Arsenal Top At Christmas, Rogers On A Rampage & Referees Under Fire

15:01Alan Shearer:And the next best is Semenyo, something like 65 % on one foot and 35 % on the other. So he's one of those few players, a bit like Ousmane Dembele. Yes. I think when you ask him, he's not quite sure whether he's right-footed or left-footed. And Santi Cazola is another one that Harry's just shouting. Santi Cazola, yes. I think though, Gaz, just on that, the criticism of Man City was that it was becoming too predictable. If you get one in front of Haaland, one behind him, go aggressive, they didn't really have the legs as previous seasons now when you've got Foden and Shirky sort of in the tents you don't know what they're going to do and they're both equally as good as finding that little bit of space and then making cute passes along with whether it's Mateus Nunes going down hogging one side or Nico or Riley I just feel like more players are playing to their level, which wasn't the case early on in the season.

16:04So that's why I think we'll go all the way to the end.

16:07Gary Lineker:It'll be really interesting to see what, if anything, or both clubs, do anything in the transfer window.

16:13Alan Shearer:January doesn't happen too often, but they did last year, though, City, didn't they? A bit of a panic buying and stuff. But it will be interesting to see. Semenyo's got this get-out clause, hasn't he? He's been linked with Liverpool, and with Isak's injury, maybe they'll... Hopefully it's not too serious. Would anyone do anything with Gehi as well?

16:30Gary Lineker:Mark Gahey from Palace. I don't know. It's like, it's really interesting whether the big boys will go in deep in January.

16:39Alan Shearer:Yeah, we'll see. Can I just congratulate you there, Micah? Because during your little bit of analysis there, you said getting in a little bit of space. You didn't say pocket of space. I just want to thank you for that on behalf of old timers. The next one is, actually the correct terminology is half space. That's what they're saying now. That's in the manual. What is half space? Don't do this to me, Micah. Okay, imagine the space there and you get in the middle here. It's the half spaces now. And instead of pressing and going to press, the new terminology is you jump. I'm just keeping you updated.

17:26Alan Shearer:I've heard the jump. they jump or you all jump together well they don't jump they run it's a nonsense

17:36Alan Shearer:oh dear oh crikey so I think City are I mean much closer to where they were I still think they might be vulnerable possibly on the counter possibly Rodri's return is to come as well which will be a big but he's been out a long time now I worry a bit I worry a bit I hope he's okay such a good player it's such a shame Yeah. Such a shame. Yeah, and it was nice to see Mukasa get his first Premier League appearance as well. Yeah, he played in midweek, didn't he? He played in midweek. Yeah. Do you know much about him? I've seen him play at youth. It's always difficult, isn't it? Because certain players play up front, play in midfield, look technically good, look strong, looks quick.

18:20But I want to see him in adult football and for Pep to be giving him a chance in a Premier League game, he must see something so I was just happy he got a chance really

18:31Alan Shearer:I'll go on a tangent here but have you seen Emil Heskey's boys play yet oh yes yes heard about it yeah I mean yeah he's got two at City hasn't he yes he's got he's got two at City yeah brilliant they're actually both really good they both play for England as well yeah yeah one's a bit stronger and faster and one's a little bit more technical but high hopes for them at Man City like really high okay chaps that was the first bite delivered by Uber Eats. Let's move on to, well, I know you want a little bit of a rant. I could tell at the top, Alan. Newcastle, Chess, I have to say, that was a very, very good game of football.

19:12Gary Lineker:It was brilliant. It was a great game of football. It really was. I think Newcastle's first-half performance is the best I've seen this season from Newcastle. I thought everything that was missing against Sunderland, the aggression, the energy, the pace,

19:25Alan Shearer:The bounce back well from that result, haven't they? Because they had the good win in midweek. Obviously, you're in the semi-finals now, the Carabao Cup, defending your trophy, Alan. Well, I think they probably should have won that game yesterday, particularly the way they played in the first half.

19:41Gary Lineker:I thought they had enough chances. I mean, they absolutely battered Chelsea in the first half. I mean, Chelsea looked as if they didn't know what hit them. They were all over them. They didn't let them play. As I said, their pressing was brilliant. and that hasn't always been the case at all this season for Newcastle. They were brilliant first half, deserved their 2-0 lead. But if you ever need an example of goals changing games and that piece of brilliance from Rhys James, the free kick, changed it completely. And then all of a sudden, Chelsea are on the front foot and then they're putting Newcastle under pressure.

