“For Me, Man City, They’ve Got It All”

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0:58Rachael O'Sullivan:This episode is powered by British Gas. They've kicked off something new, the BWSL football tariff, a one-year fixed tariff made for the BWSL community. Whether you are a fan, a player, or part of a club, you can switch and get a prize that will help you beat the January prize cap. Nice and simple. A tariff shaped around the people who make the league what it is. Plus, when you sign up to Peak Save Sundays, you can score extra savings. Yes, with half-price electricity, at 11am till 4pm every Sunday. Your matchday routine costs you less. Brew on, telly on, even a quick pre-match tidy if you're on a roll.

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2:00Rachael O'Sullivan:Hello everyone and welcome to Daily Brightness Christmas edition. As you can see, Mrs. Claus is here. I didn't get the memo, obviously, but... Don't worry, I've already put everyone's presents in the sleigh. We're good to go. Just left me hanging with the memo. Well, I'm also going to show you these because my mum's going to be gutted if I don't, but Mama B put out some lovely glasses for me to wear. Oh, we have our team Christmas meal. Yeah. She was like, I've got all these glasses for you for the podcast. Maybe you could just change them every couple of minutes. I was like, Mama, I'm busy talking.

2:34Rachael O'Sullivan:Bless her, she's cute. But yeah, anyway, how are we? All good. Nice to sort of have a little break now. Obviously, football's over. But literally went on the treadmill this morning. I was like, I feel like I've had no days off. Bestie, why are you on the treadmill? We played a friendly on Thursday. Yeah. And then we had Friday, Saturday, Sunday off and our training starts again today. Already? Yeah. So I was just like, I walked into my gym and I was like, oh. I think that's a bit excessive to be quite honest. I think you need at least five days off. But I did a treadmill run and then some gym and then a sauna.

3:11And this weekend I went home to see my family. So that was really nice. Nice. Not so nice because it was for a funeral, my auntie's funeral. but it was nice to see the family. How are you? How are you? How are you?

3:23Rachael O'Sullivan:Yeah, I'm good, bestie. I'm so glad the break's here. Oh my God. I was hanging on by a thread so I am very excited to finally have some time off. As you can see, my surroundings has changed. I'm finally home on the farm so I'm looking out the windows at the horses. I feel like when I just drive up the road, I'm just like, my head goes from like, and everything just like drifts away. Peace. I feel like all my problems just vanish and then I'm like, I'm the happiest person again because I'm just here. But it's been good. It's been a tough week. Obviously, I had Zusey Boy put down Saturday, so that was a terrible day.

4:01Rachael O'Sullivan:So yeah, a couple crappy bits. On to nice things now then. Love a nice week this week. Yeah, nice. Christmas week. It's a Christmas break. We've had a good time. I'm home. Spent a bit of time with the kids already. So yeah, I'm feeling really good. And most importantly, it's your big day coming up. So I'm so excited. I feel like I'm not even thinking about Christmas because like that's so close. And it's like, yeah, it's less than a week. It's crazy. You're going to be married in less than a week. Madness. Anyway, let's talk about some football stuff. You absolutely tonked Liverpool yesterday.

4:36I mean, I know they're not doing very well, but I was like, nine, what? Like, did they even come?

4:42Rachael O'Sullivan:Do you know what? It was so weird because obviously last time we played them, not that long ago, obviously we drew and we could have lost that game. Like if you look back at it, we could have. They had like big chances in that. And listen, I know they're struggling a lot with injuries and they didn't have a big bench for the game the other day either. But I'm not going to take anything away from our performance. We made, I think it was eight changes. And for, you know how hard it is when you change a team, it's really hard like new connections people haven't played as many minutes are you match fit are you ready to go it's then as a player that's not playing as much you take that as your moment to like impress and be like this is why you should be playing me sort of thing so you put like extra pressure on yourself to do well and we just said listen girls it's a quarter final it's it's anyone's game to take they're a tough team let's just have fun and that was our team huddle I was like girls just enjoy yourself like take the pressure off enjoy yourselves you're all top players you all deserve to be on the pitch let's stick together work together we'll do some new connections if we make a mistake sod it we'll work hard for each other recover the ball and I I honestly stand by this and I'll take it to my grave happy players are the best players they are they really are and every time we went forward like we were just scoring scoring scoring scoring scoring and you know credit credit to all the girls that don't get as many minutes to have that mentality to come out and to deliver like we were honestly just having a ball and it was just like just keep going next goal next goal next goal but yeah I mean I don't think it was a great day for them but I certainly can't take away from the team performance and it felt like a real team performance like everyone contributed everyone had each other's backs we worked hard and it was really nice to send the fans off on a Christmas break with a 9-1 win and into the semis.

