FA Cup or UCL? & Rooney On De Bruyne vs Gerrard | The Overlap Fan Debate

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2:02And that feeling of walking up the steps at Wembley and lifting the FA Cup is miles bigger than when I've lifted the Premier League trophy or the Champions League. You've got a goalkeeper who I don't think he trusts and you've got a number nine who couldn't hit a barn door at the moment. We had a little spat, me and Cunha on social media. You and him? Yeah. I just literally want to go in the solid, just down the road from the car, chink up Hank with me, mate, you know what I mean? And say, we've done it. If someone could offer you one now, Champions League football or winning the FA Cup? Champions League.

2:32I'm surprised you said that. I'd go Key and Schold and De Bruyne. No, Steve, did you add that? No. Did either of you hear your family in the crowd with your sticker and stuff? You can't not hear the categories, mate.

2:52Hello and welcome back to the Fan Debate, brought to you by Skybet. And this week I'm delighted to be joined by one of England's, Europe's and the world's greatest strikers, Wayne Rooney Right You've been on Stixter football Been doing a bit Punditry You've got FA Cup semi-final At the weekend What are you looking In terms of management Punditry You've still almost Got your Yeah no Obviously I'm not coaching So Punditry is The next best thing Really To go into And You're still going to games You're still talking About the game And I'm in no rush To be honest Going to management Obviously I've done it Four times And Very difficult jobs All four of them so at the minute if the right thing comes up of course I'll look at it but I'm not in the biggest of rushes to go back into it OK Gareth we're going to start with you because it looks like well not looks like it is Liverpool are one point away from winning the league on the back of Arsenal's results I mean come on how are you feeling?

3:54I was made up that Arsenal got that result to be honest because I was sat in the flat in my undies watching that one and not ready to go on the aisle and celebrate. What would you have done if Palace had scored there later? I mean, would you have phoned out? Yeah, I would have had to ring my mates, wouldn't I? Ring my lad, said, come on, we're getting out. We've won the league after all this time in the way we're in person, if you like. No COVID and all the rest of it. So I made up, it's rolled on to Anfield and obviously it's still not done. We need the point. But we've got a great record against Spurs.

4:27Spurs aren't great when they come to Anfield, etc. So I was Flav. anywhere anywhere harsh so yeah I think it's something we've all been gearing up to for a long time everyone's you know everyone's got plans I don't think a lot's going to get done on Monday if we if we get that point we need and look you know I'm just really looking forward to it you know that other one the other league title victory during COVID didn't sort of safety act still claiming that one? yeah I'm weighing me we're brilliant that's easy but you know what I mean you just couldn't do all the things how you'd envisaged it you know what I mean I'm like 48 now and I've never celebrated with me mate to go the match with do you know what I mean so I now get this opportunity to do so and I haven't got any big plans I just literally want to go in the solly just down the road from the cop chink a pint with me mate you know what I mean and say we've done it we've finally done it do you know what I mean so I'm looking forward to that of course I am you know this I've got to get just like you've said that it's it of all if they had the COVID season one The season after was the proper COVID season wasn't it That was like there was no one in the fans for a year In the stadium Yeah so it was cutting after when we won City won the COVID season didn't they the year after When no one was in Yeah but you're the one You had like a three month break in the season That's what he's saying We had a full continual season We had absolutely pissed the league up to that point I don't think anyone remembers that do they Jeremy We battered Leicester on Boxing Day No one does remember it It's weird, because no one even looks at football.

5:58We're more concerned about, you know, the whole world crumbling than Liverpool win the league. You did do well, but it didn't really count. What I will say to you, though, is the first league I won, I was at home, and we played Man City on this Saturday and beat them, and then Arsenal played Chelsea, and if Chelsea didn't win, we'd won the league, and that happened. So I was sat at home, and it didn't feel... It was weird, yeah. rather than winning it and being there it was a weird feeling you know having to have my clothes ready to iron or get ironed because I can't iron

6:36to go out so yeah it was it's much better getting ready what's it like Wayne so you've won obviously a number of Premier League titles and you've probably won it in lots of different ways what is the best way for you to win it like there and then when you win it on the pitch and being a home When we beat Wigan away, that was a really good one. Obviously, you prefer to at home, but we played Wigan away just before the Champions League final. To win that game, Ronaldo scored a penalty, then Giggs scored to make it 2-0. That was probably the best one and best feeling. We had the whole away stand and that was the best one.

7:17What about 2012, Wayne? Was that a good one? Aguero goal, mate.

7:27I think it's just your goal with Sunderland you scored against Sunderland away and then Aguero yeah it was a good goal I think you remember yeah no obviously that was a tough one that yeah but again Paddy Kenny turned the ball in I think two goals QPR knew they were safe City get 2-2 then he just put the ball back to them then they had Cissé on the pitch Joey Barton got sent off for acting stupid. Who else was it? Sean Wright Phillips on the pitch. Nederman Newer. Something you've got over it. But he doesn't care, does he? That should have been looked into. Paddy Kenny made it up. It's not just 115, I was 116.

8:17That's the headline on the play. He really wants Manchester City looking into for the KPR game. Gareth, the other big news is obviously the signings listen we've all spoke about you've been on your platforms and your podcast as well about the two players signing is it value for money? I think so because imagine trying to replace them and I just think with Virgil I know a lot of the focus rightly has been on Mo but I think Virgil was almost more important for me because he's the captain he's the cultural leader I think he's still brilliant there's all people who spend an awful lot of time on the internet pointing out every time he makes a very small mistake.

8:58But what that says to me is he doesn't make many then, does he? And I think the way he plays, if you're watching him week in, week out, there's still loads in the tank. He's very resilient. He's playing most games. He only puts the burners on when he ever needs to. He just always seems to be in the right place most of the time. And I just think he would have been bordering on impossible to replace. I think as good as Mo's been, there are other wingers, because he's not even a striker, he's a winger. there are other wingers out there maybe Liverpool could have gone and got so Virgil was the one that I was like really made up about and made up they've both committed and I think it's a big step in the right direction for next season I think there's already a lot of work to do for me which seems mad to say that when we're going to win the league but I would say we could do with about five signings so if those two had left you're then looking at seven you know what I mean and there's no way Liverpool are signing seven players in one transfer probably not going to sign five.

9:55So, yeah, I was delighted with that business. Wayne, could I ask you, this comes up a lot about what you just said there, about it's like a thing online, isn't it? And probably you with strikers, Van Dijk with defenders, and Stevie with midfielders or Lampard, you know, all these type of things. But a thing that gets said a little bit about Van Dijk and modern centre-backs is that the strikers they come up against are at the level that we saw before. I don't want to say that's right I just want to know your view about I don't know if you've ever really come up against Van Dijk how good you I think a flip to that as well I think the defenders are nowhere near good enough not Van Dijk I think Van Dijk is brilliant I think Canate has been brilliant as well this season but I think the majority of defenders are nowhere near as good as what he was and the forwards the game now has gone more positional and it's a lot slower I think there's less running than there was 15 years ago in the game because players are stuck in the positions.

10:52The number nine to more to feet and there's no players running behind. Challenging. I think I watched the derby when Beto ran in behind. He caused big problems because they're probably not used to it. Players run behind. It doesn't happen anymore. The wingers don't get out wide and get a full-back no more. So I think for defenders, it's a little bit easier the way the game's gone. Whether that's right or wrong, you don't know. but I don't think they're getting challenged anywhere near, you know, if I was playing against Van Dijk and normally I'd have, you know, Tevez or Luis Sahar or Van Nistuy alongside you, the first thing you want to do is, you know, time putting a tackling on them or when the ball goes to the full-back, that's your opportunity to go and leave one on them.

