United Crash Out, Semenyo’s Dream Debut & The Biggest Upset In FA Cup History?

13:51Gary Lineker:you know in those five or ten minutes just before you come to me I was just bored looking and listening to you lot so I thought I'd take a snapshot and send it to you Yeah. Brilliant. I loved it. I was chuckling, honestly.

14:03Alan Shearer:Chocolate. Fantastic stuff. Elsewhere, as you said, you were both at the Tottenham Villa game. You know, Villa's brilliant run continues. But for Spurs, tough times. You know, they're on a really bad run now. And the fans are turned against them a little bit. And there was, you know, in midweek we saw, didn't we, one or two of the players, Micky van der Ven, confronting the crowd. a few ugly scenes at the end of this game, actually. I fear for them a bit at the moment, Spurs.

14:33Gary Lineker:They were awful. I mean, the first 10 minutes, it was all right. But then after that, and then Villa got the goal, and then they're thinking, they just had no fight or anything about them. They had no, I don't know, no one wanted to get on the ball. Xavi Simmonds, who was once in the first half way, sort of ran at defenders. But other than that, they just were void of ideas, they were, Spurs. Aston Villa were brilliant, by far the best team. Spurs booed off. But then, to be fair, Spurs did come out and have a right good goal. Players then had a little bit of belief in confidence. Odeberg got the goal.

15:10Gary Lineker:But then you saw a different side to Aston Villa. They had to defend and I thought they defended really, really well. But yeah, it's not a happy place in that stadium at the minute, you can tell. Yeah, it's worrying times for Thomas Frank, unfortunately.

15:23Alan Shearer:If you look at the players missing, Kulusevsky, Madison, Solanke, Kudus, any team losing probably their form, either creative or most potent goalscorers, it's going to be difficult. I know you can't make these excuses these days because they've got big squads and stuff, but that is a big miss for him. Yeah, definitely. And I think there was a really good stat that I think Spurs have only had like 11 through balls in the final third or defence split in passes, I think it was. And Morgan Rodgers had 14 on his own. you know and you take them four players out of the team obviously Solanke is back now you're going to be void of creating chances I think the big thing I took from that game is that the players are still playing from the manager because it could have been three and four in the second half like Alan said they stuck to the task I thought Xavi Simons was excellent I think that's the best I've seen him in a Spurs even though he was on the losing side but he made things happen and it was different I was speaking with Danny Murphy, that was, and he was saying he thought he'd be a player that could get on a number 10 and play them through balls and all that.

16:40But he's a dribbler. He's a winger and someone who can get on the ball on half turn and dribble through. And I think that's what he did in the game. I need to see more of that now.

16:50Gary Lineker:You know, though, Micah, you say that. If you add up the cost of the forward line they had, Spurs, I know one of them's on loan. Mouane's on loan isn't he from PSG Yes But if you add it up Xavi Simmonds, Tell, Odebe Rather with Charleston or Mouane There's over 200 million quid's worth Of transfer fees that have been paid out It's a fair point And the players who they've had available Have not played to the best of their abilities And that is the question mark So do you blame that on Is that the club for buying the players Is that the manager not being able to get the best out of them I think maybe it's a little bit of both, but being there at the ground, and the question I wanted to ask you, because we was behind a glass at the top in the studio, was it loud boos?

17:40Yeah.

17:41Gary Lineker:Because they only seemed subtle to us in the studio. It was loud at half-time when they were going off. There was a lot of anger with the Spurs fans. And actually, I feared for them, because if Fela had got a third goal early on, then it would have turned really toxic. But to be fair, I mean, I don't know where this was to begin with because the manager's under huge pressure. The players are under huge pressure. You would think that fight and that effort and all of that that they were missing in the first, would have been in there in the first half. Why does it take to be 2-0 down at halftime and then all of a sudden come out and I want to fight and want to scrap?

