In short
Tottenham Hotspur offseason talk—Son Heung-min likely leaving (MLS/LAFC or South Korea), whether he belongs on a Tottenham “Mount Rushmore,” and squad-building/rotation for 2025-26 under Thomas Frank. They also debate signing João Palhinha and how to use him, plus rotation examples (Kulusevski, Gibbs-White, keepers) and fan pressure expectations.
Guests
No formal guests. Hosts are “Flav,” “John,” and “Mark” (regular Fighting Cock podcast voices). They reference other figures: Lee Dixon (shark story), Glenn Hoddle, Ian Wright, Mark Pugach; and football staff/players like Thomas Frank, Cochrane (Brentford development), Jed Spence, Morgan Gibbs-White, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Romero, Solanke, Vicario, Porro, van de Ven, and Palhinha.
Key claims
Son’s timing makes sense at age 33; he should be the “modern era” Mount Rushmore pick (trophy as captain matters more than raw greatness). Palhinha could be coached into a role that fits Frank’s needs: physical “destroyer” + ball-winning cover, not just Bayern-style ball dominance. Fan pressure won’t force Frank out early; trophy expectations are already “poisoned,” but the hosts haven’t seen panic.
Notable examples
Ocean Ramsey documentary (sharks) and great white sightings near Malta; comparisons to Saka/Foden at 19; Palhinha at Fulham/Bayern; rotation logic using Madison vs Gibbs-White minutes; “railway junction” moral dilemma; Jed Spence handling a kid calling him “Un-doggy.”
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOPodcast Format and Questions
0:39 to 0:54
Hosts explain the Q&A format of the episode and introduce the topic.
“Propel hydrates better than water to help you get the most out of your workout and get back to your best self.”
Podcast Format and Questions
0:58 to 1:16
Hosts explain the Q&A format of the episode and introduce the topic.
“It can help you with practically anything on the web.”
Podcast Format and Questions
1:29 to 2:20
Hosts explain the Q&A format of the episode and introduce the topic.
“Hello, welcome back to another episode of the Fighting Cock podcast.”
Holidays and Personal Updates
2:21 to 3:00
Discussion about the hosts' holidays and personal lives, including trips and activities.
“one more booked in in September but I'll go to Malta.”
Flav's Interest in Sharks
3:01 to 5:52
Flav shares his fascination with sharks, recounting a memorable dinner conversation.
“good I'm good I'm stressed I'm going on holiday next week but is it a holiday when you've got two young kids?”
Son's Future at Spurs: A Discussion
5:53 to 12:07
The hosts discuss the potential departure of Ho Min Son and its implications.
“and I want to get your thoughts on the fact that it seems certain now that Ho Min Son is going to leave the football club.”
Tottenham's Mount Rushmore Debate
12:08 to 14:00
The hosts debate who deserves a spot on Tottenham's Mount Rushmore, focusing on key players.
“Bill Nick, you can't, if it's player Mount Rushmore, I think mine would be Kane, Son, Blanche Flower, Hoddle.”
Discussing the Role of a 'Six' in Modern Football
14:00 to 17:38
Explore how the role of a six has evolved in football and the specific qualities needed for Tottenham's style.
“The numbers are good when you're just talking.”
Player Development and Coaching Philosophy
17:39 to 22:42
Learn about the potential for player development under Thomas Frank and the importance of a cohesive team.
“I think there will be opportunities to see player progression through the season based on how well generally the team are playing.”
Player Development and Coaching Philosophy
23:17 to 23:39
Learn about the potential for player development under Thomas Frank and the importance of a cohesive team.
“Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned.”
Show all 22 chapters
Player Development and Coaching Philosophy
23:42 to 24:00
Learn about the potential for player development under Thomas Frank and the importance of a cohesive team.
“It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks.”
Expectations for Thomas Frank's Tenure
24:01 to 28:01
Discuss the realistic expectations for Thomas Frank and how fan perceptions may influence his tenure.
“Well, I remember you've got Cochrane there as well, Justin Cochrane, who has a track record of developing young players.”
Fan Reactions and Perspectives
28:01 to 29:10
Discussion on the fragility of the fanbase and insights about player signing.
“And if you're getting irritated by people online, then spend less time on it.”
Olivia Atwood Debate
30:38 to 34:23
A heated discussion about the impact of Olivia Atwood on modern society.
“I would border along saying I despise her, John.”
Youth and Growing Up
34:23 to 36:24
Reflections on childhood experiences and societal changes in youth behavior.
“And then there's a perfect lesson for the kid.”
Team Strategy and Player Rotation
36:24 to 42:01
Analysis of player rotation strategies for the Champions League and Premier League.
“When I was that kid's age, we would play Nutmeg Rush with a tennis ball.”
Squad Rotation and Player Roles
42:01 to 45:00
Discussion on squad rotation and the importance of having versatile players.
“week in and week out, but they might not start.”
Moral Dilemmas and Dark Humor
45:01 to 48:54
A humorous take on a moral dilemma involving a train and controversial characters.
“It doesn't mean that we're against Burnley at home that he might play.”
Champions League vs. Europa League
48:55 to 52:35
Debating the merits of competing in different European competitions this season.
“That was, I think, the worst thing that someone's ever sent in to the Fighting Court podcast.”
Building the Starting XI
52:36 to 56:00
Constructing the ideal starting lineup for the upcoming match against Burnley.
“On Twitter, Javi Fuego said, do we need to send John Bass to Nottingham to fight Maranakis for a right to sign Gibbs White?”
Tactical Discussion: Midfield Pairings
56:00 to 58:28
Exploration of potential midfield pairings and their effectiveness.
“Is it Basuma and Bentancourt or is it Bereval and Bentancourt or is it Saar, Bereval?”
Evaluating Player Potential
58:28 to 1:01:52
Debate over the potential resurgence of Bissouma and midfield dynamics.
“until the second, but I could actually see that happening.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Before the season even kicks off, soccer fans are already making predictions. Who wins the league? Who qualifies for Europe? And who's lifting the trophy at season's end? On Calci, America's number one prediction market platform, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. For a limited time, download the Calci app and use code CUP26 to get$10 when you trade 10. K-A-L-S-H-I, Calci. Trade the beautiful game. 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors.
0:32Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see calsheet.com slash regulatory. Propel Fitness Water with Gatorade electrolytes, zero sugar, and vitamins. Propel hydrates better than water to help you get the most out of your workout and get back to your best self. What propels you? Propel with Gatorade electrolytes. This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, But Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web. Like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block.
1:06Or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required. Compatibility and availability varies 18+.
1:29It's the fighting.
