Sparkling Salah Shows His Worth, Forest March On & City Finally Back To Winning Ways
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Hello and welcome to the Resties Football with Alan Shearer, Scrooge and me, Gary Lineker. Hello.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, celebrating with friends and family, eating plenty of good food and enjoying enough drinks to make you just a little bit merry. And hopefully no one went near Micah's fridge. How was your Christmas, Micah? I've seen Alan Boxing Day, but I haven't seen you. Oh, this is our first pod since Christmas, isn't it? Christmas was okay. It was low key. Was that the day you pulled out your... Oh, hold on, hold on.

By the way, can we talk about Gary's voice on Boxing Day? I thought it was Sean Dyche, by the way. Hey, a bit sexy, wasn't it? Hey, the only reason Gary turned up for Match of the Day was to make sure that everyone laughed at you for missing Match of the Day with the same thing.

There's no way he could have pulled out after giving you some stick and then he had a pulled out on Boxing Day. So he was turning up, come hell or whatever it was, he was turning up. I was in bad nick. I was in a bad way though, wasn't I guys? I was confident. It wasn't just a sore throat.

I was coughing up phlegm. I was ill. I had a temperature. Do you want to tell us the truth now? Did you have too much drink or not? Al, you know more than anyone I can handle my drink. Do you remember the summer? The Euros? Negroni'd up with a little bit of Guinness. Oh, of course. Well, you're back now. You're back to good health. Look at Keno.

Can you not feel the energy through your screens? - Some of us, Al, some of us, Alan, are old school warriors. - We turn up guys, we turned up on Boxing Day, no problem. - How was you guys Christmas? I have to say mine was nice and quiet. Just a few family members came over. People were respectful and we had a great time, so yes. - I bet you terrified them going anywhere near your fridge or anything, didn't you?

You should have seen me there when as soon as someone got up out the chair, I just ever so slightly turned my chair to see what there was going in the fridge for. And everyone was just like, am I right to get a drink? I'm like, don't worry about it. Fucking Grinch again. He's off, look, he's off. I bet they were petrified coming to your house on Christmas Day after what they heard you say.

but why don't they invite me to their house? Why do you want to come to my house, eating my food, drinking my drinks? Why is it just a must, people must come to my house? I don't like people, you know that. - Well, we did Match of the Day of which the highlight was when I arrived and I said hi to everyone, Rich, the editor,

Went to greet me and fell flat on his back in his chair. The chair went backwards. Oh, it's priceless. I've got a picture. Send it to you. He got a lot of sympathy, didn't he? Oh, yeah, absolutely zero. As you might expect. He fell off his chair backwards. So funny. It's been a good Christmas for Liverpool. It's cool.

I mean, they beat Leicester coming from behind, as you would expect at home. And we're doing this on Sunday afternoon or evening, obviously now, just after the West Ham-Liverpool game. And they were very impressive again. Big lead now from Nottingham Forest are in second place at the moment, which is an extraordinary effort, which will come to their game shortly. But honestly, cannot see anyone getting near Liverpool. Can you really, realistically? Before we start, can I ask you a question? Because...

We all know my thoughts on Mo Salah. What would you do with a contract situation now? Would you just give him what? I don't like the term. Well, you can't just give someone what they want. It depends what they want. Within reason, obviously, they've got to do everything that they possibly can

But you can't just say, I will give you whatever you want because he'll come back with something that bankrupt the football club. I'm sure he wouldn't, but you know what I mean? It's easy to say, give him what he wants, but it depends what he wants. Okay, would you put him in a lane of his own? He probably already is. Probably already is, so he's going to have to go into the hard shoulder on his own. LAUGHTER

My guess would be that I would be more than confident that both him and Big Virgil will sign extensions. I'm not so sure about Trent, but the other two, I would be more than confident they would sign new deals. But yeah, he'd have to be in a lane of his own more so, yeah. The Spanish press were reporting today that they understand that Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed to

to go to Real Madrid. Now, obviously, if you're end of contract, you can start negotiations in January. It's not quite January, but they're usually pretty accurate over there on things like that, particularly with Real Madrid. It seems to make a lot of sense

to me, free transfer. That's in many ways how Real Madrid have done their business recently. Obviously, they did a similar thing with Mbappe. He's really close with Jude Bellingham. We saw that a lot during the summer. He's a wonderful, wonderful footballer. There's no question about that. He would fit in there beautifully. I think he'd be a massive success. They wouldn't focus on his defending critically like we do perhaps over here.