20:16Gary Lineker:I mean, Malik Chau made a mistake and he hasn't made too many, if any, at all since he's been to Newcastle when the ball was long coming into João Pedro and he let him, I mean, the skill from Pedro was brilliant. And then he slipped afterwards as well. So they get back to 2-0, but Newcastle still had some big chances. I think Harvey Barnes had a couple of really good chances and then Alanga broke in the last minute or two and should have squared it instead of shooting. But also, I mean, the penalty decision that they never got was absolutely ridiculous, honestly.

20:47Alan Shearer:It was a penalty. I mean, he just rammed him straight off, didn't he?

20:51Gary Lineker:Yeah. Even the tweet the Premier League put out, and I know it's what VAR are telling them, but to say he was shielding the ball, rub it. Shielding the ball, it was like as clear a foul as you're ever going to see. I'd love to know. You've got three professionals, you've got the referee on the pitch, and you've got two VAR looking at that, slowing it down, and thinking, yeah, that's all right. It wasn't a foul. It's not an offence to shield the ball either. No, it's not. you can shield the ball yeah but the way he fouled him yeah what do you think Micah? yeah totally agree with what Alan said I thought it was a pen having said that if you remember a couple of weeks back I said I didn't think the penalty that Newcastle got against Spurs was a penalty so maybe got one there and didn't get one yesterday but I'd love to know what those three are thinking the two VAR the VAR and the VAR assistant and the referee to think nah that's not a penalty honestly It's baffling.

21:49There were some great performances like that. Louis Smiley. Yeah, he was great, wasn't he, at right back? He played right back. He played right back against Ganacho,

21:58Alan Shearer:one of the trickiest. Do you know what it shows you, Micah? It shows you how easy it is to play at the moment. His defending was amazing. You see the way he was jockey and it was just one incident. I was thinking, ooh, Ganacho's going to run him here. But I want you to look at his footwork, The way he was just biding his time, biding his time. And when he knocked it, got his body in. I was like, if there was a manual on how to defend a winger, that was it. It was absolutely perfect. I think he's a midfielder. His timing of his runs when he went forward on the ball, because he's a midfielder, he's comfortable.

22:38I looked at his performance and thought, wow, what a play. And I think he's had good performances in midfield, but I never said to myself that he's going to be the next Steven Gerrard. But that performance there at 19, he's 19, I think, Al, right? I think so, yeah. At 19 years of age, that was an amazing performance. He's got a funny slight of running style, hasn't he? Yeah, he's...

23:04Alan Shearer:Chris Wadlish, in a way, I would suggest. If he's off, as good as Chris, he'll be out of a player. But yeah, I think Joe Cole likened him to, I mean, I'm not one for hyperbole, but I think might be going slightly folks but to Paolo Maldini no no no so he did he did I was listening to the commentary yeah but he was talking about that one specific incident when he was defending because if you listen to the commentary he went Maldini and nobody was on with Ali McCoy and Fletch as well and they didn't say anything for about 30 seconds

23:41Gary Lineker:he was absolutely brilliant but I knew exactly what it meant. What a way to bounce back as well, by the way, for big Nick Valtomar after scoring their own goal last weekend. Yeah, two goals. I thought other than his two goals, I thought he had a lot more energy in the pressing yesterday, particularly first half, not so much second half when Visser came on and he went off. But the first half, I thought, what a way to bounce back for him because you can imagine how he's been feeling all weekend. And of course, didn't play or didn't start in the Carabao as well against Fulham in midweek. So you can imagine how he's been feeling all week after what happened last weekend.

24:16Alan Shearer:Did you see the little bit that he came and did an interview with Peter Crouch after? Because he used to get... I didn't see it. He said he was called Crouchy. So he wanted to come over and meet Crouchy. Because they're kind of almost similar. It's about an inch shorter than I think. It was mad. Did you see Joe Cole as well? It was madness. I know. It was madness. There's a bit of a height difference there. You wouldn't put Joe Cole on those two at corners, would you? Yeah, fantastic stuff. Rhys James, you mentioned him, Alan, said free kick and stuff. But I mean, what a footballer he is, by the way.