11:38Great, is it? No, but that part of the game has gone, so it's not as difficult, but I'm not saying Van Dijk certainly is more than good enough to go and play at that time when that was happening because he's he's probably the best centre in the world You know when you say they're not as good or is it just different? Is it just It's different yeah the culture of the game has changed a lot obviously since Pep's come in if you've got them players you know what we've seen Pep do over the last four years is you know incredible some of the best football you'd see but then everyone has tried to do it and teams who aren't good enough to do it have struggled and you've seen, obviously, company with Burnley when they come into the Premier League, Russell Martin with Southampton.

12:22Trying to do it when you haven't got the players in that league is very difficult. So the game has changed massively from 10, 15 years ago and it's not as physical, it's not as demanding, if you like, to what it used to be. I mean, I wish I was playing today as a defender when you don't have centre-forward looking to do here in the first five minutes. to me and we're going to leave one on them you can't

12:47Gareth I just want to ask you one last question you talk about Liverpool needing five players and I totally agree with you I said that a few weeks ago but if there was one player out there right now I mean realistically not just a name everybody wants but realistically you think that would make a massive improvement to our team I think a gettable one you can say I'd love Isaac but who wouldn't like but you know I like the left back at Bournemouth I think he's gettable I think he's better than what we've got I think Andy Robertson's still got something to offer despite all the criticism but I'm not sure he can do the minutes and the games he's been doing for however many years there is now and Simicast I'm not really having him to be honest I think he's alright but he's more like a job and left back for me and if he moved on and you got Kirkres in I think that would be a good sign Livy, you will get your chance to reply to that.

13:43I've got to go to Flav at the moment. Flav, Europa League semi-final, something to look forward to. There was a report a few days ago in the press, whether it's true or not, that no matter what happens in the Europa League, it looks like you have a new manager next season. I mean, where are you on that and this Europa League run and the manager's situation? I think, I mean, the Europa League run is guaranteed that Hans-Postokoglu is still Tottenham manager. I don't think without that run, he would still be here. He'd probably gone a couple of months back. No, I mean, in terms of winning it. Oh, can we win it?

14:20Yeah, you know what I'm saying is if you win it, you'd be absolutely ecstatic. Yeah, yeah. Do you think it affects the manager's situation or do you want it to be decided? Sorry, yeah. I don't think it changes the situation. I think it's clear, given what's happened in the Premier League this year, that you can't lose 18 games. There is an issue systematically Politically, tactically, and his influence over these players have meant that we've lost that many games. He can't do that. He doesn't survive anywhere, any other club, and it's the Europa League that's kept him by the job. So I think that regardless of what happens, even if he wins it, probably the most sensible thing to do would be to find a new manager, shake hands, mutual agreement, and walk away.

14:58Will Daniel Evey do that, though? Because he's finally found a manager who's won something, despite the league form, and he has to sack a winning manager. and regardless of what happens, you can't change that fact. So the criticism of which he's already receiving an absolute barrage is going to be that if the next manager inevitably fails, as he probably will under Daniel Levy, that the question will be, you've sat to win your manager. The right thing would be to, like I say, shake hands and walk away. We've got to win it first. Are you confident you could win that? And listen, you've got a Norwegian team in the semi-final, Bodo Glynt, who actually, I think, beat Andrew's team, Celtic, a few years ago.

15:39Yeah, they did, home and away, Celtic, in the Champions League qualifiers, maybe, or maybe it was the Europa League, whatever. Going to Norway, playing them isn't easy. You saw Lazio get turned over. Plastic pitch? Plastic pitch, exposed to the elements, small ground, everything is in their favour. And they battered Lazio in that first leg. I mean, it was 2-0, but they could have had more. so we have to do a job over them in the first leg and really show the kind of spirit and mentality that you saw against Frankfurt which is really weird performance because it was that kind of performance that we'd like to have seen in the Premier League you've been saying it and it's been frustrating to hear when you're hoping your team change and Ange delivers results but you've been saying and criticising them for a good year now and it's fair because we've been too easy to get at and the midfield's been too exposed against Frankfurt it all went away all the problems went away we started playing long we didn't insist on playing out from the back when you've got an entire Frankfurt crowd baying for blood they're pressing the last thing you want to do is play out from the back in that moment and we'd stop doing it and I don't know where that came from whether it was Ange Postacoglu or the players took it upon themselves it must have come from Ange because they're still with him but yeah I mean if we win Europa League this season and he will be remembered very fondly despite the league form Wayne what's your take on when you watch Tottenham I love watching them play I remember I was at the game at Old Trafford early in the season and it was incredible Tottenham were unbelievable absolutely destroyed Man United in that game and then I watched them against Galatasaray away and I couldn't believe what I was watching what you just said there they kept trying to play off the back kept getting caught on the ball and it could have been 6-7 7-0 to Galatasaray so So the Frankfurt one, I think, there was definitely a change in how they were playing.

17:34But I think it's interesting, the two teams who really are unwilling to change is Man Utd and Tottenham, and they keep losing games. So somewhere something is not going right. So you have to change just to flip that mindset and that mentality of the players, I think, and the fans as well. Because, you know, we've seen it. I'd done Match of the Day the other week and saying about Tottenham kept trying to play out from the back and then when the keeper did go along you can hear the ironic cheers from the fans so you need to try and flip that to get the fans back on top with you and I think they've done that in the last game I think it'll be a shootout between United and Tottenham in the final I do for a Champions League spot which will save someone's season I mean I can't see Tottenham winning the trophy just for the fact that if you I think you'll get to the final Cheers I can't I can't see you beating Bilbao in their own stadium in a final I think that would be tough for anybody I don't agree with that I fear Bilbao more than I do United in a final yeah I get that but you don't beat us in a European final there's no way Tottenham beat Man United in a European final no chance what because of all the faith history mentality they're just a club who will find a way to win they're intangibles they don't really exist they do Man United what they did the other night in the game and they scored three late goals I was devastated But we do that against Ajax.

19:00Man United have got an ability to win games that they should. They beat Man City in the FA Cup final last season. I just don't... I just think the whole Man United in a European final would be too much for Tottenham. Just you wait. I hope you just do beat them. You've got to beat Bodo first. Yeah, we probably won't get past Bodo. You've got to beat Bilbao. I know, I know. Don't worry about that, I know. Can I just make a comment about Thursday night as well? Because we're unlikely to win. But it's important that Daniel Levy is inside that stadium in Anfield because what they've done, what you guys have done over the last 10 years under Klopp, the smart acquisitions, they haven't gone about it in the way that City have, which is a different outfit in Chelsea.

19:39They've gone about it in the right way. And by Liverpool winning this trophy in a legitimate way, it holds up a mirror to teams like Klopp. So is this the first legitimate Premier League title win in five years? Yeah, easily, easily. But the thing is, it's not even going to nebbled up. All jokes aside, right? You're looking at it and you're thinking, this is what it takes. This is what a winning football club looks like. And from the top down, that's embedded in what Liverpool are. At Spurs, it ain't that. Because the messaging coming from Daniel Levy is regulation, pragmatism, playing by the rules, operating within your own means.

20:18That's not what ambitious football clubs do. and I get it, it's good that we're balancing the books and all that sort of stuff. You've got Chelsea, and I'm not saying let's be like Chelsea, selling their ladies' team to themselves in order to spend more money in the advent that they might possibly win a trophy one day. There are ways to operate and the way Daniel Levy is running Tottenham means that the likelihood of us ever achieving what Liverpool are about to do on Thursday is so small and so he should be a bear witness to this on Thursday. I heard yesterday I don't know if it's right or wrong you can tell me Ange spent£400 million on him in two seasons Yeah but is it£400 million?

