Man United’s Miraculous Comeback, Iraola’s Conundrum & Brilliant Bellingham

0:00Hi, this is Gary Lineker from Goal Hangers. The rest is football. This episode is brought to you by WISE. It's only when you start moving money between currencies that you really think about the exchange rate, the fee, and what might be hidden away in the small print. Whether you're living abroad, paying someone overseas, or just trying to manage your money across borders, you want a fair exchange rate, an easy transfer, and no surprises along the way. Wise keeps things simple. Wise is a smart way to move the currencies you need around the globe. It works in more than 160 countries and with over 40 currencies. Most transfers arrive instantly. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate, like the one you see on Google,

0:42with no markups or hidden fees. So when money needs to move, you can see the rate, know the fee you see on Google, with no markups or hidden fees. So when money needs to move, you can see the rate, know the fee, and get on with it. Join millions saving billions on hidden fees by downloading the WISE app today. Be smart, get WISE, T's and C's apply. For adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms, every choice matters. Tramphya offers self-injection or intravenous infusion from the start. Tramphya is administered as injections under the skin or infusions through a vein every four weeks, followed by injections under the skin every four or eight weeks. If your doctor decides that you can self-inject Tramphya, proper training is required. Tramphya

1:24is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. Serious allergic reactions, increased risk of infections or lower ability to fight them, and liver problems may occur. Before treatment, get checked for infections and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, or need a vaccine. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about Tramfiya today. Call 1-800-526-7736 to learn more or visit tramfiyradio.com. Discover the new Myself Eau de Toilette Intense, a masculine and long-lasting fragrance for every day. A bold scent with sensual musk and woody notes.

2:45Myself, Yves Saint Laurent. And there's nothing to prove But I will dance and I'm with myself Hello and welcome to the Rest Is Football. Manchester United have pulled off a remarkable comeback at Old Trafford, coming from two goals down to beat Roma in what was a quite extraordinary second half. For much of the season, the players have let Michael Carrick down. And after that dreadful first half performance, it looked as though they were doing it all over again. Has that second half comeback saved Michael Carrick's job or simply delayed the inevitable? Alan, you were at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Did it surprise you, that comeback? Yes, it did, actually. I didn't see that at half-time at all.

3:16There was no evidence that that was going to happen. In fact, the first half was one of the worst first halves I've seen from any team. Honestly, it was so bad. There was nothing in the game that Michael could take positive from at half-time. Defensive mistakes, open again when they lost the ball, poor in attack, no creativity in midfield. Honestly, they were dreadful in that first half. And I said on the core comms, I don't know where he starts, Michael Carrick, because it was that bad, you know? But whatever he said at halftime, whatever he did, whoever he rattled in terms of getting into them because of how bad they were, it worked because they came out, they had more energy, they passed the ball a lot quicker,

3:59they had more forward runners. Everything they were doing was a lot better. I still think they got a bit fortunate in terms of not sure it was a pen, not sure the pen should have been retaken when Bruno missed it. But those are the tiny little things that make a difference, you know. And once they got that goal, Old Trafford just changed. You could feel the atmosphere. The players then give the fans something to cheer about and they were going mad and the players responded to that and then it was a huge error, Belairdi I think it was, and then Kunya got the tap in but his winning goal was an outstanding finish. So could it be the big change that Michael's been looking for? I'm not convinced. I still don't think they're a good side at all, no.

4:43But they found something from somewhere though, didn't they, Al? Yeah, absolutely, yeah. That's a good sign. I think, I won't say they deserved it, but they deserve for their luck to be turned around. It's like every time they make a mistake, they get punished. And he's just thinking, because they played really well against Chelsea in the first half, as we said last week. And then they played really well in the second half this time in the Champions League but they need a full 90 minute performance now I think that's the next step before you can see if the bat but you've got to give them credit for the resilience of the show the character because we're going to be the bad one because Roma are a good side

5:21but they haven't got the energy that Man United they've not got the individual talent that Man United have got so if they'd have lost that then I think it would have been a bad one but so pleased for Michael Carrick I was just delighted for him because you can just see him on the sideline when he's got to do his presses and he's just his demeanour you can tell like he wants to say something else but he can't he's being professional he's protecting people and then you, he's not saying the real truth. So for him to get the win, I was delighted. And his changes, by the way. Shea Lacey, he came and did really well, went past players, bit of excitement, got the crowd going a little bit, you know, it's just those little things