18:20I think that's more confidence, you know? So you've probably not been in teams that struggle like I did, but when I was at Villa, it was something like, you didn't want to be the person to make the mistake, so you'd play within yourself. And then you go 2-0 down at halftime, and it's okay. Well, we've got nothing to lose now. We can't get any worse. So you're sort of playing within yourself and don't want to be that person to make a mistake. and that's how Spurs played in that first half. In the second half, it was like, come on, come on. We might as well have a go now. And I totally agree with what you're saying, Al.

19:03It should do it from the start. But when you're struggling... Confidence. You've not got that self-belief that you can make things happen. And that's what Spurs are at the moment.

19:15Gary Lineker:Tell you what, they're next. I think their next game is West Ham. Next two league games, West Ham, Burnley, if I'm not mistaken. but yeah, next game is West Ham. Wow, what a game.

19:25Alan Shearer:Do you know how many games they've lost since the start of last season? Go on. 37.

19:31Gary Lineker:37 games, really?

19:33Alan Shearer:Wow. In all comps, or is that it? I presume it must be all comps. All comps, yeah. It's all comps, but I mean, that's an extraordinary statistic. And you've got, obviously, they've had the issues with Ange Postacoglu and then they've brought in Thomas Frank and it's been largely the same. and yeah, they're probably bereft of confidence. They've had a lot of injuries over the last 18 months, more than their fair share and probably their recruitment's not been quite right. You've seen one or two people speaking out. Romero, of course, in midweek. I sense with Romero, because he signed a new contract, didn't he?

20:10Alan Shearer:Not that long ago, that they might have made him a few promises about players coming in because for reason to do that sort of rant, must be something along those lines, I would imagine. Yeah, it's worrying times for Spurs. Not so worrying for Manchester City. Who would have thought they'd scored 10 goals and Haaland wouldn't get one? But someone who did get one, Semenyo! Yeah, straight in, goal and resist. How good is Semenyo though, guys? Seriously. He was excellent, wasn't he? He's just got the finishing touch, that finishing you know when he goes through how many times we see wingers and they make the wrong decision at the wrong times and they can be frustrating but Semenyo he just he just has it even his goal against Spurs wasn't it the last minute last goal for Bournemouth when he got in that position there you just think he's going to hit the target his composure in the final third is just brilliant

21:13Gary Lineker:I think he's got the respect of the whole footballing world because of how he how he handled his move and what he did or what he didn't do. So well.

21:21Alan Shearer:It was an absolute example, wasn't it? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And the club as well, I would say, Bournemouth. And their supporters, they showed how it should be. I know clubs like Bournemouth, and the same would apply to my team, Leicester. When a player really raises himself above that particular level of football club, we've had it in recent years with the likes of, obviously, Mahrez and Kante. and I think you sort of half expect them to go and play for bigger football clubs, even though obviously Leicester did happen after they'd won the league and subsequently the FA Cup. But I think the way the whole thing was handled, it was refreshing.

22:01Gary Lineker:Absolutely. Wherever he goes around the country and playing at whatever ground, he'll have the respect of the football and fans because of how he handled that situation, which was superb.

22:11Alan Shearer:He's the first player at Manchester City to score an assist on his debut since, Micah. Ooh, that's Aguero. Correct. Sergio Aguero. And he was all right. Yeah. And his assist wasn't really a great assist. He just flicked it back over there. Yeah, but he'll take it. He scored two on his debut and an assist, didn't he? Yeah. And actually, a quick reminder on our new series that comes out every Wednesday. one of the players we're focusing on is actually Sergio Aguero and that's out in a couple of weeks I believe so good memories for Micah on that particular one I mean it wasn't obviously City's biggest test I felt a bit for Exeter because no I mean double figures is a bit humiliating

22:55Gary Lineker:Did we do the game last year Micah where they played Salford did they get 7 or 8 against Salford last year in the third round was it I think as well was it yeah 6 or 7 I remember yeah you're right I remember that I think we did that game at City as well. Yeah, so, yeah. They come to Newcastle on Tuesday night in the semi-final of the Carabao. And Newcastle... I'll be doing that game. You're doing it? I'll be doing that game, yes. I'll be there. Come up and say hello. We'll have a drink waiting for you.

