speaker-0: Alrighty, to another Monday FootyPod. Anthony, how are we doing today?

speaker-1: Hi, Brian. like the episode when your parents are away. The pod father is polishing his slippers and getting a really in-depth physical. I don't know what that entails, but think gloves are going to be worn and yeah, Aries explored. So thinking of you, Gary. All the best, mate.

speaker-0: Yeah, Gary, we do miss you here. Obviously. it's it's tough. We but listen, I think if there's any weak Gary can miss little FA Cup one. Yeah.

speaker-1: He's phoning that in a little bit, right? He's He's a professional. Premier League podcast. bit of the Premier League. That's when he gets his...

speaker-0: Everyone listen, I you know what he did it did seem like he did make his other podcast this week though I saw some other clips coming out about that. So I don't know. He's got like nine of them, right?

speaker-1: Which one? Nah, yeah, that's what saying. The fee we pay him is just not as competitive as his other. But his agent's nice fella, we'll get him sorted. no, it's... I don't know, I'm not a big philosophical lad, but this football, forget the Premier League, football in the last seven days seem to have lost its shit. I don't know if it's in line with the stuff that's going on in the general news, which we're not going to touch upon, but there's some weird shit going on. Some of them in the results, some of them in the clips we'll get to later. But yeah, mad week. staying away from the violence of our podcast last week. I'm just gonna give you a couple of minutes to take the floor.

speaker-0: Yeah, listen, I'd like to. First of all. I want to issue a retraction last week. I know, before we get into everything this week, you know, the podcast has been asked to ⁓ an official statement regarding the alleged unpaid bar tab from February 1st and listen last week during the show accusations were made that Anthony Packwood ⁓ Anthony Packwood was responsible. At the time, the panel moved quickly to judgment, much like a referee given a red card in like the third minute. However, however, after a full review process, the podcast initiated what can only be described as a VAR investigation. We checked the receipts. received the footage. We consulted the bartenders. We even went frame by frame through the security footage. And after careful review and assessment, VAR has overturned the decision. Anthony Packwood is not responsible for the unpaid bar tab. The responsible party after further investigation has been identified as myself. I like to apologize to Anthony for the wrongful accusation and for briefly damaging his reputation across the

speaker-1: Just good to breathe again.

speaker-0: The good news is the tab has now been paid. The bad news is that following the review, I've been issued a lifetime ban from ordering just more one more decision from the boot. Packwood no foul me clear penalty.

speaker-1: What a funny scenario, chose you. What a degenerate day that was. Because I was like, there's no way. How's that? I went through like, was, went through bank statements. was like, but what? I speak to my missus. I was looking at the schedule. I was like, why would that be in that den? There's no games on there. But no, listen, Brian, I really appreciate that. Took a big man to kind of, you know, hear me out and take responsibility. And you're taking it as if it was you were the only party. You defending your friends. wasn't just you.

speaker-0: Ready?

speaker-1: So we'll table five of the gentlemen around me.

speaker-0: of them none of them made accusations though, so And some of them ride the coattails of when we're having a little fun with it. Yeah Some apologies that are necessary to come from from some of the other people but

speaker-1: There were some DMs. I appreciate your message to my father. My father reached out after listening to the podcast to see if I was short on cash and if I needed a lift because of the accusation. So it became a family matter. ⁓ Christmas is back on swiftly resolved and I appreciate your candidness and honesty, wizard.

speaker-0: You know what? And listen to honor you there. We're going to start off about my these matches. Let's talk about Everton 2 nil against Burnley. All way moving into European football I mean you guys look good right now. Talk to us about it.

speaker-1: I reckon that'll be eight places. Do think that's where it'll go?

speaker-0: I believe so.

speaker-1: Yeah, I'm not getting my hopes up. I think I said at the start of the season, success for me this year would be a non-stressful, a nice 13th and above finish. And I mean that, like giving us the ability to kind of break away from the relegation battle, the relegation association, from a morale, a fan, a recruiting perspective. I thought that was really important. So yeah, we're playing all right. We're playing quite inconsistently. It's good to have some of the big lights back. We're not a big enough team to be able to lose Drusby Hall and Brandt Wheat and Garnagay to the We just can't. We haven't got that depth.

speaker-0: Not to mention, realish too.

speaker-1: Yeah, honestly.

speaker-0: I know you've looked a little better without them.

speaker-1: Well, you just, it's just, it was so one way because matter who you are, he's such a, he's such, he's such a natural draw that you go right head up and you look left. And now he's had to change the system and it didn't work at first. He was, he was to force Diblin in there. I think that's whole different conversation. Don't want to go on with that lad, but he just looks lost. then Armstrong came back, really well and sent him to field. He didn't send him back to Preston. ⁓ So I think to of like, like. squeeze him into the starting line if he was playing them out left. It just didn't work. He's not quick enough. He's not a winger. you're looking at that. And then since that's been, since that's been put to bed, he's put McNeil back on the right and Di back on the left.

