Gunners Fire Back, City Keep The Pressure On & Spurs on the Brink?

12:56Alan Shearer:No, I was desperately disappointed. I know they've got a lot of players out injured and that is an absolutely legitimate excuse. I don't think it's about effort. I think it's about quality for a start. They haven't got the depth in the squad that they've needed with the injuries. And I think when things go against you a little bit in games like that, I don't think it's that they didn't want to win or they're not trying I just think sometimes when you've got no confidence and it kind of sucks the energy out of you. And you saw that. I mean, look at Manchester United. They're a totally different proposition now to what everyone was saying beforehand.

13:36Alan Shearer:They weren't really trying. They don't care. The players don't care. Players care. But I just think it just saps you. Saps your strength. Saps your ability. Saps your confidence. and then you start performing nervously. And I think it's a lack of confidence that it is. I don't think it's an effort thing. I mean, crikey, you've got a new manager. You would think every player will want to impress. But, you know, Arsenal, you know, they did what they had to do. They came, you know, bounced back after a disappointment of conceding two goals against Wolves late on. And I thought they did well. And I suppose if, you know, if the referee hadn't given the foul for a slight push in the back of Gabriele, who made obviously the most of it and went down very easily, if the referee hadn't have whistled, I don't think VAR would have turned that over.

14:28Alan Shearer:It was one of those and then it would have been 2-2 and who knows. But overall, overall, they were, you know, they were really found wanting.

14:35Micah Richards:Yeah, but I don't take people's point that they, the players are not good enough. I take your point in terms of the lack of confidence. But if you go through their side, Palinja was just at Bayern Munich not so long ago. Not playing much there. Best player for Fulham when he was in the Premier League. Van der Ven, at one point, it was talking about him and Romero as the best partnership.

15:01Alan Shearer:They miss Romero today. There's no question about it. He's a proper player.

15:06Micah Richards:Spence. We were talking about him six months ago, about him perhaps starting for England. Archie Gray, when he was at Leeds, everyone was talking about him, all the Gray family. What position did he play today? Yeah, I know. Yeah, he's playing out of position.

15:20Alan Shearer:I mean, play players out of position, it doesn't generally work. But he's still a good player out of position.

15:28Micah Richards:He is, of course he is. And he's a young boy. Gallagher, who's just at Atletico Madrid. Yes, he would like to play a bit more, but he played in a structure that was disciplined, that suited him. Colomawani, PSG. He was just at PSG. he did get his goal he got his goal and then Zabby Simmers who they've just paid a lot of money I can't take that they've not got quality in there I think yes

15:52Alan Shearer:they've not got top four quality that's what I would say yeah I agree they've definitely got more quality than the position in the league where they should you know where they should be at least you know mid-tail and I think you know you can keep going through you know everyone's saying it's Thomas Frank's fault well they look is it I don't know Tottenham is a very well-run business, but is it a well-run football club? And ultimately, generally, the league positions are comparative with the spending that you make on the players that you make, et cetera. And Tottenham's overall expenditure is roughly that of a mid-table Premier League club.

16:32Alan Shearer:So they're underperforming because they should be at least in the mid-table. And at the moment, they're in danger, Mike. Do you think, I mean, And we'll come to Arsenal, and apologies to Arsenal fans because it was your day. Can Tottenham go down? I mean, they're four points, aren't they, above West Ham or in 18th. Forest just behind them. It's not inconceivable.

16:52Micah Richards:No, it's not. But I think they'll just have enough. I hope so. I feel watching Forest really good. I thought that was unlucky. Watching West Ham, they're playing well, a lot better. the confidence is nice, but I just feel as though Spurs can get over the line just because of the players that I mentioned.

17:13Alan Shearer:Yeah. And, you know, if they get Romero back, maybe they'll get one or two players back before the end of the season. And I've had terrible luck the last two years with injuries. But, I mean, I'm just, as a former Tottenham man, just really concerned. But, right, let's go on to probably the more significant aspect of this game. It was a huge bounce back from Arsenal. just what they needed.

17:37Micah Richards:Yeah, I thought they were excellent. I thought that there was a big conversation about Eze. And after he's got his hat-trick in the first time they played, when was it? It was 18 games ago. And he scored that hat-trick. And a lot of Arsenal fans expected him to then go on and make that position his own. That didn't happen for him. It was brave of Arteta to start him today because I thought Odegaard was going to start. And then to repay the team with two goals and a good performance, I thought that was brave from the manager. I thought Jokeres was outstanding.

18:23Alan Shearer:Very good. Very good. And we've been slightly critical at times of Jokeres, but I think to perform like that, both goals were excellent finishes, particularly the first one, the touch and then the finish. He executed it beautifully. Well done.

18:37Micah Richards:But just his work weight and his movement as well. It looked like he was in control of what he wanted to do. Yes, he's up for it because it was a derby. But in terms of his all-round performance, not just because he scored, his link-up play, he's running, he's coolly taking his finishing. And Arsenal was just by far the better team in all areas. They had that little bit of a slip. Declan Rice trying to dribble out and Kolobwani put it in the back of the net.

19:05Alan Shearer:I mean, it was quite the irony. At one point, we were saying if it goes a bit pear-shaped for Arsenal here, it might be like a Steven Gerrard moment. You know, when he grabbed... Because as soon as the goal goes in, he obviously gathered the group together and he's giving it mentality and all this. And it was like a very open to the public view of the fact that it was obviously with the thought of the game against Wolves in his mind, we can't let this happen. And then he, of all people, who so rarely makes any mistakes. And you thought to yourself, oh boy, oh boy, surely not that kind of moment.

