PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: PART TWO

0:00On Times Radio, you'll hear intelligent discussion and expert analysis on the big stories of the day and from the politicians making the political weather. Sometimes we need to send a message that this is not acceptable. We're the voice of the Times in uncertain times. We currently hold the second most senior military position in the NATO alliance and there are question marks about whether we will be able to keep that in the future. Listen to Times Radio on DAB, Smart Speaker, online or now available in the Times Live app.

0:35Hello and welcome to the Game Football Podcast from The Times and Sunday Times. We've made it, team, from one of the most remarkable seasons to the start of a new campaign via the biggest World Cup in history. The 2026-27 Premier League season is here. Enough talk. Time for action. Well, actually, let's do a bit more talking first, shall we? On today's episode, we will complete our run of preview shows by answering all the big questions and making some bold predictions and wishes too. I'm Tom Clark and joining me for all of that, we have the Chief Football Correspondent for the Times and Sunday Times and the Football Journalist of the Year.

1:14It's Johnny Northcroft, the former footballer who played for Chelsea, Aston Villa and Marseille. It's Tony Cascarino and the former footballer turned journalist Gregor Robertson is with me as usual. Team, we're here. Gregor's got a blazer on. yeah

1:27Gregor Robertson: normally it's quite chilly in Europe no I thought you were doing it because it's the kind of formality of the season it's very American I've had 10 weeks in America and they're all like that when they do TV really smart yeah yeah plays us ties trying to get on CBS and ESPN we'll do our best you know yeah trying looking for a deadline day move you're not allowed band ESPN yeah exactly it's a worry isn't it Tony's got that about him he's looking elsewhere now we're in our big fancy studio Johnny you're back yeah so lovely to be with you again last time we were chatting you were in a Korean restaurant in Manchester It was the World Cup.

1:58Things were special. You've had a lovely break. And now you're refreshed for the new season. Ready to go again, I kind of think. Yeah, it's a long time ago, isn't it? Yeah, it is a long time ago. Yeah. Tone, nice to see you again. Yeah. Sick of the silence. That's it. Move on, Tone. Let's get stuck straight in. What are we going to do? We're going to frame this show. We're going to try and cover all the biggest questions as the Premier League season kicks off. We're going to do a couple of quickfire questions and then pick up themes and strands as we go. So I wanted to start with three quickfire questions.

2:26Just your answers. We'll go round and then we'll come back and actually just maybe see who's got the most interesting answers. So, who is going to win the Premier League? Tony Cascarino. Arsenal. Johnny? Arsenal. Gregor? Arsenal. Boring. It's going to be Man City. That's who's going to win the Premier League. Who will be the rest of the top four? Therefore, I am going to say the rest of the top four is going to be Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham. Gregor, rest of the top four?

2:54Gregor Robertson: Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester United. Manchester City. In that order? Yes. Woo-hoo-hoo! Johnny. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United. This is working out very well already. Tone? Arsenal, obviously, first. Yeah. Then I'd go City, Liverpool and Villa. Villa? Whoa. Well, I'm going to have to stop us there. I don't think I can even get to top scorer. We've already had some really bold takes in there. I don't know who's got the boldest right so I've got Tottenham fourth you've got Villa fourth Tony Greg has got Man United second I've got City outside the top four you've got City outside the top four I've got Liverpool outside the top four you've got Liverpool in the top four yep do you know what City outside the top four is borderline crackers actually Johnny I think explain it to me they've lost a guy called Pep Guardiola yeah but they've got Erling Haaland all the rest of them But he won't get the ball because Enzo Maresca will have them passing sideways and back and he'll be waiting in the box again.

4:01I'm not sure about the fit between Maresca and the squad as it's evolved. Aguariola scored from two or three years ago, yeah, but Pep had evolved towards a much more direct dynamic way of playing, getting the ball earlier to Haaland, trying to transition more quickly. And I think Enzo will try and take them back. You'll try and take them back to a much more measured positional model. And it's going to be a hangover season with no Pep. I think they'll struggle. So even with a manager who has been in the Premier League and was doing quite well with Chelsea in the Premier League at different points, and with all that, you think it is a season of transition, but it will be a difficult season of transition.

4:43Because with all the change going on, for City to be outside the top four would be pretty seismic. It would, when you think of the money that they've already spent on Anderson and likely to spend on Buada. Is that right? Buada, yeah. Buada, yeah. And look, Enzo's a good coach, but he's got a very deliberate, very ingrained style of play, which I think he will work at implementing. Yeah. I'm not sure the fans will particularly enjoy it while it's, you know, waiting to come to fruition. They've lost Rodri, Bernardo Silva. We just know from United losing Fergie from Arsenal's post-Wenger era. Yes, there was the Liverpool example of slot replacing Klopp, but I think that was a different scenario.

5:34You can't bounce back immediately from losing someone like Pep. My reasoning for picking them as title winners is partly to be a contrarian, but also because... Well, Alisson's not here. But also because I think it could be an Arnie slot at Liverpool, but with an even better squad. that I think keep it simple you've got all those brilliant players you've got players like Gay and Semenyo who had came in and had half a season there's two big players Woodway and Bernardo Silva absolutely no doubt the Rodri thing does knock it back a little bit but I've been saying it for a while so you know in this modern world of doubling down I'm going to stick with it guys what do you think about Johnny's point though Gregor, Tony about the idea that it'll be such change that City could finish fifth you've got them fifth then I assume I think I have yeah

6:17Gregor Robertson: Gregor yeah well I've got them fourth yeah I was picking between them and Liverpool and we'll come to Liverpool but I agree with Johnny Pep Guardiola is the foremost coach of our generation and it would be pretty remarkable if they kind of just smoothly rode that out as departure after a decade basically and then I think they took a big step backwards last year I mean we saw them flicker and like oh maybe they're going to you know, become consistent again and we see like a proper Manchester City team but I think they took a step backwards last year and I think over a number of years they've lost, as I've said in previous shows the serial winners they don't have that core of serial winners anymore so I think all those things combined are going to make for a bit of a choppy season Tony?

