Title Race Mind Games & Enzo Maresca Sacked

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2:38Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football with Mike Richards, Alan Shearer, and me. a slightly croaky Gary Lineker. Happy New Year, everybody. And boys, I'm going to ask you to do most of the talking on this particular podcast. But let me explain what we're going to do because obviously it was a strange week in terms of the fixtures. There were lots of matches on Tuesday and then matches on Thursday. So we're recording two separate goes because Mike is working on Thursday night. We're doing this on Wednesday morning following the Tuesday game. so we thought we'd do it chronologically and then we'll discuss Alan and myself we'll jump on after the games on Thursday night so that it's all fresh for you on Friday which is for you today if you listen on Friday I'm sure you understand what I mean what have you got guys what's up have you I've had a cold for a little while and as it always does with me eventually it goes to my voice are you sure it's not too much alcohol I wish I wish it might be something to do with it have you had your flu jab oh you have to at my age I was just about to say that make sure your heating's on you get your allowance as well you know at your age oh bless you thanks very much so considerate sorry my timing I hope you're okay I'm okay you can't be doing this when I'm on the 18th I just might keel over then you'd feel guilty I would very yeah yeah yeah How are you two?

4:12Yeah, all good, thank you. All very good, thanks, yeah. Yeah, I'm good as well. Feeling great. Feeling edgedized. New year, new year. Big plans, come on. Big plans. What are your plans? There's a World Cup. That's our plans. Netflix and all. Yeah, yeah. Looking forward to that. Very much looking forward to that. But a big game obviously was played on Tuesday night. Arsenal and Aston Villa. And it felt like a little moment there where, I don't know, it's a bit harsh on Villa after the run they've had. but it felt like it is going to be Arsenal or Manchester City. Yeah, I think so. I think I've never said anything different.

4:49I mean, Aston Villa have been amazing, but I always felt it was going to be between these two. And I guess it is City and Arsenal. And yeah, it was a great result. They kept on churning the results out without being brilliant, but they were brilliant, particularly second half last night, weren't they? The way they sort of stepped on the gas a bit. and got the result, got the goals and all of that. So I think for them going forward, for their belief and for their confidence, especially with Declan Rice being out as well, I think that'll do them the world of good for the next few months. I actually thought Villa were the better side in the first half.

5:29Yeah, they're still going to chances. Oh, Nana, down the central positions, Concer coming out, Morgan Rodgers, but just couldn't get the goal. I think if Watkins scores that, it could have been a different game. And then Arsenal in the second half, a little bit more tactically aware in the middle. Odegaard wins the ball and then they go and get the goal, don't they? So it was just a really good spectacle. Although I was disappointed that not everyone was fit. I would have liked to see Kammer in there. I would have liked to see Declan Rice in midfield as well. But in terms of Arsenal, I think that was just a big one psychologically because Villa have been a team which they've struggled against in recent seasons.

6:13And Emre, there's all this talk about who's a better coach. Emre is a magnificent coach, isn't he? But Arteta as well showed yesterday, although he's got a better squad, that he can mix it up at the right times. I thought the substitution of Jesus as well. He's just, he looks sharp again. Equally the difference between Arsenal winning a league and not. We've talked about Man City so much, but the squad, the strength and depth for Arsenal is just ridiculous. Two centre-halves back. Yeah, Gabriel particularly is a force. I was talking to Harry last night when we were watching the game. If you had to pick one centre-half from world football, I think at the moment, I think I'd go Gabriel.

6:56Yeah, because he's good in both boxes, isn't he? Yeah. that's why I think from set pieces and I was going to bring him back into my fantasy last night as well could have taken minus four just wait just wait just Morgan Rodgers is in great form just give it another week and then he goes and gets the goal I was devastated that desire to get on the end of of balls coming into the box set pieces in both boxes is amazing honestly it's like for him there's no fluke that the number of times that ball lands on his head both defending and when he has to go up and attack his own corners it's just it is such a great skill a great technique to have what he's got in both boxes amazing I just want to pick you up on the Jesus comment there Mike I said he could be the difference he's been there a long time what makes you feel he could be different this time to perhaps what he was before really good question because with Jesus obviously I watched him a lot when who is at Man City.

