England’s Perfect Campaign & Ireland’s Stunning Late Drama

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3:27Alan Shearer:Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football with Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. We've been all over the place because it's an international break. Micah, you're in London town. London, London, London. You're in London, mate. Alan, you're on holiday. Where are you? I'm in Barbados guys I've got a pal's birthday so there's a there's a right few of us over here having a having a really really good time so yeah a few days in Barbados I love these international breaks we should have one one a month definitely I used to say I love the international breaks forever because she obviously I got a weekend off from match of the day and going up north and I think I was the only person but now now that I'm not doing match of the day I international breaks they're quite although yeah I've quite enjoyed this one because I sneaked away anyway because I went to Mexico.

4:23Mexico. I saw you in Mexico. Tell us about it.

4:26Alan Shearer:First time I've been back since 1986 World Cup. So, yeah. He had to just drop that in, didn't he, Micah? And what happened in the World Cup, Gaz? I think I won a golden boot. Scored a hat-trick. Yeah, I did all right. So I was, yeah, I was kind of inducted into the Salón de la Fama, the Hall of Fame. It's the International Hall of Fame here in Mexico, in a town just outside Mexico City called Pachuca. Pachuca. Yeah, it was really, really lovely. I saw you with some old pros there, old famous players. There was lots of people there, wasn't there? Well, no, yeah, Dongo was inducted. Reni Aguita, what a character he is.

5:14Alan Shearer:You remember the scorpion kick that goalkeeper... I was playing that game. I think I was playing that game. I was watching that game. I told him and he loved it. But yeah, I mean, that was the most nuts thing I've seen. The scorpion kick. And he might have put on a few pounds, but he's not... I mean, his hair's just as impressive as it was back then. Brilliant personality. It was a lot of fun. It was a nice event. So they mix it with the International Hall of Fame, which is the one recognized by FIFA, but they also do the Mexican Hall of Fame at the same time. So, you know, like the Premier League would do.

5:55Alan Shearer:But I think they do actually recognize in that country that football existed pre-1992, which is... Which is a voice. But yeah, it's made the most of it. Went to Azteca Stadium, Stadium which has been big renovation for the World Cup the opening game of the World Cup is there on June the 11th so producers John and Harry came we did a bit of filming around the Azteca that we'll reveal at some point and then went to Salon and then had a few days at a place called Puerto Escondido which translates as the hidden port a beautiful spot absolutely stunning yeah Yeah, had some great food and everything.

6:38Alan Shearer:It was lovely. Yeah, nice to have to. It was a week, but we fitted a lot in. I presume you've been playing a lot of golf in Barbados. I have. I played golf this morning. I actually played loads. I played at the Green Monkey, which is a great golf course. I played at Apes Hill this morning. Shane and Jordy, who, not as in Jordy, but Jordy. It's a load. The manager there and a really good friend of his who were members there, they really looked after us this morning. But honestly, they fucking beat us on the last hole with the last book, on the last green. We were one up, coming down 17, lost 17 and 80.

7:24Alan Shearer:You choked again, Al? Oh, dear, oh dear. Yeah, well, it's my partner. He was a good partner too. It's his fault. It's always a partner, isn't it, Micah? Always. Have you got a Persian accent yet? How nice are the Barbados people? They are just so brilliant. Bajans, aren't they? They're great. Bajans. Bajans. And I see one of them is a fan of the pod. You sent a little video to the group chat, which hopefully we've perhaps put out on the pod. It was quite funny. Very funny. It's great. Honestly, it's amazing. Wherever you go, there's people mentioned the pod, and I was in the bar the other day, and the guy said to me, the podcast guys.

8:04he said I listen to every single episode I'm just waiting for them to come out and he says tell Micah and tell Gary we love him and of course I said I'll do a video saying that so I got my video and he came out with and Micah's hairline I mean I thought he was going to come out with he talks so much shit but he's such a great lad but he comes out with his hairline's great but he's definitely better than yours tell me what's good about the podcast and Micah I love Micah's hairline He has the most legendary Caroline out of the whole world. Gary is one of the best footballers to ever live. Barcelona legend, England legend.