20:57Yes Yeah so it's not about It's a lot of money Yeah yeah yeah but does it look like we spent£400 million on the pitch? Who's he employed? Yeah no so that's so from a point of view then you're looking at obviously Ange and recruitment you're not so much looking at Daniel Levy so No you are It isn't just He's given money No it isn't just about giving money though it's about the environment that you create and whether or not it breeds success and 25 years were shown that it doesn't look what Forrest have done no one thinks that Forrest should be in the Champions League apart from what they've done this year it comes from the owner when he was willing and I'm not again I'm not advocating breaking the rules it sounds like you are no I'm saying I'm saying it develops a mentality in a football club that almost it just pushes you towards a success in a way that it doesn't at Spurs they went about spending their money alright they cheated a little bit to stay in the league cheated a little bit and then we've had nothing proven but you're calling us cheats what's that about?

21:49You said you weren't going to bite?

21:53I didn't call you cheats I said legitimate title winning Do you think the Forest is more to do with Nuno rather than the ownership? No I think it all comes from the ownership I think Nuno's done a great job but all of the good work comes from their owners it starts from the top and filters down It depends how involved your owner wants to get because if you look at like my times for instance at Man United the Glazers obviously still owners were never at the football club yeah but then that chemistry that environment was built through Alex Ferguson so nothing to do with the Glazers that environment which we have so it depends how much involvement Danny Levy wants to have because normally what I think at most clubs the manager the staff all around the place create that environment not so much the owner so I wouldn't say Danny Levy's at the same time every day saying this is how we're doing this this is what we're doing this I think normally it's the manager who's setting them boundaries and them rules for what happens around the same ground.

22:51With the£400 million spent, though, it's like Solanke and Johnson. They're cheap wages, aren't they? It's not like they've spent the money and then it's£400 a week. Thank you, Greg. Thank you, Greg. Yeah, he's right. He's absolutely right. There's one thing about money spent, but there's also about wages to players. And it's like£100 million less a year than Arsenal. We're supposed to be competing. Do Arsenal operate like an ambitious football club? Can they win the league? Can you answer the same questions for Spurs? No. It's because of Daniel Levy. Well, talking about winning the title, Luke, are you getting a little bit more optimistic about next season, the run that Manchester City are on right now?

23:31And do you think there's any chance that you could actually catch Arsenal? Yeah, I think there is. I think there genuinely is. I think we were like 12, 13, 14 points behind them and we're six now. And you look at the games they've got left, I know they're not going to be really caring about the Premier League. You'd think they're in the Champions League for next season, pretty much locked off. But they've got PSG twice. Obviously, that's their season, basically, on the line there. And we've got, obviously, FA Cup, but we've got four fairly favourable Premier League games. So if we were to win them, I'm not saying it's guaranteed, but if we can, and Arsenal have got Liverpool, they've got Newcastle, they've got Bournemouth to play, all good teams, I think there's a chance that they might not be second after all.

24:09Is there any chance you and them are going to go for a pint at the weekend at the FA Cup semi-final you and Greg? I think Greg's getting there a bit earlier than me too far he might be a bit hammered but

24:21I'll give him a call after 90 minutes and we'll see he's happier can you get served?

24:28don't do that to me Greg mate

24:39it's time for our new game on the winning track brought to you by Trainline their best price guarantee means you won't find cheaper same day train tickets anywhere else and even if you do Trainline will fund the difference exclusions and conditions apply search best price guarantee on trainline.com right here's how the game's going to go

25:04right then our fans will compete against each other to identify a mystery footballer here on our train line board. So Wayne, place each club as they appear on the board and you've obviously got to know where they are geographically. Can you be better than Scolzi? No. The only clues they will receive are the teams that said mystery player appeared for from the start of their career to the finish. First team appearances only, loans don't count. The winning team will receive a train line voucher that will come in handy on the next away day. But there is a catch. if you guess and you are wrong you are out of that round okay and to answer you need to shout your name and raise your hand Baz I'm looking at you okay no you just like shouting out don't you no I haven't I'm the only one who puts my hand up you just shouting out if needed here's an example so let's look at the board okay so that's go on was it Man United Arsenal Watford Brighton yeah who do you think it is I don't know you played it It's on the back there, isn't it?

26:09You played with him? Yeah, I'll go on. Who do you think it could be? So, started at Man United as a kid. Oh, Welbeck. Yeah, Danny Welbeck. So, that's the example anyway. Okay, it's the best of three, and it's Greg v Flav. Is it? It is. Okay. Go on, so, put the first one in. Go on, Waz. I'm going to go there. Oh, that's not there. Well, where is it then? Is that Villa? A bit higher. It's almost there. Better than Scolzi. Around. Yeah, if you get it wrong, you're out. So just wait. So don't say anything now. So no one's having a go now? No. Team two, please, Wayne.

26:54Can I have a go? It's too obvious, surely. Fabian Del. You're out. Wait, who was that lead to that? It's fine. Next one, please, Wayne. Well there isn't There's one after then Right after this then Somewhere Er Is it Is it Where does it go No Is it the way Bucking and Elastair In it It's fucking The same thing Is it It's wrong Is it my sentences Right Wrexham Wait Wait Come on Are you going to have a go Are you going to have a guess Are we going to wait for the last clue No wait Come on You'll wait Come on Have a go I'm going to go. I'll have another. I'm delighted. It's my game. I want to see where Wayne's going to put West Brom.

27:39It's going to be... Well, it's going to be... It's going to be... Yeah. It's fine. It's still, dude. Oh, Greg. Oh, wow. Greg, I'm not good with stuff like this. No. Right. Anyone else? Gareth Barry. It was Gareth Barry, but unfortunately you're not playing bad. Wayne, get them... I'm not Premier League. I'm new to it. You can't pretend you're used to it. Right. Mystery player two. Is it us again? Yeah, use it on again. It's the best of three, isn't it? Go on, Wayne. So the first one for this player is child and athletic. Oh, shit. Round here. Yeah. Yeah. Do you know it? No, you're not going to go with that one, are you?

28:23Do I not? I think you might get it on the next one. All right. OK. Next team, Wayne. You know it. Go on, Flav. It's not Spurs, it's Chelsea. Go on, Flav. You should get it. Come on. Flav, come on. Chelsea? Flav, come on. Get it right, Flav, please. Is it Scott Parker? Yes. Yes. Well done. Well done, mate. It could only be Scott Parker. That could only be Scott Parker. Why? So why did you say it's only Scott Parker? Did he shout his name and put his hand up, though? No. No. Oh, come on. No, no, we'll give him that one. We'll give him that one. Right, last one, boys. right the third player we've got to be honest I'm not sure whether this one would go right I'm not great on my south coast the first so this player his first club Wayne was Portsmouth is that I mean that's close that is that's bad I don't know if Bournemouth or Portsmouth were the army so that right yeah perfect next one please Wayne

29:32Is Stoke East Midlands Yeah Any idea I've got an inclination Oh Clay Don't say it I'm waiting for another clue Okay Next one Next one Wayne Chelsea Oh no It's not Yeah That was it The inclination is gone Who was you thinking Well I was going to go Peter Crouch Okay You're wrong Yeah but that wasn't Well sorry Did he not play Did he not play for Portsmouth from Stoke? Yeah, but he didn't start at Paul's. Oh, he went Paul's. I wouldn't start giving him stiff, you haven't had one answer yet. Neither, anybody. The next one, please, Wayne, again, the South Coast. I don't know which, but... I know, I'm the same, it's just...

30:11Can I... I've got it. I've got it. It's Begovic. It's Begovic. Is it Begovic? Yeah. It is Begovic.

30:29Well done Flav, you won too. Thank you very much. Brilliant. Cheers. I thought I did alright.

30:39Another game next week. Thanks to Trainline. Remember to download the Trainline app and search best price guarantee on trainline.com.

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33:01Kevin De Bruyne I was good I was good honestly I was good when that news came out but I think the performances of late maybe aren't what he can give us for a full season and I can see why the club have made the decision they have lots of fans are out there now saying give him a new deal give him a new deal there's much side for nostalgia and for how good he's playing right now want to give him a new deal maybe it's not the right decision I'm not the one to make that decision I'd love to put a contract in front of him now and make him sign it but if that's the decision the club have made we've just got to trust that and hopefully he'll make some signings in the summer Wayne, are we going to miss in the Premier League one of the greatest midfield players we've ever seen in this league?