1:33It's the fighting. Cock. A camel. No. Hello, welcome back to another episode of the Fighting Cock podcast. We usually do this on Thursday, but it's a Friday. It's a Q &A podcast, which means people have sent in the questions, as you'd expect, and we answer whatever those questions might be. Haven't looked at any of them, don't know what they are. So this could easily be an awful podcast. Or it might be great. John's back from holidaying again in where you've been Greece yeah mate it was nice really nice 40 degrees every day number 7 of the year no not that many not that many maybe 3 4 where are we we aren't even in August um we've got left I think that's the question yeah I've got one one more booked in in September but I'll go to Malta.
2:26So that should be quite fun. The biggest great white ever caught, well, ever killed, if you like, was fat, was in Malta. Fuck. Do you know, we're talking about the, in fact, just about three weeks ago, the first great white, live great white, was spotted in the Mediterranean Sea. Breaching, trying to eat like a dead turtle or something. And that was in the Strait of, is it silly straight of i think that's what it's called in between malta and africa northern africa so in them waters where you might go swimming are indeed great white sharks well this is why you know i cannot advocate strongly enough for stone island swimwear like if you if you go swim without it you are taking your life in your own hands yeah right like i know now when i've got them on if the shark comes near me it's a little little jab just to set up the right hand and then and that's the end of it so it'll be fine but for others you've got to be more prepared you can't take chances I'm afraid Mark how are you?
3:33good I'm good I'm stressed I'm going on holiday next week but is it a holiday when you've got two young kids? holiday no and it's not we're not even holiday it's just time off we've got shit loads of housework to do I've got to do some skimming and plastering and painting so you're not going on holiday and And nah, it's just time off, isn't it? Right. So you're telling us that you've got some time off work. That's your opening gambit to the fighting cardboard club. Yeah. And then in that, you've got to do some skimming. It's a bit weak, isn't it? Yeah, that is weak. It was very weak. Let's go to the questions then.
4:06Actually, before we do, boys, oh shit, the first question. You're not going to believe this. Flav, can you explain your interest in sharks? You've mentioned it a few times over the years. You spoke to Lee Dixon about sharks one time. I did. Do you remember that story, boys? I went to dinner bizarrely with Glenn Hoddle, Ian Wright, a harem of women and Lee Dixon. And who's the little presenter who's on like, he presents like the Euros and World Cups. Mark Pugach. He was there as well. Mark Pugach is like five foot three. And they were all lovely, but just found myself, me and Lee, just sitting quietly while everyone else talked.
4:46and he spoke about living in California where he lives and he surfs, or I think it was California somewhere, and he surfs and then we just started talking about sharks. I don't know, man. It comes from being a kid and going to the library and finding something to read and I always went to the shark section since Jaws.
5:06Yeah, it was a childhood obsession is what the question was. Yes, that's correct. Have you seen that documentary on Netflix, that Ocean Ramsey moment? Yeah, yeah, yeah. if anyone hasn't seen it it's a fascinating watch like just the footage they get of her with sharks I would say that's some of the best footage I've ever seen definitely of any sort of even if you're not interested in sharks just animals in general that's some of the best footage I've ever seen yeah there's one bit which is incredible but I know this story and I've seen the pictures before you know she's quite a controversial character like people don't like her in the shark fraternity because she's too hands on with the sharks but there's this giant great white turns up and it is ginormous.
5:46It's a pregnant female and she just swims with it. It's fucking insane. Anyway, I don't want to talk about Sharks. This is a Spurs podcast and I want to get your thoughts on the fact that it seems certain now that Ho Min Son is going to leave the football club. I don't know if it's true about the idea that he has contracted to play in South Korea when we go over there. It would make sense because why else? We wouldn't go over there without him. and it just feels like he wants to move on. There's offers now from LAFC. Would you make of that, Mark? Feels right, feels about the right time? Yeah, I think so.
6:24I think it's the right time. I think it's the right kind of league for him. I think it makes sense for everyone involved. I think, like, he's, I think he'll be, you know, Frank is outwardly going to come out and publicly say, oh, you know, you know he's a legend at the club and it'll be a big miss and all that sort of stuff but it's right for the team as well and you know it's it's the last piece of this kind of transitional cycle i i feel like last last large piece anyway um so yeah and um you know he'll do well over there he'll he'll wipe the floor with with 50 60 percent of the players playing over there still at 33 so um yeah i think it's good and you know you'll get you'll get a good salary and stuff like that and like the guy's got I mean he is he is wadded right so he won't be going there for the money I think he wants to still go to somewhere where he can still enjoy his freedoms and there's still a level of profile for him so yeah enjoy his freedom he's not living in North Korea but if he goes to Saudi right like that would be that's the other that's the other it's really it's these two leagues that have been mooted for him isn't it it's the Saudi leagues or it's the the MLS really that's kind of the biggest kind of destinations we've heard about unless I don't see him going to Europe I can't do it nah what do you make of it John?
7:51yeah I think I think it's one of those where we'll never really know this but if he's like I want to start every game for Spurs and Frank said to him like I just that's not going to happen and he's gone okay fair enough and he's now like in a position where he's like well I want to go and play some football and play somewhere and that's what you know he wants to do then I'm all for it. If it's like, no I want to stay here, I don't care if I'm on the bench and Frank's like, nah, see you later, get fucked. That will make me quite sad. I'm not saying that either of those scenarios have happened. We will never know that.
8:22But basically I guess where I'm at is I just want Sonny to be comfortable with the outcome of whatever happens because I think he's earned the right to have somewhat of a say in what happens. If we just look at the raw facts, Mark Toshman, he's 33, right it's like that's an age when a player leaves the top level typically right there's some obviously some exceptions to that rule he's going out on a high with a trophy in the bag like breaking that hoodoo he goes out as an absolute like irrefutable legend of the football club one of the best players the premier league's ever seen it's kind of a perfect way to go out like we saw even last season right when he was his talents are obviously starting to diminish somewhat he's still got I think I think 22 combined goal and assists it's not bad it's like pretty decent right so like it's not like he's had an absolute stinking season to finish if he goes out now there's nothing but positive memories so I feel like this is really good timing all around for everyone and yeah it'd be nice if he just goes to the US it's like a completely inoffensive league it just kind of helps him continue the brand of Hume Min Son, absolute goat legend.
9:31So yeah, if he goes, we'll wish him all the best. He'll leave the biggest legend we've had in decades. Oh, gotcha. He's my favourite player of all time. Is he on Tottenham Rushmore, do you think? He should be. He would be the modern era. Of all time. Yeah, he would be the modern era one for me. I would put him above Kane. Yeah. Because he's won the trophy. He's won the trophy as captain. Kane would be there. as well. I think Kane and Son are there, but who else? Kane wouldn't be there, you think? I don't know if Kane would be. I think Kane, like... I come through our academy record goalscorer he's got.