speaker-0: And he's been your best player. Yeah. I, and I is the one who's making everything happen. He is. remember bringing it back to the Newcastle. He was, had Trippier on skates match. it's. ⁓

speaker-1: Shadow, well, cheese behold. My granddad could have Trippier on skates at the minute. Trippier looks dog shit. And I like the fella I wanted him the off season. I argue our biggest threat isn't I. But I think our overall best player is being Jusby Hoel. McNeil, last two games. ⁓ McMessie might back. He's coming in on the left, he looks a threat, he's shooting at Will.

speaker-0: By way.

speaker-1: Yeah, yeah. The one time I didn't bet. I'm terrible better. It's kind of a theme in Gamblerz, sorry, kind of a theme of this podcast. But I've always every week bet Tartosky to score any time. Because the odds are really good. put traditionally with Fanjul, you put a fiver on and you'll get like 110 back. So it's an easy one and it keeps the game in stress because you say, this spin... No, is he? Is Hell no. And then you've got the other lads who... But I didn't bet it, but it was good.

speaker-0: And he's not gonna get subbed off either

speaker-1: Yeah, it looks Jimmy Gardner again looks fantastic. The team's looking alright, we still need a striker. And then Shemitie for Rangers, just absolutely flying, that's where you're fucking heading. He looks like a real threat, but yeah, no complaints. You're about Europe, not even in my mind right now. Just that we're taking along and not... I think so, it's inconsistent, like you never know. We can completely awful and then we can win... ⁓

speaker-0: Vibes are high though, vibes are high.

speaker-1: 3-1, 3-2, whatever it is, you know, so vibes are high. We needed a win at home. People started to talk about that a lot. So putting that chat to bed was nice. yeah, happy, happy chat. I'll take it.

speaker-0: Yeah, man, mean, listen, you got to keep rolling. Got to keep rolling there. You guys looking good across the park, though. I know he's not here, but Wolves, is Wolves the toughest, toughest place to play in the Premier League right now?

speaker-1: looking at players that have got complete freedom, haven't you? There's no pressure them, they're down, they're enjoying the football, the fans, the atmosphere in the stadium is quite a celebratory one. Rob Edwards coming back and running to the fans. It's dangerous to play against free men, you know? Those lads have got nothing to worry about because they've had so much to worry about. The full staff's put in and they're just playing Yeah, do, Liverpool starting to look good, started to get bit consistent and then I don't even know why I described this game, it was just just a bad day at the office wasn't it, across the boards like back problems at the back again.

speaker-0: Now, Allison's injured now. He's not even playing in the Champions League match tomorrow.

speaker-1: That's not not for them because they're not in position at the moment to be able to and they look the lad the Irish lad we sold to Brentford, his name? Yeah, he's in he have been a backup that you wouldn't worry about but I don't trust their backup right now. So, so yeah, they just have an inconsistent season. They'll probably get Champions League if they get Champions League by goal doesn't matter any form of Champions League confirmed by these lads is success I think and

speaker-0: Queen Kelleher.

speaker-1: They probably should get it because Villa had dropped like a stone.

speaker-0: Yeah, Villa do not look good right now. We're not going to talk too much about it, but I mean, they blew them out and they just don't like they've got it. Like they were one of those teams that I think they came back in a lot of games this season and that magic just doesn't seem to be there right now. But speaking about, know, obviously we've got a contested Premier League, but Man City really kind bailed out. arsenal here with getting a draw against Forrest. And I don't know if you saw that Morgan-Gibbs white. Did you see that Morgan-Gibbs white goal? Little back heel right there. Elliot Anderson with a beautiful goal to tie it up in the 76 minute there. It was a really, really fun game to watch. think like, you know, you look at City, they led twice in this game and gave up equalizers both times. you know, listen, I think when you're in a title race like that, And you're going up against a team like Forrest, you gotta go get those points. And I think that that's one of those things where you just gave up some very valuable ground. And those are two big points right there. Five points versus seven, that's not insignificant.

speaker-1: Yeah, it's still gonna come down to that game but you can feel like the way people are talking about Arsenal now that was the kind of the result where people are like, all right, cool, enough, right? And then Arsenal look good now, don't they? They look confident, yeah, they look quite solid.

speaker-0: think there's something about Arsenal too for this season that, you know, I bet you in their locker room, they love that everyone's shitting on the way they play. Like they're calling them Stoke, they're calling them, know, they're calling them, you know, set merchants. Like everything you hear, ⁓ it's WrestleMania out there. Like everything you hear, like if I'm Arteta, I'm just leaning into that. It's like everyone hates us. Everyone hates. You think fans give a shit how they win the league this year? They do not give one fuck. Sorry for my cursing, I think it's just in a person. listen, I think Arsenal, are, they're going to, I think they're going to take the league this year. I just don't think, I mean, I just don't think Man City's got it this year and we'll see what ends up happening. Obviously.