33:41He's been incredible I agree, I think City have got to make a decision and they have and I think it's probably the right time He's our best ever player It's the right time for them to make that decision and I think now with financial fair play you can't just keep a player at the football club for what he's done and I'm sure he wants to play City obviously going after going to replace him but in terms of a player over the last what is it, 10 years he's been there, he's incredible very similar in my opinion just a little bit ahead in terms of an attacking point view to Stevie similar trait towards Stevie, Stevie was more of an all round player but I think in that attacking third, De Bruyne was incredible.

34:23Okay obviously we've just said he's one of the greatest players we've seen in the Premier League. You've said he's City's greatest ever player. You've said in an attacking sense he's maybe just got the edge on Steven Jedd. I mean, where do we all think where Kevin De Bruyne lies in terms of, if we're picking an all-time Premier League XI in your head, does Kevin De Bruyne get in it? And if he does, raise your hand. Yeah. Oh! I don't know. Yeah, put him in, yeah. Adam hasn't got him in. That's embarrassing, mate. Is that how? That's embarrassing. How is it embarrassing? He quite comfortably gets in.

35:00Who's getting, what three midfielders are going in front of him? Well, Paul Scholes is ahead of him, in my opinion. If you're playing two attacking midfielders, I think there's plenty more. You're stumbling, just say that. I'd probably pick Roy Keane ahead of him. Different midfielders again. Gerrard, probably ahead of him. I think he's a fantastic player, but I think you say you think he's the, after Henri, the biggest import to the Premier League. I just can't agree with that at all. I just don't agree with you. I think people are going too far. Everything nowadays has to be the best, isn't it?

35:31I'm not sure about that, because you just said Scholes and Gerrard. No, but that's how everything is reported. Van Dijk's the greatest centre-back ever, Salah's this and that. You've got a problem with Liverpool, haven't you? No, Kevin Le Bruyne doesn't play for... Well, I've got a problem with Liverpool, yeah. He's going to have gone seven years with only City. I think it depends on influence as well. And influence, in my opinion, Cantona was unbelievable as a player. but in terms of the influence he had on that group of young players at the time, I think you have to look at the influence which a player has.

36:01Zola, Bergkamp, players like that who are incredible players. So does that, listen, you could have to bring in or not have to bring in anything, there's that many players to choose from. I don't think you're right or wrong for having them in. I think what you said there, I think probably sums up a little bit. I think we always think of those three, Cantona, Zola, Bergkamp. They felt like the first, didn't they? almost like they almost built the Premier League in terms of foreign players. You think of mid-90s, I think of those players. And I think we look back on that. Listen, there are three legends of the Premier League.

36:38And I think when we compare them to sort of players now, we always think about them and no one's got a bad word to say about them, and rightly so. But those three players we're talking about, their team's never won the Champions. Do you know what I mean? I don't know if we take it for granted. So what can't I add to? but we all know that United team found it tough. They were getting used to Europe. Kant and I were probably never himself in Europe, but used comfortably when getting to semi-finals and winning it and getting to a final. Kevin De Bruyne's won the Champions League. We expect our teams to win the Champions League now, but in those days, in the early 90s, mid-90s, it was all just about the Premier League and there was foreign players and it was new and it was flashy and it was amazing.

37:15But those players never achieved what the players did 10 or 15 years later in terms of being the best players in the world or being the best team in Europe I think that's because the Premier League has come on that much and Serie A has dropped the league is probably nowhere near as good as what it was so I think there's a reason for that as well why that's happening like if you look at De Bruyne in my opinion David Silva is right up there as well from what he's done you look at that team you've got Silva De Bruyne Aguero you've got some unbelievable players established players in that team what I was saying about Cantona is he had a group of young players who come in and he was a massive influence on them players which then obviously he weren't there for the Champions League when he won it but the influence we had in helping them get to that level I think that's why I think Cantona was There were times as well with Eric where we could only play three foreign players which included the Irish lads as well so you couldn't always play Schmeichel was being left out at times Cantona was being left out You're just thinking that Barcelona game away aren't you?

38:19Which one? The 4-0 one. Yeah, but still, I just think when you look at like Cantona, you look at his legacy as well. I think it does get forgotten quite easy. You look at, he won the league at Leeds, and then he won it every year. The only year we didn't win it was when he was suspended for kicking the fan. So his legacy, I think, will just live on for a long, long time. And we probably don't go on to achieve what we did after. Like I said, he was a great leader. You said no to De Bruyne. You said yes. Rather than going through your full 11, Wayne, who would be your midfield three then and who would be yours?

38:53If you've got a man and you haven't I'd go Keane Scholes and De Bruyne No Stevie Gerrard no

39:04Keane Scholes Vieira if it was a three Scholes Vieira I'd probably go 4-4-2 just keep it old Mike Bassett but you might as well say the old team He changed the Waz is in it Is Scoles going on the left? Waz is in it No no Scoles will be in the middle of a midfield three Giving in a 4-4-2 Oh sorry 4-4-2 If I played a 4-4-2 it would be Keane, Scoles, Beckham, Giggs

39:37Still not a better midfield than that Yeah yeah yeah OK listen That's opinions isn't it Greg FA Cup semi-final obviously against Manchester City You beat them a few weeks ago as well How confident are you? It just, like you were talking about, man, you being good in Cups, it's like they're seasoned at it, aren't they? So it feels strange, feels strange being in that group of teams now. But yeah, of course we can beat them. We've beaten them before. We like the big pictures now. And yeah, it's just going to be a good day for us. Celebration of how we've come. I'm going to ask you, I know you're going to say you won both.

40:14I get that. But if someone could offer you one now, Champions League football or winning the FA Cup? Champions League. I just think the Champions League... I'm surprised you said that. The Champions League will put us to a place where we can win FA Cups in the future. It won't. It will. The money, the way our owner is, we talk about ambition. This isn't just a fluke. This isn't just, oh, we've had a good season. When we got promoted, he said this would happen when he was in the middle of the square. and he said, this isn't the end, this is the beginning, we're going to get Champions League football, we're going to win trophies.

40:49And this is what we're seeing. Will he have to... Because he's got Olympiakos as well, has he? Yeah. Will he have to sell one of them? He's got three teams. Don't worry about that. It's so sort of my wallet, you worry about that. I have to not pull you up. Listen, I love the fact that... I would love the FA Cup. I would love to go through the market square with that in your hands. It would be incredible. I just think there's been forget forget this big six there is no big six anymore I hope that has finished this idea but but what I would say is I I think it's it's very Baz is there with Everton so Everton got into the Champions League probably 20 years ago and you think it's going it doesn't happen again Villa got in last year might just miss out this year Newcastle got in with Eddie I think they've had a couple of seasons out now you might always be challenged I think if you're in a position where you're challenging for Europe every year that would be amazing but I think this idea that once you're in the Champions League this is us set for years we're going to I said that it's the squad we will build look at look at Aston Villa's bench on Tuesday what about all the other teams in the Champions League as well yeah exactly we'll be in that group like of course I'd love to win the FA Cup but you can count the FA Cup you've been in that group for one year look at Wigan Wigan, Leicester, Portsmouth they've all won the FA Cup in the last 20 years look at them now I know you could go down I wonder I can assure you nothing but Forrest will go down again it's like Leicester won the Premier League then they're in the Champions League then they've had two relegations in the last three years so I think the Champions League as good as it is to play in and be involved in I just think you're better building your squad first because I think that can give you false hope you're better building your squad to get into it so you're capable of competing in it I think if Forrest go in I think they'll get knocked out fairly quickly in my opinion but winning the FA Cup having that history it's a moment I completely get it and you're asking me two questions that have incredible outcomes it's not like that but I'm 40 years old I've never been to the San Siro I want to go to these places I want to follow my team around Europe I've been to Wembley can I just ask I mean listen we're asking you a question that's your answer so are we to argue we have argued about it really we shouldn't be because that's how you say it but what I'm saying is if most of you are in here and what would you be like and I'm not going to ask Liverpool or United you'd expect to be in the Champions League and you know if I think you should ask though well I say what if Liverpool weren't in the Champions League what I'm saying is if you're a club who isn't used to always being in the Champions League or always being in an FA Cup final and if it's one or the one or the other if it's one or the other it's an FA Cup we would have loved to have got to the FA Cup even semi-final It was gutted.

