Szoboszlai’s Stunner & VAR Shambles

9:23Alan Shearer:Because they've got... We've seen Asula came in, didn't he? He got one goal and he caused a bit of trouble. So it's not like you've not got a striker alongside Walter Mare.

9:34Gary Lineker:No, he's not ready to lead the line for Newcastle. I think potential, yes. Attitude, absolutely. You can't fault his efforts and everything else. But he's not ready to lead Newcastle in the Champions League and going forward in the league to try and get in a top five or top six space. His time may come in the future, but he's not ready to start as yet. Walter Mare, I think, it can be a really clever signing. but there's also it comes with a risk because I think ultimately he's probably had maybe seven or eight months good football not scored a lot of goals not got great experience 70 million was it?

10:12Alan Shearer:just under 70 million

10:14Gary Lineker:so unfortunately Newcastle are always I think they're always going to have to pay over the limit because there's a Saudi price now and there's probably there might be an ESAC price if that deal goes through and they know that, other clubs know that Newcastle are in the hunt for a forward. So they were always going to get stung with the price. But it could turn out to be a really clever sign-in. Bayern Munich were after him, top scorer in the Euros for the under-21s. Potential, absolutely. But it's a big, big ask for him to go in and lead the line as Newcastle's number nine for the next season or two.

10:52Gary Lineker:I'm not saying he can't do it but I'm saying potential definitely but it's a big ask

10:57Alan Shearer:yeah tough to follow in the footsteps of Isak if he does indeed leave for Liverpool Gay apparently Mark Gay also close to joining Liverpool I must say at this point that we're recording this whilst the game is going on between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace we're actually 15 minutes into it now not by the time you'll know the result by the time you hear this but it's 0-0 at present Mark Gay is playing he's playing as captain As you'd expect that, though. I mean, I think as buys go, that's as safe as you can get. I think he's quick. He's a good defender. He's clearly a leader. He's hugely respected, very mature, very calm.

11:35Alan Shearer:He's got the makings of, I think, well, he's already an excellent central defender. But I think that could be a great signing for Liverpool.

11:45Gary Lineker:It's mad, isn't it? I mean, look at football now. It's just crazy, isn't it? You've got Isak, who's refusing to play for Newcastle. You've got Wisser, who puts an Instagram post out this morning saying, in desperate move to try and force the move from Brentford to Newcastle. You've got Emi Martinez, who's not playing for Aston Villa this evening, and I hope that he can get a move to Manchester United. I mean, honestly, it's like, just bonkers, isn't it? Do you know what's wrong? The problem is... Tell me what's wrong, because there's a lot wrong.

12:16Alan Shearer:No, there's a lot wrong with this. But what they need to do, They need to move the transfer window to before the season starts because it just throws clubs all over the place. It's not right. Why is it now anyway?

12:28Gary Lineker:Why is it the 1st of September it shoots? Is it because the rest of them are in line with Europe? Well, a lot of them do, but all the European leagues

12:35Alan Shearer:are now starting earlier because they're getting more games. The Champions League, don't forget, has now spread. There are more fixtures in the Champions League. So therefore, the European clubs have started pretty much, maybe a week later some of them than the English league so they're in the same boat now you've got you know Barcelona playing tonight Madrid played last night they've had they've already into about the third game of the season the Bundesliga's been up and running a couple of weeks I agree Serie A's been up and running a couple of weeks why don't they get together because it's not it's just it's not right for the fans and the managers

13:09Gary Lineker:I mean it makes the managers or the coaches job so so difficult I mean you've got Keith Andrews you've got Eddie Howe you've got Unai Emery today you've got others who their players are just I mean seriously is that what it's come to now that players are refusing to play despite having a long term contract just bonkers

13:31Alan Shearer:it is it is what also bonkers is that the Manchester City struggles go on yeah I mean I thought first half I thought yeah signs of vulnerability to the counter on occasions but I thought they were playing some good stuff and when Haaland got his goal he could have had a couple of other efforts a one-on-one with the keeper where he did poor effort and you thought okay they're sneaking back but Brighton came into it Herzl made some really good substitutions turned the game and I mean fantastic result for them

14:06Gary Lineker:Do you think a bit of the I don't know the aura the the toughness I don't know they guess that Man City from what, 18 months ago, they were like pretty unplayable, unbeatable, weren't they? It's like, and do you think that's a bit of that's gone now because of what happened last season?