6:35Rachael O'Sullivan:So, yeah, it was really exciting. It was nice. And that means you'll go against Man City in the semis and the other one is Arsenal, Man United. That's going to be a really interesting game. One I really want to watch. I think City are flying as well at the minute. So, I think that'll be an exciting game. But there you go again. Just swanning into the League Cup as and when you won. Moving on. Right, we're going to just move on from that. Enough of Chelsea. Move on. Well, we're going to go back to Chelsea now because we're going to talk about your Champions League roundup. So Chelsea have secured automatic qualification for the last eight by finishing top four in the league table.

7:12You've got to be happy with that.

7:13Rachael O'Sullivan:Yeah, that was so important. I think obviously with the new format of the Champions League, we set out to be in the top four. We said that's one of our aims, that's our goal. and then obviously we drew early on and then it makes things tricky and then it was like, okay, we have to beat Roma, we have to beat Wolfsburg and we'd never beaten Wolfsburg away. That for me, I had PTSD going there. I was like, oh my God, that was the year we all had COVID, like everyone was struggling. We got absolutely tonked and it's like every time we played there, we've lost and I remember the exact place I was stood doing an interview once, we'd just been knocked out by him again and I was like, oh, this is too much And then, yeah, I think we had a really, really good game.

7:55Rachael O'Sullivan:And I think it was a great game for the fans to watch as well. They had chances, we had chances. But again, I don't think people understand how much that saves you being in the top four because the games that needed to then be played would have made our schedule so much more hectic. And it makes a difference because I guarantee you that Champions League game, that fixture would have fell on probably a Man City week or an Arsenal week. But you're through and then it's Man United have got playoffs against Athletic. And that's not going to be an easy game. And if they get through, they get Bayern.

8:27It is going to be a really exciting actual quarters and semis and stuff. But you will play Arsenal in the quarters. That's a bit annoying. You don't want to play the English teams, do you?

8:37Rachael O'Sullivan:You do that all the time. No, not in the Champs League. And that is the annoying thing is when you face the English teams in the Champs League. It's not because it's Arsenal. It's because in the Champs League, you want it to be different opposition. and also I think as for the neutral like for me I want to see the English teams go as far as they can I don't want them to knock each other out so that'll be an exciting game they're always a good tasty one Arsenal-Chelsea but how much of a target for you Malik can you tell the fans because I know the answer to this is winning Champions League it's the one thing you've not done it's bestie it's like the thing in capital letters the trophy and it's like we get closer and closer and closer and I think this year more than ever it's anyone's to take yeah standards definitely been raised hasn't it yeah and I do think more and more teams are now competing for it and it's not just like a select few and it's it's like exciting you're like come on we're in the quarters like let's go um but it is the trophy like it's the trophy it's yeah I just I can't even I'm speechless because it's like you work so hard for it and yeah it's been a long journey like trying to win it so to this day um everything that we're doing is to achieve that and all the others and I think that's one thing that I want people to understand is we're not we as a club like we're not sacrificing any other trophy to win that trophy we want we want to win everything um and I think sometimes people are like oh are you just going to focus on that like no we're not going to sacrifice any other trophy just to win the Champions League like we're going to do that we're going to try and do that and try and win everything else so I think that's just the mentality of the club though but yeah it is like the trophy and it's I think it would be the best one that you could possibly lift and yeah let's keep going Moving on from Champions League we'll go into the winter break now let's review the WSL so far like how do you how would you review your own team's performances up until the Christmas break?