Overly so in my opinion. It's a great fit. It'd be a huge loss for Liverpool, but it is a position where they've got a youngster coming through that's done really well in that position when he's come in, although they would want to keep him because he's going on a free and that's not ideal for Liverpool. But if I were a player now, if you were a footballer now and you were that sort of level,

you would see your contract through, wouldn't you? Because if a club can buy you for say, let's say for example, 50 million. If you're at the end of the contract, the club doesn't have to pay that. Now they're not going to give it all to you, but you're in a much better negotiating position in terms of,

a business decision particularly if you're going to go to one of the big clubs anyway so I think that's highly likely that that will happen I mean I've got no inside information on this whatsoever just before you go the only thing with that do you remember Victor Valdez at Barcelona

where he ran his contract down. And he, at the time, he was probably top three goalkeepers in world football. He went on loan to Man United and then standardly aged and ended up at Middlesbrough. And he had a bad knee injury. And yes, you can get insured for all that sort of thing. So you've just got to be careful with that. I think an ideal scenario would have been

Trent would have been bought 18 months ago for 100 million. Liverpool get loads of money for him. He gets to go to Real Madrid. I want what's ever best for Trent, but it does feel weird him going on a free in the prime of his...

career, but I totally agree with you, Gaz. I think you would do that as a modern-day player. I totally agree. That's not his fault, so he's entitled to do that. And I get that it may be a little bit harder because of the Liverpool connection and the local boy and everything else. I totally understand that. But he's won everything at Liverpool, hasn't he? It's a fresh challenge. How do you say no to Real Madrid? I don't think anyone could

What I would ask is if it is going to happen, which it looks likely, I would say to everyone, put yourself in Trent's position after achieving what he has done at Liverpool, the dream that he's had, and then to go on and be asked to play for Real Madrid, which is what it looks like then, and to go and make an absolute fortune as well because of the rules in football.

then you can't knock him for that at all. And playing there, I know Liverpool's, you know, it's an incredible football club. It really is. But, you know, fresh challenge playing abroad. I did it myself. And playing for either, you know, Real Madrid or Barcelona is something truly, truly special. It's where even to this day now, however strong and powerful and rich the Premier League is, you know, the world's greats go still to Barcelona football.

and Real Madrid. You'd probably say the only exception in recent times would be Haaland, where everybody probably wanted him. But that aside, that's where they go. That's where they go. And he'll love it there. It'd be amazing. They'll worship him. They'll appreciate his incredible passing range. I mean, we saw it again today. A couple of the balls he hit. I mean,

And by the way, I think this season he's probably been better than he's ever been. He's getting better, isn't he? Well, he's in the prime of his career, Alan. He's been unbelievable this season.

Yeah, he's a great player. You know what football fans are like and understandably so. It's their football club. It's the most important thing in the world to them. And they'll probably find it difficult to accept a player leaving that they consider one of their own years, obviously. But similar to Michael Owen, when he left, I don't think he was ever...

I think Steven Gerrard eventually decided he wouldn't, but that's, you know, he was leaving for, possibly leaving for Chelsea, another Premier League club, whereas,

It's different for, you know, if Real Madrid come calling. Well, you played with Steve McManaman. I did at the latter part of his career, Alan. How did he find that move? He went on a free, if I remember correctly, to Real Madrid, did he? If you asked him if he had all the same decisions to make, I think he'd probably make the same. Don't you? I think with what he's achieved in his career and everything that he's done. What he achieved at Real Madrid. Champions League. Two Champions Leagues, wasn't it? Yeah.

Yeah, look, as I'd said, if you ask everyone to be honest, even the hardest Liverpool fans, after he's played for Liverpool for so long, I know Liverpool is part of who he is, but he's won everything there. And I'm pretty sure that they, I don't know, hard feelings. I hope not because he's been a great player for them and he's helped them had unbelievable success. Totally agree on that. They're unstoppable now, aren't they, Liverpool? Yep.

they're brilliant they're so strong we keep saying every single week the energy every position even the players they bring on it's like goodness me they've got so many options Gomez has gone off injured I know so that may be a slight worry for them but

They're really, really strong and it's hard to look at anything else but Liverpool. So there's the chuck away. We talked about Trent, didn't we? And we talked about Salah. But Van Dijk. Oh my, oh my. What a footballer. What a player he is. Yes, he's good on the ball. Yes, he's tall and...