43:39Yeah, that would have been... Should have all tried harder. I've travelled all over Europe watching Spurs play in the Champions League and the Europa League and it would definitely be the occasion of winning an FA Cup. I remember the trips because they were nice, but they're just games of football. Winning an FA Cup is... Your name's on the FA Cup forever. It's already on there twice. You're wrong, Greg. Like it is the Champions League. We'll answer that question again, Greg. In 10 years' time, it might be a pub quiz. We're not going to play the kids on Sunday, put it that way. It's not like they've got my opinion.

44:13If it had to be one or the other, for me, it's Champions League. You could fix English football by giving the FA Cup winner that fifth Champions League spot. I think that would do so much for them. Well, you could fix English football by... I think there's too many teams anyway in the Champions League. I think four's too much. The FA Cup lost a bit of its shine when Man Utd decided to not go in it. When they played... Hold on a minute. That's a myth. hold on a minute that's a myth hold on hold on when we play FA Cup semi-finals the same time where Liverpool are going to win the league you ask me about how big the FA Cup is it's not me diluting it it's like the other things that happen there which makes fans go it's all about Champions League if we're that serious about the FA Cup and make it as big as it was but what about if it's me I want Everton to win the FA Cup first I agree I get it yeah one year One year, Greg, honestly.

45:07Also, you've been in Europa League. I get it. I've still been in Europa. One year doesn't change it into a Champions League club. You're not. I don't believe it. Honestly, if Everton got in one year, I'd be thinking, can we build? That's why I'm really impressed with Villa. They got in and they might get in again. That's when you go, right, they are sort of getting in. I think win the FA Cup and build, you've got that, haven't you? No one can take it off. How old are you? 40. So how many FA Cups have you seen Forrest win? Well, I saw us get cheated out. No, no, no. how many FA Cups have you seen follow me don't bring up that now that's hurt me no but Greg we've won five but we haven't won one for 30 years I'd swap I remember it was it 96 95 95 yeah that's what made me like I was there yeah there you go so the FA Cup it's the only as a fan it's the only trophy I've seen Everton win yeah don't forget the Seattle Shield a few months later against Blackburn yeah that's another point actually you win the FA Cup then Community Shield against you guys as a player I can tell you from a players' point of view, we lost final on penalties to Arsenal.

46:09Then we lost in ex-time to Chelsea. The FA Cup was always something which I was desperate to win. And then we went down against Palace when Padua was doing the dance. I was captain. And that feeling of walking up the steps at Wembley and lifting the FA Cup is miles bigger than when I've lifted the Premier League trophy or the Champions League. that feeling it's the FA Cup it's historically it's you know it's such a good feeling for a player so for fans it must be well you'd won so the stage you won the FA Cup was probably towards the end of your career you'd won everything before that you know your Champions League your league probably World Club Cup was that like oh was it at the back of your mind because people don't say to me and see we don't know you haven't won the league but I mean someone asked me a question the other day about who'd won Rio Ferdinand hadn't won the FA Cup I couldn't believe it I didn't know you know what I mean so what I'm saying is was that on your mind even though you've won everything you're thinking I've got to get an FA Cup before I finish because the FA Cup was always as a final it was always something which you're hoping your team can go to quarter finals semi finals and then obviously to see Everton win it in 95 was such a big occasion something which always sticks with me and driving back to Croxtrot and going into the pub with my parents and all the family them celebrations something which always lives with you and then to win it as captain as well I remember we had two parties we had one for players and families one for the commercial team and they tried to take the FA Cup to the commercial team after the game so I said no chance so I've kept it took it to our party and I always remember I took it to my room at the time my two boys they were in bed asleep and I put it in between them and they slept in the bed with the FA Cup and then I give them back the next day but that I think it's got that much history around it and I used to love the build up when you're younger than Tom Fowler following the buses all that it's like it has been diluted it's definitely been diluted stop bus winning it in 2016 didn't you Ed and Le Carre who shot off the line wouldn't have had to wait 30 years for that never let it go never going to let it go

48:30The market's uncertain. Revenue's tied and hiring on hold. That's why results-driven companies are using Upwork to keep work moving. Go to Upwork.com today and start hiring proven freelance talent fast. No bulky overhead. No rigid long-term contracts. Just the right expert, right when you need them. Work smarter and faster with Upwork. Go to Upwork.com now and find your freelance expert. That's U-P-W-O-R-K dot com. Post a job for free and get started today. if you're a custodial supervisor at a local high school you know that cleanliness is key and that the best place to get cleaning supplies is from grainger grainger helps you stay fully stocked on the products you trust from paper towels and disinfectants to floor scrubbers plus you can rely on grainger for easy reordering so you never run out of what you need call 1-800 grainger click grainger.com or just stop by grainger for the ones who get it done A mochi moment from Tara, who writes, For years, all my doctor said was eat less and move more, which never worked.

49:40But you know what does? The simple eating tips from my nutritionist at Mochi. And after losing over 30 pounds, I can say you're not just another GLP-1 source. You're a life source. Thanks, Tara. I'm Myra Amid, founder of Mochi Health. To find your mochi moment, visit joinmochi.com. Tara is a Mochi member compensated for her story. Right, Dave, Wolves fan, welcome back. Thank you. You're on absolute fire at the moment. The manager's coming and doing absolutely brilliant, hasn't he? I mean, five wins on the bounce. How are you feeling? Good, good. It's nice to be... I honestly thought the last time I was on here, just before Christmas, was when he just got appointed.

50:20Obviously, we were talking about the car crash interview that he had on Sky about Everton a few years ago. And I think there were a lot of Wolves fans is a little bit cautious about him coming in but yeah, he got off to a good start, had a bit of a sticky patch but yeah, he's really kicking on now and it's nice just to have a bit of momentum to go into the end of the season. Obviously, overall, it's not been a great campaign but if we can go into a new season with all this momentum, hopefully it shows the owners can back him a little bit more and really push on and build next year. The last few years, it's always felt like it's been a non-event for the last few weeks but under Vitor, look, we're safe now but we just want to continue this winning run and we can do that.

50:55Is there a little bit I'm just thinking back to Lopetegui came in and had a big impact at Wolves and you just loved him as a manager and then he was gone again really quickly. Are you worried because he's done so well in the Premier League that other clubs might be looking at him? Not just in England, but abroad as well. Possibly. I think the Lopetegui situation was that he wanted to stay but it just didn't get backed enough by the owners. It was a weird relationship with Lopetegui because he was at the time such a world-class manager almost. It was a really good appointment for Wolves. And then his season ended up quite...

51:24there was a few poor results, heavy defeats against Arsenal on the final day. I don't know. I think one of the main reasons Vitor has probably come here is because Premier League is a huge league, like Wayne said earlier, and the best in the world at the moment, I would say. So in terms of a manager's reputation, it's brilliant. But there's something about him, the relationship with the fans. He's going to the pubs after the game to meet the fans. It's just unbelievable. Never seen that with a manager before. So the relationship is there. I have to know. I have, yeah.

51:57I've never seen, just going to a web conference after the game, just to have pictures with fans. It's amazing. There's a lot of comparisons to Nuno. You would have had a great relationship with Nuno and the Forest fans, but this is something really, really different. I think when you get in that relationship with the fans off the pitch, they're going to support you on the pitch. I think it's been a huge help over the last few weeks. Kunja, your best player. Yeah. Paul said he's joining Manchester United in the summer. I mean, how good is he? Do you think you can cope without him? I think so. I mean, the winning run, four of the five wins were without him.