8:00And he never really was the main man, but he does so many things for the team that maybe go unnoticed. So his work rate, for one, his press, his ability to make his own chances, even though he's not clinical at times. When he first went to Arsenal, he was unbelievable. He was unbelievable. He was unplayable at times. Then he got his injury, and when he come back, he wasn't the same. He got another injury and then he come back. He's just finding his feet. But now with different options and not having to rely on him for the full 90 minutes as the main man. Now you've got Havertz. Now you've got Jokeres.

8:44So he can manage his minutes and get the best out of him in the time that is required for when he's on the pitch. And that's why I think he could be the difference. I think he's got a little bit more quality. Not a little bit. I think he's got more quality than Jokeres. Jokeres is still finding his feet. And Arsenal in games this season, Jokeres has had big opportunities and not taken them at times, where I feel as though you don't have to be a Haaland to take some of the chances that Arsenal are creating. But Jesus is good enough to take them chances and now Havertz is back as well. So I think having the three options could just be the difference.

9:24Yeah, and Mourinho got that option as well. he's proven more than capable that he can fill that role as well so yeah I think it was a huge result for them confidence wise right throughout the team the fans I think that's what they've been waiting for Arsenal they've been winning but it's been edgy winning nervous winning and you can but I think I think what they did last night will ease the pressure a little bit I mean obviously they still have to go out and win the games but I think in terms of belief for them and for their fans. I think that was a huge game for them. You mentioned Mourinho. Was he slightly lucky to stay on the pitch for a second yellow?

10:03He could easily have had, couldn't he? It was 2-0 at the time. Definitely, yeah. I think he's fortunate. Do you, Micah? Yeah, I'd have to agree. I think it was a second yellow. That was that too. It might not change the game, but I think it was definitely a second yellow, without doubt. Yeah. It'll be interesting decisions ahead now, isn't there, for Arteta, because he seems to be getting everyone back fit, which is a nice problem to have. I mean I think we all know who are going to play at the back you know Saliba and Gabriel's as good a partnership as you'll get but you know that thing about who's going to play up front who's going to perhaps play on the left sometimes so he's got decisions to make but I presume the Rice injury is nothing, it said just a knock didn't it?

10:47I think that's what he said wasn't it? Knock on the knee I think. Yeah. Yeah. So if they get him back as well, I mean, going into the new year, it's looking pretty good for them, I would say. Oh, pretty. I mean, it's at the top of the Champions League, it's at the top of the Premier League. It looks as if they're getting everyone sort of back to full fitness and a full squad to choose from, barring one or two. It's looking bloody good for them, never mind pretty good for them. I mean, amazing what they've done this half of the season up to now in the Premier League and in Europe. You know, one of the accusations a lot of people keep throwing at Arsenal is that it's all too nervy.

11:29Everyone's really nervous. But Al, you won the Premier League at Blackburn and I won the Premier League at Man City. And everyone is nervy because when you've not done it, you feel as though, are you doing the right thing? Are you overthinking it? Are you going to get the rub of the green? So when you see, especially our tattoos animated on the side and all the coaches, it's because they're up against one of the best ever managers in Pep Guardiola. The experience of Man City winging it, Liverpool dropping off, all the things, Man City not playing amazingly well at the start of the season. and now Foden's coming to his own.

12:11Shirky's coming to his own. Rinders is scoring again. Haaland is Haaland. So there is going to be that tension. And for those people saying Arsenal are overreacting with a win, the wins now are so important. And we was the exact same when we won the league. And people say, you don't look at the table. You look at every facet possible. You look at the table. You look at the fixtures coming up, where you could get a rest. in Champions League? Do you change the whole team? So this is all normal things that a team goes through. It's just because Arteta's only won the FA Cup, the pressure seems to be mounting and mounting and mounting.