23:23Alan Shearer:I don't drink, I don't. Oh, right, okay, yeah, okay. He's off the pot. Yeah, he is. He's off. He's off the... Rodri's goal was tasty. Good to see him back playing again, actually, Rodri, because he's been out almost, you know, on and off the last few months. but by and large for a year and a half. And it's great to see him back playing again. Let's hope he stays fit because he's such a great footballer to watch. We've talked about him so much, haven't we? Although I have to give a little shout out to Nico Gonzalez because I actually think he's been doing really well in the absence of Rodri. But Rodri's back now and I'd like to see him in midfield together actually because he's just, yeah, he's such a good player to watch.

24:01Intelligent player. And you know, for someone like that to get the Ballon d 'Or, It normally wouldn't go to someone like that. So it just shows you how good he is.

24:11Alan Shearer:Certainly does. Okay, let's take a break there. And when we come back, we'll talk about some of the other games, including your mob, Alain. This episode is brought to you by Whoop. In the modern game, of course, there are a lot more games and that feeling of being slightly off by Monday. And that's how it shows up. Not as an injury. It's just fatigue creeping in. Off the pitch, everyday life stacks up too. Work, travel, late nights, early starts. WHOOP helps you see how sleep, recovery and stress are impacting your overall health over time. It's like a health scout working quietly in the background.

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26:24Alan Shearer:Welcome back to The Rest is Football with Alan Shearer, Mike Richards and me, Gary Lineker, talking FA Cup. I suppose the big story of today, we're recording this on Sunday evening after all the games, was Manchester United losing a game. And I mean, they are going through a really tough time. This season, they will only play 40 games because they've gone out in the early rounds of both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, they're not playing European football. They'll only play 40 games this season, which is the fewest that they've played since 1914-15 season, over 110 years ago.

27:04Gary Lineker:It turns out it wasn't five at the back was the problem then, eh? Did they play a four at the back? Yes, they did. Obviously, I was working today, so I didn't see it. They played a four at the back, did they? Terrible. It was Grimsby, wasn't it? Was it Grimsby that beat them in the Carabao? I think it was Grimsby, yeah.

27:21Alan Shearer:Penalty shootout.

27:22Gary Lineker:Yeah, they weren't very good today. Yeah, tough, tough, tough times. Brighton were the better team. Danny Welbeck, a goal and assist. Yep. So, yeah, they just, they are what they aren't. They just, yeah. What was the atmosphere, Al?

27:37Alan Shearer:Was the atmosphere good, obviously? There's still a big crowd there. You know, it sounded pretty good. Obviously, they're getting a bit frustrated. but I think at Old Trafford they generally do back their team they don't turn on them too much I think they're pretty good like that obviously they've got problems squad depth as well is not really there but there was no lack of effort there you could see that and actually in the first half they didn't play too badly they had one or two opportunities it was their final ball really that they missed one or two opportunities but also the crossing wasn't quite right.

28:16Alan Shearer:It was just not very good. No, I think that's it. I just think, you know, at the moment.

28:22Gary Lineker:I know why you're laughing there, but that is the truth. They're just not very good. I mean, the whole club, when you look at it, there's so many errors and mistakes and everything else. And I mean... Yeah, but I'm looking at it here. They've got Mount, Fernandes, Cunha and Sesco as your front four. Like, it's good enough, isn't it? It should be. It isn't, is it? It's just not a happy place at the minute. I mean, Fletcher's in there at the moment. What has he had? Burnley away and Brighton at home and drew one of those. They've spoken to Michael Carrick and to Polly Gunnar Solskjaer over the weekend, I gather, in terms of the interim, maybe till the end of the season.

29:03Alan Shearer:I mean, to bring in an interim and then to actually bring in another interim.

