Thriller At Anfield: The Title Race Is Back On 

11:11Micah Richards:No, but the thing is with that, watching it live, guys, was madness. So when he's stepping up, we think we can hit him. He can hit him from them, Yaz.

11:21Alan Shearer:Was it the right end of the picture of the studio? Same bit, or the other end? No, it was the other end, so you're behind it. Because that studio's right in the corner, Anfield, isn't it? It's like a bit small. You all looked a bit squished up. Four sardines in a tin. But at least that studio has got its own loo around the corner, which I always thought was vital in my latter stages when I need the loo a lot at my age.

11:48Micah Richards:It's brilliant. The hospitality was fantastic. But watching the free kick from behind it and seeing it dip and swerve and everything, the technique was just amazing. However, from a defender's point of view, you've got to have four in a wall. You've got to... I was thinking the same, especially as you know he can do that. Exactly. You've got to stop him from going there. If someone was in the wall, he would have blocked it. But let's not take anything away from the strike because it was phenomenal. I wouldn't want to block that. Would you? I wouldn't want to block that.

12:20Gary Lineker:Take your head off. Sometimes you've just got to say, well done, well done. What an amazing goal. What a great strike.

12:26Alan Shearer:Really important in terms of City's chances in the title race. It keeps the lead that it was prior to the weekend. And I think we all thought it could be a pivotal weekend because that's a tough place to go and feel. Their record's not great there. They've only won once there under Pep previously. So it was a big ask. And then they go a goal down. You have to say, you have to say we've not necessarily seen it from City in the last few, like, year and a half or so. They're coming back from behind in adversity. And it was a good little comeback.

13:00Gary Lineker:Well, I was saying, wasn't I, on our chat saying, yeah, they've played that well, but they needed to score in that first half period because I thought they're going to regret this. And then when he pops up with the brilliance of the free kick, as we've just spoken about, you're thinking, yeah, that's it. to be fair to City though wow what a response I mean they were done the league was done at that time but they refused to give up and you have to give them huge credit for that and the way that they've come back and you can imagine Michael Ateta sat at home can't you think what a great result this is even a draw you think yeah he'll take that

13:32Alan Shearer:they'll never admit it but they do of course you do

13:35Gary Lineker:but then yeah it was like

13:38Alan Shearer:brilliant response I think for the neutrals for the neutrals it keeps it I still don't think there's any way that Arsenal won't win it personally. But six points is a lead that I had with Everton with Liverpool back in 1986. And we conspired not to win the title, mainly down to losing key players to injury. But it can happen. That sort of thing can happen.

14:03Gary Lineker:You didn't have a squad like Arsenal's though, did you?

14:05Alan Shearer:No, I had a squad of 16. That was it. Yeah, totally different game back then, of course. Can we talk about a few players though? Yes, please. Because, I mean, Mark Gay, wow. I was just going to ask you, Michael, I wanted a defender's opinion of him because he was so good, particularly in the first half.

14:22Micah Richards:I mean, he reads the game so well. He's good in the air. He's good on the ball. Like, you're looking at a centre-half. And no disrespect to Crystal Palace, a fantastic club, but it's a step-up, isn't it? Can you do it consistently for Manchester City? and he just is coming to that squad and look like he's been there for two or three years. It's the same when he walked into the England team though, wasn't it? Correct. But in the England team, I think it's a little bit easier because it's a more defensive game. So the way Man City play, you're liable to a counter-attack. Can you deal with that? And he deals with everything brilliantly.

15:04Micah Richards:The only one blemish is probably when he pulls back Salah. He was very lucky. This thing that Man City are trying to do where to keep the high line on another day he could have got a red card

15:13Alan Shearer:but even then though Micah he did work out very quickly I think I mean if it had been through in the middle of the goal he'd done that and he'd have got a red card it might have cost him the game but I think he's evaluated it he's let go just before he goes into the area and he's recognised probably immediately that he's in a wide enough position for it not to be a clear goal scoring opportunity

15:33Micah Richards:I think that's fair I didn't know he was this good I know he's playing with better players now but is his reading of the game. He's rarely in a bad position. He reminds me of a Ledley King in terms of the way he reads it. And yeah, he's probably a bit faster. Ledley's knees weren't great, but he's just always in the right position. And watching him live in a big game like that against a top striker in Eketike and how well he's been performing this season, I just thought it was, yeah, a class above.