7:10Because you've got them second Yeah, look they've still got Erlen Island who will get lots of gold I like Docu I like Semenya He liked a lot of the players at City. I mean, Elliot Anderson's an interesting one coming in. Not sure about their keeper. Never have been. I thought we had an amazing year with PSG when they won the Champions League. But he hasn't got even close to that level. He started well at City, didn't he? And everyone was like, oh, this is a genius move. They've changed tactic. But maybe showed a few signs towards the end of the season that he's not quite... You know, whatever we say, you know, losing the manager of the calibre of Pep Guardiola is a hit to a football club.

7:50You know, this isn't a guy that's been sacked. This is a guy that's actually walked away. And Maresca has got a great squad still. And I still think they'll be competitive. I just, look, we can look at the Community Shield and say it's only the Community Shield. But it was a really weird performance. It didn't even look close to what City were about. And I know it's the week before the season starts and it's a competition that doesn't really give any guidance to whether anyone's going to win the league. But the way they were beaten, Arsenal were like that. Yeah, yeah. It was, wow. They've not just been beaten 1-0 or they just didn't...

8:28They didn't like a club on Arsenal. Yeah. Just to finish on City, Johnny, that idea that they've got such a strong squad, you don't think that that would be enough to lift them up in this season of a lot of change? Because we're going to talk about a lot of these other clubs. And some of the points you're making about City could be applicable to Liverpool. that could be applicable to Chelsea, who a lot of people are tipping. Kind of applicable to Manchester United, even though Carrick's not new. There's still a lot of change and they've got Champions League again. So do you think Pep is such a loss that despite the talent, the cream won't rise to the top?

9:02I do. I mean, look, the caveat is doing this exercise is dead easy to put Arsenal first. And then you're just looking at, as you say, Tom, there's so many questions about all the other ones. So yeah, you could say that others are in transition too. I just think they're making the biggest transition and just to touch on what I said before, funny as it sounds, the squad doesn't necessarily fit at this point in time, the manager. Now, we're doing this before the window. Yeah. A couple of weeks to go. They could rectify things, particularly in midfield. Yeah. But if you take Donnarumma, Enzo will want to play out.

9:38Yes. They'll be better with James Trafford. Pete Russell was making this point on Monday, yeah. Yeah, he'll want to play out. Semenyu, great player, but he needs space to run into. He needs a ball early. I don't think he's going to get that. Haaland, we saw how good he was in the World Cup playing in a team that's more focused around him. And Pep moved towards that in his time at City. But I'm not sure he'll get that kind of service in a Mureska team. So, yeah. But, you know, I think their transition from Pep's bigger than anyone else's transition. Interesting. Well, then, in terms of transition, then let's maybe bring in Liverpool then.

10:11Because you had them in your top four. I've not got them in my top four. Gregor, you've just not got them in your top four. Tony, have you got them? Yeah, I said that. You've got them third, yeah? Yeah. So why do you think what Iriola's got is not as tough? Because I think he's actually got the toughest job. As we sit here now, and maybe they might make a big signing, they might bring in Nabarco or someone like that. But as we sit here now, I actually think his job is the toughest of all of the kind of big new managerial changes. Why do you think you've got them third at the minute? I've got them third.

10:44look you could swap Man City and them of course you could it's so hard to know they've got structural problems the midfield's not quite right it's hard to see who who defends in midfield against transitions my reasoning would be I'm and I think this is Liverpool's club reasoning I'm sticking with the bet that they made on Isak but they've got to come good they are the replacement for Salah it didn't work last season partially because of Isak's injuries. But I do think that the sort of knack that Arreola's had for getting a lot out of players at the top of the pitch, you know, lesser players, he should be able to do a lot more with Isak.

11:28But the only caveat to that is, can either of them press in the way that he's going to want to? Probably not. So he's going to have to do something a little bit different. But I trust he's a brilliant manager at Arreola. and I trust that that bet on those two talents will pay off this season. Gregor, not in your top four.

11:48Gregor Robertson: No. Why? They won 60 points last year. They snuck it in the Champions League in fifth place. They were a long way short and they've not done a great deal. Jeremy Jackey, he was signed in January, is coming after injury and looks like he might have to play at the weekend. had a really good a really good game in the last pre-season friendly Munoz on the wing but I think he's more on the left wing they've got a big hole on the right not really sure Ingemo is maybe going to have to play on the right they brought in Araujo from Barcelona because centre half was a big issue last season and even more so now Canati's left even if he was a bit of a car crash for some of the last season and Araujo's been someone who yeah he's played a high line with Barca in the flick but But he's had a bit of an up and down time as well.

12:39Getting him on a loan from Barcelona

12:42Gregor Robertson: is a bit of an odd one, really. Yeah, could be a few red cards. Well, yeah. And I've still got a big question marks about their full-backs. I know Kerk has played for Arayola at Bournemouth, but he didn't have a great game last year. Frimpong on the right, defensively, not sure. Connor Bradley can't stay fit. There's big holes. The midfield's, again, like Gravenberch, you could see fitting in being somewhere who's a, you know, Uriola's someone who's often turned people into midfielders who you maybe thought wouldn't be. That kind of happened with Gravenberts already. And, you know, you can play like as a number eight when really you're a bit more of an attacker as long as you're willing to do the other side of the game.

13:21Gregor Robertson: I just don't see enough players with a profile that will meet his demands. And then there's the step up for Uriola. Like, he's a really nice guy. He's coming from Little Bournemouth kind of family club and, you know, a team around them that's such a family ethos to managing Liverpool one of the biggest clubs on the planet in a difficult time I would be surprised if they made the top four Tony you've got faith in Andoni or Aiola is that right? Yeah well you know I have I've spoken about him a lot just on the closing down and pressing and playing at high tempo he positions his players already at the start of that so they're not running big distances to get there he puts his players high up I saw that with Bournemouth on numerous occasions.

14:05The one thing I'd straight away was like, he's setting his stamp literally on the team to go, you're in there, you're ready there. You're not going to be suddenly, oh, it's there, I'll get there. His players will already be there. Munoz is an interesting one because I've seen him play central midfield and he's got legs. He can get around. We've not even mentioned Sir Bosley, who was easily Liverpool's best player last year. So I'm a lot more optimistic than, you know, it will be tricky. Do I think they'll win the league or challenge for the league? No, I don't. I don't think. But I think they're well capable.

