon can have a season that I think you talked about with a good goal tally, they can stay in the league. It's just history, and that's why I predict him to go down, that he can't maintain fitness or that level to get those 12 to 15. I kind of like the system they're playing right now. I think the wingbacks suit them more. They haven't got great wingers, so having wingbacks provides the width. They've got plenty of good, I think Anton Schaak is a good midfield player and other options in there as well, and play two up front. So I kind of like them, but it's going to be a slog.

56:52They're going to be right in it. They're going to be right in the mix. It's going to be a slog, and I think it's a decent result for them. I think it was a fair result for both teams. And Brentford were a little disappointing. I thought they were better second half. Then Dam's got on and played a little bit. Not sure why he didn't start. I always think he's such an important character. Jensen plays a little bit. Let's go to Turf Moor. Burnley 2, Fulham 3. Seven straight defeats now for Scotty Parker's team against a Fulham team. And I think when we did this game, Rob, and we had it yesterday, I just said to Bex, it kind of looked, it stood out to me as a team that kind of know the Premier League and know what they're doing in a team that they don't.

57:29Listen, Burnley finding a way, got a couple of goals at home, should get you something from a game. But they concede, took bad goals, give away goals from a team that was so good in the championship. It's going to be a struggle. It's going to be a struggle, mate. Well, it always is. I mean, Sunderland's an outlier, obviously. But for the last two seasons before, this has been a struggle for the ones to stay in. I think, well, I thought they were all going to struggle. Sunderland obviously haven't. I mean, it's changed a team, isn't it? from last year. I know it's easy to compare last year. They had a great defensive record, like crazy good.

58:00It's so different. You know, they went with some Premier League experience to try and improve the team that way. But Fulham, I think it's a good way of putting it, Rob, that they just experienced. They've not had a great run, but they're pulling themselves out of it. I don't think they're going to be in the relegation trouble at the end of the season, but it's not easy for Fulham. They're not a big club. They don't spend a lot of money. I'm sure the manager wants some more players in January. But they have got some great players, Rob. And my underappreciated performer of the weekend is Harry Wilson.

58:27Are we sleeping on Harry Wilson, Rob? Well, I'm not. I'm not. I did that goal last week, by the way. How can I? The goal last week, he's got a goal and assist in this one. The goal against Spurs. Yeah, I mean, he's playing so well. I feel like he's one of them, Rob, that's improved with time. He got shundered around a little bit, wasn't he? Maybe you're not good enough for this club. He started at Liverpool, didn't he? I didn't realise. I saw something on him. He was a kid at Liverpool and didn't quite make it and then went off other places to try and get a career. But his left foot and his talent and his ability to now to create goal involvements, because that's basically what any skilful attacking midfield player, that's what they're in the team to do, is to assist them to score.

59:09We're seeing it on quite a regular basis. And I just think the talent and that goal last week against Palace, the little one-two and the flick with the outside of the foot, the first time finish with the empty goal. I mean, I just think he's real quality and I'm not sure what his age is, but I think he's a little underappreciated at Fulham in the game in general and that's what we try and do is just to when next time you see Fulham on our air just have a look at Harry Wilson plays on the right with his left foot he's a talented silky player it's one of them left footers Rob that look just look good don't they with a left foot I just thought he deserved a mention yeah it's a good shout because we talk I don't think we talk enough Fulham the manager and the team we don't talk enough about the individuals there they've got some good players and Harry Wilson's as you say technically really good A lefty that comes infield.

59:56He's clever. Silky. Silky. He can join the play-up, and he's got a good finish. So it's a great shout. Harold Wilson, you have been appreciated. There you go. So tomorrow we've got a game, mate. Manchester United is hosting Bournemouth at Old Trafford. 3 p.m. kick-up on USA Network. Tim and Danny will be working on that game with Cora. So look forward to that one. Just a quick preview ahead of next weekend, mate. So Tottenham Hotspur, after defeat this week 3-0 to Forest, hosts Liverpool. And obviously, there'll be no Mo Salah at Liverpool. He will be away now with Egypt. So that kind of storyline goes away.

1:00:34But in terms of whether Eketike continues to start, Izzat comes in as a team, Vietz. There's a nice contrast, Rob, I think, between Vietz and Jabby Simmons in some respect. You know, the kind of players that come in and are trying to manage a game from those number 10 positions. so that might be a nice contrast if they play. But how do you see this one? Liverpool on a better run of late. Can they go to Tottenham and dominate the game? Well, I don't know about dominate. I think they can go there and win. I think it could be a bit ugly. I don't think these two teams have got any kind of grooved nature to their play.

1:01:10I don't think there's any kind of consistent style or game plan that we've watched or enjoyed. Liverpool, as we said earlier in the podcast, Robert, just trying to establish a bit of a foundation again, not conceding too many goals. There are creative players and great. Vietz has not had a huge impact. And Spurs, I just think, you've got to watch, look at Thomas Frank. You've got to see what the atmosphere is like at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, because it can get a little awkward. Not been great at home, have they, by the way, as well? Hasn't been great. So it's a very, very difficult game for Tottenham.

1:01:39Liverpool, of course, go there with less pressure in terms of having to perform. So I think it's bigger for Tottenham, Rob, given that last result. I mean, I think also Xabi Simons is an interesting, you know, he seemed to break out, didn't he, over the last couple of weeks. Now you're kind of back. I've just had a question popping into my head just before we finish off. Who's the better centre-back pairing when they're playing well? Van der Ven and Romero or Van Dijk and Canate?

1:02:11It's a really good question, isn't it? At the best, if they're both playing well as a centre-back pairing and you've got to choose one pairing for your team. No, no, you've got to frame this question right. If you say to me, right, if you say to me, when all of these are at their very best. Two centre-backs, Van Dijk and Canarte, let's say, when they won the title, and Van de Ven and Romero when they won the Europa. So both are playing something near their best. You've got a chance to take one pair as you're back to. Where are you going? Right, right. Assuming they play at their best every week, I'm going with the Liverpool pair.

1:02:55Ooh, interesting. I feel, I mean, I love Romero, and Van der Ven might be the best out of all of them. I just, Romero's a bit of a loose cannon, a bit of a crazy red card guy. Yeah. But that's like saying the Canates, is every now and then going to make an error. No, no, no, no. You just said playing at the best. Yeah, I know, but I'm saying Romero's playing at the best, more controlled with a little left of the emotional. I tell you, it's close. I'm not sure you're wrong, but I think it's close, Rob. It is close. I think it's close. You know, I like this. If you ask me another, let me frame it to you in a different way.

1:03:30Go on, then. To sign these two players. Frame my question to me in a different way. Well, instead of being at their very best, but just for a 38-game Premier League season, in your team, which pair would you like? Just given, not at the planet they're best, but who you trust for 38 games. Which is a better pair over 38 games. Just Liverpool. Van Dijk sways it just. I don't know. On that parameters, I might go for the Spurs pair. I feel like they'd be more consistent over 38-game season. Interesting. It's time to wrap up the podcast. I'll give you another week to think about it and go. Listen, it's a weekend when the time where Derby didn't disappoint.

1:04:17Unless you're a Newcastle fan, that is. Sunderland proved too much for the tune. At Anfield, we saw a Mo show, and now we've seen Mo go to AFCON. We'll have to wait and see how that all plays out when he's done playing for Egypt. We'll be back next weekend, that's Sunday, December 21st, to recap Match Week 17. Newcastle face Chelsea. The Spurs host Liverpool and Villa take on Manchester United. But for now, I'm Earl. 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 good night from him. Good night. Good night.

1:05:07crec he he is good well yes

1:05:20yes