16:05Alan Shearer:Different personality, because he's quite inward, isn't he? And quite shy. but in terms of the way he plays, a little bit, John Terry. Yes, it's a great show. We can ping it around both feet as well. Yeah, he can play. He's really comfortable on the ball. He's strong. He's powerful. He's aggressive. He got a few goals at Crystal Palace and a quick shout to Crystal Palace. Big win for them. Big win for the way things are going. And Tran Larsson had a chance at the end, but he missed and would have set them off better, but wanted to mention them. So that was important. And pressure probably on Brighton a little bit now and the manager.

16:43Gary Lineker:Well, they're in such a bad run of form and they've spent a lot of money, haven't they? And because of what they've achieved before, where they've finished, then I don't see it being a happy place down there. You can hear the boos when they're coming off. I know it's a big game against one of their rival. But, yeah, it doesn't seem all as well down there.

17:04Alan Shearer:No, while we're on the subject of booing, I didn't like the Liverpool fans booing Mark Gay every time he got the football. Now, he wanted to go to Liverpool. He had the shirt on. He had a picture taken. It wasn't his decision. Crystal Palace pulled him back. And then he's come to the January window and City have gone in for him and they've done the deal with Palace. I mean, come on, guys, whoever's booing. I mean, really? He's such a lovely guy as well. I mean, he just...

17:32Gary Lineker:Sign of respect. You don't get booed if you're a bad player.

17:34Alan Shearer:Well, there is that. they care about you you're obviously going to be good if they're booing and I thought you know I'd say it lightheartedly but I thought hang on a minute what's he done here he was desperate to go to Liverpool wasn't he in the summer but such are football fans and their behaviour is the title race it's bubbling along now again oh it's back on you can't say it's back on

17:57Micah Richards:it's back on it's back on Gaz it's exactly where it was on Friday no no no Man City have won at Anfield, what is it, three times or something in their history. The last time they beat them was in COVID. Something's happening. I told you guys, against Spurs in the first half, excellent. Against Newcastle, early doors, Mamouche and Semenya, wide strikers. The combinations are bad. The only thing that wasn't doing is putting the ball in the back of the onion back. And Haaland did that today. He didn't have a great game. Big moments. He got his assist for Bernardo and then he gets his penalty. That pressure moment.

18:38Micah Richards:I was delighted for him.

18:39Alan Shearer:Even Pep, though, after the game, Micah, even Pep after the game said, we're not consistent enough in a game. He said, we're doing it for spells at the moment. He said, it's young and this might take a little bit more time. So I think he recognises it himself that they're not quite. I mean, you look at them now. I mean, the one player, I think, that's such a glaring miss for them is Kevin De Bruyne. The service that he needs to provide, his strikes and stuff, he's almost impossible to replace.

19:08Gary Lineker:You're not going to ever replace him. He's one of the best we've ever seen. I know they've spent a fortune on other players in positions, but you're never getting someone like him again. He's a one-off. He's amazing what he did, but I wouldn't feel too sorry for them with the players they've got, though.

19:25Alan Shearer:Exactly. And unusually, I thought, I mean, it wasn't Alisson's best day. he got himself caught in a couple of positions he gave the penalty away Donnarumma was like in contrast with that save I mean from the deflection there from McAllister my goodness me that was huge it was a brilliant save

19:43Gary Lineker:but you're right about Alisson because he got if when Marmouch went through as well he got caught didn't he Marmouch chickened out there didn't he

19:50Alan Shearer:he did he just

19:51Gary Lineker:he could have got him a red card Alisson if he hadn't wanted it more I guess than Alisson would have seen red because he just needed a touch there and he would have been wiped out. So there was that and, of course, the penalty, which, oh, I don't know what he's even doing, even thinking about coming out and doing what he did there. It's, yeah, just a crazy decision.

20:16Micah Richards:While we're talking about good performances, Donnarumma, I thought it was excellent. I thought Bernardo Silva was. But the Phil Foden question, Man City need a goal and they're not bringing him on. You know, that is something that I'm not seeing for years. And I can't believe it. I know Semenya's playing well. Bernardo Silva's playing well. Mamouche did really well against Newcastle, got his two goals. But Phil Foden was supposed to be the Kevin De Bruyne replacement.

20:49Alan Shearer:And he had a great spell, didn't he, before Christmas? He did, yeah. He was flying. And now he seems to have gone out of favour again with Pep. does Pep trust him ultimately does this affect well it can affect whether he even makes the England squad for the World Cup

21:05Gary Lineker:absolutely it affects it yeah because if he's not playing then he isn't going to go

21:09Alan Shearer:especially considering

21:10Gary Lineker:there are so many players in that position exactly yeah it's really strange isn't it because you're right he's had such a good time before Christmas I think it was we were all saying

21:19Alan Shearer:it's the real Phil Foden he's back now we have to be careful on these things because he intimated didn't he in a conversation in an interview that he'd had issues, personal issues of some sort the season before, which could explain things certainly. So we have to be careful because who knows what's going on in the background. You never know with footballers. There could be something. I have no idea. I've got no inside information whatsoever, but I'd love to see him back playing like he was just before Christmas again.