6:01that there was no energy, there was no excitement whatsoever in that first half. And then Lacey, he did more in that when he came on than lots of players have done for a while, you know. So I don't know whether there's a shout for him to start, you know. I remember a long, long time ago, Sir Alex Ferguson, when he'd had a really, really bad start for about three seasons, which you'd never be allowed now. And there was that moment, wasn't it? Norwich in a cup tie away. Was it Mark Robbins, Al? Yeah, yeah, Mark Robbins. Scored that all-important goal, which turned things. And they never looked back from them. Now, I'm not saying Michael Carrick's through Alex Ferguson. But you do need a bit of luck,

6:40a turning point at some point. And you never know. I mean, looking at the squad depth and the players that they have the highest they could probably finish would be European spots maybe lower Champions League spots fourth fifth but there's a lot to do from them but just sometimes a little spark can can can make a difference and obviously they've got one or two good young players. You mentioned Lacey there came on, did really well. And that gives everyone a lift, particularly the difference in the mood at Old Trafford Owl must have been starkly different from the end of the first half to the end of the second. I mean, it was unbelievable. They got booed off or sections booed them off and rightly so because they were that bad.

7:27And it was painful. And I could just imagine what Michael's going through, Michael Carrick and the hurt that he's feeling, you know, because they just give him nothing at all in that first half. But for it to be that bad and then to get to be that good in the second half and a bit of relief for him and the relief for the fans. And I guess it's just a reminder for the players that if they put in a shift like that, if they try, if they, do you know what I mean? Give the fans something, the fans will respond. You know, it's been that bad for such a long time now, I guess. It's just a relief. And yeah, Old Trafford was rocking again and the players responded to that. What about the walk though, Al? The walk at half-time when you've got to go from the dugout

8:11to the tunnel. I don't know. Honestly, I felt for Michael Carrick. I was looking at him thinking, goodness me, where do you start here in the dressing room? And yeah, that walk, it'd be such a long walk. Imagine if you won, you'd feel like the man, you know, you'd have a different walk, you know, you'd be like high-fiving, waving to the crowd. And when you're losing, it's just head down, isn't it? Yeah, just put your shirt up a little bit. It's not really his fault. You know what it is though, defensively, it was like, we've seen it so many times with them, once they lose that ball in was like, we've seen it so many times with them. Once they lose that ball in midfield, you've got Dalot bombing forward

8:48and he's in like the furthest forward position. And they lose it and then it's like this. But someone must be telling him to do that. Someone must be saying to him, when we win the ball and we look as if we're going to progress, you have to... Because otherwise, why would he do it? Because as soon as they lose the ball, they're just wide open defensively. I thought it was quite telling before the game that the person they sent out for an interview was Aidan Heaven, who's obviously very young. I don't know whether any of the senior players fancied the pre-match interview. It was noticeable, actually. We did say that about, I think it was Ahmed and Aidan Heaven that were sent out to do the press beforehand.

9:31And I was thinking, I'm not sure that's the right thing to do, you know, where you've got two, putting two youngsters out. Maybe you thought if we sent, if they send those out, the press are going to be quite easy on them because they're young lads. Yeah, possibly. But you've seen the big eighters come out after the game, didn't you? When things are going all right. Did you have Kunye after the game out or not? They had Bruno Fernandes, who I thought spoke very well. I thought he should have said what he said a few days ago in interviews, you know, about there was no problem with Michael Carrick. He left him out because he wasn't playing well enough and he gets that and understands that and accepts that.

10:08I thought Bruno Fernandes spoke very well, but I thought that could have come a lot earlier, actually. Because we had Cunha after the game. What a nice lad he is. What was he thinking, though? I mean, take your shirt off and then that silly sliding tackle. I don't mind it. That was the emotion, wasn't it? The emotion, take your shirt off, but obviously it's forgotten. It's just scoring a goal like that, you have to take your shirt off. I don't care. Imagine everyone's been- Scoring a goal like that, you have to take your shirt off. Can't you just run around like that with your arm up in the air? That's the easiest one you see. The slander that the players have been getting over the last six months,

10:45it was just all the emotion coming out. I don't mind it. I don't mind it at all. It was his tackle that was worse than that. Like, tackle what you're doing. Tackle was pathetic. You could just feel the adrenaline with that tackle, couldn't you? Like the adrenaline was running through him, wasn't it? And you just thought, you probably didn't even think. No, well, he clearly didn't think. I mean, Bruno got away with that penalty. I mean, encroachment, was it really? What's the rule with encroachment if you're on the line? No, your foot has to be inside the box, doesn't it? What? It wasn't inside the box, was it? Exactly. I'm not 100% sure it was. It was very iffy, I thought. I mean, to turn it, to give another go for that