19:44Micah Richards:Why is he trying to dribble out there? No, he doesn't need to normally make all the right decisions.

19:49Alan Shearer:Well, it's so rare. I mean, you see players do think everybody makes mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. I understand everyone makes mistakes, but... But it's so rare for him that you go, wow. Yeah, he's trying to dribble. It was like Raya, wasn't it, the other day in the Wolves game? And then you go, oh, wow, Raya's made a mistake. It's so rare.

20:10Micah Richards:But it was just the way he made the mistake in terms of trying to dribble there. Of course. That's all it was. But I thought, all in all, Arsenal did. You know, when I talked about Man City having that statement win against Liverpool, coming back. This was one of those that could have been a banana scheme. Very much so. To come through that game, that then gives them the confidence they need. I still make the point that it's going to go to the Etihad when they play each other in the league. That's going to be the game.

20:44Alan Shearer:I mean, we've got a tight race on our hands, which brings us obviously to City. And they had a tough game against Newcastle. They're still... They're not where they were two years ago. We know that. but they are improving. They are getting better. I think you're right. I think we're going to get a really exciting title race now because I, I see both teams. It's going to ebb and flow and a little bit of, you know, you drop a couple of points here and it's, it's going to be, it's what we want, isn't it? Yeah, definitely. I'm going to say as a neutral, which I'm a neutral. I don't know what you are because obviously you,

21:19Micah Richards:you know what? I actually think I really need to address this because. No, I don't think you do. It doesn't matter, does it? I actually think I do, though, because City fans, I was on CBS. Are they still having a go at you? No, I was on CBS the other day. And Arsenal, we had on the phone, we had a score or whatnot. I had Gabriel captain. You know what fantasy football's like. I had him triple captain. Yes. When they conceded, I was like... And when they conceded, you're devastated. They've clipped that up. Carriger's going, oh, why are you sad for? They didn't show the whole context of the video.

21:55Micah Richards:And I'm getting absolute pelters from Man City. What started as a joke? Oh, I love football. As a boyhood, like I liked Arsenal when I was a kid. When I went to Manchester City, I've been Man City through and through ever since. But it's crazy to think that Man City, this thing when I said I like Arsenal or whatnot, and I think the term I use, I support Man City on there, Arsenal off air, which was on League of the Roan, on a format where we're having fun. And people are actually taking that as gospel. Like, I don't bleed Man City. It's madness to me if City going for all competitions. I want Man City to win.

22:40Micah Richards:The whole Arsenal thing. Yes, I liked them as a kid, but the joke's gone too far now. Some people, they're so tribal.

22:49Alan Shearer:I don't understand. I mean, I wish tribality was only about football. I genuinely do. And I mean, that would be, you know, but you can understand why people get in their camps and in all sorts of things in the world that more important things than football. Although, is there anything more important than football? Football's life, isn't it? Yeah. As Bill Shankly once said. Yeah, but I wouldn't worry too much, Mike. I think most City fans know that, you know, You do want City to do really, really well. You want them to win everything.

23:24Micah Richards:Anyway, the game. Yeah. Nico O 'Reilly, who was special, wasn't he?

23:29Alan Shearer:He's a talent. Where is he with England, Micah? Is he, I mean, to have the confidence of Pep Guardiola, not only to bring him in when they've got one or two injuries and he's had to play at fullback, but to trust a young man to play at fullback, which is not his position. And now he trusts him to play. I think he's sort of playing a diamond at the moment, do you think? Yeah, they play diamond or a box midfield, yes. It's very flexible, isn't it? It moves around a little bit. And to play him in there, and he's so young, and he's so technically gifted. He's calm. He's measured. He makes good runs.

24:06Alan Shearer:He can finish. I mean, two cracking goals. I mean, blimey.

24:11Micah Richards:He's a player. I mean, he's got to be in the England squad, isn't he? I just want to be careful with him because he's only 20. I remember when Rico Lewis came in and he was a right back playing midfield.

24:24Alan Shearer:And it doesn't necessarily help you sometimes when you're constantly played out of position. Correct. And the pressure that comes with it.

24:32Micah Richards:And the Foden and all the young players who are coming through, it's brilliant. But it's his energy what I like and his running power. So when you ask about England's squad, definitely, because you need a variety of different positions. That's what he gives you, isn't it?

24:49Alan Shearer:Correct. He can play any of the midfield roles, probably. He can play definitely at fullback. We've seen him do that really well as well. So in terms of the squad, it's what you need. It's almost like, ooh, I can actually play an extra forward in the squad because I've got a player that covers me at fullback

25:11Micah Richards:and covers me in midfield. Exactly that. And it was interesting because I was watching Lewis Hall as well. Oh, he's good, you know. Oh, my. He was great in the game again. What a player. He's his decision-making when he's defending and all that. There was a moment in the game and I was watching and I think someone came deep. It might have been Haaland or Mamouche. And you know, sometimes when defenders commit, He half committed to showing one way so he then could change his body to then show him one way if he got beat. And I was like, that is defending right there. He gets it. But he's not only brilliant at defending, he's great going the other way.

25:54Micah Richards:Oh, I love him. I love him. If we talk about shooings, he would be my starting left back. It'd be him and Nico O 'Reilly for sure. who can cover both positions. Definitely. Yeah. And you know, Lewis Hall's a midfielder by trade as well. You know that, right?

26:16Alan Shearer:Yeah, when he was at Chelsea and stuff. Yeah. I mean, it just shows you anyone can play fullback, Micah.