10:44Rachael O'Sullivan:Yeah, I think, listen, I think we're in a good place. I think we've had some up moments, some down moments. I don't really think we've hit our peak yet. I think we've had some really, really good games, but I think we've lacked a little bit of consistency. And I think, especially the last like four games, I think we've really found our flow in front of goal, which is really nice to see because I think it sets you in a good place to when you return. But I think we got to a place where, you know, we spoke about on the podcast, we'd have like loads of chances, but maybe only like one or two goals.

11:17Rachael O'Sullivan:And I think it's something that we're always wanting to be better at. Well, you didn't do that yesterday. Yeah, we found our shooting boots. I did say, Sonia, if you need a number nine, I'm available. You know what I mean? That was about no target, no shooting practice. I know, when I was looking at it, because I didn't watch it, I looked at it and it said, bright, 90 minute or something like that. And I'm just like, what the hell is she doing? She's either got on an amazing run. best it I intercepted a pass bagsman striker's goal or she's gone up for a corner no that's exactly what I did why did I just had it in then like it was all in front of me go on it's because you already had me pom pom I'd intercepted a pass I saw it I did see it afterwards played a 1-2 it's a good goal really nice goal yeah I think just being ruthless in front of goal is probably something that we've not been as efficient with as we would have liked to so that would be my review but as always it's a very long season and for me peaking in the business end is the most important I think the frustrating one for me that stands out is the loss against Everton because as you know City now sit six points clear and like in form and we've been in that position where we're that team and you are in full control like you are that's a nice that's a nice gap to have but listen we're only halfway through there's there's a lot of games to play yet we've still got to play them um so I think we're in a really really good place we've just got a it's now one of them where you can't you can't drop any more points but yeah I think I don't think we can complain as to where we are I don't think you can either what about you?

12:46yeah I think for us I think I think we sort of sit in there or thereabouts where we were this time last year but obviously the league has got a lot tougher but I think in terms of overall ability that we have in our squad this year is far superior than what it's ever been like individually yeah we have some unbelievably talented players I think you see in games that we've been we've done really well I think we would obviously like to have a few more points on the board at this point but we've had a lot of loss as well like we've had loads of big players out injured we've had three red cards going into the new year I think we are in an okay position can't sit here and say we're happy with where we are but again I think we're alright like we're on the right track so but I think for me Man City are the they've got it all I know you won't want to hear this but I think this year is their year I think they've struggled and they've come so close so many times but again it's in their hands and it's theirs to cock up isn't it they can drop the ball they can lose it and anything can happen in this league but they have been an exciting team for me and to play against them the other day I thought yeah they're another level this year

13:57Rachael O'Sullivan:no they are I think Mide Mare is really just in terms of standout players so far I'd say Viv's been incredible and I think she's been a real key player for them, stepping up. She's making everything tick. She's scoring goals. But I think another one that I'd shout out is Ruby Mace. I think she's been brilliant for Everton. Oh, I say this every time we watch her. I'm like, she is actually unbelievable. Yeah, I think, honestly, I don't think people put her on the radar enough and I think she goes unmissed a lot of the time. And for me, she's been outstanding. She was fantastic against us. I watched another game that she was brilliant.

14:31Rachael O'Sullivan:I think she's good in midfield, really good. But I think what she offers at centre-back... Well, she's a ball-playing centre-back, but she defends as well. And she's quick, she's strong. I think she's great. Shout-out to Ruby Mace. But I think the team that has really shocked me is Liverpool. Like, I just don't know what's going on. Like we said about it before, obviously they took a big hit at the start of the season in losing Matt. They've got so many injuries now. So many injuries. But I just think that they still have a decent squad. Like, when I looked on paper when they played us, I was just like, your team's really good.

15:00but I don't get it. So I think we'll have to see a big January from them in the window bringing in players. I think there'll be a lot of movement this Christmas period.