speaker-1: You can never raise your cup at...

speaker-0: No, and a lot can change and you look at, mean, Semenyo has just absolutely hit the ground running there, again against Forrest. He just unreal. And the fact that they were able to get him, it's been interesting though. Holland's kind of been, he's been a little quiet since Semenyo has there too. ⁓

speaker-1: If they didn't get to the menu, it would have been tough because they only had one goal scoring option and that was soft lad.

speaker-0: I don't know if you watched on the weekend though Marmouche kind of yeah, so I think was injured then he had aftcon as well so he was out for a while but listen, let's Yeah, I mean he's just he's got some goals really like home like ⁓ the box shots and it's like You know he hit one again this weekend Ramsdale just stood there like what what happened? Well, listen, we don't want to talk about the negative of Newcastle just yet because ⁓

speaker-1: You look good. not good last year.

speaker-0: Listen, we know what happened a week ago. We know it's been the talk of the town the last week, but to one versus man United at home played the last 45 minutes with men. Little bit of an interesting red card there. They gave Jacob Murphy a second yellow for diving. Listen, I don't it was a dive. I think that there was a little bit of contact. I don't think it was a penalty. I'm not saying it was penalty, but you can't say like he He kind of just fell over like guys are allowed to fall over. He didn't even look back at the ref and complain and ask for a penalty like they just immediately gave that second yellow and it's like, you know, I get

speaker-1: I I've seen a card for diving this year. I don't think I've seen a card. And so like that, it was, you know, it was dramatic, but it wasn't the worst. Like, you know, he was looking for it, sure, but it wasn't, I wouldn't call it cheap.

speaker-0: Yeah. And listen, not to be a little bit of a conspiracy theorist here, but United's had back to back weeks now, some pretty soft out And listen, they couldn't even, they couldn't get it done against us because Willow Sula winter 90th minute. mean, know what? He really get to that much, but they literally just throw them in there whenever we're down to 10 men or listen, maybe if it's too, it's You know, we just need to nick a goal and he just has so much pace. He's got so much speed and he's just like a chaos guy out there. you could see like he just got out there fired up the right side. Great pass by Trippier which led him. ⁓ thought he was actually going to fall over about two or three times. He kind of looks like a, ⁓ looks like a baby deer on ice sometimes when he's running out there. Shout out that reference. Literally like just one of the best moments that you hear all the different calls I've listened to the radio call and watched every single Highlight of every single angle that you could potentially see of it It's just you know what like we deserve that and and we really needed a league win We've been shit since the start of the year. We've had guys out injured But just getting those three points like I don't know like there's something we're like even myself like I was starting to look at that table and I'm like And we're only like eight or nine points off of like relegation here. Like that kind of, that scares you a little bit and getting those three points at home, like that was massive. And just to see the fans have in a moment like that, was just, it was much needed. Yeah. What a goal too.

speaker-1: What a ground. He kept it in just like, such aggression ran at them. And then he didn't I don't know how he saw that space, know, when he bent it around the defender, he hit it so clean that it was just, it was awesome. It was awesome. And it must be frustrating for you knowing you've had this lad on the bench. I'm not saying he's going to do that every week, but he's got it in the locker. He's got that in the locker, hasn't he?

speaker-0: Yeah, he does. we'll pivot over. mean, let's just chat about Newcastle again. But, you know, he gets the start against, ⁓ you ⁓ Man And as you see, just didn't really have the same results there. Same impact. Yeah, I mean, that was a tough one. mean, Voltemata is really struggling right now. They're trying to figure out where to put them. They played Osula and him together. And, you know, first 20, 25 minutes, like we look great. Harvey Barnes gets a goal. We actually should have scored again.

speaker-1: The difference.

speaker-0: And that's like the new cast was problem is they just have no idea how to put teams away. then ⁓ just basically had some of these just amazing, amazing goals. And it impressive. mean, we've had play them. I think it was the fifth time we played them this season between the cups and between everything. And it's just like, I'm just sick seeing them. They were just don't, we don't match up that well against them. They, you know, cause new cast is never going to be a team that's just going to sit back and counter you. They really want to attack. really want to press teams and way that Pep and Man City play with that tiki-taka football, just controlling possession, it's just, it's very difficult for, for, ⁓ just think we just don't match up really well against them. And, and little bit of a frustration. You get off to a good start and then it's like, come on, like just giving up those goals and tough three, one loss there.

speaker-1: Yeah, it just after such a positive result in the week, it just kind of it just there was no space for it to build up and people to say good things in the press anymore. And Eddie Howell go to a press conference. It was Man City. So you're going in there to beat Man City. It wasn't Man City starting at 11, if I'm being completely honest. look at those still world class players though, you know, you can still name every single one of them. Right. It's not like these poor kids out there. But yeah, it would have just been a different story for you if you got something from that.