14:39Last season was an incredible drop-off by Liverpool. And the right side is an issue of the team. It definitely is. You know, Conor Bradley, Salah, that has come at a problem. But I still think there's, the two reasons Liverpool go really well is going to be the two of his big signings. Now, Wurz and Izak cannot be injured all year or indifferent. And I'm more interested about Wurz than Izak because we know what he can do. Wurz to me got total, I thought he got way too flicky. Too many flicks all the time when he was playing. Needs purpose. Well, play, but he is technically very gifted. Yeah. But to keep flicking the ball and when you lose it, it's a cavalry charge to get back.

15:21Yeah. He can't do that in Endoli, Areola's team. Yeah. Because that will cost him dearly. Yeah, really interesting. Johnny, I'm going to let you choose where we go next. Which is the bigger shout? Tony saying Aston Villa are still going to get in the top four or Gregor saying Man United are going to finish second? Nah, it's got to be Villa. Really? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I almost had United second as well. Interesting. Tony, so you've got faith in Unai Emery? No, I said I was concerned a couple of weeks ago and I said I want to see when you get to the end of the window where Villa are or when we're getting closer to it.

15:50But I do think he's such an exceptional coach that when I see his teams and the way that they could lose Oli Watkins, he could be gone. Konza's on his way. They're going to buy him. Villa are going to go in again. They're going to go and buy him. Whether it's Nicholas Jackson comes to the football club and is he better than a lot of people wouldn't say. He's better than Oli Watkins. But he plays what he wants to do. He loves a runner. He wants to stretch teams all the time. And I'll touch on another player a bit later because we're talking about a player that's going to excite you. I think Villa are a side that don't give that much away Interesting Man United second then Gregor That's a hell of a shout I'm sorry Man United I think they could be great And I'm really excited to see them But my justification for the rest of it by the way Just very quickly on mine Is that it'll be City and Arsenal again at the top And then there'll be chaos below And that we'll be three weeks out And it could be any of them And I think Chelsea and Tottenham With no European football Will sneak in with the tiredness etc etc

16:50Gregor Robertson: Big thing and obviously Manchester United do have Champions League football again. The return is going to be a big challenge. I think you just look at the evidence of what occurred under Michael Carrick almost immediately once he got the job and how many points they collected. They were one of the best teams in the country. There are players that have to stay fit. I think they'll do more business. I think Telemans is a great signing. I think he'll fit in brilliantly. Santos not entirely sure about and it was a very peculiar fee yeah Baleba Baleba Tony and I were speaking about beforehand like I think he's exciting he's so dynamic and athletic and he's technically good as well he's just had a really indifferent certainly last season but even the season before he was inconsistent but there's a force of nature there in that player and they obviously believe that he's someone who can produce it on a more consistent basis so yeah they could do with a striker maybe another seven and a half but I don't know actually part of it is the same reason that I'm just tapping in Arsenal for the title I look at everyone else and I feel they're this is a peculiar thing to say about Manchester United after the last decade I feel they're a bit more tranquil than the rest I feel like they're a bit more steady and there's composure there now I was trying to list pluses and minuses of each of these teams and stability was the first thing I put beside United because I haven't had that.

18:22And I was thinking about then second, and it's only the question mark of going into the Champions League. Carrick hasn't done that. The squad is still being built and that's stretching them. But they've got a lot. They've got a lot at the top of the pitch now. Marcus Rashford's back. Now, Rashford's one of the most dangerous players in the world. He's not one of the most consistent players in the world, but he's electric. Let's not forget how good he was in flashes. for Barcelona, for Aston Villa, for England, outside of that United context, and before the slumpy at it, United, he could be a great asset.

18:57They do need another striker. I'd agree with that. Long term, I think the defence needs surgery. I kind of like the logic of, you know, they spent last summer, let's sort out the top of the pitch. Now let's do the midfield, and I'd expect next summer they'll do the defence. there's a sort of there's a plan and there's a logic they could do with spending more money of course but as you say the way they finished under Carrick was they were the second best team in the country for that period probably interesting why not do it again Town or Man United well I feel you could put a blanket over about five or six games that you'd go which one actually edge out there was a lot to like about United most you know Kunja settled in and Bumo gets goals Sesco can he play more for United this year?

19:48I would hope so. I think it could be actually a really good striker. And it looked like he started to settle in at times. So there were some really good things about United. And just on the believable one, me and Greg were sat watching him. This was a Brighton against Ipswich a number of, probably 82 years ago. We're both chatting. And like Greg has said, you know, it's that force that he plays with. It's how reckless he'll be because sometimes he loses the ball and ego's flying in and you're thinking you can't you can't yeah Johnny just to wrap us up then thoughts on Chelsea and Tottenham from you they're two clubs we've discussed a lot amongst ourselves before you I've got them in there Alisson's got Chelsea challenging for the title yeah a lot of people quite excited about Tottenham and Roberto De Zerbe particularly news today that Paul Hurst reporting they're going for Marmouche and Savinho potentially yeah thoughts on Chelsea and Tottenham from you I'll start quickly with Spurs I mean I think there's always a team that do a lot of business in the transfer window and everyone gets massively excited about it.

20:46Quite often it's Spurs, right? And it doesn't work out the way people think it's going to. Now, it might sound a bit harsh. I think they've made a whole, with the exception of Tonali, who I think is top class, I think they've made a whole lot of really good players, but none of them are actually fantastic players. You don't think any of the Van Hecker, Fernandes were really top, top players? No, I don't think they're players that go into the first team of other big six clubs. Tonali would. I think Savinho and Mamouche would come into the same category. De Zerbe is fantastic, but they're starting from such a low base.