11:27I mean that could be that little bit of good fortune That you need though to turn things around I thought that a lie was encroaching Well they said he was encroaching So something must have, it didn't look it to me on the replay Didn't look it to me either, couldn't be 100% certain Maybe he's left toe now, maybe that was enough Wasn't even sure it was a penalty actually No, harsh one. I couldn't be 100% certain. Maybe his left toe, no. Maybe that was enough. I wasn't even sure it was a penalty, actually. No. Harsh one. I don't know. You need a bit of a change in fortune. Although, obviously, Beliba's a blow as well. Looks like a hamstring, didn't it? Yeah, it was because he went down straight away

11:58grabbing his hamstring and he sort of hobbled all the way around the pitch to the dressing room when he was limping there. So if it is as bad as it looked, then it could be a while. You know, just to pick a picture, do you think Carrick's the right man for the actual job? Say he turns around a couple of results now and they go on, say they win the next two. Is this just what he needed and the team in a wake-up call or do you think they just need to move on? I don't think it's going to change there until it changes up above. You don't? I don't, no. I think whoever comes in, whether it's Michael, whether it's someone else, whoever it is, they're still going to have the same issues, aren't they?

12:40For me, it's not about the coach. I mean, they've tried them all, haven't they? It's not about the coach. It's about how the club's run. It filters down. It not about the coach. I mean, they've tried them all, haven't they? I mean, it's not about the coach. It's about how the club's run. It filters down. It's about the recruitment. It's about all the nonsense from Ratcliffe and the meanness. It's just a bit of a mess of a football club at the moment. And until that changes... So what do you mean by that, though, Gaz? Because when they finished third last season, and only played one game a week, you just think... They had a good run and they can still do that. It's inevitable that it's going to seep

13:09over to the players at some point. Is that what you say? Well, yes, because ultimately football's about players and it's about the recruitment. It's how you spend whatever budget you've got. Now, the budget for Manchester United has been big for years and years and years. It's cut down a little bit, I think, in the last two or three years. They're obviously cutting back. They didn't really back Carrick massively in the summer. So I think it comes from there. At some point, they might realise that, hey, maybe it's not about the coach and we need to find someone that we think long-term. Now, I know that's a ridiculous thing in football because everything changes every week. But if you look at the clubs that have done well, the big clubs that have done well,

13:50they're the ones that have stuck with the manager. Now, they're stuck with the manager for a reason and people say, yeah, but because they're doing really well. But Arteta had his moments where the fans questioned him and it's all easy to make the coach the scapegoat. But most of these guys now are very, very good at what they do. Obviously, there are a few exceptional ones, but Man United are not going to get one of those. They're not going to get a Luis Enrique, a Pep Guardiola, a Jurgen Klopp, pick somebody in that bracket now. They would have done a few years ago, but I don't think they're in that position now, neither because of their results or their financial status at the moment. It's not going to attract the big names because they won't be able to bring in superstar players,

14:32I doubt, unless they have a massive change of thinking. So at some point they have to just go right for stability and give some. I mean, if you go into any job, not necessarily football, any job in business, you can't just make things brilliant in six months from a business that was struggling. Well, we did. It wouldn't surprise me at all if someone else took the hit as well as the manager, if the manager was to go, i.e. one of the guys up above. Because there's that much noise in the stands now about what's going on off the pitch. So I think if they were to do something, I think there's a chance that someone upstairs could go as well. So they could say, well, okay, we're changing that as well as something else, you know.

15:23Well, maybe they'll try something like that. But at the same time, they might bring back someone like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. That's where they are. You know, give it another interim manager. Interim managers seem to work. It's just not run very well as a football club. They did come back. They did win, though. So, bright spot. Liverpool the opposite. They had the lead twice against Fenerbahce and gave it away. It's still not right there, Micah. Not quite. Yeah. I can't really put my finger on it. I thought they played really well against Arsenal in patches. I thought Mercola looked like he was going to do something. You know when you're watching it, it's sort of like they're stuck in two formations.

16:06They're trying to press, but they've not quite got the players to press high because when they're pressing high, the likes of Van Dijk is having to go really high. And I'm not saying he can't do it, but it looks uncomfortable when he's really high. But then when they, they're not going forward with that much conviction. Niyoni was their best player, I thought, in the whole game. I thought it was amazing against Arsenal at the weekend. And it's not good when youngsters are performing the best, but it's just not gelling at the moment. It's taking a little bit more time than I thought it would. I thought with the way the manager at Real wants to play, with the players that Liverpool potentially have,