29:07Gary Lineker:How does everyone know that they've been spoken to these guys and that's their plan? It's like that in itself tells me there's issues. Why is everything getting out? Everyone's protecting themselves. Even with Chelsea, when Maresca left, everyone was getting out a statement or this or you'd heard this or whatever was going to come. Everyone's just protecting themselves, aren't they? Yeah. Anyway, they didn't deserve to go through. Brighton did. I thought they were the better team.

29:38Alan Shearer:They were very good on the counter-attack as well and could probably have had one or two more. It was good to see Kobe Mayner actually start a game, his first one since August. It'll take him a while to get up to speed because he's played so little football, but that might be of some encouragement. It was obviously not, he's not gone the way that Darren Fletcher would have wanted it to go over his couple of games in charge. Interestingly, he had his two twins, his twins were on the bench. and I was looking because I had a look to see what their bench was like and it's got Fletcher, Fletcher and I knew they were twins but alongside it one's got a Scottish flag and one's got an English flag I thought how does that happen?

30:25Alan Shearer:Amazing

30:25Gary Lineker:I know the result went against them but how proud must you be when the boys are involved at a club that size like that it's amazing

30:33Alan Shearer:Absolutely so we'll keep an eye on Manchester United over the coming weeks and sees what happens there. But Brighton go through. Quite a game of St James' Park.

30:44Gary Lineker:Again, it's unbelievable what's happened to Newcastle over the last few weeks and how they keep getting on the right side of results. Yeah, I mean, I didn't... I'd obviously seen the goals and the penalty shootout and what have you, but because I was getting ready to go on the core comms, I was just following it on my phone or with text messages or whatever, or Rich was in my ear telling me, Newcastle have scored last minute. oh no, it's equalised, oh, it's gone to extra time. Then it's gone to penalties and it was like so, yeah, crazy. Ramsdale with a couple of good saves on the penalty shootout and they get through.

31:19Gary Lineker:Amazing. The tone in Alan's voice changed when he knew Newcastle had won. It was staggering. You do surprise me. It was staggering. Really? Could you tell? I could tell straight away. I go, I said to Rich, get on Al's voice now.

31:39Gary Lineker:Harvey Barnes, he's brilliant. Wow, yeah, he's having a great time. He's in great form. He really is. I mean, his performance, his confidence, superb. It's really the only interesting talk about him, perhaps with Steve Clarke and perhaps trying to get him to Scotland to go into the World Cup. Bloody hell, if he keeps playing the way he is, he might be an England squad. What do you think he'll do? He'll probably go Scotland though, because he'll probably play, won't he?

32:05Alan Shearer:Oh, he'd definitely play for Scotland, wouldn't he? If you go to England, there's loads lined up. Imagine that playing in the World Cup. You're out of it. Everyone thinks you're going to be. And then Scotland come knocking. And their fans are terrific, aren't they? So that'd be great for them. Yeah, especially as now they're in the World Cup. Good chance for him to excel. Good start for Liam Rossini, I thought. I think he's handled everything very well so far. I've been impressed with things I've seen on social media, with one or two lengthy interviews. that he's given. He's exuded confidence and the difficult thing will be obviously the coaching and when they lose games and stuff like that.

32:45Alan Shearer:But, you know, he clearly believes in himself, which is really important. He seems to have a presence, which is also really important when you go into a football club like Chelsea. He doesn't seem the slightest bit phased by the challenge. And, yeah, and a cracking start for him.

33:02Gary Lineker:As a manager, whether you're young or whatever, it doesn't matter. You've got to go in and hopefully get a good start. And obviously bigger tests he will face. But yeah, good start. Great time to score. It was a few minutes before half-time, I think, and a great finish. But yeah, they did everything right. Got a good result. And again, into the next round. So that'll do his team and him the world of good. Well, we spoke about Rosinia. I don't know if I said it on the pod before, but I've got a bone to pick with Rosinia there. Because all back when, when I made my debut for England, 18 and 19, and I was in the team, he did an interview I'm going to find the interview he said something like when I see the people that are playing for England now I don't think I'm that far away suggesting he should be playing ahead of me and I was like what?