26:25Alan Shearer:But I mean, I'm very excited about the entire race. Also the fact, I think, if you look at City, no they're not quite what they were a couple of years ago but all of a sudden you've got eight Norrie's fit again I think he's looking good you've got Rodri who's starting to look like dare I say Rodri and it's been when you've been out that long I don't care who you are and you've come back and then you've got a muscle injury and then it's very very difficult but poco a poco as they say in Spain little by little He's getting back to the player that he was. Then they've signed Semenyo, who's always a threat.

27:09Alan Shearer:And Mark Gay has been... Did you see his interview post-match? Mark Gay, where he was saying, I've had to learn everything. It's like a rebrand almost. And he's clearly loving it. I didn't actually hear that because we only get...

27:26Micah Richards:Was it on BBC interview or was it a Sky interview? Or it would have been TNT, wasn't it? It would have been a TNT maybe. Yeah, and he spoke well.

27:35Alan Shearer:He was going, I've come in and I've had to learn everything and I've had to learn it really quickly and it's totally different. He said, but I'm loving it.

27:42Micah Richards:Yeah, he's a class act, he is. He really is. That signing in January, that could get them over the line. Him and Semenya. Although I thought Semenya was quiet in the game from his standards. I thought Mamouche was really good. Just his intelligent runs, you know, Him and Haaland playing off each other. Wayne Rooney did a really good piece on Haaland. And I wasn't critical, but I said Haaland at times was becoming a little bit predictable with his runs. Now he's completely changing. And I think that's down to Mamouche running and opening up spaces.

28:19Alan Shearer:But it's also interesting that a problem, I don't know whether it's the first time in his career, but I doubt it's happened very often. But they're sort of playing top, aren't they? Yeah. Yeah. And they both separate. So that would be a different role for Harlan. He would have pretty much been accustomed to two wide players or fairly wide players, you know, the forwards, as we call them, wide, right, wide, right, and then him down the middle. But then to suddenly that's changed. Now Pep's playing obviously the box or whatever you want to call it in midfield and he's relying it, you know, for the fullbacks for his width and getting high.

28:51Alan Shearer:But it is different when you, you know, it takes me back to my days. most of my career, I played 4-4-2 until probably the latter stage of my career when it would be 4-4-1-1. You know, you play a float, like whether it was Beardsley with England or, you know, different players at Tottenham over different times. But generally, nowadays, they used to play in that role. And you can see him having to do a little bit more work defensively, possibly because of this. I mean, crikey, he was... Did he get any defensive points, Harry? Did he get any defensive points? because he deserved them. I mean, he cleared about three or four things at the back and I had him captain.

29:30Alan Shearer:I mean, he obviously got an assist. So did you have him captain? Yeah, I had him captain. Yeah, I was hoping for a goal, to be honest. Yeah, I was hoping for a goal as well. Particularly as against Newcastle, I would give Alan some stick. But I thought, I mean, we've already spoken earlier about the second half with Alan. I thought Newcastle were pretty good. Made it very tough for City. I thought Big Dan Byrne was brilliant.

29:53Micah Richards:Wasn't he brilliant? He played Haaland brilliantly. And that battle was class. Back and forth and back and forth. I like Chiao as well. Chiao's good, isn't he? I like Eddie Howe. He just shut up and said, okay, let's go toe-to-toe. Whoever wins it. Gordon. Gordon is something else, you know. He's runned. He just needs the last bit. It's mad how he could do it in a Champions League. And in the Premier League, he's not as clinical. Maybe that's down to him.

30:20Alan Shearer:It's one of those strange phenomenons. It'll change at some point. He'll start scoring loads in the Premier League and he won't be able to score in Europe. You know what it's like? But his runs, and he's very, very quick. He's bloody quick, isn't he?

30:32Micah Richards:Really, really quick.

30:32Alan Shearer:That's what I mean. They had to get Kusinov on, really, didn't they, to cope with it? I mean, he is rapid, by the way. Really good. Dan Byrne, does he play for England? I think he gets in the squad.

30:41Micah Richards:He's definitely in the squad. I don't think he starts. Yeah. I think it would be Gay and Konza for me. I think the same. But I think he gets, and he could play left back and centre-half as well. I'm not sure about left-back.

30:54Alan Shearer:Well, he played there a lot for... I know, but I think in left-back, he can get found out one against one, someone's running at him. That doesn't really happen in the centre because by and large, you're facing the play and it's balls in. You can see your striker where he is. I mean, if you're intelligent, you can drop off against someone that's really quick. Whereas if you're... As a full-back, I thought he got found out in terms of his pace on too many occasions. I wouldn't put him in as a fullback.

31:22Micah Richards:But that's in the Premier League. We know international football is a lot slower, don't we? Just as an option. Until you play the very best.

31:29Alan Shearer:Until you play the very best. Yeah, true. Yeah. So who's going to win the league, Micah? We're going to do this every single week.

31:36Micah Richards:What did I say? You and Al went for Arsenal, didn't you?

31:42Alan Shearer:Well, we all went for Liverpool at the start, but we'll talk about them in a second. but

31:49Micah Richards:I'm going to say

31:51Alan Shearer:I think Arsenal still win it

31:53Micah Richards:if Man City could beat Leeds which is going to be tough I know Arsenal won their 4-0 didn't they then the game is at the Etihad don't forget they've got League Cup final though as well so when you say who's going to win I think a lot could be taken

32:09Alan Shearer:from that game if City win do you think that'll have a psychological effect on everything

32:16Micah Richards:Yeah, but it could have on City as well. If Arsenal win as well, thinking maybe we're just a little bit short, not in terms of experience, in terms of actually Arsenal think, well, we could beat them then. Why not? It might just give them the impetus that need. But in terms of experience and in terms of Man City taking the game to people, I still have Man City, if they win at home against Arsenal,

32:43Alan Shearer:winning the league. You can't go through ifs. I could say, but I think Arsenal win it if they win every other game. Okay, well, I said Man City.