He's strong, but he's just, he's effortless. Everything that he does, if you watch his positioning, it is... He's so intelligent, isn't he? He just, he's always in the right position. Yes, I don't like the sometimes thing that he does when he's sort of defending and the ball goes behind him and it just sort of sticks out his back leg. That's the only part of his game that I look at and think,

you don't really need to do that but everything else is spot on he is he's one of the premier league greats we're talking top line defender and yes the argument would be there's not that many top number nines but he's still got to adjust to people playing you know a four three free when to step out when to drop off when to engage it's just he's got everything i mean yeah he

His contract situations need sorting out as well. I think it will be, but just watching him in every game, he's a delight to watch. He really is. This will rumble on until somebody signs something for someone, won't it, with those three players. Mo Salah today became the first player, by the way, to score and assist in eight different Premier League games in a season. And we're only halfway through, almost halfway through. Really? Wow. Which is quite the achievement. They gave him a lot of space though today. I mean...

Just a bit. West Ham's, I don't know, they were disorganised, weren't they? I mean, defensively, I know they're difficult to play against Liverpool, but I mean, they just folded quite comfortably, didn't they? It was like, oh, off you go then. We'll accept this. I thought as soon as Liverpool got their first goal, it was like, how many is this going to be? Didn't ever see any hope of any comeback whatsoever. But when you go into a player at four at the back and then you play a five at the back,

The reason why you have the fifth member at the back is to stop the space down the width of the pitch. But Salah had so much space. And yes, tactically, you can look at what Liverpool did. But if you just stay at five in the back and just stay in your position, make it very difficult for the opponent to break you down. They're just...

All went inside and left space for Salah. I can't believe what I was seeing. Salah could have scored probably five goals today. You know, he had a few chances, didn't he? He mishit a few. But I think it's Salah's intelligence as well. You know, we talk about his dribbling and his finishing and his work rate and his mindset. But his movement is one of the best I've ever seen in the Premier League. He times, he's run perfectly every time.

every single time. He's just on the cusp of being offside, but he manages to stay in line with the last defender. It's amazing to watch. You talk about his nous there, Micah. And I think that was summed up with the goal down the right-hand side where he knew that he was marginally offside and left the ball. He kind of sensed it, whereas a lot of players would have just gone on and carried that. So he left it, didn't he? And then...

Eventually it came to him and he did, I think that was the one where he did the amazing assist, wasn't it? Which is an incredible bit of play. You're absolutely right. His footballing intelligence is something to behold. I love watching him play.

I love the fact that he plays with a smile on his face. And to be perfectly honest, if you played like him in a team like that, you would have a smile on your face. But even when he misses chances, he accepts it and doesn't let it bother him. And that's really important for someone that scores a lot of goals, Alan. He's an unbelievable talent and I keep seeing it. Premier League great. Yeah, he's got a while left. There's no doubt about it. Exactly. Their closest challengers are now Nottingham Forest. Who would have thunk it?

Um, comfortable two nil win away. Chris would have to say Chris would, and I, not that I've been critical of him in the past, but I must say I've, I misjudged, you know, the quality of the player. He's a better footballer and, you know, than I actually thought he was originally. I don't mind owning that. Um,

He's done really well. And again, you're talking about intelligence. He makes the best of his assets with his movement and his goal-handed assist today. Lovely little finish. Have you seen how he lobbed it over the keeper there, over Pickford as he came out? I had him in my team as well, Gaz. I could tell that with the smile on your face when I was talking.

You've had a good day. I've had a great day. Let's not talk about me now. Let's talk about Chris Wood. Do you know about Forest? Chris Wood's having this season of his life. It's just unbelievable. And they play to his strengths, which is really important as a centre forward. But Everton played Arsenal yesterday.

Yeah.

Looking very impressive. I said it before, they remind me a little bit of that Leicester season. They're not going to win the league because Liverpool, in the season that Leicester went and did their stuff, a lot of the big clubs were in transition. But there's a similarity. They don't mind not having the ball. They counter really quick and they've got some quality individual players in there and they're difficult to score against. I think the problem perhaps that Everton had

They know what they're doing when they're playing against a really good team. They'll just sit and sit and sit and they'll try and get a clean sheet. If they're playing another side like Forest, who also like to play on the counter, they have to come out a little bit and they got exposed on the counter-attack, which they would never do against a Chelsea or Arsenal and whoever else they played. So I think that therein perhaps lies Everton's problems.

and they'll continue to find life difficult in the Premier League because they just don't score many goals, which has to be a concern. I've got some good players, though, Everton, you know, who's really impressed me over the last couple of weeks. Mangala in midfield, Alan Dye.

