Did Arteta Get It Wrong? & Ballon d’Or Fallout! | Stick to Football EP 95

Kieran, the chocolate cookies look... What is wrong with the cookies? Are you happy with them? You've had form for me to pick one up and put it back.

It is, isn't it?

No, I think you can't.

Look at them.

They're all right, aren't they?

Look at them.

They're unbelievable.

Gales, then.

Going up in the world, yeah. It's all gales, then. Are you happy with them going forward or is that a win? I mean, they're unbelievable. Are they? I like the M&S ones. Let's have a... I'll give you a bet. Go on. It's... What's the bet? I'm trying to think what the forfeit is.

I've got a forfeit for you. Go on. My forfeit is you have to sign my Man United 5-0 win ticket that I've got from Old Trafford. You've got to sing Glory, Glory, Man United. All right.

What's the bet, though? The bet is which of these four picks that cookie up first. I'm going Roy.

I'm going Carra. If neither, Void.

What?

If neither, Void, of the other two, JLo or Righty.

Right, there's a lot on this.

I don't think 70,000 or 60,000 Arsenal fans can be wrong. He's going to regret this, because he's got players there that need to play in these games.

He didn't go for it. He's just got it wrong at the moment with what he's done there.

I was thinking about Pep Sunday night, I was driving him...

All right, Gary.

We're thinking he'd have gone home Sunday night and reflected and thought, where am I at?

Hundreds of staff drinking champagne, all spraying each other, doing dances. So, Pep, you've got hundreds of staff, so can they help you deal with the fatigue?

Cain was arguably the best passer of the ball on the Premier League is passing. He was crossing, it was unbelievable.

You've finally made an argument, you've made a debate.

I could not believe it, not getting up to the ball, not tracking back, I was like, is this a different team? We've all been sent off stupidly around this table, but then taking your shirt off...

You're headbutted, Mac Manaman.

I know, I said that, but what I'm saying to you is I was pinned up in the dressing room. I was in the dressing room. Oh! Oh!

Oh! Oh! Oh!

Oh! Get in! What's up, guys? What happened there? Me and Kieran had a bet who would take the first slug of the cookie. He went Carragher, I went Roy, and he had to sing Glory, Glory, Man United. So what have you got to do? I've got to sign my Man United or Trafford 5-0 ticket. I want it heartfelt as well. It has to be, no, no, no. You've texted him and told him to pick it up, haven't you?

He told him outside.

You haven't, no, you.

It's always going to be me.

I thought you'd walk in, look straight down and you'd be like...

No, not yet, he always checks it out first.

I just had a twirl as well.

Do you like playing cards?

Jamie's tired, he's a bit fatigued. I'm just getting over it. Well done, Lord Humey. Wow. Yeah, you definitely had drinks.

You've had a few drinks.

James, you look like you've had a few and you've just got over it and you're in a good place now.

Can we breathalise him?

No, honestly.

Was it really good, James? Was it like touching, James?

Yeah, it was nice, yeah.

I can imagine.

We left three days. I went Monday, no there was a thing Monday, we went there just to do some season tick-alls with some people at the club. And then the next day, so that was Monday, Tuesday was the game, but the game kicked off, I thought I'd got it wrong, with the time difference, it was 7 o'clock there, so what's that in England? It's 6 o'clock, isn't it?

How much did you drink?

No, but it spend a strange time. It's usually nine o'clock there, isn't it?

Yeah, but it's to do with the TV, so we had to go to the stadium, met the players, Valverde.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I couldn't believe how small he was.

Yeah, nice guy. Remember me telling you about how nice he was to me? Yeah. Had they just beaten you, though? They beat us, yeah. It's easy to be nice when you win. Twice. Once in Europa League and once in La Liga.

He loved you.

Twice.

He didn't see you as a track carry, that's why he was nice to you.

No, he was nice, he was respectful. He was good. He was good. I tell you, the team with Laporte playing for there before, wasn't he? Yeah, I had a chat with him, he was nice. The star player wasn't playing, it was Nico Williams, wasn't he? So we saw him before the game, but he was nice, just made a fuss here.

Really nice, brilliant club, you know what they stand for.

What stadium, by the way? We played him in that stadium.

OK, it's still of on the same side, but it's gone the other way. But it's a lovely stadium.

Where did they take you after? Clubbing?

No, no, them days are well gone, Jill. No, they didn't win. They drew, do you know when everyone's in a bit of a... They were supposed to go and see the manager at the end of the game, If they want to see us. No, I'm just going for something sweet. No, but well done. It's a great thing. Yeah, well, Gaz will be getting it next. I'll put your name forward for it next year.

If you can fit it in.

That'd be good though, Gary.

Did Matt Letizia win it?

I mean, not win it, but get on board with it. Billy McNeil. But how do they get it? Do they vote for it, the fans? No, no, it's like... They probably just decide. I think they have two or three options each year. Someone's got to do it and maybe not everybody can get there. Maldini's got it. I think Totti, Billy McAleenan...

And they all turned up, right?

Yeah.

Has anyone not turned up?

It's a special club, it's incredible. Owned by the fans, is it? Is it owned by the supporters?

Yeah, but I think that's normal for Spain, isn't it?

Or like the members or something. It's brilliant that a club has taken that on themselves.

And all players are from within. Is anybody going to do it though now? You can't imagine one player staying, can you? The same club.

No, no, that's not... There will be some. There will be some. And you know what? That was one of the reasons why I was probably disappointed with Trent moving to Madrid, because I was thinking... He could get that award one day. Not the award, but, you know, playing for one club. But what I would say is the only thing that I think is close,

and it's not that close, but I think it is special,

is what Man United have got. where you've got that thing of a youth player being involved. I think that's amazing. In every squad. Yeah.

What is it?

It's been gone, you know, I've had a lot of youth players.

It's like 80, 90 years or something, like post-war maybe, they've had a youth team player, academy player, in the matchday squad.

Oh!

Yeah, the team or the bench.

God, I never knew that.

That's brilliant. It's really good. But the thing about... And it's really funny because here we say... You think of Athletic Bilbao, don't you? But it's like, almost if you say that over there, it's like the worst thing you can say. So when you're doing all the speaking to people and doing the interviews, it's like,

do not say that, do not. That's like the cardinals. It's Athlet a sin. It's a sin.

It's like Sheffield United. If you don't say Sheffield United... Or Notts Forest. If you say Notts Forest, good night.

Yeah.

No, but it was good.

Thank you.

Well done.

Well done.

Brilliant stuff, man. And Ousmane Dombele, from Ballon d'Or.

Yeah. I think, you know, what's good with him is him going from that wonder, everybody thought this is the wonder kid, he's going to be the one, and he moved off to Barcelona, didn't work out, all the injuries and everything. And for him to go there, through the injuries, Barcelona, all the moves, get himself to Paris and then get to the mountains. So you have to say brilliant on his part. Yeah, but he had a lot of injuries, right? He was a good pro, wasn't he? Well, the thing is... He said that himself, hadn't he? But the thing is that to go through that,

recognise that himself, bring yourself back, get yourself to the levels. Brilliant. Yeah, and that's what you want with that kind of winning something of that stature.

I knew a fitness coach at Barcelona who was there and he said that's one of the worst pros he's ever worked with. Really? and he was a bit younger and then he settled down and got married. Even better. But he's one of them players, Roy, you know when you feel like...

We all judge players, don't we, when you watch them? And he's one of them people who say, he's a good player and I've watched it and I've just absolutely never... When he was playing for France, when he was playing for Barcelona, it probably just shows you, you know, someone can turn it around. We have this sort of idea now, if someone's a great young player, they don't have bumps in the road or ups and downs,

and I could never see it with that lad, even when people say it to you. I'd be watching thinking, does him and Coutinho...

Mm.

..were probably seen as the two guys who almost put Barcelona where they are financially. You know with the Neymar money all went on to Dembele, they massively overpaid for both players. And he just knows that and they're probably still recovering in some ways for the two of them now.

But you know if you want to get to that level, it's a reminder you do have to do the other bits off the field, don't you? You know, diet, apparently eating better, looking after his body of course, and you can play more matches and all your stats go through the roof and if you've got talent. But these ideas where we talk about young, brilliant English players, whatever it might be, or Irish players, Scott, you do, Ronald doesn't, you do have to make them sacrifices off the pitch. If you're gallivanting away from football,

you will not get there. You will not get to that top.

Definitely not the way the game is now.

Watching him against us in the Champions League, because everybody's thinking he's going to be on the wing, he's going to come in off it, but he was playing 10. And we, for some reason, I don't know why we started so, so negatively in that game at home, but we couldn't deal with him in that time. He was everywhere, linking, passing, getting the ball, running, passing.

Would you still say he's a great player? He's had a great season. I just think... player just yet? I think he's had a great season. He's part of a great team as well. Right. He'd not be annoyed if you were Salah. Winning the league last year, the season he had, consistency over many years and you think of how he's played. He'd not be annoyed. Dembele I think was sensational. I think he's had an unbelievable season. They've won the Champions League which is a worthy win. If you were Salah... I think they're always going to find a player,

whoever they choose, you're going to find a player who will be disappointed about not being involved.

But he keeps knocking on the door, doesn't he?

I know, but we just chatted a few weeks ago, but how can you be annoyed when you don't win an individual award? I know we've had discussions...

I don't mean annoyed. I wonder why that's not me. Forget annoying. I think I go back to something I said about Salah, and it obviously caused a big storm at the time about the African Cup of Nations, but I do feel that whether we like it or not, the biggest trophies play a part. So normally, around a World Cup or a Euro, yeah, whoever's the player of the tournament more often than not would probably get the trophy.

I think the Champions League Paris Saint-Germain in that game... He probably gets it. Liverpool maybe win it, who knows? He probably gets it, in some ways. I do think the Champions League...

Do you think you have to win the Champions League to get it? I don't think initially you have to,

but I think if you're competing with someone who has...

If you win it, it must help. It just gives them the edge. It was interesting in the women's one, because Bon Mati got it again.