32:49Micah Richards:I said Man City. I think Arsenal will do it.

32:53Alan Shearer:I think, but I think it could be really, I think it'd be tighter than I thought. I thought they'd run away with it. But City's improvements over the last few weeks. But I still see a little bit of vulnerability there. Certainly on the counter. Highline. The highline. He's playing a braver highline than he has for quite some time. I think that's the involvement of Pep Linders.

33:14Micah Richards:I remember there's one of the goals that might help them as well. It might help them as well. I don't know. I think you can drop back five yards and you can still do what you need to do.

33:26Alan Shearer:Well, I think the key is you drop back five yards when there's no pressure on the ball. Correct. Anyway, the title race is very much alive. That was the first bite delivered by Uber Eats. That's for the second bite. Well, it was a late bite from Liverpool, wasn't it? I mean, it was amazing, actually, because McAllister had the goal diff allowed, where it's battered against his elbow. We know the law. Whatever you think about the law, it was disallowed. And then it was a kind of very similar action, wasn't it, that led to his winning goal? It was weird. Ekotike's got a score, that, though, hasn't he?

33:59Alan Shearer:Have you got Ekotike in your team? Yes, yes!

34:01Micah Richards:That's the way I had him as well, Ekotike!

34:04Alan Shearer:For fuck's sake, Ekotike! Hugo, Hugo! Hugo! Come on! Score goal, William! What is it with these glancing headers at the moment? It's annoying me. Just push it back where it came from. Just edit.

34:18Micah Richards:Please, edit the thing. Just edit. Have it. Honestly, I was flicking through games as well.

34:25Alan Shearer:I was just watching the Forest Liverpool game. Oh, did you? So you can talk about it a little bit more than me,

34:30Micah Richards:but I was flicking through games because I had Munoz at Palace and then they had a penalty, didn't they? That Henderson saved. So I flicked onto Liverpool. I thought, oh, we'll be fine here. And I seen it was nil-nil and all the commentary was saying that Forrest was really good in the first half and Liverpool was probably lucky to win the game. Is that fair?

34:50Alan Shearer:I would say Forrest had the better of it. I thought Liverpool were really poor for much of the game. They picked up towards the latter stages and got it going a little bit, but they got the result and they need it. I mean, it's pretty tight up there, isn't it? For the Champions League spots.

35:07Micah Richards:So who's your top five? Who's your top? Go on then. who's your top five obviously you've got Arsenal Man City and Villa are going to be your top three who's the other two well I would say Villa probably

35:19Alan Shearer:I mean as long as they don't I mean you know they've got a lot of fixtures and you know but they have got a decent enough squad and I think the addition of Tammy Abrahams will help them so yeah I would say Villa will be in the top five I think it's then it's probably two from two from three so you've obviously got, let me have a look at the league table here. So Chelsea, I mean, at the moment, the three of them are on 45 points. Manchester United have a game in hand, which they play tonight, if you're listening to this on Monday. And that is, I mean, United, I think the way they're going, and I think if they can keep injury free, because I don't think they've got much depth in their squad, Manchester United, if they can keep relatively injuries free, I think United will take one of them.

36:09Alan Shearer:Who would have thought that at the end of last season, if you'd have said, I think Man United might finish above Liverpool next season, even a few weeks ago, you'd have gone, what? So yeah, I think it'll be between Chelsea and Liverpool for the other spot. I think United will do it. I think they've got a bit of momentum, bit of belief, bit of confidence, as long as they don't get any bad luck with injuries, which can happen, because I don't think they'll cope with that. I think if they don't, I think they'll finish in the top five. And I think we'll get five European Champions League spots. Yeah.

36:40Alan Shearer:And then I think it's between Chelsea and Liverpool and they're both a bit erratic. Chelsea, I think, have got a lot going for them. They've had a good run, but they're a bit inexperienced. I think Liverpool, they're definitely better than they were in the first half of the season. Defensively is the key. They're not giving as many goals away now. So I think ultimately, if you pinned me against the wall and said, right, you've got to choose your top five, I go Arsenal City Villa Man United and Liverpool that's what I I think Chelsea could just miss out they could yeah they could just

37:22Micah Richards:miss out but we'll see

37:23Alan Shearer:we will I mean there was an element wasn't there of well I think Forest fans will think it a little bit suspect I mean it was the thing is now we've got we've got technology, haven't we, deciding whether you're offside or not, or semi-automated, which is... What does that... Explain to me. I think semi-automated means that it's automated, but we'll give ourselves the word semi in case we make the odd mistake. I don't know what it means. Why is it semi-automated?

37:58Micah Richards:What does that mean? You know what annoys me about it? So sometimes when they do the onside or offside, sometimes they show you it sometimes they don't sometimes they said the machine wasn't working like i thought this was supposed to iron out all these problems and then if you look at van dyke on the angle i saw it looked like it was offside it goes to the semi-automate also there

38:20Alan Shearer:was a dangly leg but you couldn't kind of work it out because it didn't look like it had any socks on on the freeze frame that i saw and i'm thinking i don't i i did and it was so tight but they They, it was within unusually quick, which I'm happy with. I quite like it if it's pacey. But I don't think yet, I think we trust goal-in-technology, don't we? Yeah. I think we do. Whether it's as accurate as they say it is, I don't know. But I think we trust it and we just carry on. At the moment with semi-automated, because even the wording, semi-automated suggests it's not actually 100 % right, doesn't it?

