Mid-Season Review: All 20 PL Clubs
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Hello and welcome to The Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and me, Gary Lineker. We're going to do something today a little bit different, although we have done it before last season. We're exactly halfway through. It's time for us to do a mid-season review and reflect on how everyone has been getting on so far.

I've been having nightmares about this. So we're going to do two or three minutes on every club, talk about where they are in the table, where we predicted them to be, and perhaps what they need to do going into the second half of the season. We're going to do all 20 Premier League clubs. So let's get cracking. And we start, you might think, with Arsenal, but it's Bournemouth, of course, because it's AFC Bournemouth. Alan.

You said mid-table. Micah, get yours out of the way earlier, Micah. Relegated. I said relegation battle, but will survive. And currently, of course, they're sitting seventh with 30 points, nowhere near a relegation struggle. But Alan's, he's got a smirky grin on his face. You started and you went mid-table and that's looking like...

I've taken an early lead, guys. I've taken an early lead. You need to do your research on Bournemouth. Which players they are, what they're getting and who they're recruiting and all of these things. Then you'd have a better idea of where they're going to finish. You could not name Bournemouth's back four, so don't even try it.

That was fantastic. Micah, come on. I apologise. You know what it was? The whole thing with Gary O'Neill and the new manager coming in. And I just thought at times...

I didn't think they had the individual quality to get them through. You looked at their team sheet and you just thought, I'm not feeling it. I think also Solanke leaving, we all thought might possibly have a negative effect. Correct. Iriola has done an unbelievable job. Amazing, amazing job. Tactically, he's on it, knows exactly what he wants. We saw signs at the start, there was pressing high, but there was getting dominated in midfield, too many gaps, but...

Yeah, I'll eat my humble pie. I'm sorry. It's the Boba fans. Yeah, I would say looking ahead, I think Alan will definitely be right. I think he'll be around mid-table somewhere. Ed Nilsson's been a really good signing. I like him. Clive, it's been excellent. You've got Hoysen at the back,

brought in that we talked about the other day and I think Semenya is really good I mean they've got good players I don't know why I even contemplated the fact they might be in a relegation battle now but it's always easy in hindsight go on Alan what did you see in them? No I just thought that with the players that they've got I know that they'd lost Solanke but I think with their recruitment Housen was relatively unknown and

I was there, as we said, a few weeks ago and was really impressed with him. We've got Kyrkes as well, left side. So they've got some really talented players. And yeah, that's why I thought in and around mid-table. I still think that's where they'll finish up, yeah. And they'll let Neto go.

They let Neto go, didn't they? Who went to Arsenal is obviously number two there. I thought he's a captain, a leader, you know? So yeah, I got it wrong. Sorry guys. Keep digging Micah. Keep digging. Let's move on to Arsenal. Alan, you had them as winning the title, especially you did say if they sign a top class striker, which they haven't yet. Yeah.

Micah initially said champions, but then predicted City to win the title later on and then changed his mind to end it up saying second. I said top four will finish second, not backing them to win again after backing them last season because they let me down a little bit. You start, Alan. Yeah, well, they didn't sign the striker that I wanted them to, to go and win it. That may cost them. Look, it's going to be very, very difficult because of how far Liverpool are ahead.

but I wouldn't rule them out just yet. But yeah, they've got a lot of work to do to catch up to Liverpool. Micah, you couldn't, you were humming and aahing and humming and aahing as you often do between these two teams.

Arsenal and Manchester City, but what do you think? How are they progressing? No, I think I remember at the start of the season, we talked about key players, didn't we? We talked about Haaland getting injured. That could be the difference. Or Rodri getting injured. I just think with Arsenal now, Saka being injured for, looks like, there's different reports. Some are saying a month. Some are saying two months. Some are saying a little bit longer than that. I think if Arsenal would have had a fit

squad from start to finish I'd agree with Alan it's not over yet but losing Saka he's too much for this team he's got too much responsibility so unfortunately I think they're going to finish second yeah I still think they'll finish second which is what I actually predicted I think Saka if you have an operation

you don't come back in a month. Not a hamstring though. Let's wish him a speedy recovery because he's just such a wonderful footballer. So let's move on now to Aston Villa. They're actually ninth now. They've kind of had good runs and bad runs. I think they might have been suffering a little bit because of the fact they're playing in the Champions League this season, which has pushed them a little bit. Alan, you said Europe. I don't think they can match last season. Micah, Europe...