14:23Alan Shearer:Yeah, I think there might be two things. I said, one, the fear factor of playing City, I think would be negated to a degree by the fact that people can see that they're now beatable. Yeah. I think the second thing, and probably more importantly, I think overall, they haven't quite got the standard of player that they've had in most of the Pep seasons. You know, there's De Bruyne, he's no longer there. His powers were waning at the end. We saw that, you know, last season. There's no, you know, Mahrez. You can name quite a few players, really, that are not there now. Alvarez, another one, Atletico.

15:02Alan Shearer:Because ultimately, coaches are seriously important, but ultimately it's about the quality of the footballers that you have underneath you. And I think at the moment, looking at that team, it can make a difference that Rodri's coming back because he is absolutely a top-class player. It'll take a little while for him to completely find his feet. Again, he's been out for such a long time. It's not easy. But I think it's a mixture of those things. But there's no doubt psychologically, Alan, teams facing City now think, well, actually, before you'd be thinking, oh, let's keep them down to two or three.

15:41Alan Shearer:But now you think you've got half a chance. It's got to make a difference.

15:45Gary Lineker:I mean, brilliant for James Milner. I mean, Jesus, incredible image. What a career James has had for him to come on and score that penalty. And then Brighton, I thought, were worthy of it in terms of the last few minutes.

15:58Alan Shearer:Speaking of penalties, Alan, Crystal Palace have got one now and Mateta's stepping up to take it. I'm watching it in the corner of my eye and he scores. He scores.

16:06Gary Lineker:Good penalty. Yeah, keeper went the wrong way.

16:09Alan Shearer:Do you know that said, one of those little things that annoy you slightly in commentaries when they say, he sent the keeper the wrong way.

16:17Gary Lineker:Well, I don't think you do that. I think the keeper just dives,

16:19Alan Shearer:guesses the wrong way. I don't think you ever send them.

16:22Gary Lineker:Well, they do the homework now, call keepers, so they probably know, but yeah, I get that. I understand that, yeah. Great win for Brighton though. Brilliant win.

16:30Alan Shearer:It was. I mean, obviously it's a well-run football club and obviously well-closed. Nice moment for James Milner, I thought. Scored his first goal for a few years.

16:40Gary Lineker:He's still hanging on. I think, well, he is. He's definitely, he's the only player left that... You played against. ...is playing with and against. Yeah, I mean, we played with him at Newcastle.

16:51Alan Shearer:Was he like, I mean, obviously we know what he's like as a player,

16:54Gary Lineker:but good lad.

16:55Alan Shearer:He seems like a proper pro.

16:57Gary Lineker:Every football club needs a James Milner. great attitude never late works his socks off never moans and groans just gets on with everything and brilliant to see him still playing I mean that's I think that tells you everything about him that he's still actually playing at the highest level

17:14Alan Shearer:Yeah I can't imagine him down in tools and not playing the day before the window closing I don't think that he's old school but it was a nice touch as well obviously he's taken on the Diogo Jota shirt this season and he did the little celebration And he said some nice words at the end of the game as well. Really nice touch. Lovely moment for him. It's amazing that he's had the longevity of career that he's had. The other result that was earlier today, which I actually quite fancied this might happen, Forrest getting beaten by West Ham. Really?

17:50Gary Lineker:How did you see that happening? I just saw the Nuno issues and him speaking out about the owner.

17:57Alan Shearer:and I just thought, this might end badly. I didn't see it being a 3-0, you know, but I mean, great result for West and great result for Graham Potter and seriously important result for him. So I just had that, you know, that silly feelings you get sometimes when you think, I think it might go a bit wrong for Forrest. And I hate to talk about managers like this, but when you speak about the owner publicly.

18:26Gary Lineker:well there was so much riding on for both managers i think today i mean that defeat you're right because of what's been said um with with noon or seeing what he did and with the really tough situation that west ham have been in um in the first uh few games i mean they've looked dreadful haven't they and there was potter was under huge pressure um so for them to go there and batter for as three.