39:01Alan Shearer:I mean, doesn't it? I mean, I'm talking about semis. To the naked eye, but there was a dangly leg and we were looking at it and we couldn't quite work it out.

39:11Micah Richards:Are you doing this on purpose? You're talking about semis and a dangly leg? No, no, no. I was like, wait.

39:19Alan Shearer:Like at my age, those days are long. I don't even think like that anymore.

39:24Micah Richards:A dangly leg. A semi I never thought of. I was like, is he doing this on purpose? Where is he going with this? I genuinely wasn't. I wish I was. I wish I hadn't been that. I think you said, I don't even know what semis are anymore.

39:44Alan Shearer:I'll tell you what, I could do something automated. That might help.

39:52Alan Shearer:Oh, I need a halftime break, Micah. I mean, half-time breaking a blue pill.

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40:37Micah Richards:We're leaving today and entering a world of Mickey Mouse waving, princess meeting and greeting, lightsaber clashing, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror dropping, banshee flying, Space Mountain launching, galaxy rewinding what's the whole death of galaxy rewinding fireworks igniting

40:58Gary Lineker:world of other worlds for whatever you love infinite worlds await at the most magical place on earth Walt Disney World Resort this episode is brought to you by Indeed stop waiting around for the perfect candidate instead use Indeed sponsored jobs to find the right people with the right skills fast it's a simple way to make sure your listing is the first candidate C According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs have four times more applicants than non-sponsored jobs. So go build your dream team today with Indeed. Get a$75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com slash podcast. Terms and conditions apply.

41:37Alan Shearer:Welcome back to The Rest is Football with Micah Richards. And now Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lenica, recording this on Sunday morning. Because where are you off, Al?

41:48Gary Lineker:Just got a pal's due birthday, so there's a load of us going out.

41:53Alan Shearer:I can't believe how many pals you've got and how many birthdays they have.

41:57Micah Richards:He's a socialite, isn't he? Absolute socialite. If it's not golf, he's drinking. If he's not drinking, well, God knows what you're doing. Are you DJing, Michael?

42:10Gary Lineker:Yeah, pull your headphone down. What's up with you?

42:13Alan Shearer:It's called having friends, lads. You should try it now and again. That's what I was thinking. you know what a popular chap you are and I can't understand why so Alan yesterday Saturday you know you did PLP right yeah I did PLP yeah Premier League productions for those that are not aware of that so we'll talk about Saturday's games we've already spoken about the title race but obviously recording this before Arsenal play at Tottenham but before we move on to the other games on Saturday just give us your Newcastle perspective I thought they I thought they actually played really well

42:50Gary Lineker:Well I said before and if Man City were looking for a game to try and put pressure on then that was the game Newcastle because of their record I think before yesterday it was 16 wins on the spin against Newcastle at the Etihad I think that was the first goal

43:05Alan Shearer:they've scored since at the Etihad About 7 or 8 years in 2018

43:09Gary Lineker:something like that yeah it's crazy so Newcastle's record was diabolical it really is so but I thought they were really competitive. I thought after going 1-0 down they showed a great attitude. He changed one or two things around again. Valtemar playing in midfield. Gordon again playing in the centre-forward role. And I thought, particularly first half actually, I thought the pace that he had on Newcastle had caused Man City problems. But the second goal was a bit of a... Well, I think both goals could have been avoided really. I think Pope perhaps should do better for O 'Reilly's first goal. And Valtemar should do more in trying to stop Semenyo.

43:47Gary Lineker:Obviously, Kieran Trippier's position is all wrong, the full-back when the ball comes in. So I think from a Newcastle point of view, conceding those goals was poor. But yeah, I thought at least they were competitive and they played well, albeit they didn't get the three points.

44:00Alan Shearer:No, they didn't. Two games we're going to discuss actually now, both 1-1 draws. Start with Chelsea, drop points obviously, in their, I suppose, after a Champions League spot. It's a damaging one, isn't it? when Burnley obviously rallied a bit in the last week or two, but Chelsea would have fancied their chances in that one. And once again, a late equaliser for Burnley, probably hampered by the Fafana. Two yellow cards, subsequently a red.

44:27Micah Richards:It was a strange game, actually, because Chelsea came out the blocks. Gio Pedro scored the goal. It was excellent. And I thought, ooh, Chelsea look up for it. But then Burnley went into, I won't say defensive shape, but they was biding their time when to press. Chelsea had a couple of opportunities. Cole Palmer looked like it was something back to his best, but then he was snatching at things. He could have had a couple of assists. But when it went 1-0 half time, you see Burnley in that first half started putting in some crosses. and Chelsea's defending from crosses, not only just set pieces, crosses in general has been really, really poor.

45:13Micah Richards:And then the momentum happened, Fofana gets sent off and then the ascendancies with Burnley. But having watched the game, a lot of people think, okay, the turning point was the red card, but actually Burnley managed the game very well and tried to create opportunities at the right times, soaked up the pressure and then they got the goal from the set piece it was absolutely brilliant from the ball in first from Jane Ward-Prowse who came on and then Fleming with a lovely header

45:44Gary Lineker:they could have won it should have won it actually because they missed another big chance right after that didn't they from a similar ball in and it could have been a lot worse for Chelsea I thought Burnley did well I feared the worst when Chelsea scored early on after four minutes they just cut them open didn't they the way they passed through the middle passed in behind ball into the box and Pedro gets on the end of it. And I thought, here we go, it's going to be a boatload of goals here. But to be fair to Burnley, they're stuck in there and that's been Chelsea's problem. 2-0 up at home against Leeds drawing 2-2.