10:11The best player we've ever had. I don't know. He's got to be. Is it? Because what's your hesitation, Mark? I don't know. Maybe it's just, maybe I'm just still bitter. I don't know. I think if he goes on there, I think that pushes Son out. Because you can't, like, you know, you have to have Hoddle on there. You have to have, probably Blanche Flower on there. Yeah. So then there's one slot left. Like, who are you taking off? I mean, you have your mobile. I'm not just going. You know, you've got a couple... Yeah. A couple Argentinians there who would be in with a shout as well. Like, it's a tough one, isn't it?
10:43No. I don't think both Kane and Son make it, if I'm honest with you. All right, if you're picking one, it's got to be Son. Yeah, you can't have a player on the Mount Rushmore who doesn't have a trophy. Like, that's what we constantly get told. They have to have a trophy. like Ledley has a league cup that's still a trophy and he's still one of the best players we've seen like Kane still with the club exactly so if Ledley doesn't go on because you know we didn't see enough and we didn't do enough but he did he has captain the side to a trophy not like you can make an of course you can make an argument for Kane of course you can I'm just saying if it came down to those two I think you have to reward Son's loyalty I think that's how it should work.
11:27And ultimately, he stayed to win a trophy with Tottenham. Now look, there's been a lot of other players who've done fucking amazing things in their career after Tottenham. Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, and now Harry Kane. But if they don't do it for Spurs, I don't really care. So this isn't Mount Rushmore of the best players who ever at some point played for Spurs. It should be what they've done for Spurs. And yeah, he's got a fuck ton load of goals, but Sonny delivered a trophy and a fucking big one as captain and has scored a shitload of goals and assists. So, I think it's got to be Sonny, hasn't it?
11:59Mate, I'd love to know what other people think. Maybe if you're listening to this, get involved in maybe the Spotify comments or on Reddit when we post it. Who you think Tottenham's Mount Rushmore would be. If like, Bill Nick, you can't, if it's player Mount Rushmore, I think mine would be Kane, Son, Blanche Flower, Hoddle. Very solid. And obviously, see, we never saw Blanche, but I've lived through the words and stories that my dad would tell me and my granddad before him, and just the fact that his quotes still ring out, you know, it'd have to be him. Yeah, so, interesting. Do you know what I'm quite excited by now?
12:41I've kind of, the more I think about it, the possible sign of Jao Palina. I know he isn't the ball playing he can't pass fuck off does he destroy people does he does he break people up with his tackling does he like going through a slide tackle going through a player if the answer's yes then I want him oh he can't pass fuck you of course he can pass he's a professional footballer what do you say John train him coach him to pass coach him do you remember when do you remember when Liverpool didn't have a six and then she went oh Gravenberg should you just play six we'll just teach you I'll play that and he went yeah and he became the best fucking six in the league for a season it's not that fucking complicated I hate all this no he's an eight they can play somewhere else they don't have to be an eight forever if they've got the required body and skill set and stuff you can mould players into different positions these ideas that like that you only can play in this certain position that's it and oh no they can't play on the left side as an eight all this is just modern like nonsense Mark said something really interesting in the last pod that said that there aren't really people like this idea about positions you said positions are a bit of a waste of time when thinking about you know the general in the modern game anyway yeah the modern game is so physical and so you have to like there's so much running and energy and so much rotation going on in game constantly I mean how many pods have we either sat on or listened to when we're talking about Frank how he's going to line up and stuff and we're talking about three or four formations in a single game like people move around a six isn't just in a six you're not you're not just in that dm position for the entire game and you know what we're talking about when we're talking sixes and and i agree with with you john if if like a six coming to us wouldn't would be asked to do slightly different things now though under ang and so on and any other club but um we're talking about a creative six right like we want a high energy creative passer in the six It's like that's three different things if you're thinking in the usual ways of football formations.
14:54So it just doesn't really work. The numbers are good when you're just talking. So you quickly understand and you're being concise about what you're talking about. Like in the real world, yeah, to your point, Pelinia was a destroyer for Fulham. Has gone to Bayern and been asked to do something else. and maybe that hasn't worked out or he's not going on with people there or whatever. Let's not say he couldn't come to us do a lot of the good stuff we liked at Fulham but also be much more of a part and build up. You're looking at stats and all the stats nonsense are, you know, and I'm... You're one of them, yeah.
15:24You'll both look at me now and go, you're one of them, yeah. We'll look at stats but a lot of that is contextual to how they've been asked to play and they're only performing on the basis of that. So, yeah, for sure. I love the guy. I think he's a don. I think if there's a chance for us let's get him in. yeah for sure just to expand on what mark's saying there but i think that's exactly right like if you're if you're looking at like the word is he a good six it's like well it depends what type of six that you want if in bayern's team you've always got the fucking ball right 99 of most games you've got the ball so your six how much destroy is more like exactly you're better of playing like pierlo there and just going just find passes just fucking ping balls do what you want because you don't have to protect the back four because you've got the ball whereas if you're looking at for like for our side where we want to maybe potentially play with like high fullbacks and high attacking and we want to be able to have a little bit of protection um in front of our back four and also Romero likes to come forward with the ball and plays out from the back and someone that can just give a bit of cover there then the passing becomes less important and someone who can get the ball back becomes massively important to us you know how much passing are you doing if you have the ball fucking nothing so we need to be able to have someone that can do that and at the moment i don't feel like we have like like i said before right you can have a lot of players who could play six quote unquote play six what we don't have is someone who can play six and destroy people and get the ball and is physically aggressive and dominant i think that would be quite nice i think that would complement what we already have because we actually do have some like decent players in the in the team who can find some passes and we're obviously looking at players like Morgan Gibbs-White, who are good passers of the football.
17:03So you don't need... I mean, look, there's Rodri, basically, who can do all the stuff that Mark described to a high, high level in world football. Because there just aren't that many, and if there were, everyone would be trying to buy them. So you do have to complement that with a few different players. So I'm all for it, and like you said, Flav, get them on loan for a season with an option. Lovely stuff. Get them in, boy. Yeah, and then you remember when he was supposed to be going to Bayern Munich, it was Tuchel that was in charge of them. and he's a too cool player. So, yeah, I wouldn't hate it at all.
17:34I think that all would work quite well. NoSheepherder7257, he says, with some exciting young talent coming through and new signings like Kudus and Tell, what specific player development milestones or squad cohesion improvements will be crucial in 25-26 to indicate that Thomas Frank is not just managing existing talent, but actively building a cohesive, progressive squad capable of competing at the highest level for years to come rather than simply replying on individual brilliance. What?
18:11This guy got the wrong podcast. What the fuck do you want from us?