You'll think they'll just miss out in the top four. And I said Europe as well, so they'll be good again. I still fancy they can do that. It just depends because they're going quite well in the Champions League. They've got a good chance of qualifying. At the very worst, they'll be in the playoff stage. We've seen it, haven't we, with clubs like Leicester in the past that it catches up on you if you play in the Champions League, if you've not quite got...

the squad that other teams have. Although... Newcastle last season, the same thing happened, didn't it? With Newcastle in the Champions League. I would still say, I would keep that prediction in Europe. I would think not as good as last year, maybe six, something like that, six or seven for Villa. I still think they'll have a decent run

I think in the Champions League, they've been absolutely superb. And they've got some really, really good players. And they've got a great manager. So I still think they'll be fine. I think what will help them is the fact they've got Watkins and Duran. So if either of them does get injured, that could be really important for them. Agreed. I think if Villa were going out of the Champions League, I would say they would get Champions League now. I think...

I was reading some stats the other day. Is it like 97% that the English team is going to get the fifth spot? Yeah, looking good. Allows you to get Champions League football. And I think they could do that if it was one game a week. But with Champions League, them doing so well, I think that could hinder them. So I'm just going to say just outside the Champions League spot. Yeah, I would say the same thing. On to Brentford. They are currently sitting in 12th position. A couple of bad results very recently. Yeah.

Aside from that, of course, they were brilliant at home and poor away. Alan, you said relegation battle, but will have enough to stay up. In fact, we all said the same. We all said that. At the moment, they certainly don't look like they'll be in a relegation battle with 24 points, particularly, I would say, with their home form, Micah. Yes, the home form has been brilliant, the way they play. I've really enjoyed Sharda as well. He's coming to the team. He's looked very lively. He's scored a few goals.

I think obviously the big question mark was going to be Tony. He's probably why we said relegation. Yes, that's absolutely right. Bermo or Mbwemo or Mbwemo. However, commentators say it about five different ways. The guy up front, bald head who scored a lot of goals. And they've actually looked a better team without Tony. I think they're sharing the responsibility more. I

I thought we would have done a little bit, or guessed a little bit better than avoiding relegation after working with Thomas Frank in the Euros, guys. We've got an admission that a team's better without their centre forward, guys. He's just said it again. Are Brentford better than Ivan Toney? Correct! They are, yes. Just one little note here. We're recording this on

on New Year's Eve. Of course, Brentford play on New Year's Day. This is going out on Friday. They're playing Arsenal. So we don't know what that result will be. So if they do some kind of spectacular victory, then forgive us for not mentioning it. That is the reason why. But I think, as you said, Mike, a friend of us, of course, now Thomas Frank. We worked with him in the summer. He continues to do an excellent job. Can I just talk about Thomas Frank quickly before we move on? Just because...

We was doing some analysis. I think me and you was doing it much today, wasn't we? And we couldn't sort of figure out what they did in the game. Of course, we can analyze games, but there was a different...

I don't know if it was a team spirit or effort or runners. And he sent me a beautiful voice note of what they did in the game to change and how it really worked. And he talked about Damsgaard. He talked about trying to get the ball forward as quick as possible, playing the longer balls to sort of throw the opposition off. And I just thought that...

was really nice for him to do because he didn't need to do it as well. And yeah, I really appreciated his time and effort. I think they've got some really, really talented players in forward positions and that's why they'll be more than fine and probably finishing it around where they are now. Totally agree. On to Brighton, currently 10th. And we all said mid-table and you can't really get much more mid-table than 10th. So let's give ourselves a little pat on the back. Yay!

Well done, guys. You've got one right, you two. So far, we're only halfway down the season. Listen to him. Listen to him. They're cocky. They started really well, but they have had a poor run of forms now. They've got seven games without a win. Have teams perhaps worked out their new coach, Fabian Herzler's way of playing? Or is it just a blip of form? I would say, no, I wouldn't say work them out. I would say they have to be more prolific. Hmm.

I still think they're creating chances and they've got their style of play. But they are where we thought they were going to be. And I think, yeah, I wouldn't change anything. I still think that their model is to finish top half of the league and they'll be in and around that, I think, Brighton, yeah. I think they've missed well, Beck, because he was having a really good season, wasn't he? He was really good. Pedro got injured for a little while.