46:16Gary Lineker:1-0 up against Burnley drawing 1-1 at home and that's going to cost them massively.

46:22Alan Shearer:While we're on the subject of Pedro, it's another goal. He's now got 11 goals and 8 assists in the Premier League this season. Let's talk about signed strikers this season. So, you know, the big names, Eketike, Isak, Gior Perez and probably Cesco were the big ones, weren't they, signed in the summer. João Pedro has perhaps performed, Eketike's done really well in similar numbers, but I would say Pedro's perhaps gone slightly under the radar in how well he's done.

46:51Gary Lineker:Yeah, I think he's a really, really talented player, isn't he? I think whether he's enough to take Chelsea to the next level in terms of Champions League, where they want to go, where they want to be, is a different conversation. But in terms of his ability, yeah, he's excellent.

47:05Micah Richards:I think he's a little bit different to the rest of them.

47:08Alan Shearer:I think he's more of a number 10 or a false nine.

47:14Micah Richards:Is it like a bit of a Havertz? Yeah, he's a bit of both. So when you look at his goal record, it's very good for the positions that he picks up on the pitch. He goes really deep, links the play really well. He's very clever. And he's really good in the air, actually. You know, every time Chelsea have got a corner, he's always near the ball or knocking it down. But in terms of where he's on the pitch, I think he's done ever so well. But we knew that, didn't we? When he was at Brighton, he was excellent. But I have to agree with Al. I don't think he's a number nine. I think they still could have him playing the number 10 and someone else sort of in front of him.

47:53Alan Shearer:Do you like him, Gaz? I think he's a very good footballer. He's technically very gifted. He had a bad patch this season. Well, a patch without scoring many goals and that was when he was in my fantasy team.

48:08Alan Shearer:Not that that bloody music, that fantasy gets on my nerves now. But anyway, so I think he's a really good player. I think you're right. He's not an out-and-out nine, but he's got a bit of both. Yeah, he does remind me a little bit of Habert. Similar sort of player. He's very technically gifted. They kind of glide along the ground. They both can play as a 10 or a 9, but they're not sure if either of them are exactly one or it's other. But yeah, I think he's a really good player. As you said, quite rightly so, he's a real threat in the air. And while we're talking about things in the air, Rossenia came out, didn't he, after the game.

48:45Alan Shearer:And well, he said one of his players had an assignment of marking Fleming, who's their best head of the ball. He said, but he marked the wrong player.

48:54Gary Lineker:Was it Santos that was originally with him and he ran off Santos? So maybe perhaps he's having a pop. Or maybe he's saying somebody else should have been on him, not Santos.

49:04Alan Shearer:It's a little bit vague, but he said he didn't want to name the player because he didn't want to publicly. And I think that was definitely the right decision to do that. But obviously a bit of a mix up there. Yeah, I mean, it was one of those where,

49:17Micah Richards:and I did it on Match of the Day yesterday, is Burnley kept free on the box, at the edge of the box. So in the box, Chelsea still had extra men. So I couldn't understand why they couldn't deal with the set piece. Yes, you can pass someone else on, but they still had the advantage in the box. And that's where you need a leader. You know, if it was, I don't know, Liverpool with Van Dijk or Man City of All with company or John Terry, everyone would know their jobs and Rhys James was off the pitch I believe at the time and maybe he would have organised it a little bit more but to have that lead and then give it up to a set piece where it's something as simple as just defending or marking someone or putting your body in or stopping a run they're the basics of football so I understand why

50:12Gary Lineker:Well Fafana would have been in there as well but for the red card but for the stupid challenge when he's already on a yellow card. So he would have been in there as well, wouldn't he?

50:21Alan Shearer:Very true. Obviously, he wasn't the one assigned to Fleming, because it would have been very difficult for him to be the person. Yeah, it's quite unusual that. A manager coming out saying something along those lines. I think he might not get it publicly, but I think he'll get it privately, whoever the player was.

50:38Gary Lineker:Yeah, but if he didn't want to... You know when he says, oh, I don't want him to chuck him under the bus, then he's just going to get everyone speculating and guessing anyway. so just say we should have defended it better. Yeah. Do you know what I mean?

50:48Alan Shearer:I know he didn't need to make that point, really. No, I don't think so. Not publicly, but he's a young manager. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they're a very young team as well. Do you think that's why they perhaps struggled occasionally to close out matches? Bit of an experience?

51:00Gary Lineker:Yeah, and also I just think defensively, the money that they've spent, I just think they're still short of one or two leaders at the back in those crucial positions.

51:10Alan Shearer:They've lost 19 points from winning positions this season. Yeah, but you can look at that both ways, can't you?

51:15Micah Richards:They start really well. Yeah, defensively, they can do better and concentration's got to be better. But yesterday, the game should have been out of sight. Normally, Cole Palmer scores one of those. Jao Pedro gets another goal. Neto played quite well. I think as well, the system with Resinia, I think he's tinkering a little bit too much. So, Alan's exactly right in terms of the back four. They constantly changed the back four. But this time he put Neto on the left-hand side. And then it was Fernandes on the right-hand side. And it looked a bit lopsided at times. So playing in one position, knowing where to cover, knowing when to run in the box, knowing when to defend.