21:25And it wouldn't surprise me if Spurs were actually in the top two in November. They're getting excited. They're doing what they did under Ange. But I think they might just fall away. So where do you think then for them? 17? No, I think they'll be 16. Six or seven. They'll be brilliant to watch. Chelsea, when you write down the first teams of the big sides, they've got a really talented football team there. And Xabi Alonso is a very, very talented coach. So I think the couple of questions would be, does he change formation? Does he go three? How does that work? But if you think about Rodgers, Palmer, Eschdevao with João Pedro who's possibly second best number nine in the league backed by Caicedo and if Fernandes stays will they bring someone else in I like Lacroix as a signing yeah the goalkeeper could do with improving but no European football there's a lot to say that they'll have a really good so what have you got Chelsea you've got your second really interesting

22:33Gregor Robertson: it's all about the culture of a Chelsea a lot of press on Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck isn't there The vibes have to be good. There's going to be some big, good team curry happening in this week, hasn't there? They'll have gone out bowling or something. There'll be a team that I think will get some real big results. Whether they are consistent enough to get the points where they keep you running and keep you in the title. They're a really good side or a dangerous side. I know I said this the other day, but it's all well and good bringing guys who will set the culture, but you've still got, they won't be on the pitch much.

23:07Gregor Robertson: so like we've got to remember who's still going to be on the pitch and whether they've got experience and whether they're still going to be reckless like last year and I'm still not sure but just broadly speaking the whole club that's Alon's biggest task he's always going to be supplied with a great squad and more players more players and more players can he change the culture that's true about the old players but Danny Welbeck you'd have him on the bench for anyone yeah you know any of the when you were saying United needed a striker I think every Man United fan is like why the hell did Man United He might play a bit more than people think as well.

23:39I saw him against AC Milan and they played him and Pedro up front together. And whether he goes to assist him every now and again of that, I think Wolbert might play more. Yeah, really interesting. A brilliant job, guys. I think we managed every big team there in some kind of machination for the top four. And of course, a top five could be a possibility this season for the Champions League, as it always is. A quick one. Who will be top scorer in the league? Tony Cascarino. Well, I'm going to go for a gamble. Go on. I'm going Thiago. Yes, we love it. You've got Thiago at Brentford. Just going to give him, because he takes pens, and I actually think they'll go well against Brentford.

24:10And he had a different end to the season, but got a lot of goals. I'll say Haaland, and I've said City will struggle a little bit, but even in a bad season, he's going to score 20 to 25 goals. Yeah. Gregor? Same. So no, Brittany, no. Scots are sticking together. I'm going João Pedro, for the reasons you outlined earlier, Johnny. Morgan Rodgers and Cole Palmer, either side of him, could get a lot of goals. On that same theme then, let's do a quick look at player of the season because we're coming to a break. We've got loads more still to discuss. Potential player of the season. Anyone got an early shout?

24:44My early shout, Martin Odegaard. Yeah, I like that. World Cup Community Shield into this season. This new Martin Odegaard. He's swapped with his evil twin from last season. He's back. The player that we always thought he could be. Arsenal fans doubting him. He's going to show everyone what he could be. the other shout is Cole Palmer again in the same vein Cole Palmer back any other shouts for player of the season?

25:07Gregor Robertson: I think Bruno Guimaraes has a standard chance too because again I've described him as a force of nature I think he's a bit of a force of nature he does everything he's all action he's relishes the defence side of the game he's creative he can play those incisive forward passes and now he's playing for the best team in the country so if he can be can nail down a place in the team which is no foregone conclusion I think he'd be in with a shout if if Bikai Osaka stays fit that is a big if I think he would he'll have that type of season where you know class act playing for the best team they've got the English thing behind him always gets you a few votes yeah body of work I wonder whether on the same theme it could be Declan Rice on the basis Bruno Guimaraes will make him go perhaps I'm the I'm the big I am now he is the big I am but even more so Tony David Raya David Raya I think it's worth 10 points he's fantastic well even with that haircut he's got at the minute that definitely loses a few points that kind of haircut no I just think he's the points ratio from games and how he played in them and the amount of times he saved them and look they're good defensively as well but he did produce some unbelievable saves last year the only thing with Rice is my god the guy's been flogged for so many years now no he's going to play 95 games this season he's going to go on loan to someone and play a couple of games in an international break or something he was absolutely knackered dead on his feet at the end of the World Cup he was shattered he really was you can't imagine that he's going to be starting straight from the off and Saka you'd love him to be fit but I think he's got a bit of a chronic problem in his Achilles so like good luck really interesting loads and loads more still to discuss in part two we'll be talking about the bottom of the table some surprise packages as well and some of the exciting talent that has come to the Premier League but it's time for a quick break so it's time for a quiz question Crecker Robertson, maybe that's why he's got his jacket on.

27:02He's feeling all formal, to make sure he gets the answer right to this one. This is Coventry City's first Premier League campaign since 2000-2001. They started that season with a 3-1 defeat against Middlesbrough. Which famous striker scored twice for Borough on his debut that day? Find out after the break.

27:47We'll be right back. Times Radio on DAB, Smart Speaker, online or now available in the Times Live app.

28:05Welcome back to the Game Football Podcast from the Times and Sunday Times. I'm Tom Clark and I've got Tony Cascarino, Johnny Northcroft and Gregor Robertson with me. It's good teamwork on the answer to the quiz question today. Lots of good legitimate answers and then we eventually got the correct answer from Johnny Northcroft. That is why he's the football journalist of the year. Forget the exclusives, forget the big interviews, forget the England coverage. This is why, because the famous Borough striker who scored twice against Coventry was... Alan Boxich. Alan Boxich. Very, very good. Well done to any of you listeners who got that as well.

28:36Thanks to also the listeners and the readers who got in touch with me after my football newsletter on Monday, talking about my pain and heartache and quandary as to whether or not I should do fantasy football this season. I've still not decided. Alison Rudd is quitting which is great news for you Johnny Northcroft because she always beats you she beats me every year we're kind of like Brighton and Bournemouth and she's Brighton she always gets the conference league does she and then just leaves you in ninth or something like that but you have you have done it this year I did it last night the pain going for the pain once again took ages took ages and Holland costs about a million you know a hundred billion quid nobody else is worth buying I've got to say I'm skewing not bothering if any of my mates are listening to this thing I've got about 24 hours to get me to change my mind let's get back to the big Premier League preview, another big Premier League preview show.