I couldn't believe it.

I think Alessia Russo, because she had a great team.

The thing with it is, Roy, with Bon Mati, and no one's disputing how great she is, but the season, what Caldente had, not just because of his arsenal, even Alessia Russo winning the Golden Boot, I know it was only a few goals, but winning the Champions League,

winning the Euros. You know, what was really embarrassing about that, what I found for Bonmati, is that she had the trophy and they had pictures of her, like videos of her losing the Champions League, losing the Euros.

Yeah.

And you've got players like Caldente, who, you know, she won the Champions League. She got all the way to the last...

You know what? I think the women... I'm going to say it. Let's be clear. The Ballon d'Or is a bit of an image type thing. The last shadow of a doubt. Let's just clear it up.

If it's like that, Gary, I'll ask you, why would you be upset for not winning it?

It's the most prominent individual award. You should be upset them for not winning. Still, Roy, it's what it is.

So, you know what I mean? You're not going to take it with a pinch of salt because it's the Ballon d'Or, but there is a lot going on upstairs where you feel, well, that's not right. How can you honestly look at Bon M's down the years. It's the same what's happened with the men's down the years. Because even with... I'll go with, like, 2003 with Thierry.

Thierry, what, he had 55 in... He was brilliant. 55 in the Golden Bowl. He was magnificent. And Nedved won it. Nedved himself said, you know,

well, this should be Thierry Henry's, but... But that's Salah now, isn't it, in the last couple of years or so? Surely, I mean, what he's done...

Something's going on upstairs, Gal, with the voting, whatever, it's wrong. Because the right person is not getting the trophy. Simple as that.

I think a little bit what you're saying about Thierry's, a little bit with Salah in that... I understand what you're saying when people say, from 2000 to 2005, that five-year period, there's no-one who could touch Thierry. And a little bit probably like Sal, I say, the last few years at Liverpool, but it's not voted for over a period, it's voted on that season. So you know, listen, I'm a Liverpool fan, I would love to have seen Sal win it, almost

for what he's done for Liverpool and his career, you know, African football, but Dembele was always going to win it. You know, we're not surprised how Dembele won it because of, you know, he's had a great season and the Champions League.

I think the compliment is he's in the mix, watched her in the mix for a few years and he's obviously consistent. That's the challenge now for these other players who win it. Can they do it next two or three years?

Yeah, yeah. down to the voting system and people know people. How can they honestly look at that Bon Mati and I feel embarrassed for her. Every time she looks at the trophy like I suppose Nedved look at his Jussi Thierry Henry's face. She'll look and see Mariana Caldentes face, even Lesley Russo. It's not the players fault. It's not the players fault but at the same time that is one

what they've got where they think well really could I could I... I don't know, is it the players in the... Was it the national team coaches or this... Well, it used to be journalists.

Journalists? No, it is journalists.

I think the national team coaches and captains... I don't know.

That's a different one, isn't it? Who votes for the Ballon d'Or?

It is the journalists, I think.

I thought it was like a magazine. That was at the very start, that's where it originated from, France football.

In the women's game, I don't think there's enough of them people actually watching the full season, because how can you sit here and say... OK, and this is no disrespect to Bon Matty, God, she's an amazing player, but I do think it's just a safe option. How come everybody else can see that there's been people

who've probably had a better season. So I do think it has to be different. 100 journalists vote for the Ballon d'Or. The one that you're talking about must be the FIFA Pro one, which is the players thing, which is the international managers, I think, that vote for that.

Do you think Harry Kane should have been higher up? Where did he finish in it?

Because Cole Palmer finished higher than Harry Kane, didn't he?

Was he fifth or something?

Maybe eighth I think or something.

Cole Palmer had a better season the year before didn't he? Probably because again we talk about the big trophies whether we like it or not the World Club Champions, he's probably the star player of this tournament isn't he? He's brilliant in the final.

Let's do Harry Kane now because that came up I think in Thomas Frank's interview yesterday before the game, the Carabao Cup game, where there's a buyout at the end of the season, he can come back. If you're Harry Kane, are you coming back at the end of the season? Who gives out that information by the way? These snippets come out about the price in his contract and... Well, does he come back at the end of the season and does he go back to Tottenham? Apparently our first right... I think they have a pre-emption type thing

but he has to agree to go to Tottenham. Would you go back to Tottenham if you're a Caner? Would you choose another...

Would he want to see how Spurs are doing this year under the new manager? Is he coming back just to break the record? Is he happy in Bayern? It depends how happy he is over there. Is the record a big thing for him, you reckon? For a striker, right? I think he'd probably want to come and get it. Would that be his main reason?

I think he'll come back. Just for the record?

I think he will.

I think not just for the record, I just think to just finish off here and probably maybe try and see if he can be a part of a team that wins something at Tottenham and maybe win something at the end of it and then go on to maybe get the gold. Because I think even if Harry Kane comes back next season, he's got enough to season him, he'll break that record.

But right, just on this, if he comes back, he's definitely not going to go to Liverpool. If he goes to United, there's no guarantee he's going to win something. City have got Haaland, and can he go to Arsenal? He can't go to Arsenal and can he go to Chelsea? So the two clubs that you look at and think Arsenal, Chelsea... Well he'd be subbed for Arsenal wouldn't he? Because they'd be quite defensive. From a Tottenham perspective in his upbringing, can he actually go to those two clubs, Chelsea

or Arsenal? I mean, oh he can, but would he?

No.

So he can't go to Arsenal, but can he go to Chelsea? I don't know. I'd go back to Tottenham if Tottenham wanted me. No, but he wants to win things, he just said at the end of his career.

I'm not sure if he wants to win things with Tottenham.

I think he'd want to finish with his club, wouldn't he?

He can't see him anywhere but Tottenham. Why would he want to come back and go to win something with Chelsea? Chelsea are the club that I can see having the biggest impact in and shooting most of the time. What, under Thomas Frank? Thomas Frank would cater for him. No, I think at Chelsea, if you look at the team at the moment and you think what's missing, they have got a lack of what would be prominence up front and they've got a lot of energy and enthusiasm and potential around it with Parma and all the rest of them. He would be great at Chelsea as a player. You know what, Chelsea, they have to do it. Obviously, the goalkeeper situation, the defensive situation, then you put Harry Kane in.

I don't think they'd buy someone of that age.

I think he'd want to go back to Spurs.

£60 million, though, for two seasons, three seasons, it's a game-changer.

So what would he be then, 32, 33?

How old is he now?

They've wasted more money than that on different players. Everyone is about 21, they don't buy anyone else. You need to buy an older centre-back, you need to buy an older keeper. I don't think they'd be buying a centre-forward who's 33, 34. I think for two or three years, to plug a gap that they need to fix, I think they could do it.

But they're slow, too. You want to give them six weeks?

Hang on a minute, you're jumping in with a hassle about defensive,

I'm saying is...

I let him off without you saying anything.

I let him off as well.

I let him off.

We all let you off.

No, we didn't go for him. That's what I said, we didn't go for him in that.

That's the problem, isn't it? Yeah, Matt Beard, so yeah, so sad. I think Matt did so much for the women's game. I think every time, I didn't get a play for him, but such a great guy, obviously. Worked at West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool, and I think a time in which the game, there was no money in it, nothing,

and he'd give up his job, and he put so much time into the women's game. And do you know what? I was looking through some text messages when I'd heard the news that he'd passed away. And I think I was looking at all the tributes and every tribute was what a good manager he was, but that he always went above and beyond for the players

that felt like they really had a father figure. And I found this message on my phone and I must've just been at a game. It was Aston Villa v Liverpool and he was managing and he was like, you look cold, I'm going to send a coat up to you. And I was literally just sitting watching the game, but that was the type of guy he was, just always trying to help people.

He said, I'm sorry, it's a Liverpool coat. But I took it anyway. But yeah, just such a great guy and such a loss for the women's game.

So, thoughts are with his friends and family. Yeah, that's what I said. This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Armed Clothing. This episode is brought to you by Visit Seattle, host city of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The World Cup will be here before we know it, so it's time to get your mates together and sort out the trip of a lifetime. And Seattle's got to be top of your list.

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So that's football, perfect weather and the great outdoors. All in one unforgettable World Cup city. Find out more at visitseattle.org and start planning your World Cup adventure. This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Armed Clothing. On to Arsenal. You mentioned just earlier that you felt they were a little bit

defensive against PSG. Can you elaborate?

I'm not having the people saying that Arsenal are defensive or our managers are defensive. I thought that was pretty pragmatic the other day to start. Right, simple. But like, it's a tough one simply because when you look at what he's done, even 22-23, you know, the most, what did we get, 91 goals the same season, James? We only conceded 29, so it's not conservative, I think.

We've got a centre half, I mean a centre half, a midfield player playing up front in Mourinho, doing well for us last season, scoring a Champions League, you know, ended up getting second. So I don't think that we are defensive in that way. But I think in that particular game, I thought he was too pragmatic in his selection.

I believe, and what happened in the end, what we saw with, and I don't know if it's because we've got the kind of squad now, the squad rotation, where he's starting to think too much, I don't know. But what I thought was, and what we saw was, Eze and Martinelli, especially Martinelli in this kind of form,

because we'd like to see him be more consistent continually, because if he was, he'd be electric and very, very difficult to stop. I thought that he would have given more than Trossard and I thought that Eze is probably going to give us more, like he said, what we saw in the end, than maybe Mourinho in that particular game. So in that particular game, with the squad we've got, yeah, you have to say it was very pragmatic from him.

Right, he's obviously yesterday been interviewed before the game and he's obviously sort of, he's a little bit sore on it. I think everybody was of the same opinion on Saturday. If you could hear the Arsenal fans behind us in the first half or even before the game. So if you look at what he said yesterday, if the intention of those comments, which are the good ones, positive to be better for us, not to be so good for us, it depends where the comment is coming from.