18:18I don't even know how you would ask. It's Friday afternoon, brother. What's the question? What do you want us to say? Just give me a fucking mic, man. I think, I mean, I'll have a go. I'll have a go at it. Go on. I think there will be opportunities to see player progression through the season based on how well generally the team are playing. For the same reason you can't necessarily dismiss Tell's potential because of some of the performance we saw last year and how at times ineffective he was because the wider system was failing around him and around all the players. and because of the circumstance it was impossible to see, with a cohesive unit that's sort of solid and working together and a group of players understand what their role is and how effective they can be, based on Thomas Frank's instruction, then naturally Tell will be given an opportunity to play without the risk of us conceding needless goals and the mood changing around him.
19:22So I think it'd be less about whether or not we can see Thomas Frank physically or actually having an immediate impact on the individual player rather it'll be a it will be a slow build and general eventual understanding that these players are improving I think anyone want to add more or have I nailed it have I fucking knocked it out the part you did you did nail it I guess all I'd say is is like yours I guess see specific improvements in numbers as well, right? Like players like Tell, there's like a lot of, I think we can all see there's something there if his output is just like double figures goals, double figures assist you can tell that he's playing better Let me ask you a question, John, just based on exactly what you're saying, Humin Son, if he's replacing him on the left hand side he had a combined 16 goals and assists in the league last season which was a joint heist with James Madison he'd need to put up 16 goals and assists next season for it to be a success at 19 slash 20 years old that's a big ask but if you can and his talent should allow and the amount of money that's been invested in him 16 goals and assists like next season would be a good mark perometer of success well that would answer both those points wouldn't it it would be one tell actually performing really well so it would show improvement from frank but it would also illustrate that the team is performing pretty well right you're putting attacking players in good positions in good positions consistently that would indicate hopefully that the team were performing pretty well as well so yeah and i think that's that's a good point i think um i think that's a good barometer for frank's success with us as well and i i definitely expect him to to oh maybe succeed is like a little bit too bold but i i expect him to expect to see better performances from these kind of players um i think he will go in wanting to work closer with the younger talent that's his background right he came through youth coaching he's very much a like a people person and you know believes strongly in values and all that kind of stuff and will work directly with people would be very personal and very direct um and way more engaged directly with ang even though everyone had and i'm not slagging off ang but as much as he was great at getting a group up it was always uh like a space between him and the individuals and everyone that former players that you speak that you've heard we've heard from have said that even though he was great a great motivator and everyone wanted to run through walls for him and lots of stuff you can never really get close to him right and and frank is the opposite and for younger players that will be invaluable that this this is a guy who you're whatsapping them on a sunday or if they have a kid he'll be the first to to send them a message and oh you know well done and like he'll always be be kind of generous with his life advice.
22:23So I think a lot of our younger players, is my point, very long-windedly made, will value that. And maybe on the flip side, our more established kind of bit older and potentially even our Romeros and so on might not get as much from him as what we'll see from sort of those younger players. So, yeah. Before the season even kicks off, soccer fans are already making predictions. Who wins the league? Who qualifies for Europe? And who's lifting the trophy at season's end? On Calci, America's number one prediction market platform. You're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house.
22:59And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. For a limited time, download the Calci app and use code CUP26 to get $10 when you trade$10. K-A-L-S-H-I. Calci. Trade the beautiful game. 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see calsheet.com slash regulatory. Propel Fitness Water with Gatorade electrolytes, zero sugar, and vitamins. Propel hydrates better than water to help you get the most out of your workout and get back to your best self.
23:34What propels you? Propel with Gatorade electrolytes. This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, But Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required, compatibility and availability varies 18+. Well, I remember you've got Cochrane there as well, Justin Cochrane, who has a track record of developing young players.
24:09It's not just Thomas Frank. it's the team that he's brought out with from Brentford and the fact that Cochran's here is they you know Brentford would have made him the manager of Brentford if he hadn't come over with Frank but we know that to be the fact and he's lost he's left sort of prominent positions I think he was at Man United in terms of player development for a stage so we've got someone who is probably top of his field in the UK full of energy at only 43 and really can kind of elevate his position at Tottenham by developing players like Mattis Tell and when when there was this idea that we weren't potentially going to buy Mattis Tell and maybe send him back some people weren't impressed with what last season I was really disheartened I really thought there was a really good opportunity to to buy and develop one of the best talents in Europe and for his age I've said this before but for 19 years old to be as even sparingly influential is rare it's rare I know people might compare him to other players that came through, like Saka was playing at 19 and Foden was playing at 19.
25:15I get it. I'm not saying that there aren't 19-year-olds who have been consistently good in the Premier League, but they are generally elite footballers, certainly the ones you notice. So if we've got one of those, we may well do have, then it's good that we've got the opportunity now to see it come to fruition. RubikQPC, he says, do you worry the expectations are too high for frank i feel like unless we're consistently winning games in the league that that will start to hear people shouting frank out even if we went back to having a half decent season like andrew's first where we finished just outside the champion league qualification and no trophy will everyone everyone be satisfied i have a feeling this trophy has already poisoned some of our fan base to expect that we'll win a trophy every year obviously i want us to compete on all grounds and win things regularly but it's hard to believe we will start winning trophies every year after the drought we've all suffered through.
26:13Do you think there's a risk, John, in this season that if Frank doesn't start well or things don't go exactly how people want him to and we're not challenging for Champions League places, would there be an appetite in the fan base to get rid of him early doors? it's interesting isn't it because like my perspective is and my perception is that actually is the opposite which is that the pressure's off a little bit because one we've won that trophy so there isn't this spurs are going to win a trophy thing immediately when he's only just joined the club right that's gone so we don't have to worry about that so much we also had a fucking stinking league season so assuming that frank doesn't drag us down to the championship that will be an improvement and I expect him to do so so I haven't seen this like feeling of oh he needs to win a trophy and like I expect us I personally just have not seen that so yeah I can't really say that that's been something that's been in the front of my mind I've kind of looked at it it feels to me like it's almost like there's more excitement building of now people are getting to know Frank a little bit and starting to learn a bit more about what he wants to do and how he wants to work and we're seeing players like Vuscovic coming in just doing ridiculous things in friendlies it's that pre-season buzz and excitement now maybe that's just my own kind of optimistic view that I'm projecting on what I'm seeing I completely accept that but that's what it feels like to me the only disappointment I've got is that we're not we're doing what we always do which is we're not signing players quickly enough but there is clearly work being done there and the signing that we have made in Kudus I'm very pleased with so I'm not seeing that and I don't know you boys tell me if I'm wrong but I've not seen that feeling of oh we should be winning and if he doesn't do it he's gone I haven't seen that.