He really, he's just the final bit within Dainau. He looks really good, gets on a ball, he's got a drop of his shoulder, and I know he scored that wonderful goal against Manchester City, wasn't it? But there was opportunities in the game today, if he would just play the right pass at the right moment, then there could be a...

a better team going forward. I don't think Everton, when you look at them, are just like what you expect, just defensive. And they do the defensive stuff really well. But also in transition with Harrison and Adai, they're actually better going forward. They're just...

Up top, when they get that chance, just don't take it, you know? And then they're on the back foot again. Let's talk about my team, Leicester City. I knew that it was guaranteed that if you want to play someone that's going to get you out of a hole, it would be Leicester. Although, to be perfectly honest, I thought Leicester played well and I was encouraged. All right, the ambassador's cheering. City are back! Oh, oh, oh!

City are back. Do you think so though? I watched that game. No, I don't think so. In the second half, Leicester, I mean, so many chances, Leicester, a bit unlucky at the woodwork. Vardy could have had a couple of goals on another day, would have done. There was one where he probably should have gone with his head when he went with his foot and he knocked it over the bar from four yards out.

I thought Leicester played some really good... I was actually encouraged by Leicester's performance. Really like El Canoose in midfield. I think he's come on since the start. The last few games I've watched him. I did analysis of a match today about three weeks ago. You did? Just to let you know, Gaz.

He was really good. You know, that link up he had with Buonannotti and Winks behind them. I thought Leicester were quite creative. Really struggling at the back though. You know, we've got one or two injuries there, particularly the goalkeeper's important to Leicester as well. But Man City back to winning ways. I'm not sure they were anywhere near back to their best though. Alan, do you think? Yeah,

The rut that they're in, they probably think it doesn't really matter how they play. They just needed to get the win and the three points and hope that it does something for their confidence. I wouldn't be convinced that they're back. They were far too open again. And Leicester, bearing in mind where Leicester are this season, how many chances they created against them, it still would be a concern of mine. And yeah, good win for them. That's all that matters for City because try and pick up a little bit, but...

Not convinced at the back? No, definitely not. Are you, Micah? I wouldn't say that I'm convinced at the back. The only thing I would say is...

You said it right. They got the result. They got the clean sheet. And I know Leicester should have scored, but you know when you're going through a bad time and you want to cling on to something positive throughout the game. So Haaland scores. It was, you know, he's not been in the best form and he get a clean sheet. It's almost like in the Champions League, 3-0 up and then they concede three. They've gone up, I think they've dropped 12 points from winning positions.

this season. So... They could have easily done the same. Yeah, it could, but it didn't. That's the thing. So, you know, when you played football, you're just looking for something to hold on to. And I think as a defender, you can say, okay, we've had a clean sheet. We've not played brilliantly well. We've got the result and let's try build from here now. McAtee did well when he came on, didn't he? He did. He's a good player, though.

he's a good player he is the one thing I would say about City though is that and the difference even though they won today and they'll be pleased and I totally agree with everything you say psychologically very important for them

but I would say the energy that we've seen in Pep's sides year after year after year and even at the start of this season it seems to have ebbed away and they look like the amount of football they've played over the last few years the amount of success they've had the amount of that takes out of you probably mentally to maintain that but that

That aggressive nature of the press, it's not just slightly below where they were. It's almost non-existent. I would say in terms of belief and confidence, you can still do the hard run, you know, and the pressing and what have you. And your touch might be off, your finishing might be off, you might not be playing well. But that doesn't stop you from doing the bits that people might not perhaps see in terms of the closing down and all of those things. Yet they look absolutely knackered.

in so many areas of the pitch. And that would be the big concern, yeah. I think he almost intimated that after the game. Pep in his interview, he wasn't overly thrilled. You could tell he didn't love the performance. And I think he said, we just didn't have the energy. And that's one thing you can't coach. You know, if you've got all... I mean, normally in football, don't you get two or three players get tired at a certain period, but when you get a lot at the same time, and you have to take into account the amount of football that they've played over the last three, four years, it can catch up up.

on you in the end. And also don't forget, it's not quite as exciting when you're not at the top of the league. So it does make a difference, understandably in some ways. It'd be interesting to see if they can bounce back and perhaps get one or two of their players

that have been out for a little while, that have come back fresh. And who are if they can sign anyone in January as well? Yeah, very true. We'll find out. We'll see what happens. Let's take a break there and then we'll come back and discuss the other games that were played today.