speaker-0: now or was it?

speaker-1: or even made it a little bit tighter. Two drinks, ⁓ my god, let's go.

speaker-0: got about nine different drinks here because as know, I'm recovering from the weekend. So hydration is essential. ⁓ yeah, we can put that on there. listen, I do want to pivot over to another game. I don't know if you saw the goal, but Portvale. League one, Portvale stunned Sunderland. Ben Wayne, not only did Ben Wayne do that, he hit the sheer celebration right in the Sunderland fans face. What a moment for Portvale. I mean, that guy, New Zealand player, like he just, he just had the biggest smile on his face. Apparently grew up as a Newcastle fan as well, so. ⁓

speaker-1: That's what everyone was saying.

speaker-0: Little bit of a jab there to Sunderland. I know we've got the Darby coming up here, but it's nice to see if we're going to leave, if we're going to get knocked out of the cup, it's good to see that knocked out as well. Yeah.

speaker-1: And you saw the Wrexham game, right? That was just...cinema. That was just daft. And was the first time they'd ever had a VAR intervention at that stadium, ever. And it's the one that screws them. And was fine, though, because I just think it would have been a distraction. They would have wanted that. you know what mean? They would have gone all in on that competition when they're at the wrong end of the playoffs, the championship. Brayton at the same time as my side, you've got the lads in the stadium and the cameras going to them all the time, but I'm glad for them and the integrity of the cup that they didn't just get through because of the story, you know? about that would have been just a little bit too cheesy. Fight. know ⁓ a f***ing...

speaker-0: Yeah, a little bit too much. Crazy though, like it's just. You know, it's crazy though is also I actually forgot to say this before, but you know, for the teams that are in European football, it's crazy like they said on on during the Man United Newcastle game that Newcastle's played 15 more matches than Man United this season. That's crazy to think about, right? And I think with the FA Cup two, I think Eddie Howe kind of looked at.

speaker-1: That's... That's not nothing.

speaker-0: He kind of rested some guys like Anthony Gordon didn't start like I think he was looking at Barcelona on Tuesday and he's like that definitely is a bit more important than probably this FA Cup fifth round.

speaker-1: He seems to play so much freer with the Champions League. Because it's not his expectation thing. don't know if because you've got good players in the starting line-up and spend so money that when you play at home, the players can feel it a little bit, you know? Like St James' is one of the top five, if not top three stadiums in the Premier League. So I can imagine when they're frustrated, you could definitely feel that. So...

speaker-0: Well, how about how about Arsenal, the they're getting to the FA Cup final? mean, they beat Mansfield Town 2-1. Watch that game. It's easy at all. They didn't didn't look great at all. Like the guys that they had in there were not playing well in Mansfield Town. Actually, I think they scored first in that game. And then obviously brought on Eze. He had a nice little nice little goal there for Arsenal. ⁓ That was, mean, Arsenal really tried to like, they're almost their C squad. They tried to put out there. listen, the, draw that Arsenal's had, mean, Newcastle had to go through City, Bournemouth, like I think, I think they played multiple premier league teams coming up to this. And it's like, you know, Arsenal's playing Mansfield town. Now they get Southampton. It's like, are we doing here? So, but there are going to be some, you know, looking at the other games there, we can just run through them real quick. Liverpool. Got a nice little recovery after losing to Wolves. Got, you know, pretty comfortable win away home, which can never easy there, but shout out to Andy Robertson. Getting a nice goal there. Then two minutes later gets an assist to Mo Salah. So why is he not playing over Kirkez? Like, I just don't get it. It just seems like there are a more. But what does money have to do with it? They're both on the same.

speaker-1: They've spent the money on him and they know Andy Roberts has got a foot out the door. They're not playing for anything in particular, right? You'd say you blame in the competition because that's where they've got a chance to make a difference. don't know. They're going to win the league. So don't have to try to bet them in. He's had flashes of good stuff. Sydney. They're like, on ⁓ attacking, not like, yeah. And is it Robinson have enough loss because he's playing one game a month? know, but regardless. ⁓

speaker-0: You're also playing wolves too, I guess.

speaker-1: But he was great, he was noticeably good, which for a left back is, you know, not something you'd usually notice.

speaker-0: Yeah, we had a nice little upset Southampton one nil over Fulham. That was a bit of a surprising score. did not expect the way Fulham has been playing. They've been playing great the last few weeks. I did not expect them to lose that one.

speaker-1: But then, like, where we are now and where Fulham is now, you'd kind of expect those teams to go a bit heavier on the Cup, you know? Like, there's a few... Like yours, you're in the Champions League, know, you're not smashing it in the Premier League, you don't need to give a shit about the FA Cup this year, you won something last year, it's all good. But Fulham, you're like, well, that was your shot. You're shot to piss a few people off and kind of have a little run, you know? So I was surprised when they lost ⁓ to them like that, I really was. They had a good side and he doesn't take any fucking mess.