28:00No I think it's a fair point from the commenter though in that we do have a fan base that can be quite fragile and reactive but I think he'll be given there's being reactive and then there's and what I would say is actually what you read online is a small percentage of what the actual fan base feel. And if you're getting irritated by people online, then spend less time on it. That's what I do anyway.
28:34Just interestingly, I was talking to James Alcott about Kudus, who obviously has no interest in Tottenham really other than knowing me. And he said he thinks that signing is sensational. he thinks it's so much better than it's been given credit for and it's sort of flown under the radar to some degree and he thinks he will be absolutely sensational at Tottenham next season so that was good to hear yeah I like that, thanks James yeah yeah
29:06just quickly it's a good time to remind you that Fighting Cock is backed by NordVPN and this week I don't think it's ever been more important to have a VPN. And if you haven't got one already, then you probably will need one because most of you, I'm sure by now you dirty little pigs, have noticed that when you go on certain websites on the internet, the ones we all visit regularly, probably more than any other, I don't mean Google, you need now to put in your photo ID, i.e. your driver's license to get into these websites unless you have a VPN. Because this law doesn't exist in all countries. It exists in the UK.
29:45There are other countries on Earth that need ID. And, you know, I don't have anything wrong with it. You know, you're preventing young people who perhaps shouldn't be seeing the sort of stuff that there is on these websites. But as a grown man and woman, or women, woman, you probably feel a little bit iffy about putting your fucking driver's license into Pornhub. so if you have NordVPN along with the many other benefits you get of having it you can get around these uh ID locks and so if you want to do that and support the podcast that would be a wonderful thing and I'll give you the URL right now because I've lost it there we go uh nordvpn.com forward slash the fighting cock and if you sign up now to a two-year plan you get four months free and it's not very expensive about the cost of a pint something like that so yeah I use mine absolutely fucking loads in Greece when we come out like after the day at the pool go back to the hotel you know when you're on your bed with some like Lay's crisps and some like you don't always want to watch the BBC World Service no I just what I want to do is get my iPad out I've got NordVPN set it to like the UK and I'm just watching Olivia Atwood's like new documentaries about fucking don't mention that mate it was mental I fucking hate her.
31:03Do you? I don't mind her. I would border along saying I despise her, John. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Why? Because she perpetuates everything that's wrong with the modern society. But is she perpetuating it? Or is she just reporting on it and going, this is something that people do? I also partake in it a bit myself. So I'm showing you how it is. Are you trying to censor Olivia Atwood? Absolutely. A journalist, that is Olivia Atwood. Journalist, yeah. Who is Olivia Atwood? Sorry. Former Love Islander. Slash journalist. Now she's a journalist. Slash journalist. But basically what she does is like ITV fodder of like, ITVB and ITV2 fodder of like, her shows are basically like people that do cosmetic stuff.
31:49So it'd be like one week it'll be skin and it'll be people that go get the tans done or have like some sort of colouring put in their pigment. Next week it'll be like boobs and it'll be like boob jobs and different types of boob jobs and it's basically talking to people that are getting that shit done. It's one of those shows that like you just throw on in the background to rot your brain. I just think her, I think she's extremely damaging to young women and anybody who has body issues, body conscious. I do. And the worst part of it for me, do you remember Bradley Dack? Is that name ring a bell?
32:23Blackman? Was it Blackman? Yeah, it's sensational talent at one point during his career but crippled by injuries. um so she goes out with him he's lying on the on the bed and he's she's like well i don't have a stomach so i don't think you should and he's looking at her and going you're a fucking idiot i'm gonna do what i want but is that right is that like mark does your wife go to you can you do you know it's fucking i don't want to go out with a little danish weeble anymore skinny but fat yeah legs like matchsticks can i just apologize right because i take every opportunity for always bullying me yeah yeah i am i do do that and i'm sorry yeah and and what i will say you fucking you this second pod in a row where you've done the same thing you're just doing now so it doesn't fucking mean no no i apologize i'm like me up first and then you apologize i know no i'm gonna apologize i'm gonna apologize to you firstly first and i mean this mark Mark, I am sorry for body shaming you, for making light of your Nordic heritage, because it's ridiculous.
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33:25I mean, you just don't look like you should be from Denmark at all. I don't think you are. I think you're a liar, actually. But I just want to apologize to you, Mark, because, and I'll give you a compliment. You are the best dressed man I've ever met. And I'm not joking now. You and Flonius Filth, superb. and you John you dress well but there's something about this weird little Norwegian man that really sets himself apart just just just the thing is it's good this has evolved how many times how many years have we known each other now you've evolved with the bullying but what I've found is that what I've found is that you can't really be racist sexist or homophobic anymore for good reason but you can still attack the Danish can slack off and the other nords yeah no one cares about the other nords they're about as white tall and good looking as you can get most white people yeah i say the only thing with me is i'm you know i don't look nordic do i so i i guess i look brummy you know in other countries i would be that's not nice i was gonna go for like scottish or something there's no gingers in Birmingham is there nah you're right I'll just apologise that's all I want you to do yeah no that's good apology accepted don't worry cheers mate nobet9171 says do you think that kid thought it was a doggy shagging all the staff at half time that kid they've now quote unquote made up haven't they because he came in and he got his name right he knew his name yeah it was actually kind of very well handled in the end by Jed Spence because I saw he was getting a lot of stick people going oh he's just a little kid did you think he should have got a stick John no absolutely fucking not one forget the whole like stereotype of like the you know racial profiling of oh we all look the same forget that for a minute right just common decency you should know who I am if you want something from me right and he wanted a signature to not just be like oh I don't know who you are is you're well within your rights to be like get fucked I don't think I think these days we're so sensitive over like oh but he's a kid oh fucking hell like I used to get like told off and bollocks by strangers in the street for doing stuff nowadays it's like even if the kids are doing something mental they're not even allowed to be like sort of I mean you didn't even tell him off he was just like no and then just drove off laughing just drove off yeah yeah it was fine but I do like the fact that he saw the comedy in it and completely was prepared when the kid then was like oh sorry not spent he was then very engaging right which is what which is the perfect way to handle the situation just made his point completely passively and then, you know, made amends and made it good.
36:10And then there's a perfect lesson for the kid. Like, don't fucking get that wrong. It's pretty offensive. He didn't even call him U-doggy. He called him Un-doggy. Un-doggy. Yeah, I thought it was fun. Which is like when you're doing doggy with your missus and then you pull out. That's Un-doggy. I mean, you're Un-doggy. Un-doggy. When I was that kid's age, we would play Nutmeg Rush with a tennis ball. So there'd be like 15 lads in a small square. and the point would be to get the tennis ball through the legs of another person who's playing the game. If you get it through, the other 14 people kick the shit out of the other person for 10 seconds.