12:54And even if Arteta doesn't win a league this year, it's only because he's up against a great manager in Pep. And there's nothing wrong with that. Yes, Arsenal fans want him to get him over the line, but the job from when he started to now to have them competing. Yes, they've spent a lot of money. Of course, they've spent a lot of money. But the goal was for them to compete for the league. And that is what they're doing. How do we know they're feeling nervy, though? That's what I mean. For me, I watch them playing. I don't see any nervous feeling. I think the nervous feeling is the supporters a little bit.

13:27When you're playing, you're just getting on with the game, aren't you? You don't think about that stuff. You might, you know, 1-0 up with 10 minutes to go. You might sit back. And they've done a lot of games where they've done that. but they're so good defensively. I don't, I look at them, I don't see nerves in that. I don't see nerves, particularly at this stage. I mean, we're only halfway through the season. I think when you look at their result against Brighton, I mean, when they went 2-0 up and then all of a sudden Brighton scored and there is, I think it was a bit of an edgy, nervy performance the last 20 minutes against Brighton.

13:58Same thing against Wolves when Wolves went to the Emirates and they scored late on. Arsenal somehow found a way to win that. I think you're right Micah, in what you say, but the real nerves don't come until about April time. If you lose a game now, okay, you don't want to. But when you lose one in April, then it is an emergency, you know, in terms of the team-wise. And you haven't got any time to recover. Not that they want to lose one now. But if they lost one now, I know the noise would be louder. But the real nerves don't come until around April. So did you have a specific game? was it around the March, April time, thinking if we win that game, we can win the league.

14:42Was there any moments in your season that you fought that? Yeah, about three or four games from the end when we had Newcastle, I think it was. Blackburn beat Newcastle. We got absolutely battered, but we somehow won. I think that was the night we all thought, that's it now. It's nearly ours. But then it still wasn't over, of course. But you're right about then it was Manchester United who were chasing us, as in Blackburn. And obviously, we'd never won it before. We perhaps should have won it the year before. But the noise gets louder. Fergie's putting pressure on. As I'm sure, if these two are going head-to-head, Arsenal and City, the noise will get louder from Pep because he's been there.

15:25He knows exactly what it takes to get over the line. And Arsenal badly need that with Arteta, the time he's been there and what they've spent and what it would mean to that football club. So I think the pressure would become a lot bigger if it's still neck and neck as it is now in April time. I think the interesting thing is obviously if Arsenal don't quite get over the line this season and maybe miss out on the league and the Champions League as well and then the pressure will absolutely mount. But, I mean, Mike, you've been in this position with a club that's, you know, been close, expected to win it, getting, you know, building up, building up, getting closer and closer, building up the squad like Arsenal have done, getting yourselves into position.

16:14You just, you've just got to make it happen somehow, haven't you? Yeah, we was quite fortunate that we had a really good squad so we could rotate the team similar to Arsenal have right now. But there's moments in seasons which you need to go your way. I always remember, I don't know if you guys remember it, United were leading. I don't know if it was 4-2 at home against Everton. Yes, finished 4-4. And Everton made it 4-4. And there was a game which we played against United and Vincent Company scored the header. We still had to go up to Newcastle, St. James' the week before QPR. And when we won that game, that's when we sort of knew, obviously the QPR game the week later didn't end up that way.

17:05but I remember clearing one off the line at Newcastle and thinking I've won this league in my head I'm thinking I didn't get credit for that Yaya scored two on that goal and he got all the credit as he should have but there's just certain moments with this swing and Newcastle at 1-0 there was applying the pressure and they should have probably scored a couple of goals and then Yaya goes down the other end and scores. And I think Arsenal just need one of those moments. When do Arsenal play Man City again? Oh, Saturday 18th of April. Right, that nervous time that you mentioned now. Yeah, it is. That's when it really matters, April time.