21:50Micah Richards:Yeah, it's sad to see because we know what he can do. and I'm his biggest fan like I was with Jack Greenwich and he can be the difference and when you see what he's done and how many Premier Leagues and what not and when he won Player of the Year a couple of seasons ago you want him to be that guy but because of so much competition at Man City it's very difficult and I feel like his performances I want to say scrutinise more but we expect so much from him and then when he's not delivering him. He's sort of the one that sacrificed, which is sad to see.

22:27Alan Shearer:Yeah, it is. Let's hope he can revitalise himself. It's a long season, plenty of time. That was the first bite delivered by Uber Eats. We'll take a break now, actually. We'll let you go, Micah, because you're in the back of a car and you've had a long, hard day and we don't want to tie you out too much. Alan's had a week off playing golf anyway. Then we'll come back with the second half when we discuss Saturday's games, but we've already recorded that this morning. So that sounds a little bit odd, but hopefully not odd for you listening. So we'll be back in a minute. I know what we said. It's really good.

23:02Alan Shearer:You should stick with us and we're going to discuss Manchester United. Are they back?

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25:29Alan Shearer:Manchester United. I mean, Carrick's come in. He's won all his games in charge. They're playing free-flowing, entertaining football. And, I mean, quite the contrast, isn't it?

25:41Gary Lineker:He's got them playing some really good football. He's got them really well organised. And they're controlling games. It helps when you have a bit of madness from the opposition when a player gets sent off for a stupid tackle. But that's not his fault or their fault. They can only do what they can control.

25:57Alan Shearer:Can I just pull you up there? right so okay I'm going to go against the field it and I understand totally why they gave it a red card I think he was just a bit unlucky I think it was a block tackle no I watched yes I watched it live and I watched much of the day and I watched it all the analysis half time yesterday at the end of the game I never saw one single replay shown in normal speed if you sit in or I'll rewound it, you know, like you can do on the TV now. You just go, it's back. And three times I watched it and it was like, it's just a 50-50 in which he's fractionally late. He's got a bit of the ball and he's gone through.

26:36Alan Shearer:Foot really low in the ground. So clearly doesn't want to hurt him. I don't think there's any intent there. I just think slow motion, it makes everything look horrible. And also over the weekend, there were two other tackles. There was one from Brobby Sunderland that looked worse to me. That was actually over the top. Romero definitely didn't go over the top of the ball. And there was one more in that game, the United game. It was Diallo. It was very, very similar. So I understand why they gave him a red, because if you're going to see that in slow motion, it looks awful. In his defense, I don't think there was anything.

27:11Alan Shearer:I mean, you go for the ball and you go down, your foot goes in. And if you watch it back in normal speed, it doesn't look much. but then you see in slow-mo and he's hits his ankle obviously and it goes over so I totally get why they sent him off I'm not saying they shouldn't but there were other tackles this weekend that were the same and I think if you go really over the top of the ball then that like you did in our day no one does that anymore thankfully but I don't know it's just an alternative opinion and I'm not saying the referees or the VAR got it wrong but I just said this bloody slow motion nonsense

27:48Gary Lineker:Well, you're absolutely entitled to say that. You have your opinion. But what I would say is that the referee saw it in without slow motion. He saw it in full speed and he was 12 yards away and he thought it was a really dangerous tackle. I did. I thought it looked. I thought it was a nasty tackle. I know you've also got to know your players and all of those things. And I think Michael Oliver got it right. I thought it was a dangerous tackle. You can see the way Casimiro's ankle buckled. I thought it was a stupid challenge. and if you make a stupid challenge like that, you're giving the referee on the day the chance to send you off and I thought it was a dangerous one, so I thought he got it right.

28:25Gary Lineker:But anyway, back to Man United. Yes. That's not their fault or their problem. Yeah, they're playing some really good stuff. He's totally changed the attitude as Michael Carrick. They just, I don't know, they're just, they look really gelled, they look really together. They scored a really good set piece from a corner, which is obviously something they've worked on. Bruno Fernandes, clearly loving playing for Carrick. He was outstanding again. What a footballer, isn't he? Brilliant.