36:47And that was when boys we grew up hard then. Right? This little kid get dug out a little bit and I know Jed Spence, you're a wanker, you've offended a little kid. Fuck off, mate. We used to, we used to listen, I used to listen to a lot of like, um, East coast rap back in the early nineties. And, um, and we had a little, it didn't last that long, but it was a short phase of in the friendship group, like school, we'd, we'd like jump people. Cause that's what we heard that they did in the gangs and like, and the U S. So whenever there was like someone that we were like, Oh yeah, you want to, you want to come hang with us?
37:24It wasn't like full on, but we do, you know, when like you'd hit someone on the shoulder, you'd jump. So people in Denmark were jumping people in. To be in your gang, you had to get beaten up by the rest of the gang. In our little gang thing. We'd go out and we'd tag things with graffiti and shit. Nice. What was your tag name? A couple of little shits. Ketz. K-E-T-Z. Nice. Beautiful. I made that Z go all the way up. Where are we? With all the talk about depth, how do you think the team should approach rotation with Champions League and Premier League this season? It seems like expecting players to play in two very high-level competitions each week is a recipe for disaster.
38:08Just to make sure this one makes it in the pod, something something about soapy tits. There you go. Well, it's in, and I didn't even know that bit. So I think a good way to discuss this is about Kulusevsky, and if he was fit at the start of the season, does he play in that first game? and if he doesn't play that first game, does that mean he won't get as many minutes as Madison? Mark? Low energy, unfocused, foggy. You might be dehydrated. Gatorade Zero Powders have been scientifically designed to help improve hydration balance in the body. With a clinically proven electrolyte blend and no artificial colours or flavours.
38:51Great tasting hydration, no matter where you're going. Shop now online or at retailers nationwide. Gatorade hydrates better than water. Is it in you? Symptoms noted are signs of mild to moderate dehydration. Consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist. This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it.
39:23Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required compatibility and availability varies 18+. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Listening to this podcast instead of doom scrolling? Smart move. Another smart move? Getting help from one of State Farm's 19 ,000 local agents when you choose to bundle home and auto. Bundling. Just another way to save with the personal price plan. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings And eligibility vary by state I think they both fit I think Madison would be first choice I think that's probably right On the whole, he's a better player I know we sometimes give our own players a rough ride Yeah, we do I think he is But it's important in our new season, next season To have rotation And Gibbs-White is a really strong rotation piece for Madison and Madison, let's be honest, is going to have an injury.
40:25So if Gibbs White happens, he's almost guaranteed first two minutes in starting positions. So yeah, I think that's kind of where that is. I think Gibbs White as well, though, has more. Madison, you kind of only has to play that attacking midfield role. You wouldn't really want him in as part of the pivot in Frank's system. so whereas I think Gibbs White probably has a few more sort of strengths to his bow in that sense yeah I forgot the other part of the question sorry well I'm saying because the question was about squad depth and rotation and obviously not everyone can play Champions League Premier League using the example of how the fact that Kulishevsky despite how good he has been for many years and there were times at the beginning of last season he was just brilliant he's the only player that we relied on him we couldn't do about him.
41:19The point is that maybe he doesn't make our first 11, but I guarantee that he will play as many minutes as James Madison does next season. So it isn't about a first 11, it's about a squad. Again, yeah. Yeah, that has to be, I think I made this point in the last podcast. It's not, we have to get away from this obsession with first 11 and like starters. We have to talk about 16, 18 players instead because that's the squad we'll be playing on a match day. Gone are the days where you play 11 players for 90 or 88 minutes or whatever. Like you make subs. And, you know, most Premier League games now, managers will make, if they have a good fit-ish bench, they'll make five subs.
42:00So you're going to have players play for the first team week in and week out, but they might not start. But, you know, it doesn't mean that they're not in that 18-player rotation. I think that's how we have to look at it. because for the really key roles and Madison's role is key, possibly slightly less so in Frank's set up than Andrew's, but we have to have a backup for him. We don't have someone else like Madison in this team. Yeah, I agree with that. And I think that is one of the reasons when we were linked with Morgan Gibbs-White, people were like, where's he going to play? I'm like, well, him and Madison will rotate.
42:40Like across those games and injuries, like he'll get enough there. Morgan Gibbs-White can also play in other positions, as Mark said. For me, the Kuliseski thing, I'm like, it's him and Kuliseski on the right, and then Johnson, those three, they're vying for minutes from the right. I think Kuliseski can play on the left as well, which gives you another option, and he can also play as an attacking eight. I wouldn't say necessarily a 10, like a ball-carrying eight, who for all intents and purposes can be like a 10. I would prefer any of those options than Kuliseski as a 10. I'm really not a fan of him in the centre of the pitch, and I think given that what we'll probably see from the forwards they'll be closer to the box I actually think Kuliseski could really thrive from the right in this frank team but I do think that those minutes are going to be shared and I think we have to just get around this idea exactly like Mark said that there's just players who need to play I'm like no that's that's not the way it should operate if suddenly Kuliseski is putting in 10 out of 10 performances every week he'll play every week but there'll be a point when they'll have to be rotation for his his fitness level in my mind there's really only two players who will play like 90 of games if they're fit and that's Romero and Solanke that's it like everyone else can be rotated and should be rotated I was gonna say Vicario but even that now I'm looking at that I'm thinking there'll be certain games sexy little blonde thing don't you I just think I mean it's annoying because you basically what you want is Vicario and Kinski to make sweet love and have a baby because then you'd have basically the best keeper in a prem but as it stands we've got a keeper who's an amazing goalkeeper and not super gifted with his feet and one who's super gifted with his feet but makes some kind of dodgy errors so I think in certain games Frank will rotate the keepers as well so I really only think it's like Romero and Solanke they're the two that you'd be like they're going to play the vast majority everyone else is going to be rotated I think van der Ven has to be rotated because of his injuries you're going to see a little bit of rotation with um Porro and a doggy for Spence primarily but there'll be some rotation there and the midfield like there is no settled midfield in this scenario now it might be that we sign like Polina for example well he's not going to play every game because we're not going to need a destroyer in every game right so like if you go through the players you can kind of see that there's going to be some rotation and I think that's a massive positive that's one of the things that we we need if we're going to be successful this is the thing john you know you might scoff at the idea about buying paulina and it may be because he's failed at by munich because the system didn't suit him but there will be games where we play a low block away at home manchester city arsenal liverpool there will be a level of pragmatism that didn't exist last season and having a player of his skill set would be crucial.