15:08Rachael O'Sullivan:I was going to say, do you think there'll be a lot of movement? Because I think there's a lot of unhappy players at top teams as well. Yeah. So they're going to want to go out on loan or get sold or whatever. And I think then you've got teams like Liverpool who just need to just bring in and bulk out their squad because you can't afford to have that many injuries and lose that many players during the season. You need to have some sort of backup. But it's a hard thing to do, I think, because if you look at a team like, let's say Villa, you sit like mid-table or around mid-table, whatever, and you bring in a huge squad for a team in that position, it's quite hard because I think, realistically, you might play the cup games, but if you're out of the cup, there's no games.

15:48You know the players that are fringe in the squad. Like Chelsea, it's like you've got that many games, thick and fast, you've got Champions League, you've got League Cup, you've got FA Cup, you've got League. There's so many games and you're going to be needed at some point and I think that's where it's hard to actually ensure that everyone stays happy. Keep everyone happy. Side note, London City's manager. Baffled. Like you're sitting pretty at the minute in your first year in the WSL and you've just got rid of him at Christmas.

16:14Rachael O'Sullivan:I don't understand that. And that, do you know what that can cause? I mean, and listen, we might not know the ins and outs. We might not know if something's happened or whatever, but from an outsider looking in, that can ruffle so many feathers and it can also be disruptive. I don't think people appreciate change is really, really, really hard and it does take a toll on the environment, the team. Yeah, it can be positive. It can also cause a little bit of disruption. But no matter what, it's going to make change because if you bring in another manager, let's say you're not playing and that manager comes in and they want to play you but you've just built this squad around the team that's doing well.

16:51I don't know. I was really surprised when I saw that.

16:53Rachael O'Sullivan:I didn't understand it. I'm struggling to find a reason but I will say it's been a really exciting start to the season from all teams and I think there's teams in positions in the table that you don't expect them to be but equally there's teams in positions now that won't finish anywhere near there at the end of the season yeah it's going to be exciting there's going to be a lot of there's going to be a lot of changes in the new year it's going to be so exciting on that note let's take a quick break and when we come back we'll be talking some things football some things not this episode is brought to you by Duluth Trading Company Whether it's the 19th inning, the 12th quarter, or the 5th and a half shift, overtime isn't going anywhere, which is why Duluth builds hard-working gear for folks who work their butts off.

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18:24Rachael O'Sullivan:welcome back everybody I hope you enjoyed that little update on football but now we're switching the boots for the dancing shoes and we want to celebrate Kaz Carney winning Strictly yes Kaz listen I always knew she could dance she was so good at like dancing and breakdance and stuff like that but jeez I didn't know you had that in your locker girl she's unbelievable honestly blew me away I don't watch Strictly religiously but my mum does and she'll always say like must watch Kaz but I'd always had Kaz on I always put Kaz on when it's finished like on Instagram when you go out and play and stuff but I think she absolutely smashed it and I loved the relationship she had with Carlos like you could tell they got on you could tell like they had that little bit of chemistry did you hear his interview after though as well like what he said about her so once they'd won I also before I go into that I really rate like Kaz's reasons for going on and when you listen to her mum talk about this is again this is just a message to fans and anyone out there is you do not know what someone is going through.

19:23Rachael O'Sullivan:And just because they're on TV and they look all happy and confident, that's not what that person is feeling. And Kaz did an interview and said, like, she'd lost all her confidence and lost herself a little bit. And she wanted to go on to, like, push into that, outside that comfort zone. And I really rate her for doing that. But also how hard, what a hard thing to do to get your confidence back. Like, she's actually put herself in a really vulnerable spot. Like, you're on TV. They're savage. Yeah, you've got savage judges around you. You've got unbelievable dancers around you. So for her to do that, like fair play, fair play.

19:54We're really proud of you, Kaz.