Uh, Ferguson was injured as, as well. They're constantly having to sell players and embed new, new players into the team. So I think they're doing really well. A new manager with new players having to adapt to what the manager wants to do. So early on, we've talked about managers before and them taking a long period of time to get settled. I think Brighton are doing a really good job. Uh,

just some of their key players have not been at the same level that, you know, we've seen in previous seasons. That's all. Okay. On to Chelsea. They're currently fourth. Just had a little kind of dip in form, haven't they? A couple of defeats. First real, perhaps, test of the season for Maresca. Alan, you said mid-table. Hey!

I said mid-table, they'll miss out on European football. Before you get too cocky, Micah, on the podcast a week or so ago, you said that Chelsea...

we're going to make the Champions League. You said that's what you did in your predictions, right? And I went, I don't think you did. And you went, yes, I definitely did. He comes out with some shit, doesn't he? But he did say Europe. They've better squad than last year. Hold on, hold on. What defines Europe? Fifth, sixth, seventh. Well, hold on.

Fifth Genshin Champions League. You never mentioned in your prediction that they'd be in the Champions League. I think if we'd have been doing this little review probably a week ago, 10 days ago, we'd have, you know, all looked fairly foolish. But they have had a dip, obviously, and losing to Ipswich as well.

was something of a surprise. I still think they're ahead of the curve, I would say, that most of us would probably have predicted with... Well, we certainly didn't predict them to be in the top four. If I remember rightly, I said I could say they could finish anything between 10th and 7th. I don't know, but yeah, I still think there's a lot of work to do there. But I think they can be... If they were to finish...

fourth or fifth, I think that would again be a really good achievement for them. And they've played some really good stuff. Three results, I think they went to Everton as well, didn't they? Got a goalless draw there. And the last two results have been defeats. So, yeah, it's their first little test, I guess. So, you've played some really good football and for the vast majority of it, I think they can be really pleased with the way it's gone. Yeah, it started really well. We poached it, Alan and them.

Maresca's took him on to a new level. I think Maresca's talked about defensively is why he thought they couldn't challenge for the title and...

the last couple of games have conceded a few sloppy goals so yeah but I think Chelsea have been brilliant better than we all could have expected Crystal Palace we all said the same thing really you said relegation battle Alan you said relegation battle too Mike I said relegation battle but avoiding relegation they're currently sitting above the relegation zone so

Another pretty accurate term prediction. Tough start, really tough start, but results are improving. And I think we're seeing a bit more of the Crystal Palace that we saw at the end of the last season when he took over. Yeah, I think we have to be...

a little bit delicate with Palace because Mateta were watched in the Olympics he's not had a proper pre-season under his belt they brought in Nketiah and they sort of played him as a number nine then dropped him in he was sort of playing at a wide position at times obviously losing Alise there's loads of different variants of why they wouldn't perform at the level they did towards the end of last season that's only normal and

Defensively, they brought in some new players. Lacroix's been very good. Chalaba come in late doors from Chelsea. And Gueye was supposed to go to Newcastle. So all these problems, you can see why they had problems on the pitch. But I think Lazan has managed to just navigate his way out of that. And they're looking a lot better. Eze's looking...

um, a little bit better in the last couple of weeks as well. So just what I expected really. Yeah, I think they've done well sticking by him because he's under pressure, wasn't he, at the beginning of the season. And, um, I still think that'll be in and around where they finish. They'll have far too much, I think, to, uh, to be relegated because of the players in forward positions that they've got. Um,

So, yeah, I wouldn't change my mind on Palace, would you? No, not at all. I think they'll be absolutely fine. On to Everton, another side that we thought would be struggling against relegation. They're currently 16th. You said, similar to last season, Micah, you said relegation battle. Why don't they just go and buy a top striker? It's not that easy, Micah. There are not many around.

I said relegation baton will struggle but they won't go down basically because of Deitch who you know he does what needs to be and he's you know he's turned out a few performances particularly in recent weeks coldest draws mostly against the top opposition I think their problem is often against teams that are perhaps in

down the lower end of the table when they have to attack a little bit and leave themselves open at the back. But I wouldn't change my mind at all. Just can't score goals, can they? That is a problem. A massive problem for them. I mean, clean sheets and defensively, yeah, but

in four areas. Well, they probably just don't get into four areas enough and when they do, they're not scoring enough goals. And because of Sean Dyche, they'll stay up and they've now got new owners and that's their aim. That has been their aim for a while now. I mean, the owners that they had spent are a waste of an absolute fortune, haven't they? So I think wherever they are now, they need to stay up to get into the new stadium and hopefully for them and for their supporters...

if or when they stay up at the end of this season, then they might be able to spend a few quid. My guess is, and like many others, is that there will be a change if Sean can keep them up and then

they'll go on to do something different next season. Did you see, just quickly before we move on, Neil Maupay's tweet? Just have a scan. I don't go on Twitter. I'm not on Twitter anymore, or X as they call it. But some of his tweets are, he's the biggest shithouse in football, but he's actually really funny as well. And not just the one he said about everything. He said,

Whenever I'm having a bad day, he just looks at the Everton result. How does he do it? I've got it here, Micah, in front of me. It says, whenever I'm having a bad day, I just check the Everton score and smile. Isn't he still on loan? I think he is, though. Yeah.