That's when I can analyse it. So how can you dominate against such a team if you have, what was the word, handbrake, which I think I said that in the second half of the game or first half even. Dominance and handbrake, they are two very different words. So he thinks he's dominated that game. I think he's got the handbrake on, maybe you think he's got the handbrake on, maybe you do, I think you do. I don't think 70,000 or 60,000 Arsenal fans can be wrong in how they feel. I don't think any of us that were in that studio or in that stadium or watching at home can be wrong either. The big thing for me is the players. He names that team on Friday afternoon or let's say Thursday afternoon in training

and he leaves out Eze and he leaves out Martinelli and he puts Trossard in and Mourinho. I guarantee you that dressing room straight away will look at him thinking you've done it the same again. You did this at Anfield, a little bit old-trafford. Certainly at Anfield he could have been more attacking and he wasn't and certainly again City from the start he couldn't be Anfield he could have been more attacking than he wasn't and certainly against City from the start he couldn't be attacking, he could have been more attacking. He's gonna regret this if

he doesn't start to take the handbrake off. I'm gonna repeat the comment handbrake because he's got players there that need to play in these games. You can't look back at the end of a season and think I've lost at Anfield, I've dropped five points now in those two matches. I could have picked a more attacking team. I think there is a problem there that's starting to become a pattern for him.

When you look at what we've done at Liverpool, I thought that Erdogan and Eze's substitutions were maybe a bit too late. I think he tried the same thing with Bilbao and that worked. I think he was with a City side that, three games on the spin they've used the same team. I thought he was going to come out and really have a blast.

Because it looked to me like City, whatever happens, once they scored their goal, they were going to go to the 5-4-1. They looked like they'd practiced that. I'm thinking, because they're going to be tired, I thought we should have went at them and then in the end he's going to bring on the two substitutes like he'd done again with Eze and Martinelli. I think that again he didn't go for it. He should

have went for it and then you bring on those players, you bring on Marino, you bring on Ben White, you bring on those kind of people to see the game out. But I think he's just got it wrong at the moment with what he's done there. I just feel. Is he overthinking? I don't know.

I think he's done a brilliant job. He's spent a lot of money. I think for me, the best squad of players in the Premier League now. And I don't think this is something we accuse him of every week, but it does feel like there's important moments

and he always chooses caution over courage.

I'm convinced of it. Is that what Pep used to do? Remember Pep's early doors? He used to tinker around with the ball. Yeah, that may be overthinking. I think this is different.

I think he always goes for that side of it in terms of... Well, you're saying no, Gal.

No, I'll tell you why I'm saying no. Because Pep's teams were, I think, the best defensively. that won the league, he had Sané, Agüero, Sterling and he had David Silva and De Bruyne in midfield and then he had obviously Fernandinho behind. So if you've got David Silva and De Bruyne here and you've got Sané and Sterling and you've got Agüero, you've got five players there that are really set up to attack. Now they were brilliant defensively on transition as well.

So for me, I don't remember a Ferguson team, a Guardiola team, I remember a Mourinho team at times maybe being a bit... Even Mourinho's team, if you think about it, he had Lampard and Essien running forward and then he had Robben, Duff, Drogba. I think he picks the most defensive teams he possibly can at times, Mikel Arteta, in big games. Not overly defensive, but I think he could be more attacking.

He could dial it up. He picks the power, doesn't he? Overcreation. You know, you pick a Mourinho. Now, people... The thing that's frustrated me a little bit is the game at Anfield and the game against Man City, some of the things that have been said by maybe yourself or Arsenal fans is right. You go to Anfield and you have Liverpool combative teams there,

you have and you've been in the game and you've lost to a fluke or a free kick. But my point being is, and you can say the game against Man City, and Arteta you can argue is right in that we dominated them, the worst possession they've had, we forced them to go to back five. But does the fortune favour the brave? No, I agree Gary, all them things are right, you can say that, there's no doubt about that. But it can't get away from the fact that that wasn't Liverpool at Anfield, that was Liverpool on the back of conceding two goals in the first three games against inferior opposition. And we've all played in big away games where, okay it's Anfield, you go in, you think if you get through

that first half at 0-0 then it's like then you've got to go again and they didn't, they allowed Liverpool to come back again. I think the difference with City was You had to start wearing that kit. City played Thursday night, haven't had a great start to the season. It was almost like, we'll see how the game goes, we've got our players on the bench to come on. It's a bit like, no, you've got to go for them from the throat. You've got to go right from the start.

Why wouldn't he just go for it though?

Why was Ese not playing? I don't get why Ese is not playing. Liverpool having won the day before. Liverpool had a European game as well. Remember Liverpool then are turning up at home to Everton after 30 minutes. So Liverpool obviously thinking, we start quick. If fatigue kicks in, we'll obviously be late on the game, but don't start slow. So that was the issue with... So Arsenal on Saturday would be seeing Liverpool, it's like heavyweight boxers throwing a big punch.

We've won 2-1. Now what are you going to do? And this Arsenal group of players, and not just on the manager, the players, you're going City are home. City a few weeks ago gave up a late winner at Brighton, there's still a bit of softness to them, a little bit, they're not back to their very best. They showed glimpses obviously against United and probably Napoli who were down to 10 men. So this was an Arsenal chance to say you'd be sitting at home going, gentlemen they've not punched us back, they've not made a statement to say, like we were there, we'd done it for years, a team would win before you or the day after, before you going, f***** hell let's put the

pressure on us. But Arsenal's reaction to Liverpool winning on Saturday 2-1, even if it was maybe a struggle at the end, but they won the game against Everton on paper. You go, it's a damn big game, this could be tricky. And then Arsenal, whatever with the selections, which wasn't great, the way they started the game, the keeper, I think they took 40 odd minutes before the keeper made a save. I know there was corners coming in on top of him, but Liverpool would be looking at going,

really, Arsenal? Are you really... You're gamblers?

That's on the manager, isn't it? That's on the manager and his mindset, I think. So it's something that he's probably going to have to think deeply about and what he's done there, simply because I genuinely thought that... I didn't think that them two weren't going to start because I thought we should have gone for them. And his challenge, right?

going, listen, any gaps here't got a breed of hair. I bet you City were going, it's not so bad. What about Haaland though? Like the goal to start that move and then run through, he was like an NFL player. It's counter-attack. They've done it against... Obviously, they've done it at Wolves earlier this season. His second goal, or third goal, his second goal against United.

That's from the halfway line.

You know, you've got his comments there. I saw something on my phone this morning, I thought it was interesting. I don't know if you saw it, but he was going through the team, of how attacking they are. So they've obviously been asked in the press conference. And he started with the goalkeeper, he said we've got the most attacking goalkeeper in the league. Then he mentioned sort of about his full-backs and I thought, that's not right.

Because his full-backs are centre-backs. I played in a back four under Gerrard Hule, it was four centre-backs. That's not far away where Arsenal have got. He then mentioned having Zoubamendi, OK, a creative player in the number six. I think he then mentioned sort of... I think he was talking to Mads Aweck, he's saying he played centre-forward last season. He was talking about a wide player playing centre-forward. He was trying to almost argue against it, but it wasn't really making that much sense.

What are you saying he's done? What is he on about? Yeah, it wasn't really making that much sense. and he was talking about not listening to the pundits. And listen, 100%, you've got to be focused, he asked the manager. Don't let messengers get in. But I thought, I hope he's not doubling down on what he said there, maybe his coaching staff and the players, because what he was actually saying, I'm not quite sure,

sort of stacked up and saying, we are a really offensive team, because the team's there in front of you.

But I think when the weight of opinion, from whether it be the media, pundits, your own fans, everybody is saying the same thing. They're on to something. And I think there's no-one shouting around this table here today because, actually, I think you said Arsenal would win the league, I said Arsenal would win the league,

I think you said Arsenal would win the league, you may have said Chelsea. I said Chelsea. And you said Liverpool. But three of us round this table have said Arsenal will win the league. We're not actually, to be fair, we're not anti-Arsenal here. We're actually wanting them to step up. We're actually saying we think these can step up, this team.

I think the squad should be.

And I'm still waiting for that moment where I think, right, they've stepped up, they've got there. And I do think they've got the reins on. at Salford a few years ago, I'm not naming a particular manager, but it always feels like to me the team that I think should be playing comes on when they score. So when they score, we go 1-0 down, the team that you think you should start with comes on to the pitch.

And that's what happened on Saturday. So they go 1-0 down, they're poor for the first half. At half-time, the acceptance of him being wrong is that he changed at half-time. If he thought he was right, he'd have stayed with his team. Now, Madhavikian may have been injured, but the essence of what he was trying to do, if he really believed in it, he wouldn't have changed it.

He knew he had to change it. So if you change it when you're 1-0 down, I think the Klops and the Fergusons, the Peps, The Peps, they pick those teams at nil-nil at the start of the game. They don't wait until you go one nil down. They pick that team straight away. And Mikel's just... There's something. Look, I think he's done a great job as well.

And I think he should have won the league at least once or twice in the last two or three years. They should have got over the line. And no-one's shouting round this table saying, You said over the line when you draw 14 league games. Yeah, I think we're a bit concerned about our predictions. I'd say I'm concerned about my prediction already. I'm not going to change it. You don't change your predictions. But you don't change your predictions.

You ask me the title.

You can in September, surely.

I'm worried about my prediction now because I'm seeing the same patterns from last season.

I didn't expect to feel a little bit apprehensive like I do now, and that's just on his selection for this game. With the games coming up as well, I think he's just got to, like you say, he's just got to let it go and trust the guys to get it done now. Because I'm not sure what more there is to do in respect to the size of the squad he's got, the quality of the squad he's got maybe before that City game. And I don't know what scenario where Eze and Martinelli in that foot is not playing.

So that's a massive worry for me. And if he's gonna change in that respect and not maybe feel like he's trying to defend against the Manchester City side that have played so many games, the three of them, the same team, free consecutive time,

you've got to go for that team. And then if we are winning, and I think them scoring early, like they did City, kind of set it up for them to drop into that, but if we are winning and then you want to hold on to it, then you bring on those players.