45:30It doesn't mean that we're against Burnley at home that he might play. He might not play, but he's an option. It makes complete sense, really, to me. Anyway, the guy's username I can't pronounce. It's just numbers and letters. He says, you're a control man at a railway junction. Before you is a lever controlling the tracks. in the distance is an oncoming train arriving but it appears to be out of control you cannot stop the train but you can divert it to the left track or to the right track but what's this on the left track bound and unable to escape is not an forest owner marianakis as well as five innocent children who appear to have been rescued from a cancer ward does that mean surely five innocent children's enough you don't need to add that um you gasp as you realize you're stuck in a horrible twisted philosophy problem you turn to the right side dreading to see what wicked test of fate has placed on the other side and you see that the track is completely open what do you do so it's marianakis and the five kids or just let the train go to the left and everyone lives.
46:49Is there any word on how sick the kids are? It's like, if they're from a cancer ward, are they on the way out?
47:01Is that why it was so easy to just lift five from a cancer ward? I just don't want to discuss this. Just because I get you. That is what you just said is really funny, Mark. But I'm just conscious of people listening to this might be in a similar situation and i don't want to take the moral high ground here oh god so the kids are tied to a railway line i don't know if that's that kind of that's a bit far isn't it it's a little bit um well how about this then if let's forget the uh the big c let's just say five kids right and maranakis i think that we've got you've got to think broader than this right the train is a runaway train and we're just one part of the network system right if we're to let that train go is still a runaway train and eventually it's going to hit the end of the line the end of the line is a train station probably yeah and there could be any number of staff there right getting caught up yeah plus we don't know how many passengers are on the train so if you if you if you let the train go and hit maranacas and the kids it's five with six people plus everyone on the train if you let it go it's going to hit a station so the station is likely to have more than six people.
48:10It's the same amount of people on the train, but your impact of damage is much higher potentially. So we want to cause the least amount of pain. And everyone on that track is ill. Everyone is ill on that track. Yeah. Right. Because Maranacus, he's got 48 months tops. Yeah. Maximum. Yeah, maximum. He's got one foot in the grave already. I mean, there is an alternative theory where it just stops when it hits Maranacus. That's quite possible. Possibly. I like those odds I do like those so if you put in before the kids hey yeah whoever sent that in to a fucking sick individual let me just say that yep I mean this is a refined podcast where we talk about serious things that is do you know I was thinking about the worst things that everyone said to us I can't remember the context but it oh man And it was something along the lines of, what's worse, Daniel Levy or having six dying babies sellotaped to your body forever.
49:21That was, I think, the worst thing that someone's ever sent in to the Fighting Court podcast. And I thought we were past that, but I completely unsolicited just brought it up again. All right, let's just move on. The public's Illuminati. The palette cleanser. With Newcastle and Villa remaining somewhat stagnant and missing out on top targets this window, would it be a disappointment if we didn't finish above them this season? I personally think they crash and burn. Newcastle in 40th by Christmas having lost Isak and Villa finished 9th or lower. Just that. That Isak. And Alanga. Alanga's a good sign.
49:59I have no issue with Alanga. Yeah. Newcastle still even without Isak they still have a really good side midfield Joe Linton Ghiramesh Tonali front line Ramsey
50:15they need to buy number 9 I don't know where they're going to find one they need one desperately I wouldn't be surprised if Spurs finish above Villa and Newcastle this season though would you? I mean that would mean we'd be free Sixth. Sixth? Bookies have a seventh at the moment. That's probably about right, isn't it? That's pretty fair. That's fair, yeah, yeah. I don't hate that. I think we're about to finish last seventh. I think I'm putting my dick out here. I'm saying fifth. Shoes. I could see it. I could see fifth to seventh. Is that Champions League this year? Fifth? Don't know. Would you rather finish in the Champions League fifth or finish in the Europa League knowing we could probably win it again?
51:00As a fan, you want the Europa League. I think you want the Europa League. I think as well, I think we're more ready for that. I'm still fucking singing that. I sang it to the missus and recorded myself for the day. It's perfect. But I still wake up in the morning without even realising. It's fucking great. Yeah, I think we want the Europa League. I think also like Champions League is going to be tough. I think we'll and I think we'll struggle in that this year if I'm totally honest with you and I think that's fine we're just you know Europa League like yeah brilliant this new format is like bang up our street I think it depends well I think if we have this brilliant journey in the Champions League and we get I don't know quarter finals right and we get fucking smashed to bits by someone but we've had this like really fun like loads of mad games and we really enjoyed it and it's the bigger games and we kind of get the bug for it and there's, I don't know, 10 games left of the season, you'd be thinking, I want to do that again.
52:04Like, I want to get involved in that again. I think it's easy to forget how fun those Champions League runs were that we've had previously. I think we might get addicted to being back in there. That being said, I think now we've experienced winning Europa, it doesn't suddenly seem as bad a consolation as I think it has in the past. Ergo, it's a fucking win-win, lads. Like, either you're in the top-tier competition and you're giving it a crack or you're in a competition that we can realistically win and we've already won it and we know how fucking brilliant it is. So yeah, I don't care. Just either is great.
52:35Well, finally having like four major European trophies and Arsenal having none. Yeah. It's been really good. On Twitter, Javi Fuego said, do we need to send John Bass to Nottingham to fight Maranakis for a right to sign Gibbs White? Do you think, John, if we sent you to Nottingham to fight him and he agreed to fight you, how confident are you do you think you could beat him in a fight? Yeah. And if you had to murder him for Gibbs White, do you think you'd be able to do it? Okay, so let's fight him wise. How old is he? He's got to be in his 50s, isn't he? I think he's like 32. He must be. Stone.
53:14No. Stone. So I think he must be... Right. Fucking hell, he's 57, right? So I'm 39. So I'm not, you know, I'm not young, but I've got a good age advantage there. I'm not sure how tall he is. He looks quite tall. He absolutely is fantastic for 57. I've got to say, I know he's like a great big blob. Yeah, he looks good. But his face, I would say he looks like late, from being super kind, early 40s. When I said 50, I was like, maybe he's like 45 because, yeah, he doesn't look old. No, he doesn't look old. That's all that fucking gorgeous, beautiful fucking food they have over there. Yeah, isn't it?