52:01Micah Richards:And they're all top quality players. But I just think they need their positions now. I need to stick with it. And that's how you build that consistency. Burnley it's too late too little too late

52:14Alan Shearer:it's not it's never too late it's never too late it's never too late it's too late until it's too late until it's too late

52:21Gary Lineker:are you saying are you saying Burnley can stay up Micah

52:24Micah Richards:I love Burnley I told you this at the start of the season that's not the question the best pies in the land the best pies the best pies the staff is incredible when you go there the hospitality is amazing so

52:37Gary Lineker:let me ask that again then do you think they can stay up Micah No

52:42Alan Shearer:Well they are 8 points Behind Forrester In 17 So I mean That's a lot That's a lot of points In the last 11 games Of the season But On to Villa leads Any tiny Outside chance Of the title I would suggest Went with that result Even though Obviously for much of the game They were trailing

53:04Gary Lineker:Yeah I mean I don't think any of us Seriously thought that Villa were Going to be going for the title. I think I've always said that if they manage to get top four Champions League football, that still would be a great achievement when you consider what the others around them have spent and how big the other squads are, etc. So I think for Villa, it's always going to be try to get to the Champions League and that would be amazing if they do that.

53:29Alan Shearer:Yeah, a great goal for Stoke. God.

53:39Micah Richards:Tell me, Abraham's had a good start back at Villa. Yeah, I've actually been in a dressing room with him. I didn't play with him because I was injured at the time. It's when Villa was in the championship and he's got all the attributes to be, maybe not top, top level, but a very good striker within the Premier League. Obviously, he's gone abroad. He went to Roma. He went to the Sigtas, I think it was. He scored a few goals. But I think when Watkins is not playing at his level, it was a little bit different with Marlon. We had the conversation about why would you get rid of Marlon? Marlon goes to Roma.

54:21Micah Richards:He's doing really well. He is. But in terms of they didn't have a like for like. And Abraham is certainly that. And he took his goal ever so well. I think it was more the way he adjusted his body.

54:33Gary Lineker:The instinct, wasn't it? Yeah.

54:35Micah Richards:You know, and he was alive. He was waiting for it. and I just think he's he's an all-round class act off the pitch and on the pitch he works really hard as well and you know there's some young players who don't really like to take on information they feel like they've already made it he always wants to improve and playing under Emre can only improve him so yeah

54:55Alan Shearer:interesting situation there at Villa because you've got two strikers there all he walks I know he brought him on because they were chasing the game and played both of them but you would think mainly it'll be Oli Watkins or Tammy Abraham that's in the starting line-up. Now, if Tammy Abraham can force out Oli Watkins in the Villa team, he could conceivably do the same in terms of the England squad, I suppose. It's quite unusual because I would say Tammy Abraham is an outside shout because he's not really featured in any of Tuchel's squads so far. But if he did go on a run, it could be interesting, the Villa dressing room.

55:36Gary Lineker:He would have to have an amazing run in between now and what we got left, 11 games, is it, for Bill or something like that? He would have to go on an amazing run in between now and the end of the season to force himself into Thomas Tuchel's reckoning. I would say so. Can we talk about

55:51Micah Richards:how good Leeds were, by the way? I was just about to come to Leeds. Oh, sorry. I thought he was going to move on.

55:57Alan Shearer:I wouldn't dare do that.

55:58Micah Richards:No, no. He's back.

56:00Gary Lineker:Look, he's back.

56:02Alan Shearer:Yeah. Six points ahead of West Ham now, I think they'll be alright don't you?

56:08Micah Richards:Yeah Yeah they'll be fine Ethan Ampadu Ampadu Ampadu Oh my word his energy his football intelligence his technique do you remember him early doors at Chelsea? Everyone was talking

56:23Alan Shearer:and raving about him weren't they? And then he disappeared a little bit in terms of his reputation and then I saw one or two people saying oh he's not I'm not sure about him but I've been really impressed with him this season.

56:36Micah Richards:But it was different though. When he was coming through at Chelsea, he was a centre-half. Yeah. He was a centre-half who was good on the ball and now he's centre-midfield dictating play. He's brilliant. He's been amazing. Along with Stack. Stack's been really good this season. Bogle has been playing really well and Justin, especially when they adapt to that five at the back.

56:55Gary Lineker:Five, yeah.

56:55Micah Richards:But it's just the way they're creating chances, they defend well, they're entertaining to watch. Daniel Fark's done a really good job there so far.

57:04Gary Lineker:Guys, you know you mentioned earlier about all the strikers and how much money's been paid and Shesko and Valtomada and Visser and Jokeres and all these guys. One of the best around who's been for a while is Calvert-Lewin.

57:19Alan Shearer:Yeah, he just needed to stay fit, didn't he?

57:22Gary Lineker:Yeah, that's the thing, yeah. I mean, they took a punt on him and he's a handful. And you're right, it's just staying fit for him, isn't it? That's been his problem.

57:31Alan Shearer:Yeah, I mean, there was always potential there and there was always ability. He was always excellent in the air, particularly, I thought. And a good all-round centre forward. But I mean, God, he's had some bad luck with injuries over the last few seasons. So, you know, good luck to him. Let's hope he stays fit. You mentioned there James Justin. I just said a line because obviously I watched him a lot. He was a Leicester player. And I think he was, well, actually, Gareth South. I had a chat with him a few years ago and he had two actually very serious injuries, James Justin. and one of them was not long before, I think it was the World Cup four years ago.

58:07Alan Shearer:And he was absolutely brilliant that season. And I said to Gareth, I said, James Justin must have been close. He said he would have been in my England squad, but for his injury because he was playing so well. So I'm really pleased to see that he's getting a return to the form that I saw a lot at Leicester, not necessarily the last season. I think he was fighting to come back. You know how long it takes from serious injuries. So I think that's good to see. Another thing that was good to see, and before we go, we've got to give a shout out to one, James Milner, who of course you both played with, even you, Alan, the player is still around this guy.