16:49yes, they have injuries, but I just thought they'd perform a lot better than they are. But he's still finding a way. He's still finding a way for them to jump. He did say, didn't he, Micah, at the start of the season, I don't think the players have got the right kind of fitness to play exactly how I want to play at the moment. But I always find that a little bit strange that players aren't fit. No, when he says fitness, I think everyone's in football, everyone's got fitness. Because, you know, like Fanton said, why are the players not fit enough? They don't mean they're not fit. It means they're not fit enough to do what he wants in terms of and that could be repetitive sprints that could be

17:29long distance running within a sustained time or sustained period that's what it means because fans always say why is he not running they're not fit enough they are fit enough but just fit enough for what he wants so at Bournemouth when he was there you'd see their teams every single game at times they were very open but you knew how they were going to play you remember Usain what he wants. So at Bournemouth, when he was there, you'd see their teams every single game. At times, they were very open, but you knew how they were going to play. You remember Usain when we were doing a match of the day. Look how good they are on the front foot, Gaz. I remember like, what is his style of play? That's his style of play.

17:56But with Liverpool, it's not quite clicking at the moment. But he will turn it around for sure. I'm not too sure about the left-back position. I watch Kyrkos, he's struggling and then Timokas played as well. And what he wants the full-backs to do, not quite getting it at the moment. They're struggling. I just think Liverpool are a, I think they'll have a battle to finish, I don't know, fourth or fifth in the Premier League. I don't think they'll win the Champions League. I just think they are where they are. I know they've spent a fortune on forward players, but the two youngsters are probably the best players in terms of N'Gamora and N'Yoni in midfield. Don't you think? Alisson's passed his best.

18:43Van Dijk's not going to get any better. They've got a problem at left back. I mean, they let Robertson go when they've got Kirkes and Simicas. I think Robertson's better than both of those two. I think there's their problems and it'll take a bit of time to sort it out. So I think this season, Liverpool will have to have a bit of patience. And yeah, I see them finishing fourth or fifth. I just think they're okay. You know, they'll score goals. I think Isak, if they keep him fit, he'll score. I wouldn't expect huge things from Liverpool until maybe to get better until next season. Would you agree with that? Yeah, I wouldn't disagree. I think they, you know, they had that amazing spine, didn't they, Liverpool

19:22and some reliable players and it was, and Alisson and obviously Virgil van Dijk was part of that. Now they're obviously coming towards the sunset of their careers, I suppose. And you can see, you know, Virgil's not as quick and as powerful as he probably was at his best. Alisson's obviously, he's dipped off over the last season or so from being probably almost the best goalkeeper in the world and it's difficult when those superstar players um start slipping a little bit but but again it comes down to the to the recruitment doesn't it and a lot of the signs didn't work interestingly he was playing like Barclay quite quite central. I thought it was unusual. He doesn't look like that sort of player to me that can play there.

20:09So I was surprised. I saw Arreola's interview after the match and he said, well, yeah, obviously he's much better in wide positions, but we wanted to do this, that and the other. And I thought, well, OK, you bring in a star player for over 100 million and then play him in a position that he's not really familiar with. I thought it was a bit odd. He's still trying to figure it out though, isn't he, guys? Because Fakul has played right, he's played left, he's played central. Gakpo the other day played right. His favourite position is left. But then Mungos has done really well. Rio's done really well. So it's just trying to work out the right balance. And then don't forget they've got Ekotike to come back as well.

20:48I think if he wants to play his best team, I think it's going to be hard for Wurz to be in there because he wants to press. And because Wurz is not the best presser, they find themselves with the problem. They're sort of trying to fit everyone in and the balance is not right and I know Wurz came for big money I know I give him the big hype but for the way Liverpool have played where they've been successful in recent history is them pressing and being aggressive and Wurz is not that so that is the conundrum at the moment. There comes a point where, I mean, it's hard when you've got players of that value that come in, but you have to treat everyone the same. Yeah, it says quite a lot, doesn't it,

21:34that perhaps Liverpool's most impressive players were the two youngsters, like you said, Alan, N'Gamara and Nioni. Nioni looks a bit special. Do you know what he does? He just does a simple thing really well. Does a simple thing. He gets it. He gives it. He drops into shape. You can trust him. And we've been talking about him for a while now, getting him into the starting 11. And then he's done really well when he's come in. I think he just needs to build on that. But the manager obviously really likes him. But again, that's one of the problems. So what happens? You've got McAllister, you've got Sabozla, you've got Gravenberch. If Nani's playing, you've got another big hitter who's going to have to sit out.