18:52Alan Shearer:Well, three in the last 10 minutes.

18:53Gary Lineker:Yes, and I saw the goals as well. Bowen's finish was incredible. He's walking away from the ball and then to get the whip on it in that corner. Particularly after he had the little altercation the other day, didn't he? That he was pulled back from his own fans. So for him to get the opening goal today was a massive moment. So big, big win for them. Big for their fans, the players, and of course, obviously Graham Potter, of the manager because he was under huge pressure

19:23Alan Shearer:yeah it's interesting with Bowen isn't he because he's I have no disrespect to West Ham at all at all but I just wondered whether he'd be a player that might attract attention it's obviously not going to happen I don't think in this window but yeah it's one of those and he's probably knocking on what late 20s now

19:43Gary Lineker:I can feel I can feel and hear the West Ham fans going mad at you at this moment no so can I as they're listening to this they're all be hammering you now

19:54Alan Shearer:especially his father-in-law

19:55Gary Lineker:yeah yeah he'll be coming for you he'll be coming

19:58Alan Shearer:for me no he'll be coming for me I hope he stays he seems like one of those that loves playing for that football club have a made up have a made up Hammers fans sorry sorry apologies for that let's take a break and when we come back we'll talk about yesterday's games and hopefully with Micah at some point unless he's found another fucking festival

20:22Gary Lineker:there's every chance of that by the way

20:29Alan Shearer:welcome back to the rest is football with Alan Shearer and me Gary Lineker and possibly at some point a certain Micah Richards but he is filming today league of their own so yeah he told us

20:40Gary Lineker:he was doing something last weekend as well and we've seen him pissed at some festival

20:45Alan Shearer:so God knows where he is it was quite good value though that was quite fun It was, yeah.

20:50Gary Lineker:Very good.

20:51Alan Shearer:Yesterday's game, Manchester United-Burnley was, oh, blimey, talk about important, last-ditch winners.

20:57Gary Lineker:Unbelievable. I mean, you can imagine the reaction. After what happened in midweek at Grimsby, if Man United hadn't beaten Burnley yesterday, you just can imagine what was going to be written, what was going to be said. The pressure the manager was going to be under. And by hook or by crook, they had to get three points yesterday because... It was a late hook and crook. Sure. Was it? Yeah. I mean, he did have hold of his shirt, I guess.

21:24Alan Shearer:Stupid. Just let go. Stupid, yeah. Before you get in the box.

21:28Gary Lineker:Especially after getting back into the game, the way they did Burnley as well. I mean, I understand Scott Parker's frustration. I heard his interview after the game. He said he doesn't like where the game is going or where the game is. I can understand him being upset with the offside

21:43Alan Shearer:because it was one of the... I mean, I know we've come to the stage now with a semi-automated that we might trust it and I think but on the images it was hang on a minute what who's offside where's he offside they're level and they kind of measuring it from armpit hair one armpit hair too many or something so I thought that was I get his kind of frustration at that completely it could have gone one way it could have gone to the other but the one at the end was yeah you can't give them a chance to give that sort of decision

22:17Gary Lineker:Not the way you've got back into the game.

22:19Alan Shearer:And also don't forget that the referee's call, that's gone now. That's gone, isn't it? Now, there's come to a point where they're sort of re-refereeing the game again. They're getting involved way more than they were early last season when they told us, no, we're just going to allow the referees to do it. And I knew it, the high bar is now low again. And I guarantee you within months or two, it'll go back up again. We're now seeing the holding thing. They're all looking for that. And they're going to give some and they're not going to give others and there's going to be inconsistencies. They make it so difficult for themselves.

22:53Gary Lineker:We haven't even got on to the Chelsea Fulham situation yet. And we're both getting rage at VAR already. I'm starting to come out in a sweat, honestly. It's like, I watched that. Like you will on the first tee tomorrow, Al. Yeah, probably. Yeah, we'll do, yeah. I watched that. I mean, yeah, let's tell us when we're going to talk about it because like everyone else, I am raging. And I don't even support Chelsea or Fulham or whoever. It's just like, I just felt so angry at that stupid decision.