speaker-0: Yeah, no, it's, you know, listen, I think it's, it's just, it's just so many games, man. It's crazy. Like literally it's just a game every other few days, but leads three nil at Norwich city dominated the whole game. Another, good one there. ⁓ Yeah.

speaker-1: long has that gone? You know what I'm saying?

speaker-0: You know what's I thought he was going to play a lot more for them. And he's been kind of used as like, all right, if we have a lead, let's bring in him as like kind of like a defensive midfielder. And I surprised. I thought he'd get more burn there, but I guess he's just. ⁓

speaker-1: He started every game in the first eight, I think. And they weren't really setting the world alight. So they've switched up a little bit and Aronson started getting more game time and he wasn't a starter. So I think the formula they've got at the minute is really good. They've got that right balance between a bit of grit in midfield with the captain, big lads at the back and then some player pace players going forward to Calvert-Lewin getting the ball as well. So yeah, I wouldn't mess with that. was them. I think they're safe. I can't see them getting dragged into it. think it's... Forreston West Ham now, so if they stay up big club They'll spend some money I think and they'll clear off some shite that they've got on the bench as well like that Garnetto We wanted him for years. They've paid him back. He just hasn't done it as he They've got Dan James come on back. He was he was the best player last season. He played in the FA Cup He looked good. He was getting some good balls on the box. So yeah, I think they'll be alright But yeah going back to the original point. I thought Longstaff was a great side and I wanted him but he just doesn't have that much of an impact on the game. ⁓

speaker-0: No, he have a lot of speed either. I feel like he's kind of fleeting a foot out there. But did you get a chance to watch West Ham-Brenford at all today?

speaker-1: No, I saw the the alerts going up and I was in bed but did you watch it?

speaker-0: did and I actually had a I'm trying to pull it up right now, but I had a pretty epic gambling day. I did send you over the I hit the let me turn off these notifications. My bad. Yeah. for me, it's annoying. But it a game. mean, there was it obviously went to penalties, but there were two penalty kicks in the game. Bowen had won. Tiago had won. Just some crazy, crazy penalties. It was actually a pretty wild, wild match. And Ham gets through, guy tries a panenka during penalties. It's like right down the center. Areola just stood there. Like he didn't even move. He wasn't, he wasn't. But ⁓ me tell you about some of this action I had today. We had West, I actually put in West Ham to win before penalties. So that was a little minus one 10. Nice win there. Listen this one. I had a nice little parlay hit. 100 to win $862. Igor Tiago to score. Kevin Shade to have a shot on target. Jared Bowen to have a shot on target. And both teams to score. And then I also hit for a nice little $272. Jared Bowen, first goal scorer. So the wizard just went through. I did have him first goal scorer again. I had a little fan cash in the account. I like to. Whenever they give me that, like to throw it on something that's got some good decent on it. I a little first goal scorer action. Great little like reaction to a header defenders just kind of stood there and he nice little tap in the first Tiago goal was actually crazy. He was he was actually on sides, which was surprising, but ⁓ actually tries to hit it and he tries to get out of the way and it actually hits off his stomach and then goes into the goal. So that pretty nice because I had both teams to score in that game. So. hit basically all the legs.

speaker-1: You've got to start putting that stuff live. You've got to just be putting like, this is what I'm doing for this game. Because you can't in game. I don't know what it is. I don't know when you see the lineup or you see how they come out or the Musk or whatever it is. You're a different gambler when the bus comes.

speaker-0: Bye now. So quarterfinals we got Man City Liverpool. We've got who do you got in that one? It's Liverpool. Liverpool in that one. What about Chelsea versus Portvale?

speaker-1: Easy. Easy. Bye. of NuckTales.

speaker-0: And then Southampton drew Arsenal. And then we got West Ham versus Leeds. That'll be a fun one.

speaker-1: That'll be a great game, that'll be the best one of all of them. I can see it's a level that will be important.

speaker-0: Because you know what it'll be? It'll be City Liverpool. We won't get their full teams. Like we'll have backup guys in there.

speaker-1: I think someone's saying not Chelsea wins it.

speaker-0: Dude, look, Jal Pedro, that guy, he has been probably, probably one of the best signings in the. Yeah, don't know. Recently, Joe Pedro's just looked like a different player. I don't know what changed. I don't know if it was the new manager. We're it coming in, but he looks good,

speaker-1: I'm not giving them any credit. I just think because they've got young lads in that team and they're talented, they're gonna like, they know they're not gonna win the league now. So they'll play the football, don't get me wrong, but I think they'll have an extra bit of oomph if they can win something shiny. I think that our team's at that age where they do wanna win something. of the other teams have already won stuff, got some legends there, some vets, ⁓ but haven't, they wanna win something shiny.