28:51Alan Shearer:I mean, I loved his finish, you know.

28:53Gary Lineker:Clever finish.

28:54Alan Shearer:Because what he did there, he knew the ball was going to bounce up. So he's like, right, I've got to get my knee over the ball and just let it hit me wherever it hits me, whenever part of the shin. And he definitely meant that. I think he said in the interview on Match of the Day after the game that he did mention it. And that was absolutely pure football intelligence. I mean we talked didn't we a bit prematurely about contenders for player of the season earlier a couple of podcasts ago I mean he's playing wonderfully well it's a great stat here actually he's reached 200 goal involvements in 314 games now for Manchester United only Wayne Rooney has done it in fewer games 295 games how embarrassing does it look for Ruben Amorim at the minute I was thinking the same thing.

29:41Alan Shearer:Do you know what? You know, if I was Kobi Maynou, and I say this in jest, I'd be thinking about whether I should sue him or not. I mean, he's taken a year out of that kid's career. This kid is a wonderful footballer. I mean, God, he makes it look so easy once the ball receives it with anyone around him and he turns, always makes the right decisions. He's graceful. I mean... I can't stop laughing at your comment that I would sue him. I mean, come on. he's been absolutely detrimental to his career I mean if he doesn't make the World Cup squad and I sense he probably if he can stay fit and if he keeps playing because he's just a seriously good football I mean I know his brother got in a bit of trouble didn't he for saying with a t-shirt free Cobby but he has absolutely got a point his brother I think he was I mean there are so many things

30:34Gary Lineker:I know that but that's not the only one I mean the system goodness me the system that he refused to go away from. And when he did, he won the game and then reverted back to his own system and it didn't work again. But there are so many things that he must, I don't know, he must be cringing at the performances of Manchester United now and the atmosphere and what Michael Carrick has done since being in there. He really must be cringing, if he is watching. I'm not sure he will be, but he has to be because everything they're doing.

31:08Alan Shearer:Wakely gets the letter from Cobby's lawyer. Oh, goodness me. There are so many things. I mean, I say this in jest, obviously. But, I mean, come on. No, no. I mean, it was so, so baffling that he couldn't see how good that young man is. And I thought to myself, has something happened as he got, you know, Buffy Station, has he got something? But he's come back in. You think, no. No, he's exactly what he was before, which was, actually, if you think about it, arguably England's best player in the Euros.

31:45Gary Lineker:Yeah, it's crazy. Absolutely bonkers. But yeah, he's put them in a great position, Michael Carrick, to get Champions League football, which I must admit seemed impossible, what, two months ago? Yeah, he's done a fantastic job. He's obviously settled everything down. And the noise coming out there is all positive now. instead of all negative, which it was under Ruben Amoram. It really is a remarkable turnaround.

32:13Alan Shearer:It is, and people will jump on and say, yeah, but it might just be a quick bounce. But I don't see that. You look at them now and they look like a team. Konya and Mbumo, really good signings, settled in really well. Lemons in goal, I think it looks like they've got a really, really promising young goalkeeper there. He brought back, obviously, Harry Maguire, who's stable, really good in both boxes. and he's playing Bruno further forward. A clever little system that I think Danny did a thing, didn't he, last night? He did, yeah. It's very good. Very good to how he's worked at Carrick. Everything's coming off at the moment.

32:47Alan Shearer:Now, there'll be tougher times to come, obviously. And I suppose they've still got to answer the... I mean, you can put Spurs in this bracket, but they did go down to 10 men. The next three games, West Ham, Everton and Crystal Palace for United. West Ham away is next. And the fella's one game away from getting his hair cut. you know the guy on social media I mean he really does need a haircut he must be desperate he must be desperate oh dear

33:12Gary Lineker:if they win it then just come to this side mate whatever your name is I forgot your name come to this side take it all off

33:20Alan Shearer:come to the bold side the bold side it is a managerial bounce and we see that but you know it also brings me back to the point about United players and the criticism they got during the Amarillo period saying they don't care players do care they do care But performances are affected by confidence. And you can see now they're all confident and they're all as one and they clearly believe in the way they're playing now.

33:45Gary Lineker:Yeah, absolutely, yeah. And they're all on board and there doesn't seem to be any animosity or anything. You've just gone in and calmed everything down and got this to a system or different little tweaks that players understand and want to do and can play and relate to. and I guess he's just speaking their language, if you know what I mean, and something that is pretty basic, pretty simple and he's got all of those things back into the dressing room and it's amazing what happens when you do that. You're doing a fantastic job.