24:51Gary Lineker:Yeah, well, he started off in the midfield and then he sort of changed it and then went back to in the full-back position. But yeah, he's so talented. He's a superb footballer. He just needs to stay clear of injuries, doesn't he, and have a long run in the team.

25:08Alan Shearer:Incredible tackle on Harvey Barnes near the end.

25:11Gary Lineker:It was, yeah. He came back from nowhere. He could have got pulled back, I think, for the pull on Harvey Barnes, couldn't he, when he pulled him back? I mean, it was him that got Chelsea back into it with that piece of brilliance with a free kick. It was great. I just think it's amazing how you can have a player who can play central midfield and right back and control the game from there. So we saw it with Trent, didn't we, in previous seasons. But Rhys James is doing the same thing. and in big moments, he's coming up trumps. What a player he is. Totally agree with Al. If he could just stay fit, he's got an unbelievable player on our hands there.

25:49Alan Shearer:Yeah. Yeah, we just seem to be kind of managing him quite well, managing his minutes. I think Mareska's talked about that, which could bode well for England in the summer. What a choice of right-backs. Quite incredible. Spurs-Liverpool. I mean, it was a strange old game. always changed by a red card. I'm going to have a little bit of a rant myself here. I know in slow motion, you can pick it apart. His studs might have caught the back of his calf, but the fella's just trying to put his foot on the ground. Oh, he's absolutely zero intent. I mean, yes, Verge might have got hurt. That happens in football.

26:26Alan Shearer:Happens all the time. Doesn't mean to say it's a vicious foul. I just can't stand red cards for things like that. It was nothing. It's another one of those that looks in slow motion. You go, oh, blimey, he's raked the band on the back of his calf. in normal speed, it wasn't like, it's not like that at all. It's not like that at all. I know they all thought it was a red card and you two may think it's a red card. And I understand now when they look at things, they might go on, they break it down so slowly. But when you see it in normal speed, it's just his foot's landing. He just flicks him. It's nothing.

26:58Alan Shearer:It's absolutely nothing. I just hate that.

27:00Gary Lineker:I hate the red cards for that. It was totally accidental. I think it was totally accidental, yeah. Yellow card would have sufficed. What's the rule on that though? Because you're good at this, Alan. What was the actual ruling on that? Is it just dangerous is what he got sent off for? Yeah, it's just endangering an opponent. It wasn't. There's nothing that says in there, oh, I didn't mean to do it and it's accidental. You're just endangering an opponent. So yeah, it's a red card.

27:29Alan Shearer:There was nothing reckless about it. He's just trying his best.

27:31Gary Lineker:A reckless means a yellow card. Yeah, I know.

27:33Alan Shearer:It wasn't even reckless. you know I mean endangering an opponent he wasn't endangering he was just trying to put his fucking foot on the floor I just honestly I'm sorry I just I'm sort of in the middle on it I know exactly what you mean guys where I've done it myself where you go to press and you sort of want to change speed don't you so then your foot's gone or you're trying to slow down and you just catch someone he didn't intentionally go down his Achilles. So if the referee would have been given a yellow card, totally fine with it. When you start slowing things down, when you start, it looks horrendous.

28:15Everything does in slow motion.

28:17Alan Shearer:It looks, they've got to get rid of slow motion. Yeah, but if you look at it from the referee's point of view. No, I understand why they've done it. I understand. I'm just saying that it's another one of these ridiculous things. This super slow-mo. Super slow-mo. Mate, it's like when you get on, You used to get on social media and stuff, and someone takes a still photo of someone's foot up. You can make anything look bad with one of those. They should never, ever be taken into account. And likewise, with super slow-mos, they're equally the same. It just makes everything look bad.

28:54Gary Lineker:You guys wouldn't have seen it, but because I was watching all of the games, I was doing PLP, we watched Brighton Sunderland as well. Dan Ballard, and I'm not just saying it because it's Sunderland, because he's been one of the players of the season, Dan Ballard. He's been amazing. But he got away with one yesterday that he went actually over the top. He had a poor touch and then went over the top. And that should have been a red card as well. But he got away with a yellow card. It was far worse than the one that Javi Simons did.