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Welcome back to the Resties Football with Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. There were a number of games today. They weren't all televised, of course, but they'll all be on Match of the Day. That was last night, if you're listening to this, so it's not much point plugging it. Kelly Summers is doing it, isn't it? It's her first one tonight. Oh, she deserves a chance. She was excellent in the Euros. Oh, she's really good. I like Kelly a lot and she's very much a football reporter person,

commentator, broadcaster, et cetera. So we wish, I hope, well, we wish her well, but it would have already happened even though it's been She'll do well. If you know what I mean. She'll be great. She'll be great. Those games will include Spurs who came from behind against Wolves, got ahead.

and then letting a sucker punch in the 94th minute or something like that. So more frustration for Tottenham's fans. Yeah, and they were booed off as well, weren't they? So we can understand the frustration it spurs on Tottenham,

I mean, the results, if the results go against them, they couldn't end up in, I don't know, 14th or something like that, which for Spurs and where they want to be and how much they've spent and all of those things, I get that they've got goalkeeper out injured and two centre-halves, but they still had, I think, Poro, a doggy, Dragison, which they paid big money for. So really, really poor at the minute there. And the pressure's right on Ange. Yeah, it's tough, isn't it? Because...

When Ange first came to the club, I was so excited to see what he could do. I still believe in what he's trying to do, but you know, football, it's results business, isn't it? I think he's been very unlucky. I think Archie Gray as well, having to play centre-half when he's a midfielder or he's played right back at Leeds, it's always going to be difficult. It really is, but it's just the way that they're losing at times. It's very hard to have a pop-up manager

because I agree with the way he wants to play football. And I think, I don't like the word naive, but I think at times he could just tweak certain aspects to how they play, where they could get, you know, positive results, but they just don't do it. The concentration is...

is not good enough. And a manager can only put out a side that he believes best to win the game. But sometimes the players have to take responsibility. And at this moment in time, I don't think there's enough leaders out there just dragging them through games. And ultimately, it's just leading to poor results. I mean, I've defended to the hilt Ange Postacoglu because I love the way his team's playing. You always get goals and it's always entertaining. Now, I understand that

Like you said, it's a results-driven business. And if you're 13th, 14th in the league table, that's unsatisfactory for supporters. But I'm also a person that is fairly neutral watching football matches, even though I was at Spurs and I want them to do well because I love the football club and I love being there and it's great. But I do want to watch them play. And that is an important thing in football. And I do think if they can get...

I mean, Romero and Van de Ven had a really good relationship and it's such a shame that they've both been out so frequently because when they play, they're a different side because they need that pace, obviously, when they play so high up the pitch. It's a brave form of football, but it's a football I like. So I hope...

hope he gets a bit more time because Spurs tried that before, didn't they? They had Conte and they had Mourinho who play, let's say, a much more cagey game of football and the fans didn't enjoy it and the results were probably marginally better at present, although Ange didn't do badly in the end. He had a great start, didn't he, last season? They kind of petered out a little bit, but yeah, it's...

I suppose that the answer really is a little bit in the middle, isn't it? Have a little bit more of the caginess of Mourinho and Conte with the gung-ho nature of Ange-Poster Coglou's football. If you could just kind of use a little bit of one and a lot of the attacking side, it's like you say, Mike, just...

just make little tweaks. Um, and who knows, he might've been trying and, and it's not quite worked, but you know, I hope they stick with him and I hope he turns it round, but obviously the, he's going to need some results fairly quickly. I think the next two are massive, aren't they? I think off the top of my head, they've got Newcastle at home and then they've got Liverpool, I think in the Carabao semifinal. Oh, first leg. First leg. Um,

those two games are huge and Newcastle's at Spurs as well so particularly probably the cup game because it's been so long since you know Spurs have won something if he could it's hard to see him getting past Liverpool the only thing I would say is that Liverpool will probably rest quite a few I know that sounds mad in a semi-final but