52:33Or five of the six I'm beating were without him. So I think it was refreshing, I think, to see us play so well and win football matches without him. There's no denying he's an unbelievable footballer. But off the pitch, I think some of the things that he's doing on social media and so on, we had a little spat, me and Cunha, on social media where just... You and him? Yeah, yeah. You're not semi-earned? Oh! It was just, I reported on something he said and he didn't like the fact that I was talking about it. So we had a little back and forth of him. And thankfully, all Wolves fans are sort of on my side of it.

53:05But I think just off the pitch, it's just, it's really, really weird. Unbelievable footballer. But as a club in Wolves position where, at the moment, look, we're not fighting for the European places or whatever. We've just got to hope that we've got 11 players on the pitch that want to give it their all. And at times, I don't see that with Kunja. and when it's a soap opera every other week off the pitch, that's a little bit of a concern. So I think Vitor would think the same as well. Yes, fantastic footballer, but we want 11 players on the pitch that are going to do their talking on the pitch.

53:35Wayne, do you think that's right? That players at a club should be going back at their own fans online? There has to be an element of control over it, but I think that's the way the game is. and fans enjoy when players are interacting. As you said, the manager going down and having a drink with fans, players interacting on social media, the fans enjoy it. And there has to be a line, of course, that you can't cross. I get it if I was like being abusive as such. I think what happens, players get frustrated as well because there is that many, I know, first-hand, the amount of abuse players get from people who don't even watch games and stuff.

54:18so it's important that you try not to react to that and that's why a lot of players now don't control the social media and they have people doing it doing it for them from that point of view so I think you just have to have the balance right I saw something on social media I think it was two days ago it was the anniversary of your was it your tweet today do you know what I had no I had Rio kept saying to everyone about going on Twitter I had no idea what it was and I'd just written as a joke I don't know I think I've I've admitted to myself as well I don't know how it worked Mr Bean as well you did a tweet about Mr Bean you just put Mr Bean yeah that was it your fringes sandwich girl was another good one yeah I've had a few but anyway let's get back to Kunia how good do you think he is and is he good enough for Manchester United is that a step in the right direction I think there's a lot of players good enough for Manchester United at the minute no I think he's a he's a top player and for Man Utd it's difficult to because a lot of players have gone there with ability and reputation and have struggled over the last few years so it's difficult to think what United at the minute need to do is really identify a core group of players who can help sustain the club over the next two or three years instead of going for what they've done in the past with Lukaku, with Pogba, with Zlatan going for superstars and names which I don't think Kunio is at that level at the minute but they need to really get, and plus financial fair play might hit United as well, so the recruitment has to be miles better than what it has been and they have to identify a group of players, a bit what Liverpool have done over the last few years and try and get players in to gradually get United back.

56:07Adam, I just want to ask you about Cunha as well, but also, does it worry you that Pereira's come in at Wolves and Amorant at Manchester United, both play in a similar system. And they've got an inferior squad, Wolves, to Manchester United, and he's made sort of... It's a bigger turnaround, basically. I mean, it's obviously not ideal when you look at the cold, hard facts and the stats towards it all. But I do think, like, when you look at the squad, the players that we have, they're not suited to the system that the manager wants to play. You could say, does he need to adapt to the players that he has to get better results?

56:43Which you could argue, but then it's kind of like, does he change his philosophy and all that kind of stuff for players that aren't going to be there for that long? I think he's got a balancing act with that. It's been good to see us introducing some of the younger players into it because I think if we're going to use this time in the league, the league games mean nothing at the moment. So if we're going to use them, at least use them to give some players some minutes to try and discover whether some of these younger players are good enough or not. I agree with what Jim Ratcliffe said when he looked at the squad.

57:10Because of the injuries and stuff that have been here when he got here, the manager he's hardly like you look at our spending and stuff and you go well they're spending a lot of money the wage bill's quite high but then the actual players that he's got to use it doesn't reflect in those players the wage bill and stuff so I think it's not ideal you can't be I think we've lost about 15 or 16 league games you never want to be in that kind of position and you don't want to be in a position where you're just writing off league games for fun but it's like at the weekend against Wolves I thought we were probably the better team should have taken our chances.

57:45You've got a goalkeeper who I don't think he trusts and you've got a number nine who couldn't hit a barn door at the moment. I've tried to keep faith with what Rasmus Hoyland is doing as a young striker, kind of learning his trade in a difficult environment. When Wayne come through, he's got leaders around him. He's got, obviously, a settled manager, a settled team, a club. And players coming through at the moment haven't got any of that. But he doesn't do the basics as a striker. like his movement's poor he's not trying to get onto the end of things and I just feel if we did have a striker maybe a few the results would be different but you've got to get you've got to get short termed I think I understand what you're saying but I think for Manchester United as a football club over the next few years they need to attract players to the football club so when you're losing games of football and you're relying on obviously the rope league now to get into the Champions League if If Man Utd don't win that and don't finish in the Champions League, then if I put my players at all and I'm looking at it, I signed for Man Utd because of Alex Ferguson.

58:48Man Utd at the time were going through a transition period as well, but I knew that Alex Ferguson would get that right. So if I'm a player now and I'm thinking Man Utd come in for me, I'd be looking at it thinking, well, the manager hasn't done great since he's gone in there. They're losing games. How do we see this moving forward? And that's what I'd be looking at. Then you've got teams who are, you know, Villas, Newcastles, who are coming up and challenging. So as a player, that would be my concern as a Man United fan now as well, is I think you still need to go on time and win football games.

59:22It's important. You can't just write off games in the Premier League because you want to win the Europa League. And you need that momentum as well to switch it, you know, to switch it from losing games to then go and win games is very difficult. So I think, in my opinion, Man United should be playing the strongest team. I know I get playing kids or you bring one in or give a young player the last 20 minutes, but the importance of winning football games, going into the semi-final, going into the final, hopefully, and that building on to attack players, I think this is a really important few weeks now for Manchester United.

59:57I think it has to be managed right, otherwise... Yeah, if we go out on the eighth, I think the second leg's on the eighth. If we go out, suddenly the season just... Everyone starts talking, the headlines are a little bit bigger. but I can't see the sense in kind of sticking with Ericsson. Like, why do we need to see him play? We know he's leaving in the summer, maybe try something different in there. Same with Hoyland. We get the feeling this kind of experiment's over now, so why not give Chido a few minutes, see if he can adapt and be a part of the squad? And we saw Harry Amassby getting some minutes, Fredrickson at the back.

1:00:29I think I'd rather see us kind of put some faith in the youth than some of the players that have kind of let us down. But he's not going to do that for the final? so in my opinion it's more important that Hoyland gets minutes for instance and hopefully he gets two or three goals and gets a bit of confidence because Hoyland or Zerke one of them is going to play probably in the final so the importance of them getting momentum and confidence back before the final or going into the semi-finals is more important for this period in time the youngsters will get their opportunities but in this period the youngsters might come in and then get left out not even in the squad for the Europa League so getting confidence into players now is really he should be focusing in my opinion on what his team want to be for the semi-final and how can I get confidence into this group of players this group of 14 players if you like he needs to focus on them in my opinion rather than you know leaving players out bringing young players in then flipping it again it's so hard I think he's in a weird position though because ideally he does that we're losing so many players to injuries yeah yeah and then Xerxes out for the rest of the season now he's not scoring many goals but he's kind of picking up some form and he's out and I think there's the fear that if you do that in the games in the league games and you lose a few of them then we haven't got an 11 for the final obviously that's always a fear balancing act are you confident about Bilbao?