29:22Alan Shearer:Eketike got another goal. Was that double-handed push there? I mean, I don't think it's enough to overturn, personally. but again I'll go back to the appeal system you'd probably go there they might have got it on that particular circumstance where you just go it's either a foul or it's not but bloody good header climbed really well yeah and I think obviously Isak's goal took it really well and then got injured in the process he's not having much luck since he's joined has there been any update on that injury has anyone heard anything no no no just before we tried to check just before the start of recording this but we couldn't get any update.

30:00Alan Shearer:It didn't look good though. No, unfortunately no. It was a brilliant finish. It was. So it's a bit of a shame for him but Eketike, he really does look the part.

30:12Gary Lineker:Yeah, I just think the way he's settled into life at Liverpool under difficult circumstances, great credit to him. I think for his mentality, his attitude and obviously his ability, I think. He's had a great start to his Liverpool career. He's a really, really good player. I wanted to see them both play together at some stage. you know when I think they've done it before they did it in Europe didn't they yeah I just feel yeah they did it at Milan Milan yes and you're just thinking I want these two to play together the time to see it especially Spurs having 10 men at the time it's like okay come on show us what you got show us your movement show us your your chemistry or try to build that chemistry and then Isak goes off I think and it's just like I forget the injury for Ek TK it's good now because he's going to get probably a run in the team but I wanted to see them both together get that partnership especially with Salah gone to Afkhod as well

31:05Alan Shearer:Good win for Liverpool Law Important win I mean obviously got lucky with the decisions in that game but nevertheless it was a good victory Leeds, Leeds, Leeds Micah four set pieces weren't they? Throwing some corners I didn't see that

31:21Gary Lineker:happening before the game them going against Palace and scoring four brilliant

31:25Alan Shearer:Palace are game playing in midweek it might be catching up on them. But they changed their complete 11 guys, Palace. Yeah, they did.

31:32Gary Lineker:They did, yeah. So, yeah, that was an unbelievable win for Leeds. And am I right in seeing the six points, Clay, of the bottom three? I'll have a look. I'll have a look. I should know this. Yes, they are, I love. Yeah. Brilliant. What a win for them. What a win. Amazing. Talk about Calvert-Lewin now as well. I heard it on the radio this morning and there were little bits on Match of the Day last evening said about Calvert-Lewin and England what do you think it's a bit early isn't it he's got to do it on a more regular basis

32:03Alan Shearer:yeah of course he has I mean it's his first good spell for quite some time after a lot of injuries which has taken its toll we do know there is a very very good centre forward in there if he can be keep a sustained spell of fitness but I think at the moment he should be focusing on carrying on doing what he's doing at present I mean England will need a backup nine but I think Ollie Watkins is way ahead of him at present I would say forget England for a minute though come on guys Leeds Leeds Leeds look at him with a big smile on his face look at him they're going well Michael particularly at home I think three straight games have scored three goals now or something it's pretty good you guys you guys have played at Ellen Road right yep yep way back did you play against Leeds when they was a very good side or what part was where Michael they won the league in my last season that's how good a side they were Ellen Road when it's like that I mentioned Sunderland atmosphere in the derby.

33:01We mentioned Liverpool before. Even Spurs, when that opened, the atmosphere was great there. Obviously, it's turned a little bit now because of the performances. But Ellen Road has got to be up there.

33:11Gary Lineker:I love Ellen Road. I love Ellen Road more than you love Ellen Road. We know why, Alan. It's his happy hunting ground, wasn't it? Yes, it was, yeah. The fans. The fans are bonkers, you know that. You know you can't buy a ticket there. A season ticket old. There'd been years, you have to wait years to even get a ticket. Even you can't get one. Well, I mean, I mean. Mike.

33:37Alan Shearer:Mike can definitely get one. Well, no, to be honest, I don't think I could get one now, actually. The only reason I could get one before, Mancucci, who was on the board at Fiorentina, then went to Leeds. So he used to always invite me, but I've not got a link now, so. Well, I'm sure they'll listen to this podcast and invite you. invite you along sit in the director's box Micah John go away now producer John oof two points at Christmas I mean two points at Christmas and a partridge well eleven partridges the way they're playing to be honest but oh goodness me it's bad isn't it can I just say something about Wolves though they're not as well no they are as bad they're not as bad as two points hang on start that again what does that mean they're not as bad and they are as bad I'm okay You know what, right?