34:19Alan Shearer:Yeah, it's good to see. By contrast, Spurs, I mean, obviously the red card affected things quite in a big way but also the amount of injuries they've got, I mean, it's a devastating injury list. they're only six points clear of West Ham. West Ham are going, definitely improving. I mean, they won the Battle of the Clareton Blue and look much improved on what before. Nuno is doing well. Are Spurs, is it conceivable that Spurs could drop into that relegation area?

34:52Gary Lineker:Well, where they finished last year, I mean, everyone was astonished, wasn't they? Is that Spurs can't finish that. But then, I mean, they haven't got any better. And as you say, the injuries, obviously, are hurting them. But then at some stage of the season, everyone gets injuries and you have to be able to handle that. And they should be doing a lot better because, well, they are in the Champions League. But, I mean, I said it last night. I think the bottom two have done for them, aren't they?

35:19Alan Shearer:Wolves and Burnley, I think they've done for them. I think even their own fans would probably accept that. And then it's probably West Ham or Forest. Now, it'd be a lovely irony for Nuno, wouldn't it, if he sent Forest down? I mean, lost his job there this season. Wow. That'd be quite nice. Well, yeah, I mean, when you've got to look at Palace as well,

35:40Gary Lineker:because they're in a dreadful run form, and it all depends what happens. How does Strand Larson, does he hit the ground running and start scoring some goals? He has to, otherwise they're in trouble. Leeds, I think, because of their home form and because of the atmosphere and everything else, then I think they might be okay. So, yeah, my guess is at the minute, and we know how quick it can change because a month ago, West Ham were gone.

36:05Alan Shearer:Well, we thought the bottom three were going to stay the bottom three, but they have rallied.

36:09Gary Lineker:They have.

36:09Alan Shearer:I think we should point out, Alan, just before we move on, that we are recording this piece of the podcast before the Sunday games, even though it's the second half and we've already talked about the Sunday games and we don't know what's happened at this point. So obviously one of those games involves Palace.

36:26Gary Lineker:Yeah, that is very true. So at the minute, yeah, I guess West Ham or Forest. I mean, Forest are in Europe as well. So how that sort of, does that hinder them or not? I don't know. But yeah, you've got to give credit to West Ham because I thought they were really positive and have been really positive ever since that Wolves result. Yesterday they went two up top again. It's like an old-fashioned 4-4-2 it was yesterday, the way they had Somerville and Bowen on either side and pinging it into two centre-forwards. So, yeah, they deserve their three points. And I tell you what, they've made a right fist of it.

37:01Gary Lineker:And all the others around them, they've dragged them right back into it.

37:04Alan Shearer:Yeah, just before we go on to one or two of the other games, I'd just like to go back to Manchester United, the 12 points behind Arsenal. They've got no European football this season. They've got no FA Cup, no Carabao Cup. Can they win every game and pip Arsenal for the league? I've got a couple of friends of mine that have had to bet on Man United to win the league and I said why don't you just give it to charity

37:29Gary Lineker:it's only you haven't been drinking it's only just after mid-year recording this

37:34Alan Shearer:I said you're better off giving it to charity or you could give it to Ruben Amarin to defend his case in court that's coming up from copy manor

37:48Alan Shearer:Arsenal though I just can't I can't envisage a scenario where unless they I mean they've got such a big squad as well so they can cope with injuries they don't seem to have many injuries Saka's injured at present but not too many compared with other clubs they're not always wonderful on the eye but that doesn't really matter incredibly well organised won comfortably again even though I thought you know Sunderland made it

38:13Gary Lineker:difficult for them. It was a bit of quality from one of their big sign-ins in the summer, Zubimendi, who got that first goal. That's a beautiful goal. That was a great strike. And Sunderland did make it really difficult for them. You know, they put them under some big pressure. But I thought that yesterday when you look at, I think Saka was out, Odegaard was out. Yeah. Yeah. They're bringing on Eza, Jokerez, Martinelli. It's not bad, is it? It's unbelievable. So, So, absolutely, their strength is incredible this season. And what a position they're in. What a fantastic position. I mean, even after...

38:53Gary Lineker:They weren't brilliant yesterday, but they won comfortably in the end. But that has to be a good sign as well, you know? So, what a position.

39:02Alan Shearer:Do you think they've got the best squad in possibly European football, if you're talking about the overall squad? I mean, there will be teams with probably maybe... Maybe a better 11. I don't know star in 11 maybe but their defence is so solid as well

39:15Gary Lineker:is that their defence on a goalkeeper I know yeah they're

39:19Alan Shearer:God he actually made a mistake yesterday nearly conceded the first goal you know when you see Raya make a mistake you go oh my god it's so rare

39:28Gary Lineker:yeah Broby should have scored actually should have done better than what he did clearing it but yeah that squad of theirs is really really strong who are out injured who they can bring in who they can bring off the bench. Fantastic.