22:13So again, it's finding that balance, isn't it? But that's part of coaching and management, isn't it? Sometimes you've got to make big calls, Al. That's why I think this season, I just have to accept Liverpool will be up and down. I don't think they're that great. You can't compare them to other clubs who are challenging, both in this country and in the Champions League. I just don't think they're at the level where they'll compete yet. But I think this season, he's on a mission to find out who he wants, who he can rely on, and I think he'll see the best of Liverpool next season. Would you take Trent back at Liverpool? He's not playing at Real Madrid, is he? No, he's not. Valverde's been playing right back and then Dumfries has been playing right back.

22:59It's just sad to see what's going on there. After all the hype around him going to Real Madrid and he's not even playing. I wonder what he's thinking. All that talent on the bench. It's just sad to see that. It's baffling. It really is. I just want to give one quick word on a player we've seen quite a bit over the years. The Fafernibache, certain N'Golo Kante. Wow, he's still covering every blade of grass. What a player. What a man. What a career he's had. Unbelievable, isn't he? Oh, incredible career. Incredible. Let's take a break and discuss some of the other games when we come back. This advertisement is brought to you by Guinness. The Premier League is in full swing and with Black Friday coming up,

23:45it's the perfect time to give your home viewing setup an upgrade. Well, I've done that myself, actually, Micah. I've got a new media room now and I'm looking forward to sitting in the cold in the winter and watching loads of football with a pint of Guinness in hand. Which calls for one of these, boys. Here we go. Look, the old nitrous surge on of these boys. There we go. Look the old nitro surge on here boys. It's a pub-like pint at home Al. Cheers boys. Cheers. Enjoy a perfect pour at home with the Guinness Nitro Surge device available at selected UK retailers. Get one for yourself or a friend on Black Friday and make your match day lovely with Guinness. Official beer and non-alcoholic beer of the Premier League.

24:3318 plus for the facts. Visit drinkaware.co.uk. Please drink responsibly. Shag here. What's it like to buy a car from Carvana 100% online and get it delivered to your door? Let me tell you. Your car is here, Mr. Shaq. Thank you, Mr. Carvana guy. Can't wait to take it for a spin. Only the best for you, Mr. Shaq. Hey, have you always been so big, tall, and handsome? Not always. I was 6'10 once. Seven days to love it or return it, Mr. Shaq. Not that I would. You never do. No, I never do. So buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply. See our seven-day return policy at Carvana.com. Somewhere out there is a Chevy truck. And the person who drives it, well, that's a Chevy person. You probably know one.

25:23Your buddy. Your sister. Ones who always show up. They're the first to rise the last to leave they always have that little extra something and maybe you've got it too chevrolet together let's drive visit chevy.com slash trucks to explore the lineup City managed to get through another kind of mistake from Donnarumma I know they won the game in the end so it didn't really matter what I'd wonder about Donnarumma's not been absolutely brilliant I don't think for City since he came yeah I think when they bought him for PSG after they won World Champions League, it was just like, yes, you've got to do it. But it was like, how is he going to fit into City's style with the way they play? But then the reason was, well, he's a shot stopper.

26:19He's unbelievable shot stopping, so it doesn't matter. But he's making too many mistakes errors yeah I'm a big fan of Donnarumma but recently he's looked shaky whether it's crosses whether it's shot stopping whether it's positioning whether it's organisation I don't know what's going on with that at the moment but yeah he's starting the season really poorly meanwhile Trafford's done really well at Leeds generally. Yeah, although he had a mistake in the weekend. He had a mistake in the weekend, didn't he? He's a brilliant star. I think he's a very talented goalkeeper and he'll have a big future, there's no doubt. And I think it'll be, well, Leeds. It's a very, very good signing for them. There was a few after him, wasn't there?

27:01So he'll be England's number one in the not too distant future. I wouldn't disagree with that. I think he's got the confidence as well, which I like, particularly in a goalkeeper. They have to have that. I mean, it was a classic Harlem performance, wasn't it? So they didn't get involved very much. Bosh, bosh, bosh. Made loads of runs. The ball didn't come away. And then bosh. You could see it breaking. As soon as Anderson went down, you thought, he's good, Elliot Anderson. see it breaking. As soon as Anderson went down, you thought, he's good, he's good, Elliot Anderson. What a ball. How many times do we see players get into that position and hit the front man? Yeah. I mean, it was an unbelievable ball across

27:34that was so inviting for Harlan just to go and tap it in. There you go. How do you want it? On a plate. Perfect. Who did it remind you of, that ball? De Bruyne. Yes! Oh, De Bruyne yes oh De Bruyne it was the exact same wasn't it yeah running at pace and then oh the weight in the ball the whip across it was a nightmare for the keeper nightmare for the defender just perfection for the centre forward to run onto like Harland did he's playing well Anderson by the way guys I mean he needs a little bit of stability in there because it's changing sometimes he's playing with Anderson by the way guys. I mean he needs a little bit of stability in there because it's changing sometimes he's playing with