34:26Alan Shearer:It's not funny for Wolves fans. Every single week, you look at the scores, don't you? Whatever app you use and all that sort of stuff, and you just think another loss for Wolves. But many times when I've watched Wolves, they've been in games. They've been in games. And then it's either a mistake at the back or someone not being able to score up front. I know Alan's going to say, you've got to put the ball in the fucking net. Yes. I know that. But in terms of the course of the game, the eye test, the eye test are not as bad. I think now the confidence has drained out of them so much. I listened to Dockersy's interview after the game.

35:09Gary Lineker:You've just done a deal with Specsavers, haven't you? No wonder you've done a deal with Specsavers. The eye test tells you they're just not very good. That's what it tells you. They look deflated. Doc, at his interview yesterday on Match of the Day, he's basically just saying he's got to look himself in the mirror, not just him, the rest of his teammates, and stand up and be counting for. And at the moment, it's just not there. After last weekend, because they put up a good fight against Arsenal, wasn't it, last weekend? Correct, correct! I was expecting more of them yesterday, I must admit. But again, it was defensively all over the place for the goals.

35:49Gary Lineker:And of course, they miss a penalty as well. Alistair An-Larsen misses the penalty. It's like, oh, goodness. Yeah, but Al, you can't tell me that Hwang's a bad player. He's a very good player. He got injured coming. Larson, who you tried to sign, Newcastle for 50 million, is not a bad player. Andre in midfield with Gomez, they're not bad players. We watched Gomez in a friendly couple of seasons. Remember we went to go to Wembley, Brazil, and he was playing in midfield. who is this player really top player it's confidence that's

36:23Alan Shearer:it's not right at the moment no it's certainly not but if you think things are bad John have a look at my mob Leicester losing 4-1 to QPR yesterday it doesn't get much worse than that especially when you've got one or two QPR mates but okay Alan enjoy your long lunch thank you Mike and myself we're going to watch United take on Villa. Before you go Gaz, are you not going to mention the point for Burnley? Your business partner Tony? Well, yeah, it's true. It's a very good point. Very good point. In two points, make a point and get a point. So, yes. Sorry Tony, forgive me. I'd forgotten. But a last ditch equaliser.

37:09Alan Shearer:Well

37:09Gary Lineker:done. Good finish from Semenyo before that as well though, wasn't it? We mentioned him earlier about whether he'll be off in January.

37:17Alan Shearer:I brought him into my team. Yeah. Look at him. I brought him into my team. You didn't care at the start. Look, you're hooked. And how are you? I told you. Well, I'm going quite well. Not as well as Numpty. He's 2 ,000th in the world now. So he's quite chirpy at the moment. Harry, well done. In fact, our Restis football team is doing quite well as well. about 16 ,000th in the world and pretty high, actually, in the rest of this football league itself. Do we know how many are in the world and doing it? Do we know how many are in the world? About 12 million. Really? 12, 13 million. Wow. So to be in the top few thousand, Scott, it's not bad.

38:01Alan Shearer:We're all doing well. Well, this then. I mean, obviously, I'm helping him a lot. Or is it the other way around? All right. We know. Yeah, good stuff. All right, we'll be back after the Villa game, Micah and Alan. Cheers. Thanks for me.

38:18Gary Lineker:Have a couple on us. I'll have a couple on you boys and everyone else. Yeah, absolutely. Enjoy. Cheers, guys. Back shortly.

38:27Alan Shearer:This episode is brought to you by Specsavers' best worst team. You know a bad football team when you see one, but just how bad do your stats have to be to be named the worst in the country? Last season, Wally FC from Essex took the crown with a whopping 18 losses and 81 goals conceded, landing them rock bottom in the Brentwood Sunday Division 3. Ouch. Sounds like they should have gone to Specsavers. Luckily for them, Specsavers can't sit by and watch them lose their vision. They're once again on a mission to turn the team around by giving them access to elite level support and some much needed all star guidance.