39:43Alan Shearer:He did also make one or two really good saves. It's worth pointing out. How many trophies can they win this season? Cool. As Mike has said in the last episode, you've just got to take one cup at a time.

39:57Gary Lineker:I know, but then when you look at their form in the Champions League, won all eight games, they're in the final of the Carabao, flying at the top of the Premier League. Gee, unbelievable. This could be their best season ever. Ever.

40:08Alan Shearer:Interesting he's changing things around up front at the moment. Arteta, Giorcres has sort of come out of the side. There was also a stat on Mastadais going in all competitions. He's scored more goals than any other Premier League player since the start of this year. Maybe he's more of an impact player. He's coming on as well. You've got Havertz, obviously, he's a different kind of player than you've got Jesus who looks to get behind who was marginally offside. Otherwise, they'd have got a penalty on the half. He shouldn't have been offside there. He should have just didn't need to do that. So they've all of a sudden, from having basically no number nines that were doing anything, now they've got probably three.

40:47Alan Shearer:Now Havertz is a classy act.

40:48Gary Lineker:Yeah, he is. He's a very good footballer, isn't he? Technically excellent. So they've got some really interesting options. I think Jokeres is on eight Premier League goals now. And yeah, I did see that. Obviously saw that stat doing match of the day. So yeah, they're very, very strong. And it's looking incredibly good for Arsenal.

41:06Alan Shearer:It's hard to look anywhere else at present. Cole Palmer has come back fit, starting to score. I know two of them are penalties, but it's a nice little return to form. And he was playing off the right mostly, wasn't he? But drifting in into those central positions. And again, if we bring up the England issue here, you've got Palmer or Saka. It's not a bad choice to have, is it? And then behind that, you also play on that side. Bowen sort of plays there a lot. Madweki as well. I mean, he's got some tough decisions. I mean, he's going to be leaving some seriously good players out of the squad coming in the summer.

41:48Alan Shearer:But what do you think, Palmer or Saka?

41:52Gary Lineker:I think Saka probably gives you a bit more defensively. On that right side, I think Saka, yeah. I think that's his position, Saka, if he's fit. But that was really interesting listening to Cole saying that he's having to manage his injury in a specific way. I hate being in that position as a player you know that you're getting through with an injury not able to train as much as you want to and then you're just getting out into the game and then you go back to square one when it might be feeling okay because you had the 90 minutes and it's a horrible position to be in that so the sooner the better he can get I know that injury Alan funnily enough

42:29Alan Shearer:I spent a year at Everton with that injury really? yeah that exactly the same it was niggling I never trained and that's where people used to say He never trains. He just has a bath every day. And there was a reason. And I was struggling. But it didn't stop me playing and you could play through it. But it was a niggle that was there all the time. And then it wasn't really until I had a break after the World Cup that it sort of went away. It's a weird one because it niggles you. And once you get playing a little bit, you're all right. And then you can do something and it stiffens up again. If it is exactly the same injury.

43:05Alan Shearer:but from when he's talked about, the club have talked about it, it sounds very similar. He also said some really nice words about Liam Rossigno. This is his quote. Life under Liam Rossigno is amazing. It gives us all confidence. He lets us be ourselves, play free. I'm sure when I'm back proper fit, you'll see the best of me.

43:25Gary Lineker:Yeah. I mean, he's had another out of the Carabao, but he's had a really good start. And I think the next two games, maybe Leeds-Burnley as well. So then it might get a bit tougher after that. But he's had a really good start. You do get the feeling that there is people just waiting for him to fail because of some of his interviews, I guess. But he can't control that.

43:46Alan Shearer:I don't see why. I mean, he talks openly. And I know some people have said it's a bit David Brent at times. But you could say the same thing about Arteta and some of the things we've seen from him in the past. But it doesn't matter. that I think he's had to come in there as a young coach and to exude confidence. Yeah. And I think it's great to see young English coaches doing really well, Michael Carrick being another one. Yeah. It's encouraging. It's been so long, hasn't it, really, that we've had coaches, also coaches, that are at big clubs. I mean, it's so rare.

44:22Gary Lineker:Yeah. Do and say what you want. If you win games, it doesn't really matter. You shove all the words down people's throats, just win games. That's what he's there for. and at the minute I think he's had a really good start and with two really exciting, or two games you'd expect them to win. So, yeah, it's good for him.