8:43Yes. I didn't know that you, yourself, you're a legend. You don't even have to say anything. Hey, I love it. He's brilliant. They are. Such nice people. Yeah,

8:52Alan Shearer:they are. They most definitely are. We should probably talk a bit about some football. England have won two more matches over the weekend. In fact, for all the teams, you know, in Britain, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland are in possibilities, various possibilities of qualification. England has been pretty comfortable. I was sitting watching the game and I was thinking, I'll tell you what, England have got a lot of options in a lot of positions now compared with perhaps before. And I know in these games there can be a little, because there's nothing really at stake, because England have already qualified and the thing that is at stake is obviously playing for places and Thomas Tuchel I think has been quite clever the way he's manoeuvred things around that but so many options in so many different positions and that can be a bit of a dilemma but it's a lovely dilemma to have and I think even in positions where England were perhaps weak a couple of years ago, four years ago in recent times say, let's start with, I mean, we know the results.

10:03Alan Shearer:England won them both games fairly comfortable. Let's start with perhaps the number six, a position that England has never really had a natural player in there. But I think it looks like Tuka wants to play with one, six and two, eights with Bellingham being one of them and Rice, well, Bellingham or Rogers, or he's got options in there. but I think both Wharton and Anderson are really good I mean Anderson even when he came on in the last few minutes he's so good isn't he oh what we're saying about Anderson I did tell you guys you won credit again you did this in the last podcast Micah no no I didn't I did it I did it but Alan's still not giving me my credit and I want my credit now we're award winning well that's something we've not mentioned yet isn't it I thought you was going to actually let me change the intro hello and welcome to the award winning arrest of football with michael richards alan sheerer and me we won the well done lads well done sports podcast of the year sports podcast of the year at the um the sport broadcast awards um so um thank you um for giving us that award it's it's lovely is it yes it's great I tell you what since I quit the BBC since I finished with the BBC it's probably a better way of describing it I've won more awards than in my life I should have left 10 years ago they should have kicked you off 10 years ago you don't have won so many awards exactly it's nuts

11:44Alan Shearer:but no it was a shame because we none of us could actually be there because I was in Mexico and you were in Barbados and I don't know where you were, Mark, a bit, you know. So how else? I heard that. So how far, Mark? Was Mikel Arteta there? I didn't see Mikel there. He was there. I saw his family. I saw his family there, but I didn't see him. I was thinking, tap him up, get him on the pod. I know. I know, yeah. If they win the league, if they win the league. Yeah, I think they could do. Anyway, where the credit, the credit, Mike, I want. Where were we about? Yes, yes. The credit. What credit would you like, Micah?

12:22H and John, the producers of this show. Award-winning producers. Can you go back with so many recorders? Award-winning producers. Award-winning producers. Can you scroll back into the archives, please? I said, and Alan's reaction to it. I remember it. I remember it, Micah. Maybe, maybe. You know what I mean? You always see, you never look and see the talent of the youth. You're always about now, now, now. You've got to look into the future, Alan. I said, certainly being at your club as well, Newcastle, I said, ooh, I fancy that Anderson. He's got something about him that no other player has. He's tenacious.

13:06He likes that position. He can hold it. He's decent with the ball. Needs to improve on his finishing. So when he goes in there in the final third, I think he can be a little bit more creative, let's say. But in terms of what he does and knowing the position, I think he's outstanding in that holding role for England. And I think he's got a little bit more. So go on, give me my flowers. I want my flowers. Well, you've got your flowers, Michael. Michael, you've done an amazing... Honestly, I don't even know what you're doing in this, in the role of match of the day. You should be a chief scout for a club somewhere.

13:39You should be head of recruitment for a top football club anywhere in the world with your knowledge of football. honestly you wasted Saturday Port Vale

13:48Alan Shearer:Rochdale I wish I had a quid by the way for every time Micah goes producer Harry can you have a look at the audience fucking hell it's like every single show honestly if you go back to every single show I reckon it's every other week you say can you go I told you that producer Harry do this do this look at this to be honest Al I mean the truth is the only reason we won this award is because of Micah's insight into these players so let's you know obviously we only get one trophy we'll send it to you Micah and then it might appease you you've got too many trophies give it to me please anyway to your point Micah yeah it was the best thing although it was tough for Newcastle it shouldn't have happened because it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for PSR but it was the best thing that happened to him to get out and play because he wasn't going to get in Newcastle's midfield and you've got to give him great credit yeah he wouldn't be far away yeah I agree with that but he wouldn't have been able to do what he's done and doing at Newcastle what he's doing now at Forest so yeah good for him I'm delighted for him actually because he's gone from being yeah bit part player I guess at Newcastle to being the main guy one of the main guys at Forest and one of England's I mean I know you're good Mike but I'm not sure you said he'd be one of England's main guys no no no no I didn't say that yeah you're right but I said I fancy him for the World Cup squad that's what I said and now he's really competing for a place Thomas Tuchel clearly likes him I know he didn't start tonight and I thought he cleverly rotated things Thomas and he played him and Wharton came in and Wharton's really he's a very very good footballer as well and this is a position that England have not really produced players in the past and that's why I wanted to start with it because I think it's important and it also allows him to and we've I think this is what we've all championed a little bit to get Rice as more of an eight than a six because that's what he is and Bellingham and I think in the game tonight they play that Or you could play Rodgers.