28:07Shirky and Foden ahead of him and then sometimes he's playing next to Bouardi and then Enzo's in there as well but he's been the shining light from the start of the season. I remember going back to the Community Shield he looked a bit ropey didn't he against Arsenal. I was thinking okay this is a next level. What have you got for us? But yeah, he's been sensational. He's top class. Whether that's being on the ball or off the ball, he's passing, his whole range, he's been fantastic. He's got real dynamism as well, hasn't he? Great energy. And he can cover the ground like he did so frequently in that game. Nico Reilly's not really getting, well, when he's played, obviously he performed in this one,

28:50but it's not really happening for him this season. I wonder if it's a bit of tiredness probably from the World Cup, young man. It's hard though, guys, isn't it? It's so hard. People have no idea how hard it is to play all that summer, and then you probably don't quite do a pre-season because they give you an extra week or two, so you don't do the pre-season the best I mean I had one season after it's after Italia 90 where you came back later than everyone else they'd done the hard work in the pre-season and then it you come back you probably still jaded from the World Cup and then yet you can't get in a rhythm and And I remember up until about January, I was really like struggling to find any sharpness and fitness.

29:32And Terry eventually pulled me one side. He went, go and get some sun. You come back. We'll give you two or three weeks out. Go and get some sun for a week. Come back. And then we're going to do a rigorous like 10 days hard work. Come on. What's up with you guys? Young boy, it wasn't a regular for England. The two guys you've just mentioned, Elliot Anderson and Harland, are flying. No, in my day, in my day, in my day, we used to... What's up with you? You're going soft, man. We used to link street clean with tongue. But I was actually going down that route I was talking about it's hard because of the personnel he's up against well there is that as well Guardiola's left left back who scores or assists

30:14every time he plays he could defend a little bit better he's more worried about going forward than defending at the moment but the manager's he's brought in Enzo he's brought in Bouardi you know there's not that many spots available he's brought in Enzo he's brought in Bouardi you know there's not that many spots available he's playing rather shirky or forward and sometimes the 10 or left back if he wants you know you know so but he's got the versatility to play different positions but it must be frustrating for him as well you know I think to be one of the very bare I don't think that's helpful like you're good at in different positions I think if you've got a nailed down position, then that's when you get judged.

30:49He's very good at left-back. He's very good in midfield. I don't know whether that's great for team, great for the manager in terms of because he's reliable. But for him as an individual, I'm not sure it's beneficial for him going forward. Like me, I was an outstanding centre midfield player. Holding, like Vieira. Honestly, I'm not joking. Seriously, people become times like Vieira. What did he just say, Al? I was like Patrick Vieira in centre midfield. And at Youth Cup, someone decides to play me at centre half. So I went to centre half and then got mad at the match. So I stayed at centre half. And then they put me to right back when I first played. And all you pundits, all you idiots, it's always out of position.

31:34It's because I've never played right back in my life. Silly sausages. So then I go from right back. Then I go to centre half. Then I played left back. All this to go. And then you were left out. I can see it here. I was like Patrick Vieira. I'll tell you, I was like, oh, a young Patrick Vieira. I'm going to get you, went on a tour to China. That's going to be on your tombstone. I was like Patrick Vieira, but not quite as good. Oh, I'm telling you. I see fans back in the day when I, I'm not going to burst onto the scene because that was a little bit later, but went on a tour, went with the first team and I was playing holding midfield and I was everywhere. Yeah. Dynamism. Good on the ball. Could burst through.

32:20I wouldn't say I could see a pass at that level. I wouldn't say I'd, yeah, that's. Well, you couldn't see. Yeah, that's forcing it a little bit, you know. But I could shoot. I could see a pass at that level. I wouldn't say I could... Well, you couldn't see. Yeah, that's forcing it a little bit, you know. But I could shoot. I could have it all. I had it all. He's rotating, madly rotates, doesn't he, Maresca? I wonder if that'll work because he'll keep his players fresher or whether in the end it won't because the difference, because players like to play consistently. And I just wonder whether it'll work because he is a rotator. He does it a lot, doesn't he? He doesn't mind doing that at all.

32:56You said it the other day, didn't you? He did it at Leicester and at Chelsea. So yeah, we'll soon find out. The only two he doesn't seem to rotate are Anderson and Haaland. Haaland. And the goalkeeper at the moment, yeah, we'll soon find out. The only two who doesn't seem to rotate are Anderson and Haaland. Haaland. And the goalkeeper at the moment, obviously, but slightly different. So, anyway, Aston Villa got thumped by Barcelona. Actually, I'm going to tie these two teams, these two games together for a reason. Villarreal got spanked by PSG at home at 6-0. Now, two similar themes here. Both Villarreal and Aston Villa tried to play out from the back goalkeepers and got caught relentlessly.