So Pep on Friday says that Rodri might not play because he's got to play three games a week, it's the first time that he'll have done it. Who do you think Rodri would have wanted to play against in that game? Who do you think he would have wanted in that game against him? He would have wanted Mourinho. He wouldn't have wanted Eze. He wouldn't have wanted Eze in there going and doing these old things. Same with Kusinov. Kusinov wouldn't have wanted Martinelli in this. Exactly. Kusinov would not times, when you go there and you're thinking, fuck, you know, and then you don't see a certain name on there, a couple of you think, wow.

But righty, just that, Khrushchev can't go forward, Khrushchev can't attack, you've got free hit to play the most attacking left winger. But say that, the manager's entitled to come out and fight his corner and ultimately he will pay the price if he doesn't change his mindset a little bit. So we're predicting Arsene to win the league this year but... Would you stand by that now Roy? Well yeah I probably will do obviously.

Obviously you'll stand by it but are you confident?

You have to.

I'd like to go Liverpool now but I still think if Liverpool get one or two injuries, send to half, things, listen, cool. Just to have a dip for Liverpool, no doubt about it. But we're going with Arsenal.

I'm going with Arsenal.

But what's the evidence over the last few years why we've gone with Arsenal? Because they've come up short a number of times.

Well, this squad this time.

That's why...

No, I agree.

That's what I didn't go for Arsenal though. I don't think... And you went for Chelsea.

No, but I just wanted to go against you guys. But the mentality, there's something like, why is he not going into that game high on belief? Obviously, you beat them at home last season. I'm like, why are you not going for it?

There's just something where I'm like, where can they go and win that league? I went for Arteta as well, even when they won at United, it's easy to go after your team when they've won. When they won at United, we all said they didn't create that much. Obviously it was a mistake by United. I was even then, I was hoping he'd put a marker down after that game, going, listen, that won't be good enough to win league titles.

But he never quite goes after a team. You're proud of getting a draw in the last minute against a man City didn't win at their best. Where's your level of expectation with your group of players?

I'm afraid he's going to get it right because he's got the player. That's why I will not change. I won't change, obviously. It's going to be down to him now because I think he's got the pieces.

It almost feels like it's down to set pieces if they can win the league. They've got the best defence, they'll end up with the best, most clean sheet, the way they set up. And it almost feels like if the set pieces work, they might have half a chance. If they don't, they've got no chance. They don't create a chance in a game. They don't create a chance at Anfield, they don go for Massepi, don't they? But again, I'll ask you, Jim, so why are we... So where's the evidence? We have to look at ourselves. Why are we saying Arsenal go in the league

when there's all these reasons they're not creating enough?

I think we thought Eze, Xhocares and Zoubimbe, I thought, would make a difference, that would just give them that extra few per cent. mentality is when they're playing Man City at home after the back of Liverpool I didn't think he would do that. They'd be a bit hesitant. Instead of going, let's go after him. If the manager obviously is a young manager and that's the reason I think I want him to win the league, because to break into that sort of Premier League title winning group of managers it takes I think a lot of experience. If he doesn't

get there this season is he going to be in trouble? It's not even a case of is he going to be in trouble. I think that when you look at what he's got now, Gal, then you have to look at it. But the fact is, it's the difficult last step, isn't it? Because these questions will continue to be asked and thrown at him as long as he doesn't do it.

Will the players be asking those questions of him at the moment in terms of the team? I don't think they'll be asking, but like you mentioned earlier, and I think it's right, because I've seen sometimes when things have happened where you set up with a certain team and then on Saturday it's a different team. And then when you're going, you're a bit like, he's not playing. We thought he'd be... I've been in Dresden when that's happened, and I feel that that might have happened on... Sunday. I feel like that might have happened. You think the players might have looked at that team and thought, hmm. No, because there's players they might have been expecting to play,

because let's face it, Trossard scored in that game, you know, so did Martinelli. Martinelli's goal is one, what you're thinking you probably might score against the City rather than Trossard. So you're thinking if anyone's going to play for the back of that game, it would have been Martinelli. So I wasn't even thinking about him not starting. So when he weren't starting and Eze weren't starting,

I was like, well, I don't know, the manager must have a reason. And then when we started, like, I think you mentioned it, Gary, that's 45 minutes wasted for us, which I had to agree with. You have to think, well, I'm gonna have to... I'm gonna have to jump on your back and just go with this ride, bro. But his mindset, first and foremost, let's not be beaten. Instead of having this... Liverpool manager at the moment,

Mourinho in his prime, Ferguson, Pep obviously. Their mindset was, let's go and win this game and we'll flex our muscles. Whereas now you still see it in Arsenal, you're going, there is, your eyes don't lie to you.

You're still looking good.

That's the important point, right? I think I said on Sunday, stop listening to what he says and look at what he does. Because what he does is definitely just roll back a little bit and pull back.

Where do you think that is from?

I don't know.

Sorry to interrupt, guys. I always go back to... Remember the first year you went for the league? It was a bit unexpected, wasn't it? Arsenal had Jey Zuse and Zinchenko and that was a really technical team Zinchenko was going into midfield

obviously had Xhaka behind but I think that's someone you signed and he didn't do that well was it the La Viera, the Spanish midfielder? So you were buying technical players and you just got absolutely monstered by Manchester City towards the end of that season. You went to Man City and got absolutely just ran over.

And Peppers at the time, I think probably playing four centre-backs himself, all big lads at the back. And it just feels like ever since then, every player he's bought is like six foot three. You know, it's just like a completely different

sort of physical specimen than what he was doing in the first couple of years. Listen, whether he's thinking that's the way... We're not going to win the league by being the best footballing team because that's Man City, no-one can take them on in that. We're going to try and do it another way because it feels like there has been a big shift from that two or three years ago to having the team

who are the best set-piece-wise, best defensively. Don't create too much.

I remember a few years ago, Jamie, he said that, best defensive. He's not far off of that. Oh, so close, so close. He's not far off of that with what he's got now. It will come down to his selection now. Because I only think the only thing that he got wrong, his selection of what he's done. And then just go out and go and do it, guys. Trust the guys.

Do you think that's a bit reactive though? Like, Trossard scores and then he gets a start. good managers allow players to come on, score. Think about back in your day, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would come on, score. It wouldn't mean he'd then start the next game. Do you think sometimes it's a bit...

I think he trusts Trossard. I think he's got that trust of him. He's that reliable soldier for him that he knows he'll play the position well. I think there's an element of that with him. I think he likes... But do you have to break something sometimes to make it better? I've got no doubts.

He should have played as A. Martinelli.

Why did he bring Eze to the club? For them type of games, yeah. It's a big game, almost a must-win game, after Liverpool winning and then he's on the bench.

At home.

It'd be interesting what he does next Sunday.

Do you think when you... Youse lads know, and I don't know what happened the first time United won the title, but I'm just going back to Liverpool the last five years. You'd almost feel like if you're the team who were used to winning leagues, it's not the end of the world if someone gets a head yeah. You'd say, OK, we've been experienced, we've got a long way to go. But if you're winning your first league, you feel like you need to get out the blocks. I'm thinking of Liverpool coming up against City. Liverpool last season with Slott, they're out and they're gone.

It just feels, if you're asked, it's like, oh, five... There's a long way to go. But that's the thing with it. Five points, you're thinking, oh, it's...

You need to be the team who's five points clear. I remember when I was there, I think it was last season, start of last season with a pre-season, I was in and around and I was just saying, you have to start the season how you'd want to finish it. And you'd obviously want to finish the season by winning it. You have to start the season as if it's towards the end, because the points you get now, it's like Liverpool.

The points you get now is what's going to give you that, like, remember those pace setters who used to run and then the pace would drop off. You need to fucking be the pace setter and then keep running.

But you run at five points. I'd rather be five points clearer than chasing somebody for five points.

No, I understand what you mean. But I almost think if you've already won the league, it's like, OK, we've won the league before anyway, you still want to win at that scene. But with Arsenal, because they haven't won it. They don't know how to start like that. They've got to start wanting to win.

I think it's five now, Jamie, and I think their energy level will be still above five league games, but I just think over the next few weeks, if that becomes seven or eight, then you're almost saying that this early in the season with Liverpool and the attackers they have,

we keep saying Liverpool are bringing the score on the board. You have to start the season now. They're giving away a few chances, of course. You think, there's no catching them. You have to start the season now, you finish.

Yeah, I think the mentality should have been, even if it's Anfield, we've got to go and win. We're going to try and win the first 10 games.

Yeah.

Absolutely.

This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by Armed Clothing. Just a quick touch on City I think we were probably a couple of minutes away from offering them great praise because it was such a departure from City's style it was like the most incredible thing that I've ever seen Pep Guardiola's team do but when they scored then, Arsenal, it almost made you feel like, oh what was that? Pep's like gone and put 10 behind the ball with taking Highland off which I thought was strange at the time to be fair.

They had no outlet,, that was the problem. I think it's great for any team to sit in, it's great but you need somebody with a bit of pace, somebody to get up the pitch. We were doing the game, I kept it, there was a goal coming, just felt it in the stadium. I did, just felt that pressure.

You felt there was a goal coming?

I felt there was a goal coming.

No I didn't. And even for the goal, the way they lost it, we're talking about the levels of Man City here, where they keep it, triangles and they come back. They weren't doing any of that stuff, they were just almost like a lesser team just kicking up the pitch. And there were hope, they were hanging in there.

And then obviously Eze with a lovely pass and again the defensive. But they got cut out of Bright to do better for the goal.

I felt the goal was coming.

I was surprised Phil Forden started on the right, especially after the games that he'd had previously from the 10 ball. I was really surprised because I thought Arsenal just pegged him back and I'm like he's just had player of the match performances.

I don't know why sometimes... But he's only showed glimpses, hasn't he? He's still not back.

I know, but I think his last couple of games...

I still don't think Fordham can do it for 70.