I thought he is still on loan, isn't he? Yeah, he's on loan. Oh my goodness. How can he be doing that? It's so disrespectful. But for him to have the balls to do it, I quite admire it also, you know? Well, he's not exactly Messi or Ronaldo, is he?

Anyway, we mustn't dwell too long on that. I think we'll all probably stick with our opinions on that one. On to Fulham, Alan. Mid-table, just below mid-table. Micah, mid-table, top half of the table. Me, mid-table. They're currently eighth, so it's looking like that. I think they've done really well. It's a well-run football club at the present. Really well-coached team.

with Marco Silva. You know, he's been consistent there now with a club full of him. He's got a lot of players that have not quite made it elsewhere and he seems to have brought them in and managed to get the very best out of them. You know, Wobbe, for example. I think he's had a terrific season. He's, you know, he's a bit of a journeyman around the Premier League.

other players as well. I think he's doing a terrific job and they're a good side to watch. Yeah, I think he's, you're right, I think he's done a great job and it seems a really happy camp where they're all on the same page and pull in the same direction and they've got some really good players and Jimenez up front, he seems to be enjoying his football again. Yeah, they've made some good signings and

they'll be more than alright Fulham and they're having a really good season I bet the fans are loving it they lost Paulinho and Mitrovic as well of course and we know how effective he was for Fulham excellent wasn't it guys oh really good right let's go on to Ipswich Town this is the 10th team so after this we'll take a little break Alan

Relegated, it'll be a miracle if they stay up. Micah relegated and I said relegated as well. I think we all thought that they'd come up, hadn't they, two successive promotions, very difficult promotions.

But what a result they got last night by beating Chelsea. So that'll give them a real... I think he's actually doing a really good job, McKenna. I think that they've been in a lot of games. I still think they'll probably go down. But they've got some talent in there. They've got some good players.

And you never know. Well, they've got the best chance of the other teams that came up, haven't they? And they're competitive. They make it... Yes, they've had a couple of really heavy defeats, but...

But I think in the main, they've been competitive. And if they can keep that up, if they can add one or two in the transfer window, which will give them a better chance, then yeah, it's still going to be really tough for them. But at least they're being competitive. Any key players that have stood out for you? De Lappe. Yeah, I like De Lappe a lot. I think he's got a big future, De Lappe. He's got something about him. I think we all think that.

I think Hutchinson's done well, really good at times. Left back, Leif Davis as well. Yeah, although Ashley Williams was quite critical of one of his performances in a recent analysis. But I think that was more a tactical thing of how the manager shaped up for that particular game. Correct. And he's young, he's in a new league and it's difficult. He can't always, but he's got potential for sure. I might argue about, with you Alan, about the best chance of the three. Yeah.

Promoted team staying up, but we'll come to Leicester after the break. Back in a minute. Welcome back to the Resties Football half-season review with Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and me, Gary Lineker. Here we go. My team, Leicester City. Alan, you said relegated even if they don't get points deduction. Lovely, lovely guy. Micah said relegated if they get a points deduction.

I said relegation battle, but they're going to stay up. Well, a week ago, I probably would have said, yeah, I think we're going to go. I've seen a little bit of something in the team, particularly in the last game against Manchester City. El Canoose has come in and played really well. Buonannotti's been a good loan. I think there's goals in the team, but they'll need goals because they struggle at the back. If they could just add...

a central defender in the transfer window, I think Leicester will have a real chance of staying up. Whether they can do that or not, I don't know. But they do need that. We need a Hermanson back fit again. So I'm going to stick. I'm not ever going to obviously say Leicester are going to go down because it's too depressing. How long is the keeper out for? Just a groin injury. So hopefully he'll be back soon. I don't know to the extent of this injury.

But he's a good goalkeeper. Yeah, that's what I think you've really struggled without him. Keepers have made errors. He's changed the keeper as well to try and shore things up, hasn't he? So, yeah, I'm not changing my mind on Leicester. Please yourself, Micah. If my stats are correct, the goal difference is minus 20.