16:11Alan Shearer:I mean, he's got so many choices in those positions now. And he doesn't look like he actually really wants to play with a 10. And I think that's a good thing. I think because I think Bellingham can do all those things. And I think Rice can do all those things if they've got a safeguard behind them. And whether that's Anderson or Wharton. And I mean, the squad's incredible. I mean, it's really come on when you can see. I mean, let's move it on to the left-hand side now. So Rashford's found his game again. And you know what he's like. Hopefully he can continue it because he came on in this game and he made that fantastic cross for Harry Kane's goal, obviously.

16:56Alan Shearer:He's been doing that all season for Barcelona. He's got more goals and assists for them than anybody else combined. they absolutely adore him in Barcelona at present. And when he first went, we all thought, will he get any games? Will he play? And I think injuries have perhaps worked in his favour on that front. But Hansi Flick clearly trusts him. He's working really hard. He's buying into the way they play, which is a good thing. So you've got options there. You can flip it to the right-hand side and you've got, well, when they're all fit, does Saka play? Or perhaps Parma plays in there, but Palmer can also play in midfield.

17:36Alan Shearer:So, I mean, we could have the conversations now, but things will change, obviously, in the upcoming, what is it, six, seven months, seven months away now until the World Cup. The only one I would say, Gaz, what we're not particularly strong and is maybe the most important one, the centre forward. Well, we've got one of the best in world football, but I understand we haven't necessarily got a huge amount of backup, but I think Ollie Watkins I would say Ollie Watkins if he's fit and running obviously Kane will be your main man but if anything happened to Harry you've still got I mean there is a shortage of nines in world football so at least we've got one of the best yeah absolutely no no we've got Harry Harris I mean he's a couple of goals he's just ridiculous the way he's gone is incredible and he's not I was watching we need to keep him fit I think he looks much fitter and fresher than he did.

18:32Alan Shearer:There was something in the Euros. He wasn't himself. But he was, in this game... And he's got people running past him also. Yeah, but that's it. You've got to have that with Harry because he does like to drop deep. There were times he was defending to date, but he's such a good footballer, you know. He's not... He's far from just a goal scorer. Absolutely, class. I just wanted to say that in terms of that position you mentioned about, I think Ollie Watkins can do it. I think he needs to get... I don't know, his sharpness back I think he's he were the answer in the last competition but if you look at the last game against Serbia he tried Phil Foden that false nine position so that that is something that is looked at as well so tactically he's trying out absolutely everything but I do like I do like Watkins because he stretches oppositions you mentioned before guys about not really needing number 10 more number 8 it's because Harry Kane drops so deep and you've got players willing to run.

19:35That's the reason why. And there was a really good clip on Harry Kane. I know you strikers would have loved it, where he got really deep in one of the... They had the possession. He sprayed a ball out to the right and he's thinking, he needs to get in the box. In the Euros, when he was talking about, he wasn't getting in the box quick enough. He got in the box. By the time he was ready to cross on the right-hand side, he was in the six-yard box. And that is the difference. So I probably agree with you. Maybe fitness, maybe sharpness for Kane, but he's had a hell of a start in the season.

20:04Alan Shearer:Incredible. I mean, it's really positive with England at the moment. I think in terms of the depth of the squad, that is significantly better than... I mean, we know we've had talent for a while and there's different and there's certain positions, but even if you look at the position where we thought the weakest was probably in central defence recently now, but I would say Mark Gay's bloody good. John Stones is a class act. If we can keep him fit, that would be brilliant. And then there's Konza, of course. So much better looking position than for some time. So, yeah, I think things look, I mean, yeah, here we go.

20:42Alan Shearer:We're getting carried away again because it's a World Cup coming up. But I think with justification this time. I'm still a little bit on. If Serbia would have been better in the last game, they could have punished England. But there's no jeopardy, Michael. There's no jeopardy at the moment. So it is different when there isn't that. I agree to a certain degree, but then it's about concentration, isn't it? If you're coming up against the Spains of the world, the Francises of the world, they're going to be a little bit cuter, a little bit cleverer in certain areas. And there's certain bits I didn't like, although they've not conceded a goal, but if you actually watch the game, people look at results and say, oh, it's amazing.