23:25Alan Shearer:We'll talk about that in just a second. But before we move on from Manchester United and Burnley, I just wanted to, we didn't really had the chance to talk about the Grimsby game. I mean, I was sitting there, it was a hell of a watch. It was a classic cocktail. I thought Grimsby were amazing, particularly for the first hour or so. and then they ran out and it looked like an inevitability about United's comeback because obviously they've got better players and all that and then they got to 2-2 they missed a great chance to go and the penalty shootout was extraordinary and I mean United got beat and what struck me in that and I've been I don't think I've been particularly critical of Amrim because I think it's a difficult job because I think the club's in a bit of a pickle and it generally filters down from the top, as we've said many times.

24:16Alan Shearer:And I think he's probably a very good coach. He's probably come into a situation which he didn't realise before he took the job. But, and I have to say this, but if you're the manager and coach of a side and you hide in the dugout and not be prepared to watch your own players, some of them very young players, take penalties, I honestly, I mean, come on. This is, what was it, the second, third round of the Carabao Cup, for crying out loud? That did me a favour. That's not leadership. Leadership is, you know, you've got to stand up and be there for your players. And that's really important.

24:57Gary Lineker:I thought that was a terrible look, him cowing away

24:59Alan Shearer:in the dugout, leaving some young players,

25:02Gary Lineker:some players that are making first starts. Just, yeah, I didn't, like very, like everyone else, I thought it was an awful look for a manager. I had no problem with the tactics board thing.

25:16Alan Shearer:I had no problem with the tactics board thing because they all have certain ways of doing the tactics. I'm on notes and stuff. I had no problem with that in the right. That was fine. I just think not watching your team take penalties, even if it's a superstition. I mean, no, I'm sorry. I'm not having it.

25:30Gary Lineker:He did the same yesterday. He wasn't watching when Bruno was taking the penalty yesterday in the last minute. I know. Slightly different, I guess.

25:37Alan Shearer:And I know Klopp sometimes didn't watch penalties. But I don't get it. I don't get it. And I'll say the same about Klopp. I never really understood that. I mean, because, well, it ain't going to change it for a start. And also, you need to see what your players are doing. It's something I never, I can't quite get my head around.

25:56Gary Lineker:And also, what I didn't understand is Szczesko taking the number 10 penalty. Yeah, that was weird. Which was crazy. And him not starting again. Yesterday, when clearly Man United, what they needed. and when you're spending 70 odd million on a centre forward and you're not prepared to put him in there after being really, really average or an average start. I thought Mboumo did well to come back. Mboumo was a really good player.

26:25Alan Shearer:And he had a couple of good efforts and he scored his goal and obviously he'd missed the penalty as well that was costly. But he showed balls, you know, he got in there. Really good.

26:33Gary Lineker:That's important. I think he's a really, really good player.

26:36Alan Shearer:Cunha is really talented as well. I think they're two good signs. Cunny's slightly different, and he can be a little bit flaky, but it looks like he's done his hamstring as well, which is... Yeah, I don't think we've seen the rest.

26:47Gary Lineker:I don't think we've seen the end to that story with Man United. I wouldn't go overboard too much because they scraped a win against Burnley at home in the last minute with a penalty. So that gets them through the next couple of weeks with the international break. But I think when you look at their two fixtures after the international break, that'll tell us a lot more where Man United... Well, I don't need to know where they are. they're not good enough to finish, I don't think, in the top six. So it depends where they can finish between 6th and 11th, something like that, I guess.

27:16Alan Shearer:No, exactly. I wouldn't disagree. Do you want to talk about VR? Do you want a little rant?

27:23Gary Lineker:Yeah.

27:24Alan Shearer:Chelsea, Fulham, where you go? Oh, my God. I mean, that was a brilliant bit of play. He turned him on halfway line.