speaker-0: Absolutely. Well, listen, I'm going to test something out here because listen, there was a couple crazy things that happened in just the world of football.

speaker-1: Thank you

speaker-0: One of the things I wanted to show you and I'm going to share my screen here. Let's see if this actually works. Can you see this? So match this was in I think the second division of German football, but basically the match in Germany disrupted as a fan unplugged VAR monitor in bizarre scene. So two fans for this club. I think it was pressing Munster. I'm going to try and say that name, but apparently so.

speaker-1: Yeah.

speaker-0: There was obviously like potential penalty for an alleged foul in the penalty area. And basically like when the referee went over to the screen to view it, two fans had actually cut the cable so they he couldn't actually see it. So luckily, though, I mean, I think VAR, the booth, they called down and they said it was a penalty. So it didn't actually end up working out for them. But crazy, just crazy.

speaker-1: And then you're going to sort of self-serve

speaker-0: Yeah, I mean that's And apparently it's like this ultras group out of right out of Rangers fan base and they all wear these blue masks and That's the one thing I hate like these fans that run on the pitch. They're all covering their faces They all just they're almost making it about themselves and not that not like haven't and I don't know the the history too much But like hasn't there been long periods where like they banned away fans for a while?

speaker-1: mental So was speaking to a gentleman yesterday who was actually a Celtic fan and we were out and about and I had no idea this game was on and he was like, see the game this morning. I was like, no, I know. He said it's the first time they've increased the capacity for the, they've had a whole away end. Before this it was capped at like, I think he said something like three and a half thousands, but this time they let the full, whatever the full is. It was in the sevens. So they like doubled the capacity of what they offered to the away fans to get the atmosphere going. And they fucked it. They're not going to do that again. know? And, and then. At the end you see the lads taking the pens, the striker goes up to the crowd and starts winding the home fans up. Probably one of the most hostile games on the planet. I think that's got to nipped in the butt a little bit. So you start boiling a pot and you're putting more more stuff in it. It's going to overflow. So the pens increase fans and then when the Celtic fans they came onto the pitch to celebrate and like stamping on the ground. I'm not choosing a side here. think there was accountability on both sides like there is with any, you know, disputing football when it comes to fans going on the pitch. But yeah, it could have been managed a little bit better I felt, but I thought at one point, again, watching the clips after the fact, I thought it was going to get because what capacity, what thresholds are you going have to go from people coming onto the pitch where you just have to go, right, people are going to die, get out the way, cops can't have you, you know? ⁓

speaker-0: with sonic control.

speaker-1: so many lives going on to the field. One of these Celtic physios got attacked.

speaker-0: I did see that, yeah, I saw you all bloodied up and I saw one karate kick out there. Someone got kicked in the face out there. Also in that game, little fun stuff for you. Celtic did win the match, obviously penalties, not one shot on target. That is Martin O'Neill ball for you. So not one shot on target, but still coming away with a nice, nice victory there. So just, ⁓

speaker-1: Hahaha! That rage has managed to be chipping him as well.

speaker-0: ⁓ yeah, definitely.

speaker-1: trying to get this head a little bit and he's like sit down child that that Martin with that Martin with ⁓

speaker-0: Yeah, so this is actually out of Brazil so there was a cup match there and goalie basically kind of took out a guy and I Know and then and then he kind of he kind of like jumped on his chest and kind of need him in the face And then it just started an all-out brawl 23 red cards were given out during this brawl

speaker-1: What you do in that scenario?

speaker-0: I mean, they didn't feel the team next week. I guess it was in a cup. So I don't know if that impacts their league, but like there was legit hair haymakers being thrown out there. If you remember, you remember the Brazilian player Hulk? Yeah. He was out there throwing some absolute haymakers at guys. There was coaches. I saw this one video of a coach actually trying to stop it. And then he then kicked a player from the other team while he was trying to stop it. Like it was absolute mayhem. we think like I'm surprised no fans ran onto the pitch for this one, but they was just the players. Like they were the players, the coaches, the physios. They were just going absolutely ham out there. Like there was like, it was a cup. It was a cup match, but yeah, I believe it was a Derby as well. it was crazy, man. I mean, they were throwing, usually you see push in, you see some like head, head shoving. These were some legit punches being thrown and we're talking sucker punches, sucker karate kicks, like These guys had no love for each other. And it's just, I need to know when they're playing again, because that is going to be absolute appointment television. I mean, one of the- Yeah, seriously.

speaker-1: going on. I said something's going on you know I know this crazy things in the world but like if you saw one of those things happen in a month you'd be like whoa it's mad three of them in a weekend and with the Brazil one I can't remember the last time I saw a genuine punch thrown on a football field never mind you know 20 of them.

speaker-0: I think 20s, I think 20s, I think you're selling them short a bit there from what I've seen.