39:09Alan Shearer:They've even drafted in England's very own and ours, Micah Richards, to take on his first managerial role. And it sure isn't going to be an easy one. Find out what happens when Micah meets the team and follow their journey by searching Specsavers Best Worst Team on YouTube now. This episode is brought to you by Whoop. In the modern game, of course, there are a lot more games and that feeling of being slightly off by Monday. And that's how it shows up. Not as an injury, it's just fatigue creeping in. Off the pitch, everyday life stacks up too. Work, travel, late nights, early starts. Whoop helps you see how sleep, recovery and stress are impacting your overall health over time.

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41:17Alan Shearer:Welcome back to The Rest is Football with, well, just Micah and me, Gary. now we just watched the well only one game played today in the Premier League and that was I actually really enjoyed it Villa against Manchester United I thought Manchester United played really well probably deserved something out of the game but the difference was one man Micah friend of the pod he's so good isn't he and why we've talked about him is because he's so different as well for a number 10 when he presses he's pressed over 2 but more often than not, he finds himself on the left and then finds wherever the space is on the pitch.

41:59But once he gets into those situations, you need that burst of pace. So Foden's got that on a half turn, really good. You've got someone like Bellingham when he plays in that number 10. He sort of does that chop and awareness and might find a cute pass. Cole Palmer will shoot and has the pass and can dribble. It's madness. But Morgan Rodgers, to do what he's doing, because when we had him on the pod, I think one of the questions you asked to him was more about the numbers, you know, the goals and assists. I think it was you actually, Mike.

42:37Alan Shearer:Was it me? I think it was you that said that. And he said, that's something I really want to work on. Well, he certainly worked on it very well, I would say. Two unbelievably good finishes. You know what it opened up though, Gaz? You're a forward player. You knew exactly where both of them were going, didn't you? As soon as he opened up. Well, because it was him as well, yes. Just the technique used, you know. A lot of players, when they get in that position, might blast it or try to go near post. But the way he just bent it into the far corner, it's just remarkable. And his form recently has been brilliant.

43:15And he works ever so hard as well. I just thought it was a great game of football. However, I don't think Villa were at their best, like you mentioned at the start. And I actually think that's down to Man United's tactics. If you look at Dalo and Dogu, they was a lot higher. But then in the midfield, normally when Man United play with two tens, they're just staying in that number two tens position and don't really get involved. So it was almost Agate was staying, then Fernandes was coming, and then Mount and Kunia. And then if you look at Dallot's position, at times when he was trying to get the ball back, his positioning was so good in terms of he was doing half and half.

44:00So stopping it, going wide, but then inside as well, so they couldn't get dominated in the field. That's one of the best performances I've seen Man United play because it's very hard to play in that system when it seems as though you've got an overload everywhere, but no one wants to take a responsibility for where they need to be on the pitch. But I thought Man United smothered them in midfield and Villa just couldn't get near them. However, on the counter-attack, they look very dangerous.

44:32Alan Shearer:Yeah, they really do. I would say I can see improvement in Manchester United this season. I think reasons for optimism. Obviously, there's been a lot of pessimism about Manchester United for a long time. But I genuinely see a team that is progressing. It's slow progress. But I think definitely moving in the right direction. I thought, you know, Kunja is a really good footballer. I mean, he should have scored the header though. these flicky headers I just had it back where it came from but he'll know that you know having said that he did finish his goal really really well yeah I think they're getting the balance better especially when you consider quite a lot of injuries and at the back I thought young Aidan Heaven did really well and mature performance there's a lot of pressure on that because you're the middle man out of the three as well so I thought he did exceptionally well and they are a threat going forward and if it, you know, but they couldn't obviously deal with Morgan Rodgers who, I mean, taking that debate a little bit further, I mean, it's a lovely problem for Thomas Tuchel to have, but I mean, you mentioned a few of the names.

45:44I don't know if it is a good problem. I know we disagree on this issue, don't we? It's just because you can't get them all in. I don't know. We've talked about the debate with Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes and tweaking the formation. But they're all the best in the centre of the pitch. If you're looking at the left, you've got Gordon and the form of Rashford this season. On the right-hand side, you know full well Tukul loves Madweke and Saka, how consistent he is. And Parma can play there as well. I know, but Parma in the number 10, though, it's just a delight.