I think the couple of games sued him, the United game and even Napoli

getting down to 10 men. But do you think he'd have been better central?

Possibly so, but I still think there's a long way for Fordham to come back. I was thinking about Pep Sunday night, I was driving him... All right, Gary. I'm thinking about Pep Sunday night, he's someone who basically would die in a ditch over possession of football for the last 15 years and he's literally done something he's never done before, the lowest possession he's ever had, almost, in his life. And he's just at the death. Would you think he'd have gone home Sunday night and reflected and thought,

where am I at? The identity of him and the genius of him. There'll be an element of him looking at himself, thinking, what am I doing? I've ended up there.

He's actually made the decision to stay. He's going to play five footballs.

I get it. I like what he did. I think it was amazing to watch. It was intriguing. But then how do you think he would be? I'm still thinking of them things, we were a bit open towards the end. So he's human nature, he just had to find a different way to win it. And I have no issue with him going back in and being anti-pep, but you're going, but then they just didn't keep it at all. I'm thinking about him, Roy, in terms of what he said over the years

about possession and teamful in midfield and all the things. consecutively. I don't think that's a bad thing. I don't think that's a bad thing. Can I take you up? No, just quickly Roy, you can come. How many games have they played? It's September. I know it's free, but like everybody's going on about how many they've played. He took Harlan off, obviously to rest him as well. Rest him for what? They've got a holiday.

Let me finish, alright? The only thing is, what I'm saying is, If you've got Doku and you've got Haaland, that is a perfect team. Perfect forwards to have as transitional forwards. Look what they've done, like you mentioned United against us there when they broke. Of course you should play like that if it can benefit your team.

But listen, we're talking about fatigue, we're talking about September. We're not talking about Pep, one of the greatest managers ever. And after the game, they were home to United by the way, right? Part of being a footballer... So they're not travelling? No, the most tiring part is travelling, isn't it? If you have a big European night and you're drained physically and mentally and you get on a flight and you get back at three or four in the morning

and you're in the nick... They were home to United. They beat them comfortably. It wasn't like, again, an emotionally kind of tough game in that sense. off after 20 minutes, I know you still have to break them down, they've travelled on to London. This week I think they've got a cup game, they're home to Huddersfield, they've got Burnley, so if you're worried about fatigue, rest them in their matches, I worry about that. So if Pep's vibe during the week with City is going, oh we've travelled all the

way to London. Right, so big ones by the way, they're away at Huddersfield, it's 45 minutes. Or is it M60? But if these managers look ahead, only a week or two ago on the back of an international break, I know the other lads would be away.

But I don't get all that with Pep here going,

Retired?

In September! I don't think Pep's gone into the game. I think it's just the way the game's happened. Even the first half, they're winning 1-0 and we were saying they couldn't string a pass, they couldn't grab their own half and that's credit to Arsenal. So it goes back to some of the things Michael Arteta was saying. They did completely dominate a Pep Guardiola team

but I think he's ended up falling. I think this is the only chance we've got of getting something from the game in terms of being really negative. They couldn't keep the ball.

But you know, yeah, yeah. So they have to beat Man City, Liverpool's their challenge. So getting obsessed with Pep and Man City, I'd be going, no, listen, they're the teams you have to try and beat.

It's Liverpool who's your challenge, not them.

Do you think Pep takes a point, like, beforehand, or do you think when you're saying about him going home, does he think... No, but before the game... Oh, before the game, sorry. Yeah, because they're having a busy week. So I don't know if he maybe justifies it with that.

Can I make the point about Pep as well? When Man City win the league, what annoys you every year when Man City win the league? What do they do after a match? The parade. There's hundreds of staff drinking champagne,

all spraying each other, doing fucking dances. Hundreds of staff. So Pep, you've got hundreds of staff, so can they help you deal with the fatigue? So if you win the league next year, whenever they win it, don't get a hundred fucking staff on the pitch celebrating. Fucking hell, you complain about that all the time.

LAUGHTER

Baby!

That's awesome.

Hundreds of... Is that how you are every year when they win the league? Honestly, literally, there is a tunnel of about 30, 40 people on each side comes out and they've got more masseurs, sports scientists, data, they've got literally the biggest staff, which is why they've been unbelievable for 10 years, by the way. But I have to say, I must admit, the fatigue thing I'm not buying into in September either. One thing I would say is they did have that World Club Championship,

which I think to be fair, it bites at them a little bit, that, and he obviously asked for the delay to the season.

You've got to throw that into consideration.

He's probably...

You have to.

You are right, though, about the staff. I was watching the Liverpool-Southampton game last night and I think after Southampton score there's just five staff just looking at monitors and nobody's even going to the players like come on like next one like let's get back they're just all the goal goes in and just five of them including the manager looking at a monitor I'm like the game's gone mad. Do you think Arna Slott actually wanted to pin Ekker TK up? Oh that annoyed me. I was like oh my my God, he took his shirt off. I put a message in the group going,

it's not the Champions League, and he said that after his...

I could not believe he did it.

I couldn't believe it, right? He's been but for something stupid by throwing the ball down. Fair enough, we've all been sent off stupidly around this table. But then taking your shirt off... You headbutted Mechmanaman. I know I said that, but what I'm saying to you is I was pinned up in the dressing room.

LAUGHTER

Can I just say... It had no consequence. You've got to understand, with all the ESAC talk...

Always, yeah, I know.

All the ESAC talk, the fact that he's coming...

Are you not frustrated by it? I haven't seen it, but I've seen the reaction. You're glad he's not here, weren't you? No! I'm like, this is a game I'm not off enjoying. I've seen Slott's interview. I think Slott's thinking of the next game, thinking, I've only got Isak and he can't play 90 minutes. I think he's already thinking of, like, we've got no backup striker.

The thing with it, Jamie, is that you've got to understand of you how much pressure he's been under to come in while Isak is like a fucking shadow over him, a cloud. And he started brilliantly. He's just a young guy who's just got excited.

No, but they said he forgot about the yellow. You're right, I won't get frustrated. With the Hacienda one, though, will you? No, but somebody said he must have forgot he got his yellow card. I'm like, Frimpong remembered he got a yellow card. How can he not remember himself?

He's just a young guy. He's just living it, man. He's just on cloud nine at the moment.

Live and let live.

Live and let live.

Do it at a critical moment.

If you're going to beat a mob, use a fedor.

This episode of Stick to Football is brought to you by arm clothing. Right, OK, we're going to move on to relegation.

Right.

So Unai Emery, manager I think we all admire, a team that last season we absolutely all admired, I think in the top five this year. We have to look at our identity.

We're useless.

LAUGHTER

We're so bad.

We are so bad. We have to look for our identity. I'm frustrated and disappointed at how we played, at how we are not playing, feeling comfortable with our style. We were lazy sometimes. Lazy.

Wow. Love it.

The goal we conceded was lazy. Love it. Do you know something? I think he's absolutely right. When you watch Villa, they were driving me crazy on Sunday. I thought there's some players in that dressing room, they're all happy with themselves, aren't they? What I mean by that is they're all a bit walking around. Can we name a few, Gary?

Don't name... No, don't name.

A feeling, Roy. A feeling that just a few players in that team, they've obviously done well last year, they're sort of having themselves a little bit...

Maybe. And that's the difference when...

That's what the difference is when a team that's used to... off the gas a little bit, not quite doing the stretching, not quite doing the massage. You can hear it in his words, can't you? Yeah, not quite doing it. No, when a manager says something like that, and he's a professional manager and he gets consistency of performance everywhere he goes, he's spotted a feeling in that dressing room that's gone like... They're having themselves.

Gary, that was the first game I've seen of Aston Villa for a while. Well obviously I was pleased with the performance because we were playing Sunderland but I could not believe it. Like not getting up to the ball, not tracking back. I was like, is this a different team? Then Sunderland go down to ten.

But there are certain players, remember, there are certain players at a certain level. So the players, we could name them, I could name five or six of them and they'd go, yeah they've got the spots, you know what I mean? They have them traits in them. They'll have a good year or two, they get a new deal and the club might do well for a year. Villa last year, Europe and all this carry on. And then when it drops off, they just go back to type.

I could name six of them, I'd tell you when the cameras are off.

See the goal I was giving away, like such bad defending.

Yeah. sweet stuff. We follow you all. I just wonder, Jane, with a manager like that, where it drops off, is something happened upstairs? Because remember he's lost Aaron Ramsey. Something's happened because his energy's changed as well. The players...

The sporting director's just gone...

Something's happened with Villa where it's kind of like...

Yeah, but that shouldn't affect the players, though. I know what you're saying.

It can affect the dynamics, But when you still go out on a match in Sunderland, we'll give credit to Sunderland, they had a lot of energy, they were strong and went to the game, they didn't try and hang in there too much. If anything you thought they were going to win it. But the middle players still, and again there's five or six of them, you look and you're going, they've had these traits for years. When you watched them last year, they were so tight, so compact, so sharp, everything was method, It was brilliant to watch them. But they can't keep it up, Gary. That's the difference between really top players. That's why we praise players here every week.

I love players who are consistent for 10, 12, 15 years. It's the consistency. But you see these lads, we've seen loads of them. They have a good year or two and then they just can't keep it up.

They get back to being lazy So the guy who's left, I think it was 9 out of the 11 at the weekend, and the guy called Montu who's this sort of transfer guru from Seville, but it hasn't worked, he hasn't done well enough at all. You think of some of the players they bought at a 9, that was £50m. They've also left back in for about £40m, hardly players, Max and Ian. Marlon, is it? The winger they bought from Dortmund coming for, I don't know, £20-30 million.

He missed a big chance last week, didn't he?

The big signings they've made have just...

Not happened.

Not done it at all.

I don't know. What's happened to him with Oli? Oli Watkins as well.

Mm-hmm.

He missed a big chance at the end.

Header.

That header. People say that a lot, I do like him. I don't care if you like him. You know the thing with it is, people say, you know what, I like him. But you know what, the fact is, what's happened to him, even before the Euros and the World Cup.