And if you look at the teams around them, Ipswich minus 15, Wolves for the torrid time they've had minus 11, Everton minus nine. Yes, they keep a lot of clean sheets, don't score many goals. But I just think if you go at that level, you're going down. So I'm going to stick with my original. LAUGHTER

Actually, I like the championship anyway. It's so much more fun. Let's shift on. Liverpool, I think one of the great surprises of the season, really. None of us predicted. I don't think anyone in football predicted how they'd fly quite as high as they have. We all said top four. I did actually. I said impossible for them to win the league. LAUGHTER

but I don't mind owning it it's okay wow impossible I can't remember saying that I think someone's put this in the notes just to wind me up surely I didn't say impossible I think I said it's an impossible act to follow Jurgen Klopp but he's um

Either way, it's a hopeless failure from me. I'm pleased to be wrong because I honestly thought, like perhaps Arsenal with Arsene Wenger, like Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson, when someone's been at a club so long, I mean, so dominant at that club, I just thought it would be incredibly difficult. But boy, oh boy, what a job Slott's done. I just think he's world-class. I've talked more mainly about how he's dealt with situations. You've got your three...

star players with six months left on their contracts and it's not affected them one bit. Do you think that'll change going forward? You know, as your time, as it gets closer and closer, do you think mentally there's a tiny bit of you thinks, goodness me, if I were to get injured here, obviously, probably,

Pray to God for them that it doesn't happen. The only thing I would say about injuries now in terms of that coming to the end of the contract is that the medical side of football has advanced so much in recent times that it's incredibly rare, incredibly rare for a footballer's career to finish. You can get a serious injury, but you nearly always come back.

So I don't think the players will be tentative on that front. - Alan's right though, if you say you're getting offered 400,000 a week on a free, because there's no transfer fee,

You might get 200. I don't know if that sounds ridiculous. Of course, 200 is still a lot of money, but you won't get the full value. The only thing I would say as well, Alan, I went on a free from Man City to Aston Villa, and I paid insurance and covered me for about...

five million quid just to give me a little bit of a safety net and it cost it I think it was five to six seven grand a month something like that and it just gives you that little bit of a buffer if you do get injured but I do believe at times especially when players have gone into tournaments have sort of not gone into challenges we've talked about that the end of the season so I

Psychologically, it might have some effect, but I think there's ways in which you can protect yourself now. But they have been absolutely outstanding. I don't think anyone could have predicted Liverpool would be where they are now. I think the only defeat is at home to Forest, isn't it? And the vast majority of games have been so impressive and they look really strong all over the pitch. Quadruple? No, let's not get too excited. LAUGHTER

It was on for a couple of years ago, wasn't it? And they won the League Cup and the FA Cup. This is a Premier League predictions episode and I think we're going to go Premier League champions now, all of us, aren't we? Probably. Yes. Okay. Manchester City. They're currently sixth.

Alan, top four, they'll be second. Micah, champions if Haaland stays fit, which he has. Oh, I'll die. I mean, okay, yeah, he has stayed fit. I'll give you that. I said they'd be champions as well. Well, I like Liverpool have done it the other way. I think Manchester City, none of us could have thought the demise and the struggles that they have this season. But, you know, it just shows you that footballers are human beings.

and things can go awry and they've had a really tough time. I think they'll

improve in the second half of the season but certainly the best they can hope for I would say is a Champions League spot. Yeah I would agree with that I mean their drop off has been remarkable no one could have ever predicted how bad they've been in some of the games how easy they've been to get through to the goals they've conceded and I'm not sure it's getting any it's getting better any time soon um

I think it's going to be a struggle for them to get into the top four. Fair play, Alan. Ballsy. I like it. Here comes the ambassador. He's thinking... Hold on. Can we... This ambassador thing...

It's not blurring my vision. I heard the New Year's honours list and I think your ambassadorship got dropped. It got revoked. No, I think we'll get Champions League. I think it's fair what Alan said. I think we all expected a drop-off from Man City because you can't dominate every game. We just didn't expect this level of drop-off.

It is clear to see the need, a bit of a freshen up, new players, new energy. But yeah, I think this season they'll still get Champions League, but I think next season will be before they start challenging properly again. Wouldn't disagree.