19:56Rachael O'Sullivan:We love you. You absolutely smashed it. But Carlos's interview after like blew me away and he was saying that he'd come from a place where he was like all about me, me, me. And Kaz had taught him like to be humble and to be a good person and to be a team player, which that is Kaz. She values every single person in that environment, in whatever she's doing. and she knows that every single person's role matters, whether it's a small role, a big role, whether like when she's a footballer, whether you were in the stands, not in the stands, she valued everyone equally. But I think that's like what we love about people like Jill and Kaz and, you know, I could name loads more, but you remember how, A, how good they were on the pitch, but the most important thing you remember is how they treated others and how they made you feel.

20:41And I remember coming up into the England set-up and Kaz was there and I just thought like, oh my God, like Karen Carney. and uh i think sometimes people lose sight of like that in football it's just like all right she was a good footballer but i'm like no the person behind the footballer was so much more important and and that's why she'll always forever i'll always remember her for her rather than a footballing ability well now maybe as a dancer but no i'm so proud of her you're so proud of her we all we all were rooting for you so smashed it kaz well done can't wait to see her on step up she's

21:13Rachael O'Sullivan:going to be on step up three can't wait give her that damn role yeah get her on honey love love that and then moving on to some other news michelle adjimang won young sports personality how big is that now i think that's such a great achievement unbelievable a good pick me up when you're injured like how nice is that i was i was just gonna say if there was a time in which she needed something and to be appreciated and valued and to have eyes on you a little bit that's the moment and it's for like that is such like an incredible award and she fully deserves it like fully deserves it absolutely and I just think yeah like what what better time for that to come to her when obviously she's going through her ACL um rehab and yeah it was it was like a really proud moment seeing her up there collecting it because yeah even though we're retired like we're always a part of that team and we're always a part of what it stands for and the legacy and you're always rooting for the people that are there now but I think yeah for her it was a massive pick me up a massive boost when you're down in the slumps a little bit about your injury and whatnot.

22:16But she's had such a great start to her career. And I think that that will only give her a boost to get back, get healthy and smash the next part of her season.

22:24Rachael O'Sullivan:I also think a message to other players out there and youngsters that that's what you can achieve if you've got the right mentality, you're patient, you take your moment, whether it's five minutes, two minutes, it doesn't matter. She took a moment every single time she got it. so I think she sent a message to the other youngsters that this is what you can do and I think that's why it's also so important that it's appreciated and things like that are celebrated because she's had, like I said, an incredible start to her career and yeah, there's so much more to come but we wish you all the best with your recovery and congratulations again.

22:59Rachael O'Sullivan:Woohoo! Another one, another Lioness winning awards that's what we like to see. Time to move on to block and delete, Millie, our favourite. sort of segments here at the end where we can just put the world to rights and then talk about what we love so first one is from helen and she said litter louts some street can be absolutely covered and it's awful i agree i hate green put it in the damn bin no it's just like it winds up when you like drive past somewhere and there's like a whole bin bag just been choked it's like why go to the skip people are lazy they don't want to go to the tip that's the problem it is well okay if you don't want to go yourself then pay someone to come and do it you can get the removals 50 quid off your pop stick it in the van that also winds me up when there's like dog poo in the street on that note nearly stepping in a massive thing today it's on the path like kids walk up and down these streets like it's just not good makes me mad so mad but yeah we agree Helen I massively agree green flag we agree with you right next one from Roof when apps or bits of tech get stuck and flash up saying they're not responding I can see that that's funny alright sass it is annoying though like you know on your Mac when they just bounce yeah get open I like the ending because she's saying it's notifying her but she can quite clearly see it's not responding obviously it's not responding fix it duh that's so funny because you know what I love about this section it's like people must think about things like during the week and be like oh that's a block and delete yeah I'm going to send that in I love it everyone's everyone's thinking about it I had oh my god I literally had one the other day and I was like I'm saying that on the pod I'm saying I always have these moments then it gets to it I'm like oh I can't remember what it was what was it bestie shall I tell you what mine is then you go because I've got my mind's gone blank so I went to the pantomime yesterday and we go every year with Sarah's entire family so there's there's loads of us right and I love it I love the pantomime absolutely love it But what I don't love, yeah, is when I'm put in the middle of a row and I've got an overactive bladder, I need to be up and down.