33:34And you wonder, if you're playing against PSG or Barcelona, is that wise? No, it's not wise. Honestly, what are you doing? I thought the same. I mean, Suzuki, who we'd waxed lyrical about the week before and said how great he was at playing out from the back, he had an absolute nightmare. Yeah, but to be fair, what the manager is trying to do, he's trying to play out from the back, then to go long, then to get the second balls, trying to drag them out. So I understand what he'd do, it do. But against PSG, against Barcelona, that's what they're looking for. You see when they're hunting, they're ready to go. Have you seen Dembele when he presses? Have you seen Rafinha when they press? Like, it doesn't,

34:16like, oh my God. It's not, Rafinha is just as good as Dembele at pressing. There is this obsession, isn't there? The obsession with teams now is that they have to play the ball out from the back or the goalkeeper passes it to the centre-half and eventually they go long anyway. And I sort of understand, but there's a time. I mean, Liverpool got done with a goal at home to Arsenal at the weekend by trying to play out. And you think Mike is right in terms of Barca and PSG and all these teams who love to do it and who want you to do it. They were brilliant at it. You just think, shall we? Shall we not just do something different for a while? It's like, yeah. It's funny how things go, isn't it? It's like it's the current mode.

35:01It's the fashionable way to play at present. It's like this thing. I mean, this is what makes me laugh, right? So they'll take amazing risks to play out against the very best from the back with a goalkeeper. And then they get it back. Obviously, they want to break the lines and we know why they do it. But then you go from that extreme to kickoffs now. Kickoffs, back, the goalie comes up and then they either just lump it up or lump it out of play. And you think, none of this makes any sense. But as soon as somebody does it, and they might get thrown deep down the hendertone. Graham Taylor did it with England and he got slaughtered for it, I remember. We deliberately kick it out for play. And now they're doing that and you think, hang on, hang on a minute.

35:48You do that, yet you will let your goalkeeper knock it out to someone on the penalty spot. And then he's got to give it your back so you can break. And you just think it's all madness and it's all fashion. Obviously somebody does it and they think, oh, this is quite clever. I'll do that as well. It's weird. I don't like it. I was kicking the ball from a kickoff into, just so you can be ready to press and win the ball back. Come on. That's games gone. That falls on the games gone. PSG can do it because they win the Champions League twice in a row, but everyone else... If you've got absolutely brilliant players, you can play any way you want to play if you've got absolutely brilliant players, you can play any way

36:25you want to play if you've got the best players at all. Al, I want to ask you about Rafinha because he's turned himself into one hell of a nine. Did you see that at Leeds? I saw ability at Leeds, but... Yeah, that's what I was going to say. But he was a winger then, very much a winger, wasn't he? But his development and his improvement, and obviously when you go to Barcelona, you get, with all due respect, you're going to be playing with much better players. But the ability, you could always see ability there, but honestly, I didn't reach, no, I don't think any of us could honestly say that we thought he'd reach these heights. I agree. Where he's a Ballon d'Or contender now for the next few years probably.

37:02No, I agree. I didn't see that in him. Obviously, yeah, there's a talented player there who's got I agree. I didn't see that in him. Obviously, there's a talented player there who's got ability, but I didn't see him. I think the Oracle might have. No, no, the Oracle didn't. Even if it was at Leeds. Well, I remember a match the other day bigging him up and pundits saying he's not that good. I've got that. And I was behind him. I was backing him. But did I think he'd be Ballon d'Or contender? No. It's interesting. A few of these kind of inverted wingers, wide players, forwards in right and left positions have now started to turn themselves, one or two of them, into number nines. Obviously, we saw it

37:41with Cristiano Ronaldo way back. You've got Rafinha. You've got Mbappe that obviously always played on the left and now he's a nine. They're bringing it back, Al. That position is coming. They played it differently though, aren't they? Because they're not holding up. They're not back to goal and bringing someone in. They drop as deep as they want. They pass it off and then they sprint into the box. It's completely sort of like cheating a little bit isn't it if you play for Barcelona as a striker and this is where I will agree with Alan you should score between 40 and 60 goals a season because all you have to do is lay it off make you run and there's so much space between the lines just to get a little

38:24tap in. And that's why Rafinha, because he's brave and he's got good timing of his run and he's got good technique. He was always going to score that amount of goals. Yeah, Donath helped when you're playing in that team with the ability of the players around them. You're going to be creating so many chances as you do in that team. Some good performance. Arsenal won, as we expected. Continued a late goal. That's probably the only thing we didn't expect. Didn't quite keep a clean sheet. Elsewhere, Jude Bellingham's goal was a bit tasty. Wow. Real Madrid, they made a late comeback again. It's going well at the moment for the great man, the special one. I mean, yeah, you're right. What a finish.