44:38Alan Shearer:Both Carrick and Rossignol have won their four games, four Premier League games, I should have, which is just the start you need and it's helpful. I mean, I know it might be a managerial bounce, although I saw some statistics on that the other day, that it's actually a bit of a myth, that it actually pans out about the same generally. So I'm not sure whether that was right or not. But Villa dropped points again. I think that rules them out of any conceivable chance. Not that we ever really thought they would, but, you know, because Arsenal probably too strong. But, you know, they're still going well.

45:15Alan Shearer:Morgan Rodgers, another goal for him. I mean, the one thing we thought about him a season or two ago, didn't we? Would he score enough goals? Would he get enough assists? but he's definitely up to his game in that. And that's another debate, isn't it, about who do you play in there? Could it be Bellingham? Could it be Rodgers? Could it be Palmer? Could it be Foden? I mean, he's got some... Credible talent.

45:36Gary Lineker:Yeah. He's a brilliant talent and he is adding something or he's adding goals to his game and there's a maturity about him, I think. He's brilliant. I love watching him play. He's got this strut, hasn't he? Which I really, really like. Yeah. But I think if for Villa, if they just get into the top four, top five, I think that would be a brilliant season for them.

45:58Alan Shearer:If it all were fit and well, who would you play in there? If he does decide to go with a 10, which he might not, who would you?

46:06Gary Lineker:I think he'll play with the players that he's already played. Yeah, I think he'll have Anderson and perhaps Rice and then Rodgers ahead. Ahead of Bellingham. You don't think Bellingham makes it? I mean, I know he's injured at the moment, Jude. He's out for a month. At the minute, I think that's what he'll... If it was tomorrow, I think that's what he would go with.

46:26Alan Shearer:It's an interesting one. That was one of the three o 'clock games I didn't see, but I caught a little snippet on Match of the Day. Bournemouth looked like their replacement for Semenyu, 19-year-old Brazilian Ryan.

46:37Gary Lineker:Yeah, did really well. His first Premier League goal. Yeah, he looked really positive and confident and everything he did was going forward, you know. So, I mean, he scored a great goal. I mean, let's say what you want about Villa's defending I mean, Nucodinia just stood and let him run past him, didn't he? But yeah, he looks really promising. And their recruitment's been good, hasn't it, in terms of they know someone's going, they've got to get someone else in. I've done really well Bournemouth in doing that. All right, Alan, I've saved the worst till last. Thanks.

47:08Alan Shearer:Or the best till last if you're a Brentford fan. Yeah, there's a lot of kind of unrest at St. James' Park, a lot of booing. Eddie Howe seems to be under pressure. before you offer your opinion and I'm going to get it in a minute I want to put my two penneth worth Eddie Howe has been the most successful manager that you've had in Premier League history he's won you a competition there was a bit of turmoil in the summer obviously and the recruitment so far has not borne fruit I think to turn on Eddie and want him out would be ludicrous ludicrous and boy oh boy be careful what you wish for because I think he's such a talented coach.

47:51Alan Shearer:So before you speak, I wanted to get that out from my perspective. Where are you?

47:57Gary Lineker:Yeah, I'm with that. I mean, Eddie gave me my best day as a Newcastle fan in my lifetime. So I'm not turning on him at all. I think you have to look at the bigger picture and it is to see why and what's going on rather than just say, okay, and I get it, that results. Because of the very high standards that he's set, Champions League football continually getting to latter stages of cup competitions which we've always struggled in you know and getting to Champions League and all of that and that's the standard that he's set now so when you drop below that then you're going to come in for some criticism and I get that and understand that because as a manager you have to go out when you have to win games and at the minute Newcastle are not and they're not sitting pretty in the Premier League with what they've spent so let's get back to the bigger picture.

48:47Gary Lineker:What happened and how come Newcastle are here now? What did happen, Alan? I'm not on the inside, so I'm only looking at it from an outsider's point of view. It looks as if to me is that what's happened in the summer hasn't helped anyone because they didn't have no sporting director. They didn't have any chief executive and that for me clearly wasn't right and left the club in a bit of turmoil. they then have gone from being a club that has recruited so well I mean look at Hall look at Liv Remento Hall's great Tonali Brude all these guys that they brought in for big money Isak was another one and so so they brought all these guys in for decent money and all these guys have been a brilliant yet this summer Newcastle's recruitment hasn't worked they've spent an absolute fortune they have

49:42Alan Shearer:but do you think because of the SAC situation is a bit more of a panic buying situation.