speaker-1: I saw the highlights of it and you see how it starts and reading you see the headline before you see the clip and then you see the actual file like it's a bad file but it's not you know it wasn't horrendous it didn't kill the lad then afterwards the keeper got his head smashed against the post and and shit like that like what is happening and what is happening

speaker-0: It was crazy, man. I don't know what's going on. I don't know if it's a Gen Z thing. These kids just don't know how to react to stuff. But that thing that is the the meme from Anchorman like that escalated quickly, like legitimately. Already. Well, listen, any thoughts just on the league right now? I mean, we've got some interesting before we kind of pick next week's matches. I mean, we've got an interesting I mean, Spurs, they are they've lost five in a row.

speaker-1: I want to change

speaker-0: I mean, van de Ven getting a red card. mean, they go up one nil in that game. Then van de Ven gets a red card. They give up three like really quickly after that. just seem like they are tumbling downhill, but I mean, forest. So, I mean, we've got West Ham, forest and spurs. Actually, I'll throw leads in there as well. Like they're all within three points of each other.

speaker-1: Leeds will be fine. Between them three, they had a point from each other now. And I think like, I was like, there's no way Tottenham go down. But if you look at the manager bounce, I see West Ham going down. They've got too much momentum now.

speaker-0: Yeah, that's I mean, that's two wins in a row. mean, not in the league, but know, they get the nice they get the nice little FA Cup win. That's good for morale. They get a nice win, you know, over the weekend. Like that's I West Ham will stay up. I think I don't man. I think Spurs are going to go down with Burnley and Wolves. I just think it's just too negative right now. Yeah, I do. I just don't see it getting any better right now unless they get some guys back from injury. But I don't I.

speaker-1: think something me just says there's no way those players even the third think when they know their careers on the line they don't go right don't give a shit who's been going out with someone's missus or whatever the story is or whatever's gonna come out in a documentary in a few years they just rally together but Forrest don't look like world beaters but they just look better so like they look better West Ham look much better than they did and Scotland just look lifeless, like literally like victims like just waiting to lose like they don't look like they don't look like a team that believes they can win ever again.

speaker-0: Yeah, I agree.

speaker-1: But they've got the quality and it only takes one Richarlison bit of brilliance or, you know, tell, run and they've got the life that can do it. It takes a little bit of something and then win one game. If they win one game, I don't know. But that's big it.

speaker-0: Yeah, so top four Arsenal Man City United and Villa are tied on points, but United's got them on goal differential there. ⁓

speaker-1: It's the order now. It's the order they're gonna fall in now. I think the title race is, I'm gonna, for the first time, wave my white flag on the title race. Arsenal have got it. They've been fighting for someone, not necessarily City all year, they just look too robust now. They've crossed that threshold where they've got all the players that are fit. And like you said at the start, none of the City's don't look particularly terrifying, you know? It's not like they're chump. losing things to forest you can see them dropping points again even if they beat them at the FDAD you can see city doing something stupid like drawing with an evident or a fuller or something like that you know um but yeah

speaker-0: Now Arsenal has played one more match than everyone so it is seven points right now but technically it's four technically so.

speaker-1: ⁓ man. Yeah, I just can't see it now. I can't. I thought he bottle it, but even when you're watching them, they don't look flustered at all. They don't look bothered. They had the wobble a couple of weeks ago, maybe two, three weeks ago, where you're like, whoa. But then City just shot themselves in the foot. If City beat Forest, then I'm like, all right, cool. But knowing that City have got that ability to lose against a team that are scrapping, I don't know.

speaker-0: Alright, well listen, let's close it out picking next week's matches. So first one we got is Bournemouth at Burnley.

speaker-1: I think Bane will do it. think they're still fighting and they're not terrible. I think Bane will make that. I think they should be able fight at home.

speaker-0: I'm gonna go with Bournemouth actually in that one. Next one we got Brighton at Sunderland.

speaker-1: Two teams that are really, really hard to predict at the minute, Brighton at Sunderland. gloss has come off with the Sunderland consistency, but they are at home. I'm gonna shit out and say draw.

speaker-0: I'm gonna say draw as well. got Newcastle at Chelsea.

speaker-1: the most inconsistent teams on the planet you could go away win that 4-1 or you could lose 1-0. I'm gonna go Chelsea.

speaker-0: Yeah, I'm going to go draw in that one. All right, we got your team. got the F at Arsenal. We.

speaker-1: I've got a little tiny little bit of a track record of either losing to Tottenham Arsenal 4-0 or drawing with them. I just, I could see it raw.

speaker-0: gonna go ours Sorry. Them at home, it's just, yeah. Listen, I...

speaker-1: Big lads at the back, nice David Moyes defensive system.

speaker-0: Yeah, also they got a big Champions League match this week too. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I think they're playing like Leverkusen, it's not a, yeah, let's say it be Leverkusen. All right, we got Man City at West Ham, 4 p.m. kickoff.