33:53he knows he's got a point Micah

33:57so then but as a manager when I pull him up on when I'm doing BBC or Sky or CBS, whatever it may be, I'm going to ask him about that as well because it still couldn't... Lose two games, Mike, and you'll get your revenge. But putting me... Yeah, leaving me to the side. He's done... I totally agree with what you're saying, Gaz. I think the only worry, and it's not a worry, is what the Chelsea want from him. And if they're happy just being top four and challenging for Europa League or Champions League or whatever, winning maybe a Europa League if they don't get into the Champions League. I just want to know what the bigger plan is for Chelsea.

34:46And if their plan is to get top four and challenge for a trophy, I think it will do really well.

34:54Alan Shearer:Well, they're a young side, aren't they? They're only going to get better in time if you're given time. He's got a long contract, so they obviously think good things about him. What's it, six-and-a-half-year contract or something like that? I'm not sure too many coaches make it to six-and-a-half years. Six-and-a-half months is an achievement nowadays.

35:14Gary Lineker:Yeah, it doesn't matter how long his contract is because if they want to get rid of them, they'll just get rid of them, I guess, and they'll pay them up for 12 months or whatever it may be, I guess. But I think we all know, Micah, what Chelsea demand. Is that the old Chelsea or is it the new Chelsea? It's Chelsea now. They have to finish in the top with what they've spent.

35:36Alan Shearer:Well, it was always difficult at Chelsea, even under Bramovich era, wasn't it? For managers and coaches. Yeah, we'd all get fired, would it? That's what it was. But now they're not better than Man City. They're not better than Liverpool. And they're not better than Arsenal. And Villa are creeping up there as well. So a realistic target is to challenge for top four. My worry for him is obviously the points that Maresca sort of made in terms of the interference about possible selections and who to bring on and that sort of stuff. If you're getting that from above, that is very, very difficult.

36:17Gary Lineker:Yeah, let's see. Let's see. I just want to keep an eye on that. I hope he can do really well in it because it's great for young English coaches as well, isn't it? that he's been given it a chance at a club like that. So I hope he does really well. Agreed. I hope he does really well. And I think he will, as long as it's a realistic plan.

36:35Alan Shearer:Me too. Anything else jump out at you? I mean, there's lots of great results. Leicester won a game. Blimey. Hey, we're going to win it again. It's obvious. Yeah, not too bad. Mental penalty shootout Everton-Sunderland. Yes, all the penalties. See that Everton missed all three. He saved him, didn't he?

36:55Gary Lineker:Sunderland Roofs again. He's had a great start. He's a great Sunderland, he has. My fourth team are still in it. Marching on together. Yep. 3-1 at Derby. Lovely job, Lees. We'll have that.

37:07Alan Shearer:Who's 1-2-3 in the order? Don't ask him that. Is Peermaster first? Oh, no! I plead the fifth. What's your fifth team? I want your one, two, and three, not your fifth. I think it's been a cracking third round, actually. The draw is, well, today, if you listen to this on Monday, I think it's before this evening's Liverpool's game. So we'll keep an eye on the draw. But let's call it a day there. We'll be back tomorrow with La Liga, where we'll be covering the Super Cup final, which is happening right now. And would you believe that Barcelona have just gone 3-2 ahead? It's about 15 minutes to go in that game.

37:51Alan Shearer:A second goal for Rafinha. Rafi Rafi what you got Rafi Rafi okay sorry a second goal for Rafi yeah okay and our next episode of Premier League greats the moments that made them is back on Wednesday and it's with a certain David Beckham or should I say Sir David Beckham but for now goodbye from me goodbye from me goodbye from me

38:17Gary Lineker:have a great week everyone

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