On to the other side in Manchester, Manchester United, currently 14th. Listen to this, 1-6, drawn four, lost nine. 22 points. Alan said, Europe, they'll definitely improve on eighth last season. They'll just miss out on the Champions League. Micah, fourth, was impressed with them in the Community Shield. That seems a long time ago. I said, Europe, they'll miss out on the Champions League unless Ten Hag moves away from his counter-attacking style. Um,

it's not quite gone according to plan for Manchester United this season. At the moment, you would, you know, Amarim's record's worse than, than Ten Hag. And,

We saw them play, again, this is on Tuesday, we saw them play last night against your Newcastle side, Alan, and the first half an hour was quite embarrassing, actually. It seems odd that you played just two in midfield and two players, Casemiro and Ericsson, who have been brilliant in their time, but...

clearly haven't got the energy or the pace to play in that particular way. They're struggling big time, aren't they? How long does he go on persisting with his system? Because clearly his players, the players he has got in that squad, can't play the way he wants them to play.

How long does he persist with it? As long as he can. I don't think he changes his ways whatsoever because then he's admitted defeat. Really? When you say you admit defeat, is it not say, well, okay, well, I've tried that way. My players can't play the way, so I have to change for the benefit of the team? Yeah, but they've played. It's not like Man United were great three years ago and then, say, Ten Hag came in

And it was really bad. And then he's trying to... But they've not played well for years, obviously.

And have tried every formation possible. So if you're a manager, you're not going to then doubt yourself and go into a different system, a system that you don't know. I think this is just one that's going to take a lot of time. Obviously the players are not good enough to fit into his ideas at this moment in time. But if he starts changing now... They're getting worse though, Michael. Yeah, but I think sometimes you have to get worse before you go forward. The

They've tried everything else, you know? Did you see after the game that he confirmed, Amarim confirmed that he thinks the team is in a relegation battle? I mean, that's extraordinary. I mean, he said that. That's not us saying that. I don't think they'll be in a relegation battle. I don't, I'm sure. I wonder, I mean, we know there's never too much transfer action in the January window, but I wonder if there is one club it needs to be Manchester United because...

he needs players that can play in the way he wants to play and if they don't come in quickly they're going to struggle and at the moment it's not his set of players I mean they are in one way but you know what I mean

And he certainly needs legs in midfield to play the way he did. And I mean, they were better when Mainu came on, but... Not only does he need players in, he needs players out as well, doesn't he? That's not always easy, is it? But you remember we talked about Amorim when he was in Portugal, sporting. And I was watching it and tactically, you know, you come on and you want to present your case. You know, presenters like you, guys will ask, what's different? What do they need to do? And...

If you look at how they played in Portugal, like how anyone thought with this, these players at Man United right now could do what he's trying to do. It's impossible because Man United do not have legs. They don't have legs.

So, to Alan's point, you probably would tweak things a little bit and say, let's just play this way till the end of the season. And then once I get my players in, this is what we're going to do. But he's come in, he had that big win against Man City in a Champions League. Man United fans are going crazy on social media saying, oh, oh my God, this is how we're going to play. We can do this. He's not got the players to do that. So what does everyone expect? I don't know.

I don't know what everyone's expecting. I bet he thinks, what on earth have I walked into here? Both on and off the pitch. Don't you think? Tough time. It's going to take time. Yeah, absolutely. And a quick reminder that in one of Alex Ferguson's first two seasons, he nearly got relegated. So things can change. On to Newcastle, Alan. We're on a roll. They're on a roll. You said fourth.

um, if they get Gahee or another top player, they did neither. Micah, you said Europe fifth or sixth. And, um, I said Europe too. So what's that now? Five wins on the bounce, Alan? It's amazing. Isn't it? A month ago, they were sat in 12th, I think. And we're, I'm thinking the inconsistency of them was. They're currently fifth, of course. Yeah. They've won there. They've won the last, yeah, four or five games, not conceded, looked a completely different team. Um,

And yeah, let's hope they can keep it going. They've got a real opportunity to have a great season in terms of winning a trophy. They've got a really good opportunity of again finishing in fourth or fifth. So if that were to happen, wow, they've got a real live chance of that happening. So things are looking really good for them. Quick shout to Lewis Hall because we were

last night on the group WhatsApp. I think he could be the answer to the left-back question that England have had for some time. Really like him, Alan. Talented, really, really good. He's very good defensively and, of course, going forward as well. It was him that put the ball in, if I'm correct, for Isak. Yes.