You like him?

As a player, I think that he should be doing more for what he's capable of doing. He's a channel runner, gets in the box, he gets on the end of things. I think he could be a lot sharper with some of his finishing. And I thought that that's what he'd be working on. Just like the one-touch finish or the touch finish, both sides. Those are the things that when you get to the level where you score goals in like semifinal Euros, those are the things you work on now for getting the chance to stay in the width of the 18-yard box and taking your chance. And he just doesn't do that. He doesn't do it enough. I'm surprised, that's big criticism from you because you are obviously I think qualified.

Only because I believe that he's got, you know, when you watched him at Brentford, even when he first went to, he's work rate and you think, right, he's got all that, that's brilliant. Just work on the first touch in the box finish, near post finish, whatever your finish, left foot finish, that's what he should be working on. But like you watch him and he still looks like a player that is, was

that the Euros before? How hard is it though when you're not getting a lot of them chances in a game? Do you know what I mean? Yeah but the thing is that, you know as a striker when

you play games, you play games and stuff, you don't get chances. But what you're doing is you're waiting for it.

That was a big one last week, wasn't it?

The header. Massive, massive chance. You wonder when he gets the one-two.

That's the kind of chance, sometimes you're playing and you think, we're not even creating hardly anything, so half chances I've got to be ready for. So you're kind of like staying, like sprung sure I hit the target clean. I'm really going to go for the side air. I'm going to really do something positive, because once you do that, it kind of spins you out of like a negativity, you go into positivity.

People know that if I get half a chance, I'm scoring. That's what I wanted to make people understand with me. Sometimes you don't get a chance in the game. You get half a chance, you'll always get one. So you should be... It was Chris Waddle. Chris Waddle, 1987, he told me the difference between the second division strikers and the first division is that they recognize how to take a half chance. So when you go back to training, stop taking an extra touch just because you

can because he's not good enough to get... You take that chance as soon as you can. Those are the things that he should have been working on. So you go to that next level of striking, because you look at him now and you think to yourself, you know, what are you doing?

That improved as he got older.

No, and that's got to be on the individual. So is it too late? I don't know.

Because Arsenal were looking at him at one point. They bid for him, didn't they?

And you know you did.

You know you bid for him, yeah. Is it a bit of that? He had one eye on maybe a move? He probably wanted to go, didn't he? Yeah. West Ham. Graham Potter's obviously having a tough time. The protests, obviously, against the ownership. I thought... And just something, I hope every manager keeps their job

because it's a nightmare when they lose their jobs, but I was expecting on Sunday or Monday, just to sort of... I wouldn't have been surprised at all breaking news. I was expecting it, I don't know why.

This early?

I just felt as though, yeah, I was expecting it.

It's not early because it's Greenpotters' whole time there since he came in hasn't been great, it's not just the start of the season. I think most people are probably thinking that he could lose his job on the back of Crystal Palace at home, wasn't it? And I think the next two games are away at Everton and then is it Arsenal?

Yes.

So two tough games if you're a new manager and then the international break-in. I'd be very surprised if Graeme Potts is the manager after the next two games. In fact, I'd just chance to be.

What if they win them? You think it's that old calculated? What they normally do though, Jamie, is normally they would remove...

Jamie? I thought you normally called me Jamie.

No, normally what they would do is remove the manager and then put a caretaker in for two weeks and then, you know, you wouldn't normally keep someone in. It would have happened before that, where people have just... Maybe. So you're saying they think they've made the decision and that's why they're waiting for the interception? Well, they may not have made it but I would imagine they're pretty close.

Look, it just doesn't feel like anything's going to get better.

It's desperate, isn't it?

And you know, every week I'm looking at West Ham and thinking hopefully he can do it for his sake to get a little bit of momentum. James the manager, that's the oldest thing in the book. When the fans start getting the tiki torches out. It's not like writing has gone in there, does it? I think a certain personality suits certain clubs and it's just...

It doesn't seem the right fit, does it?

No, no.

Brentford, they've got Manchester United, 12.30 on Saturday, then they've got Manchester City, they're currently sat in 17th, just one place outside of the relegation places. Keith Andrews, new manager, interesting take from Martin O'Neill who we've had on this show. Keith is not my favourite person because he was very critical of me. That's obviously a personal thing. The irony is that Brentford are using the long throw

which is not all that inventive because it's been around for years but that, take my irritants aside, he's a young fellow coming into management, it's a great challenge because he's taking on from a person whose character pervaded the football club. Is he under pressure, Keith Andrews, already? Because if they lose these two games, if United were to beat them or if City were to beat them and they went into the bottom three,

for Brentford that would be a big problem, wouldn't it?

Yeah, it would be. They panic Brentford, don't they? I think Brentford can be the type of club that can lose a few games.

Could you see them beating United and City in the current climate?

I think they could get a result against United. At home to United? I think they're capable of getting a result. Still early in the season, I don't think Brentford would be panicking. He is a young manager.

Were you surprised at the appointment when it happened, Roy?

Not really, because he was obviously already in the club. I think he wouldn't have got another premiership job anywhere else. It's just that, obviously, he was in there. The people obviously must think highly of him. And he's new to the job. And you say, like any young manager, give the man a chance.

Is it four games? Have they ever played five?

Have they ever played five?

They've played one, drawn one, lost three. They got four points. They drew a home to Chelsea.

Who did they beat? Was it Sunderland or home?

Sunderland away they played, they lost late.

Who did they beat at home?

I think they've been really close in a couple of games where they just lost it at home.

Yeah, it's been difficult enough for Staffordham, but I don't think Brentford ownership would be panicking yet. The thing is though, somebody's got to be at the bottom of the table. Villa home, sorry, yeah. And everyone's beaten Villa. It's whenever anybody's down the bottom, we're like, do they get rid of the manager? But the strange thing is, they're so tight, anyone

near the bottom three or four, you get that win, it's easier said than done. Again, the

points, they'll probably get them up to mid-table. I don't think Brentford would be panicking. Yeah, but Roy, I think that the time that Brentford have been here and what it means to them to be here, I think if they stay down there for too much longer, like if you say they might get something at United at home.

After 10 games, yeah, a bit longer.

I think that you start…

I think Thomas Frank had spells where they, I don't know if it was last season or the year before, they struggled to get players to get out of it. Is the worry... Or is the decision for owners different this season because the promoted teams are doing OK? Well, obviously, yeah.

I think in the past, they've always thought we'd be all right.

Yeah, yeah.

Even at the start of the season, five, if they haven't won a game. You know, you get into sort of 10 games of a season, going on some of the promoter teams haven't won one game. And you'd almost think, I think that probably saved a few managers over the last few years, where it might go back to the norm, where the actual fear of relegation...

The good thing about the promoter teams, if you look at them, they're all happy to play without the ball. They're not the one we need to play off the inside.

I like Sunderland.

Yeah, and Sunderland are obviously not obsessed with possession. They're big and strong, they've got a lot of physicality there.

And working hard as well, that's what I like.

Yeah, and there's a nice vibe off, it will be at Sunderland because they'll keep you going through.

At the moment, yeah.

At the moment, yeah.

They're the one out of the top three, out of the bottom three, sorry, out of the promoted teams that I've liked most. I mean, Leeds and Burnley have done well as well, Goalkeeper's good, they've got Xhaka, a bit of experience. I love Xhaka. A bit of energy and they've got quality. It was a great header from Xhaka, the little header back over the top.

He'd done it on purpose, did you see it? Fantastic.

Brilliant.

Poured a fender, just cushioned it.

So he brings you that little bit of experience and that quality, you've got young energy around you. has done a great job. Well, great job. Talking about experience and quality, Ben. Super 6 are still waiting to make their first Millionaire of the season. Five rounds have passed with no winner, meaning the £1m jackpot is still up for grabs. And it's staying there every single week until it's won. It's completely free to play, just predict six scores this weekend

and the money could be yours. So if you fancy becoming a million pounds richer, get your Super 6 picks in before 3pm on Saturday for a chance to win. 18 plus T&Cs apply. Who's the shirt for, Ben?

Thank you, Gary. Who's the shirt?

Very good question. Who asked for one?

Join the Sticks of Football Mini League using the code S6-STF. Each month, the winner will... Fuck me.

You laugh at me, I might holster Ede.

That's really good. Each month, the winner will win a £100 voucher and a signed Stixer football shirt.

Wow, signed by who?

Who signed it?

Probably Gary then, innit?

Gary does everything, we just jump on.

Actually, it's Adidas, so it's signed by you too.

There you go.

Have you got a pen?

We'll do it in the green room. Can we do it now so it's authentic? We need a pen. We need a silver pen.

Do we normally fake signatures inside the green room?

No, we'll get it on the cameras.

The retail for £50.

No winner for Super 6 last week, so still a £1 million round.

Come on, guys, we can do it.

OK, right, last week's scores, Gary and Jamie, 8.

Oh! Well done. Well done.

Eight points, so you're on 18.

We're catching up.

Oh, they're doing well.

Roy, Joel and Ian, nine.

Yes, come on, shut your mouth, Gary.

I got one. Who did I get right? I definitely got...

Yes, come on!

No, Brighton 21.

You always want clearer than that. We got right men. Yeah, you got Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton. Yes!

I call that one.

I'm always calling it.

I was with you the other day, I was with Adam Smith.

I don't care who you're with.

Bournemouth was talking to me. He's saying hello to everybody. Adam Smith at Bournemouth.

He's always fighting people.

He's always fighting people.

He's always fighting people.

Gary and Jamie. Adam, calm down.

How did you not put City to beat United?

Why did you not think City would beat United?

Right, who's first?

Gary and Jamie. Chelsea vs Brighton.

We're first.

How disappointed were you? Chelsea 2-1.

Oh, rubbish.

No, Chelsea... Stop calling Chelsea.

Yeah, but honestly, Gill.

Thank you Anna. Goalkeeping is scary. Give it to Gary.

Oh I'll do it.

Oh 2-1.