17:54That's when the pressure really is applied. Michael, you mentioned there that, you know, the games that when United dropped points against Everton when they were leading 4-2. Now, obviously, when I played, all the games were on television you never saw other people's games so you'd be watching that game presumably on television and like jumping up and celebrating watching absolutely everything guys jumping up, texting I remember there was a game, I text Danny Simpson I think he might have been playing for for Newcastle was it Newcastle at the time or QPR, one of those and he saved one off the line.

18:35He saved one off the line and I text him saying, thank you so much. Thank you, seriously. And we went out one of the weeks after in circle, I bought him a bottle of champagne and all them sort of things. It's just because, you're just after them small little wins, you know, because everyone talks about our season and we only won our season on goal difference. Yeah. How mad is that? And City's goal difference was better than Arsenal's after yesterday's game. I don't know what it is now, but obviously Arsenal got plus three after the 4-1 win. But goal difference could be the difference as well. And Manchini, I always remember telling us, make sure you finish off the game.

19:20Make sure you finish. Scores, when a team are vulnerable, go and score 4, 5 and 6. And that's what we tried to do. I remember we played United at Old Trafford with 1-6-1. and they got Johnny Evans sent off and he said, go, go, get four and five and six. Don't just win, win because that could be a difference. And ultimately, that was a difference in the end. Arsenal have had an amazing five months. I mean, semi-final of a competition, top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League. It couldn't have gone any better for them, could it? I mean, it's been amazing. So they should attack 2026 with great confidence, I think.

19:58Manchester United managed to get a point at home against Wolves, John. Wolves, great point. Three points now going into 20-26. You're on the way up. So, producer John would be happy. I saw Wolves. Every time I looked over the game, Wolves were on the counter-attack. I think for United, that's a really poor result, isn't it? I mean, with all due respect, to me, a team that's only got two points all season comes to your own place. You want to finish the year really well. having had a victory, it was probably a really, you know, a backward step. Yeah, I think so. I mean, I've never got carried away with Manning.

20:33I don't think they're a good team anyway. I think they've got a long way to go. I mean, they beat Newcastle. It was back to the wall, wasn't it? Newcastle, they just couldn't score. It was viewed as a big performance in terms of sticking together. He changed his system. But then for him to sort of go back to it against Wolves, who were bottom of the table, who've got a dreadful, embarrassing record this season. and then to draw the game, yeah, it's a setback, there's no doubt. I mean, they were missing a bit of firepower, weren't they? With no Bruno, obviously, Mbumo, Mount, Diallo, all missing.

21:07So, I suppose they're probably a little bit of blunt up top. Cesc had a couple of chances, a couple of headers, I think one hit the woodwork, so, and one he really should have scored when he headed it straight at the keeper near the end of the game. It's not really happened for him, has it yet? No, I'm trying to look at it and think he's gone into a really difficult situation, into an unsettled club, hasn't been a regular, hasn't impressed at all when he has played. I go back to my point at the beginning of the season. I think both Arsenal and Man United have paid a lot of money for centre-forwards that I think are good players.

21:45I'm not sure they're any better than that. I think give him time. Yeah, he deserves time. He had an injury, didn't he? Yeah, he had an injury. It will come good, but I have to agree with Al. I expected a little bit more, especially the clubs that you go into. These were supposed to be the finishing pieces to the puzzle, wasn't they? Jochrez and Sesko. It's not quite happened for both of them. And we can mention the players that were out, and Buemo, Ahmad and Fernandes, but they still had enough quality to win that game, Man United, and Sesko being one of those players. But he looks a little bit lost in confidence.

22:27I think the way sometimes Man United play doesn't really help him in terms of he doesn't get that many chances. I think at times he is like a Haaland where when he gets the ball in an attacking position, he's just expected to score. but he's not getting as many touches as he would like because Man United at times, especially in the game yesterday when I was looking at the highlights of it or on the multi-view, they seem to be quite deep. So yeah, I think he will come good but he's not showed anywhere as good as he's at the moment. There's a silver lining here for Wolves. Only one team has ever had two points from 18 games in English Football League history before.