Champions League games coming up, although they're in pretty good shape there. But with them being so far ahead in the league, that will take absolute priority for Liverpool. So I'd be surprised if they didn't mix it up a little bit, which might help the chances of Spurs. But even Liverpool, some of the Liverpool squad players now are really, really good players. You see them, who they're bringing on today and like Harvey Elliott or Simicast or whoever it may be and goalkeeper Kelly Hill come in or whatever. It's like,

They've got some Diogo Jota. So they've got some really talented players who are ready to come in as well. So it's going to be a tough, tough ask for them. But those two games are massively important. As a Spurs, I don't want to say fan because you've played for a couple of clubs, Gary, but if they were to finish 10th but win the League Cup, how would you feel with that for this season, knowing that the football you're trying to play...

and injuries that you've had and then going on to next season thinking, okay, we can take a little bit of positivity from that? I think given the injuries that they have had and given the fact that most of the time you'll go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and see an entertaining game and I would definitely take that over not winning the Carabao Cup and

and finishing sixth. That's how I would think. Getting into the Champions League is obviously a different thing. That's another level. That's what everybody wants to do now, particularly perhaps with this new format. If you're asking me from a Newcastle point of view, I'd rather finish fourth bottom and win the Carabao Cup. Any day. Give me any trophy.

Totally agree. I mean, this bollocks about finishing in the top four so you can play Champions League football, but not win a trophy any day. Mike is reaching back for a trophy as we speak. What is that? Talking of league cups. Look at that. Feast your eyes on that bad boy. Who won you that one? I think this was Yaya Torre, this one. The Yaya Torre Cup. Yeah.

Capital One Cup. That's a lovely little replica. I've got a replica of the FA Cup. Where's yours now? You got one of those? You need to get a replica of the Premier League though. Yeah, I've got that. For Wolves though, massive goal to get that equaliser at the end. Stan Larson.

because they've had a good bounce, haven't they? And with the new manager coming in there. So that just keeps that going. That's a great point for them, isn't it? Two wins and a draw is a great start for the manager. Absolutely fantastic. Producer John totally agrees, I think. I can just sense him in the back.

ground just sense him thinking that yeah two wins and a draw from Vitor Pereira's first three games in charge that's just what you need well it hasn't happened at Southampton the other side and we had a tiny bounce at Leicester when he came in but it's been a bit of a struggle since so it's it's really important that you get that the only thing I will say though Cunha who's been exceptional for them over the last month or so he he came off injured and

I don't know, there's something going on with a potential ban or whatever. So it might not be the worst time, but in terms of what they've got going forward, he would be a massive miss. Very good player, yeah. Crucial for them, isn't he? Such a good footballer. Let's move on to two teams that have performed so well in the first half of the season that met today at Craven Cottage and shared the spores actually in a 2-2 draw. Fulham...

and Bournemouth both really well coached aren't they don't know whether you agree I'm sure you do absolutely no I think I mean I'll talk about Fulham Micah you can take Bournemouth but I think the recruitment at Fulham played some really good football got some excellent players in there and anyone going up against Fulham nowadays know that's going to be a really really tough game so yeah they're having a really good season Bournemouth I just want to apologise to Bournemouth fans I had you going down but

at the start of the season not quite as bad as Forrest I was going to bring that up before but I thought I'd leave you do you know what we've got coming up we did an interview the other day didn't we with Morgan Rogers, Micah and I Alan you were doing the Arsenal game for Amazon Prime

And I must say that's coming out on Wednesday. And please do have a listen. What an incredibly articulate, intelligent, confident, without being arrogant in any way. I was so impressed, Mike. Were you? I couldn't.

believe he was only 22 we talk about players after they retire what they're going to do he could be anything he wants to be he's so articulate he knows the game he knows the tactics like you said he's full of confidence I was so impressed with him me too I was leading on there to saying the episode coming out on Friday we're going to as we did last season review our predictions after the halfway down the season and

Can I leave you to that one? I didn't know you, Michael, had put Bournemouth to be relegated. That's very honest of you because it would have come... That's why you've just brought it out because you knew it was going to come out. I'm dreading it. I'm absolutely... I do myself, Bournemouth.