46:25Alan Shearer:You can't play them all. But, you know, I think the problem that he'll have is obviously everyone tends to talk about the player that's not in the side, the ones that they leave out. And there'll be a lot of those. But this is a big, long World Cup. There's an extra round of matches in this World Cup, one more than there's ever been before. So you'll need that in the squad. I think he'll probably rotate a little bit in certain areas. but it depends how he wants to play. If he wants to play, you know, does he play one holder and two eighths or does he go two holders and one 10 and three up top?

47:06Alan Shearer:I mean, there's so many variations that he can do but what you need in these circumstances is a coach that trusts himself, trusts what he wants, doesn't listen to the noise, gets on with it and I think in Thomas Tuchel one thing we've seen already is that he can't be swayed by necessarily public opinion because I can tell you now if you've got even pundits let alone just ordinary football fans even those of us that have played the game I would say everyone would have a different team everyone would play in a slightly different way so he's going to have to be strong on that and I suspect he will be Well yeah and that's why England brought him in the first place to make these big calls, big decisions.

47:56Just going back to Rodgers, because I didn't answer your question. I think he's one of the best at pressing. Very good. And that could be valuable, especially if you play against South American teams who are very energetic. But he's so difficult. Foden, he's used to pressing at Man City, but we've not seen the best Phil Foden for England. But like you said, it'll make the right decision. I think whatever team he picks, we're going to be disappointed that one player's not on there. But that's why he's the manager. It's one of the hardest jobs in football, but he's done a brilliant job so far.

48:39Alan Shearer:Well, the good news is that FIFA have just announced that they're going to make it 15 a side at this World Cup. Actually, nothing would surprise me with FIFA. But yeah, I think it's massively encouraging. And you know what it's like, there'll be one or two injuries, one or two players will dip in form towards the World Cup. Those sort of things will probably make his mind up as well. But Aston Villa, Micah, that's 12 wins in 13, I believe, in the Premier League. They're right up there keeping pace with Arsenal and Manchester City. And they started badly, didn't they? You know, we was talking about them and I think Watkins has only scored three goals in the Premier League.

49:19But they're sharing it out. I have to give a shout out to my old teammate though, John McGinn. Oh, he's such a good player. His energy for the team. He always tries to look forward when he's passing. He doesn't take the easy way out. He always runs back. I know they had to take him off in the end because he'd run out of steam. But the energy and the consistency of him week in, week out for Villa, even if he's not having a great game, he's just so dependable. That's probably why he made him captain, didn't he? But just watching him and seeing the improvement from when I was there and the real leadership he's got now, because in the Jayser room, he's quite a quiet, timid, shy lad.

50:05But to see him go from that... Is he really? He's got banter. But don't forget, he come from Scotland. and there was a few, let's say, eyebrows roused when he first come into the dressing room. Eyebrays roused. A few raised eyebrows.

50:28A few raised eyebrows when he come into the squad or he bought him, I think it's something like five mil or something around that. And the boys was having a bit of, Is he not bantering in the dressing room or is he going to be able to hack it over in England? And he's just gone from strength to strength. Yeah. And he's such a lovely lad. He's so humble, works so hard. So to see him playing like that week in, week out, it's great.

50:56Alan Shearer:With a World Cup to look forward to at the end of the season as well. Mm-hmm. Can Villa sustain it? They've got a good squad. You know, when you consider watching that game, the substitutes that came on, you look at the difference between Villa, Because with all due respect, I know that Manchester United have got a number of injuries and it's worth saying that. But Manchester United are bringing on really, really young players and Villa are bringing on kind of tried and trusted, mostly internationals. Yeah, they've got a good squad. But I feel as though when they brought in Wendia and Marlon, they're different sort of players.

51:31So Wendia is a technician, can get a goal from anywhere. And Marlon's a runner. I feel as though they miss someone to hold up the ball and to go to the next level. Because if you look at the game, why are we saying Man United plays so well? When the ball went up, if you look at, I would like to say a start between first and second balls because when it went up there, it kept coming back and coming back and coming back. If they want to really challenge, I think they'll need some more help up there in terms of a target man. I'm not talking about forward players. They've got all of them. They've got the runners.