58:46Alan Shearer:And the most capped player, if that's the right phrase, caps, you don't get caps for club appearances, you get them for international appearances. And actually I'm going to be interviewing him in a couple of weeks about his feet and his career, which would be great. I've got his stats here. I mean, it's remarkable, really. 48 times he played for Leeds, 94 for Newcastle, 100 for Villa, 147 for City, 230 for Liverpool and 35 for Brighton. Amazing. What a record. And is he the most, I don't know, is he the most versatile player of perhaps the Premier League era? He's probably played in almost every position.

59:27Gary Lineker:I was just about to say that. When you're reading out the appearances, I was thinking, I wonder how many he's played on the wing. I wonder how many he's played in midfield. I wonder how many he's played at full-back. I mean, his attitude is an example, I guess, to anyone who wants to make it into the game. He's got a superb appetite and attitude and all of those things. And you have to have that. If you've gone on as long as he has, the number of appearances and games and amazing football clubs as well. Big clubs, big, big clubs as well. So yeah, brilliant for him.

1:00:02Micah Richards:My thing is the improvement. When I played against him when he was at Newcastle, I absolutely bullied him. Bullied him thinking, this is the whole hype because I'm a Leeds lad. Him and Aaron Lennon was the wonder kids. Jay's milled at this, Jay's milled at that. I thought, okay, I'm from Leeds too, you know that. Let me show you. We played him. absolutely bullied him next minute now he was similar to that Gareth Bale played him when he was at Southampton no problem stature grown he's stronger he's faster his football intelligence is better

1:00:43Alan Shearer:do you think possibly Micah that having played against you you just really increased their confidence

1:00:53Gary Lineker:Guys, when you interview him in a couple of weeks' time, ask him if he remembers that mug Ryker Richards playing against him.

1:00:59Micah Richards:Who bullied him. And bullied him. Yeah, I'll definitely get that. Absolutely bullied him. And then he went to Villa, and I couldn't get nowhere near him. It was ridiculous. The way he used to play the one-twos, and then he's got way more ability than people give him credit for. right foot left foot can pass good enough dribbler when he's on the wing and then of course he come to Man City and I played with him he did all my running that game that game when we did the 6-1 at Old Trafford James Milner was by far him and David Silva the best player I got an assist and I got man of the match in that game but James he was he did everything all I had to do was stay wide and high and drive I got all the plaudits and it was down to him.

1:01:53Micah Richards:And then he goes to Liverpool, wins a league with Liverpool and he's still going. And it's just a testament to him, his character, the way he's lived his life. He's just been impeccable. Some athlete, isn't he?

1:02:05Gary Lineker:What an athlete.

1:02:06Micah Richards:What an athlete. I couldn't be happy.

1:02:09Alan Shearer:To play that many games over such a long period of time and obviously avoid serious injuries along the way to do that sort of thing. He also had that reputation of being like boring James Milner. I remember that. But he's actually obviously the complete antithesis of that because when you see him, he came out on social media. Do you remember he was doing all those funny things like using scissors to cut his grass and all that? Play into that kind of boring image. A little bit like, remember Steve Davis, the snooker player? I mean, he still commentates obviously regularly, but Steve Davis started to play up to that interesting Steve Davis and all that sort of stuff because he was seen as being boring.

1:02:48Alan Shearer:But far, far from it. Can I show you

1:02:50Micah Richards:he's not boring? I can assure you that. Who? James Milner. Oh, go on. Go on.

1:02:55Alan Shearer:No, no, no.

1:02:59Micah Richards:Tell me more, Michael. Has he been on a couple of nights out with the big leagues? I'll tell you what, he might not drink, but he enjoys himself.

1:03:07Alan Shearer:Good lad. Well, that's good. That's good to hear. Before we let you go, Alan, I've been mesmerized by your car. Mesmerise?

1:03:16Micah Richards:Hold on. Mesmerise? What a word that is. What could you possibly mesmerise about Alan Searer?

1:03:24Alan Shearer:I just thought, I fought for a while and then I spotted the buttons, but I thought, why has Alan Searer got a blanket?

1:03:30Gary Lineker:Listen. Listen to the ambassador of Tommy Hilminger. Look, look at him. Tommy Hilminger. Mike has got his fucking Hugo Drostop on, look.

1:03:50Gary Lineker:I must be in trouble while I'm taking fashion advice from you guys. What do you mean? I'm like, bloody top model.

1:03:56Alan Shearer:Are you still next, Gaz, or not? I'm just, no, the contract ran out. That's fine. It did get renewed then. It didn't renew the pension range.

1:04:08Alan Shearer:Still flogging crisps. Good old walkers. Yeah, we love them. Okay. that'll do us enjoy your... Cheers, boys. Whose birthday is it? Come on, give him a shout-out.

1:04:19Gary Lineker:Yeah, it's one of the older boys. You don't know him, but yeah, it's his birthday today and there's maybe... You've not forgotten his name, have you? No, there's 12 of us. No, Martin. Martin, okay. There's 12 of us, yeah, so... Well, give him a shout-out on his birthday.

1:04:34Micah Richards:I do not want to say happy birthday. Happy birthday, mate. What's up for you, Al? Come on, lads. What's up with you?

1:04:42Alan Shearer:Happy birthday, Martin. have a few have a few on us on Al Al's paying today so that's good to hear enjoy so that's it for this episode goodbye from me goodbye from me goodbye from me have a great week