They have to be brilliant, haven't they? Semenyo's been excellent. Brooks, he's been coming off the bench and then he started making a massive impact with all the struggles that he's had to come back into the team and then perform at this level is amazing. Even Arriga Zabalaga. How do you pronounce it? Arriga Balaga. Arriga Balaga. I'm not going to you for...

fucking Spanish lessons out leave that to Gaz I was hoping he'd get away with that Gaz are you are you laying to get away with that nonsense because that was alright wasn't it Gaz that sounded really good though to me honestly

Very good. Tell me who they've got as well, by the way, Gaz. We mentioned them, didn't we? We were talking about him earlier. Hoosen, or Hoyson, I don't know how you say it exactly, but he's a youngster that, I think he's, he was at Juventus, I think, wasn't he? And I think Bournemouth have taken him and I think there's a lot of eyes on him from big clubs around Europe, including Real Madrid. He's fantastic.

seriously silky on the ball. He's also, what, must be 6'5", and he looks a little bit special. You don't want to say these things too soon. I watched him live against, I did the COCOMs when Bournemouth played Spurs at home about three weeks ago.

And he made a mistake in the first five minutes. And I thought, but I tell you what, the way he bounced back, he got a goal as well. He put in a brilliant performance. He made one error in that game and it was in the first five minutes. So the way he came back from it, he put in such an assured performance.

And then he scored again, didn't he, at Old Trafford. So, yeah, I've been really, really impressed with him. Really good. Yeah, scoring goals, defender as well, obviously. Yeah, I know. But yeah, looks like a real talent.

That takes us to, well, there's just one other game that obviously we didn't see today. Although I've again watched the highlights. Palace came from behind to beat Southampton, who I mentioned before have not had a managerial bounce. Palace came from behind. You've seen Ez's goal. Yeah, great strike. Really not an easy ball to hit. Brilliant finish from outside the box.

Massive win for them. They're going well. They're recovered well, haven't they? I mean, they were under the cosh a bit, weren't they, with results, but they've stuck with him and it looks as if that's been the right decision because they're much better now. And

I always felt that they would get away from the relegation zone because they had too much quality and that's what's happening now. By contrast, I think it's going to be so difficult for Southampton. Obviously, two games now in charge, Ivan Djuric, two defeats, narrow defeats, which is something, but it's...

Overall, if you've not got enough quality, it doesn't matter. It's not really necessarily about the coach. I think it's easy to talk about Sam Fenton and say they take too many chances, they try play. And yet all those things are right, but they have been in a lot of games. I just think ultimately it comes down to in the final first, doesn't it? And I know that's cliche saying that if you don't score, you don't win.

But they have done a lot of good things this season. They've been in the last two games since the manager came to the club, but they're just...

Again, I don't know if it's a little bit of confidence. I think the manager's still got a lot of work to do in terms of seeing out games. But yeah, I don't think Southampton are as bad as everyone goes on. No, no, they've played a lot of good football this season. Correct, correct. Particularly under, you know, Russell Martin. But I just want to talk a little bit about that Eze go, because it was something when I saw it, Micah. Oh, wow. Was that a volley or a half-volley?

That was a half volley, of course it was! - Oh my word, what were you saying? - What are you talking about? - You two idiots! Are you taking the mick out of me now, aren't you? - No, how can that be a fucking half volley? - You took the ball bounced in the air and he volleyed it. - It's a volley! - But he didn't hit it on the full! - Of course he hit it on the full! - Have you two old bastards ever played

Headers and volleys. So headers and volleys, the ball comes over, someone crosses it in, and if you score a goal without it bouncing, it's a volley. The ball came across, it bounced perfectly into his path. It's a half volley. It bounced up in the air, and as it dropped, he hit it. Exactly, it's a half volley. It equals a volley. A half volley is when the ball is reeling

rising and you hit it just as it leaves the ground that is a half volley correct are you winding me up are you no we're not winding you up we're trying to educate you Johnny Boy H the younger members of this team no they're with us yes Johnny Boy how can that be a volley this is ridiculous ridiculous I'm going to end this podcast before we really fall out and

And don't forget on Wednesday, we've got Morgan Rogers who knows a volley when he sees one. So tune in for that. But for now, that's it from this week's episode of The Rest Is Football. Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me. Have a great week. I've forgotten what day it is anyway, so I don't know whether it's the beginning of the week or the end of the week. But anyway, have a good week.

Whatever it is, as soon as we go off air, I'm going to give you a right volley, Mike. A verbal volley. Goodbye. Bye.