53:54Big food, yeah. halloumi just halloumi i was gonna say something that's fat shamey so i'm not gonna say that no you're right it's definitely the greek food yeah yeah don't mark i've really tried to lose the weight so just leave it alone um yeah i think i'd smash him to bits in a fight one um yeah younger i probably taller he has got a weight advantage but i'm also english so i think that does give me a like quite a big advantage um and obviously now we've seen you sick wearing that stone island jacket as he's walking that'd be me so it's basically impossible for him to win in terms of murdering him could you murder could you end his life um let me add something to this so you wouldn't be arrested right it'd be like it would be a pre-agreed fight to the death for gibbs white signature but you would have to deal with the eye you know the fallout to knowing that you've murder the man i don't i don't think as well you don't use your hands you'd see the light the life drain away from his eyes yeah you'd have to deal with that is gibbs white worth it i don't think it is in in in all honesty right because i kind of feel like you're right you would live with that and maybe look maybe there's some maybe there's some upside where it's like oh here he comes the maranakis murderer you know people think i'm a right lad because i've just like murder this annoying bloke but in in real terms you have just murdered a man he's probably got kids and stuff so like i mean i guess what i would do is probably you know tie him up maybe with like five kids like find a train line and then just you know just let a runaway train head towards him and you know see what the conductor does and go from there hope for the best yeah no I yeah I think you're right what I'd be I'd be curious to know boys and we're moving to the end of this this podcast if given our squad as it stands currently without the signing of Gibbs White you have to do a first 11 in a 4-2-3-1 let's all let's build our first 11 for the first game against Burnley so Vicaria we go the back line pick itself yeah Poro Romero Spence
56:16it would be a doggy but I feel like Spence will get plenty of minutes and I do prefer him as a left back if I'm honest based on what I saw last season I'll have to agree with you but yeah we all agree that that will be their back line so are we saying a double pivot with a 10. Yeah. Yeah. In the interests of this conversation. Yeah. Is it Basuma and Bentancourt or is it Bereval and Bentancourt or is it Saar, Bereval? What is it? If Madison's a 10, I think we'd agree with that. Yeah. Yeah. What would you do, John? What would you do, Mark? Yeah. Honestly, I just, it should be Basuma, but I just don't trust him.
57:05I think mine is probably Benton Korsar. It's probably the boring choice, but I think you get a bit of everything there. I think those two complement each other well. But yeah, I mean, it should be Bersuma and Benton Korsar. It's criminal of someone with Bersuma's ceiling. He is not... In our midfield, outside of Madison, and he should be first choice on that pitch, but he just isn't. He's just too inconsistent, too flaky. So yeah, for me, it's a technical side. Do we think, and Mark, maybe you'd be good to answer this, do we think that maybe Bissouma is likely to have a resurgence under Frank, given that when he was at Brighton and it was much more a system that was kind of accommodating of a player that doesn't need to, like with Ange basically playing as that six, you had to be perfect in order to look good in that position and so even as good a player as he is if he ever switched off he didn't look good when he changed the system a little bit and didn't make that one position so crucial and made it more of a pivot basuma was fucking excellent in that europa running like granted against dog muck is there a world where actually he looks fucking great again and it's basuma like from brighton times that we've got and suddenly basuma benzacore is fucking great as a pivot because you do have everything there.
58:27I hadn't actually thought about that until the second, but I could actually see that happening. What do you think? Yeah, I think that's a fair assumption. And you're right to pull out the Europa League example because obviously we changed our tactics and our approach to games. I mean, he literally and forgot that he was and past the Coglu for that run and that final and just changed everything. And that's what worked out, which is ironic. But yeah, and we're much more likely to play. We're not going to be playing conservative. We're still going to be possession-based. We're still going to be attacking.
59:03We're still going to be offensively minded and positive. Yeah, you're right. There just won't be the gaping holes in midfield that we saw under Ange because everyone has to, it's being made, being forced to commit. And so a player like Pissouma, who does sometimes leave his brain switched off slightly, will have more support. he will have someone there by him, whether that's a fullback or whether that's his partner in midfield. There's going to be more people around him. So yeah, I definitely think so. I think part of why he lets himself down sometimes is also he gets a little bit too, tries to react too much and he overcooks things or he overthinks things and that's not really him.
59:46So I think he will benefit. And actually in a way, because of the other players that will be around him, your Sars and your Benton Kors, who are quite intelligent players and have high energy, both have got incredible engines on them. I think they're perfect for him to be around. He's just not had the version of them that he needed before. If he has a resurgence for us, I think there's an incredible ceiling there. Herein lies the problem with our midfield, is that we could have this conversation for every single combination and feel like they could start. I know we're not going to do it because he hasn't signed, but if he signed, I would play Morgan Gibbs-White and Benton Kaur as your pivot.
1:00:28All right. And then what about the front line? We're going to go Matis-Tel, Solanke and Kudus. Yeah, boys. Sounds all right to you, boys. Or Odebeer? Does Odebeer start? Or here's one from left field. Kudus, Solanke and Kulusevski. Kudas everyone's like everyone's saying Kudas is going to play on the right in my head there's just as much chance that he'll play on the left last season with West Ham he played more times on the left granted some of that was in from midfield and not not attacking not in a forward position on the left but he's left footed so he could definitely do a good job out there if he goes a little bit deeper and sort of so yeah I mean like I think he'd be excellent on the left as well Well then that's an option as well Sounds good, sounds like we've got a lot of options Indeed Okay, let's do one final question here
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1:01:44I'll sell you the fucking pen boy Why don't you write us a letter Why don't you write us a letter you haven't got a pen right do you want this one shut your mouth this isn't just a pen John it's the beginning of your next idea you know that thought you had this morning that slipped away before you could capture it that doesn't happen with this pen in your pocket John boy it's reliable it flows when your thoughts do no skips no smudges no distractions you sign contracts with this pen You make deals with this pen. You write down your goals, cross them off one by one. You don't just own a pen. You own the power to leave a mark.
1:02:30John, and look, it's in your hand right now. You can imagine it. It's a comfortable grip. It's weighty enough to feel important. Light enough to forget it's there. And it's always ready to sign your next deal. Chat GP's brilliant, isn't it? Just literally, yeah. Just does everything for you. I just can't live without TapGBT anymore. In a world of fleeting texts and forgotten tweets, your signature still matters. Signs, deals, opens doors, leaves a mark. Brilliant. It is brilliant. All right, that'll do for the Fighting Court Q &A on this Friday, beautiful Friday afternoon as it is. England are absolutely filling India in.
1:03:11They've bent them over and put one straight up there, you know, just proverbial. so it's a sensational day of cricket for England if you're into cricket you'll know exactly what I'm talking about if you're not you'll be turning off already but I want to say thank you very much John thank you very much Mark and oh we've got a social if you're still listening to this and you probably have already got a ticket if you're this far in we're doing social for the Super Cup final between Tottenham Hotspur and PSG at the EV bar and to get your tickets there's still about 50 tickets left and then it's sold out so I can't put it in a link for this description because no VPN link's got to go in there but if you go on our Twitter or X if you still don't hate fucking Elon Musk enough to do that then there's a link there and you'll be able to buy a ticket alright cheers boys oops
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Who you sticking up there? How good is the signing of Kudus? Jon Bass v Marinakis - and loads more. It's the Q&A pod, anything goes.
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