29:21Who is going to be relegated? I'm going to start off with the idea that I've tried to come up with three teams that allow us to have what we had last season, which was two brilliant stories of teams staying up. And add in the caveat that my mother-in-law is a Hull City fan, so I cannot put them in the bottom three, okay? Just bear in mind. My bottom three, Fulham, Palace, Ipswich. Ooh. Oh, like a... Yeah. I'm trying to come up with a way in which... To have a conversation. In a way in which we can't just say, oh, they're all three going back down again. Because that feels like the murmurings of what everyone thinks.

30:00Gregor Robertson: It's the default position every year now. That's sad, but it's true. Even with last season, even with what Sunderland did, even with what Leeds did. Because there were two very different stories. That's the thing. Sunderland were, oh my God, no one saw that coming. But Leeds were an incremental. I remember our shows every week, we'd be like, Ooh, our Leeds. Oh, the old. Our Leeds. Like this time last year, a lot of people went for Brentford. Going down? Going down. Yeah. Lots of people put Brentford in their bottom three. Yeah. Very true. Yeah, but even like, you see the stature of Leeds as a football club, and you think they should belong in the Premier League.

30:31Gregor Robertson: A lot of people thought, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter anymore. They're still likely to go back down. And it looked that way until, you know, they changed formation as the Man City game. Man City's away, yeah. So come on then, let's go back to the format. Who's your bottom threes? Just quickly. I'm going whole city. Fulham and a brave one Newcastle I just think Eddie Howe Syndrome and all what's gone on there end of season form last year yes they've made signings but I'm not sure it's all Newcastle in the right way the takes are flying in they're flying in Gregor I mean it really pains me to say it don't do it man I'm saying the three co-host of our new weekly EFL show what's the point of the show You've forgotten your roots, man.

31:17Anti-EFL. You've forgotten your roots. Yeah. I can't wait to read your piece that I've commissioned from you later as to why the three teams can stay up. He's doing a tactical analysis.

31:28Gregor Robertson: They can't. I'll start with Leeds and Sunderland because what Sunderland did was extraordinary. They spent more money than any promoted team ever has. Started from an extremely low base because they stumbled into the playoffs, won the playoff final in the last minute. spent a lot of money really well largely in France they had a smart recruitment team I'm not sure these three teams can replicate that

31:54Leeds came up

31:55Gregor Robertson: and they had a very clear plan we're going to sign the land of the Giants we're going to go for physicality set-piece strength all these types of things and a fantastic manager and they do have a fantastic manager but even he changed his principles a little bit he didn't play the kind of football I think he'll want this team to see so again the promoted trio are looking for physicality they're recognising that we need to be stronger and faster and fitter so I get that and yes Ipswich I think they've evolved I think they'll be far more competitive than last time they're approaching Sunderland's transfer record transfer spend like 150 million now they've got a new 30 million pound training ground they've like instead of just signing all the best players in the championship they've cast their net far wider I like Gary O 'Neill there are a lot of positives but I still can't ultimately pick the team that they finish above Okay Johnny who is your bottom three?

32:46So I'm going to have a bit of staying up just on and it is about do the signings come good or not and I'd be lying if I look at them and know too much about them right but I do I do rate Gary O 'Neill I think the fact they've been there before and they understand what Sunderland did and they're trying to follow that model I'm going to I don't want to be boring so I'm going to have one of the promoted teams staying up at least. I think Hull will go down. Sorry, mother-in-law. I'm trying, Marge. I'm really trying. But they are having it. And look, I've got Fulham or Bournemouth to join them. Bournemouth?

33:23Yeah. They've lost so many good players. You don't think they can regen again? You can't keep doing it. Southampton found that. And, you know, they lost a lot of great players last season. They've lost the likes of Sanessi this time. I wouldn't be surprised, by the way, if Iriola goes for a bit of a raid towards the end of the transfer window on Bournemouth. Who would you just say? Kruppi and Scott, you've got to look at them too. Kruppi's out for a few months though. Yeah, yeah. But you'd still go for it. Still take him, yeah. So yeah, and Fulham, I don't... So if three of us got Fulham going down, you've got Fulham, Tony, you've got Fulham, and I've got...

34:00I think that's more of the one you can't do it again. Because Marco Silva and that squad, it was all so synonymous with working. It's a good squad. Yeah. It is a good squad. There's 220, the two biggest transfers, 220 two-year-olds, where that Gonzalez has come in. Garcia, yeah. Real Madrid, Garcia. And then you've got the boys, Shea Charles from Southampton, and they've 30 million. I think it's a big ask for them. They've lost M &S, they've lost Harry Wilson. I just don't see Fulham doing it this year.

34:29Gregor Robertson: I don't see them doing it. I was picking one team, it might be Palace, because they've got the Europa League, football again, they've got a new manager who's actually really inexperienced as a manager, and I think their squad's thin and like Palace are the ones that have lost haven't they they've lost Gettie you know they lost Lacroix yes they might do it again but there are a lot of uncertainties about managers and about the strength of squads and this change and transition we keep talking about but I still look at them on paper and think I know that they are good footballers at the level like a lot of them are and the teams that are being promoted I'm just not sure they are as smart as them just to go back Johnny you had Fulham or Bournemouth Fulham or Bournemouth because I think Cov will go down you think Cov will go down I really don't want them to East Midlands sort of solidarity I'd love Frank Lampard to keep them up I just don't they haven't done enough is it East Midlands?

35:22let's not get into geography you've moved you've moved move Coventry there's a whole different show about the Midlands let's not get into geography Tony there's enough for us to cover is it north is it south I think Cov could put a few notes I'd love them to I think Lampard is coming back with a bit of bit of smarts about him. He showed it by getting up from the championship in a very crowded league. Are they going to just be Burnley? No, I think they'll be better. I think they'll be much better than Burnley. I think they'll be really, really clever and candid. I think they could give a lot of people a game.