27:31Gary Lineker:Fantastic play. Brilliant play from Fulham. I mean, they're a piece of skill to step on the ball and pull it around, then to send the ball through, then to finish. So honestly, you tell me, right, you've got two professionals, allegedly. You've got two professional referees who were sat in the VAR room watching screens, two of them, who were meant to know the game and who were meant to be very, very good at their job. and you've got a referee on the pitch who saw the incident clearly and didn't give it, but then thinks, actually, I've made a huge error here. The guys have sent me to the screen.

28:12Gary Lineker:I've made a huge error and I'm going to overturn my decision. I mean, we can swear on you. We can't swear on match of the day. What the fuck are they thinking? Fuck knows, Alan. Tell me, you're not going to re-referee. You're not going to interfere. and it's only for the clear and obvious. Three things. Where have those three things gone? It's bullshit. They go up and down. Seriously, what has happened to the game that they don't want to re-referee? They don't want to interfere and they're only going to give the clear and obvious. Tell me what's happened to those three things, please. Howard Webb, you're in charge.

28:49Gary Lineker:Tell us what has happened to those three things because every single game you're re-refereeing and you're interfering and you're not giving decisions, are they clear and obvious? Now, please explain to us what has gone wrong from when you announced it to now.

29:05Alan Shearer:I'll try and explain on their behalf, although I can't, obviously. But I think what happens is that if you give people a little bit of power on the outside, and even if they're told, you know, it's got to be this, it's got to be that, clear and obvious, one week we've got a high bar, now we've got a low. and I kept saying last season remember at the beginning of last season they said right no this is it we're going to do the referee's call now this is where that was it last season and for a while for a while actually that didn't interfere quite so much but if you've got two people there and you want to get involved it's only human nature you go well actually I think that's a penalty and it probably is or it's not a penalty but that occasionally you're going to get but that decision yesterday was bewildering.

29:55Alan Shearer:It was bewildering because anybody who's played, well, you don't need to play football at the top level, even watch football. It was so, so bewildering because it was a brilliant, brilliant bit of skill on the halfway line. But that's what I'm saying.

30:11Gary Lineker:You've got three professionals. I don't get it. You've got three professionals. You can say you can make a mistake. Two in the screens and one on the pitch.

30:19Alan Shearer:You can make a mistake. Three people that say the mistake. Three of them who are looking at,

30:22Gary Lineker:and all three of them come to the conclusion that they think, oh, now the referees made a howler here. We have to overturn that goal. Seriously, three professionals. Goodness me. And then to rub salt into the wound, because of that extra time, that looking at the screens and all of that, Chelsea then go and score in the extra time that's been added because of the shit decisions. But can I ask you one question here, Anna?

30:50Alan Shearer:Oh, my God. Did you captain João Pedro?

30:53Gary Lineker:And we have, I think we did so.

30:56Alan Shearer:So you were probably quite happy at that point. Well, honestly, I wasn't happy.

31:01Gary Lineker:No, I was still having a rant. Like every football fan, like every Fulham player, Fulham fan, and Marcus Silva was like, he could tell he was just thinking, what on earth has the game come to when those decisions, those goals are being disallowed? just so it's a terrible look for our game it really is

31:24Alan Shearer:it's and there's even the laws of the game I mean I know they probably made the right decision on the handball and stuff but under the current guidelines but come on someone belts a ball at your face and your arms go up to cover your face like that and it hits the elbow I'm sorry I know under the way they say oh and make your body and then they say make your body bigger I mean I don't know it doesn't make any sense but and I understand why they've given it But at the same time, they've tied themselves into so many knots with this, with these rules, these laws, and the law changes.

31:58Gary Lineker:Couldn't agree more. It's just like –

31:59Alan Shearer:And it flips out Pedro's hand, and his was away from his body. And that – I mean, it's just – I don't know. I think personally, I'd do away with VR. And I – yeah, I would keep – I would keep the offside thing because I think that will get better. It automated. It'll become – I think we'll trust it. It would still be occasionally we'll argue about it and goal line technology. But that aside now, I'd either can it. But if you don't can it, the only other way, which I say every bloody week, is an appeal system where you're allowed one appeal a game or one a half or whatever. And you have to stipulate what you're appealing for.

32:40Alan Shearer:So, I mean, a corner comes in now and the commentators, oh, there's a check for something. There's a check for something at every bloody corner.