52:06I've got Guestan, I've got Buendia, I've got McGinn, I've got Rodgers. They've got all that. Just someone who can hold it up when Watkins is not at his best.

52:14Alan Shearer:Yeah, I think that's a good point. As for Manchester United, have you got an explanation for me about Kobe Maino? Well, I listened to all the interviews beforehand and he said he had a calf injury. That's why he wasn't in the squad. He wasn't in the squad today, but just generally. Obviously, there's his brother wearing the T-shirt. And I saw the Amrim quote here. He's not going to start because of the T-shirt, but he's not going to the bench because of the T-shirt. So I don't really know what that means. I mean, he used a word about players and entitlement. And I don't think it's that. And I don't think you should be judged on what a family member says, or does.

53:07Never. You know? Because, come on, how many times when you're playing and people are, he should be playing, he should be starting or the manager's this, and yes, it brings pressure to the club, it brings pressure to the fans and the manager. Whether you think his brother Jordan did the right thing or the wrong thing, that should be held against the player. No, of course he should. The wider point on Mainu is he should be playing in more minutes And if the manager doesn't want to play him, then he has to move on. It's as simple as that. He was starting for England. It was 80 months ago. Well, not only starting, but he's one of our best players.

53:45Exactly that. And I think the system goes against him a little bit because he likes Casemiro. He's gone with Agathe today. Fernandes is playing more holders. So when you challenge him with Fernandes, you're not going to get in. but he's certainly got a role to play for Man United. I think it'd be a better story if he can find a way to get into the team. He's just got to keep working hard. But if it comes to January and he's got no more minutes, then he has to look at it. It's as simple as that.

54:16Alan Shearer:I find it slightly baffling whether there's something behind the scenes we don't know about. But I think he needs to play football. I mean, he's coming into the prime years. He needs to be playing. And if he doesn't really want to play him there, then at least get him out on loan maybe in January, something. We'll take him at Leicester. We need all the help we can get at the moment. Before we call it a day, Mike, I mean, I watched Hearts versus Rangers. Did you? Well, there was no early Premier League game, was there? So, and I switched on. I thought I'll watch a bit. It was actually, I really enjoyed it.

54:56Alan Shearer:I mean, Hearts, Hearts of Midlothian, such a great name. They're now six points clear. I think Celtic have got a game in hand, but they've beaten both the old firm teams twice this season. So four victories, two against Celtic, two against Rangers. They played really well in the game. The last time one of the old firm teams did not win in Scotland, I think I'm right in saying was Aberdeen in 84-85 with a certain Alex Ferguson in charge. I mean, that's 40 years. 40 years. Can they do it? You know, when you watched them today, though, because a lot of people have been talking about them and how good they've been playing.

55:44Can they sustain it on what you've seen today?

55:47Alan Shearer:Well, I only saw one game, so it's difficult to know. But if they play like that and they played a lot of really good football, particularly, I thought, in the second half and knocked it about and had two or three other really, really good chances, then it was kind of ding-dong battle end-to-end, particularly in the second half. And Rangers gave it a go. But why not? I mean, it's a good lead that they've got. And you know how important confidence is. but it's it's tough to beat those big two up there but Celtic have had that bad run they lost four on the bounce they won today however so stop the rot so but it's it is interesting particularly the World Cup coming in Scotland as well it gives everyone I think it's I think it'd be good for Scottish football if someone other than Celtic and Rangers won the league yeah I will always be the Celtic man are you a Celtic man?

56:38no I'm not I'm not a Celtic man you're going to admit it on here that's brave I love you as well, Rangers. You know that. No, I just love Henrik Larsson. And what a player. And Jock Hartson. Oh, my God. Them two. The way Hartson used to get the ball, turn and just volley it into the net. What a player he was. Proper player he was. Proper player.

57:01Alan Shearer:Yeah. Okay, Micah. We'll call it a day there. You could say Rodgers and out, couldn't we? Really? Well, I'm going with my fantasy, so I'm happy tonight. I knew that by the smile on your face. He's in the rest of his football team as well. So they're going particularly well. Before we go, Micah, let us wish everybody a very Merry Christmas. Yes. And if you don't hear from us before, have a great New Year. You will hear from us before the New Year. Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me. I love you.