1:01:54No Honestly I don't know if United could go and roll them over or could get beat you know by two or three that's where they're at you don't know I hope so really hope so there was a really worrying period like in the grand scheme of things against Lyon over both legs I thought most of the time we were the better team but when our heads went our heads really really went and in that period where they got back into the game even with 10 men started controlling it there was some alarming things there and if we do have a spell like that against Bilbao they'll beat us like they will beat us I don't I don't see us being let off the hook against them and if we get to the final no hesitation No problem.

1:02:37Spurs don't beat us in a final. Because neither of you will be there. I know. Old old Bilbao.

1:02:50Livvy, I said at the top of the show that you'd have your chance to come back at Gareth over, say, and he'd love Liverpool to sign Kirk. I mean, how does it feel after, you know, having such a brilliant season, being on this sort of journey? it feels that everyone's sort of looking at your club and thinking, your players are linked with other clubs constantly, day in, day out. How do you find that as a supporter? Yeah, I mean, we're just enjoying it, to be honest with you. I'm just loving it. This season's been amazing. So I'm just enjoying it. I don't want to start worrying too much about the future because I just want to enjoy what's happening now.

1:03:23And I think, you know, we've got such an ambitious owner now. You know, he's got such big plans. He's got a good strategy. our recruitment is really really good so we're sort of like almost our model is to be a bit of a platform club where we're bringing in these young players um giving them exposure in the premier league um bringing on our academy lads as well and i think we've got good succession planning so whilst i'll be really sad you know to lose some of these players i'm realistic and i've got faith that there's a bigger plan and you know i want them all to go on and do well and I'm just grateful for what they've all done for us this season, basically.

1:04:02You know your club and your team and players better than any of us. We watch games, watch highlights here and there. I mean, who is the real standout at Bournemouth? Who's sort of the star that you think of? There's one that we can try and keep hold of because he is really special. I'd love to watch him for another 12 months. Yeah, I mean, Howson is out of this world. He's amazing and given he's so young, obviously he's a really solid defender. good with the ball he pushes forward with the ball as well for a centre back he really really stands out I fear we probably will lose him because of that but yeah he's a joy to watch What's the fear around the manager?

1:04:38Is there? Because I mean you read things he's being linked with the clubs I get that but there was something came out I think a couple of weeks ago that he's almost thinking he wants to have another 12 months at least at Bournemouth Who wouldn't want to stay in Bournemouth? You've got the sea you've got the beach he likes his cycling he's walking you know why would he go anywhere else? I think there's, like I said, we've got an ambitious owner and all the plans have Iriola at the centre of them. And he's got empowerment. You know, he's the culture that the owner is kind of breeding across the whole club is really, really positive.

1:05:13So I think there's loads of reasons for him to stay. You know, he's got autonomy. He's left to get on and do the job. And also, you know, we complain as Bournemouth fans a bit sometimes about being a small club, you know, and you were saying the big six doesn't exist anymore. Well, that's music to our ears. I think sometimes it's an advantage for us because we go a little bit under the radar. So our manager can, you know, just get left to get on with it. There's not as much scrutiny and sort of external pressure as there is like Spurs, Man United, et cetera. And, you know, I think maybe that's a real advantage.

1:05:45You know, he's meeting with the owner supposedly this week, so we'll see what happens. I suppose you can't allow for that opportunity that just comes along. They offer him more money. Would he take that? Only he knows that. But I think there's loads of reasons for him to stay at Bournemouth, for sure. Baz, I mean, thinking about Bournemouth and you think of where Everton are right now and you think of the teams, you think the last few years have been really tough for Everton, but you see teams like Bournemouth really chasing European places. That gives you a little bit of hope going forward into the new stadium.

1:06:16David Moyes in charge as well. that the good times might be coming back in the future? Good times, interesting phrase. But yeah, definitely. I'll change it if you want. No, no. Great times would be nice. We've only lost three in 14 since Moyes come in. That's from where we were. We hadn't scored in nine of the previous 11 before he took over. I think City was the third game we hadn't scored in, but we should have. But yeah, I think with everything that's gone on, the owners and another billionaire joined this week to the board and things like that. I think they're getting all the backroom stuff in place.

1:06:56I think moving forward, David Moyes has shown that if you actually try to win games with football, you win some, rather than just being terrified, sitting in your own box. So I think that's been a plus. And I think if you look at Everton's squad, I think the defence plays like a Champions league in terms of goals conceded it's up there with that midfield middle of the table I think the forward areas are sort of bottom three if you break down the numbers and stuff we just don't score enough goals there's no goals there and that's going to be the big sort of thing Everton have got to sort out over to some and David Moyes but I think what he's done is he's given us well he's certainly given me the confidence that you know he will get it right as in he'll make Everton higher up put Everton higher up the table and go after teams like Bournemouth and Brighton and teams like that and try to get into that next pack.

1:07:48It won't be done overnight, but for once, Everton will have some money to spend this summer. Well, we're looking ahead to next season, but the big thing for Everton right now is that the final game at Goodison, it's a 12 o 'clock kick-off. What are your thoughts? There was a lot of talk about when you wanted the game, what time you wanted the game. Does that work for you, Everton fans, happy with that? I think, to be honest, football fans moan whatever time the kick-off would have been, there'd always be a reason why it shouldn't be I think the biggest thing it seemed to be from the fan base and talking to them on our show and stuff was not the Monday anything but the Monday anything but carry it on Monday night no no it's the after bit isn't it oh yeah going for a bevy but I think 12 o 'clock listen it means people who like your bevy can bevy all day you're in that camp aren't you and me I don't drink so you know as long as I get my Mars bar and my cup of coffee I'll be alright no I think listen it's going to be a strange day I think thinking I was just saying to somebody before we started I was sat there at half time on a Saturday just looking thinking this is my view for two and a half more games and that's it right on the halfway in fact your dad was sat in front of me at the Leicester game great to see it right there and just thinking I'm not going to have this view anymore and that was the first time it sort of hit me that's it you know in two and a half games so that Southampton game is going to be a bit of an emotional one I think I want to ask you your favourite moment at Goodison Park in all the years that you've been going to watch the Blues what's the moment that sticks out?

1:09:23Funnily enough I was asked this this week there's a couple there's a couple Trevor Stephen against Bayern Munich the third goal that knowing that you know at the Gladys D10 that was at the front how old are you sorry for asking? E3 ok so I was I was 11 stood at the front and when he knocked that in and just thinking that's it Bayern Munich were unbelievable his goal wasn't bad against Arsenal as a 16 year old seeing that one it was quite special but it's hard isn't you go back and you end up picking about 50 moments Andy Johnson's ever against Liverpool was a good one to make it 3-0 not ever not the one I made the state for thanks I'm not your one we'll leave you you're alright you're just dragging Lescott down for penalties if he had to pick one it would probably be Trevor Stevens that day although Graham Sharpe said it against QPR to win the league wasn't a bad one either so difficult Wayne what's your greatest memory as a player and as a fan as a fan there weren't many to be honest so it's strange because so what year would you have started so Barry Orne obviously his goal which kept us up and Gareth Farrelly as well both times I had a debate on should fans be on the pitch but they have great memories on the pitch after the game and I remember I dug up a pair of grass and took it home and stuff yeah probably the best moment to be honest and as a player?

1:10:50as a player

1:10:56obviously my first goal in the Premier League against Arsenal I'll have to say that that was the you know a goal that doesn't get mentioned obviously you know when you came back the second time that goal you scored from your half way that get goal of the season no didn't it No, I don't think so. It was Salah's one where he just cut in with his left foot and like a normal goal. I think he won the Pushkas award and everything for it. And he only went, no disrespect, but he only went past Cucamante. So it doesn't count. No, that was, because I'd been dropped actually. Then Unzi come in with Joe Royal and obviously Unzi was with the 21, so they were promoting all the 21 players because he knew he weren't.