35:52Gregor Robertson: I think Coventry, one positive for them is if you look at all the winners of the championship in recent years, they've all been dominant. Team 2 have 60 % of the ball, play 600 passes, score a bucket load of goals. get 100 points Comanche nearly got 100 points but they were not that team they've got a lot of different faces they're tactically flexible they're happy to not have the ball they play direct Hadji Wright runs in behind Ellis Sims they're physical they've got a lot of those traits so I think they're good at set plays they can bring all those things to the table and I actually think they've got some of the players some of the players who can really make a step up Jack Rudoni I think can make a step up I think Wright could because he's got a lot of he's a profile of a really kind of physical striker keeper rushworth getting him back will be their biggest signing because he's brilliant but I still I look at their deals Hamer coming back he's like 29 Onyeka was great for them when he came on loan last season I'm not sure in the Premier League Awanyu could be but is he going to be I don't know Jarenki the Ghana midfielder is exciting he's dynamic but I'm not sure I'm just not sure let's broaden it out and talk about some of the teams because I wanted to mention Newcastle because I've got them down as my surprise package.

37:09I actually think Newcastle will be strangely good in an odd way of where they've actually lost big name players. They've lost the manager. But from everything I've read, I don't know anything about him, but from what I've read and what I've heard, Geisler sounds like a bright young coach who I think will benefit from these big players going actually in a weird way. Tonali, Guimares, it's clean slate. They've got a lot of players there in the same vein, in a less high echelon state as Liverpool, but Visser, Alanga, players that came in last season and didn't deliver, if he gets all of that working, I'm not saying they're going to challenge for Europe.

37:43I just think they might be quite fun to watch if he gets St. James' Park. All those cliches, I think they could be better than people are thinking. Because I think a lot of people actually agree with you, Tony, that maybe not relegation, but that he'll be under pressure early. Thoughts, Johnny? I mean, the sheer number of top players they've lost is interesting it's a bit like Villa isn't it and I do wonder actually if if you're going to transition you might as well do it properly and lose a clump at a time and then start again with a new group younger group I get that I mean they were a long way off I know it was pre-season against Everton weren't they I mean last week it's a big ask for such a young manager who has done well in Saudi but I think they'll be slow starters he also comes into my question of which manager could come under a season pressure So I'm in a both things can be true category of where I think it might come good.

38:38Surprise packages then. Other teams that could be a surprise package. Tony? What, to be good? To be good, yeah. To be good. Surprisingly bad could be the way you're taking the question. I think Brentford will go well again. I think they won't ease off from what they did last year. And they were very good at what they did. And they had a number of draws in the running to the end of the season, which I was at a couple of them. Could have won. Could have easily won them. Well, I saw, I think Gregor might have been there. Was you there at Chelsea, when they played Chelsea? Brentford lost 2-0?

39:09Gregor Robertson: Never. I thought really well. I mean, Chelsea won, but it was like a really good performance. And I, Shardou is another player that I expect more from because he's still relatively young. Thiago, I think, will get goals. So I would say they would be my surprise packet to go well again. Johnny? I think Forrest. Oliver Glasner, absolutely superb.

39:35They've still got the bones of the team that did so well a couple of seasons ago. I don't know too much about Diamande, but it sounds good and I think they're going to move formation to three. Morgan Rodgers, Morgan Gibbs-White rather, was one of the best players in the league last season. I absolutely agree. Can he work in a Glasner team? Yeah. Yeah. Of course he can. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. And maybe a bit light up front, you know, Chris Wood's got to stay fit. But yeah, why not? The system's good for the two wing backs as well, whether it's Nicky Williams. Oh, I know, yeah. Yeah. Gregor, surprise package?

40:14Gregor Robertson: Leeds. I think, like, the revolution, I said it before, they went from a team that looked like a relegation to one that was really hard to beat, to one that actually we're playing with a lot of confidence and were good fun to watch at the end of the season. And I don't see why that journey should not continue. Trafford in goal, big signing, signed the young Bosnia centre-half as well, he's got a really good reputation. I still think they'll be hard to beat. I think we'll continue to see them evolve as a team with the ball. Still a lot on Dominic Cavalier and they need another striker. But I wouldn't be surprised if they're one of the teams competing for Europe.

40:54Is there any move made more for Liam De Lape than a lone move to Leeds United this season? I mean, honestly. Or Everton. Or Everton. Yeah, one of the two, isn't it? It's got to happen. Very quickly on this one, because I want to get into some players maybe as well. Just a quick one. I mentioned it as well. And we kind of talked about some pressure that some of the big managers will feel. But which manager do you think will be zoned in on early on if they don't start? And it's funny. We asked a lot of these questions to our writers. there's a lot of writers who aren't here, part of the piece. Paul Joyce gave a brilliant answer and said, well, turn it round.

41:22Which manager won't be under pressure in this modern age of football, which I think is probably a good way of looking at it. But who do you think the kind of real laser focus might fall on, Johnny, if they have a bad start? Yeah, look, Joyce is not wrong. I mean, nine new managers in Prem Plus, the ones that have come up. And all of them are immediately under pressure. It's just the nature of the beast. You mentioned Palace earlier on. I think Sarge has got a very difficult job transitioning to English football. We've seen a struggle for French managers before, apart from Labrice, but he had the season and the championship to warm up.

41:55I think he'll find it difficult. And one of the reasons I didn't have Palace in the relegation mix is their history of taking quick action if they don't think the season's going well. So I think that puts him under threat. Tony? Aboula. Yeah. Look, it's a big gamble. And he's, look, having Real Madrid and going through the system and then coming to the Premier League and with a club that's had Marco Silva for a number of seasons, I think it's a hell of a hard job for him.

42:24Gregor Robertson: Gregor? I've already said Arayola, but I would add Libris. Interesting. I think confronting second season syndrome in the Premier League with Europa League football for the first time in half a century is going to be a bit of a potent end mix and a dangerous one. Clearly, they had a big overhaul and they were a good team last season. They've done almost nothing this summer so far. and I don't think it would take that much as much as everyone loved him and still loves him for that, certainly in the club's eyes to change. For that kind of ruthless we must go again, we'll go again we'll go up a level we'll do with the manager what we did with the players who got us up from the Championship very interesting idea.

43:03Let's talk about some new signings we're excited to see because crikey there's been a lot of them any players immediately jump into mind Johnny, players that you're going to be hoping to see in the first few weeks? I think a lot hangs on Uri Tillermans and that's I've written so many pieces over the years about how Manchester United never got round to fixing their midfield never replaced Michael Carrick never replaced Paul Scholes all these years afterwards they tended to go for sort of legs or defensive you know play breaker uppers they haven't had enough talent in midfield for me for 15 years they haven't had enough people who can pass the ball properly and they finally signed one question marks age is it a little bit too late but he's a super player and he's a player they've needed for so many years if they get Baliba in as well I think that gives them four young players around him to provide the legs so yeah Telemans I'm really looking forward to seeing how he goes Tony?