49:48Gary Lineker:Well, of course, yeah. They were left in a really difficult situation, but with no sport and director and no chief executive, who was managing that situation? Who was actually saying, right, if this happens, we have to have cover. If he stays, fine, but if it doesn't, then who are we going to get? And they went in and I don't think they went in for so many players and lost out. They went in for Mbwemo, they went in for De Lap, they went in for Eketike, they went in for Seshko and didn't get any of those players and were left scrambling towards the end and there's no doubt they've paid they've paid a fortune for some of these players Visser hasn't hit the heights

50:25Alan Shearer:I still think Visser might come good he had a long injury he's out for a long time and he's come back and it's not quite happened for him yet but I'd see a goal scorer in there and I think maybe I think he'll come good Walter Marder's not sure what he is he's a 10 probably isn't he?

50:40Gary Lineker:I think he's half and half I think he's half and half. And he's really struggling with the physicality and with the pace of the Premier League at the minute. Because he's not the quickest, is he? No, no. And also, I look at what are we used to with Eddie Howe's team is that how did they get the success? How did they get into the top four or five? How did they win the Carabao Cup? How did they continually go against teams? For me, it was always high press, high energy, going after teams and being relentless. that at the minute is miles off what we've expected or what we'd hoped because last season was brilliant I'm not seeing that at all I'm not seeing the same energy from this group of players I know they've got injuries and all of those things but that's the hard thing to take The games that I've seen lately

51:29Alan Shearer:I think they look their best when they play the three wingers up top What with the energy that they've got Murphy, Barnes and Gordon up top I mean, I know he's not a natural nine, Gordon, but there is an energy and they do look to get behind.

51:43Gary Lineker:Yeah, but there lies the problem. You've paid 125 million for two centre forwards and you're saying they look better without them. And there lies the problem. Their recruitment this summer, and I don't know whose idea it was or whose decision it was. I guess it was a team decision, but whoever is responsible for bringing those players in at the minute, it hasn't worked. and clearly it hasn't worked because he keeps flip-flopping between Visser and Valtemada and Alanga. That hasn't worked. Ramsey, they paid£40 million for that. Shown one or two signs, but nowhere near enough. So the one that has worked is Malik Chow.

52:21Gary Lineker:He's a really good player. But no, there's a lot of discussion and you should never listen to it online, but I'm, without a doubt, stick with Eddie. Just be careful what you wish for. This guy has given us the best day of our life in terms of winning a trophy, my life anyway. He's a brilliant coach and there's no doubt that he's having a tough time at this moment in time. His first real test, but that doesn't mean you get rid of someone when they're having a bit of a tough time in their first time. For me, stick with him. We try and stick together as a football club because there's a lot of noise and that's the way you get better and you improve.

53:02Gary Lineker:but it has been poor recruitment up to now.

53:06Alan Shearer:Yeah, recruitment's everything, not just in football, any club, but also in life, in business. Before we go any further, before the Brentford fans have a pop at us. Very good point. I was just about to make go on.

53:18Gary Lineker:They were absolutely outstanding and have been and what a job Keith Andrews is doing. Incredible. Isn't it? We talk about recruitment. I mean, Watara, he was the replacement for maybe Mbwemo or Wissa, whatever, But he was brilliant against Newcastle. The cross he put in, his finish, I know maybe Nick Pope could have done better. But yeah, on the other side of the recruitment, him and what Brentford are doing, I mean, absolutely superb.

53:47Alan Shearer:Yeah, they've also got the second highest score in Thiago in the league. I know there's been a few penalties, but so has Erling Haaland. He's only three behind Haaland. Brilliant. 17, Haaland on 20. I mean, Keith Andrews, I mean, they're seventh now in the Premier League He can only four points off Chelsea in fifth, which will almost certainly get a Champions League spot next season. He's got to be one of the managers of the season.

54:10Gary Lineker:I think I'm correct in saying, guys, did they maybe win one out of seven or something like that? Or really struggled at the beginning of the season?

54:17Alan Shearer:We're all going, oh, they're going to miss, you know.

54:19Gary Lineker:Yeah, it's incredible the job that he's... And I get, you know, whoever goes in against Brentford, it's very much like Sunderland. Whoever goes in against Brentford and Sunderland, they know they're in for a game, by the way, because they've got an aggression, they've got an energy, they've got a pace about their game, and they've got players who can hurt you. Yeah, totally agree.

54:38Alan Shearer:Good positive way to finish this episode of The Rest of Football. So goodbye from me. Goodbye from me.

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