39:03What a finish that back, the little flick was, wasn't it? I mean, yeah, you're right. What a finish, what a finish that back, the little flick was, wasn't it? I mean, the pace it was coming at him, for him to, and I keep saying that, this is the difference, is that how the brilliant players are able to think quicker than most others because of how they sort of switch their body and how his movement, that was such a clever finish. He's so good. He is unbelievably good footballer. I mean, he's now equaled Kevin De Bruyne with 16 Champions League goals done in 25 fewer games. Youngest player ever to reach 60 Champions League games. 30 goal contributions already in the Champions League. He's a very special.

39:43Superstar, isn't he? Oh, he's a global superstar. Is he his Calvin Klein ad? I mean, yeah. Put your body to shame, didn't he, Micah? You've been getting on the weights, haven't you, as I've seen that picture? Micah's more of a Patrick Vieira than a Jude Bellion, I would say. I mean, he does look good in his pants. He does look good in his pants. He can get away. I mean, he does look good in his pants. He can get away. I mean, he's kind of a new Beckham, I think. You know, not just he'll transcend football, I think. I mean, every, you know, you speak to any young lad, the girls love him. Every woman I know loves Jude Bellingham. They all go, oh my God, Jude Bellingham. So, I mean, he's got that kind of

40:27Beckham star factor, hasn't he? He's a handsome boy. Yeah. I agree. But he backs it up on the pitch as did David Beckham and that's, you know, that's primarily what you've got to focus on and then the rest of it comes as long as you keep performing. But what, I mean, what a player. He's so good. A quick shout out for Cesc Fabregas, friend of the pod. Wow. Nine. Nine-one. Away from home. That's the biggest, isn't it? Away from home in Champions League history. Correct. That's the right start. And they play some really good football. Nico Paz, mate. Oh, he's a player. I really like him. He's special. He's only 22, I think he is. Oh, his left foot is a joy. Even Dubacas with his movement. You see how they play.

41:16It's amazing. We need to go watch a game. Let's go interview him in Como. How about we do that? What, and we stay there for two weeks, shall we? Let's do it. Yeah, let's do it yeah let's do it mate we're going to Milan I'll take you around to Firenze Florence we'll head on to Rome can we do it in June rather than December it's very much nicer but yeah we're definitely you know well you know what I said about the job he's doing like when we when they beat Man United but I mean just yeah what it's incredible. That makes Man Utd's performance look quite good now. Mixed news for Harry Kane. He didn't equal Ronaldo's consecutive goal record in the Champions League. Did get an assist. And then, Alan,

42:03very good news for our Premier League's top scorer of all time. He's signed a new contract with Bayern Munich. Yeah, congratulations, Harry. Love it. It's about time it was announced. You're such a twat. What's he got to know? Can you say it like you mean it, please? Oh, come on. I'm one of his biggest fans, you know that? I think he's an amazing player. I don't think he'd score as many goals in the Premier League as he is in Germany, mind you. But good news for Bayern Munich and good news for me. I want to finish on a sad note. Jesus de Miguel, the tragic, I mean, I can't remember anything like that in my time I've watched football. A tragic accident, obviously a collision. Just condolences to his family and friends and his teammates.

42:59And also to the goalkeeper that, I mean, imagine having done that. Obviously there was no intent in that. So, I mean imagine having done that obviously there was no intent in that so I mean so dreadfully dreadfully sad just devastating wasn't it absolutely devastating lost the words you saw the tackle and you're just thinking oh hopefully he's gonna be alright and then when you hear the news it's just oh my god why so short in it and his condolences to him and his family it's just an awful awful awful situation sad note to end on so for this episode goodbye from me for just about everything. You can go deep, keep it on the ground, or draw up something nobody sees coming. And whether you want to run a flea flicker or the tush push, you need a plan to fit your

44:20unique situation. That's why State Farm takes the time to get to know you so they can help personalize coverage for your life and budget. Now that's a solid game plan. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Your sausage McMuffin with egg didn't change, your receipt did. The sausage McMuffin with egg extra value meal includes a hash brown and a small coffee for just $5. Only at McDonald's for a limited time. Price and participation may vary. Promotion pricing may be lower than meal pricing.