21:28But if you watch the game, if you do the eye test, are there certain positions I don't like when... Maybe we say John Stones steps out. Perfect. Does it for Man City? Brilliant. For England and all that. And they're getting away with it because Konza's been good at the back, who you mentioned. Stones has been good when he's set. But there are gaps at times where better opposition would have punished them. and I don't know if and it's not me being negative it's just being realistic you probably say that about every team

22:01Alan Shearer:in world football though I mean yeah correct with the exception of Spain at the moment they're so bloody good we need to we need to play really good opposition in it's hard to in certain and leading up to the leading up to the tournament that's what we need because you're right we've had we've not really had jeopardy I mean another clean sheet another win another game that we're expected to win even though he's making the amount of changes that he's making. So we need to go in against good opposition, obviously, before the game starts. Obviously, they'll do that. It's not telling anyone that they don't already know because you can't go into it with the opposition that we've been playing.

22:43So that will have to improve.

22:44Alan Shearer:I think the ways of managing things too, Club, I'm quite impressed. He's a clever manager. He's been around. Especially the way he deals with press conferences. I know the other day it was reported that he said Bellingham, Foden and Kane can't play. But if you listen to it, he didn't actually say that. But that's how it was reported. He was talking about... He's basically saying you can't play everyone. And of course you can't. You've got to work out certain things. The system and players are going to have to accept that at times they're not going to be part and parcel of the team. He's left Bellingham, Foden out the last squad.

23:20Alan Shearer:He's brought them back into this one. Bellingham didn't start in the first game. Everyone's going, oh, he doesn't like Jude. I suspect he said to Jude that I'm going to mix it over the two games. You'll get some minutes in the first one. I'm going to start you in the second one. Blah, blah, blah. This is the way I want. And people sometimes go, I mean, we're all guilty of it sometimes, looking for the headline and looking for this sort of stuff. But there's a long way to go to the World Cup. And Bellingham, I thought Bellingham was really good tonight as well. He's such a good play. He covers so much ground.

23:54Alan Shearer:I mean, the way he receives the ball in terms. So many good options. I mean... Unbelievable options he's got. Can we talk about the left-back, though? Nico O 'Reilly. Played both games. A centre midfield player playing left-back for Man City and England. And he's a kid. He's 20 years of age. What a player he is, by the way. What a player he is. I love the way... He's good going forward. Defensively, he's sounding up for a midfielder. he's good on the ball he gets on it in midfield he's a class act to do that and a lot of talks always been about Bellingham and Foden and Rashford coming back into the side Kane does what he does but what he's doing at 20 years of age it's like he's not even spoken about it's brilliant what he's doing then you've got Lewis Skelly and you've got Livermento and you've got well Luke Shaw if you want a bit of experience Lewis Hall yeah Lewis Hall you know you flick over to the other side and you've got Rhys James and Trent Alexander Arnold.

24:54Alan Shearer:I mean... Some great options. Who would you start right back before we go to the break? I know you'd be inching to go to the break. You do something with your... No, I'm not. He's going to be saying get to the break because he knows Alan wants to get to the buffet. Oh, forget Alan. Who would you have right back? James. I think he'd probably be the first choice of the moment. The minute Trent's not getting much football, but Trinity's best is, I mean, what a player, gives you different options. But again, choices on the right hand side. Do you go Saka or do you go Parma? I mean, crikey. I mean, Parma can play elsewhere, obviously, but Saka gives you a little bit more defensively, which is important as well, probably, but Parma will float inside.

25:43Alan Shearer:I mean, I mean, it's a tough job to manage that and keep everybody happy, but I think he's handled it really clever really good yeah really clever who would you start Micah on the right side right back good question either or happy either way you asked the question so it wasn't that good I'm just asking to see what you asked no no okay right now Rich James yeah but we've always liked Rich James and Trent's injured if Trent was the Trent we saw at Liverpool and he's played for Madrid and he goes and wins the Champions League. I mean, Trent is just different, different level. Either or, that's how good the both are.

26:31Alan Shearer:Different kinds of players. I mean, again, Rhys James would probably be better defensively but he's also very good going forward and bombing down the ring and he can take free kicks as well. But Trent's probably the, well, one of the best crossers of the football in the world and one of the best passers in world football. So it's all very encouraged. Even people said, oh, we've got a problem with goalkeeper. But now you've got Pickford, who's extraordinarily consistent for England. And Henderson's really kicked on and improved. So much to cheer. It'll all go wrong by June, obviously. But for now, let's take a break because I know Alan's getting hungry.

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