44:03I'm going to go for Joanne Manzambi yes watch him a lot direct going to take people on well it worked for him he's still a very young man but hopefully Brighton Villa at the weekend Sunday I'm looking forward to and I expect he could deliver and first and foremost it's getting in the team isn't it yeah getting fit and getting up and rolling yeah you've got to you know go when you sign players if you sign a goalkeeper he's got to make saves early on just just for the confidence side of it and just the you know winning people over same as a striker needs chances needs to take them if you don't take them it becomes way more difficult a young player getting into the team how they perform when they get in the team I love his dribbling style I like his ability it's like barrelling dribbling style as well barging people out of the way as well as having a brilliant touch Gregor new signings you're looking forward to?

44:54Gregor Robertson: Mamadou Sangari from Brentford best part of 40 million he's the record signing 24 in the space of 12 months he's gone from Rapid Vienna in Austria to Lunds who finished second in Liga with Pierre Saj and on to the Premier League so in the space of a year it's a pretty rapid rise and it's an impressive pre-season all action ball winner modern midfielder could play 6, 8 maybe even 10 loves a shot from distance I think it'd be quite exciting Do you know what makes me laugh about that transfer? 42 million if you'd have said to me when I was playing at Griffin Park and someone had said by the way Gwynford are going to go and spend 42 million on a player one day I'd have gone to your mental no chance What an amazing journey It's just incredible that they're doing that sort of deal.

45:39Yeah, and they'll hope it can continue. Another one in that same vein, Bouadi, if he does join Manchester City, as we believe. So excited to see him next to Elliot Anderson, potentially in midfield. And another one, Marco Palestra at Chelsea. I think if I was doing fantasy football, he'd be one of those to put in the team. Pete Rutzler did a really interesting piece on him from the pre-season tour, talking about his pace, his direct running, his overlapping, I think, in an Alonso team. He could be really, really fun. Young players. young players that we're looking forward to seeing, young players of the year.

46:09One, I've got Maggio. Yeah. Wow, yeah. At Aston Villa. He's mad. That's mad. What an amazing story. Signed, banned, couldn't play, now get it over the line. Then just rock up against PSG, score a goal. Fantastic. Out muscle. It's European champions. Again, you'd love the idea. I mean, it's so naive, isn't it? But you'd love the idea of Manzambi and Maggio just being like, we are the new Aston Villa. You know, I think it'll be 20 and 6. I think Villa fans would say to you, Well, Duran done a little bit of that for us when he first got in the team. So we have to calm down a bit. Fair. Any other young players that we've got our eyes on?

46:42Johnny? Oh, I think Rio and Gamora will have a lot of responsibility under Iola. He's got a great record with young players. He's going to look for pace, directness, dynamism, which Rio's got. It was really interesting watching him come into the England fold in America and immediately look better than, let's say, the likes of Madueki. That was such a striking moment of the World Cup, wasn't it? The guy who was not playing. Yeah. Oh, he's brilliant. He's good. And, you know, from what I was led to understand, Tuchel was cursing himself and thinking, I should have had him in the 55 because then I could have put him in.

47:23I think he could have been brought in. Interesting. He's ready to fly that kid. Max Downwind, obviously, is the other one. The two were talents that came forward together. but it looks like Arsenal are still going down the experience route so I think Rio's the one this season See that will be interesting for the next England squad if he's in it and he will be probably and then what he does with him Especially if he starts with as we believe Paul Joyce wrote a really good piece on the Times website about Ngomoa Gregor?

47:50Gregor Robertson: I mentioned already but Caleb Jarenke for Coventry £25 million is the record he's the player they've spent the most money on from Nordiskland really like again all action, physical, dynamic midfielder. So that's the kind of profile of players that a lot of these teams are really trying to find. And he's looked really good. He wowed Goventry fans in their last pre-season friendly, which was a 2-0 win against Monaco. So a lot of excitement about him. Just before we finish with our wish for this new season, I just wanted to mention as well, Shea Lacey, I hope he plays a bit under Michael Carrick at Manchester United.

48:27And wouldn't it be fun if JJ Gabriel at Manchester United was this season's Max Downman. If they had that moment running towards the Stretford end, like Max Downman had it. I forget who it was against. Oh, was it Everton? Yeah, Everton. You know, running clear, everyone on the, go on, he's going to score. He's going to score. That would be a lovely moment, I think, at Manchester United for the Stretford end to get behind a young talent. So let's finish then. I think we've just about covered it all, but I think we should finish with a wish and a hope for the new season. I've got a couple, one early one, which is a little bit silly, but I really hope that the Brennan Johnson, Dwight McNeil swap deal works.

49:01Wouldn't that be nice? Because Brennan Johnson was one of the, like, to Crystal Palace, one of the most disastrous transfers ever. Dwight McNeil... Was he? Perceived as. Perceived as. Perceived as. Amongst their fans, certainly. I think it wasn't great, was it? It wasn't great. It wasn't great. No, he's less to play wing-back. Yeah. I mean, it was a bit odd. Listen, former Lincoln legend, I'm not going to have a go at him. And Dwight McNeil, you know, partner, having to smooth things over with Steve Parrish. It's all set up for it not to work. I really hope it works just for both of them. That would be nice.

49:33But yeah, other wishes and hopes for the new season, Johnny? I'll add on an Everton vein and its bias, just having followed David Moyes' career for so long, I would love them to just give him a striker. Just give him some money to buy a proper striker. Nearly every season he's ever had at Everton, he's been at least one player short and it's usually been the striker. It's the de Lapp loan move, isn't it? It's the Liam de Lapp move. Yeah, I'd absolutely love that.