23:16and they survived. Now, if either of you can get this, who it was and when it was, you get top brownie points. You know what? I should know this. No, you won't know this. No, no, I should. I should. I don't know it, but I should because someone said it on comms the other day. And they actually survived. Newport County in 1970-71. There you go. it's almost a given now that Wolves will stay up John and guess who said that stat to me John John I love that optimism you'll be fine 55 years on whatever it is God I remember that season don't think that's going to happen John I think no I think it's a bit unlikely what was the Newcastle game like then Alan come on you and Tony were discussing it all through the match you weren't happy for most of it I have to say.

24:14You were a bit grumpy. I was very happy for the first 10 minutes when Newcastle went 2-0 up. And I thought, aye, aye, here we go. But then give Burnley great credit. They came back into it, scored a goal. And then all of a sudden, it was Newcastle sat back. I mean, second half, I was thinking, goodness me, Burnley. They're playing really well. Newcastle, it was just attack after attack for Burnley hitting Newcastle. They hit the bar, had a couple of good saves from Nick Pope, a couple of missed chances. And I'm thinking, what the hell is going on with Newcastle? Because it was a hard watch at times.

24:52And look, the most important thing was Newcastle getting three points away from home. They desperately needed that, confidence-wise, belief-wise, and all of that. So that's the big picture. But it wasn't an easy watch at times, and Newcastle were under huge pressure. and it was only what was the 93rd minute I think Dubravka came out and made an error and Bruno's made it 3-1 then everyone Newcastle supporter anyway could relax so no it wasn't a great watch but three huge points for Newcastle How did it work with Visser Gordon and Murphy as opposed to Valtomada away from home? It was Gordon Visser and Harvey Barnes to begin with on the right-hand side, Barnes.

25:40And then Murphy came on second half. Wisser, it was his first Premier League goal. It was a scrappy goal, six-yard goal, which was great, you know, which perhaps we didn't have that six-yard threat at Manchester United. So he did well in terms of that. Gordon, for the first 15 or 20 minutes, did really well, helped set up the goal. but other than that sort of faded later on in the second half yeah plenty plenty to work on but for Vista and his goal and confidence and all of that then and I guess for the three points for Eddie and the team then with their next three league games I think Crystal Palace at home Leeds at home and then I think it's Wolves as well after that so three big games for Newcastle coming up after a hugely huge important and a wee win.

26:35From what you saw, have Burnley got any chance six points adrift now? I wouldn't think so. I thought they played well. They passed it around really well. One of their main players, Josh Cullen's out, I think, with a crucial injury as well. So he's going to be out for a long time. No, I don't think so. I think Wolves and Burnley are as good as gone. Excellent win. A game for Everton going pretty well, particularly, obviously, one or two players out through AFCON, etc. So I thought they did really well. Gardner went back to his old club and scored a goal. I thought that would have been a really, really tough game for Everton, particularly after Forrest and the way they played against City.

27:18Because I was quite impressed with Forrest against Man City. I thought they did really well. And I'd expect a tougher game for Everton. But fair play to Everton and to David Moyes. With what he's got there, he's just getting the most out of every single player there, David Moyes. He's doing a great job. Yeah, Forrest had a lot of chances, though. They probably should have scored a couple, yeah. The XG in the game, if I can say, the XG was 1.90, Al. Oh, right. Does that mean they should have scored just below two goals? Just below. Well, they should have scored at least one. Good maths there, Al.

27:52Well, they would have been beating 2-1 then, wouldn't they, if they had scored one? Yeah, but it's a timing. You all know with goals, it's the timing of the goal which makes a difference. Then the momentum starts. You know that. I was buzzing for Barry. Yeah. That's a story from the game I took. Obviously, he's found it very difficult, him and Beto. So to get his, I think he's only his second Premier League goal, but he works ever so hard for the team. And yeah, he could see it in his celebration, his smile after the game as well. He was absolutely delighted. The fact that West Ham got a point at one point, they were leading obviously against Brighton.