So, yeah, he's got a real chance of claiming that left-back spot for England. Definitely. Honourable mention for Big Dan Byrne. I like him better in the centre of defence than I do as a full-back. They've got the balance, I think, a bit more protection in midfield as well. They've got that balance right in midfield and they're looking a really talented team at the minute. OK, we've come to Nottingham Forest. Let's skip that one. Let's go on to Southampton. LAUGHTER

We'll let you go first on this one, Gaz. Well, it's not exactly brilliant for any of us, but okay. Alan, relegation battle. They'll have enough. Just. Micah, relegation battle similar to last season. Gary. They'll finish in the top five. Oh, no. Sorry.

Relegated. It might be them or Leicester. Oh, my goodness me. Well, I've owned this for a few weeks now. And it's great to see, actually. It's been refreshing to see a side in a club like Forest challenge really near the top. They're currently second, of course. Won 11 games this season. 37 points.

Is that you, Michael? We're all numpties. We're all numpties. Can we get the rights to that joy in the box? No.

Just as you're speaking, just fade out his voice, lads. I'll slowly enhance the music. Right, onto a serious issue though. I mean, what a job Nuno Espirito Santo's done. The signings have been terrific. Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson, Alan, you must be thinking, God, blimey. He was absolutely brilliant in the last game that I saw. What a season he's having.

It's been a great move for him. He's got an energy about him, a class about him. And the way Forest play suits so many of their players. Their recruitment's been great. They've signed some top defenders.

who love defending, which then enables the forward players to go and do their stuff. They're quick on the break and they've got a centre forward that's in the form of his life. So you put all that together, an unbelievable season there, haven't you? Langer's done really well on the right. I really like Gibbs Whitehead. He's chipped in on numerous occasions.

They really work hard in midfield. Incredibly solid in the centre of their defence, Micah. Yeah, outstanding. I think as well they can mix it up. They can

play slow in a build-up, they can speed it up, they can play to the big man in wood, they've got runners off him. I just think they're flexible and they're fluid in the way they play and once you start winning a few games, confidence is high. Nuno Spirito Santo has been excellent as well. He just said,

They work on everything, but ultimately it's down to the confidence in the camp. And the keeper. Yes, really good. He's having a really good season as well, yeah. Really good. I think we'll probably change our predictions now. I actually thought at the beginning of the season that I'd either be relegated or finish in the top four. So...

It was one of the two. Couldn't make my mind up. You know, I think I fancy them for Europe at least. Yeah. Europe. Okay. On to Saints. Another one of your former clubs, Alan, Southampton. We all said relegated. Obviously changed coach.

Hasn't been a bounce. They've lost the two games, haven't scored under Juric. I don't think any of us think any different now, do we? Realistically, haven't quite got enough talent across the team. They've played some nice football this season, particularly under Russell Martin, but just not strong enough probably at both ends. Yeah, exactly. I think that's all summed it up really well and there's too much of a points difference now for them to come back into it. Yeah.

Unfortunately for them, it's not looking good. Couple of shout-outs. So Ramsdale's done all right when he's played. Howard Bellis makes his England debut. And Dibbling. Dibbling. I like Dibbling. He's been good in various games.

They're not down and out, but we always thought they didn't have enough quality to stay in the Premier League. They've only got six points and that's never going to be anywhere near enough, obviously. On to Tottenham Hotspur. We all said the same thing really here. We're

fifth and fifth, which is obviously likely to be a Champions League spot next season. I think they've been, obviously currently they're 11th, but they have been hampered massively by injuries in the central defence and their goalkeeper, which is bound to take effect. We've discussed Ange Ball many times and the fact that he probably needs to make a tweak or two, but...

He sticks by his guns and the way he wants his teams to play. We've talked about the fact that they are entertaining. We love watching them play, but it's a disappointing season thus far. Yeah, they've been really inconsistent. They continue to play that high line and get punished for it in so many games. Injuries obviously have played a part, as you have said, and

Yeah, they'll continue to struggle, I think, until they get those players back. Yeah, agreed. They need to get the players back ASAP. I think next season, or the next half of the first season, I think we'll be better because even the younger players who are playing now are getting a little bit more experience.

But yeah, unfortunately, just where Spurs are at the moment in time, I think with Forest doing so well and Newcastle picking up form, Aston Villa picking up form as well, all those teams probably didn't expect to be there and we thought Spurs would be in that situation. So...

Yeah, probably just Europe, maybe. I still think they'll make Europe, as long as they can get one or two players back. It's like Newcastle. If you put three wins together, three, four wins together, you'd really jump at the moment because it's quite tight, isn't it? That pack behind the top four. And let's move on now to West Ham. They're currently 13th on 23 points. We all said mid-table.