Nice one. Thank you.

Is that Chelsea Brighton? That wins at Saturday 3pm.

How's the travelling there? What happened for Prima?

I hated what Bownsley? They've got a hat-trick, haven't they? Some of the goals, absolute one-liner. He lashed them for about 30 yards. What a goal.

Right, we'll go Chelsea win.

I don't know.

Ian, come on, concentrate.

Sorry, Gary.

I think Brighton will get a result.

You think Brighton will win?

I said they'd get a result.

Are you listening? That's nice, isn't it? Roy? OK, 2-2. But I think Chelsea...

No, no, no, hold on a second. Ian, are you concentrating on this?

I've just given you some... Hold it there, Roy.

Hold it there. I think Brighton are going to beat them.

Wow, I'd like to win.

You're being silly now. No, no, no, you know what?

I do fancy Chelsea? And I do, so let's go Chelsea. Right, let's have to go for the back of one's soul.

I'd rather go with Brighton. Brighton? I'd rather go with Brighton, what I've seen. You don't watch football, do you?

Yes, I do.

I thought you do send videos to Strictly Come Dancing every week. Every time someone gets a video message, and guess who it is, I'm going, it's Jill. It could be anybody. Jill sending a message. No, I didn't actually know that was going on, darling. How did Jimmy do on Strictly Come Dancing?

No, it's this week, this Saturday.

It was good, darling, it was just the warm-ups off. Jimmy was good.

See, you've been watching it.

I never lost that shot. 2-1 Brighton.

Yeah, great. Well, I think Chelsea, but these are going to go Brighton. I should have my own team. I'm signing the top.

1-1. What do you think? 1-1. Brighton will get a result.

Let's go 2-1.

2-1-2.

What do you think?

We're the opposite, actually.

We're going for it.

That's exactly what we're doing.

Palace-Liverpool, 3pm, Saturday.

Palace always cause a problem.

Liverpool.

Liverpool. Noeke TK, 2-1. Take your shirt off.

No, he needs a break.

This is a sliding door moment, Isak.

Yeah, I think draw.

You're not fancy, you've gone all of a sudden.

Yeah, 1-1. I don't know if Liverpool win, he's happy, look. Hey, hey! THEY LAUGH

City-West Ham. City-Burnley, actually, Gary.

Oh, is that Burnley?

THEY LAUGH

I've got two claret teams in the division. City-Burnley, so, er, well, it's interesting, that one.

City win.

I'm going big on this. If they beat United at home...

Pep will be sitting in. 4-1. 5-4-1, Pep. Pep will be parking the ball.

Brownlee will be doing the same. 4-0.

4-0.

I was going to go 4-0.

I was actually going to go 4-0.

You can't, though.

That's no way.

That pitch would be too big for them.

3-1.

I wouldn't give that Donnarumma is 26.

I can't believe James Trafford's 6'6".

No, but can you believe he's 26? Who? Donnarumma. He's one year older than Phil Forden.

Donnarumma's not 26. He is!

He's 26, don't you know? Yes.

Can we Google that, please?

Isn't he 26?

He's one year older than Borden.

He's 26 until he's 27.

Donnarumma looks literally about two or three years younger than me.

Are you doing Forrest-Anne?

Can you do Forrest-Anne?

Forrest-Anne as well.

United didn't buy Donnarumma. 30 million, he was 26.

Yeah. Why didn't Chelsea buy him? His wages would have been crazy. Why didn't Chelsea buy him? I can't believe he's 26. I heard it was to do with the monies, wasn't it? To win? It's to do with the money that Pierce here not giving that money anymore.

He said the money.

Honestly, you buy cheap, you buy cheap. Why did she buy three times? They should have gone for it. Forest, Forest Sunderland. I can't see Sunday when we're in a forest. Saturday 5.30, come on. But you know what? They're playing tonight.

I saw a Forest fan in the airport.

Exactly, Europe away.

Nobody said anything.

I've seen one Forest fan. You're an expert in Spanish football, obviously.

They're playing Real Betis tonight, it's out tomorrow. He called up to me, he said, I ain't making you sign this. I went, yeah. He said, Forrest fans don't like you.

It's you.

I think he thought it was you.

I can't believe you two mixed that. What are you going with? Oh, playing tonight in.

Jamie, do you still think Sunderland

are going to get relegated? I like Sunderland.

Jamie, do you think Sunderland are still going to get relegated? I think he will, yeah.

Do you?

You don't change your predictions in September.

What, 2-2?

Er...

Nah, it won't be 2-2.

2-2?

You're just going against everyone.

I like it, because I feel like it's up in the air this one. It's a draw, though.

It was a draw. have even lent to us. And overruled. Right, overruled. Villa Fulham. Villa Fulham.

Burnley and Fulham.

So much to get through, let's go.

No, that's Aston Villa.

That's Aston Villa?

Villa Fulham.

Villa Fulham.

Fulham will win. Fulham will win.

Fulham 2-0.

Villa win.

Villa must bounce. Villa can't go 6-0. I think Fulham will. Yeah, 1-0. They've only scored one goal this season.

Fulham will score.

That's the worst team from Liverpool.

You're not even concentrating over there.

I think Fulham's like...

0-0.

Fulham 2-0. No.

Come on.

Fulham 2-1.

No, Villa must go 2-2. Desmond. Desmond, 2-2. We've got to do it properly. I don't agree with any of these scores.

Can I just...

Arsenal, Sunday 4.30.

Oh!

Who's up there, by the way?

You've got to go with your hair.

I'm up there. Who's up there? Anyone else up there?

No.

I'm...

Are you going up in Newcastle? Steelers in Dublin. 1-1 I'm going. 1-1? Roy, I said 1-1. Oh no! Wait a minute, wait a minute.

I'm just confirming.

That means you're seven points behind. So, Ray, so you've gone 1-1, but you've gone Liverpool to win. If that happens, is the title over?

Is it over? Can I write my score separately?

Can you make a four off it? The thing is, we have to win it, so I'm going to change. Oh, you change? You never change. I have to change. I have to go for Arsenal to win.

You don't change the diction.

Why do you want to...

Come on, stay with me here.

Right, OK.

If it's the other way, you do...

Newcastle Arsenal, 1-1.

You liar.

Zip six. Thank you so much.

Well done. What happens if I'm wrong? You have to do it in the Speedos as well, Jill. LAUGHTER

MUSIC

Right, Harry Kane is on the verge of becoming the quickest to score 100 goals in the Bundesliga. Rank these English strikers. Harry Kane, Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney.

Oh, so difficult.

It's a silly one, isn't it?

You know, Sully, all that does is cause problems and arguments.

So we have to pick an order, the best. Yeah, I'm going to go Wayne Rooney's number one.

Wayne Rooney, yeah.

Yeah.

Shearer.

I'd class the others as more number one.

Shearer number two.

Yeah.

No. Yeah, I am. Yeah. I'm not putting Shearer over Kane. Okay, well, let's debate then about why. Are you doing it on how he plays? He's getting on just the goals, the amount of goals. I just think if the both say, let's say England's number nine.

Can we fix one at Wayne Rooney? Can we fix Wayne Rooney there? Wayne Rooney. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Can we fix Michael Owen? He's a great player, Michael, but can we fix him at four? Because of injuries. Jamie, speak. So it's Shearer and Kane then?

No, I get it and I think, I said this a few days ago, but for me I think Kane's English greatest striker. Now I don't class Wayne as a, when I'm thinking of that, I think a class way in as more of a great player as rather than just a centre forward. But I just think a lot of people would say Shearer over Kane, but I don't know what the actual... It'll just be, oh, I like him better. His numbers are far better at an international level.

He's been a top goal scorer at a World Cup. He's gone abroad. I mean, he's played in one of the biggest clubs in the world and he's absolutely smashing the records to bits. He's played for a Tottenham who've never been the best team

and his record in the Premier League is as good as Shearer's. Alan was like that though.

Remember when Shearer went from Southampton to what he'd done at Blackburn. He played for a Newcastle team who almost won the league one season

and then he signs the next season. teams in the league for two or three years. What about Blackburn with the top two teams for three years?

What about this as a compromise? I think for me I would say that Shearer's number two and Kane's number three. OK, but what I'm saying is, what's your argument for that? If Kane does... Look, there's not much in it to be fair, they're probably similar, but...

There's no argument, though, you're not giving me... I think Shearer is the greatest goalscorer in Premier League history and I think if Kane comes back...

But if Kane were the stadium, you'd get it.

I know, and Kane could come back and do that and we might be talking in two, three years where we say Kane is above Shearer.

So Kane's got to come back and beat him in the Premier League goalscorer for Kane to go above him?

I just think sometimes, yeah, I just, just performance levels, consistency, strength, mental strength, everything. They've got everything, those two, as football players, everything. There is no weakness in those two. They're that flawless.

I think, I also think Kane... I feel like I'm criticising Shearer, but he cheated. He can almost play that... He's actually a better footballer in terms of... Shearer was always the number nine. I get it, he was amazing.

Remember, Ari's come at a different time in the way that Strikers play.

Kane, the way he... There was a spell, I think, in the Premier League where Kane was arguably the best passer on the Premier League. His passing...

Shearer's crossing. Shearer's cross. I think Shearer, the style of play that Shearer would play. He's got a tattoo, have you got a tattoo?

LAUGHTER

Listen, I love Harry Kane in that. In respects of...

Let's have a vote, Ian, let's have a vote for now. I'm saying now Shearer, but maybe in a couple of years when Harry's finished it, maybe Harry, but I'm going Shearer. Kane. See, but argue... Kane? Shearer. Let's have an argument. Three to Shearer, two to Kane.

Will you change your mind?

No, I said Shearer at the beginning.

Yeah, but that was the timing.

Oh, that was the timing, yeah.

Yeah, but you can't go on what you think of them and clear.

Roy, were they sneaky elbows sneaky though? I thought Alan was just to be fair. No, no, I don't fall for his play. He's just honest. No, I thought Alan was just to be fair nasty. I'll be honest with you. I'm just going to say it out there. He was nasty, Alan. I mean, he was horrible.