32:48Gary Lineker:I mean, I would love, I know it was Mike Riley back then, and I know it's now Howard Webb, but I would love for them to come and try and somehow explain to us what on earth has gone wrong with them not re-refereeing, not interfering, and the blatantly clear and obvious. Seriously, guys, where's it gone wrong? Because that's what you told us. That's what was said four years ago. Was it four years? I think it's four years. That's what we were told. and apparently that's what they tell their referees now. I mean, it couldn't be further from the truth what's happened.

33:22Alan Shearer:No, I absolutely agree. Good win for Chelsea though. I mean, they obviously had a bit of luck, certainly a big bit of luck because the difference between going one goal down and then obviously a couple of minutes later going a goal up is enormous, but we don't know what would have happened. But a good win for Everton at Wolves. they're good starts this season David Moyes I mean he's tried and trusted haven't he David yeah we all

33:53Gary Lineker:we like David don't we two more assists for Jack Grealish yeah he's had a really good start Dewsbury Hall as well had the great finish so under a little bit of pressure towards the end of the game when they conceded that to make it 3-2 but they managed to see it out and get three big points and yeah delighted for Jack because he needs to play and he knows he's got a World Cup that he's got to try and push for and he's had a really good start to his Everton career hasn't he?

34:21Alan Shearer:Yeah he has a good start too for Dewsbury Hall there as well. Yeah great finish wasn't it? He's one of our own well he was until we had to sell him because of PSR to Chelsea and he didn't really get a look in at all did he? Understandably because their squad is incredible but he's a very talented player and he's got a great work ethic on the pitch. So I'm not surprised he's done well. He seems to have like a nice little bit of harmony with Jack Grealish. They could be a good partnership those two down that left-hand side. It was a brilliant finish

34:53Gary Lineker:wasn't it? His finish. It was a great finish. So yeah, big three points again for Everton. So I think they could be the best of the other bunch outside of the top eight or something like that.

35:06Alan Shearer:Totally agree. We don't need to talk about Leeds Newcastle because that was quite... No we don't. that's about two seconds

35:12Gary Lineker:too much already for that game

35:14Alan Shearer:but we must talk about your other favourite team Sunderland two wins in three what a start really

35:20Gary Lineker:they left it late didn't they again I was getting some I heard I looked and flicked on social media I was even getting grief for not being on match of the day last night when Sunderland won I was thinking how on earth am I meant to say anything positive I'm not even on the fucking show and I'm getting criticised

35:37Alan Shearer:there's a couple of interesting decisions and that thing about you know the wrestling in the box. Now, what will happen here, this is a prediction from me, is that we'll see a few penalties. And Anthony Taylor yesterday gave them, we're on the pitch, fine. Let them referee the game, it's fine. So what will happen next week will be someone doesn't give it because of that. And they'll go, well, why don't you give it last week? And then they won't give it. And then they'll say, well, actually, we'll arrest that a little bit. And then they won't give any more for those holding. You're right. If they stick with it on the field, referees on the field, if they stick with it and they do keep giving penalties, players will learn that they can't do it.

36:18Alan Shearer:But my prediction is the referees won't stick with it long enough or they'll be too unpredictable. Some will do it and some won't do it. It's a very difficult one.

36:27Gary Lineker:100%. Couldn't agree more. That's always what happens, isn't it? Early on in the season, you get one or two and then it slows down and we don't see as many. Agreed. Yeah.

36:37Alan Shearer:Okay. Well, Alan, I must say we are in a league of our own because Micah's not pitched up again. Two weeks running now.

36:46Gary Lineker:Don't you worry, big Micah Richards. Me and Gaz will carry your load and we'll do shows again on our own.

36:53Alan Shearer:And I'll also say, though, Alan, that the transfer window closes tomorrow. And the fact that he's downed tools in the last couple of weeks, does that mean he's going to another podcast somewhere?

37:08Gary Lineker:let's fucking hope so where are you Micah

37:13Alan Shearer:we miss you ok well that's it for this episode the rest is football goodbye from me

37:18Gary Lineker:goodbye from me have a great week