speaker-1: One nil. You've become Still a game. I really want to watch this game. think City will do them because they have to. But I will be for the first time this season rooting for West Ham.

speaker-0: I'm gonna go draw on that one. ⁓

speaker-1: You... splinters... wizard over here.

speaker-0: Alright, next one leads at Crystal Palace. in the Sunday matches now.

speaker-1: Please, please, please.

speaker-0: I'm going to go leads as well. All right, Aston Villa at Man United. This is a big one. Big one for those top four positions.

speaker-1: I will have to see the Villa line up to be concrete, but I just got a feeling this could be something they could nick. I just think that they'll, they'll, they'll, they'll like to Morgan Rogers of the world. They kind of get the backs up for the big game at Old Trafford. The pressure won't really be on them for the first time in a long while. I don't know. I'm going to go Villa. Sneaky 2-1.

speaker-0: Not to mention to they got a European leg Thursday. So that's a quick turnaround from Thursday to Sunday morning. And you almost have to think Villa, you know, they because they're a team that I think has some financial issues. I think that they're ⁓ maybe looking at their best chance to make the Champions League next year is by winning the Europa League. Like. ⁓ I don't know, I think that it potentially could be, I mean, if you look at the teams that are left in that competition versus like.

speaker-1: Drink now.

speaker-0: You know the gauntlet they're gonna have to go down in the Premier League. I mean I think if they at least get to the semis in there you gotta start thinking about that. don't know. I mean obviously the league is obviously super important but they need that money. If they don't make Champions League they're gonna lose Rodgers. He'll probably, hell he may even end up at a Man United but.

speaker-1: I can see him with the maniolitis here. He's that type of player. it depends what Fernandez does, yeah, that wouldn't surprise me at all.

speaker-0: So, know, like, you know where he'd fit perfectly would be Liverpool because GACP is shit and they would put him on that left wing and you'd have, you know, you have to imagine solid does not look like the same player. It really looked like the ages kind of hit him a bit there, but we'll see. We'll see what happens next year.

speaker-1: They're not doing something like that anymore. There's a few in the past where you'd be like, oh, he looks like a Liverpool player and you know he goes to Liverpool. I don't know what's going on there. I could see him with a Newcastle or my United shirt on.

speaker-0: Yeah, so who do you have in that one? Man United or Villa or Draw?

speaker-1: I'm gonna go with it, let's be honest. said 2-1, not a cheeky 2-1. I can see their players going up for it.

speaker-0: I'm going to go draw on that one.

speaker-1: that seven drawers you've picked?

speaker-0: Yeah, let's see. I mean, listen, I am top of the leaderboard, I think. let's see. Maybe you need to mix in a couple more draws. All right, let's go. Fulham at Forest. Ooh.

speaker-1: Bro.

speaker-0: I'm going to go full on in that one. I think they're going to have a get back game. Let's go Spurs at Liverpool. That's not what you want. No, especially after you're going to be in a battle. They're playing Athletico Madrid this week. They are going to be in a battle. That's not the easiest team to play.

speaker-1: What are you telling me? can't see Tottenham winning that. The favourites are Liverpool. I'm going to choose Liverpool. But it wouldn't be insane if these big players finally stepped up for this type of game. Winning that game, in a way, I feel that would...

speaker-0: No no van event in that though, I think, right? Yeah, right? Like that's their best defender and he's not in it. So yeah. Yeah. I'm going to Liverpool as well. And then we've got wolves at Bradford Monday night football. That's been getting some doozies on Monday nights, man.

speaker-1: big. Yeah, Liverpool. Yeah, that's a tough sell. I say don't give a shit? I'm gonna go draw. I'm gonna go as boring prediction as boring as that game is.

speaker-0: Yeah. Well, listen, listen, hopefully, ⁓ this actually did record. Hopefully we didn't just do this for ourselves and hopefully we actually get this up on YouTube. We don't know though, so we could just be doing this for ourselves. could just, this could be a good.

speaker-1: I like talking and listening. I appreciate the authentic apology. ⁓

speaker-0: traction yeah I think we should clip that at least get that out on the socials we need to get to your dad you know maybe I don't know if I don't know if your daughter could could you know understand it yet but you know we should still play for her like all right well Anthony it was good catching up with you man we will

speaker-1: He spread the word. you Post those lives, post those lives, that's what I'm gonna be doing them, posting them.

speaker-0: Champions League tomorrow, although I'm going to be in a conference room for next three days, so I'm not too pleased about that. Hopefully we get. ⁓ maybe put the phone in the lap maybe. But we'll some action. We know that. Alright man, we'll talk to you later. ⁓ We'll see all next week. Monday night footy pod will be back. Hopefully live. Hopefully all three of us. We don't know though.

speaker-1: Nip to the loop. Pod father's back. Slippers will be clean, attitude better, it'll be good. Nice one brother.

speaker-0: Yeah. All right, we'll see you later.