And I suppose 13th is just about mid-table. They've been a bit up and down. Sometimes they've been fairly awful. On other occasions, they've done well. Thoughts on their first half of the season? I mean, the whole thing, wasn't it, when David Moyes was moved on, that they said they wanted a more possibly expansive football? I don't necessarily think we've seen that. Yeah.

But I think they'll be okay, West Ham. I don't think they'll be anywhere near a relegation fight. Yeah, I think they'll finish in and around where they are. I don't think there's nothing significant improvement. I'm not sure the football's any better. No, pretty flat, I think, at West Ham. And I think the fans would probably say that too. It's not been great at all, has it? Bowen's been the one that they can sort of pin their hopes on. But that's been the same for a while now. But...

No, I don't see them getting any better, to be honest, West Ham. No, I think Bowen came off injured in the last game as well, so hopefully that's nothing serious because they really do not want to lose him. Yeah.

Obviously with the awful crash that Antonio had as well, Mikel Antonio, and hopefully he's progressing. So, yeah, Micah? I just don't understand what West Ham are doing.

You know under Moyes, they were going to be hard to beat. They've got some quality players, maybe on the transition. But if you sign someone like Fulcrum, admittedly he was injured for parts of the season. But when you've got the likes of Kudus or Bowen, who like to play that right-hand side, who like to come in and cut on the left foot and shoot. At times, if you're going to buy Fulcrum...

By wingers who want to cross the ball, and then you've got Pakatar who wants to drop into a number 10. I just feel like there's something missing between the midfield and the attack. Bent a few quid as well, didn't they? That's what I mean. There's something not right, and then they're bringing Kilman, who's really good on the ball.

was really good at Wolves, but then him and Mavropanos not really working together. And then you bring in Wan-Bissaka, then one day it's four at the back, then you want to play Emerson, Wan-Bissaka's wing. I just don't know what they are. I think they're getting results because they've got good quality players. And I think the manager needs to find out what works for them best going forward. Wolves, final team, and they're currently 17th, just one place above the relegation zone. And that's been fantastic.

because they've had, what, two wins and a draw since Vitor Pereira took charge. Alan, you said relegation battle, but they'll have enough to stay up. Micah, mid-table. Ooh.

I said relegation battle. I think, well, it's definitely a relegation battle. It's whether the bounce can continue under the new manager. I think Kunja limped off, didn't he, in the last game, which would be a huge loss. But he's got a two-game ban as well, hasn't he? He got that huge fine in the two-game ban. So he's going to be out for the next couple of games. I would stick to my opinion on that. They'll have enough just, I think, this season. They've had the bounce and I think...

Yeah, I don't think, well, it's not all well there, but I do think they'll have enough for this to see off relegation, yeah. I still think mid-table bounce. I think that the players that they have, new manager, I really enjoy watching them from midfield to attack, to Straddarsson up front. I think they've got Wang back now. Yes, Kunya is a big part of what they do.

But I just enjoy watching them play. I think they've got all the... What, in the last three games, you mean? I just enjoy watching... You know what? Okay, so when we look at the... When you asked the question, about a month ago, would Wolves get out of this? I was like, as long as they don't...

their confidence they will get out of it and then they go out of the bottom three I think they can get points easily because I think they've got good players well I think they've got good players but I think it's going to be a battle for them right to the end of the season um

But we'll wait and see. Well, that's it. Overall, we weren't too bad with a couple of obvious exceptions. But that's it for today's episode of The Rest Is Football. Safe to say we've had some decent predictions and maybe a few stinkers, but that's the life of a football punnett. The one thing about football...

And punditry and predictions is it will make you look a fool on occasions. But we'll be back on Monday to review all the best action from the weekend, including the likes of Spurs against Newcastle and Liverpool, Manchester United. I fear the worst for Man United going to Anfield. Well, hold on, hold on. Before you go, Alan said in the last couple of weeks, the last three results, the one, two and drawn one. In the last couple of weeks? Yeah.

What did I say? You said you really enjoy watching them play. I said what? In the last three games, you mean? Okay, yes, yes, yes, yes. I see now. I see. I was thinking, have I said something wrong then? The Wolves have been good recently. Have a great weekend, everyone. Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me, everyone. Have a good weekend. Mike, do you want to say goodbye or do you want to keep dwindling on this?

Goodbye from Big Meeks. Have a wonderful 2025, people. Be there or be square. Coming to your homes very soon. Stay tuned, guys.