He's the best number nine.

Yeah, but that makes it hard to play against.

I bet you... But you should have. Nasty.

I don't want nasty people.

He's not... Yeah, but we're talking about... He was nasty.

He was. Sneaky elbows, back of the head.

Yeah, but we're talking... Nasty's like how to dig you Sneaky, he all comes under the same umbrella Does that not make a good player though?

No

Difficult to play against?

Cantona, Cole All these strikers I play with want Sneaky They're good, honest pros Turn up every week and they want Sneaky

No, I'm not having him as Sneaky

He's your mate

Right, he's been at a few things recently.

Right, I used to spend ten hours a day with him.

Oh, you were golfing with him last week, was it, huh?

No! Lock Lawman. Yeah, I've seen that.

Are you a golfer?

You golfing? Yeah, I do golf, yeah.

You try and make arrangements with me, right? Nine Dears. No, it was my dear friend. Sneaky. Aw, you're a bit jealous. Sneaky.

It was up there for a charity.

On that tattoo, the 8, 9, 10, does it say sneaky underneath it?

I'm going to put it underneath it. And you're sneaky too.

I'm sneaky as well, yeah. Gary Lineker's not sneaky though.

Is Gary Lineker not in that list? It was just for... I mean, it was a good question, wasn't it? Yeah, that is a good question. Next question. Is Ridy on that list? Yeah, Ridy on that list. Next question. Rank these sporting events. Ryder Cup, because it starts this weekend.

Unbelievable.

The Super Bowl. It does say Superbowl there, actually.

Super what? Superbowl?

Who even spelt that? Superbowl? That's us after our coffee. Yeah. Got Ryder Cup, Super Bowl, the World Cup Final, Tour de France or the Ashes. Right, I'm going to start with... World Cup's number one. I'm going to put the Tour de France right at the bottom and absolutely argue my way right to the death on it.

World Cup's number one. Okay. Tour de France number five, happy with that?

Yeah.

The amount of issues in that sport I think puts it right down there at the fucking bottom. Did you say drugs? Bloody hell, Gary's gone crazy.

Gary, I'm...

He's gone like a psychopath.

Let's do this properly now.

Let's do this one properly.

That's five. So number one...

The World Cup.

Super Bowl or World Cup Final, Ryder Cup, Ashes?

World Cup Final's every four years.

World Cup Final? No, not for me. You can't put Ryder Cup in the World Cup Final. You know something? Well, don't fucking ask me if I've got a ticket.

Don't ask me.

The Ryder Cup never fails to deliver. Like the World Cup, yes, we wait till the latter stages and then it might get better and then you think, oh, here we go, when's it going to happen? The Ryder Cup, from the first hit to the last hit, it's on the fucking line. No chance, righty. Somebody's in trouble after one day, man. You know what? You lot don't watch it.

I do watch it.

The pressure was under every single shot.

I do watch it.

I don't think the World Cup, apart from you get to the semi-quarterfinal, semi-finals, then it starts turning into something.

Are you talking about the World Cup final?

World Cup final. So I'm just imagining in eight months' time, This is the greatest sport in the world. He's on ITV. Listen...

When you're a kid, you dream about these days.

We're talking about the tournament as a tournament.

The World Cup final.

World Cup final, listen.

World Cup final.

Here's the World Cup final writing. I'm not making it up.

Super Bowl's got to be up there.

Why are you putting Super Bowl? I wanted to give the Ryder Cup love and that respect, but if it's just the last World Cup final, nothing beats that. Exactly.

Can I just say one last thing on the golf, though? As a continuous, for three days, you get the same feeling as you're getting watching a great World Cup final. You get that for three days.

Not a chance.

Watching the golf?

Some people fight shots behind.

The Super Bowl's got to be bigger than the Ryder Cup. No, it's... Super Bowl is... I want to go.

Team against team, you don't get that far in front unless... The only time... Who was it I saw got beat? Nine-seven or something. Scotty Sheffler and someone got beaten by the European player. I can't remember who it was, but nine-seven. You don't see that.

Right, good debate. Who's World Cup Final? World Cup Final. Two Super Bowl. OK. Hang on a minute. World Cup's number one.

No, no, no, you didn't say World Cup Final or who's Ryder Cup. You didn't say it.

Who's Ryder Cup?

I just want that on record.

OK.

So World Cup Final's number one. Tour de France is number five.

Yeah.

Super Bowl two. OK. I love the Ashes. Yeah, let's put it in. But I think it's four. Yeah. And then we've got Super Bowl or Ryder Cup in at two and three. Super Bowl, Ryder Cup. Super Bowl.

I'd like to say Super Bowl, but...

Yeah, but you can say Super Bowl. You know? Do you watch Super Bowl or Ryder Cup?

Yeah, but a lot of people don't watch American football. I just think it's so great. You're just saying it because you want to go to one. I've been to the Super Bowl. You've watched the golfing.

You've watched what it...

It's an amazing occasion. Can I just say, right, so I... 15 years ago, 20 years ago, I was like a crazy golfer. I used to play all the time, obsessed. And I stopped playing, like, I was about was, oh, it'd been late 90s or early 2000s. It was amazing. Do you know something?

As a sport to watch live, it's-

You mean on the premises?

On the premises, it's a nothing. I literally just watched goal for goal pass, two goal for goal pass, it was a singles day, final day. Two goal for goal pass, look up there, watch and put. It's like, it's not a spect TV sport. No, so it has to be watched on TV, the Ryder Cup. That has a big impact. Same with a bit of F1, there's a minute you see...

Can I be honest? I went to Silverstone and I used to think the same when there's something about...

I agree with that.

That's amazing. It's amazing.

Energy denies.

I'm not a fan of the Super Bowl because I don't watch it, but it's obviously a massive event. I went to the Formula One in Holland. Ryder Cup, I'm not...

Listen, I'm not interested in Wombie, if I'm being totally honest.

I'd be interested, James.

I'd have the ashes... I'm not a golfer, I'd rather watch the cricket than the golf.

I would. I'd put ashes well up there,. I think sporting occasion, Super Bowl is probably one of the biggest occasions in the world. So I'd go Super Bowl number two, who's with me? Super Bowl number two.

If you fancy it, this year's in San Francisco and me and Jill might be going.

Okay, Super Bowl number two, three-two. Super Bowl's at two and the... What was the Ryder Cup for? The Riding Cup 3. Ian, I'm sorry. It's a democracy. I know what's going on. It's a social environment. It's nothing to do with the things that you're thinking.

I know what's going on here.

I can't believe it. You lot will see.

Watch the excitement around the Riding Cup this week.

I don't know the answer to this question, but it's a good one. I've never been asked it before. What is the biggest difference between the Championship and Top Flight? I don't really watch a lot of the Championship.

Speed, physicality, quality.

There's a lot, especially the top end of the Championship.

Everything.

One of their own, we've never done photos. Difference in quality from the Championship to the...

He says, what's the biggest difference between the Championship and the Top Flight?

Players, you mean?

That's the question.

What's the gulf? The salary.

They have wages, yeah.

Well, that's a good shot, Joe, obviously.

Can I ask you a question on physicality in terms of fitness levels in the Championship to the top? Because...

Where we're talking about fitness, physicality, the height, the size of players, the speed of them, compared to, you look at all the teams that have come up, particularly Leeds and Sunderland, they've bought players who can physically deal with the premiership week in, week out. And obviously if you can get quality on top of that, like the big clubs, they're fantastic, you're going places. But I think for most of the teams,

if you ask any manager over the last few years what's caught them out, when you've been promoted, I think is the physicality of the premiership. And the quality. And the quality on top of that.

Go to another level.

We'll finish with this. The best goal that you wish you'd scored? The goal that you wish you'd scored?

Do you know which one I wish I'd scored? And I could never have done it. You know when they just touch it out at the halfway line and see the keeper.

Halfway line.

David Beckham did it, Wimbledon, Ian Rooney did it. I'm looking at it differently. I'm thinking like Oliver Solskjaer in 99, Champions League winner.

That's a beauty.

I'm thinking me just scoring, imagine if I won the... Imagine if I scored the Champions League winner.

Oh, I'd love it, girl. We should...

I've just stepped into that moment. I was there then for a second. Look how happy he is. I remember speaking to Ali about that, and obviously Ali goes... Top guy, and he was saying, he says, all people ever do is talk to me about that moment, and I'm like, but it's not a bad moment to talk about. All people talk to me is about the people I kicked.

Sean, go to me.

You know what I would... On the line there, girl. You know what I would... The goal I would love to have scored a Marco Tardelli World Cup final. I thought you were going to say Michael Thomas at Anfield. No, no, no. I've gone World Cup, bro.

That is the biggest thing of all time.

You know, the thing is that it's just...

It's just...

Apart from the Ryder Cup. But, like, if you're talking about a goal, watching that goal and watching that final, I remember when I was watching it and just the way he celebrated, it done something to me. Oh yeah, the emotion. Honestly, and then you read his story about his brothers and his brothers are in there crying.

It's just the way he ran off after scoring it. James Poppins. I don't know what that done to me.

Roy, I'm bastards, maybe his volley.

Oh, the Euros against Russia.

Yeah.

Oh, what a goal. What about you, Jimmy? I actually got asked this question funny enough, I'd never been asked it before. It was specific for Liverpool, what goal was you on? And I was thinking like, Stevie's in the Cup final against West Ham. But then I thought, even though that was an amazing goal, it only got us to draw, whereas Michael got the winner in the Cup final. It wasn't a decent goal.

And I think I went for Michael's actually. I was thinking Gerrard's goal against West Ham. You know that was dropping and he was shooting. I bet you West Ham were going, yeah, shoot, yeah, shoot.

Swear on my grace.

Youse are talking moments, aren't you? I've gone for like, I wanted to make a good goal. I've gone for like, I wanted to make a good goal.

That's the goal I've wanted to score,