49:57Gregor Robertson: She'll see what, 50 million for him. I know, but it'll be a deadline loan move, won't it? Just throwing off the books. Apart from that one, just let's not see the meat wall. And we didn't see it in the community shield, which was great. And maybe the new enforcing of the regulations. Stopping players fouling at corner kicks is going to bring it. But it did become dull. And I know if Hamza was here, he would produce spreadsheets on how dull it was and would totally agree. but yeah I mean it was it was it was unsightly to do let's not have it back because one of my other wishes for new season is that we do have still have we're still talking about corner routines and free kick routines but that they're fun they're fun they're like three passes and a step over and then someone way over there bangs one into the top corner by the way Arsenal ended up having some really good ones because they're brilliant set pieces so let's keep the Arsenal fun going by the meat wall just in case listeners don't know what I mean I mean the packing of the six-yard box with bodies and crowding the goalkeeper.

50:58Yeah. I mean, what do people think about Johnny's hope for that one? Naive? Are we going to see more of it, do we think?

51:04Gregor Robertson: I think the World Cup, that wasn't a big feature. And wasn't it good? Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I think they have it within their power to clamp down on it enough and to consign it to history without having to come up with new rules and all this panic that came over everyone last season. Yeah. So, yeah, I think it's possible. and I have slight hopes that it happens. Yeah. Tony? What would I like to see? Yeah. I know what I'm like to see because I think there's going to be more attacking football this season than ever. Really? I think apart from Arsenal... What kind? What kind? Free-flowing? I just think there's going to be teams that are going to literally throw the kitchen sink.

51:39I mean, watching Chelsea under Alonso in pre-season and seeing the amount of bodies they're getting in the 18-yard box. You mentioned... Do you think Arsenal will conform to that as well? I think they'll have a bit more because they're the most pragmatic and they got a great defensive record. But you saw in the Community Shield, they were really pushing forward at all opportunities. So I think, for me, the thing I'm really looking forward to is how many teams are literally going to go after other teams. Really? Yeah, because it used to be home you'd get the draw, sorry, away you'd get the draw, it was a decent result.

52:11I don't think that stands anymore. I think there's so many more teams that go to, like Brentford did at times, and we've seen Brighton do it, Palace doing it. They're going to big clubs and actually testing them. That would be actually another... I think parking the bus is really been on the floor. Really? In comparison to years gone by. That would be another hope for me is that we do see this new iteration of Arteta now and this freedom that I've suggested as to why Martin Odegaard could be player of the season, that we've won the title now, lads. We don't need to worry about that anymore. You know, we can still go back.

52:40Jova can come off the bench when we're 2-1 down and be like, right, lads, let's go. Gabriel, Williott, up you go. Come on. Let's get the long throws out. but actually we see the Arsenal that a lot of the fans think they could produce I hope so too they've got the players to do it and that was Arteta's first Arsenal that title champs for the title he can coach it so it'd be nice now he's won the title to go back to it Gregor your hope for the season I think I know where you go I'm sorry

53:06Gregor Robertson: you've fully read the piece I'm sorry it's really on brand but I've got to mention VAR but just the sentence for anyone not watching on YouTube Gregor has already got his head in his hands about VAR before the season starts. And this is a hope. This is a wish. This is a hope for the new season. There's a statement I loathe more than any other in the world is when people say, but VAR's not the problem. It's the people using it. And like, this is the eighth season now with it in the Premier League. And you heard Howard Webb giving an interview a couple of days ago saying, now the referees, you know, the VAR shouldn't be getting involved in the subjective decisions.

53:44Gregor Robertson: We should leave them to the on-field referee. We're like, oh my God, we're doomed to go around in this circle of pain. Every defleated circle. Evermore. So, like, just please put it in the bin. I know that's a big wish for the season. And a bit of a dour note to end on. Well, I'm glad to try. But having seen Trump referee the World Cup final tournament, sure, we'll have a bit more love for Premier League refereeing. It's not that bad, is it? Could we add in, like, I mean, it's a wish for not this season. Adding a more hopeful one-time. No, no, no. But next season, not have any rule changes at all.

54:22Yeah. No more regulation. Just stay with what it is for two years. Just try something for two years instead of one. And then changing those next season. That would be a great rule across the board. No transfers, no managers, no rule changes. Yeah, yeah. Just keep it for two whole seasons and see how you get on. Interesting, yeah. That would be great fun, wouldn't it? Just on a more positive. Just to bring us up slightly. Johnny just because one of my other hopes is that Marcus Rashford Phil Foden and Cole Palmer play really good football and play brilliantly as they can for their teams that would be a lovely thing these starts of the season they're always a kind of five week lead into an international break an international break which is going to be big for Thomas Tuchel because of how that World Cup ended it'd be nice to see some of those big English characters playing brilliantly in the Premier League it really would wouldn't it when you think what was lacking at the World Cup and the talent that was at the sidelines particularly Rashford and Cole Palmer I think well and all of them yeah Foden as well yeah why not there's three different personal stories there it's always it's always more complicated than it looks from the outside one thing that really upsets me is when fans sort of immediately blame it on a flow in someone's character or motivation because knowing all of those lads a little bit that place and none of them you know it's always more complicated and I think they've all suffered from switches of position switches of manager or not finding the right position they need stability need good coaching and all of them let's hope they fulfil so nice it's nice if another players played well wouldn't it everyone played well just everyone played well wouldn't it be nice redemption stories on everybody oh did no one want a redemption story for you.

56:08Go on, tell us about when you went to France and they gave you the keys to the city. Come on. I showed them. You did. I showed them. You did a whole book. You did a whole book about it for goodness sake. Shut up. Anyway, there we go. We'll round it up there. Everyone get along. Everyone have a nice time. Everybody play well. Nobody gets sacked. That would be a wonderful way to end on. Gregor, I think I've officially lost the plot. Time for a break. I think but we'll leave it there thank you very much for listening as always thank you to Tony Cascarino to Johnny Northcroft and to Gregor Robertson we will be back next week we'll see you then

56:51on Times Radio you'll hear intelligent discussion and expert analysis on the big stories of the day and from the politicians making the political weather anybody who looks at this triple lock long term it's unaffordable We're the voice of the times in uncertain times. I don't think there's a farmer alive who's labour anymore. Listen to Times Radio on DAB, Smartspeaker, online, or now available in the Times Live app.