1:11:37Until Benny Beningham, he was playing ahead of me. and then Sam Aldice was coming in after the West Ham game so I think Sam had said to Undy to play me so play my field and score at Hattrick but that was my first goal back when I re-signed forever and at the Gladys did as well to score at Hattrick so that was a good night as well I was at that game that by me I was too young to understand how big that was but I was at that game the Barrione game as well just before I went to Lillyshaw You were at the Newcastle game in the quarterfinal. I know you were at Liverpool then, but when Dave watched...

1:12:12No, I watched that in the Chaucer in Bootle. I remember that. I went to the semi-final at Ellum Road. Yeah. Yeah, obviously wasn't at Goodison. No, but I've got... Listen, I was a fan as a kid, but even going there for Liverpool, for me, it was always the better place to win. We had, under Gerard Eulier, we did well at Goodison and Old Trafford, but it was still winning at Goodison for me. It was even better than winning at Old Trafford, you know, for me. So I'll miss Goodison. you know memories there going there as a kid how you got there on the bus with your mates and games and stuff like that but you said there's a funny feeling but it's almost like it was definitely it was needed it was needed just for the club everyone to you know get investors into the football club and for the club to move forward it was needed as sad as it's going to be obviously going to good as in the last game it was definitely needed well you've been in your stadium what's it like yeah it still needs work doing I've been a couple of times Went into a tour And then I went to the Under-21 game Then it's a lovely stadium To be fair But all inside And it still needs A bit of work doing Which I'm sure will Will be done But yeah It's really impressive Did either of you When you played Like Man U Or Liverpool Did either of you Hear your family in the crowd Like giving you a stick Or anything You can't not hear The characters mate

1:13:35yeah we've got a good firm we've got a good firm no no mine I don't know what it was like for you but when my family is still when I say family I'm talking like cousins or uncles and stuff like that they wouldn't change but to Liverpool from Everton but like your dad and your brother and you know stuff like that you know but to be fair I think if my brothers now they're probably a little bit indifferent you know what I mean but I think they'd still go to the Everton game or you know stuff like that but it's only really probably my dad my mum and my dad who were like probably Everton when I was a kid who were proper Liverpool now and obviously my son but he doesn't know any difference so yeah all my family stayed as Everton really I mean what was it like?

1:14:19Yeah mine are obviously all Everton my dad very rarely went to the United Games whatever yeah so just big Evertonian I always remember I scored at Ellen Road I might have been 17 then we won 1-0 I think it was the first time we won there for like 50 years and there's a picture where the fans have come onto the pitch and obviously I didn't know it was and I just looked back on the picture to all my mates my cousins all on the pitch and that so yeah but all my family that was the one thing I was worried about when I re-signed for Everton was at United no one was on to me for tickets I was fine it was easy when I went back to Evan it was constant could you get me tickets so what was the reception like remember when you was it 06, 07 when we won the league was it that one where you kissed the badge or was that 08 you had a bit of stick from him 06, 07 yeah yeah it was it was tough because you're at the end of the day you're a human being as well and you have emotions and I love Evan still do and then the fans were on me which I get from a certain point of view and then I'm amazed fine but then they start going into your parents and your wife and whatever and it gets too much and that's why I've reacted that way, to be honest.

1:15:37Looking back, I shouldn't have, but yeah, it's just a reaction. So I've got a little bit of stick for that as well. OK, listen, just before we finish, we've got a community question of the week from Anna from Hull.

1:15:59I hope that's in the edit. Right, I don't even know how I'm going to answer this one or where we're going to start. Which club has the most annoying fans and why? We don't even have to debate that. Arsenal. Arsenal, where do we have? Are we all... All agreed? Yeah, all agreed. All agreed. I mean, only from my social media, I'd say Arsenal. But do they have a bigger sort of profile on social media than most clubs? Arsenal what is it it's all bad I'm not going to ask you because they're your biggest you're always going to say Arsenal Gareth or I wouldn't say five years ago if you asked me I wouldn't have said Arsenal I'd have said probably United United are still annoying but it's just the Arsenal they haven't won anything and they're like constantly at you like just constantly nibbling away so yeah if they win something that was like you ten years ago yeah well we've had a good ten years haven't we but yeah no Arsenal fans are just so annoying yeah and we got beat in like the 97th minute 3-2 having gone ahead in the game at the Emirates a couple of seasons ago after the match they were so mean I was so sad I was crying what are you talking about actually in the stadium when we went out they wouldn't let us in any pubs I was like just want a drink to drown my sorrows get over it yeah like no you can't so yeah I'd go along with that man do you know he was as a player going he was horrible fans was Blackpool honestly Honestly, we played Blackpool away a few times.

1:17:31Where's that on the map, by the way, Wade? By the sea. We got beat by them two years in the same season. They were in the Roy Hodgson years, weren't they? Charlie Adam and... I know they get the rivalry between fans of Liverpool, Everton, Spurs, Arsenal, but who's your big rivalries? Who'd you look at it? We haven't seen the rivalry. It was Dobby, but we'll never play him again. What about Leicester? No, Leicester want to be our rivals, but it's not. When you're talking about annoying fans, and seeing as they're not here either, like Brentford talking about their XG and how they recruit players better than anyone else, they've always annoyed me.

1:18:13As a West Brom, but it's brilliant. Now we're mathematically safe, and they're not going to get playoffs. Dragging some of the tweets up and posts up from December when they were saying walls are falling apart, they're going to come down. Yeah, that was a nice feeling. But again, we haven't really... COVID was the last time we played West Brom other than the FA Cup, so we don't really have any back and forth. Villa are a little bit, but to be fair, they're not too bad. I would agree with the Arsenal. Shout out to some of their fans. Gareth, who are you going for? I mean, a lot of this is like...

1:18:39It's almost like a social media question, isn't it? And I think... I think there's an... Arsenal do seem to have the fair share of cranks. Who like... Cranks! Honestly, all season long, I've just been... Like, every time I log into, like, Twitter, X, whatever you call it these days, There seems to be like, you know, in the rage bait section, the for you, you know, at the top there will be an Arsenal fan somehow doing down what we're doing that week or that month or that it's not the real league title or everyone's being crap and that's why you're winning it. And it's always got some bite and some bang.

1:19:10And you're like, and I try to ignore them, but it's dead hard. You know, everything's sort of like scheme to get a reaction out of you now, isn't it? And I'm probably feeding it now by calling them cranks. But as I'm going to finish on you, I'm expecting what your answer might be. Not you, no. I'd stay off social media now. Just don't bother with it because it's the cause of that. I was having this conversation with, what do you think, Greg, before social media. Didn't mind anyone. Obviously you had the Liverpool thing, didn't you, with Everton and obviously everyone did. It was you, Flav, wasn't it?

1:19:47Now, everyone's having shot at everyone, but West Ham and Newcastle seem to hate Everton and vice versa. I'm like, where did the Newcastle rivalry come from? I don't know. I mean, fair play. We just won a trophy, but that's always seen to have traction. And West Ham as well with Everton. I don't know whether... The Moyes-Eye effect there? I don't know, though, because it seemed to be... I seem to remember when they had Pyatt, because I remember they beat us at Goodison and they were everywhere, how big they were. And I was just thinking, we've got Roberto Martinez who doesn't want to defend, so no wonder he won the game.

1:20:18But I don't know. But the Newcastle one, mate, I don't know whether it comes. no no he's a great fella but at that time he didn't want to defend did he we were winning 2-0 he put Numaan Nias up front instead no we were down to 10 there it go no we were down to 10 about the grudges bad ass I haven't forgotten you know why because I'm thinking of Rafa Benitez in the head oh yeah probably then but I don't get it via listeners you can find an argument anywhere can't you on Twitter if you want one people say on Twitter there's always an argument that ends up talking about Rafa Benitez well there you go Exactly, so we've finished on Rafa anyway.

1:20:52But listen, that is another brilliant episode of The Fan Debate brought to you by Skybet. APPLAUSE

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